A couple of small town midwestern ladies finding the gems hidden away in the hearts of small town people. We tell the stories and even interview people from our small-town Iowa area and learn about the incredible things they've seen and done. We'll also talk about Jesus and cake and butter cows and whatever the heck else. We (Jennie & Emily) believe God creates each person with unique beauty and purpose, like a gem buried waiting to be discovered. This doesn't always look fancy, or create "success" or fame. Our goal is to discover the gems hiding inside average, ordinary, small-town people. All it takes is a little digging and then, OPE! There it is!
From the time she was a 7th grader in rural Minnesota, Deb Core knew she was passionate about livestock judging. Her mentors in 4H inspired her to pursue a path that would lead her to build a new layer on a family farm's legacy here in Pleasantville and become the first woman to judge the famous American Royal Steer Show in 2023. But beneath a growing tower of accolade and prestige is a humble, Jesus-loving woman with a feed bucket and a warm smile. When it comes to hard work, Deb sets the st...
14 May 2025
Episode 15: Interview with Mr. Tom Wilkins
Mr. Wilkins: A name which shall live in Pleasantville infamy. A name which nearly anyone who attended middle school at PCSD holds with both reverence and fondness. Why? Because Mr. Tom Wilkins is the kind of teacher you remember. The kind of teacher who has high expectations for his students, but who also has high hopes for his students. Mr. Thomas Wilkins has been teaching English at Pleasantville Middle School for 27 years. Ask any PCSD middle school alumni what they remember about Mr...
11 Apr 2025
Episode 14: Interview with Tara Williams
Tara Williams is a Pleasantville girl through and through and she is BACK to her hometown as the Pleasantville Community School District's Activities Director. Tara sits down with us to talk about being a life-long learner, how athletics helped keep her on track in high school, her faith, family, and so much more! Whether you've just met Tara this year or you've known her since pre-school, you'll love hearing her perspective and laughing along with us as we hear all about her journey to...
10 Feb 2025
Episode 13: Interview with Eric Goodale
If you would like to help the Goodale family, you can find ways to do that here. If you would like to watch the prayer night video mentioned in this podcast, you can watch it here. Eric Goodale, the self-proclaimed mayor of Beech, has lived in the Pleasantville area for nearly two decades now. He and his wife Brenda have raised their three children: Elizabeth, William, and Grace, in the Pleasantville Community School District. After working for Youth Homes for 20 years, Eric began...
20 Sept 2024
Episode 12: Olivia Anthony and Craig Fallis
We're back with a new episode featuring some pretty AWESOME Pville Class of 2023 grads Olivia Anthony and Craig Fallis! This episode is full of awesome advice and lots of laughs! Pville Founding Father descendent Liv and Self-Proclaimed Mama's Boy Craig sit down with us to talk about the transition from high school to college. Leaving home isn't always easy, and coming back to your hometown isn't always easy either. These two share their perspective on their first year and share advice...
29 Nov 2023
Episode 11: Interview with Madilyn Rowson
Madilyn Rowson is a senior at PHS and the captain of Pleasantville's first ever girls wrestling team. We got to sit down with her and talk all things wrestling! We discuss how the sport has impacted her and what she loves most about it. We also talked about how Girls Wrestling is confronting the long-held and deeply rooted stigmas around weight and body image. Girls Wrestling is only in its second year as a sanctioned sport in the state of Iowa, and it is growing rapidly! We are so proud of M...
3 Nov 2023
Episode 10: J&E Chat: Nutmeg and LSD, Fall Treat Personality Quiz, Hebrews 11:6
We're back with another Jennie and Emily Chat! We like to throw these in between interview episodes whenever we can. In today's episode, we talk about the ingredients of Pumpkin Spice and just WHY it might be so addicting (lookin at you nutmeg). We share the results of the buzzfeed quiz: "What Cozy Fall Sweet Treat Matches Your Personality" (you can take it here). And we do an improvised commentary on the verse of the day from the YouVersion Bible App, which happened to be Hebrews 6:11. Also...
15 Sept 2023
Episode 9: Interview with Mike Fust
Summer is over and we are BACK with another Ope There It Is interview! If you don't know Mike Fust, you'll want to after this chat. Mike is hilarious and full of love for the Pleasantville Community. We talk about, well, a LOT. This interview was a long one. But as you listen, you'll see why! Mike has a lot of good things to say about Youth Ministry, Fine Arts, and so much more. And trust us when we say, you will ENJOY listening. Prepare yourself for many side conversations that are sure to...
3 Apr 2023
Interview with Lindsay Phipps
Emily and Jennie sit down with PHS alum and Pleasantville native Lindsay Phipps! She tells us about growing up in Pleasantville, her time with Lois Turnage as a mentor on the PHS Dance Team, her years at Central College, and her current role in Discipling other women in the Christian faith. We discuss how God's calling in our lives takes us on unexpected turns, and how He equips us for the work He calls us to. We had a great time chatting with Lindsay! Pleasantville women: If you...
Jennie and Emily discuss the beloved and ever trending Girl Scout cookies. They answer a listener question: "If you were a Spice Girl, what would your Spice Girl name be?". And then they get serious for a gosh darn second and talk about the recent Asbury Revival that many of you may have heard about. Here are a few links we mention in the podcast: NY Times Article on Asbury Revival: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/us/kentucky-revival-asbury-university.html Pleasantville Girl Scou...
14 Feb 2023
Episode 6: Interview With Chad Rowson
Jennie and Emily sit down with Pleasantville Wrestling Coach and all around great guy Chad Rowson, aka the 1996 Class 2A 160lb State CHAMPION! Chad shares with us about wrestling, his career as a Park Ranger, clarifies a whole bunch of details about the DNR and conservation for Jennie, and walks Emily through the process of removing skunk "essence" if you are accidentally sprayed. Enjoy!!
3 Jan 2023
Episode 5: Interview with Bryce Caulkins and Adoniah Koenig
We're rolling into the new year with a very special Christmas Break interview with Emily's son, Bryce, and Jennie's daughter, Adoniah (Addie). We discuss New Years resolutions, December birthdays, and fudge. Bryce and Addie also share their favorite devotionals, Emily and Bryce debate who is actually at fault for Bryce being called "The Late Kid" at school, and more! Enjoy!
8 Dec 2022
Episode 4- J&E Convo- First Thanksgiving, Christmas, Advent, Rudolph
In this episode, Jennie and Emily talk about the first Thanksgiving, How mean Santa is on the classic Rudolph, and the season of Advent!
24 Oct 2022
Episode 3: Interview With Carol Beier
Trick or Treat! Emily and Jennie discuss Halloween costumes, favorite candy, and then interview the one and only CAROL BEIER! Born and raised in Pleasantville, Carol is a staple in the community and the reason MANY of us can read. Her teaching career focused on early education (Pre School, Kindergarten, T-K). After retiring, Carol was elected to the school bored just as the 2020 global pandemic hit. She is also a 4th Generation member of Fairview Christian Church, the beautiful little church ...
In this episode, Jennie and Emily chat about topics relating to Biblical Hospitality. They share about their early cooking mishaps, talk about what the Bible says about hospitality, and how it impacts how they interact with others. They also discuss Mary and Martha (spoiler: Martha IS NOT the worst). This episode is at times light-hearted and at times faith heavy. Enjoy! Scripture: Romans 12; Romans 12:13 Challenges for listeners: Cook a meal or bake something for someone.Invite...
19 Sept 2022
Episode 1: Interview With Michael Koenig
Emily and Jennie discuss Homecoming and then have their very first interview with practice run Michael Koenig, aka Jennie's husband, who is also super smart and stuff. We think he's a crop doctor or something? ...In all seriousness, we do discuss Michael's journey, a few of the people who changed the direction of his life, and how important it is to have mentors that help direct you!
13 Sept 2022
Intro Episode
Welcome to "Ope, There it Is!" a podcast where we search for the gems hidden inside ordinary, every day, small town people. God has designed each of us with unique gifts. Often these gifts go unnoticed because they are hidden deep down within. All it takes is a bit of digging and then, ope! there it is! We, Jennie Koenig and Emily Caulkins, are co-founders of Pleasantville Youth Initiative in Pleasantville, IA. This podcast will have a little of this, a little of that, and interv...
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5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
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