The Story Seat

Splendour
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Story Seat is a podcast where real people share the moments that shaped who they are. Hosted by "Elo and Jerry", this show creates a safe, open space for honest conversations about growth, resilience, lessons learned, and the small or big experiences that define us. Each episode brings new voices and perspectives, reminding us that every story matters. Take a seat, listen closely, and connect with the human experience.

  1. Jun 21

    The Power of Mentorship,Teamwork, and Not Quitting

    In this episode, Michael T. Brown shares a powerful story from his childhood that shaped the way he views commitment, mentorship, and personal growth. As a young baseball player facing challenges and disappointment, he reached a point where he wanted to quit. But instead of letting him walk away, his father and coach took the time to guide him through the situation, helping him see the bigger picture. Michael reflects on how that conversation taught him an important lesson: being part of a team means showing up even when things aren't going your way. Quitting doesn't just affect us—it can also impact the people who believe in us and rely on us. By choosing to stay, he discovered that perseverance often leads to breakthroughs, and that difficult seasons don't last forever. The conversation also explores the vital role of mentorship and why younger generations benefit from listening to the wisdom of those who have gone before them. Michael explains that elders have a responsibility to guide, encourage, and help younger people avoid unnecessary mistakes, while young people have an opportunity to learn from the experiences of those who have already traveled the road ahead. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that growth happens through perseverance, strong communities, and the guidance of caring mentors. When we're connected to something bigger than ourselves and surrounded by people who genuinely want to see us succeed, our lives can be transformed in remarkable ways. http://brownsleadership.com/Home.php

    25 min

  2. May 13

    Listening Through Story: Writing, Care & Making Meaning of Life

    What if storytelling isn’t just about what we write—but about how we understand life itself? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Nancy Jasin Ensley for a reflective and deeply human conversation about storytelling, service, and the many ways we make meaning from the experiences we live through. Nancy’s career has taken her through hospice care, legal nursing, teaching, and writing—roles that have placed her at the center of some of life’s most intimate and vulnerable moments. Through it all, writing has remained her anchor: a way to listen, process, and give shape to the stories that emerge from both everyday life and profound human experience. As an author, she writes across multiple genres—including memoir, fiction, mystery, science fiction, and children’s stories—but at the heart of her work are enduring themes of faith, family, resilience, and reflection. In this conversation, we explore: Why writing can be a form of listening What hospice care reveals about humanity and connection The lessons learned from a life of service and observation How real experiences become meaningful stories The role of reflection in storytelling and healing Writing across genres while staying rooted in core themes How people begin to find and tell their own stories Nancy also shares insights on how storytelling can help us process life more deeply, connect with others more authentically, and find clarity in our own experiences. This episode is a reminder that every life holds stories worth telling—and that taking time to reflect on them can bring understanding, healing, and connection. If you’ve ever felt like you had a story inside you but weren’t sure how to begin, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, listen inward, and start where you are.

    32 min

  3. May 13

    The Guerrilla Scholar: Independent Learning, Curiosity & Breaking Academic Boundaries

    What does it mean to build a meaningful intellectual life outside the traditional systems we’ve been taught to rely on? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Dr. Sheldon Greaves for a thought-provoking conversation about curiosity, independent learning, and what it means to pursue knowledge beyond the boundaries of formal institutions. Sheldon earned his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley while working in Silicon Valley during the dot-com era, navigating graduate studies in an unconventional and resourceful way. But instead of following a traditional academic career path, he chose to build a life centered on independent scholarship—working across science education, publishing, nonprofit initiatives, and even collaborative space exploration projects. His work challenges the assumption that serious intellectual life must exist within institutions, and instead invites us to see learning as something personal, creative, and deeply human. In this conversation, we explore: What “guerrilla scholarship” means and why it matters The experience of earning a Ph.D. outside traditional academic privilege Why Sheldon chose an independent path after graduate school Common misconceptions about learning outside institutions The role of curiosity as a lifelong practice How diverse, unconventional experiences connect into one intellectual journey The importance of communal and self-directed learning How independent thinkers can contribute meaningfully today Sheldon also shares insights from his book The Guerrilla Scholar’s Handbook, offering practical and philosophical guidance for anyone who feels called to learn, explore, and create outside conventional systems. This episode is a reminder that learning doesn’t belong only to institutions—it belongs to anyone willing to stay curious. If you’ve ever felt constrained by traditional paths or wondered what it might look like to design your own way of learning, this conversation will open up new possibilities.

    25 min

  4. May 13

    From Overthinking to Clarity: Simplifying Decisions & Taking Action

    What if the thing holding you back isn’t a lack of ideas—but too many of them? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Crystal Bell for a practical and grounded conversation about clarity, decision-making, overthinking, and what it really takes to move from intention into action. Crystal works with leaders and high performers who often appear successful on the outside but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or mentally cluttered on the inside. Through her Clarity Method, she helps people simplify their thinking, focus on what matters most, and follow through with confidence. Her own journey began in high-performance environments shaped by overachievement and perfectionism—patterns that fueled success but also created pressure, burnout, and constant striving. Over time, she began to question the belief that “doing more” was the answer, and instead shifted toward alignment, focus, and intentional action. In this conversation, we explore: Why high performers often feel overwhelmed despite success The deeper causes of overthinking and mental clutter How overachievement can turn into a coping mechanism What clarity actually looks like in real life How to move from too many ideas into focused action The barriers that block follow-through How simplifying decisions changes performance and mindset Crystal also shares practical insights on how to identify what truly matters, reduce internal noise, and take small but meaningful steps forward when feeling stuck. This episode is a reminder that progress doesn’t come from doing everything—it comes from doing the right things with clarity and intention. If you’ve been feeling mentally scattered, stuck in planning mode, or unsure how to move forward, this conversation will help you slow down, refocus, and take your next step with confidence.

    22 min

  5. May 12

    Informed Consent, Lived Experience & Finding Your Voice: patient Rights & Healing

    What does it mean to truly be informed when making decisions about your health—and what happens when that trust is questioned? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Ellen Lubensky for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about mental health systems, informed consent, medication withdrawal, and the journey of finding one’s voice after long-term medical challenges. Ellen’s path began in the legal field, where she practiced Social Security Disability and medical malpractice law. But her perspective shifted profoundly through her own lived experience—nearly two decades navigating a disabling condition linked to psychiatric medication. That experience led her to begin asking difficult questions about transparency, patient autonomy, and the information people receive when making critical healthcare decisions. Today, she combines her legal background with lived experience to advocate for patient-centered care and informed consent. In this conversation, we explore: Ellen’s lived experience within the psychiatric system What informed consent should truly mean in healthcare The long-term impact of medication and withdrawal experiences Gaps in communication between patients and providers The intersection of law, ethics, and lived experience Navigating complex and sensitive conversations with clarity Patient autonomy, trust, and systemic transparency Ellen also shares reflections on what it means to rebuild a sense of agency after long-term medical challenges, and how personal experience can evolve into advocacy for others. This episode invites listeners to think more deeply about how health decisions are made, how information is shared, and why patient voice matters in every step of care. If you’ve ever questioned systems of care, navigated your own health journey, or simply want to better understand the importance of informed consent, this conversation will stay with you.

    24 min

  6. May 12

    Parenting Through Anxiety, Big Emotions & Burnout

    How do we support our children emotionally… while also caring for our own mental and emotional well-being as parents? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Raeanne Johnson for a compassionate and practical conversation about parenting, emotional health, anxiety, ADHD, burnout, and the connection between neuroscience and faith. With more than 15 years of clinical experience—and as a homeschooling mom of three—Raeanne brings both professional expertise and real-life understanding to the challenges families face every day. Her work helps parents move from confusion and overwhelm toward clarity, emotional connection, and healthier rhythms at home. In this conversation, we explore: What’s really happening in a child’s brain during emotional overwhelm How parents can respond to “big feelings” with both compassion and structure Supporting children with anxiety and ADHD The emotional weight many parents quietly carry Burnout, perfectionism, and letting go of guilt How faith and neuroscience can work together in parenting What it truly means to raise emotionally healthy children Raeanne also shares encouragement for parents who feel exhausted, discouraged, or unsure if they’re doing enough—offering simple mindset shifts and practical tools that can make everyday life feel more manageable and connected. This episode is a reminder that parenting is not about perfection. It’s about presence, grace, and learning how to support both ourselves and our children through life’s challenges. If you’re raising children, navigating emotional struggles in your home, or simply trying to create a healthier and more peaceful family environment, this conversation will leave you feeling understood, encouraged, and supported.

    19 min

  7. May 12

    The Cup of Coffee That Changed Two Lives: Empathy, Homelessness & Human Connection

    What if one small act of kindness could completely change the way you see another person… and yourself? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Jody Zarn for a deeply human conversation about empathy, mental health, homelessness, and the transformative power of simply seeing someone with dignity. What began as buying a cup of coffee for a man named Leroy—someone experiencing homelessness—became a two-year journey of friendship, trust, and mutual healing. Along the way, Jody was forced to confront her own assumptions, fears, and understanding of what it truly means to help another person. In this conversation, we explore: The moment that started Jody and Leroy’s connection Building trust through patience and consistency What society often misunderstands about homelessness The impact of trauma, loss, and mental health struggles Why empathy is more powerful than judgment or fixing How small acts of kindness can create lasting change The importance of seeing people beyond labels and assumptions Jody also shares how her own experiences with bullying, grief, and emotional pain shaped the way she approached this relationship and deepened her understanding of human connection. This episode is not just about homelessness—it’s about humanity. About slowing down long enough to truly see another person, and recognizing how connection can transform both lives in the process. If you’ve ever wondered whether small acts of kindness really matter, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

    30 min

  8. May 12

    The Power of Quick Confidence: Introversion, Visibility & Authentic Growth

    Do you ever feel like you have to be louder, more outgoing, or more “extroverted” to succeed? In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Serena Low for a thoughtful conversation about introversion, authenticity, visibility, and learning how to show up without losing yourself in the process. As a lifelong introvert, Serena understands the quiet pressure many people feel to change who they are in order to be noticed, respected, or successful. Through her coaching and podcast, she helps introverts embrace their strengths and grow into what she calls Quiet Warriors—people who lead and make an impact in ways that feel aligned and genuine. In this conversation, we explore: Growing up and navigating life as an introvert Why so many introverts feel pressure to “perform” extroversion The meaning behind the term Quiet Warrior How trauma and past experiences affect visibility and confidence Practical ways introverts can begin showing up more fully The difference between healthy growth and self-abandonment Common misconceptions about introverts in leadership and business Serena also shares encouragement for anyone who feels unseen, hesitant, or afraid to take up space in their own authentic way. This episode is a reminder that strength does not always need to be loud—and that real confidence often begins the moment we stop trying to become someone else. If you’ve ever struggled with visibility, self-doubt, or feeling like your quiet nature makes you less capable, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and empowered.

    23 min
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About

The Story Seat is a podcast where real people share the moments that shaped who they are. Hosted by "Elo and Jerry", this show creates a safe, open space for honest conversations about growth, resilience, lessons learned, and the small or big experiences that define us. Each episode brings new voices and perspectives, reminding us that every story matters. Take a seat, listen closely, and connect with the human experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Splendour
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Splendour
  • Show Website
    The Story Seat