The Tried & Truth Podcast: Rethinking Success. Rethinking What Matters

Ever wonder what it really looks like to love people well?

It’s not about having the perfect words… or waiting until you “have it all together.” Brett Rodgers’ story began with a few guys who simply invited him in—no strings attached. That love changed everything.

Decades later, Brett has spent his life leading and mentoring through Young Life and pioneering ministries across the globe. In this powerful conversation, he shares simple, transformative, ways to love people better.

This conversation will encourage you to: 

Hi! New here? 👋 Welcome! So glad you’re here--it’s a good place to be. If this conversation inspired you, I hope you'll take one practical step today to love someone well today.

What if true hospitality had nothing to do with Pinterest-perfect tables or spotless homes—and everything to do with people, presence, and a willing heart? In this episode we sit down with Abby Kuykendall, author of Let the Biscuits Burn: Cultivating Real-Life Hospitality in a World Craving Connection. 

We're talking about:

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: You can follow Abby Kuykendall on IG @abby.kuykendall

Hey, new here? 👋 Welcome! So glad you’re here--it’s a good place to be. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss a conversation! 

Actress Masey Mclain opens up about faith, courage, and calling in Hollywood. She shares what it looks like to step boldly into your purpose and hold onto hope even in hard seasons. Macy reminds us that while we can’t always change people’s minds, we can make them think...

In this episode, Masey shares: 

Hey, new here? 👋 Welcome! So glad you’re here--it’s a good place to be.

The Tried and Truth Podcast is back for a brand-new season! In this kick-off episode, I'm talking about the pauses we all face in life—the seasons that feel slow, quiet, or even stuck—and why they may be the very moments where the most growth is happening. 

Listen in for:

Encouragement when life feels on hold

Practical ways to navigate waiting seasons

A fresh perspective on trusting the process

Stories and insights to remind you that stillness can lead to transformation - you're not stuck, you’re being shaped!

If summer has you feeling "all the feels", you're not alone! Wrapping up this season with some real life summer inspiration. AND...if you haven't caught up on all of this past season yet, be sure to add those conversations to your summer playlist because there are some absolutely incredible guests you won't want to miss! You'll find conversations with life coaches, entrepreneurs, artists, authors, designers, speakers, and friends on everything from marriage and parenting to making decisions, running a business and what it means to live a successful life. 

Melissa Ice joins us on the podcast this week to share more on her story of helping empower and employ women and girl survivors of trafficking and how she’s embarked on a journey of seeing broken relationships restored and seeing women’s stories changed, positively, forever. 

You’ll hear more on when the pull to serve is greater than fear, how we can live in community and relationships when the world focuses more on individualistic living, and how doing the next right thing is simply enough - even when it means walking away from something because you can’t give it your “yes” anymore. As a pursuer of dreams, entrepreneur in a handful of business ventures, Founder of a social enterprise, Chief Vision Officer and mom of two, Melissa shares what leaving a legacy looks like and a lesson learned on what to expect from others (especially when you have high expectations of yourself). 

- More About Melissa - 

Melissa is the Founder & Executive Director of The Net, an anti-trafficking non-profit that has served over 1,000 survivors since 2012 where they seek to empower and employ women and girls. The Net launched a social enterprise called The Worthy Co, that employs survivors to make products where Melissa serves as Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer. Melissa was named Fort Worth Inc’s 400 Most Influential People, Fort Worth Magazine’s Best Philanthropist in 2018, and Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40. She is married to her husband Jamey of 15 years and has two little girls. 

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Worthy Co

You can follow Melissa on Instagram @melissaice

In this episode with Jenny Nuccio, founder and CEO of Imani Collective, Jenny shares more on her latest book Let It Be Wild: Stepping into Unknown and Finding a Home -  She’s encouraging us all to take ownership of our inspiration and faith and surround ourselves with positive voices and influences to keep pushing forward.  Jenny’s story of living a “wild” life will encourage you to try new things, take a few small risks, take care of YOU, trust the journey you’re on and courageously step into the unknown. 

“...because it's truly trusting the journey and the process that God had me on of just stepping into something completely out of my control and then truly finding myself at home and comfortable in this ambiguity of a life.” - Jenny Nuccio

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You can find out more at jennynuccio.com, on IG @shopimanikids 

---> If you’re new here, welcome! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on any of the inspiring and encouraging conversations with friends, entrepreneurs, and mentors on the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave your feedback here (scroll down and you can click on the stars or write your thoughts) or feel free to share this episode with a friend. You can also follow along on instagram @annicafischer. Glad you’re here! It's a good place to be. 

Monica Swanson is back on the podcast to talk about "Raising Amazing" kids - “ones who love God, like their family and do the dishes without being asked”.  Amazing kids grow out of amazing families and as Monica explains these don't happen by chance. Monica shares more on how to pour into our kids lives in ways that shape them and inspire them into young adults that are ready to launch into the world. You'll hear more what we as parents actually CAN even when we feel there is so much that we can't do and why adversity is the fuel for greatness. 

"How can you give your kid this beautiful, wonderful, comfortable life, but also grow them to have the kind of character that's gonna open doors and really be what they need most to face everything out there in the world..." - Monica Swanson

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BOOKS by Monica Swanson: Raising Amazing & Boy Mom

Check out her website at monicaswanson.com 

Follow Monica on Instagram @monicaswanson_ and Facebook @thegrommom

Jodie Berndt joins us this week to share marriage insights, encouragement, and honest truths about the “perfect" soulmate. She has so much wisdom on how we can love our spouses better and make enjoying them a priority. You’ll hear the greatest thing you can do for your marriage and even a few tips on parenting priorities. She's bringing her humor and wisdom to this life-giving conversation to encourage you today! 

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

3:25 40 years of marriage - marriage insights and does the perfect soul mate really exist?

6:57 The greatest thing we can do for our marriage 

8:39 You don't get very far into marriage before you realize you need some help.

20:14 parenting priorities 

22:15 Word of encouragement for marriages based on your work with so many couples 

22:54 Your spouse is not a mindreader 

38:45 Guest perspective: What does success look like to you?

41:36 Truths & Takeaways

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

> You can learn more about Jodie, her Praying the Scriptures series, and access more resources at jodieberndt.com

(my favorite downloadable resource: 31 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR YOUR MARRIAGE)

> Follow Jodie on Facebook @jodieberndtwrites or on Instagram @jodie_berndt

> Jodie’s Latest Book: Praying the Scriptures Over Your Marriage:  Trusting God with Your Most Important Relationship

Rebekah Lyons joins us this week to talk all about building a truly resilient life in this must-listen episode. She shares some of her own personal experiences with emotional health and anxiety and will guide you through  the five rules of resilience so you, too, can thrive in difficult times. You’ll hear more on the power of community and adversity and how they can awaken us to greater things as we build resilience together. 

>>>EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[1:38] More on Rebekah’s story past and present

[8:54] Rules of Resilience

[10:52] Rule #1 PLUS the free therapy available ot you

[12:38] Rule #2

[13:41] Rule #3

[13:54] Treat anxiety as your friend

[14:46] Anxiety does not define you

[15:57] The fancy word for “fear”

[16:16] Rule #4

[16:26] Rule #5

[17:29] Adversity - the teacher 

[20:47] “...Resilience is getting comfortable with pain.”

[23:25] There’s no shame in feeling what you’re feeling

[27:25] Guest perspective - What does success look like to you?

[30:44] Truths & Takeaways

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ABOUT REBEKAH LYONS

Rebekah is a national speaker, host of the Rhythms for Life podcast, and bestselling author of Rhythms of Renewal, You Are Free, Freefall to Fly, and Building a Resilient Life: How Adversity Awakens Strength, Hope and Meaning. Rebekah is a mom of four, two of whom have Down syndrome. An old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, Rebekah reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression--and invites others to discover and boldly pursue their God-given purpose. You can follow along on her website at rebekahlyons.com  or on Instagram and Facebook @rebekahlyons.

---> If you’re new here, welcome! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on any of the inspiring and encouraging conversations with friends, entrepreneurs, and mentors on the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave your feedback here (scroll down and you can click on the stars or write your thoughts) or feel free to share this episode with a friend. You can also follow along on instagram @annicafischer. Glad you’re here!