Todd Coconato: Stabbed 9 Times, He Heard God’s Voice & Miraculously Survived
When Todd Coconato was a child actor in Hollywood, he thought he was living the dream. He was surrounded by celebrities, parties, and everything the world calls success. But none of that mattered the night he was stabbed nine times, including once in the heart, and bleeding out in his car.In this powerful conversation, Todd shares how, in that moment between life and death, he heard the audible voice of God ask him one question that changed everything.Todd and Christina discuss his early years in Hollywood, the emptiness behind the lifestyle, the night of the attack, the miraculous way doctors said he should not be alive, and the moment he surrendered to God’s call on his life. He also shares how God led him into pastoral ministry, his work as an evangelist and broadcaster, and his heart for a “remnant” of believers who refuse to bow to the culture.If you’ve ever wondered whether your past disqualifies you, felt caught between two lives, or asked if God can really redeem your story, Todd’s testimony will give you hope and remind you that God still speaks, still saves, and still performs miracles.In this episode, we cover:Todd’s journey from Hollywood sets to a near-death experienceThe night he was stabbed 9 times and heard God speakWhy survival was only the beginning of his transformationHow God called him into ministry and what he’s doing todayEncouragement for anyone who feels too far gone or “in between”Connect with Todd Coconato:Website: https://toddcoconato.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealToddCoconatoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddcoconatoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddCoconatoConnect with Christina Smith & Witness the Wonder:Website: https://ChristinaSmithOfficial.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christina.Smith00/Instagram: https://instagram.com/witnessthewonderYouTube: https://youtube.com/@witnessthewonderIf you believe in what we’re building through Witness the Wonder and want to help these stories reach more people, you can learn more and support the show at:https://ChristinaSmithOfficial.com#ToddCoconato #ChristianTestimony #MiracleStory #Stabbed9Times #NearDeathExperience #HearingGodsVoice #GodSpoke #FromHollywoodToJesus #ChristianPodcast #FaithStories #RedemptionStory #JesusSaves #GodStillHeals #SpiritualAwakening #WitnessTheWonder #ChildActor #Hollywood
Rising After the Fall | 22 Stories of Resilience & Redemption | Missy Maxwell Worton & Donna Bess
In this episode of Witness the Wonder, host Christina Smith sits down with publisher Missy Maxwell Worton and editor Donna Bess to talk about Resilience: The Rise After the Fall, a powerful anthology featuring 22 true stories of women who have walked through loss, failure, betrayal, and starting over.This conversation explores why our stories matter, how healing often comes through telling the truth, and what happens when people choose to share what God has carried them through. These stories remind us that even in our lowest moments, God is still at work.If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is important enough to tell, this episode is for you.Episode Highlights(00:00) The story we’re afraid to share(02:15) Meet Missy Maxwell Worton & Donna Bess(08:30) Resilience and rising after failure(14:45) Healing through sharing your story(22:10) Why testimony brings freedomFeatured GuestsMissy Maxwell Worton: https://www.missymaxwellworton.comBooks by Missy: https://amzn.to/4qrE5RwDonna Bess: https://www.donnabessofficial.comBooks by Donna: https://amzn.to/4qmqN8QMentioned in this EpisodeGet the Book: Resilience 3: The Rise After the Fall here: https://amzn.to/4aDq4eMConnect with Witness the WonderVisit https://ChristinaSmithOfficial.com for episode resources, guests, and more.Read Christina’s Story (Chapter 7) in Resilience: Women Rising to Their Greatest Moments https://amzn.to/3MxyDPmDisclaimer: Some links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Witness the Wonder.
Finding the Blessing in Failure | Pastor Duke White Jr.
Host Christina Smith sits down with Pastor Duke White Jr. for an honest conversation about failure and the unexpected way God uses it to transform our lives.Together, they explore how failure is not the end of the story but often the place where faith, surrender, and community become essential. Duke shares personal insights on the pressure of comparison, the temptation to measure success by performance, and the freedom that comes when failure is redefined through the lens of God’s purpose.This conversation also unpacks why community matters in seasons of uncertainty, how rest is not a sign of weakness, and what it looks like to trust God when life feels out of your control. Through personal stories, biblical insight, and thoughtful reflection, Christina and Duke invite listeners to see failure differently, not as disqualification, but as a doorway to deeper faith, resilience, and connection.If you have ever felt stuck, inadequate, or unsure of what God is doing in your life, this episode will remind you that you are not alone and that God is always at work in your story.Follow Witness the Wonder for more honest conversations about faith, resilience, and recognizing God at work in everyday life.
Redefining Failure | What Failure Really Reveals | Pastor Duke White Jr.
Failure has a way of making us question everything, our calling, our obedience, and whether we heard God correctly in the first place.In this episode of Witness the Wonder, Pastor Duke White Jr. shares his honest journey through seasons that felt like failure, disappointment, and emotional isolation, even while continuing to lead and serve others.Duke opens up about investing years into a vision that didn’t unfold the way he expected, wrestling with fear and identity, and learning what God was actually doing in the space between fear, failure, and faith.Together, we explore why failure often feels like disqualification, how comparison distorts our understanding of calling, and what God reveals when outcomes don’t match expectations. We also talk about why surrender and community matter more than appearances, and how God can still be at work when the story feels unfinished.If you’ve ever wondered whether failure means you missed God, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and hope.Season 2 PartnerMany people are asking how to protect what they’ve worked so hard to build, especially in seasons of economic uncertainty. Birch Gold helps individuals diversify their savings with physical gold and silver.Learn more or request your free information kit at ChristinaSmithOfficial.comInterview Guest Pastor Duke White Jr. is the co-founder of the Goodvue Network and also hosts Real Life with Duke White. You can watch Witness the Wonder and Real Life with Duke White on your smart TV by downloading the Goodvue app on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV.If this episode encouraged you, follow the show so you don’t miss future conversations. If you have a moment, leaving a review or sharing it with someone who needs it really helps these stories reach more people.God is always at work in your story.
When You Have Nothing Left to Lose | Charlene Quint's Story
What do you hold onto when everything else is stripped away?In this powerful episode of Witness the Wonder, Charlene Quint shares her story of leaving a 21 year abusive marriage, losing nearly everything she once relied on, and discovering that God was still there when nothing else remained.Charlene opens up about the faith it took to walk away, the painful realities many women face in silence, and how God worked behind the scenes to bring healing, provision, and purpose out of devastation. Now a family law attorney, advocate, and author, she helps women recognize abuse, find safety, and rebuild their lives with clarity and hope.This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt alone, misunderstood, or unsure how God fits into seasons of deep loss, and for leaders who want to respond with wisdom, compassion, and truth.God is always at work in your story, even when He feels like all you have left.👤 FEATURED GUESTCharlene QuintFamily law attorney, advocate, and author of Overcoming the Narcissist, Sociopath, Psychopath, and Other Domestic Abusers🌐 Website: https://www.abusecare.org📘 Link to Purchase Charlene's Book: https://amzn.to/45uhhsS🤝 BIRCH GOLD PARTNERConcerned about protecting what you have worked hard to build? Get Birch Gold’s FREE Information Kit and learn how physical gold and silver may help diversify your savings.https://www.ChristinaSmithOfficial.com🔔 SUPPORT THE PODCASTShare this episode with someone who needs encouragement todayFollow Witness the Wonder so you do not miss future storiesLeave us a Review or comment.Help us share more stories by becoming a partner of the podcast at ChristinaSmithOfficial.com