I Like Birds Podcast

David Diga Hernandez, a gifted Bible teacher, global evangelist, author, and someone whose ministry has deeply impacted me, invited me onto his Encounter podcast for this deep conversation.
We talk about my journey from comedy to ministry, losing my best friend Armani, trusting God when the miracle doesn’t come, and finding joy again through Jesus. David brings wisdom and compassion to a subject close to my heart: the story behind Me, Armani, & Jesus. We close by praying for those walking through grief.
Get the book "Me, Armani, & Jesus"
Amazon: Paperback
Signed Copy: Hardcover + Paperback

Pastor Troy Brewer returns to the Pod to unpack how he built a media machine with one purpose: fund the mission God gave him.
Troy Brewer Ministries has rescued 13,000 kids from human trafficking, built rescue homes around the world, and grown to a scale where rescuing 1,000 people can add roughly $2 million to the yearly budget. That pressure forced Troy to rethink money, media, leadership, and what it actually takes to sustain a massive calling.
In this episode, Troy breaks down the $4 million breakthrough that helped launch the next chapter of the ministry, why he built an international calling center, and how ODX grew from roughly 4,000 subscribers to nearly 19,000 after launching one of its major shows.
Troy Brewer and Zach Rippey also unpack why content, television, books, YouTube, live events, and digital media became part of the rescue strategy. Troy opens up about the emotional cost of fighting trafficking, why he now focuses on “rescuing the rescuers,” and how he learned not to become more impressed with evil than with the goodness of God.
You’ll also hear:
• The dos and don’ts of getting involved in rescue work
• Practical ways to get in the fight against human trafficking
• How Amber Alert cases have become part of the operation
• Why Troy says he was investigated by the FBI
• Why storytelling matters when protecting trafficking survivors
• How media and recurring support help fund rescue operations
Learn more:
ODX: https://odx.tv
Troy Brewer Ministries: https://troybrewer.com/
Work with Zach on a Speech or Your Podcast: https://www.rippeywrites.com/contact
Book Zach Rippey to Speak or Perform Comedy here: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/comedybooking
🤝 Partner with I Like Birds Ministry 🕊️
🎁 Free 7-Day Trial on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/ILikeBirds
🕊️ Donate on Our Website
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/support
📗 Me, Armani, & Jesus
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/me-armani-jesus
📘 21 Days in Africa
Amazon: https://a.co/d/3iFskiY
Signed Copy + Free Gift: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop/p/21-days-in-africa-signed-paperback
🧢 Bird Merch
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop
🩵 PayPal Donation
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C55JZNGUB97EE
✊🏽 Venmo Donation
https://account.venmo.com/u/zachrippey23
📚 I Like Books — Get 20% Off
https://www.faithandflame.com/pages/my-shop/zachrippey
Use code ILIKEBIRDS20 at checkout.
🧡 The Suubi Project — Sponsor a Child
https://suubiproject.org/

🎙️ EPISODE SPONSORS

Tops Roofing 
Free Inspection and Estimate? 
(817) 477-2744
https://www.topsroofingcompany.com/

🛠️ DFW Appliance Discount
Text Jamie Eldridge: 817-659-6587
Get your I Like Birds discount:
https://www.appliancestorenearmetx.com/ilikebirds

🐜 Alpha & Omega Pest Control — DFW
“One Call Kills Them All!”
Call Tim Davis: 817-426-4445
https://alphaomegapests.com/

Rod Parker spent years preaching freedom while privately battling addiction, shame, and a destructive double life.

At his lowest point, Rod sat with a loaded .357 in his mouth and a Bible on his lap before crying out, “Jesus, show Yourself.”

Rod shares how Hebrews 11:1 came alive, what happened during his near-death and out-of-body experience, and how an encounter with Jesus changed the direction of his life.

This is an honest testimony about hidden sin, deliverance, lasting freedom, and the grace of God meeting someone at rock bottom.

In this episode:
​ The secret addiction Rod hid while serving in ministry
​ The night he nearly ended his life
​ Opening the Bible and asking Jesus to reveal Himself
​ His near-death and out-of-body experience
​ Seeing Jesus and receiving a vision of hell
​ Why deliverance can happen instantly, but freedom is a lifestyle
​ Punching Vanilla Ice in the Face at a Party
​
Share this pod with a friend!
Subscribe for more great episodes.

Get Rod Parker's book here: From Death to Deliverance
Church Notes Journal: https://collabs.shop/jl7xeg. 
Code: “ILIKEBIRDS” for 10% off 

Work with Zach on a Speech: https://www.rippeywrites.com/contact

Book Zach Rippey to Speak or Perform Comedy here: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/comedybooking

🤝 Partner with I Like Birds Ministry 🕊️
🎁 Free 7-Day Trial on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/ILikeBirds
🕊️ Donate on Our Website
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/support
📗 Me, Armani, & Jesus
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/me-armani-jesus
📘 21 Days in Africa
Amazon: https://a.co/d/3iFskiYSigned Copy + Free Gift: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop/p/21-days-in-africa-signed-paperback
🧢 Bird Merch
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop
🩵 PayPal Donation
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C55JZNGUB97EE
✊🏽 Venmo Donation
https://account.venmo.com/u/zachrippey23
📚 I Like Books — Get 20% Off
https://www.faithandflame.com/pages/my-shop/zachrippeyUse code ILIKEBIRDS20 at checkout.
🧡 The Suubi Project — Sponsor a Child
https://suubiproject.org/

🎙️ EPISODE SPONSORS

Tops Roofing 
Free Inspection and Estimate? 
(817) 477-2744
https://www.topsroofingcompany.com/

🛠️ DFW Appliance Discount
Text Jamie Eldridge: 817-659-6587Get your I Like Birds discount:https://www.appliancestorenearmetx.com/ilikebirds

🐜 Alpha & Omega Pest Control — DFW
“One Call Kills Them All!”Call Tim Davis: 817-426-4445
https://alphaomegapests.com/

Kelsie Blevins was raised by addicts, moved out at 16, hit rock bottom after a DWI, and eventually told Jesus, “I’m done.”
What happened next transformed her faith, identity, and future. Today, Kelsie is a successful real estate agent who sold more than $50 million in real estate during her first two years.
But this conversation is not simply about business success. It is about surrendering to Jesus, breaking generational cycles, keeping promises to yourself, and becoming unrecognizable from the person your past said you would be
.You’ll also hear:
• What it was like growing up with two addicted parents
• Why returning to her dad’s basement reopened old wounds
• The night she received a DWI and believed her life was over
• How consistency created evidence that changed her identity
• Why Kelsie refuses to separate her faith from her business
• The surprising client who told her, “You made me want to open my Bible again”
• How she handled an unusual request from an OnlyFans couple

If this conversation encourages you, share it with someone who needs proof that their past does not get the final word. Subscribe to I Like Birds for more honest conversations about Jesus, purpose, healing, and transformation.

Follow Kelsie Blevins on Instagram

Work with Zach on a Speech: https://www.rippeywrites.com/contact

Book Zach Rippey to Speak or Perform Comedy here: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/comedybooking

🤝 Partner with I Like Birds Ministry 🕊️
🎁 Free 7-Day Trial on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/ILikeBirds
🕊️ Donate on Our Website
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/support
📗 Me, Armani, & Jesus
Signed Copy + Free Gift:
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/me-armani-jesus
📘 21 Days in Africa
Amazon: https://a.co/d/3iFskiY
Signed Copy + Free Gift: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop/p/21-days-in-africa-signed-paperback
🧢 Bird Merch
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop
🩵 PayPal Donation
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C55JZNGUB97EE
✊🏽 Venmo Donation
https://account.venmo.com/u/zachrippey23
📚 I Like Books — Get 20% Off
https://www.faithandflame.com/pages/my-shop/zachrippey
Use code ILIKEBIRDS20 at checkout.
🧡 The Suubi Project — Sponsor a Child
https://suubiproject.org/

🎙️ EPISODE SPONSORS

Tops Roofing 
Free Inspection and Estimate? 
(817) 477-2744
https://www.topsroofingcompany.com/

🛠️ DFW Appliance Discount
Text Jamie Eldridge: 817-659-6587
Get your I Like Birds discount:
https://www.appliancestorenearmetx.com/ilikebirds

🐜 Alpha & Omega Pest Control — DFW
“One Call Kills Them All!”
Call Tim Davis: 817-426-4445
https://alphaomegapests.com/

Should Christians want to get rich or has bad theology made believers afraid of money?
In this value-packed episode, Zach sits down with entrepreneur and communicator Omar El-Takrori for an honest conversation about wealth, biblical stewardship, tithing, entrepreneurship, and why some God-given callings require serious capital.
After investing more than $135,000 in coaching and personal development with Myron Golden, Omar went from making a few hundred thousand dollars a year to building a multimillion-dollar business.
Omar unpacks how investing in himself changed his beliefs, why money should remain a tool instead of becoming an idol, and how Christians can pursue prosperity while keeping their hearts surrendered to God.
You’ll also hear:
Why some Christians are afraid to pursue wealth

How $135,000 in coaching helped Omar build a multimillion-dollar business

What losing $100,000 taught him about fear, faith, and money

How tithing prepared his heart to steward greater wealth

Why increasing your ability increases what you can carry

The hidden cost of entrepreneurship and financial freedom

This isn’t about getting rich for ego. It’s about getting paid for purpose, increasing your capacity, and using what God gives you to serve more people.
If this convo challenges the way you think about faith, money, and purpose, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow the I Like Birds Podcast so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Troy Brewer, Kelsie Blevins, and Rod Parker!

Get Zach's new book "Me, Armani, & Jesus" Signed Copy here:
Get on Amazon here:

Work with Zach on a Speech: https://www.rippeywrites.com/contact

Book Zach Rippey to Speak or Perform Comedy here: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/comedybooking

Connect with Omar on YouTube:

🤝 Partner with I Like Birds Ministry 🕊️
🎁 Free 7-Day Trial on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/ILikeBirds
🕊️ Donate on Our Website
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/support
📘 21 Days in Africa
Amazon: https://a.co/d/3iFskiY
Signed Copy + Free Gift: https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop/p/21-days-in-africa-signed-paperback
🧢 Bird Merch
https://ilikebirdsministry.com/shop
🩵 PayPal Donation
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C55JZNGUB97EE
✊🏽 Venmo Donation
https://account.venmo.com/u/zachrippey23
📚 I Like Books — Get 20% Off
https://www.faithandflame.com/pages/my-shop/zachrippey
Use code ILIKEBIRDS20 at checkout.
🧡 The Suubi Project — Sponsor a Child
https://suubiproject.org/

🎙️ EPISODE SPONSORS
Tops Roofing 
Free Inspection and Estimate? 
(817) 477-2744
https://www.topsroofingcompany.com/

🛠️ DFW Appliance Discount
Text Jamie Eldridge: 817-659-6587
Get your I Like Birds discount:
https://www.appliancestorenearmetx.com/ilikebirds

🐜 Alpha & Omega Pest Control — DFW
“One Call Kills Them All!”
Call Tim Davis: 817-426-4445
https://alphaomegapests.com/