Sidewalk Conversations
"Let the one who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall..." (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Standing strong and remaining true to your calling is no easy task. No one sets out to crash and burn. In fact, it's actually the opposite, most people want to stand strong, remain effective, and be true to their values all the way through to the end. But, it is really hard to do.
In these interviews, Piet Van Waarde (a 40 year veteran of pastoral ministry) has heart-to-heart conversations with ordinary people about what it takes to stay faithful and effective in the things that matter most.
Episodes
69 episodes
Finding Joy On The Way with Joe Remini
We trace a winding path from Little Italy to the Texas Hill Country as Joe Remini shares how mentors, the Air Force, and a leap into jewelry turned into a values-first business. Faith practices like Sabbath and tithing reshape his team’s rhythm...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 12
•
40:03
A Wedding, A Mother’s Heart, And Hope with Carol Van Waarde
We trace a “magical” wedding, the emotions of launching our last child, practical parenting tools that built grit and closeness, and the mindset that steadied us through a tough real estate year and a cancer journey. Faith, planning, and words ...
•
51:12
Fog Machines, Quantum Physics, and Jesus Walk Into a Podcast with Preston Jackson
A quiet, steady faith can be just as brave as a dramatic comeback. Preston Jackson recounts growing up in one church, choosing belief through honest doubt, and learning to hold tradition, mystery, and systems in one coherent life.• grow...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 10
•
43:23
If Unity Is the Goal, Is Worship the Way? with Joel Salabarria
Worship can be the shared language that mends divides when we move from a multi-ethnic crowd to a truly multicultural experience shaped by real people and real stories. Joel Salabarria joins us to unpack relationship-first leadership, Worship S...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 9
•
44:13
So You Want Dark Skies AND Happy Shopkeepers? Hold My Coffee with Crystal Mancilla
We sit down with Mayor Crystal of Liberty Hill to explore how character, counsel, and courage shape local leadership in a polarized era. From dark skies to water infrastructure, we unpack practical ways to listen well, decide wisely, and keep a...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 8
•
30:05
What if hurt people healed people instead? with Mziya Weber
We share Z’s journey from a Georgian orphanage to founding REIZ Adaptive Fitness, tracing how faith, friends, and sheer grit transformed trauma into service. The conversation explores abuse, caregiving as a teen, disability identity, and buildi...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 7
•
33:50
Missionaries to America? That’s Not a Plot Twist, That’s the Plot with Jurie Kriel
Jurie Kriel joins us to share how a missionary call to America led to Austin, Texas, why “success is obedience,” and how rapid change demands anticipation, not anxiety. We explore AI-era identity, digital polarization, and the rhythms that keep...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 6
•
40:08
Friendship, Failure, and Finding a Way Back with Kurt Andre
Kurt Andre shares his journey through a 45-year friendship with the host, discussing authentic relationships, professional transitions, and personal redemption after crisis.• Kurt grew up on four continents in a military family, moving ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 5
•
51:41
Beyond Survival: The Transformation of Pain with Marsha Andre
Marsha Andre shares her powerful journey through a terminal cancer diagnosis at age 23, revealing how facing mortality transformed her understanding of life, faith, and purpose.• Diagnosed with late-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at 23, s...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 4
•
37:45
Everyone Has Theology—Is Yours Biblical? with Art Powell
Exploring why our understanding of God is the most important thought process believers must embrace, this conversation delves into how theology shapes our entire Christian journey. • Everybody already has a theology—the question is...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 3
•
43:01
Practicing Creativity: Faith, Music, and the Art of Songwriting with Amy Hooper
Today, we are exploring the connection between God's creativity and our own artistic expressions, focusing on how songwriters and musicians reflect the divine creative nature while also calling it forth in others.• Creativity as our spi...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 2
•
36:22
Where do you go from the White House? with Rebeccas Contreras
Rebecca Contreras returns to share her remarkable journey from the barrio to the White House and now as a successful business owner who has built a $20 million company. Her story demonstrates how relationships, surrender to God's plan, and cont...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 1
•
38:30
**Trailer** Black Sheep Welcome: Our Studio Makeover Story
Welcome to Season 4 of Sidewalk Conversations, now broadcasting from our brand new studio designed to create a living room atmosphere. We've evolved over ten years of podcasting to focus on ordinary people doing extraordinary things, with a spa...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 1
•
11:24
**SPECIAL** The Genius of the "AND" with Shaina Zavala | Part 4
**Join us for the conclusion of our summer series of conversations with Shaina and Piet about the genius of the "and." We have enjoyed sharing this 4-part discussion with you AND getting ready for the launch of season 4 of Sidewalk Conversation...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 32
•
10:45
**SPECIAL** The Genius of the "AND" with Shaina Zavala | Part 3
**Join us for a special summer series of conversations with Shaina and Piet about the genius of the "and." We are so excited to share this 4-part discussion with you AND for the launch of season 4 of Sidewalk Conversations this August! If you e...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 31
•
4:50
**SPECIAL** The Genius of the "AND" with Shaina Zavala | Part 2
**Join us for a special summer series of conversations with Shaina and Piet about the genius of the "and." We are so excited to share this 4-part discussion with you AND for the launch of season 4 of Sidewalk Conversations this August! If you e...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 30
•
4:30
**SPECIAL** The Genius of the "AND" with Shaina Zavala | Part 1
**Join us for a special summer series of conversations with Shaina and Piet about the genius of the "and." We are so excited to share this 4-part discussion with you AND for the launch of season 4 of Sidewalk Conversations this August! If you e...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 29
•
10:50
**SPECIAL** Beyond Fireworks: What July 4th Means to a Naturalized American
On this special July 4th episode, Carol and I reflect on the meaning of American citizenship through my personal journey, immigrating from the Netherlands and eventually becoming a naturalized US citizen. We explore what it means to embrace Ame...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 28
•
7:37
Your Dream Isn't Too Big or Too Late to Pursue with Carol Van Waarde
We explore the concept of trusting God for big dreams and how embracing our God-given desires can lead to fulfillment and purpose. Carol Van Ward shares her journey into real estate after delaying her dream for years, offering wisdom on overcom...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 27
•
28:57
An End of Season Update with Piet
Piet shares personal and professional updates as Season 3 comes to a close, including recent cancer treatment developments and exciting new projects on the horizon.• Recent visit to Mayo Clinic revealed a "suspicious spot" on Piet's bla...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 26
•
15:12
Holy Hearts, Not Holy Hideouts with Candy Coburn
Candy Coburn returns to Sidewalk Conversations to explore the tension between isolation and integration as Christians seek to authentically represent Christ in the world. Her journey as both a worship leader and bar performer offers powerful in...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 25
•
33:41
The Chief Connecting Officer with Billie Logiudice
Billie Logiudice shares her journey from creating a classroom in her childhood bedroom to becoming the "Chief Connecting Officer" at Hutto's Chamber of Commerce, driven by her passion to leave the world a better place through service and meanin...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 24
•
31:42
Unhurried Time is the secret to a prayer-filled life with Chris Tapken
Chris Tapken shares his remarkable journey from federal prison to leading a thriving prayer ministry at Austin Christian Fellowship, demonstrating how God transforms our worst moments into our calling. Through authentic stories of desperation a...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 23
•
35:02
When Faith Meets Real Life with Van Kirkland
Van Kirkland shares his journey from Louisiana roots to Texas transplant, including his career as a dental technician creating beautiful smiles and how his faith sustained him through profound personal tragedies. His story reveals how mentorshi...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 22
•
29:15
When Ministry Means Moving Across Continents with Michael van der Walt
Michael Walt shares his incredible journey from South Africa to Austin, Texas, where he and his family are preparing to join Shoreline Church in full-time ministry. His story reveals how God's divine timing and unexpected open doors have confir...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 21
•
24:43