Shows
Ope There It IsEpisode 16: Interview with Deb CoreFrom the time she was a 7th grader in rural Minnesota, Deb Core knew she was passionate about livestock judging. Her mentors in 4H inspired her to pursue a path that would lead her to build a new layer on a family farm's legacy here in Pleasantville and become the first woman to judge the famous American Royal Steer Show in 2023. But beneath a growing tower of accolade and prestige is a humble, Jesus-loving woman with a feed bucket and a warm smile. When it comes to hard work, Deb sets the standard. As a member of the Pleasantville...
2025-11-041h 09
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 4 - "Just Be There" with Jennie Koenig and Emily CaulkinsIn this episode, we talk with Jennie Koenig and Emily Caulkins, co-founders of Pleasantville Youth Initiative, a nonprofit focused on creating space for kids to be themselves and experience everyday life together in a small-town community.We talk about how they approach ministry without pressure, how they listen to what the community actually needs, and how they're stepping into a building project with more faith than certainty. We also get into the heart behind their podcast, “Ope, There It Is,” where they highlight ordinary people doing quiet, meaningful work.There’s laughter, honesty, and a remind...
2025-08-071h 30
Ope There It IsEpisode 15: Interview with Mr. Tom WilkinsMr. Wilkins: A name which shall live in Pleasantville infamy. A name which nearly anyone who attended middle school at PCSD holds with both reverence and fondness. Why? Because Mr. Tom Wilkins is the kind of teacher you remember. The kind of teacher who has high expectations for his students, but who also has high hopes for his students. Mr. Thomas Wilkins has been teaching English at Pleasantville Middle School for 27 years. Ask any PCSD middle school alumni what they remember about Mr. Wilkins, and they'll give you at least one story, if not many, that will m...
2025-05-141h 15
Ope There It IsEpisode 14: Interview with Tara WilliamsTara Williams is a Pleasantville girl through and through and she is BACK to her hometown as the Pleasantville Community School District's Activities Director. Tara sits down with us to talk about being a life-long learner, how athletics helped keep her on track in high school, her faith, family, and so much more! Whether you've just met Tara this year or you've known her since pre-school, you'll love hearing her perspective and laughing along with us as we hear all about her journey to where she is today. Other links:PVILLEYI Building Project
2025-04-111h 10
Ope There It IsEpisode 13: Interview with Eric GoodaleIf you would like to help the Goodale family, you can find ways to do that here. If you would like to watch the prayer night video mentioned in this podcast, you can watch it here. Eric Goodale, the self-proclaimed mayor of Beech, has lived in the Pleasantville area for nearly two decades now. He and his wife Brenda have raised their three children: Elizabeth, William, and Grace, in the Pleasantville Community School District. After working for Youth Homes for 20 years, Eric began working at The Well in Knoxville, where he serves people in crisis an...
2025-02-101h 55
ROI of Peace#112 Ditching People-Pleasing & Reclaiming Your True Yes with Jennie PotterIn this episode, we dive deep with Jennie Potter on how to move away from people-pleasing and tune into what’s genuinely a “yes” for you. Jennie shares powerful strategies to diminish the influence of the people-pleasing saboteur and reclaim your authentic voice. We explore the importance of reframing “shoulds” into “woulds,” helping you shift from obligation to empowered choice.Connect with Jennie Potter:Website: https://jenniepotter.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrsjenniepotterInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/jennie_potterGrab her Stuck No More bundle
2025-01-0839 min
Picture Book SolutionsRereading with JENNIE & BREANNE WALTERS and "I Am Wonderful!"Have a reading question for Lindsey? Ask it here!I am Wonderful (affiliate link)Happy Reading! Join us on Instagram @picturebooksolutionsIs your reader at the very first stages? How to Teach Your Grownup to Read is a picture book you can read with your child where you'll BOTH get comfortable with 5 important reading skills: 1 to 1 correspondence, self-monitoring, searching for clues, looking at the picture, and familiar reading. Better than a handout and something I wish I could have given my students when I was a 1st grade teacher. Just snuggle up and rea...
2024-12-0908 min
Ope There It IsEpisode 12: Olivia Anthony and Craig FallisWe're back with a new episode featuring some pretty AWESOME Pville Class of 2023 grads Olivia Anthony and Craig Fallis! This episode is full of awesome advice and lots of laughs! Pville Founding Father descendent Liv and Self-Proclaimed Mama's Boy Craig sit down with us to talk about the transition from high school to college. Leaving home isn't always easy, and coming back to your hometown isn't always easy either. These two share their perspective on their first year and share advice for upcoming graduates who will be walking that path in the future. Their thoughts on what i...
2024-09-2059 minOpe There It IsEpisode 11: Interview with Madilyn RowsonMadilyn Rowson is a senior at PHS and the captain of Pleasantville's first ever girls wrestling team. We got to sit down with her and talk all things wrestling! We discuss how the sport has impacted her and what she loves most about it. We also talked about how Girls Wrestling is confronting the long-held and deeply rooted stigmas around weight and body image. Girls Wrestling is only in its second year as a sanctioned sport in the state of Iowa, and it is growing rapidly! We are so proud of Madilyn's courage, leadership, and willingness to share her...
2023-11-2946 minOpe There It IsEpisode 10: J&E Chat: Nutmeg and LSD, Fall Treat Personality Quiz, Hebrews 11:6We're back with another Jennie and Emily Chat! We like to throw these in between interview episodes whenever we can. In today's episode, we talk about the ingredients of Pumpkin Spice and just WHY it might be so addicting (lookin at you nutmeg). We share the results of the buzzfeed quiz: "What Cozy Fall Sweet Treat Matches Your Personality" (you can take it here). And we do an improvised commentary on the verse of the day from the YouVersion Bible App, which happened to be Hebrews 6:11.Also, we try what is supposed to be the most difficult...
2023-11-0343 minOpe There It IsEpisode 9: Interview with Mike FustSummer is over and we are BACK with another Ope There It Is interview! If you don't know Mike Fust, you'll want to after this chat. Mike is hilarious and full of love for the Pleasantville Community. We talk about, well, a LOT. This interview was a long one. But as you listen, you'll see why! Mike has a lot of good things to say about Youth Ministry, Fine Arts, and so much more. And trust us when we say, you will ENJOY listening. Prepare yourself for many side conversations that are sure to make you laugh.
2023-09-151h 19
Celebrators PodcastLet's Go! Staff Series RecapAndrew Schmidt, Jennie Koenig, and Ali Cranmer talk about what they learned producing the Let's Go series and what they believe the invitation for Celebrate Church is as we conclude it.
2023-09-0340 minOpe There It IsInterview with Lindsay PhippsEmily and Jennie sit down with PHS alum and Pleasantville native Lindsay Phipps! She tells us about growing up in Pleasantville, her time with Lois Turnage as a mentor on the PHS Dance Team, her years at Central College, and her current role in Discipling other women in the Christian faith. We discuss how God's calling in our lives takes us on unexpected turns, and how He equips us for the work He calls us to. We had a great time chatting with Lindsay! Pleasantville women: If you are interested in doing one on one Discipling with Li...
2023-04-0357 minOpe There It IsEpisode 7: J&E Chat: Girl Scout Cookies, Spice Girls, Asbury RevivalJennie and Emily discuss the beloved and ever trending Girl Scout cookies. They answer a listener question: "If you were a Spice Girl, what would your Spice Girl name be?". And then they get serious for a gosh darn second and talk about the recent Asbury Revival that many of you may have heard about. Here are a few links we mention in the podcast:NY Times Article on Asbury Revival: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/us/kentucky-revival-asbury-university.htmlPleasantville Girl Scout Troop Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/gstroop624
2023-03-0238 minOpe There It IsEpisode 6: Interview With Chad RowsonJennie and Emily sit down with Pleasantville Wrestling Coach and all around great guy Chad Rowson, aka the 1996 Class 2A 160lb State CHAMPION! Chad shares with us about wrestling, his career as a Park Ranger, clarifies a whole bunch of details about the DNR and conservation for Jennie, and walks Emily through the process of removing skunk "essence" if you are accidentally sprayed. Enjoy!!
2023-02-1447 minOpe There It IsEpisode 5: Interview with Bryce Caulkins and Adoniah KoenigWe're rolling into the new year with a very special Christmas Break interview with Emily's son, Bryce, and Jennie's daughter, Adoniah (Addie). We discuss New Years resolutions, December birthdays, and fudge. Bryce and Addie also share their favorite devotionals, Emily and Bryce debate who is actually at fault for Bryce being called "The Late Kid" at school, and more! Enjoy!
2023-01-0344 minOpe There It IsEpisode 4- J&E Convo- First Thanksgiving, Christmas, Advent, RudolphIn this episode, Jennie and Emily talk about the first Thanksgiving, How mean Santa is on the classic Rudolph, and the season of Advent!
2022-12-0843 minOpe There It IsEpisode 3: Interview With Carol BeierTrick or Treat! Emily and Jennie discuss Halloween costumes, favorite candy, and then interview the one and only CAROL BEIER! Born and raised in Pleasantville, Carol is a staple in the community and the reason MANY of us can read. Her teaching career focused on early education (Pre School, Kindergarten, T-K). After retiring, Carol was elected to the school bored just as the 2020 global pandemic hit. She is also a 4th Generation member of Fairview Christian Church, the beautiful little church under the bridge just outside of town. Carol told us about her background, gives advice for parents, explains...
2022-10-2458 minOpe There It IsEpisode 2: J&E Chat: Cooking Mishaps, Biblical Hospitality, Snickers, FrodoIn this episode, Jennie and Emily chat about topics relating to Biblical Hospitality. They share about their early cooking mishaps, talk about what the Bible says about hospitality, and how it impacts how they interact with others. They also discuss Mary and Martha (spoiler: Martha IS NOT the worst). This episode is at times light-hearted and at times faith heavy. Enjoy! Scripture: Romans 12; Romans 12:13Challenges for listeners:Cook a meal or bake something for someone.Invite people to your home.Show hospitality to people in closest proximity to you first.
2022-10-0446 min
Celebrators PodcastPeople Of Presence: Intercession- OrganizationsPastor Andrew Schmidt continues the sermon series, “People of Presence”. This week he focuses on Luke 5. In the second half of the sermon, Pastor Andrew interviews three leaders of ministries that Celebrate Church partners with. Jennie Koenig, with Pleasantville Youth Initiative, Larissa Van Donselaar, with The Well, and Bruce Crozier, with Crosswalk and Food Pantry.As you watch or listen to this week’s message, keep in mind it involves space for prayer. We encourage you to participate from wherever you are at.
2022-09-201h 03Ope There It IsEpisode 1: Interview With Michael KoenigEmily and Jennie discuss Homecoming and then have their very first interview with practice run Michael Koenig, aka Jennie's husband, who is also super smart and stuff. We think he's a crop doctor or something? ...In all seriousness, we do discuss Michael's journey, a few of the people who changed the direction of his life, and how important it is to have mentors that help direct you!
2022-09-1937 minOpe There It IsIntro EpisodeWelcome to "Ope, There it Is!" a podcast where we search for the gems hidden inside ordinary, every day, small town people. God has designed each of us with unique gifts. Often these gifts go unnoticed because they are hidden deep down within. All it takes is a bit of digging and then, ope! there it is! We, Jennie Koenig and Emily Caulkins, are co-founders of Pleasantville Youth Initiative in Pleasantville, IA. This podcast will have a little of this, a little of that, and interviews with local folks who are blessing their community in big wa...
2022-09-1320 min
Jealous PodcastJealous Podcast | Jennie KoenigIn this week's episode of Jealous, Bing Banger Emily invites her good friend and fellow co-founder of the Pleasantville Youth Initiative, Jennie Koenig to join us. Pleasantville Youth Initiative is a faith based non-profit organization created to support youth in the Pleasantville community and show them that they matter to God and equip them with purpose.The ladies, who have known each other since high school, reflect on the good old days, chat about their mission and even break down what faith means to them.Learn more about the Pleasantville Youth Initiative at their website...
2020-08-1457 min