The Real Deal Conversations

Mid-West Family Marketing
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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!

  1. Jayne Young: Doing the Hard Thing Anyway

    FEB 18

    Jayne Young: Doing the Hard Thing Anyway

    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.

    51 min
  2. Heather Zoromski: Doing the Work No One Sees

    FEB 4

    Heather Zoromski: Doing the Work No One Sees

    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.

    1h 5m
  3. Whitney Guison & Grace Gooley: Leading Teams, Serving Customers, Setting Limits

    JAN 21

    Whitney Guison & Grace Gooley: Leading Teams, Serving Customers, Setting Limits

    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.

    58 min
  4. Laura Johnson: Choosing Prayer in Uncertain Seasons

    JAN 7

    Laura Johnson: Choosing Prayer in Uncertain Seasons

    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.

    1h 2m
  5. Melanie Blair: Finding Her Way Through Child Loss and into Helping Others Heal

    12/10/2025

    Melanie Blair: Finding Her Way Through Child Loss and into Helping Others Heal

    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.

    1h 3m
  6. Dr. Sue Head, Part 2: The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

    11/26/2025

    Dr. Sue Head, Part 2: The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

    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.

    58 min
  7. Whitney Guison & Grace Gooley: The Working Mom Conversation

    11/12/2025

    Whitney Guison & Grace Gooley: The Working Mom Conversation

    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.

    1h 8m
  8. Dr. Sue Head, Part 1: Why Being Real Beats Being Perfect

    10/29/2025

    Dr. Sue Head, Part 1: Why Being Real Beats Being Perfect

    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.

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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!

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