Fireside Talk Radio

Baptist pastor and scholar, Benjamin A. Simpson joins Cathy for practical insight about creating families that flourish. In this episode he shares about falling in love with Molly, his wife who is a Methodist minister. Ben and Molly met on Baylor University’s campus and started as friends, both determined to be true to the calling God had already established in their individual hearts. Even so, in a miracle of unity that cherishes differences, they fell in love. Soon they found they were embracing a life of bringing people together in community.

If you're a Baylor bear fan, you’ll especially love the story he shared about asking Molly to marry him. Or, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live with a baby North American black bear in your apartment, tune in now! You won't want to miss what this practical pastor has to say about making good decisions based on your own family's values.

Pastor, curriculum writer, and thought leader, Benjamin A. Simpson joins Cathy to talk about how to create your own set of pracitcal Family Values. Based on a blog he wrote called "Tallying Family Values," Ben takes us through the simple process of defining and living by a set of personal family values. He explains, for instance, how making time for both work and play frees us to live a sustainable lifestyle. If you've ever wondered how in the world to keep your family on the right track, you're going to love the wisdom and authentic insight of this practical scholar and friend!

Cathy invites Rabbi Neal Katz to explain the tradition of separation of church and state. A Bible scholar, Rabbi Neal gives us a crash course on what it means to serve the community, especially in elected office. Drawing on his Jewish background, Neal explains how roles and responsibilities of leadership from Old Testament times can look in our modern world. For a religious scholar, Neal is down-to-earth and never dull! A fast-paced conversation, if you're wondering how faith and politics should reflect God's nature of compassion and justice, this episode will restore your confidence to recognize true leadership when you see it.

In this episode, Rabbi Neal Katz shares about why Predicate Theology excites his imagination. If those words sound too scholarly...yawn...to be engaging, no worries! He also shares about falling in love with the love of his life, his wife Jen. But, truly, between Cathy and Neil, even the conversation around an intellectual topic like Predicate Theology turns out to be fun. In fact, this episode is an easy way to be the smartest person in the room next time you're playing Bible Trivia! (Do people still do that?) Neal explains that by changing the way we talk about God, we actually can become more effective in having significant conversations with others about Him! If you have people in your life who come from a variety of perspectives, you'll want to hear what this wise and spiritual man has to say about presenting godly character to those who don't understand God.

Discovery Science Place's Whitney Patterson joins Cathy to share how we can give our kids a love of scientific discovery. She offers thoughts and events that may shape interest in the STEM disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Collaboration is a hallmark of Whitney's leadership style. In spite of reticence about collaborating among some nonprofits, Whitney offers proof that collaborations benefit everyone. She generously encourages listeners to branch out in their own communities to being people and nonprofits together.

Discovery Science Place's Whitney Patterson joins Cathy to talk about how her interest in science developed. She encourages young parents with the thought that often the best discoveries, like a love of learning, happen almost accidentally. Whitney's mom made learning fun. It wasn't until Whitney was an adult that she realized science was in everything, including her rock collection! If you're wondering how to work a love of science in your child's day without making your schedule any more hectic, you'll love what Whitney shares!

Gallery Owner and Jewelry Designer, Neita Fran Ward joins Cathy to talk about how to nurture creativity in ourselves and others. As always, Neita Fran focuses on others, but Cathy presses her to reveal how God used Neita Fran's desire to help others, thus exposing her own artistic talent. God is very creative Himself, we know!

If you've ever wondered about the risk and the natural process of creating your own business you won't want to miss her story. Neita Fran's authenticity and down-to-earth way will inspire your own heart to dare to do something wonderful!

Cathy asks Neita Fran Ward for details about how God is using this woman of influence to transform the community. By bringing together artists, community leaders, university and college officials, Neita Fran is making art accessible to all, especially students. When UTTyler's College of Pharmacy approached her about creating an art exhibit of local artists, Neita Fran was overjoyed and knew just who to call on for help. One of her favorite things about the process has been the reaction of local artists. “Many of them have told me they felt validated as an artist, often for the first time.” If you're wanting to encourage a flourishing, healthy creative community where you live, you will want to soak up the wisdom of this woman of influence!

Organic Soil Specialist James Van Dyke joins Cathy to talk about some of the lessons he's learned in his quest to turn sand into nourishing, fertile soil. Starting with Biblical insight, James expounds on how businesses are learning that efficiency of reclaiming and recycling turns out to be the quickest route to profit margins.

Citing a personal example of a field that would not grow a thing, James explains how he's learned to appreciate the process of culling, replenishing, and germination. Applying lessons from nature, he takes it a step further with spiritual meaning. You won't want to miss what this successful entrepreneur shares about caring for customers!

Environmental Scientist James Van Dyke joins Cathy to talk about what young families can expect when they dig into entrepreneurship. No stranger to the daily challenges facing start-ups, James helped develop Texas Organics, a company devoted to solving soil issues with rich, nourishing compost, often specific to the site's needs. Meanwhile, he and his wife have taken on numerous house renovation projects. How do they do it with a young family, too? Did his mom know he was an entrepreneur in the making? He shares the story of height-defying jungle gym climb as a tribute to his own mother's patience and wisdom. You won't want to miss what James learned in the process of combining hard work and dirt, ahem, I meant to say, soil!