In this solo episode, Jonny Thyne — host of The People Who Make Us — opens up about the journey behind the mic over the past seven months. From launching the podcast in the midst of wildfires, job loss, and uncertainty… to pushing through chaos, finding moments of connection, and finally stepping back to reflect, this is a candid update on what it’s taken to get here.

Jonny shares the story behind his unexpected break during the Pride series, the spontaneous trip to Paris that helped him reconnect with his purpose, and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or just dropping in, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and realign — in podcasting and in life.

Mentioned:
— Pride series continuation featuring Jackie Beat
— Pageboy Book Club finale & upcoming pick
— Break announcement + return in September

💌 Keep in touch on Instagram @jonnythyne and share what’s been resonating with you.
🎧 And as always — thank you for listening to The People Who Make Us.

In this deeply personal solo episode, Jonny Thyne turns the mic inward to share his coming out story—raw, unfiltered, and decades in the making. From childhood innocence to internal battles, from self-harm to self-acceptance, Jonny walks us through the moments that shaped his identity and nearly broke him.

This episode is a love letter to queer people—those still in the closet, those out but still healing, and those who never had the safety to speak their truth. It’s also a heartfelt invitation to allies, especially straight and cisgender listeners, to understand just how much bravery it takes simply to exist.

If you’ve ever struggled to feel safe in your own skin… this one’s for you.

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm and suicide.
Resources mentioned:
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

Book Club Series – with special guest @kiraleclair

In this book club episode, I’m joined by my cousin Kira to unpack Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning—a book that somehow manages to be both devastating and deeply hopeful.

We explore how Frankl’s experience as a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist shaped his belief that even in the most inhumane conditions, we can still choose our response. From logotherapy and suffering to the importance of imagination, identity, and love—we dive into how his message still resonates in today’s world.

We also share some personal reflections and stories as we ask:

• What helps us stay human in hard times?

• Where do we find meaning when life feels empty?

• And… can a sunset really keep someone going?

📚 Don’t worry if you haven’t read it yet—we start spoiler-free and give a clear heads-up before diving deep.

💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts:
DM me @jonnythyne or Kira @kiraleclair to join the convo.

🌈 And stay tuned—next week kicks off something very special for Pride Month that I can’t wait to share with you.

—

Next Month’s Book: Pageboy by Elliot Page – read along with us for our next book club episode!

In this episode of the People Who Make Us Podcast, host Jonny Thyne welcomes Jen, a long-time friend and meditation teacher from the non-profit Light Source Center. They delve into the true essence of meditation, spirituality, and self-discovery.

Jen shares her journey of finding her spiritual teacher and how working with energy and light can transform one's life. They discuss practical ways to start meditating amidst chaos, the importance of self-awareness, combating fear with love, and creating your reality through energy.

Both Jonny and Jen highlight the power of choice in overcoming life's challenges and the potential for profound personal growth.

https://www.lightsourcecenter.org

00:00 Introduction and Provocative Question

00:36 Meet Jen: Meditation Teacher and Friend

02:36 The Story of How We Met0

4:39 Jen's Spiritual Journey

09:44 Discovering the Light Source Center

12:50 Personal Growth and Meditation

23:34 Incorporating Meditation into Daily Life

24:44 Understanding Energy and Light

27:29 Redefining Meditation

30:20 Starting with Meditation: Time and Commitment

30:55 Meditation's Purpose: Self-Love and Compassion

31:53 Love vs. Fear: The Core Emotions

34:06 Creating Your Own Reality

36:16 Rewriting Negative Self-Talk

42:46 Understanding Vibration and Energy

47:43 The Power of Choice and Light

54:46 Conclusion: Rewrite Your Story

In this episode of the People Who Make Us Podcast, host Jonny Thyne engages in a direct conversation with listeners about how to overcome feeling stuck in life. He shares personal insights and practical steps to change daily routines, evaluate media consumption, and cultivate gratitude to create a life filled with intention and presence.

Jonny also stresses the importance of recognizing and managing fear, proposing actionable techniques to rewire the brain and develop a more fulfilling, love-oriented perspective.

Listeners are encouraged to start with small changes and gradually build up to more significant, life-altering practices.

00:00 Welcome to the People Who Make Us Podcast

00:20 Identifying Life's Turning Points

01:32 Small Changes for Big Impact

05:06 Reevaluating Media Consumption

06:58 Mindful Habits and Intentional Living

11:05 Facing and Overcoming Fear

17:05 The Power of Gratitude

22:22 Wrapping Up and Next Steps

In this episode of the People Who Make Us Podcast, host Jonny Thyne talks with Olivia Conrad—a leader in healthcare, a published author, and a new mom.

They explore Olivia's journey from her roots in Scottsdale, Arizona, through her career in healthcare technology, and into motherhood. Olivia shares her insights on balancing ambition with care, the importance of resilience, and showing up as your best self. They also discuss the significance of community support, especially in professional and personal growth.

Olivia introduces her newly self-published children's book, 'When Mommy Goes to Work,' and a planner designed to help others organize their lives and achieve their goals. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, integrity, and living with purpose.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:41 Meet Olivia Conrad: A Modern Badass Woman

03:08 Olivia's Early Life and Family Background

07:11 Career Beginnings and Challenges

12:42 Leadership and Mentorship

20:52 Facing Adversity and Proving Doubters Wrong

23:01 Building Your Roof: Mentorship and Support Systems

24:22 The Importance of Community and Connection

26:31 Navigating Pregnancy and Work

29:02 Balancing Parenthood and Career

33:02 Publishing a Children's Book

34:59 Creating a Planner for Success

38:55 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Community

When Mommy Goes to Work book:

https://tinyurl.com/Mommy-Goes-to-Work

The OK Method Planner:

https://tinyurl.com/The-OK-Method

In part two of the conversation with Craig, the discussion delves deeper into the intersection of love and pain.

Craig shares impactful stories about showing up for others during their times of suffering without needing to provide answers, focusing on the power of presence and empathy. The conversation touches on the importance of connecting across differences, the role of love in overcoming life's challenges, and the evolution of communication and societal values over time.

The episode also explores how love can bridge political and ideological divides, advocating for an approach centered on empathy and genuine human connection. This candid dialogue offers valuable insights into maintaining relationships and fostering understanding in a complex world.

00:00 Introduction and Recap

00:42 The Intersection of Love and Pain

01:27 Showing Up Without Answers

01:47 The Power of Presence and Connection

02:56 Exploring Faith and Belief

03:46 Finding Peace in Love and Service

07:19 The Essence of Tribe and Togetherness

11:38 The Evolution of Communication

17:36 The Impact of Technology on Relationships

23:15 Numbing Pain and Embracing Emotions

24:11 The Illusion of a Perfect Life

25:48 Finding Purpose in Pain

28:14 A Story of Resilience

31:27 Navigating Political Divides

43:36 The Power of Truth and Imperfection

45:29 Final Reflections on Life and Love

In this episode of the People Who Make Us Podcast, host Jonny Thyne engages in a heartfelt conversation with his dear friend Craig Smith, founder and CEO of Swiss America. They explore themes of love, connection, and the importance of showing up for one another in a divided world.

Craig shares his personal journey, including moving across the country due to his mother's illness, his marriage to his supportive wife Melissa, and the challenges and triumphs of building his company from scratch. They discuss the impact of the Covid pandemic on human connection, the power of true friendship, and the significance of serving others.

Craig also reflects on the importance of approaching others with compassion, regardless of differing beliefs. The episode emphasizes the idea that real love transcends agreement and focuses on the quiet power of being there for those we care about.

Announcing the People Who Make Us Book Club with Jonny Thyne and Kira Leclair.

In this episode of 'The People Who Make Us,' host Jonny Thyne announces the launch of the 'People Who Make Us Book Club,' co-hosted with his cousin Kira. Each month a new book will be announced for listeners to read with a discussion on the following episode.

Jonny and Kira begin by sharing their top five most impactful books, from poignant tales like 'Demon Copperhead' and 'Know My Name,' to childhood favorites such as 'Where the Red Fern Grows.' They also discuss their least favorite reads, authors they consistently follow, and their favorite book characters.

The first book for their book club is 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl, inspired by previous podcast guest Billy Cundiff and others. Listeners are encouraged to read along and potentially join the discussion in the next month's episode. The hosts conclude by expressing their excitement for this new, interactive journey.

Jonny's Instagram: @jonnythyne

Kira's Instagram: @kiraleclair

00:00 Introduction and Exciting Announcement

01:18 Meet Kira: Co-Host and Cousin

03:39 Kira's Top 5 Books

16:38 Jonny's Top 5 Books

24:26 Impact of 'Eat, Pray, Love' on My Life

28:03 Exploring 'A New Earth' by Eckhart Tolle

29:49 Dissecting 'Bunny' by Mona Awad

32:23 The Secret History: A Love-Hate Relationship

36:36 Favorite Authors and Their Works

44:18 Announcing Our First Book Club Book

48:58 Conclusion

Finding Happy: A Journey of Love, Light, and Perseverance with Maria Bertrand

In this episode of the People Who Make Us Podcast, host Jonny Thyne sits down with his inspiring friend Maria Bertrand, a celebrated filmmaker and actress. They discuss her acclaimed documentary, 'Finding Happy,' which has won numerous awards, including those from the Glendale International Film Festival and the Love and Hope International Film Festival in Barcelona. Maria shares her personal story, detailing her journey from modeling to acting, and eventually to filmmaking.

She touches on the challenges of pursuing a purpose-filled life versus societal expectations and how a small act of kindness in rescuing a baby bird helped reignite her passion for storytelling during the pandemic.

The conversation highlights the importance of perseverance, kindness, and the profound impact of human-animal bonds. Maria also teases her upcoming indie comedy film, 'Got Daddy Issues,' which explores how unresolved parental issues affect adult relationships.

This episode is a touching reminder to build your own opportunities when life doesn’t offer you a seat at the table.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

01:23 Maria's Background and Early Career

04:16 Journey into Acting and Storytelling

07:39 The Power of Perseverance and Community

14:27 Finding Happy: The Documentary

23:36 Communicating with Animals

24:01 Childhood Memories and Quirks

25:16 Introducing 'Got Daddy Issues'

25:50 The Journey of Making the Film

28:21 The Importance of Personal Stories

31:22 Influential Figures and Life Lessons

36:05 Building Your Own Table

38:09 Final Thoughts and Farewell