In this episode of Tell Me a Story, host Ben Fraser talks with Dr. Bill Peterson, a retired pediatric anesthesiologist whose life has been marked by medicine, family, and resilience. Born in Milwaukee while his father served overseas in World War II, Bill grew up in Illinois before pursuing medical training that took him across the country—from Chicago to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, and finally Virginia Beach. He shares stories of raising four children (and now twelve grandchildren), navigating the challenges of medicine, and facing the harrowing moments of pediatric anesthesiology. Bill also opens up about a house fire that tested his family’s strength, his love of travel, and the humorous, sometimes perilous adventures of youth. With warmth and candor, Bill reflects on a life of service, perseverance, and the joys of family.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, host Ben Fraser sits down with Westminster-Canterbury Early Advantage Resident Neil Helm for a remarkable journey through a life shaped by resilience, faith, and innovation. From growing up during the Dust Bowl and surviving a near-death experience at age five, to serving in the Army during the dawn of the space age and later helping pioneer satellite communications, Neil’s story is one of vision and perseverance. He recounts his work tracking Sputnik, his pivotal role at COMSAT, and groundbreaking contributions to disaster response, telehealth, and maritime communications. With humor, humility, and a storyteller’s gift, Neil reflects on the personal and spiritual moments that guided his path—from a childhood encounter with God to building technologies that connected people across the world.

Tell Me a Story: Laura Dunavent
In this deeply personal episode of Tell Me a Story, host Ben Fraser sits down with Laura Dunavent, a resident of Opus Select, a sister community to Westminster Canterbury. Laura candidly reflects on her early years—from her childhood in Kentucky to a challenging family life marked by instability, betrayal, and resilience. As she traces her journey through trauma, healing, and eventually a career in nursing and advocacy for homeless veterans, Laura offers listeners a powerful narrative of perseverance.

Laura also shares the inspiration behind her forthcoming memoir, As Dark As It Gets, a raw and faith-anchored account of surviving family trauma and finding strength through service and spirituality.

⚠️ Listener Discretion Advised: This episode contains sensitive subject matter, including family conflict and emotional hardship, which may be distressing to some audiences.

Guided Meditation with Sarah McClure

In this episode of "Tell Me a Story with Ben Fraser," Ben Fraser interviews Michael Pawlukiewicz, a resident of Westminster-Canterbury, about his lifelong interest in birds. Michael shares stories from his childhood in Brooklyn, his time in the Coast Guard exploring the Pacific Ocean, and his career as a biologist and urban planner. The conversation delves into Michael's experiences with birding, starting from a young age where he hunted birds to his later appreciation and fascination with them.

Michael discusses the diversity of bird species, both globally and locally in the Hampton Roads area, emphasizing the importance of observing nature with binoculars and taking the time to truly see the birds around us. He recounts his early birding experiences in college, where he learned about various seabirds and waterfowl. He also shares anecdotes from his time in the Coast Guard, encountering albatrosses and storm petrels in the middle of the Pacific.

The conversation touches on bird migration, the concept of "seagulls" versus specific gull species, and the challenges birds face due to habitat destruction and development. Michael provides advice for those interested in getting started with birding, recommending bird feeders, binoculars, and getting out into nature. He also shares a story about a "Big Bird Day" fundraiser for a church organ where they identified 70 species of birds in a single day.

The episode also features Adrian Fisher, who joins the conversation and shares his own birding experiences, including seeing an Osprey building a nest. The discussion covers various bird topics, from flightless ducks to owls, and the importance of wetlands for bird habitats. Michael also mentions the recent official designation of the American bald eagle as the national bird in December 2024. Overall, the episode is a delightful exploration of the world of birds and the joy of observing nature.Sources

Tell Me a Story - Inside the Life of an FBI Agent: John Tamm's Story

Join us for another captivating episode in the Westminster-Canterbury Tales Podcast as part of the "Tell Me a Story" series with Ben Fraser. In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary life of John Tamm, a resident of Westminster Canterbury and a former FBI agent. John takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, from investigating labor racketeering and organized crime tied to the Mafia to handling high-profile armed robbery cases.

He shares firsthand accounts of his work with the 9/11 Commission, unraveling the timeline behind one of history's most devastating events, and reflects on the challenges and triumphs of a life dedicated to justice. Packed with fascinating stories and historical insights, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the world of federal law enforcement and national security.

In this episode of the Westminster Canterbury Tales Podcast, Senior VP of Health and Innovation Tori Crenshaw hosts Beth Tan and Zella Byrd from Align Senior Care to discuss the tailored Medicare Advantage program available to residents at Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. The conversation highlights the program’s unique benefits, including personalized care, on-campus access to medical services, and coverage for essential health items and treatments.

The episode emphasizes the program’s focus on reducing hospitalizations, improving quality of life, and supporting residents through seamless coordination between care teams, families, and Align Senior Care. For those interested, contact details for further information and assistance are provided.

In this heartwarming episode of Westminster Canterbury Tales, we sit down with Maxie Cannon as he shares his rich life experiences growing up in Richmond, navigating racial challenges, and building a career that spans corporate social responsibility, marketing, and non-profit leadership. Maxie reflects on family, overcoming adversity, and his passion for community building, including his efforts to foster diversity and equity through the Sacred Ground program at Westminster. Tune in for inspiring stories of perseverance and purpose.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Ardell McCoy, a resident of Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, shares a captivating narrative. She reminisces about her early life, her journey to the west coast, and the myriad destinations she has explored throughout her lifetime. Ultimately settling at Westminster-Canterbury, Ardell also reflects on her involvement in the Diversity Committee.