Next Rung Radio

What if the darkest chapter of your life could become the very thing that helps someone else survive theirs? On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with Alexa Bast, communications and public relations professional, social media creator, survivor, and advocate working to raise awareness about human trafficking across Tennessee. Alexa shares an incredibly personal story of growing up feeling isolated, being bullied, and eventually becoming vulnerable to grooming that led to tr...

On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with artist, entrepreneur, wife, and mother DeAnn Hebert, whose remarkable journey proves that extraordinary careers rarely begin with extraordinary circumstances. Armed with nothing more than a God-given gift, a dream, and a $200 Costco tent, Deanne stepped into her very first art festival with no gallery, no agent, no connections, and no guarantee anyone would buy a single painting. That first $50 sale didn't make her rich... It...

What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want isn't talent, opportunity, or even money but the quality of the decisions you're making? On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with entrepreneur, best-selling author, award-winning music producer, songwriter, and decision-making strategist R.W. “JoJo” Hill for a powerful conversation about clarity, purpose, talent, faith, and the choices that ultimately shape our lives. After more than three decades in mus...

What happens when the person making everyone laugh is carrying a story nobody can see? On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with comedian, writer, and author Ashley Brooke Corby for a deeply personal conversation about comedy, trauma, faith, forgiveness, and finding purpose on the other side of pain. Ashley shares how stand-up comedy unexpectedly became part of her healing journey, how confronting painful memories changed the direction of her life, and why her relationship...

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 "t...

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...

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 h...

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 entrepren...

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...

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 conversatio...

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 wis...

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 a...

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 ...

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 stopp...

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 prio...

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 transf...

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 s...

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, ...

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 medita...

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 w...

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....

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 ...

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 l...

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 intuit...

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, prac...

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 fr...

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, eve...

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 ador...

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 w...

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 cla...

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 ...

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...

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...

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, fait...

On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Audra McLaughlin (NBC’s The Voice, Season 6) brings raw honesty and undeniable power. From on-set bloopers to a goosebump performance of her new song “Hate Being Me,” Audra opens up about self-talk, body image, faith, and the daily fight to choose grace over criticism. It’s a vulnerable, victorious look at how scars, setbacks, and second chances can shape a voice that refuses to break. This conversation centers on self-acceptance and resilience, the inner b...

On this episode of Next Rung Radio, we shine a light on the magnetic duo Beck and Call. Becca Bradley and Chris Call each walked through the fires of solo artistry, carrying both the scars and the lessons of going it alone. But when they came together, something electric sparked — haunting cello lines intertwined with soulful vocals, pop sensibilities fusing with blues grit, and lyrics that live in the tension between faith, love, and life’s gray areas. Their story isn’t just about music; it’...

On this rung of Next Rung Radio, we welcome Ryan Weaver, U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot turned country music firebrand. After losing his brother (KIA) and later his brother-in-law in combat, Ryan chose purpose over paralysis, turning grief into fuel. From karaoke contests and writing songs in the desert to standing center stage at Madison Square Garden, the Grand Ole Opry with Charlie Daniels, and headlining PBR arena shows as their patriotic voice, his story is equal parts sacrifice, grit, and m...

On this rung of Next Rung Radio, we spotlight a visionary who stepped into the music industry not as an artist, but as the strategist who could see what was broken and dared to fix it. Mike Castronovo built his career in wealth management and international markets, mastering numbers the way musicians master notes. But when his daughter pursued music at Belmont, he quickly realized just how flawed and unfair the system was for creators. What started as frustration turned into revelation—and fr...

On this rung of Next Rung Radio, we sit down with powerhouse vocalist, hit songwriter, author, and two-time cancer survivor David Staton. From singing on gospel stages at the age of six to penning Grammy-nominated songs for some of the biggest names in the genre, David’s life has been defined not just by music but by resilience, faith, and a relentless pursuit of truth. He’s filled in for gospel royalty, shared stages from Branson to national television, and written the book When God Says No....

On this rung of Next Rung Radio, we welcome a man whose fingerprints are all over some of the biggest names in music. David Browning has spent more than 30 years as a producer, performer, and songwriter, working alongside artists like Katy Perry, Natalie Grant, and C.C. Winans. But his story goes far beyond studio walls and stages. He’s walked hand in hand with his wife through cancer, navigated personal battles, endured legal storms, and found himself tested in every direction and yet still ...

Welcome to the very first official episode of Next Rung Radio Podcast, where every rung on the ladder is another step toward purpose, power, and resilience. To kick off this journey, we’re joined by country artist and survivor Cayden Gillard — a man who embodies what it means to rise through adversity. From a leukemia diagnosis at just 14, to picking up a guitar in a hospital room, to chasing rodeo dreams, breaking bones, and eventually breaking through in the music industry — Cayden’s story ...