Everyday Epic

Today I get to share a conversation with Megan—someone who reminds me that the most extraordinary parts of life often show up in the simplest moments of connection. In our time together, Megan opens up about what it means to live with curiosity, to invite meaningful conversations, and toallow parenthood to reshape the way we see ourselves and others.What struck me most is how Megan leans into vulnerability—as a bridge that deepens relationships and helps us feel closer to one another.She shows us how openness can create the kind of spaces where people feel truly seen and understood in a world that so often skims along the surface.This episode is a reminder that authenticity carries power,and that wisdom often arrives quietly—in warmth, honesty, and presence. I can’t wait for you to hear Megan’s reflections.

Today, I’m returning to my mom Lucy’s story. In our lastepisode, I shared from her early years growing up in Tennessee, right after World War II, when her family bought a farm and laid down roots.This time, we’re moving into the 1960s - a decade that wasfull of milestones for her and for the whole family. Lucy went off to college, met my dad, and started her own family. My grandfather, or “Daddy” as Lucy calls him, was serving at Middlebrook Pike Methodist Church, where thecongregation grew and flourished under his leadership. During those same years, he spent summers at Duke University, working toward his Methodist certification. And Lucy’s sister, Emily, graduated from college, married, andbegan raising her family too, starting with a baby girl named Janet.Along the way, you’ll also meet a few new characters—my dad, Bob, his parents Jack and Herma, and his sister Linda. You’ll hear about new friends who became important in Lucy’s life, the arrival of my sister, and eventually… me!It was a season of growth, change, and new beginnings—each member of the family stepping into a new chapter. I’ll be reading from Lucy’s own words about this time in her life, sharing her perspective on what it felt like to come of age in such a transformative decade.So let’s step into Lucy’s world again, and pick up her storyin the 1960s.

There are fewer people in this world more epic than my mom,Lucy. She’s still very much with us, but not able to sit down for an interview. So instead, I get to share her story in another way.A few years ago, my sister, brother, dad and I pooled our money to buy her a MacBook. And right away, she opened it up and began writing her life story. That felt so true to who she is - curious, reflective, and deeply committed to remembering where she came from.So in this episode, I’ll be reading excerpts from her story. Think of it as a living archive, a way of bringing her voice, her wisdom, and her memories into this space with us. Along the way, I’ll introduce you to the main characters: her sister Emily, her parents, and the world she grew up in.Lucy was born during World War II, while her parents weresupporting the war effort in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. We’ll begin in 1948, when the family used the money they had earned during the war to purchase a farm.That farm would become the backdrop for so much of her early life - the setting where joy, hardship, and resilience took root.This is the beginning of Lucy’s story. And maybe, as we go,it will become a thread running through other episodes too. Because the story of one life, especially one lived with courage and devotion, has the power to shape all of ours.

Today’s guest is Brad, a close friend of my brother’s and atrue renaissance man. Brad has a way of noticing the world around him that feels rare — the details, the moods, the little quirks that make life interesting. He loves taking his family on road trips that go off the beaten path, always choosing the scenic, the curious, and the unexpected over the ordinary. My favorite unexpected topic involves a coyote in the freezer. Brad is also an empath, which means he feels deeply — theenergy of people, the weight of moments, and the joy of connection. It shapes the way he moves through the world and, at times, it challenges him, but it also makes him one of those people who carries both sensitivity and wisdom inequal measure. He’ll tell you how blessed he feels by his kids, who fillhim with hope for the future. And he reminds us that moments of appreciation, even the smallest ones, can ripple outward — building positive feelings for everyone around us. This conversation is an invitation into Brad’s way ofseeing: curious, heartful, and full of wonder.

Welcome back to Everyday Epic. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kayra for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about how the choices we make and the lens through which we view the world can shape the course of our lives.Kayra shares her journey from high school Navy ROTC to a thriving career in financial services, opening up about the turning points that redirected her path. Her story is woven with loyalty, a few honest regrets, and the kind of unexpected opportunities that appear when you’re truly paying attention.We discuss Kayra how embodies servant leadership—and explore the quiet power of optimism, even when life gets messy. Kayra talks about what it means to embrace your true self and how being vulnerable can actually be a gift to those around you.Today, Kayra is a mentor, coach, and speaker, helping others unlock their potential by sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way. You can find her at exceedingyourexpectations.net.

When I was 7 and my sister was 11, our parents sat us down to tell us a baby was on the way and it was the most exciting moment of my young life.  They told us not to share the news yet, and of course I immediately went out and told my best friend at the time.  There was a lot of hustle and bustle preparing for the baby and I hoped and even placed a bet with my dad that it would be a girl. It was not. We got a tiny baby brother named Joe, and life became richer for it. Having a brother turned out to be pretty fantastic and I learned so much about caring for babies that I carried into motherhood.Joe kept us on our toes and entertained us with his cute sayings and his many escapades.Today many years later I have the honor of interviewing him on the Everyday Epic podcast. Joe is endlessly fascinating. He has many layers, and the more you get to know him, the more you discover. He’s a thought leader and a deep thinker. He has endless curiosity about people and the world around him. He’s tenacious yet a peacemaker, generous with his time, energy, andhumor.Like every guest on Everyday Epic, Joe brings equal parts wisdom and resilience. These are the kinds of stories that remind us we’re not alone—that we share more than we realize.

Hi friends, and welcome back to Everyday Epic. A space where we celebrate the beauty of ordinary lives lived with depth, intention, and courage.Today, I’m joined by someone whose presence feels like a breath of fresh air: Cheryl Cooper.Cheryl is one of those people who radiates clarity and joy, but in the most grounded, real way. She shares her wisdom generously, follows her curiosities wholeheartedly, and lights up every room she walks into.In this episode, we talk about what lights her up—including the magic of being in nature, the strength that comes from building community with fellow entrepreneurs, and the beauty and complexity of showing up for family as life changes over time. Cheryl brings mindfulness into every part of her life—not as a performance, but as a practice.And one of the places where she’s weaving all of this together is in The Mindful Entrepreneur Collective—a group she created that holds space for heart-led entrepreneurs to explore the intersection of AI and mindfulness in a way that’s thoughtful, supportive, and genuinely human. I’m lucky enough to be part of this community, and I can tell you—it’s something special.You can find more about Cheryl and her work at thecherylcooper.com, and I hope after this conversation, you’ll understand why I’ve come to value her presence and perspective so deeply.This one is full of wisdom, warmth, and the kind of insight that stays with you.

Today’s episode is with Ebony, a grounded, wise leader who is transitioning into a global role and bringing her whole self with her. We talk about leading people and processes, being present in the moment, the grit it took to grow through early life challenges, and the joy she finds in helping others thrive. As she puts it, “You don’t move the ship without the rowers.” She shares how she parents her children with open communication and deep intention, modeling the kind of presence and care she brings to all of her relationships. We take a tour into the origin story of her sneaker obsession which will touch your heart and stay with you. This conversation is full of hard-earned wisdom, insight, and real talk about what it means to lead with heart and humility. Let’s get started. 

In today’s episode, we revisit a conversation with my friend Courtney as she prepares for a bold new chapter -leaving the familiar behind and moving to Serbia.Courtney shares reflections on a life shaped by difficultbeginnings, the grit it took to carve out an education and career, and the deep impact of being truly seen by someone who recognized her light and offered aspace to heal.This episode is about more than change—it’s about choosing to live from a place of being instead of constantly doing. It’s about finding peace in presence, and hope in what comes next.

Today, I’m joined by Abby—a young woman with an old soul, an imagination that’s always in motion, and a love for all sorts of things: from cultural theory to cozy, grandmotherly joys.Abby is always writing stories in her head, observing theworld with both precision and curiosity. In this conversation, we talk about the unexpected wisdom she’s collected so far, the things that give her joy and hope, and her surprisingly insightful take on vampires in fiction—yes, vampires—as reflections of what we fear, crave, and wrestle with as a culture. There’s a thoughtful stillness in the way Abby seesthings—and a spark that might just catch you off guard. So here’s a conversation with someone who sees what othersmight miss—and who reminds us that insight isn’t always a function of age, but of presence.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brian—a friend whose life hasbeen anything but static. His story moves from Central Arkansas to Paraguay, back to Arkansas again to live in a dorm called the Hog Dump at the University of Arkansas, and eventually to South Carolina.What unfolded in this conversation is a look at Brian’sdeeply personal and thoughtful spiritual journey. We talk about the many influences that have shaped him—some inherited, some discovered, some wrestled with—and the lens he’s bringing into the future as he raises a family and lives with intention.Brian speaks with a kind of honesty that doesn’t forceconclusions, but invites reflection. His story reminded me that belief isn’t always a straight line—and that living a meaningful life is often more about curiosity and courage than certainty.So settle in. I think you’ll find something in Brian’s paththat resonates with your own.

Today’s guest is someone close to home. Carl is my brother-in-law, and in this conversation, we cover more ground than I expected…both figuratively and literally.We talk about hiking the Appalachian Trail, raising daughters, working across generations, and why listening to other people’s stories is such a powerful act of empathy. There’s also a brief sidebarfeaturing an obscure movie quote from the early 1980s.What I love about this episode is that it unfolded like a trail itself—winding, surprising, full of small, memorable markers. Carl shares with the kind of honesty that makes you lean in, and somewhere along the way, we both landed on insights we didn’t know we were walking toward.This one feels like a reminder: that the people you think you already know might still have stories that change the way you see the world—and yourself.So, take some time and relax, or lace up your walking shoes, and settle in for this conversation with Carl.

In this inaugural episode, we—Mary Ann and Courtney—invite you into the heart of Everyday Epic. We share the origin story of this podcast and the quiet idea that sparked it: sonder—that awe-filled moment when you realize every person you pass by has a life as vivid, complex, and layered as your own. Together, we explore what makes a story truly epic, and why we believe ordinary people carry extraordinary wisdom. We talk about our hopes for this space, the kind of guests we dream of bringing on, and the impact we hope to make—one honest, heartful conversation at a time. We also get real about our own feelings, from nerves to deep excitement, and the vulnerability of starting something new. Whether you’re a curious soul, a quiet observer, or someone longing to feel more connected to the world around you, we’re so glad you’re here. 

Everyday Epic is about slowing down, tuning in, andmaking space for the kind of stories that often go untold—the kind that don’t go viral, but stick with you long after. We’re not interviewing celebrities or headline-makers. We’retalking with everyday people—neighbors, coworkers, friends of friends—who have lived, observed, endured, and grown in ways that reveal something universal.Sometimes it’ll be funny. Sometimes it’ll be vulnerable.Sometimes we’ll be surprised by how much someone has lived through—or how much wisdom is tucked into what sounds like a totally ordinary moment.Our hope is that you’ll leave each episode feeling a little more connected—to others, to yourself, and to this big, beautiful mess of being human.