The Pastor’s Studio with Paul Basden

 

What happens when the faith you inherited leaves you searching for something more?

In this episode of This Is My Story, Paul sits down with Mandy Hinerman to explore her journey from a Jewish upbringing to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Raised in a family that faithfully observed Jewish traditions and holidays, Mandy spent much of her life believing in God, but never truly knowing Him. When tragedy, loss, and unanswered questions began to shape her story, she found herself searching for a faith that offered more than ritual and obligation.

As Mandy began reading Scripture for herself, she discovered something that changed everything: the promises and prophecies she had grown up hearing pointed directly to Jesus. What followed was a journey marked by healing, peace, unexpected friendships, and a growing confidence that Jesus truly is the Messiah promised throughout the Jewish Scriptures.

Mandy’s story is a powerful reminder that God often meets us in our questions, our grief, and our searching and that His invitation is always rooted in grace rather than fear.

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In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• What it was like growing up in a Jewish family in America
• The fear and uncertainty that followed the sudden loss of her father
• Why religious tradition alone left her searching for more
• How reading Scripture for herself changed her understanding of Jesus
• The Old Testament prophecies that pointed her toward faith in Christ
• How God brought people into her life at exactly the right moments
• A moving story of grace, salvation, and peace at the end of her sister’s life
• Why following Jesus brought freedom from fear and anxiety

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Key Takeaway:

Faith is more than tradition or performance. When we encounter Jesus personally, we discover the peace, grace, and assurance we’ve been searching for all along.

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Resources & References:

• Romans 1:16
• Isaiah 53
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Preston Trail Community Church
• Embrace Grace

At just 14 years old, CeCe has already faced a struggle that many students—and adults—know all too well: anxiety.

In this honest and encouraging conversation, CeCe shares how anxiety began affecting her life, faith, friendships, and school experience, and how God met her in what felt like a dark season. Alongside her mom, Ryan, she reflects on the role of community, counseling, prayer, and honest conversations in helping her find hope and healing.

Whether you're a student navigating anxiety, a parent walking alongside a child who is struggling, or someone wondering where God is in the middle of difficult seasons, this episode is a powerful reminder that you are not alone—and that God never leaves us, even when He feels far away.

Topics include:
• Anxiety and mental health in students
• Parenting through difficult seasons
• The importance of community and counseling
• Faith during the "dark night of the soul"
• Finding hope, purpose, and peace in God's presence

WATCH: CeCe's story at High Def 2026

READ: 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Download The Feelings Wheel

 

What happens when Scripture comes alive—not just on the page, but beneath your feet?

In this special episode of This Is My Story, Paul is joined by his wife, Denise, to reflect on their recent journey through Greece tracing the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Together, they share stories, insights, and meaningful moments from walking through places like Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Patmos, and Crete—places where biblical history moved from imagination to reality.

From worshiping near Lydia’s baptism site and standing on Mars Hill where Paul preached in Athens, to experiencing communion among the ruins of Corinth and reflecting in the cave believed to be where John received the Revelation on Patmos, this episode offers both practical travel reflections and spiritual insight.

Along the way, Paul and Denise also share what surprised them most, how ancient places deepened their faith, and why sometimes the most meaningful spiritual experiences happen when history becomes personal.

Whether you’ve been to Greece, dream of going, or simply want to experience Scripture in a deeper way, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at faith, history, marriage, and the beauty of seeing the biblical world firsthand.

Resources & References:

• The Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 16–18)
• Philippians, Thessalonians, Corinthians & Titus
• Patmos and the Book of Revelation
• Footsteps Ministries (David & Elizabeth Sparks)

What happens when the version of Jesus you learned growing up doesn’t match the Jesus you encounter in Scripture?

In this episode of This Is My Story, Paul sits down with Aubreigh Cox to explore a journey from fear-based faith to a deep understanding of God’s grace, love, and peace. Raised in a highly rule-focused and performance-driven religious environment, Aubreigh spent much of her life believing that God was distant, angry, and waiting for her to fail.

But everything began to change when she encountered the real Jesus.

Through seasons of anxiety, depression, questions, and spiritual rebuilding, Aubreigh shares how worship, community, baptism, and Scripture reshaped her understanding of who God truly is. Her story is one of healing, surrender, and discovering that grace—not fear—is at the center of the Gospel.

This conversation is for anyone who has wrestled with legalism, church hurt, anxiety surrounding faith, or the fear of never being “good enough” for God.

 

In this episode you'll hear: 

• Growing up in a fear-based religious environment
• The impact of legalism and performance-driven faith
• Wrestling with anxiety, shame, and questions about God
• How worship and church community became part of healing
• Why baptism became a powerful act of surrender and freedom
• Learning to raise children rooted in love instead of fear

Key Takeaway: 

The real Jesus is not waiting to reject you—He is inviting you into grace, peace, and belonging.