The Wake-Up Call – "The Behind-the-Scenes History of the Wake-Up Call"

Podcast: The Wake-Up Call
Host: J.D. Walt
Guest/Co-Host: Nick Perot (Producer/Director, Creative Director at Seedbed)
Release Date: March 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This special episode offers a "behind-the-scenes" look at the history, evolution, and vision of The Wake-Up Call—a daily devotional community and platform dedicated to helping listeners reorient their lives around Jesus. J.D. Walt and Nick Perot recount the origin story of Seedbed and The Wake-Up Call, discuss how it has changed over the years, spotlight their community-driven approach, and introduce new resources designed to foster deeper engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing the Hosts and Their Roles

• Nick Perot’s Background (02:02–03:53):

  • Based in Bettendorf, Iowa, Nick is originally from Canada, and has been at Seedbed since 2013 as creative director and chief designer.
  • Personal tidbits: married to Camille, three kids (Lloyd, Iona, and Wilfred), and a passionate vinyl record collector.

• Team Behind The Wake-Up Call (06:36–07:37):

  • Marin handles video and podcast edits, Holly Jones does written edits, and Andrew Dragos provides theological review.
  • J.D.’s son David manages social media; a wider team and many guest authors contribute.

2. How It All Began: The Origin Story

• Initial Inspiration (08:03–10:49):

  • J.D. Walt, then at Asbury Seminary, asked, “How do we help each other stay at home in the Bible?”
  • In 2005, created a daily Lenten scripture reader: “If it's worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly at first.” (J.D., 09:56)
  • Emphasis was on reading the Bible together as a foundational spiritual practice—“The issue isn’t having a Bible… How do we get the word of God out of the Bible and into here and into our lives?” (J.D., 10:26)

• Growth into a Movement (10:49–12:55):

  • Readers grew from seminary community to churches requesting them for various seasons.
  • The project earned a Lilly Foundation grant (as "seminarius," Latin for "seed bed"), with vision of a “50-year sowing for what we hope will be a 100-year awakening.” (J.D., 12:58)

3. The Evolution of the Daily Offering

• Content and Format Transformation (13:35–16:41):
  • Started with just scripture and classic writings; only later did J.D. add his reflections, prayers, and prompts—often shaped by personal hardship.
  • Introduction of RESPONSE sections: written reflections, journal prompts, and prayers in addition to scripture readings.
  • “The Lord taught me long ago that if you're going to give something to others as manna... you’re gonna have to learn to receive it as manna day by day.” (J.D., 15:59)

4. The Name and Moravian Roots

• From 'Daily Text' to 'Wake-Up Call' (16:41–25:11):
  • Originates with the Moravian Daily Text, a 17th-century devotional tradition where 365 Bible verses were drawn annually for daily reflection—a significant influence on John Wesley and birth of Methodism.
  • “Our deal has been, we've been trying to get back to the roots of what really was the greatest awakening in one of the greatest awakenings in world history, the British Awakening.” (J.D., 20:44)
  • Name change driven by the desire for clarity and resonance: “When we did [Seedbed] Daily Text, people are like, are you gonna send me a text on my phone?... We need a better name.” (J.D., 25:11)

5. Community Dynamics and Resource Development

• Iterative, Responsive Growth (22:58–27:38):
  • Community input shapes content and resources. Prompts and journal spaces included after requests and seeing people’s own adaptations.
  • “We like how the Wake Up Call community tells us what we need to be working on and what's landing, what's making a difference.” (Nick, 27:11)
  • Expansion to books, field guides, prayer books, and journals as people sought to print, share, and collect materials.

6. New Developments: The Magnum Opus Project

• Introducing 'Unpuzzled' and New Workbooks (28:23–31:39):
  • Launching a comprehensive series workbook, "Unpuzzled," and making future content similarly structured for individual and group use.
  • Incorporates discussion guides, prayers, Bible creeds, group activities, and ample journaling space.
  • “How can we tell people it's important to read and journal and then not give them a way to do it?” (Nick, 29:45)
  • Includes QR codes for weekly video teachings to prime group conversation.

7. Global Reach and Ecumenical Family

• Wake-Up Call Community Worldwide (22:06–22:32, 32:06–32:41):
  • Diverse, interdenominational, represented across continents—“We got United Methodists, Global Methodists, Baptists, people living in Hernhut-type communities in Australia... in Africa, and Canada, all across the world.” (J.D., 22:06; Nick, 22:22)
  • Vision: “Little Hernhuts… hernhut means the watch of the Lord. And that's really what our vision is for every local church.” (J.D., 32:10, 32:22)

8. The Rhythm and Values of the Wake-Up Call

• Consecration > Transformation > Demonstration (32:45–33:17):
  • “If we're not getting it outside of us, then what's it all for? …Personal transformation can only be understood if it spills out.” (Nick, 32:45)
  • “Fruit grows on flourishing trees.” (J.D., 33:17)

9. Upcoming Series and the Community’s Influence

• Content Planning Driven by the Community (34:07–35:50):
  • Next releases include Dan Wilt’s “All the Things: Everyday Ministry and the Power of the Holy Spirit” and a renewed study of Philippians.
  • Community surveys and requests (especially for guidance on the Holy Spirit) directly inform upcoming content.

10. Commitment to Accessibility

• Always Free, Always Growing (38:08–39:08):
  • Encouragement to subscribe and share; resources offered for free, reflecting a mission-driven rather than profit-driven approach.
  • “We're sewing, not selling.” (J.D., 27:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly at first."
  – J.D. Walt, on launching the original scripture reader (09:56)

• "The issue isn’t having a Bible… How do we get the word of God out of the Bible and into here and into our lives?"
  – J.D. Walt (10:26)

• "This is a 50-year sowing for what we hope will be a 100-year awakening."
  – J.D. Walt (12:58)

• "I'm hardly a teacher. I don’t consider myself a Bible scholar. I'm a Bible lover."
  – J.D. Walt (15:46)

• "We're sewing, not selling."
  – J.D. Walt (27:04), on their approach to resource distribution

• "Consecration leads to transformation, leads to demonstration."
  – Nick Perot (32:45)

• "One Christian is no Christian."
  – Nick Perot (29:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:02] – Nick Perot’s background, role, and personal life
• [06:36] – Introduction of team members and expanding efforts
• [08:03] – The very first scripture reader and why it began
• [12:26] – Defining “Seedbed” and the vision for a long-term movement
• [13:50] – The evolution from text to devotional, reflection, and prompts
• [16:41] – The Moravian Daily Text and its influence on Methodism
• [22:06] – The global, ecumenical Wake Up Call community
• [23:24] – Introduction of journal prompts and community feedback
• [25:11] – Why the name changed to Wake Up Call
• [28:30] – Launch of new workbooks and resources
• [32:10] – Vision for “little Hernhuts” and the watch of the Lord
• [34:07] – Upcoming series based on community requests
• [38:08] – Subscription encouragement and free access commitment

Flow & Tone

The tone is warm, candid, and community-oriented, infused with humor and humility. Both hosts emphasize learning as they go, respond actively to community feedback, and remain committed to the core practice of reading the Bible together. The episode blends historical context, personal anecdotes, and future plans while always tying back to the practical mission of helping people encounter Jesus and share the journey in community.

Final Thoughts

This episode not only charts the history and ongoing development of The Wake-Up Call, but also offers an inspiring testimony to the staying power of communal spiritual practices, humble beginnings, and adaptive leadership rooted in listening to God and one another. The takeaway: transformation is a long-term endeavor, but done together with intention and love, it is both possible and fruitful.