The River Foundation Podcast

In this special edition of the River Foundation Podcast, Dan speaks with foster care and adoption advocate Dr. Sharen Ford.  Discover what part the Church can play in adoption and foster care, and how to answer the question that so many ask: "What if I'm not called to adopt or foster a child?"  You'll leave this interview encouraged and empowered to take the next step and get involved in this King...

When Chef Bill Hawkins came to the Bluebird Cafe in Stanford, Kentucky, it was a small town of 3500 people and a far cry from an exclusive golf club where he served as executive chef.  What led him to leave his high-powered position and answer a job posting from a food blog? Find out in this episode of the River Foundation!   Episode Highlights [1:28] - How Bill started his career as a chef  [2:11...

Welcome to this episode of the River Foundation! What happens when you're obedient to the Lord? How does he show his faithfulness day in and day out? After a successful career in retail and sales, God called Tim Hopper into a brand new industry and really, a brand new ministry. Find out how God has shown up throughout Tim's life in this story-filled episode!   Episode Highlights [1:42] - How Tim b...

Welcome to this episode of the River Foundation! Michele Rose of the Loan Support Team at the Muhlenberg County Branch joins Dan on the podcast to share how her journey began, even before she joined First Southern National Bank.    What happens when you take the first step towards God in generosity? How do you give when it feels like you don't have the resources? Where can you turn when you need s...

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Kim shares the story behind the story of Fishhook International.  From central Kentucky to mainland India, and 100 hours of prayer to a retreat center, God is moving in this impactful ministry.  Listen to this episode to find out how you can get involved, whether through prayer or a trip to India!   Episode Highlights [1:01] How Kim became involved...

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, we learn how a catalytic moment in 1996 shaped a young marriage, inspiring hope in marriages and churches across the country through the ministry of Brad Rhoads and Grace Ministry.  Discover why going from "really bad" to "really stable" wasn't good enough, and how God stepped in to ignite a movement for healthy, God-honoring marriages!   Episode Hi...

On this 44th episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Howard Dayton and Dan continue their conversation on how Compass has been working to restore financial freedom and equip people all around the world to apply Biblical money management. Tune in to hear what motivates Howard to keep investing in people and the specific message he has for our family of companies!   Episode Highlights [0:31] Our co...

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, we're joined by a man God has used to teach millions  (Dave Ramsey, to name one) on the subject of stewarding money: Howard Dayton. In Part 1 of his conversation with Dan, Howard shares how across the decades, the Bible has transformed his understanding of money and challenged him to help equip and hold others accountable to manage their resources i...

What might God do if we shared our lives and stories in Christ with someone around us? In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Casey Willis shares his story of how he was called out of serving in college campus ministry to sell farm properties and timber to fundraise for ministries like the River Foundation. After listening, you'll leave with fresh eyes for the people you encounter every...

It's no secret that the River Foundation loves supporting incredible mission trip opportunities, and today we get to hear specific stories from 3 individuals who visited Delhi, India.   Dan is joined by his bride of 28 years, Mary, to recount what they remember most after traveling the globe to visit Good Samaritan School and meeting their sponsored child. Krista Clements, Executive Director of Fr...

What blessings is God withholding from you because you have not yet told him, "Yes!"? In our 40th episode of the River Foundation Podcast, adoption and foster care advocates, Chris and Alicia Johnson, share how their "yes" to open their home to foster families both challenged and transformed their lives for the better. Whether you've felt a tug towards orphan care yourself or you know foster paren...

From free throws to forklifts to bank bookkeeping, Tommy Roberts didn't become the CEO of First Southern National Bank because he went out looking for it. But now looking back at 30 years with First Southern, Tommy calls it "an answer to prayer" to be part of a company that has such a heart for the Kingdom.   Join us this episode of the River Foundation to hear how God's used the River Foundation...

Who else can be a good steward of your life but you? Today's guest, Suzanne Short, shares how loving her job as a bank teller 15 years ago led her to become the Chief Operating Officer of First Southern today. But she's not here to brag about titles. Suzanne gets real about why it's important we take ownership of our lives and what she's learned about seeking out opportunities to glorify God in ev...

Snapchat. Instagram. Vaping. Gender Identity.   Teenagers today are having to deal with things today that can leave parents and grandparents scared, frustrated, and lost.   In this episode of the River Foundation, David Eaton, President and Co-Founder of Axis, shares a message of hope to encourage parents, and drive intentional conversations with their teenagers.   Listen in to find out more!   Ep...

Have you found where your passion and your purpose meet? In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Dan is joined by Alex Keltner, President of First Southern National Bank, who shares how God used First Southern to give him a new purpose and mission through banking. A voracious reader and music lover, Alex also gives us his top recommendations of the resources that have helped mold and chal...

How many people do you interact with each day through the platform God has given you? In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Scott Turner, President of First Southern's Bowling Green branch, shares what happened when he asked God to use his platform as a banker to further His Kingdom. You won't want to miss Scott's witness and reminder that God can use us wherever we are, no matter the j...

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Ray Pevley, the service desk manager at First Southern, trades the comforts of home for one week serving in the Dominican Republic. If you've been considering a mission trip yourself, you won't want to miss how God surprised and spoke to Ray through his experience partnering with SCORE International. [0:34] Dan's greetings from the Dominican Republi...

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Matthew and Nancy Sleeth, the co-founders of Blessed Earth, share how their pursuit of wholistic stewardship led them to the First Southern Bank. Tune in to hear how Matthew and Nancy are learning to make Sabbath rest and faithful stewardship a lifestyle.   Episode Highlights [0:32] Matthew and Nancy Sleeth join Dan in Stanford, Kentucky! [0:49] "Se...

Generosity shouldn't feel like an obligation. Meet Jon and Evelyn Bean, who co-founded Compass Catholic Ministries after a Compass Bible study transformed their view of money into a lifestyle of generosity. Tune in to hear how Jon and Evelyn learned to spend their money on what matters most -- and you'll be challenged to do the same!      Episode Highlights [0:33] Welcome back to Wilmore Co-founde...

The River Foundation isn't the only company with a heart for generosity. In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, you'll meet Alan Barnhart of Barnhart Crane and Rigging Services -- a heavy lift and transport company that supports God's work in missions and ministries all around the world. Tune in to hear what happened after Alan and his team prayed to be a generous company that honored Go...

Welcome to Part 2 in our conversation with Dale Ditto, long-time friend of the River Foundation and the Generosity Movement. In this episode, Dale shares about the normal business guys who dreamed up the National Christian Foundation -- all because they recognized all wealth belongs to God. You won't want to miss Dale's wisdom on money management, stewardship, and generous living! [0:32] How a bus...

Welcome Dale Ditto, a River Foundation partner who has been with us from the very beginning!     In this first episode of a two-part series, Dale recounts the formative experiences and relationships from his first 20 years with the River Foundation. Dale's testimony of meeting folks and making connections will leave you in awe of God's intricate design and plan for our company and family of shareh...

Welcome back to the River Foundation Podcast!   This week Dan talks to Scott Steele, a River Foundation Board Member and Executive Director of Cherokee Gives Back.   Scott shares not only how he became connected to the River Foundation but also the impact one person has had on his life...and didn't even know it.   Listen in to this conversation where Scott shares how all of us can change the world...

Would you rather be green and growing or ripe and rotting? Welcome back to the River Foundation Podcast! In this episode, CEO of the First Southern Family of Companies, Jimmy Rousey, shares about the journey that began in small-town Hustonville, Kentucky that led him to work with First Southern for 36 years. Listen in to Jimmy's account of how God has used River Foundation opportunities, from miss...

Alex Tee, COO of Garden Investments in Singapore, joins us in this episode of the River Foundation Podcast to share how he went from struggling to pay the bills to living the high life as a successful investment banker -- only to discover it wasn't enough. Tune in to hear how this River Foundation partner found peace in his purpose, not through his own financial success, but by seeking eternal tre...