Changing the Rules

Don & Ray talk about how to pull your stories out of you and then tell stories. Stories in this episode: 1. Don talks about his first job. 2. Ray talks about rediscovering the Aurora Borealis. Don talks about "Do we really want to do this? And more...

Clemence is the owner of "Memoirs and More." Memoirs are the stories, and more are family histories. Genealogy is the skeleton of the family, but stories are the flesh & blood. How do you begin to tell yours, and why should you tell it?

Joan is an Attorney, Mediator, and Grandparent. In this episode, she talks about the positive influence grandparents have on their grandchildren, but how they often lack the power to follow through.

In this episode, host Ray Loewe and John Gardner explore the idea of “The Five Generations” — how generational context shapes opportunity, social mobility, and perceptions of success across time. The conversation examines how families and communities progress (or don’t) across generations, and challenges common assumptions about poverty, success, education, and “what it takes” to get ahead. The ep...

Host Ray Loewe and guests Jane Armstrong, a puppeteer and ventriloquist; Jane Grove, a storyteller and driver of antique cars; and Mary Ann Steinhauer, a hot air balloon pilot and writer, discuss the power of the story in their lives. Lots of great stories are told in this episode

Two single women. A meeting by fate. The creation of a new business venture, Survival. Growth. And now the trials and tribulations of expansion. Now throw in some kids, horses, and chickens, and you have today's interview.

Meaningful stories and how we might tell them to a friendly, supportive group. Transitioning into stories, crafting a good story, middling, competitive vacationing, etc. How do you find your best stories? How to practice and improve your stories?

Four storytellers talk about their experiences creating and sharing stories and how stories enhance their relationships with both family and friends.

Phil discusses "Exploring the Arts" by starting with a piece of art and then combining it with written commentary, music, and verbal comments. He also discusses his involvement in storytelling, ranging from prose to poetry, and how he communicates with his family through poetry.

Tracey Gates, author of "A Few Kind Words," a previous keynote speaker at our Friends Connection Forum, and a previous guest on "Changing the Rules," shares a story that begins with trusting and ultimately comes full circle, back to trust. This is a must-listen-to podcast.

Rebecca Hoffman, owner of Good Egg Concepts, is a marketing & branding consultant based in the Chicago Metro Area. But to me, Rebecca will always be my storytelling coach. Rebecca introduced me to the world of storytelling with some simple but effective ideas that you can use too.

There is nothing like a good story to boost and improve conversation. Meet Geoff Boyer, parent, grandparent, and businessman. Learn how he uses stories across all three platforms.

Both Marybeth and Robin suffered unexpected medical events that derailed their lives and could have derailed them long-term. Yet, both continue today to live their lives under their terms. Support Groups were key to both in achieving what they couldn't do alone.

Stories that bridge the ages are sometimes called Living Stories, Generational stories, or Legacy stories. They're stories that bridge generations and often evolve over time. They can memorialize the original creator. And they can create substantial joy over the years. Listen as Joyce talks about the creation of the "Story of Rover" and how it's traveled through family generations.

In the first of several podcasts on storytelling, host Ray Loewe discusses the importance of the story as an effective means of communication.

Ever felt lost in an art museum? I used to feel frustrated and intimidated, surrounded by masterpieces I just didn’t get. That changed when I met Joanie—an art appreciation teacher for five-year-olds—who shared her simple yet powerful Five Rules of Art Appreciation. What once felt confusing became truly enjoyable. Tune in to learn how she transformed my perspective—and how her rules might transfor...

We make hundreds of choices every day. Although all are important, most have short-term implications. John cites four that have longer-term consequences. Once made, they are harder to change and often involve financial and other challenges. If you make them right, you are often happy and fulfilled. If you make them wrong, they often lead to unhappiness. John will get you to think about career, mar...

Artificial Intelligence (NotebookLM) reviews our first six months of Changing the Rules. What did we really say?

Bonnie Shay introduced me to Tracey Gates, a speaker, at our Friends Connection Forum in June 2025. Before attending the Forum, Bonnie had already begun her adventure of writing a letter of gratitude every day for 365 gays. She comments on the joy of becoming a kindness ambassador and how she actually completed the process.

While sitting in a workshop on "Telling Your Story With A Few Curated Photos," Brian had an inspiration. An image of an old camping box led to a series of photos that conjured up old memories and a photobook, "My Life In Sixteen Photos.' Sharing that book with family led to receiving back more incredible memories. ONE GOOD STORY BEGETS ANOTHER GOOD STORY...

Marc is a podcaster and radio show host geared toward the entrepreneur.. Marc and Ray discuss the characteristics of entrepreneurs, particularly "river people & goal people." Discover whether you are a "river person or a goal person." Do you have the other characteristics to be an entrepreneur: Resilience, adaptability, the ability to pivot?

Jen's Journey from Physician to Author. Two concepts that drive Jen's writing: (1) Inspired by things that lie on the edge of reality. (2)The truth is stranger than fiction. Now, imagine two books: (1) Blood Type X and (2) The Photo Thief. Now listen to Jen's story.

The Whiz Kid is a collaborative effort born from his late father's unfinished novella. How does an author create a plot, characters, and a Title? Let's explore this unique situation: Joel, the Author, is legally blind. Joel contends with building on the emotional aspect of collaborating with his deceased father. Joel builds on the memories of growing up in Philadelphia and the excitement of champi...

Ray talks with Terri Webb about her experience of celebrating her life, in her own words. Get advice on creating your own Living Celebration.

The Joel Burcat Story: Perseverance and adapting to challenges. Transitioning from an environmental lawyer to a writer. Joel discusses how he began writing and the support he received from the writing community. Then, facing a significant challenge caused by losing vision in both eyes due to a rare condition and despite becoming legally blind, Burcat shares how he adapted and continued his writing...