In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Katie McNeal of St. John Lutheran Church in Mars for a thoughtful conversation about faith, creativity, and connection.

Pastor Katie joined the St. John congregation in 2022, bringing with her a wide-ranging background, from Camp Lutherlyn and youth ministry work to earning advanced degrees at Yale Divinity School. Along the way, she's also been a kickboxing instructor, a gardener, a musician with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, and a pastor deeply committed to meeting people where they are.

We talk about what it means to share the Good News in ways that feel engaging and accessible, and we reflect on a small but powerful symbol inside the church, the IHS engraving on the pulpit, the first three letters of Jesus' name in Greek, serving as a reminder of presence, meaning, and faith in everyday life. We also discuss the annual Live Nativity St. John Lutheran performs for the Mars, PA community joining with another church in the neighborhood, LIVE animals and all, even a donkey!

This episode is a moment of pause and reflection as we head into the holiday season and a reminder of the power of presence, community, and storytelling.

Note: The podcast will take a brief break for the holidays and return with new episodes in the new year.

Episode Resources:

https://www.facebook.com/stjohnchurchmars

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

Today's episode features a candid and engaging conversation with Jake and Mallory Merda Adams, a couple who have spent the last decade building parallel careers in the fast-paced world of sports journalism.

Jake, a Temple grad originally from Northampton, PA, has spent nearly twelve years in the field, serving as a sports editor at The Carlisle Sentinel, Madison.com, and the Louisville Courier Journal. His approach to storytelling is rooted in community, curiosity, and a deep love for the games that bring people together. Mallory, born and raised in Irwin just south of Pittsburgh, discovered her passion early through trips to pro games with her dad. Today, she's a sports editor and sports content coach with USA TODAY, shaping stories across the country while still holding space for her fun side as an avid Sailor Moon and Pokémon collector.

Together, Jake and Mallory open up about the rhythm of life in sports media, the balance between partnership and deadlines, how they support one another through busy seasons, and what keeps them inspired in an industry that never really slows down. If you love sports, storytelling, or just a good behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in journalism today, this episode is for you.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #sportesmedia #sportseditor #sportscouple #partnership

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

On this episode, Laura welcomes Heidi Nichols Bowser, a respected leader within the Butler YMCA community and an accomplished athlete with a lifelong love of sports. Heidi shares how she got her start in speed skating, the dedication that carried her through college tennis, and the career decisions that led her to Butler.

Together, they explore themes of personal growth, community connection, and defining success on your own terms.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Monday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #ymca #friendship

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago