Compelled Podcast
Impact Report 2023
Exceptional Stories
We just completed our 6th Season of Compelled and it represents some of our best work to date.
This fall, we shared some incredible stories from 12 men and women, like:
Curtis and Deann Lewis - They had taken in their 5-year-old daughter Natalie for a routine heart procedure. But during the operation, her heart was accidentally punctured and she stopped breathing for 15 minutes.
The doctors shared the terrible news that Natalie would never recover. Could God meet them in their hour of need?
Steve Richardson - When he was just a child, Steve and his parents traveled halfway across the world to New Guinea and moved in with a tribe of Stone Age cannibals and headhunters. Their purpose? To share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the ends of the earth. Their reception? Unbelievable.
Melody Green - She was raised in the Jewish tradition, but during the 70s married a fiery young singer named Keith Green, who was exploring the teachings of Jesus, a Jewish Rabbi who claimed to be the son of God.
Alongside her husband, Melody embarked on a personal quest to live a life of sold-out devotion to this Messiah.
But when God blessed their efforts and grew their ministry with meteoric speed, the unthinkable occurred, thrusting Melody into a season of having to trust God as her shepherd in a valley of dark shadows.
Click any of the images to dive deeper and listen.
Scroll past the images to keep reading!
SEASON 6 - FALL 2023
Outsized Impact
These stories had a tremendous impact, as evidenced by all of the touching emails, comments, and messages we received. (read even more listener feedback here)
“I was an atheist homosexual who came to Christ (again), and I just needed to listen to something that was going to saturate me with the love of God.
I strongly believe in the power of testimony, and after some searching through some podcasts on the podcast app, I listened to yours, and I just never stopped listening.
It’s amazing to hear people’s encounters with Jesus, especially when they come from a place so broken, it’s just so encouraging and beautiful.”
“I started listening on “accident” while going through a really tough time last Christmas.
I was driving for GrubHub to make a little extra money and had previously been HOOKED on watching Cold Case Files. I was listening to a podcast on them too while driving.
I was really depressed and knew that I needed to reorient my focus back to Christ but wanted that compelling story too.
I don’t even remember how I found Compelled. The first story listened to spoke right into my situation and God started revealing my own unconfessed sin, specifically pride.
This has become my absolute favorite podcast.”
“My wife discovered your podcast several months ago, and we eagerly look forward to every new episode!
The most recent podcast on pornography addiction has probably been the best episode of any podcast I’ve ever listened to. Absolutely amazing!
In the matter of a podcast, my perspective has completely changed on how we get the opportunity to serve God. Thank you!”
“I just wanted to reach out and thank you for this podcast. I want to share how God used it to help me begin a healing process after years of depression and suicide attempts. [...]
6 months ago we visited with a pastor friend and his wife.
They poured truth and love into us and they suggested I listen to Compelled. And God began to work in my heart, uprooting bitterness, giving spiritual victory.
I love listening to the podcast. It encourages me. I needed to know I wasn’t alone.
It’s been 6 months of victory. [...] Thank you so much for putting this podcast together. It has been a tool in my healing.”
Rapid Growth
Our listenership exploded again this year.
Many Christians are hungry for this content. They want to hear what God is doing in the lives of His people, right now. Today.
We’re firm believers that God was the driver in all of this growth. These are His stories after all. And frankly, that's the entire reason why the show exists - to highlight what God is doing in His people.
But as stewards of the resources God has entrusted us with, and as partners with you in this ministry, we think it's important to track and measure the "effectiveness" of our efforts, and that we celebrate appropriate milestones.
At the end of our season, Compelled episodes were being downloaded 23,000 times every week.
Max Downloads per Week
This year, Compelled was downloaded over 700,000 times, and next year, we hope to cross 1 million unique downloads.
Yearly Downloads
In 2023
Compelled reached…
321,272
Unique Listeners
167
Countries
Including several restricted nations in the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, and Eastern Europe
717,259
Downloads
All of this was possible because of the generous support of our sponsors and listeners like you!
Our operational expenses for Compelled this year was $53,154. That covered editing, equipment, travel, marketing, etc. (that does not include the salary for Paul)
This was the first full year that Paul spent working on Compelled full time.
Our Vision for 2024
Our vision for 2024 is to continue releasing episodes every other week, spread across 2 seasons.
Season 7 (10 episodes) : Launching on February 5th
Season 8 (10 episodes): Launching on July 16th
We project that Compelled will reach over 1,000,000 downloads in 2024.
2023 Operations Budget
$53,154
=
12
Episodes
717,259
Downloads
2024 Operations Budget
$78,800
=
20
Episodes
1,000,000
Projected Downloads
We pray/hope that a large portion of these expenses (and some!) will be offset by advertising, but we also want to be prudent about not setting our expectations too high.
So we hope to raise at least $50,000 of our budget through donations.
Will You Partner With Us for 2024?
These stories powerfully illustrate how God can change any life, regardless of background. We’ve heard from countless listeners who have been blessed and encouraged by these testimonies.
Some have told us that Compelled reinvigorated their faith with a newfound awe of the God we serve.
Will you prayerfully consider partnering with us financially for this coming year, so that we can continue telling these stories and touching lives?
Current Progress
Last updated: April 11, 2024 - 9:09am
Will you please consider contributing in one of two ways below?
Please note: donations to Compelled Podcast are not tax-deductible.
Give Online
Give By Check
Checks can be made out to “Compelled Podcast” and mailed to:
Compelled Podcast
3507 Oak Forest Dr.
Lago Vista, TX 78645
I’m also happy to hop on a phone call to tell you more about what God has been doing and share more of our vision.
If you’d like to get in touch, drop me a message through the contact form!
Blessings and Merry Christmas!
-Paul Hastings
