Fireside Talk Radio

Hushed whispers accompanied the shuffle of a chained man dressed in an orange jump suit. In this episode, Judge Carole Clark joins Cathy to explain how Trauma Informed Care is bringing real justice to families. Of course, if you’ve ever spent a day in family court as an observer, you know it’s bewildering. Now, with a powerful insider’s perspective and 20 years as a family court judge, Judge Carol...

Judge Carole Clark learned early in her life to appreciate what the courts could do. Her first job out of college? Child Protective Services. From CPS Worker to judge, she’s seen it all. Now, she shares her story with Cathy in order to call attention to Trauma Informed Care. In the past, family courts tended to see the same families over and over, according to Judge Carole. Obviously, the justice...

Co-Host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to put her creative energy as a mom, artist, and teacher to work for us. Cathy asks Anna questions about the best ways to inspire your creative children to prosper and flourish, especially when you get a few uncharted days together! Starting with her deep conviction that we are ALL creative, Anna offers 3 principles for cherishing your kiddos' inner inspirati...

“Unfortunately, abortion is equated with politics in this country, but it is so much more than that. This is beyond political lines. This is so personal. People don’t understand that this decision will determine the quality of their life, really for the rest of their life,” Dr. Grace English says. 

As a physician, she knows more about the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of trauma after a...

Dr. Grace English joins Cathy to share her story of abortion and recovery. These two dear friends talk at a deeply personal and authentic level. How did they make the decision to abort? What did they learn through the experience? How did they each get help? What resources are out there now? How can Christians talk about this topic with compassion? They even share how and why they look forward to m...

Co-host, Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to brainstorm Staycations on the Cheap. Just in time for Spring Break or Easter, these ideas will give your children fun, hilarious life-long memories without breaking the family budget. Anna also shares her ideas about how to tie a festive day with toddlers to a romantic date night at home. Would you ever take a family trip to a Hispanic market in costume?...

Artist James Kemp joins Cathy and Anna to share how art launched him into an unexpected legacy of chess. He started the Young Artist Institute to give kids a boost to their confidence, but soon discovered they wanted to play chess during their "dry time," the moments when paintings dry between paint applications. Over the years, James became well-known for his pioneering work, bringing the program...

Artist James Kemp joins Cathy and Anna to share what it was like learning to paint next to his dad, Tommy Kemp. In African American churches throughout east Texas, Tommy Kemp left his mark on faith and culture, not only as a mural painter, but as a film maker, as well. James talks about the fact that his dad painted with any paint he could get his hands on, most often house paint. He shares how hi...

Tina Meier is a national exert on how to protect our children from bullying, cyber-bullying, and suicide. She tells her story and offers advice and comfort to parents about how to help our kids when faced with bullying. In Megan's case, an adult set up a false identity, pretended to be a friend, then attack with vicious cyberbullying. According Tina cyberbullying is especially destructive because...

Tina Meier, Founder of the Megan Meier Foundations says, when it comes to bullying, “Do something as an adult. Don’t stand by and stay quiet. Because you’re not helping our kids or our community. If you report it, then it’s being reported by someone else, it’s not the kid that’s having to try to report it.” In this episode, she shares the symptoms that can alert parents. Also, she included valuabl...

Charlotte Canion returns to share wisdom she acquired as a care-giver to her aging parents. With another book coming out this spring to address the feelings of guilt that often plague care-givers, Charlotte is a wealth of ideas about how to take care of yourself as you care for others. A popular speaker and facilitator, she offers tips, like how to teach nursing homes to build raised beds for plan...

Elder Care Expert Charlotte Canion joins Cathy to share stories from her 14 year journey of caring for her father-in-law, her father and her mother as their health deteriorated. She watched as dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinson's took their toll on her family, but she knows there are hundreds of other diseases affecting elderly mental and physical well-being. Author of You've Got to Laugh to Keep...

Author Dana Goodrum joins Cathy to talk about why young people are not going to church. By the time she was a young adult, she says she already had "a plethora, the Pandora’s box of sins and mistakes and things to be ashamed about or quite frankly to be judged on.” Yet, no matter your "Chapter 1," Dana says your story can change into a life that honors God. Now, she's speaking to Christians about...

Dana Goodrum joins Cathy to share her wisdom on finding purpose in our pain. "There's beauty in broken," she says, "God didn’t cause it, but He allowed everyone's Chapter 1 for a purpose." Chapter 1 of Dana's life taught her to reach out when friends' need encouragement to grasp a life of faith. “The best thing we can realize as Christians is that we all have a “Chapter 1.” She points out that man...

Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to share her philosophy of keeping holidays simple, while focusing on passing along true meaning to her small children. She shares some of the Krafve's stories and together this mother-daughter duo brainstorm several simple ideas to give other what they really need, while giving yourself lots of freedom. Anna includes her plan for the simplest, most delightfu...

Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to share stories and successes when it comes to giving children a love for music, even if mommy can't carry a tune in a bucket! Choosing some of their favorite lines of great Christmas hymns, this mother-daughter duo laugh together about pushing the family to sing, even if it's off-key. If you're looking for practical ideas to inspire sweet sounds at your hou...

World-renowned consultant, Dr. Alise Cortez, joins Cathy to share how unexpected events unleashed her to pursue her passion and purpose in life. When her marriage came to an abrupt end, Alise determined not to waste the opportunity, but instead re-calibrated her life in the most beautiful way possible. The change in her circumstances “yielded a new clearing for myself,” she says, and “gave me a sp...

Dr. Alise Cortez returns to share the secrets she shares all over the world to leaders who seek out her wisdom. Do your employees seem to migrate away from your business just about the time you get them trained? Are you going through the motions, but feel asleep at the wheel (and we’re not talking country music here)? It’s not easy to surprise Cathy, but Alise shares an unexpected approach for get...

Anna Krafve Pierce shares tender family stories as she co-hosts with Cathy. Naturally, the tone was set for full out fun (which, by the way, often happens whenever Anna is around)! If you want some Thanksgiving inspiration, you'll love Anna’s laughter and Thanksgiving memories! Plus, she offers inspiration right out of her favorite childhood hymns. Wondering how to handle the stress (or stressful...

In this episode, Cathy and Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce brainstorm a gazillion ideas that will make your life easier for Thanksgiving, especially if you're entertaining toddlers. Cathy revels all the fun ideas she has for her own grands. Yep, they talk about how to make a Thanksgiving Kits. But in a surprise twist, Cathy's amazing tech genius, Roy Bryan, whispered the news moments before the show th...

Have you received letter notifying you of your Dense Breast Tissue status? Faithful to get her timely mammogram, Henda Salmeron was shocked and devastated when she was diagnosed with a stage four breast cancer. On this episode she shares some of the high and low moments in her battle with breast cancer. She also invites women to join the effort to make Dense Breast Tissue notifications standard pr...

Author Henda Salmeron joins Cathy to tell her story of how she became a political influencer, author, serial entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor, all-around amazing woman, and best of all, a mom. Henda began her life care-taking a mom who had serious mental and addiction health issues, which meant Henda was in danger from the men in her mother's life. Yet, she chose her mom's royal purple for her...

Dr. Sasha Vukelja joins Cathy to talk about the best ways we can encourage families when mom is diagnosed with breast cancer. Especially for daughters, breast cancer looms dauntingly. Will Mom be there for me? Will I get breast cancer, too? These are just a few of the topics Sasha handles with experience and deep compassion. Jumping from hilarity to comfort, Sasha speaks with ease and insight, off...

In her humorous and down-to-earth way, Oncologist Sasha Vukelja, joins Cathy to have an authentic conversation about life and joy. Dr. V as her patients lovingly call her, salutes her adopted home, Texas, and talks about immigrating to America with her mother. She shares about her military service and falling in love with her hubby. She tackles tough subjects, including breast cancer, with compass...

Author Dawn Franks discusses how our generosity is reflected in our Giving Fingerprints. The title of her new book reflects the extensive work and research Dawn has done throughout her career, first in helping nonprofits succeed with their fundraising, then in helping donors succeed in their giving. Acting as a bridge between nonprofits and donors, Dawn learned to help families pinpoint their shar...