Growth by Insight
Growth by Insight is a podcast rooted in resilience and community. Through honest conversations with people who’ve overcome adversity, we explore what it means to rise above life’s toughest challenges and grow from them. The stories not only inspire but remind us of the power of connection, courage, and community. Whether it's surviving natural disasters, navigating a difficult childhood, or building something meaningful after hardship — these stories are meant to motivate you to keep going, get involved, and appreciate the strength in yourself and those around you.
Episodes
Drew Crawford is a private pilot who didn’t hesitate to step up during Hurricane Helene, flying critical supplies into devastated areas when others couldn’t.
In this episode, Drew shares what it was like navigating chaotic skies with increased air traffic, limited resources, and emotional weight from the destruction below.
He offers a rare perspective on the mental toll and risks of being a private pilot in the middle of a disaster, ...
Jim Artman is a former Army sniper with a new mission: building stronger, more resilient communities in Western North Carolina.
Through his work with Resilient Recovery NC, Jim is focused on sustainable disaster recovery and long-term environmental restoration.
In this episode, Jim shares how his organization is making a real impact and why community resilience and connection are more important than ever in the face of disaster.
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Kim and Portia from the McDowell Chamber of Commerce share how they stepped up to support their community after Hurricane Helene.
They discuss the devastating impact the storm had on local small businesses, many of which were destroyed or severely crippled.
In this episode, they highlight why shopping local is crucial for community recovery and why connecting with your local Chamber of Commerce can be a lifeline for small busines...
Mike shares the incredible story of being swept away while inside his cabin during Hurricane Helene.
Badly injured and alone, he faced the terrifying possibility that he might not survive.
This episode is raw, eye-opening, and a powerful testament to human resilience in the face of disaster.
This episode is sponsored by Edwards Family Farms NC:
https://www.edwardsfamilyfarmsnc.com/
My listeners get $10 off their first order with Edwards...
Most people weren’t prepared for what came after the storm, and that’s understandable.
But then there are those who are ready for almost anything. Off the grid. Growing their own food. Equipped with the mindset to not just survive, but thrive in the face of disaster.
Daniel and his family are those people. In this episode, Daniel shares what life was like after Hurricane Helene, and how he stepped up to help his community when they ...
After Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, Lake Lure was left unrecognizable.
Silt, sediment, propane tanks, mattresses, refrigerators…debris from entire homes filled the water.
In this episode, George shares what it was like to witness Lake Lure in the aftermath: surreal, unbelievable, and deeply disturbing. He’s joined by his partner Adam, and together they talk about how Helene didn’t just change the landscape, i...
If you’re a farmer during a disaster, who do you turn to when you can’t feed your animals?
What if nearby farms are struggling too, and no one has extra to give?
That’s where Disaster Relief Haulers steps in. They deliver critical farm supplies to disaster zones, making sure those hit the hardest get the help they need, and don’t lose hope in humanity.
Ryan and Levi detail what they experienced during Helene.
Guest'...
Imagine evacuating after Hurricane Helene… only to return and find strangers camping near your home, trashing the river, and denying locals essential supplies.
In this episode, Bat Cave Wade shares how he and his neighbors dealt with the outsiders and how they faired after Helene.
This episode is sponsored by McDowell Tech Small Business Center:
https://mcdowelltech.edu/small-business-center/
You’re cut off from the world—no power, no cell service, and every road around you is impassable.
What’s the first thing you do? Who do you rely on?
In this episode, Cody shares what he and his family went through during Hurricane Helene—floating caskets, heartbreaking loss, and what it means to survive when everything falls apart.
Dael and Mike, founders of V-Twin Foodies, started out riding their motorcycles across the region chasing good food and great eats. But when Hurricane Helene hit Western NC, everything changed.
They shifted gears—from restaurant stops to relief routes—delivering supplies to communities in crisis. In this episode, they share what it was like navigating devastated roads, helping strangers, and why they believe you shouldn’t wait for a...
Imagine being a nurse, volunteering at a field hospital after Helene. You're prepared to treat injuries—but nothing can prepare you for the emotional weight of what people are carrying.
Amanda didn’t just tend to wounds—she listened to stories of loss, held space for grief, and did what she could to help people start healing, inside and out.
In this episode, she shares what it was like to show up for others while holding back her...
Ivan and his neighbor were trapped at a local fire station—floodwaters made it impossible to leave. When the water started rising inside the station, they had no choice but to escape.
In this episode, Ivan shares his near-death experience, how the community came together during Helene, and what’s next for the Bee Log Community & Relief Center.
Guest's site:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Bee-Log-Community-Relief-Center/615731491...
Sue is the Executive Director at Books-Howell Retirement Community in Asheville. After Helene, her facility had no power, no running water, and a staff pushed to the limit.
She shares what it was like caring for hospice residents—figuring out how to wash them, their clothes, and linens with no basic resources. But the hardest part? Staying positive while carrying the mental weight of it all.
Guest's site:
https://www.brooks-howell.org...
Carol from Mountain Strong shares how her friends stepped up in a time of crisis—helping to run a field hospital, coordinating helicopter deliveries of life-saving supplies, and treating storm-related injuries. Now, through their nonprofit, they’re focused on something just as powerful: rebuilding community and restoring hope in Mitchell and Yancey counties.
Guest's site:
https://www.mountainstrong828.com/
Shane, the Sheriff of Yancey County, opens up about the immense pressure of protecting his community during Helene—while grappling with failing communications and the heartbreaking knowledge that several of his own family members had lost their homes. It was a test of duty, resilience, and heart.
Guest's site:
https://yanceycountysheriff.org/
Austin, a firefighter with the Black Mountain Fire Department, shares the challenges his team faced during rescue efforts after Helene. With communication systems down, roads blocked by flooding, and serious sanitation concerns, they had to navigate crisis after crisis to help those in need.
Guest's site:
https://edwardsfamilyfarmsnc.com/
My listeners get $10 off their first order with Edwards Family Farms when you use the cod...
Krissi, who works at a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in Burnsville, opens up about the emotional toll of Helene and how she copes with its lasting effects. She shares how the disaster has impacted her community—especially the children already facing challenges at home—and the ongoing efforts to support them.
Guest's site:
https://www.toerivercac.org/
After Helene, Jeramy stepped up to run an information hub in Marshall, NC, helping the community navigate the crisis. He shares how the small town came together in the aftermath—witnessing longtime rivals set aside their differences, forgive one another, and work side by side to rebuild.
Guest's business site:
https://www.nanostead.com/
Guest's nonprofit:
https://www.marshallrelief.org/
I sit down with Sophia from the Appalachian Rebuild Project (ARP) in Spruce Pine. She shares what it was like to witness her community’s destruction, how she and her family began helping their neighbors, and the story behind the creation of ARP.
Guest's Site:
https://www.appalachianrebuildproject.org/
Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/appalachianrebuildproject/?hl=en
Early on during Hurricane Helene, Stacie was alone, managing a farm and caring for two young children while her husband was away working for the fire department in a neighboring county. In this episode, she shares the hardships of facing the storm on her own and how the strength and support of her community helped her get through it.
Guest's site:
https://edwardsfamilyfarmsnc.com/
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