In this powerful episode, Jimmy Rex sits down with Steve Mann, author of Stories That Shape Us: Unlock the Secret to Passing Down Your Greatest Lessons Through the Power of Story. Together, they explore how storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest and most essential skills — a way to preserve wisdom, build legacy, and connect generations.

Steve shares personal stories about working for three U.S. Presidents, living in Africa during the AIDS crisis, and learning to communicate timeless values through simple, emotional storytelling. He explains how anyone can start sharing their life lessons, the importance of passing down stories to children and grandchildren, and how storytelling helps build both identity and national pride.

This conversation dives deep into legacy, family connection, freedom, and personal growth, offering timeless lessons for anyone who wants to leave a meaningful mark on the world.

00:00 Introduction
01:12 Why storytelling matters + Steve’s introduction
05:02 Legacy & ancestors: why stories make us remember
08:02 How to start telling your own stories
12:00 Teaching values through stories (grandson example)
14:46 What legacy really means & why it matters
20:39 Africa: moving the family, AIDS education & lessons learned
27:10 Freedom, beliefs, and closing thoughts + where to find the book
31:49 Outro