Faith and Field Notes

EP #8: Planting Again - Brandon Kennedy on Trust, Transition, and Calling

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. Support Faith & Field Notes on Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, bonus conversations, and more: https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithandFieldNotes Contact Brandon: CFknox.org / Brandon@cfknox.org

EP #7: Generation Awake: What God’s Doing in College Students Today with Audy Smothers

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

EP #6: Inside Nuclear Power: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How Faith Fits In - With Josh Schneider

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: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithandFieldNotes [https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithandFieldNotes]

EP #5: A Life Rebuilt: The Journey of Tyler Woodruff

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. Help us keep real, honest conversations going — support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/FaithandFieldNotes Tyler & Ambers Airbnb: @littlerivertinyhome

EP #4: Our Story - Part Three

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