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Kristi Rawlings didn't expect to spend two decades at Dunklin County Transit when she first joined as a secretary. Now, as Operations Manager, she's witnessed thousands of meaningful connections bloom in the unlikeliest of places – the passenger seats of their transportation vehicles.

"You never know when a kind word will change someone's entire day, week, month, year, life," reflects one of our hosts, capturing the essence of this enlightening conversation. Though many assume Dunklin County Transit exclusively serves elderly or disabled individuals, Kristi reveals their service is available to anyone needing transportation – from airport travelers to those whose vehicles are temporarily out of commission.

What makes these rides truly special isn't just getting from Point A to Point B, but the profound human connections that form along the way. Drivers share remarkable stories of passengers who, within minutes of entering the vehicle, begin sharing their deepest struggles and life stories. Richard recounts a particularly moving experience with a passenger who shared her entire life journey, ending with them praying together as she departed in tears. Tyler describes passengers who specifically request certain drivers, having developed relationships of trust through repeated interactions.

Perhaps most striking is the revelation about loneliness in our communities. "It's sad, really, to just see the number of people that don't have anybody to talk to," Kristi observes. For many regular passengers, especially those requiring frequent medical trips like dialysis, their DCT driver becomes a consistent, caring presence in otherwise isolated lives.

Beyond the heartwarming stories, Kristi shares practical insights about their services – from all-day local routes allowing unlimited travel for one price to their expansive service area covering multiple counties. With 25 drivers and more vehicles on the way, they've grown substantially since their 1982 founding.

Ready to experience this unique service yourself? Whether you need a ride to an appointment or simply want to connect with a friendly face, Dunklin County Transit proves that sometimes, the journey truly is as important as the destination.

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Remember the days when cafeteria food combinations made perfect sense? When corn dogs paired naturally with chocolate milk, and dipping brownies in beef stew seemed like culinary genius? The Almost Brothers take you on a nostalgic journey through childhood food oddities, pregnancy cravings, and the strange combinations that somehow work.

Rich updates us on his growing family, proudly sharing stories about his seven-month-old grandson Hudson who now sports four whole teeth. There's excitement in the air about an upcoming gender reveal for his second grandchild—moments that highlight how quickly time passes. Meanwhile, Ty recounts his pregnant wife's unexpected midnight cravings: corn dogs with Chick-fil-A sauce paired with pears. It's these intimate glimpses into their personal lives that make you feel like you're sitting around a kitchen table with old friends.

The conversation flows naturally through movie preferences, revealing strong opinions about Adam Sandler's evolution as a comedian. But it's when they dive into board games that their competitive natures truly emerge. From Monopoly strategies to the frustration of playing with people who don't take games seriously enough, their passionate discussion about everything from Scrabble to murder mystery dinners reveals much about their personalities. Card games get equal attention, with debates about traditional Uno versus modern variations and reminiscences about college-era Phase 10 matches.

As the episode winds down, the tone shifts to something more reflective. Mike shares how a busy week away from home made him realize how precious family time truly is. Rich recalls the emotional experience of dropping his son off at college, offering a gentle reminder that parenting seasons change faster than we ever expect. It's a heartfelt conclusion that will resonate with anyone who's ever looked at their growing children and wondered where the time went. Subscribe to catch new episodes every Monday and Thursday, and join our Almost Family of listeners who keep coming back for these authentic moments of connection.

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Avoiding difficult conversations is a universal struggle, but the consequences of sweeping problems under the rug can be devastating. Join us as we unpack why making tough decisions early saves relationships from breaking points down the road.

When small disagreements go unaddressed, they don't disappear—they grow roots. We explore how this pattern appears in marriages, friendships, and especially parent-child dynamics, where today's permitted behaviors become tomorrow's deeply ingrained problems. "People will treat you the way you allow them to treat them," becomes a sobering reminder of our responsibility to establish healthy boundaries.

The psychology behind our avoidance is fascinating. Many of us build up these conversations in our minds until they seem insurmountable, only to discover they're surprisingly anticlimactic when finally addressed. The fear becomes greater than the conversation itself, creating a cycle of unnecessary anxiety and delayed resolution.

We share personal experiences of establishing communication patterns that prioritize addressing issues promptly rather than letting them fester. This proactive approach has transformed relationships and prevented small disagreements from becoming relationship-ending conflicts. The band-aid analogy proves true—ripping it off quickly hurts less than slowly peeling it away.

Perhaps most importantly, we discuss how the ability to have tough conversations acts as a litmus test for relationship health. If you can't express when something bothers you, is that genuinely a relationship worth preserving? True connection requires honesty, even when uncomfortable.

Ready to transform how you handle difficult decisions? Listen, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Your relationships will thank you.

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