Telling Your Story with Bethany Joy Boring

Bill Lundgren and guest Bethany Joy Boring open a four-part series on how to tell your story. They frame why full-life “from birth to now” dumps overwhelm, and why starting with one scene creates safety and clarity. Bill shares turning points in hearing and vision loss, including the friend who told him the truth and stayed present. Bethany shows how hiding burns energy and blocks connection, how to choose safe listeners, and how adaptive skills become a communication superpower. They outline practical guardrails: begin with one moment, notice body cues, set relational boundaries, and take one small step today. Contact Info Guest: Bethany Joy Boring, mental health consultant and author. Aftersight: [email protected] | (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight Show Credits Host: Bill Lundgren Guest: Bethany Joy Boring Producer: Jonathan Price Recording & Post: Aftersight Originals Chapter Markers 00:00 — Opening and series setup 02:26 — Bethany’s origin and the 20-minute story frame 04:49 — “Start with a scene,” not a saga 07:15 — Bill’s hearing message: “try harder” 09:18 — The energy cost of hiding 11:19 — Naming fear of others’ reactions 13:24 — The truth-telling friend and a career pivot 15:39 — Walking with allies vs. walking alone 18:03 — Professional identity and disclosure 20:21 — Adaptive storytelling as a superpower 22:38 — Selecting safe people, not boxes 25:03 — Asking for help without shame 27:27 — Play, humor, and dignity at home 29:43 — Safety checks before sharing 32:03 — Boundaries, pacing, and “workout soreness” 34:12 — The raw-egg test for trust 36:36 — Reciprocity: listen as you share 38:46 — Journaling when writing is hard 41:06 — Start small and adaptable 43:32 — Be selective; avoid relational poison 45:55 — Radical acceptance, defined and disliked 48:19 — One small action before you hit stop Exercise 1 — The Mirror Story Purpose: Start healing by safely naming what’s real. Steps: Choose a quiet moment. Write or record your personal story of loss or change. Add one line beginning with: “The part of my story I’ve avoided saying out loud is…” When finished, set it aside for 24 hours before reading or replaying it. On review, mark any sentences that made you pause, tear up, or smile. Reflection Prompt: “What truth did my body recognize before my mind did?”