The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith

What happens when an entire generation begins questioning everything? In this fascinating episode of The Never Alone Podcast , Iris Fisher Smith welcomes returning guest Ann Averil for a thoughtful conversation about the cultural revolution of the 1960s, the Vietnam War, Woodstock, the search for identity, and the spiritual questions that shaped a generation. Together, Iris and Ann explore how eve...

Welcome back to the Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith. In Episode 27, Iris is joined once again by her brother Lance for a heartfelt and nostalgic conversation about their family’s unforgettable trip to Disney World shortly after it first opened in 1971. Together, they reflect on what travel was like before smartphones, tablets, and social media — when families spent hours talking, playin...

Welcome back to the Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith. In Episode 26, Iris is joined once again by longtime friend and author Ann Averil for a heartfelt conversation about growing up during one of the most dramatic cultural shifts in American history. Together, they discuss what it was like coming of age during the late 1960s and Woodstock era — a time when traditional values suddenly col...

What do the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine, and a hilarious Easter story about searching for “Bunny” have in common? In Episode 25 of The Never Alone Podcast , Iris Fisher Smith welcomes her brother, Alan Fisher, for a fascinating and entertaining conversation about world history, family memories, and the lessons we can still apply today. Together, Iris and Alan explore: How the Marshall Plan...

In this deeply personal episode of the Never Alone Podcast, Iris and Karen open their hearts to share one of the most difficult parts of life—watching your child suffer. From serious injuries to lifelong challenges and heartbreaking loss, they reflect on the moments that tested their strength as mothers. Through it all, they share how faith, friendship, and community helped carry them through the...

In this episode of the Never Alone Podcast, Iris sits down with her friend Rachel to talk about a topic that is affecting more and more people today—celiac disease. Together, they share their personal journeys of living with this autoimmune condition, from years of unexplained symptoms to finally receiving a diagnosis. They also break down what celiac disease is, how it affects the body, and why i...

In Episode 22 of the Never Alone Podcast, we turn the tables as Karen interviews Iris about one of the most influential experiences of her childhood—summer camp. From learning discipline and independence to discovering faith, friendship, and personal strength, Iris shares how her time at camp shaped who she is today. Through horseback riding, structured routines, and meaningful life lessons, this...

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 21. In this special episode, Iris is joined by her younger brother Lance Fiser as they take a heartfelt walk down memory lane — sharing stories from childhood, growing up in Sharon, Massachusetts, and the experiences that helped shape who they are today. From playful moments and family traditions…  to difficult experiences and li...

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 20. In this episode, Iris sits down with her friend Cindy Kenny to talk about something every person needs but many people struggle to find — true friendship. Together they discuss what makes a friendship healthy, how trust is built over time, and why loyalty and honesty matter so much in relationships. Cindy shares openly about...

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 19. In this heartfelt and honest episode, Iris, Karen, and returning guest Ann Averill talk about that “little voice inside” — the conscience. From childhood stories about Girl Scouts, incubators, and swimming pools…  to teenage rebellion, shame, and identity struggles…  to adult consequences and spiritual freedom… This episode e...

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fischer Smith — Episode 18. In this episode, Iris and Karen are joined by longtime friend and author Ann Averill for a heartfelt conversation that spans generations — from the cultural upheaval of the Woodstock era to the deeply personal journey of writing, teaching, adoption, and discovering true identity. Ann shares: • What it was like coming of age d...

In this episode of The Never Alone Podcast , Iris Fisher Smith is joined by her brother Alan Fisher for a lively, informative, and heartfelt conversation about life in the 1940s . Together, they reflect on major historical moments that shaped a generation — including the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, Pearl Harbor, and the cultural shifts that fo...

Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith —Episode 17. In this episode, Iris and her longtime friend and co-host Karen Huerth Whitty talk about generational living — what it’s really like when families live closer together (or under the same roof), and why so many families are returning to that model today. Karen shares her family’s journey to Maine, the challenges and blessings of...

In this deeply personal episode of The Never Alone Podcast , Iris Fisher Smith and co-host Karen Hearth Whitty reflect on the life and legacy of Iris’s beloved Aunt Elaine , who recently passed away at the age of 84. Through heartfelt conversation, Iris shares how Aunt Elaine served as a mentor, constant presence, and guiding influence throughout her life — especially during times of loss and tran...

In this heartfelt episode of The Never Alone Podcast , Iris Fisher Smith is joined by co-host Karen Hearth Whitty and special guest Cindy Kinney , a dear friend whose life reflects the true meaning of friendship. Together, they explore what it really means to be a true friend in today’s distracted world — from showing up during life’s hardest moments to learning how to listen, communicate, and lov...

In Episode 13 of The Never Alone Podcast , Iris Fisher Smith is joined by co-host Karen Herth Whitty and returning guest Rachel Durham for a heartfelt conversation about the people and seasons that shape who we become — from childhood friendships, to mentors, to motherhood, grief, and rediscovering identity in new stages of life. This episode continues the “Who Am I?” discussion — but through the...

Feeling unsure of who you are this season? In Episode 12 of The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith, Iris and her dear friend/co-host Karen Herth Witty continue their life-giving conversation about identity, purpose, and how life changes shape who we become. Life isn’t static — it’s a journey of seasons: daughter, wife, mom, grandma, friend, caregiver, creative, seeker… and sometimes all of...

Feeling lonely or unsure of who you are in this season? Episode 11 is a real conversation about finding yourself, fighting isolation, and why friendship—with God at the center—still matters. Welcome to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith — Episode 11. In this episode, Iris and her childhood friend/co-host Karen Herth Witty talk honestly about something every generation faces: finding yo...

Welcome back to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith ! In Episode 10 , Iris and her lifelong friend and co-host Karen Hearth Witty take a warm, honest walk down memory lane as they talk about the teen years, identity, and growing up in the 1970s . Drawing from Chapter 12 of Iris’s book, “The Wonder Years,” Iris shares what it was like to be a young girl recovering from serious health iss...

Welcome back to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith ! In Episode 9, Iris and co-host Karen welcome a special guest — Rachel Durham , a longtime friend, mentee, and law student studying to fight human trafficking. Together, they dive into one of the most important conversations of our time:   Why real, face-to-face communication matters more than ever — especially for our children and gr...

Welcome back to The Never Alone Podcast with Iris Fisher Smith ! In Episode 8, Iris and lifelong friend/co-host Karen Hearth Whitty flip the script: Karen interviews Iris about how God has used friends, illness, and big cross-country moves to shape her story. In this heartfelt conversation, Iris shares how growing up with a very social, community-oriented family laid the foundation for friendships...

When the ground shakes, faith keeps you steady. Author Iris Fisher Smith and co-host Karen Hearth Whitty revisit one of the most powerful stories in Never Alone — the 1989 San Francisco (World Series) Earthquake . Iris’s brother Allan Fisher shares his firsthand account of the terrifying quake that struck just hours after his wife gave birth. From plaster-covered hospital halls to divine timing th...

What makes us “never alone”? In this episode, author Iris Fisher Smith and her lifelong friend Karen share candid stories about Iris’s father—his Boston roots, friendship with Leonard Nimoy, capture during the Korean War, and the community that brought him back. With humor, faith, and heart, Iris shows how family, friendship, and God at the center can carry us through trauma and loss. In this epis...

What was childhood like before phones? Author Iris Fisher Smith and co-host Karen welcome Iris’s brother Allan Fischer to swap true stories from growing up in Sharon, Massachusetts in the 1960s–70s—banana-seat bikes, Lake Massapoag, ice-cream trucks, neighborhood drama, a memorable bar mitzvah at Temple Sinai, and how faith, family, and community made sure they were never alone. In this episode: •...

Friendship that lasts a lifetime. Author Iris Fisher Smith and co-host Karen welcome Amy Galant Rizzy to share real stories of Boston/Chelsea roots , Class of ’50 reunions , faith, and community—why we’re truly never alone . From North Shore/South Shore logistics to church-fair road trips (Summersworth, NH) and a memorable Old Town Trolley anecdote, this episode celebrates loyalty, belonging, and...