PODCAST · religion
EXTRAordinary Lives
by Ellen Bennett
On my podcast, I interview ordinary people like you and me. These are people who have that EXTRA, that supernatural difference that only Jesus can give. You’ll hear amazing stories and valuable insights, all due to the impact of Jesus in their lives, and of course, some humorous anecdotes you won’t want to miss. I’ve loved getting to know my inspiring and endearing guests better through their stories, and I know you will, too.
Episodes
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Donna Jones: Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life
Most of us either fear conflict and avoid it, or relish conflict and cause turmoil. Donna, an author, national speaker, and podcaster, advocates the best way to handle conflict: address it with "grace, truth, and zero regrets." Now, wouldn't that be nice? Donna equips us with the tools and…
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Claude Chan: An Immigrant's Journey
Dr. Claude Chan was a family and emergency room physician in LA before continuing his career in the Air Force. But how does an immigrant from Guyana, orphaned as a young boy, become a success story? Claude's answer: God alone. His stories of God's miracles of provision throughout his life convey...
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Abandoned But Never Forsaken: Jody Cates
Jody's story of abandonment by her husband as a mom of three turned into a story of hope because she experienced the care and love of God through EXTRAordinary circumstances and people. All of this eventually led her to pursue helping others with the type of compassion and counseling she herself...
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From China with Love: Albert and Eva Wolfe
Husband and wife team, Albert and Eva are living and thriving in China. Albert was born in the US and moved to China right out of college to teach English at universities; he has since helped operate a catalog business, launched a preschool, and is now a leadership coach for high-level…
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Donna and Daryl Nuss: Small Steps and Big Leaps
As we enter into Passion Week before Easter, it has been encouraging to listen to Donna and Daryl's story. They took the "big leap" to start a high school ministry first in San Diego, and later in Russia with their young family. They've also experienced lean times, when following Jesus has simply...
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Kelly Rose: Brave Growth
Kelly Rose is the Executive Pastor at Central Bearden Baptist Church in Knoxville. She has had her share of tough situations in life, including growing up in a home with an abusive, alcoholic father and grappling with divorce after 30 years of marriage. But because Kelly has bravely chosen to…
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Nancy Deanne Halliday: My Unintended Journey
Nancy never expected to experience marital unfaithfulness and was grieved to find out her husband's secret after 20 years of marriage. EXTRAordinarly, Nancy found a program at her church that helped her process this betrayal, become closer to Jesus, and learn how to live a more authentic life....
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Baylee Mitchell: Adventures in Thailand
Baylee is a former student of mine who is serving as an English teacher and missionary in a small village in Thailand. She began this journey at the age of 18 and is now 21. Her joy, enthusiasm, and funny incidents will delight you, and her intriguing and more serious stories will inspire you.…
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Valentine's Special: American Idol Scott MacIntyre - Enduring Hope
American Idol alum, Scott MacIntyre, was born blind and is a two-time kidney transplant recipient. His musical talent and positive personality won the hearts of the TV audience. Today, Scott and his wife, Christina, travel around the world telling their EXTRAordinary story of perseverance and…
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Chris Earl: Fighter Pilot and Servant Leadership Consultant
Chris Earl, Former Navy Fighter pilot, squadron leader, instructor, and NORAD consultant is above all a humble man of integrity who is currently using his training and experience to teach and coach high-risk companies using the principles of human performance and the art of servant leadership....
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Steve and Debbie Osborn: Teamwork
I admire the way Steve and Debbie work as a team. They've been married for over 38 years and were involved in ministry together before that. They've worked with college students with Cru, and more recently, served in church ministry. They've seen God heartily at work over the years, including...
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Pam Clark: Protecting Young Women in Kenya
Pam Clark heads up the “Protecting Our Daughters” or “P.O.D.” project, which works with a church in Kenya to provide hygiene products and resources to girls in Kenya. This ministry is vital to the success and well-being of these young women, and the program also teaches women how to sew and earn…
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Jenne Blackburn: Always an Athlete
With endorsements by Bill Walton and Billie Jean King, Jenné Blackburn’s book, Always An Athlete, is on its way to helping post-competitive athletes transition to life beyond their sport. Her research and insights on the all too common struggles of physical and mental health plus loss of…
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Kathy Izard: Author of Trust the Whisper
Kathy shares her phenomenal story of answering an insistent whisper to quit her job and work on homelessness, an endeavor she felt in no way qualified for. This "whisper" turned into her raising millions of dollars in donations to build a 100-unit housing complex, and later, a mental health...
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Mike and Sharon Mehaffie: Power of Prayer
Mike and Sharon have waded through marital struggles, a son’s serious illness, a major car wreck, financial hardship, and career-choice doubts and reached the other side with a stronger faith and more confidence in God’s guidance and care. They have worked with college students through Cru for…
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Paulina Gartland: Mama Llama
Humorously, God used Paulina’s phobias and superstitions to point her toward His trustworthiness during a very upsetting time in her life. That is just one of the EXTRAordinary stories told by this Latina Spanish teacher. To be around Paulina is to be delighted by her laugh, positivity, endearing...
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Bob Newby: Celebrating Recovery and Gratitude
Bob encourages us that even though we all have "hurts, hang-ups, and habits," Jesus is right there with us to help us and grow us. Bob shares insights gained from Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step ministry he led at his church. He also shares the joys of leading a gratitude class at…
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Susan Salluce: Adoption Story
Susan is a life coach, grief specialist, and counselor who, as an adopted only child, had to come to grips with difficult circumstances in her family and devastating truths about her family of origin. She tells us about these experiences and how God recently and unexpectedly infused her story…
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Andrea Needham: Faithful Friend
The theme of Andrea’s life is God’s faithfulness. Jesus became her best friend at the age of 14 when her mom had to leave her abusive, alcoholic dad. Andrea’s been through some tough times including family medical issues and trouble conceiving, but she has seen God at work through it all. You’ll…
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Rob Travis: Trusting Christ Through Science and Adventure
Rob Travis has been teaching high school science for decades. His intriguing stories include growing up in a poor Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn and experiencing harrowing adventures serving with the Merchant Marine. His stories are beloved by his students and have shaped his strong faith in...
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Mackenzie Zorn: Positive Perseverance
Mackenzie is a recent college graduate who has lived for over a decade with the sleep disorder narcolepsy (specifically, Type 1 Narcolepsy with Cataplexy). Amazingly, Mackenzie has persevered with a positive attitude and accomplished more than many her age, including becoming an EMT in Italy…
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Yaneth Diaz: Teens, the Leaders of Today
Yaneth (pronounced Janet) is the Team Leader of Cru's high school ministry in Houston. She was born in El Salvador and moved to the U.S. at the age of 4. Yaneth, along with her friend Debby Minell, who is on staff with Cru in the Twin Cities, share about Cru's summer nationwide high school…
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Author Suzy Ryan: Saving Summer, Saving the Hurting
At age 16, Suzy Ryan was kicked out of her home by her abusive stepfather. Although she suffered trauma in her home growing up, Jesus redeemed and transformed her into a connector who is warm, engaging, and exuberant about life and people. God rescued her, and now she wants to give hope to others...
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Dr. Matt Jarvinen: Integrating Theology and Psychology
Matt is a clinical psychologist and elder at Seacoast Community Church. His passion is helping people experience the transforming power of Christ. To do this, he integrates theology, psychology, and the journey of spiritual formation. In this episode, Matt helps us begin to recognize and better...
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Dianne Sivulka: Living Life on Purpose
Dianne Sivulka lives her life centered on making a difference for the Lord. She talks about trusting God through the painful experience of 10 years of infertility, her fun and impressive travel business, Travel on Purpose, and the book club associated with that, plus her new development role with...
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Susie Berner: Be a Beacon, Plus Podcast Update
Susie Berner experienced God's love and faithfulness during her father's colon cancer and, later, during her own colon cancer. She admits to being shy to share her faith, but she has been faithful to do so. She even joined Cru's high school ministry staff to learn how to share the gospel better,...
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Cynthia Zorn: Dealing With a Daughter's Sleep Disorder
Cynthia Zorn is a mom who has chosen to be a passionate advocate for her daughter, Mackenzie, who was diagnosed with narcolepsy (specifically, Type 1 Narcolepsy with Cataplexy), a serious sleep disorder, at the early age of 10. When Cynthia noticed uncharacteristic behaviors in Mackenzie, who…
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Sydney and Austin White: God's Mercies
Sydney and Austin have amazing God stories, including Syd overcoming an eating disorder in high school and Austin enduring a stressful on-call job in foster care. Married 3.5 years, they are already expecting baby #2, and baby #1, though the cutest little girl on earth, has "a scream that could...
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Sue Smedley, Part 2: Spiritual Foundation
Sue Smedley co-directs the Rivendell Institute's program on spiritual formation at Yale. On this week's show, she delves more into the process and practices of spiritual formation, which endeavors to help those following Jesus go deeper in their faith - from head to heart, from knowledge to...
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Sue Smedley: Saying No to God, Then Changing Your Mind. Part 1.
At the age of 6, Sue Smedley told God she would be His missionary. She was shy and nervous about public speaking, but as she saw God work through her, she gained confidence. She worked with Cru's high school ministry for many years and now writes curriculum and teaches about spiritual formation…
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Andrew and Rachel Buchanan: Dynamic Duo
Andrew and Rachel have been married for less than 4 years and have already accomplished much, including moving from Austin to San Diego, achieving success at their workplaces, building strong connections with friends and their church family, and...having 2 delightful daughters! They are...
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Interview with Hayley Bennett Lyle: Author of Barefoot King
Hayley talks about her newly-released book titled Barefoot King: The Indian Dalit who Defied Caste to Bless Others, which tells the true story of Raj, an Untouchable in the Indian caste system, and the incredible ways God intervened to take him out of harsh poverty and slavery into a fulfilling...
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Ellen's Story: From Christian Science to Just Plain Ol' Christian
It's my birthday week! I thought it would be fun to share my own story. Even though I was raised in the Bible Belt, I did not grow up in a Christian family. Instead, my family believed in Christian Science. We didn't go to the doctor, and we believed we were spiritual and perfect, and that the...
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Mike and Nicole Yorkey: How Sweet It Is
Mike and Nicole are a couple you cannot help but love. Married for over 40 sweet years, they are kind-hearted, love hospitality, and are devoted to living their lives to serve Jesus. Mike has written or co-authored over 110 intriguing books and was the Editor of Focus on the Family's magazines…
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Interview– Ryan and Sara Rosenbaum: Power Couple, Part 2
Ryan is the lead pastor of Seacoast Community Church in Encinitas, and Sara, his wife, is the volunteer coordinator at the Community Resource Center. Ryan and Sara talk about their hearts for the marginalized and relate stories about God's impact on their lives. Ryan shares about the power of God...
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Ryan and Sara Rosenbaum: Power Couple, Part 1
Ryan is the lead pastor of Seacoast Community Church in Encinitas, and Sara, his wife, is the volunteer coordinator at the Community Resource Center. Ryan and Sara talk about their different backgrounds and personalities and relate stories about God's impact on their lives. Sara became a…
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Jim Black: Death Row and Peanuts Comics
Jim Black, a criminologist and professor emeritus of Sociology at the University of Tennessee, constantly looks to apply God’s principles in his everyday life, and in some unusual places such as Death Row and Peanuts Cartoons. You'll enjoy his fascinating stories and see how God has influenced…
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Carly Cosentino: Persevering Through Life's Obstacles
Carly is a true friend with a delightful laugh, and a go-getter with a list of impressive accomplishments, but what I most admire about her is her faithfulness to the Lord during hard times. These include being a gifted musician though deaf in one ear, loving running and races but dealing with...
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Barbara Culwell: Embracing God's Plan
Barbara has had her faith tested and has stayed strong trusting in the Lord's love and provision. Her God stories include meeting her husband, Warren, with whom she has worked in campus ministry for over 40 years, and adopting two daughters who now are moms themselves. You'll hear the astounding...
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Kathy Kuebler: Miracles Great and Small
Kathy looks for daily miracles - large and small - in her life and encourages us to do the same. She has experienced unbelievable yet documented healing from a brain tumor and Crohn's disease. She and her family of 12 include joyfully-welcomed twins with down-syndrome. She has a strong faith that...
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Steve Bennett: From Epic Failures to Flourishing
Steve is honest about his "epic failures" and grateful that God has intervened in his life to surprisingly use these downfalls to help him flourish. You'll hear about his heart to help others answer questions about the Christian faith, and learn about how he got that 3-inch gash on his noggin....
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Debbie Myer: A Wild Ride
Debbie sees following Christ as a “wild ride” with a faithful, loving Companion. She has devoted her life to growing in her relationship with God and, even though she has experienced some difficult trials these past few years, she has remained stalwart in her faith and has seen God’s…
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Dr. Jeff Pratt: Practicing What You Teach
You can't miss Jeff's giant heart for people and his love of learning and teaching, especially about theology, which he has lived out while walking through some painful circumstances such as his daughter, Sophia, only living 13 days, and his wife of 30 years being diagnosed with and treated for...
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Pause Week, September 15
Hello everyone! The week of September 15, I will be taking a pause. Listen to the audio to find out why! However, I want to recommend Matt Carlson’s message, “For - To - Thru” given on the Sunday (September 6) he was commissioned to be a co-pastor at Generation Church in South Oceanside. You will...
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Kalli Hendrickson: From Shyest to Sunshine
Kalli Hendrickson is a delight, especially with her easy laugh and sincere heart. She is a gifted artist, art teacher at Santa Fe Christian Schools, and entrepreneur, and she’s in the process of writing and illustrating a children’s book. As a teen, Kalli's life was hit with sorrow and fear and…
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Hayley and Micah Lyle: Close Encounters of a Supernatural Kind, Part 2
Hayley and Micah Lyle live an extraordinary life centered around an authentic and deeply personal relationship with Jesus. Part 2 of their interview continues with valuable life lessons learned after college. You'll hear how they began dating (and some excellent tips on that daunting subject),...
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Hayley and Micah Lyle: Close Encounters of a Supernatural Kind, Part 1.
Hayley and Micah Lyle live an extraordinary life centered around an authentic and deeply personal relationship with Jesus. Hear their stories about God's supernatural work in their lives during good times and hard times including stories of being freed from a gaming addiction, joining together in…
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Dom Nuncio: Real Worship is Loving Your Neighbor
Dom is a talented musician who was offered several major recording contracts as a teen. But he was wise enough to see where that road could lead. Instead, through a series of interesting turns, he is currently the Pastor of Worship and Families at Seacoast Community Church. Be aware, though, that...
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Lauren Kish: Faithful Belief
In this interview, you’ll hear about how God can use clogged sinks in Rome and the importance of not comparing yourself to others. I admire Lauren's strong sense of belief. She is unwavering and is compelled by Christ's love to tell others about Him. Lauren has served on Cru staff in Kansas…
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Matt Davis: Best Director!
Matt Davis is the Principal at Horizon Prep in Rancho Santa Fe where he directs the elementary, middle school, and high school. But be sure to call these the Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric Schools because it's a Classical Christian school. I was an English teacher there for 9 years and loved working...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
On my podcast, I interview ordinary people like you and me. These are people who have that EXTRA, that supernatural difference that only Jesus can give. You’ll hear amazing stories and valuable insights, all due to the impact of Jesus in their lives, and of course, some humorous anecdotes you won’t want to miss. I’ve loved getting to know my inspiring and endearing guests better through their stories, and I know you will, too.
HOSTED BY
Ellen Bennett
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does EXTRAordinary Lives have?
EXTRAordinary Lives currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is EXTRAordinary Lives about?
On my podcast, I interview ordinary people like you and me. These are people who have that EXTRA, that supernatural difference that only Jesus can give. You’ll hear amazing stories and valuable insights, all due to the impact of Jesus in their lives, and of course, some humorous anecdotes you won’t...
How often does EXTRAordinary Lives release new episodes?
EXTRAordinary Lives has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to EXTRAordinary Lives?
You can listen to EXTRAordinary Lives on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts EXTRAordinary Lives?
EXTRAordinary Lives is created and hosted by Ellen Bennett.
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