The Broad Pod

Some lives are defined by what happened to them. Others are defined by what they chose to do next. Erinn Williams has lived through seasons of heartbreak, uncertainty, and unexpected detours, yet she continually chooses hope. In this conversation, she shares her journey to earning her college degree later in life, surviving an abusive relationship, grieving infertility, experiencing a failed adoption, finding peace in a life without children, and finding love again. Today, she pours that same compassion into the lives of her elementary students. This is a conversation about healing, resilience, and what it really means to keep going and growing.
This is Erinn Williams...
And this is I Can Only Imagine...

At 35 years old, Leslie Barr’s life changed in ways she could never have imagined. A sports reporter turned communications professional, wife, and mom, Leslie was diagnosed with stage IV cancer…a diagnosis that became the dividing line between the woman she was and the woman she would become. In this deeply honest conversation, she shares how surviving cancer reshaped her perspective on faith, family, gratitude, and what it means to appreciate the ordinary moments. Her journey is a reminder that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t surviving, it’s learning how to truly live.
This is Leslie...
And this is Before & After...
 
 

Dr. Stacy Edds-Ellis is an educator, leader, and change-maker whose career is defined by service, growth, and community impact. Growing up in Calhoun, Kentucky, she learned leadership from her parents and carried those values into 20 years at Owensboro Community & Technical College, where she served in several roles including academic advisor, Discover College Grant Director, Dean of Academic Affairs, among others.
A graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees, Dr. Edds-Ellis later earned her doctorate from the University of Louisville. Her personal journey includes navigating the uncertainty of military life after her husband was deployed before their originally planned wedding. Today, she is a wife, mother of a 15-year-old son, and passionate about developing future leaders.
After her successful two-decade career in higher education, she stepped into a new chapter with the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute, where she now helps grow leaders and strengthen the community through training and development initiatives, including work with the Hardwood Institute.
This is Dr. Stacy Edds-Ellis...
And this is Leading Through Change...

In this special Mother’s Day episode, we’re celebrating the powerful influence of a mother and the way it shapes who we become.
We sit down with Analea Sanders, daughter of co-host Allyson Sanders, to talk about what it looks like to grow into leadership at a young age, pursue purpose with confidence, and carve out your own path while carrying the values you’ve learned along the way. From her experience as a student to her passion for community impact, this conversation is a reminder that leadership is shaped in many ways…through the people who pour into us, the experiences that stretch us, and the choices we make over time.
We also take a moment to recognize the impact of her mom, Allyson, and the example she’s set through leadership, service, and the way she’s poured into those around her.
A meaningful conversation about influence, identity, and finding your impact.
This is Analea…
And this is Raised to Rise…

After years of moving from place to place, searching for where she truly belonged, Natasha Stanley came back to Owensboro, and in a whirlwind, opened Bella Ragazza Boutique. A wife of 10 years and mom of two girls, she’s created a life and business that's all about building connections and confidence. Behind her warm, welcoming smile is a seven-year health journey most people haven't seen. Despite the daily challenges, she keeps showing up and pouring herself into the people and the work she loves. This episode is about trusting your vision, advocating for yourself, and building a life (and brand) that’s always in style.
This is Natasha...
And this is She Never Goes out of Style...

Brende Lott was born and raised in Owensboro, growing up in a childhood marked by hardship. Despite the challenges she faced, she pursued her education at the University of Kentucky, married her high school sweetheart, and created her own path. She began her career in labor and delivery and later became a nurse midwife with a commitment to evidence-based care. Brende’s story is one of perseverance, transformation, and using her experiences to create a better future for herself, her family, and the women she serves.
This is Brende...
And this is A Lott of Life Delivered...

Ashley Morris knows what it means to build a life the hard way. Raised just outside of Owensboro in Knottsville, on homegrown meals, Sunday dinners, and church picnics, her love for food started early…long before she realized it would become her purpose. As a young, single mom, Ashley learned quickly that survival required tough choices. For a season, life experiences led her down a dangerous path, but she refused to stay there. Choosing a different future for herself and her children, she made a complete turn from survival mode to something sustainable. What started as a passion grew into Whipt Creations, a successful catering business she built from the ground up, with a commitment to becoming better than the day before. Ashley’s story is about using the past as motivation to build a better future.
This is Ashley Morris…
And this is The Morris Code...

Sheila Crowe has always known how to make something out of what she had. Raised in Owensboro, she started cooking at nine years old, feeding her siblings while her dad worked second shift. What began as responsibility became passion…food was comfort, creativity, and connection. After years of working, from telemarketing as a teen to a decade in medical debt collection, Sheila felt the pull toward something bigger. A snow cone stand for sale became Pinky’s Snow Cones & Treats. Baking followed. Now catering. Step by step, she has built something of her own. Along the way, she leaned on faith, pushed through challenges, and chose to show up for herself. This episode is about reinvention, resilience, and creating a life that tastes a little bit sweeter because you made it yourself.
This is Sheila…
And this is A Recipe for More…
 

Cindra Stiff’s story is one of steady strength and lasting impact. From becoming a teen mom in a small town to building a 42-year career in higher education in finance, she navigated life with resilience, wisdom, and grace. A leader in a male-dominated field, she helped guide seasons of growth, rebuild after disaster, and shape campus communities…all while staying deeply connected to the students and people around her.
Along the way, she quietly faced her own battles, including a serious health scare in the that required surgery and radiation. After her career, she devoted herself to caring for her mother, and now pours her time into philanthropic efforts that empower others.
Grounded in truth, numbers, and compassion, Cindra has always led without needing the spotlight. This episode is about perseverance, partnership, and the quiet kind of leadership that holds everything together.
This is Cindra...
 
And this is Truth + Grace = The Right Equation
 
 

In recognition of Black History Month, this episode honors Rev. Rhondalyn Randolph, a faithful pastor, community advocate, and impactful Black woman whose leadership has shaped both church and community. With decades of service driven by courage, conviction, and compassion, Rev. Randolph has opened doors, preserved history, and led with a deep commitment to justice and reconciliation. From the pulpit to the public square, her life reflects the power of answering a call and using it to build something lasting for generations to come. Listen in to hear the many initiatives, ministries, and moments of leadership that continue to define her legacy and influence.
This is Rev. Randolph…
And this is Called for Such a Time…