The Real Deal Conversations

Brad Fox spent years battling a rare liver disease that changed everything... his health, his role at church, his pace of life, and even how he viewed his future. On this episode of The Real Deal Conversations, he joins host Megan Deal to share his powerful story of receiving a life-saving transplant, the toll it took on his family, and how faith, humor, and relentless hope carried him throug...

Kara and Ryan Sullivan had everything lined up for their big move to Cambodia, until they suddenly lost their main source of income. Most people would’ve taken that as a sign to stop. They saw it as God refining their path. In this powerful conversation with Megan Deal, the Sullivans open up about the fears, doubts, and defining moments that shaped their decision to move across the worl...

Chance Potts returns to share one of the most heartbreaking and formative chapters of his life—the loss of his 17-year-old son, Landon, in a tragic accident. In this deeply personal conversation, Chance opens up about how he and his wife navigated their grief while raising three other sons, the mindset that carried them through unimaginable pain, and the practices that help him lead with str...

Chance Potts grew up learning street smarts from his dad and resilience from his mom. In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , he opens up about what it was like to be raised by a strong single mother while watching his father struggle with consistency, responsibility, and follow-through. Chance shares how he broke free from generational patterns, stepped into fatherhood unexpectedly,...

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your own head, or just looking for ways to handle life’s ups and downs better? Meredith Brick, a mental performance coach, breaks down easy, real-life tools to help you take control of your thoughts, manage stress, and build confidence... whether you’re at work, home, or just trying to get through the day. Megan and Meredith talk about everything from jour...

Dr. Amit Jagtiani is back for his second round on The Real Deal Conversations, and this time, it’s all about adults. After a powerful first conversation on ADHD and autism in kids, Dr. Amit returns to dive into what these neurodivergent conditions actually look like later  in life. He and Megan open up about their own diagnoses and the challenges that come with masking, executive dysfun...

Whitney Guison is back, and this time, she’s unpacking real tools for navigating conflict without losing your cool. She and Megan talk through a simple process that can change the way you approach hard conversations. They get honest about what conflict looks like in real life, especially in marriage and the workplace, and Whitney offers perspective on how to meet people where they are. You&r...

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with purpose and  practicality, Dr. Gearl Loden has answers. Megan sits down with the Nixa Superintendent to talk about owning your story, coaching with clarity, and leading through fear with gratitude. He shares tools to manage your time, connect with people across generations, and turn personal challenges into leadership strengths. You’ll walk...

Megan Deal sits down with Whitney Guison, President of the Nixa Chamber and expert in communication and conflict resolution. Together, they unpack the five main conflict styles. Through honest stories and a lot of laughter, Megan and Whitney explore how our default reactions in conflict shape our relationships at work, at home, and everywhere in between. If you’ve ever wondered why certain c...

John Wilson spent a decade living for the party... literally. As a successful music promoter, he was booking names like Luke Bryan and Luke Combs while privately battling the weight of childhood trauma, substance abuse, and a marriage on the brink. But one reluctant “yes” to promoting a Christian concert changed everything. In this episode, John opens up to Megan about his raw journey:...

Bobby Mitchell once had it all: his own business, a family, and a life that looked picture-perfect from the outside. But behind the scenes, alcohol addiction was quietly unraveling it all. After losing everything, including his home and family, Bobby hit rock bottom and found himself homeless. In this deeply honest conversation with Megan Deal, Bobby shares how his journey through addiction, jail,...

Burnout isn't always about doing too much... Sometimes it's about doing the wrong things. Host Megan Deal sits down with Tyler Dickerhoof to unpack what truly causes burnout and how self-awareness, smart delegation, and a fresh perspective on rest can change everything. Tyler shares leadership lessons from unexpected places (a dairy farm, to be exact), explains why letting go of perfection matters...

Kim Yancey’s story is one of fierce love, deep loss, and unwavering faith. She opens up to host Megan Deal about raising her daughter Lily, who was born with a rare brain condition and defied every odd by living 21 beautiful years. Kim shares the raw reality of life as a full-time caregiver, the heartbreak of saying goodbye, and the miracle moments that carried her through... including her h...

In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , Megan Deal chats with Mindset & Success Coach Jessica Broadway for a real talk about the kind of grief no one’s really talking about. Jessica shares how grief isn’t just about losing people... It’s also about losing dreams, routines, and the life you thought you’d have. She even makes the bold claim about what burnout cou...

In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , Megan Deal sits down with Chelsey Bode, CEO of Pearson-Kelly Technology, to talk about what it’s really like being a woman at the top in a male-dominated industry. Chelsey opens up about the moments she’s been mistaken for anyone but  the CEO, what she’s learned about setting boundaries, and how she juggles leadership with rai...

Ever feel stuck in a season of change and not sure what’s next? In this episode of  The Real Deal Conversations , Megan Deal chats with psychologist Tifini Roberts about managing transitions, dealing with stress, and finding self-worth beyond roles and productivity. They dive into everything from career shifts to setting boundaries and the pressure women fa...

Ever feel stuck waiting for your big break? On this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , Megan Deal sits down with Rachel Tapps to talk about her journey from working in collegiate athletics to landing her dream job with the OKC Thunder. Rachel opens up about trusting God’s timing, celebrating others’ wins while waiting for your own, and staying faithful through career transitions....

What’s the secret to keeping employees happy and a business thriving? In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , Megan Deal sits down with Adam Toth, president of Toth & Associates, to talk about how he helped grow his company from a kitchen table startup to a thriving 200-person firm. Everything from hiring the right people to office perks like an espresso bar and ping pong tourna...

In this ALL-NEW episode of The Real Deal Conversations,  Megan wraps up her March Madness series by sitting down with Coach Chad Myers of Link Academy , one of the nation’s most elite prep basketball programs, to reveal what it really  takes to coach future Division I and NBA stars. 🏀 With experience at Hargrave, IMG Academy, and New Mexico State, Myers has seen it all,...

In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , host Megan Deal continues her March Madness series with Mitch McHenry, head coach of Kickapoo High School basketball. Raised in a coaching family and obsessed with the game since childhood, McHenry brings a deep understanding of what it takes to build a winning team—but more importantly, what it takes to shape young athletes beyond the court....

In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , host Megan Deal continues her March Madness series with Jack Simpson, the 27-year-old Head Basketball Coach of Parkview High School. Don’t let his age fool you, Simpson has already seen and shaped more than most. From growing up on the court to leading a program of his own, he’s learned that coaching is about more than just basketball. I...

As The Real Deal Conversations  continues its March Madness series, host Megan Deal sits down with Ozark Head Basketball Coach Jayme Donnelly to discuss coaching, leadership, and the bigger picture beyond the game. Donnelly shares how growing up in a family of teachers and coaches shaped his path, with his father’s experience as a college basketball scout providing early exposure to the...

As The Real Deal Conversations  continues its March Madness series, host Megan Deal sits down with New Covenant Academy head coach Anthony Shavies to discuss his journey from playing at Missouri State to a decade of professional basketball in Europe—and how those experiences shape his coaching philosophy today. Shavies opens up about the importance of mentorship in coaching, especially...

With March Madness right around the corner, The Real Deal Conversations  is kicking off a special series where host Megan Deal sits down with local basketball coaches to talk about leadership, team culture, and the lessons that go beyond the game. In this episode, Megan talks with Nixa High School Head Coach Brock Blansit, who reflects on his 28-year coaching career and how his passion for th...

On this episode of The Real Deal Conversations , host Megan Deal sits down with Josh Shipp—renowned youth advocate, bestselling author, and former foster kid with an incredible story. Featured by The New York Times , Good Morning America , and Oprah , Josh is known for his groundbreaking work with youth, including his A&E documentary series and bestselling book, The Grown-Up’s Guid...