What if the question holding you back isn’t “Why me?” but “Why not me?” We sit down with Dr. Ed Newton, lead pastor of Community Bible Church and author of Why Not You, to unpack a life-changing shift in identity and calling. Ed opens up about battling rejection, dyslexia, anxiety, and a season so heavy he almost didn’t make it through—then shows how counseling, community, and the Holy Spirit rebuilt courage from the inside out.

We explore why shame quietly fuses failure to identity, how guilt can lead to repentance without defining who you are, and why most of us carry “rent-free” voices from the past that still drive today’s choices. Ed shares a practical path to renew your mind, grounded in Romans 12: capture the thoughts, test the story, replace the lie with truth. He makes the case that your design is not an accident—image of God is your baseline—and even your supposed kryptonite can become a superpower when it’s surrendered to purpose.

The conversation lifts from the personal to the practical: a pregame talk to a losing basketball team becomes the spark for a book deal, a fresh reminder that calling is usually discovered through ordinary faithfulness. We talk imposter syndrome, true humility versus self-deprecation, and the leadership question that rewires self-awareness: What’s it like to be on the other side of me? Along the way, Ed points you to simple next steps—daily devotionals, teaching, and tools—to keep your inner script aligned with who God says you are.

If God will use someone today, why not you? Hit play, reframe the question, and take your next bold step. If this resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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Elsa Kurt: You may know her for her uncanny, viral Kamala Harris impressions & conservative comedy skits, but she’s also a lifelong Patriot & longtime Police Wife. She has channeled her fierce love and passion for God, family, country, and those who serve as the creator, Executive Producer & Host of the Elsa Kurt Show with Clay Novak. Her show discusses today’s topics & news from a middle class/blue collar family & conservative perspective. The vocal LEOW’s career began as a multi-genre author who has penned over 25 books, including twelve contemporary women’s novels.

Clay Novak: Clay Novak was commissioned in 1995 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and served as an officer for twenty four years in Mechanized Infantry, Airborne Infantry, and Cavalry units . He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. Clay is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and is a Master Rated Parachutist, serving for more th...

The ocean doesn’t care about your plan, and that’s exactly why we love it. We invited part of the Taylor Jean crew aboard the show to share how a handful of friends—bankers, builders, and tinkerers—built one of the most respected teams on the offshore tournament circuit. The story starts with a seasick freshwater angler who fell in love under a sky full of stars 80 miles out, and it unfolds into a masterclass on preparation, judgment, and trust when the seas get sporty.

We dig into the craft behind the glamour: why some captains believe certain hulls “raise fish,” how swapping to a Viking changed hookup rates with the same crew and tactics, and what it takes to rig for success when a nicked leader can cost six figures. Blaine walks us through the pre-season grind—thousands of hooks, fresh line on every rod, backup everything—and the game-day calls that make or break an eight-hour window. Jay connects the dots between life skills and fishing skills: communication, composure, and the discipline to do the boring work so the exciting moments go your way.

Then the ocean tests the plan. A rogue wave breaks over the house, the cockpit floods, a rod disappears, and the call is to head in—until a blue marlin eats and forces the team to execute in chaos. They finish the fight, release cleanly after lines out, and live to fish the next day. Along the way, we talk release-first ethics, guest anglers, and the traditions that stitch a team together, from first-billfish jumps to prank wars on rival boats. COVID-era adjustments—dinners delivered to the dock, fewer tents, more focus—sharpened their edge and reminded them why they chase fish in the first place.

If you’re curious about offshore sport fishing, tournament strategy, and the strange alchemy of passion plus preparation, this conversation puts you right in the cockpit. Hear about wildlife encounters like a giant loggerhead and the famed Dolphin 56, learn why weather windows dictate 120-mile runs, and see how camaraderie turns pressure into performance. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves the water, and leave a review telling us your favorite moment—we read them all and it helps more anglers find the show.

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Elsa's BOOKS
Elsa Kurt: You may know her for her uncanny, viral Kamala Harris impressions & conservative comedy skits, but she’s also a lifelong Patriot & longtime Police Wife. She has channeled her fierce love and passion for God, family, country, and those who serve as the creator, Executive Producer & Host of the Elsa Kurt Show with Clay Novak. Her show discusses today’s topics & news from a middle class/blue collar family & conservative perspective. The vocal LEOW’s career began as a multi-genre author who has penned over 25 books, including twelve contemporary women’s novels.

Clay Novak: Clay Novak was commissioned in 1995 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and served as an officer for twenty four years in Mechanized Infantry, Airborne Infantry, and Cavalry units . He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. Clay is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and is a Master Rated Parachutist, serving for more th...

What happens when a daughter writes two letters a week to her mom for ten years while breaking into one of the most male-dominated industries in America? You get a time-capsule memoir packed with real deals, real setbacks, and real strategies that still work. We’re joined by Dr. Mary Mitchell, who rose through the 1980s pulp, paper, and timber world negotiating 60 contracts at a time, feeding mills through strikes and shortages, and outmaneuvering intimidation with a calm, data-first style.

Mary walks us through the volatile market forces that defined the decade—interest rates near 20 percent, housing crashes, export booms—and how she turned chaos into leverage with scenario planning, meticulous market intel, and relentless relationship-building with everyone from tug dispatchers to scale houses. She unpacks her “plain vanilla” negotiation approach: ignore the theatrics, return to price and inventory, anticipate failure modes, and have ten counters ready when they hit. The stories are vivid: rescuing a mill with hog fuel dug from a forgotten valley, barging sawdust into San Francisco, and earning a rival’s backhanded compliment for never leaving a dime on the table.

We also talk about boundaries and resilience. Mary shares how she handled inappropriate advances by steering back to business, why preparation disarms bullies, and how confidence grows when you ask the “dumb” questions first. For students of negotiation, supply chain pros, and women navigating male-heavy fields, this conversation doubles as a practical playbook and a compelling narrative. Her letters are now a memoir, and her methods are as relevant to today’s complex markets as they were when strikes shut down mills and trucks lined the yard.

Grab the book on Kindle now, with paperback, hardback, and audio on the way. If the conversation helped you think sharper or negotiate braver, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find it.

Support the show

Elsa's AMAZON STORE
Elsa's FAITH & FREEDOM MERCH STORE

Elsa's BOOKS
Elsa Kurt: You may know her for her uncanny, viral Kamala Harris impressions & conservative comedy skits, but she’s also a lifelong Patriot & longtime Police Wife. She has channeled her fierce love and passion for God, family, country, and those who serve as the creator, Executive Producer & Host of the Elsa Kurt Show with Clay Novak. Her show discusses today’s topics & news from a middle class/blue collar family & conservative perspective. The vocal LEOW’s career began as a multi-genre author who has penned over 25 books, including twelve contemporary women’s novels.

Clay Novak: Clay Novak was commissioned in 1995 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and served as an officer for twenty four years in Mechanized Infantry, Airborne Infantry, and Cavalry units . He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. Clay is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and is a Master Rated Parachutist, serving for more th...