1 hr 21 min

#323 A Canvas of Hope and Healing with Marcel Roston The Jar

    • Documentary

On a Thursday morning in North Vegas, we ventured to meet our next guest, Marcel. As we approached Marcel's street, a striking sight greeted us – a bright red pickup truck covered in what seemed like infinite graffiti, intentional graffiti that reminded us of the work of New York artist Renda Writer.

We parked the van across from Marcel's house, and almost instantly, a booming voice and a warm greeting echoed from the driveway. Marcel welcomed us, setting the tone for what promised to be a profound conversation.

Marcel hails from Ocean Beach, California, growing up with one brother and one sister in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. However, his childhood was marked by financial struggles, drugs in the household, and barely scraping by. His father, a charismatic Rolling Stone-type figure, eventually retired as a nurse at the age of 73.

We learned that the graffiti-covered truck outside belonged to Marcel, and it was more than just a vehicle; it was a canvas for his work. Marcel reaches out to strangers on the internet, engaging them in conversations about their mental health. If he senses someone isn't doing well, he gets in his truck, drives to them, has a talk, and they leave their mark on his truck.

What motivates Marcel to do this? The heartbreaking tragedy he endured on March 26 several years ago when he found his daughter in the garage, having taken her own life. Determined to prevent others from suffering a similar fate, Marcel has become a grief and trauma specialist. He's transformed his pain into purpose and his trauma into tools.

Marcel is a man with an unshakable mission to offer love, support, and help to those who need it. His dedication to saving lives is born from the heart-wrenching experience of not being able to save his own daughter. Marcel is a remarkable human being doing incredible work, and we invite you to join us, Marcel, and The Jar for another real conversation with real people.

On a Thursday morning in North Vegas, we ventured to meet our next guest, Marcel. As we approached Marcel's street, a striking sight greeted us – a bright red pickup truck covered in what seemed like infinite graffiti, intentional graffiti that reminded us of the work of New York artist Renda Writer.

We parked the van across from Marcel's house, and almost instantly, a booming voice and a warm greeting echoed from the driveway. Marcel welcomed us, setting the tone for what promised to be a profound conversation.

Marcel hails from Ocean Beach, California, growing up with one brother and one sister in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. However, his childhood was marked by financial struggles, drugs in the household, and barely scraping by. His father, a charismatic Rolling Stone-type figure, eventually retired as a nurse at the age of 73.

We learned that the graffiti-covered truck outside belonged to Marcel, and it was more than just a vehicle; it was a canvas for his work. Marcel reaches out to strangers on the internet, engaging them in conversations about their mental health. If he senses someone isn't doing well, he gets in his truck, drives to them, has a talk, and they leave their mark on his truck.

What motivates Marcel to do this? The heartbreaking tragedy he endured on March 26 several years ago when he found his daughter in the garage, having taken her own life. Determined to prevent others from suffering a similar fate, Marcel has become a grief and trauma specialist. He's transformed his pain into purpose and his trauma into tools.

Marcel is a man with an unshakable mission to offer love, support, and help to those who need it. His dedication to saving lives is born from the heart-wrenching experience of not being able to save his own daughter. Marcel is a remarkable human being doing incredible work, and we invite you to join us, Marcel, and The Jar for another real conversation with real people.

1 hr 21 min