I Am Home podcast

Justin and Sarah Oberndorfer are the Co-founders and foster parents at Joy Meadows, a foster care community of homes built to house children in single-family homes in the state of Kansas. They have had numerous foster children in their home along with their five children. Sarah is an attorney while Justin is a high school teacher, pastor, and Executive Director of Joy Meadows. They founded Joy Meadows in Leavenworth County, Kansas, which currently lies on a 53-acre estate. They have animals, an orchard, a garden, a community center, and plans to build up to 11 single-family homes. In this episode… With a desire to build a community of multiple foster homes in Leavenworth County, Kansas, Justin and Sarah Oberndorfer raised enough money to purchase a 23-acre piece of property. Their dream was to provide foster care to as many kids as possible in that region. However, what they did not anticipate is opposition from the town. The residents at the time did not understand what the couple was up to and due to misconceptions, fought against them. Through perseverance and an unexpected article being published about the opposition, the couple received tremendous support from foster communities in other states. They went to court and had a lot of people testifying and advocating for their foster home, and in the end, they were allowed to proceed with their plans. Later, they also ended up getting a donation for a road leading to the home and an additional 30 acres to build Joy Meadows, which is now a thriving community of foster homes. In this episode of the I Am Home podcast, hosts Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, and Hilary Woltemath sit down with Justin and Sarah Oberndorfer, the Co-founders of Joy Meadows, to talk about providing a home for foster kids and building a supportive community. They also discuss the obstacles they faced starting Joy Meadows, raising funds, being foster advocates, and how Nebraska Furniture Mart has been supporting them.

Marsha Williamson is the CEO of Dallas 24 Hour Club, which provides safe, sober transitional living for homeless men and women seeking a brand new life away from drugs and alcohol. Marsha is a seasoned nonprofit professional and has been working with the Dallas 24 Hour Club since 2013. The club runs events and programs to encourage residents to live rich, fulfilling lives of recovery in every way possible. In this episode… Many people who are homeless face stigma from the public because they are thought to be dangerous, uneducated, unworthy, or without hope for the future. This is far from the truth — and unless a person spends some time with them, they may never understand the challenges these people face. They, like everyone else, desire to live normal, happy, and fulfilling lives. Marsha Williamson and her team at the Dallas 24 Hour Club have been playing an active role in helping the homeless get a roof over their heads and live better lives. Their goal is not to provide handouts but to help them get sober and independent. The Dallas 24 Hour Club helps people get treatment for their addictions and mental health issues and walks with them through the recovery process. They also teach them how to be self-sufficient and become contributing members of society. In this episode of the I Am Home podcast, hosts Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, and Hilary Woltemath sit down with Marsha Williamson, the CEO of Dallas 24 Hour Club, to talk about the organization's mission of providing the homeless with a place to call home. They also talk about building a supportive community for the homeless, overcoming addiction, and building a network of mission-minded people. Connect with Dallas 24 Hour Club. Buy their Cookbook.

Chad Ward is a seven-time barbecue grand champion, entrepreneur, and brand ambassador with nationwide TV appearances on the Food Network, NBC, the Travel Channel, and many more. He is also a Pitmaster and Owner of the Whiskey Bent BBQ competition team. He and his team have competed in over 105 contests across 22 states and taken home more than 200 Top 10 overall and category finishes. Chad currently serves as the Director of Marketing - BBQ for Traeger Grills. In this episode… In a world where technology has brought us closer — and yet so far apart — getting the family together in the backyard cooking barbecue is a big blessing. If you ever get a chance to pull it off, you don't want to ruin it with bad barbecue. The great news is that you don't have to worry about cooking the best barbecue. You only have to get the tenderness and flavor profile right, says Chad Ward, a grilling expert leading the charge to help families reconnect through barbecue. Chad shares the journey of his exciting career in barbecue — and some intricacies for a good barbecue. In this episode of the I Am Home podcast, hosts Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, and Hilary Woltemath sit down with Chad Ward, seven-time barbecue grand champion and Director of Marketing - BBQ at Traeger Grills. They discuss Chad's path in his barbecue career, the smooth and rough patches along the way, how to make good barbecue, and Chad's home remodeling experience.

Olivia Harlan-Dekker is an American sportscaster and the youngest reporter in ESPN history. She currently works as a sideline reporter for ESPN College Football, the NFL on Westwood One Sports, and Big Ten Network basketball. Olivia is the co-host of BetMGM's top sports podcast, Unleashed. Olivia is also a Member of the Board of Directors for the Children's Cancer Family Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin. In this episode… Are you struggling to establish a calming home base in the midst of your busy life and career? Do you want to create a bright, beautiful space that is authentic and personal? Olivia Harlan-Dekker is the youngest sports broadcaster in ESPN history. At the beginning of her career, Olivia was constantly on the road — which left little time to choose, decorate, and live in a house of her own. However, Olivia has now created a restful refuge of a home that is the envy of Instagram influencers, stay-at-home moms, and everyone in-between. So, what changed for Olivia, and how can you use her one-of-a-kind strategies to make your house into a home today? In this episode of the I Am Home podcast, hosts Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, and Hilary Woltemath sit down with Olivia Harlan-Dekker, a sideline reporter for ESPN College Football, the NFL on Westwood One Sports, and Big Ten Network basketball. They talk about Olivia's incredible career, her unique childhood, and her impeccable talent for interior design. Stay tuned!

Mike Johnson and Connor Saeli are fan favorites from Hannah's season of The Bachelorette. Mike is an Air Force Veteran, a Global Spokesperson, and Best-selling Author of Making The Love You Want. Mike now writes and speaks on overcoming obstacles and finding the power within yourself. With his focus on self-love, the breakout star from ABC's The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise is transforming audiences by showcasing his global influence through brave storytelling and big smiles. Connor Saeli is an investment analyst and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of Sael Wellness, a consumer-centric health and wellness company focused on providing functional nutrition for everyday lifestyle needs. Connor swam competitively in college, and he loves traveling and Justin Bieber. In this episode… The fun and glamour of The Bachelorette season 15 would not have been complete without Mike Johnson and Connor Saeli's bromance. They quickly became fan favorites and have since taken their friendship to another level: moving in together. Mike and Connor spill about their life before and after being on The Bachelorette. They discuss how weird it was making out in front of cameras, getting dumped on TV, and the mechanics of living together. Tune in to this episode of the I Am Home podcast, where hosts Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, and Hilary Woltemath sit down with two fan favorites from Hannah's season of The Bachelorette, Mike Johnson and Connor Saeli. They talk about what the show meant to them, adjusting to life after the show, deciding to live together, and what they've been up to since then. Stay tuned!

Mitchell Schwartz is a professional football player and not-so-amateur chef. He has a Youtube Series, Mitch in the Kitch. Mitchell played college football for the University of California, Berkeley, and he's won all sorts of accolades, including first-team All-Pac-10 and All-Pac-12 honors. Mitchell played professionally for the Cleveland Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs. He is an author, a Super Bowl champion, and is married to his lovely wife, Brooke. In this episode… If you've ever wanted to get up-close and personal with American football offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz, here's your chance! Step into Mitchell's home as he walks through home updates, his love for cooking, and what to expect from him in the future. Mitchell shares his experience of working with the Kansas City Chiefs and what it was like to win the Super Bowl. He also delves into the details of his book, his family, his home, and cooking. Want to learn more? Tune in to this episode of the I Am Home podcast, where hosts Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, and Hilary Woltemath sit down with football player and chef Mitchell Schwartz. Mitchell reminisces about growing up in his family's home, how he got into football, and where his love for cooking originated. On top of that, Mitchell gives us the scoop on his home renovations, cook-off with Gordon Ramsay, and more!

Danika Portz is a singer/songwriter who has been described by Billboard magazine as "the songstress who simply sounds like nobody else in Nashville these days–especially on a vocal level." Danika is an Iowa-native who has had the opportunity to open for some of the industry's top acts, such as Martina McBride, Dan and Shay, David Cook, and many more. Danika won the NFM Anthem Theme Song Contest with her song, House Becomes a Home. She is married to an incredible fiddle player and musician in his own right, Ryan Joseph, and will soon be a mom. In this episode… In 2020, NFM hosted a contest to find a theme song for the company's commercials. The contest received more than 400 entries and by March 2020, they had narrowed it down to the top 10 finalists. They then opened the voting to the public to narrow it even further to the top five finalists. And in August 2020, Danika Portz was announced as the winner with her song, House Becomes a Home. Danika shares that while she was confident in her song, she was amazed by the talent that emerged from the competition and wasn't sure if she would make the cut. But her vocal prowess and her ability to tell a compelling story and convey what it was like to turn a house into a home propelled her to the top of the race, and ultimately, made her win the contest. Join Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, and Hilary Woltemath in this episode of I Am Home podcast as they talk to NFM Anthem Theme Song contest winner, Danika Portz, about winning the contest and sharing a story through her songs. Danika also shares her musical inspirations and influences, the challenges that come with being a woman in the music industry, how she's preparing her home for her baby, and highlights some amazing female artists that people should listen to. Connect with Danika Portz; Musicians Danika recommends - Anna Vaus; Mickey Guyton; Joy Oladokun; Abby Anderson; Lauren Duski; Kacey Musgraves; Maren Morris

Cedarian "CeeDee" Lamb is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. He was drafted by the team during the first round of the 2020 National Football League Draft. CeeDee played football at Oklahoma, where he shattered school records and averaged yards per catch touchdowns and receiving yards and has been on the All-American honorary team multiple years running. In this episode… You may already know Cedarian "CeeDee" Lamb as the Dallas Cowboys' wide receiver but behind all that fame was a boy who had to survive hurricanes, endure changing cities, and moving houses. But it was during one of those moves that CeeDee took a liking for football. He dabbled into the sport, learned how to play it, and with his passion came the desire for continuous self improvement in the sport he fell in love with. The man behind the rough and rugged sport is an amazing guy who knows what he values and prioritizes most in life. Since being drafted in the NFL, he has been gunning to break records for the Dallas Cowboys and he has definitely established himself as one of the top young receivers in football. Tune in to this episode of the I Am Home podcast as Dallas Cowboys' wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb shares his story and the things that he holds close to his heart. He also talks to Tyler, Becca, and Hilary about the rough patches he went through growing up, how his family influences him, and what it was like to redesign his first house and turn it into a home.

Irv Blumkin is the CEO of Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM), where he started working when he was just 8 years old. He rejoined the family business after earning his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Arizona in 1974. Since then, he has been instrumental in the operations, growth, and expansion of the business, which has led to what it is today. He is one of the grandsons of the legendary Mrs. B, founder of NFM. Ron Blumkin is the Chairman of Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM). Ron is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he joined NFM after serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1970-1972. Before being named Chairman in 2017, Ron served as NFM's President and Chief Operating Officer for more than 30 years and oversaw the company's growth from a single Omaha store to the establishment of their stores in Kansas City, Des Moines, and The Colony, Texas. In this episode… In the words of legendary Mrs. B, "every family needs a mother and every business needs a boss." Indeed, the legacy of the Nebraska Furniture Mart that began with Mrs. B continues to flourish with Ron and Irv Blumkin. The brothers have been at the helm of the company for decades. They are responsible for the company's expansion outside of Omaha and were instrumental in growing the company into what it is today. The expansion and growth of NFM was no easy feat, and with each new branch that they opened came a whole new set of challenges and learnings that helped improve the company. In the process of growing their brand, they learned that two things should remain constant: culture and family. In this second episode with Ron and Irv Blumkin on the I Am Home Podcast, hosts Tyler, Becca, and Hilary learn more about the brothers' story at NFM and why they're so proud of what the company has accomplished today. It's an insightful episode about family dynamics in business, the challenges they have overcome as they grew the company beyond Omaha, and how they keep their customers happy by maintaining Mrs. B's brand of doing business in their every store. Stay tuned.

Kathy Ireland is a former supermodel who has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated for 13 consecutive issues, including the 1989 all-time best-selling issue of the magazine ever. And today, Kathy can be found on the cover of Forbes because she has always been an entrepreneur, even when she was modeling. In 1993, Kathy started Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a multi-billion dollar lifestyle brand that is huge in fashion, home decor, and so much more. She is also a mom, humanitarian, advocate, and author. In this episode… Kathy Ireland needs no introduction. She's a former supermodel, a successful entrepreneur, and a humanitarian who sees beauty and value in everything around her. And when she was asked about what makes a home comfortable, she instead shares an inspiring message about what comfort truly means. Kathy recognizes that comfort is at the top of everyone's list but personally, she shares that she has found that her own comfort is irrelevant when it compares to the unmet needs around the world. Her multi-billion dollar brand is focused on finding solutions for families, particularly for busy moms, and she wants her work and everything she does to be reflective of the things that she holds dear and her passion to make this world a little better in her own way. Enjoy this week's episode of the I Am Home Podcast with the NFM trio, Tyler Wisecup, Becca Sudbeck, Hilary Woltemath, as they talk to Kathy Ireland about her life, her business, and her personal style. Kathy reveals what the home she grew up in was like, where she got her entrepreneurial spirit, the things that make a house feel like home, how her style has evolved over the years, and the inspiring stories that she has had the opportunity to witness over the years. Stay tuned.