The Story of Us: From Cosmic Dawn to the Depths of Being

In this Valentine’s Day episode of The Story of Us, Jeff sits down with Melanie Love — a former investment manager turned chronic pain advocate and founder of (un)block — for a deeply honest conversation about reinvention, healing, and embodiment.Jeff first met Melanie at an event hosted by Season 1 guest Molly Jones. What began as an organic connection around chronic pain and shared purpose turned into a powerful dialogue recorded at Jeff’s kitchen table.Melanie shares her journey growing up in Calgary, Canada, the influence of her grandparents, and her impressive career in international energy finance. But the heart of this episode centers on her Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) diagnosis, multiple traumatic brain injuries, and the unraveling — and rebuilding — that followed.Together, they explore:What Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is and why it’s often misunderstoodThe connection between fascia, trauma, and nervous system regulationThe emotional and physical toll of chronic painWhy “no pain, no gain” might be the wrong framework for healingThe difference between life happening to us, by us, and through usThe power of surrender and the meaning behind “Let It Be Enough”Melanie also discusses how her personal healing journey led her to create (un)block, a fascia-based self-care tool designed to help people release tension, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with their bodies.This is a conversation about curiosity over collapse, presence over perfectionism, and learning to soften instead of force.If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from your body — this episode is for you.Learn MoreVisit Melanie’s website: https://theunblock.shopExplore her fascia-based recovery tool and educational resources designed to support mobility, nervous system regulation, and embodied healing.Key ThemesChronic Pain & Ehlers-Danlos SyndromeTrauma & Nervous System RegulationFascia & Body-Based HealingReinvention & EntrepreneurshipEmbodiment & Emotional AwarenessLetting Go of PerfectionismSurrender & Self-TrustNotable Quotes“Love does not need to be earned.”“You’re not a machine. You’re a human being.”“Let the chapter you’re in be enough.”Connect with the ShowIf this episode resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.Thank you for being part of The Story of Us.

What if travel isn’t about where we go — but about who we become along the way?In this episode of The Story of Us: From Cosmic Dawn to the Depths of Being, Jeff Ellison is joined by Doug Brouwer, Presbyterian pastor, author, and lifelong traveler, for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like a shared walk on a winding path.Doug has spent more than four decades in ministry, serving congregations across the United States and Europe, learning new languages later in life, leading pilgrimages, and listening deeply — in sanctuaries, prison cell blocks, foreign streets, and quiet beaches along Lake Michigan. His latest book, The Traveler’s Path: Finding Spiritual Growth and Inspiration Through Travel, explores how movement through the world can awaken humility, empathy, and meaning — when we’re willing to “get off the bus” and truly encounter others.Together, Jeff and Doug explore:Why travel is part of humanity’s origin story, from Abram and Paul to modern migrationHow curiosity, beauty, and attention — learned on childhood road trips — can shape a lifeThe difference between tourism and transformation, and what makes a journey “worthy”Why learning even a little of another language can deepen empathy and humilityHow meeting one person can change how we see an entire culture or conflictDoug’s experience walking the Camino de Santiago, and what pilgrimage teaches that comfort cannotThe role of storytelling in healing division and restoring our sense of interconnectednessWhat prison ministry taught Doug about listening, humanity, and presenceHow Thomas Merton, Joseph Campbell, and Annie Dillard illuminate the inner and outer journeyLetting go of perfectionism, anxiety, and old betrayals — and aiming instead for peaceWhy Doug believes the final chapter of life may be our last worthy adventureAlong the way, Jeff shares his own love of “worthy adventure” — traveling lightly, seeking connection over checklists, and returning home each time a little clearer about his place in the world.This episode is an invitation to slow down, pay attention, and remember that the sacred is not confined to holy places — it often waits for us along the road.Whether you travel far or stay close to home, this conversation will leave you asking better questions about curiosity, compassion, and the shared human journey.📘 About the GuestDoug Brouwer is a Presbyterian pastor and author of The Traveler’s Path: Finding Spiritual Growth and Inspiration Through Travel. His writing explores faith, pilgrimage, curiosity, and what it means to live with openness in a complex world.

Welcome back to The Story of Us: From Cosmic Dawn to the Depths of Being.In this opening episode of Season Two, I want to slow things down for a moment and let you into the why behind this project—how it started, what Season One taught me, and why we’re continuing the journey together.This episode is part reflection, part gratitude, part gentle nudge forward.I share how turning 50, navigating chronic pain, watching my kids grow up and move outward, and feeling my own body push back forced me to finally open the box, dust off the microphones, and begin telling stories instead of waiting for the “right time.” What started as a Father’s Day gift (and a very loud bluff called by my family) became a creative lifeline—one rooted in curiosity, presence, and connection.We revisit the kitchen-table beginnings of Season One—the imperfect audio, the laughter, the vulnerability—and the themes that kept returning to us: that naming the struggle doesn’t weaken us, it frees us; that pain is universal, but so is compassion; that awe doesn’t disappear in midlife—it just learns how to whisper; and that our ordinary lives are far more sacred than we often realize.This episode is also an invitation.As we step into 2026 and into Season Two, I reflect on what it means to begin again—to write the next chapter without demanding perfection, to tell the truth kindly, to rest without guilt, and to choose courage more often than comfort.Season Two will bring better sound, deeper conversations, and new voices—but the same heart. The same curiosity. The same belief that your story matters.So pull up a chair. Put on some headphones. The page is blank—not because nothing has happened, but because it’s waiting for you.Here’s to listening a little better. Here’s to telling the truth. Here’s to Season Two.Peace be with you, my friends.Topics explored in this episode:Why The Story of Us beganTurning 50 and the sacred ordinariness of midlifeChronic pain, slowing down, and listening to the bodyMental health, compassion, and naming the struggleSeason One reflections and lessons learnedThe courage to begin before you’re readyWriting the next chapter with honesty and presence

We’re wrapping Season 1 of The Story of Us—and closing the book on 2025—with a cup of coffee (maybe the 12th), a little laughter, and a lot of heart.From an imperfect first recording around a kitchen table to conversations about pain, compassion, mental health, faith, and the sacred “middle lane” of life, Season 1 was about learning to listen—and remembering why stories matter.In this finale, Jeff shares his biggest takeaway from 2025: we may not get an Easy Button for life… but we can press what he calls the Easier Button—the practice of loosening our grip on what we can’t control. Along the way, he draws wisdom from Buddhism, the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, and the timeless refrain from the Beatles: “Let it be.”And to send you into 2026 (the “Year of the Fire Horse,” if you’re into that kind of thing), Jeff closes with an original poem: The Page of 2026—for anyone wondering what comes next.Pull up a chair. The table is still open.In this episode:A Season 1 reflection: why stories matter (especially when life feels heavy)The “table” metaphor: a place where questions are welcome and no one has to pretend they’re fineThemes from Season 1: survival, chronic pain, caregiving, mental health, faith, courage, and ordinary aweTurning 50 and learning to honor the “wonder years” in new formsThe Easier Button: how life becomes easier by changing how we meet difficultyA beginner-friendly crash course in Buddhism: pain vs. suffering, attachment, letting go, mindfulnessWhy Let It Be is more than a song—it’s a practiceA powerful teaching from a Tibetan Buddhist monk: “If there’s a solution, why worry? If there isn’t, why worry?”Practical ways to “bring it down from the mountain and into your Monday morning”A closing poem for the year ahead: The Page of 2026Memorable lines & moments:“Clarity comes from showing up, not from waiting until everything is fully polished.”“The Easier Button isn’t a button you push to fix life… it’s a button you press to soften your grip.”“Letting go doesn’t make the storm disappear. It means we stop screaming at the clouds.”“We don’t own the river… we’re just learning to float.”Try this (your Easier Button toolkit):Exhale on purpose (oldest spiritual technology on Earth)Name what you can’t control—say it, write it, release itCare deeply, but not desperately (open hands, not a chokehold)Swap “Why me?” for “What is this teaching me?”Trust the mystery (God, the universe, the cosmic traffic controller—your pick)Remember: impermanence works both ways—your struggle and your doubt won’t last foreverSeason 2 returns in late January. If something in this episode lands in your heart, share it with a friend—and come back to the table.Visit: www.thestoryofusproject.com Follow along for blog posts, episodes, and community updates.

“Some people become like a sunrise; others like a storm over the ocean. Both are beautiful in their own way.”In this deeply personal — and often hilarious — father-son conversation, Jeff sits down with his 23-year-old son, Brady Ellison, to reflect on the journey of becoming a man.Brady opens up about growing up a camo-clad, Lego-scattering, ninja-star-crafting kid who could break an AC unit faster than most people could turn one on… and the outdoor adventures, mishaps, and long list of injuries that shaped him along the way. From early mornings in deer stands to legendary fishing trips in remote Canada, Brady shares how nature gave him the stillness and peace his mind rarely offered on its own.We explore his non-traditional but deeply intentional path into the trades — welding certifications, diesel mechanic training, YouTube-enabled mastery, and the pride he takes in building a life with his hands. We also talk about the danger of welding in flip-flops (don’t do it), why his Boy-Scout-badges-for-injuries would fill a varsity jacket, and the highly questionable series of truck purchases that helped shape the man he’s becoming.Brady opens his heart as he reflects on living with bipolar depression, the challenges of finding peace in a noisy world, and the compassion those experiences have carved into him. His honesty will resonate with anyone navigating their own storms or supporting someone who is.And then — in the most tender arc of the episode — he tells the love story of meeting Sophie at 15, the ways she became a lifeline during the darkest days, and the shared compass guiding their dreams toward country roads, acreage, and a barn-dominium of their own.This episode is full of joy, vulnerability, humor, and the kind of generational storytelling that reminds us why The Story of Us exists in the first place. It captures a moment in time — Brady at 23 — before the chapters ahead unfold.If you're a parent, a young adult carving a non-traditional path, someone who loves the trades, or simply human enough to know what feeling different feels like… this one’s for you.Topics include:Growing up different — and embracing itHunting, fishing & the healing silence of natureWelding, diesel mechanics, and life in the tradesMental health, patience, and compassionSocial media “brain rot” and finding peaceFalling in love young & building a shared compassThe questionable truck era (seven trucks… enough said)Advice to younger self & future selfWhy becoming isn’t linearFather–son stories you’ll laugh and cry throughA warm, funny, and powerful exploration of becoming — through storms, sunrises, and everything in between.

In this solo episode of The Story of Us: From Cosmic Dawn to the Depths of Being, Jeff Ellison pulls on his 1990 J-Town All-Stars gear, climbs into the time machine, and takes us from pay phones and Blockbuster late fees to the always-on, always-scrolling world we live in today.Born in 1975—the same year as Microsoft, home Pong, and the Betamax—Jeff and his buddies have lived through more technological shifts in 50 years than any generation in human history. From paper maps and pagers to AOL dial-up, smartphones, and rage-bait algorithms, he unpacks what this “technology tsunami” is doing to our nervous systems and our sense of reality.Using the metaphor of an information deluge, Jeff traces a short history of the “human data diet” in three acts—Oral & Local, Print & Broadcast, and the Digital & Omnipresent Deluge—then zooms in on what it feels like to be a modern human trying to stay afloat in 74 gigabytes of daily input, constant notifications, misinformation, and AI-accelerated chaos.Most importantly, he doesn’t leave us drowning. Jeff offers practical, compassionate ways to reclaim your attention and “learn to breathe underwater”:Starting your day in a positive way (instead of doom-scrolling in bed)Creating a low-friction “information diet” with deliberate check-in windowsUsing the 60-second SIFT method to quickly filter sketchy contentGoing “old school” with analog tools: paper, books, wristwatches, and walksChoosing a few “slow media” anchors—longform reads, meaningful podcasts, and book clubs that build depth instead of outrageAlong the way, he reflects on how misinformation outpaces truth, why our empathy gets weaponized by the feed, and how discernment has become a survival skill in the digital age.If you’ve ever felt like your brain is oatmeal in a steel cage by bedtime, this one’s for you.Connect & Go Deeper:Explore the companion blog post and more reflections at The Story of Us Project: www.thestoryofusproject.comIn a world overflowing with noise, choosing what—and who—you listen to might just be the most human act left. Let’s find the signal together.

Recorded at Jeff's kitchen table on a cold, rainy late October night, this conversation traces a lineage of people helping people. Molly Cassaro Jones—daughter of Irish and Italian second-generation immigrant families—grew up watching her grandfather defend dispossessed renters in Depression-era New York, her mother choose integration in 1960s Florida (“because I can make this choice now”), and her father welcome Iranian students during the hostage crisis. That inheritance of courage met an unthinkable loss when one of Molly’s 5 children, her son Pete, a gifted, big-hearted twin, elected to take his own life by suicide at the age of 23.Out of grief, Molly and her family built The Pete Foundation the very next day—turning sorrow into action, silence into language, and stigma into community. This episode is a hand on the shoulder and a lantern in the dark.What We Talk AboutA family legacy of standing up for others—and why it still matters nowPete’s life, laughter, and quiet way of making everyone feel seenThe moment grief became a mission: birthing The Pete Foundation overnightYouth mental health: giving kids the language to name what they feelFrom Chalk the Walk to Rock the Elephant: creativity as medicineThe Mental Health Flag: taking the conversation into public spacesTwo hard but vital questions parents can ask their kidsQPR training (Question, Persuade, Refer): a simple, life-saving startKey Facts (let’s make the invisible visible)~1 in 5 young people experience a mental health disorder.Suicide is the #2 cause of death for ages 10–34 in the U.S.In Kentucky, suicides outnumber homicides by nearly 2 to 1. Statistics aren’t stories—but stories give statistics a heartbeat. This is one of those stories.Resources & LinksThe Pete Foundation — programs, trainings, Mental Health Flag, and ways to help: thepetefoundation.orgQPR Suicide Prevention Training (free via The Pete Foundation): inquire on the siteMental Health Flag — fly it, post it, normalize it (available via The Pete Foundation and other public sellers)If You Need Help (now)Call or text 988 (U.S.) for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—24/7, free, confidential.If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.A Line to Carry With You“Truth wins out—and so does good.”Call to ActionIf this episode moved you, do one thing today:Schedule a QPR training for your school, team, office, or faith community.Buy and fly the Mental Health Flag.Share this episode with one person who needs to know they’re not alone.

Every now and then, a story steps out of the noise and reminds us what leadership really looks like. In this episode of The Story of Us, host Jeff Ellison sits down with Drake Ballard — a long time friend and former collegiate athlete whose life lessons on the baseball diamond have become a blueprint for compassion, grit, and human connection.Drake’s journey takes us from Little League dugouts in Kentucky to the quiet triumphs of helping children with disabilities find independence, joy, and dignity. Together, Jeff and Drake explore how empathy and expectation can coexist — how joy grows where they meet — and why real leadership isn’t about applause, but about presence.It’s a conversation about purpose over perfection, character over clout, and the kind of victories that never show up on a scoreboard.Key ThemesHow sports can teach emotional intelligence and resilienceThe transformative power of empathy in leadership and serviceRedefining “winning” through acts of kindness and inclusionTurning compassion into courage in the face of challengeThe quiet, daily work of helping children with disabilities thriveMemorable Quote“Joy grows where expectations and empathy meet. That’s where real leadership begins.”About the GuestDrake Ballard is a collegiate athlete turned mentor and advocate for children with disabilities. His work blends psychology, behavioral science, and lived empathy — helping young people build independence and confidence through small, meaningful victories.About the SeriesThe Story of Us: From Cosmic Dawn to the Depths of Being explores the luminous intersections of humanity — where science meets spirit, grit meets grace, and one person’s story helps us rediscover our own.

Host Jeff Ellison sits down with longtime friend Paul Osting — athlete, engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of Peacemakers Elder Care — to explore faith, family, and the courage to “run to the roar.” Inspired by Mark Batterson’s Chase the Lion, Paul’s story reminds us that peace isn’t found in comfort, but in choosing to live with purpose and heart.Together, Jeff and Paul explore the power of mentorship, legacy, and “running to the roar” — facing life’s fears head-on with love and conviction. It’s a story that captures what The Story of Us Project is all about: discovering the sacred threads that connect us all.Featured Topics:Growing up in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, in a multi-generational family businessLessons from baseball that transcend the game — discipline, teamwork, and resilienceA 26-year career with UPS: from global engineering to personal callingFounding Peacemakers Elder Care and living out the Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers”How faith, family, and service shape a life of purposeReflections from Mark Batterson’s The Lion Chaser’s Manifesto:“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Run to the roar.”Episode Themes:Faith as a compassThe courage to start againFinding purpose in serviceGenerational legacy and the ripple effect of dreams“Running to the roar” — the sacred act of facing fear with loveKey Quote:“Peace isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you make.” — Paul OstingIf Paul’s story moved you, share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded of their own courage.Every story told becomes a story shared — and that’s how The Story of Us continues.Keep listening deeply. Keep telling your story bravely.Together, let’s keep writing The Story of Us.

In this special episode, Jeff revisits the origins of The Story of Us—how a playful disagreement with his wife over the podcast name became a spark that revealed its deeper truth. What began as a title became a manifesto: an invitation to explore everything that connects us—from the birth of galaxies to the pulse of our shared humanity.Through reflection and storytelling, Jeff traces the threads of influence that have shaped the project: ✨ the scientific wonder of Neil deGrasse Tyson and Carl Sagan, 🧘 the spiritual stillness of Eckhart Tolle and Thich Nhat Hanh, 🧠 the introspective language of psychology, 🙏 the contemplative wisdom of faith traditions, and 📖 the mythic framework of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey.Together, they weave a tapestry that reminds us: the story of the universe and the story of you are one and the same.🪞 Key ThemesThe Power of “Us”: Why connection—across laughter, imperfection, and shared curiosity—is the real subject of this show.Cosmic to Personal: How the birth of stars mirrors the stirrings of our own hearts.Silence and Stillness: The art of listening deeply—to ourselves, to others, to the universe.The Hero’s Journey: How myth and meaning live in every human story.The Invitation: To wonder, to remember, to reconnect.🗣 Notable Quotes“The story of the universe and the story of you and I are not two stories—they are the same story, seen from different vantage points.”“This podcast isn’t polished perfection; it’s a living, breathing, sometimes awkward, always beautiful unfolding.”“The cosmos is vast, yes. But so is the heart. And somewhere between the two, we’ll find meaning—together.”🌍 Connect and ContributeIf this episode stirs something in you—share it. Pass it along to someone who loves philosophy, science, or simply the art of being human. And if you have a story to tell—your story—reach out at The Story of Us Project. Because every voice adds a thread to the grand tapestry we’re weaving.We are stardust, telling stories to remember who we are. From the cosmic dawn to the depths of being—this is the story of us.

In this heartfelt episode of The Story of Us, host Jeff Ellison sits down with longtime friend Todd Lanham—a father, husband, creative, and the mind behind the beloved Instagram account Lou Guru. But behind the food photos and Louisville adventures lies a story woven with resilience, loss, and redemption.Todd opens up about growing up on a family farm in small-town Kentucky during the 1980s—where hardship, hope, and even the echoes of the Cornbread Mafia shaped his early years. He shares his unlikely journey from the tobacco fields of Springfield to the streets of London, from family tragedy to fatherhood, and how each twist in his story taught him to make the small things the big things.Together, Jeff and Todd explore what it means to live under pressure and emerge stronger, how grief can become fuel for purpose, and how authenticity—both online and off—creates connection in a world desperate for it.This conversation is equal parts memoir, therapy, and Kentucky soul. Whether you’re facing midlife transitions, chasing creative passions, or simply trying to savor your next meal with more gratitude, Todd’s story will remind you that the little things are never little at all.🎧 Highlights include:Growing up in Springfield, Kentucky and lessons from the family farmLife-changing mentorship, love, and lossThe creation of Lou Guru and Louisville’s local food magicGrieving, healing, and finding meaning after tragedyTurning health challenges and self-discipline into transformation (over 100 lbs lost)Fatherhood, music, and the art of living intentionally💡 “Pressure doesn’t crush you. It can also redefine you.”🎵 Featuring original music by Anthony Melange (Todd’s son) – listen to Red Wine on Spotify or Apple Music.🔗 Learn more and read Jeff’s companion essay “Under Pressure: Coping with the Weight of 50” at thestoryofusproject.comTo order a copy of the book, The Cornbread Mafia: A Homegrown Syndicate's Code Of Silence And The Biggest Marijuana Bust In American History https://www.amazon.com/dp/1493038494?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_ud_dp_0P0YYD1WHC22KGSTK3KK_1&bestFormat=true&language=en-US

Some days it feels like our minds are stuck on an endless hamster wheel—spinning, sprinting, replaying mistakes, rehearsing problems, inventing battles that don’t even exist. We juggle roles—parent, partner, leader, friend—and each one feeds the wheel until it feels impossible to stop.In this episode, Jeff explores the hidden scripts and unconscious patterns that keep us stuck in relentless motion. Drawing on the wisdom of Eckhart Tolle and Thich Nhat Hanh, he invites us to step off the wheel, if only for a moment, and reclaim presence.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:The conflict between our adaptive personalities and our authentic selves.The self-critical questions that fuel the wheel at night.How inherited paradigms (“I must succeed to be worthy”) silently drive exhaustion.Why mindfulness is the pause button that slows time and stretches space.Four simple practices to reset:The Three-Breath ResetNaming Your HamsterWalking Like You Have Nowhere to GoThe Spacious MinuteA reminder that you are not alone in this struggle—it is part of the universal human story.Key TakeawayLife is not the wheel. Life is the still ground it spins upon. When we pause, breathe, and return to presence, we find that joy, clarity, and connection have been waiting for us all along.If this conversation speaks to you, share it with someone else who may be stuck on their own hamster wheel. Together, we can learn to step off, slow down, and rediscover the simple power of being.

Today we mix the cosmic with the cozy. For the first time ever, The Story of Us is guest-hosted by Peyton Ellison, who puts her dad Jeff in the hot seat. They explore how mindfulness slows time, why softness is not weakness, and how forgiveness frees us to breathe again. Jeff shares “cheat codes” for staying calm (pause, observe, use fewer words, forgive quickly), reflects on raising a daughter and learning to revere women’s quiet strength, and tells a favorite memory: a sleepy walk to a Hilton Head shoreline where a sunrise became a tradition—and a metaphor. The episode ends with five simple, searing pieces of advice worth taping to your mirror.Key Topics / TakeawaysMindfulness as practice: presence over perfection; thoughts as passing clouds; the train-station observer.Calm under fire: pause before you plunge; be a conscious observer; don’t grab every storm.Girl-dad perspective: cherishing women’s resilience, emotional intelligence, and heart-led leadership.Parenting paradox: we can be the lighthouse, but the sea belongs to our kids.Life design: don’t confuse constant motion with success; protect your energy like it’s sacred.Five closing maxims:Don’t trade your peace for approval.Don’t trade your time for nickels.Don’t dilute yourself to be digestible.Say no early and often.If you forget who you are, call me—I’ll remind you.Memorable Quotes“Mindfulness is kind of magic—done right, it slows down time.”“We can be your lighthouse, but the ocean is yours.”“Use fewer words—mean all of them.”“Don’t dilute yourself just to be digestible.”“If you forget who you are, call me. I’ll remind you.”Links & ResourcesPeyton’s blog: piecesofp.comMentioned: Neil deGrasse Tyson quote on the present Mentioned: The Four Agreements (be impeccable with your word)Mentioned: Mel Robbins episode on life timelines

THE MOST ANTICIPATED PODCAST DROP SINCE #NEWHEIGHTS.In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of The Story of Us, host Jeff Ellison welcomes a very special guest—his daughter, Peyton Marie Ellison. At just 21, Peyton has already lived a life brimming with travel, creativity, and courage. A student at the University of Tennessee, writer of the inspiring blog Pieces of P, and a fearless explorer of both the world and herself, Peyton brings wisdom well beyond her years to the microphone.Together, father and daughter reflect on her journey so far: from the lessons of growing up in Kentucky, to transformative moments abroad, to her recent three-month internship in New York City. Peyton opens up about self-love, confidence, and learning the difference between loneliness and solitude. She shares candidly about body image struggles, pivotal travel experiences, and the power of manifesting dreams—not as blind fate, but as intentional action guided by clarity and courage.The conversation flows like a kitchen-table chat, blending humor, tenderness, and insight. Listeners will hear stories of Paris and Morocco, Manhattan apartments and Santorini sunsets, as well as Peyton’s reflections on writing as a way of bottling memories like vials of sand. With grace and authenticity, she reminds us that happiness isn’t the absence of problems, but the strength to face them.Whether you’re navigating your 20s, raising a child, or simply seeking inspiration, this episode offers a reminder to “go be great,” to say yes to joy, and to trust in the unfolding chapters of your own story.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Haeli Elizabeth Spears—a remarkable young woman whose story weaves together family legacy, personal growth, and a deep sense of purpose. From childhood dreams of acting to a career in healthcare, Haeli’s journey reveals how love, curiosity, and service can shape a meaningful life.Highlights from the conversation:Growing up in Louisville, KY surrounded by a supportive family and a “village” of strong women in healthcare.Early passions for theater, dance, and journalism—and the pivot that led her into communications and healthcare marketing.Carrying forward her family’s caregiving legacy as Marketing Director at Commonwealth Pain and Spine, supporting those living with chronic pain.Reflections on her marriage, family milestones, and how personal experiences—like her wedding—brought healing and connection.A love for books, music, and art, including the inspiration she draws from authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid and artists like Kacey Musgraves and Father John Misty.Deep dives into meaning, mortality, and interconnectedness: from teenage existential questions to adult insights about living fully in the present.Practices that “fill her well”—from cooking and yoga to creating a warm, intentional home.Thoughts on legacy, purpose, and advice to her younger and future self.This episode is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to live with intention, curiosity, and love. Haeli reminds us that while life is fleeting, our ability to leave the world a little better is the story worth writing.👉 Read more reflections on this conversation in the blog post: May Your Cup Runneth Over at www.thestoryofusproject.com.

This episode is deeply personal, vulnerable and I hope it brings you hope. It's a reflection on a blog post I published titled “Coping with a Child’s Mental Health Struggles and Finding Joy in the Everyday” (July 23, 2025), which resonated with so many of you. Thank you for your support, shares, and kind words—it means the world to my family and me.Today’s episode explores what it means to parent a child with bipolar depression, and more broadly, what it means to hold space for a loved one navigating mental health challenges. It's not easy—and yet, it’s one of the most courageous acts of love there is.We’ll talk about:The difference between pain and suffering as parentsHow to bear witness to your child’s internal battlesWhy joy is not betrayal—it’s essential for survivalWhat coregulation is and how your calm presence supports healingThe quiet heroism of showing up again and againWhen and how to seek professional helpWhy you’re never alone, even when it feels like itThis episode is especially for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone walking alongside someone they love through mental illness. Whether you're living this reality yourself or holding space for someone who is—you belong here.Key Quotes:"Joy isn’t a betrayal of suffering—it’s an act of balance. A way of telling the world: we are still here.""You don’t have to say the perfect thing—you just have to keep showing up.""Your calm can be a sanctuary. Not because you're perfect, but because you’re present."Topics We Touch On:Parenting a child with bipolar depressionThe emotional toll and resilience of caregivingWhy mental health conversations must be normalizedThe sacredness of small, ordinary joysThe value of asking for help and early interventionHow parents can model vulnerability and emotional regulationMentioned in the Episode:Blog Post: Coping with a Child’s Mental Health Struggles and Finding Joy in the Everyday (Published July 23, 2025)Visit our website for resources: www.storyofusproject.comFollow along and share on Instagram & Facebook @storyofusprojectNote from Jeff:If you’re walking through something similar, I see you. Your presence, your patience, and your love make a difference—even if the results aren’t visible yet. You’re doing sacred work. Stay with it. And never forget—you are not alone.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.Until next time—stay present, stay loving, and hold on to the sparks of joy.

I don’t believe I’ve watched one particular movie more often then I’ve watchedIt’s a Wonderful Life. Each Holiday season, I’m reminded that the torture I get to inflict on my family by subjecting them to this 1940’s black and white classic is the “gift that keeps on giving” for me. My sister shares my love for this movie but, others? Eh, debatable. They make an effort and they play along with the tradition. Nevertheless, each year, I curl up on the couch, pour a strong drink and hit “Play” – trying my best to hide the hurt deep in my soul when they roll their eyes at the opening credits and then commence to fall fast asleep before Clarence even makes his grand entrance. One of these days, I’ll breakthrough their cold, dead hearts. Until then, whether it’s the 50th or the 100th time I see it, I’ll bawl uncontrollably when the closing credits roll. (Like Pavlov’s dog, cue up some “Auld Lang Syne” and my chin instinctively starts to quiver).What exactly is it that connects me so deeply with this particular movie?I think maybe it’s that so many of us can relate to ol’ George Bailey. I sure know I can.

Join us for Episode 3 where we visit the home of Kathy and Kelly Thompson. After sharing a family meal featuring fresh vegetables from Kathy’s garden, Jeff and Kathy dive deep into some heady territory. Kathy shares the story of her life from the early days In Louisville through the 67th year of her life, Listen closely and you’ll hear the sounds of life happening all around (including some fireworks going off nearby).Prepare to laugh a little, learn a lot and listen as we tackle some ancient questions around the mysteries of life.Featuring a poem reading and lesson’s learned from Thomas Merton’s work. We discuss how to best look again at the ordinary, and find the extraordinary. How to recognize that awakening isn’t somewhere else—it’s here, waiting in the middle of your life. In your garden. At the supermarket. In the faces of strangers you pass by each day on your way to wherever it is you are rushing to get to.It lives in the places we least expect holiness to live.

On this episode, Jeff takes the time to welcome the listener and set the table for meaningful conversations yet to come. Listeners will take the time to first pause and meditate before contemplating life as a human in the Year 2025 AD. Jeff dives into some of the big challenges facing humanity before putting our problems into perspective - placing the listener in the present as it relates to the vastness of both time and space. We share inspirational quotes from Carl Sagan, James McPhee and astronaut Ed Mitchell. We then help the listener understand the importance of story telling to the human journey (from cosmic dawn to the depths of being). Jeff introduces listeners to one of his influencers, Joseph Campbell, the great American writer and mythologist. We emphasize the symbolic meaning of global religious stories without disparaging them. Jeff invites the listener to embrace humanity as a species of suffering individuals- all fighting to grasp the meaning of life. Finally, we kickoff our journey and prepare for the conversations to follow.

Jeff tests an introduction and has a casual conversation with his wife, Jessica