Cedarville Stories

A Full Circle Life

Born prematurely at just 24 weeks and weighing under two pounds, Hayley Good began her life struggling for each minute of her life. With a heart defect and underdeveloped lungs, her prognosis in 2002 was grim.

The first two months of Hayley’s life were marked by tragedy for her family. First, they lost Hayley’s twin sister. Shortly thereafter, Hayley underwent a precarious surgery on her tiny heart that was successful and led to an extended stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at both Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio State Medical Center.

Fast-forward to 2024, and Hayley’s life has come full circle — a blessing she shares in this week’s episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast.

In May 2024, Hayley proudly graduated with a degree in nursing from Cedarville University and accepted a position in the same NICU where she received critical care as a premature infant: Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. This story garnered national attention when it was showcased on CBS Evening News.

Throughout her life, Hayley has always been aware of the circumstances surrounding her birth, and from an early age, she held on to the belief that God had a purpose for her struggles. Part of that purpose became clear when she was unexpectedly given the chance to share her inspiring story and the message of the Gospel on a national platform.

Hayley continues to embrace God’s plan as she brings her personal experiences, encouragement, and compassion to families facing challenges similar to her own.

Tune in to the Cedarville Stories Podcast to discover Hayley’s incredible journey of survival and unwavering faith.

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Resting in God’s Grace 

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  

These poignant words are among the most renowned utterances of Job, the emblematic figure of faith in the Bible. This was his reaction upon learning of the tragic loss of all his children in a single natural catastrophe.  

While few can truly comprehend the extent of Job’s sorrow, Daniel Foster and his wife Breeze have faced similar heartache. In this week's episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast, Daniel recounts his journey of finding solace in God's grace through life's peaks and valleys
  

God has bestowed numerous blessings upon Daniel. He earned his degree in electrical engineering from Cedarville University in 2001, which led to a fulfilling career as a civilian defense contractor for the United States Army. Through this divine provision, he also met and married Breeze, with whom he has been blessed with six healthy children.  

The Lord has also taken away.  

Over a span of two years, Daniel and Breeze have navigated a tumultuous path of loss and emotion. In 2017, they mourned the passing of their daughter Willow, who left this world 36 weeks into Breeze’s pregnancy, and they faced the heart-wrenching news that Breeze might not be able to conceive again. 

Just over a year later, their joy returned with the arrival of Ember, whose sweet spirit brought light to their lives, only for tragedy to strike again. A few months after her birth, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic illness that ultimately claimed her life.  

Through these trials, Daniel and his family have maintained a steadfast faith in God and His grace which has supported them during their darkest hours. This unwavering belief has even inspired Daniel to pen a book, “Waiting for Peace,” aimed at encouraging others to hold on to the goodness of God's grace.  

Tune in to learn more about the Foster family's extraordinary journey of faith, which includes yet another unexpected blessing — the birth of their newest daughter, Zinnia Grace, alongside the joy of their first grandchild — as Daniel shares his compelling Cedarville Story. 

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A Biblical Worldview Behind the Badge 

Ready for an inspiring listen? Meet Joel Misirian, a police officer whose journey began with a high school project in suburban Milwaukee, where he first discovered his passion for protecting and serving others. That one experience set Joel on a path that would shape his entire life and career. 

Joel continued his journey at Cedarville University, where he pursued a degree in criminal justice, built lifelong friendships, and met his future wife, Sharon (Magin) Misirian ’97. Graduating in 1998, Joel left Cedarville with more than just a diploma; he gained a strong biblical worldview that would guide him in his future endeavors. Joel shares how this foundation has influenced his life and work on the Cedarville Stories Podcast. 

Now patrolling the streets of Troy, Ohio, Joel serves as a police officer with a unique mission: to share his faith in Jesus with everyone he encounters — even those who might not be thrilled to be in his patrol car. Whether it’s answering spiritual questions or playing Christian radio for his passengers, Joel sees every interaction as an opportunity to spread hope and truth. 

Joel’s passion for Christian education was inspired by his father-in-law, the founder of Troy Christian Schools, who taught him that "the heart of education is the education of the heart." Joel carries this belief into his role as an adjunct professor and speaker at Cedarville’s summer criminal justice camp, where he educates future law enforcement professionals. 

On the podcast, Joel talks about how he blends humility, authority, and hard work with the teachings of Jesus, showing that faith can shine brightly behind the badge. Tune in to hear more about Joel’s inspiring story and how he’s making a difference in his community one patrol at a time! 

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From Mascot to Global Worker

Energetic, enthusiastic, and excitable are top job qualifications for university athletic mascots. Jonathan Wu fit those descriptions as a college student in the mid 1990s.

Jonathan brought Cedarville University’s “Bee” to life from 1994–98, long before Stinger was officially named in 2017. He danced, cheered, and electrified the crowd at basketball games, and his outgoing personality helps him today as he builds relationships wherever he goes.

Jonathan’s vibrant persona and gift for connecting with people has taken him around the world as an educator. Get to know Jonathan and be encouraged by how he is using his energy for Kingdom work on the Cedarville Stories Podcast.

While studying mechanical engineering at Cedarville, Jonathan joined other students on a short-term trip to China to teach English. Those few weeks planted seeds in Jonathan's heart that changed his life. Not only did the experience influence his current vocation, but he also met his wife, Rachel, on that trip. From there, the sparks of a lifetime calling to international work began to glow.

Since then, his spark for reaching people through teaching and building relationships has become a blaze. Jonathan moved his family to Asia more than a decade ago. There, he continues to teach while recruiting and mentoring recent college graduates through the Global Ambassador Program. 

Learn more about the joys of building cross-cultural relationships, the challenges of international living, and the excitement of seeing people find hope as Jonathan tells his Cedarville Story.

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Telling God How Much Our Heart Hurts 

Reach out to God with a confident and worshipful heart, even amidst your pain. Gain insight into the art of lamenting from Alyson Punzi, who tragically lost her husband at the young age of 24 and is now guiding her preschool-aged daughter in placing trust in God within a broken world.  

Following the sudden and devastating passing of her husband, Frank, to cancer in 2022, Alyson found herself having to explain to her two-year-old daughter that her daddy was gone — and he wasn’t coming home again. Alyson chose to be honest, instilling in her a sense of hope in God's grace. 

Instead of being consumed by grief or turning away from God in anger, Alyson focused on the unwavering strength of Christ and His love as sources of light in the darkness of her loss. Recognizing that grief would remain part of her life, she made the conscious decision to hold onto God as her constant and steadfast companion. 

Drawing from her personal journey and that of her daughter, Alyson has written a book, “He Always Hears,” with the hope of teaching young children the value and importance of lament. The book is scheduled for release by Crossway in April and is focused on teaching children how to talk to God in times of hurt and loss — similar to the hurt and pain felt by Alyson and her young daughter. 

For more insights into Alyson's journey and the scriptural practice of lament, tune in to her candid discussion on the Cedarville Stories Podcast. 

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Learning to Lament: Trusting God in a Broken World

When college sweethearts Frank and Alyson Punzi married in 2018, they envisioned a life filled with joy as they raised a family and served Jesus with their gifts and abilities.

Two years later, after the birth of their daughter, this plan was in motion and life was good. Frank was serving the Lord as an associate pastor, and their daughter brought smiles to their faces.

In an instant, however, life took a dramatic turn. Vacationing in New Jersey, Alyson walked into their room to discover Frank, her 25-year-old husband, suffering from a severe stroke. In just a matter of weeks, Frank — who appeared to be healthy and vibrant — was diagnosed with cancer.

Alyson’s life turned upside down without any notice.

Despite the pain, uncertainty, and grief that engulfed them, Frank and Alyson clung to their faith in God. Throughout the testing and treatment, they found the strength to face a broken world through their unwavering trust in Jesus — all the way to Frank’s final breath.

In the midst of unspeakable pain and sorrow, they sought solace in praising the Lord and standing firm in their faith. They took comfort in knowing they were never alone and in crying out to the ever-present God.

In this episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast, Alyson shares how she learned to lament through her pain, even as she was leading her very young daughter who just lost her daddy.

Alyson's story is a testament to her unwavering faith as a young widow and single mother, leaning on Jesus just as she did during the turbulent days of Frank’s cancer and ultimate passing. Her story of learning to lament will inspire others to trust in God's guidance and companionship through life's toughest trials.

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A Passion for the Church 

Get ready to be inspired by a life lived with purpose and passion. In this episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast, we dive into the world of Dr. Jeremy Kimble, a man whose enthusiasm for life and dedication to his faith are nothing short of contagious. 

As a Professor of Theology and the Director of the Synergy Initiative at Cedarville University, Jeremy doesn’t just teach — he lives his beliefs out in every aspect of his life. Whether he’s conquering the rapids of the Grand Canyon or tackling a 100-mile bike ride, Jeremy’s zest for adventure mirrors his approach to ministry and discipleship. 

But it’s not just about thrill-seeking. Jeremy’s true passion lies in his work for the church and his commitment to raising up the next generation of leaders. As an author, devoted church member, and professor, he inspires those around him to deepen their faith, serve their communities, and spread the Gospel with courage and conviction. 

Tune in to hear how Jeremy balances his personal spiritual growth with his mission to mentor others and how his efforts are making a profound impact on the Church. This episode is more than just a story — it’s a call to action for anyone looking to live a life of purpose and faith. Don’t miss the chance to experience Jeremy’s incredible journey and be motivated to pursue your own passions with the same vigor. 

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The Generosity Monk, a Baseball-Loving Farm Boy 

Dr. Gary Hoag, known as "The Generosity Monk," may not wear a monk's robe or embrace a vow of silence, but he finds deep fulfillment in spending solitary time with the Lord and is dedicated to empowering ministries worldwide through Christian generosity.  

Discover how he became known as “The Generosity Monk” on the Cedarville Stories Podcast. 

Gary is a baseball-loving Ohio farm boy and graduate of Cedarville University. His goal as a young man was to be successful in business and have season tickets for the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Cleveland Guardians), just like his grandfather. God had different plans.  

Gary was called into ministry, first in Christian higher education at Biola University, Colorado Christian University, and Denver Seminary, where he learned the value of holding his plans and possessions loosely. Trusting in the Lord's blessings became his intent, purpose and focus. Though he never secured those coveted Indians season tickets, Gary's obedience to God resulted in an unexpected blessing — annual tickets to the World Series! 

He has generously shared that gift with more than 1000 baseball fans and has seen God work through the relationships built in the stands. 

As the CEO and president of Global Trust Partners, Gary acts as “a conduit of the Lord’s blessings and a delivery boy with a message from God.” Through teaching on stewardship, he strengthens churches and ministries worldwide.  

Gary is also a prolific author, a consummate family man, and a steadfast follower of Christ. Catch his infectious joy by listening to his Cedarville Story. 

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Miracle Child is Wonderfully Made
 

While sitting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), observing her newborn son and other premature babies fighting bravely for their lives, Melissa Gallagher was struck by the powerful truth that “these little ones were wonderfully made,” her words an echo of Psalm 139. 

Melissa, who earned a degree in industrial and innovative design from Cedarville University, opens up about her own miracle child — Hudson — on the Cedarville Stories Podcast. Although there were challenging moments, Melissa and her family became cheerleaders for families dealing with the challenges of premature birth. 

She learned how to embrace every small victory. In watching the tiniest babies achieve milestones in their struggle to survive, Melissa discovered how to inspire and uplift others who faced similar challenges to those she and Hudson encountered. Just seeing Hudson get swaddled for the first time sparked a brilliant idea.  

Drawing from her education in design and entrepreneurship, her talent in watercolor art, and firsthand experience as a mother of a premature baby, she brought forth a new business, Wonderfully Made. This company is dedicated to creating swaddles and clothing with tailored watercolor art for the most delicate and precious infants. 

Through this venture, her goal is to bring hope and encouragement through her personal story, shed light on the NICU journey, and spread optimism for life beyond the NICU.  

Walk with Melissa through her experience and catch her infectious desire to encourage others as she tells her Cedarville Story. 

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Attention Sports Fans!

Sports are Jeff Gilbert’s passion. What started as a hobby of cutting out sports stories from newspapers and magazines and crafting his own narrative for each story has blossomed into a thrilling career as the beat reporter for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and assistant professor of journalism at Cedarville University.

In this week’s Cedarville Stories Podcast, Jeff steps up to the plate to share his journey of painting word pictures to tell stories from the gridiron, basketball court, baseball fields — and much more.

His secret to writing compelling stories has been his curiosity — always being fascinated with asking unique questions that leads the reader past the obvious and into some behind-the-scenes information. In fact, Jeff believes the greatest attribute of a gifted journalist is their curiosity, something that he developed through his 20-year journalism career.

Jeff's approach isn't just about the game; it's about capturing the pulse of the crowd, the heartbeat of the athletes, and the spirit of the moment. His Christian worldview infuses his work, adding a dimension that elevates his storytelling to new heights.

Whether diving into his passion with the Buckeyes, covering local athletes, or looking for stories that bring a person’s faith in Jesus to light, Jeff's reporting is a slam dunk.

Join us as we step into the press box with Jeff Gilbert on this week’s Cedarville Stories Podcast.

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