Hit songwriter and creative mentor Kirsti Manna shares the real story behind Blake Shelton’s five-week number one Austin, the faith that carried her through a college vocal setback, and the practices that turned resilience into results. We unpack her Songwriter Girl camps, why women in music need safe creative spaces, and how mentorship, goal setting, and music publishing literacy change careers. Kirsti explains her process from title-first hooks to collaborative listening, the role of intuition in the writing room, and building an indie label that’s landing Texas number ones. If you write songs, lead creatives, or want a purpose-led career in Nashville, this episode delivers playbook-ready steps.

Episode Highlights

• Nashville hit songwriter who helped launch Blake Shelton’s career with “Austin” and built her own publishing empire.
• Talks about navigating rejection, divorce, and reinvention while staying anchored in faith and creativity.
• Shares how songwriting became both her survival and her ministry during life’s darkest chapters.
• Explains why belief, resilience, and daily discipline matter more than talent in building a lasting career.
• Inspires listeners to protect their voice, trust divine timing, and keep showing up even when no one’s clapping.

To Learn more about Kirsti Visit Kirsti Manna

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Entrepreneur and viral creator Donald Jenkins built a digital empire reaching billions of views without a blueprint—just belief, storytelling, and persistence. In this episode, he breaks down the attention formula, mastering watch time, and how faith fuels consistency when motivation runs dry. Donald shares his journey from Nashville Hits Collecting Dust to social media success and now using his platform to fight child exploitation through Operation Light Shine. This conversation is raw, practical, and a must for anyone building a brand, platform, or purpose-driven life.

Episode Highlights

• Built millions of followers by turning rejection, curiosity, and humor into a career in creative storytelling and branding.
• Opens up about walking away from podcasting, losing identity, and rebuilding with purpose rather than performance.
• Reveals how tragedy, therapy, and faith helped him heal perfectionism and rediscover joy in creating.
• Shares strategies for standing out online by leaning into authenticity, not algorithms or imitation.
• Encourages listeners to risk being seen, start before they’re ready, and create from who they are—not for validation.

To learn more about Donald visit. Donald Jenkins

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In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Next Rung Radio, we sit down with Cathy A. Lewis, one of America’s first female executive chefs who’s cooked for NFL, NBA, and NHL teams, music legends, and Indy 500 champions and now an award‑winning author and speaker whose story of redemption will stir your soul. From the high‑pressure chaos of the restaurant world and the heartbreak of addiction to a radical life transformation through faith, Cathy reveals how she rebuilt her identity from the inside out. Her courage to confront her past, rediscover her worth, and boldly walk away from destructive habits is nothing short of miraculous. This conversation is raw, redemptive, and real, a true masterclass in grace, resilience, and the power of saying yes to a new life.

Episode Highlights

One of America’s first female executive chefs, who cooked for elite athletes, celebrities, and music icons and then found a higher calling through faith.

Opens up about years of addiction, burnout, and searching for identity in the wrong places and how a divine encounter completely transformed her life.

Shares how recommitting to Christ turned her from survivor to servant, now using her culinary gifts to minister to those who minister.

Reveals the spiritual awakening that inspired her to write two award‑winning historical fiction books based on her father’s WWII experiences.

Encourages listeners to face their past, find their peace, and rediscover purpose through faith, forgiveness, and community.

To Learn More About Cathy Visit: Cathy A Lewis

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his week on Next Rung Radio, we dive into the colorful world of Dean Tomasek, a rare creative who’s lived multiple artistic lifetimes. From painting stage sets for Dolly Parton, Alice Cooper, and KISS, to playing bass on tour and designing murals across the country, Dean’s story is one of true resilience, humility, and raw creative fire. Hear how he shifted from supporting roles to owning his artistry, stayed grounded through feast-or-famine seasons, and built a legacy out of saying YES, even when he didn’t know how. Whether you’re torn between passions or looking for clarity in your creative path, this conversation will inspire you to trust your voice, follow your hands, and keep climbing, no matter what the canvas looks like.

Episode Highlights

From bassist to muralist: Dean shares how he carved out careers in both music and visual art.

Created legendary stage designs for Dolly Parton, Grace Potter, Alice Cooper, and even Kiss (including 6-ft muscular cat sculptures!).

Talked about carving giant stage props from Styrofoam with heat wires and rasps, pure grit and invention.

Reveals the power of diversity in creativity and the value of being a “yes man” even when the task seems impossible.

Highlights how working through the pandemic taught him to pivot and adapt using digital sales and commissioned art.

To Learn More About Dean Visit: Dean Tomasek

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In this deeply moving and iconic episode of Next Rung Radio, we sit down with Manuel Cuevas , the 92-year-old master tailor behind the looks of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Dolly Parton, and hundreds of the world’s most celebrated artists. From picking up a needle at age seven to shaping fashion history, Manuel shares how clothing isn't just fabric: it's identity, storytelling, and legacy. With poetic humility and a mischievous grin, he reminds us that true beauty lies within, he just adorns it so the world can recognize it. This isn’t just about rhinestones and runways... it’s about purpose, perseverance, and the soul of creation.

If you’ve ever doubted your gift or wondered what it means to truly love what you do, this episode is your wake-up call.

Episode Highlights

Legendary fashion designer who began sewing at age 7 and went on to dress Elvis, Johnny Cash, and even presidents.

Describes his mission not to change people but to help them feel seen and celebrated through what they wear.

Emphasized cooperation, legacy, and passion as cornerstones of longevity in any creative field.

Still creating at 92, sharing wisdom on why work doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do.

To Learn More About Manuel Visit Manuel Couture

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Get ready for an explosive episode, literally. In this week’s Next Rung Radio Podcast, we sit down with pyrotechnics mastermind Randy Bast, the man behind the fire, sparks, and spectacle for rock legends like KISS, AC/DC, Rush, and even NASCAR and HBO. From lighting his first fuse at just 18 to creating jaw-dropping stage effects across 40+ countries, Randy’s journey is one of grit, passion, and pure rock ‘n’ roll chaos. He opens up about his early hustle as a concert promoter, life on tour with the world’s biggest acts, and the mindset it takes to transform a wild dream into a decades-long global business. You’ll hear about the lessons behind the flames, the financial risks, the heart-stopping setbacks, and the sheer determination that kept him climbing rung after rung toward mastery. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or dream chaser, this episode will ignite your inner fire and remind you that you can build the life you love...one spark at a time.

Episode Highlights

From local concert promoter to pyrotechnic legend for KISS, AC/DC, and Rush.

Built a global business around his passion for fire, light, and spectacle.

Talks openly about financial risks, creative resilience, and learning to ignite success without burning out.

Reveals how integrity, relationships, and adaptability kept him thriving for decades.

Inspires entrepreneurs to “find your fire” no matter what industry you’re in.

To learn more about Randy Visit High Tech Special Effects

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From a Memphis drum kit to Emmy wins and multiple No. 1 hits, Trey Bruce has spent decades shaping songs and artists who shape the culture. In this wide-open conversation, Trey explains how he turns a spark into a song people actually feel, why “vernacular” matters when writing for different voices, and how he can tell fast when someone’s a real artist. We dig into development vs. radio, why great artists don’t have to write everything they sing, and how streaming built a thriving “middle class” of independent careers. Trey shares stories from the rooms (Tootsie’s to Bridgestone), the discipline behind inspiration, and the producer’s job of pulling artists toward their truest corner, even when the market pushes back. If you’re stuck on a rung: writer, artist, or entrepreneur, this episode gives you an honest map: study the craft, cut the best songs (not just yours), evolve bravely, and keep your eye on the long game.

To Learn More About Trey Visit: https://www.treybruce.com

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Strict rules. Crushing perfectionism. A decade tangled in opioids. A failed marriage. And the day she found her father after an overdose. By every measure, Jamie Creech had reasons to stop climbing. Instead, she chose the hard path...the one with treatment, truth, and rebuilding. In this raw, hope-heavy conversation, Jamie shares how chasing acceptance turned into addiction, why grief first pulled her under, and how she reframed her father’s death into a mandate to live. We talk about owning consequences, choosing uncomfortable growth, and surrounding yourself with people who won’t let you quit. Today, Jamie is the CEO of Creech Ladder & Racks / Commercial Truck and Van Up Fitting, carrying a multi-generational legacy forward while leading a team and a thriving national operation. If you’re stuck on the bottom rung—wrestling with self-worth, relapse, or the weight of expectations—this episode offers practical footholds: identity over image, 1% better every day, and the courage to take the harder road.

To Learn more about Jmie and Creech Ladder Visit: https://www.creechladder.com

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