The SPU Voices Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"The Huntress," with Prof Cara Wall-Scheffler '00 Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Cara Wall-Scheffler is a Professor and Co-Chair of Biology at SPU. Her research focuses on the evolution of how men and women differ physically, particularly in the context of balancing body temperature and long-distance locomotion. She has been working on this problem for over 20 years and has published numerous papers along with her students. Her work shows very clearly how different selection pressures have acted on men and women, and that women in particular have a rare ability to work both efficiently and economically when carrying loads. Why is this meaningful for us today? Listen and find out...

"A Woman's Place," with Pastor Becca Worl '02 Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Pastor Rebecca Worl was born and raised as a missionary kid in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After returning to the states, she finished school in Bellingham and went on to receive her undergraduate degree in Theology from Seattle Pacific. Becca then earned her Masters in Theological and Biblical Studies from Fuller Seminary, and subsequently served as Associate Pastor on staff at Cedarcreek Covenant in Maple Valley. In 2022, she joined the Pine Lake Covenant Church team as Student Ministries Pastor, in addition to being a retreat speaker and an itinerant preacher in the ECC.

"What's Old Is New Again," with Nathan Hedman '95 Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Hedman, SPU class of ’95, served in a joint appointment for the departments of English and Theatre at High Point University, teaching courses at the intersection of performance and literature. He now serves as director of the honors program as well. Nathan recently returned from advising a group of students studying abroad in Prague.

"On the Fireline," with Brent Ruby '89 Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Professor Brent Ruby graduated from SPU in ‘89 with a degree in Exercise Science. He now serves as a professor at the University of Montana where his research includes the physical and mental toll fighting wildland fires has on the people who battle these blazes. Being away from loved ones can also weigh on firefighters, which led Ruby to write a children’s book called “Wrango and Banjo: On the Fireline,” that tells the story of a canine fire crew battling wildfires, with the goal of helping the children of these heroes better understand the demands of their parents’ job.

"Mother/Runner," with Vanessa Aniteye '23 Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

When Vanessa Aniteye’s indoor track season started in December of 2022, she was a decorated 400-meter runner moving up to the 800 meters. At that point, she had raced the 800 just three times in her life. Three months later, in March of 2023, Vanessa became a national champion at that distance. Then a senior at Seattle Pacific, she brought home a first-place win, clocked the fastest time of the season, and also pocketed her ninth All-American honor. All this achievement would be difficult enough for any student, but Vanessa was also returning to the sport after giving birth to her son.

"The Bible You Thought You Knew," with Prof Emeritus Frank Spina Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Frank Spina was a professor of Old Testament at SPU for four and a half decades. Dr. Spina often heard from students that he had taught their parents — or their grandparents. Considered tough and fair, he was named Professor of the Year by these very students. Dr. Spina is an Episcopal priest, serving as associate priest at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Bellevue, Washington, he speaks regularly in the Northwest and beyond, and currently hosts a podcast called The Bible You Thought You Knew.

"The Play's the Thing," with Esther Williamson '98 Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

Esther Williamson graduated from SPU in 1998 with a double major in Theatre and English, then earned her Masters of Fine Arts from The Academy for Classical Acting at The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Now, she’s an actor and teaching artist based in Brooklyn, New York. A proud member of Taffety Punk Theatre Company, Esther has been praised by The Washington Post and numerous local critics for her deft handling of heightened text and her grounded, soulful onstage presence. With Taffety Punk, she has performed over half of Shakespeare's canon as well as several new and classic works. She has also acted and taught with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Seattle Shakespeare Company; Book-It Repertory Theatre; Opera House Arts in Stonington, ME; and many others. Find her at estherwilliamson.com

“Writing A New Chapter,” with Mike Henry ‘79 Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Michael Henry is a retired pastor and missionary. Michael’s ministry included serving as a missionary in Mexico, where he encountered intense spiritual warfare, and planting and pastoring churches in Washington state. Now retired, Mike pursues writing novels, screen plays, and film production- including an award-winning documentary film entitled “Kidnapped Redemption.” The story of missionary Phyllis Sortor’s harrowing adventure in Nigeria.

"Kidnapped Redemption," with Phyllis Sortor ‘64 Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

Phyllis Sortor had served as a missionary with Free Methodist World Missions in Nigeria for 10 years when she was kidnapped by a terrorist group hoping to end her work with the Fulani, an indigenous nomadic people group. A new feature-length film has recently been released documenting her kidnapping and time in Nigeria. She immediately returned to Nigeria and built Schools for Africa, an organization providing schools, primary healthcare, grazing reserves, and water and grass restoration for the Fulani people. And she is Seattle Pacific University’s 2023 Alumna of the Year.

"Reading the Bible with the Damned," with Bob Ekblad '82 May 18, 2023

Show notes

Bob Ekblad took a break from his studies at SPU to travel. Though he would return to graduate, his call to share with and gain insight from other cultures would steer the rest of his journey. Bob with his wife Gracie, 2014 SPU Medallion Award winners, are founders and co-directors of Tierra Nueva in Burlington, Washington and New Earth Refuge, a home-based retreat center in the Skagit Valley. These organizations work with a team of staff and volunteers to serve immigrants from Latin America, inmates, homeless people and people struggling with addictions. Bob is also known internationally for his courses and workshops on reading the Bible, emphasizing discipleship, holistic healing, and liberation.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected