Faith and Field Notes

Brandon Kennedy has spent the last twelve years leading one of the most impactful churches in the Knoxville area — a church that’s become a true pillar in the community. But now, he’s stepping into a new season: planting again. In this conversation, Brandon sits down with Aaron to share his full story — growing up in Sevierville, answering the call to ministry, and what it’s been like to step away...

On this episode of  Faith & Field Notes , Aaron sits down with  Audy Smothers , Campus Director with  Campus Outreach at the University of Tennessee , to talk about what faith looks like in today’s college culture. Audy shares his story of coming to Christ, what led him into campus ministry, and how losing his dad as a kid shaped his view of faith, leadership, and legacy. Together, they explor...

In this episode, Aaron sits down with  Josh Schneider , a  Senior Program Manager in Nuclear Design Engineering at the Tennessee Valley Authority  here in Knoxville, Tennessee. Josh helps lead work at the intersection of science, innovation, and public service — and every time they talk, Aaron walks away learning something new. This conversation unpacks how nuclear energy actually works, how TVA’s...

In this episode of  Faith & Field Notes , Aaron sits down with his friend  Tyler Woodruff , whose story weaves through faith, athletics, and the pursuit of a life built on purpose. Tyler grew up in the Mormon church and spent his early years out west before moving to Tennessee as a teenager. We talk about what that transition was like — finding identity through high school baseball, how compet...

In this episode, Kelsey and I share the story of how we met and the journey that’s unfolded since. From our first connection to walking side by side through ministry, we’ve seen both the beauty and the hardship that comes with pursuing a calling together. We talk honestly about the highs and lows, what it meant for our marriage to be shaped in the middle of ministry life, and how stepping away bro...

In this episode, I sit down with my wife, Kelsey, to explore her story—the ups, downs, and everything in between. Raised as the daughter of missionaries in China, her childhood was marked by both adventure and constant change. From small-town rhythms to the challenges of moving across cultures, Kelsey’s journey shaped her faith and resilience in unique ways. We talk about what it was like growing...

This week, Aaron sits down with his friend Roy Nicaud, a former ministry professional who has spent the last 10+ years building a career in real estate as an agent, flipper, and investor. Together they talk about what it’s like to step out of ministry, the lessons Roy carried with him into the marketplace, and how faith continues to shape the way he does business. From navigating tough seasons to...

Welcome to the very first episode of  Faith & Field Notes . Before we dive into the conversations and field notes ahead, we want to share why we’re starting this podcast, what it’s about, and who it’s for. This episode is both an introduction and the beginning Aaron's story — from growing up, to our early years in faith and ministry, and the road that eventually led us to meeting each othe...