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.

Episode 25: Faith in the Public Square with Mike Griffin

What does it really mean for Christians to be salt and light in today’s culture?

In this episode of The Angela Adkins Podcast, Angela sits down with Mike Griffin, Public Affairs Representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. After more than 35 years in pastoral ministry, Mike now works in the public arena, representing biblical values and religious freedom issues at the Georgia State Capitol.

Angela and Mike discuss why faith shouldn’t stop at the church doors and how believers can become informed, intentional, and engaged without losing sight of the Gospel.

From voting and government to biblical worldview, religious freedom, relationships, and sharing Christ with others, this conversation challenges Christians to consider how their faith influences every area of life.

In This Episode:

What it means to be salt and light in today’s culture

Mike’s journey from the pulpit to the public square

Why Christians should understand the issues affecting their communities

The importance of biblical worldview

Why your voice and participation can make a difference

How Christians should approach voting and candidates

Why believers should pray for leaders—even those they disagree with

The importance of protecting religious freedom

How to stand firmly for truth while still showing love and grace

Why sharing the Gospel remains at the heart of Christian engagement

Mike reminds us that making a difference doesn’t always require a platform or political position. It begins by faithfully using the influence God has already given you.

Be informed. Be intentional. Be engaged. Be salt and light.

🎧 Listen to the full episode and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

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The Angela Adkins Podcast — where faith meets healing and God’s purpose for your life brings radiant joy in every step of your journey.

God Hasn’t Changed His Mind About You | Pastor Wayne Anderson

Angela Adkins welcomes Pastor Wayne Anderson back to the podcast for an encouraging conversation about faith, purpose, perseverance and trusting God’s timing.

Together, they reflect on the growth of the Angela Adkins Podcast and the unexpected doors God has opened since their first conversation about Angela’s book, Miracle Road. Pastor Wayne shares the message that God gives each person a purpose, a plan, a process and a position—but it is often during the process that people become frustrated, distracted or tempted to compare their journey to someone else’s.

Angela also discusses the inspiration behind A Father’s Fire and the lasting faith legacy of her father. His life demonstrates how one person’s relationship with God can influence an entire family and continue reaching future generations.

Angela and Pastor Wayne speak honestly about grief, unanswered prayers, anger and difficult seasons that can test a believer’s faith. Pastor Wayne reminds listeners that God can use those experiences to prepare them to strengthen and encourage someone else.

They also explore how phones and technology can distract us from studying Scripture, hearing the Holy Spirit and recognizing opportunities to minister to the people around us. Pastor Wayne shares why believers must build their faith through prayer, God’s Word and personal time with Himnot technology alone.

The conversation also covers spiritual gifts, serving without seeking recognition, protecting your peace, setting healthy boundaries and understanding that everyone should not have unlimited access to your life.

Pastor Wayne closes with encouragement for anyone carrying a dream that feels delayed: God has not forgotten you, and He has not changed His mind about the gifts and calling He placed inside you. Keep trusting Him, remain faithful through the process and listen for the voices God sends to help guide your path.

In This Episode

* God’s purpose, plan, process and position

* Trusting God when progress feels slow

The faith legacy behind A Father’s Fire*

* Overcoming grief, anger and unanswered prayers

* Why difficult seasons can strengthen your testimony

* The spiritual dangers of constant phone distractions

* Building faith through Scripture and prayer

* Recognizing and using your God-given gifts

* Protecting your peace and setting boundaries

* Holding onto a God-given dream

* A closing prayer for restored joy, direction and open doors

Discover Angela Adkins’ Books

🔥 A Father’s Fire

https://a.co/d/0ioUbhGi

🛣️ Miracle Road

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1640886648

Order your copies and discover powerful stories of faith, healing, restoration, perseverance and God’s faithfulness.

What happens when a life-changing diagnosis becomes the beginning of a new purpose?

In this inspiring episode of the Angela Adkins Podcast, Angela welcomes author and wellness educator Tracy Fettinger, author of I Have MS, But It Doesn’t Have Me: My Journey to Wellness with an Autoimmune Disease.

Tracy shares how unexplained numbness, tingling, and other symptoms eventually led to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in her 30s. Although the diagnosis brought fear and uncertainty, she refused to let MS define her identity or determine the rest of her life.

Through faith, prayer, personal research, medical guidance, and gradual lifestyle changes, Tracy began approaching her health differently. She discusses transitioning toward a whole-food, plant-focused lifestyle, finding movement through yoga and jogging, and learning to view her body as the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Angela and Tracy also discuss the importance of becoming an informed advocate for your health, identifying a strong enough “why,” and beginning with small, sustainable changes rather than attempting to transform everything overnight.

Tracy’s journey eventually led her to write her book and create new opportunities to teach children, adults, and families through Veggie Cooking. Her story is a reminder that God can use a difficult season to create greater purpose, deeper faith, and hope for others.

In This Episode

The symptoms that led to Tracy’s MS diagnosis

Choosing faith while experiencing fear

Scriptures that anchored Tracy during uncertainty

Why patients should advocate for their health

Treating the body as God’s temple

Transitioning one meal at a time

Finding enjoyable and sustainable ways to move

How Tracy’s lifestyle changes influenced her family

Turning her diagnosis into a book and teaching ministry

Encouragement for anyone feeling discouraged or stuck

Connect With Tracy

📖 Look for I Have MS, But It Doesn’t Have Me on Amazon.

🥕 Learn more about Tracy’s cooking classes through Veggie Cooking Camden and visit veggiecooking.com/camden.

Medical disclaimer: This episode shares personal experiences for educational and inspirational purposes. It is not medical advice or a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before changing medications, diet, supplements, or treatment plans.

Angela Adkins welcomes her father, Pastor Lowell Hicks, for a deeply personal conversation about faith, family and more than 60 years of ministry.

Together, they revisit the stories that inspired Angela’s book, A Father’s Fire: A Daughter’s Calling to Faith and Purpose. Pastor Hicks reflects on preaching revivals across the United States and Prince Edward Island, Canada, rebuilding struggling churches and witnessing lives transformed through the power of faith.

He shares how one congregation grew from only three regular attendees to more than 50 people on his first Sunday, offering a powerful reminder that obedience sometimes requires stepping into situations that do not yet look promising.

Pastor Hicks also opens up about his own journey to Christ. After nearly drowning at 19 years old, he began to realize how quickly life could change. That experience eventually led him to surrender his life to God and begin a ministry that would impact generations.

Angela and her father also revisit the devastating drunk-driving crash that changed their family forever. Angela stopped breathing at the scene, but after her parents prayed over her, she suddenly began breathing again. Even in the middle of the tragedy, Pastor Hicks showed compassion to the driver and told him that God still wanted to save him.

This heartfelt episode is filled with stories of revival, healing, forgiveness, family memories and the lasting influence of a father whose faith helped shape his daughter’s calling.

In This Episode

Pastor Lowell Hicks’ journey from avoiding church to answering the call to preach

Revival meetings on Prince Edward Island

Martin Stewart’s transformation and journey into pastoral ministry

Rebuilding churches and following God’s direction

A congregation growing from three people to more than 50

Family life inside the parsonage

Memories of Angela’s mother, Shirley, and sister, Renee

Angela’s miraculous survival after a drunk-driving crash

Pastor Hicks ministering to the driver at the scene

Turning tragedy into testimony and purpose

The inspiration behind A Father’s Fire

Why faith must be a daily relationship, not just a response to emergencies

Key Takeaway

God can work through ordinary people, painful experiences and unexpected circumstances to create a legacy that continues influencing lives for generations.

Listen as Angela and Pastor Hicks share a powerful testimony of faith, forgiveness, healing and the fire that continues burning through their family.

Purchase Angela Adkins’ new book A Father’s Fire: https://shorturl.at/N9aaW

In this heartfelt episode of the Angela Adkins Podcast, Angela celebrates the launch of the Miracle Road audiobook with the voice behind the narration, Cori Trumbull.

Angela and Cori share a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to bring Miracle Road from the printed page to audio. Because Cori knows Angela personally through church, friendship, and serving together on the praise team, narrating this story became much more than simply reading a book. It became a personal and faith-filled experience.

Cori talks about capturing Angela’s voice, heart, humor, and testimony in a way that felt authentic and real. She shares why emotional connection matters in audiobook narration, especially when the story is rooted in healing, faith, and real-life testimony.

Angela and Cori also discuss how the audiobook can reach people who may not be able to read the printed page, allowing them to still experience the hope, encouragement, and “But God” moments found throughout Miracle Road.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that God is still working, still healing, and still writing stories of hope.

🎧 Get the Miracle Road audiobook here:
https://shorturl.at/B6Mha

In this episode:

Angela announces the launch of the Miracle Road audiobook
Cori shares what it was like to narrate a friend’s testimony
Why authenticity matters in nonfiction audiobook narration
How audiobooks make stories more accessible
The emotional and funny moments behind the recording process
What authors should look for in a narrator
Why Miracle Road is more than a story — it is ministry
A prayer for listeners to feel seen, strengthened, and encouraged

Connect with Angela Adkins:
Follow the Angela Adkins Podcast for more faith-filled conversations, testimonies, encouragement, and reminders that God is still working miracles today.