The Unbroken Podcast

We all say, "It's fine," but what does that really mean? In this episode, we explore the balance between acknowledging life's struggles and still showing up. We break down why we use this phrase—whether as a coping mechanism or a shield—and when it helps versus when it holds us back. Through personal stories and practical insights, we discuss how to embrace imperfection, prioritize progress over perfection, and reframe "fine" as a sign of resilience rather than avoidance. Because sometimes, showing up—no matter how we feel—is enough.

The Grill Guys/VRC – Your one-stop shop for everything grilling! Whether you need top-notch grilling supplies or want to order mouthwatering catered food, they've got you covered. Check them out at grillguys417.com or call 417-647-5002. Let them know the Unbroken Podcast sent you.

Raptor Renovation – High-quality renovations with craftsmanship you can trust. Serving Southwest Missouri with expert remodeling services. Call 417-597-4208 for a quote!

In this episode of The Unbroken Podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Eric Franklin—business owner, electrician, and the current Mayor of the City of Republic. This was an especially fun conversation for Chris, who used to work with Eric when he was the IT Director for the city. We explored Eric's journey, from serving in the military to running a successful business, and now navigating the challenges and rewards of being a mayor. Eric's story is inspiring, and his insights on leadership, discipline, and community service are something you won't want to miss.

Sponsor Blurbs:

🔥 The Grill Guys – Your one-stop shop for everything grilling! Whether you need top-notch grilling supplies or want to order mouthwatering catered food, they've got you covered. Check them out at grillguys417.com or call 417-647-5002. Let them know The Unbroken Podcast sent you!

🏡 Raptor Renovation – Serving Southwest Missouri, Raptor Renovation is where quality craftsmanship and integrity meet. Whether you're tackling a home renovation project or need expert guidance, they're the team to call. Visit raptorrenovation.com or call 417-597-4208 to learn more!

We loved having Stephanie Strazzinski on the podcast! In this episode, we dive into her journey—what drives her, the hustle it took to get where she is today, and the bold leap of faith that changed her life. After years of grinding in the food industry, Stephanie realized she needed more. She took the discipline and work ethic she had developed and channeled it into real estate, a career she now loves. Today, she's not just thriving—she's helping others do the same. Don't miss this inspiring conversation as we get to know Stephanie and her incredible story!

Sponsors

🔥 The VRC & The Grill Guys – For all your custom grill and outdoor kitchen needs! Call 417-647-5002 or visit grillguys417.com.

🔨 Raptor Renovations – Quality home renovations in Southwest Missouri. Call 417-597-4208 or visit raptorrenovation.com

In this episode of The Unbroken Podcast, we welcome back Katie, a dedicated therapist who first joined us nearly two years ago. She shares an exciting update on her practice and introduces her friend and coworker, Emily. The two first met as school counselors, where their shared passion for helping others quickly turned into a strong friendship. Now, Emily has joined Katie's practice, and together, they're committed to providing the best care for their clients.

Beyond their work, Katie and Emily are launching their own podcast, Therapy Unplugged, where they'll dive into common topics they discuss daily with clients. Their goal is to offer guidance, insight, and real conversations to help people navigate life's challenges. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about friendship, therapy, and their new journey into podcasting!

🔥 The Grill Guys – Your go-to experts for custom outdoor kitchens, grills, and fire features. Whether you're looking to upgrade your backyard or build the ultimate outdoor cooking space, The Grill Guys have you covered! 📞 Call: (417) 647-5002 🌐 Visit: www.grillguys417.com

🏠 Raptor Renovation – Bringing quality craftsmanship and expert renovations to homes across Southwest Missouri. Whether it's a kitchen remodel, bathroom upgrade, or a full home transformation, trust Raptor Renovation to get the job done right. 📞 Call: (417) 597-4208 🌐 Visit: www.raptorrenovation.com

In this heartfelt episode of The Unbroken Podcast, we sit down with Tyler Myers, a longtime friend of Chris's, for a conversation filled with depth, faith, and resilience. We dive into the simple joys of fishing, but more importantly, we explore Tyler's journey into fatherhood—the struggles he and his wife faced in trying to have a child, the challenges they overcame together, and how the experience ultimately strengthened their relationship.

Tyler also shares his walk in faith and how he and Chris navigated that path together, leaning on each other through life's ups and downs. This episode is a powerful reminder of perseverance, friendship, and the unbreakable bonds that shape our lives. We can't wait for you to hear it!

A special thank you to our sponsors: 🔥 The Grill Guys – Bringing you the best in grills, outdoor cooking equipment, and expert advice to take your backyard BBQs to the next level. Visit grillguys417.com or call 417-647-5002 for all your grilling needs.

🛠️ Raptor Renovation – Delivering top-quality home renovations and craftsmanship in Southwest Missouri. When you want it done right, call the Raptors! Visit raptorrenovation.com or call 417-597-4208 to start your next project.

Tune in, be inspired, and stay Unbroken. 🎙️💪

In this episode of The Unbroken Podcast, we sit down with Mikell Smith, a woman who embodies the courage to step out of her comfort zone and embrace new adventures. Originally from Provo, Utah, Mikell made a bold move to Branson, Missouri, where she began teaching for the Hughes Family, one of Branson's well-known performing families. Not only does she teach, but she also performs on stage, proving that growth happens when you push beyond your limits.

Mikell's journey of trying new things didn't stop there. Although she never considered herself an athlete, she decided to challenge herself by joining CrossFit Branson, where she met Mel and instantly formed a strong bond. This episode explores her inspiring story of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of saying "yes" to life's opportunities.

Mikell is also the co-host of The Musi-Gals Podcast, a show where she and her co-host geek out over all things musical theater. From in-depth discussions to interviews with people in the industry, they cover it all. Their passion has earned them a massive following on Instagram, so make sure to check them out at @the_musigals_podcast and give them a follow!

🎧 Tune in to hear Mikell's story and be inspired to take your own leaps of faith.

Shoutout to Our Sponsors:

The Grill Guys – Whether you're looking to upgrade your outdoor kitchen or need top-notch grilling equipment, The Grill Guys have you covered! Visit grillguys417.com or call 417-647-5002 to learn more.

Raptor Renovation – For high-quality home renovation services in Southwest Missouri, trust Raptor Renovation. Visit raptorrenovation.com or call 417-597-4208 to schedule your consultation today.

In this episode of The Unbroken Podcast, we dive into the powerful mindset shift of running into the storm, just like a buffalo. When faced with adversity, most people tend to avoid or delay the inevitable, making their struggles last longer. But true resilience comes from facing challenges head-on, whether in personal growth, business, or health.

We explore the psychology of avoidance, why discomfort is necessary for transformation, and how embracing the hard things in life actually shortens the struggle. While we touch on weight loss, this conversation is about something bigger—the mental toughness required to push through obstacles and come out stronger on the other side.

• The Grill Guys – Your go-to team for top-quality outdoor kitchens, grills, and smokers. Whether you're upgrading your backyard setup or need expert advice on grilling, The Grill Guys have you covered. Contact them at (417) 522-7665.

• Raptor Renovation – Specializing in high-quality home renovations in Southwest Missouri. From kitchen remodels to full home transformations, Raptor Renovation delivers craftsmanship you can trust. Call them at (417) 860-9207 for a consultation.

If you're facing a storm in your life, this episode is for you. The question is—are you ready to run into it?

In this episode, we sit down with Kassi Glassman, owner of Blue Silo Beef, to dive into the realities of being a local farmer today. Kassi shares how farming and beef have been part of her life since birth, and we explore the lesser-known aspects of running a small farm—beyond just caring for cattle. From bookkeeping and inventory management to customer service, farming is as much a business as it is a way of life. We also get into the details of hoof trimming and the different types of grass cows can eat. This conversation was both eye-opening and a blast to have!

🔥 The Grill Guys – If you're serious about grilling, The Grill Guys is your go-to source for top-tier BBQ grills, accessories, seasonings, sauces, and outdoor cooking essentials. Located in Republic, Missouri, they've been serving Southwest Missouri since 2021, helping customers build their dream outdoor kitchens and perfect their grilling game. Whether you're looking for the best rubs, top-quality smokers, or expert advice, they've got you covered! Visit them at 932 US Highway 60 E, Republic, MO, or check them out online: grillguys417.com. Give them a call at 417-647-5002 for all your grilling needs!

🔨 Raptor Renovation – Serving the greater Springfield area since 2018, Raptor Renovation specializes in high-quality home renovations and improvements. Whether you're looking for a kitchen or bathroom remodel, deck work, attic and crawlspace improvements, or exterior renovations, their team delivers top-notch craftsmanship. Unlike other companies, Raptor Renovation does all the work themselves, ensuring quality without relying on subcontractors. They serve Republic, Nixa, Battlefield, Billings, Marionville, and Mt. Vernon. Ready to transform your home? Visit their website: raptorrenovation.com to schedule a free consultation and make your home a place you love.

This episode is packed with insights into the modern challenges of farming, business ownership, and the details that go into raising cattle. Don't miss it! 🎙️🐄

In this episode of The Unbroken Podcast, we sit down with Eden Holt, a dedicated life coach with The Connection Effect. Eden shares her journey into life coaching, what inspired her to help others, and what it truly means to be a life coach. We dive into her passion for personal growth, meaningful connections, and the impact she hopes to make in the lives of her clients. This conversation is packed with insight and inspiration—don't miss it!

🎧 Tune in now and enjoy the episode!

Sponsor Blurbs:

🔥 The Grill Guys – Elevate your backyard BBQ game with The Grill Guys! Whether you need top-quality grills, accessories, or expert advice, they've got you covered. From weekend cookouts to full-on feasts, trust The Grill Guys to bring the heat! Visit grillguys417.com to learn more.

🔨 Raptor Renovations – Transform your home with Raptor Renovations, Southwest Missouri's go-to team for high-quality renovations. Whether it's a kitchen remodel, a home upgrade, or a complete overhaul, they deliver top-notch craftsmanship and stunning results. Built with care, built to last! Visit raptorrenovation.com to get started.

In this week's episode of The Unbroken Podcast, we welcome back the incredible Leslie Franklin! This marks Leslie's second appearance on the podcast, and we couldn't be more thrilled to catch up with her.

In her first interview, Leslie shared her inspiring journey in bodybuilding and powerlifting, detailing how she transitioned to CrossFit nearly nine years ago. She talked about her quest to compete at the highest levels of the sport and her role in co-founding the Phat Muscle Project. Leslie's dedication to fitness, entrepreneurship, and coaching continues to shine as she helps others achieve their goals.

This time, Leslie updates us on her ongoing coaching journey, the lessons she's learned, and the impact she's making in the lives of her clients. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just someone looking for motivation, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Shoutout to Our Sponsors!

A big thank you to our amazing sponsors who help make The Unbroken Podcast possible:

The Grill Guys – Your one-stop shop for everything grilling! Whether you need top-notch supplies or are planning your next event, The Grill Guys have you covered. You can even order catered food to take your gathering to the next level. Visit grillguys417.com to learn more!

Raptor Renovations – If you're in Southwest Missouri and looking to tackle home renovation projects, look no further. Raptor Renovations is where honesty and quality meet. Check out raptorrenovation.com to see what they can do for you!