Searching For Heroes With Benjamin Hall

What if you woke up and lost 20 years of memories, and had no recollection of your husband and child? In 1991, that nightmare became a reality for Anne Howell. Author of All That I Forget Anne Howell retells the journey of rebuilding her life after being diagnosed with retrograde amnesia at 30 years old and waking up in the hospital with the belief that she was 9 years old again.    Anne details the moments where she had to rely on the stories from her loved ones to help piece together her forgotten life. Metaphorically, she woke up with ingredients to a recipe she couldn't remember and instead of giving up, she discovered a new taste for something just as sweet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host of The Connectors Podcast Quinten Sheriff was raised in a sheltered environment in Zimbabwe. At a young age, he was given parameters for how and who he should be, until one day he decided he was ready to take ownership of his life and run away with his partner to live in his truth as a gay man in Southern Africa. What Quinten believed to be a desire to escape was ultimately a commitment to expand and not be held captive to a life he did not want to live. Quinten's journey of personal liberation has inspired him to encourage people to embrace their authenticity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's no set instruction manual for rebuilding your life, but the first step is simply, just to start. Following several impactful conversations on the topics of rebirth and new beginnings, Benjamin reflects on what it means in his own life. After being severely injured in Ukraine and returning home, Benjamin's outlook on family, purpose, and resilience was reframed. He was allowed to re-experience life.  Although the journey was one of patience, grief, and immense discomfort, there was so much beauty in the reinvention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"If God didn't have a different plan and purpose for my life, I don't think I would be here today." Author, speaker, and former Colombo Family Caporegime Michael Franzese details his experience with the mob and the epiphany that ultimately led him to turn a new chapter and step away from his life of crime. Years later, Michael's life is dedicated to helping young people, who become entranced by the facade of glamour, fame, and power that the mob presents, see the dark reality of the business. He also shares how his faith and family were a guiding light in his rebirth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"It turned into this dark thing where I was using my pain as a party favor." In 2018, Aaron Stark's story of rebirth captivated the nation when his TED Talk entitled "I Was Almost A School Shooter" went viral.  Aaron details how his traumatic childhood introduced him to a life of self-destruction and low self-esteem. He joins Ben to share how the unconditional kindness of a friend ultimately gave him the courage to rebuild his life and become the man he always wanted to be. Now, as a mental health advocate, Aaron emphasizes the importance of extending compassion to those who need it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Although not everyone experiences trauma that drives significant change, many people undergo transformations and choose to redirect their lives for a new purpose. Ben describes the courage it takes to go through a rebirth and how inspiring these stories are to people who desire a new lease on life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Award-winning journalist and the founder of 'The Forgiveness Project,' Marina Cantacuzino, explains the inspiration behind her passion project, 'The Forgiveness Project.'  She shares stories of forgiveness and how her research deepened her understanding of the topic.  Marina examines the nature of forgiveness, providing examples of individuals who have experienced tragedies and how they've navigated their trauma. She also dissects whether religion plays a significant role in forgiveness and whether it helps an individual move forward with their life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On December 14, 2012, Scarlett Lewis experienced a life-altering pain when she, along with the world, discovered that her 6-year-old son Jesse, 19 of his classmates, and 6 educators had been killed in a school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school.  The morning of his murder, Jesse left three words, "Norturing Helinn Love" behind on the kitchen chalkboard, as a permanent reminder of his incredible and pure life. These three words would become the catalyst for Scarlett establishing the Choose Love Movement, a reminder that at the root of forgiveness and understanding is nurturing, healing, and love.  Jesse's life is a profound reminder of how forgiveness goes beyond letting go of pain and anger, but instead choosing to understand, in order to let go.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does our society require us to forgive?  Author of "You Don't Need To Forgive," Amanda Ann Gregory, ponders whether it is a dire necessity.  As a trauma survivor, Amanda understands what it is like to struggle with the idea of forgiveness, and now as a licensed trauma psychotherapist, she helps others conquer the subject. She describes the importance of feeling all the emotions following a trauma, and explores the belief that forgiveness is not always the solution to healing emotional trauma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"There are victims at both ends of the gun," was Azim Khamisa's response when asked how he was able to forgive and build a relationship with his son's killer. After the gang-related murder of his son Tariq in 1995, Azim grappled with the concept of forgiveness, leaning on his faith and family to help him heal. He shares his story of forgiveness and the steps he believes people can follow on their personal journeys of healing. Later, he reflects on the remarkable work of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation to reduce youth violence across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Benjamin closes out the theme of solitude, he introduces the next theme: forgiveness.Does forgiveness benefit society better than the victim? If it doesn't erase pain, does it restore what has been lost? Does forgiveness come from the pressure to be noble?  Over the next few weeks Benjamin will have deep conversations to uncover the answers to these questions, while also exploring his own thoughts and feelings on both the presence and absence of forgiveness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solitude Chapter 4: Is spending time alone the answer to redirecting our attention? As Benjamin concludes this chapter on solitude he's joined by the author of The Point of Vanishing, Howard Axelrod.After suffering a traumatic eye injury, that left him blind in one eye, Howard felt disconnected from the world around him. His solution for reconnection was to pack his bags and move to the woods of northern Vermont for two years and live in complete isolation.  Howard shares how he discovered the beauty in solitude and discusses what it was like to reconnect with himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solitude Chapter Three: Ben and Principal Investigator of The Solitude Lab, Dr. Thuy-Vy Nguyen, explores the misconception that solitude is the absence of connection, as opposed to the positive presence of self. Dr. Nguyen provides insight on how intention is a moderator between solitude and loneliness, understanding the difference between choosing to be alone vs. being in a state of isolation. Later, they discuss how our time alone can be the answer to some of life's toughest questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solitude Chapter 2: Imagine spending 76 days alone in a life raft, facing sharks, raft punctures, starvation, severe dehydration, and relentless sun. After Steven Callahan's boat was struck during a storm in the middle of the ocean, that's exactly the situation he found himself in. Armed with only a short spear gun, a solar still to desalinate seawater, and a safety manual, Steven faced a host of physical challenges while lost at sea. However, the mental and spiritual obstacles he endured while being completely alone with no land in sight were just as daunting. Steven joins Ben to share how he survived roughly two and a half months at sea and explains how he found a complex beauty and meaning in his fight to survive while in the depths of solitude. He also explores the phenomenon of “psychological splitting”—the moment when fear and action collide in life-or-death situations—and shares the emotional moment he realized rescue had finally come. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine being dropped at the edge of Antarctica, the launch point for a 570-mile ski expedition to the bottom of the world. That’s where Chris Fagan and her husband Marti found themselves in 2013, beginning a grueling, 48-day, unguided journey to the South Pole—one that would ultimately earn them a Guinness World Record. Along the way, they faced periods of profound silence: on good days, a serene connection with nature; on bad days, an overwhelming sense of isolation. Chris joins Ben to unpack the paradox of solace and loneliness in an extreme environment like Antarctica, the mental and physical toll of the trek, and how the journey inspired her to write her award-winning book, "The Expedition". Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Searching For Heroes first launched, Ben’s mission was simple yet powerful: to offer listeners hope and strength through stories of extraordinary resilience — from those who faced unimaginable tragedy to others who found joy after profound grief. That mission remains at the heart of the podcast, but now Ben is expanding the vision. In this new chapter, the podcast will dive deeper into the many dimensions of human resilience, focusing on them one theme at a time. Today, Ben explains why the podcast is evolving and why hearing multiple perspectives on a single topic is crucial — because resilience is never one-size-fits-all. He also reveals the first theme in the upcoming series, which kicks off Monday, July 7th. To listen to the episodes mentioned in today's episode, visit the links below:Rich Fierro: https://radio.foxnews.com/2023/12/10/a-question-of-fight-or-flight/ Maya Regev: https://radio.foxnews.com/2024/04/22/surviving-hamas-one-womans-story-of-survival/ Amanda Boxtel: https://radio.foxnews.com/2024/01/22/the-other-side-of-lifes-detours/Dr. Lucy Hone: https://radio.foxnews.com/2024/07/01/rewiring-your-brain-to-be-resilient-with-dr-lucy-hone/Dr. Joe Alderete: https://radio.foxnews.com/2024/07/08/the-principles-of-rehabilitation/  Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For most Americans, the 4th of July means beaches and BBQs — but on that day in 2012, Army Staff Sergeant Monte Bernardo was fighting for his life in Afghanistan. After stepping on an IED, Monte lost both legs and his left arm, beginning a long and grueling recovery. With the help of his family and the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides lifetime support for critically wounded or ill service members, veterans, and military families, he rebuilt his life — and his mindset. Today, Monte joins Ben to discuss why he has no regrets about what happened while he was fighting for America's freedom, how he was able to keep a positive attitude while going through a painful recovery, and why the 4th of July is now the most important celebration in his life — because it's the day he survived.Find out more about the Semper Fi & America's Fund here: thefund.org Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danny Combs' son, Dylan, was just two when he was diagnosed with autism. Although Dylan wasn't able to say "I love you, Dad" until he was six years old, he had started building complex LEGO sets by himself, with no instructions, three years prior. In speaking with his son's therapists, Danny wanted to highlight the fascinating skills his son possessed — but the primary focus was always on what Dylan couldn't do, not what he could. In response, Danny set out to create a program that focused on the strengths and capabilities of young people with autism — which is how TACT, Teaching the Autism Community Trades, was born. He joins Ben to talk about the incredible impact TACT has had thus far, and why we must fight injustices facing the autism community. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She became an atheist at just fourteen years old due to the suffering she saw in the world and problems she observed within the Catholic Church. Fast forward to now, she's a nun who has fully devoted her life to Christ and her mission: finding God in the midst of misery and providing a safe space for those who have been hurt by members of the Church. Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, co-creator of Sisters of the Little Way, joins Ben to discuss the epiphany that led her back to her faith, and the practice that landed her on the front page of The New York Times: 'memento mori,' a discipline centered around intentionally thinking about your death in order to ultimately improve the life you live. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roughly 133 million people in the U.S. struggle with chronic illnesses every day, and yet they're rarely talked about.  Struggling with a chronic illness can oftentimes feel isolating when the pain endured is invisible, or when it feels impossible to explain what it's like to live in constant fear that severe pain could be on the horizon. For Tina Medlin, who's been living with Crohn's disease for roughly 30 years, she knew these feelings well. But instead of just accepting them as the norm, she set out to create a community where those with chronic illnesses feel supported, cared for, and heard. Tina discusses how this mission led her to pioneer the Warrior Braids Ministry, a Christ-centered nonprofit that offers resources, support and community to those who live with chronic illnesses. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices