Adoption isn’t just paperwork and prayers—it’s a journey marked by detours, heartbreak, and unexpected beauty. In this episode of The Beauty in Burnt Toast, Jade Chowning sits down with Jamie Reeves, Vickie Wright, and Sarah Shaneyfelt to talk about The Long Way Home—the emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal path each of them walked to build their families through adoption.

With honesty and heart, they open up about infertility, waiting seasons, the complexity of attachment, and the kind of faith it takes to keep showing up. This episode is a reminder that love doesn’t always arrive the way you expect—but when it does, it can rewrite everything.

In this episode of The Beauty in Burnt Toast, we meet David Witt—a self-described country boy raised on a farm, more at home in the mountains than the city. But today, you’ll find him downtown Hartselle nearly every day, fully invested in the community he now calls home. Though he’s new to town, he’s all in—bringing fresh eyes, strong convictions, and a deep desire to serve.

Get to know the man behind the name—before the ballot.

In this episode of The Beauty in Burnt Toast, we sit down with mayoral candidate Missy Evans, a woman who spent years focused on raising her family - and is now stepping into a new season of purpose and public leadership. She opens up about the sacrifices of motherhood, the calling she felt to serve her community, and what it looks like to lead with both heart and conviction.

This isn’t about politics - it’s about purpose, courage, and the stories that shape us.

Get to know Missy Evans - before the ballot.

In this episode of The Beauty in Burnt Toast, we sit down with Hartselle’s current mayor, Randy Garrison, to hear the heart behind the title. With years of leadership under his belt, Randy shares the experiences that shaped him, the lessons he's learned in office, and why he still believes in the power of small-town community.

This isn’t about politics - it’s about people. And in this conversation, you’ll get to know the person behind the podium, his love for Hartselle, and the hopes he carries into the future.

Listen in and get to know your incumbent candidate - before the ballot.

Sometimes it feels like life is trying to bury us- but what if we're actually being planted? In this short but powerful episode, Jamie and Jade share a heartfelt reminder that growth often starts in the silence. Whether you're in a tough season or waiting for your breakthrough, this message will encourage you to stay rooted and trust the process.

What if the feeling of being “stuck” is actually just the ache of growing into your purpose?

In this episode of The Beauty in Burnt Toast, Jade and Jamie get honest about what it looks like to step into new callings—even when it’s uncomfortable, imperfect, or totally off-script. From shedding old identities to battling the fear of being seen starting over, they explore how purpose often shows up through detours, delays, and even doubts.

You’ll hear personal stories about redefining success, uncovering natural gifts, and why jealousy can actually be a breadcrumb toward your purpose. It’s a conversation about planting seeds now—even if the fruit takes years—and why your purpose isn’t about perfection. It’s about impact.

Purpose doesn’t always arrive polished. Sometimes it’s covered in sweat, fear, and burnt toast.

It’s our birthday week, and we’re getting honest — and a little ridiculous — about what it means to age-ish gracefully. From cake cravings to the wisdom (and weirdness) we’ve picked up since 25, we’re talking body changes, faith shifts, and the freedom that comes with letting go. We also daydream our ultimate birthday bashes — think celebrity guest lists and fantasy walk-up songs — and get real about the “burnt toast” moments that God used to refine us.

Whether you’re deep in your 30s or peeking into your 50s, this episode is a celebration of growing older, getting bolder, and laughing at the chaos along the way.

✨ Because aging might not be graceful, but it sure can be good.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Beauty in Burnt Toast, we sit down with Julie to hear her story of profound loss, unshakable resilience, and the birth of a legacy. Julie opens up about losing her daughter Bailey, facing a cancer diagnosis, and walking through both grief and illness with courage and faith. She shares the emotional journey of being pregnant again while navigating a recurrence of cancer, and how she continues to choose hope and surrender. The episode highlights the mission of Bailey’s Blankies, a nonprofit that donates blankets to families experiencing infant loss, offering comfort during the darkest times. With scripture, honest reflection, and Julie’s “burnt toast” moment, this episode is a testament to finding purpose through pain and beauty in brokenness. 

In this episode, John Bentley joins Jade and Jamie to explore what it really means to love yourself the way Jesus does. Through powerful personal stories and insights from his book I Lead Me, John unpacks the difference between your inner critic and inner coach, how faith reshapes self-talk, and why true leadership begins with self-awareness. If you've ever felt burned out, unworthy, or stuck in self-doubt, this conversation offers both grace and practical tools to help you rise with purpose.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Beauty in Burnt Toast! In this kickoff conversation, Jade and Jamie pull back the curtain on the heart behind the podcast—why we started it, what you can expect, and how life's messiest, most burnt-out moments often hold the most beauty.