Values Based Business

On this episode, John Blocher, a Colonel in the United States Air Force, shares a story few leaders talk about openly: being kicked out of the Air Force Academy—and how that moment nearly ended his dream of serving. Instead, it became the turning point that shaped him into the leader he is today. John walks listeners through his remarkable journey from rejection to redemption, revealing how faith,...

Steve sits down with Chad Daugherty, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, whose career path is anything but conventional. Chad shares his journey from working at Valdosta State University to stepping into the fast-paced world of financial advising—an unexpected transition shaped by relationships, trust, and a deep sense of calling. Rather than chasing numbers alone, Chad explains how his work is...

Miles Hannan, partner at Smith, Hannan, Parker & Bowden, joined the show with a powerful testimony of how God has shaped his life from his early days in law enforcement to becoming one of the region’s most respected trial attorneys. Miles shared how his legal career has been anchored not just in skill, but in conviction — a commitment to ethical leadership, integrity, and living out Christian...

Jeff Fitch—Air Force veteran, firefighter, and the owner of Dirty Dozen Coffee Company—joined us to share a story that’s equal parts service, faith, and a really good cup of coffee. After a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Jeff stepped into a new kind of calling as a firefighter, and along the way, a simple firehouse habit turned into something bigger: Dirty Dozen Coffee. What started as conv...

In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Barnes, CEO of Barnes Healthcare, to talk about leading a multi-generational family business with a simple but powerful heartbeat: “We take care of people.” You’ll hear how faith shapes leadership when it’s more than a slogan—when prayer, Scripture, and service show up in the everyday decisions that affect real families. But this conversation goes deeper....

Brett Thomas brought the heat—and the heart—when he told the story of how Church Street Café came to life in the small town of Hahira, Georgia. After decades in the restaurant world, Brett finally took the leap to create a place of his own… and he built it with purpose. For Brett, every cup of coffee and every plate served is more than a transaction—it’s an opportunity to treat people like family....

Charlie Banks lit up the studio as he shared the incredible journey behind the Young Minds Podcast . Born prematurely, Charlie has been beating the odds since day one—and he’s brought that same grit and passion into the world of podcasting. He told the story of how God grabbed hold of his life: saved in April, baptized in November 2022, and now boldly living out his faith on and off the mic. Three...

Scott Willis, owner of Elite Hearing Care, shared his journey from being downsized from a corporate job to becoming a hearing instrument specialist. He recounted a pivotal moment when he witnessed the transformative impact of hearing aids on a 92-year-old woman, solidifying his career choice. Scott emphasized the importance of integrating faith into business practices, treating patients with care,...

This week’s episode featured the dynamic Kenyetta Simmons — HR consultant, speaker, and founder of Simmons HR & Talent Advisory . Kenyetta took us on a heartfelt journey from her early days as a psychology major to becoming a trusted voice in human resources and organizational leadership. She unpacked what it means to see work as worship, challenging listeners to bring faith into every meeting...

This show features a discussion with Dr. Leah McMillan and Travis Sparks about their efforts to support first responders' mental health. Leah's Enspire Counseling and Wellness specializes in trauma-informed care, while Travis's Project 5:9 offers peer support. They highlight the increasing suicide rate among first responders, emphasizing the need for cultural and peer support. The conv...

Shaun Eilders, Resident Director at the Georgia Sheriff's Boys Ranch, discussed his 25-year tenure and the ranch's focus on strong moral values and spiritual awareness. He emphasized the importance of building trust with traumatized children, creating a family-like environment, and integrating faith into daily life. Shaun highlighted the ranch's efforts to provide consistent care, incl...

Mitchell and Brittany Bell, owners of the Offseason Training Facility, discussed their journey and mission to create a Christian-based gym. Mitchell, a former football player, and Brittany, a Hall of Famer at VSU, emphasized the importance of consistency and discipline in both fitness and faith, referencing Galatians 6:9. They highlighted their efforts to cultivate a family-friendly environment, i...

The show discussed the Walk to End Alzheimer's with Mallory Thompson, the walk manager for Tifton, Valdosta, Bainbridge, and Albany. Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia, was explained as a progressive brain disorder affecting memory and thinking skills. Raising awareness is crucial for early detection and better management. The walk is a year-long fundraising campaign, with 70% o...

Tim Craig, Director of Business Development for the Valdosta Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, discussed his journey from the Air Force to his current role, emphasizing the importance of faith in business. He highlighted the SEED Center's role in supporting entrepreneurship and business growth, offering free classes and resources. Craig stressed the significance of servant leadership, ethical pract...

Mendi Griner, owner of JTTW Trucking and Faith Driven Entrepreneur (FDE) facilitator, shared her journey from Insta Lube to the trucking industry, emphasizing the importance of faith in business. She highlighted the role of FDE in fostering community and ethical practices, with monthly meetings featuring diverse speakers. Mindy discussed the challenges of balancing business with family life and th...

Lee Henry, CEO of Golden Shield Business Brokers, shared his journey, emphasizing faith, work ethic, and the importance of ethical business practices. He discussed his platform for increasing the valuation of small businesses to enhance their sale value.

Patrick Carlson, a cartoonist and illustrator, discussed his journey from creating his first comic strip at age 11 to his current work, including Georgia football cartoons and children's books. Patrick shares the importance of faith in his career, noting that trust in God is crucial during challenging times. Patrick also highlighted his family's role in his life, including his wife Jennife...

Luke Voight, a financial advisor and community leader, discussed his journey integrating faith and business. He emphasized the importance of discernment in financial planning and personal growth, drawing parallels to spiritual discernment. Luke highlighted his involvement in various community organizations, including the Valdosta Latino Association, where he uses his bilingual skills to bridge cul...

Bill Holt, the Southeast Georgia Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), discussed his career journey from the YMCA to the Boys and Girls Club and now to FCA. He emphasized the importance of early Christian influence on youth, noting FCA's efforts to engage coaches and athletes in spiritual growth. Bill highlighted upcoming events, including a sporting clay shoot to raise...

Mallory Thompson, Walk Manager for Walk to End Alzheimer's,discussed her role and personal experiences, including caring for her paralyzeddog, Archie. She highlighted the importance of early detection, noting a recentFDA approval for a blood test to detect amyloid plaque protein. Malloryemphasized the need for community support and resources, such as theAlzheimer's Association's 24/7 h...

Mike Davis, senior pastor at Hayhira Community Church and chaplain at Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, shared his journey from law enforcement to ministry. He detailed his transition from insurance fraud investigations to bi-vocational pastoring, influenced by his wife's heart failure and recovery. Davis discussed his roles, including life coaching and running Ace Handyman Services, which...

Kelly Yates, CEO of Options Now, a life choice clinic,shared her faith journey inspired by her father's pro-life ministry. Shediscussed the clinic's impact, averaging 240 Red Rose babies annually, and theimportance of providing non-judgmental support. Kelly emphasized the need forchurches to speak truth about life and support the ministry financially andthrough volunteering. She highlighte...

Santiago Iturralde and Langdon Root discussed their experiences at Semper Tek, a company with a strong Christian and family-oriented culture. Santiago shared his journey to his current role, emphasizing the importance of faith and community connections. Langdon highlighted the company's values of competence, trust, respect, and humor, noting the high retention rate of employees. They both unde...

Joel Hunt, a local business man and Christian musician, discussed his new album "Shell Cracker Band Album Seven" with hosts Steve Jaramillo and Chad Daugherty. The album, set to release this week, features entirely Christian music, including songs from the 1990s. Joel and his twin brother Eric have been writing music together since college. The album includes tracks like "Glory,&quo...

Steven Hall, a singer-songwriter and insurance professional, shared his journey from country music to Christian music, inspired by his faith and the loss of a close family friend, James Eunice. James's note, "The Clock is Ticking," inspired Steven to write a song entitled Love Someone. The song, produced by Sam Hart, aims to encourage faith and action. Steven's involvement with t...