I Like That Story

What is it really like to serve as governor—and what happens when the public life is over?

Jeff Gould sits down with former South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about politics, leadership, public service, family, and life after elected office.

Daugaard’s path was anything but conventional. He grew up on a South Dakota dairy farm, attended law school, worked as a trust officer, and spent nearly 20 years with Children’s Home Society before entering politics. He would go on to serve six years in the South Dakota Senate, eight years as lieutenant governor, and two terms as governor.

Dennis takes Jeff behind the scenes of the governor’s office—from demanding schedules and endless meetings to the surprising amount of preparation required simply to stay on top of the job. He explains why having a full-time scheduler, something he once thought sounded unnecessary, turned out to be essential.

But this conversation goes well beyond politics.

Dennis talks about growing up on a small dairy farm, meeting his wife Linda in eighth grade, finding purpose through service, learning to disagree with people without disliking them, and eventually recognizing when it was time to leave public office behind. After 22 years in politics, he decided there were other parts of life he wanted to experience—including more time with his children and grandchildren.

And when Jeff asks Dennis to name anyone in the world he’d choose to have lunch with, his answer says a great deal about the man behind the title: he’d rather spend that time with one of his kids.

It’s funny, thoughtful, refreshingly down-to-earth, and a rare opportunity to hear what public life looks like from someone who has already lived it—and no longer needs your vote.

As Jeff says at the end, sometimes the best thing we can do is simply have a conversation with someone we haven’t talked to in a while—or someone completely new.

Learn all about America's Storyteller on his website: https://www.ilikethatstory.com

#JeffGould #AmericasStoryteller #DennisDaugaard #SouthDakota #Leadership #PublicService #Politics #Governor #Storytelling #ILikeThatStory

What can 101 years of life teach us about faith, resilience, service, and staying positive?

Jeff Gould, America’s Storyteller, sits down with 101-year-old Bill Kruschel for an unforgettable conversation spanning nearly a century of American history.

Born in 1925, Bill grew up during the Great Depression, worked on a farm without running water or electricity, and served as a Navy corpsman attached to the 1st Marine Division during World War II. He remembers Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, the end of the war, and returning home to begin an extraordinary life and career.

With only 11 grades of formal schooling, Bill went on to spend 37 years at 3M, working in mechanical engineering during the rise of magnetic tape, computers, and floppy disks. He also devoted years to the Boy Scouts of America and advocating for children with special needs.

At 101, Bill still rides his electric tricycle, sings every week, and approaches life with remarkable faith, gratitude, humor, and optimism.

And stay to the end—Bill’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is something special.

More stories from Jeff Gould, America’s Storyteller:

#JeffGould #AmericasStoryteller #ILikeThatStory #WWIIVeteran #GreatestGeneration #AmericanHistory #VeteranStories #LifeLessons #Storytelling #Faith #Resilience #BoyScouts

Paul Riedner’s path is anything but ordinary.

In this episode, Jeff Gould sits down with former U.S. Army deep-sea diver, entrepreneur, veteran advocate, husband, and father Paul Riedner for a wide-ranging conversation about purpose, service, leadership, and life after the military. 

From nearly pursuing professional sports to trading commodities in Chicago, teaching in China, serving as an Army diver, and now helping veterans thrive in business, Paul’s journey is filled with unexpected turns and hard-earned wisdom.

Together, they discuss:

• Growing up as a gifted athlete and how close Paul came to professional sports

• Why a question from a shopkeeper in China ultimately led him to enlist in the U.S. Army at age 28

• The demanding world of Army deep-sea diving, underwater salvage, and military training

• Lessons learned from service, sacrifice, and transitioning back to civilian life

• The challenges veterans face after leaving the military—and how those experiences can become strengths

• The importance of independent thinking, leadership, and finding meaning beyond a career

• Paul’s work with What the Truck and Shadow Culture, helping connect veterans with business leaders and communities

Paul also shares the personal side of his story—meeting his wife, Anita, who grew up in Poland, raising their three children, and building a family life centered on hard work, fresh food, and shared values.

This is an honest conversation that doesn’t rely on easy answers. It explores patriotism, purpose, resilience, entrepreneurship, family, and the lifelong process of asking better questions.

Featured articles by and about Paul Riedner:

“Among Iraq War’s Many Losses: Trust”

“Alternate PTSD Therapy for Vets Ruffles VA Feathers but Shows Results”

“A Trauma Treatment That Struggled for Legitimacy Is Getting Recognition From the VA”

Connect with Paul and learn more:

What the Truck is an experience platform connecting builders with military veterans through shared experiences, storytelling, leadership, and service.

https://www.whatthetruck.live/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulriedner/

https://www.facebook.com/paul.riedner

Throughout June, Paul has been sharing an “Origins” campaign on LinkedIn, telling stories about where he was raised and the paths he has taken since.

If you know someone with a remarkable story, let us know. Their story could be featured in a future episode.

Learn all about America's Storyteller on his website: https://www.ilikethatstory.com

#JeffGould #AmericasStoryteller #PaulRiedner #Veterans #ArmyVeteran #Military #DeepSeaDiver #VeteranLeadership #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #ExecutiveCoaching #Purpose #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Storytelling #AmericanStories #WhatTheTruck #Podcast #Interview

After losing her 15-year-old brother Tegan to suicide, Laney Titze and her family chose to turn their grief into a mission of hope—helping others know they are never alone and that hope is always possible.

What if the greatest legacy of loss isn’t grief—but service?

Every life has a story—but some stories refuse to fit into a single chapter.

What do you do when the dream you've had since childhood no longer fits the person you're becoming?

From a two-room schoolhouse in rural Oregon to the halls of the White House and the front lines of the Cold War, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alan Buhler has lived a life few can imagine.

What happens when a viral TikTok sensation shares the story behind the screen?

In this episode, Jeff Gould sits down with fourth-generation grocer and community leader RF Buche for a powerful conversation about small-town America, business, leadership, Native American culture, and what it truly means to serve people.