Meet the proprietor of Sewpbox Productions based in West Hollywood, California. Russell Conte owned a retail sewing shop until he discovered his true passion: teaching others to sew. His portfolio includes fashion sewing, leather goods, shoe making and more. Russell is a university instructor in advanced sewing techniques and also serves as a Babylock ambassador. His video sewing lessons are very short and tackle just one targeted subject in a hyper focused approached.

Meet Susan Pfaff, purse maker and supporter of Sew Powerful. With a name like 'Pfaff' we all have to be wondering, "Is Susan related to the Pfaff sewing machine people?" You'll have to listen to get the answer, but here is a hint: Susan has traveled all over the United States as an Pfaff educator. Susan has even held the dreamiest of jobs: fabric store owner. Now retired, Susan has taken to YouTube with her charming video series, 'Let's Sew! KIDS' introducing the younger generation to the basics of sewing. Susan shares her purse making philosophy and much more in this week's episode.

Listen as we count down the 10 most listened-to podcasts of the past twelve months. Our eclectic assortment of guests includes Sew Powerful Regional Coordinators, Industry Influencers and others who just happen to have a passion for Sew Powerful. You will hear snippets from the podcasts to remind you why these ten episodes garnered so much attention. You might even want to go back and listen again...or for the first time. We also share a big announcement about what is coming in the very near future for the Sew Powerful Podcast.

Two weeks ago, we listened to Jason Miles talk about Mary, Martha and Lazarus in John, Chapter 11. (See Sew Powerful Podcast, episode 67) Today, Jason moves on to John, Chapter 12 and introduces several Biblical references to the poor and caring for those living in poverty, including Deuteronomy 15, Galatians 2, Acts 2 and Isiah 61. But Jason also quotes the New York Times and plays a clip from a local Los Angeles TV station. He reminds us to find the balance between faith with no action and action with no faith. As always, Jason includes great contemporary stories to illustrate the lessons he finds in scripture.

In this week's podcast we hear from Dana Buck. Dana is a Sew Powerful board member and author of 'The Sew Powerful Parables,' both in book and podcast formats. Today's engaging talk is one he recently shared with the congregation of Renton Christian Center. Dana focuses on John 12, verses 20-24 to help us understand how the broken can become beautiful. Listen for the story of the truck driver with a bad heart and the young widow with a life insurance policy. Then you will probably need a tissue, I know I did, as Dana reads his original work, 'Broken Teacups.'

The guest on today's podcast is the Sew Powerful co-founder, Jason Miles. Rather than an interview format, we are sharing the sermon Jason delivered to his church in July 2021. Using John, Chapter 11 as the basis of his sermon, the next 30 minutes or so will delight you as Jason weaves contemporary life into the story of Jesus’ love for Mary and Martha at the time of Lazarus’ death. And Jason wraps it up by helping us understand how Jesus loves each of us.

Ginny Buckley lives near Bristol in the UK. There she has organized sewing days, drawing in members of her church and local community to come sew a bag for Sew Powerful. In this episode, Ginny walks us through her planning process and how she arranged the room to ensure safety protocols, provide convenient access to the supplies, while still encouraging sharing and friendship. Ginny also reveals her secret weapon that draws in her bag makers and she literally shares the recipe for her success.

The voicemail episode is a compilation of voice mail messages left by our Sew Powerful friends. We asked them to finish these phrases and share their thoughts with us via voice mail: The reason I volunteer for Sew Powerful is…What I like best about Sew Powerful is...The best thing that happened to me last week was...I am asking for prayers for.... The result is an uplifting, interesting and fun listen as our volunteers tell us what is important to them. Enjoy.

Attention all machine embroiderers and friends of embroiderers. In this episode, the creative force behind the free Sew Powerful embroidery designs, Peggy Creighton, walks us through her process, explains ITH, and hints at what will be available in the months ahead. Peggy explains how to use her designs on your embroidery machine. Then she encourages all purse makers to engage with a friend who has an embroidery machine as a way to introduce them to Sew Powerful in a partnership of friendship and creativity.

As we celebrate the Olympics, meet the Marketing and Communication Officer for the Zambia National Olympic Committee, Felix Munyika. Even with an early defeat in women's futball (soccer) , the NOCZ is proud of its team's showing. Zambia sent a delegation of 50 athletes in 5 sports to the Tokyo games. Listen as Felix reveals how the Olympics in Zambia has parallel goals to those of Sew Powerful with a prediction our two organizations could find synergy in the future.