The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

What happens when you believe God has called you to something—but every door keeps closing?
On Episode 183 of The Walk, host Kurtis Parks sits down with bilingual Christian artist and worship leader Iveth Luna for an honest conversation about calling, identity, fear, motherhood, worship, and trusting God in seasons that don't make sense.
Iveth grew up in the Dallas, Texas area in a family deeply rooted in ministry. Her grandfather—a pastor, missionary, and church planter—helped show her what a life of faith could look like. She began leading worship at 16 and eventually sensed God calling her into music. But when opportunities with American Idol and The Voice repeatedly ended in closed doors, Iveth began questioning more than her calling. She started questioning who she was.
That painful season eventually led to depression—but also to healing. Iveth shares how God rebuilt her identity around a truth she now carries into every season: before she is a singer, artist, worship leader, wife, or mother, she is a daughter of the King.
Now living in Nashville with her husband and young son, Iveth is stepping into a new chapter with music including Making Ways and the bilingual worship release “House of God” / “Casa De Dios.” She shares why motherhood has changed the way she sees the people she leads, what the Spanish-speaking Church can teach us about worship, and why she refuses to let fear make her decisions anymore.
In This Episode
What happens when God gives you a dream, but the doors keep closing? Iveth shares how rejection forced her to confront where she had placed her identity.
Can your calling become too connected to your identity? Iveth explains why being a daughter of God has to come before being a worship leader.
How do you keep fear from controlling your life? She reflects on years of allowing fear to have the final say—and why she refuses to live that way anymore.
What can the wider Church learn from Spanish-speaking worship communities? Iveth talks about reverence, joy, expression, cultural diversity, and the beauty of every tribe and tongue worshiping Jesus.
How does becoming a mother change the way you lead worship? Iveth shares how motherhood has given her a deeper compassion for the people in front of her.
What do you do in a season of transition? Sometimes worship looks like leading from a platform. Sometimes it looks like worshiping Jesus with your family in the living room.
Pull Quote
“I am a worship leader, but first off, I’m a daughter of the King. And every season is going to look different, and it’s okay.”
Connect with Iveth Luna
Website: IvethLuna.com
Listen to “House of God” / “Casa De Dios” and “Making Ways” wherever you stream music.
About The Walk
The Walk: Faith in the Real World
Real people. Real moments. True faith.
The Walk is a Worship Leader Media podcast featuring honest conversations about what it means to follow Jesus when faith moves beyond what we say and into the way we actually live.
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Show Notes
Real people. Real moments. True faith.
Sometimes God's greatest miracles don't happen overnight—they happen through years of surrender.
On this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with Christian artist Justin Gambino for one of his most personal conversations yet. Justin opens up about growing up as a prodigal, serving in the Navy, battling PTSD, addiction, infertility, and learning to trust God's timing through years of waiting. He also shares how becoming a father has completely reshaped his understanding of God's faithfulness and why his newest EP, The Garden of the Lord, is the most personal music he's ever written.
Guest Bio
Justin Gambino is a Christian singer-songwriter based in Texas whose music reflects a life transformed by God's grace. After serving eight years in the U.S. Navy and overcoming addiction, depression, and PTSD, Justin now travels the country sharing the hope of Christ through music and testimony. His latest EP, The Garden of the Lord, explores intimacy with God, healing, and spiritual growth.
Episode Highlights
How years of infertility taught Justin to trust God's perfect timing
The unexpected lesson God taught him through his newborn son
Why vulnerability became one of the greatest tools in his ministry
What God showed him about building His Kingdom instead of his own
How The Garden of the Lord was written during one of the deepest seasons of spiritual growth
Why obedience often comes before understanding
The importance of community when you're walking through pain
How God uses our testimony to bring freedom to others
Pull Quote
"When you keep your eyes on the Father, you can trust that His provision is already on the way."
Connect with Justin
Instagram: @justingambino
Listen to The Garden of the Lord on all streaming platforms.
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center.
Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software trusted by thousands of churches to organize volunteers, plan services, manage worship teams, and keep ministries running smoothly.
Try it today: https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=worshipleader&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Watch the full conversation on the Worship Leader Media YouTube channel.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the greatest blessing in your life is a prayer God never answered the way you expected?
In Episode 181 of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Dove Award-winning artist Leanna Crawford shares the deeply personal journey behind her sophomore album, Thank God. While many know Leanna for her No. 1 hit "Still Waters (Psalm 23)," this conversation reveals the seasons of disappointment, comparison, anxiety, and healing that shaped the songs on her newest record.
Leanna opens up about nearly walking away from music, how counseling helped her rediscover joy, and why she's now grateful that God didn't answer every prayer the way she wanted. She also shares the excitement surrounding her Grand Ole Opry debut, her love for country music, and how faith continues to shape every lyric she writes.
Whether you're walking through uncertainty, waiting on God, or learning to trust His timing, this conversation is a reminder that His plans are always better—even when they don't make sense at first.
Guest Bio
Leanna Crawford is a Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Named New Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards, she is known for heartfelt songs including the RIAA Gold-certified, Billboard No. 1 hit "Still Waters (Psalm 23)." Her sophomore album, Thank God, blends country influences with honest storytelling and faith-filled encouragement as she continues reaching millions of listeners around the world.
Episode Highlights
Why Leanna almost walked away from music
How counseling helped change her perspective
The story behind her new album, Thank God
Learning gratitude in seasons of disappointment
The growing connection between country and Christian music
What it means to trust God's timing instead of your own
Her upcoming Grand Ole Opry debut
Why a full life includes both joy and sorrow
Pull Quote
"I'm thankful God didn't answer every prayer the way I wanted Him to."
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.
Try it today:
https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Listen
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
Watch
Watch the full conversation on the Worship Leader Media YouTube channel.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What makes a worship song truly powerful?
Is it the melody? The production? The number of streams?
According to 2819 Worship, it's much simpler than that: Does the song help people behold Jesus more clearly?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Kurtis Parks sits down with Kristen Pinckney and Trey Heflin of 2819 Worship, the Atlanta-based collective from 2819 Church whose debut single, "For Christ Alone," has quickly become one of the most talked-about new worship songs of the year.
The conversation goes far beyond songwriting. Kristen and Trey share the heart behind their church's explosive growth, why every worship gathering begins and ends with prayer, and how a three-year journey through the Gospel of Matthew shaped both their church and their music. They also discuss the spontaneous moment that transformed "For Christ Alone" into a 13-minute worship anthem and why their mission has never been to create viral songs—but songs rooted in Scripture that point people to Christ.
Whether you're a worship leader, songwriter, pastor, or someone longing for deeper worship, this episode is a timely reminder that our greatest calling is not influence—it's faithfulness.
Guest Bio
2819 Worship is the worship collective of 2819 Church in Atlanta, Georgia, led by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell. Comprised of worship leaders, musicians, and songwriters including Kristen Pinckney and Trey Heflin, the collective exists to create biblically grounded worship music that helps the Church behold Jesus more clearly. Their debut single, "For Christ Alone," released in partnership with Reach Records, has quickly gained worldwide attention for its Scripture-centered message and authentic live worship expression.
Episode Highlights
The story behind 2819 Church's remarkable growth
Why every worship gathering begins and ends with prayer
How a three-year study through Matthew transformed their church
The inspiration behind "For Christ Alone"
Why worship songs should be rooted in Scripture
The spontaneous moment that changed the song forever
Faithfulness vs. influence in worship ministry
Why today's Church is hungry for biblical truth
Pull Quote
"We write songs that help people behold Christ more clearly."
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.
Try it today:
https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Listen
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
Watch
Watch the full conversation on the Worship Leader Media YouTube channel.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do you do when the dream you've spent your life chasing no longer makes sense?
In Episode 179 of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, singer-songwriter and worship leader Bodie shares the surprising story behind his rise from local church worship leader to runner-up on NBC's The Voice and one of Christian music's fastest-rising artists.
Before millions watched him compete on national television, Bodie was already considering walking away from music altogether. Discouraged, exhausted, and questioning his future, he found himself at a crossroads where surrender became more important than success. Then came an unexpected opportunity that changed everything.
In this conversation, Bodie opens up about identity, calling, worship leadership, songwriting, family life on the road, and the challenge of keeping Jesus at the center when opportunities begin multiplying. He also shares the heart behind his new single, "Almost Famous," and why he's learned that true success is measured by obedience, not recognition.
Along the way, you'll hear stories from The Voice, lessons learned from touring with artists like Colton Dixon and Elevation Rhythm, and powerful moments where God's presence redirected the course of his life.
Whether you're a worship leader, creative, musician, or simply someone trying to follow God's leading in a season of uncertainty, this episode offers a timely reminder that surrender often comes before breakthrough.
Guest Bio
Bodie first captured national attention as the runner-up on Season 22 of NBC's The Voice. Since then, his debut album No Skips has generated more than 38 million streams, and he has toured with artists including Elevation Rhythm, Colton Dixon, and Seth Schluter. A worship leader, songwriter, and artist, Bodie combines alternative rock influences with honest faith-filled storytelling. Originally from Los Angeles, he now serves in ministry while continuing to create music that points listeners toward Jesus.
Episode Highlights
• Why Bodie was preparing to quit music before The Voice
• The conversation with God that changed his perspective on calling
• How surrender became the foundation of his career
• What worship leadership taught him about success
• The story behind his new single, "Almost Famous"
• Touring, family life, and staying grounded in ministry
• How God's presence met him in one of the lowest moments of his life
• Why obedience matters more than recognition
Pull Quote
"You don't choose who you reach. God chooses who you reach."
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.
Try it today at:
https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.