The Facing Project

Genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events—all contributing factors to the more than 40 million adults in the U.S. who suffer from anxiety or depression. Yet, with nearly 12% of the overall population battling these illnesses, mental health is still stigmatized and misunderstood.Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story of a missionary who battled depression 4,000 miles from home, and another from a college student with a “broken brain” who says the best way to help is to listen. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by that former college student who is now a high school English teacher at a virtual public school in Washington state.Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Seth Jackson: https://flic.kr/p/TrtEhh.Stories included in this episode –• It’s Not the Common Cold: Bailie Sage’s story as told to Jon Toronto from Facing Depression in Cache Valley, Utah. Performed by Amy Leffingwell.• It’s Not My Fault My Brain is Broken. Kiah Penfield’s story as told to Chris Bavender from Facing Depression in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Melinda.Music used in this episode –• "spring_thaw" by The Green Kingdom. Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) license. From the Free Music Archive.• There Is Always A Reason" by Borrtex. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction.[00:56] It’s Not the Common Cold.[09:24] It’s Not My Fault My Brain is Broken.[16:10] Interview with Kiah Penfield.[18:27] Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.[22:00] Relations between depression and identity.[24:11] Depression and anxiety with young people and navigating it as a teacher.Original air date: Mar. 26, 2022

Teachers and educators are facing challenges like never before, including battling misinformation, burned-out kids, parents, and of course—COVID.Join J.R. Jamison as he explores these challenges and shares the story of a man who stays in teaching despite external pressures; another from a woman who uses empathy to teach multicultural education; and one from a teacher who decided to make her own kind of change—at the Statehouse.Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Phil Roeder: https://flic.kr/p/2kf6XeR.Stories included in this episode – • This Is Why I Teach: An anonymous story as told to Suzanne Clem from Facing Teaching.• Mrs. Miller, You Set Us Up!: Barbara Miller’s story as told to Clarissa Cheslyn from Facing Teaching.• Votes for My Students: Melanie Wright’s story as told to Susan Volbrecht from Facing Teaching. Music used in this episode –• "GREEN LEAVES" by Jason Shaw. Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [04:42] This Is Why I Teach. [11:59] Mrs. Miller, You Set Us Up![18:01] Votes for My Student. [23:15] Aloha Shirt Man Thanks the Students Who Made His School Psychology Career a Gift. Original air date: Feb. 26, 2022

J.R. Jamison is joined by former co-host Kelsey Timmerman to discuss his latest book, Regenerating Earth: Farmers Working with Nature to Feed Our Future, and later Kelsey sits down with Indiana farmer Chris Baggot to explore how he’s working to build a local food system while healing the land through regenerative farming practices. Music in this episode - "I Leaned My Back Against an Oak (after The Water is Wide)" by AxletreeLicensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.From the Free Music Archive.Chapters - [00:00] Introduction.[01:15] Interview with Kelsey Timmerman.[05:11] The various definitions of regenerative agriculture.[14:14] The returning generation of agrarian people.[22:51] Regenerative agriculture in urban environments.[26:36] Expanding regenerative agricultural into conventional farming.[36:04] Staying in a place and learning to care for it as a community.[41:58] Interview with Chris Baggot.[44:20] What farmland can be like before regenerative farming practices.[47:42] The rising cost of farmland ownership.[52:45] The upcoming transition of significant amounts of farmland to the next generation.[57:58] The role of consumers in motivating the supply of regenerative farming.[01:01:58] Differences in experiencing regenerative and conventional farming.Original air date: Jun 28, 2025

Each year, more than half a million people are released from state and federal prisons, some of them after years of incarceration. But with an unemployment rate of over 27% for the formerly incarcerated, what does life on the outside look like for them?   Join J.R. Jamison as he explores this question, and shares the story of a woman with a felony who is working on a new life with her kids, and another from a retired prison doctor who works on re-entry program reform.  Later in the show, J.R. is joined by Dr. Jacquelyn B. Frank, Professor of Aging Studies and Human Services at Eastern Illinois University, whose research and community engagement work focuses on long-term incarceration and life after prison. The co-host this time around is 15-year-old Charlie Isaacs who is a fan of the show and hopes to someday go into radio.  Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Michael Scott at Felons Get Hired.Stories included in this episode – • You Can Only Go So Far with Optimism: An anonymous story as told to Rodrigo M. Jr. and Allison W. from Behind the Faces of Criminal Justice in Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin. Performed by Tiffany Erk.• Ken’s Story: Ken Adler’s story as told to Rachel E. and Nicole B. from Behind the Faces of Criminal Justice in Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin. Performed by Larry Beck.Music used in this episode –• "The Collector" by Broke For Free. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0)license. From the Free Music Archive.• "I Will Wait For You" by Scott Gratton. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters – [00:00] Introduction. [02:40] “You Can Only Go So Far with Optimism.” [07:22] Ken Adler's story. [11:36] Interview with Dr. Jacquelyn B. Frank, Professor of Aging Studies and Human Services. [14:01] What can be done to reduce the unemployment rate for the formerly incarcerated. [18:22] Success stories of ex-prisoners. [24:13] Interview with Charlie Isaacs, self-professed “radio nerd.” Original air date: Dec. 18, 2021

In August of 2021, over 200,000 Afghans fled their country in a matter of days, adding to the 2.5 million who left in the months prior to the Taliban takeover. But where did they go and what would be their fate? Join J.R. Jamison as he explores the past and present of Afghanistan, and shares the story of Dr. Mohammad Saber Bahrami—a man who fled the country after the Soviets invaded in 1979 and made Muncie, Indiana his new home.   Later in the show, J.R. is joined by Dr. Bahrami’s wife, Bibi Bahrami, the founder and president of AWAKEN, a nonprofit organization that provides key educational programs, vocational opportunities, health care services, and timely emergency assistance to women and children in Afghanistan, and works with Afghan refugees to ensure that the systems, structures, and support are in place to help them thrive in their new home. Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Afghanistan Matters. Story included in this episode – • From Khwara Banda to Muncie: Dr. Mohammad Saber Bahrami’s story as told to Bibi Bahrami from A Midsummer Night’s Narrative: Stories of Home, performed by Bryn Marlow   Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [04:47] “From Khwara Banda to Muncie, Indiana” - Mohammad Saber Bahrami’s story. [14:15] Interview with Bibi Bahrami. [16:14] The impact of the Taliban on education & health efforts in Afghanistan. [22:53] Getting involved with helping refugees. Original air date: Nov. 27, 2021

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with GLAAD award-winning journalist Samantha Allen—author of Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States, and the novels Patricia Wants to Cuddle and the forthcoming Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet.Photo Credit – Samantha Allen, photo provided.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [02:39] Getting into writing and publishing. [08:09] Experiences of finding LGBTQIA+ communities in unexpected places. [17:16] Queer world-building through real world encounters in the digital age. [27:25] The importance of physical spaces in an interconnected world. [36:11] Advice on being your authentic self. [42:48] Developing creative ideas in non-fiction LGBTQ storytelling. [46:44] Differences and similarities between fiction and non-fiction writing. [57:11] Creating a more empathetic world. Original air date: Jun. 29, 2024

Bathrooms. Pronouns. Sports. These are a few of the topics in which transgender people have become the center of a debate on who is allowed to exist and where.   Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they explore Beyond the Binary and share the stories of a trans man’s journey with hormone therapy; a non-binary person who found acceptance at home; and a pastor who struggled with her faith and identity before finding peace. Later in the show, they are joined by Charlize Jamieson, a transgender “book” in the Human Library.   Image – Non-Binary Pride Flag, inspired by Kye Rowan. Stories – • Superman: Shea Hollis Beal’s story as told to Cory Ross from Facing Intolerance in Springfield, Ohio, performed by Patrick Oneal.• They Will Always Be My Child: C.S. Hendershot’s story as told to Tania Said from Facing LGBTQ+ Pride in Muncie, Indiana, performed by C.S. Hendershot.• Awake: Pastor Avery Sledge’s story as told to Kailey Mau from Facing Intolerance in Springfield, Ohio, performed by Charlize Jamieson. Music – • "The Dweller on Coyote Hill" by Little Glass Men. Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.• "You Are a Child" by State Shirt. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction.[01:09] “Superman” - Shea Hollis Beal’s story.[05:44] “They Will Always Be My Child” - C.S. Hendershot’s story.[09:31] “Awake” - Pastor Avery Sledge's story.[16:52] Interview with Charlize Jamieson, a transgender "book" in the Human Library.[23:04] It's never too late to realize your authentic self.[29:18] The experience of new documentation and new identity.Original air date: Oct. 30, 2021

Racism has existed for millennia, but as laws and time have passed it can now show up in covert ways.Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the stories of three women—one Black, one Muslim, and one Native American—and what their lives are like in a mid-sized Midwestern community, and he sits down with Yvonne Thompson, Director of the Human Rights Commission, to talk about what everyday people can do to combat discrimination.Photo – By Pug50 via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/914nNU.Stories –• The Question Mark: Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins’s story as told to Lizz Alezetes from Facing Racism in Muncie, performed by Chandra Ford.• The Need to Belong: The Life of a Muslim in America: Heather Gilvary Hamad’s story as told to Angela Jackson-Brown from Facing Racism in Muncie, performed by Amy Leffingwell.• A Person Without a Story, A Person Without a Name: Christine Satory’s story as told to Michael Brockley from Facing Racism in Muncie, performed by Dr. Melinda Messineo.Music –• "Anti-Exposed Video" by Captive Portal. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.• "Candy Moon Mandala" by Dave Keifer. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction.[02:05] "The Question Mark," Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins’s story.[06:26] "The Need to Belong: The Life of a Muslim in America," Heather Gilvary Hamad’s story.[12:07] "A Person Without a Story, A Person Without a Name," Christine Satory’s story.[15:53] Interview with Yvonne Thompson, Director of the Muncie Human Rights Commission.[19:10] JEDI and understanding the terminology through poetry.[23:26] What everyday people can do to support community equity.Original air date: Aug. 28, 2021

Poverty is everywhere, but we like to pretend it doesn’t exist and could never happen to us. Yet 38 million Americans live in poverty.Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they share a story of a woman who sees home as more than a physical space, and a story of a homeless man who wants to be seen.Photo – By 7C0 via Flickr Creative Commons.Stories –• It’s Not a Shelter, It’s My Home: Sonya Johnson’s story as told to Angie Rogers-Howell from A Midsummer Night’s Narrative: Stories of Home, performed by Terry Whitt Bailey.• Questioning Homelessness: “James’s” story as told to Matt Pulford from Facing Hope in Rome, Georgia, performed by Curtis Mardis.Music –• "Foolin'" by Nangdo. Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.• "something" by airtone. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction[03:15] "It’s Not a Shelter, It’s My Home:" Sonya Johnson’s story. [13:03] "Questioning Homelessness:" “James’s” story. [19:43] Interview with Dorica Watson. [25:17] Understanding others through poverty simulations. [31:08] What communities can do to change the conversation of poverty. Original air date: Jul. 31, 2021

Professional athletes, like any celebrities, have huge followings and can influence positive change; yet they are often expected to temper and censor their statements on politics, social justice, and activism.Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they discuss Athletes & Activism.Photo – By Ron Cogswell via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/DH81JN.Stories –• Momma’s Boy: Jessie Bates III’s story as told to Mitchell Carter from Facing Social Justice in Sports.• Untitled: Trey Moses’s story as told to Thomas Deckard from Facing Social Justice in Sports.  Music –• "Spellbound" by Broke For Free. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [03:13] "Momma's Boy" - Jessie Bates III's story. [09:41] "Untitled" - Trey Moses' story. [17:37] Interview with Trey Moses. Original air date: May 29, 2021

J.R. Jamison explores aging through the stories of those aged 60 to 95 who look back at their careers and accomplishments, and discuss times of war and peace; strength and bravery; struggle and tenacity; and the secrets to life and living in the golden years.Special guests: Molly Flodder, editor of Life After 60: The Golden Years?, and Dr. Jacquelyn Frank, a leading gerontologist and anthropologist whose research focuses on aging in place.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. [01:50] Interview with Molly Flodder. [15:52] "Discovering the Person I’ve Always Been" - Molly Flodder’s story as told to Kelsey Timmerman, performed by Beth Nahre. [25:13] "Where I'm Supposed To Be" - John Charles Peterson's story as told to Jeffrey Owen Pearson, performed by Jeffrey Owen Pearson. [32:18] "I'm Busy Retiring, Please Leave a Message" - Kay Stickle’s story as told to Julie Davis, performed by Melinda.  [39:26] "A Time for Everything" - James Hilleson’s story as told to Jacquelyn Harris, performed by Larry Beck.  [46:31] Interview with Dr. Jacquelyn Frank. Original air date: May 31, 2025

The United States is the most divided it has been since the Civil War, yet there are everyday people who are still willing to work together to find a path forward.Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they explore identity and family and discuss J.R.’s forthcoming father-son memoir, Hillbilly Queer—a gripping tale of two men who see the world differently, one a gay liberal highbrow and the other a working-class Trump supporter, and their travels together to rural Missouri at the height of the 2016 election to uncover truths about their family’s past.Cover Art – By Shantanu Suman and Emma Fulkerson (inspired by photography from Brock Williamson)Chapters –[00:00] Introduction.[02:42] How J.R. and his dad came to the decision to go to Missouri.[07:08] J.R. on approaching his father to ask questions about their relationship.[10:58] J.R. and his dad's past encounters with J.R.'s identity.[14:01] The fear of rejection in the face of love.[18:17] Understanding family history in search of context.[21:55] Considering generational perspectives.[27:23] Connecting with important people in your life while you can.Original air date: Apr. 24, 2021

In the next decade, 500,000 teens with autism will enter adulthood and age out of school-based services. Adults with autism are less likely to access healthcare, have a job, or pursue a degree beyond high school.Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they discuss Autism in Adulthood.Photo – By Jesper Sehested Pluslexia via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/EHKB5v.Stories –• One Day I’ll Flap My Arms in Freedom, and No One Will Care: Kyle Reninger’s story as told to Jason Newman from Facing Autism in Adulthood.• This is My Son. Belinda Hughes’s story as told to Ivy Farguheson from Facing Autism in Muncie, Indiana Music –• "Warm" by Cambo. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction.[05:00] One Day I’ll Flap My Arms in Freedom, and No One Will Care[09:17] This is My Son[16:27] Interview with Belinda Hughes.[20:03] Finding support for adults and their families.[25:56] A little magic by Cody Clark.Original air date: Mar. 27, 2021

Today half of women in the tech field are likely to leave their positions by the age of 35. But in the 1970s it was even more challenging to work in the industry as a woman, and especially for a woman of color. But one organization is working to change those stats.Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they discuss Race, Tech, and the Fight for Equity.Photo – By Michael Himbeault via Flickr Creative Commons.Story –• Sink or Swim—In Code: Dr. Ruby Cain’s story as told to Aimee Robertson-West from Facing Racism in Muncie, Indiana Music –• "If I Wait" by Sunbyrn. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.5) license. From ccMixter.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [05:56] Story: Sink or Swim—In Code. [14:47] Interview with Chandra Ford and comparing Dr. Ruby Cain's and her career experiences. [16:54] Coping with an intimidating environment. [22:10] Has the tech industry changed? [25:31] Efforts to change the tech industry. Original air date: Feb. 27, 2021

If all 7 billion people on Earth consumed the amount of resources as the average American, it would be as if the planet were shared with 72 billion people.Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they discuss Food, Earth, and Sustainability and chat with two organic farmers who opened their own grocery store.Photo – By Matthias Ripp via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/J4xXyd.Story –• The Downtown Farm Stand: Muncie’s Green Grocery: Dave & Sara Ring’s story as told to Becca Foerder & Bryn Marlow from Facing Sustainability in East Central IndianaMusic –• "Outside the Walls" by Good Old Neon. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0)license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction. [06:32] Story: The Downtown Farm Stand: Muncie’s Green Grocery. [14:44] Interview with organic businessowners Sara and Dave Ring. [21:46] What the pandemic has shown us about our food system. [24:18] Other benefits of a lifestyle inspired by organic food. Original air date: Jan. 30, 2021

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with Jim Fielding, a C-suite executive who spent 30 years leading some of the world’s most beloved media and retail brands, including The Gap, Disney, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Jim’s latest book, All Pride, No Ego: A Queer Executive’s Journey to Living and Leading Authentically, was released last year, and in their conversation the two explore lessons on empathy and cracking the rainbow ceiling.Chapters[00:00] Introduction.[02:01] How genuine leadership storytelling requires autobiographical details. [11:42] On how personalities contribute to leadership styles. [20:25] Being your authentic self. [23:47] On shifting corporate landscapes. [39:22] Queer mentorship and the rainbow ceiling. [46:45] Learning empathy through understanding others' lived experiences. [56:37] Context on corporations' roles in validating identity and affecting society. [1:03:39] Lessons beyond how one identifies. Original air date: May 25, 2024

2020 is the year that never was, but also the year that had it all: fires, floods, protests, murder hornets—a pandemic! With so much unrest and concern about the future, it’s easy to overlook the good that’s happened in the world.Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they take a look back at 2020 and share their favorite stories from everyday people who provide inspiration despite their present-day circumstances.Photo – By Marco Verch via Flickr Creative Commons.Chapters[00:00] Introduction.[04:40] Interview with Will Grinstead.[18:53] Jason Phillips’s story.[25:35] Listener call-in.Content advisory: Please note that from 20:46 - 24:10 there are descriptions of gun violence.Original air date: Dec. 26, 2020

Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they take listener call-ins from coast to coast and discuss Alone Together: Stories from a Pandemic.Music Used in this Episode• "Quiet Drive" by Ryan Andersen. Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.Chapters[00:00] Introduction.[02:44] Megan Hamilton's story.[07:00] Three call-ins & reflection.[14:15] Natasha Martz's story.[17:24] Three more call-ins.[24:42] Matthew Fichter and Michael Broughton's story.Original air date: Aug. 29, 2020 

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

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. 

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

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

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

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.StoriesIt 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

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

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?

J.R. Jamison is joined by Trina Moyles to explore the fragility of our relationships with human and nonhuman species alike, and the imperative to protect the wild—along with the people we hold closest—through her new memoir, Black Bear. After years of working for human rights organizations, Trina Moyles returned to northern Alberta for a job as a fire tower lookout, while her brother Brendan worked in the oil sands, vulnerable to a boom-and-bust economy and substance addiction. When she was assigned to a tower in a wildlife corridor, bears were alarmingly visible and plentiful, wandering meters away on the other side of an electrified fence surrounding the tower. Over four summers, Trina begins to move beyond fear and observe the extraordinary essence of the maligned black bear—a keystone species who is as subject to the environmental consequences of the oil economy as humans. At the same time, she searches for common ground with Brendan on the land that bonded them. 

J.R. Jamison sits down with Samantha Ellis to journey through time, language, and cultural connectivity as the two explore her new memoir, Always Carry Salt. The daughter of Iraqi Jewish refugees, Samantha grew up surrounded by the noisy, vivid, hot sounds of Judeo-Iraqi Arabic; a language that’s on the verge of extinction. Now, raising her own family, she questions how to pass on this heritage without passing on the trauma of displacement. Always Carry Salt is a life-affirming tale of resilience and repair, the healing power of our ancestor's music, stories, and recipes, and a moving meditation on the words and traditions that shape us. 

Guest host Kelsey Timmerman “talks story” with Kaua’i educator and cultural practitioner Malia Chun. Together they explore how Hawaiian stories carry genealogy, belonging, environmental knowledge, and resistance—and why reconnecting with our own roots shapes how we move through the world. Malia invites listeners to reflect on their ancestors, their land, and what it means to be a good ancestor today.

J.R. Jamison is joined by writer and editor Fiona Robertson, whose latest memoir of grief, hope, and love explores Britain’s standing stones and the solace of their offerings in times of darkness, and lessons learned on endurance, survival, joy, and the luminous reminder of what it means to exist on this earth. 

J.R. Jamison explores the everyday impacts of injustice in health through the stories of those on the frontlines in Baltimore, Maryland, touching on barriers to care in Black, Brown, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities; challenges with mental health and housing; and the influence of identity, community, and culture on wellbeing. Later, J.R. is joined by the Facing (In)Justice in Health project organizers Mindi B. Levin and Dr. Stéphie Dulièpre, along with Dr. David Fakunle, the founder and CEO of DiscoverME/RecoverME, an organization that utilizes the African oral tradition to empower use of storytelling for healing and growth. Photo credit: Dr. David Fakunle

Kelsey Timmerman is joined by singer-songwriter Cliff Ritchey to discuss his new album, The Long Haul, and the stories behind his music that have been inspired by global travels and the simple country life of Markleville, Indiana—where gravel roads, sunsets, and stillness seep into his melodies of home.Photo credits: Kelsey Timmerman for Patagonia Books. 

J.R. Jamison is joined by David Ambroz to discuss his memoir, A Place Called Home, a story about growing up homeless in New York, Ambroz’s subsequent years in foster care, and eventually becoming an attorney with a vision to change the laws that affect children in poverty. Hillary Rodham Clinton praised A Place Called Home “[as a book that will] redouble your efforts to fight the systems of poverty that have plagued America for too long.”Photo credits: David Ambroz (by Austin Hargrave)

J.R. Jamison is joined by journalist Mike De Socio, an Eagle Scout and adult volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, whose new book dives into the history of the Scouts, exploring its tangled past with inclusion beginning in the 1970s, all the way through landmark policy changes in the mid-20teens that opened up Scouting for all. 

J.R. Jamison is joined by Colonel Bree Fram and Dr. Liz Cavallaro, whose latest book examines the experiences of 100 LGBTQIA+ leaders in business, academia, nonprofit, entertainment, and government and how crucible moments, such as coming out and code switching, have prepared them to be better leaders. The trio also discuss how organizations can create safer and more welcoming work environments. 

J.R. Jamison is joined by journalist Mark Hertsgaard, whose latest book unpacks the histories of segregation, violence, and systematic oppression toward Black Americans through the lens of the largest mass shooting in New Orleans’ history that ultimately led to his friendship with Deborah Cotton and a lesson on empathy. 

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with Vietnamese poet and novelist Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai—author of the international bestsellers The Mountains Sing and Dust Child–to talk about writing the American and Viet Nam war from Vietnamese perspectives and how volunteering for international peace organizations has influenced how she tells stories.Photo Credit – Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, photo provided.This Dreamscape® Recording from the book, The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai is text copyright ©2020 by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai. Published by arrangement with Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing Company, Inc., New York. Sound copyright ℗2020 by Dreamscape Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Dreamscape® Media, LLC. www.dreamscapepublishing.com.

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with filmmaker Colin Askey, who directed the PBS documentary Love in the Time of Fentanyl, and the two are joined by Sarah Blyth and Trey Helten from the Overdose Prevention Society, the harm reduction organization featured in the film that brings people in from the streets and saves lives by providing a safe and welcoming place to use drugs.Photo Credit – Colin Askey, photo provided.

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with author, actor, and activist Sara Sharpe to talk about radical love and empathy, and the organization she founded called The Letters Project, a bridge-building organization that provides space for an ongoing series of love letters from her—a liberal, left-leaning woman—to a conservative, right-leaning friend.Photo Credit – Sara Sharpe, photo provided. 

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with Julio Vincent Gambuto—author of Please Unsubscribe, Thanks!, a book about taking back our time, attention, and purpose in a post-pandemic world. The two explore Julio’s feature film, Team Marco, that follows the life of a boy who’s always plugged in until his grandpa makes him play outside.Photo Credit – Julio Vincent Gambuto, photo provided.

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with FRONTLINE filmmaker, producer, and journalist Ursula Liang to talk about her latest film Two Strikes, a documentary short that follows the two strikes law in Florida that put a former West Point cadet struggling with PTSD and alcoholism in prison for life without the possibility of parole. The two also explore how to tell authentic stories through print and film.Photo Credit – Ursula Liang, photo provided.Chapters –[00:00] Introduction[01:00] Filmmaker and Journalist Ursula Liang

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with Hollywood screenwriter, author, and producer Abdi Nazemian, who was born in Iran in the 1970s and at age two became an immigrant during the 1979 Iranian revolution. Today, he uses his identity and story as a gay Iranian-American to help build empathy and understanding, penning such works as his award-winning young adult novel Like A Love Story and associate producing the film Call Me By Your Name that starred Timothée Chalamet.Photo Credit – Marc Ohrem-Leclef.

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with award-winning middle-grade and young adult author Leah Johnson to talk about writing authentic stories for kids, the harmful effects of book banning in America, and the founding of Loudmouth Books—her banned titles bookstore in the heart of her hometown.Photo Credit – Provided by Leah Johnson.

Host J.R. Jamison sits down with filmmakers Josh Sabey and Sarah Perkins, directors of The Abortion Talks (2022), to explore civil discourse across major ideological divides. They’re joined by Reverend Anne Fowler and attorney Fran Hogan, two women profiled in the film on opposite sides of the abortion debate, who met secretly for six years to find common ground and ways to work together after the 1994 abortion clinic shootings in Boston that killed two people and injured five.Photo Credit – J & S Ltd.

Ahead of its nationwide theatrical release, J.R. Jamison sits down with the producer and director of Van Jones’s documentary, The First Step, to discuss Jones’s attempts to bring people together across party lines to pass landmark criminal justice reform, while finding himself under fire from all sides. Later, the trio discuss filmmaking, storytelling, and why it’s more important than ever to create bridge-building art during a time of extreme polarization.Photo Credit – Meridian Hill Pictures (used with permission)The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

Think for a second about the last time you forgave someone. Was it hard? How did it make you feel? Or what about the person you forgave?This time on The Facing Project, J.R. Jamison shares the stories of two women — one who forgave the man who paralyzed her son in a car accident, and another who forgave her once absent mother and abusive brother. Later, he is joined by Dr. Robert Enright, who was named by TIME magazine as the leading researcher on the psychology behind forgiveness.Photo Credit – Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/6BaVu2Stories included in this episode – Stopping to Forgive Greg Zgunda’s story as told to Stephanie Fisher by his mother, Beverly Zgunda, from Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana. Performed by Katy Wolfe. What I Know About Me An anonymous story as told to Bev Nye from Facing Poverty in McPherson, Kansas. Performed by Tiffany Erk. This episode originally broadcast on Sep. 24th, 2022.The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

Ten years ago, six acres of abandoned lots in the Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore were transformed into an urban farm, and today the American Farmers Bureau Federation has rated it as one of the top 10 innovative farms in the country. But there’s more than food being grown in Park Heights; they’re growing community and investing in the future.Join host J.R. Jamison as he shares stories from the Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm, and sits down with four of the faces who keep the farm and its neighborhood thriving each and every day.Photo Credit – Provided and used with permission.Story Performances – A Safe Haven, Margie Smith’s story as told to Zion Jalloh-Jamboria. Performed by Chandra Ford; Willing to Work, Willing to Grow, Elijah Staton’s story as told to Darren Marshalleck. Performed by Khaleo Price.Interview – Farmer Imani B, Administrative & Research Analyst for the Farm; Farmer Ayo, Arts & Humanities Program Coordinator & Vice President of the Farm; Farmer Karma, Marketing Executive for the Farm; and Santana Alvarado, Senior Project Manager for the Center for Religion & Cities.The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

Ahead of her debut memoir hitting shelves in October, J.R. Jamison sits down with Brittany Means to discuss the power of the human spirit—and the written word—to combat the most harrowing of childhood memories.  Hailed by Jeannette Walls (author of The Glass Castle) as “Gut-wrenching but at the same time triumphant,” Hell If We Don’t Change Our Ways untangles the web of Means’s most painful memories, while crafting a tale of self-preservation, resilience, and hope.Synopsis – Brittany Means’s childhood was a blur of highways and traumas that collapsed any effort to track time. Riding shotgun as her mother struggled to escape abusive relationships, Brittany didn’t care where they were going—a roadside Midwestern motel, a shelter, or to The Barn in Indiana (the cluttered mansion her Pentecostal grandparents called home) as long as they were together. But every so often, her mom would surprise her—and leave.As Brittany grew older and questioned her own complicated relationships and the poverty, abuse, and instability that enveloped her, she began to recognize that hell wasn't only the place she read about in the Bible; it was the cycle of violence that her family was stuck repeating. Through footholds such as horror movies, neuropsychology, and strong bonds, Brittany makes sense of this cycle and finds a way to leave it.Photo Credits – Brittany Means (photo by Jeff Owens and provided by the author)The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

Evictions are a tale as old as time, and will continue as long as there are landlords and renters; but not every eviction is equal. In this episode, J.R. Jamison shares two stories from individuals who have faced eviction in different ways; the first from a man who has experienced homelessness due to job losses, and a judge who says that sometimes the landlords are right, and sometimes they’re wrong.Later, he sits down with four experts who research and work on the front lines of eviction and housing insecurity every day. This episode is a companion piece to the book: Facing Eviction and Housing Insecurity in Dayton, Ohio.Photo Credit – Shantanu SumanStories – A Place to Be, an anonymous story as told to A.B. Hiatt and performed by Carl Frost; From the Eyes of a Magistrate, an anonymous story as told to Christine Trotter and performed by Chandra Ford.Interview – Dr. Kathy Rowell of Sinclair Community College; Dr. Tim Thomas of the University of California–Berkeley; and Debra Lavey and Destiny Brown both at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality.The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

Ahead of her latest book hitting shelves worldwide, J.R. Jamison sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Glasgow to discuss writing for young adults, and the themes of teenage depression, addiction, and self-harm that are often covered in her sought-after novels (Girl in Pieces; You'd Be Home Now; How to Make Friends with the Dark; The Agathas; and the forthcoming The Night in Question).Photo Credit – Caroline King Photography (used with permission)The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.