Episode 28: Stage 4 Cancer, Unshakable Faith & a Second Chance | John Kormalos

Host: Angela Adkins
Guest: John Kormalos | Cancer Survivor & Restaurateur

Episode Summary

What happens when a stage 4 cancer diagnosis threatens everything you've worked for?

In this inspiring episode of The Angela Adkins Podcast, Angela welcomes John Kormalos, stage 4 colon cancer survivor and owner of Karv Bistro in Kingsland, Georgia.

John shares his remarkable journey through a life-threatening diagnosis, aggressive cancer treatments, and the uncertainty of survival. Through unwavering faith, his wife's encouragement, and prayers from around the world, John found the strength to keep fighting.

From his testimony of healing to fulfilling his lifelong dream of opening a restaurant, John's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, family, perseverance, and second chances.

In This Episode

John's battle with stage 4 colon cancer and his journey to recovery.

The extraordinary power of prayer and his wife's unwavering faith.

How facing death transformed his priorities and strengthened his relationship with God.

The life-changing advice John received from his father about family and success.

Turning adversity into opportunity through the opening of Karv Bistro.

Building a restaurant centered on faith, family, food, and community.

Finding purpose, gratitude, and hope in life's most difficult seasons.

Listen & Be Inspired

Whether you're facing a personal battle, searching for renewed faith, or pursuing a dream against the odds, John's testimony offers encouragement and a reminder that your story isn't over.

Listen now, subscribe to The Angela Adkins Podcast, and share this episode with someone who could use a message of hope and encouragement.

What happens when the dream you thought would define your life suddenly disappears?

In Episode 27, Angela Adkins sits down with author and publisher Amanda Engelke to talk about broken dreams, healing, faith, writing, and finding the courage to begin again.

Amanda once planned to become a professional ballet dancer, but years of physical strain and injuries forced her to walk away from that dream. She shares how reading and writing became an outlet for her grief and eventually led to her novel, Dancing Beyond the Chains.

Amanda also opens up about church hurt, surrendering control to God, becoming homeless while seven months pregnant, and reaching a point where she had only $1 to her name.

Today, she is building Reality Xscape Publishing, a faith-aligned independent publishing company focused on clean, meaningful stories and helping authors develop not only their books, but their brands and careers.

In this episode:

• Losing a lifelong dream and learning to dream again
• The real-life inspiration behind Dancing Beyond the Chains
• Finding hope and recognizing your own worth
• Amanda Engelke’s journey through church hurt and back to faith
• Homelessness, surrender, and trusting God in uncertainty
• Why clean romance matters
• The mission behind Reality Xscape Publishing
• Why publishing a book is only the beginning
• Mentorship, branding, marketing, and building an author career
• A closing prayer for anyone who feels lost or discouraged

If you feel like a door has closed or your future no longer looks the way you imagined, this conversation is a reminder that your story is not over.

Learn more at RealityXscapePublishing.com.

Subscribe to the Angela Adkins Podcast and share this episode with someone who needs the courage to dream again.

Episode 26: She Lost Her Father to Drunk Driving—Then Turned Pain Into Purpose

In this deeply personal episode of the Angela Adkins Podcast, Angela sits down with Lauren Lee, a victim advocate and longtime Mothers Against Drunk Driving volunteer, for an honest conversation about loss, faith, responsibility, and the devastating impact of impaired driving. Angela also shares how surviving a 1987 crash caused by a drunk driver shaped her own journey of faith and advocacy.

Lauren shares the heartbreaking story of losing her father after he drove intoxicated—and how that tragedy affected her family, challenged her faith, and ultimately gave her a new sense of purpose. Rather than allowing grief to have the final word, Lauren chose to speak out, educate others, support victims, and use her story in hopes of saving lives.

Angela and Lauren also discuss the work of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Victim Impact Panels, supporting survivors, and the importance of personal responsibility. They challenge the common belief that someone can simply “handle their alcohol,” explaining that eating, drinking water, or drinking coffee does not immediately remove alcohol’s effects—time is the critical factor.

In this episode:

Lauren shares the story of losing her father to impaired driving

Finding purpose and strengthening faith through unimaginable grief

Turning personal tragedy into advocacy and education

The impact of Victim Impact Panels

Why impaired driving affects far more than the person behind the wheel

Common misconceptions about alcohol and impairment

The importance of making transportation plans before drinking

Why stepping in when someone is about to drive impaired could save a life

The mission of MADD: No More Victims

If you choose to drink, make the decision ahead of time not to drive. Choose a designated driver, Uber, Lyft, taxi, friend, or family member—and if you see someone impaired preparing to drive, don’t be afraid to intervene. One difficult conversation could save multiple lives.

Your choices matter. Your life matters. And you may have the opportunity to save someone else’s life.

Like, share, and follow the Angela Adkins Podcast to help this message reach someone who needs to hear it.