Faithly Stories

This week, host Alicia Lee sits down with Kevin Long, Founder and CEO of @SocialImpostor and self-proclaimed Social Media Bounty Hunter. From starting his career in Congress to coaching Olympic athletes in media training, Kevin’s journey led him to the frontlines of digital protection.

He now helps individuals, influencers, and ministries guard their social presence from impersonators and scams.

This week, host Alicia Lee sits down with Kevin Long, Founder and CEO of @SocialImpostor and self-proclaimed Social Media Bounty Hunter. From starting his career in Congress to coaching

Olympic athletes in media training, Kevin’s journey led him to the frontlines of digital protection.

He now helps individuals, influencers, and ministries guard their social presence from impersonators and scams.

In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, host Alicia Lee speaks with Brian Alarid. Brian is a servant of Jesus Christ, a Husband and Father of 3 beautiful children. He has served as a pastor and preacher of the gospel. But his ministry is perhaps defined as a prayer mobilizer. Brian is the President & CEO of World Prays and America Prays and the Chairman of Pray for All. He also serves as the Chairman of the Empower21 Global Prayer Alliance and collaborates with global leaders in the Finishing the Task Movement. 

(00:00) Unexpected Journey
(09:23) Trust in God Amid Unanswered Prayers
(18:56) Journey Through Faith and Struggle
(23:45) Power of Prayer in Transformation
(29:01) Global Prayer Movement for Gospel Transformation
(36:27) Empowering Church Leaders With Faithly

In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, hosts Alicia Lee and Adam Durso speak with Pastor Ty’Ann Williams about her ministry journey. Affectionately known as the Sneaker Preacher, Ty'Ann is a transformative voice in Christian leadership and spiritual growth. She currently serves as the Executive Pastor of IIM Church in Brooklyn, alongside her husband, Lead Pastor Alex Williams. She also expresses her love for God through musical worship, and has led praise and worship at churches and recorded with notable artists over the years. Ty’Ann is also the founder of a number of non-profit organizations that serve her local community, including Girls Going After God and SonShine City. 

In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, host Alicia Lee sits down with Danny Sanabria—husband, father, and a dedicated missionary to the young people of New York City. Danny’s journey of faith began when he had a radical encounter with Christ at just 16 years old. His life was transformed, and he felt an undeniable calling to share the gospel with his friends and neighbors—a mission he has never stopped pursuing.

Now serving as the Executive Director of Youth for Christ NYC, Danny is passionate about reaching the next generation for Christ. To him, ministry isn’t just about preaching—it’s about presence. Whether it’s sharing a slice of pizza or simply hanging out with teenagers, he believes in meeting young people where they are.

Danny also emphasizes the crucial role of the local church in this mission. Right now, Youth for Christ NYC is calling on churches to "adopt a hall" within the juvenile justice system. With 20 halls, each housing around 10 kids, he envisions just 20 churches—out of the 7,000+ in New York City—stepping up to support these young lives.

In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, hosts Alicia Lee and Adam Durso talk to Pastor Willie Alfonso. Pastor Willie grew up in Williamsburg to an abusive father. By the age of 11 he was kicked out of his home and forced to live with relatives and on the streets. He was addicted to drugs and felt he had no future, until he came to faith in Christ. He went on to become the Chaplain to the Brooklyn Nets and Chapel Leader for the Staten Island Yankees and the Hispanic players of the New York Yankees. In his new book “On the Other Side of Fear”, Pastor Willie encourages people to let go of failures and past hurts to find freedom from fear and the peace that waits on the other side. Pastor Willie is also the author of “It's A New Beginning: How to Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks.”

In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, host Alicia Lee talks with Adrian Tam about his journey from working at Deloitte to becoming a pastor. He talks about his work with Faith Tech, a global community connecting Christians in the technology sector, and his role at Redeemer City to City Australia. Adrian reveals that he's about to step into a new role as senior pastor of an existing church in Sydney alongside his wife, describing it as a "pioneering church" with a rich 25-year history that's ready for a new chapter. He reflects on the challenges of leading an existing congregation versus planting a new church, emphasizing the importance of honoring the past while bringing innovation.

In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, hosts Alicia Lee and Adam Durso interview Terry A. Smith, Lead Pastor of Life Christian Church for over 30 years. They discuss his new book "The Lord Give You Peace," which explores the Hebrew concept of shalom as more than just the absence of conflict, but rather as "the harmonious working together of everything in our lives in alignment with God's good intentions." Pastor Terry shares personal stories, including a miraculous healing of his daughter and dealing with a sewage problem, while writing about peace. He explains how the book can be used by churches with free sermon kits and materials available through his website. The conversation also highlights the importance of pastors experiencing shalom personally, not just ministering it to others.

Meet Drew Hyun: Lead Pastor of Hope Church NYC, as he shares his compelling story of navigating life's beauty, disappointment, and hope. Despite growing up in a church environment, Drew reveals how his faith journey was shaped by overcoming personal and familial challenges. Discover how his relationship with his father evolved from a place of pain to one of healing and mutual respect, showcasing the power of forgiveness and love. Dive into the dynamics of public versus private spirituality and the importance of living with integrity and authenticity. Learn about the vibrant and challenging life in New York City, where Drew has dedicated his life to ministry, embracing the city's unique blend of cultures and stories. Gain insights into the future of emotionally healthy discipleship and how it aims to foster deeper connections within church communities. Drew's new book, Beautiful Disappointing Hopeful, offers a fresh perspective on the Christian story, providing a meaningful framework for understanding life and faith. Whether you're exploring faith or seeking to deepen your understanding, Drew's journey offers valuable lessons on gratitude, grief, and grace.

(00:00) Navigating Family Dynamics in Ministry
(13:55) Living in New York City Ministry
(19:44) Future of Ministry in New York

Meet Dan Buttafuoco: a devoted Christian, seasoned trial lawyer, loving husband, father, and grandfather. His journey is one of faith, family, and a deep connection with God. For Dan, practicing law is more than a profession—it’s a ministry dedicated to helping others. He emphasizes the importance of humility and warns against the dangers of pride, believing that true success comes from serving people.

His passion for Christian apologetics and biblical history led him to establish the Historical Bible Society. Through his collection of ancient Bibles, Dan engages with communities, schools, and churches, inspiring others to explore and strengthen their faith. He believes that God is not confined to the pages of Scripture but is a living presence in every aspect of life.

In this powerful episode, Guest Host Pastor Adam Durso sits down with his brother, Pastor Jordan Durso, for an honest conversation about the challenges of doing ministry as a family. As Pastor Jordan says, “Satan hates family.” He opens up about his divorce, while Pastor Adam shares how a failed succession plan at Saints Church led to seven years of silence between him and his parents, Michael and Maria Durso.

Their story of reconciliation came full circle two years ago at the Pastors Prayer Summit 2023, where Adam and his father stood together and shared their journey with 400 pastors. That night, what started as their personal healing turned into a powerful movement of prayer for all the broken family relationships in the room.

Recorded live at the 35th annual Pastors Prayer Summit (January 27-29, 2025). Don’t miss this special episode of Faithly Stories.

(00:00) Journey Through Ministry and Family Struggles
(07:38) Faith, Vision, and Preparation for Ministry
(13:27) Family Reconciliation and Healing
(24:11) Strength in Community and Reconciliation

Guest host Pastor Adam Durso sits down with Pastors Kevin Bugingo and Domingo Mota to discuss their response to the devastating LA fires, especially in Altadena. They discuss why building strong relationships in ministry before a crisis is key—those connections made it possible to respond quickly and effectively. Through their work with XP Gathering and Care Portal, they share heartbreaking stories of loss while stressing the need for long-term support over quick fixes. Their conversation highlights how the Church, united across communities, can provide real, lasting help in times of crisis.

Recorded live at the 35th annual Pastors Prayer Summit (January 27-29, 2025). Don’t miss this special episode of Faithly Stories.

(00:00) Building Relationships in Ministry Crisis
(11:58) Empowering Communities After Disaster

(00:00) Building Trust and Relationships Among Pastors
(08:15) Community Leadership Amid Devastating Fires
(17:48) Miraculous Relief Fund Amid Devastating Fires
(24:04) Empowering Church Leaders Through Faithly

(00:01) Faith Journey Through Struggles
(03:55) Encountering Love Through Mary and Jesus
(09:13) Healing Father Wounds and Identity Formation
(16:47) Family, Faith, and Vocation Discernment
(22:34) Sacramentality of Vocation and Ministry
(27:39) Reformation, Catholic Church, and Unity
(32:53) Unity and Diversity in Catholicism

(00:01) Navigating Life and Ministry Through Faith
(03:45) Generational Faith and Identity Struggles
(20:04) Embracing Compassion and Community in NYC
(28:36) Bowery Mission
(40:33) Building Bridges Through Community Engagement

(00:01) Generational Perspectives in Church Leadership
(04:51) Navigating Generational Differences in Faith
(16:41) Pastoral Calling and Church Leadership Journey
(27:37) Succession and Kingdom Building in Churches
(35:46) Kingdom Expansion Through Authentic Ministry
(43:45) Rediscovering Joy Through Authentic Discipleship
(46:51) Journey of Pastoral Growth and Partnership

(00:01) Faith Journey From Rural Midwest
(04:42) Supernatural Encounters
(11:59) Church Growth and Urban Evangelism
(22:19) New York Church Growth Trends
(32:48) Innovative Church Growth Strategies