The Heather Petero Show

What does it really mean to be present — not just busy, polished, productive, or professionally “fine”? In this episode of The Heather Petero Show , Heather sits down with Reverend James Williams , Senior Pastor of Grace Resurrection Methodist Church and author of The Present Pastor: Step Off the Stage and Learn to Lead Like Jesus . They talk about presence over performance, servant leadership, ch...

What happens when a seriously stressed-out high school English teacher burns out and ends up building an extraordinary life teaching guitar? In this episode, Heather talks with Rob Hampton — teacher, entrepreneur, and all-around delight — about how he went from burnout to building something truly special in music education. Rob has taught everyone from four-year-olds to Fortune 500 CEOs , helped o...

What do you do when life changes in a second? In this episode, Heather sits down with Carter Viss — marine biologist, founder of the Carter Viss Foundation, co-author of Found in the Wake , and one-handed pianist — for a conversation about survival, recovery, advocacy, music, and meaning. They talk about the accident that changed his life, the people who helped save him, the work he’s doing to mak...

What happens when people choose to show up in places most of the world would rather avoid? In this episode, Heather talks with Walter Straham and Rosa Fossett-Gilbert of Kairos Prison Ministry about prison ministry, Kairos Outside, and the quiet weight carried by families and loved ones on the outside. This conversation goes beyond labels and assumptions into something much more human: dignity, co...

In this rich and personal conversation, Heather sits down with award-winning artist, songwriter, author, speaker, and mentor Babbie Mason to talk about calling, staying power, and the songs that live far beyond the moment they were written. From her early years as a preacher’s kid and teacher, to writing songs the church still sings, Babbie shares what it means to stay rooted while the world keeps...

Born into one of America’s most recognizable legacy families, Lisa Popeil went on to build an extraordinary career all her own — as a singer, performer, researcher, author, and highly respected celebrity vocal coach. This week on The Heather Petero Show , Heather welcomes Lisa Popeil , creator of the Voiceworks Method, for a rich conversation about voice, artistry, legacy, and impact. They explore...

What happens when people stop skimming, stop reacting, and actually listen? My guest is Bunni Pounds , and we’re talking about America Reads the Bible —a major public event in Washington, D.C. happening April 18–25, 2026 , with an opening celebration on April 18 and a full week of public Bible reading at the Museum of the Bible from April 19 through 25 . The event’s official materials describe nea...

This week on The Heather Petero Show , Heather sits down with her dear friend Cathy Semeria for a conversation that is honest, strong, and deeply encouraging—especially for parents who have lost a child. Cathy shares the story of her daughter, Christina “Tini” Semeria , who died in a tragic auto accident in 2016—an event that became national news at the time. But this episode isn’t about headlines...

In this episode of The Heather Petero Show , Heather sits down with Hall of Fame, multi-platinum Nashville Row songwriter Bernie Nelson for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on the songs we love—and the lives, moments, and unexpected turns that shaped them. They talk about what it really takes to write something that lasts, why so many people misunderstand who actually writes the songs, a...

What happens when you mix twenty years of friendship, two decades of marriage, music that feels like a Georgia backroad? You get Matt + Abi . In this episode, I sit down with the duo to talk about the messy middle —the real-life space where faith, family, and the artist hustle collide. We peel back the curtain on what it takes to build something honest together, keep showing up for the people you...

This week on The Heather Petero Show, Heather is joined by Shaunee Brannan — author, singer, and founder of The SB Fashion Brand. In this honest and engaging conversation, they talk about the intersection of faith and fashion, the journey of building confidence, and what it really means to stop shrinking and start showing up fully as yourself. With humor, real-life perspective, and a refreshing ta...

This week, Heather sits down with Dr. Adam Klein of the Emory Voice Center — the physician who has taken care of celebrity singers and the one she trusts with her own students when something doesn’t sound right. They dive into the truth behind common vocal myths (whispering, dairy, hydration, screaming at football games… yes, all of it), what’s actually happening inside the voice when things go wr...

Heather sits down with her friend of nearly 40 years, Mark Ware — signed country artist and singer-songwriter, retired Fire Chief, and veteran firefighter/EMT whose music is rooted in real life. From High School memories to the hard chapters, Mark shares the kind of story you don’t forget. Together, they talk about grief, faith, recovery, and what it looks like to keep going after the unthinkable...

This week on The Heather Petero Show , Heather sits down with Michael Johnson —business consultant, founder of Johnson & Associates , leadership strategist, doctoral candidate, and yes… a man who plays 17 instruments . They talk about what strategy actually means in real life, why so many business owners stay stuck in “busy,” how implementation is where the real magic happens, and what it take...

From the Georgia Band Room to the Coast of Ecuador: A Musical Journey with David Henry What does it look like to retire after 34 years of shaping young musicians, only to start a whole new chapter as a songwriter and producer in a different country? Today, I’m sitting down with David Henry , a man whose résumé reads like a roadmap of the music industry. From three decades as a legendary instrument...

In this episode of The Heather Petero Show , we talk about what it really looks like to pursue a dream with intention —while holding down a full career, staying grounded, and doing the actual work of the craft. John shares his Alabama roots, his journey into independent country music, the value of staying teachable, and why growth doesn’t stop just because life gets busy. We also dig into: Balanci...

What if education didn’t feel like pressure, panic, or performance? In this episode of The Heather Petero Show , Heather sits down with Lisa Renea Shaw —educator, author, language-lover, and founder of My Other Tongue —for a grounded, honest conversation about raising whole humans in a very loud world. Lisa brings calm, clarity, and conviction to topics many parents feel overwhelmed by: bilingual...

In this episode of The Heather Petero Show , Heather hands the mic to someone she’s known since literally day one — her son, filmmaker and creative mind behind Petero Productions , Seth Petero. Seth is proving you don’t need a massive Hollywood budget to tell a meaningful story. From film and digital storytelling to songwriting, vintage tech, and a deep love of the creative process, this conversat...

In this episode, Heather talks with voice expert and Berklee professor Linda Balliro about the neuroscience behind singing. They break down how the brain learns pitch, coordination, and expression—and why so many singers get stuck chasing sensations instead of building reliable skill. Smart, practical, and refreshingly clear, this conversation is for singers, teachers, and curious creatives who wa...

In this opening episode of The Heather Petero Show , Heather invites listeners to embrace Creativity with a capital C —not as a talent reserved for a few, but as a God-given part of who we are. This episode is about permission: to create, to explore, and to stop waiting for approval before stepping into what you were made to do. We would love to hear from you! Support the show www.heatherpetero.co...