From childhood trauma and losing his mother at 10, to inspiring audiences across 45 states, Dr. Jay Banks proves that faith, humor, and imagination can heal even the deepest scars. He's written for Disney Productions, appeared on Nickelodeon and Hallmark, and created the award-winning “I Am Unafraid” anti-bullying movement. In this conversation, Dr. Jay shares how comedy became survival, why windows of the heart open when we laugh, and how God can use anyone— even the broken— to change lives. We dig into parenting, suicide prevention, education’s biggest failures, and what it really takes to raise confident, unstoppable kids. This episode is loud, honest, emotional, and unforgettable.

Episode Highlights

• National educator and entertainer who proves laughter can open hearts to healing and learning.
• Believes if kids laugh, they listen—and if they listen, they learn.
• Created the “I Am Unafraid” anti-bullying method: avoid, find a friend, report, act confident.
• Shares how childhood trauma, faith, and imagination shaped his mission to empower the overlooked.
• Urges parents and teachers to engage, not lecture, and to protect kids through presence and accountability.

To Learn more about Dr Jay Banks visit Dr. Jay Banks

Support the show

Jay Austin’s redemption story moves from addiction, abuse, and years behind bars to a peace he can’t explain without Jesus. In this raw Nashville testimony, Jay shares the moment God “stopped him in his tracks” at a Circle K, how Men of Valor reshaped his identity in Christ, and why community, accountability, and the right voices matter. We talk suicide prevention, transforming shame into wisdom, parenting through repair, and building a purpose-driven life after prison. If you or someone you love is fighting addiction, trauma, or reentry, this faith-forward conversation is a blueprint for second chances and real change.

Episode Highlights

• From addiction, abuse, and prison to a life redeemed by surrendering fully to Christ.
• Shares the moment God stopped his suicide attempt and rewrote his future through grace.
• Talks about Men of Valor, fatherhood, and rebuilding self-worth after incarceration.
• Shows how shame becomes wisdom when placed in God’s hands and walked out in community.
• Inspires listeners to seek help, find purpose, and believe no life is too broken to be rebuilt.

Support the show

World-class guitarist and storyteller Bill Worrell (America) unpacks how imagination, discipline, and humility shape a sustainable music career. From touring with America and sharing bills with Chicago and the Beach Boys to building a YouTube audience and studying the modern music business at Berklee Online, Bill explains why rhythm and space make solos sing, how classical precision and jazz freedom sharpen feel, and what it really takes to grow in today’s industry. We dive into legacy-band lessons, social media awareness, daily practice that actually sticks, and creating unforgettable live moments that move audiences. If you play, produce, or lead creatives in Nashville and beyond, this episode is a masterclass in guitar tone, taste, and career strategy.

Episode Highlights

• Former lead guitarist for the band America who fused classical training, rock performance, and artistic restraint.
• Opens up about leaving a legacy band to pursue his own musical identity and creative ownership.
• Shares lessons on practice, discipline, and respecting every note’s purpose in songwriting and life.
• Encourages artists to choose authenticity over industry trends and to stay a student of their craft.
• Advocates using music to connect hearts, not just impress ears, with honesty, space, and intention.

To Learn More About Bill Visit Bill Worrell

Support the show

Hit songwriter and creative mentor Kirsti Manna shares the real story behind Blake Shelton’s five-week number one Austin, the faith that carried her through a college vocal setback, and the practices that turned resilience into results. We unpack her Songwriter Girl camps, why women in music need safe creative spaces, and how mentorship, goal setting, and music publishing literacy change careers. Kirsti explains her process from title-first hooks to collaborative listening, the role of intuition in the writing room, and building an indie label that’s landing Texas number ones. If you write songs, lead creatives, or want a purpose-led career in Nashville, this episode delivers playbook-ready steps.

Episode Highlights

• Nashville hit songwriter who helped launch Blake Shelton’s career with “Austin” and built her own publishing empire.
• Talks about navigating rejection, divorce, and reinvention while staying anchored in faith and creativity.
• Shares how songwriting became both her survival and her ministry during life’s darkest chapters.
• Explains why belief, resilience, and daily discipline matter more than talent in building a lasting career.
• Inspires listeners to protect their voice, trust divine timing, and keep showing up even when no one’s clapping.

To Learn more about Kirsti Visit Kirsti Manna

Support the show

Entrepreneur and viral creator Donald Jenkins built a digital empire reaching billions of views without a blueprint—just belief, storytelling, and persistence. In this episode, he breaks down the attention formula, mastering watch time, and how faith fuels consistency when motivation runs dry. Donald shares his journey from Nashville Hits Collecting Dust to social media success and now using his platform to fight child exploitation through Operation Light Shine. This conversation is raw, practical, and a must for anyone building a brand, platform, or purpose-driven life.

Episode Highlights

• Built millions of followers by turning rejection, curiosity, and humor into a career in creative storytelling and branding.
• Opens up about walking away from podcasting, losing identity, and rebuilding with purpose rather than performance.
• Reveals how tragedy, therapy, and faith helped him heal perfectionism and rediscover joy in creating.
• Shares strategies for standing out online by leaning into authenticity, not algorithms or imitation.
• Encourages listeners to risk being seen, start before they’re ready, and create from who they are—not for validation.

To learn more about Donald visit. Donald Jenkins

Support the show

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Next Rung Radio, we sit down with Cathy A. Lewis, one of America’s first female executive chefs who’s cooked for NFL, NBA, and NHL teams, music legends, and Indy 500 champions and now an award‑winning author and speaker whose story of redemption will stir your soul. From the high‑pressure chaos of the restaurant world and the heartbreak of addiction to a radical life transformation through faith, Cathy reveals how she rebuilt her identity from the inside out. Her courage to confront her past, rediscover her worth, and boldly walk away from destructive habits is nothing short of miraculous. This conversation is raw, redemptive, and real, a true masterclass in grace, resilience, and the power of saying yes to a new life.

Episode Highlights

One of America’s first female executive chefs, who cooked for elite athletes, celebrities, and music icons and then found a higher calling through faith.

Opens up about years of addiction, burnout, and searching for identity in the wrong places and how a divine encounter completely transformed her life.

Shares how recommitting to Christ turned her from survivor to servant, now using her culinary gifts to minister to those who minister.

Reveals the spiritual awakening that inspired her to write two award‑winning historical fiction books based on her father’s WWII experiences.

Encourages listeners to face their past, find their peace, and rediscover purpose through faith, forgiveness, and community.

To Learn More About Cathy Visit: Cathy A Lewis

Support the show

his week on Next Rung Radio, we dive into the colorful world of Dean Tomasek, a rare creative who’s lived multiple artistic lifetimes. From painting stage sets for Dolly Parton, Alice Cooper, and KISS, to playing bass on tour and designing murals across the country, Dean’s story is one of true resilience, humility, and raw creative fire. Hear how he shifted from supporting roles to owning his artistry, stayed grounded through feast-or-famine seasons, and built a legacy out of saying YES, even when he didn’t know how. Whether you’re torn between passions or looking for clarity in your creative path, this conversation will inspire you to trust your voice, follow your hands, and keep climbing, no matter what the canvas looks like.

Episode Highlights

From bassist to muralist: Dean shares how he carved out careers in both music and visual art.

Created legendary stage designs for Dolly Parton, Grace Potter, Alice Cooper, and even Kiss (including 6-ft muscular cat sculptures!).

Talked about carving giant stage props from Styrofoam with heat wires and rasps, pure grit and invention.

Reveals the power of diversity in creativity and the value of being a “yes man” even when the task seems impossible.

Highlights how working through the pandemic taught him to pivot and adapt using digital sales and commissioned art.

To Learn More About Dean Visit: Dean Tomasek

Support the show

In this deeply moving and iconic episode of Next Rung Radio, we sit down with Manuel Cuevas , the 92-year-old master tailor behind the looks of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Dolly Parton, and hundreds of the world’s most celebrated artists. From picking up a needle at age seven to shaping fashion history, Manuel shares how clothing isn't just fabric: it's identity, storytelling, and legacy. With poetic humility and a mischievous grin, he reminds us that true beauty lies within, he just adorns it so the world can recognize it. This isn’t just about rhinestones and runways... it’s about purpose, perseverance, and the soul of creation.

If you’ve ever doubted your gift or wondered what it means to truly love what you do, this episode is your wake-up call.

Episode Highlights

Legendary fashion designer who began sewing at age 7 and went on to dress Elvis, Johnny Cash, and even presidents.

Describes his mission not to change people but to help them feel seen and celebrated through what they wear.

Emphasized cooperation, legacy, and passion as cornerstones of longevity in any creative field.

Still creating at 92, sharing wisdom on why work doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do.

To Learn More About Manuel Visit Manuel Couture

Support the show