The Facing Project

J.R. Jamison travels to Cyprus to explore the historical and cultural past of the island that led to the 1974 Turkish invasion and, ultimately, the Green Line—a demilitarized buffer zone patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force that divides the island to this day.  

Later, he’s joined by Demetris Hadjisofocoli, a former Cypriot refugee and founder/CEO of the Center for Social Innovation, an organization that cares about all people, regardless of borders, to increase their purpose and quality of life.  

Photo Credit – Provided by Demetris Hadjisofocoli.  

The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events—these are all contributing factors to the more than 40 million adults in the U.S. who suffer from anxiety or depression. Yet, with nearly 12% of the overall population battling these illnesses, mental health is still stigmatized and misunderstood.

Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story of a missionary who battled depression 4,000 miles from home, and another from a college student with a “broken brain” who says the best way to help is to listen. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by that former college student who is now a high school English teacher at a virtual public school in Washington state.

Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Seth Jackson: https://flic.kr/p/TrtEhh.

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We’ve all seen and read the stories of those with disabilities portrayed as secondary characters, there in the background to support the able-bodied lead in their quest for love, adventure, and success. But what if the script were flipped, and those with a disability were the main characters finding their own love, adventure, and success?

Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story a polio survivor who loves to dance; a former runner with an auto-immune disorder who is finding a new path; and a college student with autism who asks us to pay attention. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by global disability influencer Monica Engle Thomas who has reclaimed her own narrative and uses it to inspire others.

Originally released on April 30, 2022.

Photo – Provided by Monica Engle Thomas.

Stories included in this episode –

Carry
Sandy Penrod’s story as told to Jennifer Stanley from Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana. Performed by Beth Nahre.

Finding My Way
Antonio Kioko’s story as told to Deirdre Lane from Beyond Face Value: A Facing Project from Principal Financial in Des Moines, Iowa. Performed by Carl Frost.

Pay Attention
Carter Tharp’s story as told to Jamie Reece from Facing Autism in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Charley Isaacs.

Music used in this episode –

"HOEDOWN" by Jason Shaw
Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) License.
From the Free Music Archive.

"The Woods (Remastered)" by Axletree
Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
From the Free Music Archive.

"Gourd Hunting" by Jesse Spillane
Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
From the Free Music Archive.

Humans are hardwired for empathy through mirror neurons, but time, culture, and climate determine if empathy grows, remains neutral, or worse—leads to anger or distress.

On this episode of The Facing Project, J.R. Jamison will explore empathy through two stories: one from a woman in Indiana who teaches kids empathy through theatre, and the other from a woman in Ohio who found it by loving her trans daughter. Later, he is re-joined by former co-host Kelsey Timmerman for a two-way where they make the argument for why empathy, if practiced in the right ways, has the ability to save us all.

Photo Credit – Provided by The Facing Project.

Stories included in this episode –
• The World Through the Eyes of Another: Laura Williamson’s story as told by Monique Armstrong from Facing Mentoring in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Lorri Markum.
• Hearts & Homes: Katie Flesch’s story as told by Kate DeVantier from Facing Intolerance in Springfield, Ohio. Performed by Laura Williamson.

Music used in this episode –
• "my bloody beating heart" by kitchenromance. Licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.

The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

Ahead of its nationwide theatrical release, J.R. Jamison sits down with the producer and director of Van Jones’s documentary, The First Step, to discuss Jones’s attempts to bring people together across party lines to pass landmark criminal justice reform, while finding himself under fire from all sides. Later, the trio discuss filmmaking, storytelling, and why it’s more important than ever to create bridge-building art during a time of extreme polarization.

Photo Credit – Meridian Hill Pictures (used with permission)

The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates. 

Jealousy is an emotion that everyone has experienced at one time or another, but if not controlled jealousy could lead to other feelings and actions such as embarrassment, depression, codependency, low self-esteem, or even anger. But with jealousy being such an innate emotion, how does one turn it off or use it for good?

J.R. Jamison explores that question as he shares the story of two women in East-Central Indiana who lost friends to jealousy. Later, he is joined by Dr. Bob Bringle, Chancellor's Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Philanthropic Studies at IUPUI, and a widely-known expert on jealousy in close relationships.

Photo Credit – Everton Yamamoto via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/5sSPjn.

Stories included in this episode –
• Concerns of a Friend: Ashley’s story as told by Erin Lichtenfeld. Performed by Katy Lynne Wolfe.
• Suffering in Silence: Alicia’s story as told by Brianna Thompson. Performed by Tiffany Erk. 

The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

A Christmas Eve party. A missing ring. A down-on-his-luck private eye. It’s a combination that has all the makings of a perfect mystery. Or should we say, “Chris-Mystery?”

As a special treat for the holidays, we're proud to bring you IPR's production of A Chris-Mystery, IPR’s radio drama broadcast live on Friday, Dec. 16, from Sursa Performance Hall at Ball State University.

Written by local Radio Drama veteran Michael Kleeberg and produced by Jennifer Blackmer, with direction from David Little and musical direction from Michael Elliott, A Chris-Mystery is sponsored by Michelle Walker Thrivent Financial and The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory.

Bathrooms. Pronouns. Sports. These are a few of the topics in which transgender people have become the center of a debate on who is allowed to exist and where.

Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they explore Beyond the Binary and share the stories of a trans man’s journey with hormone therapy; a non-binary person who found acceptance at home; and a pastor who struggled with her faith and identity before finding peace. Later in the show, they are joined by Charlize Jamieson, a transgender “book” in the Human Library.

Image – Non-Binary Pride Flag, inspired by Kye Rowan.

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Professional athletes, like any celebrities, have huge followings and can influence positive change; yet they are often expected to temper and censor their statements on politics, social justice, and activism.

Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they discuss Athletes & Activism.

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In the next decade, 500,000 teens with autism will enter adulthood and age out of school-based services. Adults with autism are less likely to access healthcare, have a job, or pursue a degree beyond high school.

Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they discuss Autism in Adulthood.

This episode originally broadcast on March 27, 2021.

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