The Facing Project

Indiana Public Radio
  • 5.0 (26)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Monthly

Hosted by J.R. Jamison, each episode's theme is explored through a variety of engaging avenues, from performances of stories from different points-of-view collected using The Facing Project's story sharing model, to interviews with storytellers, artists, and bestselling authors exploring complex topics we all face -- leaving listeners with the courage to share their own stories and the empathy to listen to others.

  1. 2d ago

    The Psychology of Forgiveness

    Think for a second about the last time you forgave someone. Was it hard? How did it make you feel? Or what about the person you forgave? J.R. Jamison shares the stories of two women — one who forgave the man who paralyzed her son in a car accident, and another who forgave her once absent mother and abusive brother. Later, he is joined by Dr. Robert Enright, who was named by TIME magazine as the leading researcher on the psychology behind forgiveness. Photo Credit – Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/6BaVu2 Stories included in this episode –• Stopping to Forgive: Greg Zgunda’s story as told to Stephanie Fisher by his mother, Beverly Zgunda, from Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana. Performed by Katy Wolfe. • What I Know About Me: An anonymous story as told to Bev Nye from Facing Poverty in McPherson, Kansas.Performed by Tiffany Erk. Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [05;27] "Stopping to Forgive" - Greg Zgunda’s story. [13;45] "What I Know About Me" - An anonymous story. [17;40] Interview with Dr. Robert Enright. [19;41] Forgiveness as a form of healing. [23;58] Differences between toxic positivity, forgiveness, and reconciliation. [26;54] Learning and teaching to forgive.  Original air date: Sep. 24, 2022

    The Psychology of Forgiveness

  2. 4d ago

    Life With Cancer

    Did you know that nearly 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with some type of cancer during their lifetime? That’s shocking, right? So, this got us curious about life with and after cancer — or in other words, the stories of those still deep in their fight and those who made it through to the other side. This time on The Facing Project, J.R. Jamison shares the stories of an oncologist and two cancer survivors, and later he is joined by mother-daughter and storyteller-writer duo Connie Robertson and Aimee Robertson-West to discuss Life With Cancer. Photo Credit – Aimee Robertson-West (provided) Stories included in this episode –• Cancer Is My Specialty: Dr. Michael Williamson’s story as told to Dagny Zupin from Facing Cancer in East Central Indiana. Performed by Carl Frost.• The Consequences of Cancer: Connie Robertson’s story as told to Aimee Robertson-West from Facing Cancer in East Central Indiana. Performed by Amy Leffingwell.• I Decided to Stop Being Mad: Brian Fitzgerald’s story as told to Eddie Metzger from Facing Cancer in East Central Indiana. Performed by Larry Beck. Chapters –[00:00] Introduction.[03:12] "Cancer Is My Specialty" - Dr. Michael Williamson’s story.[09:06] "The Consequences of Cancer" - Connie Robertson’s story.[14:14] "I Decided to Stop Being Mad" - Brian Fitzgerald’s story.[19:01] Interview with Connie Robertson and Aimee Robertson-West.[22:14] How personal storytelling can be different than other forms of storytelling.[26:22] Advice to those facing cancer from someone who faced it directly. Original air date: Jul. 30, 2022

    Life With Cancer

  3. Sep 26

    Facing Relationship-Based Violence: A Rural Kansas Initiative

    J.R. Jamison is joined by Drs. Ziwei Qi and Lori E. Kniffin, editors of Facing Relationship-Based Violence, to discuss their book’s collection of nineteen first-person stories from people in rural Kansas whose lives have been impacted by the harm that occurs when relationships have been shaped by fear and control instead of love and trust, and the three explore how survivor stories serve as a resource to increase awareness and encourage conversations.  Chapters[00:00] Introduction. [01:07] Interview with Dr. Ziwei Qi and Dr. Lori Kniffin. [03:53] Why this form of storytelling was the chosen vehicle for understanding. [09:07] Learning from the process of collecting people's stories. [11:27] Misconceptions about relationship-based violence. [14:55] "From Betrayal to Becoming" - an anonymous story. [21:39] "Not That Simple" - Cia's story. [27:19] "You Can’t Get Rid of Glitter" - an anonymous story. [31:56] "A Glimmer of Jana" - Christie Brungardt's story. [42:50] Interview with psychologist Dr. Sherry Hamby. [44:52] Recent understandings of connecting with the natural world and psychology. [48:21] Learning from and moving forward from relationship based violence.  Original air date: Sep. 26, 2026

    Facing Relationship-Based Violence: A Rural Kansas Initiative

  4. Sep 19

    Stopping the Cycle of Addiction

    J.R. Jamison shares the stories of three women from rural Kentucky whose lives have changed forever due to addiction: one from a sister who fights each day to win back her brother; another from a pharmacist on the front lines of the opioid epidemic; and one from a young mother who abused pain pills after the death of her child. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by Kyle Brewer, the Peer Specialist Program Manager for NAADAC—the Association for Addiction Professionals. Photo – The Facing Project at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky Stories included in this episode –• Denial Is Over: Robin’s story, as told to Missy Reid from Facing Addiction in Knox County, Kentucky. Performed by Melinda.• Abuse Is No Secret: Susan’s story, as told to Sarah Wilder from Facing Addiction in Knox County, Kentucky.Performed by Amanda Hummer.• Love Is Greater Than Anger: Debbie’s story, as told to Melinda Hornback from Facing Addiction in Knox County, Kentucky. Performed by Tiffany Erk.     Music used in this episode –• "Like Life" by Hello Keller. Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) License. From the Free Music Archive.• "A Moment" by Scott Gratton. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive. Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [01:25] "Denial is Over." Robin's story. [07:44] "Abuse Is No Secret." Susan’s story. [11:32] "Love Is Greater Than Anger." Debbie’s story. [16:32] Interview with Kyle Brewer. [19:33] The waves of the opioid epidemic and its impact on governmental reform. [23:44] The impact on rural communities and what is being done to help.  Original air date: Jun. 25, 2022

    Stopping the Cycle of Addiction

  5. Sep 16

    Reclaiming the Disabled Narrative

    We’ve all seen and read the stories of those with disabilities portrayed as secondary characters, there in the background to support the able-bodied lead in their quest for love, adventure, and success. But what if the script were flipped, and those with a disability were the main characters finding their own love, adventure, and success? Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story a polio survivor who loves to dance; a former runner with an auto-immune disorder who is finding a new path; and a college student with autism who asks us to pay attention. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by global disability influencer Monica Engle Thomas who has reclaimed her own narrative and uses it to inspire others. Photo – Provided by Monica Engle Thomas. Stories included in this episode –• Carry: Sandy Penrod’s story as told to Jennifer Stanley from Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana. Performed by Beth Nahre.• Finding My Way: Antonio Kioko’s story as told to Deirdre Lane from Beyond Face Value: A Facing Project from Principal Financial in Des Moines, Iowa. Performed by Carl Frost.• Pay Attention: Carter Tharp’s story as told to Jamie Reece from Facing Autism in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Charley Isaacs.  Music used in this episode –• "HOEDOWN" by Jason Shaw. Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) License. From the Free Music Archive.• "The Woods (Remastered)" by Axletree. Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.• "Gourd Hunting" by Jesse Spillane. Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive. Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [01:51] "Carry." Sandy Penrod’s story. [07:58] "Finding My Way." Antonio Kioko’s story. [10:50] "Pay Attention." Carter Tharp's story. [16:12] Interview with Monica Engle Thomas. [17:30] Getting started as a social media influencer and seeing its impact in the world. [23:10] The work of reclaiming the narrative around disabilities.  Original air date: Apr. 30, 2022

    Reclaiming the Disabled Narrative

  6. Sep 12

    Filmmaker and Journalist Ursula Liang

    Host J.R. Jamison sits down with FRONTLINE filmmaker, producer, and journalist Ursula Liang to talk about her latest film Two Strikes, a documentary short that follows the two strikes law in Florida that put a former West Point cadet struggling with PTSD and alcoholism in prison for life without the possibility of parole. The two also explore how to tell authentic stories through print and film. Photo Credit – Ursula Liang, photo provided. Chapters – [00:00] Introduction. [03:05] Interview with Ursula Liang. [06:32] Making the transition from written storytelling to film. [10:38] The decision making process of visual storytelling and navigating complex narratives. [17:24] Handling the delicate balance of investigative interviews, and consequences that impact more than just individuals. [26:38] Building a storytelling experience while balancing the control of the narrative. [30:07] Storytelling that connects the audience and the creator to the story's culture. [41:14] Advice for filmmakers and storytellers. [49:03] How do we create a more empathetic world?  Original air date: Jul. 27, 2024

    Filmmaker and Journalist Ursula Liang

  7. Sep 5

    More Than My Illness

    Genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events—all contributing factors to the more than 40 million adults in the U.S. who suffer from anxiety or depression. Yet, with nearly 12% of the overall population battling these illnesses, mental health is still stigmatized and misunderstood. Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story of a missionary who battled depression 4,000 miles from home, and another from a college student with a “broken brain” who says the best way to help is to listen. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by that former college student who is now a high school English teacher at a virtual public school in Washington state. Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Seth Jackson: https://flic.kr/p/TrtEhh. Stories included in this episode –• It’s Not the Common Cold: Bailie Sage’s story as told to Jon Toronto from Facing Depression in Cache Valley, Utah. Performed by Amy Leffingwell.• It’s Not My Fault My Brain is Broken. Kiah Penfield’s story as told to Chris Bavender from Facing Depression in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Melinda. Music used in this episode –• "spring_thaw" by The Green Kingdom. Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) license. From the Free Music Archive.• "There Is Always A Reason" by Borrtex. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive. Chapters –[00:00] Introduction.[00:56] "It’s Not the Common Cold" - Bailie Sage’s story. [09:24] "It’s Not My Fault My Brain is Broken" - Kiah Penfield’s story. [16:10] Interview with Kiah Penfield.[18:27] Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.[22:00] Relations between depression and identity.[24:11] Depression and anxiety with young people and navigating it as a teacher. Original air date: Mar. 26, 2022

    More Than My Illness

  8. Sep 2

    Teachers are Heroes

    Teachers and educators are facing challenges like never before, including battling misinformation, burned-out kids, parents, and of course—COVID. Join J.R. Jamison as he explores these challenges and shares the story of a man who stays in teaching despite external pressures; another from a woman who uses empathy to teach multicultural education; and one from a teacher who decided to make her own kind of change—at the Statehouse. Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Phil Roeder: https://flic.kr/p/2kf6XeR. Stories included in this episode –  • This Is Why I Teach: An anonymous story as told to Suzanne Clem from Facing Teaching.• Mrs. Miller, You Set Us Up!: Barbara Miller’s story as told to Clarissa Cheslyn from Facing Teaching.• Votes for My Students: Melanie Wright’s story as told to Susan Volbrecht from Facing Teaching.  Music used in this episode –• "GREEN LEAVES" by Jason Shaw. Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) license. From the Free Music Archive. Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [04:42] This Is Why I Teach. [11:59] Mrs. Miller, You Set Us Up![18:01] Votes for My Student. [23:15] Aloha Shirt Man Thanks the Students Who Made His School Psychology Career a Gift.  Original air date: Feb. 26, 2022

    Teachers are Heroes
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5
out of 5
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About

Hosted by J.R. Jamison, each episode's theme is explored through a variety of engaging avenues, from performances of stories from different points-of-view collected using The Facing Project's story sharing model, to interviews with storytellers, artists, and bestselling authors exploring complex topics we all face -- leaving listeners with the courage to share their own stories and the empathy to listen to others.

Information

  • Creator
    Indiana Public Radio
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Indiana Public Radio, Ball State University, and The Facing Project
  • Show Website
    The Facing Project

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