PODCAST · society
Good Life Stories
by Tracy Crowley
Over the past few years, we have all had to take a closer look at a lot of things. For me I started to think of all the people in my life I hadn’t been able to see. As I started making a list of all the people I wanted to see, I realized some of the people I know are utterly amazing. The list was full of scientists, authors, artists, soldiers, entrepreneurs, the list goes on. My goal became to give something back to them. I wanted to shine a light on their stories to create something special.That is what Good Life Stories is all about. Whether our guests have had a good life or have a good life story, I’m excited to share them all with you. Host, Tracy Crowley
Episodes
-
60 Sewing Machines and Sass: Thea Starr (Pt 2) on Collecting, Teaching, and Japanese Silk Flowers
"Every morning I wake up, I brush my teeth, and I sharpen my tongue." That's Thea Starr's favorite Dorothy Parker quote—and as the youngest of six, she learned early that piping up was the only way to get noticed. "Nothing's happening for me unless I say something." In this second episode, Thea...
-
Stitching Stories and Life Lessons: Thea Starr Part 1
"I was a wild girl. A teenage mom. I even went to juvenile detention. You know, bad girl. All the stories." Then Thea Starr's father died when she was in her mid-20s with four children of her own, and everything changed. In this episode of Good Life Stories, Thea—a sewist, vintage sewing machine...
-
Reinventing Life in the Woods: The Mushroom Foraging Journey with Angela Shen Pt 2
"During COVID, when everyone was cooped up, the only freedom was the opportunity to go outside. And that was safe." Angela Shen had always loved mushrooms—she was "one of those weird kids that actually liked eating mushrooms." But she'd never foraged for them. Then the pandemic hit, everyone...
-
From Food Tours to Community Support: A COVID Pivot - Angela Shen Pt1
A fifteen-year business shut down overnight. Tourism halted. Restaurants closed. What do you do? For Angela Shen, founder of Savor Seattle food tours, the answer came quickly: "Instead of taking people to the restaurants, why don't we bring the food directly to the people?" In this episode of…
more -
The Inspiration Behind Good Life Stories
"If you and I were sitting in deck chairs on the deck of the Titanic, and we knew it was our last conversation—what three stories would you tell me?" That question is the heart of Good Life Stories. Host Tracy Crowley started this podcast during the pandemic, sitting in her dining room sewing,...
-
Embracing Risk: The Power of Passion and Positivity - Matt Meyers Pt3
"I have 100 movies running in my head nonstop. That being said, I cannot remember what happened 15 minutes ago." Matt Meyers has an unusual superpower: he can quote obscure movie lines from memory, leaving his twenty-something employees baffled when he references Planes, Trains and Automobiles.…
more -
From Soldier to Family Business: A Journey of Resilience - Matt Meyers Pt 2
"Don't have to tell me to stay home. Don't have to tell me twice. I haven't been home in years." Fresh from cancer treatment and nine years of military service, Matt Meyers returned to a family business he barely recognized. The 20-30 person operation he'd left in the late '90s had exploded to…
more -
Love, War, and the Fight Against Cancer - Matt Meyers Pt1
A routine chiropractor appointment. A swollen neck. An unprepared Air Force officer accidentally breaking the news: "They told you you got cancer and everything, right?" Matt Meyers' cancer diagnosis came at the worst possible time—just home from his third deployment, with a newborn son and a…
more -
Embracing Imperfection and the Fight Against Human Trafficking: David Castillo Pt3
In this final episode with David Castillo, Tracy Crowley explores the personal philosophies and causes that drive this dedicated coach and community advocate. David opens up about his favorite quote—"Don't let perfection be the enemy of good"—and how it resonates differently at this stage of his...
-
David Castillo Pt2 - Coaching Through Challenges and Life Transitions
What drives someone to send 14 letters asking to volunteer coach for free? David Castillo's coaching journey on Good Life Stories reveals how the mentors who filled gaps in his fatherless childhood inspired him to pour into the next generation. After a promising football career ended with a knee...
-
David Castillo Pt1 - Journey to Find Family and Self
What would you do if you had the phone number of the father you'd never met but couldn't find the courage to call? David Castillo's powerful story on Good Life Stories reveals how the universe conspired to bring him face-to-face with his dad at age 38, after a lifetime of wondering about his...
-
Sheryl Tullis Pt3 - The Power of Yet and Creating Hope
What's the difference between "I'm not good at that" and "I'm not good at that yet"? In this final episode with Sheryl Tullis, host Tracy Crowley explores how one small word can fundamentally reshape our mindset and open possibilities we never imagined. Sheryl reveals her philosophy of being a...
-
Sheryl Tullis Pt2 - 50 Adventures by 50 and Living with Intention
"When it's my time, am I going to die doing what I love or am I going to have wasted a whole bunch of time doing things that I don't love?" What question would you ask yourself if someone you loved died doing what they loved? For Sheryl Tullis, losing her brother in a helicopter crash led to a...
-
Sheryl Tullis Pt1 - When No Means Try Harder and Learning from Leaders
"When somebody tells you no, that doesn't have to be the end of it. There's always an appeal. There's always another way around." In this inspiring episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley sits down with Sheryl Tullis to explore her remarkable journey from West Point rejection to…
more -
Taking Up Space: Leadership, Language, and Creating Global Change: Dr, Tammy Yard-McCracken pt3
"Power is not a zero sum game. Just because somebody steps into theirs doesn't diminish the power of the people who are around them, regardless of gender." In this final part of the interview with Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken, host Tracy Crowley explores the deeper motivations and philosophies that...
-
Creating Real Change Through Women's Self-Defense: Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken Pt 2
"People come to train out of self-love, not out of fear. They come to train because they recognize their value as a human being." In this compelling second episode with Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken, host Tracy Crowley explores the origins and evolution of 500 Rising, a nonprofit organization…
more -
Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken Pt 1: Finding Strength in Unexpected Places - A Krav Maga Journey
"I'm on Mars now. I don't even know what's next." In this inspiring episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley interviews Dr. Tammy Yard-McCracken about her remarkable journey from psychotherapist to certified Krav Maga instructor. Dr. Yard-McCracken reveals how she initially encountered…
more -
George Nowik Pt 4: Unpacking Superpowers - Embracing ADD and Family Legacy
"Life is what happens while you're planning something else." In this heartwarming final episode with George Nowik, host Tracy Crowley explores the intersection of personal challenges and family legacy. George shares his adult diagnosis with ADD and how what society views as a deficit has become…
more -
George Nowik Pt 3: The Art of Voiceover - From Auditions to Authenticity
"You have to be as authentic as you can possibly be. And any of that baggage weighing you down completely obliterates your authenticity." George Nowik continues to share and today he describes his journey into voice acting. From his early days recording phone system prompts in an unventilated...
-
George Nowik Pt 2: Navigating Life with Tourette's, From Misunderstanding to Acceptance
"We have medical technology that is available to us now, both in the physical and mental arena that didn't exist 20 years ago. So kids like me are going to have a much better chance of getting through it." In this enlightening episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley explores George…
more -
George Nowik Pt 1: From Near Death to New Perspectives, a Story of Survival
"Every landing you can walk away from is a good landing." In this gripping episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley interviews George Nowik, who recounts his harrowing brush with death during his sophomore year of high school. What began as a seemingly minor foot infection from wearing...
-
Dr. Darin Detwiler Pt 2: A Father's Legacy of Love and Advocacy
In this poignant episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley continues her conversation with Dr. Darin Detwiler, exploring the profound impact of losing his son and his ongoing journey as a father and advocate. Dr. Detwiler shares intimate reflections on grief, discussing how he navigates…
more -
Dr. Darin Detwiler Pt 1: From Classroom to Food Safety Crusader
In this compelling episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley interviews Dr. Darin Detwiler, a former middle school teacher turned food safety advocate. Dr. Detwiler recounts his transformation from educator to crusader, sparked by a personal tragedy and a thought-provoking question from a...
-
Bruce Pflaumer Pt 3: Transforming Lives Through Authentic Image
"This is about helping you to be your true, authentic self that's in there. Michelangelo used to always talk about how it's in the rock. Our job is to chisel it out." The Power of Personal Image - In this episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley wraps up her conversation with Bruce...
-
Bruce Pflaumer Pt 2: The Leap from Corporate to Creative
In this episode of Good Life Stories, join me as I sit down with Bruce Pflaumer, a professional stylist with a fascinating journey. Bruce recounts his 17-year tenure at Nordstrom, highlighting the moment he realized it was time for a change. From accumulating 100,000 travel miles in just four...
-
Bruce Pflaumer Pt 1: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime in Fashion and Style
In this episode of Good Life Stories, I sit down with longtime friend Bruce Pflaumer, a professional stylist with a rich history in the fashion industry. Bruce shares his journey from childhood, where his love for style began, to his high school days of being stylish on a budget, and his eventual...
-
Jamila Johnson pt2: The Dobbs Decision and a Journey of Advocacy
Jamila Johnson returns to Good Life Stories to share her personal perspective on the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. As an attorney focused on reproductive rights and criminal justice reform, Jamila shifted her career to help preserve the right to travel for abortion care. She discusses...
-
Jamila Johnson pt1: Shining a Light on Louisiana's Racist Jury System
Tracy Crowley interviews Jamila Johnson, an attorney and advocate dedicated to racial equity and criminal justice reform. After the 2016 election, Jamila moved from Seattle to Louisiana to tackle the state's use of non-unanimous jury verdicts, a tool rooted in Jim Crow-era laws. Jamila discusses...
-
Jon Acton Pt 2: The Power of Belief and Laughter in Adversity
Jon Acton, an educator and speaker, discusses the power of belief and laughter in overcoming adversity. Jon, a school superintendent in Indiana, inspires others with his positive outlook despite facing health challenges. He emphasizes the importance of making the most of our time and spreading...
-
Jon Acton Pt 1: Facing Cancer with Friendship and Resilience
Jon Acton, a husband, father, author, and motivational speaker who has been on an extraordinary journey. Jon shares his personal story of being diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer, along with two of his closest teacher friends, all within a 10-month period. I believe Jon Acton is a true...
-
Krista Kemper pt 4: How to Be the Change You Want to See
"Be in the room. Even if you don't think you're qualified, you have an opinion. If you feel strong enough to get involved, that gives you an in." In this final episode of my conversation with Krista Kemper, we chat about how to be an effective agent of change by showing up and getting involved,...
-
Krista Kemper pt 3: The Beautiful Overlap Between Creativity and STEM
"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work" - Emil Zola I am back with Krista Kemper, an engineer who is challenging the misconception that creativity and technical disciplines like math and engineering are mutually exclusive. Krista shares her unique...
-
Krista Kemper pt 2: Navigating Life with a Late Autism Diagnosis
"I have a different operating system. The thing about autism is that it can look so different in every person. It's a spectrum. So I liken it to Linux. Because everybody that really knows, runs and uses Linux, no two setups will look the same." In this episode, I’m back with Krista Kemper…
more -
Krista Kemper pt 1: A Marriage Modeled After Gomez and Morticia
"To live without you, only that would be torture. I wouldn't torture you with such trivialities." ~ Morticia Addams In this episode, I talk with Krista Kemper about how her relationship with her husband is heavily influenced by the iconic couple, Gomez and Morticia Addams. Krista Kemper is an...
-
Patrick Allmond pt 2: How to Simplify Complex Topics
Our world is getting more complex every day. How can we simplify things? Patrick Allmond is back to help guide the way! In this episode, I talk with marketing expert and "recovering coder" Patrick Allmond about his superpower of making complicated topics simple. Patrick Allmond is a serial...
-
Patrick Allmond pt 1: Embracing Imperfection and the Power of "Done is Better Than Perfect"
In this episode of Good Life Stories, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patrick Allmond, founder of Stop Doing Nothing. Patrick shared some fascinating stories and insights from his life and business experiences. "My big philosophy is Stop Doing Nothing. It's the fact that done is better than...
-
Rory Miller pt 3: Exploring Women's Self-Defense
In this episode of my podcast, I had an insightful discussion with Rory Miller about women's self-defense and finding a qualified instructor. With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Rory offered invaluable perspectives. "Women should not be taught to fight. Women should be taught to...
-
Rory Miller pt 2: Adventures in Martial Arts - A Journey of Discovery and Self-Control
Rory Miller is back telling stories about his journey and perspectives in the realm of martial arts. With extensive credentials, Rory shared his evolution from early exposure to mastering disciplines and uncovering the essence of self-control. Born to a boxer and fencer, Rory found his natural…
more -
Rory Miller pt 1: An Unforgettable Transatlantic Adventure
I interviewed my friend Rory Miller in this episode of Good Life Stories. We talked about his amazing transatlantic sailing trip. As someone who has lived an extraordinary life, I was eager to hear Rory's tale from his sailing adventures. Rory's passion for the ocean was first sparked on a high...
-
Kami Miller pt 3: The Evolution of Religion: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Connection
I continue with my discussion with writer Kami Miller about the evolution of her relationship with religion and spirituality. Kami shared how exposure to diverse beliefs, her interest in paganism and stoicism, and the wisdom of age have shaped her personal understanding of the world. As a...
-
Kami Miller pt 2: Navigating the Complexities of Freelance Writing
In this episode of Good Life Stories, I am continuing my enlightening conversation with freelance writer Kami Miller. We talk about the realities and challenges of pursuing a writing career. As a talented storyteller, Kami has carved out a rewarding yet complex path in the freelance world. Kami...
-
Kami Miller pt 1: The Reality of My Dream Farm
In this episode of Good Life Stories, I sit down with my long-time friend, Kami Miller, to delve into the unique and unpredictable world of farm life. Kami, an author, farmer, and self-proclaimed chatterbox, shares her experiences and stories that will have you laughing, empathizing, and gaining…
more -
Positive Coloring, Flow State and Mindfulness with Andréa Koehler pt. 2
In this episode, I talk with Andréa Koehler about the power of coloring and its connection to mindfulness and self-discovery. Andréa Koehler is an expert in using coloring as a tool for relaxation and self-reflection. She shares her own journey with coloring and how it helped her tap into a flow...
-
The Power of Perspective with Andréa Koehler pt. 1
In this episode, I chat with Andréa Koehler about her three good life stories: her blue hair story, her experience with divorce, and her journey with ADHD. Andréa shares her personal experiences and sheds light on the challenges and misconceptions associated with each topic. "It's absolutely...
-
Unlocking Performance Excellence: The Power of Observation and Sensory Input with Crispin Spaeth
Step into the enchanting world of dance, where movement speaks volumes and the body becomes a vessel of storytelling. Brace yourself for a journey of discovery that will challenge everything you thought you knew about performance and mindfulness. Are you ready to unravel the secrets hidden within...
-
Unveiling Life's Hidden Gems: Exploring Abby Durr's Insightful Perspectives on Love, Loss, and Living Life to the Fullest
In this episode, I talk with the captivating Abby Durr, who takes us on a journey through her unique experiences and profound understanding of life, death, and everything in between. With a decade-long connection, Abby and I delve into the intricacies of relationships, the beauty of heaven, and…
more -
Redefining Education for a Better Future with Maureen O’Shaughnessy
My special guest today is Maureen O'Shaughnessy, an innovative educator who is passionate about reimagining the education system to empower and include all learners. With extensive experience in founding and leading international schools, she's well-versed in developing inclusive environments…
more -
Wendy Petersen on Overcoming Obstacles & Seizing Opportunities
“Does this inspire me or does this expire me? Does this person inspire me or does this person expire me? This piece of clothing I'm about to wear, do I feel inspired by this? Or expired?” - Wendy Petersen My special guest is Wendy Petersen, a driven entrepreneur with a diverse and inspiring...
-
Maija Solderholm's Amazing Adventures Pt. 2: The Chick on the Couch
"Being underestimated is a superpower. Let them underestimate you because then they will not be on their guard." Maija Solderholm is a martial arts expert with decades of experience training with the likes of Sonny Umpad. Sonny taught her an invaluable lesson: To use being underestimated as a...
-
Maija Solderholm's Amazing Adventures Pt. 1: India on Motorbikes and Fell Running in Wales
Maija Solderholm has a passion for exploring the world. After being invited by two friends to ride motorcycles across the Himalayas, she spent a year encountering the intense culture and beautiful scenery of India. She learned that people are always willing to help and that the roads are...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Over the past few years, we have all had to take a closer look at a lot of things. For me I started to think of all the people in my life I hadn’t been able to see. As I started making a list of all the people I wanted to see, I realized some of the people I know are utterly amazing. The list was full of scientists, authors, artists, soldiers, entrepreneurs, the list goes on. My goal became to give something back to them. I wanted to shine a light on their stories to create something special.That is what Good Life Stories is all about. Whether our guests have had a good life or have a good life story, I’m excited to share them all with you. Host, Tracy Crowley
HOSTED BY
Tracy Crowley
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Good Life Stories have?
Good Life Stories currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Good Life Stories about?
Over the past few years, we have all had to take a closer look at a lot of things. For me I started to think of all the people in my life I hadn’t been able to see. As I started making a list of all the people I wanted to see, I realized some of the people I know are utterly amazing. The list was...
How often does Good Life Stories release new episodes?
Good Life Stories has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Good Life Stories?
You can listen to Good Life Stories on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Good Life Stories?
Good Life Stories is created and hosted by Tracy Crowley.
URL copied to clipboard!