Eric Kennedy - Recovery Vow

Forged by Design Podcast: Interview with Dr. Fernando L. ValeDr. Fernando L. Vale is a neurosurgeon, Professor, and Chairman of Neurosurgery at the Medical College of Georgia (Wellstar MCG Health) in Augusta, a role he has held since 2019. He specializes in brain and spinal tumors, epilepsy surgery, pituitary surgery, and stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. The host opened with a statistic: only about 6.8% of U.S. physicians are Hispanic or Latino, and just over 1% are Puerto Rican. He presented Dr. Vale as a source of Puerto Rican pride.Purpose and path. Dr. Vale grew up in Puerto Rico with a farmer father and a teacher mother. As a teenager he was given a human physiology book that captured his imagination, and he saw the brain as “the ultimate frontier.” He was committed to medicine by high school, neurosurgery by college, and epilepsy and functional neurosurgery by the end of medical school. He credits luck, discipline, and hard work. After medical school at the University of Puerto Rico, he matched into residency in Birmingham, Alabama, planning to return home with new skills. He faced culture shock and a language barrier, which he worked on by listening to MTV, and he resolved to work harder than everyone else.Building and mentoring. A mentor gave him the chance to join the University of South Florida in Tampa, where the neurosurgery program was in its infancy. He spent over twenty years there building epilepsy and functional services, and calls it one of the best periods of his life. He later took over a struggling program at MCG and says it is now growing well.Responsibility, preparation, and resilience. He manages high-stakes decisions through preparation and honesty about his own limits. Even after nearly 30 years, he mentally rehearses every surgery “like it’s the first day.” He treats bad outcomes as lessons: study the problem, change the process, reassess, and rely on long-term follow-up. He teaches residents never to give up and says he can survive neurosurgery only because he loves it.Epilepsy insights. Citing global statistics, the host noted that roughly 50 million people have epilepsy. Dr. Vale said curing a patient’s seizures is his greatest satisfaction.Causes: Adult epilepsy is often poorly understood, while pediatric cases are usually developmental. Repeated seizures can damage the brain’s networks. Poor sleep and stress contribute but do not cause it alone.Symptoms: The Hollywood image of convulsions is rare. Most seizures are brief lapses of awareness, such as a student whose grades suddenly drop, and people can go undiagnosed for years.Diagnosis: The path runs from brain MRI to EEG, sometimes with extended monitoring, with attention to look-alikes such as fainting from heart conditions.Treatment: Care is a team effort. Medication comes first, but side effects can undermine quality of life. Options then include diet, neurostimulators, and surgery.Referral: Patients with seizures persisting beyond a couple of years should see a comprehensive epilepsy center. Surgery should be discussed early, though it isn’t for everyone.Misconceptions: Society’s old fears about brain surgery persist.Technology and AI. Dr. Vale embraces change and credits technology and continuous learning for his improvement. He sees AI as useful for summarizing knowledge and starting a process but not replacing human judgment, touch, or wisdom. He also says the U.S. advantage lies in access to technology and team-based centers rather than the technology itself.Developing the next generation. He leads by example, through hard work, accountability, and showing up, while recognizing that new generations learn differently. He tells trainees he wants them to surpass him and takes pride in seeing former residents succeed. His motto: “There’s never enough time to do everything, but always enough time to do the right thing.” He also advises aspiring surgeons to build a house to learn humility and process.Balance and the next chapter. He decompresses by gardening at home, combining physical effort with time in nature. A past knee injury ended his long-distance running. He plans a “plan B” retirement that includes part-time healthcare work and a family farm. Though he loves Puerto Rico, he considers Augusta home because his children live nearby.Legacy. He hopes to be remembered as fair, honest, and committed to the cause. He measures legacy by his values, his successful residents, and the program he helped rescue.Host’s closing. The host highlighted Dr. Vale’s humility, consistency, teamwork, and willingness to seize opportunity, and invited him to someday write a book.Message Us!Support the show

Eric Kennedy – From Addiction to Restoration: Rebuilding Lives, Marriages, and FamiliesWhat does it take to rebuild a life after addiction? And how do you restore the relationships, trust, and family connections that addiction can leave behind?On this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, we welcome Eric Kennedy, CEO and founder of Recovery Vow, an author, speaker, husband, father, and recovery advocate whose personal journey has become a powerful testimony of redemption and transformation.With more than 15 years of sobriety, Eric shares how his journey through addiction, broken relationships, and personal adversity ultimately became the foundation for a renewed life, restored marriage, and a calling to help others. His experiences demonstrate that recovery is about far more than becoming sober; it is about confronting the past, accepting responsibility, rebuilding trust, and intentionally becoming the person you were designed to be.Through his work and his books, Marriage After Addiction: Take Back Your Life Together and Loving Them Without Losing Us: Navigating Your Child’s Addiction, Eric addresses two often-overlooked realities of addiction: the impact on marriages and the devastating effects on parents and families.Our conversation explores the difficult but necessary distinction between supporting someone and enabling destructive behavior. Eric discusses practical approaches to establishing healthy boundaries, protecting marriages and family relationships, communicating honestly, and rebuilding trust through consistent actions rather than promises.We also explore the importance of partnership, faith, accountability, and community in sustaining recovery. Eric shares the influence of his wife, Kristen, and their shared commitment to helping individuals and families discover that healing is possible, even after seasons of profound brokenness.Beyond his personal testimony, Eric explains the vision behind Recovery Vow—an organization dedicated to providing hope, practical resources, and meaningful support to individuals, couples, and families navigating addiction and recovery. Through its books, podcast, community initiatives, and Coffee with a Cause program, Recovery Vow is working to ensure that families do not have to face these challenges alone.One of the most compelling takeaways from this conversation is that addiction does not have to define someone's future, and the people affected by it do not have to lose themselves in the process of loving someone through recovery.Recovery requires intentional decisions. Restoration requires consistent action. And lasting transformation requires the courage to keep showing up.Eric's story reminds us that our greatest setbacks do not have to become our final chapter. With faith, accountability, healthy relationships, and a willingness to change, what once threatened to destroy a family can become the foundation for a renewed purpose.Message Us!Support the show

What does it mean to lead with purpose, serve with conviction, and use the gifts God has placed within you to make a lasting impact on the world?In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with Bishop Dr. Gregory M. Fuller, Lead Pastor of Macedonia Church of Augusta, for a conversation centered on faith, spiritual leadership, vision, entrepreneurship, and the responsibility to empower others.Bishop Fuller’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to ministry, education, leadership, and community transformation. From answering the call to ministry at age 20 to earning advanced theological degrees and expanding the reach of Macedonia Church, his leadership extends beyond the pulpit into community outreach, organizational development, and initiatives designed to improve lives.As the founder of R.H.E.M.A. Connections Inc. and PastFull Ministries, Bishop Fuller demonstrates a commitment to connecting ministry with practical opportunities to serve individuals, families, and communities. His leadership also includes the development of the Macedonia Ministries Complex and the establishment of additional congregations throughout the Augusta area.Throughout this episode, we explore the principles of pastoral leadership, the importance of developing emerging leaders, the challenges of balancing personal responsibilities with ministry, and the opportunities for faith-driven leaders to embrace innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. We also consider the importance of community, the lasting influence of leadership, and the responsibility to prepare the next generation to carry the vision forward.At the heart of Bishop Fuller's philosophy is a powerful daily question:“What shall I do today?”His answer provides a meaningful perspective on purpose and service: empower the Body of Christ, impact the world, and trust in the strength that comes through Jesus Christ. He reinforces this message with an encouraging reminder: “And you can too.”This conversation challenges us to recognize that leadership is not simply about position, influence, or achievement. It is about understanding our calling, developing our potential, serving others, and using our opportunities to create meaningful change.About Our GuestBishop Dr. Gregory M. Fuller is the Lead Pastor of Macedonia Church of Augusta, an author, entrepreneur, and community leader. His work encompasses pastoral ministry, leadership development, nonprofit initiatives, and community outreach.Learn more about Macedonia Church of Augusta through its official website: https://www.macmin.org/Message Us!Support the show

On this episode of Forged by Design, we welcomed Dr. Jackson Drumgoole, Army veteran, university professor, executive life coach, and Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Builder Communities.With more than 20 years of experience in organizational change, leadership, and development, Dr. Drumgoole has dedicated his professional expertise to building organizations, developing leaders, and creating solutions to complex challenges. Recognized for his strategic leadership within the Department of the Army, he earned his Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California in 2023 and founded Drumgoole Family Initiatives to help at-risk youth and families thrive.Our conversation focused on The Village, an initiative designed to help young adults aging out of foster care transition into independent adulthood. Through furnished tiny homes and access to education, counseling, life-skills development, job training, and employment opportunities, The Village aims to provide more than housing. Its mission is to establish a foundation for long-term stability, personal growth, and self-sufficiency. Please visit their website: www.bridgebuildercommunities.orgWe explored the importance of community, belonging, and meaningful relationships in helping young adults navigate life's challenges while developing the confidence and responsibility necessary for independent living. We also discussed how businesses, community organizations, and strategic partners can contribute to creating opportunities and supporting sustainable outcomes.From a leadership perspective, Dr. Drumgoole shared the broader challenges of turning a vision into reality through strategic planning, partnerships, funding, accountability, and execution. The conversation highlighted the importance of balancing compassion with responsibility, ensuring that individuals receive meaningful support while being empowered to take ownership of their futures.Ultimately, this episode reinforced a central principle: lasting change requires more than good intentions. It requires vision, purposeful leadership, collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to developing people.As we look toward the future of The Village and its potential impact on Augusta, the message is clear: building stronger communities begins when we invest in people, create pathways to opportunity, and help individuals discover that their circumstances do not have to define their future.Message Us!Support the show

Augusta, Georgia, is experiencing a significant period of economic transformation—and this episode of Forged by Design takes listeners behind the scenes to understand how that transformation happens.In this conversation, Cal Wray and Justin Prince of the Augusta Economic Development Authority provide perspectives on the leadership, strategy, relationships, infrastructure, workforce development, and community collaboration required to attract and retain major investment in the Augusta-Richmond County.Augusta is more than a city known for The Masters. It is developing an increasingly interconnected economic ecosystem built around healthcare, higher education, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, military, logistics, technology, entrepreneurship, and international investment.The region's healthcare and medical assets include Wellstar MCG Health, Piedmont Augusta, Doctors Hospital, and Eisenhower Army Medical Center, while its educational foundation includes Augusta University, Paine College, Augusta Technical College, and the Medical College of Georgia. Its identity is also shaped by Augusta National and The Masters, James Brown's musical heritage, the Savannah River and Augusta Canal, historic neighborhoods, museums, theaters, festivals, and outdoor recreation.But what does it actually take to turn those individual assets into an economic ecosystem?That is where this conversation goes deeper.FROM VISION TO EXECUTIONCal Wray discusses his leadership of AEDA since 2017 and reflects on what he saw in Augusta when he arrived, what has changed, what surprised him, and how the community's economic-development strategy has evolved.The conversation explores what companies are seeing in Augusta that makes the region competitive with other Southeastern markets—including location, infrastructure, utilities, workforce, education, quality of life, cost of living, and access to major markets.Behind every announced project, however, is years of preparation. Land, utilities, sewer capacity, transportation, workforce availability, education, community involvement, and long-term infrastructure planning all have to align before a company can make a major investment.THE  INVESTMENTS SHAPING THE REGIONThe episode examines the broader impact of projects such as:Nemak Solutions — approximately $184 million investment and approximately 350 jobs.Syensqo — a major battery-materials facility with approximately 100 jobs.Aurubis — more than $800 million in overall investment and approximately 240 jobs associated with its Augusta expansion.Starbucks — approximately $293 million in overall investment and approximately 265–285 jobs.These projects illustrate a larger question: How does economic development translate into opportunities for workers, entrepreneurs, suppliers, manufacturers, families, and the community as a whole?AUGUSTA'S NEXT CHAPTERJustin Prince brings another perspective—what economic development looks like behind the scenes and how the next generation of companies and entrepreneurs is changing the conversation.The discussion moves toward technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, small businesses becoming suppliers to larger companies, and changing workforce expectations.A major focus is the emergence of the data-center and technology economy, including QTS and its planned investment in the Augusta region. The conversation examines how technology development could intersect with Fort Eisenhower, cybersecurity, workforce development, higher education, and Augusta's broader strategy for attracting technology companies.GROWTH REQUIRES LEADERSHIPEconomic growth also creates new responsibilities.As investment and population increase, Augusta must continually consider infrastructure, housing, transportation, utilities, workforce development, education, and quality of life. The question is not simply how to attract growth—but how to prepare for it before growth arrives.Message Us!Support the show

On this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, we sat down with Joseph Ricciardelli, Partner at Tecla Consulting Inc., an international consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with organizations across Europe, the United States, India, Mexico, and Russia. Joseph is also an Associate Professor in Master’s studies for Entrepreneurs at CUOA and has contributed to scientific and internationally recognized Lean publications and conferences.Our conversation went far beyond Lean tools, manufacturing systems, and operational performance. At the center of our discussion was Joseph’s book, The Human Factory—a powerful exploration of what happens when organizations focus so heavily on processes and performance that they overlook the people and relationships that make those systems work.Joseph shared his firsthand experience helping transform a company from near bankruptcy into an award-winning organization, emphasizing that sustainable transformation begins not simply with processes or technology, but with people.We discussed why Lean cannot be reduced to 5S, Kaizen, TPM, Value Stream Mapping, or waste elimination. Tools can improve processes, but they cannot by themselves create trust, accountability, ownership, or a culture of continuous improvement. Sustainable improvement requires developing people who can think, make decisions, solve problems, and take responsibility.A major theme of the conversation was the human side of organizations. When phrases such as “It’s not my job,” “It’s not up to me,” or “Who messed up?” become normal, an organization may still appear successful on the surface while quietly losing responsibility, trust, and its ability to respond. Joseph explains that some of the greatest losses within an organization aren't found in machines or processes—they are found within the system of relationships between people.The Human Factory challenges leaders to move from a culture of blame toward a culture of responsibility. It explores how organizations can identify hidden inefficiencies and defensive behaviors, rebuild professional relationships, develop autonomy and decision-making, and create organizations capable of remaining cohesive through crisis and change.We also explored a deeply personal question: Can people become so defined by their position, title, success, or organization that they lose sight of who they are? Joseph shared insights from his own experiences with adversity, failure, and rebuilding, reminding us that difficult seasons can shape us in ways that success cannot.Ultimately, this conversation is about leadership as the development of people. A manager can manage performance, but a true leader builds capability, trust, responsibility, and future leaders. The goal is not simply to create a more efficient organization—it is to create an organization where people themselves become the engine of continuous improvement.The message of The Human Factory can be summarized in one powerful idea:Organizations and People Evolve Together.If we want stronger organizations, we must develop stronger people. If we want sustainable improvement, we must build trust and responsibility. And if we want organizations that can withstand uncertainty, change, and adversity, we must intentionally build the human systems that hold them together.This episode of Forged by Design is ultimately a conversation about leadership, relationships, adversity, continuous improvement, personal transformation, and intentionally designing the person—and the organization—we are becoming.Message Us!Support the show

What happens when you look at an old or underutilized building and see not what it is—but what it could become?In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with John Hock, President of Hock Development Company, to explore the entrepreneurial mindset behind decades of industrial real estate development in the Augusta and CSRA region.John shares the story behind his journey into business and real estate, what it takes to recognize opportunity where others may see obstacles, and how calculated risk, resilience, and long-term thinking have shaped his leadership.Hock Development has spent more than four decades developing, owning, managing, renovating, and providing industrial space for businesses throughout the region. The company’s work includes manufacturing and distribution facilities, redevelopment opportunities, and build-to-suit projects designed around the operational needs of its customers.But this conversation goes far beyond buildings.John discusses the importance of understanding your customer, developing people, leading through uncertainty, recognizing opportunity, and defining success beyond financial achievement.We also explore the growth of the Augusta/CSRA business community and the opportunities available to entrepreneurs and future leaders who are willing to think differently and build with purpose.Message Us!Support the show

What if a house is not just a place to live—but a foundation for a better future?In this episode of Forged by Design, we sit down with McKenzie Beech, Vice President of Mission and Community Impact at Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity, (www.augustahabitat.org) for a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose, community, and the transformational power of affordable housing.Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has been serving the community since 1986, with a vision to build “strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.” But as McKenzie helps us understand, Habitat is building far more than houses. It is helping families build stability, pursue homeownership, develop financial knowledge, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for a better future.In our conversation, McKenzie shares what it means to lead with purpose, the lessons he has learned from families pursuing homeownership, and why meaningful community transformation requires something bigger than any one organization.It requires partnership.Volunteers, churches, businesses, donors, homeowners, community leaders, and neighbors all have a role to play. Through that collective effort, Habitat is helping transform the idea of a house into something much greater—a foundation for hope, dignity, stability, opportunity, and generational impact.And Habitat's work extends beyond construction. Through its Community Engagement Center, the organization provides residents with access to resources and educational opportunities, including financial literacy, digital literacy, healthcare information, and other community services. Its ReStore also helps support the mission while providing affordable home-improvement and household materials to the community.Perhaps one of the most powerful messages from our conversation is that doing good and doing business well are not opposing ideas. Leaders can learn from the nonprofit world about purpose, service, collaboration, and resourcefulness—and nonprofits can learn from business leaders about strategy, accountability, innovation, and execution.Message Us!Support the show

In this episode of the Forged by Design Podcast, Daniel Badillo sits down with Chuck McKee, founder of TrustVault®, for a meaningful conversation about trust, integrity, leadership, accountability, and the importance of proving who you are—not simply telling people who you are.Chuck brings a unique perspective shaped by more than 30 years of experience in finance, investigation, and leadership. For 20 years, he served as a Special Agent with the FBI, based out of the Atlanta Field Office in Augusta, Georgia. During his career, he led investigations involving public corruption, civil rights violations, identity theft, financial crimes, mortgage fraud, white-collar fraud, human trafficking, bank robberies, and counterintelligence. He also served on the Financial Crimes Response Team and led the Evidence Response Team.Before the FBI, Chuck spent a decade in corporate accounting, including working as a fractional CFO for small and mid-sized businesses and holding financial positions in public and private companies. His experience in financial systems and investigations helped shape his understanding of how critical credibility and trust are—especially when the stakes are high.From Investigation to TrustVault®In 2025, Chuck founded TrustVault® with a simple but powerful mission: to help people demonstrate that they are trustworthy through professional verification.TrustVault® goes beyond a traditional background check. Individuals begin with an online application and provide information and documentation supporting their personal and professional history, including references, education, employment, and other relevant background information.Once submitted, the information undergoes a comprehensive investigation conducted by licensed private investigators and often retired FBI agents. Using professional investigative tools and methods, the process is designed to create a more complete and accurate picture of an individual's background and credibility.Following the investigation, a formal adjudication process determines whether the applicant meets the criteria for certification. Those who qualify receive a TrustVault® Private Sector Clearance, which remains under the individual's control regarding how and when it is used.TrustVault® also offers different levels of credentialing based on the depth of investigation and the level of trust required. As professionals advance in their careers and assume greater responsibility, they can pursue higher levels of credentialing.Trust That Can Be VerifiedOne of the central ideas discussed during the interview is that trust should be more than a claim—it should be something that can be demonstrated.Through TrustVault® Access, members can securely share selected portions of their verified investigative information with authorized third parties. This may include verified references, education, employment history, or other professional validations. The member determines what information is shared and with whom, while access is temporary and read-only.For professionals, this creates another way to differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace. A résumé communicates what a person says about their experience. A TrustVault® credential is intended to provide evidence that certain aspects of their background have been independently investigated and verified.Building a Culture of TrustTrustVault® is also designed for businesses. Through TrustVault® Certified Businesses, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to high ethical standards and trustworthy hiring practices. Certified businesses can publicly highlight their designation while providing opportunities and benefits to TrustVault® members.The vision is to create a broader network where trust becomes an asset rather than an assumption—benefiting individuals, employers, clients, and professional relationships.Chuck's story also connects directly to the leadership principles explored on Forged by Design. His career demonstrates that leadership is not simply about position or authority. It is about integrity, accountability, credibility, responsibility, and the ability to make the right decisions when circumstances are difficult.The Bigger MessageAt the heart of this conversation is a message that extends beyond TrustVault®: trust is earned through what we do, not simply what we say.Chuck McKee's journey—from corporate accounting to FBI Special Agent, investigator, leader, and entrepreneur—illustrates how decades of experience can ultimately lead to a greater purpose. TrustVault® represents his effort to bring the lessons learned in high-stakes investigative environments into the private sector and establish a higher standard for personal and professional credibility.Message Us!Support the show

The Forged by Design Podcast had the extraordinary opportunity to sit down with Asian Brown, CEO and Owner of The Brunch House of Augusta, alongside his wife, Ashley Brown, for a conversation that went far beyond the story of a restaurant. It was a story about vision, faith, sacrifice, discipline, resilience, and the courage to build something meaningful when the circumstances seem anything but favorable.The Brunch House of Augusta began as a vision to create something different—a place where great Southern food, genuine hospitality, family, and community could come together around the same table. Today, that vision has become a thriving business serving Augusta and preparing to expand into Evans, Georgia.What makes their story particularly remarkable is when they chose to build it. The Browns stepped into entrepreneurship during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when many businesses were fighting simply to survive, they were willing to learn, adapt, sacrifice, and work relentlessly to turn an idea into a sustainable business.During our conversation, Asian and Ashley shared the realities behind entrepreneurship—the long hours, the sacrifices, the lessons learned, and the importance of understanding every aspect of running a restaurant. Their story demonstrates that success is rarely created overnight. It is forged through discipline, persistence, humility, and a willingness to keep learning.Behind that journey was also a strong foundation of family and faith. Asian's parents, Leroy Daniel Brown and Kimberley Brown, supported the family throughout the different seasons of the journey. Their belief that God would provide wisdom, direction, and strength became an important part of the foundation upon which the business continued to grow.Their website describes The Brunch House as a proud Black-owned, family-operated restaurant built on faith, hard work, and Southern hospitality—a place where guests are welcomed, valued, and made to feel at home. Their mission, “Family Feeding Families,” captures the heart of what they have built.And their vision continues to grow. With a new Evans location coming soon, The Brunch House is preparing to bring that same commitment to food, hospitality, and community to even more families.Message Us!Support the show