Together, we’ll explore the profound truth that we are deeply loved by the Divine—a love that heals, guides, and unlocks the miracles within each of us. I’ll reflect on my personal story of navigating life’s joys and challenges, the transformative power of prayer, and my vision for this sacred space.

Welcome to 'Power of Prayer: A Gateway to Miracles,' Season 1, Episode 2! In this transformative episode, host Jeffrey McDonnell sits down with Jack Ortego, the regional director of ManInTheMirror.org, to explore the profound impact of prayer.
Join us as we dive deep into Jack's incredible journey of faith, miraculous healings, and the power of unwavering belief in God. Don't miss Jack's heartfelt stories and his enlightening discussions on connecting with God, overcoming fears, and living a life of divine purpose. Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, and reminded of the miracles waiting to unfold in your life!
Man in the Mirror
https://maninthemirror.org
C-Suite for Christ
https://csuiteforchrist.com/
C-Suite for Christ St. Louis, Missour
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570586964758#
Creating Our Own Light
https://creatingourownlight.com
Facebook - https://facebook.com/creatingourownlight
Instagram - https://instagram.com/creatingourownlight
 
Our Special Guest
Jack Ortego
Regional Director - Man in the Mirror
About Jack
Missouri and Central States
Jack Ortego is committed to strengthening churches and equipping Christian men throughout the Midwest, where he serves as the Regional Director supporting fellow Area Directors. In addition to leading his regional team, he guides leaders in and around his home base of O’Fallon, MO, through a comprehensive strategy to reach and disciple men, with the goal of changing lives and building the kingdom of God.
Jack, a lifelong resident of Louisiana where he raised his family, served in various capacities in men’s ministries in Baton Rouge and the surrounding region since 1995—first in his home church where he was also an Elder for 21 years. He expanded his reach community-wide, spending 11 years discipling men as Lead Coordinator for men’s weekend retreats, impacting many churches and denominations. Jack and his wife Beverley moved to the St. Louis region in 2014 where he has served with Man in the Mirror since 2016. He and Bev continue to cheer on LSU Tiger football as they “Love Purple, Live Gold.”
 

In this episode of 'Unlocking Miracles Within,' host Jeffrey McDonnell and his wife, Julie, dive deep into their journey through a significant spiritual transformation. Jeffrey recounts his intense experiences with spiritual awakening, touching on moments of fear, confusion, and ultimately, profound connection with God and Jesus.
Julie shares her perspective on the journey, recounting her initial doubts and the profound changes she witnessed in Jeffrey, which ultimately led her down her spiritual path. Together, they explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating spiritual crises in relationships, the importance of faith, and the transformative power of mutual support and love.
This heartfelt conversation offers hope and insights for anyone going through similar experiences, reminding listeners of the importance of choosing love and faith in every moment.
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Episode 4 – Meditation: Tuning into Divine Frequency with Guest Dawson Church, PhD
How do we move beyond the chaos of everyday life and into divine alignment?
In this powerful conversation with best-selling author and researcher Dawson Church, we explore how meditation strengthens your connection to God (or Source), clears mental clutter, rewires the brain, and activates your highest potential. We talk about the science behind sustained happiness, the “four circuits of spiritual intelligence,” and how simple practices can radically transform your body, brain, and soul.
Whether you’re brand new to meditation or seeking to deepen your practice, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tools to help you live more joyfully, intentionally, and divinely guided.
💡 Highlights:
The science of prayer and meditation
Rewiring your brain for peace and purpose
The shift from “Suka” to “Ananda” (true bliss)
EcoMeditation and body-based methods anyone can use
How to access miracles by aligning with higher frequencies
🌿 Try Dawson’s free EcoMeditation practice here:
👉 https://dawsonchurch.com/meditation/
 
📚 Learn more about Dawson’s work and grab Spiritual Intelligence at: spiritualintelligencebook.com
🌐 Connect with Dawson at eftuniverse.com
 
🎥 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@creatingourownlight
🎙️ Listen on Podbean: podcast.creatingourownlight.com
Also available on Apple, Spotify & iHeart Radio.
 
About Dawson Church, PhD
A pioneering voice in the field of meditation, energy psychology, and the intersection of science and spirituality. Dawson is the founder of EFT Universe, one of the largest alternative healing platforms in the world, and the creator of EcoMeditation—a simple, research-backed technique that helps people drop into deep meditative states without years of practice.
He’s also a prolific and best-selling author whose books have changed countless lives, including:
Bliss Brain, which explores how meditation rewires the brain for joy;
Mind to Matter, an exploration of how our thoughts literally shape reality;
The Genie in Your Genes, a groundbreaking work on how emotions influence gene expression and healing;
And his most recent release, Spiritual Intelligence, which invites us into the heart of what it means to live in harmony with our highest spiritual nature.
Dawson’s work is where evidence-based science meets ancient wisdom. Through decades of teaching, research, and hands-on practice, he has helped people worldwide elevate their consciousness, heal deeply, and experience the power of tuning into the divine frequency.

Episode 5 – Overcoming Anxiety and Depression through Spiritual Practices with Amanda Hietter
What if the pain of your past was actually the path to your purpose?
In this raw and faith-filled episode, Amanda Hietter opens up about her remarkable journey from childhood trauma, addiction, divorce, and years of spiritual disconnection—into a life of freedom, peace, and divine purpose. Through deeply vulnerable storytelling, Amanda shares how abuse at a young age distorted her sense of worth and identity, and how decades of anxiety and depression ultimately brought her to a breaking point—and a breakthrough.
Now the founder of Across the Horizon Travel, Amanda helps others heal and reconnect through spiritual retreats and transformative travel experiences. In our conversation, we explore the powerful role that spiritual practices like prayer, gratitude, and setting boundaries played in her recovery, and how trusting God—even when it doesn’t make sense—can lead to unimaginable miracles.
If you or someone you love is walking through darkness, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you are never too far gone for God’s grace to reach you.
 
 
Guest Bio – Amanda Hietter
Amanda Hietter is the founder of Across the Horizon Travel, a spiritual retreat and travel business dedicated to helping people reconnect with God, themselves, and the beauty of creation. After walking through trauma, addiction, divorce, and deep emotional pain, Amanda now lives a life of faith, freedom, and purpose. Her work centers on supporting Kingdom entrepreneurs, faith-based coaches, and leaders in creating transformational experiences through travel, community, and spiritual healing.
Amanda believes in the power of redemption and uses her testimony to inspire others to rise from their lowest moments and reclaim their God-given identity.
 
🔗 Connect with Amanda
🌍 Website: https://www.acrossthehorizontravel.com
📣 Rooted in Resilience (Free Virtual Event – Aug 28): https://events.heatupyourretreats.com
📸 Instagram: @acrossthehorizontravel
I connected with Amanda through an amazing organization called C-Suite for Christ @csuiteforchrist in St. Louis lead by Chris Cooper - @Lighthouseinme.

In this heartfelt and wisdom-rich conversation, author and somatic manifesting guide Shantini Rajah joins Jeffrey to explore how gratitude isn’t just a mindset—it’s a way of being that activates transformation from the inside out. Shantini shares her personal journey from anxiety and self-judgment to grounded clarity, describing how the divine download of her 1 Healing Breath practice became a turning point in her life.
Together, they explore how the body, breath, and intention all play vital roles in cultivating presence, releasing resistance, and co-creating miracles. You’ll also learn the difference between practicing gratitude and living in gratitude, and why feeling safe in your body is the missing piece to truly manifesting the life you desire.
✨ This episode includes a live guided practice of the 1 Healing Breath—a deceptively simple yet profoundly calming tool you can use anytime to reset and realign.
🔑 In this episode:
Why gratitude lists aren’t enough—and what truly shifts your energy
How to build a safe inner foundation to receive what you desire
The “1 Healing Breath” technique and how it helps access your heart
Tips to stop seeking externally and start embodying your truth
Why miracles happen when we’re present, grounded, and ready to receive
Whether you’re navigating overwhelm, chasing goals, or simply craving a deeper connection to yourself and Source, this episode offers a beautiful reminder: the miracle is already within you.
📘 Learn more about Shantini’s book Manifest Anything You Want:
https://manifestanythingyouwantbook.com/
🌐 Explore more of her work: https://shantinirajah.com/
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantinirajah/
 
Shantini Rajah bio
A rare blend of physicist, engineer, manifesting coach, teacher, and author, Shantini Rajah brings a revolutionary approach to manifesting that seamlessly weaves science, soul, and strategy into a practical, embodied system that works for everyone.
A pioneer in somatic manifesting, Shantini is the creator of 1 Healing Breath, a powerful MicroAction Manifesting practice that anchors her signature “Step Zero” methodology—the essential foundation for manifesting with ease, joy, and consistency.
Shantini’s book, Manifest Anything You Want: Six Magical Steps to Create an Extraordinary Life (Llewellyn Worldwide), and her transformational work with clients have helped thousands around the world manifest extraordinary results by embodying one powerful truth:When you feel safe enough to receive, manifesting becomes natural and effortless.
Over the years, Shantini has collaborated and worked with world-renowned leaders and brands such as Mindvalley, legendary energy medicine pioneer Donna Eden, bestselling manifesting teacher Mandy Morris, and global media like Hay House, Forbes, Sounds True, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Shantini’s mission is to support everyone -- from conscious business owners to anyone bold enough to dream big and manifest bigger  -- with magical yet practice, science-based tools and techniques so they finally feel safe enough to enjoy real-world manifesting results that feel just as good on the inside as they look on the outside.