In Episode 138, Lauren interviews librarian, politician, anti-racism activist, published poet, social justice advocate, and community organizer Nick Demske. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Racine Public Library, Nick shares his inspiring journey from stocking library shelves to leading the very institution that sparked his passion for justice and learning. Nick is also co-founder of the BONK! Poetry and Music series and the Joshua Glover Justice Fund, a bail fund supporting pretrial justice in Racine County.

In this episode, Nick reflects on his time as a Racine County Supervisor, offering insights into the challenges and lessons of local politics. He also dives into his creative process as a poet, his faith as a Buddhist, and the power of the personal ask. At the end of the episode, Nick recites favorite poetic lines that are graffitied on the walls of his home.

Tune in for a heartfelt, honest, and thought-provoking conversation that will leave you inspired to lead, create, and serve your own community with courage.

Read Nick's poems here.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 137, Lauren sits down with author, life and career coach Ada Adeleke-Kelani for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Born in Nigeria and now living in Canada with her family, Ada opens up about the profound power of our names —including the touching story behind her son’s name — her miraculous birth experience, and the unmistakable hand of God’s divine intervention in her life.

Ada is the celebrated author of the 101 Quips and Quotes book series, a collection of uplifting quotes and sayings crafted to inspire teens, professionals, couples, and families alike. She also shares her wisdom as the creator of the popular YouTube series Quip Corner with Ada.

Discover more of Ada’s work on her YouTube channel and visit her Amazon author page to explore her books.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 136, Lauren interviews Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) First Year Overseer and pastor Leslie Crandall. Leslie and her husband Tom have been married for nearly twenty-six years, served in full-time ministry for over nineteen years, and have had the privilege of being on staff at Bethel for over ten of those years.

In this episode, Leslie shares how she and her family have welcomed spiritual children into their family, how you can find a spiritual mentor, how to connect with Jesus, and her journey overcoming fear during a health battle.

Leslie has a passion to lead people into an authentic and thriving relationship with Jesus. Her core messages bring people into the simplicity and power of intimacy with God. Her greatest joy is investing in her two children, Joel and Adelyn, as well as developing leaders who carry the fires of revival in this generation.

This episode is full of wisdom and joy that will inspire you deeply!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 135, Lauren interviews California-native Trista Handisides—a wife, mom, and former tech leader at Yahoo and Facebook—who’s now making waves in her community and beyond. Trista opens up about navigating a season of interruption, aligning life with personal values, and getting involved with her local park foundation. She also shares stories from surfing in Mexico and her role as Executive Producer of She Change, a powerful documentary spotlighting four fearless women surfers fighting for equity in the sport. If you’re ready to turn conviction into action and be uplifted by a story of courage, creativity, and community, this episode is for you.

To learn more about the film She Change and to find out when it premieres, follow @shechangethefilm on Instagram.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 134, Lauren interviews Texas-based spiritual teacher, wife and mom Laurence Bragg. In this episode, Laurence shares how she invited God into the parenting of her children (now adult children), including special prayers pregnant women can pray. She also talks about her journey of intimacy with Jesus and ways to hear his voice personally. Lastly, Laurence shares about the power of forgiveness and healing during her recent mission trip to El Salvador.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 133, Lauren interviews Minnesota-native Evan Brown. Evan made a leap of faith and moved to California a few years ago. In this episode, he shares about the wild journey moving out west, his journey overcoming pornography, and his passion to help men walk into sexual freedom. Be on the lookout for Evan's new upcoming podcast, Roaring Lion, where he talks about important and often under-discussed topics like pornography and healing.

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 132, Lauren interviews wife, mom, and Children's Director Jen Polizzi. Jen is full of warmth, kindness, joy, and God stories! In this episode, Jen shares about her encounter with the love of God, how it changed everything around her, the joy of raising her children (ages 29, 14, and 4!), and the power of intergenerational friendships. Jen is full of wisdom and faith and this episode is sure to leave you inspired!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.

In Episode 131, Lauren interviews Public Relations Director and Young Adult Leader Angelic Venegas. Angelic is full of joy and hunger to grow. In this episode, Angelic shares her passion for storytelling and public relations, her journey of health and fitness, how her faith set her free, and a sweet story about Christmas lights! Angelic also shares her thoughts about the upcoming generation. This episode is full of wisdom and life!

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The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.

Support the show

Lauren L. Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller who believes that love + words can set people free. She is an author, editor, and Chief Encouragement Officer who partners with Jesus to connect people to him, their sense of self, and others. You can find her leading workshops, speaking at events and helping to pioneer Fusion USA, a ministry that equips churches to welcome and disciple college students. She is the author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet. When she’s not writing or speaking, Lauren enjoys having impromptu living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago. Visit her online at laurenhansencreative.com.