The Circle of the Panda Podcast

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In this third and final conversation with Athena Dean Holtz, the discussion explores why healing, trust, and spiritual growth are a lifelong journey rather than a quick fix. Athena shares how pain, betrayal, and unmet expectations can become places where deeper healing happens, and why suffering does not mean God has abandoned us.

The episode also reflects on the importance ...

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In this second episode of a three-part series, Athena Dean Holtz shares profound insights on trust, forgiveness, and healing. The conversation explores why trusting God remains difficult even after witnessing His faithfulness, drawing parallels to the Israelites who doubted despite seeing the Red Sea part.

Key Topics

Miraculous Provision: Athena recounts facing...

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In this opening conversation of a three-part series, host JD sits back down with Athena Dean Holtz, founder and publisher of Redemption Press, to talk about her powerful memoir, Full Circle: Coming Home to the Faithfulness of God. JD shares how he read the book in a single 24-hour period—falling asleep and waking up with Athena’s story—because it spoke so personally to his ...

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In this heartwarming episode of the Circle of the Panda podcast, JD talks with long‑time friend and dog groomer Marilyn Doss about how following her love for dogs led her out of an unfulfilling office career and into work that gives her deep joy and purpose. Marilyn shares how grooming became her calling, why she prefers working with dogs over “people with attitudes,” and h...

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In this episode of the Circle of the Panda podcast, JD sits down with Gentry Hamrick and Michelle Cates, the co‑founders of Endee Coaching Collective, a neurodivergent‑led coaching business serving ADHD and autistic clients and their families. They discuss why traditional therapy alone often isn’t enough, how “in‑the‑moment” situational coaching and body‑doubling can turn e...

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Shawn returns for his third and final appearance on the Circle of the Panda podcast to share what comes after transformation—how he’s intentionally building his next chapter after prison through faith, service, and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Shawn explains how his story has moved from “I went through all this, but…” to “I went through all this, and here’s what I...

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How do you stay motivated when you might still have decades left behind bars?

In Part 2 of my conversation with Shawn Johnson, we go straight to the heart of what kept him moving forward while facing a 60-year sentence. Shawn shares how his relationship with God became the foundation for endurance, how he learned to pray with honesty (not performance), and why being “used” b...

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In this powerful episode, JD reconnects with Shawn Johnson, a man he first interviewed while Shawn was still incarcerated and serving what was effectively a life sentence. Nearly two years later, Shawn is home—his entire sentence commuted through executive clemency.

Shawn shares the extraordinary journey that led to his release: the reality of being sentenced to 60 years for...

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In this episode, JD sits down with Colonel Tom Kelly, a retired U.S. Army officer with over 30 years of service who found an unexpected second calling as a professional dog trainer. After transitioning out of the military, Colonel Kelly turned a growing interest in canine behavior into a purpose-driven business, Contented Canines.

The conversation explores leadership, transi...

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In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, JD sits down with Athena Dean Holtz, founder of Redemption Press and author of eight nonfiction books, to explore what it truly means to guard your heart in a world full of competing voices.

Athena draws from her personal journey out of New Age spirituality and years of experience in Christian leadership to unpack how subtle d...

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JD Ross concluded the Fight the Good Fight podcast series (Episode 12).
Key themes included:

• Spiritual warfare as a daily battle that requires discipline and consistency.
• Reliance on God’s word, spirit, and promises as equipment for victory.
• Biblical references: 2 Timothy 4:7 (“fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith”) and Romans 12:2 (“be transformed by...

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 In this episode of Circle of the Panda, JD Ross unpacks the power of worship as a weapon in spiritual battles. Drawing from Psalm 22:3, Acts 16:25, and Psalm 28:7, JD explains how worship shifts our focus to God, invites His presence, and breaks chains of fear and discouragement. More than just singing, worship becomes the sword of the Spirit—building faith, bringing joy, ...

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 In this episode of Fight the Good Fight, JD Ross unpacks how faith overcomes fear. While fear paralyzes and focuses on problems, faith moves us forward by holding onto God’s promises. JD shares four powerful ways to conquer fear: speaking scripture, replacing “what ifs” with “God is” affirmations, surrounding yourself with voices of faith, and remembering God’s past faithf...

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In this episode of Fight the Good Fight, JD Ross unpacks the vital call to “guard your heart,” drawing from Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 51:10, and Matthew 5:8. JD explains that protecting your heart isn’t about isolation but about intentionally monitoring the influences you allow in—your thoughts, relationships, and responses.

He warns against letting bitterness, fear, greed, and a...

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 In this episode of Fight the Good Fight, JD Ross shares how the battle for our lives begins in the mind. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 12:1–2, and Philippians 4:8–9, JD explains how to capture destructive thoughts and replace them with God’s truth. By guarding your mind and renewing it daily with scripture, you can break cycles of fear, shame, worry, and regret, ...

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 In this episode of Fight the Good Fight, JD Ross explores the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Drawing from James 1:5, Proverbs 2:6, and James 3:13–17, JD shows how true wisdom comes from God and contrasts it with the false wisdom of envy, selfish ambition, and disorder. He reminds listeners that faith is a growth journey and that godly wisdom produces p...

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In this episode of Fight the Good Fight, JD Ross shares why no one can win the spiritual battle alone. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 and other scriptures, he explains the importance of choosing the right people to fight alongside you—those who will truly “have your back.” JD unpacks what it means to be part of the body of Christ, the role of accountability, and the encou...

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 In this episode of Circle of the Panda, JD Ross unpacks the power of prayer in spiritual warfare. Prayer isn’t complicated—it’s a direct line to God’s strength, peace, and guidance. Drawing from Philippians 4:6–7, James 5:16, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, JD encourages listeners to make prayer a daily habit, not just in crises but in every decision and circumstance. This we...