Chichi Onyekanne on Finding Intimacy with God, Hearing Your Calling, a 40-Day Fast, and How He is Helping Redefine Success for a Distracted Generation

This is StRest! In this episode, Chichi Onyekanne—worship leader, next-gen pastor, artist, and media producer—joins Kerstin for a soul-stirring conversation on intimacy with God, fasting, calling, and why slowing down might be the most radical thing you can do in a busy, distracted world. Chichi opens up about his own journey, including a 40-day fast that reshaped his entire relationship with God and led to a call from Jesus Culture—on the last day of the fast. He breaks down the story of Daniel 10 like a Marvel movie: how Daniel’s persistence, prayer, and fasting unleashed angelic warfare in the unseen realm. (God heard you the first day you prayed. The enemy’s just been working overtime.) They explore real spiritual intimacy—from worship, journaling, fasting, and mentorship to the quiet power of boredom and Sabbath. They talk about how busyness blocks blessings, how crying during worship literally releases stress, and why the enemy wants to keep you isolated. They challenge the lie that “God’s done with me,” especially for those in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond—and share how older generations are uniquely positioned to disciple, mentor, and lift up the next. You’ll walk away from this episode feeling inspired to pursue God like never before, even (especially) in inconvenience. Major Themes & Concepts ✅ What a Daniel Fast really is—and what most people get wrong ✅ Why spiritual warfare might be blocking your answer ✅ Intimacy with God: What it means & how to get it ✅ How fasting doesn’t move God—it moves us ✅ Busyness, loneliness & noise: The enemies of intimacy ✅ Why journaling & boredom are actually good for you ✅ Discipling the next generation (and why you’re not too old to do it) ✅ Community, mentorship & showing up for others ✅ Small steps to reset your relationship with God ✅ Giving God your “first and last” 30 minutes of each day Chapter Breakdown 00:00 – Daniel 10, Spiritual Warfare & Why Your Prayers Feel Delayed 01:30 – Tenacity in Prayer & Building Intimacy with God 04:15 – What Intimacy Produces & How to Practice It Daily 08:40 – Worship, Crying & the Healing Power of Presence 10:00 – What Happens When You Lose Connection with God 12:00 – Chichi’s Daily Prescription: First & Last 30 17:40 – Angry at God? Why He Still Wants to Hear from You 18:25 – The Power of Community & Spiritual Support 26:00 – Chichi’s 40-Day Fast That Changed Everything 43:40 – Mentoring the Next Gen & Answering God’s Call Work with Kerstin 📅 Workshops & Events – Join upcoming events & retreats. 💡 Health Coaching with Kerstin – 1:1 coaching for stress reduction & wellness. Resources 🎧 Insight Timer – Free Meditation App 🧘 Apollo Neuro – A wearable designed to improve resilience and manage stress. More about ChiChi Onyekanne 🔹 Instagram: @chichionyekanne 🔗 LinkedIn: Chichi Onyekanne 🌍 Website + Links: linktr.ee/whoischichi More about Kerstin Website: kerstin-lindquist.com Instagram: @kerstin.lindquist Facebook: Kerstin Lindquist YouTube: @Kerstin.lindquist TikTok: @kerstin.lindquist Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group Website: www.massifsp.com LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices