All Episodes

October 9, 2025 • 23 mins

📣 Episode Description:

"What happens when a child raised in poverty, by a mother who couldn't read, becomes one of the world's most admired neurosurgeons?"

In this powerful and inspiring episode, Kent Hance sits down with Dr. Ben Carson, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, to explore the extraordinary journey of a man who defied every odd.

Dr. Carson shares how a TV game show inspired his decision to apply to Yale, and how a fellowship in Australia prepared him to become Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins by age 33. From performing groundbreaking surgeries—including hemispherectomies and intrauterine procedures—to leading HUD with a mission to promote self-sufficiency, Carson's story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of education.

Key Moments & Themes:

  • Early Life Challenges: Growing up in Detroit and Boston, facing poverty, family trauma, and academic struggles.
  • Mother's Influence: A third-grade education didn't stop her from instilling the value of reading and discipline.
  • Faith & Personal Responsibility: Carson's rejection of victimhood and embrace of personal accountability.
  • Medical Breakthroughs: First-of-their-kind surgeries, including saving conjoined twins and operating on babies in the womb.
  • Political Shift: From being one of CNN's "100 Most Admired People" to being excluded after entering politics.
  • American Cornerstone Institute: Carson's post-HUD initiative focused on four foundational principles—Faith, Liberty, Community, and Life.

Notable Quote:
"If the grass is greener on the other side, don't look." —Kent Hance
"God does not distribute talent based on race." —Dr. Ben Carson


📲 Call to Action:

If this episode moved you, challenged your thinking, or inspired you, subscribe to Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a review, share it with a friend.

 

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.