Podcast
Call Me Friend
Hosted by Daryn Kagan · EN
Who do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good biweekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters.
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 t...
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Alisyn Camerota on Loss, Love & Starting Over The Moment Everything Changed
Apr 1501:00:55Tap to summarizeGrief, loss, career reinvention, and starting over after tragedy take center stage in this powerful conversation with journalist and author Alisyn Camerota. When life changes in an instant, how do you rebuild, find purpose, and move forward? In this emotional episode of Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan sits down with Alisyn to unpack what it really takes to navigate loss, trauma, and major life transitions.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 itPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinTimestamps 0:00 Workplace harassment, Roger Ailes, and the defining career moment3:58 Daryn’s intro and the Call Me Friend setup5:05 How Daryn and Alisyn connect through journalism7:39 The golden era of CNN and purpose-driven journalism11:13 Leaving CNN, management changes, and shifting priorities13:10 Meeting Tim, commitment, and being ready for love18:40 Marriage, infertility, IVF, and building a family19:54 The pancreatic cancer diagnosis that changed everything20:18 “A grenade thrown into our lives” – everything changes instantly22:30 Navigating the emotional impact of a terminal diagnosis25:10 How their family dynamic shifted overnight28:40 Living through uncertainty and anticipatory grief33:30 Me Too Story: Roger Ailes, Fox News, Navigating Power, Fear & Career Risk35:50 Processing fear, reality, and what comes next46:47 Asking for a Friend: what to say to someone facing grief58:08 Daryn’s closing thoughts and episode wrap-upKey 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 momentsCheck out my interview with Bill Hemmer: https://youtu.be/x1VuM_awknA?si=dsX5DNGxA4u1HHicGuest BioAlisyn 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/4bTOBwYAlisyn 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=sEOdCPoHRn4Resources & LinksPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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/4az2X5fMiles Husband: MilesHusband.comloss 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
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Training the Competition: NFL Reporter Laura Okmin on Why She Trains Other Women to Take Her Job
Apr 101:06:57Tap to summarizeDaryn Kagan reconnects with longtime friend and NFL sideline reporter Laura Okmin to explore career burnout, finding purpose, and building real confidence. Named to Sports Illustrated’s list of the most powerful, influential women in sports, Laura discusses why she trains other women for sideline roles, how she handles pressure, and what friendship gives her in moments of doubt. Listen for candid stories and practical perspectives on reclaiming purpose after high achievement.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 relationshipsPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinTimestamps(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 NextKey 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 alignmentGuest BioLaura 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.comMiramar jeans: https://amzn.to/4lFFIucResources & LinksPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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/4az2X5fMiles Husband: MilesHusband.comcareer burnout, finding purpose, women in sports, confidence building, personal growth, leadership development, NFL sideline reporter, mentorship, identity, life transformation, GALvanize
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A Life-Changing Phone Call, Fostering & Fatherhood: Darren Graham’s Journey to Becoming a Single Dad
Mar 1801:04:51Tap to summarizeHe thought the call was spam. Hours later, he was standing in a hospital NICU meeting a two-pound baby fighting for his life.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 “Ducky”.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 purposePowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinTimestamps00:00 A Life-Changing Phone Call, Fostering & Fatherhood02:10 How the Instagram algorithm introduced Daryn to Darren07:07 Building an intentional online community11:19 Darren’s childhood and moving from the Caribbean to Brooklyn15:01 From education to writing, fashion, and social media19:50 Meeting “Ducky” and becoming a father22:24 The foster care call that led to adoption27:04 The moment Darren held Ducky for the first time30:20 The judge who changed the course of the adoption case33:02 Why Darren knew he had to adopt Ducky36:17 How fatherhood healed Darren’s past38:02 The biggest surprises about becoming a dad39:01 The hardest part of parenting40:27 Parenting, love, and learning through a child’s eyesKey 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 BioDarren 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 “Ducky”, whose adoption story has inspired thousands of people around the world.InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackYoutubeResourcesPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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/4az2X5fadoption story, single dad adoption, foster care adoption, fatherhood journey, parenting podcast, intentional living, adoption journey, parenting inspiration, healing through parenthood, Call Me Friend podcast
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How a Single Cookie & Three Cancer Battles Created Purpose for a Mother & Daughter
Feb 2500:43:43Tap to summarizeWhen life delivers unthinkable loss, what happens next can change everything. Cancer survival, grief and healing, a mother-daughter business, resilience after loss, and turning pain into purpose and connection are all discussed on this episode of Call Me Friend, featuring Laura Stachler and her daughter Susan Stachler.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 communityPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter https://darynkagan.substack.com/Key Timestamps00:00 An inside-out story of loss and resilience04:10 Losing a sister to Hodgkin’s lymphoma07:40 A shocking cancer diagnosis repeats generations later11:00 Baking as therapy during chemo12:45 The ginger snap that changed everything15:20 Turning comfort into a business18:00 Mother-daughter business dynamics21:00 Perspective after surviving cancer23:45 “Asking for a Friend” advice on belonging27:50 Being told “you can’t” and proving otherwise34:00 Why kindness matters more than perfectionKey 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 impactGuest BioLaura 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 & MentionsSusansnaps: https://susansnaps.com/Angel Flight Soars https://www.angelflightsoars.org/Jack Black Lip Balm https://amzn.to/4sl1ntVPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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/4az2X5fSusanSnaps, 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
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Mary Kay Andrews on Grief, Aging Boldly, and Speaking Without Apology
Feb 1800:46:40Tap to summarizeReinvention after 70 is not about starting over, it’s about evolving with clarity and courage. On Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan calls bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews for a raw, honest conversation about aging boldly, personal loss, career pivots, and finally saying what matters most.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 fearPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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 skillKey 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 timeGuest BioMary 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.ResourcesMary Kay Andrews new book "Road Trip" https://amzn.to/3OebLVsFriends and Fiction:https://friendsandfiction.com/Helping Mamas: https://helpingmamas.org/Department Q: https://www.netflix.com/title/81487660Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/"Hope Possible" https://amzn.to/46uNoJ9reinvention 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,
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Done Being Single? Late Bloomers Are Finding Love
Feb 1100:49:45Tap to summarizeDating after 40 and being single can feel exhausting in modern dating culture. On Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan talks with dating coach Treva Brandon Scharf about dating burnout and finding love later in life without losing yourself.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 toPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/Timestamps:00:00 Why being single does not mean you are broken06:30 The truth about timing, panic, and the biological clock10:00 Letting go of the death grip and meeting love unexpectedly17:40 Why desperation changes your picker23:20 Conviction versus confidence in dating28:00 Redefining “settling” as a decisive choice30:00 Asking for a Friend segment begins39:50 When love and family look different than you imaginedKey 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 processGuest BioTreva 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.ResourcesDone Being Single: A Late Bloomer’s Guide to Love by Treva Brandon Scharf https://amzn.to/4tfyWP0Treva Brandon Scharf Website: https://trevabrandonscharf.com/Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/"Hope Possible" https://amzn.to/46uNoJ9dating 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
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He Lost His Job and His Wife. Singing for Hospice Families Helped Him Rebuild His Life
Jan 2800:35:04Tap to summarizeWhat happens when life knocks you down and you choose service instead of fear?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 generationsPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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 Life05:50 Losing a job and hearing a life-changing calling07:36 The moment Kevin heard the word “hospice”09:06 Starting hospice volunteer training and committing to service10:51 Why Kevin shifted to pure acapella singing13:52 Deborah’s cancer journey and the road to hospice care16:15 Singing to Deborah and the power of hearing at end of life17:28 Returning to hospice after grief and honoring Deborah’s legacy19:57 A powerful bedside moment during “Amazing Grace”31:18 Service as the secret to escaping a slumpKey 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 generationsGuest BioKevin 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 & MentionsWebsite: dunn4uministries.orgInstagram: kevinr.dunnFacebook Music page: https://www.facebook.com/KevinRDunnMusic/Twitter: @dunnfouryouPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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
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From Addiction to Fatherhood: The Second Chance That Changed Everything
Jan 700:27:57Tap to summarizeSecond chances change lives. In this deeply moving episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan pulls back the curtain on a moment few people ever see: a surprise grant award that changes everything.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 onesPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/Timestamps00:00 Second Chances, Fatherhood, and the Power of Showing Up with Jimmy Erickson02:58 Why this grant moment matters so much to the foundation03:38 Sponsor spotlight: Ms Lou’s Cabin on the Georgia Coast04:46 Meet Jimmy Erickson05:18 Why Jimmy was selected from over 250 applications06:14 Jimmy opens up about addiction and hitting rock bottom07:49 Balancing school, work, and caring for an autistic child14:49 The moment Jimmy learns he is receiving the grant16:13 Why this story defines the mission of Just One More Foundation18:35 Post-interview reflection with Richard Rogers19:07 Parenting through challenges and shared experiences20:11 Why love and work ethic stand out21:07 Climbing out of the well and not going back22:10 Why Just One More focuses on people who’ve done the work22:59 Following recipients beyond the grant24:28 Why gratitude goes both waysKey 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 momentGuest SpotlightJimmy 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 FoundationJust 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 & LinksJustOneMoreFoundation.orgRichard's episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-lightning-strike-survivor-to-changing-lives-richard/id1807388886?i=1000720886845Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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,
Transcribe →Call Me Friend Podcast 2025 Year in Review | The Real Conversations That Changed Everything
Dec 3100:03:33Tap to summarizeWho do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good bi-weekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters.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/mslouscabinInstagram: Call Me FriendInstagram: Daryn KaganFacebook: Daryn KaganWebsite: 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
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Behind the Savannah Bananas: Co-Founder Emily Cole on Family, Foster Care, and the Conversation That Changed Everything
Dec 1700:56:55Tap to summarizeWhat if the most heart hitting story connected to the Savannah Bananas had nothing to do with baseball, trick plays, or viral hijinks, but everything to do with family and purpose? In this friendship podcast conversation, Daryn sits down with co-owner Emily Cole to uncover the behind the scenes truth that shaped the Savannah Bananas brand from the inside out.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 anywayPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/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 ColeEmily 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 & LinksBananas 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/4rQAiPHYOTO screen free audio device: https://amzn.to/3MCFtm4Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign 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
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