Tech guru Shey Keith felt led to launch Walking With The Chosen

Shey Keith was a border-line believer in God and Jesus before a friend recommended she watch a new TV show called “The Chosen.”

The crowd-funded series, which just wrapped up its fourth season, is changing lives around the globe. Perhaps, nobody has been influenced by The Chosen more than Shey.

“God introduced me to The Chosen, which helped introduce me to Jesus. Meeting him changed the whole trajectory of my life,” she explained. “Within a year of watching my first episode, I felt like God was telling me he wanted me to create a podcast to dive even deeper into the show and its characters.”

She attended an international conference called Podcast Movement in 2021 where she talked to people about her dream. It was there Shey came up with the ideal name for her podcast, “Walking With The Chosen.”

“I pictured myself literally walking with the actors performing on the show,” she explained. “I didn’t know any of them, but I felt it would be like being on the set with them. Then, I would share my journey and other people’s experiences resulting from the show.”

A leap of faith

Shey always believed in God, knew he existed and that he created the earth. But, she didn’t have a personal relationship with him.

“Nor did I really understand who Jesus was,” she explained. “But, he got my attention in a very profound way.”

It was winter when Shey was driving to visit a man she was dating at the time. As she passed a billboard, she noticed the photo of an upside down pickup truck next to the words, “Trucks rock, but they also roll.”

“It caught my attention because I was driving a pickup truck myself. As I got to a ravine area, the road became icy and I started sliding around,” said Shey. “I was out-of-control when I thought about the song, ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel,’ which was sung by Carrie Underwood.

“I took my hands off the wheel and said something like, ‘God, please,’“ she explained. “I saw a semi coming down the hill on a divided highway and thought I was surely going to die.

“But, suddenly, my truck just stopped, and the semi passed by at a safe distance,” said Shey. “At that moment, I knew for sure God existed, but I did not know what the next step would be to establish a relationship with him.

“Once I saw my first episode of The Chosen, I was very curious about learning more,” she added. “I had a strong desire to keep watching the show.”

Nicodemus encounters Jesus

The episode which had the most profound impact on Shey was Episode 7 of Season 1. Titled “Invitations,” it follows the story of a man named Nicodemus, who was a widely-respected Jewish leader.

After seeing a woman who had been possessed by an evil spirit actually freed from its influence, Nicodemus wanted to know about the miracle worker who freed her. He asked the woman, Mary Magdalene, to arrange for a private meeting with Jesus at night.

“Nicodemus and Jesus had a great conversation on a rooftop. As they were leaving, Jesus invited Nicodemus to follow him,” Shey explained. “But Nicodemus didn’t see how he could give up his status and rearrange his idyllic life to follow Jesus, even though he suspected Jesus was the son of God.

“A few days later, as Jesus and his disciples were getting ready to begin their trip, Nicodemus is seen leaning next to a nearby building in tears,” she added. “Jesus could sense he was nearby and said aloud, ‘You were so close.’

“That scene was enough to prompt me to find my old Bible and start reading it. I had a strong desire to know if what was portrayed on the show actually took place in the Bible,” said Shey.

“Then I started going back to church,” she explained. “I was raised in a Catholic church and started attending a non-denominational church that was vastly different from the environment I grew up in.”

At that church, people were singing and raising their hands in worship. The whole experience weighed heavily on Shey’s heart.

“I started crying, but didn’t know why,” she explained.

After binge watching the first two seasons several times, Shey felt different and felt better about herself.

Saved on Halloween

It was Oct. 31, 2021, while attending the non-denominational church, that Shey finally made the most important decision of her life.

“Throughout the service, the pastor kept repeating, ‘There are people here today who are ready to accept Jesus, but they haven’t made that decision,’“ she explained.

“All of a sudden, that scene from The Chosen involving Jesus and Nicodemus flashed through my head. I sensed Jesus telling me, ‘You were so close. You were so close,’“ said Shey. “Then, it felt like someone kicked me out of my chair.

“I jumped up while crying and bawling,” she added. “I was thinking, ‘No, don’t leave me behind.’ It was so hard.

“The pastor noted there were people standing and encouraged others to pray for them,” said Shey. “Soon, people had their hands on my shoulders. It felt so cool because, until then, I didn’t know what real faith felt like. Afterward, as people were congratulating me for making the decision, I had no idea what God was beginning in my life.”

Starting a podcast

Shey attended Podcast Movement in mid-2022. She had produced own podcast in the past, but hadn’t been doing anything for a while. By attending the conference Shey was hoping to be invigorated about doing something related to The Chosen. But, she was filled with self-doubt.

“There were YouTubers talking about TV shows, but they all had these beautiful backgrounds with great lighting,” said Shey. “As much as I’m a techie who loves doing technical things, like editing video, trying to create a really pretty background was challenging.

“So, I decided to start an audio-based podcast later that fall, but still didn’t know what format the show would be in,” she explained. “A pastor at my church who oversees all the media encouraged me to create a video explaining what I wanted to do. He promised to review it and let me know what he thought.

“I experimented with several backgrounds, and my pastor told me to just get started. He was sure the details would work out,” she added.

In the meantime, Shey saw a post on Facebook where someone explained whenever he heard the same four words, it always made him think about his mother, which made him cry.

“I responded, ‘If you really want something to make you cry, then watch The Chosen because it always makes me cry,” said Shey. “Someone else responded by asking how to watch the show, too.”

Fate steps in

That’s when fate stepped in unexpectedly.

“I was explaining more about the TV show and where it could be found. I also mentioned that I wanted to interview the producer someday. That’s when the original poster hopped back into the conversation,” she explained. “He tagged Derral Eves and said, ‘Hey, Derral, they’re talking about your show.’

“I didn’t know who Derral was, but found out later he is a famous YouTuber, but also the executive producer of The Chosen,” said Shey.

“The next thing I know, Derral personally responds by identifying himself as one of the producers and asking if I wanted to interview him,” she explained. “We set up a time for us to meet online to talk about what I was doing.

“The problem was, I really didn’t know what I was doing, or going to do. I had simply talked with several people at Podcast Movement who had their own online ministries to seek their input about starting a show of my own.”

That didn’t stop Shey from embracing the open door to interview one of the top people involved in creating her new-favorite TV series. She met with Derral online and was completely candid about her lack of clarity about what she wanted to do.

“I told him I envisioned creating a podcast where I would interview people whose lives had been transformed by the show, like my life had been transformed,” Shey explained. “I already knew a lot of people whose lives were changed, and I suspected Derral may know even more.

“He told me liked my idea, but said I really had to do video,” she added. “I thought to myself, ‘Here we go again.’ But, he stressed the need to do video because people will see the passion in my eyes. As a result, they will see and feel the stories themselves.

“I decided right then that I would start doing videos with what I had at the moment,” said Shey. “Derral became my first interview in January 2023. After that, I knew I had to continue the podcast.”

Stepping out in faith

Even though Shey started the podcast, her heart wasn’t really in it just yet. She had a full-time job plus a part-time business of her own that took up a lot of time. She felt both of those needed more of her attention, and couldn’t figure out how to start a video podcast on the side.

“Initially, I decided I would produce Walking With The Chosen whenever I had time to work on it,” she explained. “That’s like the worst thing a podcaster should ever do. They need to be very consistent by releasing their show the same day every week and at the same time.”

Yet, Shey followed that formula for nearly a year and a half until fate stepped in again and reinvigorated her sense of purpose.

“I was invited to travel to The Chosen set during the filming of Season Five,” she explained. “That brought clarity to my vision for what Walking With The Chosen could become.”

During the first week of April 2024, Shey served as an extra on the set while filming Holy Week scenes.

“There were 600 people on the set, and 200 might be involved in filming a specific scene,” she explained. “I did not have a speaking role, but I might be seen in the background a few times.

“The directors seek people who look like they are from that period who have a Middle Eastern appearance with dark hair, dark eyes and dark skin,” she added. “Those people are often the ones right next to the main actors.

“But, because Passover during Jesus’ time would have included Gentiles, Jews, the Romans and people from all over that region, you’ll see people wearing all types of costumes.”

Shey designed a costume to make her appear to be a Jewish woman. In hindsight, she said she should have picked a costume of a Roman woman due to her light skin and light hair.

“There were times when two of the actors brushed up against me repeatedly, so you might see my shoulder or back,” she added. “Another day, I was in front of the camera multiple times. But, It’s hard to say if those scenes will make the final cut.”

Long days of filming

The extras were often on set from shortly after 6 a.m. until as late as 7 p.m.

“I wound up having a lot of respect for the crew who had to be there all day, every day,” she explained. “Those guys never got a break, except for lunch.”

That was especially true of the support staff, who had to ensure breakfast and coffee were ready before people started arriving, and replenished throughout the day. Makeup artists and costume technicians also put in very long hours.

After the crew finished filming in Utah, where Shey was, they went to Texas for several weeks of onsite work before tackling scenes filmed in the studio.

“The crew was amazing to work with. They always ensured we had plenty of food and water because we were up in the high-desert mountain areas,” she explained. “The crew always had a supply of sunscreen and bug spray for us to use, as well as hand-warmers on cold and rainy days.

“I was just privileged to be able to witness my favorite show being filmed, and to meet all the people who made it possible,” said Shey. “The actors take their roles very seriously, and we often got emotional watching them film their scenes.”

It cost Shey $400 to be on set, but she said it was worth every penny for the clarity it provided in confirming her need to produce the podcast.

Shey Keith, right, with Maria Borrego and Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus.
Shey Keith, right, with Maria Borrego and Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus.

A life-changing impact

Not only was The Chosen instrumental in bringing Shey to Jesus, it impacted her life in more profound ways as well. For example, it gave her a hunger to know more about the Bible and to encounter the real Jesus, not the one who is portrayed in the show.

“I really don’t know where this will lead or why God has me on this particular path,” said Shey. “I don’t know if building the podcast eventually leads me into some sort of ministry work in the future. Or, perhaps, it dovetails back into the business I just relaunched.

“But, I feel like God has me on this path, and it’s my duty to follow it,” she added. “I’m just going to continue loving the show and the people who come into my life as a result of it. I’ve met many people because I’m sharing the story. That would not have happened if I didn’t have my Walking With The Chosen podcast.”

Just launching the show was a great lesson in faith and obedience, Shey explained.

“When I started, I thought nobody was going to care about some newbie Christian sharing her viewpoint about the show,” she admitted. “Then I got a voicemail from a woman who said that she was listening to my podcast with her 6- and 9-year-old sons.

“They loved how I was breaking down each episode in terms they could understand because the boys especially didn’t relate to the show until they heard what I was saying,” she added. “That was very uplifting and encouraging. Another person said she was ready to kill herself until she watched the first episode and God saved her.

“So I have been privileged to hear some pretty incredible testimonies as a result of The Chosen and my podcast,” said Shey.

A techie at heart

For most of her career, Shey worked for corporate America doing technology-related jobs since the early 1990s. She started building websites for companies that were used to facilitate internal communication and processes for their employees.

“I worked primarily for financial companies developing the intranet website staff would use to look up and enter information when talking to a customer,” she explained. “Even then, long before I desired to have a relationship with God, he was putting me right where I needed to be at just the right time.”

Shey initially attended Kansas State University, but admitted to having had way too much fun. In fact, she didn’t finish her second semester.

“I kept dropping classes because I knew my grades were going to be so bad, but I didn’t want to have two semesters in a row where I had failing grades,” she explained. “So, I moved to Wichita to live with my brother. He was an engineer at Boeing and encouraged me to apply for a job with the company.

“I was 18 years old with a high school education. I thought there was no way the company was ever going to hire me, but it did,” she added. “I’m a really good typist and piano player. I could type more than 110 words per minute. So, the company hired me to be a typist for the tooling department.”

That was around the time companies were adopting computers for widespread use. It was also the era when computers required a 5.25-inch floppy disk to upload and store information.

“We didn’t even have Windows at that point,” said Shey. “I would get my work done during the first few hours of the day, and then I was bored the rest of the time. I kept looking for things to do.

“I started tinkering around with the computer and decided I wanted to be a programmer like my brother,” she explained. “I went back to school to take programming classes and discovered I was really good at it.

“I eventually received a degree in business entrepreneurship,” said Shey. “I wanted to have my own business since I was a little kid.

“Eventually, I got hired by another company to work on their help desk, which required me to run around figuring out all the problems with computers,” she explained. “I had fun with it because I like talking to people.

“One of the executives told me he thought I would be a good programmer, and he invited me to come to work for him,” she added. “So, I switched departments even though I didn’t know how to program anything yet.”

For the next year, Shey took all the classes she needed to become a programmer. Then, she held a variety of jobs for the next decade, even doing her part to prevent systems from collapsing during the predicted Y2K crisis.

COVID closed one door, and opened another

“It’s just funny to think about the path I have been on jumping from one company and one industry to another,” said Shey. “Every time one door closed, another just opened up.

I love logic and you need a lot of logic to be a computer programmer,” she explained. “I also love building systems for companies even though I have never had any formal training in that area.

“I have a hard time taking tests and often fail them,” she added. “My best jobs have always been a conversation where my boss could tell by my personality that I would be the type of worker he or she wanted on the team.”

Shey really loved her most recent job. The work was interesting and the team got along very well. She was even able to work from home three days a week. Then COVID arrived and everything changed.

“I had to work from home all the time, but the senior management of the insurance firm changed, and that changed the company’s culture,” said Shey. “When the restrictions ended, management wanted everyone to work at the office every day.”

That was the final straw. She decided the time was right to make some big changes to her life.

“I decided I had no reason to stay in Wichita, and felt God tugging at my heart to return to the Ozark mountains of Missouri,” she explained. “I applied for a remote computer job with a company based in California. Again, no tests were involved. We just had a nice conversation and I got the job.

“It’s a great company with supportive management and committed employees,” said Shey. “It’s exactly where God wants me to be. I am always amazed at the stepping stones I follow to bring me exactly where I need to be.”

Venturing into self-employment

Shey also started using her technical skills to help others try to understand or figure out how to use technology to grow their businesses.

“People kept complaining about how they didn’t understand tech issues, and it triggered my entrepreneurial desire,” said Shey. “I would see people venting on Facebook about a tech problem, and I knew what they needed to do to fix it.

“Technology is in my blood. I had learned so much about different types of technology, like WordPress for websites and Microsoft products for business, that I just understood all the nuances,” she explained.

A few years ago, Shey connected with Shane and Jocelyn Sams, the founders of Flipped Lifestyle.  The Christian couple helps people use their God-given talents and experiences to create online income.

“Shane and Jocelyn are great people. He told me I have the knowledge and an idea for a membership site, so I just need to launch it,” said Shey.

“I was planning to attend a conference Shane was putting on, so he asked me to lead a tech table at the event,” she explained. “Someone else was doing marketing, and another person did social media. There were a bunch of tables like that set up.

“I sat down at a table full of people with different tech questions. I was very nervous and wondering whether I would be able to answer questions from experienced business people,” said Shey. “It was the most satisfying and reaffirming thing that happened to me.

“After the conference, I started my own membership site to teach people how to build their online businesses with WordPress,” she explained. “I called it Second Act Business Academy and targeted people over 50 who were starting businesses.”

When COVID wreaked havoc on the business world, Shey got scared and shut down her business so she could concentrate on her job.

“I was fearful about what could happen if I lost my job when I only had a few membership clients,” she admitted. “It was the biggest mistake I could have done because everyone was home and really needed help.”

Relaunching her business

In December 2023, Shey relaunched her business, much to the delight of clients who relied on her expertise. They were frustrated in trying to figure out tech challenges on their own.

“For example, Google sent out an email telling business owners if they didn’t have their email hosting provider set up the right way, then their emails were either not going to be delivered, or they’d wind up in a spam folder,” Shey explained. “Business owners were freaking out because they were afraid Google would stop delivering their emails.

“Inside my community, I showed them what the problem was and how to fix it,” she added. “Another woman needed help creating a specialized SMS text messaging process that synced with her email software.

“I had to learn to use a program called Zapier to connect all the pieces. It was a great learning experience for me, and my client was thrilled to have the problem resolved,” said Shey. “I just love helping people with their crazy tech questions because, to me, it’s a lot of fun.”

Today, people pay Shey a monthly fee to be members of her Simple Easy Tech online community. When they run into a challenge, they simply create a video clip describing the problem and post it to the community’s website where Shey answers it. Or, they jump on to a regularly scheduled group call and talk to her live. In a sense, Shey becomes their personalized IT department.

“I really enjoy that because I get to hear what their business is doing, and I learn a lot more in the process,” she said.

Advice for people over 50

When Shey was nearing her 50th birthday, she felt an urgency in her spirit that she needed to stop wasting time and be more intentional and purposeful in living her life.

“I felt like I was running out of time, and a lot of people were being supportive,” she explained. “They reminded me there were a number of very successful entrepreneurs who didn’t start businesses until their 50s.

“I wish I had started sooner and that I had put more effort into it during the early stages,” she admitted. “But, life has an ebb and flow that ensures you end up being were you need to be at just the right time.

“God’s timing is perfect. He has reaffirmed that to me even more so as I go on,” said Shey. “Somethings I don’t understand at all, but I’m just trying to listen to God and obey him.

“There is not a lot I would change about my life because I’m happy with who I’m turning out to be,” she explained. “I wish I would have turned out to be this person 20 or 30 years ago. But, I guess it’s better to get started in my 50s than to never venture down this path.”

For more information

People can connect with Shey in several ways: