He had the money. The status. The respect. Then cocaine, prison and desperation took it all away.Robert Borelli was drawn into organized crime and eventually associated with the Gambino crime family. But the life that promised power and belonging nearly destroyed him.Cocaine addiction led to homelessness, prison and Rikers Island. At his lowest point, a heartbreaking call with his young daughter brought him to his knees.And there, Robert cried out to God.What followed was a radical transformation—from crime and addiction to faith, freedom and a new life in Jesus Christ.In this powerful episode of The UPside with Marion MacKenzie, Robert shares the story of how God met him at his absolute lowest—and gave him a way forward.If you’re struggling with addiction, shame, regret or a past you can’t escape, don’t wait.

Your story isn’t over. There is still time for a new beginning.
He had the money. The status. The respect. Then cocaine, prison and desperation took it all away.Robert Borelli was drawn into organized crime and eventually associated with the Gambino crime family. But the life that promised power and belonging nearly destroyed him.Cocaine addiction led to homelessness, prison and Rikers Island. At his lowest point, a heartbreaking call with his young daughter brought him to his knees.And there, Robert cried out to God.What followed was a radical transformation—from crime and addiction to faith, freedom and a new life in Jesus Christ.In this powerful episode of The UPside with Marion MacKenzie, Robert shares the story of how God met him at his absolute lowest—and gave him a way forward.If you’re struggling with addiction, shame, regret or a past you can’t escape, don’t wait.Your story isn’t over. There is still time for a new beginning.LEARN MORE: @RobertBorelliStories THE BOOK: The Witness: A Tale of the Life an Death of a Mafia Madman ✅ SUBSCRIBE to The UPside Conversations for new episodes every weekIf you enjoy inspiring conversations about faith, leadership, science, culture, healing, and hope Like this video to help others discover it. Comment below—we'd love to hear your thoughts. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement.❤️ DONATE: Tax Deductible at: TheUPside.tv to help us continue producing conversations that light up the world. The UPside Conversations That Light Up the World is produced by Highlander Studios: https://www.highlanderstudios.org/#TheUPside #RobertBorelli #MafiaToChrist #ChristianTestimony #Testimony #JesusChrist #Redemption #GodsGrace #SecondChances #Faith #ChristianPodcast #ChristianYouTube #AddictionRecovery #PrisonTestimony #Transformation #GambinoCrimeFamily #OrganizedCrime #FindingJesus #HopeInChrist #Grace #ChristianInspiration #MarionMacKenzie

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Grief does not have to become your identity. Jody’s story moves from a ten-year search for answers and the loss of her daughter Alex into faith-led advocacy, authorship, and practical support for people facing Lyme disease. 

Jody shared her recent retirement from a 20-year career in fundraising for non-profits and hospitals, as well as her own non-profit Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation. She described this as a transformational time in her life where she can focus more on her faith. Jody and her partner made the decision to retire together, with her partner planning to retire after 40 years at his family's business.

Jody discussed her recent two-week trip to Italy with her spouse, visiting spiritual locations like Assisi and cultural sites in Florence, while sharing travel advice about airport timing. The conversation then shifted to Jody's upcoming trip to Las Vegas and her book "My Promise to Alex" which was published in 2022.

Jody shared her daughter Alex's 10-year battle with undiagnosed Lyme disease, which began when Alex was in fifth grade and eventually led to her death at age 22 on March 24th, 2018. After Alex's diagnosis in May 2017 and subsequent treatment attempts, Jody founded the Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation in her daughter's honor, as Alex had previously expressed her desire to create a non-profit to help Lyme patients with treatment costs not covered by insurance.

Jody shared her experience with her daughter Alex's battle with Lyme disease, explaining that while the condition is treatable rather than curable, an earlier diagnosis could have changed the outcome. She described the emotional journey of losing Alex, including a powerful moment during a prayer vigil where Alex smiled and passed away peacefully. Following Alex's death, Jody established a foundation in her daughter's honor and wrote a book about their experience, focusing on faith, grieving, and Lyme disease awareness.

Jody shared a personal testimony about witnessing Alex see Jesus before passing away, which inspired her to create a foundation to help Lyme disease patients. Since launching in 2017, the foundation has helped over 100 individuals through annual grants and provides ongoing support to those seeking advice and guidance about treatments and doctors. Jody also published a book in 2022 about Alex's journey with Lyme disease and faith, which received positive responses and helped many readers understand their loved ones' experiences.

Jody discussed her work with the Alex Sudsen Lyme Foundation, which includes a book and website that provides information about Lyme disease and connects people with Lyme literate doctors through a zip code search feature. She mentioned that while her book includes a section about resources and doctors like Lonnie Markham from LymeDisease.org, people might need to travel for treatment as there weren't local options in her area during 2017. Jody also shared that she maintains a structured routine including morning workouts and Bible studies, while supporting her family including a granddaughter and son who works with autistic children in Phoenix.

Jody shared her favorite scripture from Isaiah 41:10, which provided comfort during difficult times, particularly when her daughter Alex was battling Lyme disease. She explained that each chapter in her book starts with a scripture taken from index cards her daughter compiled during her illness. Jody mentioned that her book and contact information can be found on the AlexHudsonLymeFoundation.org website, where visitors can purchase the book and potentially donate to the foundation. The conversation concluded with J

What if the thing pulling you away from

your work isn't an interruption to your

purpose as a Christian mom — but IS

your purpose?

In Episode 6 of this Christian motherhood

podcast, Sheila shares a Tuesday afternoon

moment — a small hand, a caterpillar on

a leaf, and a quiet word from God that

rearranged everything.

This episode is for the working Christian

mom who loves her children deeply but

quietly wonders if her real contribution

happens somewhere else. It doesn't. And

Scripture is remarkably clear about that.

In this episode:

• What Psalm 127 really says about

children — heritage, reward, and

eternal significance

• Why Deuteronomy 6 designs faith to

happen in ordinary parenting moments

• The working mom guilt loop — and

how Christian women can break it

• Why presence is not about quantity

of time but quality of attention

• 3 practical things for Christian

moms to try this week

Scripture: Psalm 127:3,

Deuteronomy 6:4–7, Matthew 25:21

Free Kingdom Identity Quiz:

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Faith books for Christian women:

hopelightwonder.com/books

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,

Amazon Music, or hopelightwonder.com/podcast

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#WorkingMomGuilt #ChristianMomEncouragement

#Deuteronomy6Parenting #HolyInterruptions

#JoyfulPurpose #HopeLightWonder

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and parenting | working mom guilt |

Christian mom encouragement | parenting

and faith | children are a blessing |

Deuteronomy 6 parenting

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Merci Santos was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her 20s. As the disease progressed, she lost her eyesight at times, struggled to speak and use her arms, and found herself in and out of a wheelchair. Doctors told her it would only get worse.

But Merci refused to accept that diagnosis as the final outcome for her life. Her fire and passion for God’s Word is contagious, and you can feel the conviction behind every word she shares.

Merci talks about her remarkable healing testimony and how she learned to renew her mind, trust God's Word above what she could see or feel, and understand healing in a completely different way.

We discuss:

• The power of your words
• Renewing your mind through Romans 12:2
• Childlike faith and learning to trust God
• What spirit, soul, and body really mean
• Standing on God’s Word when your circumstances say otherwise
• The moment Merci says every symptom of MS left her

Her story is a reminder that sometimes the question isn't simply, "Do I believe in God?" but, "Do I believe what God says?"

Connect with Merci:
[email protected]

If this episode encouraged you, please follow or subscribe to the Peaceful Presence Podcast, give us a like or rating, and share it with someone who could use a little hope today.

CHAPTERS

00:00 “Jesus, I Know You’re Going to Take It Away”
00:44 Introduction
02:10 Merci’s Story Begins
05:36 The First Signs Something Was Wrong
06:04 Losing Her Vision & Paralysis
07:08 Why She Never “Owned” the Diagnosis
09:44 What Multiple Sclerosis Does to the Body
10:36 When MS Took Over Her Life
11:52 Doctors Said It Would Get Worse
15:32 “Jesus, I Know You Didn’t Do This to Me”
17:52 Meeting the Man God Had Prepared for Her
21:03 God Was Already in the Details
25:39 Healing… Then the Symptoms Returned
27:28 The Little Things We Take for Granted
27:52 “Lord, What Am I Getting Wrong?”
29:13 The Message That Changed Everything
29:31 “You’re Praying the Wrong Way”
30:32 Learning Spirit, Soul & Body
30:55 Medicine vs. Trusting God
31:14 Little by Little, the Pills Went Away
31:38 Stop Asking & Start Thanking?
34:15 The Power of Childlike Faith
35:46 Learning to Receive What God Has Given
38:03 “Only Believe”
40:51 Whose Word Are You Going to Believe?
41:08 Going Back for Medical Proof
42:15 The MRI Didn’t Show What She Expected
44:16 “You Are the Proof”
46:16 Accepting the Implanted Word
48:30 Faith When the Medical Report Says Otherwise
50:01 Intellect, Emotions & Being Led by the Spirit
54:44 What Finally Brought the Manifestation?
54:54 “The Word”
58:39 When Unbelief Creeps In
1:02:11 Why Your Words Matter
1:02:41 What God Showed Her About the Beginning of MS
1:12:24 “How Do I Give You Permission?”
1:13:11 Healing the Soul
1:18:35 What Happened When MS Entered Her Body
1:21:45 Recognizing Thoughts That Aren’t From God
1:24:26 Romans 12:2 & Renewing Your Mind
1:28:32 Blessing Instead of Cursing
1:32:36 Faith Requires Action
1:33:28 Understanding the Believer’s Authority
1:33:47 Speaking to Her Body
1:34:49 The Moment Everything Changed
1:36:13 “Every Symptom Left Me”
1:37:31 What If You Don’t Have Merci’s Boldness?
1:39:57 Merci Prays for Healing
1:41:09 Healing Spirit, Soul & Body
1:41:58 Connect With Merci
1:43:12 Why Testimonies Matter
1:44:09 “Believe”

Thank you for listening and being part of the Peaceful Presence Podcast Community! 

The Peaceful Presence Podcast exists to help people grow closer to God through honest conversations, life-changing testimonies, miracles, healing, and stories that reveal His faithfulness in every season.

Send us Fan Mail

After repeated miscarriages and five exhausting years of adoption, Steve Wormer and his wife faced another crushing blow when their adoption agency suddenly closed the door. Then, within about 48 hours, everything changed—they were given three children. Steve shares the heartbreak, waiting, surrender, and unexpected redemption that shaped his faith, along with the real journey of helping adopted children heal from trauma and learn safety and trust. Through it all, we explore wilderness seasons, holding onto God’s promises before seeing the plan, and breaking agreement with the lie that you are unworthy.

Steve's contact info:

Email - [email protected]

Website - https://www.stevewormer.com

You Are Worthy Network - https://www.youareworthynetwork.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youareworthynetwork

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wormer-bb54b813/

▶️ YouTube (Steve Wormer): https://www.youtube.com/@stevewormer5957

▶️ YouTube (You Are Worthy Network): https://www.youtube.com/@YouAreWorthyNetwork

Featured Hope Unlocked Partner: Reliht

Welcome to Reliht, the brand new and easy-to-use, online no-chat tool you didn’t know you needed, but will love.

Designed as an alternative to social media, Reliht gives you quiet space to reflect, journal, grow with God, capture and share what He’s speaking—without the distractions of endless scrolling and chat.  Sit with God, listen, reflect, journal, receive, and share.

✨ As a special launch welcome, sign up FREE through September 1, 2026.

Learn more at reliht.com 

️Hope Unlocked Listener Exclusive! Feeling stirred but not sure what to do next? Book a 45-minute Holy Spirit-led 1:1 coaching session w/ Hope Unlocked host Kristin Kurtz, founder of New Wings Coaching. This powerful conversation will help you move from stirred to activated—with peace, clarity, & a Spirit-led next step. Book your call HERE now–special pricing to listeners!

Support the show

The Hope Unlocked Podcast is a clarion call to keep going. Wild testimonies of faith & courage cut through the noise & ignite hope. Every financial gift helps amplify these voices & spread hope around the world — and you can also leave a note to share how the podcast has encouraged you. Join me in carrying this sound of freedom forward. Partner HERE

Ways to connect with Kristin Kurtz, the Hope Unlocked Host -
Website - https://www.newwingscoaching.net/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/renew.wings/

Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/moodykurtz/ 

Join the Hope Unlocked FB group (for women) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hopeunlocked

Join the NEWSletter HERE

Podcast Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. The views, opinions, experiences, and testimonies shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or New Wings Coaching Content sha

Anthony Serino had over a million followers, celebrity clients, financial success, and a thriving career built around hypnosis, manifestation, and New Age practices.

Then something happened that challenged everything he thought he understood...

To Reach Anthony Serino: https://www.anthonyserino.com/
Anthony's teaching on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjserino/
The Fifth Gospel Podcast: https://music.youtube.com/@godwantsyouback

--
NEW Everyday Miracle compilation book on Amazon:
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Subscribe to Julie's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast1395

Website for Everyday Miracles (APPLY!):
http://everydaymiraclespodcast.com/

To follow Everyday Miracles Podcast on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-miracles-podcast/id1447430033

On Social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hedenborg-452028a7/

To email Julie directly:
[email protected]

--
Scripture ✝️:

Psalm 127:1a 
"Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain."

Matthew 10:8b
"Freely you have received; freely give."

Romans 8:11
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."

"Mom, are you listening?" Today's episode starts with a question my youngest asked me — one I couldn't answer, because I genuinely had no idea what he'd just said. I'm talking about presence, and who in our lives actually gets the best of us.

5 Takeaways from this episode:

1. We can be physically present and still completely miss the people right in front of us — clients, schedules, and to-do lists can quietly take priority.
2. Different people need different kinds of presence — what works for one of my boys doesn't work the same for another.
3. The real question isn't just "am I listening" — it's "who is getting the best of me?" Clients? Strangers at Walmart? Or the people I do life with every day?
4. Clients and circumstances come and go — but the people closest to you are constants, and they deserve to know they have your availability.
5. This week's challenge: tell someone you do life with how important they are, and ask them honestly — "do you feel like I listen well?" Then just receive their answer.

Grab my book, Step Out & Thrive: Finding God in the Everyday When Nothing Makes Sense → https://a.co/d/0bEoBuU1

Join the free Step Out & Thrive community → https://community.stepoutandthrive.com

Dare to do more than just survive. Step Out & Thrive.

When Cheri Baugh Woods kept hearing the same words, “You’ll find the answer in the bone marrow,” she had no idea those words would end up saving her life.

In this episode of the Witness the Wonder , Cheri shares her incredible miracle story of facing two different forms of leukemia, sepsis, two brain surgeries, and a bone marrow transplant, while learning to recognize God’s voice and trust His leading through some of the hardest moments of her life.

What happened next became a journey of faith, survival, healing, and miracles that Cheri says could only have been God.

From an incurable leukemia diagnosis to hearing God point her toward the answer hidden in her own bone marrow, Cheri’s story offers hope for anyone facing cancer, a medical crisis, or an impossible situation and wondering where God is in the middle of it.

If you want to grow in recognizing God’s voice, trusting His leading, and having the faith to follow when He speaks, this conversation is for you.

Cheri is the author of Win-Win: Miracles Still Happen.

Get her book here: https://amzn.to/4g5bgHt

Website: https://www.authorsherribaughwoods.com

Facebook: Author Cheri Baugh Woods

Follow for my Christian podcast more real stories of faith and miracles.

Submit a prayer request: https://christinasmithofficial.com/

️ Share your story here: https://christinasmithofficial.com/apply-to-be-a-guest

❤️ Join our mission: https://christinasmithofficial.com/join-our-mission

#MiracleStory #FaithOverFear #CancerSurvivor #WitnessTheWonder #GodIsFaithful

How can we build a meaningful life no matter what your gifts or trades might be?

In today's episode, Tina Yeager is joined by Dave Hataj—author, skilled labor advocate, and founder of Craftsmen with Character—to discuss the often-overlooked value of blue-collar work and craftsmanship.

Together, they unpack barriers that keep generations from recognizing their God-given dignity, purpose, and potential, especially in trades and manufacturing fields. From Dave Hataj's personal journey through addiction and preconceived limitations to his calling as a champion for craftsmen, this conversation reveals how every gift and vocation—including working with your hands—has a unique place in God's kingdom.

Discover how to embrace your work as worship, why character matters beyond skill, and how true fulfillment comes from seeing yourself and your labor through God's eyes. This is an episode for anyone searching for meaning in everyday life and longing to move from merely surviving to truly thriving—no matter your trade or calling.

Key Takeaways:

• All Work Has God-Given Value: Whether you're in manufacturing, tech, teaching, or any other field, your unique skills matter and contribute to the world's flourishing. As Dave Hataj shared, "God himself is a worker. He's the creator. And so, as his kids, we are co-creators meant to join him in that work."

• Your Work Is Worship: Partnering with God in your daily tasks transforms routine jobs into sacred opportunities. Dave Hataj prays each morning to see his business—and his team—through God's eyes, making his machine shop not just a workplace, but a place of worship.

• Building Character Transforms Lives: Developing character isn't just about discipline; it's about embodying excellence, goodness, and dignity. Dave Hataj's Craftsman Code helps people of all ages discover their purpose, self-worth, and a sense of calling, especially for those who may have been overlooked.

For Dave Hataj's book, The Craftsman's Code, or more inspiration on meaningful work (and practical resources for yourself or someone you care about), visit craftsmenwithcharacter.org or davehataj.com

We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant.

To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/

Optimize your mind and body with my new favorite, all-inclusive supplement, Cardio Miracle! I love the energy and focus this health-boosting drink mix provides without toxins, caffeine, or sugar! Get a discount on your purchase with my link: http://www.cardiomiracle.com/tinayeager

Live your healthiest life with Sustainable Healthy Weight Loss! Tina Yeager's unprecedented whole-person program is bundled with profound insights and tools to help you embrace the revitalized, slimmer you that you might never have dreamed possible! OR Manage stress and anxiety in 10 minutes a day with the course presented by 15 experts, Subdue Stress and Anxiety https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses

Connect with Tina at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/

Instagram:

I had a season where God felt silent. Even as Pastors, we hit the same hills and valleys you do in your walk with Jesus— so I'm sharing the honest truth because I know some of you are in that exact season right now, wondering if He even hears you.

A quick note: I was the guest on this one! I sat down with Julie, host of "Everyday Miracles", for her show — and the conversation was so good, so real, and so needed that I had to bring it home to you too. We talk about what it actually feels like when God goes quiet, what gets in the way of hearing Him, and how to move from "I can't hear Him" to recognizing His voice every day.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why a season of silence from God isn't a sign of failure or distance
• How to hear God's voice clearly, even when your mind feels loud and busy
• The difference between God's voice and your own racing thoughts
• How to discern God's voice using scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit
• Signs God is speaking to you, even when it doesn't feel like a "voice" at all
• What the "still small voice" of God actually sounds like in real life
• How to pray when God feels distant, and what to do while you wait
• Practical ways to recognize the whisper of God in your everyday moments
• How prayer journaling can help you track and remember when God speaks
• What it means to feel God's presence again after a dry season
• Biblical discernment — how to know if a thought, impression, or nudge lines up with God's Word
• Why "hearing God" doesn't always look the way we expect it to

Quick answers if you're searching for this right now:

• Why can't I hear God?

Most of the time it's not about distance from Him — it's about noise, timing, or expectations of what His voice "should" sound like. We unpack this in detail in the episode.

• How do I know if it's God's voice?

We talk through practical, biblical ways to test what you're hearing against scripture and the character of God — not just a feeling.

• What if I've prayed and heard nothing?

You are not alone, and it doesn't mean God has gone silent forever. This episode walks through exactly what to do in that waiting season.

This was a guest-host episode — full credit to Julie Hedenborg and the "Everyday Miracles" podcast for having me on and letting me share this conversation here with you too.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• 5-Day Hear God Email Series — Start hearing God's voice in 5 days, free → https://heargodseries.subscribepage.io

• 30-Day Hearing God's Voice Devotional — Ready to hear God every single day → https://a.co/d/0bIBXDTj

• Work With Me — Podcasting help and coaching → [email protected]

• Everyday Miracles Podcast — Go check out Julie's show → https://www.youtube.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast1395