Sometimes God uses dark moments in life to sweep in and pull you close and beloved country artist Jo Dee Messina has experienced just that! She was the first female in country music history to celebrate three consecutive multi-week, chart-topping songs and has sold over 5 million albums but got real with 9-time Emmy winner David Sams about facing several obstacles in her life, including cancer, divorce, and moving to a brand new state. She shares how she's overcome them all with God's help. Photo courtesy JoDeeMessina.com.

CIA: Contagious Influencers of America

# 126: JO DEE MESSINA from country music songstress to overcoming life's challenges

Ready to party with a purpose this summer with all your favorite CCM artists? Join them at LIFEST MUSIC CITY! Bob Lenz is the mastermind behind Dignity Revolution and LIFEST music festival and he has a rare combo of passion, delivery and substance, both on & off stage, when it comes to anti-bullying & suicide prevention. LIFEST is over 20 years strong but now this epic music festival is happening just outside Nashville for the first time. Tickets are available at lifest.com. Use promo code FAITH for a discount.

# 125: BOB LENZ ignites a dignity revolution and LIFEST - the party with a purpose!

American Idol alum Danny Gokey says it's a New Day as everything has started to open back up! Maybe that's the inspiration you need as you start over? Danny has been there, and he tells 9-time Emmy winner David Sams about how he's made it through his challenges, as well as surrendering to God and His plans. Plus, he can't wait to get out in front of a live audience later this month at LIFEST MUSIC CITY festival on Johnny Cash's old farm just outside Nashville, TN. Use promocode "faith" for a discount when you get your tickets at lifest.com. Photo courtesy DannyGokey.com.

# 124: DANNY GOKEY gets ready to party with a purpose with this summer!

​Grammy-winning artist and author Michael W. Smith dreamt of becoming a baseball star growing up, but instead charted a path towards selling over 18 million albums & performing his music around the world for close to 4 decades. In his latest book, "The Way of the Father" he shares that his dad was his biggest fan whether as his little league coach or dancing in the concert aisles. He talks with 9-time Emmy winner David Sams about the grief after the loss of a parent & the blessing of fatherhood. Photo courtesy MichaelWSmith.com.

# 123: MICHAEL W. SMITH shares lessons from his father and truths about God

 Bart Millard, lead singer of the award-winning band MercyMe, has faced his fair share of trials throughout his life, many of which have become inspirations for the band's projects, including the hit song and movie "I Can Only Imagine." But in their latest project, "inhale (exhale)," he looks to others for inspiration. Bart and 9-time Emmy winner David Sams reflect on the camaraderie felt within the band for over 2 decades and how he's balanced life as a loving dad and husband this Father's Day. Photo courtesy MercyMe.com.  

# 122: MERCYME's BART MILLARD is a multi-platinum selling artist, but producing a song with his son was epic!

Chart-topping singer-songwriter Matthew West has had over a dozen top 10 hits and written for the likes of Billy Ray Cyrus and Rascal Flatts. All that success may tell an incredible story, but Matthew shares with 9-time Emmy winner David Sams about what it's taken for him to fully rely on God when trials come and how he refuses to stop dreaming. Plus, he can't wait to get out in front of a live audience at this summer's LIFEST MUSIC CITY festival on Johnny Cash's old farm just outside Nashville, TN. Tickets at lifest.com. Photo courtesy MatthewWest.com.

# 121: MATTHEW WEST, truth be told he gets vulnerable and ready to rock at Lifest Music City

Dana Perino co-hosts Fox News' The Five and co-anchors America's Newsroom & shares from her new book filled with advice for young women, "Everything Will Be Okay" that worrying won't make a difference, but actually hinders your productivity. The former White House Press Secretary to President George W. Bush talks with 9-time Emmy winner David Sams about the value of your integrity, how to navigate a world that's full of adversity and hostility, and, most importantly, her best furry friend, Jasper. Photo courtesy DanaPerino.com.   

# 120: DANA PERINO connects with young women about their inner power to stop worrying and find peace

Shannon Bream anchors Fox News at Night and serves as the networks' legal correspondent, but her passion recently has been empowering women with ancient wisdom. Her new book, "The Women of the Bible Speak" reveals how faith has played a role on her road to success riddled with her fair share of setbacks along the way; including being told she would never make it in the business. She shares with 9-time Emmy winner David Sams about where she gets her inspiration and how she's overcome adversity. Photo courtesy foxnews.com.

# 119: SHANNON BREAM gives voice to the women of the Bible for modern day wisdom

 Scott Hamilton is arguably the most recognized Olympic male figure skater and says that the only disability in life is a bad attitude. That's something he's put to the test as he has faced multiple tumors amidst earning 70 awards, titles and honors and induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. He shares with 9-time Emmy winner David Sams that failure has made him better at his craft as performer, commentator and author and he even deliberates the fate of the summer Olympics in Tokyo. Photo courtesy scotthamilton.com.  

# 118: SCOTT HAMILTON has fallen down over 41,600 times and got back up...now that's a true Olympian!

Opening up for Dolly Parton doesn't happen to just anyone. You've got be able to get past second-guessing yourself and seize the opportunity. That's exactly what best-selling author/speaker/comedian Jon Acuff did over a decade ago and tells 9-time Emmy winner David Sams the secrets to recognizing the broken soundtracks in your head that hold you back from reaching your goals. His latest book "Soundtracks" is the manual filled with solutions if you are a serial overthinker! Photo courtesy acuff.me.

# 117: JON ACUFF can help you stop that nasty habit of overthinking!

Jen Bricker was born without legs. Shocked and uncertain they could care for her, her biological parents gave her up for adoption. In her loving adoptive home, there was just one simple rule: "Never say 'can't.'" Her inspiring true story points the way to purpose and joy and doesn't stop there! She makes a name for herself, discovers a deep connection with her Olympic idol, plus finds true love! She tells 9-time Emmy winner David Sams having no legs was ever an issue for her and that everything is possible! Photo courtesy jenbricker.com.      

# 116: JEN BRICKER-BAUER is a world-class aerialist with a rule to never say can't!

The Covid-19 pandemic has been tough on everyone, especially children. What can parents do to help them work through their worry and anxiety? Author, speaker and highly sought-after counselor Sissy Goff explains ways to help teens recognize and overcome these issues, from her latest book "Brave: A Teen Girl's Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety." She and 9-time Emmy winner David Sams discuss how to allow kids to feel their grief and how parents can get them sharing their deepest emotions. Photo courtesy SissyGoff.com. 

# 115: SISSY GOFF reveals the impact of the pandemic on kids and how to help them battle the anxiety

 If you are single and are tired of being alone, then author, relationship coach and modern day matchmaker Jackie Dorman has the perfect way to jumpstart your love life! Her "Married in 12 Months" 5-day challenge begins this week at lovestories.com and she will teach you why now is your time, what are the lies holding you back, the biblical laws of attraction and the tools to becoming a bride. Jackie tells 9-time Emmy winner David Sams how she helps people step into the love story that God has already written about them. Join the challenge at lovestories.com.  

# 114: JACKIE DORMAN - the modern day matchmaker who says you can be married in 12 months or less!

New York Times best-selling author (Love Does), speaker and "recovering lawyer" Bob Goff has an infectious way of helping people dream big no matter their rank and status and he's been at it for decades. He tells 9-time Emmy winner David Sams that one of his favorite ways to do this is allowing others to be vulnerable by being their authentic self. He also shares about how to move on and embrace new opportunities, but monumental to that is figuring out your life's purpose. Photo courtesy bobgoff.com.

# 113: BOB GOFF shares the keys to unlock your potential and find true purpose

Most do not understand how the Bible fits together - even people of faith. Many Christians accept half an inheritance in that they are content to embrace merely the New Testament. On the flip side, Jews often experience this by embracing only the Old Testament. Enter Rabbi Jason Sobel, author of "Mysteries of the Messiah" who tells 9-time Emmy winner David Sams how God has an intricate plan and purpose for both. He unveils divine connections and shares his personal journey of faith. Photo courtesy www.rabbisobel.com. He is a sought-after speaker and has made multiple appearances on national television, including the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Daystar Network, and the Dr. Oz Show. Rabbi Jason is the author of Breakthrough: Living a Life That Overflows, Finding Jesus in the Jewish Holidays, and he is also the coauthor of New York Times bestseller The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi with Kathie Lee Gifford.   

# 112: RABBI JASON SOBEL unlocks the mysteries of the Messiah hidden in plain sight

CIA: The Contagious Influencers of America Podcast. Meet the Gamechangers, the Influencers and those who are not afraid to show up with a shovel if that's what it takes to move a mountain. Go inside the minds of true American trailblazers who are making a difference by sharing their stories of personal triumph, overcoming obstacles, defeating fear, fighting addiction, and rejecting failure. Hosted by 9-time Emmy winner David Sams with TV personality Victoria Robinson and author, speaker and life coach to the stars, Tim Storey. Produced by Contagious Audio Networks.

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CIA: Contagious Influencers of America

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