What's Your Story with Jaime & Stan

In this warm, funny, and deeply reflective episode, Jaime and Stan sit down with Nina Waters — longtime nonprofit leader, former president of a major community foundation, and a woman navigating what it really means to start again after retirement. From growing up in Pittsburgh in a tight-knit Italian family, to a decades-long career serving at-risk youth and leading large-scale philanthropy, Nina...

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Jaime and Stan sit down with Kevin Briggs — the former California Highway Patrol sergeant whose steady voice, calm presence, and incomparable empathy helped guide hundreds of people away from suicide attempts on the Golden Gate Bridge. What begins with humor and lightness quickly opens into one of the most candid, courageous conversations in our show’s hi...

From a chance encounter in a Volvo service lounge to a deep dive into one of the most demanding art schools in the world — this episode spotlights the unstoppable drive of Eileen Zhang, a second-year computer animation student at Ringling College of Art & Design. At just 19, Eileen’s already lived away from home, navigated elite pre-college programs, and mastered the art of following a passion eve...

In this high-energy, behind-the-scenes episode, we sit down with Nicole Kaney — Sarasota native, devoted mother, and the powerhouse founder behind one of Florida’s most sought-after wedding and event planning companies. From her early days as a college-town yoga trailblazer with a cult-following (and $5 classes that packed 50 people into a bike shop), to running 75+ weddings a year with a 13-woman...

In this unforgettable episode, Lisa Kohn shares her journey from growing up in the infamous Unification Church (the “Moonies”) to reclaiming her identity, healing deep trauma, and teaching others the radical power of self-love. From surviving a fractured childhood and cult indoctrination to becoming an author, speaker, and leadership coach, Lisa’s story is one of fierce resilience, joy, and rebirt...

When life gives you heartbreak, sea turtles, and a gibbon that hugs your baby bump—you write a book about it. In this episode, Jaime and Stan meet Julie Henry, zoologist turned leadership speaker and author of Wisdom from the Wild and Wisdom from the Wild for Youth . Julie opens up about growing up in the Midwest, her years at aquariums and zoos, her late husband’s remarkable legacy, and the power...

From teenage bingo gigs to a 30-year run at PepsiCo, Bill Bornstein’s story is pure hustle, humor, and heart. In this episode, Bill opens up about his journey from the streets of Queens to corporate success, the rock-and-roll soundtrack that shaped him, and the rediscovery of purpose through faith, volunteering, and pickleball (yes, really). Key topics covered Growing up in Queens and starting wor...

This one’s personal — Jamie finally flips the mic to her parents, Stan and Ruth Brown, who’ve been married for 54 years and counting. From fire ants in Venice to a ski slope disaster, a diamond bought with a sold Volkswagen, and a lifetime of laughter — their story proves that love, humor, and commitment can outlast anything (including running out of gas in Vermont). KEY TOPICS COVERED How a Bosto...

From high school cross-country to the Shark Tank stage, Julie Busha’s story is all about endurance, grit, and flavor. The founder of Slawsa – a cabbage-based relish that’s part salsa, part slaw – shares how she turned a family recipe into a national brand, stayed debt-free, and kept her values (and humor) intact along the way. Key topics covered - From corporate NASCAR marketing to food entreprene...

From rocket-scientist roots to selling her multimillion-dollar tech company and surviving Lyme disease, Jennifer Berkowitz proves grit, humour, and vision can rewrite any story. She built her empire on passion, persistence, and PB&J sandwiches — and now helps CEOs do the same through her Freedom Goal Group. KEY TOPICS COVERED Building and selling a tech business in a male-dominated world Surviving...

In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Lynn Samis takes us through a journey as colorful as her canvases. From raising four children across Oklahoma, California, Texas, and Mexico, to rediscovering her passion for painting later in life, Lynn’s story is about resilience, reinvention, and joy in the everyday. She opens up about homeschooling in Cabo, her lifelong love of art, navigating her...

In this raw and riveting episode, Jeremy opens up about his journey from a childhood marked by chaos and domestic violence to surviving 15 suicide attempts—and the radical shift that saved his life. With unflinching honesty, he shares how basketball, fatherhood, and an unexpected YouTube video sparked his transformation. Today, Jeremy is a coach who helps others trade self-doubt for self-love, and...

In this sharp, heartfelt, and hilarious episode, we sit down with comedian Anthony Bonazzo — a Jersey-born comic who has built a career on Chicago’s comedy stages while navigating the highs and lows of life, loss, and laughter. Anthony shares his journey from a big Italian family full of material, to AmeriCorps service in Alaska, to carving out a name for himself at Zanies, Dry Bar Comedy, and bey...

In this inspiring and globe-trotting episode, we sit down with John Fareed — former Marine, magician, and now the global chairman of the world’s largest hotel, tourism, and leisure advisory firm. John’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. From his Egyptian-American roots and summers spent under his grandfather’s strict mentorship, to performing Houdini-style escapes in Vegas, and finally beco...

In this powerful and unforgettable episode, we sit down with Ken Greene — aviation executive, professor, and 9/11 survivor. Ken shares his harrowing experience inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center, how he narrowly escaped, and the lessons in leadership, resilience, and purpose that have shaped his life since. From running major airports to teaching the next generation of aviation leade...

In this inspiring and high-energy episode, we meet Christina Picciotto — a travel nurse turned community builder, entrepreneur, and single mom. Christina’s story spans from the chaos of ER trauma centers across the U.S. to founding Fit4Mom Lakewood Ranch , where she empowers and connects mothers through fitness and friendship. She shares the life lessons learned on the road, the challenges of moth...

In this inspiring and candid conversation, Commissioner Teresa Mast takes us from her tiny Michigan hometown to the heart of Sarasota County politics. With a background in design, business ownership, and nearly a decade working inside county government, Teresa shares how her upbringing in a close-knit, service-oriented family shaped her lifelong commitment to community. She opens up about running...

In this heartwarming and laugh-filled episode, we meet Heather and Brian Baty – partners in life, parenting, and now popsicles. From meeting on a dating app in Nashville, to moving their family to Florida, to launching their very own ice cream trailer business, “Myrtle’s Sweet Treats,” the Batys share how they turned a beach-day dream into a neighborhood favorite. We talk about navigating big move...

In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with the legendary Bill Crawford, founder of Wilmar Leasing, whose 80 years of life have been a masterclass in resilience, relationships, and relentless optimism. From scraping through college on a high-jump scholarship, to narrowly avoiding combat during the Vietnam War, to building a multi-million-dollar family business out of his daughter’s bedroom, Bi...

In this vulnerable and powerful episode, we sit down with Kelly Miller, a worship artist, Enneagram coach, and mother of 3, as she opens up about the deep work of healing generational trauma. From growing up with an angry father to seeing the same rage surface in herself as a parent, Kelly’s story is one of forgiveness, spiritual surrender, and breaking patterns that have defined generations. She...

In this vulnerable and funny episode, we sit down with Shannon Johnston, a corporate coach, HR pro, and powerful storyteller as she shares the unexpected health crisis that turned her world upside down and reshaped her entire approach to life. From being misdiagnosed and paralyzed overnight to learning how to walk again, Shannon’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and self-worth....

In this emotional and uplifting episode, we sit down with Julie Wright Halbert, founder of Rising Phoenix Coaching, as she shares the journey that transformed her life. From a sudden, life-altering loss to deep healing and coaching others through grief, Julie opens up about the moments that reshaped her soul and redirected her purpose. A former education attorney turned spiritual guide, Julie blen...

In this joyful and deeply personal conversation, we meet LaVonna Roth, founder of Ignite Your Shine, former teacher, speaker, and passionate mindset advocate. From growing up in a restrictive religious community to failing out of college, navigating divorce, and launching her own business, LaVonna’s story is one of grit, humor, and purpose. She unpacks how our inner dialogue, our past, and our pas...

In this revealing and deeply human conversation, Alan Webber shares the extraordinary evolution of his life from bouncing through over 40 jobs in 20 years to finding his true calling as a therapist at the age of 42. A cousin of co-host Stan, Alan’s story is filled with humor, grit, and self-discovery as he opens up about growing up in Boston, navigating career chaos, and ultimately building a life...

In this energetic and honest episode, we sit down with Kyle Rogers SHRM-Sarasota President, HR leader, culinary school grad, and passionate community builder. From his roots in Michigan to his current leadership role in Florida, Kyle’s story is filled with unexpected turns, life lessons, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive. Whether he’s leading HR initiatives, mentoring future leaders,...