Hearing Christian stories in their triumphs and challenges is always inspiring. In this episode we're tracking the journey of musician, songwriter, worship team member and church planter, Jesse Butterworth. While many Christian lives start with their roots in early family life, most blossom later as we grow, mature and come to a true relationship with Jesus, in a real way. And every story is unique. Jesse's "moment" came in a dorm room listening to James Taylor.
It was at this same Christian College that he hooked up with 3 other like-minded musician "want-to-be's" and started a rag tag rock and roll band that led to an early signing to a record label, recording in Nashville and an album that won them multiple DOVE award nominations and a chance to play on the televised Dove Awards show. All happening at the age of 22. A crazy, God driven, career trajectory! A career that saw a dramatic change for Jesse in an instant, while on stage playing a 5 minute 80's rock medley.
You'll hear about Jesse's recording journey to the Abby Road Studios and playing the same piano that John Lennon did, and singing through the same microphone that Elton, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Adelle, and others sang on over the years. A dream come true. You can sample the album “All The Gold I’ve Struck” recorded at Abby Road and learn more about Jesse's work at: https://www.jessebutterworth.com/
You can also watch the hilariously fun video Our Good Old Days that we talk about in the pod.
Our conversation is filled with fun and laughter and hopefully some inspiration. Don't miss a word of it.
Oh and you can help us grow our podcast audience by sharing this with a friend, "liking" it and leaving a review. It really helps spread the word.
God Bless.

"Amazing Greats" is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey. Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels. Available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Google and our YouTube Channel.
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing". Thanks so much.

Suffering can be the gateway to a deeper relationship with God. For Jimmy Pena, it was a defining moment, that changed everything. It was the beginning of a climb up his second mountain.
A lifelong Christian....his relationship with Jesus and his life purpose made a 180 degree pivot after a devastating diagnosis and health crisis. At first it resulted in his questioning everything, re-working his life and heading down a new path. But it wasn't easy.
I truly loved this conversation with a man who went from being a nationally known picture of health (literally) to incapacitated, immobile, and struggling to survive.
Jimmy Pena, working with the legendary Joe Weider, was one of the most published authorities on fitness, health and body building, including a best selling book, "Prayfit". He coached some of Hollywood's most elite actors in preparation for movie roles..including Tyler Perry, Mario Lopez and LL Cool J. That was his first mountain. His first chapter. You'll hear about that on this episode, but more importantly you'll hear how a Batman Movie helped to flip the script and launch a trajectory of life long service in his powerful 2nd (current) chapter.
I've never met anyone more humble and more committed to living a life of service and committed to loving God. His amazing life story of mountain tops and valleys is truly inspiriting.
Enjoy getting to know Jimmy in this podcast...and dig deeper into the episode by checking out:
His "Prayfit" website: https://www.prayfit.org/
His latest Book: Finding Re2pite: When Faith & Fitness Meet Grace in Suffering
And the amazing work of Joni Erickson Tada: https://joniandfriends.org/

"Amazing Greats" is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey. Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels. Available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Google and our YouTube Channel.
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing". Thanks so much.

Here is the heartwarming story of a man and his canine police partner. Mark Tappan, a self confessed "non-planner", found his way on the perfectly (divinely?) planned career trajectory that lead him from a "Jesus epiphany" in the US Marine Corp, to youth pastor to police officer and then the human companion of A DOG NAMED MATTIS. Now with 5 million followers on social media and a new book, he shares his special bond and amazing true life stories along with his 6 year canine crime fighter.
You'll hear some of the inside challenges of police dog training, and what made Mattis an exceptional straight "A" certification graduate. Mark is a gifted story teller and has some amazing stories to tell. He shares a couple of them in this episode, including Angels who sang an unlikely Neil Diamond song, a heart wrenching story of an incredible kid who had a heart transplant, and a Mark and Mattis police chase. (among others)
One might think pastoring and policing is an odd career progression but Mark is convinced, for him, it was a God inspired combination that helped him find his true gift and passion. And now he shares his story in a book with 12 chapters, 12 stories, and 12 lessons he learned in the process.

A Dog Named Mattis: 12 Lessons for Living Courageously, Serving Selflessly, and Building Bridges from a Heroic K9 Officer

PS. Remember, DOG spelled backwards is GOD. So, there is that.

"Amazing Greats" is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey. Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels. Available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Google and our YouTube Channel.
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing". Thanks so much.

There are few people who have had more experience capturing the world of sports in the written word. Particularly baseball and golf. John Strege spent over 40 years sharing the highest and lowest moments in sports and everything in-between. His one-on-one connection with sports stars and celebrities give him a unique frame of reference and has offered him a distinctive opportunity to share some of the most amazing stories in his new book, "In the BIG INNING...Where faith meets sports: A Christian sportswriter's perspective".
In this episode of Amazing Greats you'll hear John share his stores and insight about Tiger Woods and his family, Vin Scully, Tommy Laporta, Tim Tebow, Muhammad Ali, Bobby Richardson, and ESPN's Chris Mortensen....and many many more.
But maybe the most amazing part of John's story is he and his wife's trail blazing adoption of the worlds very first frozen embryo. Their now 28 year old daughter, Hanna, became the first ever Snowflake adoption. You'll hear the challenges and triumphs all right here on episode 61. Don't miss it.
Buy the book and enjoy the stories and awesome writing of one of the best ever journalists: John Strege.

In the Big Inning: Where Faith Meets Sports: A Christian Sportswriter's Perspective

#Johnstrege, #Tigerwood, #timtebow,#muhammadAli,#chrismortensen#snowflakeadoption

"Amazing Greats" is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey. Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels. Available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Google and our YouTube Channel.
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing". Thanks so much.

" You Light Up My life" was the biggest song of 1977, the biggest song of the decade of the 70s and set a record as the number one song on Billboard's Top 40 for 10 weeks in a row. But there was some behind the scenes drama with the recording of that song. She'll tells that story and much more.
The Boone Family, like the Jacksons and the Osmonds made music together under the leadership of their dad; Pat Boone. That, plus a three generation legacy of music was the backdrop for Debby’s career. Jesus was, and still is a big part of her story and you'll hear it all in this episode of Amazing Greats.
Joe Micheals this weeks guest host is a long time friend. We worked in radio together as teen agers and on into adulthood. He is a master voice talent, radio personality, and life long Catholic. He takes us on this Debby Boone journey in a very special one on one conversation for Amazing Greats. Enjoy!

"Amazing Greats" is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey. Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels. Available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Google and our YouTube Channel.
Please help us grow our audience by "liking", "subscribing and "Sharing". Thanks so much.