Why should I listen to this episode: 

 -If you need hope

 -If you're discouraged

 -If you have no idea how to begin

 -If your dream feels impossible

 -If you blame your childhood for your present

 -If you feel your inner voice is too negative

 -If you love stories

 -If you're stuck in your own mind and need a reminder of how to live a life of active kindness

 -If you're stuck in anger or hate or shame or guilt or depression.

 -If you believe you are at your end

Summary: How can just one hour of stories make a difference? It made one to me.  This week I interview my grandpa, Rod Gibson, who tells us of his childhood, experiences in the Navy and where he ended up because of (and in spite of) both.  After the Navy, he walked into the world of journalism and fell in love with storytelling.  However, we learn what's most important in a writer's life is the ever elusive art of listening.  This episode is FULL of beautiful stories of how one man's life was shaped by the encouragement of others.  What once seemed impossible, became reality.  What his father once shamed, lieutenants later prided and uplifted. In this episode we are enchanted by Rod's life stories, quaked by a simple act of kindness towards him, and challenged to partake in two of life's rarest and purest forms of love: listening and encouraging.  

This week, I interview Staci Spanos, who worked as a news anchor for many years.  I ask her many of my burning questions about today's news.  You'll get to hear why I've refrained from tuning into the news and how Staci changes my perspective.  She offers great counsel for how to wade through all the information and why moderation is so important to her when absorbing it.  We get to hear what led her into the industry, what caused her to leave, where her love for it comes from, and how she finds truth in a sea of loud voices and sources.  What a beautiful and encouraging listen for anyone questioning the news industry!

Ever get slammed with an inescapable, noisy situation? Or maybe feeling stressed by the world? Or overwhelmed by your own loud thoughts? Whatever the case, sometimes our circumstances don't offer the peace our minds and bodies crave.  Here's a quick meditation/"mind dive" to calm the senses, rest the body, and offer mindful visions to guide you through the noise, toward inner peace.