Our nation is "a nation under God" in word and many consider themselves "Christians", yet know little about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

My guest is Pastor Dean Inserra, author of the book, "The Unsaved Christian".  Dean is the founding and lead pastor of CITYCHURCH, where he leads the vision and preaching.

In this episode, we talk about Cultural Christianity and truly following Christ.  There is a distinction between the two and the differences are eternal.  Going to church, holy communion, being a good person, treating others well, and even volunteering at church does not send you to heaven.

The Bible makes it very clear that there is nothing that WE can do to earn our eternity with God.  Sin separates us from God (since Adam & Eve) and sin's effect on us is death.  Only One with no sin can redeem us from hell, and His name is Jesus.

Be sure to listen to my conversation with Dean Inserra!

"The Unsaved Christian" book

"Without a Doubt" book

"Getting Over Yourself" book

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

Ted Barrett became a Major League umpire in 1994 and was full-time beginning in 1999.

Ted earned a master's degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity College and Seminary, and a doctorate in theology, with an emphasis in Pastoral Ministry, from Trinity. Ted's dissertation was "An Investigation of Faith As a Life Principle in the Lives of Major League Umpires".

Ted has a long list of experiences from his career in Major League Baseball.  Some of them include:

• He was the home plate umpire for David Cone's perfect game for the New York Yankees against the Montreal Expos on July 18, 1999,
• Behind the plate on August 7, 2004, for Greg Maddux's 300th win,
• He became the only umpire in major league history to be behind the plate for two perfect games on June 13, 2012, when Matt Cain pitched a perfect game for the San Francisco Giants against the Houston Astros, 
• The only umpire in Major League history to have been on the field for three perfect games.
• He was selected as Crew Chief for the 2018 World Series. He was behind the plate for Game 3 which at 7 hours and 20 minutes was the longest game in World Series history.
• In his first game, he was behind the plate as Roger Clemens started.

Listen in as we have a Conversation of Hope with Ted Barrett and discuss how God has placed him in a unique position for ministry through his organization, Calling for Christ.

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

How much risk are you willing to take as a parent, with your child's exposure to alcohol, vaping, marijuana, or other drugs?

Richard Capriola has been a mental health and addictions counselor for over two decades. He’s been licensed in Illinois and Texas and recently retired from Menninger Clinic in Houston where he worked as an addictions counselor for adolescents and adults diagnosed with psychiatric and substance abuse disorders.

We speak with Richard about the risks our teens are taking with drugs and alcohol, and why?

If you are the parent or grandparent of a teen, you need to hear this.  Don't be the parent who thinks their child would "never do that".  Be aware of the signs.  Have conversations with your teen. Learn how to get help.

Be sure to check out Richard's website, his book, and his workbook.  As Richard's website states, "This Book May Save Your Child's Life."

RESOURCES:

Richard Capriola website

The Addicted Child (book)

The Addicted Child (workbook)

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

College basketball is winding down and soon, March Madness will be here!  In this episode, our guest, Zach Tinman, shares his love for the game of basketball.  His dream was to one day play college ball, but he first needed to overcome some obstacles.  Lack of playing time and his height were just a couple of those obstacles, and year after year he needed to make a big decision--persevere and follow his calling, or quit. The latter seemed the easiest, but Zach wasn't willing to give up on his dream.

Today, Zach is playing college basketball.  He joins us to share the struggles as an athlete and how he refused to allow daily challenges to define him.

Although we are discussing basketball in Zach's story, this message is for anyone who is tired of the challenges, disappointments, and frustrations in life.  This story is about perseverance and trusting that God's calling in your life is there for a reason---and don't give up!

Grace College

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

When Belinda Ernst took her first medical mission trip to Haiti, she had no idea how God would use that trip to change the trajectory of her family.

It wasn't long before the Ernst's were considering adopting a child from the country they came to love--the small country of Burundi in Africa.

Charlie and Belinda already had two biological children, Alli and Sam.  Alli was an 8th grader when her parents went to Burundi to bring home her new brother, Roger.  Sam was in 6th grade.

In this episode, I am joined by Alli, Sam, and Roger, as they talk about their perspectives on the family's adventure of adoption.

RESOURCES:

Mission Possible

America World Adoption

Roger’s Gotcha Day video

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

When Belinda Ernst took her first medical mission trip to Haiti, she had no idea how God would use that trip to change the trajectory of her family. Belinda is a pulmonary Physician Assistant. After multiple trips, her husband, Charlie, decided to take two of his basketball players with him to experience the orphans of Haiti for himself. Charlie is the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Findlay.

It wasn't long before the Ernst's were considering adopting a child from the country they came to love.  With Haiti adoptions taking 4-5 years, they were introduced to the small country of Burundi in Africa.  Burundi, they were told, was very much like Haiti.

After mounds of paperwork, Charlie & Belinda left their two biological teenage children at home with family to complete the adoption of their new son, Roger.

In this episode, Charlie & Belina Ernst join me to share the details of what led them to adopt, and the highs and lows of that process.  Grab a box of tissues and settle in to listen to their truly amazing story of God's plan for their family.

RESOURCES:

Mission Possible

America World Adoption

Roger’s Gotcha Day video

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

Hello and welcome to Behind the Mike: Conversations of Hope.  I am Tammy Stone and I wanted to introduce today’s guest because her topic is so extremely important. It’s also been very controversial in our society—especially during this election.

 Abby Johnson educates the public on pro-life issues, advocates for the unborn, and reaches out to abortion clinic staff who still work in the industry. She is the founder of “And Then There Were None”, a ministry designed to assist abortion clinic workers in transitioning out of the industry.

Abby was a speaker during the 2020 Republican National Convention and has authored books on the topic of abortion—including her book, “Unplanned” that was also made into a movie of the same title.

 This week is a pivotal time for our nation as we go to the polls.  Regardless of your stance on this position, I hope that you will listen as my husband, Mike, sits down with Abby Johnson to have a conversation on the important topic of abortion, from Behind the Mike.

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

Behind the Wire Ministries

Well, I would love for you to give your undivided attention to today’s episode.  It’s raw and real, and it’s going to challenge the way you view your life.  I’m going to start by asking a simple question…have you ever been in prison?  Have you ever been bound in chains and shackles?  Before you answer, I need to expound a bit.  

Today’s guest is Pastor Scott Highberger.  Scott’s story is about freedom. I’m not sure I’ve met anyone who is more qualified to talk about freedom than Scott.  Like all of us, Scott has a past.  Beginning at age 12, Scott was arrested 35 times, he had 8 felony convictions and 5 prison sentences.  As I spoke with Scott and heard his unbelievable story, I began to feel like I couldn’t fully relate.  I was raised in church all my life.  I was never considered a troublemaker, except for maybe a couple of years in high school.  My record with the law is no more than a couple of traffic tickets.

Yet, Scott explained that his story is very much like my own.  He explained that we don’t have to be physically incarcerated to be a prisoner.  He says, “Freedom isn’t just about a physical location; it’s a spiritual condition.  There’s an invisible prison that holds many in its grip…”

So I ask you again…have you ever been in prison?  Have you ever been bound in chains and shackles?  How about Addiction?  Depression?  Anxiety?  Fear?  Loneliness?  What about Guilt?  Shame?  Regret?

Scott has a book called, “Behind the Wire: A Prisoner’s Journey to the Pulpit”.  It reads much like a devotional and he has generously gifted us with a limited number of copies for podcast listeners.  Be sure to listen to the end of the podcast to learn how you can get a free copy!

Scott’s story is also making its way to the big screen.  This feature film stars Joey Lawrence and Michael W. Smith.  We’ll give you some more information about the release of “Pardoned by Grace”, which will be released in 2021.  

As you listen to Scott share his story today, we would like for you to consider those invisible prisons that are keeping you Behind the Wire.  Scott will talk about how to break free from those prisons and discover the path to true freedom.

We invite you to listen to Pastor Scott Highberger share his story of living Behind the Wire and his journey to the pulpit, from Behind the Mike.

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

On July 22, 2011, he accompanied his sister, Schyler, to the American Idol auditions in North Charleston, SC. The judges, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez recognized Colton Dixon from the previous season and asked him to audition too.  Both Schyler and Colton Dixon received Golden Tickets to perform in Hollywood. In the end, Colton made it to the Top 7.  Just 9 months after he was eliminated from the show, Colton released his debut album, “A Messenger”, which made it to #15 on the Billboard Top 200, and #1 on Billboard’s Top Christian albums.

In May of 2020, Colton released a self-titled EP, the first on his new Atlantic Records label. The album includes hits, “Miracles” and “Devil is a Liar”.

I recently sat down with Colton Dixon to discuss some new opportunities in his career, challenges, and a couple of new Miracles in his life. We’ll even check in on his sister, Schyler, to see what she is up to.

You will be encouraged as you hear how God is using Colton in 2020 amidst all the craziness and uncertainty. If you need some encouragement today, take a break and listen to Colton Dixon from Behind the Mike.

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast

I’m sure you’ve been there.  You're walking through the mall or the airport, minding your own business, when suddenly…out of nowhere, it creeps up on you and seizes control of you.  That indescribably amazing smell of fresh, hand-rolled soft pretzels from Auntie Anne’s! You are instinctively led to the back of the line and begin deciding which of the pretzels and dips you’ll choose from?  I’ve been there and if you are not familiar with Auntie Anne’s Pretzels….you are missing out!

This is “Behind the Mike: Conversations of Hope” and I am Mike Stone.  On today’s show, we have the great honor of talking with the Founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Anne Beiler.  If you thought that Anne was just another entrepreneur who wanted to make it big in the food industry, you would be mistaken.

Anne’s story, instead, starts in an Amish family in a small town in Pennsylvania.  Her story is like many from her Amish upbringing, but as a young adult she was abruptly met with tragedy, deep despair, secrets, and ultimately healing and redemption.  And yes, we’ll also talk about those mouth-watering, freshly baked pretzels. I wish we could figure out how to share one of Auntie Anne’s pretzels through your device…well, maybe next time.

Hey, if you only listen to one podcast this week, make sure it is this one!  Anne’s story will undoubtedly have you reaching for a box of tissues but leave you full of hope and encouragement. If you’ve ever been in a place of despair or hopelessness, you will want to listen to this story of finding true peace and joy in Jesus Christ, from Anne Beiler’s Conversation of Hope from Behind the Mike. 

Send us a text

Support the show

Watch these podcasts on YouTube!

Follow Us!
YouTube: @behindthemikepodcast
Instagram: @behindthemikepodcast
TikTok: @behind_the_mike_podcast
Facebook: @behindthemikepodcast