The Story Partners Podcast

Maryam Rostampour-Keller was a young woman in Iran searching for God. When she couldn’t find Him through Islam, she cried out in desperation—and He answered. That call would send her on a journey of faith and defiance that led straight into the heart of Iran’s most notorious prison. Welcome to The Story Partners Podcast - a show featuring stories of transformation told by the people who lived them. It is our hope that as you listen, you are fully immersed into the world of the storyteller. This isn’t a back-forth interview format, instead it’s an uninterrupted and authentic storytelling experience. This is a unique format for a podcast, but we really love it - and we hope you do too! This is Maryam Rostampour-Keller in Season 4 | Episode 2, called: “When Faith is a Crime: The Maryam Rostampour-Keller Story”. Resources & Links: Transcript: Click Here to Read More about Maryam Rostampour-Keller: Maryam was born into a Muslim family in Iran. After becoming a Christian in her teens, she studied theology in Turkey. Her story—along with that of her friend, Marziyeh Amirizadeh—of being imprisoned for their faith and sentenced to death in Iran is told in Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph Amid the Horror of Tehran’s Brutal Evin Prison. Maryam holds both a B.S. and an M.S. in International Affairs from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and her passion is to share Jesus with as many people as possible. Books by Maryam: Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph amid the Horror of Tehran’s Brutal Evin Prison Connect with Maryam Online: Facebook @MaryamRostampour-Keller // Instagram @official.maryamrostampour We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Recommended Episodes: If you liked Maryam’s story, listen to these next… Spotify: S3 | E12: What’s the Point? (Reuben Shekwonyadu’s Story) S3 | E2: What’s in a Name (Elmira Javid’s Story) S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story Apple Podcasts: S3 | E12: What’s the Point? (Reuben Shekwonyadu’s Story) S3 | E2: What’s in a Name (Elmira Javid’s Story) S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story Connect with Story Partners: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry Give: Support this crowd-funded work at StoryPartners.org/GIVE We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

Episode Description Tom Tarrants was a committed white supremacist and member of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Armed with hate and ready to die for the cause, he sets out to murder a member of the opposition. But little does he know he’s walking into a trap. Welcome to The Story Partners Podcast - a show featuring stories of transformation told by the people who lived them. It is our hope that as you listen, you are fully immersed into the world of the storyteller. This isn’t a back-forth interview format, instead it’s an uninterrupted and authentic storytelling experience. This is a unique format for a podcast, but we really love it - and we hope you do too! This is Tom Tarrants in Season 4 | Episode 1 (Part 1) called “Conversion of a Klansman: The Tom Tarrants Story”. Content Warning: This episode is intended for adult audiences and contains descriptions of racism, domestic terrorism, and violence. Listener discretion is advised. Resources & Links: Transcript: Click Here to Read More about Tom: Tom Tarrants was once a committed white supremacist and member of Mississippi’s White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, described by the FBI as one of the most violent right-wing terrorist organizations in America. In 1969, he was shot and arrested while attempting to bomb the home of a Jewish leader and was sentenced to decades in prison. During years of confinement — including time in solitary at Parchman Farm — Tarrants began reading the Bible and encountered Jesus Christ, leading to a dramatic conversion and a complete break from his former life of hatred and violence. After serving eight years of his sentence, Tarrants was released and went on to earn a doctorate, co-pastor a racially diverse church in Washington, D.C., and later serve as president of the C. S. Lewis Institute. He has devoted his life to Christian discipleship and sharing the transforming power of the Gospel. Books by Tom Tarrants: Conversion of a Klansman Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Recommended Episodes: If you liked Tom’s story, listen to these next… Spotify: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S1 | E1: 746746 Is Not My Name: Billy Webb’s Story S3 | E5: Betrayed: Jean Louis Kassis’s Story S1 | E6: Below the Surface: Tim Brown’s Story Apple Podcasts: S3 | E1 (Pt. 1): Killing in the Name of God: Afshin Javid’s Story S1 | E1: 746746 Is Not My Name: Billy Webb’s Story S3 | E5: Betrayed: Jean Louis Kassis’s Story S1 | E6: Below the Surface: Tim Brown’s Story Connect with Story Partners: Watch our Films: YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms Website: www.StoryPartners.org Instagram @Story_Partners | Facebook @StoryPartnersMinistry Give: Support this crowd-funded work at StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

The Story Partners Podcast is an immersive storytelling experience that brings to life true stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by Jesus. These Christian testimonies are raw, moving, and powerful – told with authenticity and depth. With no interview questions, no interruptions, just beautifully crafted, uninterrupted storytelling, each story is a testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of Christ. - In this bonus episode, we teamed up with the guys from Wow God Stories podcast to bring you stories about miracles. Some miracles are hard to believe until the evidence is undeniable. Today’s stories point to a God who is still in the miracle business. - In this episode you’ll hear how… Colton Dixon’s daughter was born without a pulse, but she miraculously recovered. A blind woman instantly gained perfect sight after her husband prayed for her. Donna Vanliere was healed from neck pain, and started a prayer ministry. A teen with a paralyzed stomach was instantly healed during prayer and ate normally for the first time. God “made” Holly read scripture in prison, which led to healing from addiction. A woman dying from multiple sclerosis stood up, walked, and was fully healed after prayer. - If you enjoy today’s episode and want to hear more stories from the Wow God Stories podcast, click on the links below: ⁠Wow God Stories – Spotify⁠ ⁠Wow God Stories – Apple Podcast⁠ - Thanks for listening to the Story Partners Podcast Learn more at: https://storypartners.org/podcast/ Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StoryPartnersFilms Connect with us: Website: https://storypartners.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/story_partners/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoryPartnersMinistry TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@storypartners?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc - Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis

Faced with the fragility of life, Reuben Shekwonyadu asks God a big question. God shows up in incredible ways and takes Reuben on the ride of his life. Want to connect with Reuben directly? Reach out to him at: https://www.facebook.com/rshekwo/ The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis

Joey Castillo’s father reveals a secret power that is anything but natural. In his desire to become a real man, Joey desperately seeks what his father has… the thing he believes he truly needs. The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis

You know when you plan and then everything changes? Well, something came up. The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

After surviving the biggest battle of her life, Cammie Jarvis starts to experience normal life for the first time. But everything is upended with a single doctor’s visit, and now she’s back in the fight of her life. It seems this could be the end of her time on earth… but God has a miracle in mind. The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis Special Thanks To: Jenifer Thyssen for helping out with the music in this episode

In the midst of a civil war in Lebanon, Jean Louis Kassis finds himself in a world of chaos. Desperately searching for unconditional love, he experiences the opposite at every turn. Wrongfully imprisoned and enduring extreme torture, Jean Louis thinks his life could be ending, but really it is just the beginning… The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis

Lindsey Jackson’s life was going according to her plan: she fell in love, married young and was pregnant with her first child. However, her plan was turned upside down when her son’s delivery didn’t go the way she expected. Walking through this experience prepared Lindsey for the shock of her life - something she could have never imagined… Lindsey is now a licensed therapist, you can learn more and book an appointment here: https://www.connectionscounselingtx.com/ Resources Lindsey Recommends: The Joyful Mourning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joyful-mourning-a-podcast-for-women-who/id1398380268 Books: “Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief” – David Kessler “No Cure for Being Human” – Kate Bowler “Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow” – Nancy Guthrie “Grief is Love: Living with Loss” – Marisa Renee Lee “Getting Grief Right: Finding Your Story of Love in the Sorrow of Loss” – Patrick O’Malley with Tim Madigan “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament” – Mark Vroegop The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis

Elmira Javid was driven out of her home country, Iran, by war. Now, as a refugee in Germany, she finds herself completely alone – far from family, friends and the Islamic faith she’s so devoted to. One night, as she is weeping in despair, someone new steps into her life, and everything changes. The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_uIFEwmAAqKqlqAtnbdnqOZZkJRwfgD95

Afshin Javid grew up in Iran under strict Islamic law. He loved Allah and was willing to kill, and even die for him. After a supernatural encounter, he starts to question everything and the foundation of his faith begins to crumble. *Listener discretion is advised* Warning: This episode deals with the topics of Islamic martyrdom and violence; listener discretion is advised. For more information about Afshin Javid: Afshin Javid’s Website: https://afshinjavid.com/ Afshin Javid’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theafshinjavid Feature Film releasing in May 2025, that shares part of Afshin Javid’s Story: https://www.showmeyourglory.com/ The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis podscan_XQjr0Vv1iIbxzYrKfnO8Lprtrdh3Fg64

Tim Halfin heard that a local boy had been missing for three days. Unexpectedly, God spoke to Tim and told him to go into the woods near his house and look for the boy... Listen to this special bonus episode from our friends at the GOD OUT LOUD Podcast, where Tim Halfin shares the remarkable story of hearing and obeying the voice of God.

As a new teacher in Midland, Texas, Matt Slavik was in charge of driving a carload of kids to Zion National Park for a school trip. Around 2am he woke up on the side of the road, disoriented and asking, “What happened?” The answer was devastating. The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus. We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way. Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms. Connect with us: Instagram: @Story_Partners Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry TikTok: @StoryPartners Website: StoryPartners.org Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE Producers: Walt and Annie Manis Editor: Walt Manis