Brian Recker shares his personal journey of faith, theology, and transformation. Raised as a pastor’s kid, Brian grew up immersed in evangelical Christianity, attended Bob Jones University, and later became an evangelical pastor himself.

In this conversation with host John Quick, Brian reflects on the theological questions that began to trouble him over time and ultimately led him to step away from institutional church life. He talks about what it was like to wrestle publicly with long held beliefs, the pressure of certainty in faith communities, and how his understanding of God and Jesus has evolved through that process.

The discussion centers on Brian’s book Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love. Brian explains why he now believes fear of hell has distorted Christianity’s message and why he sees Jesus as pointing people toward love, compassion, and human flourishing rather than fear and punishment. Brian shares how these convictions shape the way he approaches faith, spirituality, and life today. This episode offers insight into Brian’s evolving theology and will resonate with anyone curious about faith, deconstruction, or a more love centered understanding of Jesus.

Brian Recker’s book
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771172/hell-bent-by-brian-recker/

Brian Recker’s website
https://www.brianrecker.com/

Brian Recker on social mediaSubstack: https://brianrecker.substack.com

In this episode of Stories Worth Hearing, host John Quick welcomes Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, for a wide ranging conversation about leadership, innovation, and national identity. President Whipps reflects on what makes Palau a truly unique country, from its deep cultural roots and natural beauty to its close knit communities and global outlook.

The conversation explores how President Whipps’ background in business has shaped his approach to governing, with a focus on creating opportunity, strengthening the economy, and thinking creatively about Palau’s future. He shares the vision behind Palau’s Digital Residency Program and how digital innovation can connect the country to entrepreneurs and ideas around the world, while still honoring Palau’s values of trust, responsibility, and stewardship.

They also discuss Palau’s recent economic momentum, the importance of sustainable growth, and the responsibility that comes with protecting one of the world’s most remarkable marine environments. President Whipps speaks about Palau’s role on the global stage, including why it is important for small island nations to have a strong voice in international conversations, especially around climate and long-term resilience.

This is a hopeful, thoughtful episode about leadership with purpose and how a small nation can lead by example in a rapidly changing world.

Learn more about Palau and explore the country discussed in this episode:

• Official Government of Palau
https://www.palaugov.pw/

• Tourism in Palau
https://pristineparadisepalau.com/

In this episode of Stories Worth Hearing, host John Quick sits down with Danny Murphy, a journalist, host, and pop culture commentator who has built a career by mixing humor, honesty, and hard work. Danny shares how he got started in media, the risks he took along the way, and what he learned from navigating the fast paced world of entertainment and pop culture journalism.

The conversation dives into Danny’s work with Page Six, including his shows on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio and Virtual Reali Tea, where he brings personality and perspective to celebrity and reality television coverage. Danny also talks about launching the Reality Television Awards this year, why he felt it was important to celebrate the people behind reality TV, and what it takes to turn an idea into something real.

This episode is both entertaining and motivating, offering insight into creativity, confidence, and building a career by leaning into who you are.

Check out his shoes here: https://pagesix.com/author/danny-murphy/

In this episode of Stories Worth Hearing, host John Quick sits down with Dr. Morgan for an honest conversation about relationships, self awareness, and why so many people find themselves stuck in the same emotional patterns. Dr. Morgan shares what led her into coaching and relationship work, and how her own experiences shaped the way she helps others today.

The conversation explores why chemistry is often mistaken for compatibility, how unhealthy relationship cycles form, and what it really takes to break free from the emotional rollercoaster many people experience in love. Dr. Morgan also talks about the core ideas behind her book, Love Magnet, and why attracting the right relationship starts with understanding yourself first.

This episode is a thoughtful and practical discussion for anyone who feels discouraged, stuck, or simply wants healthier and more fulfilling relationships moving forward.

Check out her book here: https://amzn.to/44ZyNos

Check out her website here: https://drmorgancoaching.com/

In this episode of Stories Worth Hearing, host John Quick sits down with Dr. Mary Talley Bowden for an open and personal conversation about her journey into medicine and the experiences that shaped her views as a physician. Dr. Bowden reflects on when she first decided to pursue a medical career and how years of working directly with patients influenced her approach to care.

The conversation explores what she witnessed during the COVID years that raised serious concerns for her as a doctor, and how those experiences led her to speak more openly about patient choice, informed consent, and trust in the healthcare system. Dr. Bowden also discusses why she founded Americans for Health Freedom, what the organization stands for, and why empowering patients to ask questions and take an active role in their health matters now more than ever.

She also shares why she decided to write her book, Dangerous Misinformation: The Virus, the Treatments, and the Lies, and what she hopes readers take away from it. The episode includes reflections on her recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience and what it was like stepping onto one of the largest media platforms in the world. This is a thoughtful, human focused conversation about medicine, responsibility, and the real stories behind the headlines.

Learn more and explore Dr. Bowden’s work:

Americans for Health Freedom: https://www.americansforhealthfreedom.org/

BreatheMD: https://breathemd.org/

Dangerous Misinformation: The Virus, the Treatments, and the Lies: https://amzn.to/48GbiTQ

In this episode of Stories Worth Hearing, host John Quick sits down with singer songwriter Lexie for an engaging conversation about music, creativity, and storytelling. Lexie shares how she first got into music and the moment it became something she wanted to pursue seriously. She talks about the artists who have influenced her sound and how those influences shape the way she approaches songwriting.

Lexie also discusses her creative process and how she pulls from real life experiences, relationships, and emotions to write songs that feel honest and relatable. She reflects on the role vulnerability plays in her music and why staying connected to personal stories matters in her work.

The episode also highlights Lexie’s new Christmas album, Merry Lexmas, and what inspired her to create a holiday project alongside her original music. Listeners can check out, buy, or download the album here: https://lnk.to/MerryLexmas

Host John Quick sits down with Governor Mike Dunleavy for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation on Stories Worth Hearing.

In this episode, Governor Dunleavy opens up about his genuine friendship with President Donald Trump, why Trump has such a deep love for Alaska, and how their relationship continues to deliver meaningful benefits for Alaskans.

John and the Governor also dig into the legacy of Charlie Kirk, the impact he has had on young people across the country, and why Governor Dunleavy issued an official proclamation declaring Charlie Kirk Day in Alaska.

The conversation goes even deeper as they discuss what keeps the Governor grounded, a question he says no one has ever asked him before. His answer reveals a humble and thoughtful side of his leadership.

They also cover the future of the Alaska LNG project, including how Governor Dunleavy’s private-sector-driven approach differs from previous administrations that pushed for a state-led model. The Governor explains why he believes private leadership gives Alaska the best chance to finally bring this massive project to life.

Governor Dunleavy is a humble and kind leader, and this episode highlights exactly why so many Alaskans respect him. You won’t want to miss it.

Welcome to "Stories Worth Hearing," where your host, John Quick, explores the intersection of technology and social impact. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence with Laura McGorman from Meta. Laura, who leads the AI for Good team, introduces us to Meta's innovative AI tools, Llama and Segment Anything. These tools are revolutionizing disaster preparedness by automating emergency response processes and enhancing the accuracy of flood predictions. Through engaging discussions, Laura explains how these technologies are being deployed globally, in partnership with research institutions and local governments, to build more resilient communities and save lives.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of AI in disaster management, making this technical subject accessible to all listeners. Laura shares real-world examples of how AI is transforming emergency response efforts, from providing timely alerts to improving communication during crises. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or new to the field, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of disaster management and the pivotal role of AI in creating safer, more prepared communities. Tune in to discover how Meta's AI innovations are making a tangible difference in the world.

Check them out here: https://www.llama.com/ and here: https://ai.meta.com/sam3/