The Story Seat

In this episode, Michael T. Brown shares a powerful story from his childhood that shaped the way he views commitment, mentorship, and personal growth. As a young baseball player facing challenges and disappointment, he reached a point where he wanted to quit. But instead of letting him walk away, his father and coach took the time to guide him through the situation, helping him see the bigger pict...

What if storytelling isn’t just about what we write—but about how we understand life itself? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Nancy Jasin Ensley for a reflective and deeply human conversation about storytelling, service, and the many ways we make meaning from the experiences we live through. Nancy’s career has taken her through hospice care, legal nursing, teaching, and writing—r...

What does it mean to build a meaningful intellectual life outside the traditional systems we’ve been taught to rely on? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Dr. Sheldon Greaves for a thought-provoking conversation about curiosity, independent learning, and what it means to pursue knowledge beyond the boundaries of formal institutions. Sheldon earned his Ph. D. from UC Berkeley while...

What if the thing holding you back isn’t a lack of ideas—but too many of them? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Crystal Bell for a practical and grounded conversation about clarity, decision-making, overthinking, and what it really takes to move from intention into action. Crystal works with leaders and high performers who often appear successful on the outside but feel overwhelm...

What does it mean to truly be informed when making decisions about your health—and what happens when that trust is questioned? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Ellen Lubensky for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about mental health systems, informed consent, medication withdrawal, and the journey of finding one’s voice after long-term medical challenges. Ellen...

How do we support our children emotionally… while also caring for our own mental and emotional well-being as parents? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Raeanne Johnson for a compassionate and practical conversation about parenting, emotional health, anxiety, ADHD, burnout, and the connection between neuroscience and faith. With more than 15 years of clinical experience—and as a ho...

What if one small act of kindness could completely change the way you see another person… and yourself? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Jody Zarn for a deeply human conversation about empathy, mental health, homelessness, and the transformative power of simply seeing someone with dignity. What began as buying a cup of coffee for a man named Leroy—someone experiencing homelessnes...

Do you ever feel like you have to be louder, more outgoing, or more “extroverted” to succeed? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Serena Low for a thoughtful conversation about introversion, authenticity, visibility, and learning how to show up without losing yourself in the process. As a lifelong introvert, Serena understands the quiet pressure many people feel to change who they a...

What happens when the pressure to perform starts disconnecting you from who you really are? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Kurt Bush for an honest conversation about leadership, burnout, authenticity, and the inner work many high-performing people quietly avoid. With experience across corporate leadership, pastoral ministry, and trauma-informed coaching, Kurt has seen a common...

What happens when the life that looks successful on the outside no longer feels sustainable on the inside? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Dr. Jonathan Locust Jr. for a powerful conversation about burnout, healing, consciousness, and the journey back to wholeness. After years in academic leadership and a path toward becoming a university president, Dr. Locust found himself facin...

What if faith conversations felt less like debates… and more like safe spaces for honesty, curiosity, and connection? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Paul Granger for a thoughtful and grounded conversation about faith, uncertainty, meaningful dialogue, and the power of simply showing up authentically. For more than 20 years, Paul has created spaces where people can wrestle with...

What does resilience actually look like when life forces you to start over? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Rich LaMonica to explore the mindset, discipline, and personal growth that come through challenge, transition, and everyday perseverance. After serving 22 years in the U.S. Army, Rich experienced leadership under pressure, multiple deployments, and the responsibility of gu...

What really drives innovation inside organizations? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Vanya Boardman to explore the often-overlooked human side of creativity, collaboration, and workplace performance. After working across industries like financial services, telecommunications, and health tech, Vanya began noticing a common pattern—talented people staying silent, disconnected teams...

Community doesn’t just happen—it’s built through intention, presence, and the stories we choose to tell. In this episode of The Story Seat, we sit down with Jacob Espinoza, the founder of What’s Happening Salem, to explore how he transformed local storytelling into a thriving media platform rooted in connection and trust. From his background in music, journalism, and civic work to building an audi...

What happens when a life shaped by structure, precision, and global experience meets the boundless world of imagination? In this episode of The Story Seat, we sit down with Terrence L. Rotering to explore his journey from a distinguished military career to creating an expansive, multi-genre storytelling universe. Drawing inspiration from literary greats like J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Frank E....

Some of the most powerful transformations don’t happen on the outside—they begin within. In this episode of The Story Seat, we sit down with Mike Wood to explore a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth. From learning to read at 25 to navigating years of anxiety and depression, Mike shares how he began to uncover the core beliefs shaping his thoughts, emotions, and sense of...

What if the life you’ve been settling for… isn’t the life you have to keep living? In this episode, we sit down with Debbie Weiss—best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for midlife transformation—to explore what it really takes to start over after years of putting yourself last. After decades shaped by caregiving, loss, infertility, and self-doubt, Debbie reached a turning point at 50—a moment...

What if branding wasn’t just about visibility… but about who you’re becoming? In this episode, we sit down with Rich Kozak—CEO of RichBrands and a leading voice in impact-driven branding—to explore a deeper, more meaningful approach to building a brand. With over four decades of experience across hundreds of industries, Rich shares how branding, at its core, is not just about business strategy—it’...

What if the chapter you thought was the end… is actually your beginning? In this episode, we sit down with Sharon C. Jenkins—also known as The Literary Midwife—a storyteller, author, and founder of Forty Plus and Flirty, a movement helping people over 40 rediscover love, confidence, and purpose. Sharon’s work lives at the intersection of storytelling and relationships, guiding people to reconnect...

What if the version of success you’ve been chasing… was never the full story? In this episode, we sit down with Kenneth G. Alexander—entrepreneur, author of The Successful Man, and speaker exploring the deeper layers of identity and masculinity. Drawing from a life shaped by the military, athletics, and business leadership, Ken shares how many men are conditioned early on to disconnect from their...

What does it really mean to build a business that can survive real life? In this episode, we sit down with Peter DiPaoli—founder of Founder Stability—to explore a side of entrepreneurship that’s often overlooked: what happens when life becomes unpredictable. After experiencing business collapse during the 2008 financial crisis, Peter rebuilt with a powerful realization—growth without structure is...

What if everything you thought you knew about mental health… wasn’t the full picture? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Theodore A. Henderson—physician, researcher, and founder of Neuro-Luminance Inc—to explore a perspective that challenges long-standing beliefs about the brain, depression, and healing. With decades of experience in neuroimaging and over 70 scientific publications, Dr. Henders...

Some stories don’t just reflect where we’ve been—they reveal what we’re called to build. In this episode of The Story Seat, we sit down with Corwin Johnson, widely known as CJ Moneyway—a globally recognized podcast host, author, and voice in resilience and faith-driven transformation. Through his platforms, The CJ Moneyway Show and Planting Seeds with CJ, CJ has created spaces where conversations...

What does it truly mean to see someone—not for their limitations, but for who they are? In this deeply moving episode of The Story Seat, Stuart D. Jones shares the story behind his memoir For the Love of Stephen—a reflection on his life with his brother, who lived with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through lived experience, Stuart invites us into a journey shaped by love, loss, and...

What do you hold onto when life no longer looks the way you expected? In this deeply honest episode of The Story Seat, Jeffrey Bone—chronic illness coach, author, and mental health specialist—shares a perspective shaped by both professional insight and lived experience. After years of supporting others, Jeff found himself navigating his own diagnosis, facing the physical, emotional, and existentia...