In Episode 146, Lauren sits down with Jennifer Wenningkamp, a woman whose life has been profoundly shaped by divine encounters, courageous obedience, and a deep passion for loving people across cultures.

Jennifer shares how, at just ten years old, she heard the audible voice of God calling her into missions, a moment that set the trajectory for her entire life. That calling eventually led her to Mozambique, where she served with Iris Ministries for more than a decade, met her husband, raised her son, and discovered what it means to love both the poorest of the poor and the people right beside her.

In this powerful conversation, Lauren and Jennifer explore:

• The childhood encounter that launched a lifetime of mission
• Growing a heart for orphans, widows, and vulnerable communities
• Meeting her husband in Mozambique and building a cross-cultural family
• Raising a child on the mission field and discovering her identity as a mother
• The humility, challenges, and transformation of missionary life
• How oral histories, generational stories, and listening deeply shaped her worldview
• Returning to the U.S. with a new understanding of love, compassion, and God’s heart for people

Jennifer’s journey is rich with faith, wisdom, and authenticity. Her story invites listeners to trust God’s leading, recognize the divine appointments around them, and lean into the unexpected places where God writes the best stories.

🎧 Listen now to Episode 146 and be inspired by a life marked by mission, love, and extraordinary encounters with God.

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Continue the journey with Jennifer by picking up her book Mama & Papa Bear's International Toilet Tales by visiting https://a.co/d/aTb8gGG

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 145, Lauren interviews Julie Yoder, one of the Senior Pastors at The Vineyard Church of Central Illinois, where she leads alongside her husband, Mike. Together, they also serve as Regional Leaders for Vineyard USA in the Midwest Central Region. Raised in the Vineyard, Julie is a gifted communicator, passionate leader, and developer of others. She leads the preaching team and is deeply committed to helping people encounter Jesus in their everyday lives.

In this episode, Julie shares how she leads and develops her church’s preaching team, offers wisdom for young women who feel called to teach and preach, and talks about how she balances family, ministry, and leadership. She and Lauren also discuss what God is doing at The Vineyard of Central Illinois — where nearly 400 baptisms have taken place since April — and explore practical ways to read the Bible, stay connected to God, and remain a lifelong learner.

Before stepping into full-time ministry, Julie earned a degree in Elementary Education from Olivet Nazarene University and worked as a public school reading teacher. She is a graduate of Vineyard Leadership Institute and brings a heart for equipping the church and cultivating a culture where everyone gets to play and Jesus stays at the center. Julie and Mike have four children — Ty, Tate, Maggie, and Molly — and love serving in ministry together. In her free time, Julie enjoys long walks, sweets, beach trips, and getting lost in a good book.

Tune in to be encouraged, equipped, and reminded of the beauty of saying “yes” to Jesus in every season.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 143, Lauren interviews Jen Dunnewold, a Tennessee native, devoted wife and mom, and member of her church’s worship team. Jen is passionate about emotional health, authentic connection, and creating intentional cultures of honor.

In this episode, Jen shares how navigating complex family dynamics became a classroom for learning boundaries, self-awareness, and love. Jen opens up about overcoming people-pleasing, starting the journey toward emotional health, and discovering the freedom that comes from loving yourself so you can truly love others.

This conversation is a beautiful blend of faith, wisdom, and practical tools for anyone seeking emotional and spiritual wholeness.

Links to books Jen recommended:

"Keep Your Love On" by Danny Silk

"Culture of Honor" by Danny Silk

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud

"Necessary Endings" by Henry Cloud

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 142, Lauren interviews creative Jonas "Yo" Torres who is currently serving in his third year at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.

In this episode, Lauren and Yo dive deep into what it means to create from the secret place with God, where intimacy fuels creativity and art becomes an act of worship. Yo shares how the Gospel shapes his life and creativity, reminding us that Jesus came to show us what it looks like to be loved by the Father.

If you’re longing to write songs or step into your own creative calling, Yo also shares practical insights on how to write a song and develop as a songwriter who creates from a place of authenticity and intimacy with God.

If you’ve ever wondered how faith and creativity intertwine or how to live and create from a place of deep connection with God, this episode will stir your heart and inspire your spirit.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 141, Lauren interviews Father Christophe, a French Catholic priest from the Chemin Neuf community, who currently serves in Grenoble, France. With 10 years of priesthood behind him, Father Christophe opens up about his powerful encounter with God, his path to the priesthood, and the sacred responsibility of walking with people through their most vulnerable moments. He also shares how writing poetry has deepened his spiritual journey. Stay until the end to receive a heartfelt blessing spoken directly over you by Father Christophe himself.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In this episode of Strangers on The Way, Lauren sits down with physicist-turned-pastor, entrepreneur, author, and speaker Putty Putman. After earning a PhD in particle physics and encountering a life-changing supernatural experience in China, Putty made an unexpected choice: instead of pursuing a lucrative career in science, he stepped into full-time ministry in Illinois.

Putty shares how the mind of a physicist shapes his teaching and leadership, his surprising journey of stumbling into God, a miraculous story of healing at his church plant, and why faith requires risk.

With passions for the Holy Spirit, effective communication, and helping the church lean into God’s future, Putty has lived a remarkable journey. He founded the School of Kingdom Ministry, spent over a decade pastoring at The Vineyard Church of Central Illinois, and later served as interim pastor at The Chapel. In 2023, he and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona to pioneer a new church ecosystem called FUSE. Putty is also the author of two books and lives in Tempe with his wife and three children.

This conversation will inspire you to think deeper, believe bigger, and courageously step into the adventure God has written for your life.

Stay connected to Putty and his adventures at https://www.puttyputman.com.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 139, Lauren interviews Brittney Tewksbury — wife, mom, community connector, and founder of FCC Hoops, a fast-growing grassroots adult basketball group that’s reshaping the local rec scene.

When Brittney moved back to Illinois from Chicago, she knew she loved playing basketball so she started something from scratch. What began as a simple search for a pickup run has exploded into a thriving, structured, and inclusive adult basketball community that now runs two days a week and draws players of all skill levels united by their love of the game.

In this episode, Brittney opens up about her personal journey — from navigating divorce and moving to Colorado, to how therapy helped her rediscover her self-worth. While living in Colorado, she courageously launched a MeetUp group despite not knowing a single person — and over 60 people showed up. She shares the story of meeting her husband, starting a family, and eventually returning to Illinois with two young kids and a vision for something bigger than just basketball.

Whether you’re an athlete at heart, a community-builder, or someone looking for courage to take a new leap, Brittney’s story is full of insight, energy, and heart. She reminds us that it’s never too late to create the space you wish existed — and that healing and self-discovery often happen when we step out in faith and invite others to play.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.

As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.

Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.

Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.