Tyler Vessels is a high school history teacher who quit his job, spent a year in eleven countries, came back to teach, and then started a nonprofit to support a school in Uganda.

In this episode, Andrew Schory talks with Tyler about following an unmistakable calling, what it looks like to help without hurting, how a world history teacher brings global perspective to fourteen-year-olds in Kentucky, and why it took him nine years to attempt the marathon goal he missed at age thirty-one — and to finally nail it at forty.

Guest Name: Tyler Vessels, High School History Teacher & Founder, Educating with Hope

Bio: Tyler Vessels is a seventeen-year veteran high school history teacher in Hardin County, Kentucky, and the founder of Educating with Hope, a nonprofit supporting a school and church ministry in Uganda, East Africa. After four years of teaching, Tyler left his classroom for a year-long mission trip spanning eleven countries, returning to the same school and the same classroom — and carrying a vision that eventually became Educating with Hope, officially incorporated in fall 2019. Tyler is married to Beth, father of two daughters, and a recently minted sub-four-hour marathoner, having crossed that line with four seconds to spare at age forty.

Website: educatingwithhope.com

Facebook: facebook.com/educatingwithhope

Contact: [email protected]

Quitting to Go: The Year-Long Mission Trip That Changed Everything (00:37)

Tyler traces his path from a four-year teaching career to a year-long mission trip across eleven countries — a decision that required giving up teaching tenure on the eve of earning it. He describes following a calling that felt less like an audible voice and more like a door that kept opening: finances aligned, the school calendar cooperated, and when he returned a year later, the same classroom was waiting. Tyler's guiding principle: take the next step and follow open doors, rather than staying paralyzed waiting for certainty.

Uganda: The Connection That Started Educating with Hope (01:52)

Among eleven ministry contacts across eleven countries, one stood apart: a Ugandan pastor running a church and school whose love for people was immediate and unmistakable. In 2018, Tyler sent a mentor and his sister to visit the school and confirm what he had seen. They came back with the same conviction, and the nonprofit process began. Educating with Hope was officially incorporated in fall 2019.

Helping Without Hurting: What Sustainable Development Actually Looks Like (06:41)

Shaped deeply by When Helping Hurts, Tyler's long-term vision for Educating with Hope is counterintuitive: he wants the Ugandan school and ministry to become fully self-sufficient and eventually not need the nonprofit at all. The model is partnership, not provision — working with assets and talent already present, eliminating barriers, and resisting the urge to throw money at problems rather than developing what's already there.

Seventeen Years in the Classroom: An Honest Look at Today's Students (09:38)

Tyler pushes back on the easy narrative that the current generation is lazy and screen-addicted. He has seen the other side — a former freshman now studying abroad in Vietnam and working with a think group in California — and connects it directly to widening students' horizons in the classroom. He also notes the growing national shift away from screens in schools, including no-tech Tuesdays beginning in Hardin County, and reflects honestly on the role AI will play in shaping this generation's future.

Teaching World History with Real-World Context (13:14)

Tyler's seventeen years of international travel give him something most textbooks can't: firsthand footage, personal stories, and real cultural connections to the events he teaches. He brings video from Vietnam into the Vietnam War unit, connected his Kentucky freshmen with their Ugandan counterparts via a live Skype session, and ties current events — including the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel — into the historical arc of the course. His goal is to make history feel like something that happened to real people, not an abstraction in a book.

Four Seconds to Spare: Running a Marathon at Forty (15:37)

Tyler ran his first marathon in 2017 with a goal of sub-four hours — and missed it by eleven minutes. It took nine years and a fortieth birthday to try again. He trained through the fall, ran the Derby Marathon, and crossed the finish line at three hours, fifty-nine minutes, and twelve seconds. His mantra through miles twenty-two to twenty-six: one more step. Andrew draws the connection to the podcast's core theme directly: Tyler didn't run the marathon; he ran one step at a time until it was done.

Raising Daughters and Modeling What Matters (17:45)

Tyler's goals for his two daughters — entering kindergarten and second grade this fall — are simple and non-negotiable: know Jesus, be good humans, look out for their neighbors. The practical expressions right now are coaching youngest daughter's soccer team (and helping her manage big emotions on the field), watching oldest daughter fall in love with books, and modeling service through their church. Tyler's conviction: kids catch what they see more than they follow what they're told.

Speed Round Highlights (20:22)

• When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert — The foundational text shaping Tyler's development philosophy at Educating with Hope

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt — Tyler's most impactful recent read — data-driven examination of how smartphones and social media have reshaped adolescent mental health since 2012

• The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken — Referenced as the precursor to his current read; a missionary's account of faith under extreme conditions

• The Obedience of God by Nik Ripken — Currently reading — interviews with hundreds of persecuted Christians across the Middle East, China, and the former Soviet Union

• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis — A formative childhood read Tyler still holds up as among his favorites

• The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting — Another childhood favorite Tyler mentioned alongside Narnia

• Educating with Hope — educatingwithhope.com — learn more, join the mailing list, or inquire about summer mission trips to Uganda

Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach

About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time.

Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com

• Support Educating with Hope: Learn more, give, or inquire about summer mission trips at educatingwithhope.com

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it.

• Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session.

• Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com

Share this episode with a teacher, a parent, or anyone who's been sitting on a calling and waiting for it to feel less scary before they take the first step.

What's the difference between a boss and a leader? Between motivation and transformation? Between getting hyped up at a conference and actually changing your life?

Catina Haynes has answers — and she's spent her career building them. In this episode, Andrew Schory sits down with Catina, founder of Moving Forward Consulting and Coaching and a John Maxwell Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach.

They cover the moment a supervisor's investment in Catina ignited her calling, the real challenge facing women in leadership, what it means to bring your whole self — including your faith — into the workplace, and why transformation always requires more work than motivation alone will carry you through.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The clear distinction between a boss and a leader — and what it costs organizations when they confuse the two

• Why women in leadership often feel forced to choose — and how Catina coaches them through that tension

• What it looks like to bring your faith authentically into a professional environment without forcing it

• The critical difference between motivational and transformational speaking — and why it matters for lasting change

• Why the real work of transformation begins after the motivation fades

Guest Name: Catina Haynes, Founder, Moving Forward Consulting and Coaching

Bio: Catina Haynes is a John Maxwell Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach and the founder of Moving Forward Consulting and Coaching, which she launched in 2018. Her coaching journey began in 2005 when a supervisor introduced her to John Maxwell's work and walked her through leadership development firsthand — the kind of investment that changed her trajectory and became the model she now brings to others. Catina specializes in personal and professional coaching, with a particular focus on women in leadership. She is a speaker, author, and group coach who is deeply committed to transformation over motivation: she doesn't want clients pumped up for a moment; she wants to see them actually building different lives.

Website: Moving Forward Consulting and Coaching

Instagram: @CatinaDHaynes

Facebook: Moving Forward Consulting and Coaching

From Employee to Coach: How a Supervisor's Investment Changed Everything (00:47)

Catina's path to coaching began in 2005 when her supervisor Steve Hendricks handed her a copy of John Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and walked a group of employees through it together. That experience — being personally walked through leadership rather than just told what to do — ignited her calling. She contrasts it with a boss who once told her she "should already know" how to do something. The difference between those two leaders shaped everything she does now.

Boss vs. Leader: A Distinction That Changes Culture (02:07)

Catina's definition is direct: a boss tells you what to do; a leader shows you what to do and follows up to make sure. She credits mentors Dan Baker and Dennis Roberts as the leaders who modeled the difference for her. Andrew connects this to the observer effect in leadership development — emerging leaders learn as much from watching what they don't want to become as from following what they admire.

Women in Leadership: The Challenge of Feeling Like You Have to Choose (07:07)

Catina speaks from her own experience: a laser-focused career path, a government role overseeing twenty-one residential homes and 132 staff, and the growing awareness that she was missing moments with her husband and son that she couldn't get back. She made a deliberate decision to turn down certain opportunities when her son entered high school — not because she had to, but because she chose to. She coaches women through the same tension today, helping them name what they're willing to trade rather than pretending the trade doesn't exist.

You Don't Stop Being Yourself When You Go to Work (11:04)

Catina's framing is memorable and simple: "I don't stop being a woman when I come to work. I don't stop being a wife, a mom, a sister, a daughter." Andrew and Catina push back on the binary of work-life balance, landing instead on the idea of integration — that leaders bring their whole selves to work, and the goal isn't fifty-fifty division but intentional presence in each domain.

Faith in the Workplace: Authentic, Not Forced (15:21)

Catina doesn't hide her faith at work — and she doesn't force it. Colleagues know where she stands; they come to her when they need prayer or a safe conversation; she invites rather than demands. Her principle: she won't deny who she is, but she won't be the person whose faith becomes a source of shame or pressure for others. Andrew connects this to the broader leadership principle of vulnerability — a leader who admits uncertainty and shares their foundation gives permission for others to do the same.

Motivational vs. Transformational: What Kind of Change Do You Actually Want? (19:51)

Catina draws a clear line: a motivational speaker gets you fired up for the moment. A transformational speaker — or coach — is measured by what you're actually doing the next time they see you. She tells prospective clients directly: if you're not going to be invested, don't spend the money. Andrew ties this directly to the Small Stones philosophy — you can be motivated to move a mountain, but transformation only happens one stone at a time, compounded over days and months of consistent work.

The Fitness Analogy: What Happens When You Take Your Foot Off the Gas (23:20)

Catina uses her own fifteen-year fitness journey to illustrate the transformation-over-motivation principle: the days she didn't want to get up, didn't want to count macros, didn't want to be held accountable — those were the days the transformation actually happened. The feelings are "funny and fickle." You can't go by them. Transformation requires getting past the feelings to the work.

Speed Round Highlights (26:46)

• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell — The book that started Catina's leadership journey; her recommendation for every person in leadership

• The Gift of Rejection by Nona Jones — Catina's most impactful read — on seeing rejection as divine protection

• Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman — Currently reading as part of a church discipleship study (second read)

• The Return on Failure by John C. Maxwell — Currently reading

• Start with Yourself by Emma Grede — Currently reading

Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach

About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time.

Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it.

• Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session.

• Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com

Share this episode with a woman in leadership, a coach, or anyone who knows they want transformation but is still waiting on the motivation to show up first.

Kirk Freeman swore he'd never join the family business. Now he co-owns it. In this episode, Andrew Schory sits down with Kirk Freeman of G.R. Freeman Heating and Air — a nearly fifty-year-old HVAC company in the Evansville area that Kirk runs alongside his brother Dan. Kirk is refreshingly candid about what it takes to lead with integrity in a trade service industry rife with questionable incentive structures, how a family-first culture shapes every decision from technician pay to scheduling, and what it means to be a father of eight while running a business. This is a conversation about values — and what it actually looks like to live them out.

Guest Name: Kirk Freeman, Co-Owner, G.R. Freeman Heating and Air

Bio: Kirk Freeman is the co-owner of G.R. Freeman Heating and Air, a residential and commercial HVAC company in the Evansville area founded by his father nearly fifty years ago. Kirk manages design, installation, and business operations while his brother Dan leads sales and service. A husband, father of eight, and man of strong Catholic Christian faith, Kirk is deeply committed to the principle that a business can be both profitable and ethical — and that the way you lead at work is always teaching something, whether you realize it or not.

Website: grfreeman.com

Facebook: G.R. Freeman Heating and Air

The Business He Swore He'd Never Join: G.R. Freeman's History (00:38)

Kirk traces the nearly fifty-year history of G.R. Freeman Heating and Air, founded by his father around the year Kirk was born. Today, Kirk and his brother Dan co-own the business as fifty-fifty partners. Kirk describes how the sibling partnership works: Dan leads direct sales and service, Kirk handles design, installation, and back-of-house business operations.

Navigating a Family Partnership: Staying in Your Lane (and When You Don't) (01:21)

Kirk is candid about the unique friction of a family business: the things said between siblings can be direct. He and Dan work hard to stay in their respective lanes, and when that gets difficult, they lean on a local small business coach who keeps their conversations productive and their decision-making aligned — a resource Kirk describes as genuinely valuable.

Integrity vs. Incentive: The Ethics of Technician Pay Structures (04:07)

Kirk identifies a troubling industry trend: commission and spiff structures that incentivize technicians to replace parts that don't need replacing. His frame is direct — when a company gives a technician ten percent of a twelve-thousand-dollar system replacement, that is an owner or manager's abdication of ethics. G.R. Freeman uses an hourly rate model with limited, carefully structured spiffs tied only to system replacements — and only when Dan comes in to verify what actually needs to be done.

Teaching the Full Technician: Technical Skills and Soft Skills (09:21)

Weekly team meetings are the backbone of G.R. Freeman's training culture — covering current technical issues, emerging equipment problems, and increasingly, the soft skills that younger technicians often lack. Kirk observes that smartphone culture has made a generation more insular and less practiced at face-to-face interaction with customers. Building those skills is now as intentional as building technical knowledge.

Weather the Storm: What Kirk Would Tell His Younger Self (10:15)

With over twenty-five years in business leadership, Kirk's most hard-won lesson is this: be okay with weathering the storm. In a weather-dependent business, sixty percent of success still comes down to whether there are enough hot days. Kirk shares how G.R. Freeman has always chosen to carry employees through slow seasons rather than lay them off — a commitment that costs the company but reflects a foundational value his father established: the people who work here have families too.

"None of Us Go Home Until We All Go Home": Culture in Peak Season (12:52)

Every summer, G.R. Freeman holds a team meeting with a simple reminder: the company carries employees at significant cost during slow months, and peak season is when the team gives that back. Kirk's philosophy is customer-centric to the core — when everyone is taken care of, they all get to go home. He models this himself by being the last to leave, and the team notices.

Faith, Family, and Eight Kids: What It Takes to Show Up at Home Too (14:44)

Kirk doesn't pretend he has work-life balance figured out. But he has figured out a few things: no scheduled weekend work (on-call only), a morning routine that starts before anyone else is awake, and the emotional reset that comes from sitting around a dinner table with nine faces looking back at him. G.R. Freeman also extends its family-first values to employees — when someone needs time for a genuine family situation, no questions asked, except during the four-month peak window.

Speed Round Highlights (21:37)

• The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber — On why most small businesses fail and how to build one that works without you; essential reading for technical founders

Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach

About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time.

Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it.

• Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session.

• Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com

Share this episode with a business owner, a trade professional, or any leader who needs a reminder that the way you carry yourself — at work and at home — is always teaching something.

For this special Father's Day episode, Andrew Schory turns the microphone on the man who started it all — his father, Jim Schory. Jim traces a remarkable entrepreneurial journey: from selling industrial products for Goodyear to running a franchise bakery, to opening his first Burger King in Radcliff, Kentucky in August of 1980 with 20% interest rates and a sold house as working capital. Andrew and Jim cover the lessons of business succession, the role of mentorship in business and faith, what sports taught them both about perseverance, and the grandfather whose words — "just keep it up" — echo across three generations.

Guest Name: Jim Schory, Entrepreneur (Retired)

Bio: Jim Schory is a lifelong entrepreneur and the father of Small Stones Podcast host Andrew Schory. A graduate of Mount Union College in Ohio, Jim began his career in industrial sales at Goodyear before launching a series of small businesses and a franchise bakery. In 1980, he opened his first Burger King in Radcliff, Kentucky — eventually building a multi-unit franchise operation that Andrew would go on to manage and purchase as a second-generation owner. Jim is also a devoted family man, a lifelong athlete, and a man of deep faith who was mentored into Christianity through sports ministry. Now retired and based in Florida, he remains an active golfer — including a two-time Member-Member tournament champion.

From Goodyear to Burger King: Jim's Career Story (00:14)

Jim walks through his early career — Goodyear's Industrial Products Division in Akron and Louisville, joining his brother in the family business in Ohio, launching a franchise bakery outside Wheeling, WV, and ultimately opening his first Burger King in Radcliff, KY in August 1980. He sold his house for the $40,000 in working capital and faced 20% interest rates.

The Penny Business: Controlling Costs from Day One (01:06)

Jim and Andrew discuss the financial discipline required to run a successful restaurant franchise. Jim's core principle: know your costs — labor, purchasing, and waste — or you'll find yourself doing everything right and still not making money. Andrew adds the restaurant owner's frame: food and labor are the prime costs, and one hour of unnecessary labor outweighs any condiment waste.

The Bun Route: Creative Problem-Solving in a Small Market (01:05)

When Jim expanded to a second location in Bowling Green — an hour south of Radcliff — he discovered bun prices were nearly double what he paid up north. With a local supplier monopoly holding firm, Jim's solution: buy a trailer and haul his own buns from the Elizabethtown distribution bakery twice a week. A textbook example of small business resourcefulness.

14 Months to Traction: What New Business Owners Must Understand (01:13)

Jim shares the story of his first year in Radcliff — poor sales from the start, a brief summer lift, a September dip, and then an October explosion: sales up 30%, followed by 20–25% monthly gains through the holidays. His mentor at the time told him simply to keep plugging away. Andrew draws the lesson forward: new business owners should plan for 12–18 months before real traction, and have enough working capital to survive it.

Handing Off the Business: What Second-Generation Succession Really Requires (01:08)

Jim's most important piece of advice for any business owner considering a family succession: honestly assess whether the next generation is suited for the role — and if they're not strong in operations, make sure a long-term operations person is in place before the handoff. Andrew reflects on his own experience: the people he lost early, the maturity he lacked, and the long-tenured managers who kept the business running while he found his footing.

Faith Through Sports Ministry (01:16)

Jim grew up attending church sporadically and studied Bible as a minor in college without deep personal faith. The turning point came through Army Reserve duty in Kentucky — a colleague invited him to play basketball on a Tuesday night, then to a church league. The man he'd been guarding all season turned out to be the minister: Bob Russell, who would go on to lead Southeast Christian Church through decades of growth. That invitation through sports changed the direction of Jim's life.

What Sports Teaches About Business and Life (01:19)

Jim reflects on how sports opened nearly every door in his life — including his early career at Goodyear, where being a skilled golfer earned him an invitation to play with the chairman of the board. Andrew ties this back to his father's people-first leadership: the same relational instincts that built sports teams and discipled men in faith also shaped how Jim led managers and team members in the business.

Jim's Dad: A Work Ethic That Crossed Generations (01:22)

Jim talks about his father — an athlete, a builder's supply business owner, an identical twin — who put Jim to work at age 12 and taught him to take on tasks he thought he couldn't do. Andrew reflects on never knowing his grandfather, who passed away when Andrew was young, and what it meant for Jim to navigate business ownership without a father to call. Jim's answer: "You just have to keep moving forward. Never give up."

The Dream Foursome: A Golf Question with a Revealing Answer (01:26)

Andrew asks Jim to fill his dream golf foursome with any three people, living or dead.

Speed Round Highlights (01:29)

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey — Jim's most impactful business read; a book he tried to teach to others

Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach

About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time.

Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it.

• Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session.

• Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com

Share this episode with a business owner, a parent, or anyone who needs to hear that the most powerful thing you can do when you're in trouble is simply keep moving forward.

What happens when one conversation with a patient leads to a community-wide movement? In this episode, Andrew Schory talks with Dr. Shannon Holt, an OBGYN in Elizabethtown, KY, about her journey into medicine, what it was like joining (and eventually taking over) her father's decades-old practice, and the moment that sparked the Pink Dot Project — a local initiative tackling period poverty head-on. Dr. Holt breaks down what period poverty actually means, why it affects far more people than most realize, and how a single small action turned into a movement now supplying thousands of dollars in period products to nonprofits across the community every month.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What period poverty is and why it affects an estimated 2 in 5 women in the U.S.

• How a single patient conversation sparked the Pink Dot Project

• Why "don't overthink it" became the guiding philosophy for distributing donations

• How the government's classification of feminine products affects the availability of needed products.

• Practical ways businesses and individuals can get involved

Guest Name: Dr. Shannon Holt, OBGYN

Bio: Dr. Shannon Holt is an OBGYN in Elizabethtown, KY. After undergraduate studies at Transylvania University, medical school at the University of Kentucky, and her OBGYN training in Cincinnati, she returned home about 19 years ago to join her father's private practice, founded in 1978. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Holt is the founder of the Pink Dot Project, a community initiative addressing period poverty in the Elizabethtown area, operated in partnership with Heels Together under the Central Kentucky Community Foundation.

Pink Dot Project: https://ckcf4people.org/pink-dot-program/

From Music Major to OBGYN: Joining Her Father's Practice (00:10)

Dr. Holt shares her path from a music and broadcast journalism major to becoming an OBGYN — and what it was like to join her father's long-established Elizabethtown practice (founded 1978), eventually working alongside him until his retirement in 2020. She reflects on the unique dynamics of working with a parent and the mentorship that came with it.

The Business Side of Medicine: A Gap in Training (03:01)

Andrew and Dr. Holt discuss a gap common across professional fields: deep technical training with little to no education on running the business side. They talk about why private practice is becoming less sustainable, and the value of having a mentor who has "made payroll" before.

What Is Period Poverty? (06:45)

The conversation pivots to the story that changed everything: a patient who couldn't afford basic period supplies, and didn't qualify for help through WIC or SNAP. Dr. Holt shares the eye-opening statistics — 2 in 5 women in the U.S. can't afford period products, 1 in 4 students miss school because of it, and many women miss work as a result.

How a Coffee Conversation Became the Pink Dot Project (12:40)

What started as a grant conversation about menopause education turned into something else entirely once Dr. Holt shared her patient's story. The grant was eventually awarded to the local free clinic in 2023 — which then lost its funding. Thanks to Beth Avey and the team at Heals Together, the project was revived and officially launched in October 2025 with two permanent donation sites: The Gathering Bakery in Radcliff and Hub House downtown, plus Dr. Holt's own office.

Keeping It Sustainable: Donations, Drives & the Tampon Tax (19:35)

Dr. Holt explains how local businesses sponsor donation drives, the Amazon wishlist that ships directly to her office, and the monthly distributions — about $8,000 worth of supplies delivered to 22 nonprofit organizations each month. She also covers Kentucky's classification of period products as "luxury items" subject to sales tax, an issue that's seen multiple failed legislative attempts (2019, 2023, 2024), and the push toward reusable supplies like period underwear and menstrual cups and discs.

Speed Round Highlights (25:31)

• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown — On perseverance, teamwork, and the 1936 U.S. Olympic rowing team

• The Correspondent — Shannon's current read, a novel about an elderly woman and a lifetime of letters

Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach

About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time.

Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com

• Support the Pink Dot Project: Donate, sponsor a drive, or shop the Amazon wishlist at https://ckcf4people.org/pink-dot-program/

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it.

• Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session.

Share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that one honest conversation — and one small action — can grow into something that helps an entire community.

What does it look like to lead people well — in a church, on a team, or in a home — for over 30 years? In this episode, Andrew Schory sits down with Chris Kiger, Pastoral Care Minister at First Christian Church in Elizabethtown, KY. Chris has served at the same church since 1994, shifting from youth ministry to missions to pastoral care — always following his strengths, always finding people and putting them in the right seats. Equal parts insightful and entertaining, this conversation covers organizational culture, the tension between skill and passion, parenting as leadership training, and why being the "hot sauce of life" might just be a legitimate leadership strategy.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How a strength-based culture shapes staff hiring, placement, and longevity

• Why unity is the non-negotiable foundation of organizational health

• The difference between skill and passion — and why you need both

• How humility and self-awareness make you a better leader over time

Guest Name: Chris Kiger, Pastoral Care Minister

Bio: Chris Kiger has served at First Christian Church in Elizabethtown, KY since 1994 — over 30 years at the same congregation. A graduate of Kentucky Christian College (1991), Chris has led youth ministry, missions and community outreach, and now serves as Pastoral Care Minister, focusing on seniors. A proud Tar Heels and Red Sox fan, Chris is also a father of four sons and two daughters-in-law, a former youth sports coach, and a self-described "hot sauce" who believes life is meant to be enjoyed.

Website: fccetown.com

Address: 1811 North Mile Street, Elizabethtown, KY

Email: [email protected]

30 Years, Many Roles: Following Strengths Through a Career (00:59)

Chris traces his path from youth minister (1994–2015) to missions and community outreach to his current role in pastoral care. He credits First Christian's leadership culture for recognizing his strengths and reshaping his role accordingly — a model he now applies to the volunteers and staff he leads.

What Good Organizational Culture Actually Looks Like (06:28)

Chris unpacks three levels of organizational culture: internal staff, congregational members, and the broader community. His top principle? Unity. He also makes a case for smaller decision-making groups and the importance of drawing out the quiet voices in the room.

Being the "Hot Sauce": Personality, Humility, and Knowing When to Turn It Off (11:40)

Chris describes himself as the "hot sauce of life" — someone who adds energy and spice to every room. But good leadership requires knowing when to dial it back. He reflects honestly on learning humility over time, and why every team needs a mix of personality types — including the cerebral, the talkative, and yes, the hot sauce.

Parenting as Leadership School: Unity, Passion, and Letting Go (16:23)

Chris and Andrew explore what parenting teaches leaders. The lesson transfers directly to ministry and organizational leadership: putting talented people into roles they dread doesn't serve anyone.

Skill vs. Passion: What Really Separates Good from Great (22:25)

Drawing on baseball analogies and real leadership experience, Chris and Andrew dig into the interplay between talent and drive. The sweet spot is finding people who have both — and putting them in the right seat.

Speed Round Highlights (25:33)

• Who Is This Man? by John Ortberg — On Jesus' influence across culture, science, medicine, and art

• In His Likeness - Written by a physician at a leper colony; reflections on life, the body, and design

• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien — Chris's current fiction read

Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach

About the Host: Andrew Shory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time.

Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts — The most impactful way to support the show and help other listeners find it.

• Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit smallstonespodcast.com to schedule a session.

• Join the Mailing List: Get tools, insights, and episode updates at smallstonespodcast.com

Share this episode with a leader, pastor, coach, or parent who could use a reminder that strength-based leadership — whether at home or at work — is always worth the investment.

What happens when a tenth-grade tragedy reshapes an entire career? In this episode, Andrew Schory sits down with Ann Fisher, CPA and owner of Ann Fisher CPA & Associates in Elizabethtown, KY. Ann shares the deeply personal story of how her father's sudden death set her on an unexpected path — from cosmetology school to becoming a CPA who is fiercely committed to never making a client feel "less than." Whether you're a business owner, a leader navigating high-pressure seasons, or someone thinking about long-term financial planning, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and genuine insight.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Ann's origin story shaped her empathy-first approach to client service

• What it really takes to survive (and thrive) through tax season

• Why long-term tax planning matters — and who needs it most

• The clear difference between a bookkeeper, a controller, and a fractional CFO

Guest Name: Ann Fisher, CPA

Bio: Ann Fisher is the owner of Ann Fisher CPA & Associates in Elizabethtown, KY. A self-described math nerd, Ann's path to accounting began in a 10th-grade business class — and was profoundly shaped by her father's passing that same year. After earning her cosmetology license to help her mother run the family hair salon, Ann went on to earn her CPA and spent years working at firms across the country alongside her husband's military career. She specializes in business and individual tax preparation, estate and trust work, long-term tax planning, and fractional CFO services. Her mission: to ensure every client feels informed, respected, and never "less than."

Website: annfisher.cpa

The Decision to Go Out on Her Own (00:41)

Ann reflects on why she left established CPA firms to start her own practice — driven by a desire for deeper client relationships, personal freedom, and more control over how she serves people. A great segment for any leader considering the leap to entrepreneurship.

Ann's Origin Story: Tragedy, Cosmetology, and a CPA's Calling (02:18)

After her father's sudden death in 10th grade, Ann chose vocational school over the college track to help her mother run the family hair salon. Watching how their CPA treated her grieving, financially inexperienced mother left a lasting mark — and became the defining "why" behind Ann's entire approach to client service.

Meeting Clients Where They Are: Communication & Simplicity (06:46)

Ann discusses how she intentionally speaks at her clients' level — not to condescend, but to ensure they truly understand their financial picture. Her principle: "Complication confuses." A must-hear for any professional in a technical field.

Surviving Tax Season: Mindset, Physical Health & Team Leadership (11:14)

Tax season is Ann's marathon — and she prepares for it like one. She shares how she maintains mental sharpness, sets realistic limits with clients, conducts annual after-action reviews with her team, and leads with honesty rather than pressure. Valuable for any leader navigating high-intensity cycles.

Long-Term Tax Planning & Estimated Taxes (18:25)

Ann explains who needs long-term tax planning, when to schedule check-ins with your CPA, and what to do if you're struggling to make estimated tax payments. Practical, actionable advice for business owners at every stage.

Bookkeeper vs. Controller vs. Fractional CFO — What's the Difference? (22:07)

Ann breaks down the three distinct financial roles in plain language. A bookkeeper lives in the detail. A controller reviews, reconciles, and closes the books. A CFO brings analysis, forward vision, and strategic recommendations. If you've ever wondered which one your organization actually needs, this is your answer.

Speed Round (25:46)

• Integrity by Dr. Henry Cloud — On the character of a leader

• The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon — On leading with positivity and energy

• Bulletproof by Evy Pomopouras — Ann's current nonfiction read

• The Memory Library by Kate Story — Ann's recent fiction read — a story about how miscommunication fractures relationships

• Diary of a CEO Podcast — Recommended by Ann for in-depth leadership interviews

Host: Andrew Schory, Business Coach

About the Host: Andrew Schory is a business coach dedicated to helping leaders build momentum through small, intentional actions. Each episode of the Small Stones Podcast features conversations with business and thought leaders to uncover the habits and decisions that move life and business forward — one small stone at a time.

Podcast Website: smallstonespodcast.com

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• Work with Andrew: Interested in one-on-one or group business coaching? Visit www.jplcoach.com to schedule a session.

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Tom graduated from West Point in the top 3% of his class and subsequently from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. As a retired Army Colonel, highlights from his distinguished 24-year career include being awarded Flight Surgeon of the Year for his service in combat, Outstanding Faculty of the Year for his medical teaching, and board selection as Department Chair for a family medicine residency department. As a result of his appointment by the Army Surgeon General to be the "face of military medicine" to recruit and share the Army Medicine story, Tom recognized a need and developed a passion for teaching physicians across the country to be effective, engaged leaders. In his final appointment in the military, Tom was the commander/CEO of a NATO military medical facility at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers. After retiring from the military in 2017, Tom has served as the Chief Medical Officer for Hardin Memorial Health and most recently Catawba Valley Health System. He currently serves as the CEO of the The Referent Group, a company committed to excellence in leadership development.

Andrew and Tom discuss leadership development, authenticity, and shared success.

Website: www.thereferentgroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tom-hustead-m-d-2384585

To join the Small Stones Podcast mailing list, visit www.smallstonespodcast.com.

To find out about Andrew's one-on-one or group coaching, visit www.jplcoach.com.

Christy holds a M.A.Sc. in cultural heritage management and brings almost 30 years of experience in archaeological research and program development for environmental sciences. She strongly influenced the development and growth of ERG's cultural and environmental compliance services. She also supports company-wide project quality, coordination, execution, and completion. Since joining the company in 2015, her integrity and focus on collaboration has proven invaluable ERG's top-tier compliance and training services to federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Professional Highlights:

Supporting the ERG team's growth has, by far, been my most valued experience in my career.

Steering Committee member for nationally award-winning Living Archaeology Weekend Program education and outreach.

Research Associate and Field School Principal for American Foreign Academic Research.

ERG Ethos:

"Serving as a resource to our SMEs and playing a small role in the meaningful work they do is what I lovemost about what I do at ERG."

Off-the-Clock Pursuits:

Christy is the proud mom of two young adults. Her special power is finding "the perfect gift" for others. She fills her soul with outside activities and time with friends and family.

Website: https://www.envrg.com/

Andrew and Christy discuss learning from failure, the art of listening, and connectedness.

To join the Small Stones Podcast mailing list, visit www.smallstonespodcast.com.

To find out about Andrew's one-on-one or group coaching, visit www.jplcoach.com.

Ryan is a private practice periodontist and the owner of Derby City Specialists in Louisville, KY. He started his own practice in 2006 and navigated various business changes before founding Derby City in 2024. After twenty years in business, he remains passionate about patient care and refining patient experience. He is married with three children, and he is actively involved in youth baseball.

Andrew and Ryan discuss the importance of organizational mission, the patient/client focus, and leadership lessons from baseball.

To find out more about Derby City Specialists:

Website: www.derbycitydental.com.

To join the Small Stones Podcast mailing list, visit www.smallstonespodcast.com.

To find out about Andrew's one-on-one or group coaching, visit www.jplcoach.com.