Bret Betz MD is a physician at the University of Cincinnati Health specializing in orthopaedics, sports medicine, and emergency medicine. It was his interest in sports medicine that led him to become the team physician for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was on the field January 2 when Damar Hamlin went down and laid unconsciousness on the field as 23 million fans watched across the country. It was a moment he and his team were prepared for due to their game day routines, discipline, years of training, and life experiences. At the age of 10, Bret tragically lost his father in a plane crash and always desired to not only make his father proud, but to do something positive with that pain. He was drawn to emergency medicine where he is board certified with a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in sports medicine. As a result of the care given to Damar, Bret and the medical team who worked together on January 2 were honored at the Super Bowl. Damar was present and gave a heartfelt speech. Listen in to learn more about Bret’s career, his family, and how gratitude plays a role in his life. You can tune in here or watch here. 

The work to become a priest is not easy but it is full of joy as you will see with this conversation with Brother Andrew. Brother Andrew Torrey is in his last year of 14 years of formation with the Legionaries of Christ in Rome. In the spring of 2024, he will be ordained and assigned to a parish somewhere else in the world.  For many of us, 14 years of religious study and the anxiety of an unknown future living location might seem overwhelming. But Brother Andrew is putting his trust in God and knows that his purpose, his calling and the real work to become a priest is about helping others get to Heaven (his eternal impact). Brother Andrew is a terrific representation of the future of the Catholic Church and proof of how Church leaders are changing. Brother Andrew comfortably and wisely addresses many of the questions, the obstacles and the misconceptions that some see hindering the growth of the church such as the priest scandals and shortages. Brother advises that God is love and addressing weakness is a strength of Jesus! Brother Andrew also talks more about how we can all grow through our faith and our challenges on his podcast, Pause and Play (also on Facebook). In addition, you can catch him on an episode of Many Hail Marys, where he prays the Rosary and then shares more about his personal faith journey in the second half of the show. You can listen to Matt’s interview here or you view the interview online.

Newly published author Hannah Schermerhorn was two months away from her wedding day in 2014 when she ended the engagement. She was embarrassed, felt shame and was let down because she wanted all the richness and joy that comes from married life. Learning to embrace being single was a transition that was aided heavily by her faith and her strong upbringing. Her experience inspired her to write her first book for any others facing similar challenges. Hannah discovered countless lessons and tools that she wished she had known before her journey began and lays them out beautifully in “A Single Life to Live: Stop Waiting for Your Life to Begin and Thrive Where God has You Today.” The book is available on Amazon or you can also go to her website for more info. Her ability to hand over the struggle to God and her work to find peace and purpose paid off as Hannah married Josh in November 2022. Listen or watch here to hear more details about Hannah’s story and her new book.  

Chris Gathers is a brain cancer warrior and after the successful removal of his tumor, decided to do something to shake up his daily routine.  Inspired by a best friend, he started an Instagram page @culminationpoint in which he posts regular messages about surviving brain cancer, trauma and lessons learned about healing and growth. As the title of his page suggests, it came down to a choice of either status quo or shedding the past and recreating. As a Regional Vice President for Nationwide Insurance (focusing on Life), Chris understands the value of planning and is doing all he can as a husband and father of two girls to make every day count. His messages come from his experiences, his heart, and are a result of fighting through crisis and adversity. Prior to cancer, Chris grew up around divorce, depression, mental health issues and anxiety that took many years to accept, unravel and pull out the needed guideposts. The lessons he shares are universal in their application and will remind any listener of how we can connect through our challenges. Enjoy this candid conversation with Matt here or view it on YouTube. 

After releasing 56 shows over two and one-half years, the With Gratitude Matt show honors former guests by asking them to check in with their latest gratitude list and honors listeners by asking them to share highlights from past shows. With each episode, the intent is always to pass along life lessons, share stories that people can connect with, and talk about the power of gratitude, faith, and community in overcoming challenges. With this episode, we reflect on the show’s journey so far and take inventory of what we have right now to help all of us to prepare and succeed in 2023. Blessings to all our current and future listeners. You may enjoy this episode best by viewing on YouTube - https://youtu.be/FlZuE05XizM

Kathy and her husband Dave Leurck are the proud parents of 3 children, Andrew, Audrey, and Alexandra. As parents, we of course all hope that our children are born and develop perfectly. But sometimes God has other plans and our dreams change. In Drew’s early years, it was discovered he had special needs and his family did everything they could to understand his condition and “fix it”. However, as time passed and his growth and abilities were better understood, the family came to accept who Drew is and how God made him. This led to his family celebrating everything Drew was teaching them, from how to love more, to having more compassion and patience, and to just appreciating the small and simple things in life. At the age of 7, Drew began drawing rainbows everyday for him mom (he has now drawn over 8000!). This gave Kathy the idea to make a small card that included a picture of one of the rainbows, a snapshot of Drew, and a message that “you’re special.” Since printing the original batch, Drew has handed out over 18,000 cards and made so many others smile. The experiences that came from handing out the cards inspired Kathy to write a book, titled, You're Special: Daily Reflections from God's Children with Exceptionalities, released on December 11, 2022. It is a daily devotional that features Drew and many others with exceptionalities. You can also see some of Drew’s artwork via their foundation, Drew’s Rainbows, where they are helping other artists make a living as thriving artists. Enjoy this uplifting conversation with Matt and Kathy as she shares more about their journey and her realization that we all are quite perfect just as we are. The book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble where you will have the opportunity to embrace 365 days of reflections and embrace Drew's purposeful words: "You're Special." You can also view the video of this interview here -  https://youtu.be/gdVcdvGINso

Jonathon Sams is no stranger to fighting adversity in his life. When he was 14 he was diagnosed with cancer the first time, then again when he was 39, and for a third time in the spring of 2022. He is a loving husband and father of 4 who sees overcoming cancer as one of his many roles in life. Now, after 3 battles with the disease, he is in a position where he can help others with fear when facing cancer treatment or any big life obstacle. His positive outlook is infectious and also just a choice he makes every day to make that day, awesome. During his last treatment in May 2022 at the University of Cincinnati Medical center, Jonathon got the idea while walking the hospital hallways to go a mile. The distance kept increasing until he decided to take on a marathon distance. With an IV still attached and friends supporting him all over the country, Jonathon walked that marathon (check out the local news footage here). He says it was a “a marathon of purpose” and a tribute to the staff at UC Medical and elsewhere who walk marathons every day, making every day worthwhile. Listen to the podcast to learn more about Jonathon’s journey, his beautiful approach to every day and how he and his family are prepared for that next life challenge that comes their way. You can also view the interview on Youtube -  https://youtu.be/IJqqGta9xys.

Chris Norton’s story and the person he is today truly define inspiration. You can find details of his journey from many sources including NBC NEWS, People Magazine, or the film made about his achievements titled, “7 Yards” (on Netflix). In 2010, Chris suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury while playing football for Luther College his freshman year. Paralyzed from the neck down, he was given just a three percent chance of recovery. Not one to back down from a challenge, Chris chose to fight and slowly regained feeling in his limbs and then made walking again his new goal. Just 5 years later, after many years off therapy and efforts to regain his strength, he walked across the stage to accept his college diploma with the help of his fiancé Emily. He followed this walk with a 7 yard walk down the aisle to wed Emily in 2018. Since then, 8 kids have been added to their family and Chris is now a motivational speaker, traveling the world helping others deal with adversity. Listen in as Matt and Chris talk more about his story, the work his does now, his faith, and the foundation started in his name. If you’d like to learn more about Chris, the foundation or the true definition of inspiration, please visit their website - https://chrisnorton.org
You can view the video version of this episode here.

Staying strong through a crisis is never easy. To endure and get to the other side of not one, but many hurdles, takes perseverance and the ability to lean on a solid foundation of character. For Dan deStefano, his strong upbringing where virtues where instilled by parents, friends, and the neighborhood and where a relationship with God was always part of the picture, he managed to sustain a series of hits and land in a better spot.  Dan is Co-Owner of West Chester Hardwood Flooring, Partner/Owner at DeStefano Brothers Remodeling, and President of DeStefano Homes and leads sales, marketing, and business operations and development. He is married with 3 kids and has created a life where he has learned to balance his demands, nurture his faith, and find fulfillment in helping and being a man for others. Dan and Matt’s life-long friendship lays the groundwork for the sharing of old stories, new lessons, and how gratitude is leading the way. Listen here or check out the video version of the interview here -  https://youtu.be/ZHJD6Snrqqw

After graduation from college, Susan Fulton was searching, as many of us do, for purpose and a path to follow. While her faith had always been part of her life and been a foundation, it did not necessarily provide a light. She was a perfectionist in which fulfillment came more from order and control. But shortly into her marriage to Rich, she turned over control to God and allowed her faith to become more than just a spoke in the wheel, but rather the steering wheel. With this change, came more joy and purpose, but the challenges were just beginning. Susan and Rich endured a laborious time while starting their family of finding how their faith would lead them as a couple and how their career fit into the puzzle. New England Urban Church Planting landed in the Fulton path and has provided those answers and been a workplace for both Susan and Rich. Since joining, Susan has been able to shepherd many in the church as the Director of Coaching and Care and outside the church with own coaching business, Susan Fulton Life Coaching. Her patience, strength, ability to listen and incredibly kind and generous nature invite the Holy Spirit into many conversations while working to assist women going through major life challenges and transitions. Matt and Susan also talk through how gratitude can help our journey as we step through challenges such as being a caregiver for aging parents. Susan, and her 6 brothers and sisters, all work together to support and care compassionately for their mother and father as they battle dementia and various ailments. It is not something that can be done alone and Susan’s suggestions will help anyone looking for more answers on how to navigate the role of caregiver. Enjoy Susan’s story and contact her through her website if you are interested in her life coaching services. For the video version of the interview, click here.