Podcast Summary: The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast Episode: Faith Over Fear: How Ben and Corley Spell Built Good Ranchers and Witnessed a Miracle
Release Date: April 29, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, host Candace welcomes special guests Ben and Corley Spell, a dynamic married couple and parents of four. The episode, titled "Faith Over Fear: How Ben and Corley Spell Built Good Ranchers and Witnessed a Miracle," delves into their inspiring journey of entrepreneurship, parenting, and unwavering faith amidst personal trials.

Love Story and Business Beginnings

Ben and Corley Spell share their enchanting love story, which blossomed rapidly after meeting at a friendsgiving event organized by their church in Houston. Their whirlwind romance led to an elopement in Punta Cana, highlighting their commitment and shared values.

Corley Spell [07:35]: "We had a whirlwind romance. From like meeting to marriage was like six months."

The couple discusses the challenges of establishing their lives together, including a stint in Chicago where they faced the emotional turmoil of a miscarriage. This difficult period underscored the importance of family and community, prompting their return to Texas.

In 2018, driven by a shared entrepreneurial spirit and a divine calling, Ben and Corley founded Good Ranchers—a sustainable meat company aimed at providing high-quality, American-grown meat to customers. Their mission was not only business-oriented but also rooted in serving the community by supporting American farmers.

Faith and the Call to Entrepreneurship

Candace probes deeper into Corley's spiritual journey, particularly her profound experience of hearing God's directive to start a meat company. This pivotal moment reaffirmed their path despite initial uncertainties and lack of experience in the agriculture sector.

Corley Spell [12:30]: "I think God just told me to start a meat company... It shook me to my core."

Candace emphasizes the significance of Corley's faith and Corley acknowledges the divine orchestration behind their success:

Corley Spell [12:54]: "It's just like, wow, this really came from. This had to have come from God, the way that it's just been blessed the whole time."

Their commitment to faith-based entrepreneurship shaped Good Ranchers' ethos, emphasizing quality, integrity, and community support.

Facing Cancer: A Journey of Faith and Healing

The conversation takes a profound turn as Corley opens up about her battle with melanoma, a form of skin cancer she was diagnosed with in 2021 while six weeks pregnant with their fourth child. The diagnosis was a life-altering event that tested the family's faith and resilience.

Corley Spell [19:37]: "It was melanoma, which I didn't know anything about cancer... I was devastated."

Throughout her treatment, Corley maintained a steadfast belief in God's healing power. She recounts how her faith was her anchor, leading her to make unconventional decisions, such as foregoing prescribed chemotherapy based on her divine assurance of healing.

Corley Spell [29:46]: "God told me that my cancer was dead."

Despite medical skepticism, Corley's unwavering faith led to miraculous remission after surgery confirmed the complete eradication of cancer cells.

Corley Spell [31:43]: "The biopsy came back, and everything was completely dead. Everything they removed was completely dead. No living cancer in her body."

Her healing journey was not only physical but also deeply spiritual and emotional, solidifying her relationship with God and inspiring those around her.

Parenting Through Adversity

Ben and Corley discuss the challenges of parenting four young children during Corley's illness. The couple highlights the importance of community support, with extended family and friends stepping in to help care for the kids, allowing Ben to focus on supporting Corley through her treatment.

Corley Spell [35:21]: "Community was huge. God just totally teed us up for this... We were fed. We were loved on."

They share how their faith and the support system around them not only sustained them through tough times but also reinforced their commitment to raising their children in a loving, faith-centered environment.

Building and Growing Good Ranchers

Shifting focus to their business, Ben and Corley elaborate on the inception and growth of Good Ranchers. Starting with selling meat from the back of a truck in Waco, Texas, their venture has grown into a respected brand known for quality and integrity.

Corley Spell [44:20]: "We want to sell only what we would eat ourselves and feed to our friends and family."

They discuss the challenges of establishing a new meat company in a market dominated by established players like Omaha Steaks. Their dedication to using only the best ingredients and avoiding seed oils in their products sets them apart.

Corley Spell [47:07]: "That's the first seed oil free chicken nugget on the market."

Ben reflects on the entrepreneurial spirit, emphasizing the importance of integrity and quality in building a successful business.

Ben Spell [41:25]: "We really do love that you guys are doing."

Listener Q&A: Parenting Discipline

Towards the end of the episode, Ben, Corley, and Candace address a listener question about disciplining children who are unresponsive to parental requests. They offer practical advice grounded in their experiences as parents, emphasizing consistency, making tasks fun, and modeling good behavior.

Ben Spell [50:00]: "Especially with younger kids, try to make it fun. Like, cleaning up your room is not fun. Go in there with them and make a game out of it."

Corley adds insights on reinforcing positive behavior and maintaining a balanced approach to discipline.

Corley Spell [54:33]: "Just celebrate when they're doing something good, just as much as you react when they're not."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a heartfelt thank you from Ben and Corley to Candace and listeners. They encourage the audience to support their business, Good Ranchers, and to embrace faith and community in overcoming life's challenges.

Candace Cameron Bure [56:00]: "Thanks for coming on the podcast. We actually take a listener question at the end of every episode."

Ben wraps up by reiterating the podcast's message of navigating life's ups and downs together through faith and support.

Ben Spell [56:00]: "Life is like a roller coaster and it's so true. Life can be messy. But we get to go through the ups and downs together."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Spell [04:32]: "This whole season that we're about to go into is on spiritual warfare."
• Corley Spell [12:30]: "I think God just told me to start a meat company... It shook me to my core."
• Corley Spell [29:46]: "God told me that my cancer was dead."
• Corley Spell [31:43]: "The biopsy came back, and everything was completely dead. No living cancer in her body."
• Corley Spell [35:21]: "Community was huge. We were fed. We were loved on."
• Corley Spell [47:07]: "That's the first seed oil free chicken nugget on the market."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and community. Ben and Corley Spell's journey from a rapid romance to building a successful family and business, all while overcoming personal health challenges, offers profound insights and inspiration for listeners navigating their own life's rollercoasters.