Let’s Talk About Love Stories from Everywhere

Episode 54: Fiona Kesby on Ethical Leadership, Global Growth, AI, & Building a Life Without Regret

What happens when a single mother says yes to a bold opportunity, moves her daughters across the world, helps scale a company from 20 employees to more than 1,200, and refuses to sacrifice ethics for profit?In this inspiring episode of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson sits down with Fiona Kesby, Australian-born entrepreneur, global business leader, and co-founder of GoTeam in the Philippines, or a conversation that spans continents, leadership, love, reinvention, and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom.Fiona shares how what was supposed to be a short-term move to Southeast Asia became an extraordinary life journey: raising her daughters abroad, helping transform the outsourcing industry through transparency and human-centered values, and leading through crisis after losing half her business overnight during COVID only to rebuild stronger than before.Together, Jill and Fiona explore:• How ethical outsourcing can empower workers instead of exploiting them• Why AI should amplify human potential, not replace it• Fiona’s powerful ACE framework for thriving in the age of AI: agility, articulation, critical thinking, creativity, and empathy• Building a workplace culture rooted in love, abundance, and dignity• The mindset shift that helped Fiona create success not only in business, but in love later in life• Why “If you can dream it, you can create it” applies to relationships just as much as entrepreneurshipThis is a deeply honest conversation about leadership, motherhood, reinvention, global citizenship, and refusing to let fear—or outdated social expectations—dictate your life.If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build a meaningful career, create a life on your own terms, or find love without shrinking yourself, Fiona’s story is proof that you can.

Episode 54: From Brisbane to the Philippines: Fiona Kesby on Ethical Leadership, Global Growth, AI, and Building a Life Without Regret

What happens when a single mother says yes to a bold opportunity, moves her daughters across the world, helps scale a company from 20 employees to more than 1,200, and refuses to sacrifice ethics for profit?
In this inspiring episode of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson sits down with Fiona Kesby, Australian-born entrepreneur, global business leader, and co-founder of GoTeam in the Philippines, or a conversation that spans continents, leadership, love, reinvention, and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom.
Fiona shares how what was supposed to be a short-term move to Southeast Asia became an extraordinary life journey: raising her daughters abroad, helping transform the outsourcing industry through transparency and human-centered values, and leading through crisis after losing half her business overnight during COVID only to rebuild stronger than before.
Together, Jill and Fiona explore:
How ethical outsourcing can empower workers instead of exploiting them
Why AI should amplify human potential, not replace it
Fiona’s powerful ACE framework for thriving in the age of AI: agility, articulation, critical thinking, creativity, and empathy
Building a workplace culture rooted in love, abundance, and dignity
The mindset shift that helped Fiona create success not only in business, but in love later in life
Why “If you can dream it, you can create it” applies to relationships just as much as entrepreneurship
This is a deeply honest conversation about leadership, motherhood, reinvention, global citizenship, and refusing to let fear—or outdated social expectations—dictate your life.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build a meaningful career, create a life on your own terms, or find love without shrinking yourself, Fiona’s story is proof that you can.

Episode 53: Blue Burros, Bold Moves, and Becoming: Sarah Givens on Art, Adventure, and Reinvention

What happens when a lifelong explorer, aspiring novelist, donkey artist, and creative late bloomer sits down to talk about travel, reinvention, and the courage to keep becoming? In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson chats with writer, artist, and adventurer Sarah Givens about building a life fueled by curiosity rather than convention.
From flying first class as a Delta wife to road-tripping Costa Rica, falling in love with Mexico City, creating a colorful “donkey lady” art identity in Baja, and starting over in Long Beach, Sarah shares how every move, challenge, and creative leap shaped her. She opens up about learning new skills later in life—from painting and woodburning to writing her first novel about friendship, aging, and dogs—while reflecting on why growth, art, and asking for what you want matter more than fame.
This episode is a celebration of second acts, soulful travel, artistic courage, and the beauty of embracing change—even when it means moving countries, reinventing yourself, or becoming known as the woman who paints blue burros. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to create, explore, or begin again, Sarah’s story is your reminder that life expands when you do.

Episode 52: Love, Choice, and the Stories That Shape Us with Domenic Tamborriello

What if love isn’t something you find once, but something you choose, nurture, and rediscover every single day?
In Episode 52 of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson sits down with therapist, social worker, men’s group leader, and lifelong bridge-builder Domenic Tamborriello for a deeply insightful conversation about relationships, masculinity, healing, and the stories we tell ourselves that shape our lives. From his unforgettable “first marriage counseling session” at just six years old to decades of work helping couples, men, and families navigate love and fear, Domenic shares hard-won wisdom with warmth, humor, and remarkable clarity.
Together, Jill and Domenic explore why men are often taught to internalize emotion, how language like “should” can quietly imprison us, why commitment is less about obligation and more about choosing “the struggle,” and how making your partner feel loved every day can transform a relationship. Domenic’s perspective—shaped by civil rights activism, feminism, social work, and decades of counseling—offers refreshing insights into communication, gender, emotional freedom, and what it really means to stay awake in love.
This episode is packed with memorable ideas, including:
Why “there’s so much less to be afraid of than you think”
The difference between “have to” and “get to”
How words shape thought—and thought shapes reality
Why marriage should never feel like prison
The power of seeing your partner with fresh eyes, again and again
Wise, compassionate, and thought-provoking, this conversation is an invitation to rethink not only how we love others, but how we live with ourselves.
 

Episode 51: What Does It Mean to Create Something Worth Sacrifice, Risk, & Relentless Curiosity?

In this compelling episode of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with filmmaker and writer Micah Groenevelt, a rising creative force whose journey into filmmaking began with backyard experiments and evolved into award-winning work, an Emmy nomination, and an ambitious feature film now in development. Micah shares the unvarnished reality of building a creative career, from shooting weddings and real estate videos to navigating the business side of storytelling and ultimately rediscovering his passion during the uncertainty of the pandemic. What emerges is a powerful conversation about persistence, creative identity, and the courage to pivot when something no longer feels aligned.At the heart of the episode is Starfish, Micah’s deeply original sci-fi drama that uses cloning and memory integration not as spectacle, but as a lens to explore love, grief, and identity. The film asks a haunting question: if you could bring someone back, should you—and who would they become? Beneath the science fiction lies an intimate story about family, responsibility, and the emotional complexities of being human. This conversation goes beyond filmmaking. Micah dives into the mindset required to pursue meaningful work, why stamina and curiosity matter more than talent, how intuition often outperforms overthinking, and what it really takes to balance creativity with the demands of production, funding, and distribution. He also reflects on the philosophy behind his work: creating stories that are not only thought-provoking, but ultimately redemptive and hopeful.From the realities of indie film financing to the deeper question of what you would sacrifice for your craft, this episode is a thoughtful exploration of passion, discipline, and the pursuit of something greater than yourself.Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, entrepreneur, or simply someone chasing a creative calling, this episode offers both inspiration and a grounded look at what it takes to turn vision into reality.

Episode 51: What Does It Mean to Create Something That Lasts, Something Worth Sacrifice, Risk, And Relentless Curiosity?

In this compelling episode of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with filmmaker and writer Micah Groenevelt, a rising creative force whose journey into filmmaking began with backyard experiments and evolved into award-winning work, an Emmy nomination, and an ambitious feature film now in development. 
Micah shares the unvarnished reality of building a creative career, from shooting weddings and real estate videos to navigating the business side of storytelling and ultimately rediscovering his passion during the uncertainty of the pandemic. What emerges is a powerful conversation about persistence, creative identity, and the courage to pivot when something no longer feels aligned.
At the heart of the episode is Starfish, Micah’s deeply original sci-fi drama that uses cloning and memory integration not as spectacle, but as a lens to explore love, grief, and identity. The film asks a haunting question: if you could bring someone back, should you—and who would they become? Beneath the science fiction lies an intimate story about family, responsibility, and the emotional complexities of being human. 
This conversation goes beyond filmmaking. Micah dives into the mindset required to pursue meaningful work, why stamina and curiosity matter more than talent, how intuition often outperforms overthinking, and what it really takes to balance creativity with the demands of production, funding, and distribution. He also reflects on the philosophy behind his work: creating stories that are not only thought-provoking, but ultimately redemptive and hopeful.
From the realities of indie film financing to the deeper question of what you would sacrifice for your craft, this episode is a thoughtful exploration of passion, discipline, and the pursuit of something greater than yourself.
Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, entrepreneur, or simply someone chasing a creative calling, this episode offers both inspiration and a grounded look at what it takes to turn vision into reality.

What Does It Really Mean to Lead With Purpose, With Empathy, and With a Commitment to Service?

In this episode of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson sits down with Christina Clark, president of La Roche University, for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about leadership, education, and the unexpected paths that shape a life.Christina didn’t set out to become a university president. In fact, her journey began with a love of teaching, a childhood shaped by a military family, and formative experiences living abroad, including eye-opening years in the Philippines that challenged her understanding of culture, privilege, and identity. From struggling through Latin and Greek to working her way up from receptionist to credit analyst, Christina’s story is one of persistence, curiosity, and stepping up when it matters most.Together, Jill and Christina explore:• What a university president actually does day-to-day, and why it’s far more human than most people think• The power of great (and terrible) teachers in shaping a life• How global experiences at a young age can transform perspective• The tension between career, family, and purpose and how to navigate it• Why higher education must evolve to truly prepare students for the real world• The importance of vocation, values, and building a meaningful life, not just a successful oneAt its core, this conversation is about choosing to be part of the solution. Christina shares how a simple realization—you don’t have to just complain; you can lead—changed the trajectory of her life and continues to guide her work today.This is an episode for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re on the “right” path, or if it’s time to step into something bigger.

Episode 50: What Does It Really Mean to Lead With Purpose, With Empathy, and With a Commitment to Service?

In this episode of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson sits down with Christina Clark, president of La Roche University, for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about leadership, education, and the unexpected paths that shape a life.
Christina didn’t set out to become a university president. In fact, her journey began with a love of teaching, a childhood shaped by a military family, and formative experiences living abroad, including eye-opening years in the Philippines that challenged her understanding of culture, privilege, and identity. From struggling through Latin and Greek to working her way up from receptionist to credit analyst, Christina’s story is one of persistence, curiosity, and stepping up when it matters most.
Together, Jill and Christina explore:
What a university president actually does day-to-day, and why it’s far more human than most people think
The power of great (and terrible) teachers in shaping a life
How global experiences at a young age can transform perspective
The tension between career, family, and purpose and how to navigate it
Why higher education must evolve to truly prepare students for the real world
The importance of vocation, values, and building a meaningful life, not just a successful one
At its core, this conversation is about choosing to be part of the solution. Christina shares how a simple realization—you don’t have to just complain; you can lead—changed the trajectory of her life and continues to guide her work today.
This is an episode for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re on the “right” path, or if it’s time to step into something bigger.

Episode 49: What Happens When You Say Yes to Something You’re Sure You’re Not Good At?

In this episode of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson sits down with Trish Azar, children’s book author, estate sale business owner, world traveler, and proud dog mom to the unforgettable Lola, for a conversation about creativity, courage, and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Trish never planned to write a book. In fact, she was convinced she couldn’t. But one small nudge to join a writing group set off a chain reaction that led to her upcoming children’s book series, The Adventures of Lola, inspired by her confident (and slightly diva-like) Pomeranian. What began as discomfort turned into joy, creativity, and an entirely new direction in life. 
But that’s just one chapter of Trish’s story.
From traveling the world for work to living in Turkey during COVID lockdowns, to building a business that helps families navigate loss through estate sales, Trish shares how every unexpected turn has shaped her perspective and her purpose.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
How trying something “you’re bad at” can unlock hidden talents
The surprising difficulty (and magic) of writing children’s books
Building a brand and a following through joyful, creative social media
What estate sales reveal about people, memory, and the stories we leave behind
Life lessons from living abroad and connecting across cultures
The unexpected power of a dog to inspire confidence, kindness, and storytelling
Why movement, play, and presence (hello, pickleball!) can quiet the noise in your mind
At its heart, this episode is about reinvention, about discovering that you don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. Sometimes, the best things in life start with: “I’m not good at this… but I’ll try anyway.”

Episode 48: Pressure, Purpose, and People: From Football Fields to Fundraising with George Barron

What do football, fundraising, reggae music, and champion show dogs have in common? For George Barron, Vice President of Advancement at La Roche University, a small Catholic university near Pittsburgh, they all come down to one thing: thriving under pressure and building meaningful relationships.
In this engaging and often surprising conversation, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with George to explore his unconventional journey from “majoring in football” to leading advancement efforts in higher education. Along the way, George shares how mentorship changed the course of his life, why he believes pressure is a privilege, and how a single question helped him refocus his future.
You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes stories from his time in nonprofit leadership, his experiences as a percussionist playing alongside nationally recognized artists, and how music shaped the way he learns and thinks. And just when you think the conversation couldn’t take another turn, George dives into the world of dog showing—complete with championship ambitions, breed insights, and an unforgettable raccoon encounter.
But at the heart of it all is a powerful message: success isn’t about transactions; it’s about trust. Whether raising funds, mentoring a team, or connecting with others, George reminds us that people and relationships still matter most.
This episode is a rich blend of humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom you won’t want to miss.