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PODCAST

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith

Leanne W. Smith

Author/Professor Leanne W. Smith sits down with key individuals to mine the magic of their vocational stories. Inspired by Frederick Buechner who said the key to a career satisfying to both soul and pocketbook was to find “where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet," this podcast is geared to writers, students, story lovers, and anyone seeking inspiration for their own vocational journey.As a fiction writer and business professor at Lipscomb University with a heart to teach students

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All Episodes

33:38

Inside-Out Faith: Purpose, Calling & Hope | Season...

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2026/01/27

Each of us seems to have a life song, a theme we’re drawn to again and again. Often, it’s born from pain. In this season-opening episode of Gladness & Hunger, Leanne does something different. Instead of asking the questions, her intern flips the script, inviting Leanne to reflect on the heart behind the podcast, the season’s theme, and the journey that shaped her calling. This conversation explores why Gladness & Hunger exists, who it’s for, and how stories have the power to fee...

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29:54

Grace Knetter: “A Passion to Deliver Care”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/12/09

Grace Knetter is the only undergraduate I’ve ever had in business class with the dream to become a registered midwife. Young, but already decades into the preparation for her vocational calling, Grace is one of the most focused and determined young women I know. Her career aspirations got personal to me this past March when our first grandchild would be born at home under the care of a midwife. Suddenly, knowing there are women like Grace who are called and gifted to step into this centuries-...

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30:09

S5:E6 Douglas T. Bates, III: "Mankind has been his...

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/11/18

Doug Bates is a lawyer in a long line of lawyers dating back to just after the Civil War. Years ago, Doug and I each wrote a weekly column for the Hickman County Times. His was called “See you in Church” and mine was a family humor column called “My Two Cents.” He called me to be on his annual radio program one Christmas, and I’ve loved him ever since. In his heart of hearts, Doug is a storyteller. He has an unbridled love for people, church, art, talent, athletics, a song well sung, and a wo...

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43:46

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/10/28

Demetria Kalodimos is a familiar name and treasured voice in Nashville. She joined WSMV in 1984 and became the longest-running evening news anchor in its history. A career journalist and storyteller, Demetria is also a documentarian and musician. In this episode you’ll learn new things about Demetria--how she hails from Chicago, is an enduring Cubs fan, and has a zeal for treasure-hunting, Cornish Rex cats, real people, and true stories.

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35:34

S5:E4 Mary O’Donohue: “Because of You”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/10/07

Ever wondered how to get your content into the media? Then you’re in for a treat because this episode of Gladness & Hunger features Mary O'Donohue, a media insider. Tune in to hear basic media strategies sure to help you get your work out to a larger audience. While Mary works solely with women non-fiction writers, all writers will find her advice—and her story—compelling. Tune in to hear how the words “because of you” were life-giving.

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32:43

S5:E3 Tony Bancroft: “Iron Sharpening Iron”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/09/16

If you’ve ever enjoyed a Disney movie, you’re going to love hearing from today’s guest, Tony Bancroft. Chances are Tony, former Disney animator who now directs Lipscomb’s thriving animation program, and his twin, Tom, had a hand in bringing some of your favorites to the screen. Tune in to hear which movies Tony has worked on, and to hear about the influences that shaped the artistic talents of two animators with worldwide impact. Check out a new 2-D animated film just released called L...

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34:20

S5:E2 Patrick Chappell: Curiosity & Connection

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/08/25

How many guys do you know who were once in a band, took a turn at stand-up comedy, continues to be a popular local DJ, and has a long tenure of service as a minister? Patrick Chappell is one interesting gentleman! Raised by a tight-knit group of women, Patrick passionately pursues two C’s in his life: curiosity and connection. Tune in to hear how he offers his outgoing nature and love for people as gifts to the world around him. Learn more about Patrick and his own podcast at http://patrickpo...

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9:41

S5:E1 “Roles of Influence”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/08/04

In this episode I talk about the importance of stepping into our roles of influence. As Walt Whitman said, You are here. Life exists. The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. Mary Oliver, likewise, charges us to Pay attention! Be astonished! Tell about it. The birth of a first grandchild has me re-examining my spheres and roles—the gifts God has placed into my older aging hands, the gifts He is placing into the new plumbness of hers, and the opportunities He offers eac...

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35:18

Steve Taylor: “Artful Impact”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/05/26

Steve Taylor is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, music executive, film maker, assistant professor, and actor. He’s making what you might call a lot of creative splash. I first became familiar with the name “Steve Taylor” in connection to Blue Like Jazz, the movie adaptation of Donald Miller’s book, which he wrote, directed and produced. Then he joined the faculty of Lipscomb’s College of Arts & Entertainment where he’s continuing to have an impact in the art community. Che...

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35:14

John McCord: “The Completion of a Good Work”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/05/07

I first met John McCord 40 years ago when I attended the Pinewood Church of Christ with Stan, who would later become my husband. Paul Rogers, the iconic minister of the Centerville Church of Christ, once told me and Stan we would reflect on our early years in Pinewood as among the most special of our lives. And he was right. John, his family, the church and community of Pinewood have forever been dear to us. Imagine my joy to hear from John a few months ago and catch up over coffee. By ...

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34:48

DJ Farris: “Honoring Place & Family”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/04/14

DJ Farris is a realtor, avid outdoorsman, and lover of history. He says, “My study of history has taught me the importance of place, home, and family. Where you live and do business—the spaces we occupy at home or at work—those things matter. They matter because of the people who have gone before and the people who come next.” Listen in as DJ and I talk about the sacred nature of places and spaces and the “generosity of time.”

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36:59

Dr. Earl Lavender: “To be Fully Trained”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/03/24

Earl Lavender first came on my radar in 1985 when he ran 100 miles in a day as a fundraiser for Lipscomb Athletics. Earl has had wide influence not only in my own life, but in the lives of countless others, in the U.S. and abroad, in both biblical and athletic arenas. And he makes his big waves with humility, giving the credit to and seeking to emulate the Ultimate Teacher.

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40:11

Joe Ivey: “Strategy, Influence & Active...

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/03/10

Joseph M. Ivey has an impressive resume with words like Harvard Business School and World Economic Forum on it. He has led several organizations, served on boards, and contributed his expertise to a number of non-profits. Then, in November of 2023, Joe had a health event that led to the discovery of a terminal brain tumor. In our discussion here, we talk about the importance of margin, strategy, influence, and the art of active disremembering. Tune in and you are sure to be blessed. Read more...

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30:35

Bonnie Blaylock: “Writer, Podcaster, Beekeeper”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/02/10

It’s my honor to talk with Bonnie Blaylock in this episode, author of Light to the Hills, a historical fiction novel about a pack-horse librarian in Appalachia. Bonnie is also co-host of the popular “Just Ask Your Mom” podcast, and she’s a beekeeper. You have a love a woman who can do all of that and do it so well.

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21:03

Season Four: “Amy Cuddy, the Sabbath & an old...

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2025/01/20

As Season 4 of Gladness & Hunger is launched, three stories are strongly on my mind: A TED Talk by Amy Cuddy that I recently shared with a special group of women at Deborah Johnson Rehabilitation Center. The importance of Sabbath, which includes an element of remembrance. And the story of my father’s 1980 accounting ledger, discovered several months after his death. My encouragement to you in the coming year is to keep a record of your own sacred stories and sharethem whenever and however...

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45:39

Dave & Sydney Clayton: “Ripples of Love”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2024/10/28

My husband, Stan, and I met Dave & Sydney Clayton of Ethos Church when they were undergraduates at Lipscomb. Even then, they were social influencers on a wider-than-average scale. Here, they talk about raising sons to be fathers, the transformative nature of daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms, habit-stacking, and the power of spiritual retreats. It’s a beautiful thing to witness them using the outgoing natures and entrepreneurial spirits God gave them to pour so much love into others—a lov...

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34:54

Marianne Richmond: “Writing for the Unique Everybody”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2024/10/07

Marianne Richmond is a children’s author and illustrator whose books have sold in the millions. Coming out of a painful childhood, Marianne has learned to listen for the commonalities. While we all have vastly different life experiences, the emotions we feel are the same. Marianne’s books strike the resonant chords of those emotions with book titles like The Gift of an Angel, The Gift of a Memory, Be Brave, Little One, and The World is Awaiting You, her latest, releasing this month. Find more...

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33:10

Dr. Jan Harris: “Contributing a Verse”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2024/09/16

I have long admired Dr. Jan Harris, English professor, poet, and Fellow for Faculty Wellbeing on Lipscomb’s campus. When I was paired with her this academic year in a professional development program, I felt like I had won the lottery. In this episode we’ll talk about poetry, writing, the importance of movement, and you’ll get a glimpse into Jan’s skill at being fully present with others.Find Jan's chapbook, Isolating One’s Priorities, at Chapbook Press and on Amazon.Find links to all my podc...

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26:53

Vivi Radiro: “A Witness of Resilience”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2024/08/26

In this episode, it is a special honor to share the story of Vivi Radiro, a young woman who has come to cancer research study as a career goal by way of a rocky start in a dirt-floored hut in Kenya. A line from a book written by Jenny Radler, a missionary who has proven to be a great blessing in Vivi's life, describes her well: “Those who hurt the most are also the ones capable of tapping into the most profound levels of overcoming.” This is one of the most sacred podcast episodes I've ever r...

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32:50

Dr. Richard Goode: “Pursuing the Life of the Mind”

Gladness & Hunger with Leanne W. Smith ·

2024/08/05

When a student suggested that Richard Goode visit Death Row, it started a chain reaction that led to Richard launching the LIFE program (Lipscomb Initiative for Education) at the women’s prison in Nashville. His story begins with higher education only a distant dream, then he got the chance to enroll at a school he once deemed magical—the first, but not the last dream that would lead to a beautiful reality.Richard is the author of several books on church history and reconciliation, including ...

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