Finding Your Footing in the Face of Uncertainty: Mike Nawrocki and Jennie Smythe
Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith
Jesus Calling
4.6 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 5 June 2025
⏱️ 33 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week, we’re joined by Mike Nawrocki, best known for his work in co-creating the beloved children’s series VeggieTales, and voice of Larry the Cucumber. Mike shares the leap of faith he took with college friend and VeggieTales co-creator Phil Vischer, the setbacks and devastating losses they faced along the way to create what would become an iconic staple for families all over, and how simple stories told by talking vegetables helped people understand just how much God loves them.
Later, we’ll hear from Jennie Smythe, the CEO of Girlilla Marketing. Through the tragic cancer diagnosis that Jennie helped her father walk through, to her own battle with breast cancer, Jennie shares how life’s challenges have shown her that her security and identity rests in Jesus alone.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Brandi Rhodes
Upcoming interview: Becky Murray
Jesus Calling commemorative edition
Christian and Missionary Alliance
The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything
Interview Quotes:
“The Silly Songs helped the kids fall in love with Larry the Cucumber and the other characters to the point where they love this character, they trust this character, and they care what the character has to say about God making them special and loving them very much.” - Mike Nawrocki
“We lost everything, so it was a really, really tough time. For me, from a kind of a personal and spiritual standpoint, it really made it clear to me how much I needed God in my life. It's like my only security can be found in my relationship with Jesus. That's really the only truly secure thing that there is in this world.” – Mike Nawrocki
“It’s really neat to see kind of everything coming together and the heart of the [Dead Sea Squirrels series] and my wanting to do this in the first place was to share more of the gospel story, tell more New Testament stories, and share the gospel message with kids.” - Mike Nawrocki
“While there’s nothing great to talk about in terms of pancreatic cancer and losing your father, what was amazing about that situation is that he gave me forgiveness.” - Jennie Smythe
“I can’t help but think that my dad speaking to me at that time was a little bit of a divine intervention, and I am forever grateful for that.” - Jennie Smythe
“As I was able to get better physically [from my cancer], I was also able to recognize the amazing things that I had. I just decided I wouldn’t have any bad days. I might have bad moments. I certainly still get angry and emotional, say the wrong things, don’t do the right things–you know—normal human behavior. But [I approach life] more from a place of appreciating that I wake up each day and I have the opportunity to make it the best day of my life.” - Jennie Smythe
“It’s really important to show up when you are vulnerable and when you’re struggling, because you can really help people.” - Jennie Smythe
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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7
Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C
Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj
Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u
What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj
Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY
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Connect with Jesus Calling
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Life Audio. Did you know that Jesus Calling has its own YouTube channel? It's full of great content that will enhance your spiritual life. You'll find beautiful videos with short devotional moments to help you through your day, as well as stories on video from celebrities, authors, pastors, and everyday people who share what their faith |
| 0:22.1 | journey has meant to them. You'll also find the Jesus Listen Stories of Prayer series |
| 0:26.9 | hosted by Susie McIntyre Eaton, featuring new guests monthly. Subscribe today for new videos |
| 0:33.3 | each week. We lost everything. It was a really tough time. |
| 0:38.5 | And for me, from a personal and spiritual standpoint, it really made it clear to me how much |
| 0:45.8 | I needed God in my life. |
| 0:48.2 | My only security can be found in my relationship with Jesus. |
| 0:52.0 | That's really the only truly secure thing that there is in this world. |
| 0:56.8 | Welcome to the Jesus Calling podcast. This week we're joined by Mike Naraki, best known for his work |
| 1:02.7 | in co-creating the beloved children's series, Veggie Tales, and voice of Larry the cucumber. |
| 1:08.4 | Mike shares the leap of faith he took with college friend and |
| 1:11.1 | Veggie Tales co-creator Phil Visher, the setbacks and devastating losses they faced along the way |
| 1:16.2 | to create what would become an iconic staple for families all over, and how simple stories told |
| 1:21.7 | by talking vegetables helped people understand just how much God loved them. Later, we'll hear from Jenny Smythe, the CEO of |
| 1:29.5 | Girl Lilla Marketing. Through the tragic cancer diagnosis that Jenny helped her father walk through |
| 1:34.5 | to her own battle with breast cancer, Jenny shares how life's challenges have showed her that her |
| 1:39.8 | security and identity rests in Jesus alone. Let's begin with Mike's story. My name is Mike |
| 1:46.7 | Naraki. Most folks may know me better as the voice of Larry the Cucumber. I'm the co-creator of |
| 1:51.9 | Veggie Tales, the creator of the new Dead Sea Squirrels book and animated series, and also a professor |
| 1:58.3 | at Lipscomb University. |
| 2:05.5 | I grew up in a military family. |
| 2:10.8 | I am an Air Force brat, born in Ohio, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, |
... |
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