Old School with Michele Vrabel

Why Not You? | A Conversation with Ed Newton

🎙️ Why Not You? | A Conversation with Ed Newton In this powerful episode, Michele sits down with Pastor Ed Newton to unpack the heart behind his book Why Not You? and the journey that shaped it. Raised by two deaf parents — with his mother also living with cerebral palsy — Ed shares how growing up as the primary communicator in his family formed his faith, resilience, and calling. From interpreting for his parents as a child to becoming a pastor and author, Ed reveals how what once felt like limitation became divine preparation. Together, Michele and Ed explore the tension between “Why me?” and “Why not you?” — addressing insecurity, self-doubt, and the negative self-talk so many believers wrestle with. Ed walks through the four circles that help uncover purpose: personality, passion, pain, and people. With honesty and humor, he reminds us that God repurposes pain, calls us up (not out), and believes in us more than we believe in ourselves. 🔑 Key Takeaways * Your pain may be preparation for your purpose. * God confidence is different from self-confidence. * Mistakes do not disqualify you — ask Moses. * The voices around you often confirm what God has already placed within you. * “Two great days in a person’s life: the day they are born and the day they realize why.” 📖 About the Book Why Not You? challenges readers who struggle with insecurity, comparison, or feeling “not enough.” Through biblical insight, personal storytelling, and practical application, Ed invites readers to step into their God-given purpose with bold faith. 📍 Guest Information Ed NewtonSenior Pastor, Community Bible Church (San Antonio, TX)Author & Speaker 🌐 Website: https://ednewton.com [https://ednewton.com/]🌐 Church: https://communitybible.com [https://communitybible.com/]📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ednewton [https://www.instagram.com/ednewton]📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ednewton [https://www.facebook.com/ednewton] 🎧 Connect with Michele If this episode encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share. Drop a comment below:What would change in your life if you truly believed God believes in you? #WhyNotYou #FaithJourney #ChristianPodcast #Purpose #EdNewton #MicheleVrabel

Enchanted Crossroads: From Desert Dreams to Faith-Fueled Fantasy with Wilson Hickman

Show Notes: "Enchanted Crossroads: From Desert Dreams to Faith-Fueled Fantasy with Wilson Hickman" Join Michele as she chats with Arizona-born filmmaker Wilson Hickman, whose Christian upbringing blossomed into personal faith at 15 via a conscience-awakening Ten Commandments gospel presentation—shifting from "earning heaven" to full trust in Christ's sacrifice. Homeschooled and immersed in physical books (Narnia his fave), Wilson started crafting makeshift stories young, evolving to 200-page novels, then screenplays blending sci-fi/fantasy with good-vs-evil themes. Wrestling theology degree vs. film school, he felt God calling him to glorify Him in entertainment's cultural sway—ditching desert-set sci-fi post-college for Kentucky's lush greens, inspiring character-driven fantasy like The Lost Healer series (Narnia meets *The Chosen*'s depth). Michele shares her daughter's ASU screenwriting path (potential London Prime Video gig) and pastry chef background, tying into Wilson's creative pivot. Wilson unpacks The Lost Healer's plot: a princess fleeing her father's murder and kingdom's invasion, seeking a forbidden relic to save her people—shot as a low-budget proof-of-concept episode at Kentucky's Red River Gorge (Eden-like vibes), with original score, now festival-circuiting (Best TV Series win at International Christian Film Fest 2025). They geek on Christian filmmaking's shift (more heroic male roles amid emasculation trends, Westerns rising), faith integration without preachiness, and Wilson's nugget: Surrender life to God daily—not a one-time theological box-check, but conscious kill-the-natural-self commitment (per C.S. Lewis/Proverbs) to avoid entitlement/bitterness. Ideal for creatives blending art and faith—Michele eyes angel-investing his crowdfunding, praising his "current of God's will" trajectory. Chapters 00:00 - Intro: Organic Chat & Guest Journey Tease   02:06 - Arizona Roots, Christian Home & Faith Awakening   04:02 - Early Writing: Makeshift Books to Novels   05:56 - Fantasy Love: Narnia Influence & Film vs. Theology   07:05 - Kentucky Move, Script Birth & Proof-of-Concept   11:52 - Gospel Tools: Ten Commandments Breakdown   14:38 - Christian Films: Subtle Faith & Heroic Males   18:46 - Series Plot: Princess Quest & Relic Hunt   20:10 - Filming Magic: Red River Gorge & Crew Miracles   27:24 - Michele's Books, Giveaways & Faith Parallels   33:20 - Episode Wins: Festivals & Composer Score   38:28 - Location Serendipity & Narnia Vibes   40:08 - Crowdfunding Hopes & God's Doors   41:18 - Daughter's Watch Plans & Investor Offer   44:02 - Trends: Masculine Westerns in Faith Films   46:00 - Nugget: Daily Surrender to God   48:26 - Wrap-Up: Prayers & Excitement   Keywords Wilson Hickman, The Lost Healer series, Christian fantasy filmmaking, Narnia inspiration, proof-of-concept episode, faith integration, Ten Commandments gospel, Kentucky production, Red River Gorge, daily surrender nugget, heroic male roles   Guest Contact Website (Series): thelosthealer.com](https://thelosthealer.com Instagram: [@thelosthealerseries](https://www.instagram.com/thelosthealerseries/)   Facebook: [@thelosthealerseries](https://www.facebook.com/thelosthealerseries/)

S3E16 Gut Check Gospel: Healing Chronic Stress from the Inside Out with Holly Andrews

Episode: "Gut Check Gospel: Healing Chronic Stress from the Inside Out with Holly Andrews" Episode Summary Dive into Old School with Michele Vrabel as she chats with Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Holly Andrews, a former NSA executive turned stress-busting guru and author of Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out. Holly opens up about her Type A transformation: from a high-pressure federal job fueling 350+ pounds, exhaustion, "angry mom" vibes, and family logistics chaos (with a pilot husband away half the time) to shedding nearly half her body weight in 15 months starting in 2019 after a tearful London trip breakdown. Quitting in 2022, moving to North Carolina, and launching her coaching business, she healed relationships with her kids and husband, rediscovered energy for gardening and dates, and leaned on faith for provision—echoing Michele's own abuse-to-healing memoir journey intertwined across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual realms. Holly demystifies the gut-brain axis (90% serotonin, 50% dopamine from the gut via HPA highway), chronic stress's inflammatory domino effect (brain fog, anxiety, spiritual deserts), and prenatal hormone transfers explaining her daughter's ADHD. Free hacks? Dim lights post-7pm, morning outdoor grounding (bare feet or houseplant touch), consistent water intake with personalized reminders, and a book Stress Audit for honest self-checks—pick one, stick for two weeks. Her nugget: Stress is designed for short bursts (God-wired fight-or-flight), but chronic mode harms everything, even unborn babies. Ideal for burnt-out believers craving sustainable, faith-fueled biohacks without woo-woo overload—grab the book for root-cause tools and reclaim that oxytocin joy! Chapters 00:00 - Intro: Healing Interconnections & Guest Welcome 01:39 - Holly's Type A NSA Life, Weight Struggles & Angry Mom Era 04:34 - 2019 Crisis Trip, Weight Loss Journey & Coach Discovery 05:56 - Quitting Job, Family Move & Faith Provision 07:26 - Parallels to Michele's Abuse-to-Healing Story 16:39 - Book Breakdown: Gut-Brain Axis & Stress Impacts 17:16 - Tips: Stress Audit, Honesty & Prenatal Effects 20:56 - Free Actions: Dim Lights, Morning Grounding, Water Hacks 27:08 - Prayer Walks, Sustainable Starts & Biohacking Balance 29:40 - Nugget: Chronic Stress's Far-Reaching Harm 34:38 - Wrap-Up: Book Excitement & Future Chats Keywords Holly Andrews, Heal Your Stress From the Inside Out, chronic stress healing, gut-brain axis, integrative nutrition coaching, weight loss journey, faith and health, stress audit, grounding tips, prenatal stress effects, holistic wellness, NSA executive burnout Guest Contact Holly Andrews | Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Author Website: hollyandrewscoaching.com [https://hollyandrewscoaching.com/] Buy Book (Paperback): Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Stress-Inside-Out/dp/B0F532LPQ1] Buy Book (eBook): Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out eBook on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Stress-Inside-Out-ebook/dp/B0F3JYPB2D] Instagram: @hollyandrewscoaching [https://www.instagram.com/hollyandrewscoaching/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hollyandrewscoaching [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyandrewscoaching] Facebook: facebook.com/Hskigirl [https://www.facebook.com/Hskigirl/]

Bless Your Heart: Southern Sass, Holy Spirit Nudges, and BOGO Blessings with Debora Coty

Episode: "Bless Your Heart: Southern Sass, Holy Spirit Nudges, and BOGO Blessings with Debora Coty" Episode Summary Join Michele Vrabel on Old School as she welcomes award-winning author, humorist, and speaker Debora Coty (aka the "Irma Bombeck of Florida"), who shares her remarkable journey from 30+ years as a piano teacher and occupational therapist to penning over 40 books, including the Too Blessed to Be Stressed series (2M+ copies sold worldwide). Starting writing at 45 after a God-ordained "two-by-four" nudge in a dentist's office, Debora's first novel sprang from a Florida cracker patient's grandmother's memoir. She decodes the Southern gem "Bless Your Heart" (sympathy or shade?) and celebrates her new 365-day devotional, Bless Your Heart: Daily Devotions to Warm Your Heart and Feed Your Soul, born from personal losses and COVID chaos—complete with a wild China shipping hostage saga. Debora's grocery store "Holy Spirit elbow jab" tale—buying toilet paper for a desperate family after her cart mysteriously brakes—proves obedience unlocks double blessings. They dive into tuning into God's voice (audible nudges, scripture, even non-believers), with her nugget: 1 Peter 3:9's BOGO—"Be a blessing, get a blessing!" Perfect for women seeking faith-fueled laughter, this episode sparks hope, humor, and holy prompts. Grab Bless Your Heart, enter their collab giveaway, and practice those divine listens! Chapters00:00 - Intro & "Bless Your Heart" Double Meaning01:40 - Southern Sayings & Grandma Wisdom02:40 - Debora's Writing Journey at Age 4507:00 - First Articles, Column & Novel Spark11:00 - Too Blessed to Be Stressed Explosion14:00 - Bless Your Heart Amid Loss & Delays18:00 - Holy Spirit Toilet Paper Miracle24:00 - Hearing God: Nudges, Obedience & Non-Believers27:00 - Future Books, YouVersion Plan & Giveaway30:00 - Nugget: BOGO Blessings (1 Peter 3:9)  KeywordsDebora Coty, Bless Your Heart devotional, Too Blessed to Be Stressed, Christian humor, women's inspiration, Holy Spirit nudges, writing journey, Florida author, faith laughter, daily devotions, BOGO blessings, Southern sayings  Guest ContactDebora M. Coty | Author, Speaker, HumoristWebsite: deboracoty.com [https://deboracoty.com/]Buy Book: Bless Your Heart on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Heart-Devotions-Soul/dp/1639528911]Facebook: @AuthorDeboraCoty [https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeboraCoty/]Instagram: @deboracoty [https://www.instagram.com/deboracoty/]X/Twitter: @deboracoty [https://x.com/deboracoty]Email/Contact Form: deboracoty.com/contact [https://deboracoty.com/about/contact-me/] | deboracoty@gmail.com [deboracoty@gmail.com]

S3E12 Your Story to Tell, with author Bridget Gengler

Show Notes: Your Story to Tell, with author Bridget Gengler In this episode of the podcast, host Michele sits down with Bridget Gengler, a dedicated elementary school teacher, author, and advocate for children's voices. Bridget shares her personal journey from a shy child in a large family to a passionate educator who ensures every student feels seen and valued. Drawing from her father's influence as a storyteller and poet, Bridget discusses how his passing in 2020 inspired her to fulfill their shared dream of writing. She delves into her children's books, including "Hold Your Head Up and Walk with Grace" (dedicated to her dad) and her latest release, "You Have a Story to Tell," a heartfelt message empowering kids to recognize their worth and share their unique stories. The conversation pivots to Bridget's experiences with divorce 20 years ago, co-parenting young children, and blending families after remarriage. She opens up about contributing a chapter to the collaborative book "Rediscovering You: Life After Divorce," emphasizing her reliance on faith to navigate challenges and emerge stronger. Michele and Bridget bond over themes of healing, grace, and purpose, with Bridget offering a powerful nugget of wisdom: embracing one's worthiness through faith in God. This inspiring episode highlights resilience, the power of storytelling, and the importance of making others feel heard. Chapters: - 00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Setup   - 02:50 - Bridget's Teaching Journey and Family Background   - 05:00 - Influence of Her Father and Promise to Write   - 07:30 - First Book: "Hold Your Head Up and Walk with Grace"   - 09:11 - Evolution of Writing and Latest Book: "You Have a Story to Tell"   - 15:35 - Collaborating on "Rediscovering You: Life After Divorce"   - 18:11 - Navigating Divorce, Co-Parenting, and Remarriage   - 24:02 - Nugget of Wisdom: Worthiness and Faith   - 26:35 - Closing Thoughts and Future Plans   Keywords: teaching, children's books, divorce recovery, faith and healing, storytelling, family legacy, education, authorship, resilience, co-parenting, personal growth, Bridget Gengler Connect: Website: bridgetgengler.com IG: @bridgetgengler