What happens when two people from different generations sit down—not to debate, but to understand?

In the very first episode of the Peaceful Hugs Podcast, hosts Mark Zahringer and Lorelei Cromer welcome Pastor Tat, a remarkable guest whose life story spans continents, revolutions, and decades of ministry. From growing up in Iran as the child of American missionaries to being deported during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Pastor Tat shares formative experiences that shaped how he sees faith, community, and the power of intergenerational conversation.

This episode is an honest beginning: a conversation about spirituality, living through political upheaval, and the reality that people's needs—safety, dignity, support—transcend borders and belief systems.

In This Episode:
A Journey Through Revolution and Faith

How Pastor Tat's family ended up in Iran in 1947—and what it was like growing up as a missionary kid in Tabriz
The underground church movement and the estimated 1 million Iranian Christians (up from just 3,000 in the 1970s)
What we should be praying for as the current crisis unfolds
A prophetic perspective on Iran's future and the hope for democracy
Why Pastor Tat believes this moment is different—and what it could mean for the Middle East
Why kindness is both simple and incredibly difficult

Plus: Pastor Tat shares about his book "No Stranger to Iran: Its People and Its Church" and his decades of ministry through satellite television, reaching millions across the Iranian diaspora.

About the Peaceful Hugs Podcast
The Peaceful Hugs Podcast is a space for thoughtful, real conversations about faith, culture, purpose, and the stories that shape us. Hosted by Mark Zahringer and Lorelei Cromer, the show brings together voices from different backgrounds and generations to explore what it means to live with empathy—especially when the world feels loud, polarized, and quick to judge.

At the center of it all is a simple idea: kindness matters, and we can't afford to lose it.

Chapters:
Introduction (0:13) - Mark and Lorelei welcome Pastor Tat
Pastor Tat's Journey to Iran (1:49) - How his parents became missionaries in 1947
Growing Up in Iran (3:54) - Learning languages, attending church, witnessing persecution
The Call to Ministry (7:59) - A collapsed lung and God's unmistakable call at age 19
Returning to Iran After the Revolution (11:28) - Arriving in 1979 as chaos unfolded
Ministry During the Hostage Crisis (17:50) - CBS films Thanksgiving service, 6 members remain
Deportation from Iran (25:35) - 10 days to leave, emotional farewell at the airport
Continuing Ministry in the Diaspora (40:13) - Magazine, satellite TV, global church planting
Current Situation in Iran (44:09) - Prayer requests, underground church, hope for change
Hope for Iran's Future (46:45) - Political analysis and God's prophetic work

Join the Conversation
What part of this first episode resonated most with you—Pastor Tat's story of deportation, the growth of the Iranian church, or the call to pray for what's happening now?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

Never Miss an Episode

Subscribe to the Peaceful Hugs Podcast for new episodes featuring honest stories, meaningful conversations, and reminders that you’re not alone in navigating life’s messier moments.

What happens when two people from different generations sit down—not to debate, but to understand?

In the very first episode of the Peaceful Hugs Podcast, hosts Mark Zahringer and Lorelei Cromer introduce the heart behind the show: real conversations, real stories, and a commitment to kindness in a world that feels increasingly divided. From Detroit to Cañon City, from seminary to the Middle East, they share formative experiences that shaped how they see people, faith, and community—and why they believe intergenerational conversations matter now more than ever.

This episode is an honest beginning: a conversation about spirituality, learning how to disagree well, and the reality that people’s needs—safety, dignity, support—don’t change just because their zip code does.

In This Episode:

• How the Peaceful Hugs Podcast came to life from a “by happenstance” conversation in Cañon City
• Why intergenerational conversations are essential in a world of “camps” and echo chambers
• The impact of faith, spirituality, and lived experience on how we view culture, politics, and one another
• Mark’s story: growing up in Detroit, becoming a latchkey kid, being kicked out at 15, and finding a lifeline through school support
• Lorelei’s story: shifting from musical theater to journalism/international affairs, and the unexpected call to serve in the Middle East
• The difference between “agreeing” with someone and choosing to truly love them
• How Peaceful Hugs and Unbridled Acts connect—purpose-driven work, community support, and sustainable impact
• Why kindness is simple to define… and hard to practice
• A light-hearted Hallmark-movie moment (because yes, joy belongs here too)

Key Takeaways:

• Listening across generations expands empathy—and breaks the “us vs. them” mindset.
• Faith conversations don’t have to be weaponized. They can be honest, human, and rooted in love.
• People are more than a label, lifestyle, belief, or political identity. Stories reveal the humanity we miss in headlines.
• The needs of communities aren’t as different as we think. The scale may change, but the pain points often don’t.
• Kindness is a leadership skill—and a daily choice.
  
  

About the Peaceful Hugs Podcast

The Peaceful Hugs Podcast is a space for thoughtful, real conversations about faith, culture, purpose, and the stories that shape us. Hosted by Mark Zahringer and Lorelei Cromer, the show brings together voices from different backgrounds and generations to explore what it means to live with empathy—especially when the world feels loud, polarized, and quick to judge.

At the center of it all is a simple idea: kindness matters, and we can’t afford to lose it.

Join the Conversation

What part of this first episode resonated most with you—Mark’s story, Lorelei’s story, or the theme of learning to disagree without dehumanizing?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

Never Miss an Episode

Subscribe to the Peaceful Hugs Podcast for new episodes featuring honest stories, meaningful conversations, and reminders that you’re not alone in navigating life’s messier moments.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts • Spotify • and wherever you listen to podcasts

Sending you peaceful hugs—see you next episode.