Strangers on The Way
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.
Episodes
133 episodes
Episode 133: Evan Brown - How men find community, risk-taking, and breaking free from pornography
In Episode 133, Lauren interviews Minnesota-native Evan Brown. Evan made a leap of faith and moved to California a few years ago. In this episode, he shares about the wild journey moving out west, his journey overcoming pornography, and his pas...
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Season 2
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Episode 133
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43:11
Episode 132: Jen Polizzi - Receiving love, taking risks, and intergenerational friendships
In Episode 132, Lauren interviews wife, mom, and Children's Director Jen Polizzi. Jen is full of warmth, kindness, joy, and God stories! In this episode, Jen shares about her encounter with the love of God, how it changed everything around her,...
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Season 2
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Episode 132
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31:54
Episode 131: Angelic Venegas - Freedom, fitness, and a story about Christmas lights
In Episode 131, Lauren interviews Public Relations Director and Young Adult Leader Angelic Venegas. Angelic is full of joy and hunger to grow. In this episode, Angelic shares her passion for storytelling and public relations, her journey of hea...
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Season 2
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Episode 131
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36:30
Episode 130: Jody Rasplicka - Missions, cardinals, and moments from El Salvador
In this episode, Lauren interviews joyful wife, mom, prayer minister, church planter, and missionary Jody Rasplicka. Jody lives in Texas and has the biggest heart. In this episode, Jody shares about moments from her recent El Salvador mission t...
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Season 2
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Episode 130
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30:56
Episode 129: Cathy Grennan - Intercession, daily practices, and a prophetic song
In Episode 129, Lauren interviews powerhouse Cathy Grennan. Cathy is a prayer warrior full of wisdom and passion. In this episode, Cathy shares her heart for the younger generation, a daily practice called "Four 15s" that has revolutionized her...
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Season 2
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Episode 129
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32:07
Episode 128: Molly Keller - Moving across the country, femininity, and finding love in today's age
In this episode, Lauren interviews joyful Sales Director Molly Keller. Molly made a big move to South Carolina a couple of years ago and started a new adventure. In this episode, Molly shares about her move, making friendships in a new city, tr...
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Season 2
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Episode 128
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48:49
Episode 127: Shannon Wallace - Overcoming being stuck, wildflowers, and helping those grieving
In Episode 127, Lauren interviews Texas-based mom and mentor Shannon Wallace. Shannon is full of joy, resilience, and life! In this episode, Shannon shares about her love of Texas wildflowers and nature, the joy of homeschooling, and how she wa...
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Season 2
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Episode 127
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37:12
Episode 126: Kip Pakrawan and CJ Novak - Men's Fitness, Faith and Graceful Sons
In this episode, Lauren interviews personal fitness trainers and men's ministry leaders Kip Pakrawan and CJ Novak. During the summer, Kip and CJ met a group of guys and began working out together. Their fitness community grew, anchored in faith...
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Season 2
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Episode 126
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46:41
Episode 125: Melanie Martinez - The beauty of nature, your unique design, and journaling
In Episode 125, Lauren interviews Melanie Martinez, a teacher, mom, nature lover, and adventurer who lives in Mexico. In this episode, Melanie talks about a special flower encounter, how to experience God in nature, the power of your unique des...
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Season 2
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Episode 125
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48:01
Episode 124: Jim Emkhe - Healing through fasting, infertility, and the wonder of the human body
In Episode 124, Lauren interviews Clinical Nutritionist and "Health Detective" Jim Emkhe. Jim has helped people overcome health challenges for decades through his meticulous study of the human body. In this episode, Jim shares about the positiv...
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Season 2
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Episode 124
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1:12:43
Episode 123: Ben Serpell - Creating healthy families, why men need brothers, and life in Australia
In this episode, Lauren interviews Loving on Purpose senior leader Ben Serpell. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Ben followed his dream of ministry to America at the age of 18 where he met his wife, Brittney. Together they have three kids ...
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Season 2
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Episode 123
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44:58
Episode 122: Lindsey Reiman - Prophesy Your Year, pouring love in Hollywood, and finding the lost
In Episode 122, Lauren interviews a real life superhero, Lindsey Reiman. Lindsey is the founder of the spiritual intelligence company Aqua Regia, the equipping center called The Prophetic Labs, and co-founder of the SQ Institute. Because all pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 122
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52:09
Episode 121: Shelly McCandliss - Adventure, unity, and imparting peace
In Episode 121, Lauren interviews wife, mom and missions leader Shelly McCandliss. Shelly is a carrier of peace and unity and has served a Catholic community called the Chemin Neuf for a number of years. In this episode, Shelly shares about her...
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Season 1
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Episode 121
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35:45
Episode 120: Peter Chatain - Being an Olympic Medalist, experiencing Paris 2024, and reaching goals
In Episode 120, Lauren interviews 2024 USA Rowing Olympian Peter Chatain. Peter competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the men's eight in rowing. In this episode, Peter shares the beginning of his rowing career at New Tr...
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Season 1
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Episode 120
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44:23
Episode 119: Michelle McIver - USA Government, overcoming grief, and the simplicity of breakthrough
In Episode 119, Lauren interviews east-coast native Michelle McIver. Michelle is passionate about the federal government and worked in areas like the Department of Justice in her 20s. She is launching an initiative called "100 Days of Blessing ...
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Season 1
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Episode 119
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48:10
Episode 118: Dave Bindewald - Hidden goodness, curiosity, and the Center for Play & Exploration
In Episode 118, Lauren interviews founder of the Center for Play & Exploration Dave Bindewald. After shifting careers, Dave discovered that there is goodness everywhere in the world. Most of that goodness is hidden. The Center for Play &...
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Season 1
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Episode 118
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48:37
Episode 117: Steve Backlund - Speaking life, building identity, and empowering leaders
In Episode 117, Lauren interviews author, speaker and joy-activator Steve Backlund. Steve Backlund is a prolific encourager, catalytic author, joy activator, and revivalist teacher. He and his wife Wendy lead Igniting Hope Ministries and bring ...
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Season 1
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Episode 117
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33:35
Episode 116: Dele Okuwobi - Building and creating, how to pray, and the power of failure
In Episode 116, Lauren interviews builder and creator Dele Okuwobi. Dele leads an organization called Wonder Association that helps church leaders build, create, innovate, and launch the dreams God has placed in their heart. In this episode, De...
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Season 1
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Episode 116
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43:14
Episode 115: Jacki Mjoen - Teaching the next generation, the Enneagram, and overcoming brain cancer
In Episode 115, Lauren interviews teacher and brain cancer warrior Jacki Mjoen. Jacki is a middle school math teacher who helps her students overcome shame and the fear of not being smart enough. In 2022, Jacki received a brain tumor diagnosis ...
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Season 1
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Episode 115
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31:15
Episode 114: Romain Berthelot - Becoming a Catholic priest, coming to light, and Ignatius of Loyola
In Episode 114, Lauren interviews French Catholic priest Romain Berthelot. Romain serves in a wonderful Catholic community called the Chemin Neuf. In this episode, Romain shares his journey to becoming a priest, reconciliation between family, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 114
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1:04:14
Episode 113: Francesco Bianco - Healing miracles, Italy, and meaning from Moana
In Episode 113, Lauren interviews Italian-native Francesco Bianco. Francesco lives with a community in Italy and is passionate about praying for healing and people understanding their royal identity. In this episode, Francesco talks about how h...
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Season 1
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Episode 113
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1:03:45
Episode 112: Hannah Shallenberger - Intentionally loving others, handwritten notes, and growing up in a big family
In Episode 112, Lauren interviews brilliant, witty and connector of people Hannah Shallenberger. Hannah has served in higher education and K12 for her career helping to fulfill goals of students and organizations through fundraising. In this ep...
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Season 1
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Episode 112
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40:22
Episode 111: Jeffrey Clayton - From introvert to extrovert, connecting with people, and being a dad
In Episode 111, Lauren interviews risk-taking introvert and people connector Jeffrey Clayton. When Lauren met Jeffrey, he was introducing himself to everyone in the room and she noticed his kind friendliness. What she didn't know was that Jeffr...
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Season 1
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Episode 111
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35:10
Episode 110: Christine Haber - Celebrations, everlasting love, and life in Jamaica
In Episode 110, Lauren interviews Jamaican Bishop Christine Haber. Christine was a Broadway dancer in New York, a travel agent, and began leading a ministry in Jamaica 23 years ago (and is celebrating the 23rd anniversary this month!). Christin...
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Season 1
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Episode 110
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44:29
Episode 109: Alyssa Goncales - Finding your voice, voting, and the power of local elections
In Episode 109, Lauren interviews Arizona-based wife, mom and political field representative Alyssa Goncales. Alyssa was a business owner and hair stylist for 21 years and a couple of years ago, a friend invited her to volunteer at a political ...
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Season 1
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Episode 109
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31:02