In this heartfelt episode of My Story Podcast, Ari sits down with Lois Graham to hear her incredible journey through pancreatic cancer, major surgeries, loss, and healing. Despite being given only months to live, Lois shares how her faith, family, and unwavering hope carried her through every challenge. Her powerful perspective on asking "Why not me?" instead of "Why me?" is a moving reminder to cherish each day, lean on those who love us, and find strength even in life's hardest moments.

This episode of the My Story Podcast features Patrick Buck Jr., a media management student, content creator for the The Southeast Arrow, ad salesperson, food truck owner, and entrepreneur. Hosted by Ari, the conversation explores Patrick's personal journey, career ambitions, lessons from failure, and philosophy on pursuing goals

In this episode, Ari sits down with actor, filmmaker, and recent graduate Kait Dexter to explore the experiences that shaped her journey. Kaitlin shares how theater helped her find her voice, the impact of a life-changing car accident and chronic pain diagnosis, and how losing her sister influenced both her perspective and creative work. Together, they discuss identity, empathy, resilience, and the role storytelling plays in helping us understand ourselves and others.

In this episode of My Story Podcast, Ari sits down with Sarah Lerch to explore her family's inspiring immigration story, her journey into journalism, and her experiences navigating anxiety and personal growth. From her grandparents' remarkable path from post-war Germany to the United States to learning how to manage overthinking and embrace new opportunities, Sarah shares a thoughtful and honest reflection on the experiences that have shaped who she is today.

In this episode of The My Story Podcast, Ari sits down with Dr. Tamara Elaine Zellers Buck, a journalism educator, department chair, and attorney whose life is—by her own definition—“a study in contrast.” From growing up a barefoot, rural Southeast Missouri “country girl” to thriving in big-city spaces like New York, Dr. Buck shares the experiences that shaped her identity, ambition, and purpose. She opens up about navigating confidence vs. arrogance, facing racism and bigotry as a Black woman in the Mid-South, and rebuilding after major setbacks—including flunking out of college, battling depression, and finding her way back through SEMO, professional journalism, and eventually law school. Along the way, she credits a pivotal mentor who changed her trajectory, and she explains how faith, family support, and relentless determination helped her juggle teaching, parenting, and even co-owning a bar to fund her goals. Dr. Buck closes with hard-earned advice on reading, embracing failure, and speaking up—because “a closed mouth don’t get fed.”

In this episode of The My Story Podcast, host Ari sits down with Dan Woods, longtime General Manager of KRCU Public Radio, to unpack the moments that shaped him... professionally and personally. Dan shares how a teenage dream of anchoring the CBS Evening News evolved into a decades-long career in radio, why the birth of his children remains his greatest highlight, and how losing his father at age eight changed the way he relates to people. From the responsibility of fatherhood to the importance of faith, trusted friendships, and the “stay on the air no matter what” mindset, Dan reflects on resilience, communication, and the power of sharing stories.