Your Biggest Breakthrough

What does it really look like to raise a child when doctors say he won’t survive?In this episode of Your Biggest Breakthrough, Ken and Mary Sue Grein share the deeply personal story of raising their son, Jacob Grein, over the course of 37 years. Born six weeks premature, Jacob faced severe medical complications, physical disabilities, deafness, and ongoing health challenges that required constant care from the day he entered the world.Ken and Mary Sue open up about the realities of parenting a medically fragile child—the fear, exhaustion, faith struggles, marriage pressures, and the daily decisions to keep going when answers didn’t come easily. They reflect on the moments when they had to surrender outcomes to God, redefine what healing and success truly meant, and learn to live with hope amidst long-term caregiving.This episode isn’t about a quick miracle. It’s about faith lived out over decades, love that never wavers, and a son whose life profoundly shaped his family in lasting ways.If you’re a parent walking a difficult road, a caregiver feeling unseen, or someone wrestling with unanswered prayers, Jacob’s story—and his parents’ journey—will encourage you to keep going, one day at a time.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:30] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:25] Jacob Grein’s Traumatic Premature Birth[04:35] Surrendering Jacob’s Life to God[06:54] Doctors Give Jacob Six Months to Live[09:50] Learning to Live Moment by Moment[11:40] Bringing Jacob Home After 137 Days in NICU[13:50] Discovering That Jacob is Deaf[15:14] How Jacob’s Illness Tested Their Marriage[18:21] Years of Surgeries and Setbacks[20:32] Raising Other Children While Caring for Jacob[22:00] Accepting Jacob’s Disabilities[23:53] Caregiving as a Lifelong Calling[26:14] How Jacob Became Their Greatest Teacher[27:53] New Definition of Success and Purpose[28:30] Jacob’s Joy Despite Suffering[33:04] Losing Jacob After 37 Years[36:44] Healing After Caregiving Ends[39:13] Why Jacob’s Story Brings Hope to Others[40:50] Where to Find Jacob’s Story BookResources mentioned:Get Your Copy of Jacob’s StoryWebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookGuest's bio and social handles:Kenneth and Mary Sue Grein have been married for over four decades and are the parents of four children: Jacob, Hannah, Luke, and Grace. Their love story began at Rockmont College in Denver, Colorado, where they met during freshman orientation in 1977.
Ken, a former college basketball player and lifelong contractor, grew up on his family's farm in Brighton, Colorado, where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance that would serve him throughout Jacob's medical journey. Mary Sue, a gifted pianist and devoted mother, became Jacob's primary caregiver and fiercest advocate, developing an expertise in medical terminology and special needs care that few parents possess.Together, they navigated 37 years of medical challenges, hospital stays, and daily caregiving while raising three other children and maintaining their faith through the darkest moments. Their experience as parents of a child with multiple disabilities taught them profound lessons about love, resilience, and finding joy in the smallest victories. The Grein’s unwavering commitment to treating Jacob as a full member of the family—never as a burden—became a model for other families facing similar challenges.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Step inside the world of The Lost Healer with filmmaker and storyteller Wilson Hickman, a rising Christian creative who is using fantasy to bring biblical truth to life in fresh, compelling ways.In this conversation, Wilson shares how his personal encounter with Jesus shaped his calling, why fantasy can powerfully reveal spiritual realities, and how storytelling can reach hearts without sounding preachy. He also opens up about the message behind The Lost Healer, the good-versus-evil themes woven throughout the project, and his passion for creating media that points the next generation toward truth.Whether you’re a parent, filmmaker, writer, or someone searching for your God-given purpose, this episode will encourage you to use your gifts boldly and trust God’s timing in the process.Tune in to discover how faith and creativity come together to make an eternal impact.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:25] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:58] Understanding the Gospel for the First Time[08:14] What Changed After Meeting Jesus[10:22] How Faith Shaped His Writing[13:33] Becoming a “Media Missionary”[14:54] Introducing The Lost Healer[18:05] Balancing Truth Without Preaching[20:42] Biblical Foreshadowing in Storytelling[22:18] Spiritual Warfare Elements in The Lost Healer[25:54] Advice for Aspiring Christian Artists[29:39] Films That Shaped Wilson’s Vision[31:07] Why This Generation Is Drawn to Fantasy[33:27] What He Hopes People Take Away from The Lost Healer[35:42] Wilson’s Life VerseResources Mentioned:The Lost Healer WebsiteTomorrows FilmmakersGuest's bio and social handles:Website: wilsonhickmanfilm.comWilson Hickman is a spiritual storytelling visionary and a devoted follower of Jesus with a deep passion for crafting meaningful, God-honoring stories. From a young age, Wilson began writing books across multiple genres, and his creativity eventually led him into the world of visual storytelling and film.Today, Wilson uses his gift to create stories that reflect real human struggles, spiritual truths, and the ongoing battle between good and evil. When developing a film, he often draws inspiration from his own life—learning, growing, and discovering meaning alongside the characters he creates.His latest work is an award-winning proof-of-concept episode for a Christian-themed fantasy TV series called The Lost Healer, a project inspired by real-world spiritual warfare and designed to transport viewers into a rich new world while helping them navigate their own struggles. Think Pilgrim’s Progress meets Narnia—a compelling blend of imagination, adventure, and biblical truth.Recognizing the power of media to shape culture, Wilson is committed to creating entertainment that is excellent, engaging, and grounded in a Christian worldview. His work aims to reach broad audiences while pointing them toward hope, goodness, and the heart of God.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Have you ever grown up in church, done “all the right things,” and still battled with a deep ache inside, the kind you just can’t explain to anyone? In this episode, we sit down with our friend Charles Wagner, and wow… his story is going to speak to so many of you who have carried silent pain, hidden shame, or unanswered questions about God’s love.Charles grew up immersed in Scripture, Christian school, and church life… yet he spent decades believing God didn’t — and couldn’t — love him. His journey took him through trauma, identity confusion, depression, a painful divorce, and even suicidal thoughts. And yet, God interrupted his life with a love so powerful it melted years of fear, lies, and inner brokenness.If you've ever wondered why you keep cycling through old wounds… or why you’re still battling thoughts that don’t match what you believe… or if you’ve questioned whether it’s “too late” for God to turn things around, this conversation is for you.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:18] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:47] Charles’ early church background[05:00] Childhood trauma and identity confusion[08:30] Hitting the lowest point: divorce & despair[10:55] Meeting the counselor God used to heal him[12:53] Why it’s never too late for God to transform your life[14:21] Understanding rebellion & letting God take His rightful place[17:26] The power of personal testimonies in the church[18:45] Why “simple stories” matter too[21:56] How brokenness transformed his prayer life[23:27] Writing 700-page prayer books[25:54] Overcoming depression through community & confession[27:43] When secular counseling falls short[29:25] Encouragement for late bloomers[31:34] The biggest lesson about God’s redemptive love[33:04] How to renew your sense of God’s love[35:17] The Gramazin Testimony Center[36:50] Charles’ fun hobbies & new music journeyResources mentioned:Gramazin Testimony CenterCharles Wagner's BooksGuest's bio:Charles Wagner is a prolific author with a deep passion for God's Word. He has written five books, including powerful prayer commentaries, and is known for being an avid, lifelong student of the Bible. Charles doesn’t just study Scripture—he lives it, writes it, and teaches it with clarity, vulnerability, and authenticity.He’s also a radio host and the founder of Gramazin, a ministry inspired by “Amazing Grace,” dedicated to equipping believers and churches to share the real-life stories of how God shows up. Through this growing testimony movement, Charles helps believers find their voice, share their journey, and build a stronger, more connected body of Christ.Beyond his ministry and writing life, Charles is the husband of Karen, father to Chad and Stephanie, an avid walker, and even a pickleball enthusiast.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

We’ve got an episode today that’s going to stop you in your tracks. You’re going to meet Joel Sheagren, an award-winning filmmaker whose story feels like a movie itself, only this one’s real, raw, and full of God’s fingerprints.Joel grew up in a funeral home, had demonic encounters as a kid, found himself guiding canoes in the wilderness as an agnostic teen, and somehow, through a horror movie of all things, found his way to Christ. But that was only the beginning.What happens when the bottom falls out of your career, your faith gets tested through years of anxiety, and you’re suddenly raising two adopted children, one with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and you realize God’s been writing a redemption story through it all?In this powerful conversation, you’ll hear how Joel turned his pain into purpose through prayer, perseverance, and creativity. His story will help you see your own trials differently. Because sometimes, what feels like chaos is actually the setup for your calling.Chapters: [00:00] Podcast Preview[01:38] Topic and Guest Introduction[04:24] The Awakening: From Agnosticism to Faith[13:00] The Long Path: Growth Through Trials[19:48] Learning Patience When God’s Timing Feels Slow[22:45] Overcoming Anxiety and Learning to Trust[25:25] The Moment Joel and His Wife Said “Yes” to Adoption[28:00] The Miraculous Two-Month Adoption Story[30:00] Recognizing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)[34:30] Navigating Parenting Challenges with FASD[36:48] How God Used Filmmaking to Raise Awareness for FASD[40:07] Teaching Neuroplasticity and Renewing the Mind[43:05] Spiritual Breakthroughs and Mindset Shifts[47:21] About the Embracing Hope Caregiver Guide[49:35] Final Encouragement and Where to Find Joel’s ResourcesResources mentioned:Embracing Hope BookGuest's bio:Joel Sheagren is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller whose greatest inspiration comes from home—raising two children, one of whom lives with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).His incredible journey from agnosticism to faith began in the most unexpected places—a canoe in the wilderness and a night watching The Exorcist—moments that led him into a lifelong pursuit of telling redemptive stories through the lens of God’s grace.Joel is the founder of Sam in a Can Productions (named after his son) and the visionary behind The Embrace Movement, a media-driven initiative shedding light on the hidden link between prenatal alcohol exposure and societal issues like homelessness, trafficking, and fatherlessness.Through his films, books, and caregiver resources, Joel equips families, churches, and communities to better understand and support neurodiversity while bringing hope to those navigating life’s challenges.He and his wife continue to walk in faith—turning pain into purpose and using their story to help families find strength, healing, and breakthrough through Christ.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

In this episode of Your Biggest Breakthrough, we sit down with former New York State Trooper turned motivational speaker David Atkins, who proves that one courageous decision, rooted in faith, can completely change your life.David’s story will resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled with debt, doubt, or direction. From battling financial stress and burnout to leading thousands through health, mindset, and faith-based transformation, David shows how one conversation, one leap of faith, and one act of courage can create a ripple effect that transforms your marriage, finances, and future.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:08] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:24] The Breaking Point: Living Paycheck to Paycheck[05:24] A One Decision to Have a Conversation with His Wife [06:36] From Debt to Millionaire: the Beachbody journey[08:16] Discovering His God-Given Gift to Speak[09:19] Taking a Leap of Faith and Retiring Early[10:10] How Faith Became His Foundation[12:54] The Secret to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt[14:25]The Morning Routine That Changed Everything[16:58] How Courage and Faith Work Together[19:31] What “One Decision Away” Really Means[21:17] The Riffle Effect of His Decision to His Family[24:24] Losing Everything and Responding with Gratitude[26:47] The Truth About Loneliness and Staying Motivated[30:57] Surrendering to God in Every Season[32:18] Breaking Free from Comparison[35:22] It’s Never Too Late to Start Again[38:18] David’s Hobbies[39:24] David’s Go-To Bible VerseResources mentioned:Grab David’s book “One Decision Away” on AmazonGuest's bio:Website: davidatkinsspeaks.comFacebook: @CoachDavidAtkinsInstagram: @david_w_atkinsDavid Atkins is a former New York State Trooper, 9/11 first responder, and recipient of both Trooper of the Year and Investigator of the Year honors. After more than two decades in law enforcement, David transitioned into entrepreneurship—building a multi-million dollar direct sales organization from the ground up.Today, he’s a sought-after keynote motivational speaker, author, and the founder of the “One Decision Away” philosophy—a mindset that empowers people to take bold action, overcome fear, and create meaningful breakthroughs in every area of life.David has inspired audiences of over 20,000 people, including Fortune 500 companies, through his message of courage, faith, and resilience. A devoted husband and proud father of three daughters, David’s life and story reflect his belief that you are always one courageous decision away from changing your life.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!