The 1334 Podcast

Hosted by Blake Barlow

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The 1334 Podcast: where stories ignite change! It's not just a show, it's a movement for positive transformation in the nonprofit world. Each episode highlights causes that deserve attention, shining a light on voices that need to be heard.

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58 recent

September 7, 202617 min

The Truth About Homelessness in Albany, Georgia | Every Person Has a Story

Homelessness in Albany, Georgia is more complicated than the statistics make it seem. Rod Collins of People Helping People of Southwest Georgia joins the 1334 Podcast to talk about homelessness, human dignity, addiction, poverty, outreach, and the stories behind the people we often walk past.Rod and his team are on the streets every day, meeting people where they are and building relationships—not just handing out supplies and leaving. He shares the story of a young homeless woman who is working every day, trying to rebuild her life, and still sleeping outside. He also explains how one relationship with a homeless man led him to begin reaching others living in the woods and on the streets.This conversation challenges some of the assumptions we make about homelessness. Not every person has the same story. Not every person struggling with homelessness is there for the same reason. And behind every statistic is a human being with a history, relationships, struggles, hopes, and a story we may never know.Rod also shares his vision for Southwest Georgia: creating places where people experiencing homelessness can access basic necessities like water, food, showers, and community—and ultimately helping make Albany a better place.00:00 - Introduction00:27 - People Helping People of Southwest Georgia00:47 - What makes their outreach different?02:11 - Building relationships through simple acts of kindness02:42 - The story of a young homeless woman04:28 - Working while still homeless05:12 - Are homeless people really just addicts or mentally ill?06:08 - What Rod has learned from outreach07:04 - How People Helping People started08:52 - How long the outreach has been happening09:16 - Every homeless person has a different story10:23 - The stories behind Albany's statistics11:00 - Why some people choose homelessness11:43 - Why social media changes how we see homelessness12:31 - Giving homeless people a voice12:52 - What People Helping People needs right now13:33 - What homelessness has taught Rod about humanity14:14 - We all need food, water, support and love15:20 - How people can help16:35 - Rod's vision for Albany and Southwest GeorgiaIf you'd like to support 1334 Media and telling stories like this, visit:https://givebutter.com/1334media

August 31, 20261 hr 5 min

Why Smart People Still Fail: The Hidden Key to Great Leadership | Baylee Young

Emotional intelligence, emotionally healthy leadership, temperament, personality, self-awareness, Christian leadership, and healthy relationships are at the center of this conversation with Baylee Young. We talk about how to become an emotionally healthy leader, understand your temperament, manage your emotions, build better relationships, and grow in your faith without allowing emotions or personality to control your decisions.What does it actually mean to be emotionally healthy?Baylee Young joins the 1334 Podcast to talk about emotional intelligence, leadership, temperament, self-awareness, relationships, faith, and the ways we can learn to manage ourselves better.We talk about why emotional intelligence can matter more than intelligence alone, why anger is often a secondary emotion, and why some of the most capable people still struggle because they refuse to lean on other people.Baylee also explains the difference between temperament and personality and breaks down the five temperaments used in the temperament counseling she practices. We talk about how understanding the way you're wired can affect your leadership, marriage, friendships, family relationships, and relationship with God.The conversation eventually turns toward something much more practical: how to honestly assess yourself, receive criticism, identify your blind spots, use accountability, and make changes instead of simply blaming other people.We also talk about journaling, controlling your thought life, addiction and recovery, building healthy guardrails, and why nobody can really do life alone.If you're interested in emotional health, Christian leadership, personality and temperament, personal growth, relationships, or becoming a better leader, this conversation is for you.00:00 — Nobody Can Do Life Alone00:00 — What Is Emotionally Healthy Leadership?01:15 — Can Emotional Health Be Learned?01:48 — Is EQ More Important Than IQ?03:05 — Understanding Anger and Secondary Emotions04:31 — Breaking the Cycle of Thoughts, Actions and Emotions05:39 — Why Some Leaders Fall Apart06:57 — The Foundation of Emotional Health09:10 — The Lie High Performers Tell Themselves11:35 — What Is Temperament Counseling?12:29 — Understanding How We're Wired14:33 — The Five Temperaments16:18 — Inclusion, Control and Affection18:31 — Blended Temperaments26:55 — Healthy vs. Unhealthy Temperament28:48 — Temperament and Leadership29:08 — The Temperaments Explained Through Marvel Characters31:17 — How Your Temperament Affects Your Relationship With God32:56 — Knowing Your Strengths and Weaknesses34:44 — Understanding Other People35:57 — Temperament Testing in the Workplace37:28 — What Drives Different Leaders?43:53 — Loving People Despite Their Differences44:59 — Becoming the Person You Want to Become46:12 — How to Start Becoming Emotionally Healthier48:02 — Learning to Receive Criticism48:48 — Why Criticism Is So Difficult51:32 — Asking People to Expose Your Blind Spots52:36 — Temperament vs. Personality53:51 — When Your Personality Doesn't Match Your Wiring54:56 — Is Journaling Actually Helpful?56:29 — Taking Your Thoughts Captive57:47 — What the Psalms Teach Us About Processing Emotions59:13 — Addiction, Recovery and Support Systems01:00:45 — Why Nobody Can Do Life Alone01:02:04 — Church, Counseling and Accountability01:03:05 — Restructuring Your Habits01:03:31 — Boundaries and Building Guardrails01:04:35 — Questions for Baylee Young

August 24, 202659 min

Fighting AI data centers in small town America | Albany Georgia

What happens when ordinary people finally realize they haven't been paying attention? In this conversation, Lauren Dorminey talks about secret rezoning, AI industrilization, and the harms of data centers.She talks about the moment she realized how important it is for people to become involved in their local communities and government—and what happens when communities begin pushing back.We also get into the rapid growth of AI and the technological changes coming with it. Lauren argues that humans may eventually reject some of the technology that is replacing real human interaction, from automated customer service to increasingly impersonal businesses.But underneath all of it is a bigger question:What happens when technology moves faster than our communities, our institutions, and our ability to decide what kind of world we actually want?Lauren believes there will eventually be a push toward preserving humanity, jobs, education, and meaningful human connection.And perhaps most importantly, this conversation is a reminder that you don't fight something because you know you're going to win.You fight it because it's worth fighting for.---If you'd like to support 1334 Media and help us continue telling stories like this, visit:https://givebutter.com/1334media#AI #DataCenters #Community #Technology #ArtificialIntelligence #LaurenDorminey #1334Media

August 17, 202650 min

The Truth About the Quiet Revival: Why Young People Are Running Back | Jaden Myler

In this episode of the 1334 Podcast, I sit down with Jaden Myler to talk about something happening among young people that isn't always visible on social media: a growing hunger for Jesus, authenticity, truth, and something deeper than what modern culture is offering. Jaden believes we're seeing a revival—not necessarily the loud, highly visible kind, but a quieter movement of people opening their Bibles, asking questions, seeking genuine community, and running toward Jesus. We also talk about something much more personal: purpose. Why do so many people feel like they're meant to do more? How do you know whether something is God's calling or simply your own ambition? And what happens when you know what you're supposed to do but you're too afraid to actually start? Jaden shares how it took her nearly two years to finally begin her podcast because she was afraid of being seen, judged, and failing. She also talks about looking back at her younger self and realizing that God wasn't finished with her—even when she thought she was too broken to be used. One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is simple: You don't have to understand the entire journey before you take the first step. Sometimes finding your purpose begins with something as simple as loving God, loving people, serving others, and being willing to say yes. If you've ever wondered what your purpose is, felt like you've missed your calling, or been afraid to take the next step, I think this conversation is for you. Tags: Christian podcast, Christian podcast 2026, quiet revival, revival in America, young people and Christianity, Gen Z Christianity, Gen Z revival, young Christians, faith podcast, Christian faith, finding your purpose, God's purpose, Christian purpose, following God's calling, hearing God's voice, Christian testimony, Christian encouragement, Christian motivation, Jesus Christ, Christianity, Bible, Christian women, authentic Christianity, faith and social media, Christian social media, 1334 Podcast, Jaden Miller, New Day Podcast, Christian revival

August 10, 202656 min

Human Trafficking 2026: Glori Coronati Exposes the Truth

Human trafficking doesn't always look like a kidnapping in a parking lot.Sometimes it looks like a child sitting in the same classroom as yours.Sometimes it begins with addiction, family dysfunction, neglect, an abusive parent, or a stranger who finds a vulnerable child online. And sometimes the victim doesn't even understand that they're being trafficked until years later.In this episode of the 1334 Podcast, Glori Coronati from Free Indeed joins me to expose what human trafficking actually looks like in Albany, Georgia, rural communities, and across America.Glori shares what she's learned from helping trafficking survivors escape dangerous situations, including why victims often can't simply "leave," why getting someone physically away from their trafficker can be critical to long-term recovery, and what happens when someone needs to be rescued immediately.We talk about:• Why Hollywood's version of human trafficking can make victims harder to identify• How trafficking can begin through family members or romantic relationships• How traffickers exploit vulnerable children online• Why victims don't simply "leave"• What an emergency rescue actually looks like• Why survivors sometimes need to be transported far away from where they were trafficked• The importance of safe-home programs• Justice, forgiveness, and the people who commit these crimes• What recovery looks like after someone escapes• Survivors graduating safe-home programs and building new lives• How ordinary people can actually helpOne of the most powerful stories Glori shares is about a survivor who had been praying for God to send her a "basket" to rescue her from her situation.When Glori and several organizations finally got her out using an armored vehicle, the survivor looked around and said, "This is my basket."It's a powerful picture of what rescue can look like.Glori also explains how Free Indeed had helped its 15th girl reach a safe home since January at the time of this recording, and why something as simple as a brand-new pair of black athletic pants can become part of a survivor's first step toward healing.If you've ever thought human trafficking was something that happened somewhere else, this conversation is for you.The problem may be bigger than any one person can solve.But every survivor is one person.And every person matters.**00:00 — The reality of human trafficking****01:00 — Why misconceptions about trafficking are dangerous****02:00 — Justice, forgiveness, and traffickers****04:00 — When family members become traffickers****07:00 — How close is the average American to trafficking?****10:00 — What ordinary people can actually do to help****11:25 — What an emergency rescue looks like****14:00 — The cost of getting survivors to safety****18:00 — Building a nationwide network of resources****20:00 — What makes the work worth doing****20:30 — Survivors graduating and rebuilding their lives****23:00 — Seeing survivors experience the happy moments of life****25:00 — Finding joy while doing difficult work****27:20 — The survivor who prayed for a "basket"****30:30 — A woman trafficked from childhood****35:00 — Addiction and human trafficking****37:50 — How traffickers are using the internet****39:00 — How predators identify vulnerable people****40:00 — How you can help****40:20 — Why brand-new clothing matters****44:30 — 15 survivors helped since January****45:00 — Why victims don't simply leave****47:00 — When someone was never given a first chance****51:30 — Why rescue requires more than a quick fix****52:25 — Why distance can make a difference****53:10 — How few trafficking survivors are actually identified****54:00 — Why every individual life matters**

August 3, 202630 min

The Homeless Crisis Nobody Wants to See In Small Town America | Albany Georgia | Junie Turner

Most people think they understand homelessness.Drugs. Bad decisions. Laziness.But what if we've been looking at the problem completely wrong?In this episode of the 1334 Podcast, Junie Turner from People Helping People shares what she's learned after spending countless hours meeting people exactly where they are. From veterans who refuse to leave their community, to parents who lost everything after one medical emergency, this conversation reveals the human stories hidden behind the statistics.We discuss:• Why homelessness is about more than housing• The role mental health plays• How compassion has changed in our communities• Why every homeless person has a different story• What real outreach actually looks like• Practical ways you can helpThe question isn't whether homelessness exists.The question is whether we've stopped seeing the people living through it.If you'd like to support People Helping People or get involved, please reach out to their organization directly. To give you can visit: Cashapp - PeopleHPeopleGo fund me - gofund.me/junie-well-14aprSubscribe for more conversations that humanize difficult issues and challenge the way we think.

July 27, 202658 min

Inside Georgia's Family Court Crisis Kitty Mayo Exposes What Happens to Children Behind Closed Doors

What happens when the very system designed to protect children becomes part of the problem? In this episode of the 1334 Podcast, Blake sits down with Kitty Mayo, founder of Georgia Protective Parents, to discuss what she says is happening inside Georgia's family court system. From guardians ad litem and reunification programs to legislative reform and protecting vulnerable children, Kitty shares her family's personal story and explains why she has dedicated her life to advocating for change. Whether you work in child advocacy, law, public policy, or simply care about protecting children, this conversation raises difficult questions about accountability, trauma, and the role of family courts. If this episode challenged you, consider sharing it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more conversations with leaders, nonprofits, and people creating meaningful change.

July 20, 202615 min

The Hidden Crisis in America: Families Living Without Grocery Stores Albany Georgia Food Deserts

Millions of Americans don't struggle because they don't want to eat healthy. They struggle because healthy food simply isn't available. In this documentary, we travel to Albany, Georgia, where entire neighborhoods have become food deserts—communities where families have little or no access to fresh groceries. For many residents, getting to a supermarket means waiting on buses, relying on family members, or simply settling for whatever the nearest convenience store has on the shelf. But one organization refused to accept that reality. The Better Way Grocers created a mobile grocery store that brings fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and hope directly into underserved communities. What started as a bus has become something much bigger: a reminder that solving problems often begins with meeting people where they are. This isn't just a story about food. It's a story about dignity, service, health, and loving your neighbor in practical ways. If this story encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who believes communities can change when ordinary people decide to act.

July 13, 20261 hr 6 min

The Truth About Kratom & 7-OH | Former DEA Task Force Officer Eddie Burgess

A product sold in gas stations across America is raising serious concerns among law enforcement, addiction recovery advocates, and families.In this episode, Lee County Chief Deputy Eddie Burgess—an 18-year law enforcement veteran and former DEA Task Force Officer—breaks down what 7-OH (7-Hydroxymitragynine) is, how it differs from traditional kratom, why it has become so controversial, and what he's witnessed firsthand throughout the opioid epidemic.We discuss addiction, overdose, legislation, personal responsibility, recovery, parenting, and why awareness may be the most important first step.Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation is meant to inform—not inflame. More than anything, though, this conversation goes back to the heart of why 1334 Media exists.My heart has always been for the small nonprofit that doesn't have a communications team, a legal department, or a network of experts they can call whenever a new issue arises. Many of the organizations we serve work directly in addiction recovery, human trafficking prevention, foster care, and other spaces where this issue is already becoming very real. They're often the ones meeting people at their lowest moments, long before the rest of the world realizes there's a problem.Not everyone has the opportunity to sit across the table from a former DEA Task Force Officer and spend an hour asking questions. In this moment, I did, and I felt a responsibility to share that conversation. I wanted the recovery organizations, the anti-human trafficking nonprofits, and the community leaders we serve to hear the legal perspective from someone who has spent nearly two decades on the front lines. Whether you ultimately agree with every conclusion or not, understanding how experienced law enforcement sees this issue is valuable.If this conversation helps one nonprofit recognize a growing trend, equips one recovery ministry to better serve the people walking through its doors, or helps one family avoid a painful mistake, then it was worth having.Sometimes the most important stories aren't the ones that make us comfortable.They're the ones that prepare us to better serve the people who need us most.👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share if you think more people need to hear this.kratom, 7-OH, 7-hydroxymitragynine, gas station heroin, opioid crisis, addiction, recovery, fentanyl, heroin, DEA, law enforcement, Eddie Burgess, drug education, drug policy, opioid addiction, Georgia, gas station drugs, substance abuse, parenting, public safety, overdose, recovery stories, crime, legislation, kratom dangers, addiction awareness, podcast, 1334 Podcast, drug enforcement, mental health, opioid epidemic, community safety, interview, current events

July 6, 202615 min

Three Lives Transformed: The Strive to Thrive Story

Welcome back to The 1334 Podcast. This week we're sharing an archived episode featuring three powerful, real-life stories from Strive to Thrive — a community program helping people become financially free and, in their words, just free in general.The first story follows a man who, at 24, found himself homeless with three kids after his parents separated, growing up on a street known for its hardship. Out of the workforce for years, he reached a point where he simply said, "I need help." Through Strive to Thrive's coaching, goal-setting, and a "readiness account" savings program, he increased his income, got hired, saved toward closing costs, and became a homeowner in a fully renovated house.The second story comes from a single mother who was making roughly $600 a month and felt stuck. A friend encouraged her to join the program, and a simple piece of advice stuck with her: ask for help while you need it, because you won't need it forever. She talks about the program's philosophy — not just "teaching a man to fish," but teaching him to fight, building skills that create a transgenerational legacy. She later became a coordinator for the program herself, helping others the way she was once helped.The third story follows a young woman who moved away to continue her education, became a pharmacy student, published research, and was nationally recognized for patient counseling — crediting the determination and mindset she built through the program for getting her there.A fourth voice closes the episode, sharing how the program helped her secure housing through the Albany Housing Authority and a job opportunity that opened doors to further education, reflecting on how relationships and trust — not just resources — are at the heart of breaking the cycle of poverty.🔗 Learn more about Strive to Thrive and how the program helps people build lasting financial independence.If these stories moved you, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that things can change.Topics covered: financial literacy, homeownership, single parenthood, generational poverty, community mentorship, and personal transformation.