Her hope and humor are interweaved to encourage her listeners toward the knowing they are not alone in their struggles or circumstances. Talking about military challenges, family life, and everything in between, Summer offers a calming combination of funny one-liners and practical help to all who hear.
In a casual chat, we fashionably swiped on our lipstick, grabbed a hot cup of coffee, and talked about all the things! I can’t wait for you to meet her, hear her story, and find ways to connect with her through her show.
Let’s spill the tea, sis.
Q. Tell us about your military spouse story.
A. Well, I have a handsome soldier as a husband, and we have a million kids. I mean, we have four kids. We actually got married before he went in the military. I was finishing my degree and we had two small kids. My husband started feeling this overwhelming desire for drive and discipline. He wanted more and the military seemed like an amazing option. So, he enlisted in the army Reserves and trained to become a 12Romeo- an interior electrician. When he first left, he was gone for around six months, and we got our first taste of separation. We had a lot of support. For the most part, after he returned from training, life seemed to go on without too much interruption. Save the weekend drills and the two weeks of annual training, we were just living life. And then… we got deployment orders. At this point, we had doubled our kid count and the family support we had previously was gone. Family circumstances had changed and, while we speak, he is serving overseas.
Q. What is your show about?
A. The podcast is called “No, Seriously. How Do I Do This?” I had a meeting with my team, and I was given this opportunity to host a podcast about whatever I wanted the topic to be. I asked myself this question “What am I qualified to speak on?” I sat with this question for a really long time, and I realized I didn’t feel qualified to speak about anything. But, that’s what I wanted the podcast to be about. I wanted the podcast to be less about my listeners coming to me for the answers and more “seriously, how do I do this?” My team loved the idea and the title became “No, Seriously. How Do I Do This?”
The podcast, since its beginning, has been to have meaningful conversations around hard and light-hearted topics, to talk about the things we all experience. Especially, we focus on the things we don’t always feel free to talk about. We are willing to have the real, raw, conversations. I wanted to give my listeners the opportunity to have the freedom to engage in these conversations by going first. If I say “I’m struggling. I’m drowning. I don’t feel like I know what I’m doing.”
I can give people the permission they need to talk about how they are really doing.
Q. How did you get started in media?
A. Sincerely, it was an accident. I never thought I would be in radio. I wanted to be an actress. When Jesus found me, I wanted to be a missionary. I thought I was supposed to go other countries and work in the mission field. But I was very immature in my faith, and I was attending Moody Bible Institute. I had this passion for storytelling, and I ended up applying for a job at Moody Radio. It was literally the only position available. I started in the marketing department and, one day, someone heard me talk on the phone. They liked my voice and then, they found out I had a background in theater. Before I knew it, I was given so many opportunities to read or record. I was asked to voice this or that. So many doors opened. Before I knew it, I had a show in Chicago. Stay tuned because there are some new things coming this year too!
As we wrapped up our call, Summer left me with one parting thought. She said,
“All I did was remain faithful to the opportunities in front of me.”
As we begin the process of planning for new goals or bigger and better things in 2023, let’s try to remember that small consistent acts turn into long lasting impact. We can be faithful to the opportunities in front of us, even while we don’t know for sure where they will lead.
To keep in touch with Summer, or listen to her show, follow her on social @seriouslyhowpodcast, visit her website at summershepherd.com, or email her through her site to host her as a speaker.
Megan Brown is the Founder and Executive Director of MilSpo Co. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a Bachelor’s in Ministry Leadership, Megan currently serves as a military missionary. Her books, “Summoned: Answering a Call to the Impossible” and “Know What You Signed Up For: How to Follow Jesus, Love People, and Live on Mission” are published through Moody Publishers in Chicago. She is the 2016-Armed Forces Insurance Keesler AFB Military Spouse of the Year and lives in south Mississippi with her husband and four energetic kiddos. For more information about MilSpo Co. or upcoming mission trips, download the MilSpo Co. app in Google Play or the Apple istore.