When Todd Coconato was a child actor in Hollywood, he thought he was living the dream. He was surrounded by celebrities, parties, and everything the world calls success. But none of that mattered the night he was stabbed nine times, including once in the heart, and bleeding out in his car.

In this powerful conversation, Todd shares how, in that moment between life and death, he heard the audible voice of God ask him one question that changed everything.

Todd and Christina discuss his early years in Hollywood, the emptiness behind the lifestyle, the night of the attack, the miraculous way doctors said he should not be alive, and the moment he surrendered to God’s call on his life. He also shares how God led him into pastoral ministry, his work as an evangelist and broadcaster, and his heart for a “remnant” of believers who refuse to bow to the culture.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your past disqualifies you, felt caught between two lives, or asked if God can really redeem your story, Todd’s testimony will give you hope and remind you that God still speaks, still saves, and still performs miracles.

In this episode, we cover:

• Todd’s journey from Hollywood sets to a near-death experience
• The night he was stabbed 9 times and heard God speak
• Why survival was only the beginning of his transformation
• How God called him into ministry and what he’s doing today
• Encouragement for anyone who feels too far gone or “in between”

Connect with Todd Coconato:
Website: https://toddcoconato.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealToddCoconato

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddcoconato
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddCoconato

Connect with Christina Smith & Witness the Wonder:
Website: https://ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christina.Smith00/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/witnessthewonder

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@witnessthewonder

If you believe in what we’re building through Witness the Wonder and want to help these stories reach more people, you can learn more and support the show at:
https://ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

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In this episode of Witness the Wonder, host Christina Smith sits down with publisher Missy Maxwell Wharton and editor Donna Bess to talk about Resilience: The Rise After the Fall, a powerful anthology featuring 22 true stories of women who have walked through loss, failure, betrayal, and starting over.

This conversation explores why our stories matter, how healing often comes through telling the truth, and what happens when people choose to share what God has carried them through. These stories remind us that even in our lowest moments, God is still at work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is important enough to tell, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights

• (00:00) The story we’re afraid to share
• (02:15) Meet Missy Maxwell Wharton & Donna Bess
• (08:30) Resilience and rising after failure
• (14:45) Healing through sharing your story
• (22:10) Why testimony brings freedom

Featured Guests

• Missy Maxwell Wharton: https://www.missymaxwellworton.com
• Books by Missy: https://amzn.to/4qrE5Rw
• Donna Bess: https://www.donnabessofficial.com
• Books by Donna: https://amzn.to/4qmqN8Q

Mentioned in this Episode

• Get the Book: Resilience: The Rise After the Fall here: https://amzn.to/4aDq4eM

Connect with Witness the Wonder

• Visit https://ChristinaSmithOfficial.com for episode resources, guests, and more.

Disclaimer: Some links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Witness the Wonder.

Host Christina Smith sits down with Pastor Duke White Jr. for an honest conversation about failure and the unexpected way God uses it to transform our lives.

Together, they explore how failure is not the end of the story but often the place where faith, surrender, and community become essential. Duke shares personal insights on the pressure of comparison, the temptation to measure success by performance, and the freedom that comes when failure is redefined through the lens of God’s purpose.

This conversation also unpacks why community matters in seasons of uncertainty, how rest is not a sign of weakness, and what it looks like to trust God when life feels out of your control. Through personal stories, biblical insight, and thoughtful reflection, Christina and Duke invite listeners to see failure differently, not as disqualification, but as a doorway to deeper faith, resilience, and connection.

If you have ever felt stuck, inadequate, or unsure of what God is doing in your life, this episode will remind you that you are not alone and that God is always at work in your story.

Follow Witness the Wonder for more honest conversations about faith, resilience, and recognizing God at work in everyday life.