The Story Partners Podcast

Walt and Annie Manis
  • 4.9 (153)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semimonthly

The Story Partners Podcast is an immersive storytelling experience that brings to life true stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by Jesus. These Christian testimonies are raw, moving, and powerful—told with authenticity and depth. With no interview questions, no interruptions, just beautifully crafted, uninterrupted storytelling, each story is a testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of Christ. Learn more at www.StoryPartners.org.

  1. S4 | E3 (Pt. 2) - Kinks in the Heart: Straightening Out a Twisted Life

    May 21

    S4 | E3 (Pt. 2) - Kinks in the Heart: Straightening Out a Twisted Life

    Caleb Bryant’s life was in chaos. Addicted to drugs and porn, he became interested in dark supernatural things and unwittingly put himself and his roommates in harm's way. Welcome to The Story Partners Podcast - a show featuring stories of transformation told by the people who lived them.  It is our hope that as you listen, you are fully immersed into the world of the storyteller.  This isn’t a back-forth interview format, instead it’s an uninterrupted and authentic storytelling experience.  This is a unique format for a podcast, but we really love it - and we hope you do too! Content Warning: This episode is not suitable for children. Today’s story deals with sexual addiction and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.  This is Caleb Bryant in Season 4 | Episode 3 (Part 2), called: “Kinks in the Heart: Straightening Out a Twisted Life”. Resources & Links: Transcript: Click Here to Read More about Caleb Bryant: Caleb Bryant is a native West Texan that has made his home in Austin. In his spare time, he enjoys international travel, woodworking and crafting, gaming, vinyl records and reading. He’s had a wide career in tax prep, finance, insurance and underwriting, but is now shifting to obtain a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling. Addiction Resources in Austin, TX:  Austin Alcoholics Anonymous Austin Sex Addicts Anonymous Austin Area Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Recommended Episodes: If you liked Caleb’s story, listen to these next… Spotify: S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S2 | E1: To Hell and Back (Kyle Hubbart’s Story) S2 | E2: The Journey (Eddie Smith’s Story) S2 | E3: Addicted to Meth in Middle School (Emma Smith’s Story) S2 | E12: The Road to Freedom (Matt Slavik’s Story) S1 | E6: Below the Surface (Tim Brown’s Story) Apple Podcasts: S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S2 | E1: To Hell and Back (Kyle Hubbart’s Story) S2 | E2: The Journey (Eddie Smith’s Story) S2 | E3:  Addicted to Meth in Middle School (Emma Smith’s Story) S2 | E12: The Road to Freedom (Matt Slavik’s Story) S1 | E6: Below the Surface (Tim Brown’s Story) Connect with Story Partners: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org  Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry Give: Support this crowd-funded work at StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

    42 min
  2. S4 | E3 (Pt. 1) - Kinks in the Heart: Straightening Out a Twisted Life

    May 7

    S4 | E3 (Pt. 1) - Kinks in the Heart: Straightening Out a Twisted Life

    Caleb Bryant was a preacher’s kid desperate for his father’s approval. Behind the mask of perfection, he carried secrets too heavy to share. Consumed by insecurity and shame, he dove deeper into addiction to numb the pain. But when God began to call him out of hiding, Caleb’s carefully constructed world started to unravel. Content Warning: This episode is not suitable for children. Listener discretion is advised.  This story deals with some extremely heavy topics, including drugs, child abuse, suicide and sexual addiction. Caleb was incredibly open and vulnerable in sharing his story. And with a story about sexual addiction specifically, it’s hard always to know how many details we should include in the edit. In this story we’ve chosen to share a bit more detail than might feel comfortable.  We made this decision with a great deal of intention, and it is not shared to glorify the lifestyle that Caleb used to live. Because this is a story of redemption, we wanted to show how far Caleb has come from his lowest point. We know that others have walked similar roads to Caleb’s, and we believe that God will use Caleb’s vulnerability and honesty to help others see a way out of their own sexual addiction, and a path toward Jesus. With that said, let’s dive in. Welcome to The Story Partners Podcast - a show featuring stories of transformation told by the people who lived them.  It is our hope that as you listen, you are fully immersed into the world of the storyteller.  This isn’t a back-forth interview format, instead it’s an uninterrupted and authentic storytelling experience.  This is a unique format for a podcast, but we really love it - and we hope you do too! This is Caleb Bryant in Season 4 | Episode 3 (Part 1), called: “Kinks in the Heart: Straightening Out a Twisted Life”. Resources & Links: Transcript: Click Here to Read More about Caleb Bryant: Caleb Bryant is a native West Texan that has made his home in Austin. In his spare time, he enjoys international travel, woodworking and crafting, gaming, vinyl records and reading. He’s had a wide career in tax prep, finance, insurance and underwriting, but is now shifting to obtain a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling. Addiction Resources in Austin, TX:  Austin Alcoholics Anonymous Austin Sex Addicts Anonymous Austin Area Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Recommended Episodes: If you liked Caleb’s story, listen to these next… Spotify: S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S2 | E1: To Hell and Back (Kyle Hubbart’s Story) S2 | E2: The Journey (Eddie Smith’s Story) S2 | E3: Addicted to Meth in Middle School (Emma Smith’s Story) S2 | E12: The Road to Freedom (Matt Slavik’s Story) S1 | E6: Below the Surface (Tim Brown’s Story) Apple Podcasts: S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S2 | E1: To Hell and Back (Kyle Hubbart’s Story) S2 | E2: The Journey (Eddie Smith’s Story) S2 | E3:  Addicted to Meth in Middle School (Emma Smith’s Story) S2 | E12: The Road to Freedom (Matt Slavik’s Story) S1 | E6: Below the Surface (Tim Brown’s Story) Connect with Story Partners: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org  Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry Give: Support this crowd-funded work at StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

    43 min
  3. S4 | E2 - When Faith is a Crime: The Maryam Rostampour-Keller Story

    Apr 23

    S4 | E2 - When Faith is a Crime: The Maryam Rostampour-Keller Story

    Maryam Rostampour-Keller was a young woman in Iran searching for God. When she couldn’t find Him through Islam, she cried out in desperation—and He answered. That call would send her on a journey of faith and defiance that led straight into the heart of Iran’s most notorious prison. Welcome to The Story Partners Podcast - a show featuring stories of transformation told by the people who lived them.  It is our hope that as you listen, you are fully immersed into the world of the storyteller.  This isn’t a back-forth interview format, instead it’s an uninterrupted and authentic storytelling experience.  This is a unique format for a podcast, but we really love it - and we hope you do too! This is Maryam Rostampour-Keller in Season 4 | Episode 2, called: “When Faith is a Crime: The Maryam Rostampour-Keller Story”. Resources & Links: Transcript: Click Here to Read More about Maryam Rostampour-Keller: Maryam was born into a Muslim family in Iran. After becoming a Christian in her teens, she studied theology in Turkey. Her story—along with that of her friend, Marziyeh Amirizadeh—of being imprisoned for their faith and sentenced to death in Iran is told in Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph Amid the Horror of Tehran’s Brutal Evin Prison. Maryam holds both a B.S. and an M.S. in International Affairs from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and her passion is to share Jesus with as many people as possible. Books by Maryam:  Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph amid the Horror of Tehran’s Brutal Evin Prison Connect with Maryam Online: Facebook @MaryamRostampour-Keller // Instagram @official.maryamrostampour We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Recommended Episodes: If you liked Maryam’s story, listen to these next… Spotify: S3 | E12: What’s the Point? (Reuben Shekwonyadu’s Story) S3 | E2: What’s in a Name (Elmira Javid’s Story) S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story Apple Podcasts: S3 | E12: What’s the Point? (Reuben Shekwonyadu’s Story) S3 | E2: What’s in a Name (Elmira Javid’s Story) S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story Connect with Story Partners: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org  Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry Give: Support this crowd-funded work at StoryPartners.org/GIVE We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

    1h 2m
  4. S4 | E1 (Pt. 2) - Conversion of a Klansman: The Tom Tarrants Story

    Apr 9

    S4 | E1 (Pt. 2) - Conversion of a Klansman: The Tom Tarrants Story

    Tom Tarrants was a committed white supremacist and member of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Now, sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, Tom plans his escape. Welcome to The Story Partners Podcast - a show featuring stories of transformation told by the people who lived them. It is our hope that as you listen, you are fully immersed into the world of the storyteller.  This isn’t a back-forth interview format, instead it’s an uninterrupted and authentic storytelling experience.  This is a unique format for a podcast, but we really love it - and we hope you do too! This is Tom Tarrants in Season 4 | Episode 1 (Part 2)  called “Conversion of a Klansman: The Tom Tarrants Story”. Content Warning: This episode is intended for adult audiences and contains descriptions of racism, domestic terrorism, and violence. Listener discretion is advised Resources & Links: Transcript: Click Here to Read More about Tom: Tom Tarrants was once a committed white supremacist and member of Mississippi’s White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, described by the FBI as one of the most violent right-wing terrorist organizations in America. In 1969, he was shot and arrested while attempting to bomb the home of a Jewish leader and was sentenced to decades in prison. During years of confinement — including time in solitary at Parchman Farm — Tarrants began reading the Bible and encountered Jesus Christ, leading to a dramatic conversion and a complete break from his former life of hatred and violence. After serving eight years of his sentence, Tarrants was released and went on to earn a doctorate, co-pastor a racially diverse church in Washington, D.C., and later serve as president of the C. S. Lewis Institute. He has devoted his life to Christian discipleship and sharing the transforming power of the Gospel. Books by Tom Tarrants:   Conversion of a Klansman Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Recommended Episodes: If you liked Tom’s story, listen to these next… Spotify: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S1 | E1: 746746 Is Not My Name: Billy Webb’s Story S3 | E5: Betrayed: Jean Louis Kassis’s Story S1 | E6: Below the Surface: Tim Brown’s Story Apple Podcasts: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S1 | E1: 746746 Is Not My Name: Billy Webb’s Story S3 | E5: Betrayed: Jean Louis Kassis’s Story S1 | E6: Below the Surface: Tim Brown’s Story Connect with Story Partners: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org  Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry Give: Support this crowd-funded work at StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

    30 min
  5. S4 | E1 (Pt. 1) - Conversion of a Klansman: The Tom Tarrants Story

    Mar 26

    S4 | E1 (Pt. 1) - Conversion of a Klansman: The Tom Tarrants Story

    Episode Description Tom Tarrants was a committed white supremacist and member of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Armed with hate and ready to die for the cause, he sets out to murder a member of the opposition. But little does he know he’s walking into a trap. Welcome to The Story Partners Podcast - a show featuring stories of transformation told by the people who lived them. It is our hope that as you listen, you are fully immersed into the world of the storyteller. This isn’t a back-forth interview format, instead it’s an uninterrupted and authentic storytelling experience. This is a unique format for a podcast, but we really love it - and we hope you do too! This is Tom Tarrants in Season 4 | Episode 1 (Part 1) called “Conversion of a Klansman: The Tom Tarrants Story”. Content Warning: This episode is intended for adult audiences and contains descriptions of racism, domestic terrorism, and violence. Listener discretion is advised. Resources & Links: Transcript: Click Here to Read More about Tom: Tom Tarrants was once a committed white supremacist and member of Mississippi’s White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, described by the FBI as one of the most violent right-wing terrorist organizations in America. In 1969, he was shot and arrested while attempting to bomb the home of a Jewish leader and was sentenced to decades in prison. During years of confinement — including time in solitary at Parchman Farm — Tarrants began reading the Bible and encountered Jesus Christ, leading to a dramatic conversion and a complete break from his former life of hatred and violence. After serving eight years of his sentence, Tarrants was released and went on to earn a doctorate, co-pastor a racially diverse church in Washington, D.C., and later serve as president of the C. S. Lewis Institute. He has devoted his life to Christian discipleship and sharing the transforming power of the Gospel. Books by Tom Tarrants:   Conversion of a Klansman Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Recommended Episodes: If you liked Tom’s story, listen to these next… Spotify: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S1 | E1: 746746 Is Not My Name: Billy Webb’s Story S3 | E5: Betrayed: Jean Louis Kassis’s Story S1 | E6: Below the Surface: Tim Brown’s Story Apple Podcasts: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S1 | E1: 746746 Is Not My Name: Billy Webb’s Story S3 | E5: Betrayed: Jean Louis Kassis’s Story S1 | E6: Below the Surface: Tim Brown’s Story Connect with Story Partners: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org  Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry Give: Support this crowd-funded work at StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

    41 min
  6. Season 4 – Kick Off

    Mar 12

    Season 4 – Kick Off

    Join us as we kick off Season 4! In this episode, Walt and Annie chat about all things Story Partners – how we got into this work, why we created this podcast, and what you can look forward to in Season 4. It’s an informal conversation where you’ll get a little more behind-the-scenes info with co-founders Walt and Annie Manis. We hope that the stories in Season 4 will encourage your faith and help you see Jesus in a more personal way. Our first story in Season 4 releases two weeks from today! Follow us to stay updated on all the new episodes that drop. Resources & Links: More about Walt and Annie Manis: Click Here Watch our film about the adoption of our daughter, Chloe, (mentioned in the podcast): Click Here   If you’re new to The Story Partners Podcast and want to know where to start, here are… Links to Walt’s Favorite Episodes: Spotify: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S2 | E1: To Hell and Back (Kyle Hubbart’s Story) S2 | E2: The Journey (Eddie Smith’s Story) Apple Podcasts: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S2 | E1: To Hell and Back (Kyle Hubbart’s Story) S2 | E2: The Journey (Eddie Smith’s Story)   Links to Annie’s Favorite Episodes: Spotify: S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S3 | E7: Can I Trust You? (Judy Van Rooy’s Story) S3 | E12: What’s the Point? (Reuben Shekwonyadu’s Story) S2 | E8: Misaligned (Dana Grindal)   Apple Podcasts: S2 | E9: The Encounter (Tim Schulte’s Story) S3 | E7: Can I Trust You? (Judy Van Rooy’s Story) S3 | E12: What’s the Point? (Reuben Shekwonyadu’s Story) S2 | E8: Misaligned (Dana Grindal)   For even more Story Partners Content: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org  Connect on Social Media: Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry All Story Partners films and podcasts are crowd funded. You can support this work at: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Season 4 – Kick OffEditor: Walt Manis

    38 min
  7. Bonus Episode - Investigating the Miraculous

    Feb 12

    Bonus Episode - Investigating the Miraculous

    The Story Partners Podcast is an immersive storytelling experience that brings to life true stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by Jesus.  These Christian testimonies are raw, moving, and powerful – told with authenticity and depth.  With no interview questions, no interruptions, just beautifully crafted, uninterrupted storytelling, each story is a testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of Christ. - In this bonus episode, we teamed up with the guys from Wow God Stories podcast to bring you stories about miracles.  Some miracles are hard to believe until the evidence is undeniable.  Today’s stories point to a God who is still in the miracle business. - In this episode you’ll hear how… Colton Dixon’s daughter was born without a pulse, but she miraculously recovered. A blind woman instantly gained perfect sight after her husband prayed for her.   Donna Vanliere was healed from neck pain, and started a prayer ministry. A teen with a paralyzed stomach was instantly healed during prayer and ate normally for the first time.  God “made” Holly read scripture in prison, which led to healing from addiction. A woman dying from multiple sclerosis stood up, walked, and was fully healed after prayer. - If you enjoy today’s episode and want to hear more stories from the Wow God Stories podcast, click on the links below: ⁠Wow God Stories – Spotify⁠ ⁠Wow God Stories – Apple Podcast⁠ - Thanks for listening to the Story Partners Podcast Learn more at: https://storypartners.org/podcast/ Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StoryPartnersFilms Connect with us: Website: https://storypartners.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/story_partners/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoryPartnersMinistry TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@storypartners?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc - Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit:  Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis

    40 min
  8. Season 3 - That's a Wrap!

    08/28/2025

    Season 3 - That's a Wrap!

    The Story Partners Podcast is an immersive storytelling experience that brings to life true stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by Jesus.  These Christian testimonies are raw, moving, and powerful – told with authenticity and depth.  With no interview questions, no interruptions, just beautifully crafted, uninterrupted storytelling, each story is a testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of Christ.   Learn more at: https://storypartners.org/podcast/   Thanks for following along with Season 3 of The Story Partners Podcast.  If you have any friends or family who don’t know about us, please share this Podcast with them.  We would love for these stories of God’s faithfulness to reach many new listeners.   Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StoryPartnersFilms   Connect with us: Website: https://storypartners.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/story_partners/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoryPartnersMinistry TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@storypartners?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc   Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit:  Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis

    44 min
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The Story Partners Podcast is an immersive storytelling experience that brings to life true stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by Jesus. These Christian testimonies are raw, moving, and powerful—told with authenticity and depth. With no interview questions, no interruptions, just beautifully crafted, uninterrupted storytelling, each story is a testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of Christ. Learn more at www.StoryPartners.org.

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