Jeremy Powell, a pastor and teacher in Union City, Tennessee, was born with an autoimmune deficiency that rendered his body incapable of defeating bacterial and fungal infections. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, Powell contracted fungal meningitis. Given only an 18% chance of surviving the infection, his doctors at the National Institutes of Health recommended a bone marrow transplant as a last-ditch effort to clear the meningitis and save his life. Powell survived the transplant, and his rehabbed immune system even fought back the infection in his spine and brain. He was healed of his autoimmune deficiency and the fungal meningitis it caused. However, it left him completely paralyzed from the neck down, an he found himself dangerously close to having his breathing permanently compromised.

After a stint at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Spain Rehabilitation Hospital, another operation and an inpatient rehab stay at Vanderbilt’s Stallworth Hospital, Powell slowly began feeling again. As he has grown stronger, his mobility has dramatically improved, and Powell continues to amaze medical doctors, nurses and physical therapists nationwide with his miraculous recovery.
 
In this episode, Powell shares his inspirational story and that in the midst of some of the darkest days he has ever experienced, it became clear that God could use his suffering to cultivate hope in his life and in the lives of others. Today, he has returned to the pulpit of Crosswind Church where his message of hope touches hundreds each week. You can discover more about Powell at JeremyPowell.com and find episodes of his messages on Crosswind Church’s Youtube channel.
 
This episode is sponsored by Leader Credit Union. Leaders is insured by NCUA.

EP 153: Jeremy Powell: Cultivating Hope

Al Santos is the founder and Head Singer of Ottertrail, a celebrated Southern style drum group that has played a vital role in the Native American powwow world and beyond. With Ottertrail, Al has won a Grammy, performed at major events across the country and appeared in the final episode of the Marvel series Echo on Disney+. Most recently, you can see him and Ottertrail in the powwow scene of the Apple TV movie Fancy Dance, where Al also composed all of the powwow music, further cementing his influence in both the powwow and entertainment worlds.

In addition to his musical contributions, Al has also made his mark in professional wrestling entertainment as “The Arab Legend” Al Farat. In this episode, Al shares his journey from the powwow grounds to the big screen, and he gives us a glimpse into his dual life as a professional wrestler. He also talks about his upcoming role as emcee at Discovery Park of America’s 2024 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow and what it means to bring this event to the community.

This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

EP 172: Al Santos: From the Powwow Grounds to the Big Screen

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