Shows
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkHealing Without a Prescription; How Homeopathy and Regenerative Yards Can Build True Health with Melissa of True Cut RanchTrading a Charlotte business for a quiet patch of land wasn’t about escaping the city; it was about building health from the ground up. We sit down with Melissa of True Cut Ranch to trace a clear path from raised beds on a two‑thirds acre lot to a regenerative farm where soil leads, animals thrive, and medicine gets gentler. The surprises are practical: chickens as fertilizer, daily moves to lower stress, and a hard pivot to selling only animals born on their farm so health is bred, not bought.We unpack how small changes compound. Meli...
2026-02-231h 02
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkLosing my Daddy and Coping with Loss, especially During the HolidaysA daughter revisits the ten days that reshaped her family, from surgical hope and ICU turns to the quiet strength of community and faith. Small signs—a snowfall, a vision, a hawk—become anchors that steady grief through holidays and years.• kidney crisis, surgical plan, and early complications• ICU vigil, Christmas awakening, and rapid decline• dialysis strain, December 28 loss, and burial of hopes• Psalm 91, anxiety imprint, and coping in the body• empty house, sports memories, and daily absence• community support, pastoral presence, and generosity• vision in worship, snow in Savannah, and hawk as sign•...
2025-12-2432 min
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkChucky and Sandra share Surviving the COVID Delta Variant and What Chucky's Near-Death Taught ThemWe trace Chucky’s fight with the COVID Delta variant—from a beach trip to the ICU, 22 days on a ventilator, and a hard reset in rehab—through fear, faith, and the everyday work of recovery. Sandra shares the caregiver’s view: tracking O2, pushing for transfer, and holding the line when things got dark; all while dealing with her own COVID illness.• early symptoms, falling oxygen, urgent ER decisions• ICU isolation, chaplain calls, hallucinations and funeral dreams• ambulance transfer, high-flow oxygen, ventilator and sedation• “cheated death” conversation with lead physician• rehab pivot with Tracy, parallel b...
2025-11-161h 14
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small Talk"I Fired Hospice (Kind Of) and My Oncologist Called Me Nuts." Sandy Shares her Near-Death, Faith-Filled Cancer Journey.In the words of Sandy, God gets the glory, we share the story. Listen as Sandy shares her unfiltered journey from a 26-hour ER wait and a lymphoma diagnosis to months of failed chemo, hospice care, a second baptism, and a scan with no evidence of disease. The through line is time—how faith reshapes minutes, choices, and what we hold onto when nothing else stands still.• background in rural nursing and Louisville, Georgia roots• what follicular lymphoma is and how it erodes immunity• early symptoms, misreads, and the sepsis scare• insurance denial tied to COVID vac...
2025-10-101h 20
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkWhat is Glory, Jesus' Prayer for his Present and Future Disciples, and Remembering Charlie KirkGlory extends far beyond the halos we see in medieval paintings of saints. After being repeatedly drawn to John 17, where "glory" appears eight times in Jesus's prayer for his disciples and future believers, I discovered deeper meanings that transform our understanding of God's presence.• Exploration of what "glory" truly means beyond simple visual representations• Detailed reading of John 17, Jesus's prayer before his betrayal and arrest• Reflection on Charlie Kirk's bold faith and commitment to biblical truth• Discussion of the challenge of being confrontational when necessary versus being "nice"• Three dimensions of glory: God sending Hi...
2025-09-1213 minBeyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkSteve and Tanya Share the Hope of Breaking Addiction through the Men's Hope Center Ministries in Maiden, NCSteve's journey from the depths of addiction to becoming a beacon of hope for others defies all expectations. After a decade-long battle with cocaine addiction that culminated in a near-fatal overdose in 2003, he found himself wrapped in a blanket on his floor for three days before being discovered by family members. Doctors grimly informed his loved ones that any longer would have meant planning a funeral.During his recovery, fate intervened when he met Tonya at a doctor's office in Taylorsville. Though she compassionately helped him seek medical care for lingering effects from his overdose, their relationship...
2025-08-251h 22Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkFrom a Marriage Trapped by Alcohol to Embracing Independence at 40What if you found yourself pregnant at 17 amidst a circle where alcohol blurred the lines of support and denial? This week, our guest shares her compelling story of teenage pregnancy, navigating complex family dynamics, and the emotional journey that unfolded with her partner at her side. It’s a heartfelt narrative of resilience, as she challenges societal stereotypes, manages the demands of early parenthood, and pursues higher education, all against a backdrop of personal growth and unwavering family support.Our conversation takes a candid look at the intricacies of marriage, from the challenges of infidelity and forgiveness to...
2025-01-291h 01
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small Talk"We were dirt poor but so was everyone else" Christine opens up about life in rural NC in the mid-1940's and 50's, tragic loss of siblings, and the struggles of a mother with mental illnessWhat happens when you're one of twelve siblings growing up in a rural community without modern conveniences? Christine, our guest, paints a vivid tapestry of her childhood, filled with challenges, heartache, and the warmth of a close-knit community, the Statesville Brickyard community. As she recounts her experiences, from the tragic losses of several siblings to the small joys of getting electricity for the first time, Christine's story becomes a powerful testament to the resilience and faith that have guided her through life's trials.Christine's journey doesn't shy away from the difficulties of large family dynamics, particularly when...
2024-12-2946 min
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small Talk"A God of Second Chances" Karen Shares her Journey of Faith, Resilience, and Building a Family with her Husband Bart Through AdoptionWhat if life's unexpected challenges were the stepping stones to a greater destiny? Meet Karen, a multi-business owner and devout Christian, who shares her remarkable journey of faith, resilience, and transformation. Growing up in a devout Christian environment, Karen learned to differentiate between her own thoughts and divine guidance, using scripture as her compass. She opens up about her first marriage, navigating the trials of infidelity and infertility, and the lessons learned from overlooking red flags during courtship. Karen’s journey is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of heeding a higher calling, even when li...
2024-12-091h 01
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small Talk"And You Know, God....." Dr. Angela Hood shares her experiences and gives advice on starting overI've heard Angela use this phrase so often that I had to include it in the title. She is truly a woman after God's own heart. I'm so fortunate to know her. In this episode, Angela describes for us starting over and what it was like to make the decision to move she and her daughter to a new community where they hardly knew anyone and the peace and joy she felt when she followed God's call for her life.Dr. Angela Hood is a mother of 4, grandmother of 8 and works for Catawba Co. school system. She became an...
2024-11-2139 min
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkStaci and Thom's Journey of Love, Loss, and Karlee, their Christmas AngelWhat happens when the unimaginable becomes reality? Staci joins us to share her deeply personal journey of love, loss, and hope after the passing of her beloved daughter, Karlee. In recounting her story, Staci reveals the strength and faith that carried her and her husband, Tom, through the trials of a heartbreaking diagnosis. From a loving marriage to the challenging road of pregnancy, Staci opens up about their decision to embrace the journey of welcoming Karlee, a baby diagnosed with hydranencephaly, into their lives.Staci's story is not just about loss; it's a testament to the enduring...
2024-10-3054 min
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkSurviving the Loss of a Spouse with a Toddler and a Baby on the WayBrittany is an amazing woman of faith. She shares her love and passion of Jesus and how it was only through Christ and with the help of her family that she was not only able to survive her late husband's suicide but also be there for her children.Send a text
2024-09-261h 21
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkBold Like ColeChris, Cole's father shares the experiences that he and his wife, Connie have gone through over the years of raising a child with disabilities, who is now about to graduate high school. I asked Cole recently if he was excited about graduating soon and he gave an emphatic yes, followed by how much he was going to miss football. For years Cole has been the football team's manager from middle school to his senior year. Some of my favorite memories have been watching my boys and Cole and his brother grow up on the ballfield, whether it's baseball or foo...
2024-09-121h 02
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkLosing our mothers, the importance of faith, and keeping their memories alive.How do you cope with losing someone who loved you more than life itself? Kevin is my first guest and we discuss losing our mothers and using faith to help us deal with their loss. Our mothers were first cousins but they were more like sisters. Who better to be my first guest, than Kevin. Send a text
2024-08-0230 min
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small Talk"I'm Just a Sinner Saved by Grace" Mr. Ray Jenkins or as I like to call him, "The Grandaddy"Mr. Ray shares his message on the goodness of Jesus and what He has done for Mr. Ray and what Jesus can do for you. Mr. Ray has lived most of his adult life sharing the love and good news of Christ to others. Sadly, Mr. Ray passed away April 20, 2024. I can't imagine the joy he felt the moment he joined his Savior. This was something he looked forward to for so long. I am grateful to have this recording of him. Also, we recorded this sitting at his kitchen table so you will have to excuse the echo. Se...
2024-08-0220 min
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkRaising babies, working, moving across country, all while dealing with mother's Stage 4 cancer diagnosisA wise neighbor once told me that you will find that you become close friends with the parents of some of your children's friends. In this case, that is so true. Karin shares her experiences of how she handled the chaos of her mother's cancer and death, raising small babies, all while moving across the country. Her faith and determination and humbleness are truly inspiring.Send a text
2024-08-0220 min
Beyond Existing - Beyond the Small TalkIntroduction to Beyond ExistingI'm so glad you have found this podcast. In this episode I explain what this podcast is about and the experiences that led me to creating this podcast. I pray that you will find this podcast useful. Thank you for listening.Send a text
2024-07-3005 min