People Finding God Podcast

Sierra Isaac

Every person has a story. Every story reveals something about God. On the People Finding God Podcast, we explore the journeys of ordinary people who encountered God in extraordinary circumstances. Together, we uncover who they were before, what life looked like when everything changed, and how God met them in the middle of their pain, questions, loss, healing, and hope. These are stories of faith forged through real life—not perfect lives, but transformed ones. Because often, we don’t find God when life is easy. We find Him when we need Him most.

  1. Jul 13

    The Beauty Of An Imperfect Journey: LaDawn's Story

    What if God isn’t asking you to have all the answers—only to trust Him with the next one? In this deeply moving conversation, LaDawn Stone shares the quiet, lifelong journey of building a faith that could withstand life’s unexpected turns. From growing up as one of the few members of the Church on the East Coast, to spending her teenage years in Brazil as the daughter of mission leaders, to navigating one of the hardest decisions of her life through prayer and personal revelation, LaDawn offers a beautiful reminder that faith is built one experience at a time. Together, we talk about learning to recognize the voice of the Spirit, asking better questions in prayer, trusting that there is often more than one “right” path, and why our greatest transformations usually come through the trials we never would have chosen. We also explore divorce, healing, remarriage, self-compassion, and the peace that comes from making deeply personal decisions with God rather than through the opinions of others. This episode is filled with practical wisdom for anyone navigating uncertainty, wondering how to hear God more clearly, or learning to trust themselves while trusting Him.   Host: Sierra Isaac Editor: Adrienne Quintana

  2. Jul 6

    Experiences That Cracked Her Open: A Conversation With Autumn

    What happens when the life you thought you were building suddenly feels fragile? In this episode, I sit down with Autumn McAlpin, a longtime San Clemente resident, writer, and mother of four, to talk about the moments that changed the course of her life. Raised in the LDS faith, married at 19, and a stay-at-home mom by 21, Autumn spent years pouring herself into her family while quietly carrying dreams of writing, creating, and working in the arts. Then, in her 30s, everything changed when she was diagnosed with what she believed was a terminal form of ALS. Facing what she thought could be the end of her life forced her to ask deeper questions about purpose, faith, and what truly mattered. When that diagnosis proved to be incorrect, she found herself with something unexpected: more life to live—and the courage to live it differently. Our conversation explores what led her to step away from organized religion.  Becoming the mother of two gay sons expanded her capacity for love and empathy, and what it looks like to hold deep relationships with family members who have chosen very different spiritual paths. Through it all, Autumn shares what she’s learned about compassion, belonging, and loving people exactly where they are. Whether or not you’ve questioned your own beliefs, this episode is a thoughtful conversation about identity, family, faith, and the courage to keep choosing love. Sanctuarydoc.com   Host: Sierra Isaac Editor: Adrienne Quintana

  3. Jun 28

    From Religion to Relationship: Carolyn's Journey to Finding God

    Sometimes people don’t reject God. They reject the version of God they were handed. In this episode of People Finding God, Carolyn shares what it was like to walk away from the noise, expectations, and labels surrounding God...only to discover that maybe He was never the one she was leaving. We talk about the difference between religion and relationship, why healing often begins within, and how reconnecting with ourselves can become a pathway back to the divine. Whether you've always believed, questioned everything, or are somewhere in between, I hope this conversation reminds you that God isn't afraid of your questions. Sometimes the journey back to Him begins the moment you're honest enough to ask them.

  4. Jun 13

    Running To Him: Ellie Anderson's Story

    Sometimes the trials that shape us don’t come with answers. For Ellie Anderson, what started as a few unusual symptoms during high school turned into years of uncertainty. Blisters in her mouth and throat were only the beginning. As the symptoms multiplied, doctors struggled to explain what was happening, and Ellie found herself facing not only physical challenges, but anxiety, isolation, and depression. At an age when most teenagers are discovering who they are, enjoying life and being social….Ellie was learning how to navigate a body she could no longer fully trust. Despite her health challenges, Ellie continued serving others through an HXP service opportunity. She learned discipline in ways most young people never have to. She learned to adapt, to persevere, and to trust God one day at a time. Through tennis, basketball, and eventually track, she discovered that while her body had limitations, her spirit was becoming stronger.  Her hard work eventually earned her a spot competing at the collegiate level. But when the opportunity came, Ellie chose to put college track on hold to serve a full time LDS mission instead, a decision that reflected the deeper race she had been running all along. Ellie shares how suffering became sacred ground, how God met her in the unknown, and why some of life’s greatest blessings can come wrapped in trials we would never choose for ourselves. This is Ellie Anderson’s story of finding God.   Host: Sierra Isaac Editor: Adrienne Quintana

  5. May 30

    From Bully To Disciple: How God Became Matt's Mentor

    From a young age, Matt learned how to survive. Growing up in difficult circumstances, fighting became his way of protecting himself and navigating life. As a young adult, he moved to Hawaii, where he felt called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While serving in Australia, Matt received devastating news: his father—his mentor and greatest influence—had been diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live. After praying, fasting, and seeking God's guidance, Matt made the difficult decision to remain on his mission. When he returned home, he was given an unexpected gift—six additional months with his father. That miracle became the beginning of a lifelong pattern of recognizing God's hand in his life. In this episode, Bishop Matt Dorough shares how God has guided him through loss, hardship, and even a life-threatening surgery. His story is a powerful reminder that faith doesn't remove our trials—it changes the way we walk through them. If you've ever wondered whether God is aware of you in your hardest moments, this conversation will leave you feeling hopeful, strengthened, and reminded that miracles still happen.   Host: Sierra Isaac Editor: Adrienne Quintana

  6. May 17

    Finding God After Leaving Religion: Autumn's Story

    Autumn Willinger grew up surrounded by faith, service, and religious community. Raised Baptist and immersed in spiritual life from a young age, she eventually faced a defining choice: stay within the life she had always known or step out on her own. After choosing independence, marriage, motherhood, and eventually divorce, Autumn found herself living life on her own terms—only to realize something was still missing. In this episode of People Finding God, Autumn shares her journey through spirituality, loss, freedom, community, and ultimately finding her way back to God through the love of women, belonging, and her baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   Host: Sierra Isaac Editor: Adrienne Quintana

  7. May 2

    Taking Her Time And Finding God Anyway: Tracy's Story

    Tracy Lloyd’s story isn’t about a sudden, life-changing moment, it’s about something quieter, and maybe more relatable. Raised in a loving Lutheran community, Tracy always knew of God, but her life took a different shape than she expected. She was intentional about her path—dating her husband for years, wanting to take her time with marriage, and feeling certain she didn’t want children. When her husband returned to his LDS faith, Tracy didn’t rush to follow. Instead, she allowed herself space. Through small moments of service, community, and being welcomed again and again, something began to shift. There was no pressure. No overwhelming experience. Just subtle, consistent feelings that slowly guided her to a place where she could recognize God and trust the path she was on. This episode is a reminder that God doesn’t always rush us. Sometimes, He meets us quietly, patiently, and exactly where we are. Host: Sierra Isaac Editor: Adrienne Quintana

  8. Apr 23

    Whitney's Story Part 2: Finding God When Cancer Hit

    In Part 2 of my conversation with Whitney, she shares how some of life’s hardest seasons became the place where faith grew deeper. Through personal health challenges, family trials, and watching loved ones suffer, Whittney reflects on what it means to keep going when life feels heavy. She opens up about her niece’s devastating accident that led to paralysis, and how her own experience navigating surgeries and complex medical care helped her guide and support her family during an overwhelming time. Later, after moving to California, she faced another unexpected battle when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the middle of fear and uncertainty, she was lifted by the love of her community and felt God’s presence in a deeper way than ever before. This episode is about resilience, faith in the dark, and discovering that even in suffering, love can carry us.   Host: Sierra Isaac Editor: Adrienne Quintana

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About

Every person has a story. Every story reveals something about God. On the People Finding God Podcast, we explore the journeys of ordinary people who encountered God in extraordinary circumstances. Together, we uncover who they were before, what life looked like when everything changed, and how God met them in the middle of their pain, questions, loss, healing, and hope. These are stories of faith forged through real life—not perfect lives, but transformed ones. Because often, we don’t find God when life is easy. We find Him when we need Him most.

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