In this thought-provoking episode of "Real People, Real Faith", we dive into the inspiring story of Chrissy Kirkman. Chrissy is the Executive Director of FINDINGbalance, the world’s leading Christian nonprofit ministry helping people repair their relationship with food and their bodies so they can live the abundant life they were created for. She also hosts the Old School Food Freedom podcast.

A former participant in FINDINGbalance’s Lasting Freedom program, Chrissy has firsthand experience of the struggle faced by those battling food issues, and the courage it takes to seek help. No longer a captive of “diet culture”, she is passionate about sharing the truth she’s found and helping others find hope and tools to break free.

Connect with Chrissy:

findingbalance.com

instagram.com/findingbalanceofficial

facebook.com/nonprofitpage.findingbalance.inc

oldschoolfoodfreedom.com

Connect with us:

Our website: ⁠⁠https://realpeoplerealfaith.co⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/realpeoplerealfaith

Dr. Connor Bales serves as Pastor at the North Campus of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Prosper, TX. He has written two books, Counted Worthy and Gospel in the Home, which he co-authored with Todd Kaunitz in 2016.

Connor and his wife, Mary, first began their ministry together as newlyweds, serving as volunteers in the Student Ministry at First Baptist Church, Coppell, Texas. It was during this season that God called Connor into vocational ministry. Connor graduated from seminary, sold his business, and began in full-time ministry. Connor was privileged to serve as the Minister to Married Adults at Prestonwood, then as a Lead Pastor and Elder at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview, Texas. In 2019, he returned to Prestonwood as the North Campus Pastor.

Connor graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in landscape architecture. Later, he graduated with a master’s degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Connor serves on the board of Joni and Friends, a ministry committed to bringing the Gospel and practical resources to people impacted by disability around the globe.

​Connor and Mary have been married since 2000 and have five children: Kathryn, Coleman, Libby, Hannah and Campbell. Connor is passionate about the local church and believes it is the hope for the world. Additionally, as a family with two special needs children, he has a heart for special needs ministry and is committed to serving and sharing the Gospel with families affected by disabilities. Through hardship and hope, he opens up about how he discovered strength in adversity, echoing the belief that God does not waste our suffering. This conversation is an inspiring testament to the resilience of Connor and his wife Mary, and serves as a profound reminder that sometimes, life's toughest challenges hold the most powerful lessons. Tune in to hear Connor's story, one filled with authenticity, courage, and unwavering trust in God's plan. If you would like to hear more of Connor's story, check out his book "Counted Worthy" available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Connect with Connor:

connorbales.com/

Connect with us:

Our website: ⁠https://realpeoplerealfaith.co⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/realpeoplerealfaith

Natasha Zimbaro has had a crazy eventful life. As a child, she grew up modeling, dancing, acting and performing in professional theatre productions, where her passion for singing flourished. At the age of 13, she signed a record deal with EMI Canada and had the privilege of having Canadian country music icon, Jason McCoy, manage her career. At 17, she signed with SONY Music Canada where she went on to have two Top 20 Canadian singles, with her previous pop band. Along with major label signings, Natasha has had many incredible performing opportunities. Some highlights have been performing at Wembley Stadium as a Top 16 contestant in the UK’s X Factor, performing on the main stage at Boots & Hearts, performing multiple years at the Queen’s Plate, having music videos on CMT and MuchMusic, a song on the MuchDance CD compilation, performing at hundreds of major sporting events (NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS), becoming the Toronto FC and the Toronto Raptors resident anthem singer and going on to perform at multiple championship games, to include the MLS Cup in Seattle in 2019! Most recently, one of Natasha's songs also landed a spot in the Oscar-Nominated SONY motion picture, The Mitchells vs. The Machines.

Now, Natasha has transitioned into the Christian Contemporary space. She finally feels like God has positioned her in a place where she can use her voice for a greater good and her ultimate purpose; being able to connect with those who look to music to worship and feel closer to God, or to just feel uplifted and inspired.

Today, Wisdom and Natasha discuss her experiences in the music industry in her early teens, what she's learned from the industry, how she hopes to minister to others through multiple outlets, and much more!

Connect with Natasha:

Website: https://natashazimbaro.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/natashazimbaro

Connect with us:

Our website: https://realpeoplerealfaith.co

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realpeoplerealfaith

Cordelia Ford has a passion for conversations. You can tell from the moment you meet her that you're in for a laugh and a great chat. Whether during her work at Cru (Campus Crusades for Christ) or just her regular day-to-day interactions, she's always bringing light to others' lives. Today, Noah and Cordelia talk about how she approaches healthy conversations, the unexpected difficulties of cultural diversity and divides, and the lessons she's learned navigating ministry.

Our website: https://www.realpeoplerealfaith.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realpeoplerealfaith

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realpeoplerealfaith

Jeremiah Enna is the Founder and Executive Director of The Culture House in Kansas City. The Culture House is an award-winning community arts organization succeeding in excellence, education, and social engagement. The Culture House includes The Culture House Academy of the Performing Arts with over 700 students, world-class dance company Störling Dance Theater is in residency at TCH, and their social outreach program, The STAR Program serves hundreds of incarcerated and at-risk children and youth each year.

Storling Conservatory of the Arts, an accredited, college conservatory offering degrees in dance launched in 2021 with a vision to expand to theatre, music, and visual art. Storling Dance Theater and The Culture House are responsible for the theatrical production, Underground, now in its 16th annual season. Go Underground, the small group discussion program has been a significant motivation for the formation of UniteKC, an organization bringing people of all races together over productive and uplifting discussions about race, racial healing, and a place we can take in building a unified community and church world.

Jeremiah is the Vice-Chairman of the Kansas Arts & Creative Industries Commision for the state of Kansas. He is also a founding board member of UniteKC. Mr. Enna is passionate about building life-giving, spirited, and generous communities and a student of the socio-economic, religious, and cultural components that interplay to create either a thriving environment or an impoverished one.

The Culture House in Kansas City is the successful pilot project of creating an arts organization with the opportunity to tangibly and positively affect a community. It is intended to be a model for other communities to draw from and emulate in order to infuse and make popular again, healthy morals and ethics. Jeremiah is a deeply convinced Christian and hopes that he can positively influence his community with the healthy and life-affirming values that the Biblical perspective has brought to the many cultures it has transformed.

Jeremiah Enna received his BFA in Theater from UCLA, was the Carol Burnett Award winner for his work in Musical Theater, and received the Los Angeles Young Leader’s Award from Mayor Tom Bradley for his work with inner city gang leaders and members. He went on to become soloist and Assistant Director for Eternia Dans Theater in Sweden where he won accolades for his work from the French Institute, was, with Eternia, a cultural ambassador to the Baltic States after the fall of the Soviet Union, and traveled extensively performing and speaking throughout Europe and Israel.

Mr. Enna was fortunate to grow in his Christian perspective under great European teachers, including Ellis Potter from L’Abri in Switzerland and the writings of Francis Schaeffer. Jeremiah is currently working with his wife on a new production, The Cost of Living, about the beauty, challenge, and sacredness of the family.

Our website: https://www.realpeoplerealfaith.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realpeoplerealfaith

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realpeoplerealfaith

Noah Gray has dedicated his life to three things, God, football, and his wife. Whether on the field or off of it, Noah is an inspirational human being, ready to work hard for what he believes in. After playing American football at the collegiate level for Duke University, he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 draft and is now entering his second season with the team. Today, both Noahs discuss Gray's life as a Christian in the NFL, his experiences with diabetes as a professional athlete, and balancing his family life with his time-demanding career.

Welcome to the first unofficial episode of the Real People Real Faith podcast! We can't wait to start this journey with you! In this episode, Wisdom and Noah share their excitement for the podcast, goals for the future, and talk a bit about their stories!

Our mission: embrace age, culture and work-based diversity through meaningful & productive conversations with real people expressing their real faith.

Get in contact: noah@realpeoplerealfaith.co

Our website: realpeoplerealfaith.co