Searching For Heroes With Benjamin Hall

February 24th marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, beginning a brutal war that continues raging. While we take this day to honor Ukraine, a country that wasn't expected to last a month against Russia and yet continues fighting, we also take it to remember the innocent lives that have been lost, and pay respect to those who continue fighting.

One of those people is Ambassador Oksana Markarova, who had only been serving as the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States for about a year when Russia invaded her country — leading to her work, and her face, being instantly projected across the globe. 

Ambassador Markarova joins Benjamin to discuss what the past three years have been like for her, as one of the key figures in charge of connecting Ukraine and the U.S.

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"My niece Roni was awakened with a gun pointed at her face attwo and a half years old...and then around 1:30 p.m., Omri was handcuffed and taken hostage."

It's been 499 days since Omri Miran, his wife Lishay, and their two young daughters Roni and Alma woke up to a nightmare on October 7th, 2023 -- when their family was held captive by Hamas militants, and Omri was taken hostage. Since that day, Omri's family has dedicated their lives to advocating for his release.

While crucial progress is being made between Israel and Hamas, as they prepare to enter phase two of a hostage deal that will hopefully lead to the release of 33 Israeli hostages, Omri's

brother-in-law Moshe Lavi says advocacy and fighting to bring the innocent home must never stop. Moshe details how his family has been working since October 8th to raise awareness and call for Omri's release and why he believes caution is crucial when dealing with a terrorist organization like Hamas.

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A 21-year-old girl looking to become a Chinese interpreter and a former pediatric anesthesiologist may not seem like they'd end up on the same career path. However, after watching their beloved home country be torn apart by war, everything changed for Diana Obzhelian and Mykyta Kryzhanovsky.

Diana and Mykyta join Benjamin to discuss how their love for Ukraine led them to the non-profit organization The Halo Trust, where they've dedicated their lives to "demining": clearing landmines and other explosives from former war zones.

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"I am slowly burning alive, and I have nothing to orient myself to get myself out of this situation. I'm realizing pretty quick that I'm not going to make it out." - Spencer Tejedas

Except on that day in May of 2024, Gresham firefighter Spencer Tejedas did end up making it out of the burning building he thought would claim his life — suffering third-degree burns on 45% of his body and beginning down a courageous road to recovery.

Spencer and his wife Melea join Benjamin to reflect on their vivid memories of May 30th, 2024, how they were able to remain hopeful even when Spencer's lungs were failing for nearly six weeks, and the ways they and their two children have adjusted to their "new normal" with the support of their community and each other. 

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"From the minute this happened in 2022, I never once thought of what had been taken. I thought of what I could do to get through it."

How was Benjamin able to channel optimism after losing two of his colleagues and nearly losing his own life in Ukraine? Does everybody have the power to access this sort of hope? These are the exact questions Benjamin asked himself while recovering, and what ultimately led him to begin this search for heroes.

Benjamin reveals his four keys to eternal optimism.

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Imagine meeting a stranger, cutting the small talk, and getting straight to the questions that cultivate connection. That's exactly what documentary journalist, viral TED Talk speaker, and founder of 'Make Big Talk,' Kalina Silverman is doing — and the results she's collected have inspired millions of people across the globe.

Kalina joins Benjamin to discuss what led her to create 'Make Big Talk,' an organization aiming to fight loneliness and disconnection with community, curiosity, and empathy. She explains how one YouTube video revolving around asking strangers 'what do you want to do before you die?' has turned into a movement, and how she's now connecting with and raising funds for California wildfire victims through Make Big Talk.

To Learn More: https://www.makebigtalk.com/ 

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Firefighters are seen as some of the strongest, most selfless people in society — willingly risking their lives and enduring traumatic events to save others. With their courage and bravery on constant display, it becomes easy to assume these first responders are invincible. While they are heroes, they need our support just as much as we need theirs.

Former firefighter paramedic and author of 'Overcoming Tuesday: A First Responder's Tale of

Healing and Resiliency,' Jim Burneka opens up about the physical and mental toll that comes after years of fighting fires, and why his experience and own mental health journey led him to start Firefighter Cancer Consultants, an organization focusing on firefighter wellness and cancer

awareness.

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The holiday season followed by the start of the new year is often thought to be a time of joy, rest, and new beginnings — so when grief or depression feels inescapable during this time, it's common for people to feel defective or guilty for not feeling how society says we should. Jessica Cabeen, who's experienced this feeling firsthand, has a message for those going through this: "It's okay to not be okay. But it's not okay to not talk to someone

about it or not seek help." The author, speaker, and award-winning school principal shares a few mindset changes, gratitude practices, and tools that can be essential when unexpected challenges arise during a season of joy — things she learned while experiencing one of the

most incredible yet challenging experiences of her life: adopting her son Isaiah from Ethiopia. 

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Throughout the year, Benjamin has spoken to some of the most brave, courageous, and ambitious people in the world. Today, he's looking back at a few conversations that left a profound impact on him, and likely on many of you. 

A special thank you to all of the heroes who joined in 2024 and to all of you who joined Benjamin in his search. 

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"Don't allow circumstances you were born in to dictate the outcome of your life."

From the time he was young, Mayor Jermaine Wilson had big ambitions. But the environment he grew up in led him into a life of crime -- one that would land him in juvenile corrections for four years and in prison for three. However, through fatherhood, finding faith, and an uplifting prison fellowship program, Jermaine turned his life around.

Jermaine shares how you can help support children and families of incarcerated people this holiday season through the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship program: https://www.prisonfellowship.org/about/angel-tree/ 

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