Westwood Podcast

The best source of comfort and support comes from prayer. Learn how to connect people to God.

Learn how to deliver comfort with practical tools including what to say and not say.

Respond without losing yourself.

Dispel the notion feelings are either right or wrong, need to be hidden, or carried alone.

Park your personal story, assumptions, and fixes at the door. Listen to understand without judgement, offering solutions or advice. Agreement not required.

Communicate the infinite value and worth of people to God: acknowledge you see them.

Rodney Melton is a member of Westwood and the leader of our Racial Justice and Reconciliation team. Rodney joins Pastor Brian Suter and Pastor Kevin Klingbiel to have an important conversation on race and the church. Hear helpful ways we can lean in...

Special guests Laurel Bunker and Bryan Fleming joined Pastor Joel for an important dialogue on race and justice. They shared helpful steps we can take to be people who seek justice and repair amidst the racial discrimination and injustices that are...

In this episode of The Westwood Podcast, we talk to Heather Wilford, our Outreach Associate. She shares her personal story of faith and how God has used difficult situations to draw her closer to Himself. Heather tells about how running impacted her...

Mike Ayres makes a difference in Minnesota, in America, and across the world. He is a leader at Minnesota based Oppidan, a commercial real estate development company. More than that, he is a servant with a tenacious desire to help the poor throughout...

In the new episode of the Westwood Podcast, we chat with Dave Hoff, the co-leader of Westwood's Central Africa Team. Hear how he discovered his passion for ministry during one of the most difficult times of his life. Dave shares about his journey...

In this episode of the Westwood Podcast we have a conversation with Scott Swayne. Scott has worked for the last 29 years in Human Resources and serves as our current Leadership Board Chair. Hear how he shares hope with people going through difficult...

Westwood has partnered with International Justice Mission (IJM) for 5 years to help end child slavery in Ghana. Leo Ackon is the Director of Advocacy for IJM in Ghana. In this episode, Leo shares about his life and how he sensed a calling to seek...

In the newest episode of the Westwood Podcast, you'll hear from Colleen Needles Steward. You might remember Colleen from her time as a broadcaster on WCCO. She is also the President and CEO of Tremendous Entertainment. Colleen shares inspiring and...

Eric is the President of Superior Lawn and Landscape and Superior Outdoor Expressions. The phrase, 'Be an adder, not a subtractor' has guided him in all areas of his life. He shares how he seeks to serve his family, employees and customers and make...

In this episode we talk with Aaron Morland. Together we talk about his life as a husband and business owner. Join us as we talk about how God has combined his passion for Jesus and healthy living through a life of serving others.

In our conversation with Tami Stordahl we discuss her journey at Westwood and the new adventures that God is calling her into. Join us as we talk about the Online Campus and allowing God to work in and through us.

In the early 90's Tom had a major turning point in life through a career change. In that season he crafted a life changing mission statement that he's been living by and becoming for years. He is a husband, a father, a grandpa, and a Senior Vice...

Brian Anderson is the Executive Director of HopeKids Minnesota, an organization that works with kids who have life-threatening medical conditions. Brian shares how he is inspired to love people that are often overlooked and how he strives to not...

Brian and Kevin review a short list of their major take-aways from season 1 of our Westwood Podcast after a significant conversation about Kevin’s flannel shirt and what it’s like for him to be a dad now. Since we launched in January we have...

In part two of our conversation with Dave Nelson we talk about football, his passion to help young men grow and how he lives out his faith in all of it.

In this part of our conversation with Dave Nelson we hear about his faith story, his family, and how the two come together for him.

In part 2 of our interview with Lisa Nebel we talk about belonging in a group at Westwood and how that will help us to be and live like Jesus.

In part 1 of our conversation with Lisa Nebel we hear about her faith story and some of the experiences that have brought her closer to God. She shares about being an empty nester and how she is keeping her faith active.

In part 2 of our interview with Jay Gustafson, we talk about the journeys he has traveled and how he serves our community by advocating for clean water.

In part 1 of our interview with Jay Gustafson, we hear about his faith story and how God is pursuing him. We will also learn how he has lived out his faith by meeting others right where they are

In part two of our conversation with Stephanie Thurling, we hear more about how she is living out her calling and how God is using their ministry to change lives.

In our conversation with Stephanie Thurling, we hear about her family life, some things that she and her husband do to connect, and how she discerned a calling to ministry.

In part 2 of our interview with Gibson Nkanaunena we talk about how Westwood started its partnership with World Relief, what we are doing to make a difference today, and how we are going to continue our relationship with World Relief in Malawi.

In part 1 of our conversation with Gibson Nkanaunena we hear about his family, what keeps his faith active, and a bit about his work with World Relief.

In this episode with Suzanne Wanyonyi we hear about the amazing vision she has for her family and her experiences in trusting God in every circumstance.

Jen and Amy share the story of Shine Up Living’s chapters through a few years of pursuing it. There is a difference between rest and striving. We explore this together. This is for anyone who sometimes feels a little weary pursuing all that God has...

Jen and Amy are founders of Shine-Up Living; a Lifestyle blog for Mom’s. They are bringing a lot of good into the world, and it all began with a friendship. Jen and Amy share principles about how to maintain friendship amongst running a business...

Travis Frank is a producer for Ron Schara productions. It all started with a love for fishing that evolved into a fishing guide business that has now become a way to tell people’s stories through the outdoors on TV.

Travis Frank is a producer and host for Ron Schara productions. But his focus is on other parts of his life and role first: being a good husband, a good Dad and holding it all together with a focus on serving.

In part two of our interview with Mary Pickering – our focus is her career. Over two decades with Proctor and Gamble she had a big influence, including policies around life balance that have lasted beyond her tenure there. We get into what it means...

Description: In part 1 of our interview with Mary Pickering we explore life, family, grief, and walking with God in the normalcy of every day, through every season.

What is the soul of Minnesota’s Soccer Club? This is a question that Chris and his colleagues asked as the MNUFC was catching momentum. That question has evolved into a brand-new stadium and a compelling purpose to unite a community that contains...

Chris Wright, CEO of the Minnesota United Football Club and Westwood member shares his journey of life and faith. Growing up in a fishing town in the UK, being influenced by his Grandfather to find his faith and look at a bigger calling in life,...

In Part 2 of our interview with Kyle Depiesse he explores the turns in his career that he’s made. He’s been focused on a few things: Encouraging other people, improving himself, an adding value into the people in front of him. Oh, and he ran an...

Kyle Depiesse and his family have been a part of Westwood for a few years, and they call our Bush Lake campus home. Kyle is a stay at home Dad and leadership coach. In this interview we talk about Kyle’s story and a challenge he had to walk through...

Message from Pastors Brian Suter & Kevin Klingbiel on March 27, 2019

Gabbie Odom is a junior at Minnetonka High School that takes her influence seriously. In this episode, Gabbie shares about her life as a high school student and what she believes sets her generation apart.

Laura, Kevin, and Brian engage in a conversation about confession. Why is confession important? How do we confess well? What will confession bring me? Join us as we explore God’s hope for us through confession.

In part two of our interview with Chandler Withington we talk about being the head pro at Hazeltine, the Ryder Cup in 2016, and how he connects his faith to his every day work through encouragement of the people in front of him.

Chandler Withington is the head golf professional at Hazeltine National Golf Course. He is a husband, father, son, brother and so much more. In part one of our interview Chandler shares how he strives to continuously improve in all the roles that...

Kelli Brenny is a first grade teacher, and in part two of our interview with her she shares how she puts kids first in all that she does. We get into the changes she has seen over the last 20 years which are important reflections to listen into for...

Kelli Brenny and her family have been at Westwood for five years. She is a Mom of three, a first grade teacher, and a leader in Westwood’s Central Africa Ministry. In part 1 of our interview with her she shares what guides she and her family, and...

How do you lead others through the tougher moments in life? John Butcher shares what guides him as a leader through gravity laden moments and how to lead with grace and compassion to help people thrive – no matter how tough it gets.

John and Brian get into the topic of integrating faith and work. John shares what that connection means and looks like to him, how that is playing out right now at Caribou, and how we can all project joy and grace into the people and places we work.

In part one of our interview with John Butcher, CEO and President of Caribou Coffee, we discuss faith, his life outside of work and how the pursuit of harmony in life is a better focus than trying to achieve balance.