Compelled - Christian Stories & Testimonies

Many people may recognize Marvin Olasky's name as a Christian author, journalist, and Editor-in-Chief of Christianity Today, and former longtime editor of WORLD Magazine.

However, Marvin spent his early life as anything *but* a Christian. In fact, Marvin wasn't even sure if he wanted to be an American. Instead, he preferred to betray his country in the name of Communism.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/marvin-olasky

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These...

After undergoing several medical emergencies, John Barros would have been labeled by the world as a "broken man". And yet God chose John as His unlikely instrument to personally save thousands of lives.

Show notes at ⁠https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/john-barros

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or...

Brittini Guerrero was a highly-motivated young woman who excelled in college and was planning to launch her own business. The world was at her fingertips, until one fateful night, when Brittini made a terrible choice that would change the rest of her life. Could God forgive the unforgivable?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/brittini-guerrero

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be...

Barbara’s life growing up was chaotic at best and scarred with abuse. To protect herself, Barbara put up emotional walls and developed a tough personality.

But when her marriage began crumbling, she realized those walls would never hold up. If everything she thought to be true was false, how would she ever find a firm foundation?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/barbara-mula

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are ra...

SEASON 11 PREMIERE! Jath Candy was a sworn member of a Bloods street gang. Jath found his entire identity in the gang and was willing to do anything he was asked. And when Jath was incarcerated for his involvement in a murder, he was willing to protect his gang no matter the cost. Until one day, when the Holy Spirit asked him a simple question.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jath-candy

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

SEASON 10 FINALE! Oscar wasn't just an atheist, he was a zealot. The absence of an earthly father in his life simply reinforced the truth, that Christians were stupid, and they needed to be put in their place.

There was no Father in heaven looking down from above. All this world had to offer was chaos. But as Oscar pursued earthly pleasures there were some questions that just couldn't be answered... Perhaps he did have a loving father, after all?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/oscar-navarro

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast...

When a tragic accident leaves a man dead, respected community member Connie Calhoun suddenly finds herself possibly facing prison time for a crime she insists she didn’t commit. As public outrage grows, the question becomes unavoidable: Is Connie really who they say she is?

Listen to the Story Partners podcast: https://www.storypartners.org/podcast⁠

Learn more about the Proclaim Podcast Network: ⁠https://proclaim.fm

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Granger Smith was a country music icon who was living a star-studded life performing sold-out concerts across America. But when tragedy struck, everything came tumbling down, and Granger had to confront head-on… Who exactly was the God of the Bible?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/granger-smith

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to help make new ep...

Cain Kellerman became addicted to heroin as a 10-year-old boy and saw his life quickly spiral out of control. He had no hope for his future and he simply stopped caring about anything. And even if his life did have a purpose, how could he break free from his addictions?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/cain-kellerman

The Kellermans are in need of a new septic drain field. It will cost them $8,000. Will you pray about contributing toward their need here? https://www.givesendgo.com/kellerman-septic-fund

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast...

Janet was a brand-new Christian who joined a group of young people who also claimed to follow Jesus and live in Christian community. But when she discovered they would not let her leave, Janet grew confused… until Jesus provided a way of escape.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/janet-d

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to he...

For years, Ramona and her husband served in churches together. On the outside, it looked like they had a picture-perfect marriage, but in reality, Ramona was carrying a dark secret. Her husband was emotionally and physically abusive, and Ramona had lost all hope... until one day she realized that the source of true Hope had been with her all along.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/ramona-chirko

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies...

Otis was a drug addict, but he simultaneously knew who Jesus was, and cried out for deliverance multiple times. On several occasions, he would go through rehab and get clean and even live a successful life... but always in his own strength... until succumbing to temptation once again. Could the Holy Spirit intervene and save his wretched soul?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/otis-dorsey

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw...

Josh Howard became an unlikely missionary to India after his family fell apart. But today, Josh has had a front-row seat watching God multiply disciples in unprecedented ways.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/josh-howard

Josh's links:

https://theignitenetwork.org/

https://discipleship.org/

Josh's newest book

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!<...

Will Allen grew up believing he was a Christian. But he had a secret. All throughout his childhood, he fantasized about being a girl. Then, as an adult, he followed through with that desire and surgically altered his body to appear as a woman for 30 years... until Will realized that Christ had to be Lord of *ALL* of his life

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/will-allen

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies...

Hannah Overton was a mother of 5 who was falsely accused of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. Yet instead of growing bitter, she chose to flourish where God had placed her.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/hannah-overton

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become...

55 years ago, Charlie stepped out of the Apollo 16 Spacecraft and became the 10th human to ever set foot on the moon. But back on earth, his marriage was falling apart, he was a stranger to his sons, and something desperately needed to change.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/charlie-dotty-duke

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to...

Compelled presents "Surround Bible: The True Story of Easter, Part 1" from the Proclaim Podcast Network!

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A lone rabbi on a secret mission.

A desert prophet who eats locusts and yells at religious leaders.

A dangerous destiny unites these twos at the waters of the Jordan.

This day will change the world.

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If these stories captivate your imagination and stir your soul, then help us spread the message and create more episodes at ⁠SurroundBible.com⁠.

Learn more about your ad choic...

Brandy Seago grew up in a family that was flawed, but still hers. But as her broken family was slowly whittled away, Brandy realized that a picture-perfect family might not exist, yet a perfect Father, really did.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/brandy-seago

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to help make new episodes? Either make...

Andy and Jamie Stewart, were expecting their first child when they received the crushing news that their baby was not going to survive Jamie’s pregnancy, let alone a delivery. How could they trust a God who would let this happen?

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a...

When Brandon was just a punk rock kid from the Pacific Northwest he had an encounter with God that opened up his eyes to his need for a Savior. But then 18 years later, Brandon was confronted with the greatest trial of his life where Christ showed Himself once again, in an entirely new way.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/brandon-hendriks

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be...

Stu Fuhlendorf was a staunch atheist with a tremendous success record in the marketplace... but he was also an alcoholic. During a booze-filled trip around the world, he couldn't shake the idea... what if God actually was real?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/stu-fuhlendorf

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to help make new episodes? Either...

Ali had been a practicing Muslim in Iran for his entire life. But after the Iranian government violently cracked down on Ali and his friends, he became disillusioned with Islam and moved to America. Ali was exposed to the God of the Bible who appeared to be radically different than any other god Ali had heard of before.

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/ali

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw...

Christi Hottman Lawson was a faithful wife and mother serving the Lord where He had placed her. Then one night, her peaceful life was brought to a screeching halt and she was forced to consider... how would a just God ask her to respond to the drunk driver who had brought her so much pain?

Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/christi-lawson

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful...

As a young child, Jaime Kent saw his entire world fall apart in just a matter of minutes. Yet as his earthly family imploded, little did he know a Heavenly Father was watching from above.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jaime-kent

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Want to help make...

Evelyn’s husband, Rick, was the Commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. While Evelyn knew that her husband always faced dangers inherent with being an astronaut, she was eventually confronted with a moment where she would have to trust the Lord no matter what.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/evelyn-husband-thompson

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let yo...

Season 10 launching on Feb. 10th! // Celebrate what God did in 2025! // Hear Compelled's vision for 2026!

What God allowed us to do in 2025:

Record 20 new testimonies!

Release 11 original Compelled stories!

Remaster 32 testimonies from our archives!

Compelled was downloaded 909,419 times in 2025!

Launch Compelled on national radio! (170 stations, 34 states, 500,000 weekly listeners)

Launch the Compelled book! (over 20,000 copies sold!)

Launch our 501(c)3 nonprofit, ⁠Compelled Ministries⁠!

Continue nurturing the ⁠Proclaim Podcast Network⁠ and launch a new member, the ⁠Surround Bible⁠!

Our vision for 2026:

Relaunch Sea...

Deepa Sukumar was a Hindu medical student with a successful career ahead of her, but she was actually struggling with anxiety, self-worth, and a total lack of peace. Then one night, when she was at the end of her rope and ready to end her life, God knocked on the door of her heart.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/deepa-sukumar

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies...

Greg Stier grew up in a crime-infested part of Denver surrounded by gangs, violence, and unbridled hatred. Greg was small and mild-mannered and just didn’t fit in with his family of thugs and criminals.

In the world’s eyes it may have seemed Greg's family was hopeless, but Greg would discover there is a power in Heaven that can change and transform… even an entire family.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/greg-stier

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the po...

At the age of 19, Ron was sentenced to almost 500 years in prison. Ron lashed out with rage and violence, eventually becoming a prison gang leader, until he was locked up in solitary confinement and told he would stay there until the day he died. 

Condemned by society and separated from humanity, Ron knew that he was utterly alone... or was he? 

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/ron-adkins

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Ch...

For years, Garrett chased women, drugs, alcohol, and his own pleasures. But after being radically saved he began serving the Lord as the pastor of a growing church. 

Yet Garrett carried a dark secret, a remnant of his past that he just couldn't shake. As Garrett would discover, the same Jesus who came to save sinners also came to deliver the saints.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/garrett-kell

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is t...

Compelled is thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Proclaim Podcast Network — Surround Bible!

The Surround Bible presents Part 1 of The Real Story of Christmas — an immersive Audio Movie that places you at the heart of the most extraordinary moment in history.

Told with verbatim scripture, brought to life by a cast of renowned voice actors, and enhanced by a cinematic score and world-class sound production, this is more than a listening experience — it's a spiritual journey.

After you finish listening to Part 1 here, make sure to enjoy Part 2 on the Surround Bible...

After Kathleen’s 2-year-old son suddenly fell ill and lay on death's door, she cried out to God asking for healing. But her son’s condition was fading fast and Kathleen feared the worst. Only a miracle could save him.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/kathleen-lansing

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!

Wa...

Hormoz Shariat once chanted "Death to America!" in the streets of Tehran, Iran, but after doubts crept into his heart about Islam he was forced to reckon with what he truly believed about God. His conclusions and ensuing actions would eventually lead the Iranian government to branding him as an enemy of the state.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/hormoz-shariat

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies...

Fred was once a successful insurance salesman, but became a homeless drug addict, completely in bondage to heroin and other substances. Casey had a promising military career, but had become a hopeless alcoholic, and no matter how many recovery programs she went to, she always landed back at the bottom of a bottle.

Both of them were desperately looking for their next fix... but could never find what they wanted... until they fixed their eyes upon Jesus.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/fred-casey-weymouth

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Compelled...

In 2005, Jim Payne deployed to the Middle East as part of a Navy SEAL platoon, alongside 15 of his closest friends and brothers-in-arms. During their deployment, his team suffered devastating losses in the mountains of Afghanistan in an incident detailed in the best-selling book and hit movie “Lone Survivor”. As Jim grappled with crippling grief, it was all he could do to cling to the One who offered any glimmer of hope.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jim-payne

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to c...

At age 15, Catherine Zoller was sentenced to 8 years in prison for grand theft auto, larceny, arson, truancy, and more. But when she escaped custody and started hitchhiking across the nation she was picked up by a country pastor who would share a message with her that would transform her life.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/catherine-zoller

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and...

As a young boy, Ken Freeman was beaten, neglected, and molested for years. Anyone ever claiming to love him simply wanted to abuse him.

But then one day, Ken was introduced to the love of a Perfect Father, and his life would never be the same. 

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/ken-freeman/

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be e...

This is Part 2 of Josh and Amy Glasscock's story. We’ll hear how Josh's cystic fibrosis has worsened and irreparably damaged his lungs. Soon, they'll be confronted with several life and death decisions. Only God will be able to carry them through the storms ahead.

Listen to Part 1 in Episode #38 "Chronically Sick. Abundantly Alive. - Josh & Amy Glasscock, Part 1"

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/josh-amy-glasscock-pt-2

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian te...

As a child, Josh Glasscock was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called cystic fibrosis, which has no cure and always causes death in its victims.

But instead of shutting down and resigning himself to a defeated existence doomed to die, Josh and his wife Amy believe that God has called them to live a full and abundant life.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/josh-amy-glasscock-pt-1/

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.

These Christian...

For years, Laura Perry Smalts rejected God and hated her own body. She thought that she would find answers by transgendering herself into a “man”. But after living as what the culture would say was a transgender man for almost 10 years, she realized that the Creator of the universe had a far greater plan for her life. Her mother, Francine, joins us to share her perspective throughout Laura's journey as well.

Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/laura-perry

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Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to c...