Welcome to The Good News with Angie Austin. Now, with The Good News, here’s Angie.
SPEAKER 07 :
Hello there, friend. Angie Austin and Jim Stovall here with The Good News, and we’re talking about this week’s Winner’s Wisdom column. And this week he wrote about the empty chair at the table. Hey, Jim.
SPEAKER 04 :
Hey, it is great to be with you. And as we move into the holiday season here, It’s always good to get a little perspective because with the media and all the advertisements and all the pressure and the schedule, sometimes it’s just good to stop and really get another perspective on it. As we look forward to Thanksgiving this week and then Christmas coming up and everything, You know, we have a tendency to look at all the F-words, and before you reach for the little button that cuts me off, I’m talking about food, family, fun, football, and all of those other sorts of things. And it’s so easy to get caught up in that, and we miss, you know, the real tradition. This is a time for us to be thankful, and I believe the fastest way to get everything you want out of life is to be thankful for everything you already have. And this is just a great time to do that.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, I’ve been kind of going over like, you know, options for Thanksgiving Day and, you know, and options for, you know, how to handle a relative that maybe enjoys starting an argument. You know, most of us really dread that kind of thing, but there is a certain personality I found that really enjoys a good debate slash argument slash argument. I don’t know, heated discussion. And I’m not one of those personalities having grown up around way too many, I’ll call them heated discussions, but chaos, you know, at my home. So I really shy away from those and take every opportunity to actually acquiesce or not make the other person person feel diminished or give in as they’d say but i don’t see it as giving in i see it as winning because i’m winning a great dinner i’m winning a pleasant environment i’m winning my other relatives feeling comfortable so they might see it as their win but i see it as my win
SPEAKER 04 :
Yeah, and, you know, my brother and I were talking about, you know, growing up in our parents’ and grandparents’ home, and, you know, of course, this is the first year without my father at the table, so, you know, it brings, you know, a lot of memories, but a lot of things to be thankful for. But our grandmother had a thing, you know, my brother and I, we were out running in the woods and doing things, and… You know, we’d sit down at the table and we might talk about cleaning a fish or finding a dead skunk or anything else. And my grandmother would just simply say, that’s not appropriate table talk. And that ended the conversation. Well, recently when cousins and in-laws and outlaws and various other people, they started on the political debate, my brother will just look at them and say, that’s not appropriate table discussion. And it just, you know, save it. I mean, you got all year to do that. And, you know, this is not about that. No one’s going to change their mind. Let’s talk about all the things we’re thankful for. And one of the things we do at our home at Thanksgiving is, before we say grace at the Thanksgiving, you know, we go around the table and everybody just says one thing they’re thankful for. And it is just a powerful, powerful statement.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, it’s surprising sometimes what people are thankful for. And oftentimes it has something to do with the people at the table, as you and I have discussed on many occasions, that 85-year-long Harvard happiness study that said that if you boil it all down to one thing that really contributes to happiness, it’s connections, relationships, family, friends. And so many of us are thankful for what’s there at the table. And I have to tell you, And I also provided escape room when I’m the one that’s doing the Thanksgiving, which this year we’re going out because my mom’s not here. And I don’t think I told you, but my daughter said, you know, is grand grand going to be here? And I said, no. And she said, bro, she’s the only one that can cook. Yes, Jim, I went from mommy to mama to mom to bro or bra.
SPEAKER 04 :
Yeah, well, it’s probably a good transition.
SPEAKER 07 :
So, yeah, but my escape room is like I might have a craft in there. The TV, football can be an escape room or the parade. But then usually it’s like something to do with the kids or you can create your own and go out in the backyard and play with the dogs or bring the kids out there for a walk. You can… always create your own escape room type environment. And I’m not saying to escape the whole family, just if things get contentious or a little stressful.
SPEAKER 04 :
You know, yeah, I was doing an interview the other day and, uh, you know, saying, well, you know, everybody lists one thing they’re thankful for. And the interviewer said, well, you know, if two or three people go first, what can you think of? And, you know, I told him, Hey, I was, I was just at the Stovall center at the university and we have kids from 143 different nations. And, uh, To that interviewer and to you and all your listeners here in the good old United States of America, man, we won the birthright lottery when we were born here in America. You don’t need to go any farther than that to just be thankful that we’re here. And that’s how Thanksgiving got started, a group of people that, hey, we’re just thankful we’re here.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, exactly. And you know what, Jim? What if you said you were thankful for my wife and I said I was thankful for my husband? Like, you can repeat gratitudes.
SPEAKER 08 :
They don’t have to all be different.
SPEAKER 04 :
Oh, yeah. And as you know, Angie, I do my golden list every day, which is a tradition for my grandmother, which is 10 things I’m thankful for every morning. And, you know, Crystal is always on the list virtually every day. Yeah. You know, and then other things are on the list. And you just… You know, you just, you know, things are brought to your attention and you’re thankful for.
SPEAKER 07 :
So this Crystal we speak of oftentimes, you know, I would say several times a month we bring up Crystal, your wife. And I actually called her today because for some reason I thought you were at home because, you know, of the week and all. And I thought it might be a vacation week for you. Anyway, I got her and, you know, I said, oh, is this Crystal? And you said, yes. I said, hey, it’s Angie. And she goes, oh, I know about you, Angie. And I said, I said, you know, I know you already know this, but every single week that when I talk to Jim, anytime you’re brought up, he just speaks of you so glowingly and with such love. She was, oh, yes, yes, I know. And then she told me that you speak so highly of me. But how nice for a wife of how many years have you been married? we are married 42 years okay so i’m at 20. so how nice for a wife of 42 years to be oh yes i know he’s crazy about me i mean what talk about something to be thankful for that she knows and you know and you’re both so thankful for each other that she goes on your gratitude list every day yeah she does and and as i’ve told you i have this poster my staff bought me in my office at home
SPEAKER 04 :
and it starts at the top. It says success is, and then it lists 36 things, three dozen things that success is. But number one is marry the right person. Cause, uh, you, you don’t get that right. And, uh, it’s hard to enjoy much of that other stuff because, uh, you know, if you think of the greatest trip or adventure you ever went on, it has a lot more to do with who you went with and where you went. And, uh, you know, I mean, I would, you know, I would rather go to, you know, a fast food restaurant with Crystal than fly to Paris with someone I didn’t like. And, you know, they’re just, you know, being around her is just a holiday. And, you know, we sat down the other day and thought about, you know, what are the 10 best times in our life together? And, you know, we were teenagers together. I mean, it, you know, we grew up together and, uh, you know, we went through poverty together and now we are enjoying prosperity together. And so we listed all these things were the best times. You remember the time we went here and did that? And out of those 10 things, I would say at least half of them where we didn’t have anything, Angie, we went, we, we had nothing. And it was just, you know, the two of us together and we had a lot of big dreams and, uh, And it makes a great life. And a guy asked me not long ago, well, how often do you think you should tell your wife you love her? And I said, well, you probably ought to tell her before some other guy does. You really should kind of get out in front of that thing. I don’t think you can say it too often.
SPEAKER 06 :
Oh, my goodness. I’ve got to find that list of 33 things. Is there an author on it?
SPEAKER 04 :
I don’t know. I’ll see if I can find it for you and get it for you.
SPEAKER 06 :
Okay. Okay. I love that. Or just even have one of your people take a picture of it. I’d love to see the 33 things.
SPEAKER 07 :
I think that I’m always sending my kids stuff. It’s funny. Today I sent my daughter who plays basketball, I sent her this thing as a coach and she said, let me tell you something. Steph Curry is a good shooter, and he didn’t get that way on the couch. You don’t get better at shooting by taking a nap. You don’t get better at shooting while you’re napping. So anyway, she gets up with her dad at 6 a.m. on weekends and goes to the gym before the big guys that muscle around and knock her down arrive to play. You know, they try to take over, do full court on both sides, which they’re not supposed to, but… We just know what’s going to happen, so why not just get her in there real early and let her do a few hundred shots before they all get there so she’s not napping on the weekends, that’s for sure. All right, so go ahead, Jim.
SPEAKER 04 :
Yeah, you don’t learn anything napping except how to nap.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah. So we’re talking about, you know, all the F words coming up. And as Jim says, that’s the food, the football, family, friends and fun. So and I know you do your gratitude list every day that your grandma taught you of the 10 things you’re grateful for. Go around the table at Thanksgiving and say what you’re thankful for. What else do you want to get out of this week’s empty chair at the table? Because this is the first year you’ll have your dad’s empty chair at the table.
SPEAKER 04 :
I think we’ll all share a memory of my father, and then a couple other things we like to observe, and just things for you and your audience to consider. Number one, guys, I know we live in the 21st century, but you can go an afternoon and a sit-down meal for Thanksgiving without a device in your hand. So we go with a no-technology table and try to keep the conversation positive. And, you know, and then, you know, hey, no football on in the background. You know, if you don’t have your device there, you can DVR the game and you’re not going to get a spoiler alert. And you can watch the game an hour later or two hours later. You don’t have to worry about it.
SPEAKER 07 :
Oh, I know don’t leave the TV on when I was like maybe 15, 16. I think it was the Flintstones that was on in the background and my grandmother was doing the prayer and I just let out a little giggle. Maybe I was 13, but I just let out a little giggle. And oh, my grandma’s not the nicest lady. Oh, did I get in trouble? So I got sent to my room, and then she kicked me off the table and then came in to talk to me. And I said, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t laughing at your prayer. It was Fred Flintstone, and it was so not fitting for the topic of the prayer. So now I definitely know to not have Fred Flintstone on the TV while you’re doing the Thanksgiving prayer.
SPEAKER 04 :
Yeah, I’m drawing a note here. No Flintstones during the prayer. I think that’s universal wisdom that shares with everybody. Yeah.
SPEAKER 07 :
I think he was the grand poobah in that one. So, you know, yeah, that’s probably why I was just giggling a little. All right. So I can’t believe you’ve been married for that many years and you’re still so happy. I mean, that right there is, I think that should be your gratitude at the Thanksgiving Day table. And anything coming up for you, Jim? Like, what do you have planned? I mean, I know you’ve got Thanksgiving and Christmas, but any fun, neat things, books, trips, speaking engagements?
SPEAKER 04 :
You know, now that the Hollywood people have gotten past the strike, we’re Kind of getting a little back into movie mode on our Will to Win project based on my novel. And I’ve got a couple new books coming out next year. And, you know, just enjoying and keep doing what we do.
SPEAKER 07 :
Have you found your leading man yet or is that still in the works?
SPEAKER 04 :
Still in the works. We’re looking at an absolute unique technology thing. And for those of you who have seen the recent Indiana Jones movie where they took the technology and made him 40 years younger, I’m not supposed to talk about it, but you can imagine what happens when you’ve got movies of Will Rogers from 1935 and new technology. And, you know, we’re playing with the idea that maybe Will Rogers could be Will Rogers.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yes, maybe. I love that idea. That is so crazy. Yeah, I mean, what they can do these days, it’s just unbelievable. Well, I’ll tell you, and I told Crystal today when I spoke with your lovely wife that I am thankful that I get to speak with you every week. I told her how much I look forward to it and how you’ve even spoken to my son a few times about, you know, the future and business and college and all and success and all those things. So really appreciate you, Jim. Your website?
SPEAKER 04 :
Jim Stovall, S-T-O-V-A-L-L, jimstovall.com.
SPEAKER 07 :
jimstovall.com. Thank you, friend.
SPEAKER 04 :
You’re welcome.
SPEAKER 03 :
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SPEAKER 07 :
It’s the good news with Angie Austin. Let’s start off with a little good news. I came across a really neat story. I hope you enjoyed as much as I did because it’s about a young person and he’s doing good things and is an honest, really great kid. Okay, this kid is from Australia’s Gold Coast and he basically was at a gas station. He was pulling up on his bike and he found a wad of cash. It ended up being $3,500. So 17-year-old Josh Pash took it inside of the – they call it a pantry, like a little pantry store – took it inside to Fox’s pantry. Apparently, Daniel McKellar, who runs a demolition firm, had stopped at the convenience store, the pantry, to buy coffee on his way home from dropping off a load of scrap metal for recycling. So he’s a hardworking man. He didn’t notice that the $3,500 had fallen out as he climbed in and out of his car and drove home. It just At that time, then, you know, Josh pulls up on his bike and he takes it inside the pantry and he gives it to, they call it teller, you know, they brought it to the person behind the cashier. So not long after that, the tradesman called the shop asking if the money had been found and was surprised to hear that a young man on a bicycle had found it on the cement out front and brought it in. So who was this good Samaritan? Well, Mr. McKellar only had the CCTV footage. to go by. And he went to Instagram and he shared that and he was trying to find the person. It didn’t take long for the internet magic to work. And soon Josh’s mom saw what had happened and reached out. And Mr. McKellar wanted to offer Josh a thousand dollar reward for his honesty. And then he found out that the kid was saving for a truck and needed a job. He said, it’s pretty rare to find a younger, the younger generation having a good moral compass and obviously knowing the right thing to do. And, you know, doing the right thing, handing in the money. So once they were face to face, Mr. McKellar gave Josh $1,000 as a reward. And when he heard about his goal to save for a pickup truck, he offered him a labor job through his contracting business. And he launched a GoFundMe on behalf of the teenager. And they’ve since raised $10,000 for the truck. They’re just short of their goal. And then Mr. McKellar actually took the other $2,500 that he had left over and he donated it to another GoFundMe to help fund brain surgery for an advanced cancer patient, reasoning that he had already made peace with the money being lost. Recovering it was a surprise and a blessing. And he thought it was best to just pay it forward. He said, I was never expecting the money back. I thought once I lost it. You know, I just thought somebody had taken it. I definitely had not expected to get it returned. And so in my mind, it was gone already, so I might as well pay it forward. So I thought that was a pretty sweet story. You’ve also got to Google this guy, Mr. Riley. He’s a middle school teacher. He was on a plane recently. He’s six foot six and over 300 pounds. And there was a passenger acting up and the flight attendant asked for help. And this six foot six, three hundred and some pound middle school security guard, school security guard stands up, picks the man up and puts him in his chair. Anyway, they did a news story about him. And he’s the biggest he’s the sweetest, gentle giant. And he stayed very, very calm, didn’t use any loud language, just picked the guy up, put him in the chair and left. Then they didn’t have any further problems with this passenger. But he he said he waited to act because he was hoping the guy would calm himself down. But when he realized that the flight attendant really needed help, he’s like, oh, I’m definitely getting involved now. Like, I am not going to sit, you know, and watch this happen. And Mr. Riley, you know, being a security guard, knew exactly what to do. All right, changing gears now. If you’re just joining us, this is The Good News with Angie Austin. Trisha Hershberger is back. She is our favorite tech expert TV host and the cutest tech geek we know. Today, she’s sharing the latest innovations in tech and gadgets to make this holiday season fun and, you know, a little more creative. Welcome back, Trisha.
SPEAKER 05 :
Thank you so much for having me. It’s so great to be back chatting with you, Angie.
SPEAKER 07 :
You’re welcome. All right. So what’s really hot, Tricia? You have one gadget maybe we can start with that you think will be on everyone’s wish list this year.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yes. Well, just about everybody I know wants a phone upgrade or a new phone of some sort. And Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a next-level foldable smartphone powered by Galaxy AI. So it’s giving users the power of a traditional smartphone and an immersive tablet-like workspace in one device. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 packs a larger and brighter eight inch screen, an ultra smooth performance for everything you need from multitasking to content creation, even immersive mobile gaming when you want a bigger, more powerful play experience. So I feel like that a new phone is something that everyone can appreciate. And if you’ve got like the techie friend that you’re shopping for and you really want to wow them, That is an amazing one this year.
SPEAKER 07 :
Well, you know, and my kids are older now. So I just feel like, you know, we pretty much get their phones anyway. Right. So, OK, this may sound like the thrifty mom thing, but why not, you know, fold that into their Christmas? So you’re not spending on buying a new phone and getting them a bunch of different presents like make that part of Christmas. So it’s not like completely out of control with the spending. And two of my kids were already saying, like, my phone is cooked and My phone is chuzz or whatever they say in their lingo now. And so I’m like, all right, well, this way we’ll, we’ll see, you know, maybe around Christmas, we’ll look into that. And you know, when we go in there, it’s like five or six hours to do the six phones in the family. It takes forever. So it’s like a major ordeal. So I’m thinking that might be a good Christmas thing to do.
SPEAKER 05 :
For sure. And really with the galaxy Z fold seven, it’s almost like a phone and a tablet in one. When you talk about like a savings savings, That’s a great one too. If you were thinking about getting a tablet and a phone, just get one, just get one device that does it all.
SPEAKER 07 :
Good for college kids too. All right. So what should we be choosing when looking at tech, tech gifts that would actually get used and really be loved? Like what do you think would really be used?
SPEAKER 05 :
So you never want to buy someone a tech gift that just sits on a shelf, right? Yeah. So I would say if you want something that’s going to get used over and over and Get a piece of tech that folks can use to create and can come back to throughout the year. So this year you can create personalized decor and heartfelt gifts that add warmth and creativity to your home with Cricut Joy Extra. This powerful machine makes it easy to craft a custom snowman ornament, let’s say, or personalized mementos throughout the year. Let’s say it’s back to school, you know, but with professional quality results. It’s a DIY project that looks pro. Now, Cricut Design Space makes crafting simple. That’s part of how you get these professional results. You can easily design, customize, and cut everything from personalized labels to intricate home decor projects. And you can access thousands of images, fonts, and ready-to-make projects to bring your vision to life step-by-step. So in terms of getting a tech gift that I think people will keep coming back to, I recommend the Cricut Joy Extra. I don’t know if you know anybody with a Cricut device or if you have one yourself, Angie, but it’s always a hit.
SPEAKER 07 :
Well, I think for the team moms, it’s a really cool thing because they can do specialized stuff for a lot of the sports teams for kids in high school or whatever, grade school. And then actually, it’s a great thing to have if you have like a crafty side hustle and you put stuff up on like Etsy or whatever. So, yeah, it’s beyond I’m on a couple of the groups, you know, the Facebook and Instagram groups. I’m on the gram. And so I’m in some of the groups and I see some of the things they make. So it’s pretty cool. All right. How about I mean, that would be good for kids, I think, to older kids. But any other ideas specifically for kids?
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah, I mean, if you’re looking really for even the younger kids, the Creativity for Kids Grow and Glow Terrarium Kit is a hands-on STEAM activity that lets them explore nature, science, and creativity all in one kit. about toys that enable kids to learn through play so they can craft plant water and watch their own ecosystem grow plus everything you need is included in the kit so that’s a mom win for me the seeds sprout in just a few days so kids get to see their results fast and once the terrarium is complete glow-in-the-dark stickers add a magical nighttime element transforming it from a science project into a glowing piece of room decor so it It’s sciencey. It also makes your room look cool. And that’s the Creativity for Kids Grow and Glow Terrarium Kit. And I really, really like that one. And then there’s one more if you’ve got kiddos that are a little more high action. My son is eight years old and he’s kind of always bouncing off the walls energy wise. And he loves the Magshuto Stunt Park from Fat Brain Toys. It combines strong magnetic connections, snap together action, and tons of customization for open-ended high-energy trick shot play. Whether you’re launching, ricocheting, flipping, and flying, it’s a set of ramps, stunts, and targets, to allow kids to make their own ultimate trick shot playground. It’s a great option for families looking for screen-free fun that engages kids through creativity, strategy, fast-paced action. And again, it’s one of those toys that allows kids to learn through play, which I love.
SPEAKER 06 :
Absolutely.
SPEAKER 07 :
Well, I have to say, I looked up that glow and grow terrarium. First of all, it’s very economical. And I think that would be a great birthday gift. That’s super cool. And it really does look neat after everything’s grown and you’ve got to put together. I love the little raccoon like roasting marshmallows over the fire. I mean, who doesn’t want to be with a raccoon roasting marshmallows over an open fire?
SPEAKER 05 :
That raccoon is so cute. Yeah.
SPEAKER 08 :
I think so, too. I’m such a six year old girl and a woman’s body is ridiculous. I just bought a Care Bear mug for me and my daughter is so stupid. I’m so silly. All right. I love that thing. I have to get that for our house.
SPEAKER 05 :
Embrace your inner child is what I always say. You’re never too old for play.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right. Where should we go for more info?
SPEAKER 05 :
For more information and more gift ideas, you can always visit dailylounge.com.
SPEAKER 08 :
Excellent. Dailylounge.com. Thanks, Tricia.
SPEAKER 05 :
Awesome. Thank you so much, Angie. Have a great day and a happy shopping season.
SPEAKER 08 :
You too.
SPEAKER 07 :
Well, changing gears now from tech to health. November is National Veterans and Military Families and Lung Cancer Awareness Month. And early detection of lung cancer really does save lives. I mean, seriously, it does. And the screening for it is much quicker and much easier than you may realize. Joining us is Dr. Drew Moganaki and also Danita Butler. Danita is a US Air Force and Navy vet living with lung cancer. So let’s start this way. Why don’t each of you introduce yourselves and let’s start with you, doctor. Hi.
SPEAKER 01 :
Hi, I’m Dr. Drew Mogonocki, a professor and chief of thoracic oncology at UCLA’s Department of Radiation Oncology. I’m also a VA physician here to talk to you about lung cancer screening. Lung cancer develops because of injury to the lungs, whether it’s because of cigarette smoke or because of our veterans having served in military bases or in fields of battle where they’ve inhaled more chemicals on top of cigarettes that exposes them to lung cancer. And we have an incredible, simple lung screening test, which is a CAT scan, to take a three-dimensional look at the lungs and diagnose it early. And I want Danita here, who is a Navy and Air Force veteran, to tell you about her journey starting with a lung screening scan.
SPEAKER 09 :
Well, I started off with having a lung cancer screening when I learned that I was eligible for it. And it’s an annual test if you meet the criteria. And the first time I was screened, there was no problem. I didn’t have any evidence of lung cancer. But the second time I was screened, a nodule was identified. And I was fortunate enough because I was actively in a screening program that I was found at stage one. Because I was found at stage one and it hadn’t metastasized, it wasn’t in my lymph nodes, I was able to just have robotic surgery. And I literally was discharged the next day from the hospital and my children brought me home and they wanted to go fishing and they brought me down on the trail and I was out there with hiking poles very slowly walking down the trail the day after my surgery.
SPEAKER 07 :
Danita, that is an amazing journey. And doctor, I know a lot of veterans aren’t getting the screening that Danita received.
SPEAKER 01 :
I think the main reason is because they might not necessarily know how curable this malignancy is. We have lots of treatment. Even if it’s spread, we have better treatments than ever before. And Danita, can you just share what message do you have for veterans who might be reluctant to get their lungs screened?
SPEAKER 09 :
And I have talked to a lot of people. I have talked to a lot of people about this. And a lot of people say to me they don’t want to know. And they’re fearful because they witnessed someone in their family or their friends that had passed away from lung cancer many years ago. And I say to them, this isn’t your grandfather’s lung cancer. If you are eligible to get screened, talk to your family doctor about it. Just get screened. It’ll save your life and you will have so much more quality of life left.
SPEAKER 01 :
And to learn more information.
SPEAKER 09 :
And to learn more information, go to lcfamerica.org.
SPEAKER 07 :
Well, I just want to thank both of you for all you’re doing to help others. Very valuable information. Thank you both so much for sharing information on lung cancer, the screening, and Danita, your amazing journey as well. Thank you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to The Good News with Angie Austin on AM670 KLTT.
