Help Me See with Justin Driedger

Shay Valli spent 30 years angry at a God he feared but could not feel. Then a song in a kids' movie cracked him open, and the next morning he told his wife: I'm getting baptized.

Shay grew up Christian by day and Muslim by night. He said the Lord's Prayer every morning at his small-town Ontario school while his home ran on Ramadan fasting that felt like torture to a child. There was a Christmas tree in his living room until he was 13. Then it was taken away, and the anger moved in. His father taught in a Catholic school while raising his family Islamically, and when Shay married a Catholic woman, his dad told him he was disowned. Years later, his father would not walk into the meat shop that carried the family name because it sold pork. Shay describes what all of that produced in him: decades of shame, anxiety, and running, until the day surrender stopped feeling like losing.

This is a conversation about the difference between a faith that runs on fear and a relationship that runs on love, told by a man who has lived on both sides.

You will walk away with:

• A new way to read your own anger at God. Shay's line stops you cold: when you're angry at God, you're admitting that God exists.
• A picture of what shame actually does. It either shrinks you into worthlessness or turns you into a fighter, and Shay explains how both paths kept him stuck for decades.
• The difference between rituals that earn approval and a relationship that starts from being loved, from someone who spent years memorizing prayers he did not understand.
• A better way to reach people you disagree with. No debates, no winning arguments. Real relationship, honesty about your own darkest moments, and a simple offer to pray for someone.
• A window into what leaving Islam actually costs, and the compassion that understanding builds. As Shay says, walking away from the faith means walking away from identity and family, not just belief.

Whether you grew up in a religion of pressure, love someone whose faith looks nothing like yours, or quietly suspect God is disappointed in you, Shay's story lands in the same place: there is a God, and he is loving, and he is kind, and he is not angry at you.

If this episode moved you, share it with one person who needs it and tag @‌jdriedger on Instagram so Justin can hear your story. Want the full experience? Watch on YouTube at Help Me See with Justin Driedger, hit subscribe, and leave a comment telling us the belief you are letting go of. If you have questions about faith, Islam, or starting over, DM @‌jdriedger and he will connect you with Shay.

New episodes drop regularly. Change what you believe, change what is possible.

Exhaustion has a way of disguising itself as purpose. And for a lot of us, being busy has become the proof that we matter.

In this episode of Help Me See, Justin Driedger sits down with Calissa Ngozi, mental health expert, professor at Mohawk College, seven-time award-winning international speaker, and author of The Oxygen Mask Mindset: Reclaiming Your Energy in a World that Glorifies Exhaustion. Calissa shares the story that could have defined her forever: adopted as a baby, placed in care, and a doctor telling her parents, "this is going to be a stupid child." Her family chose to see beyond the paperwork, and that decision became the beginning of a life built on possibility.

Together, Justin and Calissa unpack mental health stigma across generations, the real cost of "just get over it," and why healing cannot stay hidden in whispered conversations. Calissa also teaches practical tools for burnout recovery through her CARE Tool, a framework built around clarity, activity, resilience, and engagement, and she challenges a belief many of us carry: self-care is not a luxury, it's a birthright.

You'll walk away with:

1. A clearer understanding of how stigma keeps you stuck and silent

2. A simple framework to restart when you feel depleted and overwhelmed

3. A healthier definition of resilience that doesn't require perfection

4. A reframed view of self-care that removes guilt, especially for parents and leaders

5. A grounded perspective on identity, faith, and becoming who you are meant to be

If this episode resonates, tag @‌jdriedger, follow or subscribe on YouTube, and leave a comment with the moment that hit closest to home.

What if God never meant to be "first on your list"?

In this episode of Help Me See, Justin talks with Kevin Shepherd - CEO of Crossroads and YES TV, assistant superintendent in the PAOC's Western Ontario District, long-time pastor, husband and dad about the deeper work of faithfulness, leadership, and possibility.

Kevin shares about growing up in a pastor's home with a busy but present dad and a mom who knew how to pray. He opens up about perfectionism, a loud inner critic, and how increasing leadership responsibility forced him to rethink what faithfulness actually is.

You'll hear:

• Why "familiarity does not equal faithfulness"
• How the "God first, family second, work third" hierarchy quietly breaks us
• Kevin's picture of God at the center of every box: family, work, side hustle, leadership
• The "problem of capable people" and why self-reliance is so dangerous
• Why silos are not the enemy — and how they should feed the whole, not themselves
• The difference between information and knowledge, and why leaders must learn to wrestle
• A powerful reframing of Jesus turning water into wine: just keep bringing the water
• How his family lives out the Shema in everyday rhythms: drive time, meal time, bedtime

If you're a leader, parent, pastor, creative, or just someone who wants to be faithful where you are without losing your soul in the process — this conversation will give you both language and courage.

If this moved you, tag @‌jdriedger, leave a review, or subscribe on YouTube for more.

What if the "more" you're sensing isn't ego ... it's obedience? Phil Kniesel, lead pastor of Hope City Church in Edmonton, shares how God broke his heart for his city, why he set a 1% vision, and how to lead with both audacity and wisdom. From launching prayer nights that grew from 125 to over 1,100 to creating financial buffers that preserved his staff during crisis, Phil shows a path any leader can walk: be all in with what's in your hand, ask God for favor, and keep solving the next problem with courage and compassion.

Guest: Phil Kniesel. Theme: calling, bold vision, prayer, stewardship, leadership resilience.

You'll learn:

1. How to discern the difference between ambition and assignment and why asking God for success and favour isn't pride.

2. A practical model for citywide impact: long-horizon goals supported by consistent corporate prayer.

3. How to pair big dreams with prudent systems like building financial margin so people keep their jobs.

4. Why leadership gets lonelier as you grow and the relationships that keep you healthy.

5. The portable rule for momentum: be faithful with your next step.

If this moved you, tag @‌jdriedger, leave a review, or subscribe on YouTube for more.

What if your story began with "unfortunate"—and God renamed your future? Julius Rwotlonyo shares how he moved from scarcity and limiting labels to leading a 35,000-person, 17-location church and dreaming in decades for a continent. This conversation will stretch your vision for what's possible and show you how to pair courage with wise stewardship.

Guest: Julius Rwotlonyo Theme: identity, calling, stewardship, dignity, long-horizon vision

You'll learn:

1. How reframing identity activates calling, including Julius's renaming story and why "possibility" became his core lens.

2. The seven convictions that anchor resilient leadership: God's greatness, goodness, love, presence, ongoing work, sufficient grace, and glory.

3. How to hold big vision and real budgets without becoming reckless—financing the gap while staying faithful to core mission.

4. Why dignity beats handouts, and how serving with excellence transforms both the city and the servant.

5. Vision 2050 and a belief that Africa is at a turning point that will rewrite a global story.

If this moved you, tag @‌jdriedger, leave a review, or subscribe on YouTube for more.

He was kidnapped at 13… and thrown off a cliff for his faith.

In this raw and powerful episode of Help Me See, Anees Khan tells the story of how he survived an attempted murder in Pakistan—and how it marked the beginning, not the end, of his life.

From waking up on the edge of death to walking into his own funeral, Anees shares what happened when trauma collided with calling. His story is a masterclass in choosing obedience over comfort, identity over victimhood, and purpose over pain.

This episode isn't just about survival—it's about the supernatural grace required to start over, lead a family, and keep believing when everything says you shouldn't.

What you'll walk away with:

• A new understanding of what it means to own your story

• The mindset that turns tragedy into transformation

• How obedience—even when terrifying—becomes freedom

• Why unprocessed pain won't disqualify your purpose

• A reminder that your life is not over—it's just beginning

Listen to the full episode and tag @‌jdriedger and @‌aneeskhan on Instagram with your biggest takeaway.

Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@helpmeseepossibility

What if the thing that frustrates you most is actually pointing you toward your purpose?

In this episode of Help Me See, Johnny Henderson shares how discovering his "why" completely changed how he shows up in the world—from comedy clubs and motivational stages to humanitarian leadership in Mexico.

Johnny opens up about how one moment of clarity—reading a phrase on the side of a truck—set the tone for his entire life: "You belong. Your life has purpose. You can make a difference." That message would go on to shape his work with youth, his creative projects, and the way he leads others into lives of purpose and service.

You'll hear:

• How to uncover your purpose by identifying what breaks your heart

• The truth about calling (hint: it doesn't always look like a platform)

• The role of empathy in truly connecting with others

• What happens when you say yes to your "why"

• How to lead from a place of authenticity and service

Guest: Johnny Henderson Theme: Purpose, identity, empathy, creative risk, youth leadership

Tag @‌jdriedger, follow us on YouTube at http://youtube.com/@helpmeseepossibility , and leave a comment if something in this episode opened something up in you. We'd love to hear your story.

In this compelling episode of Help Me See, Justin Driedger sits down with Brett Esslinger, pastor and author of 'The Hope Habit,' to unpack how to reclaim hope in a world that feels increasingly heavy. Brett shares the powerful backstory of how the unexpected loss of a close friend led to the creation of his book – a practical guide for transforming hope from a fleeting feeling into a daily, intentional habit.

Listeners will learn:

• Why hope is more than just optimism – it's a belief system rooted in something greater than ourselves

• How to navigate 'hope deferred' and find meaning in seasons of struggle

• The three key rhythms that can help reclaim hope: prayer, gratitude, and forgiveness

• Why faith, hope, and love are intertwined – and how to anchor yourself in all three, even when life feels chaotic

Join Justin and Brett as they explore how we can each cultivate hope as a way of life, rather than a passing emotion. It's an inspiring conversation for anyone feeling overwhelmed, disillusioned, or simply in need of a fresh perspective.

Follow Brett Esslinger: Instagram: @‌BrettEsslinger Book: 'The Hope Habit' – Available Now thehopehabitbook.com

Listen now, tag @‌jdriedger, and share how this episode challenged your perspective. And don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to stay connected to more conversations that challenge limiting beliefs and celebrate what's possible.

What if the very place you feel trapped in is the exact place you're meant to thrive? In this episode of Help Me See, Justin Driedger sits down with Josh Abcede — a creative, entrepreneur, and faith leader in Niagara Falls who turned his barbershop into a hub for community, art, and connection.

Josh opens up about growing up feeling like an outsider, the pivotal moment when he finally embraced his God-given creativity, and how a seemingly ordinary church series reignited his sense of purpose. From fashion to painting to dance, Josh's story is a powerful reminder that we are all designed to express what God has placed in us, even when it doesn't fit the mold.

Listen in to learn how Josh broke free from limiting mindsets, why community is the secret ingredient to creativity, and how his faith continues to shape every project he takes on.

Tune in to hear how one moment of clarity can change everything — and how embracing who you are might just be the key to impacting those around you.

Tag @‌jdriedger on Instagram, follow us on YouTube for more belief-shifting conversations, and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover the show.

Ashley Gee joins Help Me See for one of the most moving conversations we've had yet. At 16, she was told she'd never be a mother—a moment that launched her into a 20-year journey through grief, surrender, spiritual disappointment, and ultimately, possibility.

In this raw and honest episode, Ashley unpacks how she rebuilt her mindset, stopped performing for God, and learned what true faith and partnership with God really look like.

Whether you're walking through infertility, heartbreak, or waiting for a dream to materialize, this conversation will challenge you to reframe the journey—and see beauty in the in-between.

You'll walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of what it means to surrender daily

• Tools to navigate grief and unanswered prayer

• A new lens on your relationship with God and identity

• Language for hope when you feel unseen

• A call to guard your dream and fight for what's possible

Tag @‌jdriedger, follow or subscribe on YouTube, and don't forget to leave a comment.