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. Bookish

    1d ago

    Bookish

    As a child, Lucy Mangan was reading all the time, using books to navigate the challenges and complexities of this world and many others. As an adult, she uses her new relationship with literature to seize upon the most important question: (How) do books prepare us for life? Bookish vividly tells the story of a reader’s life from the cusp of teenagerhood, when everything—including the way we read—undergoes a not-so-subtle transformation. Lucy vividly recounts her metamorphosis from young bookworm to bookish adult, from the way school curricula impact our relationship with literature, to the growing pains of swapping the pleasures of re-reading for those of book-hoarding. Revisiting the books of all genres that ferried her through each important stage of life—falling in love, finding a job, becoming a mother, and navigating grief—Bookish is a coming-of-age story told through books. Chapters [00:00] Introduction.[01:34] How books have a unique way to hold us as readers. [04:30] How books stand alone from other forms of more recent media. [07:52] The human experience of reading and connecting with others through books. [15:16] How characters in books influence our relationship with the real world. [21:10] On relationships with non-bookish people and balancing solitude with connection. [34:35] Returning to books later in life. [41:12] How the digital age affects our understanding of stories and the world around us. [46:05] Reflecting on how being bookish changes your life. Original air date: May 30, 2026

    52 min
  2. Facing Recovery — 17 Stories of Survival

    May 23

    Facing Recovery — 17 Stories of Survival

    J.R. Jamison explores the diverse definition of recovery through the lens of a recent book project, Facing Recovery, a collection of 17 first-person narratives that captures the wide spectrum of what recovery means and that, contrary to popular belief, it’s not just tied to addiction. Special guests: Dr. Kathryn Ludwig, assistant teaching professor of English at Ball State University and editor of Facing Recovery, Bridgett Nesbitt and Hayden Gorham, two writers on the project, and Abby Gluvna, program manager for Recovery Café Muncie. Chapters[00:00] Introduction. [01:53] Interview with Dr. Kathryn Ludwig, Bridgett Nesbitt and Hayden Gorham. [16:36] Roses Over Rocks. [21:51] A Warrior Heart and a Friendly Smile. [28:39] Out of Isolation. [33:07] Come How You Are. [37:49] Interview with Abby Gluvna, program manager for Recovery Café Muncie. Content advisory: Please note that at 18:01 and 19:30, strong language has been beeped.  Original air date: April 26, 2025.

    53 min
  3. Life After 60: The Golden Years

    May 16

    Life After 60: The Golden Years

    Life after the age of 60 . . . for some, they’re living their best lives . . . like, skydiving with friends . . . others are searching for purpose after retirement . . . but it can also be a time of loneliness. Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they take call-ins, share stories, and discuss the diversity of Life After 60 . . . the Golden Years. Photo – By Stefan Barna, via Flickr Creative Commons. Stories –• Aloha Shirt Man Reflects Upon His Career: Michael Brockley’s story performed by Michael Brockley.• Freeing the Survivor: Lylanne Musselman’s story as told to Jackie Harris. Performed by Lylanne Musselman.• Times to Make a Difference: Jay Zimmerman’s story as told to Kelsey Timmerman. Performed by Larry Beck. Music –• "Summer Sinners" by Jacket Thor. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.• "High Altitude Golden Sunset" by Pulse Emitter. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive. Chapters –  [00:00] Introduction[04:24] Aloha Shirt Man Reflects Upon His Career.[07:54] Aloha Shirt Man Thanks the Parents of His Students for Teaching Him Gratitude.[10:04] Listener call-in.[10:45] Freeing the Survivor.[16:42] Each Day, poem by Lylanne Musselman.[18:11] Listener call-ins.[23:27] Remembering Jay Zimmerman and excerpt from Times to Make a Difference.[25:05] Aloha Shirt Man Thanks the Students Who Made His School Psychology Career a Gift.[27:46] Excerpt from Times to Make a Difference. Original air date: Oct. 31, 2020

    30 min
  4. A Shooting in the Heartland

    May 13

    A Shooting in the Heartland

    It’s been one year since a gunman opened fire in Dayton’s Oregon District, killing nine people and injuring 27. It was the 233rd mass shooting of 2019 . . . and one of 107 in the Midwest. Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they hear from three survivors from that night, and sit down with Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley to discuss A Shooting in the Heartland. Stories• Like the Book of Job: Dion Green’s story as told to Ria Megnin. Performed by Kasaahn Johnson. • Unwritten Books: Tom McMurtry’s story as told to Rick Gebhart. Performed by Saul Caplan. • Somebody’s Child: Jason Phillips’s story as told to Whitney Bell. Performed by Chris Hahn. Music Used in this Episode• "I'm What You'd Be Without Her" by Doctor Turtle. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive. Chapters [00:00] Introduction. [01:47] Mashup of stories Like the Book of Job, Unwritten Books, and Somebody’s Child. [18:42] Interview with Dayton Mayor, Nan Whaley. Content advisory: Please note there are descriptions of violence from 05;09 through 13;00.  Original air date: Jul. 25, 2020

    32 min
  5. Lessons on the Road to Peace with John Noltner

    May 9

    Lessons on the Road to Peace with John Noltner

    Host J.R. Jamison sits down with award-winning photographer, author, and peace activist John Noltner to talk about photography as a form of storytelling that explores the common humanity that unites us, and they discuss Noltner’s latest book, Lessons on the Road to Peace, that covers his 45,000-mile journey across the U.S. Chapters [00:00] Introduction [02:27] Interview with John Noltner [03:50] On photography as storytelling. [07:11] On peace and A Peace of My Mind. [26:02] On stories that stay with you and building trust. [37:24] Advice for storytellers and maintaining mental health. [43:06] On being on the road. [57:12] What's next? [59:17] How do we create a more empathetic world? Original air date: Apr. 27, 2024

    1h 4m
  6. Living While Black in the U.S.A.

    May 2

    Living While Black in the U.S.A.

    The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, and the subsequent protests, have brought to the forefront a renewed conversation on Black lives and the injustices BIPOC folks face each day. But this time, will there be change? Join J.R., Kelsey, and special guest WaTasha Barnes Griffin as they discuss Living While Black in the U.S.A. Stories It Shouldn’t MatterWaTasha Barnes Griffin’s story as told to Seth Carrier-Ladd from Facing Racism in Muncie Indiana.Performed by Amanda Hummer.Music Used in this Episode "Been On" by JBlankedReleased under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.From the Free Music Archive.Chapters [00:00] Introduction [02:09] It Shouldn’t Matter. WaTasha Barnes Griffin’s story as told to Seth Carrier-Ladd from Facing Racism in Muncie Indiana. Performed by Amanda Hummer. [09:58] Interview with WaTasha Barnes Griffin. [16:09] WaTasha Barnes Griffin's address to the community and leaders at a 2020 forum on racial injustice in Muncie, Indiana. [26:12] Interview with WaTasha Barnes Griffin continues. Content advisory: At 7:03, 7:05, 7:18, and 8:06, strong language is not censored in order to accurately portray the context of the topic. Original air date: Jun. 27, 2020

    44 min
  7. First But Never Alone

    Apr 29

    First But Never Alone

    Half of today’s students are the first in their families to attend college. But at a time when college is more expensive than ever, how do these students succeed? On this show, a first-generation student who works 30 hours a week to support her family while balancing classes shares her experience with us; and we sit down with Mary Henley, Director of Pathways to Academic Student Success at Central Michigan University, and one of the administrators who helped the student on her journey. Join J.R. and Kelsey as they discuss First But Never Alone.  Stories• 47,000 Things: An anonymous story from Facing College at Central Michigan University. Performed by Amanda Hummer. Music Used in This Episode• "Rondo" by Pierce Murphy. Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.  Chapters [00:00] Announcing weekly podcast encores! [00:51] Introduction [05:23] 47,000 Things: An anonymous story from Facing College at Central Michigan University. Performed by Amanda Hummer. [10:43] Interview with Mary Henley, Director of Pathways to Academic Student Success at Central Michigan University. Original air date: May 30, 2020

    32 min
  8. The Heart Folds Early

    Mar 28

    The Heart Folds Early

    J.R. Jamison is joined by author and educator Jill Christman to discuss her new memoir, The Heart Folds Early, a story of transformation through tragedy, and an examination of the ways in which great loss can make us simultaneously fearful and intrepid. Emerging from a childhood that included both devastating sexual abuse and the sustaining joy of being deeply (if imperfectly) loved, Jill Christman’s sights were set on building and protecting her own happy family—until her fiancé was killed in a car accident. In The Heart Folds Early, Christman examines the mournful recklessness of the young widow she was against the backdrop of her later marriage and new motherhood, including the choice to end a half-term pregnancy when a routine ultrasound revealed her baby boy had just half a heart. Courageous, clear-eyed, tender, and unexpectedly funny, Christman reflects on her life and asks: What happens when we’re afraid the worst thing will happen and then, sometimes, it does? And how do we carry life and death in our bodies and survive with our hearts intact?

    1 hr
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5
out of 5
26 Ratings

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
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Indiana Public Radio, Ball State University, and The Facing Project
  • Show Website
    The Facing Project

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