Storytellers with a Message

What starts as a routine flight home from an unforgettable vacation quickly becomes something much more. In this episode, I share the story of a flight that unexpectedly turned back after an engine failure. As the cabin filled with the smell of jet fuel, passengers sat in uneasy silence. As a long row of firetrucks lined the runway below, I found myself experiencing something surprising, not panic...

A simple salsa disaster turns into a funny, honest look at how we expect instant mastery in life. From food‑processor envy to three tragic dip attempts, this episode explores why skill takes time, why “garbage in, garbage out” really does apply, and how choosing better ingredients—literally and figuratively—changes everything. A light, relatable story about patience, practice, and learning what no...

A story about chasing someone else’s idea of success...and discovering it doesn’t fit. Lorrie reflects on her father’s long‑admired Mercedes and how true fulfillment comes from knowing what matters to you , not what looks impressive. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d love to hear from you. You can reac...

What happens when old‑school bingo meets blinking electronic screens? A surprising moment becomes a powerful lesson in staying open to what we don’t yet know. This episode blends nostalgia, humor, and heart to inspire a more curious way of moving through the world. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d lov...

Silas’s beloved giraffe Kaboo leads to an adorable discovery about how little ones understand names and words. His perspective reminds us that feelings often come before vocabulary. This episode celebrates the beauty of seeing life through a child’s eyes. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d love to hear...

This week’s episode uses the childhood “spaghetti test” as a reminder that not every idea is ready the moment we toss it out. Some noodles stick, some don’t, and that’s okay. The ones that fall simply need more time, more patience, and more simmering. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d love to hear from...

Today, I’m opening the door a little wider and sharing one of my unpublished children’s stories and the real-life moment that sparked it. We’ll explore how bravery often begins with compassion. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at Storytellerswithamessage@gmail.c...

I once over‑loved a tiny cactus… and it melted into a soggy heap. Turns out, caring too much can drown what we’re trying to protect. Some things, and some people, grow with closeness, others with space. Real love is noticing what someone actually needs. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d love to hear fr...

A simple moment reminded me of how often our choices become someone else’s job. Convenience is easy, but consideration is chosen. Someone always comes after us,and the way we leave a space says a lot about the way we move through the world. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d love to hear from you. You c...

A small moment on a crowded flight reminded me how easy it is to overlook the people right in front of us. This week’s episode is a gentle reflection on awareness, kindness, and the quiet invitations that shape our connections. If you enjoy stories that inspire, encourage, and offer a moment of calm, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me a...

I grew up learning the unwritten rules of beach life in San Diego, including the art of finding a parking spot in summer. Years later on the opposite coast, I witnessed a moment that reminded me how powerful quiet courage can be. This story is about standing your ground, staying true to yourself, and choosing grace even when others don’t. Subscribe now I would love to hear from you. You can send m...

During a quiet evening in Fredericksburg, a simple dinner turned into one of the most surprising moments I’ve ever experienced. This story explores how differently people see the world and why those unexpected moments make life so interesting. Subscribe now I would love to hear from you. You can send me a message at Storytellerswithamessage@gmail.com You can also find my children’s books at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

A rough ocean, a panicked diver, and one rule that saved the day: stay put. Sometimes courage looks like stillness. Turns out “not moving” was the wisest thing we did down there. Subscribe now I would love to hear from you. You can send me a message at Storytellerswithamessage@gmail.com You can also find my children’s books at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lorriedgrant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #StorytellersWithAMessage #Inspirational...

A simple bedroom fix and an old kitchen light taught me thesame gentle lesson: tiny wins matter more than we think. We’re quick to notice what’s broken, but the small things we can do often brighten our days in quiet, meaningful ways. This story is a reminder that progress doesn’t always come in big gestures, sometimes it’s found in the simplest steps. Maybe there’s a tiny thing waiting to bless y...

This week’s story is about a pair of adorable shoes that taught me a familiar lesson all over again. If you’ve ever held onto something because it looked good, even when it didn’t feel good, this story might resonate. If the shoe fits, wear it. If not, pack it up and take it out of your closet. Subscribe now I would love to hear from you. You can send me a message at Storytellerswithamessage@gmail...

This week, I talk about a bedtime story that spiraled into uncontrollable laughter and a three‑year‑old’s very creative definition of extinction. It was a small moment that reminded me how much easier life feels when we let things be simple. If you’re craving a little joy, you’ll feel right at home here. If you enjoy gentle, real-life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that s...

A simple moment with sidewalk chalk opened my eyes to what we often overlook. This story is a reminder to protect the irreplaceable before it’s washed away. If you enjoy gentle, real-life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that stay with us, you’re in the right place. Subscribe now I would love to hear from you. You can send me a message at Storytellerswithamessage@gmail.com...

In this episode, I talk about those moments when you feel completely unseen, in airports, in conversations, in everyday life, and how easily that feeling can settle into your bones. But I also explore the unexpected strength that comes from standing just outside the spotlight, and why being overlooked doesn’t diminish your worth. If you’ve ever wondered whether you matter, this one’s for you. If y...

What began as an ordinary Saturday with kids laughing in the back seat, errands to run, nothing unusual shifted in an instant when a white van pulled in behind us. Two masked faces. A glimpse of a gun. And a choice I had to make with three girls in my car. This is a story about the moments we’re pulled into someone else’s chaos, and the quiet courage it takes to help from a safer distance. Sometim...

A handful of black piano keys, an unexpected compliment, and a lie I told out of fear. This is a story about the moments we abandon ourselves, and the quiet courage it takes to finally claim the sound that’s ours. If you enjoy gentle, real-life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that stay with us, you’re in the right place. ** Subscribe now** I would love to hear from you. Yo...

In this episode, a virtual battle with giants and zombies revealed something deeper: the danger of believing the lies that surround us. If you enjoy gentle, real-life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that stay with us, you’re in the right place. ** Subscribe now** I would love to hear from you. You can send me a message at Storytellerswithamessage@gmail.com You can also fin...

In this episode what began as a simple “good morning” to a closed circle of older women slowly unfolded into a deeper understanding of boundaries, patience, and the intentional way real friendships are built. If you enjoy gentle, real‑life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that stay with us, you’re in the right place. Follow for weekly episodes. You can reach me anytime at S...

This week, I share the story of a kitchen hutch, a lopsided shelf, and three tiny words that nearly derailed the whole project. What starts as a simple attempt to fill an empty wall turns into a reminder that even the smallest overlooked detail can throw everything off balance. If you enjoy gentle, real‑life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that stay with us, you’re in the...

In this episode, a simple lunch at a retirement community turns into an unexpected comedy routine where confusion becomes a reminder that life’s best lessons don’t always arrive on schedule. Sometimes the punchline has to sit down beside you before you finally get it. If you enjoy gentle, real‑life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that stay with us, you’re in the right plac...

During a lunch break stroll through downtown Fredericksburg, a simple walk back to the office turns into an unexpected life lesson. After spotting a determined raccoon wrestling a too‑big takeout box into a storm drain, the moment becomes a mirror for how we humans often tackle problems the hard way. If you enjoy gentle, real‑life stories about connection, meaning, and the small moments that stay...