Dennis Pilarinos learns the heartbreaking perils of putting his tech startup first. Follow along at [slack.com/podcast](https://slack.com/podcast/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=Simplecast&utm_campaign=podcastWIPshownotes) and [@slackstories](https://twitter.com/slackstories)

A Palestinian entrepreneur makes a dramatic escape from war-torn Gaza, leaving everyone she loves behind for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue her dream. Follow along at [slack.com/podcast](https://slack.com/podcast/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=Simplecast&utm_campaign=podcastWIPshownotes) and [@slackstories](https://twitter.com/slackstories)

As a mom, Emma's crooning voice came in handy when putting the babies to sleep, until one day she discovers her mind-tingling voice could help soothe millions of others. Now if only she could figure out how to describe her job to the neighbors.

Tim Doucette has been legally blind since he was a boy. He grew up believing his interest in astronomy would go unfulfilled, until the day he looked into the night sky and realized he could see things most people can’t.

Nothing could stop Maili Wong from doing everything she could to climb the ranks as a Wall Street trader until she found out her job might literally be killing her.

Keith Porter-Snell worked his entire life to become a concert pianist. With a swift snap of his hand, his entire career went careening out of sight, forcing him to redefine his classic vision of success.

Ray Torres likes driving fancy cars, until a bad gig landed him in federal prison. Now he's back on the road doing what he loves, and the only thing he sees in the rearview mirror is the man he left behind.

During his tenure as the Superintendent of the Oregon State Penitentiary, Frank Thompson was ordered to oversee the prison's last two executions, even though he didn't believe in capital punishment. Later in life, he proves there's never a bad time to stand up for what you believe in.

After 30 years performing as a male comic, Lara Rae takes the big step of transitioning and re-booting her career—now as a woman.

In his private life, Andy Stuart lives a life deeply devoted to the pagan practice of Druidry—until a mysterious case in his professional life as a cop encouraged him to come out on the job.