Second chances change lives. In this deeply moving episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan pulls back the curtain on a moment few people ever see: a surprise grant award that changes everything.

What begins as a routine follow-up interview turns into a life-altering moment for Jimmy Erickson, a father, student, and recovering addict doing everything he can to build a better future for his family. From past struggles with addiction and DUIs to earning a 4.0 GPA while working 60-hour weeks and raising a nonverbal autistic son, Jimmy’s story is a raw example of resilience, responsibility, and real growth.

This episode is a reminder that redemption is not about perfection. It is about showing up, doing the work, and choosing love over quitting. If you believe in second chances, meaningful friendships, and stories that restore faith in humanity, this one hits different.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅Why second chances matter more after the hard work is already done

✅How fatherhood can become the ultimate motivation for change

✅What real resilience looks like behind the scenes

✅How nonprofit grants can create generational impact

✅Why imperfect stories are often the most powerful ones

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Timestamps

1. 00:00 Second Chances, Fatherhood, and the Power of Showing Up with Jimmy Erickson
2. 02:58 Why this grant moment matters so much to the foundation
3. 03:38 Sponsor spotlight: Ms Lou’s Cabin on the Georgia Coast
4. 04:46 Meet Jimmy Erickson
5. 05:18 Why Jimmy was selected from over 250 applications
6. 06:14 Jimmy opens up about addiction and hitting rock bottom
7. 07:49 Balancing school, work, and caring for an autistic child
8. 14:49 The moment Jimmy learns he is receiving the grant
9. 16:13 Why this story defines the mission of Just One More Foundation
10. 18:35 Post-interview reflection with Richard Rogers
11. 19:07 Parenting through challenges and shared experiences
12. 20:11 Why love and work ethic stand out
13. 21:07 Climbing out of the well and not going back
14. 22:10 Why Just One More focuses on people who’ve done the work
15. 22:59 Following recipients beyond the grant
16. 24:28 Why gratitude goes both ways

Key Takeaways

🔹 Second chances are earned through action, not words

🔹 Fatherhood can redefine purpose and priorities

🔹 Progress beats perfection every time

🔹 One person choosing growth can change an entire family

🔹 Compassion creates ripple effects far beyond one moment

Guest Spotlight

Jimmy Erickson is a working father, full-time student, and devoted parent to a nonverbal autistic son. After overcoming addiction and rebuilding his life from the ground up, Jimmy is completing his engineering degree while working long hours to support his family. His story is proof that accountability, love, and grit can rewrite any narrative.

Richard Rogers is a lightning strike survivor who turned his miraculous second chance into a lifelong mission of service. As founder of the Just One More Foundation, Richard helps others overcome adversity and strike launch careers. His lightning strike survivor story has inspired thousands, demonstrating how giving back transforms lives.

About the Foundation

Just One More Foundation provides grants to individuals who have already taken meaningful steps toward rebuilding their lives and want to create positive impact for others. Their mission focuses on responsibility, resilience, and real change.

Resources & Links

1. JustOneMoreFoundation.org
2. Richard's episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-lightning-strike-survivor-to-changing-lives-richard/id1807388886?i=1000720886845
3. Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
4. Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

second chances, redemption story, fatherhood, life changing moment, overcoming addiction, resilience story, autism parenting, real life transformation, nonprofit impact, grant recipient story, personal growth journey, inspirational podcast, recovery and redemption, meaningful conversations, Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan,

Who do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good bi-weekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters.

Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection.

Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be.

This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen.

Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique.

What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space.

Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call.

Go ahead, pick up the phone.

Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend.

About the Host:

Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend.

Just One More Foundation : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/

Ms Lous Cabin: airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Instagram: Call Me Friend

Instagram: Daryn Kagan

Facebook: Daryn Kagan

Website: https://darynkagan.com/

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-kagan-14a6893/

What if the most heart hitting story connected to the Savannah Bananas had nothing to do with baseball, trick plays, or viral hijinks, but everything to do with family and purpose? In this friendship podcast conversation, Daryn sits down with co-owner Emily Cole to uncover the behind the scenes truth that shaped the Savannah Bananas brand from the inside out.

This episode pulls you straight into the real life story of how Emily and Jesse Cole built an entertainment empire while quietly growing their family through bio, foster, and adoption and why that journey inspired Bananas Foster, the foundation at the heart of their mission. Packed with emotion, connection, and pure Savannah Bananas energy, this is the conversation that shows the world what the Savannah Bananas stand for when the cameras aren’t rolling.

This is a conversation about family, community, and the powerful ways one act of love can ripple into something bigger than you ever imagined.

✅How Emily and Jesse built the Savannah Bananas brand on joy, connection, and conversation

✅ Why foster care became the unexpected doorway to their family growing in the most beautiful way

✅ The mission behind Bananas Foster and how they use their platform to celebrate foster families

✅What it means to parent through uncertainty and still choose love anyway

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Key Timestamps

• (00:00) Emily talks about family, growth, and using their platform for good
• (02:06) The Savannah Bananas phenomenon and inviting Emily onto the podcast
•  (06:00) Emily and Jesse Coles meeting story and their early days in baseball
• (10:25) Launching the Savannah Bananas the same week they married
• (11:05) Their first child and the conversation that led them toward foster care
• (12:23) Emily’s deep research into adoption and discovering foster care
• (13:53) Getting licensed during COVID and welcoming their first placement
• (15:31) A weekend placement that became their second adopted daughter
• (17:01) The book that shifted Emily’s mindset: Everything Is Figureoutable
• (21:00) Why kids, not parents, deserve the biggest celebration
• (24:21) The reality of modern families and shifting norms
• (27:01) Creating Bananas Foster and celebrating foster families publicly
• (29:04) The powerful third-inning moment at Bananas games
• (31:23) Navigating identity protection and diverse family storie
• (32:47) Their audacious goal: turn a 400k-kid waitlist into a waitlist of foster families
• (35:00) Emily Cole shares why Jesse Cole is the friend who changed her life.
• (36:10) Emily Cole reflects on the qualities Jesse Cole saw in her early on.
• (37:10) Daryn asks what Emily is loving right now; she talks homeschooling.
• (38:56) Emily shares her favorite kids’ learning tool, the Yoto.
• (39:12) They talk about screen-free learning and how kids absorb so much through listening.
• (40:12) Emily expresses gratitude and they reflect on how meaningful it is when someone gives back to her for a change.
• (42:10) Daryn shares her personal takeaway about how connection, support, and perspective can shift everything and introduces her daughter Nicole “Ro” Felton
• (42:25) She reflects on how Emily’s story mirrors her own family journey and why these conversations matter so much.
• (44:37) Ro jokes about the Bananas Foster dessert, adding fun Savannah Bananas energy.
• (47:29) Ro explains how their blended family “just works,” a core friendship podcast moment.
• (52:02) Ro tells Daryn she feels chosen and loved, highlighting the heart of this conversation.

Key Takeaways

🔹 Family can be built in countless beautiful ways

Emily’s openness to bio, foster, and adoption created a family story full of compassion and intention.

🔹 Platforms should be used for purpose, not just attention

The Savannah Bananas bring joy to millions, and Bananas Foster transforms that visibility into impact.

🔹 Every foster story holds both heartbreak and hope

Emily honors that the real heroes are the kids who show resilience through unimaginable transitions.

🔹 Everything becomes possible when you start with one small step

Her mantra during uncertainty: “Everything is figureoutable.”

Guest Bio – Emily Cole

Emily Cole is the co-owner and co-creator of the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, known for reinventing baseball and building unforgettable fan experiences. Alongside her husband Jesse, Emily co-founded Bananas Foster, a nonprofit that celebrates foster families and shines a light on the 400,000 children in care across America. She is a mom to three children through bio and adoption, a homeschool parent, and a passionate advocate for creating communities rooted in joy, compassion, and belonging.

Resources & Links

• Bananas Foster – Foster care nonprofit created by Emily & Jesse Cole https://bananasfoster.org/
• Savannah Bananas – Official site and team info https://thesavannahbananas.com/
• Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/bananasfosterinc/
• Everything if Figureoutable: https://amzn.to/4rQAiPH
• YOTO screen free audio device: https://amzn.to/3MCFtm4
• Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
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conversation, friendship podcast, Savannah Bananas, Bananas Foster, Emily Cole, foster care stories, adoption journey, Daryn Kagan, family storytelling, parenting with purpose, baseball entertainment, viral sports team, meaningful conversations

When the world stopped on 9/11, millions saw Carol Lin on their screens… but no one saw what she was surviving off camera. In this gripping Call Me Friend conversation, Daryn reconnects with her former CNN colleague to uncover the truth behind Carol’s marriage, motherhood, identity, grief, and the hidden story behind her memoir, When News Breaks.

Carol Lin opens up about the pressure of broadcast news, the unraveling of her marriage, the devastating loss of her husband shortly after their daughter was born, and how motherhood, identity, and grief collided during the most public chapter of her career. This emotional episode explores love, personal loss, friendship, and the resilience it takes to rebuild your life when everything breaks at once.

What You Will Learn In This Episode

✅ How Carol Lin navigated CNN, motherhood, and grief

✅ What viewers never saw during 9/11 coverage

✅ Why writing a memoir helped her reclaim her identity

✅ How personal loss transforms love, friendship, and purpose

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Timestamps

• 00:00 The untold truth behind Carol Lin’s story of love and loss
• 00:35 Daryn introduces Carol and their shared CNN history 
• 01:24 Being on air together during 9/11
• 02:40 The unraveling of Carol’s marriage in the midst of her rising career
• 03:23 Losing her husband and navigating early motherhood
• 04:02 Why she wrote her memoir When News Breaks
• 06:03 Growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants
• 07:47 Misconceptions about Carol during her CNN years
• 09:02 The ethics of telling stories that involve the people we love
• 11:33 Motherhood, grief, and redefining her identity 
• 13:10 What love required inside a pressured broadcast career
• 16:00 The newsroom culture viewers never see
• 18:45 Carol’s unforgettable Mommy and Me moment
• 25:40 Reconnecting and finally understanding each other
• 29:56 The universal question: how did we not know?
• 34:18 Reconnecting with old colleagues through writing
• 36:00 “How did I not know?” Themes from the memoir
• 42:30 Carol and Daryn talk about love, timing, and meeting their partners
• 43:31 Getting ready for love and doing the inner work
• 48:55 The Mommy and Me class moment that broke the room
• 49:59 The silence after she told them her husband died
• 50:24 Carol grabs the diaper bag and escapes the room

🔹 Grief transforms identity, shaping the way we love and show up in the world.

🔹 Behind every CNN anchor is a deeply human story full of resilience and contradiction.

🔹 Memoirs help reveal the truth behind public personas and private pain.

🔹 Friendship becomes essential when life, career, and identity collide.

• "When News Breaks": https://amzn.to/4piqQlX
• Ep 1 From TV Fame to Rock Bottom https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ks8ad3T3BtPBawna9OfwU?si=d2e163bf997847cd
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Carol Lin is an award-winning journalist and former CNN anchor known as the first voice viewers heard on 9/11. As a groundbreaking figure in broadcast news, she spent decades reporting major global events before stepping away following the profound loss of her husband. Her memoir When News Breaks reveals the truth behind her marriage, motherhood, identity, and the hidden challenges she carried during her years in journalism.

call me friend podcast, daryn kagan, carol lin, cnn, memoir, 9/11 stories, cnn anchors, newsroom life, women in media, motherhood journey, grief stories, single motherhood, widow stories, broadcast news, newsroom behind the scenes, identity and perception, friendship stories, marriage and loss, emotional podcast clips, viral podcast reels, memoir stories, parenting after loss, asian american stories, behind the camera stories, tv news life,

What if the friend who transforms your entire life does not show up until your sixties?

Two women share a life changing friendship that leads to an 80 day trip at 81. In this inspiring episode of Call Me Friend, Daryn sits down with Ellie Hamby and Dr. Sandy Hazelip, the viral duo known as The Traveling Nanas, to explore how their friendship transformed grief into adventure and joy.

After losing their husbands, Ellie and Sandy found comfort, strength, and purpose in each other. What started as a simple connection turned into a life changing best friend bond that carried them across seven continents in 80 days at age 81. From the Drake Shake in Antarctica to the Trans Siberian KGB incident to escaping Syria as war began, their friendship is the heartbeat that pulled them through every wild chapter.

This episode is packed with friendship wisdom, emotional storytelling, and real talk about grief, courage, and saying yes to life. It is perfect for anyone looking for hope, connection, and proof that the right friendship can change your story forever.

What You Will Learn In This Episode

✅ How a late in life friendship helped two women heal after losing their husbands

✅ Why the right friend can pull you into joy, courage, and adventure again

✅ The simple moment that sparked their 80 day global journey at 81

✅ How trusting each other helped them navigate danger, fear, and big unknowns

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Timestamps

• (0:00) Sandy shares how the idea for the 80 day world trip began
• (1:07) Daryn introduces The Traveling Nanas and their powerful friendship
• (3:33) The moment Ellie and Sandy first crossed paths
• (5:29) How a missions workshop pulled them closer
• (8:10) Ellie loses her husband and Sandy reaches out
• (11:19) Who started their tradition of saying yes to adventure
• (13:04) The idea for Around the World in 80 Days at 80
• (14:39) Surviving the Drake Shake in Antarctica
• (17:00) Heading straight to the Arctic Circle
• (21:18) Becoming witnesses in a KGB investigation
• (24:58) Leaving Syria as war begins 
• (27:03) Breaking down the money myth around world travel
• (29:02) Why second class travel helps them build deeper friendships
• (35:29) How they give each other space in their friendship
• (43:29) Sandy shares why Ellie changed her life

Key Takeaways

🔹 Friendship can restart your life at any age

They became close in their sixties, and that bond created a whole new chapter filled with purpose and joy.

🔹 You do not heal grief alone

Their friendship gave them strength to move through loss with hope instead of fear.

🔹 Different personalities can create the strongest bond

They fit together like puzzle pieces, giving each other room to grow.

🔹 Stay open to connection and the world gets bigger

Second class trains, mission trips, and saying yes to strangers brought them friendships across the globe.

Resources:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aroundtheworldat80
• Book: "Here We Go!" https://amzn.to/4o7PpRS
• Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Ellie is a humanitarian photographer and world traveler who spent years doing medical mission work in Zambia. Her bold spirit, curiosity, and love for people shaped the energy behind The Traveling Nanas. Ellie brings the big adventure vibe and a deep belief in the goodness of humanity.

Sandy is a physician, grandmother, and storyteller whose calm, thoughtful presence balances Ellie’s fearless side. After losing her husband, her friendship with Ellie helped her step out of her comfort zone. Sandy brings heart, grounding, and gentle wisdom to every journey they take.

Together they show how a strong friendship can rebuild your life, expand your world, and bring joy back into your story.

friendship podcast, late in life friendship, female friendships, friendship after grief, Traveling Nanas, Call Me Friend podcast, women over 60 stories, friendship inspiration, traveling with friends, best friend stories, viral friendship story, around the world at 81, friendship and resilience, healing through friendship, adventure at any age

A 70-year-old humanitarian, a 1953 Chevy truck, and Route 66 unite for ShelterBox. Don Crost drives 2,500 miles to spotlight disaster relief, friendship, and doing good, proving it is never too late to chase a purpose.

Join Daryn as Don shares why he set a $25,000 goal for ShelterBox’s 25th anniversary, how that vintage truck handled the journey from Evanston to Santa Barbara, and what ShelterBox delivers for families after hurricanes, earthquakes, and conflict, from tents and solar lights to shelter repair kits and mosquito nets. You will also hear from former CNN correspondent Paul Vercammen on pivoting to purpose and how ShelterBox assesses needs before deploying aid.

Along the road there were clever fixes, surprising generosity from strangers, and a travel partner who kept going after a rib injury, fueling a story about courage, community, and second-chance friendships.

What You Will Find in This Episode:

✅ The story behind Don Crost’s 2,500-mile drive in a vintage Chevy for ShelterBox’s 25th anniversary

✅ How a simple idea turned into a movement to help disaster survivors worldwide

✅ The inspiring friendship that reignited between Daryn and fellow journalist Paul Vercammen

✅ How ShelterBox provides real relief after hurricanes, earthquakes, and crises around the world

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Timestamps

• 00:00 From Route 66 to Hope: How Don Crost, a Vintage Chevy, and ShelterBox Are Changing Lives
• 00:23 The risk of listening: this story might push you to chase your dream
• 01:24 Daryn’s early news days and friendship origins with Paul Vercammen
• 06:02 Meet Don Crost: driving a 1953 chevy across Route 66 for ShelterBox
• 08:44 What is ShelterBox and how it brings dignity to disaster survivors
• 11:54 How a 70-year-old truck, driver, and partner survived the road
• 12:31 Bubblegum fixes: diy gas cap, carb cover, window cranks
• 14:55 Roadside kindness: strangers donate cash on the journey
• 17:24 Why Don says “just do it” and how it changed his life
• 19:21 Shout-out to friendship: Bonnie’s unstoppable positivity
• 23:41 ShelterBox’s response to hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the Bahamas
• 26:01 Paul Vercammen’s pivot from CNN to purpose-driven humanitarian work
• 29:22 Life after the newsroom: friendship, second chances, purpose

 Key Takeaways

💎 Purpose and passion don’t expire with age, it’s never too late to make a difference.

💎 ShelterBox brings dignity and relief to families displaced by disasters around the globe.

💎 Sometimes the craziest ideas, like driving a vintage truck across America,  inspire the biggest change.

💎 Friendships, both old and new, can spark extraordinary acts of good in the world.

• ShelterBox https://shelterboxusa.org/
• First Woman of Television: https://northlight.org/series/first-lady-of-television/
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Don Crost – A lifelong Rotarian and humanitarian who drove a 1953 Chevy truck across Route 66 to raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox’s 25th anniversary campaign.

Paul Vercammen – Former CNN correspondent who transitioned to ShelterBox USA communications, turning breaking news skills into a mission of hope and impact.

friendship, ShelterBox, Route66, humanitarian stories, disaster relief, vintage Chevy, road trip inspiration, Paul Vercammen, Daryn Kagan, kindness, doing good, resilience, hope, second chances, nonprofit storytelling, Hurricane Melissa,

CNN’s John King, famous for election night coverage at the Magic Wall, opens up about living with multiple sclerosis, how MS shapes his daily life, and why hope and healing keep him going.

CNN’s John King is known worldwide for guiding viewers through presidential elections on CNN with the Magic Wall. But behind the political maps and election coverage is a personal battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).

In this powerful Call Me Friend episode, host Daryn Kagan reconnects with her longtime CNN colleague to explore John’s journey of resilience. He reveals how MS impacts his health and career, how he balances hope with hard days, and why empathy and healing matter more than ever.

This is more than politics. It’s about family, faith in conversation, and finding optimism in the face of challenge.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅How John King discovered his multiple sclerosis diagnosis and what it means day-to-day

✅What it takes to stay steady while covering CNN’s election nights with the Magic Wall

✅Why empathy, patience, and resilience became his greatest lessons from living with MS

✅How John still finds hope and purpose in journalism, family, and everyday conversations

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Key Timestamps

• (00:00) John King On Hope, Healing, And What Keeps Him Going Through MS
• (0:53) Intro to Call Me Friend and setup of John King’s story
• (2:36) John is living with multiple sclerosis, why this conversation matters
• (3:00) Sponsor message  Ms Lou’s Cabin
• (4:08) John joins, quick catch up and location chat
• (10:02) Optimism that the next generation will fix our mistakes
• (17:51) The “All Over the Map” project, listening to voters across America
• (20:28) Polarization, why conversation works better than combat
• (29:03) MS diagnosis story, symptoms building to the 2008 Republican Convention
• (33:01) MS symptoms, fatigue, meds, costs, and how he adapts his day
• (43:46) Magic Wall origin story, who used it first, how John took it on
• (44:09) Behind the scenes on election coverage and the tech that powers it

🔹 John King’s candid story of resilience while living with multiple sclerosis

🔹 The behind-the-scenes reality of CNN election night coverage

🔹 Why optimism and healing fuel his work in journalism and life as a father

🔹 A reminder that empathy and patience can shift how we see each other

John King is CNN’s chief national correspondent and anchor, known for his groundbreaking use of the Magic Wall during U.S. election coverage. With nearly 30 years at CNN, he has reported on politics, presidents, and pivotal national moments. Today, he is also openly sharing his experience living with multiple sclerosis, offering a deeply human perspective on resilience, hope, and healing.

• John King https://www.instagram.com/johnkingcnn
• Firekeeper's Daughter https://amzn.to/4niDGiG
• Just One More Foundation: JustOneMoreFoundation.org 
• Daryn's book: https://amzn.to/427Tw8e
• Ms. Lou's Cabin: Check out this place in Shellman Bluff I found on Vrbo. https://t.vrbo.io/fNXBkq5GSWb

John King, CNN, election night, Magic Wall, multiple sclerosis, MS, MS awareness, living with MS, MS fatigue, chronic illness, health journey, resilience, hope and healing, empathy, journalism, political journalism, election coverage, US politics, polarization, democracy, media trust, voter conversations, All Over the Map, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend podcast, behind the scenes, newsroom, fatherhood, work life balance, routines, exercise and MS, heat sensitivity MS, disability advocacy, optimism, storytelling, map analysis, cable news, news anchor

Bestselling author Kristin Harmel opens up about losing and rebuilding identity during breast cancer treatment, and the friendships that carried her through it. Daryn and Kristin chat about asking for help, receiving it without guilt, and letting friends hold your hope when you cannot. Kristin reflects on her comeback to writing, how community fuels creative recovery, and the small habits that kept her grounded as a parent and a writer. You will hear practical ways to support a friend in treatment, plus how to come back to yourself with patience and purpose. 

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ Practical ways to rebuild creative identity after a life shock like cancer

✅ Tiny habits to restart creativity post chemo brain

✅ How Friends and Fiction lifts authors, readers, and indie bookstores

✅ Why a vulnerable author’s note can hit harder than a plot twist

If you’re looking for inspiration, insight, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the most trusted voices in journalism, this conversation delivers.

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• 00:00 Kristin Harmel on losing identity, finding her voice again, and the life behind her latest bestseller
• 02:17 Ms Lou’s Cabin on Georgia’s coast
• 07:02 Why her books make us cry and the twist this time. Author’s note that hit different
• 08:16 Diagnosis in October 2022, chemo brain is real, and the fear of not finding the words again
• 10:10 Colette’s identity crisis mirrors Kristin’s. Who are you if you are not the thing you do
• 11:26 Parenting through treatment and protecting a 6 year old from adult fear
• 17:02 How the writing faucet turned back on. Confidence, groove, and the next novel arriving easier
• 21:20 How Kristin made the leap from People magazine to published novelist
• 24:01 The Paris outline method. Studying structure by outlining successful novels
• 29:24 Friends and Fiction origin during early COVID, lifting indie bookstores, and building a 300k reader community
• 33:29 Collaboration over competition. Why author friendships grow everyone’s reach
• 43:19 Kristin’s book recommendations and why early reads feel magical
• 45:00 Call with sister Kallan Kagan
• 52:01 TikTok Shop wall anchors and renter friendly hacks

🔹 Friendship is a lifeline. Let people carry hope when you cannot

🔹 Identity is bigger than work. Build anchors in values, relationships, and daily rituals

🔹 Recovery is not linear. Track tiny wins and stack them until momentum returns

🔹 Structure unlocks flow. Simple outlines make room for surprise on the page

Kristin Harmel is a New York Times bestselling author of World War II historical fiction, including The Book of Lost Names, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Paris Daughter, and The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau She co founded Friends and Fiction and champions readers, bookstores, and resilient creativity.

• The Sea Stone Sisters https://amzn.to/46WWi1M
• Friends and Fiction Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsandFiction
• KristinHarmel.com https://kristinharmel.com/

#KristinHarmel #Friendship #Identity #CancerRecovery #CreativeRecovery #FriendsAndFiction #WritingProcess #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #CallMeFriend #bestsellingauthor #Inspiringstories #friendshippodcast

Kristin Harmel, friendship, identity, cancer recovery, creative recovery, Friends and Fiction, writing process, historical fiction author, indie bookstores, author interview, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend Podcast, resilience, parenting during treatment, outline method, community, friendship, connection, real life stories, inspiration,

Addiction recovery and second chances aren’t easy, but Scottie Bowman proves they’re possible. In this episode of Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan calls her friend Scottie to share how she went from a 12-day drug and alcohol binge on the streets of Atlanta to 24 years of sobriety. Today, Scottie is not only a successful restaurant owner in Chattanooga, but also the founder of The Launchpad, a nonprofit creating sober living houses for women in recovery. Her journey shows the power of resilience, second chances, and what’s possible when recovery takes root.

Scottie opens up about her darkest moments, the turning point that led her to treatment, and the 24 years of sobriety that followed. Her journey shows how second chances can ripple outward, first saving yourself, then lifting others.

If you’re searching for real-life addiction recovery stories, insights into sobriety and second chances, or inspiration from women overcoming trauma and addiction, this conversation is packed with hope, honesty, and healing.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ How Scottie Bowman survived a 12-day drug and alcohol binge that nearly killed her

✅ The role of treatment, 12-step programs, and sober living in her long-term sobriety

✅ Why she chose to stay in the restaurant and bar business while maintaining recovery

✅ How she turned personal success into The Launchpad, a community of sober living houses serving 55 women at a time

If you’re looking for inspiration, insight, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the most trusted voices in journalism, this conversation delivers.

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 Sobriety & Second Chances: Scottie Bowman’s Amazing Secon Chance & Recovery Story
• 1:03 Introduction to Scottie Bowman’s addiction story
• 5:15 Early struggles and family trauma that fueled addiction
• 7:14  The New Year’s Eve binge that spiraled into 12 days of nonstop use
• 13:04  Moment of clarity: realizing she didn’t want to die
• 14:07  Treatment at Cornerstone and the start of sobriety
• 18:05  Building her first sober living house, The Launchpad
• 20:34  Growth into five houses serving women in recovery
• 24:02  Why work and accountability are key to sobriety
• 31:02  Coping with relapse and loss in the recovery community
• 36:10  The friend who changed everything: Jack Lupton and his life-changing support
• 40:50  Scottie’s message on boundaries, grace, and hope for those still struggling
• 41:40 Daryn calls sister Kallan Kagan to talk about the call with Scottie Bowman

Key Takeaways

🔹 Recovery is possible—even after decades of addiction and near-death experiences.

🔹 Community and structure matter—sober living, work, and accountability provide lasting stability.

🔹 Second chances multiply—when one person recovers, they create opportunities for others.

🔹 Boundaries are love—learning to say no is essential for both sobriety and relationships.

About Scottie Bowman

Scottie Bowman is a Chattanooga-based entrepreneur, restaurant owner, and founder of The Launchpad, a nonprofit creating sober living homes for women. With over 24 years of sobriety, Scottie’s mission is to break the stigma of addiction and help women rebuild their lives through accountability, community, and compassion.

Resources & Links

• Launch Pad: https://www.lpchatt.org/
• Just One More Foundation: JustOneMoreFoundation.org 
• Daryn's book: https://amzn.to/427Tw8e
• Ms. Lou's Cabin: Check out this place in Shellman Bluff I found on Vrbo. https://t.vrbo.io/fNXBkq5GSWb
• Snackle box: https://amzn.to/429gnAm

addiction recovery, sobriety stories, overcoming addiction, drug and alcohol recovery, second chances, sober living homes, women in recovery, Chattanooga restaurants, The Launchpad nonprofit, Scottie Bowman, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend Podcast, Friendship, Connection, Real life stories, Inspiration,

What does it take to rise from childhood bullying, Tourette syndrome, and the fear of never making it to national television, to becoming one of the most beloved Contributor in America? In this episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan sits down with CBS News contributor David Begnaud to explore his extraordinary journey of resilience, authenticity, and second chances.

David opens up about growing up in Louisiana with Tourette syndrome, navigating the challenges of being gay in a conservative environment, and the teachers, mentors, and friends who changed his life. From his career-defining coverage in Puerto Rico to creating “Beg Knows America”– segments that spotlight everyday heroes, David shares how he turned past pain into purpose and why storytelling remains his ultimate calling.

✅ How David Begnaud overcame bullying, Tourette syndrome, and self-doubt to build a national journalism career

✅ The pivotal role of friendship, mentorship, and second chances in shaping his life

✅ Why redefining success helped him shift from hard news to uplifting storytelling

✅ The surprising lessons he learned about resilience, authenticity, and living without attachment to past pain

If you’re looking for inspiration, insight, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the most trusted voices in journalism, this conversation delivers.

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Key Timestamps

• 00:00  Childhood trauma, Tourette syndrome, bullying, and survival
• 05:02  How Daryn and David first connected: a DM that sparked friendship
• 08:04  The “news bug” story: how a 7-year-old became obsessed with TV news
• 11:11  Living with Tourette syndrome and learning to turn trauma into resilience
• 19:02  Facing doubt at CBS: from rejection to respect
• 23:31  Puerto Rico coverage: breaking point, burnout, and finding a new purpose
• 28:28  The dog trainer revealed as a convicted murderer, a lesson in second chances
• 34:11  The teacher who changed David’s life and launched his career
• 37:50  Book and documentary recommendations that inspire his work
• 39:11  A call for stories: how you can share everyday heroes with David

4 Key Takeaways

💎Resilience often comes from the deepest pain, we can turn trauma into testimony.

💎Authentic storytelling creates connection far beyond headlines.

💎Mentors and friends can change the course of a life forever.

💎Redefining success sometimes means stepping away from what once defined you.

Guest Bio: David Begnaud

David Begnaud is an Emmy-winning journalist and contributor for CBS News, known for his authentic storytelling and uplifting series “Beg Knows America”. From his acclaimed coverage of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico to his deeply human stories of resilience, Begnaud has become one of the most trusted voices in broadcast journalism. Living with Tourette syndrome and embracing his identity as a gay man, David’s journey is one of triumph over adversity, a celebration of authenticity, and proof that second chances can change everything.

Resource Links

• David's story on Richard Rogers : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/just-one-more-foundation-featured-on-cbs-mornings/
• David's story on the dog trainer who turned out to be a convicted murderer: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-a-california-man-serving-life-in-prison-received-a-second-chance/
• Dear David contact info: [email protected]

Stuff recommending to friends: 

• Barry Diller's memoir, "Who Knew" https://amzn.to/4gizAp5
• Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 https://amzn.to/46cOhVY
• Luther: Never Too Much https://amzn.to/46cOhVY
• Ms. Lou’s Cabin Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Tags

David Begnaud, CBS News, Tourette Syndrome, Resilience, Friendship Podcast, Storytelling, Overcoming Trauma, LGBTQ+, Puerto Rico Coverage, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, Uplifting Stories, Mentorship, Journalism Journey, celebrity friendships