In this episode, Heather talks with Rob Hampton — teacher, entrepreneur, and all-around delight — about how he went from burnout to building something truly special in music education. Rob has taught everyone from four-year-olds to Fortune 500 CEOs, helped over 29 million guitarists, and built a career rooted in joy, grit, and real intention. 

They talk about building something amazing, helping everyday people have extraordinary experiences making music, student breakthroughs, AI, chronic pain, creativity, and one very specific grammatical hill Rob is fully prepared to die on. 

It’s smart, funny, thoughtful, and full of heart.

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In this episode, Heather talks with Walter Straham and Rosa Fossett-Gilbert of Kairos Prison Ministry about prison ministry, Kairos Outside, and the quiet weight carried by families and loved ones on the outside. This conversation goes beyond labels and assumptions into something much more human: dignity, compassion, second chances, and the power of simply being there.

Walter shares how one phrase — adding value — shaped his path into ministry with incarcerated men and youth. Rosa opens up about attending a Kairos Outside weekend as a guest before returning to serve women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration.

This is a conversation about grace in hard places, hope for people who feel forgotten, and why no one should have to carry pain alone.

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From her early years as a preacher’s kid and teacher, to writing songs the church still sings, Babbie shares what it means to stay rooted while the world keeps changing the packaging. Heather and Babbie talk about legacy, songwriting, grief, hospitality, mentoring, public ministry, private faith, and the kind of life that is built over time—with truth, faithfulness, and an open door.

Heather also shares a deeply personal connection: how a songwriting class with Babbie became part of her own grieving journey after the loss of her mother.

This is a conversation about more than music.
 It’s about healing.
 It’s about calling.
 It’s about creating from a place that reaches people.
 And it’s about what happens when a life of faith becomes a life of fruit.

We would love to hear from you!

This week on The Heather Petero Show, Heather welcomes Lisa Popeil, creator of the Voiceworks Method, for a rich conversation about voice, artistry, legacy, and impact. They explore Lisa’s unique family background, her years working at a high level in the music world, including time with Frank Zappa and “Weird Al” Yankovic, and the teaching philosophy that has shaped singers for decades.

It’s a thoughtful and engaging episode about excellence, expression, personal growth, and the ripple effect of a life poured into helping others find their voice.

Don’t miss this conversation with a woman whose influence reaches far beyond the spotlight.

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My guest is Bunni Pounds, and we’re talking about America Reads the Bible—a major public event in Washington, D.C. happening April 18–25, 2026, with an opening celebration on April 18 and a full week of public Bible reading at the Museum of the Bible from April 19 through 25. The event’s official materials describe nearly 500 readers and more than 475 leaders, with the reading livestreamed nationally on Great American Pure Flix.

But this conversation is about more than one event.

We talk about why reading great books still matters, why ancient texts still shape modern lives, and what happens to a culture when people lose the habit of reading deeply. We talk about the Bible not only as sacred Scripture for millions, but also as one of the most historically influential texts in the world—one that has shaped language, literature, art, ethics, and public imagination for generations.

We also talk about the importance of honoring the Hebrew Scriptures—not as a mere prelude, but as ancient, sacred writings treasured in Jewish tradition for millennia, carrying memory, poetry, lament, covenant, wisdom, and hope. This is a conversation about history, heritage, reverence, and why reading foundational texts out loud still matters in a distracted age.

And yes, this is a big event. Public materials for the opening celebration name Patricia Heaton, Candace Cameron Bure, and Cameron and BJ Arnett, while broader event coverage also names readers and participants such as Danny Gokey, Meredith Andrews, Chonda Pierce, Kathy Ireland, Jen Lilley, Kevin Sorbo, Colton Dixon, John Cooper, Kim Walker-Smith, Leeland Mooring, Jennie Lee Riddle, Dallas Jenkins, and Andy Erwin.

It’s thoughtful, rich, historically grounded, and deeply timely.

We would love to hear from you!

Cathy shares the story of her daughter, Christina “Tini” Semeria, who died in a tragic auto accident in 2016—an event that became national news at the time. But this episode isn’t about headlines. It’s about a daughter’s life, a family’s lived experience, and the kind of faith that can hold both grief and joy.

We talk about:

•  Who Tini was (the real her—full of personality, faith, and creativity) 
•  How a parent survives the unthinkable 
•  Why joy isn’t the same as happiness—and how joy can still exist in sorrow 
•  Tini’s original song “Be Still” and why her voice is still speaking 
• Warrior Moms: community for grieving mothers, plus the book Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior
•  What’s next: Tini’s 7th Annual Spark in the Dark 5K and how you can show up, donate, go virtual, or volunteer 

If you’ve ever loved someone through grief and felt helpless… this episode is your “do-something” moment.

Get involved / learn more:
Tini’s music + blog + legacy: https://christinasemeria.org/

Warrior Moms: https://warriormoms.me/

Spark in the Dark 5K registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Athens/TiniSemeriaSparkintheDark5kWalkRun

Instagram: @cathysemeria | @tinisparkinthedark

Until next time—stay creative and live on purpose.

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They talk about what it really takes to write something that lasts, why so many people misunderstand who actually writes the songs, and how originality survives in a world that constantly rewards imitation.

Bernie also shares from his book Honky Tonk Angels, giving a glimpse into the unseen side of country music—the writers, the rooms, and the stories that don’t always make it into the spotlight.

It’s honest, thoughtful, and full of the kind of perspective you only get from someone who’s lived it.

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In this episode, I sit down with the duo to talk about the messy middle—the real-life space where faith, family, and the artist hustle collide. We peel back the curtain on what it takes to build something honest together, keep showing up for the people you love, and make music that feels like a conversation you didn’t know you needed.

And yes… we also address the important issues: Abi’s Disney obsession and Matt’s highly questionable stance on exercise.

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In this honest and engaging conversation, they talk about the intersection of faith and fashion, the journey of building confidence, and what it really means to stop shrinking and start showing up fully as yourself.

With humor, real-life perspective, and a refreshing take on identity, Shaunee shares how embracing your individuality can change the way you live, create, and connect.

If you’ve ever struggled with confidence, comparison, or finding your place, this episode will remind you that who you are is not something to fix — it’s something to own.

We would love to hear from you!

They dive into the truth behind common vocal myths (whispering, dairy, hydration, screaming at football games… yes, all of it), what’s actually happening inside the voice when things go wrong, and why diagnoses like nodules are not the end of the story.

Whether you’re a singer, teacher, speaker, or just someone who uses your voice every day, this conversation brings clarity, confidence, and a little peace of mind.

We would love to hear from you!

Together, they talk about grief, faith, recovery, and what it looks like to keep going after the unthinkable — including the loss of a child — and how music can become a lifeline for people who are hurting.

You’ll leave reminded that healing is possible and you’re not alone.

Connect with Mark:
 officialmarkware.com | @mwaremusic

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They talk about what strategy actually means in real life, why so many business owners stay stuck in “busy,” how implementation is where the real magic happens, and what it takes to lead well without doing absolutely everything yourself. They also dive into faith, staying grounded under pressure, and how Mike turns chaos into systems that actually work.

It’s smart, practical, funny, and full of takeaways for anyone building something and trying not to lose their mind in the process.

We would love to hear from you!

What does it look like to retire after 34 years of shaping young musicians, only to start a whole new chapter as a songwriter and producer in a different country?

Today, I’m sitting down with David Henry, a man whose résumé reads like a roadmap of the music industry. From three decades as a legendary instrumental music director in Georgia to his work with Drum Corps International, David has spent a lifetime mastering the craft of performance and education. But he didn’t stop there. Throughout his career, he was a fixture in the Atlanta music scene—working in live sound, audio engineering, and as a studio musician at the iconic Real 2 Reel Studios.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Legacy of the Band Room: Reflections on 34 years of teaching and why the band room remains a vital "safe space" for students.

• The Leap to Ecuador: The "why" and "how" behind David’s 2021 relocation to Machalilla, Manabí, and what it was like settling his family (including two young girls) into a new culture.

• The Future of Sound: How David is using virtual instruments and AI production tools to write and record his upcoming album from his home studio in paradise.

• Full-Circle Moments: David’s current songwriting partnership with Mark Ware (a former student and classmate of mine!) and the launch of his new publishing company, 1° South – Paradise Productions.

Whether you're a former "band kid," a gear head interested in studio history, or someone dreaming of a major life pivot, David’s story is a masterclass in staying creative at any age.

We would love to hear from you!

We also dig into:

• Balancing leadership and creativity

• Why training isn’t just for kids or beginners

• The reality of being an independent artist today

• AI music vs. human storytelling

• And whether mastering a vocal run is harder than Black Friday at Dillard’s 😄

If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe it’s too late” or “I should’ve started sooner,” this conversation is for you.

🎶 New music is coming.
🎯 The dream is still alive.
🎧 Press play.

We would love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Heather Petero Show, Heather sits down with Lisa Renea Shaw—educator, author, language-lover, and founder of My Other Tongue—for a grounded, honest conversation about raising whole humans in a very loud world.

Lisa brings calm, clarity, and conviction to topics many parents feel overwhelmed by: bilingual education, confidence, faith, and the “soft skills” that turn out to be anything but soft—empathy, resilience, self-control, and belonging.

Together, they talk about:

• Why bilingualism is an asset—not a problem to fix

• The myth that kids get “confused” by multiple languages

• How storytelling opens doors that lectures never will

• Why hustle culture is stealing our kids’ confidence

• And how building simple systems can bring more peace to family life

This episode is thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly pressure-free—no PowerPoints, no shame, no panic spirals.

🎧 If you’re a parent, educator, or creative who wants education to feel more human and less frantic, this one’s for you.

Find Lisa at myothertongue.com and on Instagram @myothertongue.

Stay creative. Live on purpose.

We would love to hear from you!

Seth is proving you don’t need a massive Hollywood budget to tell a meaningful story. From film and digital storytelling to songwriting, vintage tech, and a deep love of the creative process, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how a young creator builds work with intention, discipline, and heart.

They talk about:

• Seth’s journey into filmmaking and media

• How music and songwriting shape his storytelling

• Working across film, editing, and AV production

• Why analog tools still matter in a digital world

• Creative taste, gear obsessions, food opinions, and real-life preferences

• What it actually takes to grow as an artist without losing your voice

It’s thoughtful, funny, and honest — with just enough mother-son banter to keep things interesting.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, musician, creative, or someone figuring out your next step, this episode is a reminder that great work starts with curiosity, patience, and a clear sense of purpose.

🎧 Listen in, and learn more about Seth’s work at peteroprod.com.

We would love to hear from you!

Smart, practical, and refreshingly clear, this conversation is for singers, teachers, and curious creatives who want real understanding—not vocal myths.

We would love to hear from you!

We would love to hear from you!