Ten years ago, one laughing mom in a Chewbacca mask nearly hit 100 million views in 48 hours. Today Candace Payne is a speaker and author who helps women find their fun again. On this episode of the GOA Speakers Podcast, hosts Abigail Garrett and Greg Oliver talk with Candace Payne have a funny, honest conversation full of hope.

Timed highlights:
00:08 – Welcome and introducing Candace Payne, "Chewbacca Mom"
01:02 – Nearly 100 million views in 48 hours on Facebook Live
02:02 – From Good Morning America to James Corden in a single weekend
04:10 – How her kids and her introverted husband handled the fame
06:28 – Going from viral video to speaker and author
09:04 – Why women's events need experiential joy, not just teaching about joy
12:21 – What "defiant joy" means and why it isn't toxic positivity
16:20 – Her late ADHD diagnosis and why it felt like liberation
20:11 – Losing "a million pounds" of mental weight before the physical weight
22:03 – A type 2 diabetes diagnosis and losing 133 pounds since February 2024
23:13 – How Scripture sustained her (Philippians 1:6)
26:37 – Inside a fully neurodiverse household
31:17 – The "Porsche engine in an El Camino" picture of the ADHD brain
33:45 – Bestie Weekend Ever, her first in-person event in Dallas–Fort Worth
34:45 – Her new podcast, What the Fun?
36:07 – Where to find Candace

Links:
Guest - candacepayne.fun
GOA Speakers - https://goaspeakers.com
Podcast Production - www.itsyourshow.co

Faith Eury Cho joins the GOA Speakers Podcast to share the winding story of her faith—from growing up in a non-churchgoing family and searching for Jesus as a child to finding a deeper commitment to God at a youth camp in Mexico. She reflects on how pain can lead beyond religious clichés toward a more honest experience of God’s presence.

Faith also talks about meeting her husband in college, serving in youth ministry, planting a church in northern New Jersey, and raising four children. She shares the story behind her books, including Experiencing Friendship with God, Never Alone, and her forthcoming book Unlikely Unanointed, about recognizing and walking in the Holy Spirit’s power.

Timed highlights:
00:00 — Introducing Faith Eury Cho and her early search for God
05:10 — A youth camp in Mexico and a turning point in her faith
08:40 — Pain, honesty, and seeking God’s presence beyond clichés
12:05 — College, her call to ministry, and meeting her husband
16:25 — Planting a church in northern New Jersey
19:55 — Raising four kids and finding joy in family life
21:35 — Faith’s journey to publishing and the stories behind her books
26:45 — Speaking engagements, the upcoming book launch, and where to find Faith

Links:
https://www.faitheurycho.com/

https://goaspeakers.com/

https://www.itsyourshow.co/

Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and 9/11 survivor Darin Kinder joins the GOA Speakers Podcast to share how a small-town kid from Virginia ended up protecting five U.S. presidents and walking through the fire at Ground Zero. Darin unpacks his firsthand experience inside the World Trade Center complex on 9/11, the unseen “hell on earth” between the tower collapses, and the moment he started calling people to “follow the light.”

He also explains the powerful meaning behind his book title “Bury Me in a Dirty Suit,” why courage is a choice, and how God turned one of America’s darkest days into a launching pad for his life’s purpose—calling men into fierce, biblical faith and into the arena against real-world evil like child sex trafficking.

Timed highlights:
00:00 – Intro to GOA Speakers Podcast; meet former Secret Service agent and 9/11 survivor Darin Kinder
03:00 – Small‑town Virginia, parents’ example of service, and a front-row seat to his mom’s faith through divorce
08:00 – Coming to genuine faith in high school and the love‑at‑first‑date story at James Madison University
12:30 – From history teacher and basketball coach to Secret Service candidate after a “divine appointment”
16:30 – What it really takes to become a Secret Service agent: testing, vetting, and seven months of training
21:00 – 9/11 morning: Secret Service office in 7 World Trade Center and realizing “we’re under attack”
26:00 – Inside the chaos: climbing Trade Center stairs, the second plane overhead, and choosing to stay in the fight
31:00 – Fire everywhere: cars, paper, ammo cooking off—and four agents figuring out how to run a firetruck
36:00 – The alleyway moment: choking in the dust, seeing a shaft of light, and calling people to “follow my voice”
40:00 – From Ground Zero to the gospel: coming to Christ filthy, wounded, and taken as you are
44:00 – Clean suits vs. dirty suits: the scene that inspired “Bury Me in a Dirty Suit” and a life of mission
48:00 – Fierce Faith, book two ideas, and Darin’s heart for younger men and dads in the grind today
51:00 – Where to find Darin online and how to bring him to your church, men’s group, or event

Socials and links:
Darin Kinder
Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn: @DarinKinder
Faith/ministry site: https://fierce-faith.com
Speaking site: https://DarinKitner.com

GOA Speakers
Booking & info: https://goaspeakers.com

Podcast Production:
ItsYourShow.co

Director, actress, writer, and ministry founder Shari Rigby joins the GOA Speakers Podcast to share her powerful journey from small‑town North Dakota and teenage pregnancy to Hollywood sets, immersive audio dramas, and discipling women in entertainment. Shari dives into redemption after abuse and abortion, meeting her husband Matt, finding her calling in media, launching Women in My World, and creating faith-filled projects like October Baby, Divine Influencer, and the upcoming Defiant Ones and Ultimate Romance. This episode is a rich blend of testimony, creative process, and practical encouragement for anyone navigating calling, creativity, and culture.

Timed Highlights:
0:00:02 – Welcome to the GOA Speakers Podcast and introduction of guest Shari Rigby
0:01:15 – Shari’s 10-year journey with GOA and growth of the speaking industry
0:04:10 – Growing up in Cooperstown, ND, early faith, and love for movies and storytelling
0:08:20 – Teenage years in Phoenix: abusive relationship, rock ’n’ roll, and becoming a mom at 16
0:12:45 – Leaving an abusive marriage, single motherhood, abortion, and crying out to God
0:16:30 – Meeting Matt, encountering grace at Calvary Chapel, and a new life in Christ
0:20:40 – From church coffee shop to first commercial: God opens a door into entertainment
0:24:30 – Mentorship on set, Jim Caviezel/John Kirby connection, and acting class “holy ground”
0:28:00 – Birth and growth of Women in My World and discipling women in the industry
0:31:10 – October Baby, sharing her post-abortive testimony, and saying yes to ministry
0:34:20 – Immersive Dolby Atmos audio dramas, Western project, and Defiant Ones concept
0:37:10 – Ultimate Romance, pregnancy resource centers, and where to connect with Shari online

Links & Socials:

Shari Rigby

Instagram: @ShariRigby

Facebook: @ShariRigby

Websites

The Women in My World: https://thewomeninmyworld.org

Beautifully Flawed Productions: https://beautifullyflawedproductions.com

GOA Speakers: https://goaspeakers.com
Podcast Producers: ItsYourShow.co

In this powerful conversation, GOA Speakers Podcast hosts Abigail Garrett and Greg Oliver sit down with speaker, author, and Nothing Is Wasted Ministries founder Davey Blackburn. Davey shares the heartbreaking story of losing his wife Amanda in a random home invasion and the long, messy road of grief, doubt, wrestling with God, and ultimately discovering purpose in deep pain.

He unpacks how Nothing Is Wasted Ministries was born, why we can’t heal in isolation, and how their Pain to Purpose course is helping people in churches, prisons, and on campuses move from survival mode to true healing. Davey also tells the remarkable story of how he met his wife Christy, blended their families, and continues to walk out redemption in real time.

If you’ve ever asked, “Where are you, God?” in the middle of suffering, this episode will help you reframe the question and see how God can work with both the sweet and the bitter to create something beautiful over time.

Timed Highlights:
0:00 – Intro: Abigail and Greg welcome guest Davey Blackburn
1:10 – Life on 13 acres, homestead living, and “When You Give Your Wife Some Land”
4:05 – What Nothing Is Wasted Ministries does and the Pain to Purpose course
7:55 – Planting a church in Indianapolis and the dream beginning to take off
10:40 – November 10, 2015: The morning Amanda was killed and Davey’s world changed
15:55 – Wrestling with grief, functional theology, and learning to trust God again
20:30 – Choosing to lean into pain instead of numbing it, and how God met Davy there
24:40 – The role of the Big C Church, counselors, and guides in accelerated healing
28:20 – Content, community, and coaching: the ecosystem of Nothing Is Wasted
31:10 – Matching people “pain point for pain point” with specialized coaches
35:00 – Why we must wrestle with God and ask better questions in suffering

Guest Links & Socials:
Davey Blackburn Instagram/Facebook: @daveyblackburn
Website: https://daveyblackburn.com
Nothing Is Wasted Ministries Website: https://nothingiswasted.com
Social: @nothingiswastedministries

GOA Speakers Website: https://goaspeakers.com

Podcast Studio Website: ItsYourShow.co

On this episode of the GOA Speakers Podcast, Abigail Garrett and Greg Oliver sit down with Dr. Jimmy Sites: preacher, theologian, best-selling author, award‑winning TV producer, and lifelong outdoorsman.

Jimmy shares how he started preaching at age four on a milk crate, spent over a decade earning his doctorate in theology, and eventually became one of the top outdoor TV hosts in the world. He unpacks the difference between Western and Eastern views of faith, describes life‑changing tours through Israel and the biblical world, and tells a jaw‑dropping story about nearly crossing paths with head‑shrinking cannibals in the Amazon.

They also dive into his musical roots, his unexpected connection to Elvis, producing spiritual outdoor television, writing books on faith and spiritual warfare, and his new competition series Basecamp 101 that’s training the next generation in outdoor skills and character.

Perfect for pastors, church leaders, outdoorsmen, and anyone who wants to see how God weaves calling, creativity, and courage into a single life.

Timed highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to the GOA Speakers Podcast and intro of Dr. Jimmy Sites
02:10 – Preaching at age four on a milk crate in rural Arkansas
07:45 – Small‑town churches, wasps in the pulpit, and “McDonald’s church” stories
12:30 – 12 years of study: Greek, Hebrew, and earning a doctorate in theology
18:40 – How Eastern vs. Western thinking shapes our view of conversion
24:10 – Why the spiritual “valleys” matter more than the mountaintops
28:00 – Leading tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and seeing Scripture come alive
34:20 – The story behind Spiritual Outdoor Adventures TV and reaching unchurched men
42:30 – From unknown host to North American Outdoor Sportsman of the Year
47:50 – Folk music roots, Elvis in Arkansas, and growing up in a musical family
54:00 – Producing and writing in Nashville, guitars that end up on the big stage
59:20 – Inside his books: Heart of the Outdoors Bible, Legend of Indian Rock Cave
1:04:10 – Decoys of Deception and how Satan “hunts” us with spiritual decoys
1:11:30 – Progressive Christianity, Gnosticism, and discernment in the church
1:18:00 – Basecamp 101: a big‑budget outdoor competition show for teens
1:24:00 – Sneaking a 12‑year‑old into the cast and the social experiment that followed
1:29:00 – What’s next for Jimmy and where to find his resources and YouTube channel

Guest Website:
jimmysites.com

Guest TV show / ministry site:
spiritualoutdooradventures.org

GOA Website::
goaspeakers.com

Podcast Filmed and Produced by:

ItsYourShow.co

Pastor, author, and speaker Joshua Shaw joins hosts Abigail Garrett and Greg Oliver to share his journey from the heavy metal scene in Colorado to pastoring Vineyard LA on the West Side of Los Angeles—one of the most secular corners of the country.

Josh talks about his radical conversion, planting a church in Denver, moving to LA for his wife’s health, and leading a historic Vineyard church in a post-Christian culture that’s surprisingly curious about Jesus. He unpacks his passion for millennials and Gen Z, his Masterclass on Faith discipleship curriculum, and his upcoming book, “Practicing the Supernatural.”

You’ll also hear how he and his wife navigate marriage, mental health, and terminal illness, plus a look at new projects like “Keep Christianity Weird” and an AI-powered tool to help pastors get back to real ministry.

Timed Highlights:

0:00 Intro – GOA Speakers Podcast

0:07 Meet Pastor and author Joshua Shaw

1:06 Colorado roots and radical conversion from heavy metal

4:38 Moving to Southern California for his wife’s health

5:28 Becoming millennial senior pastor at the first Vineyard church

6:50 Raising kids and doing ministry in secular West LA

8:01 How Josh met his wife and the 11 rejections

10:18 Pastoring in a curious, post-Christian environment

12:52 Vineyard LA’s size limits and adding services

14:46 Why Josh focuses on millennials and Gen Z

18:08 Creating Masterclass on Faith for new believers

21:18 COVID hits as Masterclass launches

22:52 Book preview: Practicing the Supernatural

25:18 Charismatic sacramentalism and healing prayer

25:49 Speaking with his wife on mental health and marriage

26:51 The “king’s table” for men and healthy male friendships

30:15 Keep Christianity Weird curriculum and podcast

31:30 Pastoring with ADHD and building tools for leaders

33:30 AI app to help pastors focus on people, not paperwork

35:10 Where to find Joshua Shaw online

36:11 Outro – GOA Speakers Podcast

Find Joshua online:
Website: https://joshuashaw.co
Church: Vineyard LA (West Los Angeles)

More from GOA Speakers:
https://goaspeakers.com

Podcast Studio and Producer:

ItsYourShow.co

In this episode of the GOA Speakers Podcast, hosts Abigail Garrett and Greg Oliver sit down with author and Bible teacher Margaret Feinberg for a powerful conversation on experiencing Scripture, walking through suffering, and discovering the practical presence of the Holy Spirit.

Margaret shares how her curiosity led her to shepherds, beekeepers, fishermen on the Sea of Galilee, and olive growers in Croatia to better understand biblical imagery. She opens up about her cancer journey, the tension between clinging to crisis vs. clinging to Christ, and how the Holy Spirit meets us in adversity. Margaret also talks about her newest book, The God to Know, her upcoming Proverbs study, and her slow-thinking, precise-writing process.

Timed Highlights:
00:08 Meet Margaret Feinberg and her immersive approach to Scripture
02:40 Traveling the agrarian world of the Bible
04:38 The shepherdess in Alaska who changed everything
10:45 From magazine intern to full-time writer and speaker
11:59 The love story: moving to Alaska after six weeks
16:29 Writing about the Holy Spirit from Genesis to Pentecost
19:16 Cancer, suffering, and the “fellowship of the afflicted”
21:55 Clinging to the crisis vs. clinging to Christ
23:00 Repainting the house as a prophetic act of hope
24:33 Cancer-free today and navigating long-term effects
28:03 What she wants every audience to walk away with
31:18 New Proverbs Bible study and her long-haul creative process

Connect with Margaret:
Website: margaretfeinberg.com
Email list: hello@margaretfeinberg.com
Social: @mafeinberg

Connect with GOA Speakers:
Website: goaspeakers.com

Podcast Studio and Producer:

ItsYourShow.co