Podcast Summary
GPS: God. People. Stories.
Episode: The GPS Podcast Turns 10: A Decade of God’s Goodness
Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Jim Kirkland, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Episode Overview
This special 10th anniversary episode of GPS: God. People. Stories. celebrates a decade of sharing testimonies about lives radically transformed by encounters with Jesus Christ. Host Jim Kirkland revisits some of the podcast’s most powerful and memorable stories—from addiction recovery and near-fatal disasters to redemption after crime and miraculous survival. Throughout, the episode emphasizes a central message: God is faithful, meets people in their darkest moments, redeems brokenness, and transforms lives.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction: Reflecting on a Decade of Stories
- The podcast has shared over 350 stories from diverse individuals, illustrating Jesus Christ’s life-changing power.
- “Every one of our guests has something powerful in common. It's a story with clear testimony to the transformational power Jesus Christ has in our lives.” —Jim Kirkland [01:36]
The Gospel Foundation
- Billy Graham’s words underline the foundational theme of spiritual rebirth as essential to all stories shared on GPS:
- "Jesus said, you must be born again. It's the work of the Spirit of God that changes your life...and makes you a new person." —Billy Graham [01:55]
Ben Fuller: From Addiction to Worship (03:02–06:33)
Background
- Ben Fuller, now a Christian music artist, grew up as a stonemason and functioning addict in Vermont.
- His spiral into substance abuse — working long weeks, then drinking and using drugs nightly.
Key Moments
- “I was drinking, know, 15 to 17 beers every night...acting like you ain't scared, how's that heart? A stone ain't so hard when you're alone. Crying tears you hope nobody sees. Guess the good news is he'll never leave you be. Jesus loves you, black sheep.” —Ben Fuller [03:02]
- Ben tried escaping addiction by moving to Nashville, but “addiction follows you.”
- A transformative worship night led to encountering the Holy Spirit.
- “It was the highest that I had ever been in my life. And I did nothing for it...that’s when I just said, I want more of this. Fix me, help me, change me, send me.” —Ben Fuller [05:17]
- Gradual but radical life transformation: He stopped drinking, using drugs, swearing, and found himself convicted about his actions.
- “I'm gonna preach until the day that I die that Christ has...he died for me and he healed me from those things.” [06:10]
Takeaway
- Ben’s story evidences the message of 2 Corinthians 5:17 — In Christ, the old has gone and the new has come.
Tammy Jo Schultz: Faith at 32,500 Feet (06:33–09:31)
Background
- Tammy Jo Schultz, one of the first female F18 Navy jet pilots, became a commercial airline pilot.
- On Southwest Flight 1380 (2018), she faced a catastrophic engine explosion at cruising altitude.
Key Moments
- “About 20 minutes into the flight, passing 32,500ft, we heard an explosion and had such a hard hit, it felt like we'd been hit by another aircraft. And I remember thinking, this could be the day that I meet my maker.” —Tammy Jo Schultz [00:00; 07:43]
Framework for Life
- Tammy Jo describes “habits, heroes, and hope” as the three constants she learned through her ordeal:
- “Habits on a good day become our instincts on a bad day...practicing heroes don't require equipment or title...and hope—it doesn't have to change our circumstances. It changes us.” —Tammy Jo Schultz [08:31]
Takeaway
- Her faith created the foundation for calm and resourcefulness during crisis—and offers a practical, biblical framework for everyday and extraordinary challenges.
Mark Whitaker: Redemption Through Brokenness (09:31–10:51)
Background
- Mark Whitaker, business executive, served as an FBI informant and subsequently served prison time after exposing a corporate scandal.
Key Moments
- “The most adversity that I've ever experienced in my life was wearing a wire and the FBI telling you, Mark, if they catch you, they're going to kill you.” —Mark Whitaker [00:22; 09:57]
- His eight and a half years in prison became the most productive of his life:
- “I learned for the first time in my life how rewarding it was to help someone else besides myself. You hear the word servant leadership, but I sure never experienced it until I went to prison, until I became a believer and a follower of Jesus. And it changed my life forever.” —Mark Whitaker [10:09]
- Mark sees his brokenness as the path to transformation.
- “I thank God for brokenness because that's what it took me. I had to get to the end of myself to get to know God.” —Mark Whitaker [10:51]
Takeaway
- Hitting rock bottom paved the way for authentic faith, greater family unity, and true humility.
Angie Thompson: Prayer in the Tornado (11:26–13:03)
Background
- Angie Thompson’s home was destroyed by a tornado while she sheltered underneath a staircase.
Key Moments
- “I was screaming out to God that I knew I was dying...I said, God, please make it stop. Please make it stop.” —Angie Thompson [11:26]
- Her husband Tim testifies to God's miraculous protection:
- “God protected her that night. There's no other question, no other explanation. God, by his grace, protected her...Everyone that met her said, 'God's got a plan for you and God's not through with you yet.'” —Tim Thompson [12:16]
Takeaway
- Even in literal storms, faith and prayer can make a tangible difference, with miraculous outcomes acknowledged even by nonbelievers.
Closing Themes & Reflections
- Every GPS story, regardless of the background, points to God’s faithfulness and power to bring good out of adversity.
- “He redeems even our worst mistakes. He transforms lives in ways that only he can. Whether it's through addiction, tragedy, imprisonment or near death experiences. God shows up. He changes hearts. He makes all things new.” —Jim Kirkland [13:03]
- The podcast’s mission remains: to testify about the ongoing, transforming work of Jesus Christ in people’s lives.
Notable Quotes & Gospel Invitation
- “You must be born again. It's the work of the spirit of God that changes your life and...makes you a new person.” —Billy Graham [01:55; 14:14]
- “When Christ comes into your heart, he changes your nature. You become a new creation in Christ. Old things pass away and everything becomes new.” —Billy Graham [14:19]
Visitors are invited to learn more at findpeacewithgod.net and to call the Billy Graham 24/7 prayer line if they desire prayer or want to begin a relationship with Jesus.
Selected Timestamps for Main Segments
- [00:00] – Tammy Jo Schultz recalls Flight 1380 ordeal
- [02:40] – Jim introduces Ben Fuller’s redemption story
- [03:02-06:33] – Ben Fuller: addiction, transformation, and faith
- [07:29–09:31] – Tammy Jo Schultz: faith and crisis survival
- [09:31–10:51] – Mark Whitaker: brokenness, prison, and finding God
- [11:26–13:03] – Angie Thompson: miraculous protection in a tornado
- [14:14–15:05] – Billy Graham’s message on spiritual rebirth
- [13:03 & 15:04] – Host reflects on the decade; invitation to listeners
Tone & Style
The episode is warm, hopeful, earnest, and testimony-driven—punctuated by real-life accounts, scriptural truths, and classic Billy Graham evangelistic clarity. The stories are raw and honest, yet always pointing back to the certainty of God’s intervention and the fresh start available through Christ.
In Summary:
Over ten years, GPS: God. People. Stories. has provided a platform for telling how God’s love and grace reach people from all backgrounds, drawing them out of crisis, addiction, loss, and despair into transformed lives anchored in faith.