Amazing Greats: Crazy great Jesus stories.

Dave Dravecky, a left-handed major league pitcher who played for the Padres and Giants, brings his infectious zest for life and his compelling life narrative to this episode. He recounts his personal faith journey, starting from a seemingly mystical encounter with God on a playground at the age of 12, a memory that has stayed with him for over 50 years. His path to a deeper connection with God was marked by various pivotal moments, such as a transformative baseball trip to South America where he witnessed extreme poverty, a roommate who shared a small baseball book, and a Bible he found in a hotel room drawer.

Listening to Dave share the challenging highs and lows of his journey, which included a battle with cancer, treatment, and an unexpected return to baseball, is truly inspiring. Despite being dubbed the "come-back kid" after his return to the sport,  Dave's life shortly after,  once again took a major turn.  He emphasizes the importance of learning to express his struggles during tough times, highlighting that even Christians can experience depression. His remarkable story is nothing short of extraordinary, and I encourage you to hear all the inspiring details directly from him on Amazing Greats.

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

Here is the heartwarming story of  a man and his canine police partner.  Mark Tappan,  a self confessed "non-planner",  found his way on the perfectly (divinely?) planned  career trajectory that lead him from a "Jesus epiphany" in the US Marine Corp,  to youth pastor to police officer and then the human companion of  A DOG NAMED MATTIS.   Now with 5 million followers on social media and a new book,  he shares his special bond and amazing true life stories along with his 6 year canine crime fighter.  

You'll hear some of the inside challenges of police dog training,  and what made Mattis an exceptional straight "A" certification graduate.   Mark is a gifted story teller and has some amazing stories to tell.   He shares a couple of them in this episode, including Angels who sang an unlikely  Neil Diamond song, a heart wrenching story of an  incredible kid who had a heart transplant,  and a Mark and Mattis police chase.  (among others)

One might think pastoring and policing is an odd career progression  but Mark is convinced, for him, it was a God inspired combination that helped him find his true gift and passion.  And now he shares his story in a book with 12 chapters,  12 stories, and 12 lessons he learned in the process.  

  

PS.  Remember,  DOG spelled backwards is GOD.  So, there is that.

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

A $300  a month job, with very little status or perks, upended his career trajectory and shaped Doug Burleigh's next 50 years.  As a "Young Life" summer camper in his teens  he  uncovered what a relationship with Jesus looked like.  After excelling in academics in high school and college, it appeared he'd laid the ground work  for a career to skyrocketing career with several lucrative and prestigious options.  But the God inspired decision he made at that point changed everything,  as he found his passion and success was found in helping to change and shape the lives of young people and later to share the Gospel in he most god forsaken parts of the world.  
 
This Amazing Greats episode traces a truly  fascinating life of serving.  Doug's  Jesus-focused mission was not about promoting religion but rather was laser focused on building relationship.  Relationship with Jesus and relationships with young people in Young Life and relationships with people around the world at Prayer Breakfasts, and other Jesus gatherings as far away as Russia, Ukraine and other countries from the former Soviet Union, South America, and right here at home in Washington DC.    Through a  Non-denominational, non-political group called "The Fellowship" Doug continues today reaching out and sharing the love, grace and  good news of Jesus.   

Inspiration, and wisdom  are the hallmarks of this conversation with Doug Burleigh..  Enjoy!  

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

Here is the story of a small town boy, who among other things, toured 1100 high schools across the country, spent a year in the Neitherlands,  hosted a talk radio show, helped found a thriving church 28 years ago and uses humor as a primary tool to introduce and share with people the love and grace of Jesus.  Rick Enloe, author of the book, "Low Hanging Truth"  is  an awesome story teller who learned the importance of teaching through story telling from the master...Jesus himself.  You'll get a glimpse of his book,  his humor and wisdom as he shares his personal journey in this episode of Amazing Greats. 
As a member of that thriving church, Harbor Christian Center, I have been blessed with  his friendship, mentorship and his comedic, assessable and relatable teachings on many Sunday mornings.   

Now, as he ponders writing a novel, as well as another book with more low hanging truths,  and who knows, just maybe a one hour comedy special, I encourage you to spend these next few minutes getting to know, Rick Enloe.

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

What I love about this episode is how fun, human, unique and authentic our guest is.
His name is Keith Koldsbaek,  but from his story, in the next few minutes...you will also get to know more about hydroplane race driving legend  Chip Hanauer,  as well as Kaitlyn, Dee Dee and Bella.  You'll find out about how Nascar driver Jimmy Johnson ended up standing on the sponson of a hydroplane with hydroplane driver icon Bill Muncey.  Keith shares details of the marriage that didn't happen, but the daughter who did and how that was a life changing Jesus moment. 

From an early age Keith had a " need for speed"  and shares  how go-carts led to NASCAR and a 40 year career making things go fast.  Throughout it all he leaned heavily on his faith in many ways, including church every Sunday as a kid right up to being engaged in "Motor Racing Outreach" a weekly Bible Study.   Keith, with his bi-coastal wife,  are both committed to do what they can to follow Jesus and to do what they can to help make heaven crowded,  showing up every day as disciples of Jesus.  

Oh...and the story of his best friend...a 15 pound, 14 year old long haired dachshund is crazy!  Together they have run 5 marathons  and 40 half marathons and as many as 1600 miles in a year.   Fascinating. 
Enjoy.

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

You'll love this story of a young "feeling" kid, who is ADHD, filled with anxiety and lacking in self confidence but ends up as a Super Bowl champion in the NFL and a sought after speaker and author.  In this episode we walk through the up and down seasons in the life of Seahawk's long snapper, Clint Gresham.
 As a boy growing up in Texas, church was always a part of his story....but it became the focus of his story when he made a radical shift in 2009 when one month changed his life to this day.  It happened with the help of a mentor who cared enough to be present and to speak into his life. 
Clint's football story includes times of disappointment, frustration and heartache but his obedience to God, as crazy at it seemed at times, revealed HIS awesome grace on the other side. 
You'll hear some inside thoughts on coach Pete Carroll, plus Clint's call to create a prophetic video called, "The Making of a Champion",  as well as the intense emotion that a Super Bowl win and loss  can evoke. 
Our conversation took a deep dive into the power of words, and some thoughts on the value of pain and so many other inspiring bits of wisdom.

This guy is the real deal:  authentic, vulnerable and willing to share it all!

Definitely read his book: "Becoming"
And watch the short 15 minute video with Russell Wilson, Sherman Smith and more.  "Making of a Champion"

#clintgresham, #superbowl, #PeteCarroll, #makingofachampion, #ChristianAthlete

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

There are few people who have had more experience capturing the world of sports in the written word.  Particularly baseball and golf.  John Strege spent over 40 years sharing the highest and lowest moments in sports and everything in-between.  His one-on-one connection with sports stars and celebrities give him a unique frame of reference and has offered him a distinctive opportunity to share some of the most amazing stories in his new book, "In the BIG INNING...Where faith meets sports: A Christian sportswriter's perspective". 
In this episode of Amazing Greats you'll hear John share his stores and insight about Tiger Woods and his family,  Vin Scully, Tommy Laporta, Tim Tebow,  Muhammad Ali, Bobby Richardson,  and ESPN's Chris Mortensen....and many many more. 

But maybe the most amazing part of John's story is he and his wife's trail blazing adoption of the worlds very first frozen embryo.  Their now 28 year old daughter, Hanna,  became the first ever Snowflake adoption.  You'll hear the challenges and triumphs all right here on episode 61.   Don't miss it.  

Buy the book and enjoy the stories and awesome writing of one of the best ever journalists:  John Strege.

#Johnstrege, #Tigerwood, #timtebow,#muhammadAli,#chrismortensen#snowflakeadoption

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

He was the lead singer of one of the worlds most popular rock bands, and hung out  with the likes of Smokey Robinson, The Pointer Sisters, Earth Wind and Fire and more.   Leon Patillo was the lead singer for Santana and his music career was legendary.   In the late 70's his life pivoted and he made the dramatic switch to what turned out to be the very beginnings of Contemporary Christian Music.  Creating music that worshiped God with lyrics of praise in a totally new musical form with catchy choruses and rock band styling.  Drums, electric guitars and electronic keyboards helped to bring the word of God to a whole new generation.  And it all started as a kid on a homemade cardboard keyboard.

Leon worked closely with Bill Graham, the  concert promoter,  and then Billy Graham the evangelist.   From being baptized by the renowned pastor who was at the heart of the Jesus Revolution, Chuck Smith, to a concert tour in Ukraine, and the launch of a program for Kids, called SING...Leon's story has Jesus all over it.   

A movie about his fascinating life and the true story of a bullied suicidal teen  are in the works, likely to be released in 2025.  

Enjoy these few minutes with Leon Patillo. 

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

Sometimes it takes a leap of faith.  Literally. 
It was a leap with no real landing spot for this creative genius when he packed his vehicle and headed off to the entertainment capital of LOS ANGELES.  His only destination for sure was a storage unit there for his possessions.  His wife and five kids were dropped off with friends in Redding and he was headed for a God inspired adventure into the wild world of acting....voice acting.  No home, no job, just a promise from God that this was where he needed to be. 
God's never wrong.  Jonathan listened and responded to the call, in faith, and is now a  successful talent in one of the most competitive industries in the world. 

His cast of character voices, set him apart from most, and his "story teller" voice is smooth, natural and able to relate any story with ease.  Bible verses, book readings and musical vocals he does it all.   

In this episode you will hear his work, get to know this warm and loving Christian man, and walk away inspired by his life story and Christian Journey. 
Jonathan Cotton  and his story are indeed AMAZING!

If you are struggling with a major life decision or have taken your own leap of faith at some point...you will be able to relate to what listening and responding looks like

What's next for Jonathan?  We asked.  I loved his answer.

                              ___________________________________________________________
Also in this conversation we mentioned another voice talent we talked to in Episode #12 , Melissa Disney.

We briefly brought up another actor who has become the voice of the Bible on the YouVersion App,  Max Maclean, our guest on Episode  #24. 

#voicetalent, #Jonathancotton, #voiceactor, #amazon, #jeffBezos,#animation

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much. 

An avid reader, a lover of the written word, this is the unlikely story of Arlyn Lawrence’s God inspired path from newspaper writer to magazine columnist to successful book editor, consultant and author.  Her company Inspira Literary Solutions has been instrumental in the publishing of literally hundreds of books.  Her company’s mission is to help writers; “ From idea in head, to book in hand”.  

She’ll share how her life long Christian journey became her own,  half way around the world with the help of  (you guessed it) a book.   And it was in the middle of a writers conference that she heard God’s call to take a different and unique path.  She responded and with God as her promoter her career path launched in a non traditional way.  

In this Amazing Greats episode Arlyn Lawrence sheds light on her thoughts about prayer, women’s groups, and listening for and responding to God’s direction. 

Her newly published book  “Encounters at the well: A journey to Joy and Freedom”  is the first of a three book series and you’ll get a great glimpse at what to expect and how to use this devotional/study guide to get to the heart of the Bible story and its powerful message to women (and men).

Sit back and enjoy a few minutes with this amazing woman and her inspiring journey.  

Get a copy of her book “Encounters at the Well:  A Journey to Joy and Freedom

Visit her website: Inspira Literary Solutions

Other books mentioned:

Mere Christianity -C.S. Lewis

Becoming- Clint Gresham

"Amazing Greats"  is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey.  Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels.   Available on Apple,  Spotify, iHeart, Google and our  YouTube Channel. 
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing".   Thanks so much.