Choose The Better Story Podcast

He's dove two miles underwater, surfed the big waves of Hawaii's North Shore for 42 years, and built survival gear trusted by SpaceX and the military. But his biggest challenge was 19 years as a full-time caregiver to his paralyzed wife. In this episode, Dr. Ron Yonover (Scientist/Inventor/Adventurer) shares what extreme survival taught him about everyday life — and what it really takes to thrive,...

What do star thistles, a old 1977 Datsun pickup, and a Goodyear franchise owner have in common? Teenage hustle that turned into opportunity.  In this episode, Ryan tells the story about "The Avocado" — his first truck, named for its questionable green paint job — and the deal that changed everything: pull an acre of star thistle off a tire store owner's property, and walk away with a brand-ne...

In 2018, the Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise, California and changed thousands of lives forever.  Sydney Robinson was just one of thousands of lives impacted by the fire.   After experiencing tremendous loss, Sydney chose not to remain a victim of her circumstances. Today, she volunteers countless hours advocating for Camp Fire survivors, attending hearings, engaging with l...

On this Father's Day episode, Ryan reflects on the influence fathers have on our lives--through their presence, their sacrifice, their wisdom, and sometimes even through their absence. Whether you're celebrating a dad, missing a dad, forgiving a dad, becoming a dad, or striving to be a better dad yourself, this episode is an invitation to honor what is good, heal what is broken, and intentionallly...

At just 17 years old, Garrett Verrilli lost his mother to leukemia--a loss that left him searching for a way to cope. What followed was a years-long battle with alcohol, an attempt to numb the pain and fill the void. In this powerful conversation, Garrett shares his journey through grief, addiction, recovery, and ultimately purpose. Today he's a husband, father, and thriving entrepreneur who has d...

What do you to when your dream doesn't go according to plan? After playing football at USC and falling short of his dream to play in the NFL, Christian John Bradley turned one of life's biggest disappointments into a mission. In this episode, Christian shares lessons from elite athletics, overcoming setbacks, and developing the mindset that fuels peak performance on the field, on the court,in the...

At just 20 years old, James Condit has faced more adversity than most people experience in a lifetime--yet his outlook on life is refreshing and unbelievably positive. Living with spina bifida and navigating life in a wheelchair, he's chosen purpose over pity, resilience over excuses, and continues to inspire everyone around him with his mindset and determination. After surviving the 2018 Camp Fir...

Gabriel’s story is one of choices, hard consequences, and a complete life turnaround. In this episode, he opens up about his introduction to opiates during his senior year of high school, how small choices led him down a dangerous path, and the details about how he landed in prison. But this conversation isn’t just about addiction or incarceration — it’s about accountability, perspective, and rebu...

The Hekman's are one of the rare families whose home survived the Camp Fire of 2018. As the town of Paradise is being rebuilt around them, Chris Hekman and his family decide to do a little building of thier own. In this episode Chris talks about life after the wildfire, and chasing down a dream in the wake of destruction. He shares how both fear and thrill play a role in starting HEKTIK, and what...

John Michael Hinton was born to be on stage. While most people are terrified at the thought of getting up in front of an audience, that's where John feels the most at home as a performer. In order for John to do what he was always meant to do (perform magic & illusions in front of large audiences), he had to take big risks and courageous action along the way.  In this episode we uncover t...

In 2018, the Camp Fire erased an entire town. Homes gone. Schools destroyed. A community scattered overnight. Kelli Gordon's story starts long before the fire. Being adopted shaped how she sees identity, resilience, and belonging. Then came the ultimate test: leading students, families, and a community through loss, uncertainty, and the long road to rebuilding. This is a conversation about leaders...

In this powerful conversation, Jessica Sandoval opens up about the story behind the badge. Her marriage to her husband Cesar, a former police officer, and the difficult reality that followed his retirement. What happens when the service ends, but the internal battle doesn't? In this honest and emotional conversation, Jessica shares the unseen struggles that impacted thier family, the love that rem...

To say life has thrown Jeremy some major curveballs would be an understatement. In this episode we unpack the topic of loss, grief, and what it looks means to choose the better story when life doesn't make sense.  Jeremy has turned his grief and processing into a hobby & side hustle using his love for photography.  He's got a unique ability to communicate story through his photograph...

Nate Johnson is a high school basketball coach, and has spent decades in the food industry.  One of Nate's unique gifts is creating and building a strong culture within the teams he oversees, whether that's on the court, or in a restaurant kitchen. Nate coaches basketball at Paradise High School, the same high school that he attended and graduated from.  A unique challenge he has faced i...

Dysfunction might be the word that best describes Derek's upbringing. At an early age his mom was presented with an opportunity to make an extra income, which was dealing drugs. At age 10 Derek wanted to help his mom survive, so at age 10, he became a drug dealer in North Hollywood. Eventually things got so intense for Derek and his mom, that they fled for thier lives, and made their way out of No...

In 2018, after surviving a massive wildfire that swept through his town, destroying everything in its path, Kyle was faced with the harsh realities of figuring out how to serve his devastated community, while also juggling the needs of his own family. Faced with a new chapter of life, some unexpected surprises came as a result.  His brother, Nate Smith made it big as a country music artist af...

Adventure awaits!  Guest Sean Bingham is an entrepreneur who has created and sold multiple businesses. He's been featured in and selected on the TV show Shark Tank. Sean has figured out how to turn his passion for worldwide travel into an anventurous income stream. If creating the better story sounds appealing, this is a must listen. https://www.instagram.com/seanbingham https://www.instagram...

Worry is a thief that steals your energy, your sleep, your peace, and your health. In this episode host Ryan Wright uncovers a framework that can help handcuffs worry. We also talk about the reasons people tend to worry, and the price they pay for doing so. Here's the link to a FREE ebook called 3 hacks for rewriting a better future: https://ryan-wright.mykajabi.com/3HacksForRewritingABetterFuture...

Hard work isn't always glamorous. Guest Chris Ecklund talks about the grind of developing and maintaining a business in a competitive health & fitness industry. In this episode we discuss everything from birthday let-downs, to common mistakes people make in the gym, and ways to shine in a highly competitive industry.    https://www.instagram.com/coachecklund   Book a vision call...

This episode is all about taking big swings in life. Taking big risks, and going after what it is that you really want in life. In this episode host Ryan Wright talks about one of his biggest swings in life...asking Jessica to marry him, and the epic story of his engagement. For a free ebook about the top 3 Excuses that keep people from living their best life, click the link: https://ryan-wright.m...

As a competitive college football player, Chris Norton experienced a life-altering football tackle. This interview dives deep into Chris' 'better story' after that tackle flipped his world upside down.    If you want to be inspired to overcome, and to tackle life's biggest challenges with resilience and perspective, this is worth a listen. The documentary "7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story...

In this episode host Ryan Wright talks about the link between failure and success.  If we learn from our mistakes and grow, failure can be an elite teacher in life.   Let's jump into the deep end and talk about two valuable lessons that can be learned from failure. Here's the link to a FREE ebook called 3 hacks for rewriting a better future: https://ryan-wright.mykajabi.com/3HacksFo...

Guest John Taylor joins the show for an interview. John's playground is the local landfill, where he gets to operate with really big machines for a living. From learning to re-start life after a wildfire swept through his town, to a police chase at the landfill, this one is worth a listen. John is a local superhero disguised as a heavy equipment operater. John loves making videos of his traveling...

 In this episode, host Ryan Wright unpacks the real breakfast of champions, which are 6 habits that will transform your life [before 8am]. Tired of drifting in life?  Book a FREE vision call with Coach Ryan https://calendar.app.google/WgntoZad3hwYWfq96  Real coach. Real Results. Real Impact.

Guest Dale Sakschewski joins the show. If skyscrapers, rattle snakes, wildfires, life curve balls, and beer get your attention, give this a listen. Dale's passion took him brewing in his garage, to being a full blown brewmaster. It's Dale's passion that makes him a local superhero!  https://www.instagram.com/dalesakschewski Lacking direction in life?  Book a FREE vision call with coach R...