Every Soul Has A Story

What happens when your dream career collides with a child's life-threatening medical crisis? In this powerful episode, Emmy Award-winning news anchor Shannon Cogan opens up about her journey from aspiring network correspondent to finding peace in local news, all while navigating her son Colt's open-heart surgery and cardiac arrest. Shannon shares how her son's 20-minute near-death experience transformed her perspective on work, faith, and what truly matters. Listen as she discusses the realities of journalism today, the challenges of parenting a child with special needs, and why being kind to yourself is the most important lesson of all. This conversation explores resilience, faith, and the beautiful mess of balancing career and family. Perfect for working parents, journalism enthusiasts, and anyone seeking inspiration to embrace life's unexpected turns.
Keywords: Shannon Cogan, Emmy Award winner, news anchor, motherhood, special needs parenting, cardiac arrest survivor, work-life balance, journalism, faith, resilience, self-compassion, coronavirus reporting, cryotherapy, Louisville news

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro & Indiana University memories
4:56 - Meeting husband & career beginnings
6:02 - Work-life balance & sleep schedule
8:05 - Son Colt's heart defect & cardiac arrest
10:35 - Parenting twins with special needs
12:28 - From print to broadcast journalism
14:11 - Changing media landscape & social media
19:11 - The day of Colt's cardiac arrest
23:22 - Faith, grief & showing up for friends
30:35 - Covering lethal injection & JFK Jr. moment
36:21 - Self-care, Peloton & cryotherapy
42:14 - Final advice & closing remarks

RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:
•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com


QUOTES:

I think the biggest thing that I would tell your listeners is to be kind to yourself, allow yourself to make mistakes and be your biggest cheerleader.
 – Shannon Cogan

"I believe from a very deep space that children pick their parents and I believe strongly they come to teach us if, and if is the operative word, we're willing to learn." 
– Dara Levan

A 50-cent bet on an elevator, a World Series game she knew nothing about, and a fast-talking radio executive—that's how Joe and Winnie's 63-year love story began. Joe, a WWII Navy veteran turned radio station owner, and Winnie, the advertising agency employee who wouldn't give him the time of day, join Dara Levan to share their secrets to a lasting marriage: a sense of humor, mutual respect, and not hearing everything. Joe reveals how he built a radio empire across the country, the integrity that guided every business decision, and the moment he told a partner "never mention my family again." Winnie shares how she followed Joe through five children born in five different cities, and the faith that carried them through. Their legacy? Seven grandchildren, a life well lived, and a simple motto: to be what you appear to be. Keywords: Joe Winnie, 63-year marriage, love story, WWII veteran, radio station owner, integrity, family, legacy, humor.


0:00 - Intro & love story begin
0:40 - Meeting on an elevator
5:06 - 50-cent bet & first date
7:47 - Joe's WWII service & Navy
8:17 - Radio career begins
9:07 - First radio station purchase
11:09 - Integrity & walking away
12:49 - Moving to Fort Lauderdale
16:33 - 15 radio stations across US
18:57 - 25-year partnership
20:03 - Raising 5 children
21:49 - Indoor pool in Indianapolis
23:16 - Faith & optimism
25:03 - Integrity & reputation
32:41 - Children's careers
33:43 - School motto: to be what you appear
34:37 - Biggest challenges & lessons
38:21 – Outro


•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
•    Website: daralevan.com3



QUOTES:

"At the end of the day, I don't care if you're operating a multi-million dollar company or you're in a solo business—you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror." 
– Dara Levan
"I feel the word integrity has come up a lot in our conversation today. And that's ironic—that's one of the greatest purposes I feel of sharing your stories with others."
 – Dara Levan