In this episode I interview Brooke O’Dell, owner of Sugar Drop sweet supply shop. It was a joy to learn how Brooke’s passion for welcoming folks to the table was cultivated in a small Texas town. Brooke’s sense of style and wizardry skills in the kitchen are unparalleled. Listen in, then drive on over to Sugar Drop for a double sweet treat.

Ami McConnell is a book doctor. She is widely known and deeply appreciated in publishing circles. In 2018 she launched WriterFest Nashville, an annual 2-day gathering of creatives of book, song, and film. Ami shares in this episode that words were always her playground and that from an early age she recognized that she could stand in the gap for the author and reader. She’s also the host of the WriterFest with Ami McConnell podcast. Listen in, and you’re sure to be blessed.

In this episode, Leanne explores why the fiction she writes and the practical truths she teaches are the resonate notes in her own lifesong. It seems everyone has at least one theme that runs like an underground stream in their lives—something that strikes a particularly resonant note for them. Talk to anyone long enough, and you may see an undercurrent start to emerge.

When I invited Aidan to be a guest on this podcast, I told him, “I love hearing how God works in people's lives, and the joy I imagine He feels in watching us give back to the world the very gifts He has given to each of us.”  Though Aidan is still young, it’s already clear how God has been shaping him to make positive waves in the world. His story reflects well the spirit and intent of the G&H podcast, providing a powerful close-out to our first season of conversations.

Tom Bancroft, a former Disney animator, is helping put Nashville on the map of the animation business. One of my favorite insights from Tom in this episode is when he discusses the importance of moving past the copying stage to actually creating. Tom’s twin brother, Tony, is also a Disney animator…hence the (x2) in the title…who has recently joined him on the faculty at Lipscomb. Listen to find out the early influences that helped shape the fascinating careers of this one-of-a-kind partnership: twins with a talent to draw.

This episode of G&H holds a special place in my heart, for in it, I have the honor of interviewing Isaac Horn and Lincoln Mick (my son-in-law) of The Arcadian Wild. The musical score of this podcast comes from a song called Spring: Wake by TAW, the first release from their Principium album. Here we explore the themes of invitation and what it means to be an artist partnering with God to lean into the talents He has given to each of us. 

Having received most of broadcast journalism's top awards including three Peabody awards, two National Headliner awards, a duPont-Columbia citation, and the Robert F. Kennedy award for a year-long investigative effort, Alan Griggs has a storied career. He met U.S. president Jimmy Carter. He hired Robin Roberts, beloved morning show host, early in her career. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Alan remains highly approachable and disarmingly candid at times. He has entered a second career in teaching, blessing students and allowing folks like me to call him friend.   

I had my first real conversation with Leonard Allen, dean of the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb, on a bus trip in 2014. In this episode I learned new insights about Leonard. He was born to be a truth-seeker. His vocational focus was shaped by early influences, like Tiger’s Milk. And he is using his own influence to hire “outward facing” faculty to ensure that the pursuit of religious and intellectual truth continues strong into the future. 

A few years ago, a woman in Missouri offered her home for a house show. She didn’t even know the band she was inviting in, but she did know some ardent fans who wanted them to play in Kansas City, so she graciously offered her home as both stage and lodge.It was the start of a beautiful friendship that spread from the band to my daughter to me. Long before I met her, I knew Kendra shone with a special light. It was my honor to interview her as my first guest, a fellow writer working on her first book, on her recent trip to Nashville 

Welcome to my new podcast! In this first episode, I talk about the power of a life plan, what posture can do for you, the job offer God brought Moses and how he was the most uniquely qualified candidate for the role. Lastly, we’ll explore a critical question God asks Moses in his job interview—a question we would all do well to ask ourselves: “What’s in your hand?” Check it out here. Episode 1:2 will release two weeks from today…and so on…and so on. Hope you enjoy G&H!