Episodes

From battalion chief to world champion disc golfer to international course designer, Paul Wright's journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Paul shares how God healed him of cystic fibrosis as a toddler, gave him a dream that launched his firefighting career at 32, and then used his love of disc golf to serve communities across Africa, Central America, and beyond through the Paul McBeth Foundation. We explore what it means to shift from pursuing money to pursuing purpose, how retire...

In this episode, Peter takes us through part of the introduction of a book he's working on. He explores how a simple question—"If our church disappeared, would anyone notice?"—led to a profound discovery about trauma, community, and hope. When their church decided to serve a low-income neighborhood, they thought they understood poverty and struggle. Then they learned about ACEs—Adverse Childhood Experiences—and everything changed. This training didn't just teach us about childhood trauma; it ...

What happens when good intentions meet hard realities? Brandon Steiver's calling to "run an orphanage in Africa" led to eight transformative years in Tanzania and a shocking discovery: 80% of children in orphanages worldwide have living parents. Brandon shares how this revelation shifted his focus from institutional care to family strengthening, and discusses his current work with Care Portal—a technology platform connecting churches directly with vulnerable families in their communities. We ...

Dr. Gregory Coles returns to explore how our modern understanding of identity has everything backwards. Discover why the Latin root of "identity" points toward sameness rather than individuality, what it means to find belonging as an outsider, and how God shows up in unexpected ways when we stop trying to predict where the wind will blow. Greg shares insights from his upcoming books on sexuality and purpose, while unpacking the beautiful tension between standing out and fitting in, and why somet...

Dr. Luman Wing returns to discuss his groundbreaking book "Genes of Eden," where cutting-edge epigenetics meets ancient theology. Discover how your environment literally rewrites your genetic expression, why trauma and redemption can both echo through generations, and how 4th-century theologian Augustine of Hippo might have been ahead of modern science. From the molecular science behind prayer and meditation to why your spiritual choices are having real conversations with your DNA, this episode ...

We're thrilled to bring back this powerful conversation with Dr. Lumen Wing as he prepares to release his groundbreaking book Genes of Eden. In this episode, Dr. Wing—a biochemist, pastor, and chaplain at the San Diego crime lab—reveals the fascinating intersection of faith and science through epigenetics. Discover how trauma literally leaves "black marks" on our genes, why authentic community and simple acts like hugs can reverse genetic damage, and how the body's own molecules like oxytocin...

Peter shares important updates about Old Paths New Steps, including Josh Lott's decision to step back from regular hosting to focus on family, and our move to bi-monthly episodes. We honor Josh's incredible contributions while looking ahead with excitement to continue meaningful conversations about faith and life. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Pastor and former police officer Lonnie Arnold shares his journey from black church upbringing through interracial marriage and law enforcement to founding the Racial Reconciliation Network. Drawing from personal experiences and scripture, Lonnie explains why racial reconciliation isn't just a social issue but a gospel issue, arguing that while the church excels at vertical reconciliation with God, it struggles with the horizontal reconciliation between people that Ephesians 2 demands. He offers...

In this episode, Peter and Malissa chat with biblical scholar Hakeem Bradley about his journey from the Five Percent Nation to New Testament PhD studies and his recent work at Bible Project. Hakeem shares his passion for reading Genesis through ancient eyes, explaining how biblical authors "sampled" creation stories like hip-hop artists sample classic tracks. He also discusses his leap of faith in launching Sacred Patterns, a new organization creating biblical literacy resources for families and...

In this powerful episode, host Peter Voorhees and co-host Malissa Bertella sit down with Cameron Horner, who shares his remarkable journey of faith following a life-altering spinal cord injury at age 18. With striking honesty and grace, Cameron recounts how God met him underwater during the accident that left him paralyzed, and how this moment of crisis became a catalyst for profound ministry. The conversation explores the beautiful tension between sorrow and joy, the evolution of Cameron's theo...

What does it really take to build authentic community where people actually belong? In this honest conversation, Peter, Josh, and Malissa explore the beautiful mess of real relationships—from opening your gate to neighbors who don't look like you, to sharing Red Bull spritzers with guarded teenagers, to navigating church hurt and disagreements without losing each other. They get real about why community is both essential and terrifying, why trauma makes us burn bridges for safety, and what it lo...

Join us for a compelling conversation with Annie Horner, a counseling associate who reveals how understanding our personal stories can transform leadership and relationships. Annie shares powerful insights on breaking free from isolation, bridging the gap between biblical wisdom and mental health, and finding authentic connection in a performance-driven world. Discover practical strategies for shrinking the "integrity gap" between what we preach and how we live, as Annie unpacks how our past exp...

In this vulnerable and heartfelt conversation, Peter Voorhees sits down with Father Rob Steinbach, who shares his journey from Acts 29 church planter to founding Shalom Anglican in Silverdale, WA. Father Rob opens up about his spiritual dissatisfaction that led to more contemplative practices, his disconnect with personality-driven ministry, and the challenging process of following God's call into Anglicanism - offering valuable insights for anyone navigating transitions in their faith journey.

In this episode, hosts Peter, Josh, and Malissa discuss their conversation with Dr. Chan Hellman about the science of hope. They explore how hope requires goals, agency, and willpower—elements that can be shared within community. The hosts emphasize that the church is uniquely positioned to foster hope, especially for those in survival mode. They highlight that true hope isn't just believing things will improve, but actively participating in that improvement while supporting others. The conversa...

In this powerful episode, host Peter Voorhees sits down with Dr. Chan Hellman, Director of The Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma, to explore the transformative science of hope. Dr. Hellman shares how hope functions not merely as a feeling but as a powerful framework that can be taught and cultivated, especially in the face of trauma and adversity. Discover the difference between wishful thinking and the active process of hope, learn how communities can become "hope-centered," an...

In this episode of "Old Paths New Steps," hosts Peter Voorhees, Josh Lott, and Malissa Bertella explore the powerful concept of the wounded healer. The conversation examines how our personal wounds and struggles can become sources of ministry and healing for others when properly integrated into our stories. The hosts share personal experiences of using their own pain to connect with and help others, while discussing the delicate balance of vulnerability, boundaries, and wisdom in this process. D...

In this episode, hosts Peter, Josh, and Malissa discuss their conversation with theologian Dr. Jerry Sittser. They explore how monasteries historically served their communities rather than existing in isolation, examine the relationship between church and state, and discuss how the church's true power comes from the Holy Spirit rather than political influence. The hosts reflect on what renewal looks like today—emphasizing local community engagement over large-scale metrics—and highlight the impo...

In this episode, hosts Peter and Malissa welcome distinguished theologian, scholar, and author Dr. Jerry Sittser to explore Christianity's resilience through history's darkest moments. Dr. Sittser shares how the Benedictine monastic movement emerged during societal collapse and natural disasters in the 6th century, quietly preserving knowledge and faith for future generations. Through historical examples and personal stories, he discusses how Christians can maintain faithful presence while stewa...

In this episode of Old Paths, New Steps, hosts Josh, Pete, and Melissa explore the concept of sacred spaces as safe places. They journey from the Garden of Eden through biblical history to modern churches, examining what makes a space truly sacred. The conversation delves into how vulnerability, accountability, and cherishing others are essential elements for creating healing environments where people can authentically encounter God. Through personal stories and theological insights, they discus...

In this thoughtful follow-up conversation, hosts Peter Voorhees, Malissa Bertella, and Josh Lott unpack their interview with Dr. Gregory Coles, reflecting on the beauty of embracing our "misfittedness" within authentic Christian community. The hosts share personal stories of awkwardness and not fitting neatly into expected boxes, while celebrating how diverse communities enrich our lives when united by shared mission. The conversation highlights how the gospel transcends cultural differences and...

In this episode of Old Paths, New Steps, host Peter Voorhees welcomes author and speaker Dr. Gregory Coles. They explore the power of resilience through community, discussing how genuine connections help us navigate life's challenges. Greg shares insights from his personal journey as a celibate gay Christian, reflecting on unexpected friendships and the importance of curiosity rather than judgment when encountering differences. This thought-provoking conversation examines how true community form...

In this follow-up episode, hosts Peter Voorhees, Malissa Bertella, and Josh Lott discuss key insights from their conversation with Andrea Corbridge about implementing trauma-informed care in children's ministry. They explore the value of focusing on resilience over trauma, the importance of presence and connection before content, and how creating safe spaces allows people to truly be seen and heard. The team shares personal stories of how Andrea's practical wisdom has impacted their own ministry...

In this illuminating conversation, host Peter Voorhees and co-host Malissa Bertella welcome Andrea Corbridge to explore how trauma-informed care has transformed children's ministry at City Chapel of Bremerton. Andrea shares powerful stories of moving from behavior-focused approaches to relationship-centered care that honors each child's dignity, including the paradigm-shifting moment when a volunteer crawled under a desk to meet a struggling child where they were. Through practical examples and ...

In this episode of Old Paths, New Steps, hosts Peter, Josh, and Malissa reflect on their enlightening conversation with Dr. Lu Wing about the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, epigenetics, and human connection. They reflect how genuine laughter creates powerful neural bonds (what Dr. Wing calls "limbic lock") and share personal stories of deep connections formed through shared joy and grief. The conversation expands into the importance of inter-generational community, the transformative ...