Dove Award-winning artist Ryan Stevenson is known for songs like Eye of the Storm and No Matter What—but behind the music is a story of identity, struggle, and relentless faith. For much of his early life, Ryan felt overlooked and forgotten. Poverty, bullying, and disappointment told him he wasn’t enough. But through it all, there was a still, small voice—the voice of God—whispering that he was loved, chosen, and made for more. In this episode of The Unfolding, Ryan talks about the years he spent waiting, doubting, and wrestling with God—even while working as a paramedic. It’s a deeply honest conversation about trusting God when your reality says otherwise, and daring to believe that the dreams He planted in your heart are there for a reason.

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

Ryan’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Storm-Experiencing-When-Cant/dp/0736979778

“Listen a bit.”
A simple line spoken to a young Trevor Hudson during a leadership exercise became the compass for his life’s work. In this Unfolding Short Story, the South-African pastor and author of In Search of God’s Will: Discerning a Life of Faithfulness and Purpose shows how a modest talent, handed back to God, can grow into decades of counseling, retreats, and Spirit-led guidance. Trevor invites us to slow down and discover what God can do with the small gifts in our own hands.

For nearly 40 years, Chris Hauser has been a trusted force behind the scenes in Contemporary Christian Music—promoting the work of artists like Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Lauren Daigle, and Russ Taff. Known for his humility, authenticity, and deep love for the Gospel, Chris has built a reputation not on self-promotion, but on service. But behind that professional success was a personal story marked by struggle. For years, Chris admits he was a fast talker—someone who could charm his way out of tough situations, even with the people who mattered most: his wife and kids. He made promises he didn’t keep, avoided hard truths, and watched the people he loved most get hurt. In this powerful episode of The Unfolding, Chris shares how everything changed when God lovingly confronted him at a pivotal moment during a retreat called Encounter. Through God's grace—and learning to love himself the way God does—Chris experienced radical transformation in his marriage, his family, and his faith.

Chris’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauserpromo/

Encounter Training: https://encountertraining.com/

Chris’ speech at Judson University commencement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trVJOSmO5l0

“Everywhere somebody was sick, Jesus was right there.” Those words became Keith’s anchor as burn-pit-linked melanoma spread through his 33-year-old body. In this Memorial Day Moment, Navy-veteran and hospice chaplain Walt recounts the young soldier’s journey of courage, grace, and a faith found at the finish line.

“We began to… say the Nicene Creed.”
That decision changed everything for pastor and researcher Glenn Packiam, when a 2006 scandal rocked his Colorado Springs church. In this Unfolding Short Story, the Barna Group scholar and host of The Resilient Pastor podcast recounts how repeating the Creed each week knit a fractured congregation back together, and how its ancient words still steady believers facing today’s confusion and corruption. 

Want to dig deeper? Check out Glenn’s new book What’s a Christian, Anyway?: Finding Our Way in an Age of Confusion and Corruption.

She’s the voice behind the hit song Desperate—a powerful anthem that soared to number one and struck a chord with thousands. But Jamie MacDonald’s story runs much deeper. In this episode, Jamie shares about growing up in a house where singing was banned and hope felt out of reach. After being kicked out at 15 and dropping out of high school at 16, she spent years bouncing between couches and group homes—no phone, no address, no one in her corner. But even in the darkest moments, a flicker of faith from a childhood church camp refused to go out. Join us as Jamie shares how one desperate prayer changed everything—and how her pain gave rise to a song that’s giving hope to so many.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiemacdonaldmusic/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=jamie%20macdonald%20music

David Sunde wrote a book called Homegrown Disciples: Parenting Rhythms for Drawing Your Kids into Life with God

Hear David reflect on the book, and it’s development from a time of community that continues to this day. David learned that discipleship doesn’t begin in a sanctuary. It begins around tables, in relationships, and in everyday moments of faith.

For David Sunde, a pastor and author, that truth came to life when his family was grafted in to a community of Burmese believers. What started as outreach turned into friendship… and then, family.