What does it mean to truly be informed when making decisions about your health—and what happens when that trust is questioned?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Ellen Lubensky for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about mental health systems, informed consent, medication withdrawal, and the journey of finding one’s voice after long-term medical challenges.

Ellen’s path began in the legal field, where she practiced Social Security Disability and medical malpractice law. But her perspective shifted profoundly through her own lived experience—nearly two decades navigating a disabling condition linked to psychiatric medication.

That experience led her to begin asking difficult questions about transparency, patient autonomy, and the information people receive when making critical healthcare decisions. Today, she combines her legal background with lived experience to advocate for patient-centered care and informed consent.

In this conversation, we explore:

Ellen’s lived experience within the psychiatric system

What informed consent should truly mean in healthcare

The long-term impact of medication and withdrawal experiences

Gaps in communication between patients and providers

The intersection of law, ethics, and lived experience

Navigating complex and sensitive conversations with clarity

Patient autonomy, trust, and systemic transparency

Ellen also shares reflections on what it means to rebuild a sense of agency after long-term medical challenges, and how personal experience can evolve into advocacy for others.

This episode invites listeners to think more deeply about how health decisions are made, how information is shared, and why patient voice matters in every step of care.

If you’ve ever questioned systems of care, navigated your own health journey, or simply want to better understand the importance of informed consent, this conversation will stay with you.

How do we support our children emotionally… while also caring for our own mental and emotional well-being as parents?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Raeanne Johnson for a compassionate and practical conversation about parenting, emotional health, anxiety, ADHD, burnout, and the connection between neuroscience and faith.

With more than 15 years of clinical experience—and as a homeschooling mom of three—Raeanne brings both professional expertise and real-life understanding to the challenges families face every day.

Her work helps parents move from confusion and overwhelm toward clarity, emotional connection, and healthier rhythms at home.

In this conversation, we explore:

What’s really happening in a child’s brain during emotional overwhelm

How parents can respond to “big feelings” with both compassion and structure

Supporting children with anxiety and ADHD

The emotional weight many parents quietly carry

Burnout, perfectionism, and letting go of guilt

How faith and neuroscience can work together in parenting

What it truly means to raise emotionally healthy children

Raeanne also shares encouragement for parents who feel exhausted, discouraged, or unsure if they’re doing enough—offering simple mindset shifts and practical tools that can make everyday life feel more manageable and connected.

This episode is a reminder that parenting is not about perfection. It’s about presence, grace, and learning how to support both ourselves and our children through life’s challenges.

If you’re raising children, navigating emotional struggles in your home, or simply trying to create a healthier and more peaceful family environment, this conversation will leave you feeling understood, encouraged, and supported.

What if one small act of kindness could completely change the way you see another person… and yourself?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Jody Zarn for a deeply human conversation about empathy, mental health, homelessness, and the transformative power of simply seeing someone with dignity.

What began as buying a cup of coffee for a man named Leroy—someone experiencing homelessness—became a two-year journey of friendship, trust, and mutual healing. Along the way, Jody was forced to confront her own assumptions, fears, and understanding of what it truly means to help another person.

In this conversation, we explore:

The moment that started Jody and Leroy’s connection

Building trust through patience and consistency

What society often misunderstands about homelessness

The impact of trauma, loss, and mental health struggles

Why empathy is more powerful than judgment or fixing

How small acts of kindness can create lasting change

The importance of seeing people beyond labels and assumptions

Jody also shares how her own experiences with bullying, grief, and emotional pain shaped the way she approached this relationship and deepened her understanding of human connection.

This episode is not just about homelessness—it’s about humanity. About slowing down long enough to truly see another person, and recognizing how connection can transform both lives in the process.

If you’ve ever wondered whether small acts of kindness really matter, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

Do you ever feel like you have to be louder, more outgoing, or more “extroverted” to succeed?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Serena Low for a thoughtful conversation about introversion, authenticity, visibility, and learning how to show up without losing yourself in the process.

As a lifelong introvert, Serena understands the quiet pressure many people feel to change who they are in order to be noticed, respected, or successful. Through her coaching and podcast, she helps introverts embrace their strengths and grow into what she calls Quiet Warriors—people who lead and make an impact in ways that feel aligned and genuine.

In this conversation, we explore:

Growing up and navigating life as an introvert

Why so many introverts feel pressure to “perform” extroversion

The meaning behind the term Quiet Warrior

How trauma and past experiences affect visibility and confidence

Practical ways introverts can begin showing up more fully

The difference between healthy growth and self-abandonment

Common misconceptions about introverts in leadership and business

Serena also shares encouragement for anyone who feels unseen, hesitant, or afraid to take up space in their own authentic way.

This episode is a reminder that strength does not always need to be loud—and that real confidence often begins the moment we stop trying to become someone else.

If you’ve ever struggled with visibility, self-doubt, or feeling like your quiet nature makes you less capable, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and empowered.

What happens when the pressure to perform starts disconnecting you from who you really are?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Kurt Bush for an honest conversation about leadership, burnout, authenticity, and the inner work many high-performing people quietly avoid.

With experience across corporate leadership, pastoral ministry, and trauma-informed coaching, Kurt has seen a common pattern: leaders who appear successful on the outside while privately struggling with exhaustion, imposter syndrome, and disconnection.

Through his own journey and the work he now does with others, Kurt helps leaders move beyond survival mode and reconnect with themselves in a healthier, more sustainable way.

In this conversation, we explore:

Why so many leaders feel like they’re “faking it”

The hidden emotional cost of constant performance

How imposter syndrome quietly shapes leadership

Understanding Internal Family Systems and our internal “parts”

Moving from overworking to authentic leadership

Kurt’s framework: Encounter + Reflection = Transformation

Why inner work changes the way leaders show up for others

Kurt also shares practical insight into how self-awareness, reflection, and emotional honesty can create stronger leadership, healthier relationships, and more grounded decision-making.

This episode is a reminder that leadership is not just about output, image, or achievement. Real leadership begins with the courage to understand yourself honestly.

If you’ve been carrying pressure quietly, feeling disconnected beneath your responsibilities, or longing to lead in a way that feels more authentic and sustainable, this conversation will speak directly to you.

What happens when the life that looks successful on the outside no longer feels sustainable on the inside?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Dr. Jonathan Locust Jr. for a powerful conversation about burnout, healing, consciousness, and the journey back to wholeness.

After years in academic leadership and a path toward becoming a university president, Dr. Locust found himself facing severe burnout and serious health challenges that forced him to reevaluate everything—his identity, purpose, and the way he was living.

A major turning point came through a 24-day water fast that became far more than a physical reset. It opened the door to a deeper understanding of self-awareness, consciousness, and intentional living—an experience that ultimately inspired the creation of ConsciRise.

In this conversation, we explore:

The hidden emotional cost of high achievement

What burnout and physical decline taught him about identity

The transformative experience of a 24-day water fast

Consciousness, healing, and reconnecting with self

How disruption can become the beginning of personal transformation

The intersection of science, spirituality, and personal growth

Why wholeness is built through small, intentional daily choices

Dr. Locust also shares insights on trust, discernment, and rebuilding from within after seasons of exhaustion and uncertainty.

This episode is a reminder that transformation is not always loud or visible. Sometimes, the most important growth happens internally—in the quiet moments where we pause, reflect, and begin again.

If you’ve been navigating burnout, questioning your direction, or searching for a deeper sense of purpose and alignment, this conversation will resonate deeply.

What if faith conversations felt less like debates… and more like safe spaces for honesty, curiosity, and connection?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Paul Granger for a thoughtful and grounded conversation about faith, uncertainty, meaningful dialogue, and the power of simply showing up authentically.

For more than 20 years, Paul has created spaces where people can wrestle with life’s deeper questions without fear of judgment. Through ministry, his podcast Where Did You See God?, and more than 24 books, he’s focused on helping people explore faith in a way that feels real, human, and accessible.

In this conversation, we talk about:

Creating authentic spaces for honest faith conversations

Why connection matters more than agreement

Navigating conversations across different beliefs and perspectives

Learning to trust God through uncertainty and hardship

The role of curiosity, openness, and listening in spiritual growth

Why meaningful dialogue feels increasingly difficult today

Paul also shares how one simple question—“Where did you see God?”—has changed the way he experiences everyday life and human connection.

This episode is not about having perfect answers. It’s about making room for exploration, vulnerability, and the conversations that help people feel seen and understood.

If you’ve ever wrestled with faith, questioned your beliefs, or simply longed for deeper and more honest conversations, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

What does resilience actually look like when life forces you to start over?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Rich LaMonica to explore the mindset, discipline, and personal growth that come through challenge, transition, and everyday perseverance.

After serving 22 years in the U.S. Army, Rich experienced leadership under pressure, multiple deployments, and the responsibility of guiding others through difficult environments. But one of his biggest battles came after military life—navigating the transition into a completely new identity and purpose.

That season of reflection became the foundation for the work he does today as an author, speaker, podcast host, and advocate for resilience and personal growth.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Lessons learned from military leadership and service

The emotional reality of transitioning into civilian life

Why resilience is built through daily habits and mindset

The story behind Rich’s mantra: “Challenge Accepted”

What overcoming adversity taught him about growth

The role of family, purpose, and self-reflection in moving forward

Rich also shares practical insights on how small daily victories can create lasting momentum—even during life’s hardest seasons.

This episode is a reminder that resilience is not about avoiding struggle. It’s about continuing to move forward, one decision at a time, even when the path feels uncertain.

If you’re navigating change, rebuilding after setbacks, or trying to find strength in difficult moments, this conversation will speak directly to you.

What really drives innovation inside organizations?

In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Vanya Boardman to explore the often-overlooked human side of creativity, collaboration, and workplace performance.

After working across industries like financial services, telecommunications, and health tech, Vanya began noticing a common pattern—talented people staying silent, disconnected teams, and environments where innovation struggled to thrive.

That realization led her to co-found PlayInnové, where she helps organizations use play, experiential learning, and psychological safety to unlock stronger communication, deeper connection, and more creative thinking within teams.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Why people hold back ideas in team environments

The real meaning of psychological safety

How communication breakdowns limit innovation

Why play has a place in serious business

Common leadership mistakes that block creativity

How connected teams become more innovative and resilient

This episode is a reminder that innovation is not just about systems or strategy—it’s about creating environments where people feel safe enough to contribute fully.

If you’ve ever wondered why some teams thrive creatively while others stay stuck, this conversation will give you a different perspective on what truly drives breakthrough thinking.

Community doesn’t just happen—it’s built through intention, presence, and the stories we choose to tell.

In this episode of The Story Seat, we sit down with Jacob Espinoza, the founder of What’s Happening Salem, to explore how he transformed local storytelling into a thriving media platform rooted in connection and trust.

From his background in music, journalism, and civic work to building an audience of tens of thousands without relying on noise or controversy, Jacob shares what it really takes to show up for a city—and why intentional gatherings might be more powerful than we think.

This is a conversation about community, creativity, and the simple—but often overlooked—idea that belonging is something we can actively create.