Ep 1277 | The Robertsons & Godwins Open Up About HIV Scares, Miscarriages & Marital Collapse

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Unashamed with the Robertson Family" – Ep 1277 | The Robertsons & Godwins Open Up About HIV Scares, Miscarriages & Marital Collapse
Date: February 25, 2026

---

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode welcomes longtime friends John and Paula Godwin to the Unashamed table for the first time together. The Robertson family and their guests open up about some of the weightiest chapters in their lives: HIV scares, repeated miscarriages, medical trauma, and the near-collapse of marriage. Throughout, they're candid about pain, faith, family, true Christian community, and the love that binds them.
The overarching purpose: To illustrate how living out the Gospel is inseparable from enduring suffering together, extending grace, and forming a "forever family" that stands firm in faith, love, and support.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Godwins' Role in the Robertson Family ([00:48]–[06:17])

• Paula Godwin’s Background: First-time guest on the podcast, celebrated by the panel as a longtime friend and "moral support" during medical emergencies.
• Godwins' Impact: Paula, a 35-year respiratory therapist, was central to caring for Missy & Al’s daughter Mia during repeated and painful medical procedures.
  • Missy recounts how Paula was the one called for comfort and practical advice during those trials ([03:12]).
• Quote:
  • Missy on Paula's role:

    "It was a godsend, literally." ([06:14])

---

2. Meeting the Godwins & Transformation Through Christian Community ([08:59]–[13:45])

• First Impressions & Faith:
  • Al recalls meeting John & Paula when John wanted to be baptized, noting Paula's skepticism due to a negative past with churches making baptism a condition for membership, not heart change.
  • Paula explains her wariness:

    "It wasn't about your heart...It was about membership of that physical church." ([12:17])

• Paula’s Own Baptism: Attends Bible study with Kay Robertson, comes to authentic faith, and is baptized by Al a few weeks after John ([13:44]).

---

3. The Power of Female Spiritual Leadership & Friendship ([13:52]–[16:34])

• Role Reversal: Paula later baptizes Lisa, highlighting that women, too, play pivotal spiritual roles.
• Support Through Marital Collapse:
  • Paula is the first to support Lisa when Al and Lisa's marriage collapses due to infidelity, providing grace and steadfastness when Al could not.
  • Al’s emotional gratitude:

    "You stepped in and really just maintained that loving relationship…if that didn’t happen…she wouldn’t have become the woman that she is…" ([15:06])

• Faithful Friendship:
  • Paula reflects on the need to love fellow Christians as "sister in Christ, no matter what," especially when personally hurt. ([17:00])

---

4. Loss, Miscarriage, Motherhood & the Next Generation ([18:28]–[22:09])

• Five Miscarriages:
  • The Godwins’ daughter Johanna endured five miscarriages before having identical twins, highlighting the ongoing tension between fear and joy.
• Quote:
  • Paula:

    "We tried real hard not to let the devil steal our joy...I'm gonna enjoy every moment as much as I can..." ([19:01])

• Adoption & Legacy:
  • Reflect on adopting Johanna and seeing her transform from a lively child with ADHD into a faithful, prayerful mother, attributing her spiritual resilience to both nature and a strong Christian village.
  • Al gets emotional about Johanna’s journey and his godparent-like bond ([21:00]).

---

5. Community, Faith, and Standing Firm in Love ([22:48]–[29:29])

• Faith Transmission: The importance of modeling faith and love for the next generation.
• Significance of Community: True Christian community is defined not by church attendance but by showing up for each other "day in and day out"—in surgeries, hospitals, periods of marital strife, and family emergencies ([26:39]).
• Teaching from 1 John:
  • Emphasizes the two inseparable commands:

    "To believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us." ([29:29])

• Quote:
  • Missy:

    "It's inseparable...you start loving like Jesus did, which is why he's the most famous person that ever walked the earth..." ([30:55])

---

6. HIV Scare, Suffering, and the Pursuit of Peace ([35:45]–[39:49])

• HIV Scare:
  • Paula details being stuck by a needle from an HIV-positive patient in the 1990s—the height of the AIDS crisis—while working in the ER.
  • The community surrounds her with prayer, giving her unprecedented peace amid uncertainty.
• Quote:
  • Paula:

    "I had never experienced that much peace about anything...And it came from a prayer. And the idea that people were with you. Right. I mean, that surrounded you." ([39:06])

---

7. Suffering, Faith, and "Even If..." Faith ([40:10]–[44:53])

• Daniel 3 & "Even If" Faith:
  • Missy discusses 'Even If' faith, referencing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's stand:

    "But even if He does not [save us], we want you to know we will not serve your gods." ([42:06])

  • They reflect how true faith means trusting God’s plan, even in suffering or when prayers aren’t answered as hoped.

---

8. Legacy, Generational Impact, and the Power of Community ([47:24]–[56:33])

• Generational Faith & Legacy:
  • The conversation shifts to legacy, the brevity of life, and the importance of passing on faith and love, as well as supporting the elderly and the next generation ([47:24]).
• The Godwins Now:
  • John is retired from Duck Commander but active as a fishing guide. Both he and Paula have moved through various careers, always prioritizing service and community.
  • On Paula's leadership:

    "At some point, you'll be working for Paula Godwin." ([55:52])

---

Memorable Quotes

• Al on Paula’s presence:

  "She acted like she did. She just provided so much comfort..." ([05:12])

• Missy on faith in hardship:

  "There's something to our lives being just stripped down...all of a sudden, God does some of his best things in your life." ([33:03])

• Paula on grace:

  "You have to separate that emotional...you have to love them...as your sister in Christ." ([17:00])

• Missy on Christian love:

  "You need to believe in Jesus and, you know, might ought to love one another and try to figure that out. It's inseparable..." ([29:29])

• Paula reflecting on her directness:

  "I can be pretty blunt...if it's not wrapped in love, who's gonna listen to it?" ([52:08])

---

Notable Moments (Selected Timestamps)

• Paula helps with Mia’s medical crisis: [03:09]–[05:55]
• Story of Godwin baptisms: [09:59]–[13:45]
• Support during Al and Lisa’s marital crisis: [14:45]–[17:47]
• Godwins' journey with miscarriages and adoption: [18:37]–[22:09]
• Paula’s HIV scare & communal prayer’s impact: [35:45]–[39:49]
• "Even If" faith and Daniel 3: [40:56]–[44:53]
• Paula's honest, loving approach to friendship: [52:00]–[53:17]
• Paula's leadership in every workplace: [55:52]–[56:07]

---

Final Thoughts

This episode deeply reflects the core of the Robertson legacy: unvarnished stories of hardship transformed by faith, lasting friendship, and the courage of community. The Godwins and Robertsons demonstrate that the Gospel is more than belief—it’s living out radical love in the trenches of real life, supporting each other no matter what, and passing on that faith to future generations.

"Forever family" isn’t just about blood—it's community forged in sacrifice and grace.

Transcript

[Al]

Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster, Zero Ultra. That's the OG it kicked off this whole zero sugar energy drink thing. But Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise, and Vice Guava. And they all bring the Monster energy punch. So if you've been living in the white can branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe, and every single one is Zero Sugar Tap the banner to learn more.

[Missy]

I am Unashamed.

[John Godwin]

What about you? First time call room.

[Paula Godwin]

But not. Not over here.

[Al]

Speaking of insane.

[John Godwin]

Yeah,

[Paula Godwin]

That's the crazy.

[Al]

That's the crazy. All right. So welcome back to Unashamed. I'm super excited. Two of the best people I know on planet Earth have joined Unashamed Nation. John, you've been here before. John and Paula Godwin. But Paula, your first time on Unashamed.

[Paula Godwin]

It is.

[Al]

I'm so glad.

[Missy]

That's embarrassing. I did not know. I. I'm disappointed that it's taken so long.

[Al]

Well, we've tried. It's. It's. You know, Paula's a working girl. She's. She's a woman of many careers, which. We'll talk about that.

[Missy]

I mean, I've insulted your husband many times, so I might have to apologize for that. He doesn't know what I'm fixed to say because everywhere I go, because I've been out a lot here lately. So people, they ask you these questions. They're like, what about? You know, what about? Sigh. I mean, is he really is crazy? That's usually the first question. And I'm like, I get that almost

[Al]

every Q and A right now.

[Missy]

I have no idea. And they're like, what about Godwin? Is he. He's still around, you know, how do you feel about Godwin?

[Al]

Can he say more than three words?

[Missy]

Here's the insult. Because I say, oh, I love Godwin. I said, but I really love his wife. I say that every time.

[Paula Godwin]

Well, thank you.

[John Godwin]

She's a special serv.

[Al]

She is.

[Missy]

She is. And look, our relationship is. I mean, Paula, was. She seen our family at its most vulnerable occurrence when we were. Because you have a medical background and you can maybe describe that for us.

[Paula Godwin]

Well, I'm a respiratory therapist.

[Missy]

Respiratory therapist for about 35 years.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Missy]

But you're also.

[Al]

Now you're sort of a recovering. You're a recovering respiratory therapist, man.

[Missy]

He's a recovering respiratory therapist.

[Al]

It's like me, I say, I'm a recovering pastor, so.

[Missy]

But when Mia, she had all her surgeries and all that, and it's like, it's one of those moments where you're like, we need a medical professional here. Because in our world, dealing with a special needs kid, in this case physically, you become the doctors. The doctors said that because they were the worst thing we ever had to do is they put in a. Maybe, you know, the official term, I can't remember, but it was some kind of device that was surgically put in her jaw with a screw. And you had to turn that screw

[Al]

every day, twice a day or twice. Twice a day.

[Paula Godwin]

I think it was twice a day

[Al]

for like a month or two.

[Missy]

This is. I don't want to be graphic, but this was graphic. And it is literally moving her jaw forward. And you're doing that with a screwdriver. And it was not pleasant. I mean, she was in pain. Just pain off the charts. And of course, I couldn't even do it as a. I mean, I just wimped. I thought, I cannot inflict this much pain on my daughter without, like, getting nauseous. And I felt like I was going to throw up the idea. But Missy, she has. There's a side to my wife that is really tough as nails. And she's like, well, we gotta do it. But the doctor said. Cause Ms. Said, well, we're not medical professionals. And he's like, oh, yes, you are. It's required when you have a kid with this condition. Because we couldn't drive to Dallas twice a day, every day for weeks and have them do it. And he's like, you're doing it. You stick the screwdriver in there and

[Paula Godwin]

turn it, see one, do one. They showed you, and then you had to do it.

[Missy]

So we were talking about who we were going to get. We basically wanted some comfort in the process. And Paula, you were the first person Missy brought up. And I was like, perfect. And she was just such a wonder.

[Al]

Well, Paula and John came into our lives, which we'll tell a bit about the story when you guys first became Christians and like that into this world, our world. And you were the only. At that time, you were probably the only person that needed sort of medical profession in our, like, inner circle. So it's funny because Paula's a respiratory therapist, but she got the job of everything. Nurse, doctor, whatever.

[Jason]

If it was anything medical, Paula got

[Al]

the call, you know, because she was the. You were the one. You were the one that. And what I love about it is

[Jason]

whether Paula knew what she was doing or not.

[Al]

She acted like she did.

[Missy]

Yeah.

[Al]

You know, well, I told you that

[Missy]

story just because it really wasn't you basically just watched us do it. But the comfort you provided just from.

[Al]

She's just good at. And that's just her personality and little things.

[Missy]

The little ideas you had that made it, you know, you would bring her something. You know, it was like you were more concerned about the psychological impact, because every time this rolls around, well, she just didn't want to go through it. I mean, it was agonizing. It was literally just terrorizing. And so I'm really grateful that you helped us through that.

[Paula Godwin]

I'm glad I could and y' all had it under control. I was basically, like you said, moral support. But what parents. What a terrible thing. Oh, it was terrible for y' all to have to do that.

[Missy]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

I was just glad I could be a small part of helping in any way.

[Missy]

Yeah, well, it was. It was a godsend, literally.

[Al]

So when y' all came in here a minute ago, you caught the tail end of Si's appearance on the last.

[John Godwin]

Oh, we heard him. Soon as I come in the door in the back, I could hear. I said, si's fired up.

[Al]

So John is obviously a lot of the people listening to Shame listen to Duck Call Room, which is John's podcast that he's on with size. So you get a steady diet.

[John Godwin]

Oh, yeah.

[Al]

But he does get a certain level of excitement coming over here because this is like. This is like he wants to get

[John Godwin]

his Bible on where you come over here. You know how it works.

[Al]

Yeah.

[John Godwin]

And you go over and you're thinking, is this going to work?

[Missy]

Tell us what you told in between this podcast. The first thing I told, because we

[John Godwin]

were talking about, and I can remember me and you was out at the land working. That's where we hunt. That's what everybody called. You know, it's just right down the road from Phil's house where we work at that time. And we were coming back, and sigh was just coming on the scene. He hadn't arrived there yet. And Jason, I guess he was kind of warning me, you said, now my uncle's coming, and you're going to think he's funny, but he's really crazy.

[Jason]

That's the most profound thing you've ever seen.

[Missy]

Now, did I nail that?

[Jason]

And what's crazy is. Sigh.

[Al]

Now that we know this dementia and Alzheimer's and all that is so prevalent in my family and that line, because every sibling, except for one, had it. And.

[Jason]

But it turns out Si was the normal one all along, because he's.

[Missy]

Well, with a caveat, because we didn't even realize we Did a whole podcast and about 10 minutes in it. Sigh. Who read Al's notes for the podcast, which I did not, came up with a Greek word that Al had in his nose. What he said, defined as special knowledge, which we. I found out after the podcast, was not in the notes, so. Sigh. Either made it up.

[Jason]

I said, I do have some Greek words, but that's what he means, special knowledge. I didn't know what he was.

[Missy]

I kept thinking, why is Al not addressing this? Because how do you address insanity

[Paula Godwin]

sometimes with silence.

[Jason]

He said, no, it's in there. And I was thinking, no, I don't hear it. Exactly. It was so crazy. So that whole podcast, now that you know the secret behind the scenes, he was right about knowledge because Jason just

[Al]

done a whole podcast on it. So that's kind of where we went.

[Missy]

Yeah, he was in the neighborhood, but.

[John Godwin]

Wow.

[Johanna]

Yeah.

[Al]

So. So the first time that I met you guys, and I know I've shared this story before when John was on Paula, but we haven't had you on, so I want to get your take on it. So I get a call. I'm a young preacher. This is probably mid-90s, I guess, somewhere around 96. Yeah, 96. So I got a call from a mutual friend of ours, Tony, and he said, I've been. I've been sharing the gospel with my best friend. And, you know, he'd gone out to your dad's, and you've told your story, how you first, you know, the drinking out of the sippy cup and all that stuff. And he said, and he's ready to be baptized. He wants to be baptized. But he said, I just. I feel like somebody should, like, you know, make sure that he's doing it for the right reason, whatever, you know, so. So he lined it up for me. But you were ready and y' all were going to do it. And so you come and Paula, you were with him, but you. You, like, you had an attitude.

[Jason]

And she's one.

[John Godwin]

Won't make a change.

[Jason]

I know, exactly. And so what was funny was so.

[Al]

So I'm just sharing, kind of going through, you know, asking John questions and, you know, do you have any questions about what you're about to do? And. And Paul is just sitting over there, and she's not saying anything, but she just had a look about her, like something she wasn't sure about. She wasn't too sure about all this. And I didn't even address you. I mean, I met you when you first came in, but I thought, man, she's. I Don't know that he's married to an old guy. I don't know about her. And that, you know, that was my first impression. And I found out later that you had had like a bad experience in a church or something like that from a. From somebody. Is that. And so you were, like, distrusting of the thing.

[Paula Godwin]

Well, they had made it a condition to be baptized to join the church. It wasn't about your heart, you know.

[Johanna]

So, Al, spring is right around the corner, and it's time to get back outside and transform your yard with fast growing trees. Well, fast growing trees, it's America' largest and most trusted online nursery with thousands of trees and plants and over 2 million happy customers. You know, I've personally ordered some of the barrier trees, the Leland cypress. Al, you've got some fruit trees. Fast growing trees has over 6,000 plants to choose from, including fruit trees, privacy trees, flowering trees, shrubs, and houseplants. So whatever you're looking for, Fast Growing trees helps you find the options that actually work for your particular climate, space and lifestyle. Super easy to use. All you got to do is just click, order, grow, and when they're alive and thrive, guarantee your plants will arrive happy and healthy. Their plant experts can help you plan your landscape projects. They help you choose the right plants for you, and they can also teach you how to care for them. Fast Growing trees makes it easy to get the yard you've been dreaming of and at a price that won't break the bank. So right now they have great deals on spring planting essentials, up to half off on select plants and listeners to our show. Well, you guys get an extra 20% off your first order when using the promo code unashamed at checkout. That's an additional 20% off for better plants and better [e-mail] using the code unashamed at checkout bastgraintrees.com code unashamed. Now's the perfect time to plant. Let's grow together. Use unashamed to save the day. Offer is valid for a limited time. Terms and conditions may apply.

[Paula Godwin]

Like if you're going to a church and you want to join the church, then you had to be baptized to join the church. It was never about your heart. It was about membership of that physical church.

[Al]

So you thought I was probably gonna. You thought I was probably gonna go down that road?

[Paula Godwin]

Well, I thought, here's somebody else saying,

[Jason]

so she. So she didn't say. And so, like, so I can't remember.

[Al]

I just remember exactly how I said something to you, but I said something to you, and you were like, I'm not getting baptized. And I was like, okay. And I was like, you don't have to give. You're good. And so we baptized John. And then later, of course, you never knew all this was going to happen. We wind up buying property across the street from one another, and for 16 years we're next door neighbors and we become best friends. And then we look back and laugh at our initial meeting, which was me saying, I don't know about this old gal here. She's a little nippy, which is what

[Jason]

she's going to have on her.

[Paula Godwin]

Well, I was in. Actually in a Bible study with Kay after that and at Alice's every Tuesday night. And about two weeks later, I said, well, I'm ready to get baptized. And I told Kay that. And I said, can you baptize me? And Kay said, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. She said, but one of my sons can. And you baptized me?

[Jason]

Oh, really?

[Missy]

Well, okay.

[Paula Godwin]

At the church.

[Jason]

I didn't remember that.

[Missy]

I didn't remember.

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah, I mean, yeah, but it was 1997, a long time ago.

[Jason]

Here's the caveat, though. But guess who baptized Lisa?

[Al]

Paula?

[Paula Godwin]

Me.

[Missy]

Oh, yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah.

[Missy]

Well, Missy had her first one this.

[Jason]

Yeah, we talked about that on the podcast, which I don't know why we ever thought. It doesn't have to be a man to baptize somebody.

[Al]

It doesn't matter who.

[Missy]

I mean, here's a bunch of women from out of town coming on the weekend, and they're like, we're not leaving here. And it's the middle of the night and I was out of town and Mrs. Like, Gulp.

[John Godwin]

You know, let's do it.

[Missy]

Yeah, let's do it.

[Al]

Well, and so what led to that? I'll just tell that story because, you know, they're. They're. They're filming this movie about me and Lisa as we sit here today, and y' all are in it. I don't know if you knew that

[Missy]

or not, but they have characters.

[Jason]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because they were a big part of our life.

[Paula Godwin]

Jack Black.

[Jason]

I don't know who it is.

[Al]

I mean, I should say that maybe

[Jason]

they cut you out of the script.

[Al]

Who knows?

[Paula Godwin]

But.

[Al]

But you should be in it if. Or not. But you guys were there, like the worst part of our lives. I mean, when Lisa and I completely fell apart. And Paula, you were the first person I called that morning when it all broke. And Lisa told the truth about what had been going on And John, I'd been sharing with John because I thought I was crazy. You talking about insane this whole time because you know something's going on in your marriage and you don't know what's happening. And so John became like my guy to just vent to mostly and just listen. But you were there. You, like, took the torch of. For Lisa. When I couldn't do it, I mean, I was done, you know, I just couldn't do anything. I was just completely shut out and shell shocked. And you stepped in and really just maintained that loving relationship in spite of where she was and what she had done and. Which was so important to me. And I've told you this before, but I mean, if that didn't happen in that interim, you know, she. She wouldn't have become the woman that she is and. And submitted to Christ and made the life change. So in that process of you and some other sisters here in our community that walked with her and guided her and, you know, were just an example because that's. She had to have grace from somewhere. She wasn't getting it from me, you know, because I had none to give. But between the Almighty and you guys, y' all carried that, that period of time. And so when she finally made her full decision to come to Christ, you know, you were there in that moment. So, you know, from my perspective, and that, by the way, that's the heart of the movie, which is a Lifetime movie. But I mean, I'm so excited that we're going to get to show that. You know, it's hard to show the parts that were leading up to it. But at the same time, unless you know, the bad, you know, you don't really understand the good.

[John Godwin]

We were still young Christians, too. I mean, at just the right time.

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah. It was my first real experience with saying, okay, this. Now she's not my friend.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

She's my sister in Christ. Like, I have to love her. Like he loved the church.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

Like, you have to separate that emotional.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Jason]

Because you were just as wounded as I was.

[Paula Godwin]

Right. And shocked and everything. But it was the first time I knew that you have to love them. Not as your friend, not as your whatever. As your sister in Christ. The same grace you would show a fellow Christian, you don't have a relationship with at least that much grace. At least that much. Which is hard to do when you love somebody that you've been wounded by or even your kids.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

It's the hardest thing to do with in that situation. But I'm like, okay, I've got to separate myself now. And she's my sister in Christ, no matter what.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

And show her that. That grace.

[Missy]

Right.

[Paula Godwin]

And we just picked up the torch and walked on.

[Al]

And she wound up living with you guys while we were split up, which made it convenient for our family because she's still trying to help take care of the kids. And, you know, then we would eventually put it all back together. But, you know, just since you're both on the podcast again, I just want to say that to be there with somebody in. And walk through that in the worst part of their life, I mean, there's a bond there that lasts then into eternity. So I'm grateful God brought y' all into my life that night. Even though you were sitting over there like a blowfish,

[Jason]

not wondering what was going on with this guy.

[Paula Godwin]

Oh, my gosh.

[John Godwin]

She's a little.

[Jason]

So tell us about.

[Al]

You guys have a lot of exciting things going on. Your grandparents now. So tell us about that. How awesome that is. You got twins.

[Missy]

Twins.

[Paula Godwin]

Identical twins. It's been scary and crazy and wonderful at the same time. All the. I mean, does that sum it up?

[John Godwin]

Well, I mean, we went through five miscarriages, so she did finally. You know, you're happy, but you're still scared.

[Missy]

Yeah.

[John Godwin]

Is this gonna go all the way?

[Paula Godwin]

But anyway, we tried real hard not. Not to let the devil steal our joy. Like, Johanna talked about that a lot. You know, like, I'm not gonna let him steal my joy. I'm gonna enjoy every moment as much as I can, you know? And then her health wasn't good, and we got through that, and it was scary. I mean, it was emergency C section, emergency surgery, you know, and then the babies ended up in ni. But they were fine. And now we're. You know, Joanna just said yesterday, she said, mama, the girls are going to be two months old this week. She said, I feel like it's been 10 years because they're up every two hours. They're feeding two, they're doing two. We go on Friday nights and spend the night and take the night shift and let them catch up on sleep because he's still working. And, you know, she said, it's been the longest two months of my life.

[Al]

You know, welcome to motherhood.

[Paula Godwin]

But she loves it. And they're great. They're great parents.

[Al]

They're truly, as, you know, we were talking about with Sai, about how, you know, there's a God, and since we're so close and literally raised our families across the street from each other, you know, me I have to watch it. I'll get emotional talking about Johanna, but we watching her from the little girl to the. To the young woman and then to the wife, and now the mom is just. I mean, the hand of God has just been so providential through that whole process because y' all adopted Joanna and because you couldn't have kids, and. But that. That whole thing was just amazing. And she was a. How was she when y'?

[Missy]

All.

[Paula Godwin]

I went in delivery with her.

[Al]

Okay. Yeah. So from the beginning, and. But she was just this kid. There's a ADHD in the dictionary. It's this kid.

[Paula Godwin]

There's her picture.

[Jason]

And so, I mean, I like off

[Al]

the chains with all the way she was. And. And yet at the same time, there's just something endearing always about her to us. And, of course, almost being her godparents, I guess. And when she graduated high school, she got the largest scholarship that night at the head of her graduation. And I just sat there and wept. I mean, I just. It was just such a grace moment to see how great God is. So what a treat now to get to see her be a mom.

[Paula Godwin]

She truly is wonderful, a wonderful woman. She's 32, so she's not. I mean, she. I mean, she gives all the glory to God about everything. She, like, will call in a stressful situation, and she calls, and she doesn't ask for advice. She asks us to pray over. Over the phone. Like, she truly, truly, truly got grounded in Jesus in this village that we were able. God blessed us with at the village.

[John Godwin]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

And she gets it.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

And now her husband got. Got it.

[Jason]

So now he was worse than Paula's

[Al]

first meeting Jase recently on the podcast. We've been talking a lot about standing firm in our faith. And, you know, that's something we want to pass along to our kids and our grandkids and the next generation as well. And that's why we love brave books. They help parents build strong families by teaching kids about courage and forgiveness. Fruit of the Spirit. And it's written in stories that they love to read and listen to. Plus, every book includes discussion questions and games so the whole family can talk through these truths together. Missy, of course, wrote one of the books.

[Missy]

She did. I mean, there's a reason God wrote a book to communicate with humans.

[Al]

Exactly. So hers is called because youe're My Family, which is a great book about unconditional love. Jep and Jessica also have a book called Dear Valor, which is an awesome story about adoption and what it means to be chosen. So Great biblical truths. We're all brave families. We love it. We love what they're doing. When you subscribe, you'll get a brand new book every month and a free bonus bundle, plus the two books written by our family for free. So you're getting a great head start. Let's raise brave, unashamed kids in a confusing world. Go to bravebooks.com unashamed use the code unashamed to get 20% off your first order. That's bravebooks.com unashamed code unashamed for 20% off.

[Jason]

We had a house, church at that time, at our house.

[Al]

And he came the first time and he was sitting over there in the corner. He wouldn't say anything to anybody. And he was on his phone the whole time. And it, and it kind of made me mad. I was kind of like this guy, like he's just ignoring us on his phone. But what he was doing was he

[Jason]

was fact checking everything I was saying.

[Paula Godwin]

He wasn't.

[Jason]

He was like looking the stuff up in the Bible or online or whatever. And I didn't know that at the time.

[Missy]

You're like, you're back in.

[Jason]

Well, I like that once I heard it later.

[Al]

But then, but then I met him and I just wasn't sure about him. And I told John and Paul, I was like, I don't know, you know, I just don't think this guy's going to work out, you know. And so I was not high on him at all early. But now, I mean, watching him, it's just almost like watching Johanna, but watching his spiritual journey. And the first time he won me over, it was quite a bit into their relationship, but she got real sick and was in the hospital and that man never left. Remember, he just, he was there the whole time. And I was like, well, there's something to this. I mean, there was like, that was a chance if he was just a flake, where he would just bail because they weren't, you know, they weren't married or anything. And he didn't like, he stepped in the gap and was there for. And I thought, well, there's some depth here. I, I'm not. I didn't see in this. This man. And boy, was I ever right about that. Finally to see that. Because he is a very deep man, a deep man now, a man of faith and just. I love him to death. And they've been coming to the marriage retreat, which is the first year. They won't be able to go in a while because. Because of the babies.

[John Godwin]

Yeah.

[Al]

But Just having conversations with them now as a married couple, as, as people who really get it with Jesus. I mean, it's, it's very, it's, it's inspiring, you know, so it is.

[Paula Godwin]

And he true. I mean he reads and listens and studies and he's very intellectual, very intelligent, very. I mean he's a bill, he's intelligent and he deeply studies and so he's, I always thought, well, if we could ever get him into his heart, if he, if his heart can be pricked, he'll, he can really do great.

[Al]

Because he's one of these guys that just, like a lot of people out there, just had no input of it into his life until, you know, he met her and met you guys and met us and so like, where would he get it from? You know, I mean there's just a lot of people are like that until they find someone who knows about Jesus. But I do think it's a great discussion for why you need community in your life. Just, just us talking about this because who knows when you're going to need that point. Jason, Missy, with me and these, these crossovers where you have people that walk through the hard stuff with you, there's one thing to see somebody at church and give them a nod. How's it going? Oh, it's going great. And walking out the door, that's not really community. That's just like we all meet there and we're listening. But community is when you, you're screwing the thing in the back of the jaw when you're at the hospital, you know, all that stuff.

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah. When you're showing up day in for the hard times, day in and day out, you can't get that casually. I mean, it is hard to get that because it takes commitment.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

On both parts. That's one of the things we talk about as a family. As a family is a two way street. You can't just be a taker, you have to be a giver.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

I mean, you got to show up to receive, you know.

[Al]

Right.

[Paula Godwin]

I mean, so yeah, teaching them, you know, that her as a young child and as a young adult, to be the person that shows up, you know,

[Al]

and you have to surround yourself with good people.

[Missy]

It makes me think we've been studying first. John and I pointed out a couple podcasts ago how many times he says about knowing him or what you've come to know. This is how you know you have this fellowship with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit. It's kind of a deep concept. But it just comes up over and over again. But I wanted to make a point here over what we're discussing. And I read this when we had psalm. But when 1 John 2:3 says, we know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, I know him but doesn't do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. And this is kind of one of the themes that keeps coming up. Of course, when you read that, you tend to think, oh, it's some kind of rule oriented system, kind of like your first concerns. But he gets all the way to chapter three and he kind of defines what this means about his commands. And what I found fascinating when I read this is when he gets down to the two things that he highlights about these commands, we tend to only highlight one of them. And I want to read it. And this is 1 John 3. It says, Dear friends, if our hearts condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask because we obey his commands. Well, there it is again. And do what pleases him. And then he just kind of stops and has a moment and says, and this is his command. This is verse 23 of chapter 3. To believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Well, that's the one we highlight. But he adds another thing along, the equivalent. There's two things and to love one another as he commanded us. So to me, that's just so profound that like, oh, well, everybody's got to believe in Jesus, which is true. And we also love one another, which is almost just as difficult, I'd say,

[Al]

maybe more especially when we're not lovable.

[Missy]

But then it says, so those who obey his commands live in Him. You're like, what were those two commands again? To believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another. Those who obey these commands live in him and he in them. And this is how we know that he does live in us. We know it by the Holy Spirit he gave us. And I just thought, man, what we've been discussing and we've said love for one another. And we were there in our most vulnerable times and you talked about Johanna and you're getting teared up, but all this is the equivalent. It's not just, okay, you need to believe in Jesus and you know, might ought to love one another and try to figure that out. It's inseparable because he has invited us into this complex God, who has this love that was going on before the creation of the world. He says that in John 17 and then invited us to participate in that. And this is just what it looks like. You start loving like Jesus did, which is why he's the most famous person that ever walked the Earth. And you just look at all those conversations and all those encounters he had, and you're like, man, this guy seems to have a love for people that is just not of this world. And so I think this is what it looks like.

[Al]

Yes, Smith. It's not. Bill Smith used to call it. Remember? He can't. He coined the phrase the first. Or I guess he coined it these. First time I ever heard him. I said, he called it forever family. And that's that concept of family we understand. Although a lot of times people's family situations are not good. You grow up in a good situation. I mean, you don't get to pick that. Right? I mean, it picked you because you're born into a situation. It could be bad. The first few years of mine, Jay's life is bad. But then the idea of forever family is always good because it's a choice you get to make about community and people that bless your life and you bless their life. And so it really is a completely different concept. But you're right. Jay's faith without love just can become very cold.

[Missy]

Well, and I think that's why he says all these verses that are hard to wrap your head around. When he. The 1 in 16 of chapter 3, when he said, this is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. And then he says in chapter four in verse ten, this is love, not that we love God. And people are kind of offended by that because we're like, well, I love God, but it says but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. And you're like, why is he phrasing it like that? And I think just look at all the details of the stories we just said. I mean, your daughter gave birth to twins and everybody's happy. But it happened after five miscarriages. We had that experience. My wife had two miscarriages. I mean, there's nothing that is very difficult to overcome twice and five times. And you start looking at Jesus life and what he did in his love. Things didn't go well here. I mean, people were trying to kill him. He didn't have a house. He had to borrow a coin just to do an illustration. They were accusing him of all this.

[Jason]

He is the son of God. He had to Go fishing just to pay his taxes. Remember, they had the one that was in the.

[Missy]

And I think there's something to our lives being just stripped down when just everything is taken away from you and you're just like, oh, I mean, you're at the bottom. Where all of a sudden, God does some of his best things in your life.

[Paula Godwin]

Absolutely.

[Missy]

Yeah. And I think there's something about understanding what real love is in those moments. And so I think we all. Even. The story I was telling about Mia, I mean, that was the worst of that, of those 21 years of surgeries and every six weeks going to a doctor. And I mean, you saw the. That was kind of just at the point of, are we. This is what we're doing. Remember I kept saying that.

[Paula Godwin]

I know.

[Missy]

I was like, this is the plan. I got a screwdriver over my daughter's mouth and physically moving her jaw forward and, you know, with blood and excruciating things. It was terrible.

[Al]

We had Godwin on the podcast, and he has joined me in the PhD quest, and he's looking quite spelt.

[Missy]

We had what's left of Godwin on the podcast.

[Al]

But, you know, you get to this point in your life where you're like, you know, you need to do something. And so you try all these different diets. I've tried them all. And you start thinking it's like, well, you know, I just have a motivation problem or I have a discipline problem.

[Jason]

And that may be true, but that's not all.

[Al]

It is not just that. You have to understand how metabolism works. And what I love about PhD weight loss is they understand the science of burning your fat. Here's a picture of me at the beginning of my journey, and here I am, 80 pounds lighter, obviously doing much better. Lisa can't keep her hands off of me, so, you know, that's a good thing. No more CPAP machine. My meds are almost completely off of almost everything, and it just feel a lot better. So I want you to check it out. If, you know, you've been wanting to get there. I'm just giving you that encouragement. If you call now, they'll give you two free weeks in the program, and they pay for your food so you can finally see real results without all the trial and error. If you're done with yo yo dieting and you want clarity, call PhD weight loss now and mention Al. No more guessing, just answers. You can call 864-644-1900 and say Al. That's 864-644-190.0. Or visit myphdweightloss.com

[Missy]

but having said that, I look at her today and I think, oh, boy. All of that, you know, love and community and pain and stripping down, you're like, okay, God had a plan in this.

[Al]

Well, I remember it seemed like it was in the first year when you guys connected with us. I think it was within the first year that you had gotten a needle stick. Because back then you were a respiratory therapist at the hospital and from an AIDS patient.

[Paula Godwin]

Hiv. The height of hiv.

[Al]

Yeah, that's back when it was real. You know, back 80s and 90s, it was so. And I just remember. And that happened really quickly and I mean, we were all so scared until you could get tested and all that stuff or even wondering was it going to show up at some other point. Do you remember that?

[Paula Godwin]

Seven years? Yeah. Yeah. I was on my 30th birthday, actually, and we were just Christians and I got. It was a code situation and I got stuck. Which happens when you're rapidly doing things in an emergency situation sometimes, unfortunately. But I just kept doing. And then found out right after that that this was an HIV positive patient. And it was at the height we had, matter of fact, as a staff, because I worked in the er, had just read an article where a surgeon had gotten cut himself during surgery and the patient was HIV positive and he cut his thumb off. Because it was that unknown at that time how it spread.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

And so we had just had that conversation. Reading that article is a, you know, just. And so like, whoa, this is very. Who knows? And so I had to go through all, you know, the stuff and take the AIDS medicine and take. Go through testing and all that. That night we went to church. It was on Wednesday, so we went to church and was Bill Smith's class. And I just. We got there early and I went up to him and I said, I just want you to pray over me, if you would, real quick before class starts. And I told him what happened. And in the middle of class, he just stops class and he puts us in the. He says, we gotta stop. This is an urgent situation. Like, I want to do a prayer request. And he put me in the middle of the class and he had everybody circle me and put hands on me and pray over me, which was powerful to me at that moment. And it was the first time I experienced, like, I knew, okay, the. My biggest fear was for other people's children or because we didn't know how it spread. You know, like, I didn't know if you drank after Me, could you get it or could your kids get it from me? That was my biggest concern at that. But I didn't.

[Al]

And you're right, we forget how when you don't understand something.

[Paula Godwin]

It was the same thing as Covid.

[Al]

Exactly.

[Paula Godwin]

That's what I thought about same.

[Al]

There's more mystery than what you knew.

[Paula Godwin]

That's right.

[Al]

Yeah. But you know, it was deadly, right?

[Paula Godwin]

It was deadly. We didn't know anything at that point. But I was the first time I experienced. I had extreme confidence after Bill Smith did that, that no matter what happened, if I had HIV or didn't, I was going to be fine. Like, I knew that God had a plan. Whatever happened, I was going to follow him, trust him, obey him, and whatever it would be, would be. And I bet I would be fine.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

I had never experienced that much peace about anything.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

Before that.

[Al]

And it came from a prayer. And the idea that people were with you. Right. I mean, that surrounded you.

[Paula Godwin]

And the knowledge of God's love like that, that I knew he loved me. I knew his best interest for me was real. This was real. This was not fake. That this was a real thing, real love, a real person, and that I had a community that would help me. And so I was. I wouldn't say scared. I worried about it just because I tried to be real careful about my contact with anybody until we knew. And I had to be tested for years until I was sure.

[Al]

Yeah, I just. I mean, it stood out to me because I just remembered us being so close to you guys, that that was just the first of many, many tests through our lives. Raising our kids of different things that where that came to be, whether it's what we described with what Lisa and I went through and other things, just raising our kids, being scared about different situations. That's what Forever Family's about.

[Missy]

I've been on this for a while, to the point of we had the lead singer for Mercy Me on our podcast because they made a second movie too, I can only imagine, called Even if, which was their second most popular song. So they kind of got a thing going. They have a great song and then they make a movie about how that came about. But until I brought this up three or four times, because I've listened to that song about a thousand times. But I'll just share personally. Why, because, you know, I had heard that song before, but I didn't know it was based on Scripture, which is embarrassing. But it comes from Daniel 3, and it's just two words. You know, it's even if the Shadrach,

[Al]

Meshach and Abednego story, yeah, it is that story.

[Missy]

But the reason I became so obsessed with it and even had him on the podcast, when I really thought about what I'm fixing to read, I thought, I see a weakness here in my faith. I'm not sure I have this kind of faith. I need to work on this. So I've listened to that song a thousand times because it makes me think of this story, and I think it's why it's in the Bible. But it describes what you just got through saying what you felt. It describes that moment. So I have to read this. So this is Daniel 3:16. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, o Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. And just to give you the context of it, he's worshiping other gods. And he's like, this is what we're doing. All knees will bow. So as they're doing this, somebody looked over there and saw these three fellows. They're not bowing. And he's like, bring them here. Heat up the furnace. Because I made a decree. You're bowing.

[Al]

We'll show you what happens to people that don't bend the knee.

[Missy]

And so there's a confrontation. So this is the confrontation. So verse 17, they said, if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it. So they had that right. They're like, kind of like, we're not worried about this because God is able. And here's where the psalm came from, verse 18. But even if he does not, we want you to know we will not serve your gods or worship the image of God you've set up. And so you see how that. That kind of faith is like, we know God is able to, and he's going to take care of us and he cares for us, but if he chooses not to, we're still not going for your God. We're going to trust in the Almighty God. Of course, then that kind of faith produced a wonderful miracle because they put them in the furnace after they turned it up, seven times hotter than normal. Even the guards were burned. Burned up, putting them in there. And then he looks down, the king, and like, I thought you put three of them guys in there. He kind of had two questions. Why are they not burning up?

[Jason]

Who's the fourth guy?

[Missy]

And who's the fourth guy in there?

[Jason]

Who's the fourth guy? Somebody showed up.

[Missy]

I mean, it's a powerful, powerful thing. And that's why I made the whole point about sometimes we have to be stripped down and we suffer. And God allows that to happen for this, for his love to truly come out and be this testimony to the world that, oh, I'm not absent. I'm here going through this with you, and we'll come out on the other side.

[Al]

And if you look at that story in the historical context of Israel, you know, I mean, here we are waiting on the Messiah to come, and it's been talked about and prophesied, and in this period of time, these fellows, along with Daniel and others from Israel, have been taken out of their country into captivity into another country. So you talk about the lowest of the lows. You didn't even have your own country. I mean, you're literally not even occupied. You've been removed from your own country. And so you're in somebody else's country and you're not playing ball. And so that was their whole setup. And this went on for many, many decades before Israel was restored to then continue the idea. So when you look at it from historical context, it was the worst of the wor of the worst. And yet you see the best of people of faith. And that's really what it's all about when we go through these.

[Missy]

Right? I mean, that's a faith that I thought, I need to work on this.

[Al]

That's pretty good.

[Missy]

Because when we're praying, you know, I'm like, okay, I know God, we fixed to do this, but boy, the even if part I need to work on that. Even if he doesn't, he's going to use, use this, you know, for a greater purpose.

[Al]

So, Jase, what's the best thing about your dogs? What are the. What do they bring to you? That's very valuable.

[Missy]

They are my security apparatus. If somebody they don't know pulls up

[Jason]

and they're not like guard dogs because they're very tiny, they're little, but they,

[Al]

they, they, they give you that.

[Missy]

Don't, don't underestimate them.

[Jason]

Well, all of us love our pets for different reasons.

[Al]

They bring love to us in many

[Jason]

ways, and they show up for us.

[Al]

Right? As dogs get older, they're a little slower, a little pickier, and suddenly their stomachs are just off. Traditional dog food is missing probiotics, it's missing enzymes, omega oils, live vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to absorb food. Rough Greens is America's number one dog supplement. You sprinkle it right on your food. It's right Here in front of Jay's. It's packed with all the live nutrients that they need. Plus it's all natural. It's made right here in the good old US Of A. Ruff Greens is helping dogs feel younger, more energetic, and healthier than they have in years. Your dog could be one of them. So I give it to my dogs every day when they get their food. And I've noticed they have more energy, their coats are shinier. It's definitely a great product. We want you to check it out. Get a free jump start trial bag for your dog. You just cover the shipping. Go to ruffgreens.com use the discount code. Unashamed rough greens. We make any dog food better. Well, and that's why, you know, generationally, it just keeps going. That's the beauty of you guys now. Now that you. Your grandchildren, and you're seeing that thing go forward, you start realizing that, you know, we only are here for such a short time. I mean, in the impact. And of course, Paula, you've been there helping us with mom, you know, and dad when he was, you know, at the end, and you just realize that, man, this thing goes fast. I mean, it's like, you know, it's same with us and you guys and parents and passings, and it just goes and it goes. And you realize if we don't have an eternal, you know, clutch into this thing, you can. It just goes so quickly. You can just miss the whole point because it goes by so fast.

[Missy]

Well, it's a testimony to Yalls growth, though, because when difficult situations arise, y' all show up, y' all are around. And I always think that, you know, back in my duck call days, there's duck call competition, which is how you came to the Lord, you know, over duck call competition. Duck hunters show up. I always think about that with Missy. She's a singer. And I've been at so many things, and just looking at it from her perspective, I thought, yeah, something good. Some worship's fixed to happen. Well, she's around, but you see people of faith who God uses, and they show up in these difficult times. And y' all have been there, you know, time and time again, which I think is very noble and we're appreciative for.

[Al]

And then Corsicoin worked for Duck Commander for how many? 25.

[John Godwin]

25 years.

[Al]

25 years.

[Missy]

Now, are you officially retired? Because people are saying that they're like,

[Paula Godwin]

he's retired from Duck Commander, but he's not retired from working.

[Jason]

Yeah, I didn't Know Paula's reminding him of that. He still does. So tell. Tell our audience, because I know your audience knows.

[Al]

But what about there was a secret

[Missy]

joke in there because I resigned from duck Commander and I can't leave. They keep pulling me back in.

[John Godwin]

So I. Yeah, well, I mean, I still do the podcast, but yeah, I'm fishing.

[Al]

I'm.

[John Godwin]

My other passion besides hunting was fishing, and dad got me doing that. And so now I'm crappie fishing guide full time.

[Al]

Godwin guides.

[John Godwin]

Godwingides.com.

[Al]

that's right. So any of you out there, they're looking for a good time on the water?

[John Godwin]

Oh, yeah, we have a great time. People say, well, you don't get to fish no more. But watching people, I look, you can take the grumpiest old man, him get a fish on his line, and he smiles all the way to his ear.

[Missy]

Especially when you don't even know the greatest freshwater fish.

[Al]

Tasty.

[John Godwin]

Mine are from heaven, baby.

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah, that's what John calls them.

[Missy]

Excellent.

[Jason]

But now you got to eat a grill because you're doing PhD.

[Missy]

Yeah, well, I was gonna say when you walked in, because my thought was, it's mini Godwin.

[Al]

Godwin.

[Jason]

Godwin is the new owl because he

[Al]

is taking the PhD challenge this year.

[John Godwin]

I seen owl.

[Jason]

I talked to my fat counselor today and she said, I just talked to Godwin this week and I said, really? So Heather is both of our.

[Missy]

I mean, you gotta be over a bag of corn, which is £50.

[Paula Godwin]

He's over two since he started all this.

[John Godwin]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

And he's fixing to go down another 50.

[John Godwin]

I don't know.

[Jason]

We'll say how far you sound like me, because I've been right at the. I'm right at the end, and they want me to do. Because it has to do with your.

[Al]

Your body mass. And there's a number everybody's looking for.

[John Godwin]

I couldn't believe the numbers.

[Al]

I know.

[Missy]

I said, well, but you lost £100. That's incredible.

[Al]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Jason]

I mean, that's like a high school kid.

[Missy]

I mean, are you back to bull ride? Because now you gotta remember when you rode bulls and then you. You ride motorcycles.

[Johanna]

Yeah.

[Missy]

And you survived all that. God had a plan. I mean, those are, I think, two of the dangerous things you can actually get up on.

[Paula Godwin]

His joints and body didn't survive it so well. Yeah, but yeah, he's. I mean, he's.

[Missy]

Is that why you married a medical professional?

[Jason]

Exactly. Paula's always been the constant motivator.

[John Godwin]

Oh, yeah.

[Missy]

Is she in there?

[Jason]

Like, what's Gonna be on her tombstone.

[John Godwin]

Here lies Paula. God, when she was a little lippy.

[Missy]

A little what? Lippy, Lippy, lippy.

[Jason]

Well, she's one of my favorite.

[Missy]

Call her more of a bottle rocket. You need what? I've noticed the same thing about my wife. Okay, she's a firecracker. But you need that firecracker when things go wrong. I mean, when my wife has a certain look. And I thought, yes, this is made up for those 10 times that I thought, how can we contain this explosion?

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah, it's necessary.

[Missy]

It's necessary.

[John Godwin]

It makes us better.

[Paula Godwin]

Not all situations.

[Jason]

It's funny because me knowing Johnny Pollard so well, we spend so much time

[Al]

together back in the day. And Paula get going on. And John, you know, he's pretty much just take whatever listening, and then he get.

[Jason]

He's like a rubber band. He'd reach a point where they fall and snap back.

[Missy]

You know, Paula, I've never seen that side of you, which is crazy. I've heard about it.

[Jason]

Oh, is there?

[Missy]

But I thought, what are you crazy? She's just always kind and gentle. Every time I.

[Paula Godwin]

I can be pretty. Pretty blunt. I mean, when I. My daughter, she's like always, you know, like, can count on me to be honest about. And sometimes I have to watch work on the delivery of that honesty. Because if it's not wrapped in love, who's gonna listen to it?

[Al]

But it is hard.

[Missy]

I had a dad like that.

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah, you did.

[Al]

Paula's been that in all my life. And Lisa's life, she's. She's been that person for us. And I've always appreciated that, Paula. Because that kind of friend is the one you rely on for your whole life. The one that will tell you the truth even when you're wrong.

[Missy]

Well, it's true.

[Jason]

And I've been there too.

[Missy]

The reason I would take up for you and the reason I took up for my dad, because I knew his heart. And I think that's the reason my dad got away. Because he was way more blunt with perfectly strangers about their life. And I thought, I cannot believe he is saying this out loud in this environment. But he just seemed to get away with it because I think there was something about his heart that was coming across in this confrontation about their life.

[Paula Godwin]

You knew his motives were pure.

[Al]

That's right.

[John Godwin]

Yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

His motive was pure.

[Missy]

His motive was pure. But I was thinking they don't know his motive, but somewhere in there, I think they felt it was. They do.

[John Godwin]

Well, they knew it was. Right.

[Missy]

Well, I mean, you had that experience I mean, it was hard to work for my dad because he did have that edge to him.

[Al]

And you've had like at least four careers.

[Paula Godwin]

Yeah.

[Al]

So you work for an energy business now. Were you guys, like, in crazy land with the ice storm and all that stuff, or how was that?

[Paula Godwin]

Well, we're industrial and commercial. So while we were out supporting the facilities that support customers like Entergy Corporation and we're a banister electric, we're a construction company. We were out supporting the people so they could support their customers.

[Al]

They had.

[Paula Godwin]

Their facilities had damage.

[Al]

Oh, yeah.

[Paula Godwin]

And their trucks couldn't even get out of the iced over parking lot. And they're, you know, like the gas, you know, energy transfer, Kinder Morgan. All those places, their facilities had problems. So the men that work for the were out getting their stuff up so they could take care of their customers. It was a.

[Al]

Well, I'll tell you one thing. So I bought my Generac generator from the company you worked for six years ago. And that's the best money I ever spent because my life didn't change that much, except I had everybody.

[Missy]

The house became the hub.

[Al]

It was the hub.

[John Godwin]

Everybody showed up.

[Paula Godwin]

Danny has a residential. Yeah, he does that energy.

[Missy]

What I found fascinating and you sharing that is like your job. Careers are they like. It's like a earthly heavenly connect. We talk about that a lot, podcast about them being connected, because they reflect your two spiritual qualities, which is you provide healing in a lot of situations through love. And you're a powerful person.

[Al]

You bring the energy.

[Jason]

You bring the power. There's your bottle, Roc.

[Al]

What do will? I am say bring the energy. That's what you do.

[Jason]

That's what you do.

[Paula Godwin]

Well, I like working and I think different environments, you know, with involving people in any aspect, but where you have to think outside the box or. Or do whatever you got to do to make something work or fix. Figure out something.

[Missy]

Yeah.

[Al]

And that's why I. I've said this many times before. Paula, when. When you're working with Paula Godwin, at some point, you'll be working for Paula Go.

[Jason]

And that's what she winds up running wherever she's at. Is that not true? She always becomes the person.

[Al]

That means you're good at what you do. All right, that went fast. We're out of time. Apollo, you're always welcome back to Unasham. I'm sorry it took this long to get you on here. And you too, John, now that you're a fishing guy.

[John Godwin]

I'm right next door.

[Al]

We love you. Thanks for coming on yeah, thanks for listening to the Unashamed podcast. Help us out by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcast and don't miss an episode by subscribing on YouTube. And be sure to click the little bell and choose all notifications to watch every episode.