Christian Fellowship Community Podcast

A Strong Foundation: The Impact of Family

In this episode of the Christian Fellowship Community Forum, Padric Scott shares a powerful story of faith, perseverance, identity, and purpose. From growing up in Tallahassee surrounded by strong generational blessings and servant-hearted parents, to making a promise to his older brother at just six years old that he would one day make it to the NFL, Padric reflects on the moments that shaped his life and calling.
Padric opens up about his journey through Stanford University and Florida A&M, the pressures and promises that fueled his pursuit of professional football, and the difficult identity crisis he faced when his NFL career unexpectedly came to an end. With vulnerability and wisdom, he discusses the emotional weight athletes often carry, the spiritual lessons he learned through disappointment and transition, and how God used those experiences to prepare him for a greater purpose.
Today, as Founder and CEO of Crossroad Capital Partners, Padric helps guide others through life, leadership, and legacy, drawing from the same faith, discipline, and servant-minded values instilled in him from childhood. This conversation is filled with encouragement on overcoming pressure, trusting God’s promises, and discovering who you are beyond achievement and success.

A Whistleblower's Journey: Prison to Purpose

From a meteoric rise in corporate America to the center of one of the largest price fixing scandals in U.S. history, Mark Whitacre shares a story of ambition, conviction, and transformation. Rising quickly to become a top executive at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark was immersed in success, wealth, and a culture where illegal practices were normalized in pursuit of profit.
At the height of his career, everything changed through the bold faith of his wife, Ginger, whose personal relationship with Jesus Christ led her to challenge the integrity of their lifestyle. What followed was a defining decision that would cost Mark his career and ultimately lead to prison, but also open the door to lasting change. Cooperating with the FBI, Mark wore a wire for nearly three years to expose a global price fixing scheme, becoming the highest-ranking executive ever to do so.
In this conversation, Mark reflects on his journey from rejecting faith to fully surrendering his life to Christ. He shares how pride, materialism, and the pursuit of success once defined him, and how God used conviction, consequences, and even prison to reshape his heart. Today, his story points to the reality that true transformation is found not in achievement, but in a restored relationship with God and a life lived with integrity and purpose.

Brought Up on "No Excuses"

From growing up in Section 8 housing to leading at the highest levels of corporate America, Randy Melville shares a powerful story of faith, perseverance, and God’s guiding hand through every season. A graduate of Princeton University and former executive at PepsiCo and Frito-Lay, Randy reflects on the influence of his parents, the discipline and values instilled in his upbringing, and the moments that shaped both his career and his faith.
He shares how early exposure to Scripture laid a foundation that later became personal through a life-changing experience at Vacation Bible School, and how learning to “walk by faith, not by sight” guided pivotal decisions including stepping into unfamiliar environments to embracing opportunities he never would have chosen on his own. Now serving on the board of Northwestern Mutual and co-founding a foundation with his wife to serve underserved communities, Randy’s life is a testament to trusting God’s plan even when the path is unclear.

What Love Can Do

From working multiple jobs and washing dishes at age 17 to serving 46 years later as Northwestern Mutual’s Executive Security and Transportation Assistant Director, Leroy Harmon reflects on the work ethic, faith, and perseverance that shaped his journey. He shares about a challenging childhood, the influence of family, and how God used every season to build compassion and purpose in his life. That same faith and compassion have extended far beyond Leroy’s career. He and his wife, Robin, have welcomed more than 70 foster children into their home, living out their faith in tangible ways through generosity and service. This conversation is a powerful reminder that faithfulness in the small things, a heart to serve, and a life surrendered to God can leave an extraordinary legacy.

Jeff Reeter - 2026 Regional Christian Fellowship Breakfast

Jeff Reeter shares a heartfelt and often hilarious message from the 2026 Regional Christian Fellowship Breakfast, reminding us that growth in both faith and leadership rarely starts polished. Through stories of polyester suits, early career missteps, big disappointments, and bold steps of obedience, he reflects on how God shapes us over time through humility, community, and delayed gratification. Jeff challenges us to ask, Where are you in your faith, your family, and your leadership, and encourages us to lean in rather than pull back. If you need perspective, encouragement, and a reminder that God works powerfully through imperfect people who keep showing up, this episode is for you.

It's Never Too Late

From her adoption and early faith formation to years marked by addiction, recovery, relapse, and redemption, Lisa Dugal’s story is one of honesty, courage, and grace. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Lisa invites listeners into the real and often painful journey of discovering belonging, surrender, and hope.
With humility and vulnerability, Lisa reflects on the people God placed in her life at critical moments, the life-altering love of her late husband, Steven, and what it means to surrender when self-will is no longer enough. She speaks openly about sobriety, motherhood, marriage, and faith—offering a moving reminder that it is never too late for healing, that shame does not have the final word, and that God’s grace meets us even in our darkest moments.

My Healing After Being Told "You Can't Be a Christian Unless..."

In this powerful conversation, Tonya Russo shares her journey of healing after being told as a fifth grader, “You can’t be a Christian unless…”—a moment that shaped years of confusion, anger, and distance from God. Tonya opens up about how that early misunderstanding of faith led her on a long path of rediscovering who God truly is, eventually igniting a deep passion for Scripture, discipleship, and helping others know Him as He says He is.

You Gotta Let It Go

In this vulnerable and powerful conversation, Brian Lester shares his remarkable journey from a turbulent childhood in small-town Missouri to finding stability, purpose, and ultimately a deeper understanding of God’s grace. He opens up about the painful experiences that shaped him—parental divorce, seasons of neglect, fear, and a lifelong pursuit of acceptance—and the pivotal moments that quietly began steering his life toward hope.
Brian reflects on how God was pursuing him long before he ever realized it. His transparent look at faith, forgiveness, and transformation offers a moving reminder that no story is too fractured for redemption.

A Conversation with Walter Putnam

In this powerful CFC Forum session, Walter Putnam shares his extraordinary life journey—a story marked by relentless perseverance, personal tragedy, and unwavering faith. From his early days growing up to becoming a top producer with Northwestern Mutual, Walter reflects on the hard work and discipline that shaped his career. He opens up about profound moments of hardship, including the heartbreaking loss of his daughter Elizabeth, a life-threatening accident, and facing overwhelming legal and health battles.
Through each trial, Walter reveals how God’s presence sustained him and deepened his trust. This candid conversation is a moving testimony of resilience, faith, and the power of surrendering control to God—even in the darkest valleys.

A Story of Brokenness, Repentance, Grace, & Restoration

In this compelling episode, Harry and Harriet Jones share their remarkable story of faith, struggle, and transformation. The Joneses open up about the challenges of success, financial strain, and personal failures that nearly tore their marriage apart.
Through seasons of addiction, anger, and betrayal, God met them with grace. He brought mentors, hard truths, and moments of surrender that reshaped their lives. Today, Harry and Harriet speak candidly about what it means to let Christ be Lord, the daily practice of walking in the Spirit, and how to move from blame and self-reliance to confession, forgiveness, and peace.
Whether you’re facing relational challenges, struggling with fear or anger, or longing for deeper intimacy with God, their testimony offers both hope and practical wisdom.