The Ethan C. Lewin Podcast

In this milestone 20th episode , I sit down with Glenn Bostock—founder and CEO of SnapCab—and Kendall Hyatt for one of my favorite conversations yet. Glenn’s story is inspiring: he struggled in school, but outside of it, he built sophisticated inventions like sailboats, gliders, and hot air balloons. His love for woodworking grew into a career, and what started as a dream of running a small woodsh...

Rev. Willard Heinrichs—“Opi”—might be the last true cowboy. From growing up on a Canadian farm with nine siblings and no electricity to riding horseback from Canada to Mexico, working cattle, serving in the U.S. Forest Service, rock climbing in Yosemite, and ministering in Newfoundland and Africa, Opi’s life reads like a western novel. At the center of it all is his 60-year marriage to Vanessa and...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Bronwen Mayer Henry — painter, meditation practitioner, and so much more. My connection to her and her art dates back over a decade, when I was gifted my first painting of hers — an elephant — which has hung beside my bed ever since, serving as a daily reminder of strength, gentleness, and resilience. Bronwen shares her journey before and during her cancer...

Grayson Zuber’s story can’t be put in a box —he’s more than a stone mason, a musician, or someone who has battled addiction. Being in his presence felt almost angelic, and hearing him share both his words and music was unforgettable. The morning after our conversation, Grayson texted me this: “I try not to ruminate too much on the infinities I omitted. But I do wish I would have conveyed this abou...

Trent Odhner and I go way back to when I was 11, and he’s always been a stand-up man. Usually someone who stays off the socials, Trent joins me to share his story. In this episode, we dive into his roots, his six-month journey becoming a scuba instructor in Thailand—including close calls with jellyfish and naval ordnance—his White House internship under President Clinton (who knew him by first nam...

Ever wonder what happened to PECO's century-old abandoned power plants? In this episode, filmmaker John Kramer takes us inside the forgotten world of Philadelphia’s Electric Company and its once-grand stations. His upcoming documentary Electric Rust (co-directed with Ben Kees) uncovers the rise, fall, and human stories behind these massive, cathedral-like structures that once powered entire ci...

Jeff Harmer is a true walking legend — someone who’s lived life to the fullest. Adventure and entrepreneurship have been the two driving forces throughout his journey. Early on, Jeff took on the ambitious 7 Summit Challenge, aiming to climb the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents. Inspired by The Art of the Deal in his youth, Jeff dreamed of building skyscrapers. From delivering newsp...

Ray and Star Silverman bring nearly 50 years of marriage, parenting, and spiritual teaching to this conversation. Ray holds advanced degrees in English, Education, and Divinity, and spent 25 years teaching courses on Conjugial Love, the Ten Commandments, and Eastern religion. He also did prison ministry and co-developed Happy, Joyous, and Free . Star, with a Master’s in Special Education, co-taugh...

Calling all recent grads and those needing a push to travel! Rafe Williams is off to Namibia with the Peace Corps—and he’s got stories. In this spur-of-the-moment episode, my longtime friend and I dive into his wild ride so far: hitchhiking in Mexico with the Cartel, getting caught in Yellowstone storms, hiking Hawaii’s coastline, and going from zero countries visited outside the US at age 18 to o...

Jody Maddock is a dedicated bow hunter and a true legend in the whitetail community , with one of the most incredible great rooms you’ll ever see. Jody explains why hunting, though counterintuitive, is vital for conservation—funding anti-poaching, managing wildlife, and reducing deer-vehicle collisions. He shares the demanding preparation hunting requires, why he taxidermies his animals as stories...

Welcome to Episode 10 of The Ethan C. Lewin Podcast! Today I’m joined by Shawn “Fish” Synnestvedt, longtime educator, coach, and husband of 45 years, who brings a deep faith-based perspective on building a happy, healthy, and deeply loving marriage. Shawn’s insights come from decades of experience and his powerful presentation “Through An Open Door: A Path to a Stronger Marriage” (New Church Life,...

How do we rebuild trust in a world where faith in institutions—and the experts behind them—has crumbled for valid reasons? In this episode, I sit down with ER doctor Dr. Halfdan Bau-Madsen for an unfiltered look at modern medicine: where it’s broken, where it still saves lives, and how truth and transparency can restore trust. We tackle the moral dilemmas doctors face when speaking out could cost...

In this episode, I sit down with Mary McCollum, who faces the end of her life with rare honesty and peace. Mary shares what dying has taught her about living, the struggle between the will to live and letting go, and finding joy even in life’s hardest moments.  She speaks openly about stopping treatment, entering hospice, the freedom she’s found in embracing this stage of life, and the love story...

In this episode, I sit down with my Uncle David—a calm, trusted voice in my life and a New Church minister—to explore life, love, and sex through a redemptive, grace-filled, spiritually grounded lens. We begin by tracing the arc of his life, from early spiritual influences and family dynamics to his unique journey into ministry. Together, we unpack why many young adults feel confused or burned by...

Ali Durand has been a healing presence in my life—and in the lives of many. In this conversation, we meet her at the doorway of a new chapter and look back on the ones that shaped her: from childhood roots and early influences to the pain of losing the father of her three children to suicide. We talk about motherhood, marriage, divorce, sobriety, and the simple yet often overlooked truth of how li...

Ian Carswell is a friend, mentor, and a living example that you can write your own story. He retired at 39—not because he stopped working, but because he no longer had to trade time for someone else’s dollar. In this episode, we rewind to Ian’s early hustles—reselling deformed gummy bears, mowing lawns, and running backyard carnivals. He shares how he reached FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire E...

Stan Rose is a Vietnam vet and helicopter pilot with over 14,000 flying hours—and easily one of the best next-door neighbors I’ve ever had. Over the years, I’ve loved hearing his stories on the back porch, lemonade in hand. Stan shares how he went from getting kicked out of high school to flying dangerous missions in Vietnam, where pilot survival was only about 50%. He reflects on the realities of...

Chara Daum hosts the Death Café in Bryn Athyn, PA—a space where people gather over tea and cake to talk openly about death. Death is the one thing we all face, yet rarely discuss. Why is that? If you’ve lost someone, know someone nearing the end, or just find yourself wondering about the afterlife or the meaning of it all—or want to be invited into a conversation where nothing is off limits—this e...

Cory Boyce has been a teacher, coach, mentor, husband, father, and grandfather—but more personally, he was a role model when I needed one most. In this episode, we shift the focus. After years of our conversations revolving around my story, it’s time to hear his. From childhood adventures and coaching soccer to raising a family, living abroad, and navigating life with Parkinson’s, Cory opens up ab...

Welcome to the first episode of the podcast. Peter Rhodes is a dear friend—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A former prison counselor and probation officer, he still offers private counseling and works at the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop (BATS), showing up with presence and humility at 80. Peter has been a quiet giant in many lives, including mine. From childhood days playi...

Ethan Chase Lewin is the host of The Ethan C. Lewin Podcast. In late April, he wrapped up a DIY study abroad trip across Europe and flew back to the U.S. just in time to walk the stage at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where he received his degree in finance. So what’s next? As Ethan puts it: The Trifecta — Work. Create. Educate. This podcast is the launchpad for all three. In this intro episo...

Thought I’d include this tidbit capturing the process of launching the podcast.