Middle Class Matters

In this compassionate episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with the founders of Hope and Healing Abortion Recovery, women who bravely share their personal stories of abortion and the journey to healing through Christ.

Many women suffer silently after abortion, including those sitting in church pews week after week carrying guilt, shame, and grief they’ve never voiced. Through storytelling, peer support...

In this heartfelt episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down with Waco-based licensed psychotherapist Hannah Short, LCSW, to talk about something many women experience but few openly discuss — postpartum depression.

While welcoming a baby is often expected to be joyful, nearly 1 in 8 women in the United States experience postpartum depression, according to the CDC. Many suffer quietly, feeling guilt, shame, ...

In this powerful episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down with author, entrepreneur, and speaker Paul Lamar Hunter, whose life story proves that circumstances do not define destiny.

As the 19th child out of 21 children, Paul grew up surrounded by poverty, dysfunction, and emotional neglect. Despite overwhelming challenges and painful childhood experiences, he became the first in his family to graduate from...

Human trafficking isn’t just something that happens far away, it exists in communities across America, even in places we call home.

In this powerful episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down with Bronda Hays with Unbound Now, an organization leading the fight against human trafficking through victim identification, survivor care, justice advocacy, and community education.

Bronda shares how trafficking oper...

In today's deeply moving episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brook sit down with Mary Beth Talley, a survivor of the 1999 mass shooting of Wedgwood Church and an author of the new memoir Not Bad, Just Different.

At just 17 years old, Mary Beth endured unimaginable trauma. Now, twenty-five years later, she shares her journey of faith, healing, and resilience, and how God transformed her pain into purpose.

This co...

In this moving episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with Janice Johnson Dowd, an author, Licensed Medical Social Worker, mom, and recovering alcoholic to share a story of loss, healing, and hope.

Janice grew up around addiction and was determined to create a different life for her own family. But in her 40s, what began as casual social drinking with friends quietly turned into a battle she never expe...

In this deeply moving episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with George, a devoted son, caregiver, author, and advocate in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. His book, A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate, is a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Sharon, his best friend and inspiration, and a powerful call for awareness, understanding, and hope.

As nurses, Brooke and Renae ha...

For middle-class families, our pets aren’t just animals — they’re part of the family. They’re there for the big moments, the quiet evenings, the hard days, and everything in between. They listen without judging, love without limits, and leave paw prints on our hearts that last a lifetime.

In this special episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down with a veterinarian for a thoughtful, comforting, and eye-ope...

In this powerful episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down with Mark Kneebone, a former law enforcement officer, recovering alcoholic, and host of the Steel City Round Table Podcast. Mark shares his journey through PTSD, severe depression, and addiction — struggles often hidden behind the badge.

From rock bottom and suicidal thoughts to inpatient treatment and early sobriety, Mark speaks honestly about tra...

In a world that’s busy, distracted, and often rushed, teens can be left feeling unheard, misunderstood, and alone. In this heartfelt episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down with author, mentor, and youth advocate Josh Cordell, whose book With Changes Everything draws on his experience walking with more than 5,000 teens to learn how presence, trust, and connection really work.

Josh shares stories from th...

In this powerful episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with Brittney Garrett, a Central Texas mom whose life changed in an instant when a crash sent her nearly 60 feet into freezing water during a storm. She survived the accident—but the trauma led to years of PTSD, addiction, and despair.

Today, Brittney is sober, restored, and walking in the healing she once thought was impossible. Her story is a pow...

When your child is struggling with chronic illness, developmental challenges, or conditions like autism, ADHD, or PANDAS/PANS, the healthcare journey can feel overwhelming—and often discouraging. In this episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke & Renae sit down with Jana Roso, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in functional medicine, to talk about what it really means to treat the root cause instead ...

When aging parents or grandparents begin to struggle, families face some of the hardest decisions of their lives—safety, dignity, independence, memory loss, and the fear of “doing the wrong thing.” In this heartfelt episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with registered nurse Laura Painter, owner and operator of The Residency at Ridgewood in Waco, Texas.

Together, they talk openly about when it’s time t...

As we move through 2026, many middle-class families are beginning to see signs of economic stabilization, even while still feeling the impact of higher costs from recent years. In this episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down for a thoughtful, faith-centered conversation about what’s happening now and how families can move forward with wisdom and confidence.

Together, they talk about the new tax laws affe...

Life can drain us—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In this refreshing episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with Shaunta, a representative from I-Vit Hydration Lounge in Downtown Waco, to talk about the importance of hydration, balance, and self-care. From IV vitamin therapy to immune support and post-workout recovery, Shaunta explains how nourishing your body can uplift your mind and spirit.

...

In this deeply moving episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with Texas author and speaker Roseann Mayer, who bravely shares her story of surviving years of emotional, spiritual, and physical abuse—all while appearing to be part of a normal, churchgoing family.

Week after week, Roseann sat in the pews wondering if other women were suffering in silence too. When she finally found the courage to leave, sh...

What happens when a secret buried for decades is brought to light—through a DNA test? In this powerful episode of Middle-Class Matters, we sit down with Carole, a brave and faith-filled woman who became pregnant as a teenager and made the heartbreaking decision to place her baby for adoption. Now, at 80 years old, Carole’s daughter has found her… and what happened next is nothing short of a miracle.

Join us as we unpack Ca...

Thinking about buying your first home? Or maybe you’re ready to sell and move on? In this episode of Middle-Class Matters, Renae and Brooke sit down with real estate broker Reagan, who walks us through everything you need to know about the buying and selling process—from staging your home and setting the right price, to understanding inspections, loans, credit, and taxes. Packed with faith, facts, and that good Southern ch...

After a heartbreaking battle with infertility and a failed IVF attempt, Jana turned to foster care—where God gave her not just one, but six children through adoption. In this powerful episode of Middle-Class Matters, Brooke and Renae sit down with Jana as she shares her emotional journey, the high cost of infertility, and the unexpected blessings that came from trusting God's plan. If you’re in a season of waiting, this st...