Episode 7

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Published on:

6th Aug 2025

From Lightning Strike Survivor to Changing Lives: Richard Rogers & Alberto’s Second Chance Story

Second chances, lightning strike survival, and overcoming adversity take center stage in this powerful episode of the Call Me Friend Podcast. Host Daryn Kagan welcomes Richard Rogers, a lightning strike survivor who faced death and lived to share his inspiring second chance story. Joined by Alberto, founder of West Texas Barber Academy, they share how second chances change lives and fuel missions of giving back. Just One More Foundation, founded by Richard Rogers, provides critical support to individuals like Alberto, helping him take his barber school to the next level through accreditation, barber school expansion.

Richard Rogers’ lightning strike survivor story is not just about survival. It is about transformation, service, and living with purpose. His second chance became the inspiration for Just One More Foundation, where he helps others like Alberto turn personal adversity into empowerment. Alberto’s Barber School offers affordable education, barber school accreditation, and training for aspiring barbers from underserved communities. Together, Richard and Alberto show how second chances ripple through lives and communities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How a lightning strike survivor turned adversity into a mission of giving back
  • The journey of West Texas Barber Academy toward accreditation and community impact
  • Why vocational education and trade school entrepreneurship are life-changing
  • The power of nonprofit support and second chance stories in underserved communities

If you’re looking for second chance stories, lightning strike survivor interviews, giving back inspiration, or insights into barber school accreditation and overcoming adversity, this episode is for you. Join us on the Call Me Friend Podcast for a conversation filled with heart, hope, and the power of giving back.

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Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Richard Rogers survival story: “It killed me. I was laying in the bed on fire dead.”
  • (01:00) Daryn introduces the episode and her unforgettable on air blooper
  • (05:18) Richard recounts the 1995 lightning strike that ended and restarted  his life
  • (08:45) A 14 year-old boy performs CPR and brings Richard back from death
  • (12:20) Richard’s hospital moment: “If I get another chance, I won’t live for me”
  • (16:10) The birth of the Just One More Foundation: turning a second chance into service
  • (20:30) Meet Alberto: raised without his father, finds purpose through barbering
  • (25:01) Surprise grant moment: Alberto reacts as Just One More gifts $6,823
  • (30:45) Alberto shares how the funds will help him get accredited and expand his school
  • (35:40) Richard and Daryn reflect on what makes someone worth betting on

Key Takeaways:

  • Second chances can transform lives far beyond the individual, as seen in Richard Rogers’ lightning strike survivor story.
  • The Just One More Foundation helps individuals like Alberto pursue their dreams by supporting his barber school accreditation and make education accessible.
  • Giving back creates a ripple effect that multiplies opportunities for entire communities.
  • Overcoming adversity requires resilience, faith, and a commitment to helping others rise.

About the Guest:

Richard Rogers is a lightning strike survivor who turned his miraculous second chance into a lifelong mission of service. As founder of the Just One More Foundation, Richard helps others overcome adversity and strike launch careers, including supporting Alberto’s Barber School in Lubbock, Texas. His lightning strike survivor story has inspired thousands, demonstrating how giving back transforms lives. Alberto, founder of West Texas Barber Academy, provides affordable barber education and is on a mission to gain full barber school accreditation to empower underserved communities through trade skills and entrepreneurship.

Resource Links:

Keywords

second chances, lightning strike survivor, overcoming adversity, Richard Rogers, Alberto’s Barber School, barber school accreditation, Just One More Foundation, giving back, inspirational stories, comeback story, community impact, trade school success, resilience, nonprofit spotlight, faith and perseverance, vocational education, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, empowering others, second chance stories, West Texas Barber Academy, lightning strike survivor story, second chance nonprofit, barber school success, giving back podcast, trade school education, overcoming adversity stories, Call Me Friend Podcast Daryn Kagan

Transcript
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About the Podcast

Call Me Friend
Who do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good biweekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters.

Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection.

Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be.

This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen.

Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique.

What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space.

Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call.

Go ahead, pick up the phone.
Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend.

About the Host:

Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend.

Just One More Foundation : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/
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Daryn Kagan