Words of the Wise

For more than 15 years, Ted Baker has helped entrepreneurs, dreamers, and business owners turn ideas into reality. As the Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, his fingerprints are on countless businesses and success stories across Indiana. But as you'll hear in this episode, Ted's story is about much more than business. From growing up in small-town Indiana, to building and selling comp...

In this special birthday release of Words of the Wise , Lexie sits down with Karen Delaney to reflect on a life shaped by faith, resilience, music, family, and the quiet strength of knowing who you are. Karen shares what it was like growing up on a farm in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where feeding 32,000 chickens was just part of daily life, and where her parents instilled the values of integrity, educ...

In this hope-filled conversation, Jenifer Foxworthy shares how faith, family, and community have carried her through unimaginable loss—her husband, step daughter, brother, father, and most recently her son, James (“Foxy”). Recorded at the Fore Foxy Memorial golf outing, Jen reflects on raising her family, the dinner-table values that shaped them, and the ways God met her in the very moments of gri...

In this heartfelt and joy-filled episode, Lexie sits down with Steveann Devoe-Granger — the mother of one of her greatest mentors and closest friends, Aunt Danielle. This episode is a birthday surprise for Danielle, airing on the day she and Lexie share their special day. Steveann reflects on her childhood in Albany, raising her family, walking through seasons of deep loss, and learning to live wi...

Happy Birthday, JJ Lynch! My cousin, JJ Lynch turns 18 the day this episode airs — and honestly, he’s one of the wisest “young adults” I know. He’s a coach’s kid and the oldest of six, which explains a lot about his servant heart. JJ’s an old soul who loves deep talks, random t-shirts, and tennis, but more than anything, he loves Jesus. His life reflects a maturity that can only come from walking...

In this Words of the Wise episode, Lexie sits down with Larry Delaney , an 83-year-old lifelong Christian minister whose calling began at 15 watching a pastor pray over his stepfather in the hospital. Larry shares how early influences—radio sermons at his family’s Sunday table, jail visitation during college, migrant-camp outreach, and work at the Muncie Mission—formed a ministry defined by compas...

In this kickoff to the Practicing Proverbs mini-series—rooted in Proverbs 3:6 and the broader Words of the Wise theme that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”—Lexie sits down with her childhood best friend, Stella Anderson, to talk about identity in Christ, getting married young, and learning to lead and be led in marriage. Stella shares about moving to Kentucky, finding church commu...

Former Butler player, head coach, and longtime administrator Ken LaRose reflects on the three pillars that shaped his life: faith, family, and football. He shares tender memories of growing up in Cincinnati, the impact of his parents and siblings—especially his deaf brother Michael who taught him eye contact and empathy—and the coaches who became second fathers (Gerry Faust, Bill Sylvester). Ken r...

Episode 48 of Words of the Wise features one of the most decorated and respected leaders in American high school sports and education: Coach J.T. Curtis . At 78 years old, J.T. is not only the winningest football coach in the nation with over 600 victories and 28 state championships, but also serves as Head of Schools at John Curtis Christian School —the very school his parents founded. Throughout...

Hey friends! In this special solo episode (with some very sweet guest voices), I’m exploring what it really means to have childlike faith . We’ve all heard Jesus say to become like children, but recently, through study, conversations, and even music, I’ve started to see His words in a new way. Before I dive in, I want to give a special shoutout to my cousin Max Lynch, the talented designer behind...

Episode 46 of Words of the Wise features longtime coach, mentor, and family friend, Coach Bob Bartolomeo —known to most as Coach Bart . From his childhood in Gary, Indiana, to his years as a player at Butler, and decades on the sidelines shaping college football programs, Coach Bart’s story is one of consistency and a passion for people. Throughout our conversation, he reflects on the values passe...

In Episode 45 of Words of the Wise , host Lexie Manor revisits a conversation with Marilyn Culler . Marilyn’s life story is one of unexpected turns, deep faith, and steady kindness. She recalls her idyllic childhood exploring the mountains and streams of eastern Pennsylvania, often saying: “Growing up in nature and being surrounded by such beauty has really stuck with me my whole life.” Her career...

In Episode 44 of Words of the Wise , host Lexie Manor sits down with Max Newlin , an 84-year-old lifelong Plainfield, Indiana resident, farmer, husband, and man of deep faith. From a playful kiss on the playground in first grade to nearly 64 years of marriage, Max’s love story with his wife Beverly is as enduring as it is inspiring. He reflects on their simple but powerful marriage advice: “Two wo...

In episode 43 of  Words of the Wise,  host Lexie Manor shares a deeply personal and faith-filled reflection of her grandpa, Jon Manor "Papa Jon," and the enduring spiritual legacy he left behind.  Growing up in a broken home, once known as the small-town rebel, and later transformed by his faith in Christ, Papa Jon became the foundation of a multi-generational blessing by choosing to put "Jesus Fi...

Larry Abed is more than a professor—he’s a life coach, mentor, and lifelong learner who believes in hard work and kindness above all. In this re-released conversation, we talk about: Larry’s childhood growing up in Detroit and the lessons it taught him. How sports and a strong work ethic helped him find his place in the world. His unexpected career path, from newsrooms and ad agencies to a thrivin...

Childhood lessons from growing up in a family with seven kids and learning to embrace her differences. The advice her mother gave her: “Catie, there is nothing wrong with what you are, you’re the best.” Meeting her late husband, Steve, and their 50-year marriage. Raising four boys. Wisdom for younger generations: “Work hard, talk less.” Her faith-driven outlook on life: “God will be there every ti...

Originally recorded in February 2024 as a private interview, this tender and hope-filled conversation with Cathy Campbell is now being shared publicly—thanks to her courageous “yes” and Lexie’s gentle encouragement. In this episode, Cathy shares: Her joyful outlook on life, even after seasons of deep heartache Why she considers raising her children her greatest ministry The grief of losing two hus...

In this special solo episode, Lexie takes listeners back to the very first Words of the Wise recording, an afternoon on the porch with her Great Grandpa Lux. Just three months after that interview, he passed away, but his voice, laughter, and wisdom live on. Lexie reflects on: What it means to "be a good homebody" The legacy of her Great Grandpa and Papa Jon Why she started her podcast The connect...