The Story of Us: From Cosmic Dawn to the Depths of Being

by Jeff Ellison

Season 3

Continue Being Creative | Arlo Edlin and Seeing the World Through the Eyes of an 8-Year-Old

What can an eight-year-old teach the rest of us about living a meaningful life? Quite a lot, actually. In this special Next Gen episode of The Story of Us, Jeff sits down with his eight-year-old nephew, Arlo Edlin, for a conversation about books, animals, math, infinity, video games, friendship, creativity, family, and a few questions about the universe that most adults stopped asking a long time ago. Arlo is entering third grade, reads at least two hours a day—sometimes four—and is already coding his own video game, Reckin' Warrior. He's also a Chicago Bears fan, proving that wisdom and questionable life choices can coexist at any age. The conversation moves quickly from Beast Quest books and the qualities of a great story to why Arlo would rather free the beast than destroy it: “because I feel like it would help me build a magical bond.” There are debates about peanut butter, the possibility of having a tiger locked in your bedroom, why math might “unlock everything,” and what Arlo would do if his video game made him rich. His financial plan, incidentally, is to save at least 95%—which means he's already more disciplined than most adults. But beneath all the fun is something deeper. Asked what kids understand better than adults, Arlo doesn't hesitate: Creativity. He believes the average child is simply more creative than the average adult. And when Jeff gives Arlo the same future-self question he asks every guest, his answer becomes the heart of the episode: “Continue being creative.” Then Arlo explains why: “Creativity is everything.” In This Episode Why Arlo reads two to four hours a day Beast Quest, adventure, and what makes a great story Coding his own video game at eight Why math “unlocks everything” Infinity and some very big questions about the universe Friendship, family, animals, sports, and school Why peanut butter may apparently be a terrible invention What adults worry about too much Why kids may be more creative than grown-ups The importance of curiosity, imagination, and wonder A Question to Carry With You Adults spend years trying to rediscover things children seem to possess naturally: Curiosity. Imagination. Wonder. The freedom to ask strange questions without worrying whether they sound intelligent. Maybe growing wiser doesn't require leaving those things behind. Maybe it means protecting them. So take Arlo's advice: Continue being creative. Build something. Read something. Ask a ridiculous question. Explore something simply because you're curious. And if you have a kid like Arlo in your life, sit down and ask them what they're wondering about. You might be surprised by what they teach you. Visit TheStoryOfUsProject.com for more episodes and subscribe free to Letters from the Middle of It All, Jeff's weekly reflections on family, meaning, aging, spirituality, wonder, and this strange experience of being human. If this conversation makes you smile, share it with a kid—or with an adult who could stand to feel like one again. Growing older is mandatory. Growing up completely might be optional.

S3 · E16

Sep 6, 2026

55:04

Did You Keep Saying Yes? | Sara Roccisano on Transformational Travel, Trusting Your Intuition, and the Journey Back to Yourself

What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the person you're becoming? In this episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with traveler, writer, entrepreneur, and founder of Embolden Adventures, Sara Roccisano, for a conversation about walking away from certainty, answering life's quieter invitations, and discovering that the greatest journey is often the one within. Sara's path has been anything but predictable. She built a successful career that included Wall Street , but beneath the achievement was a persistent call toward something more. Eventually, after reaching a breaking point in 2022, she stopped, let go, and began rebuilding her life around travel, writing, transformation, and adventure. Having traveled to more than 40 countries, Sara sees travel as far more than collecting passport stamps. She believes stepping into unfamiliar places builds courage, challenges assumptions, and reminds us that wherever we go, people are remarkably proud of their homes, cultures, and stories—and often eager to welcome us into them. Her adventures have included scuba diving, climbing Mount Fuji and Kilimanjaro, journeys through the Amazon, encounters with ancient spiritual traditions, and experiences with ayahuasca that became part of her forthcoming book and transformational work. But beneath all the adventure is a much more universal story: What do we do when we hear the call to change? Sara's answer is simple: Pick up the phone. She believes our calling has a way of finding us—and if we ignore it, it may keep ringing until it becomes impossible not to hear. In This Episode Leaving a successful career when the old life no longer fits Why preparation creates opportunities that look like luck Traveling to more than 40 countries What adventure teaches us about courage and humanity Climbing Mount Fuji and Kilimanjaro The Amazon, ayahuasca, and spiritual exploration Moving from control toward surrender Why travel can become pilgrimage and transformation Building Embolden Adventures Sara's upcoming book and transformation series Learning to trust curiosity, intuition, and the next step Memorable Quotes “Chance favors the prepared mind.” When Jeff asks what Sara would tell her five- or six-year-old self—the little girl fascinated by pyramids, maps, flags, nature, and faraway places—she answers: “You're beautiful. You're amazing, and it actually is going to come true. I promise you.” Her message to her future self is even more unexpected. Rather than giving future Sara advice, she realizes future Sara may be the one guiding her: “I think I need to listen instead of be the boss, because the future Sarah's the boss.” Maybe that's the invitation for all of us. Listen for the restlessness. Trust the curiosity. Take the next step before the entire path becomes visible. Because every passport stamp eventually fades and every destination becomes a memory. The person you become along the way—that's the real adventure. Connect Follow Sara and learn more about Embolden Adventures Visit TheStoryOfUsProject.com for more episodes and subscribe free to Letters from the Middle of It All, Jeff's weekly Thursday reflections If this episode reminds you of someone standing at the edge of a new chapter, share it with them. Sometimes the path appears only after we're brave enough to take the first step.

S3 · E15

Sep 4, 2026

1:10:57

You are Loved. You Matter | Cassidy Smith on Mindfulness, Identity, and Finding Your Way Back to Yourself

How do we lose ourselves? Usually, not all at once. In this episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with brand strategist and mindfulness coach Cassidy Smith for a fascinating conversation about identity, authenticity, mindfulness, neuroscience, and the quiet ways we drift away from who we really are. Cassidy describes that process as an accumulation of “small moments of quiet self-betrayal.” We barely notice the drift—until one day we look in the mirror and wonder: Where did I go? Cassidy knows that experience personally. After finding herself in a toxic relationship and barely recognizing the woman looking back at her, mindfulness became part of the path that helped her begin finding herself again. Her professional work also gave her an unexpected framework for understanding the process. Companies spend enormous amounts of time defining their mission, vision, values, and identity. They continually ask whether their decisions remain aligned with who they claim to be. Human beings rarely perform the same audit. Maybe we should. Together, Jeff and Cassidy explore personal “brand drift,” the brain's resistance to change, limiting stories, mindfulness as a practical everyday tool, and the possibility that growth isn't always about becoming someone new. Sometimes it's about remembering who was there all along. In This Episode How “quiet self-betrayal” gradually separates us from ourselves Why getting lost can sometimes become part of finding ourselves What corporate branding can teach us about personal identity Mission, vision, values, and personal “brand drift” Why the brain often prefers familiar discomfort over uncertainty The limiting stories we unconsciously tell ourselves Why the unknown is also where possibility lives Mindfulness as an accessible everyday practice Cassidy's CLEAR framework for separating facts from the stories we attach to them Identity beyond titles, careers, relationships, and roles Memorable Quotes “It's this accumulation of small moments of really quiet self-betrayal.” “I had to go explore and get lost in twenty different ways before I could find my way back to myself.” “The unknown is also where everything that's possible lives.” When Jeff asks Cassidy what she would tell her younger self, her answer is beautifully simple: “You are loved. You matter.” She wouldn't erase the difficult chapters because doing so might also erase the person those experiences helped her become. And to her future self: “I'm so glad we took this walk together.” A Question to Carry With You Businesses regularly ask: Who are we? What do we value? Are our decisions aligned with who we say we are? Learn more about Cassidy's mindfulness work at CSMindfulness.com and her brand strategy work at CSFoundries.com. Visit TheStoryOfUsProject.com for more episodes and subscribe free to Letters from the Middle of It All, Jeff's weekly Thursday reflections. If this conversation made you think of someone finding their way back to themselves, share it with them. And remember: Every life tells a story. Are you intentionally writing yours—or simply inheriting it?

S3 · E14

Aug 21, 2026

1:00:08

SPECIAL EDITION: I Bought a Bird Feeder and My Family Started Planning My Retirement

There comes a point in life when you realize you've become the person who gets excited about birds. Not stock prices. Not college football scores. Not the latest headline engineered to spike your blood pressure. Birds. In this solo episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison reflects on an unexpected morning ritual: sitting on the back porch with coffee, binoculars, a backyard bird feeder, and his late father's worn copy of the Audubon bird book. What begins as a humorous admission about becoming a "backyard bird person" becomes a meditation on attention, aging, impermanence, inheritance, presence, and wonder. Jeff explores the Buddhist image of a bird trusting its wings rather than the branch beneath it—and what that might teach us when the branches we depend upon inevitably begin to shake. Careers change. Children grow up. Parents die. Bodies age. Relationships evolve. Plans collapse. If our peace depends entirely on external conditions remaining stable, peace will always remain just beyond our reach. Perhaps the deeper task is remembering that we have wings. The episode also explores the relentless competition for our attention. Every app, advertiser, politician, headline, and algorithm wants a piece of it. But attention isn't infinite. When we give something our attention, we're giving it a portion of our finite life. What actually deserves it? Along the way, Jeff reflects on his father, the Buddhist principle of impermanence, Thich Nhat Hanh's idea of interbeing, meditation, small moments of wonder, and the possibility that growing older doesn't make the world smaller. Maybe we simply become available to parts of it we were once moving too quickly to notice. In This Episode How a bird feeder became an unexpected meditation practice Inheriting not just possessions, but ways of seeing Why attention may be one of our most valuable currencies Trusting our wings instead of the branch The inevitability of impermanence Why modern life leaves so little room for noticing Finding extraordinary wonder in ordinary moments What birds can teach us about resilience and adaptation Thich Nhat Hanh and the interconnectedness of life Why protecting our attention may be an act of freedom What we really leave behind for our children Why aging may deepen wonder rather than diminish it Memorable Quotes "Beauty isn't scarce. What's scarce is the attention that we give it." "Presence is a practice. Nobody stays there." "The world doesn't become less alive. You become more available to it." There is an enormous difference between asking: What is trying hardest to get my attention? and: What actually deserves my attention? Maybe this week, put the phone down. Step outside. Sit somewhere quiet. Don't require the moment to become profound. Just notice. Because life doesn't always announce the moments that matter. Sometimes it simply lands on the feeder while we're looking the other way. Connect with US @ TheStoryOfUsProject.com/START-HERE 📖 Subscribe free to Letters from the Middle of It All, Jeff's Thursday reflections. please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little more quiet in their world. Maybe growing older isn't about becoming less alive. Maybe it's finally learning how to notice how alive everything already is.

S3 · E13

Aug 16, 2026

39:46

You're Loved and Connected | Colin Chenery on Mindfulness, Staying on the Path and Remembering to Slow Down.

What if the peace we're searching for isn't somewhere out in the world... What if it's already here? In this deeply contemplative episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with mindfulness teacher, psychotherapist, martial artist, entrepreneur, and author Colin Chenery for a conversation that spans more than four decades of seeking wisdom across cultures, disciplines, and traditions. From studying martial arts and Eastern philosophy to working as a psychotherapist, addiction counselor, business leader, and meditation teacher, Colin has spent a lifetime asking some of humanity's oldest questions: Why do we suffer? How do we heal? And what does it truly mean to live well? Rather than offering easy answers, Colin gently invites us toward something simpler—and perhaps much more profound. Presence. Acceptance. And the realization that wisdom is not something we acquire. It is something we gradually uncover. Together, Jeff and Colin explore mindfulness, Zen, psychotherapy, addiction recovery, consciousness and the surprising truth that our greatest teacher may ultimately be our own direct experience of life. In This Episode Colin's remarkable journey through martial arts, psychotherapy, and mindfulness What Eastern philosophy and Western psychology can learn from one another Why suffering is often created by our relationship to experience rather than the experience itself Addiction, recovery, and the search for wholeness The role of meditation in everyday life The Japanese concept of ikigai and living with purpose Why wisdom accumulates quietly rather than arriving all at once Finding peace in the present moment instead of chasing it somewhere else Living a life of service, compassion, and mindful awareness Memorable Quotes "You don't need to become enlightened. Just relax and open up to what's already there." "Peace be with you. May you be full of love, full of life, and be of benefit in love and life to others." About Colin Chenery Colin Chenery is a psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher, martial artist, author, and educator whose work integrates decades of experience in psychology, addiction recovery, contemplative practice, and Eastern philosophy. Through his writing, teaching, and guided meditations, he helps people cultivate greater awareness, resilience, and compassion while discovering the wisdom already present within themselves. Connect with Colin Chenery 🌐 Website: https://sixcirclesmindfulness.com Explore Colin's books, guided meditations, mindfulness resources, and courses, including his contemplative meditation recordings and practices. Connect with The Story of Us 🌐 Website: https://thestoryofusproject.com/start-here If this conversation brought you a moment of stillness or helped you see your own life through a new lens, please leave a rating and review. Sharing the show helps us continue exploring the stories that connect us all—from cosmic dawn to the depths of being. Because perhaps wisdom isn't waiting for us at the top of some distant mountain. Perhaps it has been quietly walking beside us all along... Waiting for us to slow down long enough to notice.

S3 · E12

Sep 2, 2026

1:26:45

Never Leave Them Without Hope | Dr. Paul Lynch on Addiction, Chronic Pain, and a Mission to Save One Million Lives

What if the most important treatment a physician can offer isn't just medicine... But hope? In this deeply moving episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with pain specialist, entrepreneur, and healthcare visionary Dr. Paul Lynch for a conversation that reaches far beyond medicine into the heart of what it means to relieve human suffering. Although Jeff and Paul lead organizations that could easily be viewed as competitors, they quickly discover something more important: They are pursuing the same mission. To help people suffer less. To restore lives. To leave every patient with hope. For Dr. Lynch, that mission has become profoundly personal. After witnessing his own brother's devastating struggle with opioid addiction, Paul realized that chronic pain, mental health, and addiction are not separate problems. They are deeply intertwined human experiences that demand compassion, better systems, and a new way of thinking about care. Driven by that experience, he has set an audacious goal: To help save one million lives. Throughout the conversation, Jeff and Paul explore the future of pain medicine, the failures and opportunities within our healthcare system, the stigma surrounding addiction, and why every patient deserves to be seen as a whole human being rather than a diagnosis. At its heart, however, this is not simply a conversation about healthcare. It's a conversation about purpose. About carrying pain. About refusing to give up on people. And about the extraordinary difference hope can make. In This Episode Paul's remarkable journey into medicine and pain management How his brother's battle with opioid addiction transformed his life's mission The connection between chronic pain, mental health, and addiction Why addiction should be treated as a medical condition—not a moral failure The barriers that have prevented patients from receiving effective treatment The future of integrated pain care and addiction medicine Leadership, innovation, and building healthcare systems around compassion Why every patient deserves to leave with hope Paul's bold vision of saving one million lives About Dr. Paul Lynch Dr. Paul Lynch is a board-certified anesthesiologist, interventional pain physician, entrepreneur, and founder of US Pain. Through his clinical work, advocacy, and leadership, he is dedicated to transforming how chronic pain, addiction, and mental health are treated. Connect with Dr. Paul Lynch 🌐 Website: https://uspain.com Learn more about Dr. Lynch's mission, educational initiatives, and innovative approach to pain management and addiction care. Connect with The Story of Us 🌐 Website: https://thestoryofusproject.com/start-here 📖 Letters from the Middle of It All: Subscribe for free weekly reflections delivered every Thursday. If this conversation inspired you, please leave a rating and review. Sharing the show helps us continue bringing thoughtful conversations to people searching for hope, wisdom, and deeper human connection. Because every life matters. Every story matters. And sometimes the greatest act of healing begins when someone looks another person in the eye and reminds them that, no matter how difficult today may be... They should never leave without hope.

S3 · E11

Aug 30, 2026

1:28:43

Trust Yourself. Trust Life | Gayathri Narayanan on Mindfulness, Loving Kindness and the Freedom of Letting Go

What if peace isn't something we achieve? What if it's something we uncover after we stop resisting life? In this deeply reflective episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison welcomes mindfulness teacher, contemplative mentor, and spiritual guide Gayathri Narayanan for a conversation that gently bridges ancient Eastern wisdom with the challenges of modern life. Raised in India and profoundly influenced by her grandfather, her guru, and sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Gayathri shares the deeply personal journey that eventually led her away from a successful career in health information systems and toward a life devoted to mindfulness, meditation, and contemplative practice. Together, Jeff and Gayathri explore timeless questions that have guided seekers for thousands of years: Why do we suffer? What does it mean to truly be present? Can we find lasting happiness in achievement alone? And how do we live with greater peace in a world that constantly urges us to do more, own more, and become more? Rather than presenting spirituality as something distant or mystical, Gayathri reveals it as an invitation to return to what has always been available—the present moment. At the heart of the conversation is a beautifully simple message: Trust yourself. Trust life. In This Episode Growing up in India and the spiritual influences that shaped Gayathri's life The wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, Buddhism, and Advaita Vedanta Why suffering is a natural part of the human experience—and what it can teach us The difference between happiness and lasting inner peace Letting go of attachment and embracing life's impermanence What mindfulness really is—and what it isn't Why presence begins with the body and the breath The role of teachers, mentors, and contemplative communities Discovering purpose by listening to what quietly calls the heart Memorable Quotes "Trust yourself. Trust life." "Nature doesn't like a vacuum. It always fills it with something." About Gayathri Narayanan Gayathri Narayanan is a mindfulness teacher, contemplative mentor, and founder of MyndTree, where she helps individuals and organizations integrate mindfulness, compassion, and ancient wisdom into everyday life. Drawing from the traditions of Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, and mindfulness practice, she guides others toward greater presence, clarity, and inner freedom through meditation, teaching, and spiritual inquiry. Connect with Gayathri Narayanan Learn more about Gayathri, MyndTree, her courses, meditation groups, and contemplative teachings through her website and online community. https://www.myndtree.org/ Connect with The Story of Us 🌐 Website: https://thestoryofusproject.com/start-here 🎙️ Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. If this conversation brought you a moment of stillness or inspired you to pause, breathe, and look inward, please consider leaving a rating and review. Your support helps us continue exploring the stories that connect us all—from cosmic dawn to the depths of being. Because wisdom is not something we accumulate like possessions. It is something we gradually remember. And perhaps the journey we call life is not about becoming someone else... But about returning, with compassion and awareness, to who we have always been.

S3 · E10

Aug 26, 2026

1:06:08

I Didn't Have to Wear That Dress Today | Pakesta Washington on Mental Health, Living Beyond the Diagnosis, and Choosing Life One Day at a Time

What if one of the most powerful acts of courage isn't something extraordinary—but simply choosing to live another day? In this deeply personal episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with nurse educator, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate Pakesta Washington for an honest conversation about living with bipolar disorder, breaking stigma, and finding hope after a lifetime of struggle. Pakesta's story begins in childhood, growing up with a mother who also lived with untreated bipolar disorder. Witnessing suicide attempts and mental illness at an early age shaped her decision to become a nurse, driven by one heartbreaking question: "How do I save my mom?" Years later, Pakesta would receive her own bipolar diagnosis. Instead of allowing it to define her, she chose to understand it, manage it, and ultimately use her experience to help others. Throughout the conversation, Jeff and Pakesta discuss the realities of living with bipolar disorder, why mental illness should be treated with the same compassion as any chronic medical condition, and how education can replace fear with understanding. The episode reaches a profoundly moving moment when Pakesta shares a simple ritual that reminds her there is always hope. She keeps a dress in her closet—a reminder of the darkest moments she has survived. At the end of each day, she looks at it and says: "I didn't have to wear that dress today." It's a powerful symbol of resilience, gratitude, and choosing life one day at a time. In This Episode Growing up with a mother living with untreated bipolar disorder How childhood experiences inspired Pakesta to become a nurse Receiving her own bipolar diagnosis—and finding relief through understanding Why bipolar disorder is a medical condition, not a character flaw The importance of reducing stigma through honest conversations The impact of mental illness on relationships, identity, and daily life Why awareness and education save lives Finding purpose through advocacy, nursing, and mentoring Choosing hope, even on the hardest days Memorable Quotes "Mental health is health." "I didn't have to wear that dress today." About Pakesta Washington Pakesta Washington is a nurse educator, entrepreneur, mentor, and mental health advocate who uses her personal experience living with bipolar disorder to educate, inspire, and reduce stigma. Through speaking, teaching, and advocacy, she encourages people to approach mental illness with greater understanding, compassion, and hope. Connect with Pakesta Washington Learn more about Pakesta's advocacy, educational work, and upcoming projects through her website and social media channels. https://washington-elite-nursing-consultants.my.canva.site/ Connect with The Story of Us 🌐 Website: https://thestoryofusproject.com/start-here If this episode moved you, please consider leaving a rating and review. Sharing the show helps us continue exploring the stories that connect us all—from cosmic dawn to the depths of being. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness, know that you are not alone. Conversations like this remind us that healing begins with honesty, compassion, and the courage to ask for help. Because every day we choose hope becomes another page in our story. And together, those stories become The Story of Us.

S3 · E9

Aug 23, 2026

1:08:43

Don't Get Lost in the Crazy | Sara Hathaway on Building a Meaningful Life in a Chaotic World

What if resilience isn't something you build for the end of the world—but for everyday life? In this thoughtful episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with bestselling author, martial artist, homesteader, and entrepreneur Sara Hathaway for a conversation about choosing a life that looks radically different from the one our culture often celebrates. From her family's homestead in the piney forests of East Texas, Sara has intentionally embraced a life centered on self-reliance, meaningful work, strong relationships, and a deep connection to nature. While many know her through her bestselling Changing Earth series and her expertise in preparedness, this conversation moves beyond emergency planning to explore something much more universal. Together, Jeff and Sara ask a deeper question: What are we really preparing for? Is resilience about surviving catastrophe—or about building a life that remains meaningful regardless of what tomorrow brings? Their conversation explores homesteading, parenting, martial arts, faith, community, technology, and the growing sense that modern convenience has quietly disconnected many of us from the things that matter most. Ultimately, this isn't an episode about preparing for disaster. It's about preparing for life. In This Episode Why Sara chose a homesteading lifestyle The difference between self-reliance and self-sufficiency What martial arts taught her about discipline and resilience Raising children in a world dominated by technology Why preparedness is ultimately about peace of mind—not fear The value of practical skills in an increasingly digital world Building stronger communities through connection and service How nature helps us reconnect with ourselves Why fulfillment often requires choosing a different path than the one society expects Memorable Quotes "Don't get lost in the crazy." "Resilience isn't about preparing for disaster. It's about building a life that remains meaningful regardless of what happens." About Sara Hathaway Sara Hathaway is a bestselling author, martial artist, entrepreneur, and homesteader living in East Texas. She is the creator of the acclaimed Changing Earth series and the founder of Practical Prepping, where she teaches practical skills that help individuals and families become more resilient, capable, and connected to the world around them. Connect with Sara Hathaway 🌐 Learn more about Sara, her books, podcast, and preparedness resources through her website and social media channels. https://www.authorsarafhathaway.com/ Connect with The Story of Us 🌐 Website: https://thestoryofusproject.com/start-here 🎙️ Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. Sharing the show helps us continue exploring the stories that connect us all—from cosmic dawn to the depths of being. Because the life we're building isn't measured by what we accumulate. It's measured by the people we love, the values we practice, and the everyday choices that shape who we become. And together, those stories become The Story of Us.

S3 · E8

Aug 19, 2026

1:22:17

SPECIAL EDITION - Rise & Climb | Transforming Trauma into Triumph with Reggae Artist Ben Barbic

What do you do when life burns everything to the ground? You keep climbing. In this inspiring episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with musician, author, entrepreneur, husband, and father Ben Barbic for a conversation about resilience, purpose, and the quiet decision to keep moving forward—even when life refuses to go according to plan. Ben's story begins with profound loss. As a young boy, his family's home and business were destroyed by a devastating California wildfire, leaving them to rebuild their lives from a donated trailer in the mountains. Later came addiction, poor choices, setbacks, and another heartbreaking loss when his recording studio flooded. But through every season of struggle, Ben discovered something that would become the foundation of both his music and his life: You don't have to control everything that happens to you. You can always choose what happens next. Together, Jeff and Ben explore fatherhood, creativity, faith, discipline, addiction, music, and the daily practices that help us become the people we hope to be. Rather than offering quick fixes or motivational clichés, Ben reminds us that transformation is rarely dramatic. It's built one choice at a time. One day at a time. One step at a time. In This Episode Growing up after losing everything in a devastating wildfire How adversity shaped Ben's resilience and outlook on life Addiction, recovery, and taking responsibility for your choices Why creativity became a path toward healing Fatherhood and becoming the man his children deserve Music as both therapy and purpose Building discipline through small daily habits Faith, perseverance, and trusting the process Why setbacks don't have to become your identity Memorable Quotes "Keep at it. It's all gonna work out." "You can't always control what happens, but you can control how you respond." About Ben Barbic Ben Barbic is a musician, songwriter, entrepreneur, and author of Rise and Climb, a book about resilience, personal responsibility, and rebuilding life after adversity. Through his uplifting music and storytelling, Ben encourages people to embrace growth, overcome setbacks, and keep moving toward the life they're called to live. Connect with Ben Barbic Learn more about Ben's music, books, and upcoming projects through his website https://www.risenclimb.com/ and social media channels. Connect with The Story of Us 🌐 Website: https://thestoryofusproject.com/start-here 📖 Letters from the Middle of It All: Subscribe for free weekly reflections delivered every Thursday. 🎙️ Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. If this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a rating and review. Sharing the show helps us continue bringing thoughtful conversations to people searching for hope, wisdom, and deeper human connection. Because life will knock every one of us down. The question isn't whether we'll fall. The question is whether we'll keep climbing. And sometimes the simplest advice is also the wisest: Keep at it. It's all gonna work out.

S3 · E7

Aug 7, 2026

1:06:36

1 of 6