#epicStories: Stories of Dreams, Detours, and What Comes Next

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 stories can have on our understanding of joy, resilience, and purpose.

Whether you’re new or a longtime listener, you’ll hear Bobby Quinn speak openly about his journey with ALS, the realities of living with the disease, the importance of community support, and his unwavering choice to keep living and loving with joy—no matter his circumstances.

• The Power of Perspective: “Bobby Quinn” famously said, “My life doesn’t suck. My circumstances do.” No matter what life throws at us, our outlook matters.
• Community Matters: From fundraisers to friends feeding him lunch, Bobby Quinn’s story is a testament to the importance of relationships and letting others show up for you.
• Facing Hard Truths: Candid discussion of ALS symptoms, daily challenges, and decisions around care—reminding us not to take anything for granted.
• Lasting Impact: Even after his passing, Bobby Quinn’s humor, kindness, and refusal to lose his joy continue to inspire everyone who hears his story.
• A Call to Action: Jean Tillery is donating $1 for every listener who comments “listened” on her Facebook episode post, in support of ALS fundraising.

After listening, do something intentional to support or encourage another person—reach out, check in, donate, or share this story. Then, head to Jean Tillery’s Facebook page and comment “listened” on the episode post. Every comment means another dollar donated to fight ALS, honoring the spirit of Bobby Quinn and reminding us all: keep showing up, keep finding joy, and keep living EPIC.

For more inspiration and resources, visit epiclivingwithjean.com and download your free guide to living epic.

Mentioned in this episode:

Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

eWomenPodcastNetwork

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 told the story of being adopted and becoming a birth mom. But I’m not the same person I was then, and my story keeps shifting. Today, I open up about what has changed since I first shared that part of my heart—and about how I’m still learning to live in the tension of love, longing, and letting go.

I begin by reflecting on my journey, starting from my adoption as a baby and the loving home I was raised in. Decades later, I found myself looking at things from the other side, navigating the emotional and complex terrain of being a birth mom who chose adoption for my own son.

I talk about the ache that comes from unanswered questions and what it was like the day my son found me after 37 years of silence. For four incredible days, I got to reconnect—even just through texts—and fill in the blanks in each other’s lives. And then, just as suddenly, he was gone again. I haven’t heard from him since August 11, 2021, and that silence is a wound I’m learning to live with.

A few weeks ago, an unexpected moment at the movies cracked open these old feelings in a raw new way. I realized I needed to let go of the hope of reunion, not because I stopped caring, but because hope itself was becoming too painful to carry. Letting go was as hard as it was the first time—and even heavier, because now I know him.

Throughout this episode, I’m honest about my grief, my hope, and my process of acceptance. I remind myself and anyone listening that you absolutely cannot control other people’s decisions or the way they process their own story. But I can choose how I carry mine.

• Some stories don’t have tidy endings: Life rarely wraps heartbreak up in a bow. Unfinished stories are messy, real, and valid (01:03).
• Adoption carries lifelong impact: Both as an adoptee and a birth mom, I learned love and loss can coexist, and some goodbyes never truly end (01:15–03:48).
• Ambiguous loss is real and recurring: Connection and disconnection can happen in cycles, and losing someone for a second time can hurt even more (02:09–05:22).
• Your feelings are never wrong: There is no perfect response to pain. It’s okay to have peace one day and grief the next—and to cycle through hope and hopelessness (06:09).
• Letting go doesn’t cancel love: I learned (again) that love doesn’t go away just because it’s not returned the way you’d hoped—it’s still real, still valid, still worth honoring (06:32).
• Practical ways to move forward: My Epic Challenge for you is to name the part of your story that’s heavy—not to fix it, but just to acknowledge it, honoring the reality of what you carry (07:03).

This is my invitation to you: If you’re living a story with no end in sight, try what I’ve learned—just honor it. Write it down. Say the name. Say a prayer. Let it exist as it is, without needing it to be different. You are absolutely not alone in this experience.

If something in my story resonates with you, I’d be honored if you shared this episode with someone else who might need to know they’re not alone, either.

Use the hashtag #epiclivingpodcast and comment on my Facebook page. You can dive deeper into my journey in my book, A Dreamer’s Travel Journal, or connect with more resources on my website, epiclivingwithjean.com. There you can find a free guide—7 Ways to Start Living Epic—and even set up a call if you want to talk about what “epic” might look like in your own life.

Be gentle with yourself. Remember: Some stories aren’t meant to be finished—they’re meant to be carried. And as always, it’s all about the story.

Thank you for being here with me. Now go out and live EPIC today and every day.

Mentioned in this episode:

Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

eWomenPodcastNetwork

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 insight, Jean Tillery takes us beyond the race’s finish line to reveal the hidden stories that matter most.

• There Are Two Races in Every Journey: The one we see on the course, and the quieter, just-as-important one that happens among supporters and loved ones 01:19.
• Support Means Meeting People Where They Are: Sometimes support looks like cheering, sometimes it’s simply offering silence and space 02:06.
• Community Makes the Impossible Possible: No achievement, no matter how individual it appears, is completed alone 03:35.
• Adversity Is Inevitable—Resilience Is a Choice: It’s not about avoiding challenges, but about how you respond when things go wrong 05:16.
• Extraordinary Is Found in Endurance, Not Ease: What truly sets people apart is the willingness to keep going, especially when it hurts 07:13.
• Epic Moments Can Go Unnoticed—and That’s Okay: Sometimes the real gift is knowing these moments happened, even if we weren’t there to witness them first-hand 02:54.
• The Big Question: What hard thing have you been avoiding, and is it time to step into your own “race”?

What is your “hard thing”? This week, embrace the challenge instead of waiting for it to feel easier. Share your journey and epic moments with Jean Tillery on the Epic Living with Jean Facebook page, and check out photos and more inspiration from the race. For more tools and to start your own epic journey, visit epiclivingwithjean.com, grab your free guide, and connect about living your own EPIC story. Don’t forget to share this episode using #epiclivingpodcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

eWomenPodcastNetwork

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 freedom in their physical, digital, and mental spaces.

• Why clutter is often rooted in emotional patterns, trauma, and learned behaviors—not just “too much stuff”
• How societal changes and family history shape our urge to hold on or accumulate
• The real impact of mental and digital clutter, and why they’re often overlooked
• How to honor the stories behind sentimental objects without letting them control your space
• Simple, functional strategies to start decluttering on your terms
• The power of group support—and why sharing your decluttering journey can lighten your load

• Clutter is about what we hold onto—and why. It’s more emotional than physical.
• Functional organization is personal. Find what actually works for you, not what looks good in a magazine or on Instagram.
• Sentimental items should be seen and enjoyed, not boxed and forgotten.
• Your clutter often hides in digital and mental spaces. Unsubscribing from emails or acting on repetitive to-dos can bring immediate relief.
• Asking for help isn’t a sign of failure—your ask may be the answer to someone else’s need.
• Progress doesn’t require perfection. Start with one small step—trash a single item, unsubscribe from one email, schedule a lingering task.

Pick one area—your junk drawer, inbox, or to-do list—and do a single thing today: throw out rubbish, unsubscribe from five emails, or finally tackle that one nagging task. Share your experience with a friend or in our community—because you’re not alone on this journey.

Ready to transform your relationship with stuff?

Visit hiresteph.com/clutterescape for Stephanie Young's online support group, and join the conversation on the Epic Living with Jean Facebook page.

Because it’s not really about having less.

It’s about living with intention, creating space for what matters, and remembering—it’s all about the story.

Mentioned in this episode:

Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

eWomenPodcastNetwork

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 importantly, would you?

Thinking back to my roots in Houston, in the shadow of the NASA Johnson Space Center, I remember how awe-inspiring it is to stand beneath the massive Saturn 5 rocket and realize that before any human ever left Earth, someone simply believed it was possible. These reflections connect to the present-day Artemis program, where astronauts commit years to preparation, face uncertainty, and step forward with courage not because they're fearless—but because they're willing.

In this episode, I want to talk about that difference between feeling ready and being willing. I often hear people tell me, “I wish I was brave like you,” or “I could never do what you do.” But I don't see myself as fearless. I’m just willing to say yes, even when I feel uncomfortable or unsure. Each time I take that leap, I grow a little; what once felt impossible starts to seem within reach.

So today, we dive into the idea that moving forward isn’t about waiting for fear to disappear. It’s about deciding that now is the moment to take that first step, even if the path feels uncertain. I challenge you to try the "rocket test": think about something in your life you’ve been putting off, and ask yourself what you would do if you knew you couldn’t fail. The gap between “I could never” and “I did” is smaller than you think—just one decision, a willingness to move rather than to keep watching from the sidelines.

If this stirs something inside you, know that you’re not alone. I’m passionate about helping people take their dreams from “someday” to something real. Because life is not meant to be watched from the ground; it’s meant to be lived, fully and bravely. And for the record—if NASA calls, I’m all in.

Thanks for joining me for another episode of Epic Stories, where we explore the moments, decisions, and stories that remind us all that anything is possible.

Mentioned in this episode:

Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

eWomenPodcastNetwork

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.

It’s been a while since I sat down for a regular episode, but I felt compelled to unpack the powerful lessons from watching my son finish his first half Ironman and prepare for a full Ironman. Beyond physical endurance, it showed me truths about resilience, momentum, and the sacredness of choosing your own path.

I talk about:

• How most of us inherit our race and stop asking if it fits the life we really want 00:17
• Vivid moments from the edge of the starting line, the lonely miles, and the finish that brings transformation 02:39, 06:10
• The eight big lessons I took from Ironman—including why momentum matters more than motivation, why rest is essential, and why running alone sometimes shapes us most 03:30, 04:13
• The sobering reality that not everyone finishes—and why respecting the journey and acting now matters 06:30
• What it means to build forward instead of starting over, and the decision my son made to keep training rather than lose momentum 09:03
• That the point of it all isn’t the medal, but the person you become through perseverance 07:16, 10:04

• I don’t have to be ready—just willing. My growth comes when I step forward, even if I’m scared 03:20.
• Momentum carries me further than motivation. I keep showing up, trusting the process 03:30.
• Some miles, I have to run alone—but no one finishes alone. My family, friends, and community hold me up 04:13, 05:31.
• Rest and refueling aren’t rewards—they’re necessities. I need to plan for rest, not just push through 05:16.
• The finish line reveals transformation—not perfection. It’s never about how I look crossing it, but that I kept going 06:10, 07:16.
• Life won’t always give me another chance. If something’s stirring in me, I have to go for it 06:50.
• I don’t have to start over. I can build forward. The momentum, discipline, and growth I’ve earned are mine to keep 09:11.
• It matters that I choose my race, and decide to finish it. 10:31

Here’s your chance—what race am I running right now? Is it one I chose for myself? I’m writing it down, and then I’m naming the very next step I need to take.

If you’re ready for your own new race or dream, I created Jenny, your Dream Concierge, to walk you through every step. Find her at epiclivingwithjean.com and reach out if you want support.

Share your own “mile 40” moments using #EpicLivingPodcast. Connect with me on Facebook and let’s support each other. Download my free guide, 7 Ways to Start Living Epic, and set up a call if you’re ready to explore what “epic” looks like for you.

Thank you for listening, for reflecting, and for running your own race alongside me. Keep dreaming, keep going, and keep living your epic life—because it’s all about the story we create.

Mentioned in this episode:

Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

eWomenPodcastNetwork

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 just something to listen to.

It’s something to pause with. To sit in. To feel.

Whether this is part of your faith journey or simply a moment to reflect on love, sacrifice, and humanity — my hope is that this experience meets you exactly where you are.

Take a breath. Slow down. And walk with us.

If you’re not familiar with the Stations of the Cross, it is a tradition that takes you through the final moments of Jesus’ life- from His condemnation to His burial.

Each “station” invites us to pause, reflect, and consider not only what happened… but what it means for us personally.

While this practice comes from the Catholic faith, the heart of it is something universal:

Love in the face of suffering

Compassion for others

Perseverance through hardship

and the invitation to become better in the way we live and love

You don’t have to be Catholic — or even religious — to walk through this experience.

If you’ve ever struggled…

If you’ve ever felt the weight of life…

If you’ve ever wondered how to love people better…

Then there is something here for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

eWomenPodcastNetwork

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 Dreamers Travel Journal" 

Go out and live epic today, and every day!

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 today, and every day!

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 Journal" 

Go out and live epic today, and every day!