The Speakeasy

On today's episode, I have a conversation with Steven Rofrano, founder of Ancient Crunch, to unpack the growing conversation around seed oils, processed foods, and how the modern food system impacts our health. Steven's childhood health struggles led him to question the foods most of us consume every day.
Together we discuss why families are rethinking processed foods, what seed oils are and why they became so prevalent in America, and the contrast between American food culture and more traditional approaches found in Europe. We also talk about paying attention to how food makes you feel instead of accepting poor health as normal.
Steven and I encourage you not to get overwhelmed by every new health trend, but to make thoughtful, sustainable changes that support long-term wellness. This episode offers practical encouragement to ask better questions about the food we consume every day.
Sponsor: CrowdHealth
Healthcare doesn't have to be confusing or controlled by the traditional insurance system. CrowdHealth is a community-powered alternative that helps members manage medical expenses with transparent pricing, bill negotiation support, and personalized care advocates. Learn more at JoinCrowdHealth.com and use promo code SPEAKEASY to receive your introductory offer.
#TheSpeakeasyPodcast #Episode421 #HealthyLiving #Nutrition #SeedOils #RealFood #FamilyHealth #Wellness #CrowdHealth #AncientCrunch

As we reach the halfway point of the year, I reflect on the importance of slowing down long enough to evaluate where we've been, where we're headed, and how God is shaping us in the process. Rather than chasing constant productivity, I encourage you to embrace the natural rhythms of each season, recognizing that every season has a purpose. Just as creation doesn't bloom year-round, neither are we meant to live at the same pace all the time.
Sponsors: Just Thrive and CrowdHealth
Just Thrive offers clinically proven probiotics designed to support gut health, energy, immunity, and overall wellness. Visit JustThriveHealth.com/Blake and use code BLAKE to save on your first order.
 CrowdHealth provides a community-powered alternative to traditional health insurance, helping members navigate healthcare costs with greater transparency and support. Learn more at JoinCrowdHealth.com using code SPEAKEASY.

This episode is an invitation to rethink what a thriving marriage actually looks like. If you've been focused on loving your spouse but wondering how to genuinely like them too, this conversation is for you.
I sat down with Christian counselors Chris and Jamie Bailey of Expedition Marriage to discuss building a marriage where both people are willing to let God transform them. Their story is proof that healthy marriages aren't built by perfect people.
Chris and Jamie share how their relationship began before either knew Christ and how years of anxiety, unhealthy expectations, and emotional struggles nearly derailed their marriage. Jamie opens up about severe anxiety and panic attacks, while Chris discusses the helplessness he felt trying to "fix" something he couldn't control. Together, they explain how counseling, faith, and learning healthier patterns moved them toward healing.
Here are some great resources Chris and Jamie shared to help you on your journey:
For Wives: CLICK HERE
For Husbands: CLICK HERE
Sponsor: CrowdHealth
If you're tired of the traditional health insurance system, CrowdHealth offers a community-based alternative designed to help families access quality healthcare without many of the frustrations of conventional insurance. Learn more at JoinCrowdHealth.com and use code SPEAKEASY for a special offer.
#Marriage #ChristianMarriage #Relationships #ExpeditionMarriage #ChrisAndJamieBailey #TheSpeakeasyPodcast #CrowdHealth #MarriageAdvice #FaithAndFamily

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Rachel Barkley to discuss disability, suffering, identity, resilience, and what it means to trust God when life changes overnight. What began as a conversation about disability quickly became a deeper discussion about hope, purpose, and finding God's goodness in the middle of unexpected circumstances.
Rachel shares her profound story of becoming paralyzed just two weeks after giving birth to her first child. After experiencing worsening symptoms during pregnancy, she woke up one morning unable to move her legs. Doctors eventually discovered a large tumor growing inside her spinal cord, leading to emergency surgery and a long road of recovery.
Sponsor
CrowdHealth
Looking for an alternative to traditional health insurance?
CrowdHealth offers:
Lower-cost prescriptions and labs
Access to vetted doctors
Bill negotiation support
Community-centered healthcare solutions
Get started for $99 for your first three months using code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com.

This episode is an invitation to rethink what we mean by orphan care and how Christians can best support vulnerable children around the world.
I sat down with Elli Oswald, Executive Director of Faith to Action, for a conversation about orphan care and global missions. Elli brings over a decade of experience in global child welfare and shares why many organizations are shifting focus from institutional care toward strengthening families.
Key takeaways:
The majority of children in orphanages worldwide have living family, poverty separates them, not death
Children thrive when they stay with family or in family-based environments
Elli's story of Knabs shows how family tracing efforts reunited nearly every child in a Sierra Leone orphanage with their families
The church's role is ensuring our giving creates the best outcomes
Strengthening families before separation happens is more effective than caring for children after crisis
This episode isn't about criticizing generosity, it's about channeling our compassion toward lasting stability, healing, and belonging. Whether your heart is for international missions, foster care, adoption, or serving vulnerable families, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what effective compassion looks like.