On this podcast we welcome Ray Daugherty as our guest.We have all known Ray for a very long time and over the years, have grown in our admiration of his life's work - the prevention of alcohol and drug addiction. In this episode, Ray talks about the beginnings of his company back in the 1960s and the growth that has ensued. Estimates are in the millions of people who have encountered his programs with countless lives most likely saved. Pay special attention to his belief and the research that supports the notion that people do have and can access the power to avoid the dangers of addiction.

In this podcast, we bring in a new guest to join the conversation. Welcome Dr. Jeff Foxx, a retired family medicine doctor, as well as the founding partner of Family Practice Associates, one of the largest and most successful medical practices in Central Kentucky. We talk with Jeff abouthis thoughts on the state and future of medicine in our country as well as the current politicization of medicine and medical treatments

How about you? Do you struggle with taking compliments or admitting that in some areas you are accomplished? Are you afraid people with think you prideful if you claim some level of expertise or learned experience? Do you feel safer andmaybe even a better human being if you kind of play small? Listen to the lively conversation these questions generated for the Exploracast team.

Are we who we have always been and always will be or is it possible for a person to change in a deep and fundamental way? This is more than just the growth of experience or learning. This is the sort of change that almost feels as if itrestructures us at a base level. Be it in times of tragedy, times of triumph, or moments of awe and unimaginable experience, who we are before and after is noticeably different. Sounds like a good discussion starter!

What is something that you used to believe as a younger person or even a child that you no longer believe? Or is it possible that someone might hold exactly the same views then as now, even decades later? Would that be a good orpotentially bad thing? This thought-provoking question was submitted by Ken Bailey. Listen in on the ensuing conversation!

What do you think about the question of whether people are born more fundamentally good or inherently bad? Do we as human beings tend instinctively toward the light or naturally fall prey to carnal and selfish natures? Larry brought thesequestions to the gang which produced this very lively conversation!

We were probably all raised with some ideas of what the cultural identity is for the United States. Are we the land of the rugged individual lifting him or herself up by the bootstraps? Are we the land of the tired and poor who have been provided a golden chance of opportunity? Are we gunslinging cowboys or oven-baked steel workers? Are we the land of religious freedom to worship (or not) as we please? Are we a uniquely Christian nation? Maybe the biggest question is whether there is room for all these and more ideas of what it means to live in America.

Michael Jordan is an elite basketball player. Meryl Streep, an elite actor. Luciano Pavoratti is in a class alone among the elite of his art. But there are also other supposed elites among us whether they themselves say so or are considered so byothers. Is it money, education, skill, class, heritage, tastes, possessions, or associations that form the elites? Who decides who is and who's not an elite? The Exploracast team takes on this very nuanced and highly relevant topic.