Story Junkies Podcast

In this episode you'll meet John Olsen, who was born and raised in Cache Valley. At the age of 8, he began to realize that the home he lived in (built in the mid-1880s) was peculiar. In this episode he tells us all about his experiences, and they're pretty fascinating!  Fueled by his own experiences with the unknown, John has spent the last 30 years interviewing and documenting first-hand accounts...

What would it be like to work in hospice care; helping patients and their families navigate the ends of their lives? Hospice nurse  Nichole Olmsted answers that for us. She loves what she does and believes that the end of someone's life can be just as beautiful as the beginning.  Give this episode a listen to find out what hospice is really all about, how the program works, and the valuable resour...

Get ready to meet Rachel's awesome nephew, Ahaise.  Born in Uganda, Ahaise was adopted as a young child and raised in the U.S. In this episode we chat all about his life's journey; including what it was like in the Ugandan orphanage, what his first impressions of America were, how he got started in acting, and the hilarious way he landed a gig as a North Face model (along with the unique reason he...

Kick off the new year right by listening to a conversation that Lisa and Rachel have with Susie Schwartz, author of the book "Help the Doctor Help You...31 Secrets and Tips for Self-Advocacy for Getting the Best from Your Appointments." Susie's been dealing with numerous health challenges ever since she was a young child. Through those experiences she's learned a lot about dealing with difficult a...

What would it be like to be in NYC on September 11, 2001? Not only was now-retired New York City Police Department Sergeant John Ferriso there that day, he was on duty. In this powerful episode John gives us his first-hand account of what he experienced on that horrific morning, the citizens he encountered, the feelings he had, and the aftermath of New Yorkers in the weeks and months that followed...

In this episode you'll meet Pamela Thompson, a professional facilitator who lived and worked in Afghanistan for a year to help the  Ministry of Public Health develop their first strategic plan. Hear all about it, including how she manifested the opportunity, what the Afghan people were like, how she navigated the language barrier, how she stayed safe in such a volatile environment, how she managed...

In this episode we chat with Angela Fuller, a 42 year old Highlands Ranch, Colorado mom who recently competed on American Ninja Warrior. Being on the show was a dream come true, especially considering what her health was like for fourteen years. After being in a car accident back in college she was left with severe injuries that changed her life, and not in a good way.  A former athlete, she was t...

In this episode you'll meet Erin Huff; a great mom, loving wife, supportive friend, and successful makeup artist. She's also an alcoholic. During this raw and real conversation she shares her journey - from taking her first sip of alcohol in the 9th grade to the day she attended her first AA meeting while visibly pregnant.  The conversation morphs from alcoholism and addiction to the topics of sha...

In this episode Rachel and Lisa chat with superstar mom Crystal Hand, who is a hearing mom to two deaf children and host of the podcast "The Other Side of Deaf". In our conversation (and on her podcast) she shares the ins and outs of what it's like raising deaf children.  Listen in to find out how she discovered they were hearing impaired when they were little, how the family learned to communicat...

In this episode, Lisa and Rachel chat with Stephanie Thompson, who was in a life-changing car accident on her way home from church a few miles from her house. In addition to changing her physically, the experience changed her in other ways too.  We talk about letting go of our need of wanting to control everything, navigating feelings of helplessness, and having to face fear right in the face.(Spe...

Lisa and Rachel share a super fun chat with author Vic Ferrari, a retired New York City Police Department detective who says that his job was like having a front row seat to the circus! He gives us the inside scoop on what it was like to work for the NYPD, what it feels like to survive life-threatening situations, some of the practical jokes he and his fellow officers played on each other, and eve...

In this episode Lisa and Rachel chat with Martina Kwan, who believes that it's never too late to change your life, and she did just that at 50. We women tend to lose our identity because of all of the other hats we wear….mom, spouse, employee, etc. A week alone years ago changed everything as she rediscovered who she really is: a race car driver! While your dream may not involve getting behind the...

In this episode Rachel and Lisa chat with Shane Boyd, whose head was used as a "speed bump" during a drunken night back in 1999.  Yes....you read that correctly...a SPEED BUMP. Listen to his amazing story of recovery, how it changed the trajectory of his life, and what you can learn from his life-changing experience.  Get a copy of his book "Speed Bumps in the Mind: 7 Steps to Unleash Your Inner G...

In this episode we chat with Psychic Medium and Mentor Ioanna Serpanos. She's renowned for her accuracy, honesty and integrity and delivers messages from Spirit with compassion, humility, and down-to-earth practicality.  Whether or not you're a believer, you'll be fascinated by our conversation. She shares stories about what it's like to be connected to the Spirits, when she first realized she had...

In this episode you'll meet Carey Seery, a college pal of Lisa's who was a contestant on The Price is Right! Not only do we talk about what that experience was like, but we also get into a really deep conversation about setting goals, going for our dreams, and creating and maintaining bucket lists.  Get ready to be inspired to think about what you really want in life and to take the first steps to...

Think you have a good memory? Maybe you do, but it's probably not as good as Brad's. Brad Williams is one of the only people in the world who has been confirmed by researchers as having Hyperthymesia, also known as Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, or "HSAM." In this episode you'll learn what it's like living with this gift, how he first realized his ability was special, and how he's hoping...

In this episode Lisa and Rachel chat with Krystle Dookoo, who recently became an American citizen. She talks all about her journey toward citizenship - the ins and outs of the process, the difficulties she faced, and the pride she felt at her swearing in ceremony. We also talk about how amazing New Yorkers are and what the world can learn from their awesomeness. Connect with Krystle at www.imageri...

In this fascinating episode, mountaineer (and Lisa's husband) Jonathan White shares his adventure of spending multiple days and nights climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He answers all the important questions, such as how he got himself and 300 pounds of gear up the rock wall, logistics for using the "bathroom", and what made him want to attempt this feat in the first place.  

In this episode you'll meet Komal Shah, who was on the path toward a career in healthcare until a trip to India unexpectedly changed her life. On a whim she applied for and was accepted into the Teach for America program, an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for low-income students. The experience was life changing. In addition to hearing about what being a new teacher in a school...

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a Guinness World Record holder? Our guest John Orth will tell you all about it! In 2016 he broke a world record and then strived to beat it again just two years later. You'll hear first-hand how intense his training was, the process for documenting the actual attempt, how an injury threatened to derail his effort, what it felt like when someone beat his reco...

Talk Back Barbie is actually author Lauren Lusby Fernandez, and she has a great story to share! She tells us all about her experience as a Secret Service agent in the Bush administration - details such as what it's like to take a polygraph test, what happened when she  "talked back" to a superior during her training, and what it's like to work at the White House. Her story is one of grit, determin...

Ever wonder what it would be like to serve in the Peace Corps? Wonder no more! In this episode we chat with Dr. Paula Winke, who spent two years volunteering in China back in 1998-99. She tells us all about her adventures, including why everyone was so surprised that she was a female, how she got her stomach to adjust to spicy Chinese cuisine, and why she and her fellow volunteers were once put un...

Our guest Brendan Roy shares some pretty cool stories from his time with the U.S. Border Patrol. He also hosts a dad podcast, so we chat a little bit about parenting challenges and realities. 

Ever wonder what it would be like to donate an organ? To give someone you care about the gift of life? Wonder no more....our guest Lindsey did just that by donating a kidney to her two year old niece Beckett. In this episode you'll hear the amazing story from "Super Aunt" Lindsey and Beckett's mom Molly.  More information at www.kidney.org  

Ever dream of quitting your job, building an RV and traveling the open road? That's what our guest Nick Wathier did back in 2019. He converted his Dodge Caravan into a fully functioning tiny RV and for nine months he traveled all across North America in it. Hear why and how he did it, what he learned from the experience, and why he thinks everyone should find a way to do something like it if they...