The Jeff Crilley Show

This episode is about first responders and mental illness. If you think about the hard working men and women who are first responders, police, firefighters, and paramedics, they are called into action. They kiss their wife or husband goodbye in the morning, and they don't know if they're coming home at night. Unfortunately, they see a lot of the worst in people. They're responding to tragedies every single day, and it affects them. It's kind of the silent thing that happens in law enforcement, because truly, there's a stigma. If you're a cop, you can't raise your hand and say to your sergeant, "Hey, I'm wrestling with something right now," because there's a stigma and they may take you off the streets. Perhaps there's a code of silence in which they look down on you because you're struggling, so there is an epidemic of cops, firefighters, and paramedics who are wrestling with mental health illness. That's why I have my next guest on the show. She's a returning guest, Adina Peyton. She's with GRAMI. It's "Getting Real About Mental Illness”.

When you think about the song "Amazing Grace," I mean, doesn't that describe all of us? We're all blind at one point, and hopefully we eventually see. My next guest has lived that, and that was he's helping others experience: amazing grace. Tom Lyman is in the studio. He's The Joy Hour Guy.

We are a proud tenant of Lincoln Center. We've been here for ten plus years, and every month when I write my check, I write it to TIAA. I had the good fortune of meeting somebody who's a leader with TIAA. She came into our studios the other day, and I said, "You have to come on my show." Caren Lock is here. She is the managing director and government relations officer for TIAA.

My dad, uncle, and brother are all ministers, so I'm a man of faith. In the Bible, one of the most famous passages talks about having the faith of a mustard seed because all it takes is just a little bit of faith, and you can build something incredible. That truly describes my next guest. Marcie Finney Ditto is in the studio. She's the founder and CEO of Mustard Seed Jewelry.

I love how God works, because last week, I was in our studios, and I just happened to see an attractive couple sitting there in our lobby. I walked over and I said, "Hi, my name is Jeff Crilley. I'm the owner. Can we help you?" They were going to be on another show, and I said, "Well, let me give you a little tour." As they started to tell me about their mission and their ministry, I was so struck. I said, "You both have to come back and be on my show," so here they are, the Reverend Ron Nelson and his beautiful bride Star Nelson. They are with Sowing Seeds of Joy.

I have to believe that Dallas–Fort Worth is the home of golf tournaments. That makes it a challenge for any organizer to get people to play locally. But now imagine asking them to head down to the heat of Texas—to the Rio Grande—for a round of golf. Well, wait until you hear about this: Zach Sams is the Chairman of the Bonanza at the Border Charity Golf Tournament.

I love how God works to bring people together. My wife and I were out in the Santa Barbara area—we had attended Cowboys training camp—and as we were waiting to board our flight, we noticed this sharp-looking gentleman standing nearby, wearing a cowboy hat. We struck up a conversation, and it turns out he’s a true legend in the world of security. The great Larry Wansley is in the studio.

I think we’re living in an incredible time—medical devices are emerging that are literally saving lives. Decades ago, people might have died at 60. Today, thanks to modern medicine and groundbreaking medical technology, many of those same people are living to 100. Joining me to talk about this is Dr. Issam Moussa. He’s an interventional cardiologist with over 20 years of experience.

There's an old saying: there are two important days in a person's life—the day you're born and the day you discover why. Nicole Choate is in the studio. She’s a rising star in the music world—a singer, songwriter, and actress.

I love doing shows that highlight people who have climbed the ranks of their industry and clearly made it to the top. That perfectly describes my next guest, Jayne Rothman, Chief Legal Officer at Integrity.

I'm going to start with a shout-out to my beautiful bride, Victoria Snee. She has an incredible eye for beauty. When we moved into our home about eight years ago, she walked through every room and said, “Every single one of these is going to change.” And over the next seven years, she transformed our house into a masterpiece.I have so much respect for people with an eye for design—because I don’t. I mean, I can tell when a room needs a change, but I wouldn’t have the first clue how to make it happen.That’s why I’ve invited my next two guests on the show: Yelitza and Alejandra Mora. They’re with BuildTX Solutions.

One of the greatest fears in America is going to the dentist. And when I think about it, I believe it’s because the experience often feels like walking into a hospital. A lot of dental offices haven’t been updated—many still look like they’re stuck in the 1970s. You walk in and immediately associate it with pain and the sound of a drill. But two guys in the studio today are shaking up the dental industry: Hugh Scarborough and Corey Davey. They’re with Curate Studios.

We are coming up on National Business Etiquette Week, and I don't think this could be any more timely with so many young people graduating college. It is a challenge to land a job these days, and many graduates end up just sitting at home, waiting for the phone to ring. Once they land that job, they don't have the soft skills to be a rock star in their industry.Part of that is my generation—we gave our kids everything because we didn’t want them to have any obstacles. So, we were snowplow parents or helicopter parents, and we just kind of hovered over our kids.That's why I invited Julie Jones back on the show. She's with Today’s Professionals Consulting and Development.

When most of us think about rugby, we tend to think of the UK, Australia, and other countries where the sport is hugely celebrated. But we have an Olympic team right here in the U.S.—and today, I have the privilege of welcoming a three-time Olympian into the studio. The great Perry Baker is here with us—a true rugby legend.

When I think about pioneers and legends across industries, names like Ebby Halliday and Mary Kay come to mind. And right alongside them, I think of Martha Tiller. She truly paved the way for professionals in my field—public relations. The great Martha Tiller, a true PR legend, is in the studio today.

If you’ve watched this show at any point, you know I love to feature entrepreneurs—people who are rising to the top of their industry. Anyone who’s achieved success in any field isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. That perfectly describes my next guest, Randy Gordon. He’s the managing partner of the DFW offices of Duane Morris.

I've had the chance to interview some amazing people during my 25 year news career, and one of my favorite interviews is with Ebby Halliday, legendary realtor and really a pioneer in Dallas when it comes to real estate. Joining me in studio is Betsy Cameron. She's the president of the Ebby Halliday Companies.

I have been in love with my wife for the better part of two and a half decades, and I can't even imagine life without her. That's why this segment is emotional for me, because you're going to meet the author of this bestselling book, The Widow Chose Red. She lost her husband a few years ago, and she chronicled the journey in this book. Rachel Kerr Schneider is in the studio - she's with Spirited Prosperity.

Every once in a while, you meet someone special who lights up the room the moment they walk in. I just met her—my sister from another mister. Dr. Dunia Korous is in the studio, representing Millennium Smiles.

When I'm trying to describe Dallas to somebody who has never been to Dallas, I always say three things you need to know: eating, shopping, and philanthropy. Philanthropy really is core to who Dallas is. It's probably one of the most philanthropic cities I've ever had the pleasure of living in. In the studio today is a legend in philanthropy - Bob Hopkins, he's the author of Philanthropy Understood.

You know, we Texans take a lot of pride in who we are. Everything’s bigger and better here in Texas—and that includes our spirits. That’s why I’ve invited Jay Tulimieri to the studio. He’s the CEO and owner of TAH Distilling Company.

Many nonprofits come and go in Dallas — we see it all the time. But then there are organizations like the one represented by my next guest, which have stood the test of time. For over 60 years, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas have been making an impact in our community. Joining me in the studio is Debra Taylor, the interim CEO and president.

I love featuring entrepreneurs in the legal world, and today I'm speaking with a true standout. He’s worked his way up to become one of the most respected labor attorneys in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Joining me in the studio is Brandon Whit Maxey, a partner at Mayer LLP.

I love welcoming entrepreneurs to my news desk here at the studio because they all have incredible stories, and there's so much to learn from hearing about their journeys. Joining me now is Dr. Matt Artho from Country Lakes Dental, based in the Flower Mound area.

One of the things I love most about this show is that I get to meet people from all walks of life. A word that has always resonated with me is grit. You can't succeed in business—or in life—without perseverance and grit. And that word perfectly describes my next guests: Mike Downs and his lovely bride, Briggette.

You’ve probably had this experience more than once: you visit a website—maybe for a nonprofit or a company—you read everything, admire the visuals, and still have no idea what they actually do. Sometimes it takes a master storyteller to highlight the right part of the website and message so that people understand what you do. My next guest specializes in this. Paul von Wupperfeld, a global brand storyteller, is in the studio.

You'll have to forgive me if I’m a little excited—I'm interviewing the great Mike Singletary. He's an NFL legend, a Hall of Fame football player, and a man of deep faith. He's here to share his wisdom and his heart with us.

I've been an entrepreneur for 16 years, and one thing I've learned is that entrepreneurs often have blind spots. That’s why, just like someone training for the Olympics would hire a coach to get in shape, entrepreneurs should bring in a coach to help them reach the next level. My next guest embodies that idea perfectly—Dream is in the studio.

One of the most interesting things about Dallas–Fort Worth is that there seems to be someone in financial services on every street corner. In fact, there are more people in financial services than there are Starbucks—which says a lot, considering how many Starbucks there are! So, standing out from the crowd takes something special. That’s why I invited my next guest, Steve Cotton, the president of Cotton Wealth Management Associates.

I’m excited to sit down with Trevor Francis, CEO of 46 Labs, whose passion for fixing things as a kid led him to revolutionize telecom’s digital infrastructure from their vibrant West End offices in Dallas. Join me on The Jeff Crilley Show to discover how he’s powering the future of global connections!

Please forgive me if I'm a little starstruck on this show. I've been listening and watching Bob Lovell on TV and radio for decades. He is a local broadcasting legend. Who doesn't know his jingle? I am excited to welcome Bob Lovell from HMS.

I’m so excited to welcome the amazing Ruby Bhandari back to the studio. She’s truly a fashion icon in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She’s been in the industry for nearly three decades—and somehow still looks like she’s 12, so I can’t quite do the math on that!

This is a personal show for me because I'm interviewing my father-in-law, Dr. Ron Snee. He is an absolute legend in the world of statistics and Six Sigma.

I dedicated about a decade of my life to Rotary. It’s an amazing philanthropic organization that dates back to the early 1900s in Chicago. They do so many good things around the world, but one of the most inspiring efforts I’ve witnessed is the Plano Flags of Honor. Joining us now are two of the leaders behind that initiative: Ean Sullivan and Lisa Bloomer.

A confession: I love The Ticket. I love what they've done to broadcasting and how they've helped change the way sports broadcasting is done in America—especially on the radio. And right now, a broadcasting legend is in the studio: Mark Elfenbein, a personal hero of mine and a legendary broadcaster. His friends know him as Elf.

I'm so honored to have Steve Symonds in the studio today. He's with Symonds Flag & Pole. If you've driven around Dallas-Fort Worth, you've probably seen those massive flags flying in front of car dealerships or city buildings. Well, my next guest is the one who makes them. I can only imagine how proud he must feel driving around the area, pointing out, "I did that one. And that one, too."

I have great respect for everyone in the medical field, especially for the hardworking men and women who have dedicated their lives to helping children. My good friend, Dr. Isha Mannering—a board-certified pediatrician—is in the studio today.

I'm a proud member of EO Dallas — the Entrepreneurs' Organization. Over the past few years, I've had the privilege of witnessing several of my forum mates successfully sell their companies. Their exits were successful because they had the right advisors. That's why I'm doing this show right now.Joining me are Al Fialkovich and Jess Fialkovich. They work together, but they also run separate companies.

I have to confess, there have been several times in my life when I was addicted to working out. I couldn’t imagine a day—rain, shine, or snow—when I didn’t go to the gym to exercise. I think I was hooked on the high you feel, often called a runner’s high. Two guys are in my studio right now from Body Machine Fitness, Joe Pizzurro and Reza Ghanbarpour, and their mission is to get you addicted to living a better lifestyle.

It seems like every single day, there's a new storyline about immigration. So when I cover a hot topic like this, I bring in the best expert in the state—and that perfectly describes my next guest. Susham M. Modi is in the studio. He's the founder of The Modi Law Firm.

If you walk through the skincare aisle of any grocery store or department store, it can be overwhelming—so many choices. And sometimes you'll see labels that say "organic" or "natural." But that doesn't necessarily mean everything in the product is good for you. To talk more about that today, we have Janelle Friedman in the studio. She's the founder and owner of GoodJanes.

Who hasn't heard of hormone replacement therapy? Every time you turn on the radio or watch television, there's another ad. But not all providers are created equal. Here to talk about that today is Mandy Cotten, owner of the Institute for Hormonal Balance.

By now, thanks to all the publicity, most people know that human trafficking is not just something that happens in some third-world nation. It's happening right here in our backyard. Some people who were talking about this before it was even on anybody's radar are in the studio right now: Bianca Davis, the CEO of New Friends New Life, and Bill Wallace, the Honorary Chair.

As a son of a minister, I love to put a spotlight on faith when I can, and this show is all about faith from a couple who is wild, crazy in love. They're also co-hosts of the Ron and Deb Unplugged show.

This happens in the life of almost every company in America. They're growing. They've got an IT guy. They keep getting bigger, and then they have a discussion like, "You know, how do we scale this thing?" Sometimes you bring in a freelance IT guy—it saves you a bunch of money. You don't have to hire a new employee. To talk about that today, we've got Travis Springer. He's the president of Sagiss.

A little backstory: when I worked for Fox 4 in the 90s and early 2000s, I would run into Leisa Hart in the hallway because she was always on the morning show doing some fitness routine. We didn't really get to know each other until maybe a year or so ago when she came on my show for the first time, but she hid something from me and hid something from you a year ago. She's going to reveal that secret today. Welcome to the show media personality and fitness expert Leisa Hart.

The Museum of Biblical Art has been around in some form or fashion since the 1960s, so it has to be one of the oldest museums in Dallas. However, there are many Dallas locals who have never visited the museum. Joining us now is the Executive Director, Dr. Scott Peck.

I think I speak for millions of small business owners across the country when I say I have no clue what we pay in credit card processing fees, and I know we do over $100,000 in credit cards every single month. So, it would probably pay for me to investigate that, wouldn't you say? That's the money in the couch cushions that everybody forgets about. To talk about that today is Brennon Dunbar from OpTPay Partners.

As a country, we've made great strides over the past few decades in becoming more inclusive and understanding of people with learning differences. Joining us in the studio is Jordan Burk — a good friend and the creator of Kelly and Kelso.

On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, I’m joined by Cindy Vann, author of the bestselling book, PTSD: Passing Through Shadows of Death, who shares her powerful story of overcoming immense trauma and transforming tragedy into triumph. Her journey is so inspiring, they’re even making a movie about her life.Learn more on Cindy's website:www.cindyvann.com