2026 Student Edition | Vol. 1

In this episode of The Life Stories Podcast, David sits down with Landen and Jackie, two recent high school graduates stepping into a brand-new chapter of life while discovering what it truly means to have a faith of their own.

For both of them, faith wasn’t always personal. Like so many young people, they grew up knowing about God, but eventually reached a point where they had to decide for themselves what they believed and what role Jesus would have in their lives.

Landen and Jackie share openly about some of the struggles they’ve faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and the people God placed in their lives along the way. They talk about relationships, temptation, identity, finding freedom, navigating their faith in high school, and learning to choose Jesus in a culture that often encourages them to do the opposite.

Now at 18 and beginning life after high school, their stories are still being written. One chapter may be ending, but a completely new one is just beginning—and they’re stepping into it with a faith that is becoming personal, genuine, and their own.

Finding Faith on Their Own is a conversation about growing up, making mistakes, finding freedom, and realizing that following Jesus isn’t about living off someone else’s faith. At some point, each of us has to decide for ourselves who Jesus is and whether we’re willing to follow Him.

No matter your age or where you are in your own journey, Landen and Jackie’s conversation is a reminder that God can meet you right where you are, and it’s never too early—or too late—to make your faith your own.

Everyone has a story. This is Landen and Jackie’s.

What happens when someone who grew up believing there was no God encounters Jesus and decides to go all in?

In this episode of The Life Stories Podcast, David sits down with Cooper, a 19-year-old Baylor University student and CBC Students intern, to hear his incredible journey from atheism to a life centered on Jesus. 🎙️✝️

Cooper shares what it was like growing up in an atheist family, navigating family struggles, and slowly becoming open to the possibility that there was something bigger than himself. That journey eventually led Cooper and his mom to Community Bible Church, where everything began to change. Cooper gave his life to Jesus, began discovering what it actually meant to walk out his faith, and eventually made the decision to be baptized—alongside his mom. 🙌🌊

Now, just a few years later, Cooper is studying religion at Baylor, building a Christ-centered community in college, sharing the love of Jesus with believers and nonbelievers alike, and spending his summer serving the next generation through a CBC Students internship. What once felt like a disadvantage—not growing up in church—has become an important part of his testimony and his desire to reach people who don't yet know Jesus.

This conversation is full of faith, friendship, laughter, college stories, servant leadership, and a powerful reminder that God can completely transform a life. ❤️‍🔥

From complete atheism ➡️ finding Jesus ➡️ getting baptized ➡️ serving Jesus ➡️ pursuing ministry, Cooper's story is just getting started.

🎧 Everyone Has A Story. This is Cooper’s Story.

Sometimes the people with the biggest smile and loudest energy are carrying stories you’d never expect.

This week on The Life Stories Podcast, David sits down with Aiden Beseth for one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations yet. What starts with funny stories about church culture, OneWKND, friendship, and the “San Antonio Bible Belt” quickly turns into a powerful conversation about grief, identity, mental health, community, and what it truly means to follow Jesus.

Aiden opens up about growing up in church, struggling with insecurity, battling feelings of not being enough, and walking through the heartbreaking loss of his brother. Through every high and low moment, God continued to pursue him, heal him, and place people in his life that reminded him he was never alone.

This episode is full of laughter, deep truth, and real conversations about accountability, student ministry, worship, purpose, and learning how to surrender every part of your life to Christ. It’s a reminder that faith isn’t about having it all together — it’s about continuing to trust God even when life doesn’t make sense.

“Walking with Christ is like walking with a lamp that has the shutters almost closed… sometimes it feels dim, but the light never goes out.”

Everyone has a story… this is Aiden’s Story.

In this powerful episode of The Life Stories Podcast, Eric shares his incredible journey from growing up atheist to fully surrendering his life to Jesus. His story is raw, honest, and deeply impactful.

Eric opens up about battling anxiety, addiction, identity struggles, and the search for validation in relationships, partying, and success. After years of feeling lost and broken, everything changed when he stepped into church for the first time in 2024. What began as curiosity quickly became a life-changing encounter with God that transformed his perspective, purpose, and future.

Eric shares how community, accountability, and faith helped him walk away from destructive habits and discover true fulfillment. He also talks about his mission trip to Panama, where he experienced firsthand what it means to live boldly for Christ and share the Gospel with others.

This episode is a reminder that no one is too far gone, no story is too messy, and transformation is always possible.

Everyone has a story… this is Eric’s story.

In this episode of The Life Stories Podcast, David sits down with Val to hear a powerful testimony of faith, healing, and transformation.

Val shares how her journey with God began as a teenager attending church, but everything changed when she faced a life-threatening illness at just 14 years old. In the middle of that frightening moment, she discovered a faith that would carry her through one of the most difficult seasons of her life.

As she entered adulthood, Val found herself trapped in a six-year abusive relationship that left her feeling broken, lost, and struggling with her identity. But through prayer, fasting, and a renewed pursuit of God, the Lord stepped into her story, closed doors that she couldn’t close herself, and began restoring her heart.

Today, Val serves in ministry at CBC and is part of the MTI program, where she continues to grow in her calling to serve and lead others. Her story is a powerful reminder that God wastes nothing — even the pain, the betrayal, and the darkest seasons can be used to shape a greater purpose.

This conversation is filled with honesty, encouragement, and a challenge to go all in with God. If you’ve ever struggled with identity, broken relationships, or wondering what God is doing in your life, this episode will remind you that healing, freedom, and purpose are possible.

Everyone has a story.
This is Val’s Story.

A few months back, I recorded CBC Students Alumni Part 1 with Aden & Jackson — and now Part 2 is finally here with Zach & Zayden, two guys I’ve had the honor of leading, mentoring, and truly calling family.

In this episode, we talk about how God can use one “yes” to change everything — even when you walk in feeling awkward, unsure, or like you don’t belong. We revisit those camp moments that hit different: the Texas Tech days, the late-night cabin conversations, the prayers, the honesty, and the friendships that turned into real brotherhood.

Zayden shares his journey of stepping away from what he once believed and finding real truth in Jesus — including how camp became a turning point that reshaped his identity and faith. Zach opens up about something so many students wrestle with: trying to live one foot in the world and one foot with God, and learning what it really looks like to surrender, trust God’s plan, and keep Jesus at the center when life gets loud.

We also speak directly to the Class of 2026 seniors (and anyone stepping into a new season): the pressure, the choices, the temptation, the fear of the unknown — and why community matters more than ever. Because following Jesus doesn’t mean life gets instantly easier… but it does mean you’re never fighting alone.

If you’re a student, a young adult, a parent, or someone who’s just trying to figure out faith in real life — I pray this episode reminds you that God is still moving, still calling, and still changing lives. 🙏🏽🔥

This week on The Life Stories Podcast, David sits down with worship leader and songwriter Sarah for a deep, honest, and powerful conversation about faith, freedom, and what it really looks like to walk with Jesus when life gets messy. 🎙️🔥
Sarah opens up about growing up in church, struggling with addiction and a double life, and how a personal encounter with God in the secret place changed everything. 🙏✨

She shares how obedience, even when she felt unqualified and afraid, led her into healing, deliverance, and a completely new direction for her life. 💛
Together, they talk about the difference between performing for God versus being with God, why true worship starts long before you ever walk into a church, and how time alone with Jesus shapes everything we carry into the world. 🎶🕊️

This episode also dives into anxiety, shame, and the pressure to “get it all together,” especially for students and young adults trying to figure out their faith. 💭💔
Sarah speaks directly to anyone who feels stuck in cycles, reminding us that God’s mercy is still available, the blood of Jesus is still powerful, and getting back up matters more than getting it perfect. ✝️❤️

With laughter, real talk, scripture, and heartfelt encouragement, this conversation is a reminder that God still rescues, still restores, and still calls people into purpose right in the middle of their process. 🌈🙌
If you need hope, a reset, or just a reminder that you are not too far gone, this episode is for you. 💯✨

What does it really mean to surrender everything to God—not just the parts that feel easy?

In this episode of The Life Stories Podcast, I sit down with Amerie for one of the most honest and unfiltered conversations I’ve ever had on this show. We talk about identity, faith, struggle, and what it truly looks like to follow Jesus in a world that constantly tells us to define our own truth.

Amerie shares her story of searching for belonging, wrestling with addiction, depression, and identity, and encountering God in moments that completely changed the direction of her life. From a powerful early encounter with the Holy Spirit, to a breaking point that revealed her purpose, to the ongoing process of laying down old identities and learning what it means to live fully surrendered—this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard topics.

This episode isn’t about perfection.
It’s about obedience.
About grace.
About coming out of agreement with lies and stepping into freedom.

If you’ve ever struggled with identity, felt torn between culture and conviction, questioned whether God could really change you, or wondered if church is truly a place you belong—this episode is for you.

Following Jesus isn’t easy—but it is worth it.

“Come as you are, but don’t stay as you are.”

In this episode of The Life Stories Podcast, photographer and videographer Lane Nolan dives deep into a journey filled with faith, creativity, and personal growth. 🌟

From growing up in a Christian household to finding his voice at UTSA and stepping into ministry at CBC, Lane shares how student ministry shaped his walk with God and built a strong sense of community around him. 🙌

But Lane’s story goes beyond ministry—he opens up about his powerful testimony of learning to accept himself fully and love who he is, realizing that only through embracing self-love could he truly love and serve others. 💙✨

The conversation also explores the influence of Christian music in connecting with youth, and the beauty of living authentically in your faith journey. 🎶🙏

Tune in for an episode that will inspire you to embrace your story, love yourself, and live your faith out loud.

Follow Lane in IG HERE

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Tori for an honest and powerful conversation about her journey through the valleys of mental health struggles and into the light of hope and healing. 💬❤️

Tori opens up about her battle with depression and self-harm, and how the courage to seek help—and the gift of community—played a life-changing role in her story. We dive into the importance of faith in the darkest seasons, the beauty of sharing testimonies, and the way God can meet us right in the middle of our pain. 🙏

Together, we also explore how youth ministry can spark a strong, unshakable faith in the next generation, and why telling our stories matters more than ever. 🌱✨

This is a conversation about honesty, hope, and the transformative power of God’s love. You won’t want to miss it!