CLARKSVILLE -- Every Thursday afternoon Elizabeth Thomas shuts the door to her home office, making sure the family's dog and three cats are on the other side so she'll have no furry distractions. She puts on headphones and calls Radio Titans in Los Angeles to talk about God. It has been her routine for more than a year as she shares her thoughts on life and faith on her podcast, It's Me -- God.
How did a 67-year-old Catholic great-grandmother from Clarksville end up with an Internet radio show in Los Angeles?
That's where Radio Titans founder Carl Kozlowski comes in. Kozlowski grew up in North Little Rock, graduated from Catholic High School, and still has friends in the state. Through one of those friends, he and Thomas connected on Facebook. She had done radio shows in the past, and she suggested a show about faith.
"I replied, 'How are you going to do a show from Arkansas?'" Kozlowski said.
They did a test run of sorts to see what Kozlowski and his partners would think of her show, which is based on the idea that God speaks to those in the real world. They were immediately drawn to Thomas' gentle manner and sunny personality.
"There's something about it that is really kind of magical," Kozlowski said. "Having her voice come in so sweet and interesting and funny and insightful from a phone almost does sound disembodied, like it could be an angel talking to you. If she was in the studio, I don't think it would be as magical."
The show was a dramatic departure from the other offerings on Radio Titans, which has more than 20 shows focusing on pop culture, comedy, music, politics and more, as well as a few decidedly adult programs. That was something Thomas said she prayed about before going on with the show.
She asked God, "Is this really where I'm supposed to be doing this show?"
"The answer that came back was 'I came for the sinners, did I not?'" Thomas said, adding that having the podcast among the other more "worldly" ones then seemed to make sense.
It's Me -- God is an hour-long program that streams live each Thursday at 5 p.m. CST, while listeners in California can tune in at 3 p.m. Each week's show and past shows are also available to listen to or download on the station's website.
Thomas calls in and talks with Kozlowski and other members of his team in the Los Angeles studio. Sometimes she also talks with other panelists, as she did last month as a preview for Seeds of Peace 2015, a program on water sponsored by the Southern California Parliament of the World's Religions to be held at Loyola Marymount University on Sunday.
Thomas spoke with members of other faiths about the role of water in their religions and the importance of conservation, especially in drought-stricken Southern California, and why it's a matter of concern for people of faith. They found common ground in their shared belief in the importance of caring for creation.
Thomas, a charismatic Catholic who attends Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Clarksville, said the topics for her weekly show come from her own life and experiences.
"Every week there's something going on in my life that I know someone else is dealing with too," she said. "They are insights from the troubles and trials of my life. It's things that help you grow."
The show has been going on for a little more than a year and in that time she has talked about inner healing, the power of prayer, gossip, suicide and much more.
She prays before each show and keeps some tissues nearby because sometimes emotion gets the best of her. With her big headphones on, the sounds in the rest of the house are muted, including the dog scratching at the office door.
The show begins with a snippet of "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars, a song that Thomas says fits the theme of the show. The lyrics say in part, "If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see, I'll be the light to guide you. ... You can count on me like 1, 2, 3, I'll be there."
Then she has about an hour left to share her thoughts and chat with Kozlowski and the studio team.
"I share stories more than anything," Thomas said.
The show has been rewarding, Thomas said, adding that even if no one else besides the studio crew is listening, it would be worth it.
"It's been such a blessing," she said.
Those in the studio think so, too. Kozlowski said his team of varied faith backgrounds, or no faith at all, find her fascinating.
"She has these compelling stories," he said. "She can touch on so many things. ... She's this font of wisdom. I think she could be somebody who could really get known. She has charm and a down-home approach. She could really get a following."
Johnny Owens, Kozlowski's partner at Radio Titans, is often on the show. While Owens said he and Thomas couldn't be more different, he enjoys their conversations and finds her to be inspirational.
"It's a real odd couple with me and Elizabeth," Owens said. "I'm mister punk rock and live in hipster land. It's a funny mash-up."
In addition to her podcast, Thomas also enjoys blogging at Catholic365.com, as well. She likes to see how many people are reading and said it makes it all worthwhile to know she is sharing her love of God with others far outside of Clarksville.
"Basically through all of my life, and the reason I do this show, is because so much has been experienced and so much has been given from my seeking and asking and God has led me to places I needed to go. He's led me to the answers I needed," Thomas said. "The deep drive has always been there within me to share what God has given."
As she said on a recent show, "There is a God who loves you, and He wants to walk and talk with you in everyday life."
It's Me -- God can be found online at radiotitans.com/shows/elizabeth-thomas.
Religion on 03/07/2015