Advertise on podcast: Love Fort Wayne Podcast

From questioning God to helping college students encounter Him, Reiner and Chloe’s story is a reminder that God meets us personally and invites us into His work. Geoff King and Mitch Kruse welcome the young couple from Gospel House to share their journey of faith and their heart for campus awakening across Northeast Indiana. With a vision spanning nine college campuses, they’re pursuing unity in prayer, creating space for worship, and supporting student leaders and existing ministries. Together, they explore students’ hunger for authentic faith, the importance of discipleship, and the difference consistent encouragement from older generations can make. Hear an invitation to pursue Jesus honestly, build relationships across ministries, and come alongside the next generation.

Every school has students who need caring adults and educators who need encouragement. How can our community come alongside them? Geoff King and Mitch Kruse welcome Amy Todia from Love Fort Wayne’s Love Our Schools initiative and Traever Wieland from Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana to explore the Allen County School Prayer Initiative, a vision to connect prayer champions and teams with approximately 90 schools. Together, they discuss how prayer, mentoring, and Villages of Support bring people together around the needs and goals of local schools. Hear encouraging stories, including a group of praying grandmas supporting elementary school staff, and discover practical ways individuals, churches, and businesses can get involved. It’s an invitation to pray faithfully, show up consistently, and trust God with the lasting impact.

What happens when you realize the path you're on isn't the path you're meant to stay on? For Sharon Miller, Founder, President, and CEO of Bulldog Consulting Services, that realization came at a pivotal moment in her career. After leaving a corporate role to pursue a career in sales, Sharon found herself thousands of miles from home, questioning whether she had made the right decision. Then, one conversation with her young son changed everything. She quit her job the next day. That leap of faith eventually led Sharon back to Fort Wayne and ultimately to the creation of Bulldog Consulting Services, a company built around project management, process improvement, business consulting, and training. What began organically has grown into a thriving team whose work is now driven largely by repeat business and referrals. In this episode of the Love Fort Wayne Podcast, Sharon talks openly about the risks she has taken, the lessons she has learned about leadership, and why finding the right people and putting them in the right seats has been foundational to Bulldog's success. She shares how she has intentionally built a culture where people know they are valued, supported, challenged, and trusted. Sharon also reflects on her biggest takeaways from the 2026 Global Leadership Summit, including the importance of likeability, work ethic, honesty, communication, and doing the right thing. And perhaps most importantly, she talks about what it looks like to multiply yourself as a leader to build a team that doesn't just carry out your vision, but becomes trusted and sought after in its own right. This is a conversation about leadership, courage, culture, calling, and the people who make an organization and a community stronger. The Love Fort Wayne Podcast shares the stories of everyday leaders making a transformational difference in our community and beyond. Sharon's story is exactly the kind of story we love to tell.

Every leader has moments when an unexpected opportunity changes everything. In this episode, Geoff King and Mitch Kruse sit down with Dr. Angie Fincannon, Executive Director of Pearl Arts, to explore a remarkable leadership journey spanning higher education, athletics, and now one of Fort Wayne's most inspiring community initiatives. Together they discuss how faith, surrender, and purpose intersect to create opportunity for the next generation, why music transforms lives far beyond the stage, and how Pearl Arts is ensuring every child has access to mentorship, creativity, and hope. Whether you're a leader, parent, educator, or someone seeking encouragement in your own calling, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

There’s no better way to kick off our countdown to this year’s Global Leadership Summit than with a conversation featuring community leader Tony Hudson, CEO of Blue Jacket. Tony shares how faith, purpose, and a deep love for people have shaped his leadership journey and Blue Jacket’s mission of creating pathways to employment, dignity, and hope for those facing significant barriers. From prison reentry to homelessness, Tony reminds us that leadership is about seeing value in people and helping them discover it for themselves. This is a powerful conversation about second chances, courageous leadership, and trusting God's direction even when the path forward isn't always clear. Learn more about Blue Jacket at www.bluejacketinc.org

We’re excited to share this conversation with Brooke Howe, co-founder and executive director of Cooper House Indiana, and Jennifer Johnson, house manager for the Allen County home. Together, they unpack a different vision for foster care visitation, one rooted in dignity, hospitality, and hope. Through welcoming spaces where families can reconnect around kitchen tables, in living rooms, and through everyday moments, Cooper House seeks to model the love of Jesus and reflect His heart for children and families in crisis. Instead of cold offices and sterile rooms, parents are given space to practice real parenting during supervised visits in an environment that feels like home. In this episode, Brooke shares how saying yes to foster care changed her perspective on birth families and revealed the deep need for support, compassion, and relationship-centered care. Jennifer offers a look at the day-to-day impact happening in Fort Wayne and Allen County as Cooper House partners with visit providers and caseworkers to create meaningful moments for families in crisis. You’ll also hear the heart behind the four words that guide everything they do: seen, heard, chosen, loved. Whether reunification or adoption is the outcome, Cooper House is committed to walking with families through some of their hardest seasons with the love of Jesus and steady presence. If you care about foster care, family restoration, and practical ways to bring hope in Indiana communities, this conversation will encourage and challenge you. Learn more about The Cooper House – Allen County

On this episode, we sit down with Rudy Mahara to talk about biblical generosity that goes deeper than dollars and gets practical about how givers, churches, and nonprofits can move together for real Kingdom impact in Fort Wayne. Rudy shares his story, why collaboration matters, and how microchurch and faith-driven work can reach people who would never walk into a sanctuary.

We sit down with YMCA association chaplain, Tim Hallman, to trace his journey from two decades in pastoral ministry to building a chaplaincy that thrives on presence, not programs. Tim opens the door on what the “C” in YMCA really means today—rooted in George Williams’s 1844 vision of caring friendship on a factory floor—and how that legacy shows up in Fort Wayne through everyday listening, prayerful support, and a welcome space for all.  The conversation widens to a global lens as Tim shares friendships with YMCAs in Jerusalem, Jericho, Gaza, and Nazareth. When war broke out during a planned visit, his team became chaplains to stranded travelers—no quick fixes, just a steady presence, quiet prayer, and the safe space of the Y. Coming home sharpened his conviction that grief can deepen love, and that proximity changes lives. We close by inviting churches and neighbors into concrete next steps—from worshiping in branch spaces to volunteering as chaplains to joining the Good Friday breakfast—as Fort Wayne moves toward a top 10 healthy city vision that treats body, mind, and spirit as one. This is an encouraging, intimate, and honest conversation that you don't want to miss!

What if the moment that nearly broke you became the turning point that clarified your calling? We open our sixth season with a candid, hope-charged conversation about rescue, refuge, and the quiet courage it takes to be still long enough to hear God’s next step. Joined by New Hope Girls’ U.S. director, Jeri Purdy, and board member Rob Wallstrom, we trace a story that moves from personal surrender to national transformation in the Dominican Republic. Jeri shares how stepping away from a beloved role led to a hard reset—complete with failed plans, forced stillness, and a rebuilt rhythm of prayer and Scripture. Rob adds the lens of Hesed, the Hebrew picture of covenant love, and shows how that theology becomes practice: immediate care for girls in crisis and the deeper work of restoration that rewrites identity.  Together, we explore how New Hope Girls serves children as young as two, walks with them through education and adulthood, pays a living wage to women artisans, and keeps families close with on-site daycare. The mission reaches weekly into the barrio to serve 300 girls and, remarkably, now partners with the DR government to help reform national rescue and protection protocols with a Christ-centered, trauma-informed approach. Along the way, we talk about discerning God’s will without needing the next 45 steps, why stillness is not weakness, and how closeness to a good God births patient, bold leadership. If your heart beats for justice, adoption, anti-trafficking, or faith that actually changes lives, this story will stay with you. Be part of the movement: pray for caregivers and girls, support artisans by shopping their work, or become a monthly hope champion. If something stirred you, rewind, write it down, and ask, “Lord, what are you saying to me?” Then subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the hope.

What if the help we offer keeps people from healing? That question sits at the heart of our conversation with James Scott of Our Neutral Voices, a South Side entrepreneur turned community builder whose life bridges poverty, perseverance, and purpose. James opens up about growing up with a single mom, running a neighborhood telecom store that doubled as a listening post, and discovering that the most powerful gift isn’t a handout but a path forward. We dig into why “toxic giving” stalls progress and how equipping changes everything. James lays out ONV’s five pillars—spirituality and health, education and performing arts, financial literacy and economic development, and sports—and shows how this web supports entire households, not just individuals. He describes late‑night moments with a bass or lead guitar, where prayer and music steady his resolve, and explains why obedience to calling beats comfort every time. Collaboration is the engine behind the impact. James shares how ONV convened 28 organizations into a coalition built on simple MOUs, transparent roles, and shared wins. We talk frankly about the toughest barrier of all: internal strife, jealousy, and donor competition that fracture trust from the inside. The counter is humility, consistency, and clear values—God first, do what you say, and let people see the work. James also previews Escaping From The System, a practical curriculum that helps families use safety nets wisely and then exit them with dignity. If you’ve felt the nudge to start but waited for perfect timing, James’s message is for you: begin today. Take one step toward the barrier—learn, ask, visit, budget, practice—and watch momentum build. If this story moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so more neighbors can find it. https://www.ourneutralvoices.org/

In this powerful and emotional episode, we sit down with Brandon Bower, Executive Director of The Lighthouse, to hear his personal story and calling to Christ-centered recovery. Brandon shares his heart for biblically based counseling and the transformative power of discipleship, mentorship, and authentic community. We also explore the holistic ministry of The Lighthouse — from recovery and treatment programs to Friday night chapel and meals, community groups, a food pantry, and a thrift store — all rooted in walking alongside people with dignity, hope, and the love of Jesus. This episode is filled with testimony, encouragement, and a clear invitation to remain faithful to your calling while loving your community with humility and transformation in mind.

In this episode of the Love Fort Wayne Podcast, we sit down with Austin Bradmueller, Executive Director of Christian Community Health Care, to explore what it means to lead with the heart of a shepherd. Austin shares how his calling to care for others extends far beyond meeting physical health needs — it’s about bringing the hope of the Gospel to every patient and family, both in word and action. Together, we dive into the story and mission of Christian Community Health Care, that provides free medical care while pointing people to Christ. Austin also reflects on his own journey of leadership — how this season came to be, what it means to stay rooted in faith, and how he continues to be shaped by mentors and fellow leaders who walk alongside him. Whether you’re passionate about faith-driven leadership, community care, or holistic ministry, this conversation will encourage and challenge you to see leadership as service and every act of care as a reflection of Christ’s love. Learn more or get involved by visiting Christian Community Health Care’s website.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Glenn Packiam - pastor, author, lead researcher for Barna Group’s Resilient Pastor Initiative, and special guest for our upcoming Resilient Pastor Summit - as he shares his journey into ministry, the realities of today’s ministry climate, and faith-rooted strategies to sustain resilient ministry leaders. Drawing from his book The Resilient Pastor, Barna’s groundbreaking national study on pastoral resilience, and his personal journey, Glenn unpacks practical wisdom for navigating burnout, cultural shifts, and the unique pressures of spiritual leadership. Pastors and church leaders, you can hear from Glenn at Love Fort Wayne’s Resilient Pastor Summit on Wednesday, November 5th in Fort Wayne, Indiana! This event will equip pastors and ministry leaders with tools rooted in Scripture and research to strengthen their leadership, deepen spiritual resilience, and find rest for their souls as they serve.  Register now at lovefortwayne.com/resilient.

What happens when decades of Fortune 500 leadership collide with a heart to advance the gospel? Join us for a powerful conversation with Stan Griswold, C12 Chair for Fort Wayne, as he shares how God led him from corporate boardrooms to shepherding business leaders on a foundation of faith. From navigating billion-dollar deals to embracing the “4th quarter of life,” Stan’s story is a reminder that the marketplace is more than business—it’s a mission field. You’ll walk away encouraged, challenged, and inspired to see your work as part of God’s Kingdom impact. Tune in and be equipped to lead with purpose!