Your Biggest Breakthrough

Episode 179: When Your Breakthrough Doesn’t Come: What to Do While You’re Waiting on God

Have you ever prayed for a breakthrough, believed with all your heart, and still found yourself waiting?Still trusting.Still hoping.Still wondering why nothing seems to be changing.In this episode of Your Biggest Breakthrough, it’s just the two of us—no guest—because this conversation is for anyone walking through a season where the breakthrough hasn’t come yet.We talk honestly about what happens when God feels silent, when the miracle doesn’t arrive on your timeline, and when you’re tempted to quit believing altogether. Wendie breaks down seven practical, faith-based principles that show you exactly what to do while you’re waiting—how to stay aligned with God’s will, take meaningful action, and keep your heart engaged instead of discouraged.We also share real-life stories of delayed breakthroughs—health battles, infertility, healing journeys—to remind you that waiting doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t just about what God is doing for you, but what He’s doing in you.If you’re in a waiting season right now, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and a renewed sense of hope to keep moving forward without giving up.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[00:52] Welcome & why this episode matters[02:00] When you’re praying, but nothing is happening[02:45] Step 1: Define your breakthrough clearly[03:25] Writing the vision and getting specific[04:47] Step 2: Examining your “why”[05:50] When your why doesn’t align with God’s will[07:02] Step 3: God’s delays vs. God’s denial[09:20] Step 4: Taking massive action with faith[11:23] Step 5: The P Principle explained[19:15] Step 6: Staying expectant without forcing outcomes[20:24] Speaking life and faith out loud[22:10] Step 7: Giving God the glory[24:28] Final encouragement for those still waitingCall to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Episode 178: Written in Heaven: Marriage, Miracles, and the Power of Sharing Your Story | Joe & Tamara Battaglia

What if the story you’re living right now—yes, even the painful parts—is being written by God with more intention than you can see?In this episode of Your Biggest Breakthrough, we sit down with our dear friends Joe and Tamara Battaglia, and we promise you this conversation will move you. You’ll laugh, you may cry, and you’ll walk away reminded that nothing in your life is random.Joe’s journey through Christian media, Tamara’s deeply personal miracles of motherhood, the heartbreaks, the waiting seasons, and the surprising love story God orchestrated between them—it all points to one powerful truth: God is always working behind the scenes, even when we don’t recognize it in the moment.Tamara shares the heart behind her devotional, Written in Heaven—a collection of real stories from women who’ve walked through infertility, loss, divorce, illness, loneliness, and restoration. These aren’t polished testimonies; they’re honest, faith-filled reminders that God sees you, hears you, and is still writing your story.We also talk about marriage, purpose, second chances, loneliness, worship as warfare, and why sharing your story—no matter how ordinary it feels—might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01: 15] Topic and Guest Introduction[04:09] Welcoming Joe & Tamara Battaglia[07:15] Joe’s Jesus breakthrough & God’s providence[10:50] Tamara’s salvation story at age 12[12:22] How God orchestrated their meeting[18:20] Recognizing God’s hand in their relationship[20:40] Tamara’s infertility journey & miracle story[29:12] Why Tamara felt called to collect other women’s stories[31:23] Every kind of pain is represented in Written in Heaven[32:16] Marriage, covenant, and “holding up her arms”[36:30] When God feels silent and seasons feel long[40:30] Inside the Written in Heaven devotional[42:14] Why does God bring couples together for a purpose[49:30] Why real community still matters[55:50] Final encouragement & blessingResources mentioned:Written in Heaven: His Story, Our Lives by Tamara Hester BattagliaAmazonChristianbookJoe Battaglia's Website: jobattaglia.comThe Business BibleGuest's bio and social handles:Joe Battaglia and Tamara Hester Battaglia are a faith-driven couple whose lives and marriage reflect God’s providence, redemption, and purpose across every season.Joe Battaglia is a veteran broadcaster, best-selling author, and the founder and president of Renaissance Communications, the media company behind the nationally syndicated radio program Keep the Faith. With decades of leadership in Christian radio and media, Joe has helped shape countless faith-based initiatives, promoted major Christian films, and served on influential industry boards, including the Gospel Music Association. Known for his journalistic insight and bold biblical perspective, Joe continues to champion faith, family, and community through media, writing, and mentorship.Tamara Hester Battaglia is an author, devoted wife, and global traveler who has spent nearly two decades sharing God’s love around the world through her work as a flight attendant. She is the author of the devotional Written in Heaven: His Story, Our Lives, a 40-day collection of powerful testimonies designed to help readers recognize God’s presence and purpose even in life’s hardest valleys. Her writing is rooted in lived experience, deep faith, and a passion for encouraging others through authentic God-stories.Together, Joe and Tamara live in Franklin, Tennessee, where they continue to pursue creative ministry, encourage couples and individuals to trust God’s unfolding story, and model a marriage grounded in covenant, faith, and shared calling.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Episode 177: How to Heal After Divorce When You’re Angry at God | Hannah Ayers

What happens when divorce shakes your faith?In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Ayers, who went through a divorce while pregnant, deeply confused, angry at God, and still showing up every morning as a Christian radio host, smiling on air while her heart was breaking behind the scenes.If you’ve ever felt like you had to hold it together for everyone else while falling apart inside… this conversation is for you.We talk honestly about grief, divorce, faith, anger, shame, and healing—and what it actually looks like to walk with God when you don’t feel very “Christian” at all. Hannah shares how God met her in practical, undeniable ways, how community and honesty changed everything, and why real healing only happens when we stop trying to avoid pain and finally face it.This episode isn’t just about divorce.It’s about loss, disappointment, unanswered prayers, and the moments when you wonder if God is really still good.If you’re hurting, isolated, or tired of pretending—you’ll find hope here. Not hype. Not platitudes. Real hope.👉 Stay to the end, because Hannah also shares practical steps for healing and offers a free coaching session for those who need support right now.Chapters[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:24] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:26] Welcome & Why Hannah’s Story Matters[04:24] Divorced While Pregnant: Hitting Rock Bottom[06:43] When Disappointment with Life Turns into Disappointment with God[08:17] Angry at God While Hosting Christian Radio[09:16] The Call That Changed Everything[11:03] Feeling Like a Fraud in Ministry[12:38] Seeing God’s Intervention in Hindsight[14:35] Reframing Pain: Stop Asking “Why”[16:23] Owning Your Part Without Shame[18:58] The Danger of the “Perfect Christian” Mask[20:26] The Power of Vulnerability[21:55] Learning to Trust God Again[23:00] When God Shows Up in the Smallest Details[26:04] Honest Prayers God Can Handle[28:28] The Bear Hunt Principle Explained[32:16] Healing Through Community[33:52] Where True Healing Begins[36:55] How Her Son Was Impacted[38:24] Free Coaching Offer & Final EncouragementResources mentioned:FREE 30-minute 1-on-1 coaching: divorcecoachhannah.orgUse Promo Code: BREAKTHROUGHGuest's bio:Hannah Ayers is a nationally certified divorce coach, speaker, and founder of DivorceCoachHannah.org. Eleven years ago, Hannah walked through a devastating divorce while pregnant with her son—a season that brought her to rock bottom and ultimately set her on a new path of healing and purpose.After attending a divorce recovery course that changed her life, Hannah discovered there was real hope on the other side of divorce. That experience ignited a passion to help others navigate heartbreak with clarity, courage, and faith. For nearly a decade, she has walked alongside individuals through some of the hardest chapters of their lives, helping them find healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.Hannah is a Jesus-loving single mom and a compassionate, truth-telling guide who believes healing happens through honesty, community, and faith. Through her coaching, she continues to offer hope to those who feel lost, reminding them they are not alone and that restoration is possible.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Episode 176: Raising Jacob Grein: A 37-Year Journey of Faith, Disability, and Unshakable Hope

What does it really look like to raise a child when doctors say he won’t survive?In this episode of Your Biggest Breakthrough, Ken and Mary Sue Grein share the deeply personal story of raising their son, Jacob Grein, over the course of 37 years. Born six weeks premature, Jacob faced severe medical complications, physical disabilities, deafness, and ongoing health challenges that required constant care from the day he entered the world.Ken and Mary Sue open up about the realities of parenting a medically fragile child—the fear, exhaustion, faith struggles, marriage pressures, and the daily decisions to keep going when answers didn’t come easily. They reflect on the moments when they had to surrender outcomes to God, redefine what healing and success truly meant, and learn to live with hope amidst long-term caregiving.This episode isn’t about a quick miracle. It’s about faith lived out over decades, love that never wavers, and a son whose life profoundly shaped his family in lasting ways.If you’re a parent walking a difficult road, a caregiver feeling unseen, or someone wrestling with unanswered prayers, Jacob’s story—and his parents’ journey—will encourage you to keep going, one day at a time.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:30] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:25] Jacob Grein’s Traumatic Premature Birth[04:35] Surrendering Jacob’s Life to God[06:54] Doctors Give Jacob Six Months to Live[09:50] Learning to Live Moment by Moment[11:40] Bringing Jacob Home After 137 Days in NICU[13:50] Discovering That Jacob is Deaf[15:14] How Jacob’s Illness Tested Their Marriage[18:21] Years of Surgeries and Setbacks[20:32] Raising Other Children While Caring for Jacob[22:00] Accepting Jacob’s Disabilities[23:53] Caregiving as a Lifelong Calling[26:14] How Jacob Became Their Greatest Teacher[27:53] New Definition of Success and Purpose[28:30] Jacob’s Joy Despite Suffering[33:04] Losing Jacob After 37 Years[36:44] Healing After Caregiving Ends[39:13] Why Jacob’s Story Brings Hope to Others[40:50] Where to Find Jacob’s Story BookResources mentioned:Get Your Copy of Jacob’s StoryWebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookGuest's bio and social handles:Kenneth and Mary Sue Grein have been married for over four decades and are the parents of four children: Jacob, Hannah, Luke, and Grace. Their love story began at Rockmont College in Denver, Colorado, where they met during freshman orientation in 1977.
Ken, a former college basketball player and lifelong contractor, grew up on his family's farm in Brighton, Colorado, where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance that would serve him throughout Jacob's medical journey. Mary Sue, a gifted pianist and devoted mother, became Jacob's primary caregiver and fiercest advocate, developing an expertise in medical terminology and special needs care that few parents possess.Together, they navigated 37 years of medical challenges, hospital stays, and daily caregiving while raising three other children and maintaining their faith through the darkest moments. Their experience as parents of a child with multiple disabilities taught them profound lessons about love, resilience, and finding joy in the smallest victories. The Grein’s unwavering commitment to treating Jacob as a full member of the family—never as a burden—became a model for other families facing similar challenges.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Episode 175: The Lost Healer: Inside Wilson Hickman’s Christian Fantasy Film Project

Step inside the world of The Lost Healer with filmmaker and storyteller Wilson Hickman, a rising Christian creative who is using fantasy to bring biblical truth to life in fresh, compelling ways.In this conversation, Wilson shares how his personal encounter with Jesus shaped his calling, why fantasy can powerfully reveal spiritual realities, and how storytelling can reach hearts without sounding preachy. He also opens up about the message behind The Lost Healer, the good-versus-evil themes woven throughout the project, and his passion for creating media that points the next generation toward truth.Whether you’re a parent, filmmaker, writer, or someone searching for your God-given purpose, this episode will encourage you to use your gifts boldly and trust God’s timing in the process.Tune in to discover how faith and creativity come together to make an eternal impact.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:25] Topic and Guest Introduction[03:58] Understanding the Gospel for the First Time[08:14] What Changed After Meeting Jesus[10:22] How Faith Shaped His Writing[13:33] Becoming a “Media Missionary”[14:54] Introducing The Lost Healer[18:05] Balancing Truth Without Preaching[20:42] Biblical Foreshadowing in Storytelling[22:18] Spiritual Warfare Elements in The Lost Healer[25:54] Advice for Aspiring Christian Artists[29:39] Films That Shaped Wilson’s Vision[31:07] Why This Generation Is Drawn to Fantasy[33:27] What He Hopes People Take Away from The Lost Healer[35:42] Wilson’s Life VerseResources Mentioned:The Lost Healer WebsiteTomorrows FilmmakersGuest's bio and social handles:Website: wilsonhickmanfilm.comWilson Hickman is a spiritual storytelling visionary and a devoted follower of Jesus with a deep passion for crafting meaningful, God-honoring stories. From a young age, Wilson began writing books across multiple genres, and his creativity eventually led him into the world of visual storytelling and film.Today, Wilson uses his gift to create stories that reflect real human struggles, spiritual truths, and the ongoing battle between good and evil. When developing a film, he often draws inspiration from his own life—learning, growing, and discovering meaning alongside the characters he creates.His latest work is an award-winning proof-of-concept episode for a Christian-themed fantasy TV series called The Lost Healer, a project inspired by real-world spiritual warfare and designed to transport viewers into a rich new world while helping them navigate their own struggles. Think Pilgrim’s Progress meets Narnia—a compelling blend of imagination, adventure, and biblical truth.Recognizing the power of media to shape culture, Wilson is committed to creating entertainment that is excellent, engaging, and grounded in a Christian worldview. His work aims to reach broad audiences while pointing them toward hope, goodness, and the heart of God.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.comTo find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!