Claim OwnershipThe Real Deal Conversations
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The Real Deal Conversations with Megan Deal shares real stories and meaningful conversations to encourage, inspire, and equip you for life's challenges—whether it’s mental health, relationships, work, or leadership.
Through personal experiences and insightful discussions, Megan and her guests work to foster empathy, build connections, and remind you that you're not alone.
New episodes drop every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or at aroundtheozarks.com!
44 Episodes
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Jayne Young may be the face you see on billboards, but her story didn’t start there.Before the success, there was selling a car just to buy diapers. There were overdraft fees, pregnancy loss, hard marriage seasons, and prayers whispered in grocery store aisles. In this conversation, Jayne shares the grit behind the growth, how faith carried her through the lowest seasons, why she believes in doing the “weird thing,” and how she went from rock bottom to buying and transforming the old gentleman's club in Nixa into something completely new.If you’ve ever felt stuck, underestimated, or called to more... this episode will remind you: push through anyway.Thanks to our sponsors, Ma's Place, Ozark Veterinary Clinic, and Little Green Dumpster!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leadership isn’t glamorous, and Heather Zoromski doesn’t pretend it is. In this honest, grounded conversation with Megan, Heather shares what it really looks like to lead when your name gets criticized, your heart gets tired, and the work still needs done. Everything from school board leadership to nonprofit service, she talks about showing up without needing credit, setting boundaries as a people-pleaser, and why humility and servanthood matter more than titles or recognition. This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered if the work is worth it, felt misunderstood while trying to do good, or needed a reminder that real leadership happens in the quiet, unseen moments. If you’re navigating leadership, service, or simply trying to stay faithful to your purpose when it gets hard, this one will meet you right where you are. Thanks to our sponsors, Ma's Place, Ozark Veterinary Clinic, and Little Green Dumpster!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Customer service gets complicated fast when emotions run high, expectations aren’t clear, and boundaries start to blur. Megan Deal sits down with Whitney Guison and Grace Gooley for an honest, often funny conversation about what good service actually looks like, without burning out your team or bending over backward for bad behavior. They unpack why “the customer is always right” misses the point, how clear policies protect employees, and why handling conflict calmly matters more than winning an argument. If you lead people, serve customers, or have ever stared at a Google review wondering what just happened, this one will hit home. Thanks to our sponsors, Ma's Place, Ozark Veterinary Clinic, and Little Green Dumpster! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Prayer doesn’t always feel powerful. Sometimes it feels quiet, awkward, or like you’re talking into the air. In this conversation, Megan Deal sits down with Laura Johnson to talk honestly about what it looks like to keep praying in the middle of waiting, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. Laura shares how her understanding of prayer has changed over time, why consistency matters even when feelings don’t follow, and how prayer shapes you long before it changes your circumstances. It’s an encouraging, real conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered if their prayers are actually doing anything, and why staying faithful in the quiet seasons still matters. Thanks to our sponsors, Ma's Place and Ozark Veterinary Clinic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melanie Blair, the Assistant Executive Director of Lost & Found Grief Center, opens up about the loss of her 9-month-old son, Charlie, and the long, complicated journey of learning how to breathe again after your world falls apart. She shares with Megan the guilt she carried, the way grief reshaped her marriage and family, and how Lost & Found became a lifeline when she felt completely unsteady. It’s an honest look at what healing really feels like and why no one should move through grief without support. If you are needing some help working through grief this holiday season, visit https://lostandfoundozarks.com/ Thanks to our sponsor, Ma's Place and Ozark Veterinary Clinic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Sue Head is back for part two, and this conversation goes even deeper. Megan and Sue talk honestly about the tension women feel between confidence and insecurity, leadership and family, capacity and calling. Sue shares more of her personal stories, the moments that shaped how she leads today, and the lessons she wishes more women knew earlier in their careers and in motherhood.If you’re tired, stretched thin, or trying to figure out how to lead well without losing yourself, take a listen. Thanks to our sponsor, Ma's Place and Ozark Veterinary Clinic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Being a mom is hard. Being a working mom? That’s a whole different level of juggling. In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations, host Megan Deal sits down with Whitney Guison and new guest Grace Gooley to talk about the real, unfiltered side of balancing careers, kids, and everything in between. With kids ranging from toddlers to teens (and a new baby on the way), these three women dive into the guilt, chaos, and laughter that come with being moms who work and the grace that keeps them going. They tackle stats about working motherhood, talk honestly about exhaustion, and share how they’re learning to trade perfection for presence. If you’ve ever reheated your coffee three times before finishing it, this one’s for you. Thanks to our sponsor, Ma's Place and Ozark Veterinary Clinic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Sue Head, VP for Cultural Activities & Institutional Advancement and Dean of Character Education at College of the Ozarks, joins The Real Deal Conversations with host Megan Deal for a candid talk on what it really means to lead as a woman. In this first part of their conversation, Sue and Megan dive into the realities of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the pressure women feel to say yes to everything. With humor and honesty (including a few hilarious stories involving Newt Gingrich and a college gate mishap), Sue shares wisdom about authenticity, confidence, and learning to let go of unrealistic expectations. Together, they remind us that leadership starts with self-awareness, that it’s okay to not have it all together, and that the most important table you’ll ever lead from is the one at home. Thanks to our sponsor, Ma's Place and Ozark Veterinary Clinic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Talking about hospice isn’t easy, but it’s something we all need to understand. In this powerful episode of The Real Deal Conversations, host Megan Deal sits down with Matt Day, Assistant Director of the Hospice Foundation for Outreach, and Dr. Kristen Killen, family physician and board member for the Hospice Foundation, to shed light on what hospice really is (and what it isn’t). They open up about how hospice care isn’t about giving up, it’s about comfort, dignity, and living well in the time you have. Together, they tackle misconceptions, explain the difference between hospice and palliative care, and share real stories of hope, healing, and even patients who “graduate” from hospice. You’ll also hear about the upcoming documentary Soft Surrender and tools like “Bucket List Plus One” that help families have meaningful end-of-life conversations before it’s too late. It’s not a conversation about dying... It’s a conversation about living well, right to the very end. Thanks to our sponsor, Ma's Place and Ozark Veterinary Clinic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leadership isn’t always about titles, sometimes it’s about navigating the messy middle between friendship, authority, and respect. In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations, host Megan Deal and returning guest Whitney Guison tackle what it really looks like to lead well when things get uncomfortable. They dig into everything from feeling left out and leading people who don’t respect you, to setting boundaries with friends at work and protecting your time without guilt. With Megan’s empathy and Whitney’s straight-shooting wisdom, this episode brings both heart and honesty to the challenges every leader faces. You’ll laugh, nod, and walk away with real tools for leading with confidence and compassion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Coach John Perry has faced setbacks that would have stopped many people. Everything from quitting college, to getting fired, to walking through his daughter’s health crisis, each challenge shaped him into the coach and leader he is today. In this conversation with Megan Deal on The Real Deal Conversations, Perry shares the lessons he’s learned about resilience, forgiveness, and faith. He opens up about the moment his father’s tough love kept him from giving up, how being let go from Pearl High School actually launched the best chapter of his career, and the perspective shift that came when his daughter faced daily seizures. Now the head football coach at Nixa High School and host of the Never Stop Getting Better podcast, Perry talks about leading with purpose, handling criticism, and focusing on character over wins. It’s a conversation packed with hard-earned wisdom that will leave you inspired to face challenges with courage and grace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Networking nerves, impostor syndrome, and that awkward thing called success guilt... we’ve all been there. Megan Deal and new monthly co-host Whitney Guison get real (and laugh a lot) about walking into rooms full of strangers, wrestling with self-doubt, and figuring out how to celebrate wins without shrinking back. They swap personal stories, call out the lies we tell ourselves, and remind us that growth is messy but so worth it. It’s a conversation that feels like hanging out with two friends who will leave you both encouraged and ready to tackle your own challenges with more confidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lyle and Alesia know what it’s like to rebuild life after addiction. In part two of their conversation with Megan Deal on The Real Deal Conversations, they open up about the hard lessons they’ve learned like setting firm boundaries with family, staying consistent in parenting kids who’ve lived through trauma, and leaning on faith when old patterns try to creep back in. Their honesty about marriage, relapse prevention, and learning to “die to the flesh” offers practical hope for anyone walking the long road of recovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Megan Deal sits down with Lyle and Alesia to share a story that’s as real as it gets... one of addiction, heartbreak, second chances, and the kind of hope that changes everything. They talk honestly about losing their kids, hitting rock bottom, and stepping into a faith-based program that gave them the tools (and the grace) to rebuild their family. You’ll hear about the hard lessons, the little victories that meant everything, and how faith and community carried them through. Their journey proves that no matter how broken life feels, redemption is possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Phil Wickwar was living his dream coaching football at Nixa High School when life changed in an instant... he had a stroke right there in his office.On this episode of The Real Deal Conversations with Megan Deal, Phil opens up about the fight for his life, the long road to recovery, and how it completely reshaped his identity, faith, and purpose. He shares what it’s like to go from a driven coach to a patient learning to slow down, and how his faith in Christ became the foundation he leaned on most. Phil’s wife joins in with her honest perspective on being a caretaker, making this a raw, inspiring look at resilience, grace, and finding hope when life throws you a curveball.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brad Fox spent years battling a rare liver disease that changed everything... his health, his role at church, his pace of life, and even how he viewed his future. On this episode of The Real Deal Conversations, he joins host Megan Deal to share his powerful story of receiving a life-saving transplant, the toll it took on his family, and how faith, humor, and relentless hope carried him through the darkest moments. From leading at North Point Church in Nixa to stepping into a new chapter as Executive Pastor at Radiant Church in Arizona, Brad’s story is a testament to trusting God even when the path looks nothing like you planned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kara and Ryan Sullivan had everything lined up for their big move to Cambodia, until they suddenly lost their main source of income. Most people would’ve taken that as a sign to stop. They saw it as God refining their path.In this powerful conversation with Megan Deal, the Sullivans open up about the fears, doubts, and defining moments that shaped their decision to move across the world with three young boys (and one more on the way). They share how God used crisis to pull them deeper into community, reliance, and purpose. If you've ever wondered what it really looks like to step out in faith, this one will hit home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chance Potts returns to share one of the most heartbreaking and formative chapters of his life—the loss of his 17-year-old son, Landon, in a tragic accident. In this deeply personal conversation, Chance opens up about how he and his wife navigated their grief while raising three other sons, the mindset that carried them through unimaginable pain, and the practices that help him lead with strength and compassion today. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when everything feels broken, this conversation offers raw truth, steady hope, and reminders that you’re not alone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chance Potts grew up learning street smarts from his dad and resilience from his mom. In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations, he opens up about what it was like to be raised by a strong single mother while watching his father struggle with consistency, responsibility, and follow-through. Chance shares how he broke free from generational patterns, stepped into fatherhood unexpectedly, and found healing through mentors, faith, and real community. It’s an honest, encouraging conversation for anyone who’s trying to do better than what they came from.And next week, Chance returns to share the story of one of the deepest hardships of his life... a loss that changed everything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your own head, or just looking for ways to handle life’s ups and downs better? Meredith Brick, a mental performance coach, breaks down easy, real-life tools to help you take control of your thoughts, manage stress, and build confidence... whether you’re at work, home, or just trying to get through the day. Megan and Meredith talk about everything from journaling and meditation to why your brain sometimes tricks you and how to fight back. If you’ve ever wished you had a mental coach in your corner, this episode is for you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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