Brandon Kennedy has spent the last twelve years leading one of the most impactful churches in the Knoxville area — a church that’s become a true pillar in the community. But now, he’s stepping into a new season: planting again.

In this conversation, Brandon sits down with Aaron to share his full story — growing up in Sevierville, answering the call to ministry, and what it’s been like to step away from something thriving to start fresh. It’s a story about calling, courage, and trusting God’s direction even when it means starting over.

If you’ve ever wrestled with transition, calling, or what it looks like to follow God into the unknown, this one will hit home.

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Contact Brandon:

CFknox.org / Brandon@cfknox.org

On this episode of Faith & Field Notes, Aaron sits down with Audy Smothers, Campus Director with Campus Outreach at the University of Tennessee, to talk about what faith looks like in today’s college culture.

Audy shares his story of coming to Christ, what led him into campus ministry, and how losing his dad as a kid shaped his view of faith, leadership, and legacy. Together, they explore the challenges facing this generation, the hunger for truth among college students, and the powerful ways God is quietly moving on campus in East Tennessee.

🎙 Real faith. Real stories. Real life in the field.
Support the show on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithandFieldNotes

Support Audy with Campus Outreach -> https://comemphis.churchcenter.com/giving/to/audy-mariah-smothers

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Josh Schneider, a Senior Program Manager in Nuclear Design Engineering at the Tennessee Valley Authority here in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Josh helps lead work at the intersection of science, innovation, and public service — and every time they talk, Aaron walks away learning something new. This conversation unpacks how nuclear energy actually works, how TVA’s structure provides reliable power across the region, what a nuclear reactor looks like up close, and why nuclear power continues to be one of the most promising paths forward for clean, dependable energy.

They also talk about what it means to live and lead as a follower of Christ inside such a technical and high-stakes field — where integrity, humility, and excellence often speak louder than words.

🗒️ Field Note
Faith doesn’t always show up in grand gestures — sometimes it’s found in quiet consistency, steady leadership, and the way we show up every day in the places God’s called us.

🙌 Support the Show
Help us keep real, honest conversations going — support the show on Patreon:

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In this episode of Faith & Field Notes, Aaron sits down with his friend Tyler Woodruff, whose story weaves through faith, athletics, and the pursuit of a life built on purpose.

Tyler grew up in the Mormon church and spent his early years out west before moving to Tennessee as a teenager. We talk about what that transition was like — finding identity through high school baseball, how competing in track shaped his college years, and how that ultimately led him into coaching baseball at a local Christian school. From there, we dig into the steps that took him from the classroom to the construction site, where he and his wife now design and build custom tiny homes together.

This episode isn’t just about career pivots — it’s about the ongoing process of faith, calling, and learning to rebuild when life takes a turn.

Field Note: Sometimes the life you’re meant to build starts when you stop chasing what everyone else says you should be building.

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Tyler & Ambers Airbnb: @littlerivertinyhome

In this episode, Kelsey and I share the story of how we met and the journey that’s unfolded since. From our first connection to walking side by side through ministry, we’ve seen both the beauty and the hardship that comes with pursuing a calling together. We talk honestly about the highs and lows, what it meant for our marriage to be shaped in the middle of ministry life, and how stepping away brought new challenges and new clarity. This is our story—not polished, but real, and full of the lessons we’ve carried with us along the way.

Field Note: “The stories we live together—both the easy and the hard—become the ground where God grows the deepest roots.”

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In this episode, I sit down with my wife, Kelsey, to explore her story—the ups, downs, and everything in between. Raised as the daughter of missionaries in China, her childhood was marked by both adventure and constant change. From small-town rhythms to the challenges of moving across cultures, Kelsey’s journey shaped her faith and resilience in unique ways. We talk about what it was like growing up overseas, the defining moments of transition, and how all of that eventually led her to meeting me and beginning our life together. It’s a conversation about identity, faith, and finding your place in the middle of change.

Field Note: “The places that change us most aren’t always the ones we choose—but they are the ones God uses to prepare us for what’s ahead.”

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This week, Aaron sits down with his friend Roy Nicaud, a former ministry professional who has spent the last 10+ years building a career in real estate as an agent, flipper, and investor. Together they talk about what it’s like to step out of ministry, the lessons Roy carried with him into the marketplace, and how faith continues to shape the way he does business. From navigating tough seasons to finding opportunities in real estate, Roy’s story is a powerful reminder that calling isn’t limited to the pulpit.

Check out Roy's coaching program at www.realestateacademicprogram.com

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Welcome to the very first episode of Faith & Field Notes. Before we dive into the conversations and field notes ahead, we want to share why we’re starting this podcast, what it’s about, and who it’s for.

This episode is both an introduction and the beginning Aaron's story — from growing up, to our early years in faith and ministry, and the road that eventually led us to meeting each other. Along the way, we’ll talk about the pressures, lessons, and experiences that shaped us before stepping into full-time ministry and, later, into the working world.

This is a podcast for contractors, real estate folks, former pastors, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to live out faith in the middle of real life. Our hope is that these field notes — the stories and lessons from our own journey — will encourage you in yours.

Field Note of the Week: “Every story has a beginning, and every beginning matters.”

Help us keep real, honest conversations going — support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithandFieldNotes