Raised in a deeply Mennonite home, Brad Brenneman grew up surrounded by faith, service, and spiritual discipline. But it wasn’t until adulthood—after success, ambition, and an unexpected sense of emptiness—that grace became personal.

In this episode, Brad shares a story best described as “surprised by grace”:

• Growing up with a strong spiritual heritage—and learning faith for himself

• Leading businesses with humility, stewardship, and love for people

• Saying yes to international adoption - and watching grace multiply

• Learning generosity as a pathway to joy, not obligation

If you’ve ever:

• Wondered whether your career could truly be a calling

• Struggled to reconcile ambition with faith

• Felt God nudging you toward generosity, leadership, or adoption

• Believed in grace, but wanted to experience it more deeply

Brad’s journey offers a compelling reminder: God often does His deepest work quietly... through faithfulness, surrender, and everyday obedience.

🎧 Listen now to hear how a life rooted in grace can shape work, family, generosity, and legacy.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV) “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (NIV) “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Mark 10:45 (NIV) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Quote “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”

Books

What's So Amazing About Grace, Phillip Yancey

Tim Johnson was serving as a senior pastor when he received a life-altering Parkinson’s diagnosis. Overnight, certainty disappeared, plans unraveled, and the future became fragile.

In this second episode of This Is My Story, Tim shares the story after the diagnosis:

• Hearing the word Parkinson’s and choosing not to waste it

• Letting go of leadership, identity, and control

• Learning to trust God without demanding answers

• Finding peace, and even joy, while living with uncertainty

• Discovering a new calling rooted in care, presence, and hope

This isn’t a conversation about healing formulas. It’s about faith when the miracle doesn’t come the way you expect.

If you’ve ever:

• Faced a diagnosis you didn’t see coming

• Wondered why God didn’t intervene

• Struggled to trust when your future feels unsteady

Tim’s journey offers a steady, honest reminder: God may not remove the suffering, but He never removes His presence.

🎧 Listen now to hear how faith, surrender, and purpose can grow even in the shadow of Parkinson’s.

Carly Patterson was just 16 when she won Olympic gold - then suddenly had to figure out who she was without gymnastics.

In our first episode of Season 3: This Is My Story, Carly shares the rarely told story after the medals:

• The identity crisis that followed peak success

• The pressure to live up to “gold” for the rest of her life

• Her unexpected faith journey when control slipped away

• A painful season of infertility—and learning to release outcomes

• How purpose looks different when the spotlight fades

This isn’t a story about gymnastics. It’s a story about what we do when our biggest win doesn’t bring peace.

If you’ve ever:

• Reached a milestone and still felt unfulfilled

• Struggled with identity after a major life transition

• Tried to control an outcome that wouldn’t budge

Carly’s journey will meet you right where you are—and remind you that your worth was never tied to your achievement.

🎧 Listen now to hear how faith, surrender, and resilience reshaped life after Olympic gold.

In this powerful season finale of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, host Paul Basden sits in the guest chair—interviewed by creative pastor and longtime friend Allison Harrell. Together, they explore Paul’s personal journey as an Enneagram Type 1 (The Reformer) and how understanding his type has shaped his spiritual life, leadership, and relationships.

With honesty, humor, and deep self-reflection, Paul shares how childhood experiences formed his worldview, why he mistyped himself as a Two for years, how spiritual direction and counseling transformed him, and how he’s learning to distinguish his inner critic from the voice of the Holy Spirit.

This episode also addresses big questions Christians often ask about the Enneagram: Is the Enneagram biblical? Is it compatible with Christian faith? Does it truly help us follow Jesus?

Paul offers thoughtful, pastorally grounded responses while weaving in Scripture—especially Romans 8—to show how the Enneagram can be a tool for spiritual formation when held in the right way.

This episode takes a second, deeper look at the Enneagram Type 9—this time through the voices of two leaders on the Preston Trail staff: Ryan and Cody. With humor, vulnerability, and relatable honesty, they explore what it means to lead, parent, partner, and grow as Nines in a church setting.

Ryan and Cody share openly about their experiences as Nines working closely together, leading teams, raising young families, and seeking emotional and spiritual health in a fast-paced ministry environment.

Together, they unpack hallmark traits of the Type 9—harmony-seeking, calm presence, empathy, stubbornness, avoidance, and the quiet strength that emerges when a Nine steps into healthy leadership. You’ll hear real stories, vulnerable insights, and practical reflections on marriage, parenting, ministry, spiritual formation, and how the Enneagram helps them better follow Jesus.

Whether you identify as an Enneagram 9, love a Nine, or lead alongside one, this conversation offers practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement for your everyday life and relationships.

This episode explores the Enneagram Type 9: The Peacemaker, featuring two authentic and engaging voices—Robin Johnson and Denise Basden. Both share openly about their upbringing, personality patterns, life as pastor’s wives, and their unique journeys toward emotional and spiritual maturity. Their stories highlight why Type 9s are often called “the sweethearts of the Enneagram.”

Drawing from real stories of marriage, motherhood, life, and church leadership, Robin and Denise unpack the core motivations and struggles of the Enneagram 9: the longing for peace, the fear of conflict, the tendency to avoid decisions, and the quiet strength of loyalty, empathy, and steadiness.

Listeners will hear how Type Nines navigate relationships with strong personality types (like Enneagram 1s and 8s), how they manage emotional overwhelm, and how their calm, grounding presence becomes a gift to families, churches, and communities.

Perfect for anyone interested in: ✔ Enneagram Type 9 traits ✔ Christian spiritual growth ✔ Personality and emotional health ✔ Marriage and family dynamics through the Enneagram lens ✔ How the Peacemaker style strengthens relationships and communities

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do: Exploring the Enneagram, host Paul Basden interviews longtime friend and co–senior pastor Jim Johnson for an in-depth, engaging, and heartfelt look at the Enneagram Type 8 personality—the Challenger.

Jim shares his moving family story, including the life-altering accident that shaped his parents’ faith and filled his childhood with unconditional love. From leadership in the church to marriage and parenting, Jim offers real-life examples of how Type 8 traits show up in daily life.

Listeners will learn:

• What drives an Enneagram 8

• How Type 8s lead, love, work, and relate

• Why Eights value independence, justice, and honesty

• The common fears and anxieties of Type 8s

• What healthy vs. unhealthy Type 8 behavior looks like

• How the Eight’s passion for strength and protection can mirror the heart of Jesus

This conversation is rich with wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways for anyone who is a Type 8, loves a Type 8, or leads with a Type 8. If you're exploring personal growth, spiritual formation, or Enneagram wisdom, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and a deeper appreciation for the powerful, justice-oriented Enneagram Eight.

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do?, we explore the vibrant, possibility-driven world of the Enneagram Type 7—The Enthusiast. Host Paul Basden interviews Natalie Wells, Parent Communications Director at Preston Trail Community Church, who shares how the Seven’s love of fun, spontaneity, and freedom shapes her family life, marriage to an Enneagram One, and her spiritual walk.

Natalie opens up about her upbeat “YOLO” mindset, her legendary costume carpool line, and the challenge Sevens face in sitting with sadness—especially through the loss of her father. She also shares practical ways she’s learned to pause, savor, and stay present.

If you're an Enneagram 7 (or love one), this episode offers relatable stories, faith-based insight, and a deeper look at the unique gifts and struggles of The Enthusiast.

• What defines an Enneagram 7

• Strengths and shadow sides of The Enthusiast

• How Sevens navigate marriage with an Enneagram One

• The role of spontaneity, FOMO, and planning the next adventure

• How Sevens avoid sadness—and how Natalie learned to face it

• The spiritual journey of an Enneagram 7: joy, gratitude, and open-handed living

• Natalie’s famous “costume carpool line” tradition

• Scripture that resonates with Type 7s: John 10:10, Ecclesiastes 8:15