In today's episode, Dr. Jay McCracken, a neurosurgeon, discusses his career and insights into the challenging yet rewarding field of neurosurgery. He explains his initial interest in medicine, spurred by an influential orthopedic surgeon during his high school years, and his eventual shift from orthopedics to neurosurgery during medical school, attracted by the brain's complexity and the dynamic nature of the cases. Dr. McCracken outlines his educational path, including significant life events that shaped his decisions, like his mother's illness. He describes the progression of surgical training, from observing to performing intricate surgeries independently, emphasizing the importance of industry collaboration in advancing medical technologies. Additionally, Dr. McCracken shares his daily workflow involving multiple surgeries and the balance he maintains between his intense professional life and personal interests, like golf and family activities.

👉 Host: Jeff Hopeck. To learn more about my work and the conversations I care about, find me at @HeyDadCanWe

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To learn more about my work and the conversations I care about, find me at @hey_dad_can_we

James Alford reflects on a long, “wonderful” life that began in poverty and heavy responsibility as the eldest child on a Mississippi farm. He joined the Army at 17½, serving in the post-WWII occupation and later Korea, traveling across the Far East and briefly working around General MacArthur. A devout Christian and staunch patriot, he believes America was founded as a Christian nation and centers his “five loves” on God, family, nation, anthem, and flag. After the military he built a career in commercial art and advertising, starting at Coca-Cola and eventually running a successful agency with major accounts. Golf and business connections brought friendships with generals, executives, golf legends, and entertainers. He also cherishes his Civil War–era family history, which he recorded in a book. Now widowed and aging, he remains grateful, despite the nation’s troubles today, confident he’ll be reunited with his wife and loved ones in heaven.

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To learn more about my work and the conversations I care about, find me at @hey_dad_can_we

🎙️Host: https://www.instagram.com/hey_dad_can_we/

In this Interesting Humans episode, guitarist Paul Harrigill shares his inspiring journey from humble Louisiana roots to touring the world with Josh Turner. Raised in a pastor’s family steeped in gospel and bluegrass, Paul began performing at age five and formed The Harrigill Family Band by age ten. After dropping out of high school to pursue music full-time, he joined the acclaimed bluegrass group Flat Lonesome, where he met his wife, Kelsey. Together, they earned record deals, major awards, and national recognition before stepping away from touring life to focus on family. Paul reflects on struggles with self-doubt, faith, and financial hardship before receiving a life-changing call in 2020 to join Josh Turner’s band — just before the pandemic hit. His story is a testament to perseverance, humility, and unwavering belief in the power of music and family.

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To learn more about my work and the conversations I care about, find me at @hey_dad_can_we