In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Katie McNeal of St. John Lutheran Church in Mars for a thoughtful conversation about faith, creativity, and connection.

Pastor Katie joined the St. John congregation in 2022, bringing with her a wide-ranging background, from Camp Lutherlyn and youth ministry work to earning advanced degrees at Yale Divinity School. Along the way, she's also been a kickboxing instructor, a gardener, a musician with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, and a pastor deeply committed to meeting people where they are.

We talk about what it means to share the Good News in ways that feel engaging and accessible, and we reflect on a small but powerful symbol inside the church, the IHS engraving on the pulpit, the first three letters of Jesus' name in Greek, serving as a reminder of presence, meaning, and faith in everyday life. We also discuss the annual Live Nativity St. John Lutheran performs for the Mars, PA community joining with another church in the neighborhood, LIVE animals and all, even a donkey!

This episode is a moment of pause and reflection as we head into the holiday season and a reminder of the power of presence, community, and storytelling.

Note: The podcast will take a brief break for the holidays and return with new episodes in the new year.

Episode Resources:

https://www.facebook.com/stjohnchurchmars

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

Today's episode features a candid and engaging conversation with Jake and Mallory Merda Adams, a couple who have spent the last decade building parallel careers in the fast-paced world of sports journalism.

Jake, a Temple grad originally from Northampton, PA, has spent nearly twelve years in the field, serving as a sports editor at The Carlisle Sentinel, Madison.com, and the Louisville Courier Journal. His approach to storytelling is rooted in community, curiosity, and a deep love for the games that bring people together. Mallory, born and raised in Irwin just south of Pittsburgh, discovered her passion early through trips to pro games with her dad. Today, she's a sports editor and sports content coach with USA TODAY, shaping stories across the country while still holding space for her fun side as an avid Sailor Moon and Pokémon collector.

Together, Jake and Mallory open up about the rhythm of life in sports media, the balance between partnership and deadlines, how they support one another through busy seasons, and what keeps them inspired in an industry that never really slows down. If you love sports, storytelling, or just a good behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in journalism today, this episode is for you.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

On this episode, Laura welcomes Heidi Nichols Bowser, a respected leader within the Butler YMCA community and an accomplished athlete with a lifelong love of sports. Heidi shares how she got her start in speed skating, the dedication that carried her through college tennis, and the career decisions that led her to Butler.

Together, they explore themes of personal growth, community connection, and defining success on your own terms.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #ymca #friendship

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

This Thanksgiving, I'm sharing a story from my time living in New York with roommates from all over the world — people who, just a month earlier, were complete strangers to me.

It was their first Thanksgiving, and our tiny apartment became a place where different languages, spices, cultures, and expectations collided into one shared meal. That night reminded me how quickly strangers can become family, and how gratitude is often found around tables we never expected to sit at.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #Thanksgiving #friendsgiving #NewYorkNewYork #upperwestside #sugarhill #NYCSubway #culture

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

Sometimes, the stories that stop us in our tracks are the ones we never see coming. After traveling 100 miles on the roof of a moving car, RayRay the Cat became a local legend — and a symbol of survival, connection, and second chances. Laura talks with RayRay's human, Margaret about that unbelievable day, the outpouring of support that followed, and how one small cat reminded everyone just how big love can be.

Follow:

@rayraytails on Instagram

Resources From Episode:

https://www.orphansofthestorm-pa.org/

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #RayRayTheCat #100milejourney #adoptdontshop #rayraytails

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

In this final chapter of The Maze series, we meet Rob Raifsnider — the creative force behind Ravenswood Manor and the original 3D Maze at The Beacon. Rob shares his passion for haunting artistry and decades of dedication to Halloween. Then, take one last ride through the Corn Maze with us — sights, sounds, and scares included.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #Halloween #TheBeaconHotel #HalloweenMaze #TheHaunt #MadHatter #RobRaifsnider

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

Part Two of The Beacon Hotel: The Haunt is here — and this time, I'm joined by Jordan Grady from the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and Audrianna Bly!

Jordan and I relive our trip through the haunted maze, talk about what makes The Haunt such a Butler County favorite, and share some of the video and photos from that night (yes, the screams are real). I also continue my conversations with family members, staff and even a scare actor — she told us where she would be and still got us good!

This is the final weekend for The Haunt — wagons head out Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. Get there by dusk and make a night of it!

Next up: Part Three — a full walkthrough episode you won't want to miss.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #Halloween #TheBeaconHotel #HalloweenMaze #TheHaunt #MadHatter #TheHaunt #BeaconHotel #ButlerCountyPA #SupportLocal #Podcast #HalloweenFun #LocalEvents

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

Step inside the Beacon Hotel — a Butler County landmark where history, community, and a good scare all come together. In this first part of my Beacon Hotel Halloween special, I sit down with Nick, Roni, and Jamie — the creative forces behind The Haunt. We talk about what it takes to bring this annual Halloween experience to life, the pride they have in their community, and how the Beacon has become a place that connects people year-round — from haunted mazes to Wing Fest and everything in between.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where I team up with Jordan Grady President of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce to take on The Haunt ourselves — maze, screams, and all.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #Halloween #TheBeaconHotel #TheHaunt #AliceInWonderland #CornMaze #HauntedHouse #FamilyTradition #GhostStories

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago