Changing

On the last episode of Changing, Donald explained that Changing would take a one-week break as the studio prepared for an exciting season two. While we love publishing fantastic episodes for you, that break is now going to extend for about a month. 

 

Here are three reasons why:

1. We want to make sure we’re fully prepared to deliver an awesome season of content.
2. Based on our guest’s schedules and availability, it would be difficult to get quality content out so rapidly.
3. All the fine folk of TSE Studios need time to relax and refresh. So consider this our Sabbath; it’s time to prepare and relax so that season two is even better than the last (if that’s even possible.)

 

A Season Two Sneak Peek:

• In an upcoming episode, guest Jim Henderson tells the story of how he got reacquainted with God: in an actual foxhole.
• Another guest Jordan Jensen will tell his story of finding God while overcoming his problems with mental health.
• These incredible stories (and many more) are what you have to look forward to for an incredible season two of Changing. We’ll see you then!

 

In the meantime, go back and watch season one of the podcast. Improve your discipleship with Christ, and subscribe to the podcast for more stories of Changing and growing closer to Christ. 

As we wrap up the first season of Changing, Donald looks back at the main takeaways from the first season and remembers the challenges, takeaways, and times of growth through the stories we’ve heard.

 

Some of the first season highlights:

• Converting from Judaism to Christianity was a process for Andy Lustig.
• Reggie Taylor was willing to leave the life he was comfortable with to follow Christ.
• Despite being a devout follower of Christ, Shay realized something was missing in her worship and searched for a solution. 

 

We are all changing and becoming better each and every day. If you look at yourself, what is something you could change in your life?

• Some people are prompted with experiences like Gustini Nelson. Others, however, might just have a thought or something minor that brings on a change.
• Gina Dorsan shared how it was tough for her to stop sharing her parent’s testimony and start sharing her own. Even though she was always a believer, she realized it was necessary to make a change.
• Our friend Michael and his experience reminded us that we all have challenges. 
• COVID threw a wrench in everyone’s lives. But these experiences are all a testament to one thing - we need to come back to Christ.

 

Look forward to the future.

• There are many more stories to come - stories of anxiety, overcoming years of neglect and doubt, and stories of growth. We’re thrilled to go on that path with you and learn from the experiences of others.

• During our one-week break, listen to a couple of episodes and share them with someone you think needs a change. And let’s make the world a better place.

Many of us have an experience in our lives that significantly impacts us. It could be something big or something small, but it moves us in a way that delivers us back to Christ. For Jonathan Plummer, he encountered a major event many of us cannot fathom that changed his trajectory and showed him the true power Christ has.

 

How did Jonathan join the church?

• When missionaries came to his house in 1986, his mom wanted his sister to tell them she wasn’t home. His sister responded, “Mom, I thought you told us not to tell lies.”
• Because of that, his mom invited the missionaries inside. She had a notepad with questions no religious person had been able to answer. And, little by little, the missionaries resolved his mother’s concerns. 
• Once her questions were answered, Jonathan wanted to join.

 

One major life event changed his life.

• Jonathan and his friends went out one night. Before work the following day, he checked in on his friend, Sean. He stopped by his home to find Sean wasn’t there.
• Jonathan walked to the sidewalk, only to find a police car with Sean in the back seat.
• The policemen then handcuffed Jonathan and put him in the backseat of the car. 

 

Why were they arrested?

• After they got home from their night out, Sean realized his doors were locked. And because his incredibly strict step-dad had the keys, he decided to stay outside for the night.
• Sean decided to go to another party. But, on his way there, he stumbled across a crime scene.
• People had broken into a store and stolen merchandise, setting off the alarms. Soon the shop owner, residents, and police arrived, only to find Sean instead of the perpetrators.

 

Jonathan’s time in prison.

• He and Sean were questioned at the police station, but their matching stories made the officers split them apart.
• They moved Johnny to a cell with murderers and robbers, figuring Jonathan would be truthful once they beat him.
• Luckily, a man in the cell recognized Jonathan, and another knew his dad. Because of that, nobody messed with him.

• That night, Jonathan awoke around two o'clock in the morning and completely broke down. 
• At this low point, he reached out to God, saying, “If you help me to get out of this situation, I will serve you for the rest of my life.”

 

Jonathan’s release from prison:

• The next morning, the prisoners decided to have a boxing match.
• As the new guy, they volunteered Jonathan to fight against a much larger guy.
• The man landed a hit right in Jonathan’s eye, and he saw stars. Enraged, Jonathan went in on him like Mike Tyson and took him out.

• About an hour later, the officers let Johnny go because they had no charges against him. 
• On the other hand, Sean spent about two months in jail because he was at the crime scene.

 

What did Jonathan learn from this experience?

• Jonathan never looked back from the experience and continued to serve Christ with all his heart.
• When you put your trust in the Lord, he never deserts you. And if you reach out to Him, the Lord will answer.

• Jonathan later received the Melchizedek Priesthood and served a full-time mission in Jamaica.
• After his mission, he moved to the United States and served in multiple religious organizations and schools, pushing the Lord’s word forward.

 

Jonathan’s advice to someone trying to change:

• If you genuinely want to change your life, go on your knees and ask the Lord for help. 
• God might not do drastic things to change your life, but what's important is recognizing when something in your life is the Lord speaking to you. 

 

Did Jonathan’s story speak with you? Contact him on Facebook or LinkedIn, at [email protected], or (954) 588-9918.

Many of us have an experience in our lives that significantly impacts us. It could be something big or something small, but it moves us in a way that delivers us back to Christ. For Jonathan Plummer, he encountered a major event many of us cannot fathom that changed his trajectory and showed him the true power Christ has.

Almost 40 million Americans today deal with anxiety, and it can be challenging to overcome if you don’t have the proper tools to work through it. Our guest, BJ Allen, faced those challenges, and on today’s episode of Changing, he shares how he overcame his anxiety with the help of Jesus Christ.

 

BJ’s history with anxiety.

• BJ had struggled with religious-based anxiety ever when he was a young child, obsessively worrying if he was enough for God or if God was disappointed in him.
• A lot of his family struggles with anxiety, and it was his mom’s bad bout that encouraged her to learn how to manage it thanks to psychologists, counselors, and books. 
• Because of his mom’s efforts, BJ’s anxiety was calmed. 

 

His mission reengaged his anxiety.

• Going on his mission meant leaving his safe place. He felt vulnerable, especially as a representative of Jesus Christ.
• He became aware of his weaknesses and mistakes. However, now as an adult, he changed the way he looks at his relationship with God.

 

When was his anxiety the most challenging?

• Growing up as a teenager and hearing the various commandments, asking himself if he’s truly following them.
• These obsessive thoughts manifest into other areas of his life, making him doubt himself in his profession and family.

 

BJ sought divine help.

• Instead of praying to take it away, BJ asked God what he wanted him to learn from these experiences. 
• God changed how BJ viewed his religion and the commandments, teaching him that everyone, including himself, is worthy of love and admiration. God doesn't just love the perfectly obedient; God loves everybody.

 

BJ’s advice to anyone facing anxiety: 

• Don't battle it alone. Talk to your church leader, counselors, or even get on medication because God has given all those tools to help us. 
• Jesus Christ plays a central role in calming your anxiety. Remember that your worthiness and validation don’t come through yourself. They come through Jesus Christ.
• The only one who can make you complete is Jesus Christ, and because he is always with us, you’ll always be complete through him.

 

If you have any more questions or want to learn more about BJ’s story, connect with him on LinkedIn, or email him at [email protected].

Today’s episode of Changing features Gustini Nelson. We’ve all felt like the lone sheep at one point, waiting for Christ to be our shepherd and lead us back to his flock. Gustini shares his story about this and how Christ guided him back onto the right path in life.

 

Gustini grew up with the church.

• Born and raised in Haiti, Gustini moved to the United States when he was sixteen.
• Growing up in his house meant there were three places more crucial than anywhere else: home, school, and church. 
• He attended Catholic school, participated in additional services throughout the week, and felt a spiritual connection to Christ. 

 

His move to the United States affected his relationship with the church.

• When he initially moved to the United States, he visited a Haitian church with his mother. While he felt fellowship and community with this new church, he didn’t feel the spirit. He knew this isn’t where he needed to be.
• He started going to a church of Latter Day Saints and found the spiritual connection he needed.

 

Gustini had difficulty sticking with his faith.

• While there were ups and downs, he met good people and felt he was growing in his faith.
• But life started getting in the way, and Gustini began to miss service. He became complacent, and he stopped reading scripture. And then, everything went downhill.

 

So what changed?

• After his son was born, Gustini knew he wanted his son to grow up with the right values. 
• This meant going to church to learn those values.
• Gustini began attending again. And, one day, Donald Kelly spoke at his church. 
• Donald’s speech invigorated Gustini, and he began to attend church regularly.

 

Gustini thanks Christ for leading him back onto the right path.

• He still had challenges in his life, but now they all seem more manageable.
• Rather than get frustrated with his obstacles, Gustini asks God to teach him whatever lesson he needs to overcome or learn from this obstacle.
• Gustini’s final advice? Don’t let outside judgments influence your decisions. When you ask the Heavenly Father for help, he will give it to you.

 

Want to reach out to Gustini and learn more about his story? Follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

Today’s episode of Changing features Scott Romney. A long-time follower of Christ, Scott has been a devout church-goer his entire life. But despite being a follower of Christ, Scott still experienced a change that made him realize he wasn’t the best version of himself.

 

How did Scott realize he wasn’t his best self?

• His story of change started in high school. While he was a friendly and open person, he typically avoided the questions or situations that would lead him to encounter experiences that weren’t his own. 
• Growing up in Utah, his minority friends did not share the same experiences as Scott.
• His friends opened up new perspectives for Scott, and he began to realize nativity is not an excuse to ask hard questions.
• Christ didn’t sacrifice himself for one particular group or area; it was for all people of this earth.

 

What were the hard questions Scott didn’t want to address?

• He didn’t want to address any questioning of his religion because those questions made him doubt his devotion.
• With his friendship and later marriage, there were times he would do or say something, intending to be helpful but instead hurting those people he cared about. He had to acknowledge that he hurt them, even though he had the best intentions.

 

Scott’s religious views guide his actions.

• There are many things Christ could have said in the Old Testament and New Testament through prophets’ mouths or could have been written.
• God chose to start start with the most important commandments: love God and love thy neighbor. And that was it.
• Christ didn’t set out to say that he “I’m right,” he set out to say, this is what is right. We should all follow that example.
• God doesn’t only work miracles through his followers; he works miracles through all people. 
• Scott’s final piece of advice: Have a sincere heart and make the appropriate changes. Focus on the intent of every conversation on what is right and not who is right.

 

If Scott’s story speaks with you, connect with him on LinkedIn.

Today’s episode of Changing features Jared Easley, a man whose daughter blessed him with the motivation to renew his relationship with God. While his entrepreneurial work might’ve influenced his departure from God, he now thanks the small voice that encouraged him to pursue that relationship again. 

 

Jared’s daughter is the reason he went back to Christ. 

• Jared grew up in church, but that doesn’t always translate to personal faith. He found himself slipping away from that foundation as he grew older.
• But he wanted to be a good father to his daughter, Lana, and maximize her potential. To do this, he took her to church.
• While he was there, Jared asked God to use him and help him reflect who God is to others.

 

His renewal of Christ led to changes. 

•  He started writing out scriptures on three-by-five note cards and hanging them around his house.
• Psalm 32:8 - “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.”
• John 16:33 -  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• Once you start reading the Bible and praying, God answers that prayer; he'll put things on your heart and mind.

 

His renewal of Christ led to changes. 

• Jared was driving one day and passed by a daycare. He sensed in his spirit to go inside and tell the main person that he’s donating money to help a single parent pay their bill.
• When he talked to the principal, she had just gotten off the phone with a mother having a  difficult time. 
• Jared made the payment for the amount he believed he was supposed to make, and he moved on.
• Later on, Jared was able to have a phone conversation with the mom. 
• She said she was so discouraged and distraught, praying and asking God to help her find a way to pay that bill. And then, all of a sudden, Jared showed up with the exact amount she needed.
• Jared walked away feeling good, not about his own ego, but that God helped someone in a time they needed it.

 

What is Jared’s takeaway from this story?

• When you’re encouraged by God to do something, do it. Maybe it's to bless someone else; maybe it's something completely different. But he hopes that people will pray about it and listen and take that step of faith because you don't know what results will come.
• Jared’s parting advice? God has made you; he knows you. He wants you to trust Him, and He wants you to know him. And when you do that, He will guide your life.
• If you want to connect with Jared to talk about his story, find him on Twitter or his company website. 

On today’s episode of Changing, we’re joined by fellow podcaster Stephen A. Hart as he describes his relationship with Christ and how he gained faith amid multiple obstacles in his life. 

 

Stephen was incredibly successful as a business owner.

• After graduating from college in ‘99, Stephen found himself in the mortgage industry before starting his first business in the financial sector in 2005.
• In 2007, his business was thriving. Because of that, he purchased things like a million-dollar brownstone and a Jamaican wedding.
• His success was cut short, however, when he discovered a massive investment had tanked.

 

How did Stephen recover from the tanked investment?

 

• Having everything ripped from under him three weeks into marriage had a massive blow to his pride. 

 

• Shortly after the business collapse, so did the real estate and financial market.
• Everything fell apart. Left with personal debt, Stephen had to dissolve his business and start over with a new structure.

 

Amid this turmoil, he found God.

• After this ordeal, Stephen wanted to understand what life was really about. 
• He realized he needed to look to God for what's next. He changed his entire mindset and began to focus on new goals.
• And so, over the next ten years, he reframed everything. The way he looks at money, his life, and his legacy. 

 

How does Stephen maintain his relationship with God?

• Throughout the pandemic, Stephen anchored himself in Matthew 6:25-34 and Phillippians 4:6-8.
• His focus this last year was to go not one day at a time, but one hour at a time.
• Stephen’s lasting advice: change happens. We’re always working on ourselves, but over time, those changes will lead to positivity in your future if God is at the center.

 

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter, as well as his website. Reach out to him if you have any questions or want to know more about his journey to Christ.

Today’s episode of Changing features Linda Yates as she shares her journey with Christ. More specifically, what events in her life led to a departure and eventual return to a strong and thriving relationship. 

 

Linda loses her relationship with Christ.

• While she grew up with Christ in her life, Linda found herself in a career that involved constant travel. That lifestyle made it difficult for her to attend church.
• She and her husband found themselves at a crossroads six months into their marriage after a significant event. Her relationship, combined with her infrequent church attendances, left Linda angry at herself, her situation, and God.

 

What brought her back on her spiritual journey?

• The only person aware of her relationship issues was her younger brother. She was afraid he would judge her when she first confided in him, but he accepted her with open arms.
• Her brother was going through a repentance process after losing his membership in the church.
• As he was rebaptized, Linda realized she wasn’t spiritually where she needed to be to make these major relationship decisions in her life. She needed to change.

 

Linda finds herself back on the right path.

• When she was on the road, she made church a priority and saw improvements in her mentality and well-being. 
• She spent the next couple of years developing spiritually when a significant career change moved her family to Florida. 
• While at that new house, she realized she didn’t want to lose her marriage and missed her husband.

 

Where is she in her relationship with Christ?

• God knows her struggles, and Linda knows she can look to Him for strength when she needs it.
• She is humbled by her relationship with her children and grandchildren and hopes they know they can always look to Christ.
• Linda’s journey to Christ didn’t happen instantaneously. It took years. But it was all a part of his plan for her.

 

If Linda’s story impacted you, or you want to talk with her about her journey with Christ, email her at [email protected].