View From a Hearse

My guest is Sherry Harder from West Salem, IL. After the recent loss of her beloved husband, Sherry honored his wishes in a remarkable way. In his obituary, she included a simple request: If Rod impacted your life, please perform a random act of kindness.What followed has been nothing short of extraordinary.Acts of kindness have rippled outward—from Illinois to Canada, to Minnesota, to Georgia, to Ohio—touching lives in ways no one could have imagined.In the Book of Ruth, Boaz had no way of knowing the eternal impact of a simple act of kindness when he showed favor to Ruth as she gleaned in his barley field. And neither do we when we do a simple act of kindness. Now, because of the Harders’ invitation, “barley fields of kindness” are springing up everywhere.

My nephew, Mitch Goddard, joins me on View from a Hearse to talk about his debut novel, Beneath the Flame Azalea — a page-turning mystery inspired by the mountains of western North Carolina.An avid fly fisherman and Ole Miss journalism graduate, Mitch fulfilled a lifelong goal of writing a novel at age forty while balancing family and career. We talk about the moment the story first took shape on a mountain trail, the discipline it took to finish the book, and why readers say they can’t put it down.If you love great storytelling, mountain settings, and a good mystery, you’ll enjoy this conversation.

This is a live presentation from an event I did for a rather large ladies' banquet at Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, GA, in March of 2022. There is a message or two here, but humor is involved.

Our granddog, Mister Elwood , was a Standard Golden Doodle, they say. But he was anything but standard. He came into the world almost 11 years ago. He left us much too soon. This is a little of his story and my feeble attempt to describe the impact this rambunctious, clumsy doodle had on Luke, Drew, Lennox, Hines, Lincoln, and Naia Goddard - and on all of us who knew him. Dogs like Mister Elwood teach us so much. Many of you can relate.

My conversation is with 99-year-old Walter Forsling. He talks a lot about his life, the changes he has seen in his lifetime, and his service in the US Navy during World War II. Few members of the Greatest Generation remain who can be interviewed for a podcast. Walter Forsling is one of the few.

My guest is my lifelong friend, Bunny Fuller Harris, Taylor County Lady Viking and Lady Georgia Bulldog extraordinaire.  She provides a behind-the-scenes look at receiving the call informing her that she had been selected for the 2026 Class of the Georgis Sports Hall of Fame.  She also discusses her journey to get there.Bunny also provides details about the induction weekend and invites her teammates and friends to join her in Macon for this once-in-a-lifetime honor. You will hear about activities beginning Friday evening, February 20, 2026, including the Jacket Ceremony at the Hall. On Saturday at midday, the annual FanFest Autograph session will be held at the Hall. FanFest is open to the public and free of charge. Saturday evening, the 70th Annual Induction Ceremony will be held at historic Macon City Auditorium.To reserve tickets for the banquet or to pay for the seats you have reserved, call the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame at 478-752-1585.

A poem I wrote in 2003 to honor my mother in law on her 75th birthday, She was not the Widow of Zerapath, but the lessons from her life are very much the same.

We know he was assassinated on September 10, 2025, in Utah while debating those who oppose him. In this episode, you will hear enough from him to form a better opinion - especially if you have heard only soundbites taken out of context. I'll let you decide.

As I began to put this 15-minute episode together, it became clear these deleted voicemails were not only a microcosm of my career but also of my life.You will listen to controlled chaos until it not controlled anymore. I believe you can relate too.

From cleaning lady to boss, Bibiana left Colombia South America at the age of 25 to make a life for herself.  She had to start from scratch but she is accomplishing more than she could even imagine.  There are huge lessons here including love of country, the power of single acts of kindness and a never give up attitude. Bibiana Rummier will inspire you and you will agree she is simply amazing. 

My oldest sibling, Mac Goddard, died two months ago on May 24, 2025. He was 83. On his 75th birthday, I (along with several others), said a few words to him and about him at the gathering. I just found an audio recording of my remarks. For posterity's sake, here it is. The message is only about 10 minutes, but the life lesson lasts a lifetime.

Jim Cumbee is a lawyer who later received an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has served as Assistant Attorney General of Missouri, worked on the staff of the Governor of Missouri, spent years as a commercial real estate developer, and held executive positions at the Walt Disney Company. He also purchased a Gospel Music Radio network, grew it, and sold it. Today, as a very successful business broker, he has earned the titles of expert negotiator and mediator and has authored a best-selling book: “Home Run: A Pro’s Guide to Selling Your Business.” There are business lessons in his story and, more importantly, life lessons. Jim Cumbee is a gift, but he also has a gift. If you are wondering what it takes to be successful, be sure to tune in.

My guest is Bobby Ward, a member of the Miniature Golf Hall of Fame and winner of two US Opens, and a Masters, among about 200 other events. He talks about his putting career, the game, and its bright future. You will learn about this incredible game and be inspired to find the nearest facility to you and take it up. This is really good stuff.

My brother Mac died on May 24, 2025, after a brief illness. This is a little of his story and passion as I know it, as we begin to turn the page from a tough few weeks.

Rick Knight was a highly popular radio personality in Macon, GA, during the 1980s and 1990s with the "Rick Knight Road Show" on WDEN until he was terminated from the station, and his life fell apart. Rick ended up serving time in a Federal Penitentiary. This is a story of wrong choices, consequences, accountability, and redemption.

A 12-minute or so snippet of a "View from a Hearse" live performance. Funny only. And sometimes that is enough.

Be sure to go to YouTube and search "View from a Hearse Podcast" to see the slides that go along with this incredible story of an immigrant family who moved to a small rural southern town and made a life for themselves and those who came after them. You will be inspired by how these families found the American dream.

The Annual Georgia Strawberry Festival will be April 25-26 in Reynolds GA. The festival kicks off with Gospel Fest on Friday evening (25th) and all the other festivities being Saturday morning, April 26th. I have three of the ladies behind it as my guests and they will talk about what you can expect.

Randy Toms, a former two-term Mayor of Warner Robins, GA, and retired Lieutenant with the Warner Robins Fire Department is my guest. He currently serves as Executive Director at the Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training Council. Randy is an expert on fires: That is literal fires and spiritual fires. A gifted communicator, and ordained minister, he teaches others how to live "Out of the Fire."

Ephraim K Johnson was a special needs man who taught me much and had no idea he was teaching. This is his story and his story causes us to consider the real purpose of our lives. If you have a special needs person in your life, this will hit home.

On the 10th anniversary of this death, this is a rerelease of "Steve Mack Unveiled,' which was first released in November 2023. My guests are a few of the people who worked for him and with him and they speak of the lessons he taught.

Laney Blair (LB) Davis is my guest and maybe the biggest 20-year-old UGA football fan ever. Inspired by Loran Smith while in high school, she began writing letters to the late great Larry Munson in heaven to keep him up to date on Georgia football. Her only dream was to become a student at UGA. When the time came to apply, she was rejected. She thought her dream was shattered but realized it was only deferred. For Georgia fans and college football fans everywhere, this story is about the power of college football but, more importantly, a story of never giving up on your dreams.

A reading of a couple of blog articles I wrote about 15 years ago on pain and the lessons we get from it.

Boaz Shalgi, who was featured here on Episode #120 in June of 2024, speaks to me again from the land of the Bible with updates on Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the ongoing war and conflicts. He also speaks of how this war has impacted his family. As before, if you want to help him and his family financially, you can contact me at [email protected], and I will give you instructions. Also, if you are interested in having Boaz speak to your church or group and how what is going on in Israel is important to the US and all Christians, he is planning a tour of the states and would love to speak to your group. Feel free to contact me at the email address above for more information.

A lesson on kindness. This episode will take only five minutes of your time.

My guest is the legendary and beloved Loran Smith of the University of Georgia. Among other things, he tells stories of Larry Munson and talks about his friends, such as Butts, Tarkenton, Dooley, and Smart, and gives his unique perspective on the recruitment of Herschel Walker. He also talks about the dilemma of NIL. He also tells how he became the sideline reporter for UGA radio. This is good stuff.

Recently retired small town Pharmacist and pharmacy owner, George Launius, talks about how Big Pharma is affecting our lives and our health and the resulting dilemma of the pharmacy industry.

This is the last part of a four-part series with my lifelong friend Jimmy Childre, Jr. Jimmy's dad also joins us. Jimmy, who is on the Board of Councilors of the Carter Center, talks about Jimmy Carter, whose funeral was being held while we recorded this conversation. We end this series with some more profound questions for Jimmy.

i continue the conversation with my lifelong friend, Jimmy Childre, Jr. In this episode, we will discuss our teachers during our formative years and their impact on our lives.   We will also move into our high school years and confess to some shenanigans never made public before - and a high school speech class that changed our lives.

My guest is Jimmy Childre, Jr. In Part two of our conversation, we tell stories of growing up in Reynolds, GA, and Little League Baseball. We will discuss some of the merchants in town and some of the history we lived through in the ’60s, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the assassinations of three national leaders. We will also discuss our introduction to the Beatles and Garage Bands and give our perspectives on segregation in the South.

This is Part One of my conversation with my friend of 70 years, Jimmy Childre, Jr. You will hear some of what Jimmy has accomplished in life, but more than that; you will hear to the importance of his rearing in a small Georgia community. I begin this conversation by talking to his soon to be 90-year old mother.

Many are dreading the holiday days coming up due to the loss of a loved one. Raw grief has a way of changing everything, and loneliness can be overwhelming. My guest is Dr. Randy Gregg, who has experienced that grief, sought help, and is now spending his time helping others in a personal manner. If you have experienced loss and dread the upcoming holidays or have someone in your circle struggling with grief, this episode is for you. You can find Randy at crandygregg.com

My guest is my friend, Jacqueline Byrd McKoon, who is the behind-the-scenes wife and force behind the Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, Josh McKoon. As we all know, Georgia was in the national spotlight as a swing state in the presidential election. Jacqueline is strong and intelligent, has politics in her blood, and has an attractive combination of vitality and glamour, which translates to charisma. I happen to know she gets it all, honestly. She will give us a behind-the-scenes look at this election and how it played out in Georgia.

The contentious election is over. Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States. Half of the country is pleased. The other half is not. What does our history of contentious elections teach us? Where do we go from here?

Tim Wilson is known in middle Georgia as the man who has not missed a Peach County Trojan football game in 50 years. Although he is a walking encyclopedia of Peach County football, there is much more to him than football. His purpose is bigger. His calling is higher. Showing up doesn't take a lot of talent, but it does take a massive dose of determination and persistence. The results are immeasurable.

As editor of the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, the South's largest newspaper, Jim Menter was once one of the most influential people in Georgia and the Southeast region. Today, at 94, he looks back and talks about his life, how things used to be, and a few of the people he knew along the way.

You will be intrigued and delighted by my conversation with this young girl with a bright mind and loads of talent and potential. Carly Nesmith will talk about elementary school, macroeconomics, Jesus, politics, and life from the eyes of a 9-year-old who is very grateful her parents adopted her. Hopefully, when you look back on this episode years from now, you will remember I said, "I told you so."

A trip to Mayberry led to a 20-minute conversation with the man himself, Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife. This is some of my best work.

My wife outdid herself for my 70th birthday. Without my knowledge, she planned a birthday celebration with our children and grandchildren sitting together for a Braves game at Truist Park with lots of surprises. I also take a reflective look back at each decade of my life and take a peek into the unpredictable future as I begin my 8th decade. A birthday celebration for the ages.

My guest, Jake Woodall, began his life on a farm in a close-knit family whose parents instilled faith in a God in heaven and a strong work ethic. Their strategy could not have turned out better. It is a long way from digging peanuts in rural Taylor County GA to becoming an officer of a New York Stock Exchange publicly traded energy acquisition company based in Houston TX, but he made that journey - and he never forgot his roots or the life principles instilled in him as a child.

As an All-American running back at the University of Georgia and a Pittsburgh Steeler first-round draft pick, Tim Worley had life by the tail. But despite all the God-given ability and unlimited opportunity at hand, his life began spiraling out of control. The landing was very hard but life-changing for him and many others as he now traverses the country telling his story. Go Dawgs.

My guest is Carla Koplin Cohn, who spent years as Hank Aaron's personal secretary and friend. Being beside him during the chase for Babe Ruth's record, she saw, up close, the good, the bad, and the pressure of breaking that record. How does one even become the personal secretary of arguably the greatest of them all? Well, she will tell you. And you might be surprised. This is a story for the ages.

David is another of my high school basketball teammates who became a Division One athlete and got a free ride to college for his talents. David, a Georgia Tech graduate, is a solid human who has done well. You will listen in to a conversation between two old friends.

My guest is Dan Darden and the event coming up on September 5, 6 & 7 in Macon GA is called Dan Darden & Friends. Dan and his talented group of about sixteen musicians and vocalists will put on a show you won't forget. If you like the oldies, you don't want to miss this. Tickets are available by calling 478-474-7101.

This is an incredible story of a young lady we met who was living down the street from us at the lake for the summer. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, including having to testify against her mother in child custody hearings and, as a result, becoming homeless—and then experiencing the illness and death of her beloved father—she overcame all odds. She graduated college with honors, debt-free, and full of faith. Elise Torres's story is inspiring and encouraging. And get ready to be challenged.

He started with absolutely nothing and somehow learned, despite dropping out of school at a young age, he had genius-type gifts inside him. When he was young, many people in his community called him trash. Today his colleagues call him The Professor. You will meet the professoer himself, Bill Doster.

My guest is Bob Hereford, who tells his story of how C.S. Lewis's writings and teachings changed his life. One of C.S. Lewis's books is Surprised by Joy." Hereford's book is Surprised by Jack." Jack was C.S. Lewis' nickname. Bob was surprised that C.S. Lewis could make Christianity "make sense." He now realizes that Lewis was not only making Christianity make sense, but given the world we live in today, his writings were prophetic, making our perverse world make sense - and not in a good way.

My guest is Helen Bissell. She will tell the story of Abram Korn, a Holocaust survivor who incredibly somehow survived 6 1/2 years of hell on earth and lived to tell his story in a book entitled "Abe's Story." The story is horrific, but it is inspiring and spiritually uplifting and will remind you why you are proud to be an American. To contact Helen to learn more, to order a book or to book her to speak to your group, the website is AbesStory.org

If sports is the great unifier, Pete Johnson was the minister who married us at Peach County High School during school integration in 1970. An elite athlete, Pete stood out in the small town of Fort Valley, Georgia, during tumultuous times, during his senior year of high school in New York, at Ohio State University, and in the NFL. You will see that Pete still stands out today.

Part Two: A political child prodigy and close confidant of a future President of the United States and a popular Georgia Congressman, this interview with Steve Dugan is full of entertaining and inspirational stories of two great men. But it is also a story of heartache and faith.