Everyone Has A Story - Hosted by Kam and Cody

Kam Spackman
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Personal Journals
  • Weekly

This podcast is about real life and real people. The wins, the struggles, the lessons, and the stories that shape who we are. I sit down with all kinds of guests, business owners, ranchers, friends, entrepreneurs, and everyday people, to talk about life, work, faith, challenges, and everything in between. No scripts, no filters. Just honest conversations that remind us we’re all figuring life out together.

  1. 6d ago

    A Mother's Worst Nightmare, A Daughter's Lasting Legacy | Whitney Hale's Story

    Some stories are heartbreaking. Others remind us just how powerful love can be, even after unimaginable loss. ❤️ On Episode 36 of Everyone Has a Story, Cody and Kam sit down with Whitney Hale, a mother who experienced every parent's worst nightmare when she tragically lost her daughter, Taisley. Through unimaginable heartbreak, Taisley's story became one of hope, love, and a lasting legacy through organ donation. Whitney opens up about losing her daughter, navigating grief, and what it means to carry on when a piece of your heart is missing. We talk about the impact Taisley continues to have and how one little girl's story can touch so many lives. This episode is emotional. It's raw. And it's a reminder that even though someone's time on earth may be short, the impact they leave behind can last forever. This isn't just a story about loss. It's a story about a mother's love, a little girl's legacy, and the lives that can be changed through organ donation. 🎙️ Everyone Has a Story — Episode 36 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

  2. Oct 19

    A Second Chance at Life: A Family's Journey Through Down Syndrome, Heart Surgeries & a Heart Transplant | Brandon Barela

    What would you do if your child needed a new heart just to have a chance at life? ❤️ Episode 35 of Everyone Has a Story is one of the most emotional, powerful, and unforgettable conversations we've had yet. This week, Kam and Cody sit down with Brandon and Kourtney Barela, alongside special guest Shawn Thomson, to hear the incredible story of a family whose strength, faith, and love have been tested in ways most of us could never imagine. Brandon and Kourtney are parents to two children with Down syndrome. Their family's journey has included multiple open-heart surgeries, complications with pacemakers, and ultimately, a life-saving heart transplant for one of their sons. But this episode is about so much more than medical procedures and hospital stays. It's about the sleepless nights, the uncertainty, the emotional battles, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward when life feels completely out of your control. It's about a mother's and father's love, the importance of family, and finding hope in some of life's darkest moments. We talk about the challenges they've faced, the lessons they've learned, and the incredible perspective their children have given them on what truly matters in life. This is one of those episodes that will make you cry, make you grateful, and remind you just how precious life really is. To the Barela family, thank you for trusting us with your story. Your strength and willingness to share your journey will undoubtedly touch more lives than you know. 🎙️ Everyone Has a Story — Episode 35 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube. Because behind every person, every family, and every struggle… there's a story worth telling.

  3. Oct 12

    Losing It All, Starting Over & the Science of Better Health | Chris Schuetze

    What happens when life knocks you down, your business falls apart, and the company you believe in is no longer yours to build? You start over and build something of your own. On Episode 34 of Everyone Has a Story, hosted by Cam and Cody, we welcome Chris Schuetze, founder and owner of Tracer Minerals, all the way from Cimarron, Kansas! Chris has experienced the highs and lows of business firsthand. From owning a large feedlot that eventually crashed, to working for multiple companies and being let go, Chris has faced his share of setbacks. But instead of walking away from an industry he believed in, he took a chance and built his own company. Today, Tracer Minerals is a family-owned business specializing in true amino acid chelated minerals, with products designed for livestock, humans, pets, and even crops. In this episode, we dive into Chris's journey of entrepreneurship, failure, determination, and the science behind mineral supplementation. We discuss why minerals are so important, how the body absorbs and utilizes them, and the potential benefits of proper supplementation for cattle performance, reproduction, immune function, and human nutrition. Chris takes us deeper into the chemistry behind true amino acid chelates, explaining why not all mineral supplements are created equal and why understanding what goes into our bodies and our livestock matters. This was also a special episode for us because Chris is our first guest to travel in from so far out of state! We're grateful he made the trip to sit down and share his knowledge, experiences, and story. Whether you're a rancher, business owner, someone interested in better nutrition, or simply someone who's had to start over in life, this episode has something for you. Because at the end of the day, success isn't always about how many times you win. Sometimes it's about how many times you're willing to start again. 🎙️ Everyone Has a Story — Hosted by Cam & Cody Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Learn more about Tracer Minerals at www.tracerminerals.com Everyone has a story. This is Chris Schuetze's.

  4. Oct 5

    Braxton Smith — Taking Risks, Building a Career & Making Your Own Way

    This week on Everyone Has a Story, Kam and Cody sit down with Weston, Idaho local Braxton Smith for a conversation that goes just about everywhere — and that’s what made it so good. Braxton talks about growing up in a small town, being broke, taking chances, getting into sales, and eventually finding a career at PTI Stockyard that helped change the direction of his life. We get into the reality that good things don’t always just fall into your lap — sometimes you have to take the risk, put yourself out there, and go after the opportunities in front of you. We also talk about Braxton’s time with Search & Rescue, his leather tooling, family life, and plenty of stories and laughs along the way. We even tested out some new podcast equipment and brought Kaid Panek onto the show by phone for a conversation about some pretty wild ghost experiences. And somehow, we also end up talking about me scoping myself while sighting in my gun. 😂 This episode really is what Everyone Has a Story is all about. No single topic. No perfect script. Just a real conversation about life, work, family, taking chances, and the experiences that make us who we are. Episode 33 with Braxton Smith — you’re going to want to hear this one.

  5. Sep 28

    Built in a Small Town: Matt Haslam’s Story

    Everybody sees the business. Not everybody knows the story behind it. 🎙️ This week on Everyone Has a Story, Cody and I sat down with local business owner Matt Haslam, owner of Preston Electric. Matt grew up right here in Franklin County, and we got into a little bit of everything — what childhood around Preston was like, how he ended up acquiring Preston Electric, the people who helped him get there, the support system behind him, and what it’s REALLY like carrying the responsibility of owning and running a business. And because you can’t talk about growing up around Preston without it coming up… yes, we talked Napoleon Dynamite too. 😂 This episode is exactly why we started this podcast. Sometimes the people you see around town every day have stories you’ve never taken the time to hear. Matt is a great example of someone who has built a life and business right here at home — but he’ll be the first to tell you he didn’t get there alone. 🎙️ Built in a Small Town: Matt Has-lam’s Story Listen to the full episode of Everyone Has a Story — hosted by Kam & Cody. If you enjoy it, share it with somebody local. Let’s keep telling the stories of the people who make our communities what they are.

  6. Sep 21

    Before It’s Too Late — Bullying, Suicide & the Conversations We Avoid

    Some episodes are entertaining. Some make you laugh. Some tell an incredible story. This episode is different. Tonight, Cody and I sat down with Ben and Corey Lundgren for a conversation that we believe needs to be heard. We talk about bullying. We talk about our kids. We talk about suicide. We talk about the things happening behind closed doors, in school hallways, on phones, and inside the minds of people who may look completely fine from the outside. These aren't easy subjects. They're uncomfortable. They're heavy. And sometimes they're easier to avoid. But avoiding them doesn't make them go away. A kid can be surrounded by hundreds of people and still feel completely alone. A joke that seems harmless to one person can become something another person carries home every single night. And sometimes the person who needs someone the most is the person who has gotten the best at pretending they're okay. This episode isn't about pointing fingers or placing blame. It's about parents talking to their kids. It's about kids looking out for each other. It's about recognizing that our words carry weight. It's about asking someone “Are you really okay?” and being willing to stay long enough to hear the real answer. Most importantly, it's about reminding people that your darkest moment does not have to be the end of your story. Please listen to this one. And don't just listen—talk about it. Share it with a parent. Share it with a teenager. Share it with a teacher, coach, friend, brother, sister, or someone who has been a little quieter lately. Because we may never know which conversation, which text, which hug, which person sitting down and simply saying “I'm here” could change the course of someone's life. Everyone has a story. Let's make sure they get the chance to keep writing it. — Everyone Has a Story PodcastHosted by Kam & CodySpecial Guests: Ben & Corey Lundgren If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

  7. Sep 14

    What are you willing to risk, change, and sacrifice to build the life you actually want?|Travis Leavitt

    This week on Everyone Has a Story, Kam and Cody sit down with entrepreneur Travis Levitt, owner of Levitt Automotive and Cutting Edge Auto Care, and founder of his newest venture, Freedom Builders. But this conversation is about a lot more than business. Travis takes us through what it really looked like to build from the ground up—the risks, difficult decisions, setbacks, goals, and opportunities that helped shape the man and business owner he is today. We talk about losing his dad to cancer and the impact that loss had on the way he looks at life, family, time, and success. Travis opens up about the life he ultimately wants to create for his family and why success means a lot more than simply growing a company or making money. We also get into coaching, training, personal growth, chasing goals, recognizing opportunities when they come, and having the courage to take a chance even when you don't know exactly how it's going to turn out. If you've ever thought about starting a business, making a major change, chasing a goal that scares you, or simply asking yourself “What kind of life am I actually trying to build?”—this episode is for you. Travis has built businesses, endured loss, taken risks, and continues to chase bigger goals. And just like all of us, he has a story.

  8. Sep 6

    No Guest. No Agenda. Just Real Talk.

    This episode is a little different… and honestly, that’s what made it so fun. Me, Cody, Jackson, and Shawn all got back in the same room for a good old-fashioned catch-up. No specific guest. No set story. No real agenda. Just four guys sitting around talking about life. We covered everything from the economy and sports to jobs, family, what life looks like right now, and probably a few things we had no business talking about 😂 It was pretty cool getting everybody back together from the early days of Everyone Has a Story and just hitting record. This one is real, raw, unscripted, and full of laughs. Sometimes the best conversations are the ones you don't plan. Come hang out with us and enjoy the conversation. 🎙️

See All (36)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

This podcast is about real life and real people. The wins, the struggles, the lessons, and the stories that shape who we are. I sit down with all kinds of guests, business owners, ranchers, friends, entrepreneurs, and everyday people, to talk about life, work, faith, challenges, and everything in between. No scripts, no filters. Just honest conversations that remind us we’re all figuring life out together.

Information

You Might Also Like