MANNA

A new chapter begins for The SongWalk Echoes Podcast.

After ten seasons exploring the foundational principles of Catholic faith, co-hosts Jeff Peterson and SongWalk founder Don Prisby introduce the Formative Era; a journey beyond understanding what we believe toward discovering how God shapes who we become.

Through music, Scripture, and personal reflection, Don and Jeff explore what it means to be formed by God, the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual transformation, and the invitation of Jesus to enter into friendship with Him. They also introduce a more personal approach to the podcast, emphasizing the movement from intellectual understanding to a deeper relationship with God.

At the heart of this episode is a simple but profound invitation: make room for God to work within us. Sometimes that begins not with doing more, but with becoming quiet enough to listen.

What do you do when prayer feels difficult or your mind won’t stay focused? Christopher Castagnoli, creator of Our Catholic Prayers, joins Jeff to share his path into the Catholic Church and his approach to making prayer accessible. Together they explore traditional prayers, spiritual dryness, and taking the first step toward a deeper relationship with God. #MANNApodcast #CatholicPrayer #PrayerLife #SpiritualDryness #CatholicFaith #PrayingThePsalms #OurCatholicPrayers

In this episode of MANNA, Jeff Peterson welcomes former television anchor Tom Halden, who traded a successful career in broadcast journalism for a new calling as Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Tom shares how the same storytelling, communication, and media skills that helped him become a trusted television personality are now being used to help people encounter Christ through podcasts, video, social media, print, and digital evangelization. Together, Jeff and Tom explore vocational discernment, humility, leadership, the rapidly changing media landscape, and what it means to faithfully steward the talents God has entrusted to us.

Whether you're discerning your own calling, navigating a career transition, or simply wondering how your gifts fit into God's larger story, Tom's journey offers a powerful reminder that God rarely wastes our experiences; He simply redeploys them for a greater purpose.

How do you keep going after life changes forever?

For Deston Rogers, the answer wasn't found in pretending the pain wasn't real—it was found in discovering that God never stopped being present in it.

After losing two sons and enduring unimaginable heartbreak, Deston now encourages others through his ministry, podcast, and the Rise. Inspire. Overcome. movement.

This is one of the most honest conversations we've had on MANNA about grief, perseverance, and the hope that can only come from Christ.

#MANNAPodcast #Faith #Hope #Resilience #ChristianMen #Perseverance #Leadership #Grief #Purpose

What’s the measure of “success” in God's Kingdom: Church attendance? Donations? Positive podcast reviews? (hint hint)

In this episode of MANNA, Jeff sits down with Bill Nienhuis, President of Childcare Worldwide, to discuss a question that has reshaped his entire ministry: What if the true measure of impact isn't how many people you reach, but how many disciples you help form?

Bill shares the story behind Childcare Worldwide's transition from traditional child sponsorship to a church-centered model built around Life Centers; places where children are cared for physically, emotionally, and spiritually while local churches are equipped to disciple entire families.

Along the way, Bill reflects on God's unexpected path from helping build Logos Bible Software into serving children around the world, the mentors who shaped his own faith, and why the fruit of the Spirit, not statistics, is ultimately the metric that matters most. Learn more at https://childcareworldwide.org/project/life-center-membership?t=0509&c=0509&utm_source=manna&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=lifecenter

Most people think customer service calls are about solving problems. Tom Vander Well discovered they're really about understanding people.

In this episode of MANNA, Jeff welcomes Tom Vander Well, CEO of Intelligentics, host of the Wayfarer Podcast, and author of the international bestselling book This Call May Be Monitored. After spending more than three decades studying hundreds of thousands of customer conversations, Tom realized those ordinary interactions revealed extraordinary lessons about servant leadership, communication, trust, and faith.

Tom also shares his remarkable journey from an early call into pastoral ministry to a career in business, where God showed him that every workplace can become a mission field. Together, Jeff and Tom discuss listening well, leading with humility, and why biblical principles remain the best foundation for building healthy organizations and meaningful relationships.

If you've ever wondered how your work can become your ministry, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.

What do leaders do when the weight of a difficult decision rests entirely on their shoulders?

In this episode of MANNA, Jeff welcomes Rev. Kevin Taylor, pastor, leadership advisor, and author of A Charge to Keep. Drawing from both ministry and executive leadership experience, Kevin shares lessons on responsibility, influence, courage, and faith-driven decision-making.

Together, they discuss the loneliness that often accompanies leadership, the importance of seeking God's wisdom, and why faith should never be compartmentalized away from our professional lives. This conversation will resonate with anyone who has ever carried the weight of leadership or wrestled with difficult decisions.

Religious freedom is often discussed but rarely understood in its historical context.

In this episode of MANNA, Jeff welcomes filmmaker Andrew LInn, whose documentary Church and State: Roger Williams and the Founding of Freedom of Religion uncovers the remarkable story of Roger Williams, a pastor whose biblical convictions helped shape one of America's foundational freedoms.

Andrew also shares his own faith journey, how God redirected his lifelong passion for filmmaking, and why storytelling can become a powerful form of ministry. Together, Jeff and Andrew explore faith, history, courage, and the responsibility each of us has to use our God-given gifts to illuminate truth in a culture searching for it.

Whether you're interested in American history, filmmaking, or simply discovering how ordinary people can advance God's Kingdom through their vocation, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

When was the last time you truly got away?

Not just a vacation. Not just a business trip. A real opportunity to step back, gain perspective, and reconnect with God.

After decades of global travel as a successful executive, Steve Salmen came to believe that some of life's greatest lessons happen when we intentionally step away from our routines and create space for reflection.

Today, through Remarkable Journeys, Steve helps others discover the joy, wonder, and transformational power of travel. In this episode, Jeff and Steve discuss adventure, leadership, silent retreats, spiritual growth, and how nearly fifty years of annual reflection have shaped Steve's life, faith, and purpose.

What happens when God meets us at our lowest point?

Eric Stephens spent years searching for acceptance in all the wrong places, battling addiction, depression, and feelings of rejection that nearly cost him his life. But in 2010, a series of events, and a simple prayer asking God to reveal Himself, set Eric on a new path.

Today, Eric is an ordained pastor, founder of Redwood Christian Ministries, and host of The Rooted in Christ Podcast, helping others discover the same hope and healing he found in Christ.

In this episode, Jeff and Eric discuss redemption, identity, addiction, forgiveness, purpose, and why God's grace doesn't erase our past, but rather prepares us for the future He created us to live.