Meet our podcast episode guest Cassie Mainero, a former middle school ELA teacher.  Cassie is the owner of Storybloom Creative, where she creates educational resources for homeschool, extracurricular, and summer learning to foster creativity, storytelling, and writing.

She shares how God guided her from teaching to church work, a literacy nonprofit (Read for a Child), and eventually entrepreneurship, including a public-school program that paid most of her Christian-based master’s degree.

Her ongoing “God wink” is receiving step-by-step business help through people she met, support from her aunt in setting up banking, and a first freelance copywriting email the same day she opened her business account.

Cassie discusses her “Story Bloom” classroom garden project and fruits-of-the-Spirit themes, her Instagram growth, and distributing digital and print curricula via Teachers Pay Teachers, Kajabi, and Amazon.

Cassie's resonating verse is Romans 8:28 which says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

Connect with Cassie Mainero
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-mainero/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cassandra.storybloom/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storybloomcreative/
Email - [email protected]

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In this inspiring episode of The God Wink Podcast, host Cyndee Sparre welcomes Ashley Carlton, who shares her remarkable journey of leaving corporate America to pursue entrepreneurship. While the decision required tremendous faith, Ashley witnessed God provide financially in ways she never could have orchestrated. From unexpected opportunities to perfectly timed provisions, her story is a powerful reminder that when God calls us, He also equips us.

Ashley also opens up about another life-changing decision her family has made—to begin homeschooling their children this fall. She shares the prayer, discernment, and conviction that led them to embrace a new season of intentionally shaping their children's education and faith.

Also joining the conversation is Bree Swope, who candidly discusses her family's experiences within the public school system and the reasons they, too, have chosen to homeschool. Bree offers encouragement to parents wrestling with difficult educational decisions and reminds listeners that seeking God's direction is more important than following the crowd.

Finally, you'll hear from Jacob Sparre, a current high school student, who provides a thoughtful perspective from inside today's school environment. Jacob shares some of the challenges students face, what it's like to navigate today's culture, and why conversations about education, faith, and family matter more than ever.

Whether you're considering entrepreneurship, homeschooling, or simply wondering how to recognize God's hand during life's biggest transitions, this episode is filled with hope, wisdom, and unmistakable God Winks.

Connect with Ashley Carlton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleycarltoncoachingteens/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReadyTeen
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/214086

Breaking Bread: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570277859613

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 Special Delivery: The Invitation Only God Could Arrange 

In this heartfelt episode, Cyndee Sparre bears her heart and shares how everything started with a package in the mail. She reflects on the power of obedience, prayer, and community, showing how small moments can become clear evidence of God’s bigger plan.

If you’re walking through addiction, uncertainty, or a season that feels overwhelming, this episode is a reminder that God sees you, provides for you, and never wastes a detail.

Mentioned Resources
Addiction Intervention Consultation: https://lovefirst.net/
Radical Mentoring: https://radicalmentoring.com/
4Word Detroit: https://4wordwomen.org/group/detroit-mi/
Christine Trimpe: Sugar Detox Program: https://christinetrimpe.com/

Connect with Cyndee Sparre
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndee-sparre/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynetworkinglady/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyndee.sparre
Email: [email protected]

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Need Prayer? We Want to Pray for You!
https://bit.ly/GodHearsPrayer

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Do you have a God Wink story? Please share it with us!
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On this episode of The God Wink Podcast, Barbie Sheffield shares her incredible testimony of redemption and healing from addiction.

Growing up in an alcoholic home, Barbie recalls how there was no dining room table in the house, but her stepfather built a bar. By age 12, although she struggled with math, she could perfectly draw a beer bottle and cap — and before graduating high school, she had already become an alcoholic herself.

Years later, after visiting her drug dealer and being told she needed help, Barbie returned home and came across Laverne Tripp giving a Salvation Call on television. In that moment, she gave her life to Jesus Christ and experienced instant freedom from addiction.

Now sober for more than 35 years, Barbie shares her story as a testimony that God can redeem and completely transform any life.

Connect with Barbie Sheffield
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbiemorgan-sheffield-9a526847/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlyfocusedhearts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php? id=100083842495887
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@godlyfocusedhearts
Website: https://godlyfocusedhearts.com/
Email: [email protected]

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Join us as Caylinn Higgins shares her powerful testimony of overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and spiritual battles through faith in Jesus. Discover how discernment, spiritual warfare, and trusting God transformed her life and can inspire yours.

Connect with Caylinn Higgins
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caylinn-ember/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themessyentrepreneur_/
Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to The God Wink Podcast
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Need Prayer? We Want to Pray for You!
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In this week's episode, Pastor Chuck Chavis shares his inspiring journey from addiction and incarceration to founding Lifeline Ministries, highlighting the transformative power of Jesus Christ and the importance of hope and faith in overcoming life's darkest moments.

Connect with Pastor Chuck Chavis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18d126JbuF/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://lifelineal.com/

Unshackled Pacific Garden Mission Drama Radio Station
https://unshackled.subspla.sh/tdccqqm

Lifeline to Freedom Books
https://lifelineal.com/new-book-page/

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Need Prayer? We Want to Pray for You!
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Discover how Kieara Johnson’s inspiring story of overcoming childhood hardship, addiction, and near-death experiences transformed her into a faith-driven leader. Learn about the power of prayer, faith, and resilience in breaking generational curses and living a purpose-filled life.

Remember, no matter your past, God's love and purpose for your life remains unwavering. Embrace your new identity in Christ, and let faith guide your journey to healing, hope, and victory.

Connect with Kieara Johnson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stewardwithstrategy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stewardwithstrategy
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stewardwithstrategy
Website: www.stewardwithstrategy.com
Email: [email protected]

Today's Podcast Sponsor:
Steward with Strategy
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In this powerful episode of The God Wink Podcast, Christine Johnson shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, redemption, and restoration. Struggling with meth and heroin at a young age, Christine found herself caught in a cycle that left her feeling hopeless, even after trying multiple recovery programs that fell short.

Everything changed when she discovered Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac. Through their year-long, Christ-centered program, Christine encountered something she hadn’t experienced before—true hope. With the support of the program and a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ, she began the process of healing, transformation, and freedom from addiction.

Today, Christine’s story comes full circle. Not only has her life been restored, but she now serves others through her work at Grace Centers of Hope, helping those who are walking the same path she once did.

Her journey is beautifully captured in Genesis 50:20—a verse that now defines her life: what was once meant for evil, God has turned into good, using her story to impact and uplift others.

This episode is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone, and that even in our darkest moments, God is working behind the scenes—writing a story of redemption, purpose, and hope.

Connect with Grace Centers of Hope
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceCentersofHope/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracecentersofhope
Website: https://gracecentersofhope.org/
Email: [email protected]

Today's Podcast Sponsor:
Grace Centers of Hope Women's Luncheon and Fashion Show
https://gracecentersofhope.org/women-helping-women-luncheon-fashion-show/

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Subscribe to The God Wink Podcast
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Need Prayer? We Want to Pray for You!
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What happens when two broken stories collide—and God uses both to create something powerful?

In this episode of The God Wink Podcast, we hear the incredible journey of Michele Reis and Robert Dupuis, a married couple whose lives were transformed through Celebrate Recovery. What began as a personal search for healing from life’s hurts, habits, and hangups turned into a calling far greater than they ever imagined.

Through honesty, surrender, and a willingness to do the hard work, Michele and Robert experienced deep restoration individually.  Which would then lead to them finding one another.  What once felt like pain and brokenness in their past became the very foundation God would use to build purpose.

Today, they are a powerhouse team helping launch Celebrate Recovery programs in churches across Southeast Michigan, walking alongside others as they step into their own healing journeys.

Connect with Michele Reis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelereis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.reis.3551
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele719?
Email: [email protected]

Connect with Robert Dupuis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HwGQ6SACd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Email: [email protected]

Today's Podcast Sponsor:
Celebrate Recovery
Find a Location: https://crlocator.com/

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In this powerful episode of The God Wink Podcast, host Cyndee Sparre sits down with Evan Batts.  At 18 years old, his future nearly disappeared in a single moment.

Facing a 5-year felony for drug possession and distribution, everything he had hoped for—his career, his reputation, his future—hung in the balance. But what seemed like the worst day of his life would later reveal itself as one of God’s greatest interventions.

In this powerful testimony, he shares how God orchestrated unexpected circumstances that led to his arrest, ultimately protecting him from a much darker path. After receiving undeserved mercy through a wiped-clean record, he was given a second chance—but the real test came years later.

When applying for a government job, he faced a defining decision: remain silent about his past or risk everything by telling the truth.

What happened next could only be explained as divine favor.

But even after experiencing God’s provision, the deeper battle wasn’t external—it was internal. He struggled with shame, feeling unworthy of God’s love, and believed he needed to fix himself before coming to Christ. That’s when a life-changing revelation through Scripture transformed everything: he realized his identity wasn’t based on his performance, but on Christ’s finished work.

Connect with Evan Batts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-batts-mba-76630153?
Email: [email protected]

Today's Podcast Sponsor:
Denise Mckibben | My Hair Growth Clinic
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