Celebrate Your Story

Grief is one of the toughest journeys we face and one every one of us walks through it at some point in our lives. In this special mini-episode of Celebrate Your Story , Jim reflects on the stories Celebrations Pulse readers shared about loss, healing, and the ways we show up for one another. From the wisdom of "there's no timeline for grief" to the power of a buddy check, these stories remind us...

In this mini-episode, we honor the quiet heroes among us caregivers. Through personal reflections, we explore the gratitude, challenges, and unexpected blessings that come with caring for someone you love. It's a story of family, community, selflessness, and the powerful legacy passed from one generation to the next.  This episode is a reminder that caregiving isn't just responsibility — it's love...

Thanksgiving is more than a meal — it's a moment to pause, reflect, and share gratitude. In this short conversation, we explore the traditions that bring families together: opening your home to others, celebrating the small joys, and honoring the rituals that connect generations. From stories of community to simple moments of thankfulness, this episode reminds us why this holiday still means so mu...

In this very special episode of Celebrate Your Story , I sit down with someone many of you know well: former NBA All-Star and legendary rebounder Jayson Williams. After a brilliant career cut short by injuries, Jayson went through some very dark years — addiction, public struggle, and eventually incarceration. But he refused to let his past define him. Instead, he chose gratitude, accountability,...

I've always believed that stories are how we make sense of life. They're how we connect, teach, and remember. Whether it's a tale passed around a dinner table or one shared in a business meeting, the right story can bridge generations and bring people closer together. In this week's Celebrate Your Story , I sit down with Kindra Hall , a bestselling author and expert in storytelling who's helped th...

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a reminder to celebrate the talents and contributions of people with all abilities. In this episode of Celebrate Your Story , we meet Karen Patrohay , a mother whose love and dedication helped her son Michael turn a high school project into a thriving business: Michael's Barkery .   It all began in 2017, when Michael, then a high school s...

What if golf weren't just a game, but the ultimate business playground? In this week's Celebrate Your Story, I sit down with Pat Healy, a Columbia graduate who recently made the leap into professional golf. Joining me for the conversation is my cohost, MiChaela Barker. Together, we explore the surprising parallels between golf and music, the role of metrics in mastering performance, and how social...

In this episode of Celebrate Your Story , I sit down with Julianna Glasse, whose life has taken her from a conservative Christian upbringing to becoming a passionate advocate for women's empowerment. Glasse opens up about how reading, music, and education became her tools of liberation and expression. She explains how literature, in particular, gave her and countless others the words and courage t...

In this episode, Jim McCann sits down with Maha Abouelenein – global communications strategist, entrepreneur, and author of The Seven Rules of Self-Reliance . Maha shares her remarkable journey: ·        Growing up in Minnesota as the daughter of Egyptian immigrants ·        Leaving her successful U.S. career at 27 to care for her mother in Egypt ·        Starting over as a secretary and eventuall...

In this conversation, filmmaker Nick Budabin shares his journey from working on MTV's   True Life   to founding   Keepsake Documentaries , a company dedicated to preserving family legacies through film. What began as a personal project after losing his father to cancer became a powerful way to help families capture memories, stories, and wisdom for future generations. Nick discusses how storytelli...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Heather A. Campbell — former ESPN "Synergy" lead turned entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and author of Good Is Amazing. Heather shares her remarkable journey from holding unique corporate titles like "Head of Alchemy" to founding Ready Set Recover, a groundbreaking program that helps surgery patients prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for bette...

Whether you're religious, spiritual, agnostic, or simply curious—this conversation will move you, challenge you, and leave you thinking. On this episode of Celebrate Your Story, I sit down with Rabbi David Katz, whose journey from the opera stage to the pulpit is as profound as it is inspiring. This episode weaves together threads of identity, transformation, faith, music, community, and what it m...

They said her son would never live on his own...now he thrives in the community she built. On this episode of Celebrate Your Story , I sit down with Denise Resnik, trailblazing founder of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and First Place AZ. From her son's autism diagnosis at age two to reshaping real estate with purpose, Denise's story is one of innovation, advocacy, and unshakable...

Before his art graced the Vatican and the Olympics, he was washing dishes and selling paintings on the street. On this episode of Celebrate Your Story , I sit down with Romero Britto, the world-renowned pop artist whose signature style has become a universal symbol of joy. From humble beginnings in Brazil to collaborating with Disney, Absolut, and FIFA, Romero's journey is a masterclass in creativ...

The day he begged his wife to kill him was the day everything changed. On this episode of Celebrate Your Story, I sit down with Shawn Lesser, an impact investor turned mental health advocate whose life took a dramatic turn in the fall of 2022. What started as a persistent depression spiraled into a full mental health crisis, one that led to hospitalization, months in treatment centers, and ultimat...

"I told my husband he could leave—I had just been diagnosed with an incurable pain disease less than a year into our marriage… but he stayed. And that's when I decided I was going to fight, not just for me, but for everyone like me." On this episode of Celebrate Your Story, I sit down with Beth Stillitano, a former teacher whose life was turned upside down at just 24 years old after a seemingly mi...

"I was going to break my promise to my dad that I would take care of my family… and that's when I told myself, 'D.T., I'm not going to die here.'" In this powerful episode of Celebrate Your Story, I sit down with Senior Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro, a true American hero. From a childhood marked by hardship and the loss of both parents at a young age to becoming a decorated Air Force special war...

In this week's Celebrate Your Story, I'm thrilled to hand the mic to my colleague, MiChaela Barker, for a conversation with Hali Lee, a remarkable philanthropist, author, and the founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle. Through her dynamic storytelling and rich cultural perspective, Hali shares how growing up as a Korean American in Kansas City and learning from generations of strong women shaped...

At 18, Lauren Sisler experienced the unimaginable: she lost both of her parents in a single day to prescription drug overdoses. As part of our special April series on faith, meaning, and human connection, I sit down with Lauren Sisler, ESPN and SEC Network reporter, former NCAA gymnast, and author of Shatterproof. Known for her vibrant presence on the sidelines, Lauren opens up about the hidden st...

Before she wore a flight suit, she was working in a pizza shop with a degree she couldn't use. In this episode, retired U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot Elizabeth McCormick shares how she went from unexpected career detours to becoming one of the first 100 women to fly the Black Hawk helicopter in the Army. She opens up about what it took to survive Warrant Officer Candidate School, where women had to m...

At just 15 years old, Edith was forced from her home and sent to Auschwitz, where she faced unimaginable horrors. For decades, she kept her story buried. But now, at 96 years old, she is ready to speak. Edith Gross is a Holocaust survivor who has chosen to celebrate life, building a happy and loving family despite the tragedies she endured. Her resilience has been her guiding force. Now, she educa...

Michael Fetherman, diagnosed with ADHD and autism, always struggled to make friends—a challenge faced by so many individuals with special needs. Seeing this firsthand, his sister, Juliana Fetherman, set out to change the narrative. She created Making Authentic Friendships, an app designed to connect people with special needs based on their age, interests, and location. The app's name isn't just a...

At just 13 years old, she suffered sudden heart failure, and doctors told her parents she wouldn't survive. But thanks to the selflessness of a grieving mother, she was given a second chance at life. Jen Lentini is a heart transplant recipient who has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the importance of organ donation. Her journey from an unexpected health crisis to receiving a new hear...

When Ashley Manning's son started preschool, she learned that his teacher had recently lost her husband to cancer. As Valentine's Day approached, Ashley felt a deep pull to offer comfort. So, she arranged a bouquet and gifted it to her, simply acknowledging how hard the day must be. She was moved, and months later, she shared just how much that small act of kindness had meant. In that moment, Ashl...

Jim sits down with media executive Chris Licht for an insightful conversation on the future of broadcasting and content creation. From his experiences leading major networks to his observations on streaming's impact on traditional media, Chris shares his unique perspective on where the industry is headed. The discussion explores emerging technologies, the value of truth in media, and how genuine c...