What happens when people stop skimming, stop reacting, and actually listen?

My guest is Bunni Pounds, and we’re talking about America Reads the Bible—a major public event in Washington, D.C. happening April 18–25, 2026, with an opening celebration on April 18 and a full week of public Bible reading at the Museum of the Bible from April 19 through 25. The event’s official materials describe nearly 500 readers and more than 475 leaders, with the reading livestreamed nationally on Great American Pure Flix.

But this conversation is about more than one event.

We talk about why reading great books still matters, why ancient texts still shape modern lives, and what happens to a culture when people lose the habit of reading deeply. We talk about the Bible not only as sacred Scripture for millions, but also as one of the most historically influential texts in the world—one that has shaped language, literature, art, ethics, and public imagination for generations.

We also talk about the importance of honoring the Hebrew Scriptures—not as a mere prelude, but as ancient, sacred writings treasured in Jewish tradition for millennia, carrying memory, poetry, lament, covenant, wisdom, and hope. This is a conversation about history, heritage, reverence, and why reading foundational texts out loud still matters in a distracted age.

And yes, this is a big event. Public materials for the opening celebration name Patricia Heaton, Candace Cameron Bure, and Cameron and BJ Arnett, while broader event coverage also names readers and participants such as Danny Gokey, Meredith Andrews, Chonda Pierce, Kathy Ireland, Jen Lilley, Kevin Sorbo, Colton Dixon, John Cooper, Kim Walker-Smith, Leeland Mooring, Jennie Lee Riddle, Dallas Jenkins, and Andy Erwin.

It’s thoughtful, rich, historically grounded, and deeply timely.

We would love to hear from you!

This week on The Heather Petero Show, Heather sits down with her dear friend Cathy Semeria for a conversation that is honest, strong, and deeply encouraging—especially for parents who have lost a child.

Cathy shares the story of her daughter, Christina “Tini” Semeria, who died in a tragic auto accident in 2016—an event that became national news at the time. But this episode isn’t about headlines. It’s about a daughter’s life, a family’s lived experience, and the kind of faith that can hold both grief and joy.

We talk about:

•  Who Tini was (the real her—full of personality, faith, and creativity) 
•  How a parent survives the unthinkable 
•  Why joy isn’t the same as happiness—and how joy can still exist in sorrow 
•  Tini’s original song “Be Still” and why her voice is still speaking 
• Warrior Moms: community for grieving mothers, plus the book Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior
•  What’s next: Tini’s 7th Annual Spark in the Dark 5K and how you can show up, donate, go virtual, or volunteer 

If you’ve ever loved someone through grief and felt helpless… this episode is your “do-something” moment.

Get involved / learn more:
Tini’s music + blog + legacy: https://christinasemeria.org/

Warrior Moms: https://warriormoms.me/

Spark in the Dark 5K registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Athens/TiniSemeriaSparkintheDark5kWalkRun

Instagram: @cathysemeria | @tinisparkinthedark

Until next time—stay creative and live on purpose.

We would love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Heather Petero Show, Heather sits down with Hall of Fame, multi-platinum Nashville Row songwriter Bernie Nelson for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on the songs we love—and the lives, moments, and unexpected turns that shaped them.

They talk about what it really takes to write something that lasts, why so many people misunderstand who actually writes the songs, and how originality survives in a world that constantly rewards imitation.

Bernie also shares from his book Honky Tonk Angels, giving a glimpse into the unseen side of country music—the writers, the rooms, and the stories that don’t always make it into the spotlight.

It’s honest, thoughtful, and full of the kind of perspective you only get from someone who’s lived it.

We would love to hear from you!

What happens when you mix twenty years of friendship, two decades of marriage, music that feels like a Georgia backroad? You get Matt + Abi.

In this episode, I sit down with the duo to talk about the messy middle—the real-life space where faith, family, and the artist hustle collide. We peel back the curtain on what it takes to build something honest together, keep showing up for the people you love, and make music that feels like a conversation you didn’t know you needed.

And yes… we also address the important issues: Abi’s Disney obsession and Matt’s highly questionable stance on exercise.

We would love to hear from you!

What happens when you mix years of friendship, marriage, and music that feels like a Georgia backroad? You get Matt + Abi.

In this episode, I sit down with the duo to talk about the messy middle—the real-life space where faith, family, and the artist hustle collide. We peel back the curtain on what it takes to build something honest together, keep showing up for the people you love, and make music that feels like a conversation you didn’t know you needed.

And yes… we also address the important issues: Abi’s Disney obsession and Matt’s highly questionable stance on exercise.

This week on The Heather Petero Show, Heather is joined by Shaunee Brannan — author, singer, and founder of The SB Fashion Brand.

In this honest and engaging conversation, they talk about the intersection of faith and fashion, the journey of building confidence, and what it really means to stop shrinking and start showing up fully as yourself.

With humor, real-life perspective, and a refreshing take on identity, Shaunee shares how embracing your individuality can change the way you live, create, and connect.

If you’ve ever struggled with confidence, comparison, or finding your place, this episode will remind you that who you are is not something to fix — it’s something to own.

We would love to hear from you!

This week, Heather sits down with Dr. Adam Klein of the Emory Voice Center — the physician who has taken care of celebrity singers and the one she trusts with her own students when something doesn’t sound right.

They dive into the truth behind common vocal myths (whispering, dairy, hydration, screaming at football games… yes, all of it), what’s actually happening inside the voice when things go wrong, and why diagnoses like nodules are not the end of the story.

Whether you’re a singer, teacher, speaker, or just someone who uses your voice every day, this conversation brings clarity, confidence, and a little peace of mind.

We would love to hear from you!

Heather sits down with her friend of nearly 40 years, Mark Ware — signed country artist and singer-songwriter, retired Fire Chief, and veteran firefighter/EMT whose music is rooted in real life. From High School memories to the hard chapters, Mark shares the kind of story you don’t forget.

Together, they talk about grief, faith, recovery, and what it looks like to keep going after the unthinkable — including the loss of a child — and how music can become a lifeline for people who are hurting.

You’ll leave reminded that healing is possible and you’re not alone.

Connect with Mark:
 officialmarkware.com | @mwaremusic

We would love to hear from you!

This week on The Heather Petero Show, Heather sits down with Michael Johnson—business consultant, founder of Johnson & Associates, leadership strategist, doctoral candidate, and yes… a man who plays 17 instruments.

They talk about what strategy actually means in real life, why so many business owners stay stuck in “busy,” how implementation is where the real magic happens, and what it takes to lead well without doing absolutely everything yourself. They also dive into faith, staying grounded under pressure, and how Mike turns chaos into systems that actually work.

It’s smart, practical, funny, and full of takeaways for anyone building something and trying not to lose their mind in the process.

We would love to hear from you!

From the Georgia Band Room to the Coast of Ecuador: A Musical Journey with David Henry

What does it look like to retire after 34 years of shaping young musicians, only to start a whole new chapter as a songwriter and producer in a different country?

Today, I’m sitting down with David Henry, a man whose résumé reads like a roadmap of the music industry. From three decades as a legendary instrumental music director in Georgia to his work with Drum Corps International, David has spent a lifetime mastering the craft of performance and education. But he didn’t stop there. Throughout his career, he was a fixture in the Atlanta music scene—working in live sound, audio engineering, and as a studio musician at the iconic Real 2 Reel Studios.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Legacy of the Band Room: Reflections on 34 years of teaching and why the band room remains a vital "safe space" for students.

• The Leap to Ecuador: The "why" and "how" behind David’s 2021 relocation to Machalilla, Manabí, and what it was like settling his family (including two young girls) into a new culture.

• The Future of Sound: How David is using virtual instruments and AI production tools to write and record his upcoming album from his home studio in paradise.

• Full-Circle Moments: David’s current songwriting partnership with Mark Ware (a former student and classmate of mine!) and the launch of his new publishing company, 1° South – Paradise Productions.

Whether you're a former "band kid," a gear head interested in studio history, or someone dreaming of a major life pivot, David’s story is a masterclass in staying creative at any age.

We would love to hear from you!