In this compelling episode of Bleeding Daylight, Rodney Olsen speaks with Kari Hunnicutt, a passionate advocate for international missions and author of "Dormant Faith." Kari shares her transformative journey from simply sponsoring a child to becoming deeply involved with Christian education in Senegal through Go On The Mission. Her experiences witnessing persecuted believers' unwavering commitment contrasted sharply with Western Christianity's struggles to move beyond passive church attendance.

Kari challenges listeners to examine their own spiritual lives, discussing how modern distractions create what one Iranian believer called a "satanic lullaby" that dulls Western Christians' spiritual senses. Through personal stories of witnessing the Holy Spirit's power in remote African villages and her own family's busy life balancing four children and multiple passions, Kari offers practical insights for keeping faith active and responsive to God's invitations in our hectic world.

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In this raw and powerful episode, author Karen Dittman shares her family's harrowing journey through addiction, abandonment, and unexpected grace. When her daughter disappeared into drug addiction, leaving behind a young child, Karen faced impossible choices while simultaneously caring for her sick husband during the early pandemic. Through it all, she discovered a deeper understanding of God's grace as "His power at work in the world, overcoming the impossible to accomplish His purposes."

Karen's story doesn't end with neat resolutions but continues as an ongoing testimony to healing and hope. Now the author of "Thriving in Grace" and "The Fruit of Gratitude," she translates her painful experiences into practical wisdom for others facing life's hurricanes. Her insights on gratitude, wellness, and experiencing God's love from the inside out offer a refreshing alternative to the "try harder" message that leaves so many Christians defeated.

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In this illuminating episode of Bleeding Daylight, host Rodney Olsen speaks with Amy Lykosh, founder of Workplace Prayer, about transforming our approach to prayer. Raised in a home deeply committed to international missions, Amy shares her journey from stepping away from prayer due to fear and pressure, to rediscovering its power through simple daily practices and eventually building a ministry that provides professional prayer coverage for businesses and organizations.

Amy offers practical wisdom on developing a sustainable prayer life, finding grace in imperfection, and recognizing God's presence in everyday moments. She challenges conventional thinking about the relationship between prayer and business, sharing remarkable stories of transformation while honestly addressing the limitations and ethical considerations of professional intercessory prayer. This conversation will inspire listeners to reimagine their own prayer practices while offering fresh perspectives on integrating faith with work.

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In this compelling episode of Bleeding Daylight, author and storyteller Andy Buckwalter shares his transformative journey from being trapped in anger and negativity to discovering authentic joy. Through candid conversation, Andy reveals how a simple gratitude practice became the catalyst for profound change in his life, marriage, and parenting. His story demonstrates that joy isn't just for naturally optimistic people - it's available to anyone willing to put in the work.

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Andy Buckwalter Website

In this episode of Bleeding Daylight, storyteller and author Taylor Lyall shares his 13-year journey of waiting on a dream to serve in South Africa. After spending a transformative year teaching in a township and working with orphans, Taylor felt called to return permanently. However, that door has remained closed for over a decade, leading to profound lessons about faith, purpose, and divine timing.

Through his story and his book "I Can't Wait," Taylor explores the challenges and unexpected blessings found in seasons of waiting. From learning to put down roots in Chicago to discovering ministry opportunities right where he is, his journey offers hope and wisdom for anyone experiencing their own period of waiting. Taylor's experience reminds us that sometimes our detours are actually destinations, and that God is actively working even in our seasons of pause.

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In this powerful episode of Bleeding Daylight, global city transformation expert Hugh Brandt challenges traditional views of faith and work, revealing how professionals across all sectors can meaningfully contribute to community flourishing. Brandt discusses the importance of understanding one's work as a critical part of God's larger kingdom narrative, emphasizing that every profession—from dentistry to cybersecurity—can be a platform for positive cultural transformation.

Drawing from his decades of international experience, Brandt explores the concept of “tzadikim” (righteous leaders) working collaboratively across seven societal spheres to bring about systemic change. He shares inspiring examples from cities like Abidjan, Denver, and Worcester, where Christians are moving beyond individual focus to create tangible improvements in education, healthcare, economic mobility, and community development, ultimately demonstrating that the gospel is both proclaimed and lived.

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In this powerful episode of Bleeding Daylight, Heather Bradley shares her transformative journey through the unimaginable loss of her infant son, Brennan. Facing profound grief, Heather discovered a deep spiritual renewal, turning her tragedy into a ministry of hope and healing through her work with Truth Freedom Ministry and her podcast, Leaving the Shallows.

Heather discusses how surrendering her pain to God became a catalyst for personal transformation and a mission to help others navigate their own challenging experiences. Her story illuminates the potential for spiritual growth through suffering, emphasizing that with faith, even the most devastating moments can become pathways to purpose, resilience, and a deeper connection with Jesus Christ.

In this episode of Bleeding Daylight, Lena Bjorna shares her remarkable journey from the Arctic Circle to Los Angeles, where she now leads a thriving evangelism ministry. After achieving significant success as an online marketing entrepreneur, Lena experienced a dramatic loss of both her business and marriage that led her to redirect her talents toward faith-based work. Her story demonstrates how God can use life's detours and difficulties to guide us toward our true calling.

The conversation takes an especially powerful turn as Lena shares the story of becoming a bonus mom to three sons, including Christopher, who has severe autism. Their family witnessed what they call the "chocolate milk miracle" during Christopher's recovery from a life-threatening swallowing disorder, culminating in a remarkable Easter Sunday healing. Through her ministry work at her local church's food bank, her Christian inspirational blog, and her outreach to maximum security prisons in Mexico, Lena's story illustrates how God can transform our greatest challenges into opportunities for meaningful impact.

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In this powerful episode of Bleeding Daylight, author Lori Ann Wood shares her extraordinary journey from being declared exceptionally healthy to fighting for her life with just 6% heart function. Three weeks after praying about an exciting new chapter in her empty-nest life, Wood found herself in cardiac ICU, facing a diagnosis that would transform not just her physical health, but her entire approach to faith and purpose.

Through her book "Divine Detour" and her candid conversation with host Rodney Olsen, Wood reveals how her experience with chronic heart failure led to unexpected ministry opportunities and deeper spiritual insights. Her story challenges conventional views of faith, healing, and God's presence in times of crisis, while offering hope and perspective to anyone facing life's unexpected detours. Wood's journey from college instructor to inspirational author demonstrates how life's greatest challenges can become pathways to profound purpose and meaning.

In a world that rushes toward quick fixes and instant solutions, Taryn Marchena offers a refreshing perspective on the healing journey. Drawing from her personal experiences with trauma and trust issues, Taryn shares profound insights about rebuilding relationships, including her remarkable story of reconciliation with her husband after a decade apart. Her wisdom on distinguishing between fear and genuine discernment provides practical guidance for those navigating their own path to healing.

Through honest discussion about faith, forgiveness, and personal growth, Taryn explains how understanding God's personal love for us can transform our approach to healing. She addresses common struggles like people-pleasing, self-betrayal, and the challenges of authentic faith, while offering hope for those who feel stuck in their journey. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone seeking to deepen their relationships with both God and others, while learning to embrace the gentle pace of authentic healing.