The Words We've Heard

📝 Show Notes

In the season finale of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with her own mother, Dale, for a conversation that traces an unconventional and deeply meaningful life—from post-war Pennsylvania to San Francisco, Tokyo, and beyond.

Together, they explore Dale’s childhood in a family of educators, her early love of dance, studying French in Belgium and art history in Florence, and the challenges and joys that came with raising a family and following her husband’s career around the country and abroad. From earning her CPA as a young mother to curating an international print show in Japan, Dale’s story weaves together artistry, resilience, and quiet courage.

It’s a heartfelt reflection on change, compromise, and creating a life that, while not linear, has been entirely her own and wholly wonderful.

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Travel, Transition, and Creating a Career in an Emerging Field with Cindy

In this episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Cindy, whose life bridges academia, ministry, and family with humility and grace. From an idyllic childhood in Connecticut to studying abroad in the Netherlands as a teenager, Cindy’s early years sparked a lifelong love of language, learning, and global awareness.

She shares the experience of attending a girl’s school in Europe, encountering sexism in college, transferring to Yale, finding a calling in an emerging profession, and more. Cindy speaks candidly about losing her mother at a young age, divorce, finding a true life partner in her second husband, how retirement opened the door to a surprising second career as a deacon, and the gift of learning different cultures.  

This is a story about broadening perspectives, service, family, education, and the courage to make your way in the world.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode

• [00:00:00] – A Joyful Childhood in Connecticut and Relocating as a Teen
  
  
  
• [00:07:25] – Studying Abroad in the Netherlands and Learning to Dream in Dutch
  
  
  
• [00:12:45] – Coming Home: Culture Shock and Debate Team
  
  
  
• [00:17:27] – Choosing a Course of Study and Transferring to Yale
  
  
  
• [00:21:12] – Losing Her Mother and Starting Life as an Adult
  
  
  
• [00:23:40] – Finding Her Calling in Social Work
  
  
  
• [00:28:00] – Raising a Family, Pursuing a PhD, and Balancing it All
  
  
  
• [00:35:00] – Becoming a Deacon and Discovering a Second Vocation
  
  
  
• [00:40:58] – Living with Her Husband’s Alzheimer’s and Shifting Needs
  
  
  
• [00:48:55] – A Wish for the World: Be Kind to One Another
  
  
  

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In this wide-ranging episode, Marbree sits down with Bill, whose reflections span snow-filled childhoods in upstate New York, profound personal loss, an unexpected career path, and decades of devoted fatherhood. Bill opens up about losing his father and brother at a young age, the years he spent “sleepwalking” through early adulthood, and how falling in love with his wife and daughter brought him back to life. Along the way, he shares insights about leadership, dyslexia, mentorship, and the importance of being honest about what you truly want.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode

• [[00:00:00] – A Snowy Childhood in Upstate New York
  
  
  
• [00:05:00] – Losing His Father at 16 and Becoming the Oldest Brother
  
  
  
• [00:16:43] – The Vietnam Draft Lottery and a Life-Changing Number
  
  
  
• [00:20:22] – An Unexpected Opportunity Launches a Career in IT
  
  
  
• [00:24:00] – Falling in Love and Becoming a Father Overnight
  
  
  
• [00:30:11] – Bonding and the Power of a Found Family
  
  
  
• [00:36:35] – Why Finding the Right Work Matters More Than Any Promotion
  
  
  
• [00:40:58] – The Small Gestures That Make a Mother’s Love Last

• [00:48:04] – Final Reflections
  
  

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In this episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Eric Jewett, whose story proves that persistence, curiosity, and a bit of luck can take you places you never imagined.

Raised in a small New England town where he dreamt of glory on the ski slopes, Eric was a teenager when he first stepped into a cinema. By the time he finished college, his snowy dreams were replaced by the magic of film. Through a lifetime of diligence, learning, and, playing to his strengths, he built a Hollywood career that put him on set with actors and directors at the top of their game.

Now a university professor, Eric reflects on the importance of collaboration, embracing humility, and passing hard-earned wisdom on to the next generation of storytellers.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode

• [00:01:29] – Growing Up in Ipswich: A Small Town with Deep Roots
  
  
  
• [00:06:05] – Learning Life Skills from a Grandfather’s Workshop
  
  
  
• [00:12:00] – Dreams of the Olympics and the Pull of Ski Racing
  
  
  
• [00:18:00] – A Film Class That Changed Everything
  
  
  
• [00:23:00] – A Hundred Letters, One Call, and an Unexpected Break in Hollywood
  
  
  
• [00:30:00] – Learning Production on Return of the Jedi
  
  
  
• [00:40:00] – Directing Episodes of Party of Five and Weeds
  
  
  
• [00:46:13] – Balancing Family Life with the Demands of Film Work
  
  
  
• [00:50:56] – Teaching the Next Generation and the Power of Saying “Yes, And”
  
  
  
• [00:54:04] – Final Reflections: Stop Hating Each Other, Start Collaborating
  
  
  

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In a more personal episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Kris, who shares her story with remarkable honesty, insight, and heart. From growing up in a small town in upstate New York to becoming a single mother at 19, through finding a career as an adult, fifty years of marriage and unthinkable loss, Kris’s journey is filled with pivotal moments, some painful, some joyful, and all transformative.

Kris shares the challenges of being a young mother in a judgmental era, the decision that changed everything, how she built her life with resilience, the support of family and friends, and the importance of respect. She speaks candidly about her marriage of over 50 years, raising a daughter as a teenager, her career path, and the enduring grief of losing a child.

This conversation explores generational expectations, the cost of shame, the power of community, and the unexpected paths we take to become the people we were always meant to be.

 Key Moments in the Episode:

• [00:00:12] – Childhood Memories, Family Dynamics, and Walking to School
  
  
• [00:06:40] – Becoming a Single Mother at 19 After a Family Rift
  
  
• [00:10:57] – Facing Shame, Choosing to Keep Her Daughter, and Finding Support
  
  
• [00:19:00] – Building a Life: Work, Resilience, and Finding Her Voice
  
  
• [00:23:00] – Meeting Bill, Marriage, and 50 Years of Learning Together
  
  
• [00:30:23] – Going Back to School and Earning a Master’s Degree at 39
  
  
• [00:33:00] – Social Work, Purpose, and the Lessons of Working in Pediatrics
  
  
• [00:43:16] – Reflecting on Regrets, Parenting, and the Loss of Her Daughter
  
  
• [00:57:20] – Words to the World: Kindness, Friendship, and Living Fully

If this episode resonated with you:

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• Take a moment to reach out to a friend or family member, you never know the difference it might make

In this episode of The Words We've Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Jane Lindner, a woman whose life has been defined by curiosity, resilience, and the courage to take big leaps. Raised in an idyllic Northern California town, Jane’s story unfolds across continents—teaching special education in the South, launching a business across Australia and Asia, diving into venture capital, and ultimately dedicating herself to healthcare innovations for aging populations.

Through all of her career shifts, international moves, and personal challenges, Jane has remained true to herself, always embracing the next adventure with energy and optimism. This conversation is a testament to reinvention, lifelong learning, and finding fulfillment by staying open to possibility.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode:

• [00:00:00] – Welcome & Introduction to Jane’s Story
• [00:01:07] – Growing Up in a Close-Knit Northern California Town
• [00:03:26] – A Surprising Family Discovery & The Shifting Cultural Landscape
• [00:11:52] – From Special Education to an Unexpected Sales Career
• [00:20:19] – Building a Business in Australia & Navigating Cultural Differences
• [00:23:36] – A Shift to Venture Capital & Bringing Clean Energy to Asia
• [00:26:47] – Passion for Healthcare & Finding Purpose in Aging Innovations
• [00:29:42] – Lessons in Resilience, Reinvention, and Staying True to Yourself

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From High School Fashion to Published Author and Beyond with Fritz

In this episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Fritz, a lifelong learner whose journey has involved cross-country moves and a career shift from education to writing with a side of ski instruction while raising a family and holding on to her own interests.

Fritz reflects on growing up in post-war Southern California, parental disapproval of high school choices, and how the positive words of a professor go beyond the classroom. 

With humor, honesty, and deep thoughtfulness, Fritz talks about family, creativity, faith, and the decisions—big and small—that shape a life. This is a story about adaptation, appreciation, and the quiet courage of staying engaged and curious.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode:

• [00:00:29] – Post-War California and a Time of Trust
• [00:06:23] – The High School Fashion Board and Dreaming of a Career in Style
• [00:19:15] – Choosing a College and Graduating in Three Years
• [00:24:24] – Writing 23 Children’s Books While Raising a Family
• [00:29:45] – The Path of a Career in Education
• [00:35:27] – Music, Movement, and Lifelong Learning
• [00:43:55] – Entering Philanthropy and Becoming a University Board Chair
• [00:55:00] – People Who Shaped Her and a Professor Who Believed in Her
• [01:02:40] – A Message to the World: Keep Your Friends, Speak Your Praise

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• Share it with someone who values personal stories and intergenerational wisdom
  
  
• Reach out to someone who’s been quietly showing up for years—let them know you see them
  
  
  

In this solo episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan steps away from her usual conversations with baby boomers to answer two questions:

Why did she start this podcast?
And why does she thank her grandmother at the end of every episode?

Marbree offers three main reasons and opens up about her own journey—from letter-writing with her grandmother to a life of travel and distance from home. She shares how a journey with her parents during a difficult time ignited a desire to capture the wisdom of a generation that's slowly slipping away.

This episode is an invitation—to remember, to reach out, to listen—and to appreciate the value of everyday stories.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode:

• [00:00:28] – Why This Podcast Exists
• [00:02:25] – The Importance of Relatable Stories
• [00:04:18] – Inter-generational Connection: Time is Limited
• [00:06:30] – A Generation Reflects: The Value of Being Heard
• [00:07:20] – From a Gex X Life to A Life Abroad
• [00:13:45] – The Realizations That Sparked the Podcast
• [00:18:32] – Bridging Generations Through Curiosity and Story
• [00:21:35] – My Grandmother’s Photo Albums
• [00:24:37] – Why I’ll Always Thank Her

💬 If this episode resonates with you:

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Reach out to a baby boomer in your life—or help one leave a review and feel seen

Breaking Away From Tradition with Rosemary

In this episode of The Words We've Heard, host Marbree Sullivan speaks with Rosemary, who grew up in Buffalo, New York, under the watchful eye of a tight-knit, traditional Catholic, Italian-American family.

From a childhood shaped by family dinners and cultural expectations, Rosemary carved her own path—earning multiple degrees, working in education, marrying outside her culture, and ultimately embracing change in ways that would’ve surprised her younger self. Through humor, humility, and deep self-awareness, she shares the joys and challenges of being the “different” one in the family and how she navigated love, motherhood, caregiving, and personal growth over decades of change.

Rosemary’s story reminds us how much can change in one generation—and how deeply we’re shaped by those who came before us.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode:

• [00:00:29] – Growing Up Italian American in Buffalo
• [00:05:02] – Fighting for College and Pushing Back on Expectations
• [00:10:22] – Learning to Ride a Bike... in Secret
• [00:13:11] – The Challenges of Dating Under a Watchful Eye
• [00:21:04] – A Surprise Proposal and a Martini or Two
• [00:24:29] – From Community Center to Classroom: Raising Kids While Working
• [00:30:00] – Moving Away and Balancing Guilt, Caregiving, and Independence
• [00:44:06] – Lessons Learned: You Control So Little, But You Can Choose How You React
• [00:57:37] – If You Have a Choice Between Being Right and Being Kind…

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Embracing Opportunity, Integrity, and Moving Beyond Small-Town Life with Craig

In this episode of The Words We've Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Craig, whose life took him from a small town in Pennsylvania to a career that sent him around the US. Helped along the way with advice from mentors and a deeply rooted sense of integrity, he built a career in an industry he never anticipated. Craig’s story reminds us that being open to opportunity can create a beautiful life.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode:

• [00:00:00] – Welcome & Craig’s Small-Town Beginnings
• [00:05:09] – Growing Up in Post-War America & Family Resilience
• [00:22:00] – The Unexpected Leap into Politics & Business
• [00:33:45] – Finding a Career in Parking & Learning the Industry
• [00:48:30] – Lessons from Leadership & the Challenges of Growth
• [01:06:45] – Life, Family, and the Wisdom That Endures

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