In this episode of the You Matter podcast, host Shane Stanford interviews siblings Vivian and Josiah O'Neal. Vivian, the former Miss Mississippi and founder of capABLE and Josiah, a college student at the University of Southern Mississippi who has a rare muscular disease, share their inspiring stories. They discuss their relationship as siblings, Josiah's experiences as a student with disabilities, and the impact of Vivian's nonprofit organization, capABLE which promotes disability inclusion in education. Vivian and Josiah also share their personal journeys, the importance of advocacy and mentorship, and how faith has influenced their journeys. They emphasize the need for broader awareness and understanding of disabilities in society and encourage others to reach out and include those who's stories might look different than ours.

00:00 Welcome to the You Matter Podcast

01:01 Meet Vivian and Josiah O'Neal

02:13 Josiah's Journey and College Life

03:09 The CAPABLE Initiative

05:18 Challenges and Social Barriers

12:26 Faith and Personal Growth

17:38 Josiah's Big Day: The Children's Book

21:57 Final Thoughts and Reflections

More From Vivian O'Neal:

https://www.capablecurriculum.com/about

Instagram : @ohhvivv

Josiah's Big Day : https://www.capablecurriculum.com/shop/

To Contact Vivian : [email protected]

Shane's Instagram: ⁠@drshanestanford⁠

Shane's Website: ⁠shanestanford.com⁠

Podcast Edited by Bryant Thaxton

In this episode of the You Matter podcast, our host, Shane Stanford, and his co-author Anthony Thaxton discuss the themes in their new book, 'Unfailing: Stumbling into God's Unlimited Goodness.' They explore the lessons derived from biblical stories of failure, the profound impact of working on the book for nearly a decade, and how overcoming failure is a crucial part of spiritual growth. The episode highlights the importance of storytelling, the value of discussing personal failures, and how God uses these experiences for greater purposes. Anthony also shares insights on his work with the Institute for Southern Storytelling and reflects on the influence stories and storytelling in his own life. The conversation emphasizes that even the failures in our stories matter, and finding hope in Jesus is essential to stumbling our way into God's unlimited goodness.

00:00 Welcome to the You Matter Podcast

00:30 Introducing the Book Project

01:15 The Journey of Collaboration

01:59 Overcoming Failure and Finding Redemption

05:38 Biblical Stories of Failure and Redemption

09:55 The Power of Storytelling

18:26 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned

28:53 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Purchase a copy of Un-failing: Stumbling Our Way into God’s Unlimited Goodness here.

More From Anthony Thaxton:

southernstorytelling.mc.edu

thaxtonstudios.com

servantschool.com

To Contact Anthony Thaxton : [email protected]

Shane's Instagram: ⁠@drshanestanford⁠

Shane's Website: ⁠shanestanford.com⁠

Edited by Bryant Thaxton

In this episode of the You Matter podcast our host, Shane Stanford emphasizes the transformative power Jesus in our stories. He reflects on personal, spiritual and biblical narratives, stressing the importance of understanding and embracing one's own story in light of the gospel. Shane recounts encounters and power of Jesus in the lives of the marginalized, illustrating how their stories were transformed. Shane touches on themes of failure, redemption, and the ongoing nature of our stories. H reminds listeners of the power of Jesus in our stories, and that everyone's story matters in the Kingdom of God.

00:00 Introduction and Recap

00:30 The Power of Story in the Gospel

01:50 Personal Reflections on Jesus as a Friend

02:54 Challenges and Misconceptions in Church Traditions

03:51 Eugene Peterson and the Accessibility of the Bible

06:22 Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

10:29 Failures and Redemption in the Bible

12:12 The Importance of Sharing Your Story

14:15 Facing Life's Challenges with Faith

18:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the You Matter podcast, Shane Stanford introduces the new season focused on the significance of our stories and why they matter. Shane updates listeners about his recent health challenges, including a stroke and the need for surgery, while sharing how his faith and chronic illnesses have impacted his own story. He discusses the emotional experience of dealing with hardships, the importance of gratitude and forgiveness, and how personal and biblical stories intersect to provide hope and direction in Jesus. Shane emphasizes that every individual's story matters and encouraged listeners to share and celebrate their own narratives as part of their spiritual journey.

00:00 Introduction to the Season

00:56 Personal Health Update

02:39 Faith and Family

03:51 The Power of Story

05:27 Scriptural Reflections

08:03 Living Your Story

12:10 Gratitude and Forgiveness

15:54 Celebrating and Sharing Stories

20:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Shane's Instagram: @drshanestanford

Shane's Website: shanestanford.com

Edited by Bryant Thaxton

In this insightful episode of the You Matter podcast, host Shane Stanford sits down with Jeff Jones and Mike Hogan, co-authors of "Rebranding Christianity." They explore the evolving brand of Christianity, discussing why it's losing relevance and how it can regain its influence. With their unique perspectives, Jones and Hogan share strategies to reconnect with modern society and make faith meaningful in today's world. Whether you're a devout believer or simply curious about the intersection of faith and culture, this episode offers thought-provoking ideas on the future of Christianity.

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Join Shane Stanford as he hosts Grace Valentine in an inspiring episode of You Matter. Grace shares her journey from struggling with insecurity to finding her faith and purpose. Her candid conversation about church, identity, and the challenges of young adulthood is both relatable and uplifting. Perfect for those seeking encouragement and insight into living a fulfilling Christian life.

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Continue to explore the intersection of chronic physical and spiritual conditions with Shane Stanford on the You Matter podcast. The 2nd part of The Cure for the Chronic Life episode features key lessons from Shane's book, "The Cure for the Chronic Life," emphasizing the power of compassion and walking in others' shoes. Shane discusses how these principles can lead to personal growth and a greater connection with the divine. 

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Join Shane Stanford on the You Matter podcast as he explores the profound connection between spiritual and physical health in our chronic struggles. In this episode, Shane shares personal stories and insights from his book, "The Cure for the Chronic Life," co-authored with Deanna Favre. Discover how faith and understanding can transform the way we handle life's persistent challenges.

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This week on You Matter, Shane Stanford, our host, is sitting down with Dr. Tim Tennent, for a rich conversation on everything from the transformative nature of global evangelism to leadership as his time as President of Asbury Seminary is coming to a close. Shane and Dr. Tennent discuss his approach to interfaith dialogue, his strategies for spreading the Gospel in predominantly Hindu areas, and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of global Christianity. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis of the complexities of faith, culture, and theological education with a seasoned expert.

Shane Stanford and the JourneyWise Network are also excited to be welcoming Dr. Tim Tennent on as a board member of the Moore-West Center. This is a truly special addition to the board, as Dr. Tennent brings with him a rich evangelical and theological background that we are excited to be guiding and leading this organization into our next season. 

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In this week’s episode of the You Matter podcast, Shane is back with the second part of "Words to Live By," getting to the heart of finding purpose and significance in the everyday and making life matter. Drawing from his book and personal stories, including a profound conversation with his grandfather during a life-changing diagnosis, Shane illuminates the path to living a life full of meaning, one day at a time. Discover how simple acts of kindness and daily decisions can lead to a life that truly matters in God's kingdom.

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