In Episode 112, Lauren interviews brilliant, witty and connector of people Hannah Shallenberger. Hannah has served in higher education and K12 for her career helping to fulfill goals of students and organizations through fundraising. In this episode, we talk about the beauty of intentionally loving others (especially through the use of paper products!), what it's like to grow up in a big family, creative ideas for future podcasts (Reese Witherspoon, here we come!) and the best gift Hannah has ever received. You'll be inspired by Hannah's thoughtfulness and joy!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 111, Lauren interviews risk-taking introvert and people connector Jeffrey Clayton. When Lauren met Jeffrey, he was introducing himself to everyone in the room and she noticed his kind friendliness. What she didn't know was that Jeffrey had been quite shy growing up, but began striking up conversations with friends and strangers in an effort to become more connected to others.

In this episode, Jeffrey talks about how he started to come out of his shell, growing in confidence in who he is, what he loves about being a dad, and wisdom for people overcoming social anxiety. Jeffrey's big heart will inspire you!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 110, Lauren interviews Jamaican Bishop Christine Haber. Christine was a Broadway dancer in New York, a travel agent, and began leading a ministry in Jamaica 23 years ago (and is celebrating the 23rd anniversary this month!). Christine's passionate faith is inspiring. In this episode, Christine shares her experience as a little girl being a friend of Jesus, what she's seeing happening in Jamaica, and powerful stories from across the world. In the end, she prays a powerful prayer over our listeners.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 109, Lauren interviews Arizona-based wife, mom and political field representative Alyssa Goncales. Alyssa was a business owner and hair stylist for 21 years and a couple of years ago, a friend invited her to volunteer at a political rally and it lit a spark inside of her. Alyssa now works with Turning Point Action, helps lead a Mom's Coalition and educates people on the importance of voting, especially in local elections.

When asked what she has learned most from her experience in politics, Alyssa said,  "Even though I am a hairstylist, I can be pretty timid and shy. I had never spoken in front of a crowd in my life. I've overcome a lot of fears and done a lot of growing and I've gotten a lot more bold. I've never been a super bold person, but I am now. It's exciting to see how God has worked in me."

There are 64 elections taking place worldwide throughout 2024 and the United States' national election takes place on Tuesday, November 5. To register to vote, please visit https://vote.gov 

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 108, Lauren interviews worldwide adventurer Eléna Kappers. Eléna grew up in Yemen with her parents (her dad is Dutch-Canadian and her mom is German), went to university in Scotland, and currently lives in England. In January, Eléna will board an Operation Mobilization (OM) Ship based in Taiwan that will travel throughout Southeast Asia throughout 2025.

During her senior year at the University of Glasgow, Eléna did research on "belongingness" among TCK (Third-Culture Kids who grew up in a country different than their parents). In 2021, there were 87-million expatriates worldwide. She studied their relationships, behavior, and worldview and found fascinating research! Eléna's brilliant global perspective will fill you with wonder and wisdom!

To support Eléna as she spends the next year on the OM Ship, please visit https://www.omusa.org/ways-to-give/#specific-need and include "for the support of Elena Kappers on Doulos Hope" in the comment section of the gift. 

UK residents, please give through this link: https://www.uk.om.org/Appeal/elna-kappers

Canadian residents, please give through this link: https://www.om.org/ca/give/ways-give

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 107, Lauren interviews German-native Lea Schmehl. Lea is a joy-filled 21-year old student studying to become a math/geography teacher. In this episode, Lea shares about what it's like living in Germany, her experience working and serving children and teens, and Lea leads listeners into a beautiful imaginative encounter at the end of the episode. If you are in need of peace, this episode is especially for you!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 106, Lauren interviews Netherlands-native Bertine Pas. Bertine is a teacher filled with so much joy and light! In this episode, Bertine shares about her adventurous summer across Europe, life in the Netherlands, and her journey of faith. Bertine is inspiring and full of life!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 105, Lauren interviews leadership expert Dr. Derek Matthews. Derek lives in Arizona with his wife and three children and serves businesses through leadership consulting (Character Quest) and innovative growth solutions (The Patriot Pay). In this episode, Derek talks about the #1 secret the best leaders are doing, specific ways to build connections with people, and the future of AI. Derek's insights are cutting edge - this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Learn more about leadership development at https://www.characterquest.com

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 103, Lauren interviews the youngest guests on the Strangers on the Way Podcast, eight-year-old Valerie and five-year old Leon! Valerie and Leon are siblings and live in the Chicago suburbs. In this episode, Valerie and Leon joyfully share about their favorite things, including swimming, travel, ice skating and their family! This is a short and sweet episode you won't want to miss!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 102, Lauren interviews author and entrepreneur Dr. Anne Beall. Anne has written numerous award-winning books and owned a research company that enabled her to learn about fairytales, love, and gender dynamics of men and women, among many others. In this episode, Anne shares about the surprising discovery of hidden messages in the Grimm's Fairy Tales, why women tend to lack confidence and men tend to break the rules, and the importance of self-compassion. Stay for the end as Anne reads a hot air balloon story from her book "Embracing Calm: Meditative Journeys for Inner Peace" over you and invites you to start your day with peace and wonder.

To learn more about Anne and to order her award-winning books, visit https://annebeall.com

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series. 

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.