Podcast
CIA: Contagious Influencers of America
Hosted by Contagious, Inc. · EN
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.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What If Your Dream Isn't Dead - Just Delayed? (HOPE DARST)
Yesterday01:16:15Tap to summarizeFeeling like your window of opportunity has passed? Let Hope Darst's story be your encouragement to never give up. Hope signed her first record deal at 39, after two decades as a wife, mom, and worship leader at her church in Nashville. In this candid conversation with host David Sams, Hope traces the whole arc: a desperate move to Nashville at 19 that led to a life-altering encounter with God, years of odd jobs, a chance demo burned onto a CD that landed her a gig singing backup for Natalie Grant, and finally the breakout of her signature song "Peace Be Still" — a song she almost never recorded. Along the way, Hope opens up with striking honesty about depression, an eating disorder, postpartum struggles, and her long journey toward healing her relationship with food and self-worth. Since this interview, Hope's beautiful story has only continued to unfold. Her latest release, the live worship album In the Mighty Name (April 2026), marks a return to her roots as a worship leader, featuring the single "Mighty Name of Jesus" alongside fan favorites like "You Can," "The Blood of Jesus," and her rendition of "Give Me Jesus (Upper Room)." Meanwhile the song that made her an overnight sensation, "Peace Be Still," has now surpassed 50 million streams and earned RIAA Gold certification. Tune in for a conversation that proves God's timing is always worth the wait. This episode first aired January 2024. #HopeDarst #PeaceBeStill #IfTheLordBuildsTheHouse #Worship #DavidSams #KeepTheFaith #ContagiousInfluencer #MightyNameof Jesus
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AMY GRANT: Blended Family, Faith, and the Day She Mentored Lauren Daigle
1w ago00:51:30Tap to summarizeThe "Queen of Christian Pop" AMY GRANT is so transparent you'll want to kick back, lean in and listen as she talks about life, love, overcoming obstacles and her blended family with Vince Gill like never before. She even gets choked up so bring tissues! Plus, we went back a decade into our archives for a moment KeepTheFaith made happen and nobody else got to capture: the first time Amy ever met a rising star named Lauren Daigle. KeepTheFaith put the two of them in a room together, hit record, and let Amy mentor a wide-eyed young Lauren on navigating her prophetic success — years before the world knew her name. Hosted by 9-time Emmy winner David Sams and life coach to the stars Tim Storey. Since this conversation first aired, Amy's own story has kept unfolding. Amy's marriage to Vince Gill and the blended family she describes here remain the bedrock of her life, she survived a serious bike accident and open-heart surgery, and channeled that recovery into her first album of original songs in 13 years, The Me That Remains, released this May. She's back on the road through 2026 — and the wisdom she gives Lauren in this episode sounds a lot like the wisdom she's still living by today. This episode first aired December 2018.
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He Lost His Father at 12 and Grew Up on Welfare. HAL DONALDSON Now Runs One of America's Biggest Charities.
2w ago00:33:46Tap to summarizeWhen disaster strikes without warning, hope has to show up fast — and for millions around the world, it arrives on a Convoy of Hope truck. Convoy of Hope is a global, faith-based, nonprofit organization that delivers emergency relief to communities devastated by disaster. Right now, their teams are on the ground in Venezuela, where on June 24 two catastrophic earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, among the strongest to hit the country in more than a century — struck, leaving more than 1,700 confirmed dead, thousands injured, and thousands more still missing. Convoy of Hope is meeting essential needs bringing help and hope to families walking through unthinkable tragedy. KeepTheFaith Charities has been proud to support Convoy of Hope efforts and other "boots on the ground" organizations providing life-sustaining relief over the years. In this encore episode, host David Sams goes one-on-one with Hal Donaldson, founder of Convoy of Hope and author of "What Really Matters" — from the tragedy that shattered his childhood, to a life-changing conversation with Mother Teresa, to the pickup truck loaded with $300 of groceries that sparked one of America's largest charities. Along the way, Hal reveals how to answer God's call to serve a hurting world without sacrificing your health, your family, or yourself. To donate now to Venezuela earthquake relief, go to ConvoyofHope.org. You can make a difference!
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'I JUST MET MY HUSBAND': Bachelor Star Madi Prewett Troutt — First Date to Wife & Mom
3w ago00:33:50Tap to summarizeShe went looking for love on national television — and found it in the last place she expected. Best-selling author Madison Prewett Troutt first captured hearts as a finalist on Season 24 of ABC's The Bachelor, but her real love story started with a blind date she almost turned down. In this encore presentation, Madi sits down with nine-time Emmy winner David Sams just as she's stepping into life as a newlywed and releasing her book "The Love Everybody Wants." A lot has changed since this conversation was first recorded — and it's exactly why we're bringing it back. Madi is now a mom! She and her husband, Grant Troutt, welcomed daughter Hosanna Rose in January 2025, after relocating from Texas to Nashville. And she's making headlines again, opening up in recent interviews about biblical submission in her marriage — sharing that submission doesn't mean a wife is weak, silenced, or unequal, but is rooted in mutual respect, trust, and a shared pursuit of the Lord, and that "when you love God the most, then you can love your spouse the best." The foundation for all of it? You'll hear it right here. Before the husband, the baby girl, and the growing platform, Madi had to come to the realization that God's love is really all she needed. She shares the first date that had her calling her mom to say "I just met my husband," why a spouse is meant to compliment you rather than complete you, the dating red flags you can't afford to ignore, and how God can use every rejection and closed door to redirect you to something greater. Whether you're single, dating, engaged, married, or somewhere in between, this is the love story behind the love story — and proof that the love you're looking for already exists. #madiprew #staytrue #keepthefaith #davidsams #contagiousinfluencer #madisonprewetttroutt
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Celebrating America's 250th Birthday with LEE GREENWOOD — The Story of God Bless The U.S.A.
Jul 100:37:02Tap to summarizeIs there anything more synonymous with patriotic pride than "God Bless The U.S.A."? As we celebrate Independence Day and the 250th birthday of our nation, we're bringing back this fan favorite — originally released on Veterans Day 2022 — because Lee Greenwood and this song belong on every American holiday playlist. Nine-time Emmy winner David Sams sits down with the Grammy award-winning artist to reflect on the song's remarkable 40-year journey — from being written in the back of a tour bus in 1983 to becoming the only song ever charted in the top five across all genres of music. Lee shares stories from nearly 300 days a year on the road, performing at two presidential inaugurations at the Lincoln Memorial, touring with Bob Hope on his final USO Christmas tour, and what it felt like to watch "God Bless The U.S.A." surge back to the top after 9/11 and the Gulf War. They also dig into Lee's nonprofit work with Helping a Hero — a Houston-based foundation that has built over 200 specially adapted homes for wounded warriors — and the story behind the limited edition "God Bless The U.S.A. Bible," a leather-bound King James Bible featuring Lee's handwritten chorus lyrics alongside the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and Pledge of Allegiance. This Fourth of July Lee's message rings as true as ever: America is the greatest country on the planet — and faith, unity, and hope will always carry us through. #leegreenwood #godblessthesua #america250 #july4 #keepthefaith #davidsams #contagiousinfluencer
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She Buried a Hero — Now 'American Sniper' Widow TAYA KYLE Reminds America What We're Celebrating
Jun 2500:41:10Tap to summarizeAs America celebrates her 250th birthday, there is no more fitting time to revisit this powerful conversation with one of the most courageous women connected to our nation's legacy of service and sacrifice. Taya Kyle was thrust into the national spotlight when her husband, Chris Kyle, became one of America's greatest war heroes — his story immortalized in the book and blockbuster film American Sniper. After Chris was tragically murdered at a shooting range in Texas, Taya chose to transform her grief into purpose, honoring his memory as a bestselling author, speaker, and champion for military families. In this timeless conversation with host David Sams, Taya opens up about turning fear into faith, tragedy into triumph, and suffering into strength — all while raising her children with the values of the warrior spirit Chris embodied. Her story is a living reminder of what American resilience truly looks like. As we mark 250 years of the American dream, Taya Kyle's journey reminds us that freedom has a cost — and that the families who bear that cost deserve our deepest gratitude and support. Learn more about Taya, her books "American Spirit," "American Wife" and her foundation, Taya and Chris Kyle Family – Service Marriage Strong, which serves military and first responder families at tackf.org.
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No Dad is Too Far Gone: MISS KAY & KORIE ROBERTSON on Phil's Radical Redemption and Legacy
Jun 1800:31:39Tap to summarizeThere's no story quite like a redemption story—and the truth is, no father is ever too far gone for a second chance. In honor of Father's Day, we are opening the archives for a special Encore presentation celebrating the legacy of a true family patriarch, Phil Robertson, who passed away last year. Long before the Robertsons encouraged millions on their hit TV show Duck Dynasty, there was a day when none of this looked remotely possible. The early years were marked by severe brokenness, but Phil's life became the ultimate testament to a fatherhood redeemed by grace. The matriarch of the family, Miss Kay Robertson, and her daughter-in-law, Korie, joined nine-time Emmy winner David Sams to share the raw, behind-the-scenes truth of Phil's radical transformation. If you loved their hit biographical feature film, The Blind, or if you are a dad looking to build a lasting spiritual legacy for your own family, this powerful archive conversation is exactly what you need to hear this Father's Day weekend. Plus, you can watch the new season of Duck Dynasty: The Revival on A&E. #keepthefaith #contagiousinfluencer #philrobertson #duckdynasty #misskay #korierobertson
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GRANGER SMITH: Fame, Faith & a Father's Grief - This One's for the Dads
Jun 1100:28:59Tap to summarizeWhat do you do when the worst thing imaginable happens — and you're left questioning everything you thought you believed? This week we're bringing back one of our most powerful conversations ever, and it hits even harder now. Nine-time Emmy winner David Sams sat down with Granger Smith — award-winning, platinum-selling country music artist turned New York Times bestselling author and minister — five years after the tragic drowning death of his three-year-old son, River. In this raw, honest conversation, Granger opens up about the 10 minutes he performed CPR on his little boy, the guilt, the grief, and the moment he realized fame and music had quietly become more about him than about God. So he walked away from it all. He also shares the beautiful story behind his youngest son Maverick's name — and why without losing River, Maverick wouldn't be the miracle he is today. This encore comes at the perfect time: Granger's new book Poison in the Well: 11 Toxic Beliefs That Kept Me from the Living Water of Jesus drops September 8, 2026 — and it's already generating serious buzz. It digs into the doubts that hit after loss, asking the question: "What if everything I believe about my faith was actually built on shifting sand?" If Like a River wrecked you in the best way, this one goes even deeper. Whether you're in a dark season, questioning your faith, or just hungry for something real — this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now. Then pre-order Poison in the Well at grangersmith.com.
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BEN FULLER: Sobriety, the Opry, & Prequel to the Ring
May 2000:51:35Tap to summarizeBefore the engagement and the sold-out shows, there was the struggle. In this Encore! episode of Contagious Influencers of America podcast, Ben Fuller gets incredibly raw with host David Sams about a season many of us know all too well: being single, staying sober, and searching for "the one." Recorded just before his recent engagement, this conversation is a time capsule of the faith it takes to wait for God's best. The Dating Game: Ben opens up about the difficulty of finding a real connection while staying 100% sober. The Opry Milestone: The behind-the-scenes story of his debut on the world's most famous stage. The Redemption: From a Vermont dairy farm and a cocaine addiction to a life of radical purpose. Hear the heart of the man before he found the ring.
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# 285: TIM STOREY says Detours Aren't the End — They're God's Road to Your Destiny
May 2000:41:36Tap to summarizeWhat if the detour isn't the end of the road—but the very path God uses to get you where you're meant to go? In this uplifting episode of Contagious Influencers of America, nine-time Emmy winner David Sams sits down with renowned author, speaker, and "Life Coach to the Stars," Tim Storey, for a powerful conversation about hope, hardship, purpose, and the beauty of becoming. From being raised in humble beginnings in Compton, California, to speaking in 83 countries, leading Hollywood Bible studies, mentoring celebrities, and landing on the cover of Success magazine, Tim shares the wisdom he's gained through decades of helping people navigate life's biggest questions—and hardest seasons. Tim opens up about: Why your mindset is yours to set every single day The power of his "Lead With Love" movement in a divided world How to stay aligned with your God-given assignment when life gets interrupted Why dreams require not just a plan—but the development of the person What detours, delays, and distractions can teach us about purpose The moving lessons he's learning from his 95-year-old mother and the gift of being fully present Why even success doesn't mean you "have it all together" How he built a life that welcomes people from every walk of life into what he calls a "daily town hall" This conversation is full of timeless encouragement, practical wisdom, and the kind of perspective that helps you breathe deeper, trust more, and keep moving forward—even when life doesn't go according to plan. If you've ever faced disappointment, uncertainty, or wondered whether your dream is still possible, this episode will remind you: God still works through detours, and your story isn't over. Listen now—and share with someone who needs a fresh dose of hope and purpose today. To learn more about Tim Storey, his events, podcast, and "Lead With Love" movement, visit TimStorey.com. #PodcastInterview #TimStorey #DavidSams #ContagiousInfluencersOfAmerica #LifeCoachToTheStars #LeadWithLove #MiracleMentality #FaithAndPurpose #HopeAndEncouragement #DreamAgain #KeepTheFaith
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