DALLAS I The Podcast

Dallas Fears

5.0 (4)
Personal Journals

Dallas is an interview-driven podcast featuring honest, meaningful conversations with everyday people. Host Dallas explores stories of hope, resilience, and purpose—creating space for reflection, connection, and the belief that open hearts lead to endless possibilities.

8h ago

She Had No Pulse in Church. Then She Sat Up. | Ali Spitsbergen

What do you do when the doctors say there is nothing else they can do? On March 29, 2011, my friend Ali Spitsbergen knew she was dying. She was 29 weeks pregnant, in renal and liver failure, and a former pediatric ICU nurse who understood exactly what that meant. Then an anesthesiologist walked in and refused to give up on her. Her daughter Anna was born at 1 lb 3 oz. Fifteen years later, Anna has launched her first song. Ali and I go back years to our R+F days, and I have never heard her whole story like this. We talk about the NICU, about standing on God's Word when everyone around you is afraid, and about losing a business overnight and hearing God say "For His Glory CEO." And she tells me about the Sunday a woman in her church had no pulse in the middle of worship. In this conversation: - The anesthesiologist who said, "I can't not give my friend's friend a chance at living" - Anna at 1 lb 3 oz, and the NICU doctor who called her "truly a miracle and here for a purpose" - Told to terminate at 23 weeks, and Ali's answer - How do you know it's God's voice and not your own? - Building a team of more than 4,000 people, and losing the business on a 21-minute Zoom call - Karen, no pulse in church, and what happened next - When the miracle doesn't come, and saying "God, You're good" anyway "I will be her mom for as long as the Lord allows me to be her mom." (Ali Spitsbergen) If this conversation encourages you, please share it with someone who needs a reminder that they are not walking through their struggles alone. Subscribe to Dallas The Podcast for new conversations every Wednesday about faith, hope, resilience, family, and purpose. Connect with Ali: Ali Spitsbergen, Founder, For His Glory CEO: https://alispitsbergen.com Proudly presented by The Pure Original: https://thepureoriginal.com/ A Personal Note from Dallas: every week I share the story behind the story in my newsletter. https://dallas-newsletter-4e3ffd.beehiiv.com/subscribe Chapters 00:00 Coming up: no pulse in church 01:08 Welcome, Ali Spitsbergen 01:40 March 29, 2011: "I knew I was dying" 03:55 The anesthesiologist who wouldn't give up 05:29 Anna: 1 lb 3 oz and here for a purpose 12:29 "I will be her mom for as long as the Lord allows" 19:48 Life in the NICU, standing on God's Word 24:37 How do you know it's God's voice? 28:40 From NICU mom to building a business 34:06 Losing everything, and For His Glory CEO 45:22 The day Karen came back to life 48:06 When the miracle doesn't come 55:08 Thank you & credits
Oct 28

How Do You Still Trust God? | Sarah Simko

How do you continue trusting God when life looks nothing like what you prayed for? Sarah Simko knows what it means to face circumstances she never imagined. A wife, mother of two, pediatric nurse practitioner, and breast cancer overcomer, Sarah shares an extraordinary journey through infertility, the heartbreaking loss of eight babies, surrogacy, and raising a son with cerebral palsy. Then came another unexpected challenge: an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis. Through a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, Sarah found herself learning one of the most difficult lessons of her life: how to surrender control and allow others to care for her. In this deeply personal conversation, Dallas and Sarah explore the complicated relationship between faith and suffering, the questions we ask God when life doesn't make sense, and what it means to trust Him without knowing the outcome. Sarah shares how motherhood transformed her, how her son Samuel continues to teach her about complete dependence on God, and why her relationship with the Lord has grown stronger through life's most difficult seasons. This episode is a reminder that faith does not promise a life without hardship. It offers something far greater: hope, peace, and the assurance that we never have to walk through it alone. In this episode: Infertility, IVF, and pregnancy lossThe extraordinary journey of bringing Samuel into the worldRaising a child with Cerebral palsyReceiving an unexpected breast cancer diagnosisLearning to accept help and surrender controlFinding God's faithfulness in life's hardest momentsIf you've ever wondered how to keep trusting God when your prayers seem unanswered, this conversation is for you. Thank you to fearlessHOPE and the Tuman Breast Cancer Foundation for supporting Dallas the Podcast.
Oct 23

Blindness Doesn't Define Their Future | Finley Fears & fearlessHOPE

What happens when we stop focusing on what a child cannot see and start recognizing everything they can become? In this special Blindness Awareness Month episode of Dallas the Podcast, Dallas Fears shares the story behind fearlessHOPE, the nonprofit she and her husband, Chris, founded in 2015 after their daughter Finley was born blind. Now 15, Finley is stepping into a new role as the face of fearlessHOPE. Through a series of personal interviews, she reconnects with children who have been part of the organization over the years, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences, accomplishments, personalities, and dreams. Dallas also opens up about Finley's recent medical journey at Duke, where she experienced significant additional vision loss following multiple surgeries. The episode includes Finley's NBC 5 interview, offering an honest look at how she's navigating these changes while continuing to pursue the life she loves. But this episode is about much more than Finley's story. It's about the extraordinary children and families who make up fearlessHOPE, the importance of accessibility and independence, and the difference a supportive community can make. For parents raising children who are blind or visually impaired, families navigating unexpected challenges, and anyone who believes every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, this episode offers a meaningful perspective on resilience, inclusion, and hope. Because blindness is part of their story. It doesn't define their future. Learn more about fearlessHOPE: https://fearlesshope.org/ Special thanks to the Tuman Breast Cancer Foundation for supporting women and families facing breast cancer. https://www.tumanbreastcancer.org/ Connect with Dallas the Podcast: Website: https://www.dallasthepodcast.com/ Newsletter: https://dallas-newsletter-4e3ffd.beehiiv.com/subscribe #BlindnessAwarenessMonth #FinleyFears #fearlessHOPE #BlindnessAwareness #DallasThePodcast
Oct 14

You Get to Choose | Courtney Benson's Breast Cancer Journey

What if one of life's most difficult circumstances became the moment you discovered how you truly wanted to live? Courtney Benson had built an extraordinary career. A nationally recognized real estate leader, entrepreneur, and speaker, she had achieved the kind of success many people dream about. But behind the accomplishments, she spent years struggling to find genuine happiness. After learning to change her mindset and finally finding joy in the everyday journey, Courtney received news that changed everything: breast cancer. What followed was a series of unexpected challenges. Chemotherapy wasn't working as planned, difficult treatment decisions had to be made, and there were moments when Courtney wondered whether she would be there for her children's future milestones. Then someone asked her a question that changed her perspective: "How do you want to experience cancer?" In this powerful conversation with Dallas, Courtney shares how she made the decision to keep living, laughing, pursuing her dreams, and finding purpose—even in the middle of treatment. Through her platform and community, Just a Girl with Cancer, Courtney is now helping others feel seen, encouraged, and less alone. Together, Dallas and Courtney explore the power of mindset, the importance of finding joy in difficult seasons, the realities of breast cancer treatment, and what it means to keep showing up when life doesn't go according to plan. As a breast cancer overcomer herself, Dallas brings a personal perspective to a conversation filled with honesty, humor, resilience, and hope. Because while we cannot always choose what happens to us, we can choose how we respond. Whether you're navigating a cancer diagnosis, facing an unexpected challenge, or simply searching for more meaning in your everyday life, Courtney's story is a reminder that you don't have to wait for circumstances to change before you begin living fully. Listen, be encouraged, and share this episode with someone who needs a little hope today. Connect with Dallas the Podcast Subscribe and follow for authentic conversations about faith, family, resilience, personal growth, and finding hope through life's challenges. Presented by The Pure Original Luxury skincare rooted in pure, intentional ingredients. Real Ingredients. Real Results. https://thepureoriginal.com
Oct 7

I Cheated Death Twice | Krissy White

Krissy White has faced two moments in her life that could have ended very differently. Years before breast cancer, a life-threatening pregnancy left Krissy fighting for her life and her daughter in critical condition. Doctors later told her that another ten minutes could have changed everything. Years later, Krissy was diagnosed with breast cancer and learned she would face an aggressive treatment plan that included chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Looking back on both experiences, Krissy says: “I cheated death twice.” That realization eventually led to a bigger question: Why am I still here? In this episode of Dallas the Podcast, Krissy shares the raw story behind her breast cancer journey, the role faith and family played in carrying her through, and how surviving difficult chapters eventually led her toward purpose. Today, Krissy is the author of My Pink Truth and president of the Tuman Breast Cancer Foundation, where she helps other women and families navigate the realities of treatment and life beyond diagnosis. Krissy also opens up about: Receiving the phone call that changed her life Walking through treatment during COVID Losing her hair and finding humor in the middle of it The complicated meaning of “pink” after breast cancer Surrendering control and trusting God Why she wrote My Pink Truth Finding purpose through serving others Becoming an overcomer instead of simply a survivor This is an honest conversation about breast cancer, faith, family, resilience, and the belief that even the chapters we never would have chosen can still be used for something meaningful.
Sep 30

30 Seconds to Earn Their Trust | Tracey Cunningham

What does it take for a parent to trust a complete stranger with their critically ill child? For Tracey Cunningham, a neonatal and pediatric flight nurse, sometimes she has about 30 seconds. Thirty seconds to look a frightened parent in the eyes, hold their hand, and assure them that she will take care of their baby before transporting that child to the specialized care they desperately need. Tracey Cunningham Script But Tracey understands those parents from a perspective that goes far beyond her medical training. Before she became the nurse caring for critically ill babies, she was the mother beside her own son's NICU bed. The care her family received helped inspire a nursing career that has now spanned 30 years. In this episode of Dallas the Podcast, Tracey shares her journey from NICU mom to neonatal and pediatric flight nurse, including the unforgettable story of Daniel—a critically ill baby with a congenital heart defect whose only option was surgery. During a flight that felt like hours, Tracey reached a point where there was nothing more she could do medically except continue caring for him, pray, and get him to the hospital. Daniel underwent surgery within the hour after arriving. Today, he's doing well. Dallas and Tracey also talk about the emotional side of caring for critically ill children, what parents need when everything feels outside their control, raising children who want to serve others, and the faith required to wait on God when we cannot yet see what He is doing. Tracey's story is a powerful reminder that some of the experiences we never would have chosen can become part of how we are prepared to bring comfort, compassion, trust, and hope to someone else. Subscribe to Dallas the Podcast for authentic conversations about hope, faith, resilience, family, leadership, and purpose.
Sep 23

Leading Through the Heat | Mark Andrew

What does the firehouse teach you about leadership that no boardroom ever could? This week on Dallas the Podcast, Dallas sits down with firefighter, paramedic, fire captain, and author Mark Andrew for a conversation about leadership, trust, responsibility, and what it really means to help other people grow. Mark shares lessons shaped by years of serving in high-pressure environments where preparation matters, teamwork is essential, and every person has a role to play. The conversation explores the difference between commanding and inspiring, why strong leaders cannot micromanage everything, and how empowering others ultimately makes the entire team stronger. Mark and Dallas also talk about life inside the firehouse, memorable emergency calls, the realities of being both a firefighter and paramedic, and some of the most intense situations Mark experienced throughout his career. His book, Leading Through the Heat, takes the lessons learned in the fire service and applies them far beyond the station—to business, family, teams, organizations, and everyday leadership. Whether you lead a company, a team, a family, or simply want to become someone others can trust, this conversation is full of practical wisdom about becoming the kind of leader who helps other people succeed. In this episode: What the firehouse teaches about leadershipThe difference between commanding and inspiringWhy trust matters more than controlHow to develop and empower the people around youLeadership under pressureLessons from a career in fire and emergency servicesThe story behind Leading Through the HeatAdvice for people who do not feel qualified to lead
Sep 16

Trust God’s Timing | Abbie Wallace

What do you do when the life you hoped for doesn’t happen on your timeline? In this episode of Dallas the Podcast, Dallas Fears sits down with nurse, mother, wife, and entrepreneur Abbie Wallace for a conversation about faith, patience, marriage, motherhood, and learning to trust the process even when you cannot yet see where it is leading. Abbie shares her journey from growing up in a small Iowa town to nursing school, building a life alongside her husband, former NFL quarterback Seneca Wallace, and eventually stepping into entrepreneurship. Today, Abbie is one of the founders of The Drip Mobile IV, a concierge wellness business built around care, relationships, and meeting people where they are. What began with Abbie personally traveling across the Dallas area to serve clients has grown into a team of nurses, mobile IV services, and an expanding wellness and aesthetics practice in Prosper. But their growth has been intentional. Abbie talks about resisting the pressure to chase every trend, choosing instead to grow carefully, protect the quality of care, hire the right people, and stay true to the reason they started in the first place. This conversation is a reminder that not every delay is a denial, not every detour is wasted, and sometimes the seasons that feel slow are preparing us for what comes next. If you are building something, waiting on something, or trying to understand where God is leading you, this episode is for you. Subscribe to the Dallas the Podcast newsletter: https://dallas-newsletter-4e3ffd.beehiiv.com/subscribe

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

Dallas is an interview-driven podcast featuring honest, meaningful conversations with everyday people. Host Dallas explores stories of hope, resilience, and purpose—creating space for reflection, connection, and the belief that open hearts lead to endless possibilities.

Creator

Dallas Fears
Years Active

2026
Episodes

40
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© DALLAS I The Podcast
Show Website

DALLAS I The Podcast