The Pass It On.com Podcast

What if the most powerful love story in American history was written on a battlefield? Today, we're traveling back to the Civil War—an era of unimaginable courage, sacrifice, and against all odds… incredible love. Get ready to meet Sullivan and Sarah Bellew, and a letter that will absolutely take your breath away.

At 16, Allie Newman's life changed overnight when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. What followed was a grueling 12-month battle involving intensive chemotherapy, a hip replacement, total femur and knee replacement. After beating cancer once, she faced a devastating relapse requiring the removal of most of one lung. Now cancer-free for seven years, Allie has graduated college, traveled the world, and joined Teen Cancer America—an organization founded by The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend—helping to create specialized cancer programs at 97 hospitals and impacting over 18,000 families. Listen to this episode featuring her simple but powerful message: resilience isn't just surviving the mountain in front of you, it's how you choose to climb it.

Among history's greatest composers—Bach, Handel, Mozart—one name stands apart: Ludwig van Beethoven. This is the story of a musical genius who faced an unthinkable fate. Just as he reached the height of his craft, Beethoven began losing his hearing. Instead of surrendering to his imparement he vowed to "seize fate by the throat" and composed his most transcendent work—a symphony so powerful it continues to move listeners today. Listen to our latest episode of how adversity transformed someone who was great into an even greater creative force and explore the story behind one of the most beloved pieces of music ever written.

In the mid-1800s, Milton Wright was a devoted preacher traveling the Midwest while his college-educated wife Susan nurtured their children's curiosity at home. When Milton brought home a simple toy—made of bamboo, cork, paper, and a rubber band—he couldn't have imagined it would spark a revolution. His sons, nicknamed Ulam and Bubz, became obsessed with the mechanics of flight. Despite dropping out of high school and their father's constant worry, the boys channeled their mother's gift for problem-solving into experiments that would come to change the world. On December 17, 1903, those two boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright, achieved powered human flight at Kitty Hawk. A decade later, when Milton finally agreed to fly with Orville, he shouted three words that captured everything he'd tried to teach them: "Higher, Orville, Higher!" Discover how a mother's dedication to teaching her kids creativity and a father's gift of a toy launched humanity into the skies.

Meet a young woman whose life changed forever at 18 when a routine medical procedure left her paralyzed from the waist down. While most teenagers were preparing for college and planning their futures, Mallory Weggemann was learning to navigate a world that had suddenly become unrecognizable. In the depths of despair she discovered an unexpected truth... that the words her father whispered to her every night as a child would become her lifeline: "You're the best. You can make a difference, and you can change the world." From a hospital bed to Paralympic gold, from anger to forgiveness, from impossibility to world records, learn how Mallory transformed a tragedy into personal triumph becoming one of the most decorated Paralympic swimmers in history.

Meet a boy who in 1906 would revolutionize how the entire world shares stories. While other teenagers were content with farm chores and simple pleasures, one extraordinary young man was dreaming up technologies that wouldn't become reality for decades. Born into a world without electricity or plumbing, Philo Farnsworth would go on to become the inventor of television. Learn how Philo took his curiosity, intellect, and a belief that anything is possible to invent something that the whole world uses each and every day.

Journey back to 1900 to meet a woman who defied every expectation of her time. While high society ladies sipped tea in elegant parlors, one extraordinary woman was braving blizzards, bandits, and wild animals in the rugged Montana wilderness. Born into slavery and freed at age 30, Mary Fields would go on to become the first African-American woman to deliver U.S. mail—earning her legendary status as "Stagecoach Mary." Armed with grit, an unbreakable spirit, (and firearms) she carved out her own path in the American West, becoming a beloved figure. This is a story about breaking barriers, finding your calling, and the kind of resilience that legends are made of. Listen about the extraordinary life of Mary "Stagecoach" Fields—a true pioneer whose legacy reminds us that sometimes the most unlikely heroes leave the most lasting marks on history.

What if I told you that one of history's most influential scientists was once labeled 'unteachable' and 'talentless' by his teachers? Listen to the remarkable story of Ernst Mach—a name you might recognize from supersonic flight as in "Mach 1 speed"—whose journey from academic failure to scientific genius is truly extraordinary. As a shy Austrian teenager in the 1850s, Ernst Mach struggled with classical languages while his teachers wrote him off as 'unteachable'. What they couldn't see was that Ernst's mind was already grasping the fundamental forces of our universe. He would go on to revolutionize physics and inspire Albert Einstein himself. Einstein called Mach the precursor to his theory of relativity. But perhaps Mach's greatest achievement wasn't in the laboratory at all. It was in the classroom, proving that sometimes the most unconventional students become the most extraordinary teachers. This is a story about second chances, the power of hands-on learning, and how one seemingly dismissed student changed the way we understand space, time, and reality itself.

In this second part of our two-part series with Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal, we dive deep into the practical side of building resilience. If you missed part one, she introduced us to life's challenging "three C's" (challenge, change, and complexity) and shared her powerful insight that we all have the ability to overcome because resilience lives within each of us. Today, we're exploring her five transformative practices of highly resilient people. From her personal journey overcoming undiagnosed dyslexia in third grade to studying the lives of remarkable leaders like Nelson Mandela, Dr. Stejskal reveals how resilience isn't about bouncing back unchanged—it's about bouncing forward, forever transformed by our experiences. You'll discover why vulnerability tops her list of resilient practices, learn the art of productive perseverance, and understand how to cultivate the kind of connection, gratitude, and positive thinking that turns life's darkest moments into light for yourself & others. Get ready to strengthen your own resilience toolkit as we uncover the science and art of struggling well.

Listen to Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal, a world-renowned expert in resilience, mental health, and well-being, share powerful insights about the fundamental human capacity for resilience. Beginning with her personal story of overcoming dyslexia in the 3rd grade, Taryn reveals how resilience is not just something we need—it's actually part of our DNA. Through extensive research interviewing hundreds of people about their life's challenges, she discovered that while challenge, change, and complexity are an inevitable part of everyone's life, our inherent resilience gives us the tools to face them successfully. This podcast offers a refreshing perspective: resilience isn't about avoiding struggle, but rather about developing the skills to struggle well, turning trials into triumphs, and ultimately building a foundation for better mental health, stronger relationships, and greater happiness.

Most world records celebrate the fastest, strongest, quickest or most extreme human achievements but this episode is about patience, perseverance, and perhaps the most unusual Olympic comeback story in history. Get ready to meet Shizo Kanakuri, an amazing long distance runner from Japan who happens to hold the world record for the longest time ever to complete a marathon. From starting a marathon in Stockholm in 1912 to a heartwarming reunion decades later, this story proves that sometimes, the most memorable races aren't about how quickly you reach the finish line, but about having the courage to eventually finish what you started.

Meet Michael Wunderli, a former high school wrestler turned attorney, who credits the mental toughness he developed on the mat for his success in life. Join us as Michael shares how a pivotal tournament and the wisdom of his coach taught him to face life's challenges head on rather than retreat from them. Michael's inspiring story reminds us that sometimes the greatest gift we can give each other is simply believing in them—especially when they might not believe in themselves. Who do you know that needs you to believe in them?

From starship captain to real-life astronaut, William Shatner has boldly gone where few have dared. But beneath the Hollywood fame is a man who claims he's just "stumbling along with everybody else." In this episode, discover how the legendary Star Trek (and other amazing shows & plays) actor & musician turned setbacks into comebacks, and at age 90, proved it's never too late to literally reach for the stars. Enjoy to our new episode featuring William Shatner's inspiring story. Boldy Go... Pass It On.

Imagine a time when the American stock market was soaring, jazz music booming, and the cinema world revolutionized by "talkies". But amidst this era of optimism, one young boy from Cleveland, Ohio, would find himself facing tragedy and hardship that would forever change his life. Meet Jerry Siegel, a teenager whose summer of innocence was shattered on June 2nd, 1927, when his father's sudden death left him reeling. Listen to the story of the creation of Superman when Jerry Siegel made an unlikely friendship with Joe Schuster that would go on to change the course of American culture. We'll delve into the world of comic strips, science fiction, and movies that fueled their creativity, and discover how Jerry's imagination transformed him from a bullied teenager to creating a visionary character who brought truth, justice, and the American way to the world. Join us on this journey as we uncover the fascinating story behind the origin of one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. From the humble beginnings of Superman to his enduring legacy, we'll explore what made Jerry Siegel & Joe Schuster's creation so enduringly powerful—and how it continues to inspire us today.

Take a musical journey from the streets of Manchester to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio with Graham Nash. Not content to rest on his laurels after countless awards and honors (including two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions and an OBE) Graham Nash continues to believe in music's power to change the world. At over 80 years old, he's still writing & performing amazing songs, still inspiring, and still working toward what he calls 'a better life.' Join us as we explore the remarkable story & vision of Graham Nash who became one of rock's most enduring voices for hope and change. You can also enjoy his song "A Better Life" on all streaming services and YouTube at https://youtu.be/NgWHgcNpcDs.

In our previous episode on Happiness (episode 5), we explored the concept of happiness—what it means and how to cultivate it. Now, we're taking it a step further: What if we could invest in our happiness, putting habits and relationships in place today that will pay dividends down the road? That's exactly what we'll be discussing in this follow-up episode on 'Happiness'. Dr. Arthur C. Brooks, a happiness expert from Harvard, spent decades studying what makes people thrive, and he's here to share seven proven, research-backed steps anyone can do to build a lifetime of true happiness. Whether you're young or old, this episode will inspire you to start your journey to secure long-term happiness. Happiness... Pass It On!

In the darkest days of World War II, as Nazi bombers threatened Britain's very existence, an unlikely hero emerged: Tilly Shilling, a motorcycle-racing engineer with a passion for speed and innovation. As Royal Air Force planes fell from the sky—their engines failing at crucial moments—Tilly's ingenuity was put to the ultimate test. Racing against time, she developed a simple yet brilliant solution that would keep Britain's fighters in the air and change the course of the war. Listen to the thrilling story of how one woman's invention saved Britain's finest hour and helped turn the tide against Hitler's forces.

This episode is dedicated to those educators who go beyond teaching subjects—they inspire, mentor, and change lives. We share the moving story of Mrs. Sargent, a dedicated teacher who left an indelible mark on her students, and the unforgettable influence of Lauren Johnson, whose passion and belief in his students continue to inspire long after the classroom lights have dimmed. Whether you're a student, a teacher, or simply someone who remembers a special educator, this episode is a tribute to the power of teaching and the lasting impact of those who believe in us. Join us as we thank the teachers in our lives.

Get ready to uncover the secrets of happiness with renowned expert Dr. Arthur Brooks! We're exploring the most popular course in Harvard's history—Positive Psychology. What really drives human happiness? Is it success, money, or something we've overlooked? Join us as Dr. Brooks challenges common assumptions and offers practical wisdom for a better, happier life. From defining happiness to cultivating it daily, this episode promises insights that could transform your perspective. Happiness... Pass It On!

In the shadow of Nazi Germany, two athletes from opposing sides forged an unlikely friendship that would become one of the greatest examples of sportsmanship in Olympic history. This is the story of Jesse Owens and Luz Long - a tale of rivalry, courage, and a bond that transcended race, politics, and war. Their encounter at the 1936 Berlin Olympics not only changed the course of athletic competition but also left an indelible mark on the human spirit. Prepare to be inspired by a friendship that proved more valuable than gold and outlasted the ravages of time and conflict.