SideWalk Conversations

11/05/2024

Office redo…

While waiting for studio to get set-up, figured I’d reset the home office…

05/04/2024

Checked out a couple of new spaces yesterday. It’s exciting to see the potential of different environments.

29/02/2024

It’s empty… now the search for a new studio begins in earnest!

Lord lead on!

27/02/2024

Well, this season of SideWalk Conversations is coming to a close. The electronics are all boxed up, and praying for the Lord to open a new door. If you know of a space that would make for a good studio - please let me know!

Huge shout out to Concordia High School for their generosity in making this space available for the last 18 months. Super grateful!!

20/02/2024

Another chapter closes…

For the last 18 months Concordia Christian High School has graciously allowed me to use their space to house my studio.

But the school is expanding and they need their space back. So I will be taking a break from the program until I can find a new space. Would you kindly consider praying with me as we look for what the Lord may have yet in store!

16/02/2024

Remember…

14/02/2024

30/01/2024

Ready for a reset? Join us today as Piet has a conversation with his mom about resetting our lives.

30/01/2024

Getting things set-up. Join us on SideWalk Conversations in 20 minutes. We go ‘live’ at 5:00!

17/01/2024

Join Piet in today's podcast for an update on his health and the newly released Pocket Prayers Devotional!

02/01/2024

For 2024 I want to add a new feature to this page. Every Tuesday (when I’m not doing a ‘live’ interview), I want to introduce you to a friend who has a story I find compelling. I hope you find them inspirational as well!

Meet Suzanna…

I met Suzanna Hake at the Hope4Cancer clinic. She was part of a group that became fast friends. Over the last year these amazing people have remained part of my world through prayer and conversation. We have already visited one another and shared the ups and downs of our cancer journey. Part of what I so enjoyed about Suzanna particularly is that she is a fellow Black Sheep Messenger. And it’s an honor to share her story here. Enjoy!

“I grew up around the church, and we went ALOT. We went to one of those churches that emphasized duty and obligation. Our family was 100% committed, and I went along because I didn't know any different. It really wasn't an option. But it certainly wasn't meaningful. By the time I hit junior high and high school, I realized there was a pretty big difference between our church experience and what other “normal” families did. Our family environment was based on shame and guilt-induced perfectionism. God forbid we step out-of-line. So, what do kids do when they are raised in such a strict environment? They lie. I lied.

As a result, I felt pretty conflicted. On one hand, I was a pretty good kid, and felt guilty about lying. I hated that. But, soon my thought was, may as well go big or go home. And because I had already messed up in these ways, I figured I had already blown it, so may as well go 'all in'. College became my yee-haw time. No one was going to tell me what to do, so I went a bit crazy. Full blown black sheep.

Looking back at my growing up years, my biggest hurdle was that we never talked about the 'why' questions. Why were we supposed to be doing these things? It was just rules and responsibility. And, I know this will sound strange, but we never really talked about Jesus either. We talked about God and the Bible but always with a negative spin - lots of hellfire/brimstone. I don't ever remember thinking about the kindness of God.

Interestingly enough, it was his kindness that drew me back. I saw the kindness of God through Jesus. He met me and my husband as we were dealing with our life-altering illnesses. And a huge part of my healing was moving to a place where I could forgive myself. I always looked at my past and the things I did in such a negative light (and I did make a lot of poor decisions), but part of what drove me to all that stuff - my black sheepness - I now see in a positive light. Obviously, I could have made a lot better decisions, but this drive can also be channeled for good. I am not afraid to buck the system and think outside the box. I have courage to think for myself and not capitulate to whatever everyone else is doing. People regularly comment on it and wish they could be a bit bolder themselves.

So, that is what I'm trying to help people do: to take their rebel spirit and remind them that they can use it for good. It is what makes us strong AND free!”

03/10/2023

Jesus loves variety…

Pastor Piet Van Waarde shares a brief recap of the recent sermon series entitled Close Encounters with Jesus. Hear how 5 different people who were close to ...

02/10/2023

Did you know that if ever miss one of our FB live conversations, you can always come back and listen to them on our podcast channel!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sidewalk-conversations/id1609460468

Some of our latest to drop:
- Taking the lead with Jenni Pinnell Rivera
- Getting schooled with Daniel Cattau
- Unsettled with Jordan Sheplar
- Getting well with Michael McGinnis

12/09/2023

Join us for a sneak peak at our Sidewalk Conversation with David Peters, filmmaker, pastor, & cancer warrior.

08/09/2023

Tech geniuses at work - solving problems and getting things fixed!

07/09/2023

I’m upgrading the studio, if you know of someone interested in a really nice set of mics and filters, I’m selling these for $135 (all together). Originally $200.

05/09/2023

When you are new in the podcast world and operating on a shoestring budget, you’re bound to have multiple hiccups! We had a tech issue today that requires replacing some equipment…. So, unfortunately, we are going to have reschedule the interview with my friend Kristi! Ugh!! Please stay tuned for our next date!

05/09/2023

Excited to have Kristi with me today on the podcast! Join us @6:00pm live - right here! We’ll cover some politics, some art and yoga, and navigating personal challenges. You will appreciate her candor, tenacity, and gentle spirit. Very much look forward to our conversation.

I think you will too!

08/08/2023

Today, we start season three talking with Cathy Hernandez, Reset Health Coaching, talking all things nutrition!

08/08/2023

Season 3 starts today - Live 6:00pm with Cathy Hernandez! Join us as we talk all things nutrition!

20/06/2023

If you are taking a longer drive somewhere…. I highly recommend this podcast - such a great conversation about health, learning, building a network and so much more! 3 hours of super insightful and helpful info!

30/05/2023

Unfortunately, due to some last minute conflicts, we won’t be able to bring Lisa Copeland into the studio today. But, we are working on bringing her in sometime soon.

19/05/2023

Tim Keller was one of my favs…. Heaven is richer, and we are a little poorer.

28/03/2023

A conversation with Terrence Owens, community leader, school board member, father/husband, man of faith and character.

17/03/2023

One of the things I love doing in this season of my life is coming alongside other people and helping them share their stories. I think God is going something pretty amazing through the ‘Worship Society’ and Joel Salabarria Music. And today I got to make an introduction to Bev at KCWN! Joel was at his best! What a cool deal…

01/03/2023

Today, Esther joins us to talk about coming to faith from a muslim family, growing up in Africa and immigrating to the US.

14/02/2023

OK, those who have been faithful followers of this podcast know, I’ve been wrestling with a cancer diagnosis that I am bound and determined to beat. As a result, I have a host of ‘at home’ protocols that are a priority! As a consequence I am moving to a monthly podcast for the next few months. And I am in the process of lining up some very exciting guests!

AND, just so you don’t get too bored in the mean time, we are releasing all of season 2 tomorrow on all your favorite podcast channels! You can catch interviews you missed or re-listen to your favorites.

Most importantly… thank-you for all your kind expressions of support and prayer during this season! Truly grateful. God bless you all - you are the best friend and fan base a guy can have!!

12/02/2023

This is what I meant to talk about on my podcast this past week, it's actually a talk I prepared for a church I am serving as an interim pastor, but I thought it might also have some relevance for those who tune in to my SideWalk Conversations...

Trust you will find it meaningful!

08/02/2023

Ugh! So tonight we had an unfortunate mishap! We went live at 6:00 pm - and although everything looked/sounded good from the studio - the audio never translated to FB!! We are not sure why, but we will try and figure out a way to recreate what we did and get it out to you. Thanks for your patience with us - even though we’ve been doing this for several years, we still feel like rookies…. Lord help us!!

17/01/2023

Today I did a different kind of interview, and my questions were about my cancer journey and how I might best treat this disease that has become an unwelcome guest in my body! Dr ‘Tony’ is the founder and Chief Medical Officer for Hope4Cancer Clinics in Mexico.

He is a super accomplished guy - smart, humble, articulate, and personable. He is also a devout Christian. In our conversation, he regularly interjected references to God and his work displayed in nature - given for our benefit. He did this not as one trying to sound religious, but it came from a much deeper/sincere place. Loved every minute of our conversation.

I know there are lots of cancer treatment options out there, and not everything works for everyone in the same way. But given the options before me, Hope4cancer was the right next step for me.

If you know someone who is looking for another approach to dealing with cancer - it’s worth a look. At minimum pick up his book https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Cancer-Principles-Empower-Healing/dp/1732903328/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=6164d2eb-7911-45bd-aea2-56340430ce31