Let us tell you a story…
Sacred Sitdowns
Sharing one’s personal story is sometimes hard, but it is holy. Sacred Sitdowns seeks to allow a safe space for faith-filled conversations with members and friends of Geist Christian Church. Hosts Kyle Brown and Danny Gulden hope that all those who hear will be enlightened and inspired. Listen with us. You’ll be glad you did.
Max Michael
December 7, 2023
Today, Danny and Kyle sit down with Max Michael. Born and raised in Pendleton, Max embraced a unique blend of interests during high school that have continued throughout his life. Married to Dana, he spent a large portion of his life working for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, where he managed the statewide emergency spill response program for two decades. Now retired, he balances part-time roles at Roxley Games in Calgary and Saltire Games on Pendleton Pike. A dedicated history buff, Max loves participating in reenactments and having served as an Elder. His pride lies in his two daughters, Alyson and Kinsey, who embody bravery and brilliance.
Rev. Sarah Renfro
November 23, 2023
On this special episode of Sacred Sitdowns, Rev. Sarah Renfro will join Danny and Kyle again as they talk about turkey, family, and thankfulness. It’s been more than a year since we started this podcast, and we would like to thank all those who have come to share their stories with us and the podcast world. We also want to thank all those who keep tuning into this podcast. We believe stories allow us to connect to God and each other, and we hope to continue providing powerful, faith-filled stories to you, our listeners.
Casey Osterkamp
November 9, 2023
Casey Osterkamp is currently serving as the vice president of operations at Herron Classical Schools. This intentionally diverse, tuition-free, college prep charter school network serves 1,900 scholars in three schools in downtown Indianapolis. She and her family moved to Indianapolis earlier this year from Missouri where she was the director of the Division of Personnel for the State of Missouri. Casey started her professional career as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy and has worked in management roles for the Chicago Public Schools and IBM. Casey earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Communication from Northwestern University, her Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and her Master of Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Missouri. Casey, her husband Beau, and five-year-old son Jesse live in Indianapolis.
Lindsey Schiesser
October 26, 2023
Kyle and Danny sit down with Geist Christian Church Elder Lindsey Schiesser. Lindsey and her spouse, Jason, have two children: Tyler is a freshman at Clemson University, and Mia is a junior at Fishers High School. Lindsey and Jason met while in college at Camp Tecumseh, where they were both serving as camp summer staff. She has served as a sponsor on numerous youth mission trips and is involved with Taking Flight Ministries, Geist's ministry to college students. Lindsey shares about her faith journey, specifically as it relates to living with a spirit of generosity.
Dominic Minatel
October 12, 2023
Today, we sit down with Dominic Minatel, a junior at Texas Christian University. Dominic grew up at Geist Christian Church and was an active member of the youth group. In our sit-down, we explore his call to ministry; his summer with “Be the Neighbor,” a ministry that equips youth and adults to live lives of love, service, and justice; as well as all things TCU.
Rev. Samantha Copeland
September 21, 2023
Sam Copeland is the associate minister for youth and young adults at Geist. She's originally from Richardson, Texas, in the Dallas area and studied at TCU (go Frogs!!) and Vanderbilt Divinity School. She is the proud dog mom of Mocha, who she rescued from the Humane Society for Hamilton County in 2021 right after she moved to Indy. Sam loves all things Target and sometimes spends more time there than at her house in Broad Ripple, but when she is home, she loves hosting her friends for dinner, TCU football games, and so much more!
Rev. Grace Kozak
May 10, 2023
Grace is an Indiana native and graduate of Christian Theological Seminary. Prior to seminary, after completing her Masters of Social Work degree in 2015, she worked as an organizer for Clean Water Action and the American Cancer Society. Grace’s call to ministry is animated by her core belief that God desires a world where all people deserve to live with enough resources to thrive in healthy, supportive communities. Grace currently serves as State Organizer for Indiana at Bread for the World. When not changing the world, Grace loves to read, have people over to visit on her porch, and work on her family’s flower farm.
Dick Forsythe
April 05, 2023
Dick and his spouse, Marcia, moved to the Indianapolis area from Wisconsin and joined Geist Christian Church in 2009. Dick is passionate about continuing to learn and grow in faith, expanding both mind and heart. He is active in The Bridge men's ministry, the Guatemala mission trip, and as an Elder. He is retired from a career in finance and is an avid cyclist.
Taylor Burket
March 22, 2023
Today we sit down with Taylor Burket. Taylor has grown up at Geist Christian Church and is currently a sophomore at Ball State (Chirp, Chirp). She beams joy and has not only participated in multiple mission trips, but last year, came back to lead our Middle School Youth on their mission trip to Nashville, TN. We hope you will enjoy her story and how life has not only shaped her calling to be a nurse but the role the church has played in her faith formation.
Rev. Chris Furr
March 08, 2023
Danny and Kyle sit down with Rev. Chris Furr. He serves as senior minister at Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Cary, NC. Chris recently released the book Straight White Male and hosts a podcast with the same name. Chris is married to Katie, and they are the parents of two boys. Chris is an avid UNC Tar Heels and The Office Fan. In our conversation, we talk about how privilege (or lack thereof) shapes how we move through and see the world. Chris will enlighten and challenge you.
Rev. Kelley Dick
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
Today we sit down with one of the most energetic and fun-loving pastors we know. She is a former Geist Christian Church staff member and currently serves at Saguaro Christian in Tucson, Arizona. She is the Rev. Kelley Dick. In her own words, she is a senior minister, wife to Jay Deskins, and dog lover. She is passionate about life, ministry, pizza, and the Wildcats. Don't ask which one.
Rev. Deb Strock-Kuss and Rev. Randy Kuss
FEBRUARY 08, 2023
Today we sit down with Deb Strock-Kuss and Randy Kuss as they conclude their work at Geist Christian Church and enter retirement. Both have served the Church faithfully and in a variety of roles throughout their call. We wanted to see what wisdom they have found along the way and how the Church has adapted and changed during their time as ministers. It’s also a chance for Danny and me to thank them for their partnership in ministry at Geist Christian Church.
Rev. Carolyn Reed
JANUARY 23, 2023
Carolyn Reed began her ministry with the Indiana Region on May 10, 1999. Her work is focused on relationship building among pastors and congregations throughout the region. This ministry includes Search and Call and designing a variety of congregational transformation and conversation processes.
Carolyn also gives support to the Commission on Ministry.
Carolyn has a B.A. from The University of Indianapolis and a M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Bill, have two adult sons, Ryan and Zachary.
Rev. Troy Tatum
JANUARY 09, 2023
Rev. Troy Tatum has served in ministry all of his adult life. Diagnosed with ALS in January 2022, he recently retired at the age of 47 from Hillyer Memorial Christian Church in Raleigh, NC. He is a gifted musician, preacher, and storyteller. Troy joins us to share his powerful insights on ministry, faith, and the power of the church community as he and his family navigate living with ALS. He has just released a new album called The Journey is Our Home. Troy also shares one of the songs of the album on the podcast. You can purchase and listen to The Journey is Our Home on all major music platforms.
New Year's Day Special
JANUARY 01, 2023
It's 2023, and it's time to celebrate! Today Danny and Kyle will look back at 2022 and explore what it means to walk into 2023 faithfully. Wherever you are in this new year, may it be filled with new opportunities, and may God continue using you to be God’s hand and feet in creative and life-giving ways.
Christmas Eve / Christmas Special
DECEMBER 24, 2022
Judy Apple-VanAlstine
DECEMBER 19, 2022
Judy Apple-VanAlstine is an educator, author, and thinker. She is retired from a long career in teaching and administration and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. She has been a member of Geist Christian Church for 15 years and is one of the wonderful spiritual teachers at Geist. She also has served on the Board of Geist and as an Elder. Enjoy this conversation between Kyle, Danny, and Judy.
Rev. Josh Jackson
DECEMBER 05, 2022
This week’s guest is Rev. Joshua Tripp Jackson. Josh is the associate minister at Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis. Josh is an enneagram 3, which he has lived up to by receiving not one but two bachelor's degrees from Texas Christian University and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. There is only one area in which his 3-ness fails: If Josh asks you to come over for dinner, there is a 70% chance that it will be burnt when you arrive. When Josh is not working, you can find him listening to Taylor Swift; playing with his spoiled Schnauzer, Beasley; or exploring Indianapolis with his friends.
Special Thanksgiving Episode
NOVEMBER 24, 2022
James H. Pritchard
NOVEMBER 21, 2022
James H. Pritchard served in World War II in the 5th Marine Division. Growing up in Ottawa, Kansas, Jim joined the Marines immediately upon graduation from high school. After training at Camp Pendleton, Jim deployed to Hawaii before going on to be a part of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He served in the 81mm mortar platoon. After Iwo Jima was secured, they returned to Hawaii and were there when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Their next deployment would be as an occupying force in Sasebo, Japan near Nagasaki. After he was discharged, he joined the inactive reserves but was called back to active duty in a training capacity at Camp Pendleton.
CJ McClanahan
NOVEMBER 02, 2022
CJ McClanahan is a speaker, author, and “Recovering Overachiever” who is obsessed with inspiring professionals to become charitable leaders within their communities. After advising entrepreneurs, CEOs, and other high-impact leaders for years, he recognized no matter what goal they achieved, it never seemed to be enough to deliver what they really craved—happiness, joy, and contentment. On today’s podcast, CJ will challenge our understanding of success as we strive to improve our quality of life.
To learn more about CJ, visit https://www.generosity-first.com.
Rev. Sarah Renfro
OCTOBER 17, 2022
In today's episode, we will sit down with writer, preacher, mother, and teacher Sarah Renfro. Sarah works for Pension Fund of the Christian Church and is a member of Geist Christian Church. She has a dynamic faith-filled story, and we look forward to hearing and exploring her story today.