Hi, everyone. Welcome back to the generous girl podcast. I am thrilled to have an amazing guest with us today named Rion Paige. And she is no stranger to combining her story as a singer and a songwriter with the stage. At age four, Rion began singing in the backseat of her mom’s car. And at birth, she was diagnosed with AMC causing the curvature of her joints in her hands. But this diagnosis did not hold her back. She was encouraged by her mom that she could do anything, and she set her mind to knowing that the lord had a purpose to use our gifts for his glory. Rion felt called to share her voice and story to others and to provide hope. After coming in 5th place on Simon Cal’s the X factor and inspiring millions of viewers, she knew that there had to be more. This only amplified her calling to communicate to others that god has a plan for every life, something that Rion would not have known without the support of her mom, who gave birth to Rion when she was only nineteen. When Rion went to college, she reflected on how much she loves spending time on the road serving nonprofits across the United States. And throughout this time, she also reflected on how advocacy was such a huge part of her educational journey. And for Rion, the perfect way to combine these two worlds was social work. So at the young age of twenty three, Ryan just got her masters of social work. So congratulations, Rion.
Rion Paige [00:02:03]:
Thank you so much. I’m so excited to be here on the podcast with you. Thank you for having me.
Kim Moeller [00:02:07]:
100%. You are welcome because I let I was able to hear you sing at a gala that I attended with my husband in Encinitas, California a few months back. And you were singing for a group called Save the Storks, which is a pro life, pregnancy group out of Colorado Springs. And you just had such an incredible story and such an incredible voice. And I thought you are perfect guest to be on the podcast because you are living such a generous life in sharing your gifts and your talents. And I thought, you know, all those hundreds people that were in that ballroom got to hear your story that when you’re on podcast, so many more people get to hear the story. So that’s why just so grateful that you’re here today. So thank you again.
Rion Paige [00:02:54]:
Yes. I am so excited to be able to talk to you.
Kim Moeller [00:02:57]:
Well, let’s catch all the listeners up then about who you are. So just prior to us getting together right now, you were telling me you’re just getting settled in Nashville and recently got married. So congratulations as well.
Rion Paige [00:03:10]:
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Kim Moeller [00:03:12]:
And your husband, I believe, has 1 week left in his MBA?
Rion Paige [00:03:17]:
Yes. Oh my goodness. We’ve been quite the school, the school couple. So we’re we’re really, really excited to just be, walking in and not having any night classes left. So that’s a huge highlight. You need to highlight.
Kim Moeller [00:03:28]:
You can enjoy your time together and not have to study. That’s so great.
Rion Paige [00:03:33]:
Yes. Absolutely.
Kim Moeller [00:03:34]:
Well, why don’t we tell the listener about who you are with your upbringing and more about your story. We I mentioned briefly you were diagnosed with AMC, but I’d love for you to unpack that, unpack that and also share how that led you to doing what you’re doing today with your masters of social work?
Rion Paige [00:03:54]:
Absolutely. So, when I was born, As Kim said before, I was born with AMC, which stands for arthrogryposis, multiplex Congintia, amiapalasia. So if you guys wanna say that one five times faster in your car, wherever you’re listening, you might have a bit of a tongue twister on your hands. And I definitely knew that to be my normalcy. I saw a lot of the kids around me when I was younger who, had hands that looked quite different than mine, but honestly, it did not completely process that my hands are really different until I was older because it was what you know, my everyday looked like. And, when I was born, my hands were, curved at the wrist, so they’re in a rotated I have feeling in my hands, but not the best grip strength and, putting my arms above my head is difficult, performing activities daily living can be very difficult, like brushing my hair or something my husband does for me. Getting dressed can be difficult unless it’s like the literal perfect clothing items. So I know you girls listening, know what it’s like to go shopping for clothes, but for me, it is like a cool fiasco But, and, definitely, my husband Josh gets weird looks as he’s, like, standing there waiting and trying
Rion Paige [00:05:06]:
to help me. I’m like, don’t worry. I’m like, this is I’m like, I just really need help. I’m out here struggling,
Rion Paige [00:05:11]:
but, I’ve been very grateful, to have a supportive family, supportive husband, honestly, to be able to be a part of my journey of having a hand difference. And, honestly, I wouldn’t, you know, change it for the world. And when I was younger, I can even remember being, you know, going into kindergarten and, here in Tennessee and in Florida, and I know, like, across the United States as well, we have things called individual education plans. So IEPs and I remember having like, a voice in my own IEPs and being able to say, you know, this is what I need. And I learned to advocate for myself at a very young age because I learned that if I didn’t say something, then no one else would because I know my body. I know my needs better than anyone else. And I firmly believe that about different or disabled people everywhere is they know their needs best. So ask them, even your kids, it’s really important. So I’ve been adapting to my body since the day I was foreign. And, it really brought me to social work because I had, for years years, been traveling and speaking at different nonprofits across the US and, sharing my story and singing, which I was very blessed to know is, you know, a gift that I have is being able to sing and speak, and using that to raise money for different organizations and help, you know, these organizations be strongest that they can possibly be with bringing advocacy to, you know, my Christian values as well as, disability rights. And It’s been an exciting journey. And then I started studying social work and my bachelor’s degree to better understand how to advocate And then I went straight into my master’s degree for my undergrad and completed my master’s in just a year, which felt like a whirlwind and then got married at the end of it. So Yeah. It’s in on top of that with touring, I know I saw you at, the Gala — Yes.
Kim Moeller [00:07:02]:
—
Rion Paige [00:07:02]:
in California. So I’ve been very blessed, very busy. So I am super happy to see, you know, what god’s gonna do next. And up until this point, it’s been a really beautiful journey.
Kim Moeller [00:07:13]:
Well, I just I saw you on stage. And, you know, with having AMC. I mean, it’s even a challenge to hold the microphone, but you were able to. And then, like you said, to raise your hands over your head, which the average person would be able to do, but you’re not able to do that. And you’ve learned to overcome that challenge. And why don’t you speak more about this area of social work that you’re trying to focus on based on your own experience? Cause I think it’s wonderful.
Rion Paige [00:07:40]:
Yeah. Definitely. So I really, you know, pray and hope to advocate for children disabilities and parents who are expecting children with disabilities. To be able to have an empowerment mindset of, hey. You know, god made this kid exactly how they are supposed to be. He will be there through every single step of you having this child or, you know, being the child. You know, I was that child, you know, having the disability, having the struggles, growing up with this. And I firmly believe, you know, if what god said is true, which I believe is true, that he’s gonna work all things, you know, for his good and for our good. For those who love him and are called to his purpose, it’s like, how could I, you know, sit and grieve forever about something that he could turn into so much more beauty. And I know we’ve even talked earlier, but I’m like, okay. So if, like, everything was perfect, in this world, like, why would Jesus have to come? Right? And I think that I really rest in that and knowing that he will reveal himself and he has revealed himself. To me and to, families who have children with disabilities or, people with believes themselves that he is faithful and he will provide in the most wild ways that you have ever imagined, but that doesn’t mean that you know, sadness and joy can’t coexist. Right. So, being able to step in with people and walk through that is something I’m very passionate about and you know, understanding the science of the brain and using all of those facets is really, really important to me.
Kim Moeller [00:09:12]:
I definitely think sadness and joy co exist and I always go back to Kay Warren and her teaching with it being like a train track and their parallel tracks. And, you know, we really want to have just joy and no sorrow, but pretty much most of the time, they are running, you know, side by side when another —
Ryan Paige [00:09:32]:
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. They’re in a race at times, but we
Rion Paige [00:09:36]:
we stay holding on. Yes.
Kim Moeller [00:09:38]:
Yes. So talk a little bit more than, you represent save the store. As one of the organizations. And then now you also have a new arrangement with the AACC or the American Association of Christian counselors. And tell the listener what you’re doing for them.
Rion Paige [00:09:54]:
Yeah. So I’ve partnered with, Save the Storks and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) to help, them their start course. And, I wrote modules along with some incredible clinicians and people that save the store ups as well as the AACC. To make crisis resources for churches, with women who are, you know, unexpectedly expecting a pregnancy or in pregnancy crisis to have resources, for mothers and also, you know, their support system to be able to get them the best resources possible while they’re in the church setting because we firmly believe, you know, church is the place where we should be able to show all of our colors, right, show all of our weaknesses, show all of our drinks, all of our joy and all of our sorrow. And, we definitely want those who are serving in the Lord’s Houseville to be well equipped in order to handle crisis situations. So we’re resisting, you know, trauma happening inside of the church because, you know, we all are broken people and, you know, broken people and broken places So we definitely wanna be able to be a part of the generation equipping the church to do the best work that it possibly can from a biblical and also, trauma informed lens.
Kim Moeller [00:11:06]:
That’s so beautiful. And I’ll just do a shout out for the AACC because of my prior company. We had a relationship with them where the pastors and churches would sign up for an account, and then they’d have access to the, what they call, the MHC program, the mental health coach journey, I actually went through it myself, and it helps the individual and average parishioner in the church to be able to learn about, you know, the various forms of trauma that are going on out there in the community, but also be aware of their resources and to be certified as that mental health coach So everything doesn’t fall on the shoulders of the pastor. So it’s a beautiful model. The AAC is doing great work, and I love that they’ve, you know, brought you along as one of their spokespeople. And I also love what you’re sharing about the save the historics and this curriculum and bringing that into church and educating and equipping and informing people. So that that’s just really great. Well, also, we I mentioned in your bio that you were on the X Factor. So we are gonna close this podcast later on with one of your songs and allow listeners to hear your amazing, incredible voice. But how about if
Rion Paige [00:12:19]:
you share
Kim Moeller [00:12:19]:
a little bit about that experience? That Sounded very well.
Rion Paige [00:12:23]:
Yes. So at the time, I was thirteen. So it was a little bit ago, and it was the last season that they had in the US of the X factor. And I was blessed and privileged enough to be a, finalist. So I was a top 5 on the entire show. And I just had the opportunity honestly to spread the gospel and to spread hope on a national platform, which, you know, felt scandalous. Honestly, it felt really wild, but it was really beautiful to see how it united, a lot of, people who had body similar to mine who had never seen a body like that before, and also to offer them hope that, like, hey, like, I’m not sitting miserable in my situation and god has also given me the incredible gift of singing, and I know that he’s given you gifting as well. So what does your gifting look like and how can you take that to the next level? So it’s actually really funny because not many people know that my mom wasn’t gonna let me audition. I actually came up with a power point of, like, how much gas money it would cost to get there exactly if I wanted to do it. And and next thing I knew, like, you know, I was living in LA for a year and had that experience. So — 13. Yes. Yes. Very. Yeah. I was very young, but, you know, singing has always been of who I am, I really started singing when I was really young. So it was an incredible gift.
Kim Moeller [00:13:41]:
And your mom just upped and was able to move for that year, in LA while it was being filmed? Mhmm.
Rion Paige [00:13:47]:
Yes. She did. She really packed up everything and, you know, went with me and had full belief in, like, what God was gonna do when he some incredible things during that time.
Kim Moeller [00:13:57]:
Wow. That’s neat. That’s really really exciting. I know, There was one gal out here, a pastor’s wife who used to always, encourage the people that were contestants like that and reach out to them. And if they needed a place to stay because it is very disruptive, you know, to be able to, you know, take a month off or, I mean, a year off or, yeah, for the audition. So
Rion Paige [00:14:20]:
okay. Great. It is definitely a vortex. It’s a whole other world.
Kim Moeller [00:14:25]:
Okay. So we usually on this podcast like to touch upon the, you know, overcoming adversity piece because of wanting each person listening to be encouraged to take the next step. And, you know, probably most of the listeners, their hands are not they don’t have AMC like you do. But I’m sure your story of overcoming adversity is going to help and minister to each woman listening. So what would you share with that journey of, you know, overcoming it, still living with it, that you feel could encourage the the listener?
Rion Paige [00:15:03]:
Oh, wow. There’s so much, honestly, every day. I firmly believe that god will walk alongside you in every struggle that you’re in, and he will be there. And I have definitely that in every aspect of my life, whether I stand in my own stubbornness and don’t wanna realize it all the time, and then so on the other side of the, you know, blessing being like, alright, god. I saw what you were doing. Like, of course, you knew what you were doing, you know, playing our little stubborn game that we do sometimes as humans. I got But luckily, he can handle it. But, I definitely have, you know, had moments where a lot of aspects of life feel like overthinking for me.
Rion Paige [00:15:46]:
So some way I would describe this
Ryan Paige [00:15:47]:
is when I first started dating my husband, I had to kind of describe, like, every aspect of my day I have to think about, like, where is my backpack in the back of my car? Is that a way that I can get that on my back? Things that would be considered luxuries for a lot of people are actually just things that are needed for me. Mhmm. And there can sometimes be a lot of guilt around that about, you know, let’s say something like a push button start car, right? Sometimes, you know, when you’re first a teenager and you’re getting your first car, you’re not necessarily getting the hottest rod on the market. But for me, like, I have to find something with a push start. And then, I would even think about, even now we’ve been very blessed to, just get into a condo and we’ve been able to, you know, kind of specialize things the way that I need. And I would kind of be feeling like, oh, okay. Like, is this where I’m supposed to be? Is this where I’m on track with? What does this look like? And I just, like, have been really learning that, like, oh my, it’s so real. Like, comparison really is, like, such a thief of joy. And I can really struggle with that. Not in the way that you would think, like, sometimes of, you know, girls like the stereotypical, like, you know, I wanna have blonder hair. I wanna be skinnier. I want it this way, but I started, like, having super big comparative issues of, like, I need more help in this area. Am I draining other people around me? What does this look like? Ah, I’m like panicking. What is this like? What do I do? But I started realizing that actually me needing that help was, like, building strength and, actually character in the people that were around me. And it showed me a lot of who people were. And it also showed me that, like, you can really adapt with any situation you’re in, whether that be, like, financially, emotionally, mentally, what you have available to you. I have just been really learning that, like, it’s okay to feel too much. Like, it’s okay to feel like a burdens times because, actually, like, it’s creating fruit and it’s creating, ways for other people to learn what it’s like to love like Jesus does.
Kim Moeller [00:17:45]:
And I through doing that. Yes.
Rion Paige [00:17:47]:
Yes. And I just, like, can plainly remember, like, needing help washing my hair and my husband being, like, Ryan, like, why, like, why are you acting like this is such like a big deal? Like, wouldn’t Jesus wash your hair? And I was like, you suck. Like, yeah, you’re right. Like, of course, You are so right. And I think that it’s just okay to be where you are. And I don’t mean that from a place of, like, state complacent, but it’s okay to sit and to say, you know, It’s okay to show up different than the person sitting next to me and to have different needs in the person sitting next to me because god designed us all in such a different way. And there are ways that I’m there for my friends, my mom, my husband, ways that necessarily wouldn’t be advertised to the world because it’s not on the outside, just my hands are. But ways that I can only be like that, you know, I can only be that person for them. And I think that my hand difference can really translate to a lot of different situations that even just as women that we face. And we all have things, and I think that the world makes us think that we have to have it all together and do not have to have it all together. And I just have the rare opportunity of showing everybody my weakness. And sometimes it’s actually good to show your weakness to others because your weakness is where the Lord’s strength is. So that’s really a huge thing I have been going through and god has been stretching me in.
Kim Moeller [00:19:10]:
Wow. That’s so beautiful. And I do think of you at your young age or twenty three as such an overcomer. And how he’s giving you such huge platforms. And I can’t wait to see, you know, even 10 years from now, Thank you. What will be happening? Because your story does show the listener or the person watching you at a gaylor banquet. Wow. If she can do that, if she can take that step forward, whatever it is I’m struggling with, I can do that in my own life and how — Yes. Inspirational. I mean, that reminds me of remember the the other gentleman who was on stage after you saying, and he had no legs. He had —
Rion Paige [00:19:49]:
At Zion.
Kim Moeller [00:19:50]:
— to Zion. Yes. And he had his, you know, incredible arms of strength to lift his body up on a chair. And so to have his situation and yours side by side and then this message of, you know, helping the young woman who might find herself in an unexpected pregnancy, was very, very powerful of let’s get all unite together. And they were able to raise a lot of money towards, say, the historics, which I
Rion Paige [00:20:17]:
Yeah. I mean, I really think that it’s a really, powerful thing to listen to the voices of those around you and to hear, you know, those experiences because, like, at the end of the day, like, we’re all human, and we all have similar like, needs. Right? Like, we all just wanna be loved and understood. And I think that whenever you look at it like that, it’s like, wow, this is This is actually a really beautiful
Kim Moeller [00:20:42]:
— Yeah. —
Rion Paige [00:20:43]:
thing to be a part of the shared human experience that life is. And that’s where I think, you know, I differ a little bit is, like, I really believe that even talking about disabled voices is something that we all can relate to because We all have been in situations where we feel like we cannot do things and where access doesn’t look like it will be granted and we have to fight for things. We have to stand up for ourselves. But, you know, god does fight those battles on our behalf. And I think it’s a really neat thing to sit in the unknown sometimes. And to say, you know, like, he will show up.
Rion Paige [00:21:18]:
Mhmm.
Rion Paige [00:21:18]:
And, you know, we are gonna stay take that step forward in faith where I think god has gifted me I’m gonna watch what he does even though I may not see what happens for a little while.
Kim Moeller [00:21:26]:
Right. Right. Okay. Talk to the listener a little bit about what we were talking about at the beginning about when you say the word disability versus differences because I think that’s, you know, words obviously matter. And I would love for you to define that a little bit more.
Rion Paige [00:21:43]:
Definitely. So, when I was younger, I went through a stage of being like disability. What is disability? What does that even mean? And, I just kind of got frustrated at the fact that sometimes people were saying disability with well meaning hearts, but to me, it always sounded like dis means can’t. Means I can’t. I’m not able. Right? But, there’s a huge movement going on right now in the disability community where it’s like a disability. Like, they’re saying, like, it’s good that I have a disability. It’s positive. It’s this kind of thing. We wanna shout it from the mountain tops. We wanna do this. And I totally agree with that. But I think it definitely has different connotations and meanings in different spaces that you’re in. So personally, you know, I don’t mind being, referenced as disabled or different. But when I was a kid, I definitely was like, why are you saying I can’t? Like, what does that mean? Like, it’s kind of like saying, like, even stepping out in faith. It’s like, god, are you really gonna do that? Like, okay. Like, are you really? Like, I’m gonna doubt, like, okay, are you really but then sometimes other times, you know, you’re saying, okay, I’m stepping out in faith and me saying, like, I’m stepping out of faith as I’m saying, like, I’m different. There’s a different way to do this. There is another option And — No problem. Yes. Yeah. And I always feel like it’s funny because, I’m incredibly directionally challenged. Like, I Like, oh, wow. I’m very directionally challenged. And I I always have this folder on my phone with, like, my map app and all these different things as, like, a reminder saying, like, there’s a way out, and that’s what it’s titled. And it means a lot to me because I see it a on my phone all the time, but I’m always reminded, like, There is a different way to do this, and there’s always a way out of a situation. Like, you can always ask god to show you how can this show up differently than what I think it should. And that’s really how I feel about disability is it doesn’t always mean that I can’t, but there are times when disability can mean, you know, getting the point across of what disability, you know, means in our country, but also being able to say like, hey, I’m not not able. Mhmm. You know, let’s not call me not able because I have.
Kim Moeller [00:23:52]:
Oh, no. Thanks for sharing. It reminds me. I was listening to actually a podcast that our CEO did with the leader of convene here in Southern California. And she was talking about looking at what god interested you with with your resources. And then how can we have big god sized dreams to allow him to really work through the resources and our calling and and what he’s put before us. And then just kinda challenging the listener to, you know, are you asking god those big size dreams. And that’s also a part of this whole purpose of this podcast because —
Ryan Paige [00:24:27]:
Yeah.
Kim Moeller [00:24:27]:
— I think we can ourselves limit ourselves by our beliefs, by, you know, maybe we look at facts, or maybe we look at data. And we we — Yeah. — we kind of say to ourselves, it’s not possible, or maybe it was possible 10 years ago, but it’s no longer possible now. And yet we still have this incredible god who has given us those resources, given us the constraints, put us where he’s put us right now. And —
Rion Paige [00:24:55]:
Yes.
Kim Moeller [00:24:55]:
— I mean, I don’t want to get to heaven and feel like I didn’t believe Him for god’s size dream. Like, I don’t wanna have just Kim sized dreams that might be really insightful. You know, like, I want him to give me those dreams and for me to step into faith so that — Yeah. — they’re so much bigger than me I could have ever come up with that I just know it has to be God. And I thought that was just a really good reminder when I heard her talking about that, like, with our finances and resources, but it’s the same with you using your life and not allowing yourself to be held back by mental beliefs of, I’m disabled. I can’t do this. But, no, I my hands might work differently, but it is possible. It’s just kind of another way of getting there, another route.
Rion Paige [00:25:42]:
Absolutely. Like, I don’t know if, you know, like, hypothetically, if this was not my story, if I would be able to sing the way that I would personally, like, I just wouldn’t trade that or I wouldn’t trade the way that it’s been able to help people see hope or be able to see god. Yeah. And there are times when I don’t see god and I have to, you know, look at things, you know, literal things that he has done and been like, alright. That there’s no way that’s not you. Like, there’s literally no way that’s not you. The I’ve been, having a little bit more spare time on my hands since I’m not completing my masters. And, my husband just, like, really awesome. And he was just, like, encouraging me to, like, post videos on my Instagram and on my TikTok and things about how I do things. And the other day on our wedding registry, we got the this, like, there’s probably a, like, particular name for this thing, but I’m gonna call it bagel cutter. So it literally looks kind of like a guillotine, but for a bagel. And I, like, put it in there, put the bagel in there, and I, like, cut the bagel. And I had, like, a ton of feedback from everybody being like, oh my gosh, like, what the heck? And I was like, this is just like a sediment, like, that it’s not too late. And sometimes there are like these devices and these things that literally just like, make things a bit easier for us. And for me, it was a bagel cutter, and I never cut a bagel in my entire life. I’m twenty three years old.
Rion Paige [00:26:55]:
If you
Ryan Paige [00:26:56]:
would definitely buy now, I would have, you know, like, cut a bagel. But for me, because comparison is such a thief, I could have looked at my friend next to me who had definitely been cutting bagels for probably more years than I account and go, well, it’s not a big deal that I cut a bagel because everybody else can cut a bagel. But instead, I looked at the opportunity and said, you know what? It’s actually powerful to share this because this could translate to someone else’s weakness that they think that they can’t overcome and they think it’s too late, but, like, it wasn’t too late for me to cut a bagel. And that sounds so funny to bring up a bagel to you and a piece of bread, but it just felt like such a lesson to my heart — Uh-huh.
Kim Moeller [00:27:32]:
—
Rion Paige [00:27:32]:
to always believe that something like that is possible. And I don’t know, like, what you guys think at home or as you’re driving today, but, like, what is your bagel Like, what is your thing that you think will never happen and everyone else around them comes to them easy, or you’ve seen someone you know, get that promotion or do that thing? Like, what is that thing that, you know, you’re like, man, that’s never gonna happen to me, but you just have to have more faith and lean in. To not knowing when you’re gonna be able to cut the bagel. And for me, it happened 23 years later, but it felt really significant.
Kim Moeller [00:28:05]:
Oh, that’s beautiful. That’s really — Yeah. Yeah. But, no, that’s super encouraging. And definitely, you know, men compete and women compare. And so — Yeah. Yeah. — does not get us anywhere. That for sure.
Rion Paige [00:28:17]:
No. He’s not your friend.
Ryan Paige [00:28:19]:
Like, you
Rion Paige [00:28:19]:
gotta take
Rion Paige [00:28:19]:
all that down.
Kim Moeller [00:28:21]:
Okay. So you mentioned Instagram. Tell the listener your Instagram handle so they can follow you.
Rion Paige [00:28:27]:
Yes. So it’s o h, and then Rion. So my name is spelled like, oh Rion. So it’s ri0npage, p a I g e. And I’m on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and, TikTok, and I’m also have music on Spotify and Apple Music and Amazon Music. Yeah. I’m on there as OH Ryan Page. Because my mom actually named me after O’Ryan.
Kim Moeller [00:28:53]:
Oh, wow.
Rion Paige [00:28:54]:
Yeah. Definitely.
Kim Moeller [00:28:56]:
Okay. So one last question for you regarding your season of life right now, just getting your MSW and starting out, you mentioned prior to the podcast about doing research And why don’t you share a little bit about that? And what are you hoping you’ll see within your field of social work and what you’re doing for all these galas and in the generosity fundraising space, like, in the next, say, 5 to 10 years as you look ahead. And you’re probably down to school.
Rion Paige [00:29:24]:
Yeah. You’re fine. This is
Rion Paige [00:29:26]:
really big. I’m enjoying my my 2 months I’ve had so far of no school. I’m like, oh my goodness, the world has opened up.
Rion Paige [00:29:33]:
I so lately, I’ve been doing research, to help with inclusion resources for children with disabilities for ages 0 to 6. And it has been really, really rewarding because I’ve been very blessed to, be in the position of combining research with lived experience. So
Kim Moeller [00:29:53]:
as you guys are
Rion Paige [00:29:53]:
in the workplace or you were serving a church or you’re in the place where you’re supposed to be, just know that your lived experience really matters and god’s story that he’s given to you, your testimony really matters. So don’t discredit that even as you’re looking at numbers and even as you’re listening to other people’s experiences because it is your experience too. And I have been, being able to think through what it looks like for kids to have access to be the most successful that they possibly can be. And ultimately to have life speak into them as we’ve been talking. Like, your words are really important. The things that you say inside your head are really important. Those god sized dreams are really important. So being able to be a part of that is really beautiful. But I hope that, in the next 5 to 10 years, I really hope to be a full time, you know, senior speaker and advocate and be able to advocate for the unborn and also for children with disabilities. And, use my social work knowledge to be able to provide trainings and also, singing is a huge huge part of what I love to do. And, I just love to be able to use my gift in order to raise money for different organizations doing really beautiful jobs. Of loving god’s people. And I hope to continue to be able to do that for the rest of my life. My heart really is in that arena. I love talking with people. I love being on stage and I love sharing and, tugging at people’s heartstrings a little bit to get them think about know, what does your everyday look like and how can you maximize your everyday to serve the people around you? Mhmm. That’s really important to me. So That’s why I kinda took my experience as a singer songwriter that I’ve, you know, been at for a really long time now and started adding that speaking element and, also providing that social work perspective. So I’ve been very blessed to have the education that I’ve had and, have the opportunity to think you know, from a biblical, like, mental health lens as well as an artist who love, love, loves, singing and ultimately telling stories through songs.
Kim Moeller [00:31:57]:
So tell us about the song momentary that will play at the end of the podcast and how you wrote that song.
Rion Paige [00:32:03]:
Yeah. So I wrote that song with one of my, best friends named Jack Price, and we wrote it about a dear friend of mine who, really had a lot of anxiety in college. And, I was just thinking about how, There are a lot of times where I wish that I could, like, make it better. And, I wrote it from that perspective, but also in the back of my mind was the fact that you know, Jesus is the one that really restores all of that. And it kind of, like, goes through, you know, stages of grief being able to talk about, like, sitting with someone and sitting in their pain, which is something I consider a privilege that I do love to do with people sit with them in their hardest moments and being able to say, you know, like, I can catch you and there’s this part in it in the bridge where it it talks. So it’s the song is actually happening completely in a car, which is really interesting. It talks about a car and the rearview mirrors and things and the bridge talks about how I wish that the seat belts would, catch them. And I was thinking about how, like, the seat belt is actually the lord and about how, sometimes that, you know, extra protection can be there. And, yeah, that song, every time I sing it, I get a bit emotional because it very personal to me and also something that I really think go so well with, you know, the mission of you know, being there for the unborn and also, like, advocating for lives that would rather be, you know, not necessarily paid attention to because they’re not they’re not convenient, right? They’re not the these lives, I I think somebody could look at me and say, oh, they she requires a, Hey, I’ll I’ll talk about my bagel. She requires a bagel chopper. Well, I only have a knife. That’s too much work for me to deal with, but then when you take the time to actually look at how the bagel chopper, like, blessed you, it becomes a bit different. So I love being able to be that voice I always say my motto is fighting for those who are learning to fight for themselves. And, that is what I really, really hope to happen throughout my career and my life.
Kim Moeller [00:34:15]:
That is your mission statement. That is what you’re doing. And I feel like you’ve just got your life ahead of you, and I cannot wait to see. Just the millions of lives that you’re gonna continue to touch. And — Thank you. — this this one little podcast here is is, you know, one little drop in the ocean of of the ways that you’re gonna continue to influence people.
Okay. So I like to wrap this up by asking our guests to share three things, their favorite Bible verse, and a current book that they are reading. They’d like to share with the audience. And then any recent bargain that might encourage people.
Rion Paige [00:34:51]:
So I, really love Matthew 513 through 16, which talks about, you know, being salt and light. And my mom used to yell that to me every day before I went to school. It’s a huge part of my story. And I love the idea of being the salt in the light of the earth and, always keeping that perspective. And then, the next one is a book. Is it a book that I’m reading? So a book that I have read that I was actually just talking about with a friend is this book called, Disability Visibility I think it’s a really great resource. It’s by Alice Wong. I believe she used cerebral palsy. It’s a really beautiful narrative, book about the disabled experience. And I really respect that she was able to compile all of those experiences in a book of what it looks like for people to exist in different bodies and created for that. So, yes, definitely check out disability, visibility by Alice Wong.
Kim Moeller [00:35:46]:
Okay.
Ryan Paige [00:35:47]:
And, oh my goodness, I hunt for a good deal. I will tell you that right now.
Kim Moeller [00:35:52]:
Same.
Ryan Paige [00:35:52]:
So yes. Yes. You have, in Tennessee. So I’m in Nashville. I’m originally from Florida, but I know that across the US, we have a lot of these. You guys are gonna laugh when you hear the name. It’s called dirt cheap. I was telling Kim all about it. And there are a lot of other stores that are like dirt cheap, but it’s kind of like a liquidation store. For, like, targets and, like, anthropologies and things like that, you’ll find all kinds of things in there. And I really like it because I feel like I can just go, like, find any rug my heart would desire. And if anybody has tried to hunt for a rug, it’s a very difficult task. So I love that. I definitely mid century person. I love anything West Elm. Oh my goodness. I have an obsession with the mid century situation. I’ve been doing that around my whole house lately. And room and board. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I love designing. I’m definitely the creative juices are every in here, I’m like, oh my goodness, I’m always thinking, but, yes, I love looking for those kind of places because you won’t always find things that you would not find at a traditional store, and they’re a bit more, you know, harder to find, which I like originality because I mean, any more. So I can’t blame it on anything besides the fact that I just, like, can’t stand if I was wearing the same dress as someone else. But if it did happen, I would give you a hug until you got the good style. So But yeah. So that’s me pretty much in a nutshell.
Kim Moeller [00:37:18]:
Well, what a treat, I just I’m so happy you were able to be on the podcast and god bless you in all that you’re doing. And I’m excited to just watch you on the, you know, the AACC platform and Watch how your your gifts are helping to encourage greater generosity at these galas and fundraising events that you’re doing So if anyone listening is holding a fundraiser coming up and they wanna have an amazing speaker singer, feel free to reach out to Rion, and we’ll have all of her Instagram, Facebook, social media channels, listed in the show notes, but again, such a privilege, and will close now by going right into your song that you explained momentarily. So god bless.
Rion Paige [00:38:04]:
You. Yes. I hope to see you guys. I’ll be at the, national conference for the AACC in Nashville coming up. So — Wonderful. Yeah. — guys there.
Kim Moeller [00:38:13]:
Alright. Thanks again, Rion. Thank you.
Rion Paige [00:38:31]:
You were in the back seat of my mind, these SUV, sitting in the lap. Be because there’s only room for 3. We were singing and I Oh, wait till our lungs give out. You would gently wait. Been trying not to make this sound. Gotta hang out the window. A buzzing in her head. Taking over all that she had left.
Rion Paige [00:39:13]:
Can you try the whole time? See you’re all beauty, and it’s all the momentary holding and you’re safe. A see it’s only Go horny.
Ryan Paige [00:39:59]:
I’m sorry. My finger was on a gun. Go asking me by. I didn’t know I had one. I wish I had seen you and realized you were on the ground, banging on the ceiling, anything to make us sound gotta hang out the window, a buzzing in her head. Taking over all that she had left.
Ryan Paige [00:40:40]:
Can you try the whole time? See. It’s only momentary hold me, and you’re sick. You can it’s not it’
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