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Every episode
Next Rung Radio
30 episodes
"Turning Pain Into Purpose " - Featuring Survivor Advocate Evane Stoner
Ep 37 · Aug 11, 2026 · 25 min
What if your greatest pain became the foundation for your life's purpose? In this inspiring episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with entrepreneur, interior designer, chocolatier, and survivor advocate Evan Stoner. From building Nashville's beloved Poppy & Peep Chocolate to designing unforgettable spaces, Evan shares how resilience, creativity, and faith have shaped every chapter of her journey. She opens up about overcoming childhood trauma, why her therapist taught her to "talk abo…
" Breaking Your False Identity" - Featuring Author & Speaker Doug Dane
Ep 36 · Aug 4, 2026 · 42 min
How much of your life is being controlled by a story that was never true? In this deeply moving episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with self-image expert, author, and speaker Doug Dane to uncover how childhood trauma, abuse, shame, and self-doubt can quietly shape an entire lifetime. Doug shares his remarkable journey from surviving unimaginable abuse to discovering that there was never anything wrong with him—only mistaken beliefs that needed to be replaced with truth. Together, R…
"Faith Fueled Country Dreams" - Featuring Rising Country Star Noah Hunton
Ep 35 · Jul 14, 2026 · 27 min
What does it take to chase a dream that started at 15 years old and never let go? Country artist Noah Hutton returns to Next Rung Radio to share what has changed since his last visit, including getting married, releasing new music, opening for major artists, and navigating the highs and lows of the music business. From sleeping in the uncertainty of "what's next" to stepping onto stages with unwavering faith, Noah opens up about the sacrifices, setbacks, and blessings that continue to shape his…
Built on Smoke & Grit - Featuring Owner of Honeyfire BBQ Ben Claybaker
Ep 34 · Jul 2, 2026 · 35 min
What does it take to turn a backyard smoker into one of Nashville’s most recognized barbecue brands? In this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with entrepreneur and HoneyFire BBQ founder Ben Claybakerto discuss the real story behind building a thriving restaurant business from the ground up. From working at a small-town barbecue restaurant in Arkansas to opening multiple locations across Nashville, Ben shares the lessons, failures, risks, and victories that shaped his entrepreneur…
Marriage On The Road Aint Easy - Featuring October Rose
Ep 33 · Jun 16, 2026 · 27 min
In this heartfelt episode of Next Rung Radio Podcast, Ron Creech sits down with husband-and-wife country duo Leanne Wise and Derek Allen of October Rose to talk about building a life, family, and music career together through faith, grit, and unwavering commitment. From meeting at a small New Jersey gig to touring across the country with their daughter, the duo opens up about navigating rejection, chasing dreams, balancing marriage with business, and learning how to define success beyond fame an…
Nashville Wasn't Always Like This - Featuring David Spicher and Wendy Newcomer
Ep 32 · Jun 9, 2026 · 28 min
In this heartfelt and entertaining episode of Next Rung Radio Podcast, Ron Creech sits down with powerhouse musical duo Wendy Newcomer and David Spiker to talk about music, marriage, tradition, and the magic of Nashville’s legendary honky-tonk scene. From performing at the iconic Robert's Western World to building a life together through music, Wendy and David share incredible stories about balancing creativity, family, touring, songwriting, and life on Broadway in Music City. The conversation d…
Why Most Artists Never Make It - Featuring Music Networking Specialist Steve Goldringer
Ep 31 · May 26, 2026 · 45 min
In this deeply inspiring and wisdom-filled episode of Next Rung Radio Podcast, Ron Creech sits down with music industry veteran, mentor, entrepreneur, and legacy-builder Steve Goldinger for an unforgettable conversation about life, purpose, resilience, and the power of relationships. From working alongside legendary artists and helping launch careers in the music industry to preserving the teachings and legacy of iconic vocal coach Renee Grant Williams, Steve shares decades of hard-earned wisdom…
Retire While You Work - Featuring Finance Phenom David Adams
Ep 30 · May 19, 2026 · 32 min
What if success wasn’t about waiting until 65 to finally enjoy your life? In this powerful episode of Next Rung Radio Podcast, Ron Creech sits down with financial expert, best-selling author, and founder of Adams Wealth Partners, David Adams, for a deeply inspiring conversation about money, purpose, legacy, and freedom. From helping overwhelmed creatives and entrepreneurs build wealth with intention to teaching families how to create meaningful memories instead of simply chasing bigger bank acco…
"Faith Through The Fight," - Featuring Model | Aesthetician Hannah King
Ep 29 · May 12, 2026 · 34 min
Some conversations aren’t polished… they’re real. And this one hits deep. Hannah Key shows up with raw honesty, opening up about the intersection of faith and mental health in a way most people are too afraid to. As a model and licensed esthetician, she’s built a life of beauty on the outside—but behind the scenes, she’s faced years of internal battles with ADHD, anxiety, and identity. This episode isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about what it looks like to keep going when your mind fee…
"California To Country Grit," - Featuring Singer | Songwriter
Ep 28 · Apr 28, 2026 · 30 min
She walked in chasing a dream… and walked out owning her voice. Presley Tennant is not just another rising country artist. She’s a force shaped by discipline, self-awareness, and the courage to pivot when something doesn’t feel real. From her early days balancing competitive soccer and music, to stepping onto the national stage of The Voice, Presley’s journey is a powerful reminder that clarity comes from experience, not perfection. In this episode, Presley opens up about the moment she stopped…
"If Heaven Had A Phone," - Featuring Artist | Entrepreneur Robert Eskridge
Ep 27 · Apr 21, 2026 · 32 min
What if one song could bring you back to the people you miss the most? Robert Eskridge is not just a country artist. He’s a storyteller shaped by real life, hard decisions, and the kind of values that never go out of style. From his Kentucky bluegrass roots to sharing stages with rising legends, Robert built his journey through passion, family, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way. In this episode, Robert opens up about stepping away from music at a pivotal moment to priorit…
Built At Full Speed - Featuring Jeffrey Gaccione Owner of Kart Plex Racing
Ep 26 · Apr 14, 2026 · 28 min
What happens when a father’s curiosity turns into a world class destination? Jeffrey Gassioni did not just discover kart racing through his son. He saw a bigger vision. What started with loading a few karts into a trailer and exploring tracks around the country became Music City KartPlex, a high level racing experience built from the ground up in Tennessee. In this episode, Jeffrey shares how he walked away from the security of corporate life, trusted his entrepreneurial instincts, and transform…
Strength Through Adversity - Featuring Award Winning Entrepreneur Jill Brooks
Ep 25 · Mar 31, 2026 · 28 min
What happens when life suddenly forces you to slow down and rebuild everything you thought was certain? Jill Brooks knows that moment well. After years of performing music across the country and building a thriving career, she received a life changing medical diagnosis that completely shifted her daily life. But instead of letting it define her, she chose to keep moving forward one day at a time. Today Jill leads an award winning beauty bar in Columbia, Tennessee while navigating a rare and seri…
She Laughed Through Heartbreak - Featuring Comedian Brinn Daniels
Ep 24 · Mar 24, 2026 · 36 min
What do you do when life is breaking your heart and the fight feels endless? Brynn Daniels found laughter in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of her life. While walking through a painful custody battle, family stress, and emotional exhaustion, comedy became more than a stage for her. It became a lifeline. What started as a stand up class turned into a powerful outlet for healing, hope, and helping others breathe again. In this episode, Brynn shares how faith carried her through fear, how…
From Open Mic to 400 Songs - Featuring Olivia Frances
Ep 23 · Mar 17, 2026 · 28 min
What does it take to write more than 400 songs and still chase the next one? Singer songwriter Olivia Francis has been following her inner voice since she picked up a piano at six years old. From open mic nights in Cincinnati to building a career in Nashville, she has turned courage, discipline, and relentless creativity into a growing catalog of music that blends folk, pop, and the beauty of the natural world. In this conversation, Olivia shares how songwriting became her compass, how meditatio…
"Inside a Neurodivergent Songwriter" - Featuring Singer Songwriter Ford Cooper
Ep 22 · Mar 10, 2026 · 27 min
What if music had colors? Songwriter and artist Ford Cooper experiences music in a way that most people never will. Sounds become colors. Melodies become emotion. Lyrics become pictures in his mind. What some might call neurodivergence, Ford calls a creative superpower. In this fascinating conversation, Ford opens up about how he writes songs by visualizing sound, using color as an emotional compass while crafting melodies and lyrics. He shares how working with top tier producers and Grammy winn…
Laughter Leads To Learning - Featuring Anti Bullying Mentor Dr. Jay Banks
Ep 21 · Feb 10, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
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…
"From Prison To Purpose," Featuring Men of Valor Advocate Jay Austin
Ep 20 · Feb 3, 2026 · 39 min
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 lov…
The Space Between The Notes - Featuring America Lead Guitarist Bill Worrell
Ep 19 · Jan 27, 2026 · 30 min
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 less…
From Blake Shelton's "Austin" To Global Impact - Featuring Songwriting Icon Kirsti Manna
Ep 18 · Jan 20, 2026 · 44 min
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…
"He Cracked The Viral Code" - Featuring Content Creator Donald Jenkins
Ep 17 · Jan 13, 2026 · 49 min
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, practic…
"From Addiction To Redemption," Featuring Author Cathy A. Lewis
Ep 16 · Jan 6, 2026 · 44 min
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 in…
"From Murals To Music"- Featuring Dean Tomasek
Ep 15 · Dec 30, 2025 · 21 min
This 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 w…
"From Needle To Legend," - Featuring Fashion Icon Manuel
Ep 14 · Dec 23, 2025 · 33 min
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 wo…
"He Got Paid To Blow Things Up" - Featuring Rockstar Pyromaniac Rand Bast
Ep 13 · Dec 16, 2025 · 31 min
Get ready for an explosive episode, literally. In this week’s Next Rung Radio Podcast, we sit down with pyrotechnics mastermind Randy Bast, the man behind the fire, sparks, and spectacle for rock legends like KISS, AC/DC, Rush, and even NASCAR and HBO. From lighting his first fuse at just 18 to creating jaw-dropping stage effects across 40+ countries, Randy’s journey is one of grit, passion, and pure rock ‘n’ roll chaos. He opens up about his early hustle as a concert promoter, life on tour with…
"From Tootsies To Number Ones" - Featuring Hit Songwriter Trey Bruce
Ep 12 · Dec 9, 2025 · 34 min
From a Memphis drum kit to Emmy wins and multiple No. 1 hits, Trey Bruce has spent decades shaping songs and artists who shape the culture. In this wide-open conversation, Trey explains how he turns a spark into a song people actually feel, why “vernacular” matters when writing for different voices, and how he can tell fast when someone’s a real artist. We dig into development vs. radio, why great artists don’t have to write everything they sing, and how streaming built a thriving “middle class”…
"From Rock Bottom To The Boardroom" - Featuring Jamie Creech CEO of Creech Ladders
Ep 11 · Dec 2, 2025 · 33 min
Strict rules. Crushing perfectionism. A decade tangled in opioids. A failed marriage. And the day she found her father after an overdose. By every measure, Jamie Creech had reasons to stop climbing. Instead, she chose the hard path...the one with treatment, truth, and rebuilding. In this raw, hope-heavy conversation, Jamie shares how chasing acceptance turned into addiction, why grief first pulled her under, and how she reframed her father’s death into a mandate to live. We talk about owning con…
"Dirty Reps and Buzzer Hits" - Featuring Elijah "The Boss Ninja" Browning
Ep 10 · Nov 25, 2025 · 34 min
He built his first obstacles with his grandpa on weekends, bled on monkey bars he couldn’t cross, and years later placed Top 10 on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior at just 16. Now 20, Nashville native Elijah “Boss Ninja” Browning has competed across 34 states and 4 countries, coaches a podium-stacked youth team, builds full courses, and turns passion into business—from merch to sports-card investing. In this high-energy conversation, Elijah breaks down how to love the grind, why “dirty reps” beat hi…
"Turkey Fries & Tour Life" - Featuring Chuck Pursel (The Man Behind The Curtain)
Ep 9 · Nov 18, 2025 · 34 min
What really powers a world-class tour? In this episode, Ron sits down with veteran tour and artist manager Chuck Pursel, a behind-the-scenes force with 30+ years in live entertainment. From production tents at sunrise to settlements after midnight, Chuck has worn nearly every hat on the road: stage manager, production manager, tour manager and he’s learned the secret to longevity: keep your cool, build a family, and be a good human. He shares how a single moment watching a beaming worker at a ro…
"Mom, Hitmaker & Host" - Featuring Sirius XM's Danielle Peck
Ep 8 · Nov 11, 2025 · 39 min
From singing Johnny Cash at three to hosting SiriusXM Y2 Country (Ch. 57), Danielle Peck has lived the full arc of country music—bars, churches, buses that broke down in every state, and arena tours that tested every ounce of grit. In this candid sit-down, Danielle opens up about being discovered by Scott Borchetta, cutting sides at DreamWorks, becoming the flagship female at Big Machine Records, and launching with the no-apologies single “Jesus Loves You, I Don’t.” She talks motherhood, faith-b…
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