We're Out of Time: Episode Summary

Title: The Secret to Making Every Moment Count With Kelly Wright
Host/Author: Richard Taite
Guest: Kelly Wright, Senior White House Correspondent for CBN News
Release Date: June 17, 2025

Introduction and Personal Stories (00:00 - 06:28)

The episode opens with Kelly Wright joining Richard Tate on the "We're Out of Time" podcast. Richard shares a profound reflection on life's journey, emphasizing the importance of what happens "in the dash"—the time between birth and death. He states:

“The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful happens in that dash. The question is, what do we do with all of those elements of living?” (00:04)

Richard delves into his personal history, recounting the traumatic experience of his mother, June Lorraine Overton Wright, who was sexually assaulted by a pastor when Richard was 17 years old. This event profoundly impacted his upbringing and his understanding of resilience and purpose. He narrates:

“She never did become that psychiatrist, but she went on to become a high school counselor and saved a lot of kids who had been broken.” (12:09)

Faith and Purpose (06:28 - 19:34)

Richard discusses the role of faith in overcoming adversity. He highlights the importance of being a "beacon of hope" and shares insights on how faith can transform lives. He reflects on his mother's strength and his own journey towards faith, emphasizing that:

“We are all born for a purpose and a reason. ... we are a beacon of hope. When I travel around the world, there are some people saying, what's going on in America? We're concerned about America. Well, why are you concerned about America? Because you're the beacon of hope.” (06:13 - 06:38)

The conversation shifts to theological discussions about the existence of evil, the nature of God, and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. Richard explains the biblical perspective on the war in Heaven and the origins of sin, stating:

“There is a real reality. And I, as a follower of Jesus Christ, as a Christian who loves God and loves mankind ... will never lift a finger to hurt anyone.” (21:14)

Historical Reflections and Reconciliation (19:34 - 36:50)

Richard shares a poignant story from December 1999, where he attended a reconciliation conference in Benin, West Africa. Here, leaders from Benin and Ghana apologized for their ancestors' roles in the transatlantic slave trade. He recounts:

“Matthew Caracou, the president of Benin, said, I want to say this fiendish D that our ancestors entered into was demonic, and it destroyed our diaspora. And I want to apologize to you in the name of Jesus Christ.” (33:06 - 35:35)

This experience underscored the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs to heal and move forward as one unified nation.

The Fentanyl Crisis and Addiction (36:50 - 51:42)

The discussion shifts focus to the fentanyl crisis, highlighting its devastating impact on families across America. Richard emphasizes that fentanyl doesn't just affect drug addicts but innocent Americans from all walks of life. He shares insights from interviews and personal observations:

“This is happening to everyday America. Black, white, it did not matter.” (50:27)

Kelly Wright reinforces the idea by sharing stories of individuals whose lives were transformed through faith and support, such as HGTV star Izzy Batress and John Ponder, a former armed robber who founded "Hope for Prisoners."

“I've seen this in my own life... a personal encounter with Christ after praying and you could feel the rush of tears streaming down your face and you realize you had an encounter with something stronger than you and it was God.” (51:42 - 53:43)

Music, Education, and Personal Interests (51:42 - 59:04)

Richard discusses his passion for music, attributing it to his mother's influence. He shares how music has been a medium for expressing hope and breaking down barriers. He reminisces about performing with Mike Huckabee and the impact of inspirational songs on his life.

“Quincy Jones once made a song called what good is a song if it can't inspire? If a song cannot lift you higher, then it's not good enough to sing.” (59:04)

Additionally, Richard touches upon the importance of education, particularly Christian education, in shaping individuals' minds, bodies, and souls. He praises the holistic approach of institutions like Oral Roberts University, where he studied.

“If you look at the Generation Z and the generation to come after that... we gotta be right there, eye to eye, nose to nose and saying, I love you right where you are.” (59:26 - 60:07)

White House Correspondence and Political Reflections (59:04 - 64:03)

As the Senior White House Correspondent for CBN News, Richard shares his experiences interviewing President Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of having meaningful conversations rather than confrontational interviews, aiming to provide clarity and information to the American people.

“I wanted to have a conversation with the President of the United States... I wanted to hear from the president himself what his goals were, what his strategy was.” (62:10 - 64:03)

Richard reflects on the dynamic between the media and the White House, advocating for transparency and truthful information exchange to serve the greater good of the nation.

Closing Reflections and Prayer (64:03 - 67:03)

In the final segment, Richard reiterates America's role as a beacon of hope despite its internal challenges. He urges listeners to embrace unity and work towards reconciliation, emphasizing:

“You are literally America is literally the greatest nation on the planet. Do we have our issues? Yes. Will we get through these issues? Yes. ... we are a beacon of hope. You're the light that shines on a hill.” (64:03 - 65:32)

The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer led by Kelly Wright, seeking blessings for the podcast and the broader mission of spreading hope and transformation.

“Lord, I thank you for this opportunity to have spoken with my good friend Richard Tate... I pray that through everything that's been said that you get the glory.” (66:21 - 67:03)

Notable Quotes

• Richard Tate (00:04):
  “The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful happens in that dash. The question is, what do we do with all of those elements of living?”

• Richard Tate (12:09):
  “She never did become that psychiatrist, but she went on to become a high school counselor and saved a lot of kids who had been broken.”

• Richard Tate (06:13):
  “We are all born for a purpose and a reason... we are a beacon of hope.”

• Richard Tate (21:14):
  “There is a real reality. And I, as a follower of Jesus Christ, as a Christian who loves God and loves mankind ... will never lift a finger to hurt anyone.”

• Richard Tate (33:06):
  “Matthew Caracou, the president of Benin, said, I want to say this fiendish D that our ancestors entered into was demonic, and it destroyed our diaspora. And I want to apologize to you in the name of Jesus Christ.”

• Richard Tate (50:27):
  “This is happening to everyday America. Black, white, it did not matter.”

• Richard Tate (59:04):
  “Quincy Jones once made a song called what good is a song if it can't inspire? If a song cannot lift you higher, then it's not good enough to sing.”

• Richard Tate (64:03):
  “You are literally America is literally the greatest nation on the planet. Do we have our issues? Yes. Will we get through these issues? Yes. ... we are a beacon of hope. You're the light that shines on a hill.”

Conclusion

In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Richard Tate and Kelly Wright explore themes of faith, resilience, historical reconciliation, and the pressing issue of the fentanyl crisis. Through personal anecdotes, theological discussions, and reflections on national challenges, the conversation underscores the importance of hope, purpose, and unity in navigating the complexities of modern life. The episode serves as a compelling reminder of the power of faith and community in overcoming adversity and making every moment count.