Foth and Friends: Stories from the Road

Twenty-five years after losing his older brother in the South Tower on September 11th, Craig Woodall — a retired 30-year high school educator and principal from Fort Collins, Colorado — joins Dick Foth to talk about the long road from grief to hope. Craig walks through the last phone call he ever had with his brother, the agonizing wait for news, and the seven months he spent "running from the storm" before a single, unmistakable moment turned him around. Using the image of a buffalo that faces into a storm instead of fleeing it, and anchoring everything in Romans 5:3-4, Craig unpacks how suffering can produce perseverance, character, and ultimately hope — and how one small word, "yet," can change the trajectory of a life. It’s a conversation about loss, faith, family, and the quiet, daily choice to let hardship develop you instead of define or defeat you. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Meeting Craig Woodall 00:01:39 The Buffalo Metaphor: Charging Into Storms 00:02:45 September 6, 2001: The Last Conversation 00:04:25 September 11, 2001: The Day Everything Changed 00:07:52 Running From the Storm: Seven Months of Grief 00:08:46 The Holy Spirit Moment: Pick Your Head Up 00:10:20 His Niece: A Legacy of Hope 00:12:35 Romans 5:3-4: The Path Through Suffering 00:15:00 Building Hope: Daily Practices and Mindset Work 00:17:07 Define, Defeat, or Develop: Choosing Your Response 00:19:31 God Can Redeem What He Did Not Orchestrate 00:21:04 Ask Those Coming Back: The Power of Community 00:23:41 Overcome: A Book and a Journey 00:25:22 The Power of Yet: Transforming Negative Statements

A sunrise can be beautiful. But what if it can also be a reminder? In this episode of Stories from the Road, Dick Foth reflects on light, creation, hope, and the gift of a new day. The conversation begins with Dick describing a summer morning in Colorado and the beauty of the sun coming up over the horizon. That scene leads him to Genesis 1 and the first words of God's creative work: “Let there be light.” Dick then revisits a spontaneous conversation recorded with three friends in the southern Wyoming Rockies. Each man sees the sunrise differently. Curt calls it “God's palette.” Phil sees a reminder that God's mercies are new every morning. Vern looks toward the horizon and sees opportunity. Together, their observations become a simple challenge: don't rush past the beginning of a new day. Notice what God has made. Remember that He is faithful. And look for the opportunities in front of you. Learn more at https://DickFoth.com

As America approaches its 250th birthday, Dick Foth and Susanna continue reflecting on road trips that shaped their family and the biblical journeys that shape our faith. From Boston's Freedom Trail and the Boston Pops to the helpers who serve our communities and the journeys of Mary, Joseph, and Paul, this episode reminds us that every road carries opportunities for hope, discovery, generosity, and freedom in Christ. Summary • Hope gives every journey purpose. • America's ideals call us toward freedom and responsibility. • Family road trips become lifelong memories. • Celebrate the helpers who serve others. • The Gospel unfolds through journeys. Historical References • Declaration of Independence • U.S. Constitution • Boston Tea Party • Freedom Trail • Boston Pops Biblical References • Luke 2 (Mary & Joseph travel to Bethlehem) • Matthew 2 (Flight to Egypt) • Acts 9 (Paul on the road to Damascus) Books Mentioned • America's Grateful Stateful Road Trip • The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (Walter Isaacson) • Man's Search for Meaning (Viktor Frankl) Memorable Quotes “When we lose the capacity to hope, life goes away.” “Take road trips seriously because of the discovery.” “You never know... you might meet an angel along the way.”

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Dick Foth sits down with his daughter, author Susanna Foth Aughtmon, to talk about one of America's favorite traditions—the road trip. Their conversation begins with Susanna's newest children's book, America's Grateful Stateful Road Trip, then broadens into family memories, spontaneous adventures, and the biblical theme of journey. From Abraham to Moses, Scripture reminds us that life is not simply about arriving somewhere—it's about becoming someone along the way. What You'll Hear • Why road trips capture something uniquely human • America's upcoming 250th birthday • The inspiration behind America's Grateful Stateful Road Trip • Memories from family vacations across America • Why children remember spontaneous moments • Barry Corey's father-son baseball road trip • Road trips throughout Scripture • Why life is about discovering what's around the next corner Memorable Quotes “Life is one huge road trip.” “We'll remember the spontaneous moments.” “Discovering new places, meeting new people—we were surprised with goodness.” “I'll leave my place. I'll come to your place. I'll take your place. Then we'll go to my place.” Key Themes Adventure, Family Memories, Discovery, Gratitude, Curiosity, Faith as a Journey, America's Story, Legacy, Parenting, Hope Scripture References Genesis 12 Exodus John 14:1–6 Philippians 3:12–14 Hebrews 11 Psalm 121 Reflection Questions 1. What road trip from your life do you remember most vividly? 2. Why do unexpected moments often become our favorite memories? 3. When has God surprised you with goodness? 4. How has your life resembled a road trip? 5. What next adventure might God be inviting you into? Call to Action Think about one road trip that changed your life. Share this episode with someone who helped shape your own journey, and join us for Part 2.

As Memorial Day approaches, Dick Foth reflects on the power of memory, sacrifice, and gratitude. In this moving episode of Stories from the Road, Dick explores the origins of Memorial Day, the lives behind the tradition, and the enduring meaning of remembering those who gave “the last full measure of devotion.” From the Civil War roots of Decoration Day to the haunting beauty of John McCrae’s famous World War I poem In Flanders Fields, this episode reminds us that freedom has always come at a cost — and that remembrance matters. A thoughtful reflection for Memorial Day weekend on leadership, sacrifice, honor, and gratitude. Episode Summary What does it mean to remember well? In this Memorial Day episode, Dick Foth reflects on the importance of memory — not just personal memory, but collective remembrance. He traces the origins of Memorial Day from the Civil War era through its evolution into a national day of honor for fallen service members. Dick shares reflections on leadership and sacrifice, recounts conversations with national leaders about the qualities of true leadership, and closes with the powerful story behind Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s World War I poem, In Flanders Fields. This episode is a tribute to those who gave their lives so others could live in freedom. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction: The Meaning of Memory00:37 — Remembering in Scripture02:05 — The Origins of Memorial Day02:57 — Decoration Day and General John Logan03:29 — Why Memorial Day Matters04:15 — Freedom Isn’t Free05:03 — Leadership and Sacrifice05:57 — World War I and Trench Warfare06:24 — John McCrae and Alexis Helmer07:07 — The Red Poppies of Flanders Fields07:30 — “In Flanders Fields” Poem Reading08:54 — Gratitude for the Fallen09:35 — Closing Thoughts Key Themes Memory and remembrance Memorial Day history Sacrifice and leadership Gratitude for military service World War I reflections The story behind In Flanders Fields