Next Rung Radio

Hit songwriter and creative mentor Kirsti Manna shares the real story behind Blake Shelton’s five-week number one Austin, the faith that carried her through a college vocal setback, and the practices that turned resilience into results. We unpack her Songwriter Girl camps, why women in music need safe creative spaces, and how mentorship, goal setting, and music publishing literacy change careers....

Entrepreneur and viral creator Donald Jenkins built a digital empire reaching billions of views without a blueprint—just belief, storytelling, and persistence. In this episode, he breaks down the attention formula, mastering watch time, and how faith fuels consistency when motivation runs dry. Donald shares his journey from Nashville Hits Collecting Dust to social media success and now using his p...

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Next Rung Radio , we sit down with Cathy A. Lewis, one of America’s first female executive chefs who’s cooked for NFL, NBA, and NHL teams, music legends, and Indy 500 champions  and now an award‑winning author and speaker whose story of redemption will stir your soul. From the high‑pressure chaos of the restaurant world and the heartbreak of addiction...

his week on Next Rung Radio , we dive into the colorful world of Dean Tomasek, a rare creative who’s lived multiple artistic lifetimes. From painting stage sets for Dolly Parton , Alice Cooper , and KISS , to playing bass on tour and designing murals across the country, Dean’s story is one of true resilience, humility, and raw creative fire. Hear how he shifted from supporting roles to owning his...

In this deeply moving and iconic episode of Next Rung Radio , we sit down with Manuel Cuevas , the 92-year-old master tailor behind the looks of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Dolly Parton, and hundreds of the world’s most celebrated artists. From picking up a needle at age seven to shaping fashion history, Manuel shares how clothing isn't just fabric:  it's identity, storytelling, and legacy. With...

Get ready for an explosive episode, literally. In this week’s Next Rung Radio Podcast , we sit down with pyrotechnics mastermind Randy Bast , the man behind the fire, sparks, and spectacle for rock legends like KISS , AC/DC , Rush , and even NASCAR and HBO . From lighting his first fuse at just 18 to creating jaw-dropping stage effects across 40+ countries, Randy’s journey is one of grit, passion,...

From a Memphis drum kit to Emmy wins and multiple No. 1 hits, Trey Bruce has spent decades shaping songs and artists who shape the culture. In this wide-open conversation, Trey explains how he turns a spark into a song people actually feel, why “vernacular” matters when writing for different voices, and how he can tell fast when someone’s a real artist. We dig into development vs. radio, why great...

Strict rules. Crushing perfectionism. A decade tangled in opioids. A failed marriage. And the day she found her father after an overdose. By every measure, Jamie Creech had reasons to stop climbing. Instead, she chose the hard path...the one with treatment, truth, and rebuilding. In this raw, hope-heavy conversation, Jamie shares how chasing acceptance turned into addiction, why grief first pulled...

He built his first obstacles with his grandpa on weekends, bled on monkey bars he couldn’t cross, and years later placed Top 10 on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior at just 16. Now 20, Nashville native Elijah “Boss Ninja” Browning has competed across 34 states and 4 countries, coaches a podium-stacked youth team, builds full courses, and turns passion into business—from merch to sports-card investing....

What really powers a world-class tour? In this episode, Ron sits down with veteran tour and artist manager Chuck Pursel , a behind-the-scenes force with 30+ years in live entertainment. From production tents at sunrise to settlements after midnight, Chuck has worn nearly every hat on the road: stage manager, production manager, tour manager and he’s learned the secret to longevity: keep your cool,...

From singing Johnny Cash at three to hosting SiriusXM Y2 Country (Ch. 57) , Danielle Peck has lived the full arc of country music—bars, churches, buses that broke down in every state, and arena tours that tested every ounce of grit. In this candid sit-down, Danielle opens up about being discovered by Scott Borchetta , cutting sides at DreamWorks, becoming the flagship female at Big Machine Records...

On this episode of Next Rung Radio , Audra McLaughlin (NBC’s The Voice , Season 6) brings raw honesty and undeniable power. From on-set bloopers to a goosebump performance of her new song “Hate Being Me,” Audra opens up about self-talk, body image, faith, and the daily fight to choose grace over criticism. It’s a vulnerable, victorious look at how scars, setbacks, and second chances can shape a vo...

On this episode of Next Rung Radio , we shine a light on the magnetic duo Beck and Call . Becca Bradley and Chris Call each walked through the fires of solo artistry, carrying both the scars and the lessons of going it alone. But when they came together, something electric sparked — haunting cello lines intertwined with soulful vocals, pop sensibilities fusing with blues grit, and lyrics that live...

On this rung of Next Rung Radio , we welcome Ryan Weaver, U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot turned country music firebrand. After losing his brother (KIA) and later his brother-in-law in combat, Ryan chose purpose over paralysis, turning grief into fuel. From karaoke contests and writing songs in the desert to standing center stage at Madison Square Garden, the Grand Ole Opry with Charlie Daniels, and he...

On this rung of Next Rung Radio , we spotlight a visionary who stepped into the music industry not as an artist, but as the strategist who could see what was broken and dared to fix it. Mike Castronovo built his career in wealth management and international markets, mastering numbers the way musicians master notes. But when his daughter pursued music at Belmont, he quickly realized just how flawed...

On this rung of Next Rung Radio , we sit down with powerhouse vocalist, hit songwriter, author, and two-time cancer survivor David Staton. From singing on gospel stages at the age of six to penning Grammy-nominated songs for some of the biggest names in the genre, David’s life has been defined not just by music but by resilience, faith, and a relentless pursuit of truth. He’s filled in for gospel...

On this rung of Next Rung Radio , we welcome a man whose fingerprints are all over some of the biggest names in music. David Browning has spent more than 30 years as a producer, performer, and songwriter, working alongside artists like Katy Perry, Natalie Grant, and C.C. Winans. But his story goes far beyond studio walls and stages. He’s walked hand in hand with his wife through cancer, navigated...

Welcome to the very first official episode of Next Rung Radio Podcast , where every rung on the ladder is another step toward purpose, power, and resilience. To kick off this journey, we’re joined by country artist and survivor Cayden Gillard — a man who embodies what it means to rise through adversity. From a leukemia diagnosis at just 14, to picking up a guitar in a hospital room, to chasing rod...