Advertise on podcast: The Unfolding

    "Put on your helmet." Susan had a picture in her mind for her 22nd birthday: a new horse, a sunset ride, and a beautiful moment she would never forget. But right before it began, a voice interrupted her plans with a warning that would save her life.  BONUS: Hear Susan's daughter's short story on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 

  What if the way you see God, isn't actually true?  Jon Acuff grew up in church, but for years his relationship with God felt more like pressure than connection, and that shaped everything. In this episode of The Unfolding, Jon shares how his faith became personal in the middle of real life- marriage, responsibility, and the pressure to figure things out. As God began to reshape the way Jon saw Him, it changed the way he saw himself, his fear, and his calling.  Jon is a New York Times bestselling author known for books like Soundtracks and All It Takes Is a Goal. His newest book, Procrastination Proof, grows out of his own story- the years of knowing what he was called to do, but struggling to step into it. If you've ever felt stuck, unsure of your purpose, or like you're waiting until you feel ready, this conversation is for you.  Show Notes:    Website: https://jonacuff.com/    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjonacuff     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonacuff     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/authorjonacuff     Procrastination Proof book: https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Proof-Never-Stuck-Again/dp/154090380X     Share a story idea for The Unfolding: https://bit.ly/UnfoldingStories 

  Alicia Barr was sitting at a women's conference, half listening to Annie F. Downs, when something happened that felt far too personal to ignore. Alicia had been living in secrecy and pain, and in that moment, God interrupted her life with mercy. In this Unfolding Short Story, she shares how that moment became the beginning of truth, healing, and freedom.  Alicia is the author of More Than a Secret.

  What does it look like to trust God when your marriage has been devastated, and you don't know what comes next?  Brad and Heidi Mitchell share their story of walking through infidelity, broken trust, and the long road toward healing. After Brad's affair, their marriage faced a season that felt overwhelming. But in the middle of that pain, God began to do a deeper work, one that neither of them could have imagined at the time. In this conversation, you'll hear how they navigated repentance, forgiveness, and rebuilding communication. Their story is a reminder that even when a marriage feels fragile or fractured, God is still present and still at work. Today, Brad and Heidi lead Build Your Marriage, where they help couples grow stronger in their relationships and faith. They're also the authors of Ruined to Recovery, written for couples walking through betrayal, and Build Your Marriage Through Prayer, a practical guide to strengthening your marriage through prayer.  Show Notes:   Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/buildyourmarriage/  Build Your Marriage Through Prayer book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734158883#  Ruined to Recovery book:  https://www.amazon.com/Ruined-Recovery-Help-Affair-Discovered/dp/1734158824/  Website: https://buildyourmarriage.org/  Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/buildyourmarriage 

    "I knew inside that God was doing something in me and I had to listen to that."  Justin Stuart had built something huge: a YouTube channel with millions of subscribers, billions of views, and a successful business with his closest friend. But even with all of that, he began to sense God stirring something new in his heart. In this episode, Justin shares what it looked like to walk away from a life that seemed successful by every measure and trust God with what came next.  Check out Justin Stuart's Blobs books here:  https://davidccook.org/authors/justin-stuart/ 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  What happens when the very thing you believe you were created to do, is suddenly taken away?  Bay Turner (America's Got Talent, Centricity Music) shares a story of identity, faith, and surrender. After building a life around his voice, Bay was told he might never sing again. In an instant, everything he thought defined him was gone. What followed was a journey through anger, doubt, and ultimately a deeper understanding of who he is in Christ, not because of what he does, but because of whose he is.  Bay's debut EP Better Days is out now. This is a story for anyone who has ever questioned their purpose, struggled with identity, or wondered what God is doing in the middle of it all.  Show Notes:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bayturnermusic  Website: https://www.bayturner.com/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/bayturnermusic/ 

John Rhys-Davies, narrator of THE CHRIST, joins us to talk about Jesus, Tolkien, and the deeper story behind this four-part Easter audio epic. Through cinematic storytelling, powerful performances, and stirring music, THE CHRIST brings the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus vividly to life. Learn more at: TheChristPodcast.com

Experience the story of Jesus like never before in THE CHRIST, a four-part Easter audio epic. THE CHRIST brings the gospel narrative vividly to life—from the humble manger to the victorious resurrection—through world-class voice talent, cinematic soundscapes, and stirring music. From the halls of Roman power to the wilderness of Judea and the hills of Galilee, this immersive audio drama follows the life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth—and the people forever changed by Him. Follow the podcast now so you hear each new episode the moment it releases. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-christ-an-easter-audio-epic/id1870710176 Or here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6oaFRx79AiROdosDof8FME Learn more at TheChristPodcast.com

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  Emmy-nominated actor Tom Pelphrey (HBO's Task, Netflix's Ozark) joins The Unfolding to talk about stepping into one of the most profound roles imaginable. Tom portrays Jesus in The Christ, a new four-part audio drama from Faith Podcasts that brings the story of Jesus to life through immersive sound and a powerful, star-studded cast. In this conversation, Tom shares what it was like to take on a role that is both deeply personal and universally known; from the challenge of portraying "fully God and fully man," to the surprising way certain scenes, like the temptation in the wilderness, began to echo his own inner dialogue. This episode explores identity, faith, and the voice we choose to listen to, and how an ancient story still speaks into modern life.  Show Notes:   Listen to The CHRIST:  https://thechristpodcast.com/  Tom Pelphrey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommypelphrey/  The Christ trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcMlmFZnlKw  The Christ website: thechristpodcast.com  The Christ socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube 

"With God, no season is wasted, no time is wasted."  Haylee Graham shares how God used one short film, one Bible verse, and one unexpected season to bring reconciliation with her father before his sudden death. What became his final film also became a turning point in their relationship. In this Unfolding Short Story, Haylee reflects on grief, God's timing, and the quiet ways He prepares us for what's ahead.  Here's a link to the short film Haylee talks about: "Planted" Here's a link to Haylee's latest book: Take the Horse and Run 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  Content warning: This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse and neglect. Listener discretion is advised.  Mary DeMuth, author of more than 50 books including Restory Your Life, shares her journey from a childhood of abuse and neglect to a life marked by God's healing, hope, and purpose.  Hear how a single prayer as a teenager- "God, would you be the Father who will never leave me?"- set Mary on a path of faith, healing, and ultimately helping others walk through their own pain. She talks candidly about the long, often difficult process of healing, and offers insight into how sharing your story can bring light, encouragement, and restoration.  This episode is a powerful reminder that God can redeem the most painful chapters of our lives, and that your story, no matter how broken, can become a source of hope for others.  Show Notes:  Website:   https://www.marydemuth.com/  Restory Your Life book:   https://www.marydemuth.com/books/restory-your-life/  Pray Every Day podcast:  https://www.marydemuth.com/prayeveryday-2/  Thin Places book:  https://www.marydemuth.com/books/thin-places-2/  Into the Light Bible study:   https://www.marydemuth.com/books/into-the-light-bible-study-book/  The Wall Around Your Heart book:  https://www.marydemuth.com/books/wall-around-heart/ 

  "Lord, please remove this desire to drink."  Karisa Rogers believed in God. She even liked telling people about Jesus. But alcohol still had a grip on her life.  What began as a way to fit in eventually became a way to cope with heartbreak and family pain. After years of struggle, Karisa reached the end of herself and prayed a simple prayer: "Lord, please remove this desire to drink." In this Unfolding Short Story, Karisa shares how God met her in that moment and how her life has been transformed ever since. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    Dennis Ritter spent decades battling heart disease, living with the knowledge that his time might be shorter than most.  But suffering didn't make him bitter. It deepened his faith. When Dennis' health declined, his family gathered to say goodbye. In this deeply moving episode of The Unfolding, Dawn Ritter and her children, Ben and Karen, share the story of Dennis' final days, the legacy of faith he left behind, and the hope that carries them through heartbreaking loss. They talk honestly about grief, unanswered prayers for healing, and why their faith in God remained steady even when the miracle they asked for didn't come.  Because sometimes God doesn't remove the suffering. Sometimes He meets us in it.   Show Notes:   Books:  Every Moment Holy Vol. 2 Death, Grief, and Hope  https://www.amazon.com/Every-Moment-Holy-II-Hardcover/dp/1951872053     Grieving with Hope  https://www.amazon.com/Grieving-Hope-Walking-Jesus-Heartbreak/dp/164507448X     A Grace Disguised  https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Disguised-Revised-Expanded-through/dp/0310363594     When Mountains Crumble  https://www.amazon.com/When-Mountains-Crumble-Rebuilding-Someone/dp/0802425569     Walking with God through Pain and Suffering   https://www.amazon.com/Walking-God-through-Pain-Suffering/dp/1594634408     Podcasts:  The Widowed Mom Podcast by Krista St. Germain - https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/podcast/     The Widow Coach Podcast by Karen Sutton.  https://www.karensutton.co.uk/podcasts/the-widow-podcast     A Widow's Heart Podcast with Pam Lundell  https://www.myfaithpodcasts.com/podcasts/a-widows-heart/     Website:   Never Alone Widows - a nationwide ministry to widows.  https://www.neveralonewidows.com/ 

  "There are no winners in what we went through… only Hannah."  Gary and Mari Malychewski share the story of losing their young daughter in a tragic accident. In the days and years that followed, they faced questions of grief, guilt, and forgiveness that few parents ever have to carry. Looking back, they say God had been quietly preparing their hearts long before that day arrived. This is a story about loss, faith, and the difficult grace of learning to forgive in the middle of unimaginable pain. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    Dennis died three times. What he experienced while his heart stopped changed the way he—and his family—would live the rest of their lives.  Dennis spent his life trying to outrun the heart disease that ran in his family. He exercised. Ate well. Stayed disciplined. Then one day, without warning, he collapsed from a massive heart attack. His heart stopped three times. Dennis says during those moments he experienced something almost impossible to describe.  It was an overwhelming sense of love and peace.  While doctors fought to save him, his wife Dawn stood in the hospital hallway praying, clinging to Scripture, and surrendering her husband's life to God. When Dennis came back, everything changed. They didn't just get survival. They got bonus time. A deeper intimacy with God. And a new understanding of how God had been preparing them long before this moment.  Show Notes:  Book Dennis mentioned:  https://www.amazon.com/90-Minutes-Heaven-Story-Death/dp/0800759494