Epic Stories

What if your resume wasn’t just a list of jobs and achievements, but a vision for who you want to become? In this episode of Epic Stories, I invite you to imagine your life ten years from now and ask: what would your future resume say? I share how a simple yet powerful idea from Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas, got me thinking beyond traditional resumes. Instead of listing what I've do...

Have you ever faced a moment that changed your life overnight—a moment when everything is suddenly uncertain, and it feels impossible to know what comes next? In this episode, I sit down with Kris Corbett: nurse, basketball coach, poet, mother of four, and someone who knows what it means to carry the weight of uncertainty for decades. Kris Corbett shares her journey through seizures, brain hemorrh...

Have you ever thought, “I don’t have a story worth sharing”? I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard someone—maybe even myself—say, “My story isn’t important,” or “Nothing that’s happened to me really matters.” But over the years of living, loving, losing, and learning (and hundreds of conversations on this podcast), I’ve discovered that the real question isn’t whether you have a story—it’s w...

If someone made a photo board of my life today, would I like the story those pictures tell? That was the question that hit me after a friend’s story about funeral photos got me thinking about the memories we’re capturing—and the lives we’re actually living. In this episode, I invite you to sit with me and take what I call the "Memory Board Test." Instead of aiming for perfect Instagram posts, I wa...

What If You Could Choose Joy, Even When Life Isn’t Fair? This week on Epic Stories, Jean Tillery shares a powerful and deeply personal episode: a re-airing of her very first podcast interview with her friend Bobby Quinn, who faced ALS with unyielding courage, humor, and love. As Jean Tillery reflects on coming back to their conversation, she’s reminded of the lasting impact that ordinary people’s...

Have you ever lived a story that doesn’t have an ending? Hi, I’m Jean Tillery, and in this episode of Epic Stories, I invite you to sit with me in the discomfort, hope, and beauty of an unfinished story—my story. This week, as Mother’s Day just passed, I share what it means to carry an experience that offers no perfect closure, a story that has shaped me in ways I’m still discovering. Last year, I...

When was the last time you witnessed a moment so extraordinary, it changed the way you see your own potential? In this heartfelt episode of Epic Stories, Jean Tillery shares a deeply personal account from the sidelines of the Texas Ironman—a once-in-a-lifetime moment that celebrates grit, community, and the transformative power of doing what’s hard. With a proud mom’s voice and an observer’s keen...

Are you overwhelmed by more than just the mess you see? Clutter isn’t just about the things piling up in your closet or the endless emails in your inbox—it’s often about the unspoken stories, habits, and identities we carry. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Young, a professional organizer who goes beyond surface solutions to help people uncover the “why” behind the clutter and find free...

Welcome to Epic Stories. I’m Jean Tillery, and in today’s episode, I invite you to join me for a reflection that starts right here in Texas, where I find myself waiting to cheer on my son in his Ironman race. In these quiet moments, my mind drifts to big questions—like what I would say if NASA called me tomorrow and asked me to go to the Moon. Would I be willing to take that leap? And perhaps more...

Am I Running My Race—Or Someone Else’s? Have you ever caught yourself sprinting through life, ticking off every box, yet wondering deep down, “Is this even my race?” This week, I share how supporting my son’s Ironman journey stirred up that very question for me—and why it might be time for you to ask it, too. What You’ll Hear in This Episode It’s been a while since I sat down for a regular episode...

Today’s episode is a little different… and deeply special. In this reflective experience, we walk through the Stations of the Cross , hearing not only the story of Christ’s suffering, but also the personal reflections that invite us to look inward. Each station challenges us to ask: Where am I in this story? How do my words, my actions, and my choices reflect love… or the lack of it? This is not j...

This one’s for anyone who’s ever said, “Why isn’t my body doing what it used to?!” I  sit down with wellness coach Debbie Harris for real talk on food, hormones, and the power of finding peace—with popcorn, with pants size, and with yourself. I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivingwithjean.com Don't forget to check out my new book " A Dr...

Tom Ball brings the beat—and the cookies—to prison in this episode all about faith behind bars. You’ll laugh, maybe cry, and definitely never look at a chocolate chip cookie the same way again. I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivingwithjean.com Don't forget to check out my new book " A Dreamers Travel Journal "  Go out and live epic tod...

Adoption stories aren’t always wrapped in neat little bows—and this one definitely surprised me. In this tender, twisty, and truth-filled solo episode, I share the unexpected chapter that found me on the journey to finding him. I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivingwithjean.com Don't forget to check out my new book " A Dreamers Travel J...

In this episode, I chat with Kate Thompson — a woman whose positivity and zest for life shine brightly even in the face of unimaginable challenges. From her unexpected cancer diagnosis to finding true love across international borders, Kate’s story is a beautiful reminder that even when life throws its hardest punches, there is still joy to be found. We dive into her journey, her epic love story,...

Are you ready to unlock the healing magic that’s literally under your nose?  In this episode, I chat with Carolyn Caputo about the surprising (and science-backed) power of breathwork, how it helped her heal from long COVID, and simple ways you can start breathing your way to a calmer, healthier you! I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivin...

What do IT, functional medicine, and ballroom dancing have in common? Judy Hahn! In this episode, we dive into Judy’s incredible journey of reinvention—from troubleshooting computers to troubleshooting gut health, brain function, and even dance steps—proving that it’s never too late to shake things up and follow your dreams. I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or conne...

Ever dreamed of a fairy tale life, only to realize real life is a bit more Princess Bride than Cinderella? In this episode, we’re diving into the magic, the mess, and the unexpected adventures that make life even better than a storybook ending! I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivingwithjean.com Don't forget to check out my new book " A...

Every decision is a trade-off. Say yes to one thing, and you’re automatically saying no to something else. So how do you make choices without regret, second-guessing, or FOMO? In this episode of #epicStories, I break down the Anatomy of a Choice —how defining your core values makes decision-making effortless. Say hello to JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out) and goodbye to overthinking!  I hope you enjoy...

Hot flashes, brain fog, and sleepless nights—oh my!  In this episode, I chat with Jessica Waugh, a former sommelier-turned-menopause-specialist, who’s here to help us navigate The Pause Era with science-backed solutions, a little humor, and a whole lot of wisdom.  I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivingwithjean.com Don't forget to check...

In this episode of #epicStories , I talk with Lisa about her extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and self-discovery. From overcoming personal tragedies and battling health challenges to finding her voice as an advocate for traumatic brain injury awareness, her story is one of unwavering hope and determination.  Tune in to discover how she turns life's toughest moments into opportunities fo...

In this episode we chat with Kayla VanBuskirk, the face behind Wholesome Ways with Kay. We talk about juggling life’s twists and turns, creating bookish bliss through her adoption fundraiser and how beautiful hope has kept her and her family moving forward   I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivingwithjean.com Don't forget to check out my...

In this episode, Jean reflects on her journey to embrace boldness, tackles the pitfalls of New Year’s resolutions, and declares 2025 the Year of the Dream. Learn how shifting from resolutions to purposeful dreaming can spark transformation and set you on a path to fulfillment. I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to hear more or connect with me visit epiclivingwithjean.com Don't for...

In this episode, Amber Beels shares her personal journey of navigating infant loss and the transformative role community played in her healing. We discuss breaking the silence around this difficult topic and the power of support in finding hope and resilience. Whether you’ve experienced loss or want to support someone who has, this conversation offers connection and compassion. I hope you enjoyed...

In this episode of #epicStories, Jean Tillery explores the powerful balance between grit and grace, sharing insights from a Spartan Ultra race, Angela Duckworth’s research on perseverance, and reflections from ultra-triathlete Will Turner. Discover how grit drives us forward and how grace gives us the space to pause and appreciate the journey. I hope you enjoyed the story for today, if you want to...