Let’s Talk About Love Stories from Everywhere

Episode 41: When Art Becomes Shelter: Sahba Aminikia on Music, War, and Healing Children

What happens when music becomes an act of resistance and love becomes a form of education?
In this deeply moving and unflinchingly honest conversation, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with composer, TED Fellow, and founder of the Flying Carpet Festival, Sahba Aminikia, to explore how art can heal what politics and war have broken. Raised in Tehran during years of cultural repression and conflict, Sahba shares how underground music, storytelling, and community became lifelines and how those early experiences now fuel his life’s work.
As the artistic director of the Flying Carpet Festival, Sahba has helped bring music, performance, and joy to more than 400,000 children living in war zones and conflict-affected regions. In this episode, he speaks candidly about growing up amid bombs and beauty, why limitation fuels creativity, how children suffer for adult decisions, and why investing in imagination may be the most radical peace-building act of all.
Together, Jill and Sahba unpack big ideas with rare nuance: the danger of dehumanization, the failure of cultural institutions, the difference between information and wisdom, and why “only through love is education possible.” This is not a conversation about politics; it’s a conversation about humanity, empathy, and what it means to bring light into the darkest places.
If you believe art can change lives, if you’ve ever wondered how hope survives in impossible conditions, or if you’re searching for a reminder of what truly connects us across borders—this episode is essential listening.

Raw Love: Healing Brains, Feeding Fur Babies, & Building a Business from the Heart with TC Raw Eats

In this heartfelt and surprisingly funny neighborhood-turned-global story (Episode 40 of Stories from Everywhere), host Jill L. Ferguson welcomes Billy Walsh and his partner Wendy Childer, the owners and creators behind Long Beach–based raw pet food company TC Raw Eats—the shop that Jill literally gets dragged into by her own dogs. What begins as a conversation about healthier food for aging pets quickly unfolds into a powerful narrative about loss, love, resilience, and entrepreneurship. Billy shares how losing his Labrador to cancer sent him down a rabbit hole of pet nutrition, culinary school, and eventually K9 nutrition certification—transforming a personal heartbreak into a mission to change how people feed their dogs and cats.You’ll hear:• Why raw food can mean shinier coats, cleaner teeth, better digestion (yes, even better poop), and happier, more energetic pets • How TC Raw Eats grew from a tiny apartment “cottage industry” into a fully licensed brick-and-mortar shop with over a dozen freezers—and a fiercely loyal four-legged fan base • Billy’s life-altering traumatic brain injury after a Vespa accident, his journey through coma, memory loss, seizures, and later discovering he is autistic—and how that understanding reshaped his life and relationships • How he used AI as a personalized training partner to prepare for a marathon, turning technology into a motivational tool tailored to a neurodivergent brain • Wendy’s own intense health battles—including hip dysplasia, spinal surgeries, and literally growing an inch from metal spacers—while still helping run a growing business This episode is about more than pet food. It’s about questioning authority, advocating for your animals and yourself, navigating trauma and neurodiversity, and building a life—and a business—out of love, curiosity, and stubborn hope.If you’ve ever wondered whether raw food really makes a difference, how small businesses survive in California’s regulatory maze, or how two people can stay standing when their bodies keep breaking, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Stories from Everywhere Episode 38: Find Your Voice in a Noisy World with Kate Peters

In a world where everyone is talking — and fewer people are truly connecting — how do you find your real voice?In this illuminating episode, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with vocal coach, author, performer, and communication strategist Kate Peters, the founder of Vocal Impact and the visionary behind her new venture, The Human Voice Initiative. Kate is preparing to release her upcoming book, The Art of Finding Your Voice in a Noisy World, and this conversation is a masterclass in presence, influence, and authentic connection.Drawing from decades as a professional singer, violinist, voice teacher, consultant, and coach to corporate leaders, Kate reveals why your voice is not a fixed trait; it is a skill you can train, strengthen, and align with your purpose.Together, Jill and Kate explore:* Why most people take their voices for granted and how to change that* The difference between wishful intention and “purpose with a plan”* How intention, story, and presence must align to create real influence* Why communication is a practice, not a one-day workshop* How to use “Story with a capital S” to create meaningful connection* The subtle mechanics of inflection, tone, and presence, especially for women in leadership* Practical voice-care tips for cold season, including what not to do when you lose your voice* How gratitude, thank-you notes, and job follow-ups become powerful when fueled by genuine intention* Kate’s peace-building work with Braver Angels, helping people bridge divides through courageous dialogueThis episode is for anyone who has ever said, “I wish I could speak up,” “I don’t like my voice,” or “I don’t feel heard.” Kate reminds us that your voice is not something you’re born with; it’s something you create.🎧 Tune in and discover how to move from being just another voice in the noise to becoming a presence people truly feel.

Stories from Everywhere Episode 38: Find Your Voice in a Noisy World with Kate Peters

In a world where everyone is talking — and fewer people are truly connecting — how do you find your real voice?
In this illuminating episode, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with vocal coach, author, performer, and communication strategist Kate Peters, the founder of Vocal Impact and the visionary behind her new venture, The Human Voice Initiative. Kate is preparing to release her upcoming book, Reverberate! The Art of Finding Your Voice in a Noisy World, and this conversation is a masterclass in presence, influence, and authentic connection.
Drawing from decades as a professional singer, violinist, voice teacher, consultant, and coach to corporate leaders, Kate reveals why your voice is not a fixed trait; it is a skill you can train, strengthen, and align with your purpose.
Together, Jill and Kate explore:
* Why most people take their voices for granted and how to change that
* The difference between wishful intention and “purpose with a plan”
* How intention, story, and presence must align to create real influence
* Why communication is a practice, not a one-day workshop
* How to use “Story with a capital S” to create meaningful connection
* The subtle mechanics of inflection, tone, and presence, especially for women in leadership
* Practical voice-care tips for cold season, including what not to do when you lose your voice
* How gratitude, thank-you notes, and job follow-ups become powerful when fueled by genuine intention
* Kate’s peace-building work with Braver Angels, helping people bridge divides through courageous dialogue
This episode is for anyone who has ever said, “I wish I could speak up,” “I don’t like my voice,” or “I don’t feel heard.” Kate reminds us that your voice is not something you’re born with; it’s something you create.
🎧 Tune in and discover how to move from being just another voice in the noise to becoming a presence people truly feel.

Episode 37: Paddling Forward: Legacy, Resilience, and Reinventing Life After Breast Cancer

What does it mean to truly live after a life-altering diagnosis?In this powerful and heart-opening episode 37 of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson welcomes award-winning internationalist, strategist, mentor, and breast-cancer-dragon-boating pioneer Michelle Hanton OAM joining us from a small island off the coast of Queensland, Australia — the only island in the country connected to the mainland by a single bridge.Michelle shares the extraordinary journey that took her from a young breast cancer diagnosis to founding Dragons Abreast Australia, now a nationwide movement supporting more than 2,000 survivors through the transformative power of dragon boating. What began as a medical study in Canada became a global community redefining recovery, resilience, and what it means to move your body — and your life — forward after cancer.Together, Jill and Michelle explore:• How breast cancer dragon boating began as a clinical trial — and became a worldwide movement• Why community, not isolation, is essential to healing• The stigma men still face when diagnosed with breast cancer — and why advocacy matters• What it means to “pass the baton” as a founder and let your legacy live beyond you• Michelle’s globe-trotting childhood with a UN-diplomat father and how it shaped her fearless adaptability• Why retirement can feel like emotional whiplash — and how to plan not just what comes next, but how it will feel• The importance of writing down your life stories before they’re lost forever• Her upcoming memoir collaboration with her 87-year-old mother• And the one lesson she wants everyone to remember: don’t wish your life away — happiness is built from the inside out.This episode is a moving reminder that survival is only the beginning and that legacy is not what we leave behind, but what we build, paddle by paddle, day by day. 🎧 Listen in for inspiration, perspective, and a deep conversation about courage, change, and creating a life that still thrills you — no matter what you’ve been through. And here’s a link to Michelle’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Internationally-Abreast-Exercise-as-Medicine/dp/064528890X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PPMABE6ZYUW5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VOIpSjDQV_Znf0bs3caCKXnfJBLk9e9iIV5oUwpmzpbwZwUzX9lFl5K_xyjwQcwHknjacDVsC7uqTAeZSPYib3xuEZ1pgqqJKBAP0P0_bR43fzCJdpn8X6GKVN_N_PE2_PZmTk7Yt2eHU3K3pB70eqABRE-o9r1ZtMLRiaOQ7Jvgz2y7Z_or3IbX08CPudChG5PAL-J9naKWdRrHy-W1Foqk9UAl20W5jiEVs-0RQkM.Qx2EeYBNJBLk_3tEEZ_yOaz3KO-U8g266Rw8i85-478&dib_tag=se&keywords=Michelle+Hanton&qid=1768249426&sprefix=michelle+hanson%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1

Stories from Everywhere Episode 37: Paddling Forward: Legacy, Resilience, and Reinventing Life After Breast Cancer

What does it mean to truly live after a life-altering diagnosis?
In this powerful and heart-opening episode 37 of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson welcomes award-winning internationalist, strategist, mentor, and breast-cancer-dragon-boating pioneer Michelle Hanton OAM joining us from a small island off the coast of Queensland, Australia — the only island in the country connected to the mainland by a single bridge.
Michelle shares the extraordinary journey that took her from a young breast cancer diagnosis to founding Dragons Abreast Australia, now a nationwide movement supporting more than 2,000 survivors through the transformative power of dragon boating. What began as a medical study in Canada became a global community redefining recovery, resilience, and what it means to move your body — and your life — forward after cancer.
Together, Jill and Michelle explore:
How breast cancer dragon boating began as a clinical trial — and became a worldwide movement
Why community, not isolation, is essential to healing
The stigma men still face when diagnosed with breast cancer — and why advocacy matters
What it means to “pass the baton” as a founder and let your legacy live beyond you
Michelle’s globe-trotting childhood with a UN-diplomat father and how it shaped her fearless adaptability
Why retirement can feel like emotional whiplash — and how to plan not just what comes next, but how it will feel
The importance of writing down your life stories before they’re lost forever
Her upcoming memoir collaboration with her 87-year-old mother
And the one lesson she wants everyone to remember: don’t wish your life away — happiness is built from the inside out.
This episode is a moving reminder that survival is only the beginning and that legacy is not what we leave behind, but what we build, paddle by paddle, day by day.
🎧 Listen in for inspiration, perspective, and a deep conversation about courage, change, and creating a life that still thrills you — no matter what you’ve been through.
And here’s a link to Michelle’s book. 

Episode 36: Pure Life, Pure Art: How Creativity Thrives in Costa Rica’s Classrooms

In this heartfelt episode of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson reconnects with children's book illustrator, former student, friend, and international art educator Gloria Castillo, joining us from sunny Costa Rica — where pura vida is more than a phrase, it’s a way of teaching and living. 
 
Currently employed by GSD International School, Gloria shares her unexpected journey from a childhood shaped by art as emotional refuge to becoming the sole K–12 art teacher in international schools across the San Francisco Bay Area and Costa Rica. She opens up about how art became her therapy — and why she now strives to make her classroom a safe haven for students who don’t always thrive in traditional academics. 
 
Together, Jill and Gloria dive into the realities of teaching visual arts in an IB program without air conditioning, the pressures today’s teens face to create “perfect” Pinterest-worthy work, and how the rush for instant results is stealing joy from the creative process. Gloria explains how she encourages students to slow down, trust their instincts, and create from the inside out — even when they only have 45 minutes a week to find their muse. 
 
The conversation also travels beyond the classroom into Costa Rican culture — from dual citizenship and international families relocating for a better life, to organic living, star-fruit trees in the backyard, Caribbean rice-and-beans cooked in coconut oil, and the country’s deep commitment to education and the arts. 
 
Warm, reflective, and quietly powerful, this episode is a love letter to creativity, community, and the teachers who shape lives long after the bell rings. If you’ve ever wondered how art can heal, how slowing down can be revolutionary, or what pura vida really feels like — this one’s for you.

Stories from Everywhere Episode 36: Pure Life, Pure Art: How Creativity Thrives in Costa Rica’s Classrooms

In this heartfelt episode of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson reconnects with children's book illustrator, former student, friend, and international art educator Gloria Castillo, joining us from sunny Costa Rica — where pura vida is more than a phrase, it’s a way of teaching and living. 
Currently employed by GSD International School, Gloria shares her unexpected journey from a childhood shaped by art as emotional refuge to becoming the sole K–12 art teacher in international schools across the San Francisco Bay Area and Costa Rica. She opens up about how art became her therapy — and why she now strives to make her classroom a safe haven for students who don’t always thrive in traditional academics. 
Together, Jill and Gloria dive into the realities of teaching visual arts in an IB program without air conditioning, the pressures today’s teens face to create “perfect” Pinterest-worthy work, and how the rush for instant results is stealing joy from the creative process. Gloria explains how she encourages students to slow down, trust their instincts, and create from the inside out — even when they only have 45 minutes a week to find their muse. 
The conversation also travels beyond the classroom into Costa Rican culture — from dual citizenship and international families relocating for a better life, to organic living, star-fruit trees in the backyard, Caribbean rice-and-beans cooked in coconut oil, and the country’s deep commitment to education and the arts. 
Warm, reflective, and quietly powerful, this episode is a love letter to creativity, community, and the teachers who shape lives long after the bell rings. If you’ve ever wondered how art can heal, how slowing down can be revolutionary, or what pura vida really feels like — this one’s for you.

Stories from Everywhere, Episode 35: Give Someone a Second Impression with guest Jake April

What do people really see when they look at you?
 
In this moving and deeply human conversation, disability advocate and TEDx speaker Jake April joins Jill L. Ferguson to unpack the power—and the danger—of first impressions. Born three months premature with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, Jake shares how strangers often notice the way he walks or holds his hand long before they recognize his ambition, intelligence, or grit. His TEDx talk, First Impressions, grew out of that lived reality—and the determination to be known for more than what meets the eye.
 
From dozens of rejections before landing his TEDx stage, to finding his voice through Toastmasters, sports broadcasting internships with the New York Islanders, and a lifelong love of radio and sports, Jake’s story is about showing up even when the world doubts you. He opens up about adaptive skiing in Colorado, the complicated love of parents who want to protect you, and what it really means to advocate—starting with yourself.
 
This episode also introduces Jake’s heart-centered clothing line POS+Ability, a tribute to his late cousin and a partnership with Spectrum Designs (https://spectrumdesigns.chipply.com/PosabilityStore/product-detail-shell.aspx?pid=21299320&eid=462103) that employs people on the autism spectrum. Every shirt carries a reminder: just because it rains doesn’t mean it has to pour.
 
Together, Jill and Jake explore:
 
+ Why success is found in the attempt, not the applause
+ How small, quiet acts of self-advocacy create lasting change
+ The courage it takes to take the stage—literal or metaphorical
+ Why we should all offer people a second impression
 
If you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or hesitant to go for what you really want, this episode will remind you: there is no show unless you show up.

Stories from Everywhere — Episode 35 Give Someone a Second Impression

What do people really see when they look at you?
In this moving and deeply human conversation, disability advocate and TEDx speaker Jake April joins Jill L. Ferguson to unpack the power—and the danger—of first impressions. Born three months premature with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, Jake shares how strangers often notice the way he walks or holds his hand long before they recognize his ambition, intelligence, or grit. His TEDx talk, First Impressions, grew out of that lived reality—and the determination to be known for more than what meets the eye.
From dozens of rejections before landing his TEDx stage, to finding his voice through Toastmasters, sports broadcasting internships with the New York Islanders, and a lifelong love of radio and sports, Jake’s story is about showing up even when the world doubts you. He opens up about adaptive skiing in Colorado, the complicated love of parents who want to protect you, and what it really means to advocate—starting with yourself.
This episode also introduces Jake’s heart-centered clothing line POS+Ability, a tribute to his late cousin and a partnership with Spectrum Designs (https://www.spectrumdesigns.org/) that employs people on the autism spectrum. Every shirt carries a reminder: just because it rains doesn’t mean it has to pour.
Together, Jill and Jake explore:
Why success is found in the attempt, not the applause
How small, quiet acts of self-advocacy create lasting change
The courage it takes to take the stage—literal or metaphorical
Why we should all offer people a second impression
If you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or hesitant to go for what you really want, this episode will remind you: there is no show unless you show up.