Story Behind the Story: Ton/Reimann An Unforgettable Season and a Farewell

In this episode of 'Story Behind the Story', host Dave Pokorney discusses the art of storytelling with his guests John Ton and Josh Reimann. John recounts his youth in Wyoming, detailing his experiences as a young man in an old, inexpensive hotel during the 1970s energy crisis. His tale encompasses themes of maturity, empathy, and understanding. Josh shares a heartfelt story about his father, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Despite the diagnosis, his father, a choral teacher and church director, undertook the quest to sing the national anthem at every Major League Baseball Stadium in a single season, setting a world record. Their conversation covers the processes of coming up with stories, the significance of creating meaningful memories, and the power of personal experiences in storytelling.

00:15 Introduction and Welcome
00:36 The Story Behind West Side Stories
01:07 Introducing the First Guest: John
01:59 John's Story: The Wyoming Hotel
06:01 Post-Story Discussion and Reflection
11:57 John's Journey to Wyoming
17:22 John's Storytelling Process
22:05 John's Life After Wyoming
23:46 Revisiting a Previous Interview
24:11 Josh Reimann's Story Begins
24:49 The Impact of ALS on Josh's Family
26:17 A Unique ALS Awareness Campaign
26:52 The Unforgettable Baseball Stadium Tour
27:39 The Significance of the Family's Cell Phone
28:21 Setting a World Record
28:46 The Final Days of Josh's Father
30:05 A Mysterious Phone Call
31:23 Reflecting on the Story
31:35 The Aftermath and Memories of the Baseball Tour
41:58 The Art of Storytelling
52:24 Wrapping Up the Interview