Are Your Actions Defining Your Faith? | Nick Speaks Ep 94

Are Your Actions Defining Your Faith? | Nick Speaks Ep 94

In this week’s episode, Nick shares stories from a visit with his parents, including a church carnival for the kids and a lighthearted conversation about something many Christians don’t talk about enough: it’s okay to season your food. Seriously, a little flavor never hurt anybody. Nick also reflects on church culture, faith, family traditions, and the difference between having a relationship with Jesus versus feeling like you have to earn God’s approval through performance. Along the way, he shares some personal thoughts about his own struggles, the importance of community, and what he’s learning as he continues to grow in his faith. You’ll also hear a few funny moments, some Christmas talk, and a reminder of just how far in advance these episodes are recorded. When Nick originally recorded this episode, Christmas was still 213 days away. Now it’s a whole lot closer. 😂 As always, thank you for listening, supporting the podcast, and being part of the Nick Speaks community. (0:00) Introductions, podcast welcome, and host reflections (1:05) Christmas shopping and smart speaker interaction (3:10) Host's healing journey and podcast's future direction (5:11) Belief in life outside of disability and future healing (6:24) Visiting parents and church experiences (9:14) Church contests, motivations, and potluck food (15:37) Importance of seasoning and family cooking stories (24:54) Guest preacher's sermon and church attendance debate (32:03) Church attendance and family struggles (34:04) Relationship with Jesus versus religion (35:17) Critique of performance-based faith (39:19) Personal struggle with homosexuality (40:22) Church potlucks, seasoning, and community (41:42) Personal testimony of faith (44:24) Leading a prayer for salvation (46:26) Importance of church community (49:07) Listener engagement and feedback (50:28) Commitment to disability content and closing remarks

I Believe This Is the Beginning of My Healing Journey

In this week’s episode, Nick shares a life-changing event that took place in his room on Monday night, May 18, 2026, while watching The Gospel Truth with Andrew Wommack on the Daystar Television Network. During the broadcast, Andrew taught that one reason many people continue to struggle with sickness, disease, and disability is because they have embraced those conditions as their complete identity and have come to believe that their sickness or disability was given to them by God. When Andrew made this statement, Nick says his mouth stayed on the floor for the rest of the broadcast. What made the moment even more powerful was that this was not the first time he had heard these ideas. Over the past two to three years, Nick and his good friend Lance have had many conversations about healing, faith, and the danger of allowing sickness or disability to define a person’s identity. As Nick listened to Andrew speak, it felt almost as if Lance had sent him a transcript of their conversations. (0:00) The will of God, acceptance of disability, and episode introduction (1:56) Remembering Nick's mom and financial reflections (3:09) Nick's love for Tim Hortons and Sponsor: Tim Hortons (3:39) MOLEV 150 portable patient electric lift update and advocacy (7:04) Encouragement to never give up (8:00) Turning point in Nick's disability journey (9:16) Reflections on church culture, healing, and upbringing (13:16) Watching Andrew Womack and his message on healing (20:40) Conversations with best friend Lance (23:58) Nick's belief in his healing journey (25:08) Challenges of living with a disability (27:26) Beginning of Nick's healing journey (29:06) Contracting CMV and personal reflections (31:17) Faith, belief, and improvements in healing (35:24) Personal spiritual journey and beliefs (37:13) Divine healing and faith (39:00) Faith and healing in biblical stories (44:20) Apostle Paul and the thorn in his flesh (45:45) Overcoming doubt and embracing faith (51:25) Future direction of Nick Speaks podcast (53:27) Financial support appeal and podcast sustainability (55:22) Reflections on disability and faith (59:09) Closing remarks and encouragement

Advocating for Change: DSPs, Disability Policy, and Building Bridges in Washington, DC

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock chats with Bethany Toledo and Aaron Mendoza about their roles with Lighthouse COBE and Open Door Columbus. Bethany and Aaron discuss their paths into disability advocacy and balancing duties as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and theater coordinators. They share insights from a recent disability policy seminar in Washington, DC, including meetings with lawmakers, using one-page policy briefs, and technology's role in advocacy. The episode also covers the importance of fair DSP compensation, Bethany's podcast "The Direct Line," and leadership programs for empowering DSPs, concluding with reflections on advocacy and gratitude. (0:00) Opening reflections and podcast introduction (1:54) Guest introductions: Bethany Toledo and Aaron Mendoza (3:07) Overview of Lighthouse COBE and Open Door Columbus (4:04) Bethany's background in the field (6:11) Aaron's entry into disability advocacy (8:01) Aaron's initial experience with Opendoor (10:49) Balancing DSP duties and theater coordination (12:11) Trip to Washington, DC: Purpose and highlights (13:13) Disability policy seminar overview (17:29) Meetings with lawmakers and aides (22:58) Building relationships with legislators (24:27) Aaron's feelings before advocacy meetings (26:14) Sharing experiences from meeting locations (27:50) The one-page policy brief: Advocacy tool (30:30) Role of technology in advocacy (31:38) Reflections after advocacy meetings (34:13) Assessing meeting outcomes (36:40) The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) explained (39:14) DSPs vs. other caregiving roles (42:37) The need for fair DSP compensation (43:14) Bethany's podcast: The Direct Line (46:06) Empowering DSPs through leadership programs (53:08) Culinary experiences in Washington, DC (57:20) Final thoughts on advocacy and getting involved (1:00:13) Closing remarks and gratitude (1:02:27) Sign-off and outro

Nobody Told Disabled Kids They Could Succeed | The Real Problem

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock is joined by Philip Bramwell for a candid conversation on independence and employment for people with disabilities. They delve into the concept of sheltered workshops, discussing personal experiences, challenges with sub-minimum wage, and the ethics involved. The discussion expands to education's role in employment opportunities and accessibility issues, including bathroom breaks and airplane transfers. The episode also touches on the complexities of job accommodations, vocational rehabilitation, and the financial limitations posed by ABLE accounts. They conclude with reflections on pride in fast food jobs and the internal drive for independence, wrapping up with guest promotion. (0:00) Visualizing independence and podcast introduction (1:04) Guest introduction and casual conversation (2:34) Reflecting on the podcast's journey (3:05) Sheltered workshops and employment for people with disabilities (5:01) Defining sheltered workshops (7:31) Personal experiences in day programs (9:07) Employment challenges and sub-minimum wage (11:41) The ethics of sub-minimum wage in sheltered workshops (14:16) Education and its impact on employment opportunities (18:07) Personal schooling experiences (23:18) Guest's current employment (27:45) Accessibility and bathroom breaks at work (29:36) Transferring on airplanes and related challenges (32:17) Staying in wheelchairs on planes (33:36) Employment experiences and fairness (36:52) Challenges of firing disabled employees (40:19) Issues with job accommodations (43:06) Ineffectiveness of vocational rehabilitation (47:11) Internal desire for independence (51:23) ABLE accounts and financial limitations (55:12) Fast food jobs and pride (56:23) Wrap-up and guest promotion

Politicians Ignore Disability Rights So Let's Stop Fighting Each Other to Make the Change!!

In this episode, Nicolas Comstock updates listeners on the podcast's purpose, recent developments, and expresses gratitude to guests. He discusses the importance of advocacy, reactions to a Facebook post, and an open letter to Donald Trump, calling for bipartisan cooperation on disability issues. Nicolas shares personal experiences with employability assessments, financial struggles, and food stamps, emphasizing political unity. He also touches on Nicole Jorwick's podcast, disability services in Texas, and upcoming guests. The episode concludes with voting experiences and a call for financial support for the podcast. Nicks LinkTree https://linktr.ee/comstock33?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b8ad5d4a-6c5b-4134-ad36-fb09a7caf2e2 [https://linktr.ee/comstock33?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b8ad5d4a-6c5b-4134-ad36-fb09a7caf2e2] (0:00) Introduction, podcast purpose, and updates (3:13) Thanks to recent guests and patient lift update (6:33) Advocacy, persistence, and not giving up (9:43) Facebook post discussion and community reactions (12:07) Open letter to Donald Trump (14:03) Need for bipartisan cooperation (19:03) Political inaction on disability issues (21:45) Personal experiences with employability assessments (24:07) Frustration with both political parties (26:27) Engaging with all political sides (29:12) Food stamps, financial struggles, and self-supporting efforts (34:24) Addressing congressional priorities (36:36) Calling for political unity (39:01) Nicole Jorick's podcast on institutions (42:07) Disability services in Texas and the forgotten community (45:20) Upcoming guests (46:13) Voting experiences and frustrations (48:51) Disability policy and politics (50:18) Supporting the podcast financially