Welcome to the second installment of our conversation with husband and wife duo Wes and Roni Perry! Find out how Wes and Roni got to know Angela and Wes Correll and how they've implemented foundational business principles that have kept their relationship strong, their business solid, and their faith growing. Don't miss the encouragement from Roni at the end of the episode and Wes' advice about facing any day, no matter what comes!

Episode Highlights:

[1:12] The hat that connected Jess and Wes, leading them to a fast friendship.

[2:20] How Roni describes her relationship with Angela Correll and the moment they bonded.

[4:29] "I think I can change the world." Find out what Wes heard one morning at breakfast and how much it was going to cost.

[4:54] The simple formula to spread the Gospel, one person at a time.

[5:58] "That's the trifecta here in Kentucky!" These three traits have remained constant over the past 25 years.

[8:47] How Roni helped Wes in their business success.

[10:14] "This should be an MBA class."

[10:33] How Wes and Jess first got involved in business together.

[11:19] "How can we be good stewards of these resources?" Find out how this question guided all of the business deals.

[13:27] How serving on the board is a service that both husbands and wives participate in together.

[14:26] "How much we're loved!" Roni's encouragement for you, the listener.

[15:04] Wes' message about the perspective that will help you no matter what you're facing.

Episode Resources:

Interview with Scott Steele

Interview with Lyston Peebles

Young Life in Haiti

Welcome to another exciting episode of The River Foundation Podcast! On our show today, husband and wife duo Wes and Roni Perry join us for a chat about marriage, family, and balancing your faith and career. Wes and Roni Perry are long-time friends of Jess and Angela Correll, and currently serve on the board of the First Southern Family of Companies. Wes is the co-founder, along with his two sons, of PBEX and previously served as the Mayor of Midland, Texas for six years. You won't want to miss the sweet story of how they met or how they came to adopt their daughter.

Episode Highlights:

[1:22] "I was the straight and narrow girl, and he was the wild child."

[3:02] "I had never done that with any girl before I met her."

[4:31] We hear about Wes & Roni's "religious to relationship conversion".

[6:21] In 1981, the town they were living in "went from a peak to a bust", and suddenly Roni and Wes find themselves reevaluating their life.

[7:21] Roni explains how they came to have their eldest daughter. "At 12 her mother died, and she was put in foster care..."

[9:10] "Maybe we should have left her there..." Roni describes some of the more challenging moments in their adoption story.

[11:01] Wes and Roni tell us about their work outside of the church, and the impacts that work has had on their own lives.

[13:00] Wes believed that God loved this certain sector of people more than others. Once that belief was shattered, he reassessed his career path.

Episode Resources:

Book: Go Outside

Website: PBEX

Hello and welcome to another episode of The River Foundation Podcast! We are joined today by our friend and recently retired Senior Vice President and Lending Manager at First Southern National Bank, John Swaim. In today's episode, we learn about John's early life, his successful 25-year career, and what he hopes for the future generation of River Foundation members. Listen to the end to hear John share a powerful message as he speaks directly to you, our listeners.

Episode Highlights:

[0:57] We are introduced to John and learn why Dan will be forever grateful for his friendship.

[2:00] "We were unsettled in our spirit... there was something animalistic in both of us."

[4:00] Following what felt to be a divine push, John reaches out to an old acquaintance. From there, his whole life changes.

[7:42] Don't forget about this very important upcoming deadline.

[9:15] John has an impactful message for our newest generation of River Foundation members.

[10:50] "It screwed up everything, and that isn't going to change."

[11:25] "There are some other things that I would like to say... I don't care what you think."

[13:00] John is generous enough to leave us with this open invitation.

Episode Resources:

Get in touch with John

John's First Southern story

Welcome back to another fun-filled episode of The River Foundation Podcast! In a very special episode, we get the chance today to learn all about our host, Dan Lewis! Dan has an extensive educational background, including a Doctorate of Missiology, and long history of working and volunteering in faith-based businesses. Our friend, Doug Ditto, joins us today as our host and pushes Dan to the other side of the table, where he tells us about his early life, his journey to faith, and what he wants our members to hear from him most. Don't miss Dan's announcement about the exciting and free opportunities for our River Foundation members!

Episode Highlights:

[1:00] We hear about Dan's early years and what it was like growing up as an "Irish triplet" in New Jersey.

[3:15] "I fell in love with it." Dan finds his spiritual calling in college and then finds his career calling quickly after graduating.

[5:00] "I had to move back in with my parents at 24 years old... and I found a crumpled paper bag on my front porch."

[7:13] A free 3-week lunch-and-learn on financial management is available to all River Foundation members.

[7:47] "This chapter is not about you." Dan makes a big, life-altering decision that defines the rest of his life.

[9:15] Once he understood the concept of netweaving, Dan was able to look back at his experiences in The River Foundation in a different light. He describes what's changed and evolved over the years.

[11:50] We hear what Dan has been doing in Puerto Rico and what he encourages our members to do. "It's a no-brainer. It's optional, but the benefits are eternal."

[14:55] Learn about the upcoming mission trip opportunities available to our River Foundation members. You won't want to miss these amazing experiences!

Episode Resources:

Sign up for the Lunch and Learn with Ken Battles

Next to Lead

Episode 54 – Wisdom, Business, and a Friendship That's Spanned Decades with Doug Ditto, Part 1

Episode 55 – Wisdom, Business, and a Friendship That's Spanned Decades with Doug Ditto, Part 2

Hello and welcome to another great episode of The River Foundation Podcast! We are joined today by our friend Ken Battles, a successful IT expert and spiritual philanthropist. In today's episode, Ken talks about his career, the work he does for Compass Urban Outreach, and why he is so thankful for The River Foundation and our members. If you are looking for ways to build up your community and address disparities within your church, you'll want to hear Ken's story.

Episode Highlights:

[1:29] Ken tells us about his early life in Alabama. We also get a little glimpse into the breadth of Ken's career and specialty knowledge.

[2:46] "I took it for very selfish reasons." Hear about a pivotal point in Ken's life that allowed Ken to transition to the life he has today.

[4:30] "I didn't grow up in a Christian household." Ken shares how he found his faith as someone who had "no personal relationship with God."

[8:38] "It's very personal to me... I'm very much aware of the racial, ethnic, and financial disparities in my community."

[11:04] Ken was able to build a brand, and build financial literacy and faith in his community. Hear how he accomplished this.

[13:07] Learn what you can do as a River Foundation member to amplify Ken's work and mission.

[14:50] "We wouldn't be where we are today..." Ken shares some special words for our River Foundation members.

Episode Resources:

Compass Urban Outreach

Welcome back to The River Foundation Podcast! Preston Correll, Founder of Marksbury Farm Market and Owner of St. Asaph Farm, is back with us today for the third and final installment of this special multi-part series. In this segment, Preston tells us what it was like to be thrown into the family business, and how he manages his priorities. Preston also shares some sage advice and words of wisdom for our River Foundation members, both new and old.

Episode Highlights:

[1:05] "I had nothing to contribute." Preston shares some of the steps he took to get where he is today.

[3:16] "As much as I was interested in what was going on in those board meetings, I was struggling with context." Preston realizes there's a gap in his education.

[5:11] "It's the most glaring and obvious thing I can talk about."

[8:45] If you have a teen, or are a leader of teens, you'll want to hear about this amazing opportunity.

[10:18] Preston has a message for our First Southern frontline workers and new members.

[11:43] These three things ought to be our priorities, but are they yours?

[12:12] "It feels like it depends on the world... but I would propose that it depends on us."

Episode Resources:

Marksbury Farm

St Asaph Farm

Friends of the Good Samaritans

Engaging Teenagers' Tough Questions with Jeff Myers

Hello and welcome back to The River Foundation Podcast! Preston Correll, Founder of Marksbury Farm Market and Owner of St. Asaph Farm, is back with us today for the second installment of a special multi-part series. In this segment, Preston tells us about the revelation he came to while in India, the dramatic life changes he has made, and what he's learned as he scales his business. You won't want to miss Preston's captivating stories about where your food actually comes from, and how you can make sure you're nourishing yourself.

Episode Highlights:

[0:58] Why is it so significant that the carrots tasted better to Preston in India?

[3:53] "My cow went around the entire country before it landed on my grill."

[6:51] "It led me to a wacky guy... he articulated everything I felt." Preston begins to understand the big problems in our food supply chain.

[9:35] Preston decided not to go to grad school, and instead took on a whole new challenging world.

[11:24] From 50 chickens in their first year to 60,000 chickens at their largest, Preston learns he has to wear many hats to be successful.

[12:38] "We were pretty sure we wouldn't go to jail..."

[14:15] Hear how Marksbury, and Preston, have evolved over the last several years.

[15:18] Preston gives us some valuable advice that'll help us select the food that is best for us.

Episode Resources:

Marksbury Farm

St Asaph Farm

Friends of the Good Samaritans

Engaging Teenagers' Tough Questions with Jeff Myers

Welcome back to The River Foundation Podcast! Preston Correll, Founder of Marksbury Farm Market and Owner of St. Asaph Farm, joins us today for the first installment of a multi-part series. Preston shares what it was like to grow up in an influential family, and how his childhood shaped who he is today. We hear about Preston's incredible time spent abroad, and he recounts his story of falling in love. We also learn about an amazing opportunity for our River Foundation teens!

Episode Highlights:

[1:30] Preston describes his early years and what influenced his interests and activities at the time.

[3:25] "It was a watershed moment for me."

[4:22] Needing to forge a new path forward, Preston found a new interest to pursue. "Some might just call it ridiculous."

[7:05] Learn about the incredible opportunity for our River Foundation teens. There's more than $10,000 up for grabs!

[8:32] "They were just hoping I wouldn't get killed."

[10:35] "She knew something that I didn't know." Preston recounts his experience living in India, and the incredible woman who took him in.

[13:38] Preston tells us some of his greatest take-aways in life. "I've gone about as poorly as I could have."

[16:35] Preston gives us a glimpse of what to expect in the next River Foundation Podcast episode.

Episode Resources:

Marksbury Farm

St Asaph Farm

Friends of the Good Samaritans

Engaging Teenagers' Tough Questions with Jeff Myers

Welcome back to The River Foundation Podcast! In today's bonus episode, we are joined by Dr. Larry Martin. Dr. Martin tells us everything there is to know about netweaving: where it originated, how it differs from networking, and tips for integrating this practice into your life. Dr. Martin also shares the story behind an incredible device that is revolutionizing how we address a major problem in our community. Join us in learning how we all play a role in netweaving!

Episode Highlights:

[0:31] Dan introduces us to our guest, Dr. Larry Martin.

[1:20] "It literally changed my trajectory." Dr. Martin taught Dan this, and it changed his life.

[3:40] What is the Net Device, and how is it changing our community?

[7:52] Learn how to truly netweave, rather than network.

[9:48] "You need to be ready." Dr. Martin shares his key to success.

Episode Resources:

More Than Generous in the Master's Business with Greg Correll

The Final Fix Documentary

Commonwealth Compassion Bridge

Book: Miracle In The Mountains

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! In today's episode, we are joined by a very special guest, Dr. Larry Martin. Dr. Martin shares his own incredible story and the stories of some of those he's been blessed to meet along his career in faith. Dr. Martin teaches us how to take advantage of the faith-based communities surrounding us, and how to build a life through God's work. Don't miss Dr. Martin's special message to our River Foundation members!

Episode Highlights:

[0:36] Dan introduces us to one of his heroes in the faith, Dr. Larry Martin.

[2:06] Listen to Dr. Martin tell us the incredible story of "Gold Dust".

[6:10] "It was like a taste of heaven." In Boston, Dr. Martin has an amazing experience leading a diverse fellowship of faith.

[8:40] When a 5-year-old little girl took Dr. Martin's hand and asked him for this, he just couldn't say no. "I'll never forget that."

[9:54] We hear the interesting story of how a Southern Baptist Pastor from Eubank got involved with our First Southern network.

[11:20] "There are 4 objectives at the heart." These are the driving forces behind the amazing resource that is the Commonwealth Compassion Bridge. Learn how it can benefit you.

[13:10] Dr. Martin shares a special message especially for our River Foundation members. Learn his 4 life principles for living through God.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Larry Martin and Gold Dust (picture)

More Than Generous in the Master's Business with Greg Correll

The Final Fix Documentary

Commonwealth Compassion Bridge

Book: Miracle In The Mountains