The Real Deal Conversations
The Real Deal Conversations
The Real Deal Conversations with Megan Deal shares real stories and meaningful conversations to encourage, inspire, and equip you for life's challenges—whether it’s mental health, relationships, work, or leadership. Through personal experiences and insightful discussions, Megan and her guests work to foster empathy, build connections, and remind you that you're not alone. New episodes drop every…Social links:
Kendal Dingus: Walking Through Childhood Cancer with Courage and Hope
What do you do when a persistent toddler stomachache turns out to be a parent’s worst nightmare? This week, Megan is joined by Nixa dad Kendal Dingus for a deeply moving conversation about faith, resilience, and walking his son Thatcher through childhood cancer. Kendal walks us through the terrify…
58:47
Casey Woods: Turning Failures into Stepping Stones and Handling Public Pressure
We often see head coaches on the sidelines under the Friday night lights, but what does it actually take to build a culture that survives public pressure, criticism, and constant change? This week, Megan is joined by Missouri State Football Head Coach Casey Woods for an authentic look at leadership…
1:05:45
Katie Gerwel: Breaking the Silence and Shame of Postpartum Mood Disorders
Bringing a baby home is supposed to be pure bliss, but what happens when the overwhelming emotion isn't instant joy, but intense anxiety, anger, or feeling completely checked out? This week, Megan sits down with licensed perinatal mental health counselor Katie Gerwel from Healthy Roots Counseling i…
51:56
Sara McCalley: You're Not Crazy... Your Hormones Are.
Have you ever gone to the doctor feeling completely overwhelmed, moody, or exhausted, only to be told "your lab work looks normal" or "you're just getting older"? This week, Megan sits down with nurse practitioner Sara McCalley to get real about hormones, health advocacy, and why your symptoms aren…
1:01:58
Dr. Chasity Arnold: Understanding How to Navigate Life’s Big Shifts
Ever step into a major life change—like pregnancy, an empty nest, or retirement—expecting pure relaxation, only to find yourself feeling disoriented, anxious, or wondering who you even are anymore? This week, Megan sits down with her personal counselor, Dr. Chasity Arnold from Touchstone Counseling…
50:07
John Perry: Changing Your Relationship with Failure and Hardship
Ever feel like your inner critic is winning the daily battle in your head? 🧠 We all want to improve, but with 70,000 thoughts a day throwing curveballs at us, how do we actually stay on track? This week, Megan sits down with Nixa head football coach John Perry and his wife, Stephanie, to talk abou…
1:14:04
Drew Williams: Leading with a Thick Skin and a Soft Heart
Leadership in today's divided world can feel like a total battlefield, and let's be honest—sometimes it's easier to just hide out from the critics. This week, Megan is joined by Drew Williams, the lead pastor at North Point Church, for a incredibly honest look at what it really takes to lead well w…
43:25
Cam Stillings: Investing in the Next Generation
Ever look at your teens or twenty-somethings and feel a massive generational disconnect? We worry about their screen time, but the truth is, 83% of Gen Zers are practically begging for a mentor—yet hardly any of them have one. This week, Megan chats with Cam Stillings, a middle school youth directo…
39:54
Hannah Laxton: Fighting for Your Marriage Instead of Against Each Other
In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations, host Megan Deal sits down with Hannah Laxton, a licensed counselor from Wellspring in Republic, Missouri, to discuss the internal work required to maintain a healthy and resilient marriage. Hannah breaks down the staggering reality that roughly 80% of…
1:00:57
Dr. Stan Tatkin: Designing an "All-Weather" Relationship
This episode of The Real Deal Conversations features Dr. Stan Tatkin, a world-renowned researcher and clinician who has revolutionized how we understand romantic relationships through the lens of neuroscience and biology. As the developer of PACT (A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) and …
1:17:11