The 1334 Podcast

Millions of Americans don't struggle because they don't want to eat healthy.

They struggle because healthy food simply isn't available.

In this documentary, we travel to Albany, Georgia, where entire neighborhoods have become food deserts—communities where families have little or no access to fresh groceries. For many residents, getting to a supermarket means waiting on buses, relying on family members, or simply settling for whatever the nearest convenience store has on the shelf.

But one organization refused to accept that reality.

The Better Way Grocers created a mobile grocery store that brings fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and hope directly into underserved communities. What started as a bus has become something much bigger: a reminder that solving problems often begins with meeting people where they are.

This isn't just a story about food.

It's a story about dignity, service, health, and loving your neighbor in practical ways.

If this story encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who believes communities can change when ordinary people decide to act.

A product sold in gas stations across America is raising serious concerns among law enforcement, addiction recovery advocates, and families.In this episode, Lee County Chief Deputy Eddie Burgess—an 18-year law enforcement veteran and former DEA Task Force Officer—breaks down what 7-OH (7-Hydroxymitragynine) is, how it differs from traditional kratom, why it has become so controversial, and what he's witnessed firsthand throughout the opioid epidemic.We discuss addiction, overdose, legislation, personal responsibility, recovery, parenting, and why awareness may be the most important first step.Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation is meant to inform—not inflame. More than anything, though, this conversation goes back to the heart of why 1334 Media exists.My heart has always been for the small nonprofit that doesn't have a communications team, a legal department, or a network of experts they can call whenever a new issue arises. Many of the organizations we serve work directly in addiction recovery, human trafficking prevention, foster care, and other spaces where this issue is already becoming very real. They're often the ones meeting people at their lowest moments, long before the rest of the world realizes there's a problem.Not everyone has the opportunity to sit across the table from a former DEA Task Force Officer and spend an hour asking questions. In this moment, I did, and I felt a responsibility to share that conversation. I wanted the recovery organizations, the anti-human trafficking nonprofits, and the community leaders we serve to hear the legal perspective from someone who has spent nearly two decades on the front lines. Whether you ultimately agree with every conclusion or not, understanding how experienced law enforcement sees this issue is valuable.If this conversation helps one nonprofit recognize a growing trend, equips one recovery ministry to better serve the people walking through its doors, or helps one family avoid a painful mistake, then it was worth having.Sometimes the most important stories aren't the ones that make us comfortable.They're the ones that prepare us to better serve the people who need us most.👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share if you think more people need to hear this.kratom, 7-OH, 7-hydroxymitragynine, gas station heroin, opioid crisis, addiction, recovery, fentanyl, heroin, DEA, law enforcement, Eddie Burgess, drug education, drug policy, opioid addiction, Georgia, gas station drugs, substance abuse, parenting, public safety, overdose, recovery stories, crime, legislation, kratom dangers, addiction awareness, podcast, 1334 Podcast, drug enforcement, mental health, opioid epidemic, community safety, interview, current events

Welcome back to The 1334 Podcast. This week we're sharing an archived episode featuring three powerful, real-life stories from Strive to Thrive — a community program helping people become financially free and, in their words, just free in general.The first story follows a man who, at 24, found himself homeless with three kids after his parents separated, growing up on a street known for its hardship. Out of the workforce for years, he reached a point where he simply said, "I need help." Through Strive to Thrive's coaching, goal-setting, and a "readiness account" savings program, he increased his income, got hired, saved toward closing costs, and became a homeowner in a fully renovated house.The second story comes from a single mother who was making roughly $600 a month and felt stuck. A friend encouraged her to join the program, and a simple piece of advice stuck with her: ask for help while you need it, because you won't need it forever. She talks about the program's philosophy — not just "teaching a man to fish," but teaching him to fight, building skills that create a transgenerational legacy. She later became a coordinator for the program herself, helping others the way she was once helped.The third story follows a young woman who moved away to continue her education, became a pharmacy student, published research, and was nationally recognized for patient counseling — crediting the determination and mindset she built through the program for getting her there.A fourth voice closes the episode, sharing how the program helped her secure housing through the Albany Housing Authority and a job opportunity that opened doors to further education, reflecting on how relationships and trust — not just resources — are at the heart of breaking the cycle of poverty.🔗 Learn more about Strive to Thrive and how the program helps people build lasting financial independence.If these stories moved you, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that things can change.Topics covered: financial literacy, homeownership, single parenthood, generational poverty, community mentorship, and personal transformation.

Creativity isn't just a talent—it's part of what it means to be made in the image of God.In this episode of the 1334 Podcast, I sit down with Eddy Rivas to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of the Christian life: creativity. From graphic design and filmmaking to church media, branding, and storytelling, we discuss why the first act attributed to God in Scripture isn't law or instruction—it's creation.If God is the Creator, what does that mean for those made in His image?This conversation dives deep into the theology and philosophy of creativity, why beauty matters, and how churches communicate long before a sermon begins. We also discuss excellence without perfectionism, why creatives should see themselves as ministers instead of support staff, and how modern media continues the same mission that stained glass once served centuries ago.Whether you're a church media volunteer, graphic designer, filmmaker, photographer, worship leader, pastor, nonprofit leader, or someone simply wanting to use your gifts to glorify God, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.In this episode we discuss:• Why creativity reflects the nature of God• The Imago Dei and what it means to be created to create• Beauty as revelation—not just aesthetics• Excellence vs. perfectionism• The role of creatives in the local church• Why every church communicates a message before the pastor speaks• Church branding, storytelling, and media• Inspiration, discipline, and the creative process• How to create without making yourself the center of attention• Why purpose matters more than recognitionIf this conversation encouraged you, please consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone serving in creative ministry. Your support helps us continue telling stories that inspire people and equip nonprofits around the world.Connect with Eddy Rivas:📖 Substack: https://substack.com/@iamedithor🎨 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designsby.edithor/Thank you for watching the 1334 Podcast. We exist to tell stories that inspire people and equip nonprofits to better tell their own stories. Through conversations with leaders, creators, and changemakers, our goal is to encourage you to use your gifts to serve others and advance the Kingdom of God.If you'd like to support our mission, be sure to subscribe, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway from this episode, and share it with someone who is passionate about creativity, ministry, or storytelling.

Welcome back to The 1334 Podcast. This week we're revisiting an archived favorite — a visit to Peace Mountain Ranch in Tennessee, a working ranch built from the ground up to serve veterans and military families.

We open with a raw, unforgettable story: a combat veteran describes walking out on a VA psychologist who had never served, never deployed, and never understood — yet kept telling him what he "needed to do." It's a moment that captures exactly why places like Peace Mountain Ranch exist.

From there, we step onto the ranch itself — chickens, mealworms, cattle, horses, and a 5:52 a.m. start to the day — and sit down with the founders as they share the vision behind it all. They describe the ranch as a "refrigerator": a place veterans, spouses, and families can come to and simply take what they need, whether that's rest, connection, or healing.

We also hear from retired Army Colonel and chaplain Jim Vargas, who spent 36 years in uniform — six in the National Guard, the rest on active duty as an engineer, transportation officer, and chaplain, including time supporting mortuary affairs in combat. He speaks candidly about the weight of sending soldiers into danger and his vision for involving entire military families, not just veterans, in the healing process.

A military spouse then shares the home-front side of war — the empty chair at the dinner table, the silence during deployment, and why comparing a deployed spouse to "just being on a long trip" misses the mark entirely.

The episode closes with a look at the ranch's future: equine therapy, an archery course, team roping and calf roping arenas, a two-story event building with a balcony, a log chapel, a prayer garden, and trail rides on neighboring land — all built to help veterans reclaim purpose, identity, and hope.

🔗 Learn more about Peace Mountain Ranch and how to get involved at their grand opening and beyond.

If this episode moved you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who served — or someone who loves someone who did.

Topics covered: veteran mental health, PTSD, military chaplaincy, equine and archery therapy, military families, veteran suicide prevention, and the founding story of Peace Mountain Ranch.

The next addiction crisis may not be hiding on a street corner—it may be sitting on the shelf of your local gas station

In this powerful conversation, we discuss kratom, 7-OH products, and the growing concerns being raised by people in the recovery community. With increasing accessibility and reports of severe dependency and withdrawal, many are asking whether we are witnessing the early stages of another opioid-like epidemic.

This episode explores:

• Why these products are becoming so popular

• The reality of dependency and withdrawal

• What treatment professionals are seeing firsthand

• The challenges facing families and communities

• Why awareness may be lagging behind the problem

If you work in recovery, healthcare, prevention, or simply care about the future of your community, this is a conversation you need to hear.

Subscribe for more conversations on recovery, addiction, mental health, leadership, and stories that matter.

#Kratom #Recovery #Addiction #MentalHealth #SubstanceAbuse #7OH #OpioidCrisis #RecoveryCommunity

In this solo episode of the 1334 Podcast, I wanted to do something a little different and really explain the heart behind what we’re building. A lot of people see the podcast clips, documentaries, recovery stories, and nonprofit interviews, but may not fully know why 1334 exists in the first place.

It all started with a trip to India in 2017, helping an orphanage share its story online. That experience completely changed the way I looked at media, storytelling, and nonprofits. Since then, the vision has grown into creating free media for nonprofits, recovery organizations, missionaries, churches, and community leaders doing real work behind the scenes.

We talk about the power of storytelling, why so many positive things happening in Albany and Southwest Georgia never make headlines, the importance of recovery ministries and nonprofit work, and the long-term vision for a free media studio where organizations can create podcasts, videos, headshots, and content without worrying about expensive equipment.

This episode is vision casting, community focused, and honestly just me sharing what’s been on my heart for a long time.

In this powerful episode of the 1334 Podcast, we revisit one of the most impactful stories ever featured on the channel — Limitless Boundaries. Dramoski Franklin shares the heart behind building a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring young boys and young men through sports, education, accountability, and community support.

What began as a desire to coach and support youth football quickly evolved into something much bigger: a year-round mission focused on helping kids succeed both on and off the field. From tutoring and mentorship to creating opportunities for children who otherwise may never have had the chance to participate in sports, this episode highlights the life-changing impact one committed community can make.

Dramoski Franklin opens up about his own childhood experiences, the struggles many families face, and why he refused to let financial barriers stop kids from pursuing the things they love. Through faith, leadership, and relentless dedication, Limitless Boundaries has become a beacon of hope in South Georgia.

This episode is about more than football. It’s about purpose, mentorship, leadership, and investing in the next generation.

In This Episode:

• The origin story behind Limitless Boundaries
• Why mentorship matters for young boys and young men
• Using sports as a tool for growth and accountability
• The importance of community involvement
• Helping kids beyond athletics through tutoring and guidance
• Dramoski Franklin’s personal motivation and experiences growing up
• The vision for expanding into multiple sports and programs
• Creating opportunities for children regardless of financial status
• Building leaders who will return and strengthen their communities

• Sports can become a gateway to mentorship and life change
• Positive role models can alter the trajectory of a child’s future
• Community support is essential for nonprofit success
• Investing in youth creates long-term impact for entire cities and communities
• Leadership starts with serving others

• Limitless Boundaries
• South Georgia Wolverines
• Youth mentorship programs
• Community outreach initiatives
• Tutoring and educational support

Be sure to follow the 1334 Podcast for more stories focused on impact, transformation, faith, leadership, and community change.

Key Takeaways:Mentioned In This Episode:Connect & Support:

Addiction doesn’t always look like addiction.Sometimes it looks like normal life.A job. A smile. Routine.And underneath it, chaos.In this episode, Kayla shares her story of addiction, overdose, prison, and the long road into recovery. What began with pills eventually spiraled into heroin, arrests, broken relationships, and years of torment.But through Grace House, everything changed.Now she helps lead women through the same recovery process that saved her life.We talk about:• how addiction creeps in• why recovery requires community• the role of trauma and mental health• how faith changes recovery• what Grace House is doing for women in GeorgiaIf you know someone battling addiction—or if you are yourself—this conversation matters.Grace House: gracehousebrunswick.orgSubscribe for more nonprofit stories and conversations that matter.#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #NonprofitStories #faithandrecovery Podcast NotesIn this episode:How addiction often starts slowly and deceptivelyWhy pills and alcohol are often the gateway into deeper substance abuseThe hidden role trauma and mental health play in addictionKayla’s seven-year battle with substance abuseThe overdose that still wasn’t rock bottomPrison, isolation, and the breaking pointHow Grace House became the bridge to recoveryWhy community matters in healingThe role faith played in Kayla’s transformationHow Grace House helps women rebuild their lives practically—not just spirituallyWhy sobriety is more than abstinence

In this inspiring episode of the 1334 Podcast, Keith joins us to talk about the Deuteronomy 646 Project and how simple obedience to God is changing lives one meal and one conversation at a time in downtown Albany, Georgia.

From serving nearly 8,000 meals in just over a year, to starting Sunday morning church under a parking garage, Keith opens up about:

• The powerful calling that led him here
• God’s miraculous provision when they committed to serving every Sunday
• The emotional story of a young man surrendering his life to Jesus on Easter Sunday
• Building real relationships with people experiencing homelessness
• Vision for a permanent home, multiple ministry sites, and partnering with ASU students

This is more than a feeding ministry — it’s church on the streets, discipleship in action, and a powerful reminder of what happens when you say “yes” to God’s call.

✅ Follow the journey:Instagram & Facebook: @D646PWebsite: d646p.org

If this encouraged you, like, comment, and share — and consider supporting the work they’re doing.

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