NEVER TOO LATE: Stories of Re-Invention (NTL)

🎙️ Guest: Faith Phillips — Novelist, Screenwriter, Producer, Citizen of the Cherokee Nation From corporate law to Hollywood and back to her Cherokee roots, Faith Phillips has lived a story of courage, creativity, and purpose. A novelist, screenwriter, and producer, Faith’s work illuminates justice, identity, and the healing power of storytelling. In this episode, Faith joins host Eric Cooter to share her remarkable journey — from leaving behind a successful law career to writing truth-driven stories that empower her community and amplify Native voices. Together, they explore how storytelling transforms pain into purpose and why it’s never too late to begin again...

Guest: Faith Phillips — Novelist, Screenwriter, Producer, Citizen of the Cherokee NationFrom corporate law to Hollywood and back to her Cherokee roots, Faith Phillips has lived a story of courage, creativity, and purpose. A novelist, screenwriter, and producer, Faith’s work illuminates justice, identity, and the healing power of storytelling.In this episode, Faith joins host Eric Cooter to share her remarkable journey — from leaving behind a successful law career to writing truth-driven stories that empower her community and amplify Native voices. Together, they explore how storytelling transforms pain into purpose and why it’s never too late to begin again.✨...

📝 Description:

What happens when a Fortune 500 executive trades boardrooms for a mission of healing, faith, and purpose?

In this episode of Never Too Late: Stories of Reinvention, Eric reconnects with longtime friend and former colleague Jacquie Fazekas-Varner — owner of Bama Health Foods, founder of Bama Wellness Advocacy, and a certified Health and Leadership Coach.

After 30 years leading in the corporate retail world, Jacquie felt a divine nudge toward something deeper — helping others live healthier, more faith-centered lives. Through her business, nonprofit, and bestselling books, she’s empowering communities to rediscover wholene...

📝 Description:

What happens when a Fortune 500 executive trades boardrooms for a mission of healing, faith, and purpose?

In this episode of Never Too Late: Stories of Reinvention, Eric reconnects with longtime friend and former colleague Jacquie Fazekas-Varner — owner of Bama Health Foods, founder of Bama Wellness Advocacy, and a certified Health and Leadership Coach.

After 30 years leading in the corporate retail world, Jacquie felt a divine nudge toward something deeper — helping others live healthier, more faith-centered lives. Through her business, nonprofit, and bestselling books, she’s empowering communities to rediscover wholene...

What if the things that scare or stretch you are actually invitations to grow?In Part B of my conversation with The Rev. Janie Koch, we continue to explore how faith, curiosity, and a willingness to be uncomfortable can open unexpected paths of calling and renewal. From disillusionment with the church to rediscovering joy in ministry, Janie’s journey is both funny and deeply human — a reminder that reinvention often begins when we stop playing it safe.💬 “If it frightens you, jump in; if it embarrasses you, you’ll learn from it.”That’s not just advice — it’s a roadmap for livin...

What if the things that scare or stretch you are actually invitations to grow?In Part A of my conversation with The Rev. Janie Koch, we explore how faith, curiosity, and a willingness to be uncomfortable can open unexpected paths of calling and renewal. From disillusionment with the church to rediscovering joy in ministry, Janie’s journey is both funny and deeply human — a reminder that reinvention often begins when we stop playing it safe.💬 “If it frightens you, jump in; if it embarrasses you, you’ll learn from it.”That’s not just advice — it’s a roadmap for living with cou...

What if the things that scare or stretch you are actually invitations to grow?

In this teaser from my conversation with The Rev. Janie Koch, we explore how faith, curiosity, and a willingness to be uncomfortable can open unexpected paths of calling and renewal. From disillusionment with the church to rediscovering joy in ministry,

Janie’s journey is both funny and deeply human — a reminder that reinvention often begins when we stop playing it safe.💬 “If it frightens you, jump in; if it embarrasses you, you’ll learn from it.” That’s not just advice — it’s a roadmap fo...

In this episode of Never Too Late: Stories of Reinvention, host Eric Cooter welcomes The Rev. Dr. John F. Toles — Episcopal priest, author, vintner, and storyteller — for a thoughtful conversation about transformation, calling, and the art of beginning again.John’s story spans boardrooms, vineyards, pulpits, and pages. Once an ambitious young businessman chasing wealth in Dallas, he walked away from it all in search of meaning — landing in the mountains of Montana, where faith and creativity found him again. From that turning point came a new life: nearly 20 years of priesthood and a writing career that produced the Father A...

In this episode of Never Too Late: Stories of Reinvention, host Eric Cooter welcomes The Rev. Dr. John F. Toles — Episcopal priest, author, vintner, and storyteller — for a thoughtful conversation about transformation, calling, and the art of beginning again.John’s story spans boardrooms, vineyards, pulpits, and pages. Once an ambitious young businessman chasing wealth in Dallas, he walked away from it all in search of meaning — landing in the mountains of Montana, where faith and creativity found him again. From that turning point came a new life: nearly 20 years of priesthood and a writing career that produced the Father A...

From golf pro to pilot, from marketing to healthcare leadership — McKenna Houston’s life is proof that curiosity can lead to incredible places. In this episode of Never Too Late: Real Stories of Reinvention, McKenna shares how following his interests — not just his plans — opened doors to unexpected careers and lasting purpose.If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change direction or rediscover what inspires you, McKenna’s story will remind you: curiosity isn’t just a trait — it’s a compass.LINKSiTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/never-too-late-real-stories-of-re-invention/id1841411138Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0AzeRDsgXGz...

From golf pro to pilot, from marketing to healthcare leadership — McKenna Houston’s life is proof that curiosity can lead to incredible places. In this episode of Never Too Late: Real Stories of Reinvention, McKenna shares how following his interests — not just his plans — opened doors to unexpected careers and lasting purpose.If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change direction or rediscover what inspires you, McKenna’s story will remind you: curiosity isn’t just a trait — it’s a compass.LINKSiTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/never-too-late-real-stories-of-re-invention/id1841411138Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0AzeRDsgXGz...

Part 2 – Finding Family and Fulfilling a Dream
In part two, Joe’s remarkable journey continues as he uncovers the truth about his American father, discovers two sisters he never knew existed, and ultimately leaves Germany for a new life in the United States. There, he finally realizes his childhood dream of becoming a professional pilot. This episode is a story of perseverance, identity, and the power of following your dreams — no matter how long it takes.

Part 1 – From Germany to the Skies (Joe’s Early Journey)

Born in Germany, Joe Engelmann’s story begins in postwar Europe — the son of a German mother and an American airman he never knew. In this first episode, Joe shares his early life growing up in Germany, his military service, and the two IT companies he built from the ground up. Through it all, a lifelong dream took shape — to become a professional pilot. Episodes 1 and 2 are stories you will not want to miss.

The Rev. Sarah Shirley shares her remarkable journey of reinvention, from nonprofit leadership to ordination to military chaplaincy and now, parish ministry in Mexico. With experience spanning the Air Force, higher education, financial coaching, and spiritual direction, Sarah brings wisdom for anyone navigating change, loss, and new beginnings.

🎥 Also Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/G_HzBCH84xc

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Joe’s story is one of resilience, discovery, and purpose. Born in Germany to a single mother and an unknown American father, he built a successful IT career, served his country, and eventually discovered his American roots.In this two-part conversation, Joe shares how he found his father, met his sisters for the first time, and fulfilled a lifelong goal — becoming a professional pilot.It’s a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your calling.🎧 Listen to both episodes wherever you get your podcasts.#Podcast #Leadership #LifeJourneys #CareerInspiration #PilotStory #ResilienceLINKSiTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nev...

“NEVER TOO LATE: Real Stories of Re-invention" podcast provides space share the stories of dream chasers, career changers, and people with the courage to reinvent themselves. With each episode I sit down with someone who has taken a leap, discovered a new path, or found joy in the unexpected. These conversations are about hope, resilience, and it reminds us that it’s never too late to "chase our dreams."

Welcome to the very first episode of Never Too Late. I’m your host, Eric Cooter, and in this episode I step into the guest chair to share my own story of reinvention.

Since the age of 15, I dreamed of being a professional pilot. But life took me down other roads first—corporate management, ordained ministry, and years of serving as a priest and diocesan leader in the Episcopal Church. Along the way, I carried both joy and heartbreak, success and setback, and always that quiet pull back to aviation.

Eventually, through courage, resilience, and a leap...

In this episode of Never Too Late: Real Stories of Reinvention, I sit down with my longtime friend Paul Scott, a fellow pilot whose journey in aviation has been marked by resilience, growth, and camaraderie. Paul and I first connected decades ago through flying, and our paths have continued to intersect in surprising and meaningful ways. Together we reflect on the lessons learned in the cockpit and in life—about trust, discipline, friendship, and finding new purpose when the winds change direction.

Join us for an honest and uplifting conversation about chasing dreams, navigating setbacks, and embracing rei...

What does it take to leave behind a successful career in public relations and step into the unknown world of chaplaincy, seminary, and church planting?In this episode of Never Too Late, I sit down with my friend and colleague, The Rev. Adrienne Hymes, whose journey is a powerful story of courage, faith, and reinvention. Adrienne spent more than a decade in the fast-paced world of PR and marketing in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., before answering a new call to ministry.From her work as a College Chaplain, to founding and leading the first Episcopal church in...