The Good Influencers

From Abuse to Advocacy: Becky Shaffer’s Journey to Saving Grace

Becky Shaffer—survivor of childhood abuse, former foster youth, and founder of Saving Grace NWA—shares how faith, forgiveness, and grit turned deep trauma into a life of advocacy. We dive into breaking generational cycles, the difference between religion and relationship with God, what aging out of foster care really looks like, and how Saving Grace helps young women build stable, independent lives. 🔗Learn More/Get Involved with Saving Grace: https://www.savinggracenwa.org/ [https://www.savinggracenwa.org/] ✦ LISTEN ON ✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast] ✦ CONNECT WITH US ON ✦ Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347] Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/]

How One Man’s Recovery Sparked a Movement for Adaptive Sports in Arkansas

When a life-changing injury could have ended everything, Sean Kent, founder of Ozark Adaptive Sports Association (OZASA) in Northwest Arkansas, turned his recovery into a mission to help others. In this episode of The Good Influencers Podcast, Ty Manning dives into Sean’s powerful story of resilience — from a devastating spinal cord injury and six months of rehab, to building one of the region’s most inspiring adaptive sports programs. From wheelchair rugby to mountain biking, Sean shows how purpose, perseverance, and community can transform not just one life — but an entire region. 🔗Ozark Adaptive Sports Association (OZASA) in Northwest Arkansas: https://www.ozasa.org/ [https://www.ozasa.org/] ✦ LISTEN ON ✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast] ✦ CONNECT WITH US ON ✦ Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347] Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/]

The Power of Second Chances: Building Hope Behind Bars with Chaplain Jim Dixon

What does it truly mean to give someone a second chance? In this heartfelt conversation, Ty Manning sits down with Chaplain Jim Dixon, founder of the Northwest Arkansas Chaplain Ministries, to talk about faith, redemption, and the unseen heroes working inside jails and police departments. From his former life as a radio broadcaster chasing success to decades serving those behind bars and on the front lines, Jim shares how God turned his failures into a mission of compassion. Together, they explore forgiveness, leadership through service, and why real transformation begins when someone simply believes in you again. 🔗Northwest Arkansas Chaplain Ministries: https://nwachaplains.com [https://nwachaplains.com] ✦ LISTEN ON ✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast] ✦ CONNECT WITH US ON ✦ Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347] Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/]

The Secret to Healing from Addiction Might Be a Sewing Machine

In this powerful episode of The Good Influencers Podcast, we sit down with LaDawnya Faulkner, founder of Lost Ozark Dawn Community Heritage, who shares her deeply personal story of addiction, trauma, and finding healing through an unexpected tool: a sewing machine. After years of alcohol dependency, painful family dynamics, and personal loss, LaDawnya chose recovery—and discovered that sewing wasn’t just a hobby. It became her therapy, her purpose, and a way to rebuild her life while helping others do the same. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * What alcohol was really covering up for LaDawnya * Why boredom and abandonment are dangerous in recovery * How sewing became her daily act of healing * The importance of having something to fill the void * What one co-worker’s courage taught her about compassion * How she turned a creative outlet into a nonprofit helping others heal * The power of community, purpose, and starting small This Episode Is for You If... * You or someone you love is navigating addiction or recovery * You’ve ever felt stuck and unsure how to start over * You want to transform your pain into purpose * You’re passionate about helping others through creative outlets * You believe in second chances, small beginnings, and healing through community 🧵 Learn more about Lost Ozark Dawn Community Heritage: https://www.lostozarkdawn.org [https://www.lostozarkdawn.org] ✦ LISTEN ON ✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast] ✦ CONNECT WITH US ON ✦ Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347] Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/]

From Privilege to Purpose: Dylan’s Journey Through Addiction and Recovery

What happens when the life you’ve been handed is filled with opportunity but still feels empty? In this powerful episode, Dylan opens up about his personal journey from addiction and survival to recovery, health, and purpose. Raised in a supportive environment with every opportunity at his fingertips, Dylan still found himself lost in substance abuse. His story is not just about hitting rock bottom. It is about what it takes to climb out of it. Today, Dylan uses his past to inspire others and redefine what it means to truly live. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * Why addiction does not discriminate, even in privileged environments * The moment Dylan knew he needed to change * What recovery looked like one day at a time * How fitness and faith became anchors in his healing * The importance of community and vulnerability * What it means to live a purpose-driven life after addiction * Dylan’s advice for anyone struggling in silence This Episode Is for You If... * You or someone you love is battling addiction * You have ever wondered if recovery is possible * You feel stuck in survival mode or are searching for purpose * You want to hear an honest and hopeful story about change Key Timestamps: 08:27 – First experience with marijuana and how curiosity led to harder drugs 14:07 – The role of discomfort in recovery and breaking unhealthy patterns 22:35 – What is the "pink cloud" in addiction recovery and why it's dangerous 25:28 – Replacing bad habits with structure and purpose 44:00 – The moment Dylan decided to change and commit to sobriety 47:00 – Practical tools that helped Dylan stay clean after treatment ✦ LISTEN ON ✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7cLA6L4hoqFxE21VetsW3P?si=851e12258eba4c28] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-influencers/id1822428424] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodInfluencersPodcast] ✦ CONNECT WITH US ON ✦ Facebook// https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576199604347] Instagram// https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thegoodinfluencerspodcast/]