From her experience with workplace harassment and power abuse during the Me Too era to the devastating loss of her husband to pancreatic cancer, Alisyn shares the raw truth about grief recovery, emotional healing, resilience, and rebuilding your life after loss. This conversation dives into career setbacks, personal growth, relationships, and finding strength after tragedy, showing how even the hardest moments can lead to transformation, clarity, and a completely new path forward.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅ How to rebuild your life after loss and grief

✅ The truth about career reinvention and starting over

✅ What resilience actually looks like in real life

✅ How relationships and timing shape your life path

✅ The reality of workplace abuse and how to recognize it

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Timestamps

• 0:00 Workplace harassment, Roger Ailes, and the defining career moment
• 3:58 Daryn’s intro and the Call Me Friend setup
• 5:05 How Daryn and Alisyn connect through journalism
• 7:39 The golden era of CNN and purpose-driven journalism
• 11:13 Leaving CNN, management changes, and shifting priorities
• 13:10 Meeting Tim, commitment, and being ready for love
• 18:40 Marriage, infertility, IVF, and building a family
• 19:54 The pancreatic cancer diagnosis that changed everything
• 20:18 “A grenade thrown into our lives” – everything changes instantly
• 22:30 Navigating the emotional impact of a terminal diagnosis
• 25:10 How their family dynamic shifted overnight
• 28:40 Living through uncertainty and anticipatory grief
• 33:30 Me Too Story: Roger Ailes, Fox News, Navigating Power, Fear & Career Risk
• 35:50 Processing fear, reality, and what comes next
• 46:47 Asking for a Friend: what to say to someone facing grief
• 58:08 Daryn’s closing thoughts and episode wrap-up

Key Takeaways

🔹 Loss can completely reshape your identity and purpose

🔹 Career setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities

🔹 Emotional healing requires honesty, time, and support

🔹 True resilience is built through life’s hardest moments

Check out my interview with Bill Hemmer: https://youtu.be/x1VuM_awknA?si=dsX5DNGxA4u1HHic

Guest Bio

Alisyn Camerota is an award-winning journalist, television anchor, and author known for her work on major news networks including CNN and Fox News. She is widely respected for her reporting, storytelling, and advocacy, particularly around issues of workplace culture, personal resilience, and women’s experiences in media. Her journey through grief, career reinvention, and personal growth has inspired audiences around the world.

• Alisyn's memoir Combat Love: https://amzn.to/4bTOBwY
• Alisyn substack: https://alisyncamerota.substack.com/
• "Hostage" by Eli Sharabi https://amzn.to/4vha1vu
• "That's The Way God Planned It" documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEOdCPoHRn4

Resources & Links

• Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/
• Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/4az2X5f
• Miles Husband: MilesHusband.com

loss and grief, resilience, career reinvention, Alisyn Camerota, Fox, CNN, news anchor, overcoming loss, grief healing, personal growth, life after loss, pancreatic cancer story, rebuilding your life, emotional resilience, women in media, career transition, mental strength, life challenges

Named to Sports Illustrated’s list of the most powerful, influential, and outstanding women in sports today, Laura is recognized as a true game-changer—someone who is speaking out, setting the bar, and making a lasting impact.

Laura shares the moment that changed everything, a near plane crash that forced her to confront the reality that she didn’t care if she lived or died. That wake-up call led her to rebuild her life from the inside out, shifting from chasing success to creating purpose, stronger relationships, and true confidence.

They also discuss women in sports, mentorship, competition, and why Laura chose to support the very women who could replace her. Through her organization GALvanize, she now helps thousands of women build confidence, find their voice, and grow into leadership.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅ How career burnout can show up even when you “have it all”

✅ Why finding purpose matters more than checking success boxes

✅ The mindset shift from competition to empowering others

✅ How to build real confidence, identity, and meaningful relationships

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Timestamps

(00:00) The Moment That Changed Everything (Career Burnout Wake-Up Call)

(01:00) Breaking Into Sports as a Woman (Early Career Struggles)

(07:00) Rejection, Confidence, and Surviving a Competitive Industry

(11:30) Women in Sports Today vs. Then -What Still Hasn’t Changed

(20:25) The Plane Story That Forced Her to Rethink Her Life

(23:00) From Success to Purpose -Rebuilding Identity and Happiness

(27:00) Why Success Without Relationships Feels Empty

(31:03) From Competition to Empowerment -Helping Other Women Win

(34:30) Building GALvanize and Empowering Women in Sports

(43:10) Leaving a Dream Career and Finding What’s Next

Key Takeaways

🔹 Success without purpose can still lead to burnout and emptiness

🔹 Confidence comes from knowing who you are, not what you do

🔹 Supporting others can create more opportunity than competition

🔹 Real fulfillment comes from relationships, growth, and alignment

Guest Bio

Laura Okmin is a veteran NFL sideline reporter, leadership coach, and founder of GALvanize, an organization dedicated to empowering women in sports and beyond. With decades of experience in broadcasting and mentorship, she now focuses on helping individuals and teams build confidence, connection, and purpose-driven leadership.

Website: lauraokmin.com

Miramar jeans: https://amzn.to/4lFFIuc

Resources & Links

• Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/
• Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/4az2X5f
• Miles Husband: MilesHusband.com

career burnout, finding purpose, women in sports, confidence building, personal growth, leadership development, NFL sideline reporter, mentorship, identity, life transformation, GALvanize

Adoption, fatherhood, healing, and the power of intentional love are at the heart of this emotional episode of Call Me Friend.

Host Daryn Kagan connects with content creator, writer, and single father Darren Graham to explore a life-changing story about foster care, adoption, and the unexpected journey to becoming a parent.

Darren never planned to become a father overnight. After applying years earlier to become a foster parent, he received a phone call that would change everything. Within hours he was standing in a hospital NICU meeting a two-day-old premature baby fighting for his life.

That baby became Lucas “Ducky” Gray.

In this powerful conversation, Darren shares how growing up without a father shaped his desire to parent differently, why intentional community matters, and how becoming a father helped heal parts of his own childhood.

This episode is about more than adoption. It is about love, resilience, chosen family, and the moments that completely transform the direction of our lives.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅ How a single phone call led to Darren Graham becoming a father within hours

✅ What the foster care and adoption journey looked like behind the scenes

✅ Why Darren believes community and intentional love can change lives

✅ How fatherhood helped heal parts of his own childhood

✅ The surprising lessons Darren learned about love, identity, and purpose

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Timestamps

00:00 A Life-Changing Phone Call, Fostering & Fatherhood

02:10 How the Instagram algorithm introduced Daryn to Darren

07:07 Building an intentional online community

11:19 Darren’s childhood and moving from the Caribbean to Brooklyn

15:01 From education to writing, fashion, and social media

19:50 Meeting “Ducky” and becoming a father

22:24 The foster care call that led to adoption

27:04 The moment Darren held Ducky for the first time

30:20 The judge who changed the course of the adoption case

33:02 Why Darren knew he had to adopt Ducky

36:17 How fatherhood healed Darren’s past

38:02 The biggest surprises about becoming a dad

39:01 The hardest part of parenting

40:27 Parenting, love, and learning through a child’s eyes

Key Takeaways

🔹 Sometimes life changes in a single phone call.

Darren went from living a normal day to meeting his future son within hours.

🔹 Adoption is a two-way transformation.

Both parent and child shape each other’s healing and growth.

🔹 Intentional community matters.

Darren built his online platform to inspire people to keep going through life’s hardest moments.

🔹 Parenthood reveals who we truly are.

Becoming a father helped Darren understand love in a deeper way than he ever expected.

Guest Bio

Darren Graham is a writer, editor, content creator, and speaker known for his intentional and uplifting social media presence. Originally from St. Vincent in the Caribbean, Darren moved to Brooklyn as a child and spent over a decade working in education supporting children and families.

Today he works in media and fashion publishing while building a global online community focused on healing, resilience, and authentic connection.

Darren is also the proud father of Lucas “Ducky” Gray, whose adoption story has inspired thousands of people around the world.

Instagram

TikTok

Threads

Substack

Youtube

Resources

1. Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
2. Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/
3. Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/4az2X5f

adoption story, single dad adoption, foster care adoption, fatherhood journey, parenting podcast, intentional living, adoption journey, parenting inspiration, healing through parenthood, Call Me Friend podcast

This is an inside-out story of grief, resilience, and purpose. After losing Laura’s sister Susan to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the family later faced the same diagnosis again when daughter Susan was in college. What followed was cancer treatment, uncertainty, and an unexpected idea that started in a garage and grew into a nationally loved business built on comfort, connection, and saying “I’m thinking of you.”

Together, they share how baking became therapy, how a single ginger snap helped ease chemo nausea, and how Susan Snaps grew into a way to support people during life’s hardest moments. This episode explores what it means to move through trauma, redefine success, and build community when you feel like an outsider.

If you believe small gestures matter, this conversation will stay with you.

In This Episode, You Will Learn

✅ How grief can become a catalyst for purpose

✅ What it means to build a business after cancer

✅ Why baking became a form of healing

✅ How Susansnaps grew from a garage to a national brand

✅ Why perspective changes everything after loss

✅ How small acts of kindness create real community

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Key Timestamps

00:00 An inside-out story of loss and resilience

04:10 Losing a sister to Hodgkin’s lymphoma

07:40 A shocking cancer diagnosis repeats generations later

11:00 Baking as therapy during chemo

12:45 The ginger snap that changed everything

15:20 Turning comfort into a business

18:00 Mother-daughter business dynamics

21:00 Perspective after surviving cancer

23:45 “Asking for a Friend” advice on belonging

27:50 Being told “you can’t” and proving otherwise

34:00 Why kindness matters more than perfection

Key Takeaways

🔹 Trauma changes perspective forever

🔹 Healing can start in unexpected places

🔹 Purpose often grows out of pain

🔹 Community is built through small, consistent kindness

🔹 You don’t have to fit in to make an impact

Guest Bio

Laura Stachler and her daughter Susan Stachler are the founders of Susansnaps, a cookie company born out of cancer treatment, love, and the need to bring comfort to others. What began as homemade ginger snaps shared at a cancer center has grown into a nationally recognized brand known for connection, compassion, and showing up when words fall short.

Resources & Mentions

1. Susansnaps: https://susansnaps.com/
2. Angel Flight Soars https://www.angelflightsoars.org/
3. Jack Black Lip Balm https://amzn.to/4sl1ntV
4. Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
5. Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/
6. Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/4az2X5f

SusanSnaps, mother daughter business, cancer survival story, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, grief and resilience, turning pain into purpose, women-owned business, small business origin story, baking as healing, comfort food with meaning, community through kindness, starting a business from home, overcoming loss, family resilience, Call Me Friend podcast

Mary Kay shares how she transitioned from newspaper journalism to writing more than 30 bestselling novels, why losing her daughter changed how she shows up in the world, and what pushed her to become outspoken on social media later in life. Together, they explore why evolution matters more than reinvention, how grief and purpose can coexist, and why having fewer filters can actually bring more connection.

This episode also touches on health after 70, finding meaning through advocacy, and why pivoting is one of the most important life skills as we age.

If you are navigating change, grief, or wondering what’s next in midlife or beyond, this conversation will remind you that growth doesn’t have an expiration date.

In This Episode, You Will Learn

✅ Why evolution matters more than reinvention as we age

✅ How Mary Kay Andrews left journalism to become a bestselling author

✅ How grief reshaped her priorities and sense of purpose

✅ Why she decided to speak out politically later in life

✅ How to pivot without a safety net

✅ Why aging can bring freedom instead of fear

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Timestamps

(00:00) Reinvention after 70 and evolving without apology

(04:10) Health, aging, and changing habits later in life

(08:00) Leaving journalism and secretly writing fiction

(13:20) Getting published by breaking the rules

(18:40) Creating the Mary Kay Andrews pen name

(24:10) Losing her daughter and navigating grief

(28:30) Advocacy, purpose, and speaking out

(33:40) Social media, backlash, and finding your voice

(37:30) Why pivoting is the ultimate life skill

Key Takeaways

🔹 Reinvention doesn’t always mean starting over

🔹 Grief and purpose can exist at the same time

🔹 Aging brings clarity and courage

🔹 Pivoting is a skill that grows with time

Guest Bio

Mary Kay Andrews is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels published. A former newspaper journalist, she built a second career writing beloved Southern fiction and mysteries. Today, she is also known for her outspoken advocacy, powerful storytelling, and fearless honesty about aging, loss, and purpose.

Resources

1. Mary Kay Andrews new book "Road Trip" https://amzn.to/3OebLVs
2. Friends and Fiction:https://friendsandfiction.com/
3. Helping Mamas: https://helpingmamas.org/
4. Department Q: https://www.netflix.com/title/81487660
5. Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
6. Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/
7. "Hope Possible" https://amzn.to/46uNoJ9

reinvention after 70, aging, women reinventing themselves later in life, grief and healing, finding purpose later in life, second act careers for women, personal growth after loss, women over 60 redefining aging, evolving instead of reinventing, personal growth,

Treva shares her late-bloomer love story, why being single does not mean something is wrong with you, and how releasing pressure can actually create space for real connection. Together, they unpack how modern dating apps have changed relationships, why conviction matters more than confidence, and how “settling on” someone can be a powerful and intentional choice.

This episode also introduces a new segment, Asking for a Friend, where a listener navigating dating after 40 asks how to stay hopeful when the future feels uncertain. Treva’s advice reframes dating burnout, self-worth, and timing in a way that feels grounding, realistic, and deeply reassuring.

If you are single, burned out from dating apps, or wondering whether finding love later in life is still possible, this conversation will remind you that where you are now is not where you will always be.

In This Episode, You Will Learn

✅ Why being single is not a personal failure

✅ How releasing pressure can actually open the door to love

✅ What “settling on” someone really means and why it can be powerful

✅ Why conviction matters more than confidence or chemistry

✅ How dating apps are fueling burnout and how to date with intention

✅ Why love rarely looks the way we expect it to

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Why being single does not mean you are broken
2. 06:30 The truth about timing, panic, and the biological clock
3. 10:00 Letting go of the death grip and meeting love unexpectedly
4. 17:40 Why desperation changes your picker
5. 23:20 Conviction versus confidence in dating
6. 28:00 Redefining “settling” as a decisive choice
7. 30:00 Asking for a Friend segment begins
8. 39:50 When love and family look different than you imagined

Key Takeaways

🔹 Being single is a season, not a verdict

🔹 You cannot force love, but you can create opportunity

🔹 Dating success starts with self-belief, not perfection

🔹 Surrender is not giving up, it is trusting the process

Guest Bio

Treva Brandon Scharf is a certified dating, relationship, and life coach and the author of Done Being Single. A self-described late bloomer, Treva spent decades dating before finding lasting love and now helps others navigate modern dating with clarity, accountability, and self-trust.

Resources

1. Done Being Single: A Late Bloomer’s Guide to Love by Treva Brandon Scharf https://amzn.to/4tfyWP0
2. Treva Brandon Scharf Website: https://trevabrandonscharf.com/
3. Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
4. Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/
5. "Hope Possible" https://amzn.to/46uNoJ9

dating later in life, being single after 40, modern dating advice, relationships, women and dating, love after 40, dating burnout, self worth and relationships, Call Me Friend podcast

Host Daryn Kagan sits down with hospice singer Kevin Dunn, a man whose life changed forever after losing his job, hearing a calling to serve, and spending over 23 years singing for patients at a hospice in West Georgia. What started as a moment of uncertainty became a lifelong mission of compassion, faith, and human connection.

Kevin shares how volunteering in hospice taught him that end-of-life care is not just about dying, but about dignity, peace, healing, and presence. He opens up about singing acapella at patients’ bedsides, the emotional moments families experience during final goodbyes, and how music creates comfort when words fall short.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Kevin reveals how his own wife Deborah eventually entered the same hospice where he volunteered for years. Through grief, love, legacy, and resilience, Kevin continued to serve even after her passing, honoring her memory through service and a scholarship program in her name.

This episode explores how service helps you get out of a life slump, how volunteering transforms mental health, and why helping others can restore hope, purpose, and joy. If you’re searching for inspiration, personal growth, spiritual encouragement, or meaningful stories about hospice care and human connection, this one will hit different.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅ How volunteering can pull you out of emotional burnout and life slumps

✅ Why hospice care is about comfort, dignity, and connection, not just death

✅ How music heals patients and families during end-of-life care

✅ What it means to live a life of service and faith

✅ How grief can deepen purpose instead of ending it

✅ Why modeling compassion impacts future generations

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 He Lost His Job and His Wife. Singing for Hospice Families Helped Him Rebuild His Life
• 05:50 Losing a job and hearing a life-changing calling
• 07:36 The moment Kevin heard the word “hospice”
• 09:06 Starting hospice volunteer training and committing to service
• 10:51 Why Kevin shifted to pure acapella singing
• 13:52 Deborah’s cancer journey and the road to hospice care
• 16:15 Singing to Deborah and the power of hearing at end of life
• 17:28 Returning to hospice after grief and honoring Deborah’s legacy
• 19:57 A powerful bedside moment during “Amazing Grace”
• 31:18 Service as the secret to escaping a slump

Key Takeaways

💎 Service creates healing for both the giver and the receiver

💎 Hospice care focuses on peace, dignity, and comfort

💎 Music creates emotional connection when words cannot

💎 Grief can transform into legacy and purpose

💎 Helping others breaks the cycle of personal burnout

💎 Small acts of compassion ripple across generations

Guest Bio

Kevin Dunn is a hospice volunteer and singer who has dedicated more than two decades to bringing comfort, peace, and hope to patients and families through music. After losing his job, Kevin followed a calling to serve in hospice care, where he sings weekly at patients’ bedsides. His story blends faith, resilience, grief, love, and the transformational power of service.

Resources & Mentions

• Website: dunn4uministries.org
• Instagram: kevinr.dunn
• Facebook Music page: https://www.facebook.com/KevinRDunnMusic/
• Twitter: @dunnfouryou
• Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

hospice care, volunteering, inspirational podcast, overcoming grief, finding purpose, service leadership, faith stories, end of life care, personal growth, healing journeys, meaningful conversations, music therapy, resilience stories, Call Me Friend podcast, Daryn Kagan

What begins as a routine follow-up interview turns into a life-altering moment for Jimmy Erickson, a father, student, and recovering addict doing everything he can to build a better future for his family. From past struggles with addiction and DUIs to earning a 4.0 GPA while working 60-hour weeks and raising a nonverbal autistic son, Jimmy’s story is a raw example of resilience, responsibility, and real growth.

This episode is a reminder that redemption is not about perfection. It is about showing up, doing the work, and choosing love over quitting. If you believe in second chances, meaningful friendships, and stories that restore faith in humanity, this one hits different.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅Why second chances matter more after the hard work is already done

✅How fatherhood can become the ultimate motivation for change

✅What real resilience looks like behind the scenes

✅How nonprofit grants can create generational impact

✅Why imperfect stories are often the most powerful ones

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Timestamps

1. 00:00 Second Chances, Fatherhood, and the Power of Showing Up with Jimmy Erickson
2. 02:58 Why this grant moment matters so much to the foundation
3. 03:38 Sponsor spotlight: Ms Lou’s Cabin on the Georgia Coast
4. 04:46 Meet Jimmy Erickson
5. 05:18 Why Jimmy was selected from over 250 applications
6. 06:14 Jimmy opens up about addiction and hitting rock bottom
7. 07:49 Balancing school, work, and caring for an autistic child
8. 14:49 The moment Jimmy learns he is receiving the grant
9. 16:13 Why this story defines the mission of Just One More Foundation
10. 18:35 Post-interview reflection with Richard Rogers
11. 19:07 Parenting through challenges and shared experiences
12. 20:11 Why love and work ethic stand out
13. 21:07 Climbing out of the well and not going back
14. 22:10 Why Just One More focuses on people who’ve done the work
15. 22:59 Following recipients beyond the grant
16. 24:28 Why gratitude goes both ways

Key Takeaways

🔹 Second chances are earned through action, not words

🔹 Fatherhood can redefine purpose and priorities

🔹 Progress beats perfection every time

🔹 One person choosing growth can change an entire family

🔹 Compassion creates ripple effects far beyond one moment

Guest Spotlight

Jimmy Erickson is a working father, full-time student, and devoted parent to a nonverbal autistic son. After overcoming addiction and rebuilding his life from the ground up, Jimmy is completing his engineering degree while working long hours to support his family. His story is proof that accountability, love, and grit can rewrite any narrative.

Richard Rogers is a lightning strike survivor who turned his miraculous second chance into a lifelong mission of service. As founder of the Just One More Foundation, Richard helps others overcome adversity and strike launch careers. His lightning strike survivor story has inspired thousands, demonstrating how giving back transforms lives.

About the Foundation

Just One More Foundation provides grants to individuals who have already taken meaningful steps toward rebuilding their lives and want to create positive impact for others. Their mission focuses on responsibility, resilience, and real change.

Resources & Links

1. JustOneMoreFoundation.org
2. Richard's episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-lightning-strike-survivor-to-changing-lives-richard/id1807388886?i=1000720886845
3. Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
4. Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

second chances, redemption story, fatherhood, life changing moment, overcoming addiction, resilience story, autism parenting, real life transformation, nonprofit impact, grant recipient story, personal growth journey, inspirational podcast, recovery and redemption, meaningful conversations, Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan,

Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection.

Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be.

This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen.

Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique.

What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space.

Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call.

Go ahead, pick up the phone.

Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend.

About the Host:

Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend.

Just One More Foundation : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/

Ms Lous Cabin: airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Instagram: Call Me Friend

Instagram: Daryn Kagan

Facebook: Daryn Kagan

Website: https://darynkagan.com/

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-kagan-14a6893/

Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

This episode pulls you straight into the real life story of how Emily and Jesse Cole built an entertainment empire while quietly growing their family through bio, foster, and adoption and why that journey inspired Bananas Foster, the foundation at the heart of their mission. Packed with emotion, connection, and pure Savannah Bananas energy, this is the conversation that shows the world what the Savannah Bananas stand for when the cameras aren’t rolling.

This is a conversation about family, community, and the powerful ways one act of love can ripple into something bigger than you ever imagined.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅How Emily and Jesse built the Savannah Bananas brand on joy, connection, and conversation

✅ Why foster care became the unexpected doorway to their family growing in the most beautiful way

✅ The mission behind Bananas Foster and how they use their platform to celebrate foster families

✅What it means to parent through uncertainty and still choose love anyway

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Key Timestamps

• (00:00) Emily talks about family, growth, and using their platform for good
• (02:06) The Savannah Bananas phenomenon and inviting Emily onto the podcast
•  (06:00) Emily and Jesse Coles meeting story and their early days in baseball
• (10:25) Launching the Savannah Bananas the same week they married
• (11:05) Their first child and the conversation that led them toward foster care
• (12:23) Emily’s deep research into adoption and discovering foster care
• (13:53) Getting licensed during COVID and welcoming their first placement
• (15:31) A weekend placement that became their second adopted daughter
• (17:01) The book that shifted Emily’s mindset: Everything Is Figureoutable
• (21:00) Why kids, not parents, deserve the biggest celebration
• (24:21) The reality of modern families and shifting norms
• (27:01) Creating Bananas Foster and celebrating foster families publicly
• (29:04) The powerful third-inning moment at Bananas games
• (31:23) Navigating identity protection and diverse family storie
• (32:47) Their audacious goal: turn a 400k-kid waitlist into a waitlist of foster families
• (35:00) Emily Cole shares why Jesse Cole is the friend who changed her life.
• (36:10) Emily Cole reflects on the qualities Jesse Cole saw in her early on.
• (37:10) Daryn asks what Emily is loving right now; she talks homeschooling.
• (38:56) Emily shares her favorite kids’ learning tool, the Yoto.
• (39:12) They talk about screen-free learning and how kids absorb so much through listening.
• (40:12) Emily expresses gratitude and they reflect on how meaningful it is when someone gives back to her for a change.
• (42:10) Daryn shares her personal takeaway about how connection, support, and perspective can shift everything and introduces her daughter Nicole “Ro” Felton
• (42:25) She reflects on how Emily’s story mirrors her own family journey and why these conversations matter so much.
• (44:37) Ro jokes about the Bananas Foster dessert, adding fun Savannah Bananas energy.
• (47:29) Ro explains how their blended family “just works,” a core friendship podcast moment.
• (52:02) Ro tells Daryn she feels chosen and loved, highlighting the heart of this conversation.

Key Takeaways

🔹 Family can be built in countless beautiful ways

Emily’s openness to bio, foster, and adoption created a family story full of compassion and intention.

🔹 Platforms should be used for purpose, not just attention

The Savannah Bananas bring joy to millions, and Bananas Foster transforms that visibility into impact.

🔹 Every foster story holds both heartbreak and hope

Emily honors that the real heroes are the kids who show resilience through unimaginable transitions.

🔹 Everything becomes possible when you start with one small step

Her mantra during uncertainty: “Everything is figureoutable.”

Guest Bio – Emily Cole

Emily Cole is the co-owner and co-creator of the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, known for reinventing baseball and building unforgettable fan experiences. Alongside her husband Jesse, Emily co-founded Bananas Foster, a nonprofit that celebrates foster families and shines a light on the 400,000 children in care across America. She is a mom to three children through bio and adoption, a homeschool parent, and a passionate advocate for creating communities rooted in joy, compassion, and belonging.

Resources & Links

• Bananas Foster – Foster care nonprofit created by Emily & Jesse Cole https://bananasfoster.org/
• Savannah Bananas – Official site and team info https://thesavannahbananas.com/
• Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/bananasfosterinc/
• Everything if Figureoutable: https://amzn.to/4rQAiPH
• YOTO screen free audio device: https://amzn.to/3MCFtm4
• Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

conversation, friendship podcast, Savannah Bananas, Bananas Foster, Emily Cole, foster care stories, adoption journey, Daryn Kagan, family storytelling, parenting with purpose, baseball entertainment, viral sports team, meaningful conversations

Carol Lin opens up about the pressure of broadcast news, the unraveling of her marriage, the devastating loss of her husband shortly after their daughter was born, and how motherhood, identity, and grief collided during the most public chapter of her career. This emotional episode explores love, personal loss, friendship, and the resilience it takes to rebuild your life when everything breaks at once.

What You Will Learn In This Episode

✅ How Carol Lin navigated CNN, motherhood, and grief

✅ What viewers never saw during 9/11 coverage

✅ Why writing a memoir helped her reclaim her identity

✅ How personal loss transforms love, friendship, and purpose

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Timestamps

• 00:00 The untold truth behind Carol Lin’s story of love and loss
• 00:35 Daryn introduces Carol and their shared CNN history 
• 01:24 Being on air together during 9/11
• 02:40 The unraveling of Carol’s marriage in the midst of her rising career
• 03:23 Losing her husband and navigating early motherhood
• 04:02 Why she wrote her memoir When News Breaks
• 06:03 Growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants
• 07:47 Misconceptions about Carol during her CNN years
• 09:02 The ethics of telling stories that involve the people we love
• 11:33 Motherhood, grief, and redefining her identity 
• 13:10 What love required inside a pressured broadcast career
• 16:00 The newsroom culture viewers never see
• 18:45 Carol’s unforgettable Mommy and Me moment
• 25:40 Reconnecting and finally understanding each other
• 29:56 The universal question: how did we not know?
• 34:18 Reconnecting with old colleagues through writing
• 36:00 “How did I not know?” Themes from the memoir
• 42:30 Carol and Daryn talk about love, timing, and meeting their partners
• 43:31 Getting ready for love and doing the inner work
• 48:55 The Mommy and Me class moment that broke the room
• 49:59 The silence after she told them her husband died
• 50:24 Carol grabs the diaper bag and escapes the room

Key Takeaways

🔹 Grief transforms identity, shaping the way we love and show up in the world.

🔹 Behind every CNN anchor is a deeply human story full of resilience and contradiction.

🔹 Memoirs help reveal the truth behind public personas and private pain.

🔹 Friendship becomes essential when life, career, and identity collide.

Resources

• "When News Breaks": https://amzn.to/4piqQlX
• Ep 1 From TV Fame to Rock Bottom https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ks8ad3T3BtPBawna9OfwU?si=d2e163bf997847cd
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• Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Guest Bio: Carol Lin

Carol Lin is an award-winning journalist and former CNN anchor known as the first voice viewers heard on 9/11. As a groundbreaking figure in broadcast news, she spent decades reporting major global events before stepping away following the profound loss of her husband. Her memoir When News Breaks reveals the truth behind her marriage, motherhood, identity, and the hidden challenges she carried during her years in journalism.

call me friend podcast, daryn kagan, carol lin, cnn, memoir, 9/11 stories, cnn anchors, newsroom life, women in media, motherhood journey, grief stories, single motherhood, widow stories, broadcast news, newsroom behind the scenes, identity and perception, friendship stories, marriage and loss, emotional podcast clips, viral podcast reels, memoir stories, parenting after loss, asian american stories, behind the camera stories, tv news life,

Two women share a life changing friendship that leads to an 80 day trip at 81. In this inspiring episode of Call Me Friend, Daryn sits down with Ellie Hamby and Dr. Sandy Hazelip, the viral duo known as The Traveling Nanas, to explore how their friendship transformed grief into adventure and joy.

After losing their husbands, Ellie and Sandy found comfort, strength, and purpose in each other. What started as a simple connection turned into a life changing best friend bond that carried them across seven continents in 80 days at age 81. From the Drake Shake in Antarctica to the Trans Siberian KGB incident to escaping Syria as war began, their friendship is the heartbeat that pulled them through every wild chapter.

This episode is packed with friendship wisdom, emotional storytelling, and real talk about grief, courage, and saying yes to life. It is perfect for anyone looking for hope, connection, and proof that the right friendship can change your story forever.

What You Will Learn In This Episode

✅ How a late in life friendship helped two women heal after losing their husbands

✅ Why the right friend can pull you into joy, courage, and adventure again

✅ The simple moment that sparked their 80 day global journey at 81

✅ How trusting each other helped them navigate danger, fear, and big unknowns

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Timestamps

• (0:00) Sandy shares how the idea for the 80 day world trip began
• (1:07) Daryn introduces The Traveling Nanas and their powerful friendship
• (3:33) The moment Ellie and Sandy first crossed paths
• (5:29) How a missions workshop pulled them closer
• (8:10) Ellie loses her husband and Sandy reaches out
• (11:19) Who started their tradition of saying yes to adventure
• (13:04) The idea for Around the World in 80 Days at 80
• (14:39) Surviving the Drake Shake in Antarctica
• (17:00) Heading straight to the Arctic Circle
• (21:18) Becoming witnesses in a KGB investigation
• (24:58) Leaving Syria as war begins 
• (27:03) Breaking down the money myth around world travel
• (29:02) Why second class travel helps them build deeper friendships
• (35:29) How they give each other space in their friendship
• (43:29) Sandy shares why Ellie changed her life

Key Takeaways

🔹 Friendship can restart your life at any age

They became close in their sixties, and that bond created a whole new chapter filled with purpose and joy.

🔹 You do not heal grief alone

Their friendship gave them strength to move through loss with hope instead of fear.

🔹 Different personalities can create the strongest bond

They fit together like puzzle pieces, giving each other room to grow.

🔹 Stay open to connection and the world gets bigger

Second class trains, mission trips, and saying yes to strangers brought them friendships across the globe.

Resources:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aroundtheworldat80
• Book: "Here We Go!" https://amzn.to/4o7PpRS
• Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Ellie Hamby

Ellie is a humanitarian photographer and world traveler who spent years doing medical mission work in Zambia. Her bold spirit, curiosity, and love for people shaped the energy behind The Traveling Nanas. Ellie brings the big adventure vibe and a deep belief in the goodness of humanity.

Dr. Sandy Hazelip

Sandy is a physician, grandmother, and storyteller whose calm, thoughtful presence balances Ellie’s fearless side. After losing her husband, her friendship with Ellie helped her step out of her comfort zone. Sandy brings heart, grounding, and gentle wisdom to every journey they take.

Together they show how a strong friendship can rebuild your life, expand your world, and bring joy back into your story.

friendship podcast, late in life friendship, female friendships, friendship after grief, Traveling Nanas, Call Me Friend podcast, women over 60 stories, friendship inspiration, traveling with friends, best friend stories, viral friendship story, around the world at 81, friendship and resilience, healing through friendship, adventure at any age

Join Daryn as Don shares why he set a $25,000 goal for ShelterBox’s 25th anniversary, how that vintage truck handled the journey from Evanston to Santa Barbara, and what ShelterBox delivers for families after hurricanes, earthquakes, and conflict, from tents and solar lights to shelter repair kits and mosquito nets. You will also hear from former CNN correspondent Paul Vercammen on pivoting to purpose and how ShelterBox assesses needs before deploying aid.

Along the road there were clever fixes, surprising generosity from strangers, and a travel partner who kept going after a rib injury, fueling a story about courage, community, and second-chance friendships.

What You Will Find in This Episode:

✅ The story behind Don Crost’s 2,500-mile drive in a vintage Chevy for ShelterBox’s 25th anniversary

✅ How a simple idea turned into a movement to help disaster survivors worldwide

✅ The inspiring friendship that reignited between Daryn and fellow journalist Paul Vercammen

✅ How ShelterBox provides real relief after hurricanes, earthquakes, and crises around the world

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Timestamps

• 00:00 From Route 66 to Hope: How Don Crost, a Vintage Chevy, and ShelterBox Are Changing Lives
• 00:23 The risk of listening: this story might push you to chase your dream
• 01:24 Daryn’s early news days and friendship origins with Paul Vercammen
• 06:02 Meet Don Crost: driving a 1953 chevy across Route 66 for ShelterBox
• 08:44 What is ShelterBox and how it brings dignity to disaster survivors
• 11:54 How a 70-year-old truck, driver, and partner survived the road
• 12:31 Bubblegum fixes: diy gas cap, carb cover, window cranks
• 14:55 Roadside kindness: strangers donate cash on the journey
• 17:24 Why Don says “just do it” and how it changed his life
• 19:21 Shout-out to friendship: Bonnie’s unstoppable positivity
• 23:41 ShelterBox’s response to hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the Bahamas
• 26:01 Paul Vercammen’s pivot from CNN to purpose-driven humanitarian work
• 29:22 Life after the newsroom: friendship, second chances, purpose

 Key Takeaways

💎 Purpose and passion don’t expire with age, it’s never too late to make a difference.

💎 ShelterBox brings dignity and relief to families displaced by disasters around the globe.

💎 Sometimes the craziest ideas, like driving a vintage truck across America,  inspire the biggest change.

💎 Friendships, both old and new, can spark extraordinary acts of good in the world.

Resources

• ShelterBox https://shelterboxusa.org/
• First Woman of Television: https://northlight.org/series/first-lady-of-television/
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About Our Guests

Don Crost – A lifelong Rotarian and humanitarian who drove a 1953 Chevy truck across Route 66 to raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox’s 25th anniversary campaign.

Paul Vercammen – Former CNN correspondent who transitioned to ShelterBox USA communications, turning breaking news skills into a mission of hope and impact.

friendship, ShelterBox, Route66, humanitarian stories, disaster relief, vintage Chevy, road trip inspiration, Paul Vercammen, Daryn Kagan, kindness, doing good, resilience, hope, second chances, nonprofit storytelling, Hurricane Melissa,

CNN’s John King is known worldwide for guiding viewers through presidential elections on CNN with the Magic Wall. But behind the political maps and election coverage is a personal battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).

In this powerful Call Me Friend episode, host Daryn Kagan reconnects with her longtime CNN colleague to explore John’s journey of resilience. He reveals how MS impacts his health and career, how he balances hope with hard days, and why empathy and healing matter more than ever.

This is more than politics. It’s about family, faith in conversation, and finding optimism in the face of challenge.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅How John King discovered his multiple sclerosis diagnosis and what it means day-to-day

✅What it takes to stay steady while covering CNN’s election nights with the Magic Wall

✅Why empathy, patience, and resilience became his greatest lessons from living with MS

✅How John still finds hope and purpose in journalism, family, and everyday conversations

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Key Timestamps

• (00:00) John King On Hope, Healing, And What Keeps Him Going Through MS
• (0:53) Intro to Call Me Friend and setup of John King’s story
• (2:36) John is living with multiple sclerosis, why this conversation matters
• (3:00) Sponsor message  Ms Lou’s Cabin
• (4:08) John joins, quick catch up and location chat
• (10:02) Optimism that the next generation will fix our mistakes
• (17:51) The “All Over the Map” project, listening to voters across America
• (20:28) Polarization, why conversation works better than combat
• (29:03) MS diagnosis story, symptoms building to the 2008 Republican Convention
• (33:01) MS symptoms, fatigue, meds, costs, and how he adapts his day
• (43:46) Magic Wall origin story, who used it first, how John took it on
• (44:09) Behind the scenes on election coverage and the tech that powers it

Key Takeaways

🔹 John King’s candid story of resilience while living with multiple sclerosis

🔹 The behind-the-scenes reality of CNN election night coverage

🔹 Why optimism and healing fuel his work in journalism and life as a father

🔹 A reminder that empathy and patience can shift how we see each other

Guest Bio

John King is CNN’s chief national correspondent and anchor, known for his groundbreaking use of the Magic Wall during U.S. election coverage. With nearly 30 years at CNN, he has reported on politics, presidents, and pivotal national moments. Today, he is also openly sharing his experience living with multiple sclerosis, offering a deeply human perspective on resilience, hope, and healing.

Resources & Links

• John King https://www.instagram.com/johnkingcnn
• Firekeeper's Daughter https://amzn.to/4niDGiG
• Just One More Foundation: JustOneMoreFoundation.org 
• Daryn's book: https://amzn.to/427Tw8e
• Ms. Lou's Cabin: Check out this place in Shellman Bluff I found on Vrbo. https://t.vrbo.io/fNXBkq5GSWb

John King, CNN, election night, Magic Wall, multiple sclerosis, MS, MS awareness, living with MS, MS fatigue, chronic illness, health journey, resilience, hope and healing, empathy, journalism, political journalism, election coverage, US politics, polarization, democracy, media trust, voter conversations, All Over the Map, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend podcast, behind the scenes, newsroom, fatherhood, work life balance, routines, exercise and MS, heat sensitivity MS, disability advocacy, optimism, storytelling, map analysis, cable news, news anchor

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ Practical ways to rebuild creative identity after a life shock like cancer

✅ Tiny habits to restart creativity post chemo brain

✅ How Friends and Fiction lifts authors, readers, and indie bookstores

✅ Why a vulnerable author’s note can hit harder than a plot twist

If you’re looking for inspiration, insight, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the most trusted voices in journalism, this conversation delivers.

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Timestamps

• 00:00 Kristin Harmel on losing identity, finding her voice again, and the life behind her latest bestseller
• 02:17 Ms Lou’s Cabin on Georgia’s coast
• 07:02 Why her books make us cry and the twist this time. Author’s note that hit different
• 08:16 Diagnosis in October 2022, chemo brain is real, and the fear of not finding the words again
• 10:10 Colette’s identity crisis mirrors Kristin’s. Who are you if you are not the thing you do
• 11:26 Parenting through treatment and protecting a 6 year old from adult fear
• 17:02 How the writing faucet turned back on. Confidence, groove, and the next novel arriving easier
• 21:20 How Kristin made the leap from People magazine to published novelist
• 24:01 The Paris outline method. Studying structure by outlining successful novels
• 29:24 Friends and Fiction origin during early COVID, lifting indie bookstores, and building a 300k reader community
• 33:29 Collaboration over competition. Why author friendships grow everyone’s reach
• 43:19 Kristin’s book recommendations and why early reads feel magical
• 45:00 Call with sister Kallan Kagan
• 52:01 TikTok Shop wall anchors and renter friendly hacks

Key Takeaways

🔹 Friendship is a lifeline. Let people carry hope when you cannot

🔹 Identity is bigger than work. Build anchors in values, relationships, and daily rituals

🔹 Recovery is not linear. Track tiny wins and stack them until momentum returns

🔹 Structure unlocks flow. Simple outlines make room for surprise on the page

Guest Bio

Kristin Harmel is a New York Times bestselling author of World War II historical fiction, including The Book of Lost Names, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Paris Daughter, and The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau She co founded Friends and Fiction and champions readers, bookstores, and resilient creativity.

Resources and Mentions

• The Sea Stone Sisters https://amzn.to/46WWi1M
• Friends and Fiction Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsandFiction
• KristinHarmel.com https://kristinharmel.com/

#KristinHarmel #Friendship #Identity #CancerRecovery #CreativeRecovery #FriendsAndFiction #WritingProcess #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #CallMeFriend #bestsellingauthor #Inspiringstories #friendshippodcast

Kristin Harmel, friendship, identity, cancer recovery, creative recovery, Friends and Fiction, writing process, historical fiction author, indie bookstores, author interview, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend Podcast, resilience, parenting during treatment, outline method, community, friendship, connection, real life stories, inspiration,

Scottie opens up about her darkest moments, the turning point that led her to treatment, and the 24 years of sobriety that followed. Her journey shows how second chances can ripple outward, first saving yourself, then lifting others.

If you’re searching for real-life addiction recovery stories, insights into sobriety and second chances, or inspiration from women overcoming trauma and addiction, this conversation is packed with hope, honesty, and healing.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ How Scottie Bowman survived a 12-day drug and alcohol binge that nearly killed her

✅ The role of treatment, 12-step programs, and sober living in her long-term sobriety

✅ Why she chose to stay in the restaurant and bar business while maintaining recovery

✅ How she turned personal success into The Launchpad, a community of sober living houses serving 55 women at a time

If you’re looking for inspiration, insight, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the most trusted voices in journalism, this conversation delivers.

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00 Sobriety & Second Chances: Scottie Bowman’s Amazing Secon Chance & Recovery Story
• 1:03 Introduction to Scottie Bowman’s addiction story
• 5:15 Early struggles and family trauma that fueled addiction
• 7:14  The New Year’s Eve binge that spiraled into 12 days of nonstop use
• 13:04  Moment of clarity: realizing she didn’t want to die
• 14:07  Treatment at Cornerstone and the start of sobriety
• 18:05  Building her first sober living house, The Launchpad
• 20:34  Growth into five houses serving women in recovery
• 24:02  Why work and accountability are key to sobriety
• 31:02  Coping with relapse and loss in the recovery community
• 36:10  The friend who changed everything: Jack Lupton and his life-changing support
• 40:50  Scottie’s message on boundaries, grace, and hope for those still struggling
• 41:40 Daryn calls sister Kallan Kagan to talk about the call with Scottie Bowman

Key Takeaways

🔹 Recovery is possible—even after decades of addiction and near-death experiences.

🔹 Community and structure matter—sober living, work, and accountability provide lasting stability.

🔹 Second chances multiply—when one person recovers, they create opportunities for others.

🔹 Boundaries are love—learning to say no is essential for both sobriety and relationships.

About Scottie Bowman

Scottie Bowman is a Chattanooga-based entrepreneur, restaurant owner, and founder of The Launchpad, a nonprofit creating sober living homes for women. With over 24 years of sobriety, Scottie’s mission is to break the stigma of addiction and help women rebuild their lives through accountability, community, and compassion.

Resources & Links

• Launch Pad: https://www.lpchatt.org/
• Just One More Foundation: JustOneMoreFoundation.org 
• Daryn's book: https://amzn.to/427Tw8e
• Ms. Lou's Cabin: Check out this place in Shellman Bluff I found on Vrbo. https://t.vrbo.io/fNXBkq5GSWb
• Snackle box: https://amzn.to/429gnAm

addiction recovery, sobriety stories, overcoming addiction, drug and alcohol recovery, second chances, sober living homes, women in recovery, Chattanooga restaurants, The Launchpad nonprofit, Scottie Bowman, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend Podcast, Friendship, Connection, Real life stories, Inspiration,

David opens up about growing up in Louisiana with Tourette syndrome, navigating the challenges of being gay in a conservative environment, and the teachers, mentors, and friends who changed his life. From his career-defining coverage in Puerto Rico to creating “Beg Knows America”– segments that spotlight everyday heroes, David shares how he turned past pain into purpose and why storytelling remains his ultimate calling.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ How David Begnaud overcame bullying, Tourette syndrome, and self-doubt to build a national journalism career

✅ The pivotal role of friendship, mentorship, and second chances in shaping his life

✅ Why redefining success helped him shift from hard news to uplifting storytelling

✅ The surprising lessons he learned about resilience, authenticity, and living without attachment to past pain

If you’re looking for inspiration, insight, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the most trusted voices in journalism, this conversation delivers.

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00  Childhood trauma, Tourette syndrome, bullying, and survival
• 05:02  How Daryn and David first connected: a DM that sparked friendship
• 08:04  The “news bug” story: how a 7-year-old became obsessed with TV news
• 11:11  Living with Tourette syndrome and learning to turn trauma into resilience
• 19:02  Facing doubt at CBS: from rejection to respect
• 23:31  Puerto Rico coverage: breaking point, burnout, and finding a new purpose
• 28:28  The dog trainer revealed as a convicted murderer, a lesson in second chances
• 34:11  The teacher who changed David’s life and launched his career
• 37:50  Book and documentary recommendations that inspire his work
• 39:11  A call for stories: how you can share everyday heroes with David

4 Key Takeaways

💎Resilience often comes from the deepest pain, we can turn trauma into testimony.

💎Authentic storytelling creates connection far beyond headlines.

💎Mentors and friends can change the course of a life forever.

💎Redefining success sometimes means stepping away from what once defined you.

Guest Bio: David Begnaud

David Begnaud is an Emmy-winning journalist and contributor for CBS News, known for his authentic storytelling and uplifting series “Beg Knows America”. From his acclaimed coverage of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico to his deeply human stories of resilience, Begnaud has become one of the most trusted voices in broadcast journalism. Living with Tourette syndrome and embracing his identity as a gay man, David’s journey is one of triumph over adversity, a celebration of authenticity, and proof that second chances can change everything.

Resource Links

• David's story on Richard Rogers : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/just-one-more-foundation-featured-on-cbs-mornings/
• David's story on the dog trainer who turned out to be a convicted murderer: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-a-california-man-serving-life-in-prison-received-a-second-chance/
• Dear David contact info: DearDavid@cbsnews.com

Stuff recommending to friends: 

• Barry Diller's memoir, "Who Knew" https://amzn.to/4gizAp5
• Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 https://amzn.to/46cOhVY
• Luther: Never Too Much https://amzn.to/46cOhVY
• Ms. Lou’s Cabin Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Tags

David Begnaud, CBS News, Tourette Syndrome, Resilience, Friendship Podcast, Storytelling, Overcoming Trauma, LGBTQ+, Puerto Rico Coverage, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, Uplifting Stories, Mentorship, Journalism Journey, celebrity friendships

What You’ll Learn

• ✅ How two single dads turned tragedy into friendship and healing.
• ✅ The challenges of parenting after losing a spouse.
• ✅ Why men’s conversations about grief and mental health matter.
• ✅ How shared stories can inspire resilience and hope.

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Subscribe & Connect

Subscribe for more powerful, purpose-filled conversations on second chances and real-life impact

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Follow @CallMeFriendPodcast on all platforms

Email Daryn@DarynKagan.com 

Timestamps

• 00:00 Jamal introduces the journey of becoming a single dad
• 04:40 Jamal’s story of love, loss, and raising three kids
• 07:12 David shares his marriage, diagnosis, and raising two daughters
• 10:47 How their daughters brought them together at a bowling alley
• 16:21 The idea for their podcast Getting Back Up
• 22:31 Trent shares his own story of grief and fatherhood
• 26:19 Balancing fatherhood, dating, and honoring legacy
• 33:33 The realities of “dad-mom” parenting moments
• 38:44 A powerful connection through their daughters’ names
• 42:00 Final recommendations: vinegar, stretching, and credit health

Key Takeaways

• 💎 Grief can become a bridge that connects people in unexpected ways.
• 💎 Parenting after loss requires resilience, humor, and community.
• 💎 Men need more spaces to openly share feelings and struggles.
• 💎 Healing doesn’t erase the past, it honors it while building forward.

 Resources & Links

• Getting Back Up Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5se2NarmSX9wRPlMP2CgYc?si=244006d26a8f4394
• Getting Back Up Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbackuppodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Ms Lou’s Cabin Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Guest Bios

Jamal Jones is a father of three navigating life after the loss of his wife to cancer. He co-hosts Getting Back Up, a podcast helping men face grief with honesty and resilience.

David McClain is a devoted dad raising two daughters after losing his wife to uterine sarcoma. His mission is to create open conversations about fatherhood, loss, and rebuilding.

Trent Swanson is husband to host Daryn Kagan and father who also experienced profound loss. His story brings perspective on resilience, love, and second chances.

Keywords: single dads, grief journey, parenting after loss, men’s mental health, fatherhood stories, getting back up podcast, friendship after tragedy, resilience and healing, widowed dads, Call Me Friend podcast, life after loss, healing conversations, inspirational fatherhood, dads raising kids, coping with grief, celebrity friendships

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Nicole Lapin transitioned from CNBC anchor to Money Rehab host and financial educator

✅ The financial literacy mistakes even experts make and how to avoid them

✅ Disaster preparedness tips that can protect your personal finances and peace of mind

✅ The emotional and financial lessons of losing everything in the Palisades fire

✅ Why resilience, reinvention, and chosen family are just as important as money in recovery

Nicole shares how she used her financial literacy skills to navigate a crisis, what she wishes she had done differently, and why taking action before disaster strikes is key. Daryn Kagan guides this heartfelt Call Me Friend podcast conversation, filled with personal stories, actionable tips, and a reminder that even in the toughest seasons, personal finance knowledge and strong relationships can help you rebuild.

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📢 Subscribe & Connect

Subscribe for more powerful, purpose-filled conversations on second chances and real-life impact

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Follow @CallMeFriendPodcast on all platforms

Email Daryn@DarynKagan.com 

Timestamps

• 0:00 Daryn introduces Nicole’s journey: motherhood, partnership, and sudden loss in the Palisades fire
• 2:00 Nicole opens up about debt while being a CNBC financial anchor
• 7:02 How one email from Daryn changed Nicole’s career path
• 10:00 Early career struggles: layoffs at CNN’s digital network and pivoting to CNBC
• 13:30 Financial “imposter syndrome”  teaching money while in personal debt
• 15:03 Nicole’s journey to get out of credit card debt and build her own financial literacy system
• 16:00 Leaving CNBC mid-contract to build her own brand against traditional advice
• 19:00 Writing Rich Bitch and taking risks with bold branding
• 21:33 Launching The Money School and addressing the financial literacy gap
• 23:00 Reflecting on her career shift and what she truly wanted to be: a writer
• 24:00 The Palisades fire, losing everything two weeks after her daughter’s birth
• 28:00 What Nicole wishes she had done differently (insurance, documentation, preparedness)
• 31:00 Rebuilding life, turning her garage into a studio, finding stability
• 32:12 Friendship through crisis: who showed up and who didn’t
• 35:24 Motherhood through loss: how priorities shift to the basics
• 37:18 Rethinking her relationship with “stuff” after losing it all
• 39:36 Money, happiness, and the threshold where wealth stops increasing joy
• 43:00 Nicole’s interview with Ray Dalio and the reality that money can’t buy immunity from loss
• 44:18 Nicole’s recommendation to friends: therapy, even when life feels fine
• 45:06 Tribute to her chosen sister Tracy, a friend who showed up in life-changing ways
• 47:48 Closing thoughts: why financial self-care belongs alongside other forms of self-care

4 Key Takeaways

💎 Financial literacy is an essential life skill to start before you’re in crisis, as discussed in this Call Me Friend podcast interview with Daryn Kagan and Nicole Lapin.

💎 Document your possessions — a quick video can save you time, money, and stress after a loss like the Palisades fire.

💎 Reinvention takes courage — Nicole Lapin’s decision to leave CNBC shows that career pivots can lead to more personal and financial freedom.

💎 Friendship is wealth — chosen family can be as valuable as money when building resilience and recovery plans in personal finance.

About Nicole Lapin

Nicole Lapin is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and host of Money Rehab, a top-rated personal finance podcast making financial literacy simple and relatable. She has appeared on CNBC, CNN, and Bloomberg, and is the author of five books, including Rich Bitch, Boss Bitch, and her newest release, The Money School. Nicole’s mission is to close the financial literacy gap by empowering people — especially women — to understand money without the jargon.

Resources & Links

• Listen to Money Rehab: Money Rehab Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/30PCeEKkKV8oJYfzA6TwFx?si=4e66877aadeb4930
• Nicole Lapin's latest book "The Money School"  https://amzn.to/4oQCsgP
• Follow Nicole Lapin on Instagram: @nicolelapin
• Subscribe to the Call Me Friend podcast hosted by Daryn Kagan: Listen here https://open.spotify.com/show/5UqoVloVdABGqDb6g2rLJo?si=f35bc5e58c0245c5

Keywords: Nicole Lapin, Money Rehab, financial literacy, personal finance, CNBC, debt recovery, Palisades fire, resilience, women and money, disaster preparedness, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend podcast, financial education, financial freedom, Boss Bitch, The Money School, celebrity friendships

Richard Rogers’ lightning strike survivor story is not just about survival. It is about transformation, service, and living with purpose. His second chance became the inspiration for Just One More Foundation, where he helps others like Alberto turn personal adversity into empowerment. Alberto’s Barber School offers affordable education, barber school accreditation, and training for aspiring barbers from underserved communities. Together, Richard and Alberto show how second chances ripple through lives and communities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How a lightning strike survivor turned adversity into a mission of giving back
• The journey of West Texas Barber Academy toward accreditation and community impact
• Why vocational education and trade school entrepreneurship are life-changing
• The power of nonprofit support and second chance stories in underserved communities

If you’re looking for second chance stories, lightning strike survivor interviews, giving back inspiration, or insights into barber school accreditation and overcoming adversity, this episode is for you. Join us on the Call Me Friend Podcast for a conversation filled with heart, hope, and the power of giving back.

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Key Timestamps:

• (00:00) Richard Rogers survival story: “It killed me. I was laying in the bed on fire dead.”
• (01:00) Daryn introduces the episode and her unforgettable on air blooper
• (05:18) Richard recounts the 1995 lightning strike that ended and restarted  his life
• (08:45) A 14 year-old boy performs CPR and brings Richard back from death
• (12:20) Richard’s hospital moment: “If I get another chance, I won’t live for me”
• (16:10) The birth of the Just One More Foundation: turning a second chance into service
• (20:30) Meet Alberto: raised without his father, finds purpose through barbering
• (25:01) Surprise grant moment: Alberto reacts as Just One More gifts $6,823
• (30:45) Alberto shares how the funds will help him get accredited and expand his school
• (35:40) Richard and Daryn reflect on what makes someone worth betting on

Key Takeaways:

• Second chances can transform lives far beyond the individual, as seen in Richard Rogers’ lightning strike survivor story.
• The Just One More Foundation helps individuals like Alberto pursue their dreams by supporting his barber school accreditation and make education accessible.
• Giving back creates a ripple effect that multiplies opportunities for entire communities.
• Overcoming adversity requires resilience, faith, and a commitment to helping others rise.

About the Guest:

Richard Rogers is a lightning strike survivor who turned his miraculous second chance into a lifelong mission of service. As founder of the Just One More Foundation, Richard helps others overcome adversity and strike launch careers, including supporting Alberto’s Barber School in Lubbock, Texas. His lightning strike survivor story has inspired thousands, demonstrating how giving back transforms lives. Alberto, founder of West Texas Barber Academy, provides affordable barber education and is on a mission to gain full barber school accreditation to empower underserved communities through trade skills and entrepreneurship.

Resource Links:

• Just One More Foundation: https://justonemorefoundation.org
• Richard Rogers' Book: Resilience, Tragedy, & Tenacity: 150 Years of the U.S. Stove Story & the Family of S.L. Rogers, Sr.
• West Texas Barber Academy: https://wtbarberacademy.com/
• CallMeFriendPodcast.com – Join the conversation or leave a voicemail
• Miss Lou’s Cabin:airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Call Me Friend Hotline: 912-766-0446 Call Daryn, leave a message, let her know about one of your friends who would make a great story.
• Daryn’s Book: Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

Keywords

second chances, lightning strike survivor, overcoming adversity, Richard Rogers, Alberto’s Barber School, barber school accreditation, Just One More Foundation, giving back, inspirational stories, comeback story, community impact, trade school success, resilience, nonprofit spotlight, faith and perseverance, vocational education, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, empowering others, second chance stories, West Texas Barber Academy, lightning strike survivor story, second chance nonprofit, barber school success, giving back podcast, trade school education, overcoming adversity stories, Call Me Friend Podcast Daryn Kagan, celebrity friendships

In this exclusive episode of Call Me Friend, Deborah opens up about what it means to truly start over, not from failure, but from strength. She reflects on the pressure of proving herself for nearly five decades, the emotional moment that brought her career full circle, and why it takes more courage to walk away from “good enough” than to rebuild after a setback. From being publicly let go during maternity leave at NBC’s Today Show to becoming the longest-running anchor in American television history, Deborah’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and self-trust.

Just days after announcing her departure from Inside Edition, Deborah received life changing personal news, she’s about to become a grandmother for the first time. Now, she’s turning to listeners for help: What should her grandma name be? She’s collecting suggestions, and yours could be the one that sticks.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. The surprising reason Deborah Norville really left Inside Edition after 30 year
2. How to navigate a career transition with confidence, even when it’s unexpected
3. The mindset shift Deborah used to redefine her identity beyond a job title
4. What it takes to reinvent yourself at any stage of life or career
5. How gratitude became Deborah’s secret weapon for resilience and reinvention
6. Why walking away from “good enough” can be harder than recovering from failure
7. How her sudden departure led to the joyful surprise of becoming a first-time grandma
8. The behind-the-scenes truth about her Today Show exit and how it shaped everything after

Whether you’re navigating a career transition, redefining your identity, or wondering what’s next, this episode is packed with wisdom, vulnerability, and the kind of inspiration only a real conversation between friends can bring.

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Timestamps

1. (00:00) Deborah’s early moment of doubt: "You don’t belong here"
2. (01:00) The power of proving someone wrong
3. (02:00) Daryn’s story of being let go from CNN
4. (03:40) Different kinds of starting over: forced vs. chosen
5. (05:30) Why Deborah chose to leave Inside Edition
6. (08:00) Reflecting on her career in broadcast journalism
7. (11:30) How the Today Show exit shaped her path
8. (14:45) The wagon wheel method: redefining who you are
9. (18:00) Building a belief plan after career transition
10. (21:00) Hosting a game show and coming home to Georgia
11. (26:00) Breaking news: Deborah Norville is going to be a grandmother
12. (28:00) How gratitude fuels a fresh start

Key Takeaways

1. Starting over doesn’t mean failure, it can be an act of power. Deborah left Inside Edition on her own terms, showing what it means to walk away with confidence.
2. Resilience in media careers comes from knowing your values, not just your roles. From network news to daytime television, radio, authorship, and game shows, Deborah’s journey proves that true longevity in media starts with knowing who you are, not just what job title you hold. This is especially powerful for women navigating high profile careers in journalism, broadcasting, and beyond.
3. Broadcast journalism is evolving, and career transitions are part of longevity. Deborah’s journey from NBC to CBS to Inside Edition and now to game show host is proof that reinvention is possible at any stage.
4. Gratitude and mindset drive sustainable success. Deborah’s belief in the power of gratitude shaped both her recovery from public setbacks and her newest life chapter.
5. Deborah Norville is about to become a grandmother and she needs your help!!! Just days after announcing her departure, Deborah learned she’s going to be a first time grandma. She’s taking suggestions for her new “grandma name” and wants to hear your suggestions!

Guest Bio: Deborah Norville

Deborah Norville is a veteran broadcast journalist, best known for anchoring Inside Edition for over 30 years. She began her career as a college intern in Atlanta and rose to national prominence at NBC’s Today Show. A bestselling author, Emmy-winning reporter, and advocate for women in media, Deborah is also the host of a new game show, The Perfect Line, and the proud grandmother-to-be of her first grandchild.

Resources & Mentions

1. Deborah Norville Official Site: https://www.deborahnorville.com
2. CallMeFriendPodcast.com – Join the conversation or leave a voicemail
3. Miss Lou’s Cabin:airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
4. Call Me Friend Hotline: 912-766-0446 Call Daryn, leave a message, let her know about one of your friends who would make a great story.
5. Daryn’s Book: Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

Keywords

Deborah Norville, Starting over, Career transition, Broadcast journalism, Inside Edition, Women in media, Media careers, Resilience, Life after TV, Game show host, Gratitude mindset, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, Personal reinvention

In This Episode You Will Learn

• How a dying mother’s memoir sparked a deep investigation into a Nazi-linked family history
• The process of turning personal trauma and family secrets into an award-winning podcast
• What it was like for two sisters to uncover their grandfather’s role in Hitler’s weapons program
• The emotional and ethical weight of confronting Holocaust history within your own lineage
• How science, journalism, and sisterhood came together to reveal uncomfortable truths
• The real story behind the V-1 vengeance weapon and its ties to Nazi concentration camps
• What the Rico sisters learned about legacy, generational trauma, and redemption
• Behind the scenes of creating The Man Who Calculated Death as a sister-led podcast team
• Why resilience, collaboration, and truth-telling are core to both their podcast and their healing journey

Discover how a journalist and a scientist used podcasting to unravel their grandfather’s role in Hitler’s weapons program and what they found at a concentration camp that changed everything.

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Timestamps :

• (00:00) A dying wish: Finish my memoir
• (01:00) Meet Suzanne Rico and her Emmy-worthy storytelling 
• (02:36) How Facebook connected two recovering journalists
• (05:28) Daryn discovers the powerful podcast The Man Who Calculated Death
• (07:00) The legacy of their grandfather’s weapon design for Hitler
• (08:36) Stephanie—voice memos, war stories, and Nazi archives
• (11:06) From memoir to podcast: how it evolved
• (13:12) Did their mom know they’d uncover Nazi secrets?
• (15:00) The weight of truth: family guilt and generational trauma
• (17:12) The V-1 vengeance weapon and ties to concentration camps
• (19:06) Sisters reflect on truth, teamwork, and emotional healing
• (21:42) The aunts: storytelling, survival, and sisterhood
• (24:00) What the Rico sisters learned about resilience
• (27:00) Legacy, redemption, and one powerful apology to a Holocaust survivor
• (30:12) Behind the scenes: How working with a sister shapes the project
• (34:36) Advice for sister teams launching podcasts

Key Takeaways:

• A dying mother’s memoir launched a multi-year investigation into a family’s Nazi-linked past
• Suzanne and Stephanie Rico used journalism, science, and family archives to create an award-winning podcast
• Their grandfather designed Hitler’s V-1 vengeance weapon and joined the Nazi party for career survival
• The sisters’ emotional journey included confronting Holocaust survivors and family myths
• Sisterhood, resilience, and truth-telling are at the heart of both their podcast and their lives

Guest Bios:

Suzanne Rico is a former TV journalist turned podcast creator. She’s the writer, narrator, and producer of The Man Who Calculated Death, a deeply personal and award-winning exploration of her family's past.

Stephanie Rico is a sustainability strategist with a background in science. Fluent in German and equally devoted to the investigation, she joined her sister on this podcast journey, helping uncover crucial documents and interviewing family members.

Kallan Kagan is a creative producer and co-executive producer of Call Me Friend. With a background in storytelling, branding, and creative development, she brings a unique blend of heart and strategy to every project. As Daryn Kagan’s sister, Kallan offers a behind-the-scenes force of connection, structure, and style, helping to shape the podcast’s vision, tone, and emotional impact.

Resource Links:

• 🎧 Listen to The Man Who Calculated Death: Available on all major platforms
• 🌐 Bonus content and photos: TheManWhoCalculatedDeath.com
• CallMeFriendPodcast.com – Join the conversation or leave a voicemail
• Miss Lou’s Cabin:airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Call Me Friend Hotline: 912-766-0446 Call Daryn, leave a message, let her know about one of your friends who would make a great story.
• Daryn’s Book: Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

Keywords:

The Man Who Calculated Death, Suzanne Rico, Stephanie Rico, Nazi Germany, family secrets, WWII podcast, V-1 weapon, Holocaust, generational trauma, podcast sisters, memoir to podcast, storytelling, history podcast, Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan, female podcasters, podcasting sisters, Gracie Award, redemption stories, truth telling, ww2, world war 2, Adolf Hitler

What happens when your “arranged marriage” at work turns into a real friendship? In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan reconnects with her former CNN co-anchor, now Fox News host, Bill Hemmer. Their candid chat explores journalism careers, behind the scenes moments as TV co-anchors, and the surprising rituals (yes, banana toast!) that kept them grounded.

In This Episode You Will Learn

• What it’s really like to co-anchor a national newscast with someone you barely know and how it can spark a real-life friendship
• The banana toast ritual that brought levity and grounding to high-stakes newsroom life
• How Bill Hemmer and Daryn Kagan navigated grief, growth, and legacy as longtime broadcast journalists
• Why “work spouse” dynamics matter and how co-anchor chemistry affects the viewer experience
• Practical advice from Bill for young journalists entering media careers in today’s fast-paced environment
• Behind-the-scenes stories from CNN to Fox News and the evolution of journalism careers through decades of change
• What June 1st means to Bill Hemmer and why this date connects his past and present as a news anchor
• How travel, curiosity, and lifelong learning fuel the careers and friendships of veteran TV journalists

From covering breaking news to navigating personal loss, and from media industry stories to cross network friendship, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the real people behind the news anchor stories. Expect laughter, heart, and valuable insight into how two broadcast journalism pros built a lasting bond in the spotlight and beyond.

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Key Timestamps

• (0:00) Daryn and Bill reflect on their chemistry as CNN anchors and their unique “arranged” friendship at work
• (4:06) Daryn’s bold move from reporter to TV co-anchor and sports journalist
• (5:12)  How CNN paired them up and how this “work spouse” dynamic became iconic
• (6:42) The inside story of their banana toast ritual, a newsroom favorite
• (11:36)  Bill on grief, family, and the strength it takes in journalism careers
• (17:42) Why June 1st is Bill’s most meaningful date as both a CNN and Fox News host
• (21:30) His go to advice for young journalists building media industry stories
• (23:12) How TV co-anchors stay grounded amid politics, pressure, and public perception
• (27:42) Lessons from a long career in news: the human side of broadcast journalism
• (30:00) How classic, tactile prep keeps Bill grounded in today’s media
• (31:31) Bill on wanderlust, what's next, and friendship that’s built to last
• (35:00) Emirates flights, travel dreams, and more real-life stories from two newsroom pros

Key Takeaways

• Chemistry Can’t Be Faked: Real chemistry between TV co-anchors is built on true friendship at worK and shows up on screen.
• Mentorship That Matters: Bill shares timeless media industry stories and advice for journalism careers: ask questions, show up, play well.
• Grief, Gratitude, Legacy: Bill opens up about his father's passing, a moving moment from a veteran Fox News host.
• Curiosity Is a Career Fuel: From CNN anchors to global travelers, Bill and Daryn show how broadcast journalism evolves with purpose.

About the Guest Bill Hemmer

Bill Hemmer is one of the most respected Fox News hosts and a former CNN anchor with a decades-long legacy in broadcast journalism. Known for his thoughtful reporting and calm on-air presence, he’s navigated some of the most critical news anchor stories of our time. From his days as a TV co-anchor with Daryn Kagan to his role today, Hemmer’s journalism career exemplifies professionalism, curiosity, and authenticity. His journey offers a rare look at what it means to be both a work spouse and a newsroom trailblazer.

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

• Bill Hemmer X- https://x.com/billhemmer?lang=en
• Bill Hemmer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billhemmer/?hl=en
• CallMeFriendPodcast.com – Join the conversation or leave a voicemail
• Miss Lou’s Cabin:airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Call Me Friend Hotline: 912-766-0446 Call Daryn, leave a message, let her know about one of your friends who would make a great story.
• Daryn’s Book: Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

Let’s add link to MilesHusband Facebook page since Bill and I talk miles and points https://www.facebook.com/TheMilesHusband

Keywords

CNN anchors, Fox News hosts, TV co-anchors, broadcast journalism, journalism careers, news anchor stories, friendship at work, media industry stories, work spouse, Bill Hemmer, Daryn Kagan, behind-the-scenes journalism, banana toast ritual, veteran journalists, co-anchor chemistry

This friendship podcast and love story podcast dives into dating after heartbreak, single parent dating, and the surprising ways connection can show up when you least expect it.

In this episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan shares how her longtime friends Craig and Michael—her hilarious, devoted gay best friends—became unexpected matchmakers. Through heartfelt conversations about love, loss, and second chances, Daryn reveals how their wingman instincts set her up to meet Trent, the man who would become her husband.

What began as a tough weekend turned into a real love story when a funnel cake line at a local festival sparked a connection that changed everything. This heartwarming friendship podcast episode is about trusting your friends, embracing the unexpected, and believing in love again even if you thought you’d given up.

At its core, this is more than just a dating story—it’s about the connection between friends who see you clearly, the conversations that encourage you to keep going, and the moments that lead to a life you never imagined.

In This Episode You Will Learn

• How two gay best friends turned wingmen led to a real-life love story
• The power of friendship and timing when it comes to dating after heartbreak
• Why even the lowest moments can become the turning point for something beautiful
• What it’s like dating as a single parent and blending families with grace
• How Daryn’s husband Trent rebuilt his life after loss and found love again
• Why trusting your friends might be the best relationship advice you’ll ever follow
• How a funnel cake line at a local festival sparked a second chance at love
• Real talk on single parent dating, grief, adoption, and building a life full of joy

Whether you’re navigating single life, dating as a single parent, or trying to trust the timing of your own story, this heartwarming episode of Call Me Friend is a must listen.

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Timestamps

• (00:00) Daryn’s dating struggles and friendships
• (01:18) The “thank you” call that sparked the story
• (02:00) Craig and Michael’s matchmaking success
• (07:00) Why Daryn was feeling low that weekend
• (08:54) The funnel cake encounter that changed everything
• (13:12) Trent’s version of meeting Daryn
• (19:34) When Michael stepped in to follow up
• (25:01) Single dad dating dynamics and family blending
• (26:28) From coffee to marriage and adopting a daughter
• (34:22) How a travel points obsession became a shared lifestyle
• (43:05) Heidi’s marriage story from a wedding introduction
• (44:59) How to shout out your own friends on the show

Key Takeaways

• Trust your friends—they might spot the right person before you do.
• The right timing sometimes starts with heartbreak.
• Single parents deserve lasting, meaningful love too.
• Even a funnel cake line can change your life.

Guest Bios

Craig Pigg and Michael Prudent

Daryn’s close friends who’ve been together for over 30 years. Their support, humor, and intuition helped Daryn meet her future husband, and their story shows the power of enduring friendships.

Trent (Daryn’s Husband)

A devoted single father raising his daughter after losing his first wife. Trent shares how he found love again and built a blended family—with miles, funnel cakes, and a whole lot of heart.

Resources and Mentions

• MilesHusband.com – Learn more about maximizing travel points
• Big Brother Big Sister Program – https://www.bbbs.org
• Miss Lou’s Cabin:airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Call Me Friend Hotline: 912-766-0446 Call Daryn, leave a message, let her know about one of your friends who would make a great story.
• Daryn’s Book: Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

Keywords:

love story podcast, dating after heartbreak, finding a husband, friendship podcast, gay best friends, single parent dating, Daryn Kagan podcast, Call Me Friend podcast, miles husband, real love stories

This friendship podcast and organ transplant story explores how kidney donation, grief recovery, and resilience brought people together in ways no one could predict. Through heartfelt conversations, host Daryn Kagan shares how Kim and Steve—both widowed young, navigating grief recovery as single parents—found love again after tragedy and built a new blended family rooted in connection.

Just as they were finding their rhythm, a letter arrived from Kim’s longtime Stanford friend Melinda, who was facing polycystic kidney disease and urgently needed a live donor transplant. Kim was ready to step forward, but in a twist that deepened their bond, it was Steve—her new husband—who turned out to be the perfect match. His decision to donate a kidney didn’t just save Melinda’s life, it gave her children more time with their mom and forever connected three families in gratitude.

In this friendship podcast episode, you’ll hear the real-life story of resilience, love, and the ripple effect of kindness. These powerful conversations show how true friendship often shows up in surprising, life-changing ways. At its heart, this is a story about connection—between college friends, between grieving families, and between strangers who became chosen family through an act of radical generosity

In This Episode You Will Learn

• How a college friendship, a heartfelt letter, and a selfless act led to a life-saving kidney transplant
• Why Steve, a widower and father, chose to donate his kidney to his wife’s best friend
• The emotional journey of navigating grief, single parenting, and new beginnings
• How love, loss, and legacy shaped a blended family bonded by gratitude
• What it's like to ask for a live organ donor and the unexpected way help arrived
• Why true friendship often shows up in the most surprising and life-changing ways
• The ripple effect of compassion: how one act of generosity transformed three families
• Insights into polycystic kidney disease, post-traumatic growth, and chosen family

Whether you are interested in stories of medical miracles, inspired by real life heroes, or navigating blended families after loss, this powerful conversation will stay with you long after it ends. It is proof that one act of compassion can echo for generations.

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TIMESTAMPS:

• (00:00) Steve reflects on why he volunteered for a kidney donation that changed three families
• (01:20) Daryn sets the stage for this friendship podcast with a college reunion story
• (03:30) Introducing Melinda and her Stanford connection in this organ transplant story
• (05:21) Melinda opens up about her polycystic kidney disease diagnosis
• (07:12) Writing the letter to ask for a live kidney donor
• (09:30) Kim receives the letter and begins her journey of grief recovery and helping a friend
• (10:54) Kim and Melinda’s college roommate connection
• (13:00) Kim’s story of loss, single parenting, and building a blended family
• (15:06) Steve’s journey through grief after losing his first wife
• (17:00) How Steve and Kim met and became part of this real life heroes story
• (22:00) Deciding together who will be the kidney donor for Melinda
• (24:45) Friendly competition: whose kidney is the best match
• (26:30) The emotional night before the live organ transplant
• (28:00) Post-op transformation: Melinda’s recovery and new life after kidney donation
• (30:44) How do you say thank you for a kidney and a second chance at life
• (34:00) Post-traumatic growth, chosen families, and the ripple effect of compassion
• (39:38) Phone a Friend: Kimshi

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• True friendship is showing up especially when it’s inconvenient, complicated, or uncertain.
• Live organ donation is an act of radical generosity with long-lasting impact.
• Shared grief and resilience can create unbreakable bonds between friends and families.
• There’s power in asking for help and in the beautiful surprises that follow when we do.

RESOURCE LINKS:

• Learn about kidney donation: https://www.kidney.org/transplantation
• Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation: https://pkdcure.org
• Miss Lou’s Cabin:airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Call Me Friend Hotline: 912-766-0446 Call Daryn, leave a message, let her know about one of your friends who would make a great story.
• Daryn’s Book: Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

GUEST BIOS

Melinda Myers Cook – A Stanford alum and longtime community volunteer, Melinda faced a life-threatening illness with grace, courage, and a rare gift for friendship. Her story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and hope.

Kim Laughton – A lifelong friend of Melinda and fellow Stanford grad, Kim faced her own deep loss as a widow and single mother. Her decision to step forward in Melinda’s time of need is a reflection of the heart she brings to every relationship.

Steve Maupin– Kim’s husband and kidney donor to Melinda. After losing his first wife to cancer, Steve’s act of donating a kidney is a powerful example of compassion, perspective, and purpose-driven living.

TAGS:

Kidney Donation, Organ Transplant Story, Polycystic Kidney Disease, Live Donor Transplant, Stanford Alumni, Grief Recovery, Friendship Podcast, Blended Families, Medical Miracles, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, Inspirational Podcast, Resilience, Emotional Healing, Real Life Heroes

From their days breaking national news together—including 9/11 coverage—to Leon’s spiral into alcoholism and his very public exit from the anchor desk, this episode is a powerful reminder of the strength found in friendship, the courage it takes to recover, and the power of a well-timed phone call.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What really happened during the incident that ended Leon Harris’ TV news career
• The hidden toll of addiction, even for a high-profile, Emmy-winning journalist
• Why rehab was more than detox, and the psychiatric support that helped him heal
• How friendship shows up in hard times, and the phone call that changed everything
• What it feels like to lose your public identity and slowly rebuild from the inside out
• The role of medications like Naltrexone in supporting recovery
• Why Leon believes true redemption starts with self-reflection and radical honesty
• A powerful message for anyone struggling with addiction or thinking about making a change

Whether you're facing a tough season, supporting someone in recovery, or just need hope that reinvention is possible, this conversation is for you.

Powered by Ms Lous Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

TIMESTAMPS:

• (00:00) Leon Harris describes the incident that ended his TV career
• (01:15) Daryn introduces the friendship behind the scenes at CNN
• (03:30) Leon's move to Washington and rising local fame
• (07:30) The on-air incident and aftermath
• (10:00) Struggles with alcoholism and losing self-awareness
• (13:42) Going to rehab and a pivotal ride to recovery
• (17:12) Costly commitment: paying out-of-pocket for healing
• (20:30) The medications that helped his recovery
• (23:00) When NBC said no: the moment he realized it was over
• (26:00) The difference this time: honest self-reflection
• (28:24) Making peace with his past and his father
• (32:45) A message to anyone afraid to make the call
• (33:00) What true friendship sounds like
• (37:22) Call from Joy

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Addiction is progressive—Leon lost his sense of self even as a seasoned anchor.
• Rehab is more than detox—it was deep psychiatric and emotional healing that made the difference.
• Friendship truly makes a difference—Daryn’s call to Leon is a masterclass in showing up when it counts.
• You can start over—Leon’s story shows that purpose can rise from public failure.

RESOURCE LINKS:

• Learn about SMART Recovery: https://www.smartrecovery.org/
• More on Naltrexone: https://www.drugs.com/naltrexone.html
• Leon Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-harris-095b0214/
• Miss Lou’s Cabin:airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
• Call Me Friend Hotline: 912-766-0446 Call Daryn, leave a message, let her know about one of your friends who would make a great story.
• Daryn’s Book- Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor's Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, and My Dog, Always My Dog https://amzn.to/3GPcicB

About the Guest Leon Harris

Leon Harris is a multiple Emmy Award–winning journalist known for his decades-long career at CNN and NBC Washington. A trusted anchor, Harris covered major historical events including 9/11 alongside Daryn Kagan. After publicly battling alcoholism and stepping away from broadcasting, he is now focused on recovery, community work, and redefining his life outside the news studio.

 TAGS:

Leon Harris, Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend Podcast, Addiction Recovery, Alcoholism, Rehab Journey, TV News Anchor, Mental Health, Friendship Podcast, SMART Recovery, Naltrexone, Life After TV, Sobriety Stories, Emmy Winner, Redemption Journey

Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection.

Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be.

This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen.

Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique.

What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space.

Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call.

Go ahead, pick up the phone.

Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend.

About the Host:

Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend.

Just One More Foundation : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/

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Facebook: Daryn Kagan

Website: https://darynkagan.com/

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-kagan-14a6893/