Cancer Didn’t Break Him—It Forced Him to Ask the Question Most Men Avoid

The Courage to Stay Curious with Richard Sparks

A retired schoolteacher becomes a fantasy hero. A television comedy writer discovers online gaming. A lifelong creator refuses to slow down at 75. Meet Richard Sparks—Oxford graduate, television writer, novelist, and author of the “New Rock” series.  Richard shares stories from a remarkable career that includes writing comedy, working alongside some of Britain's most influential creative talents, and eventually finding inspiration in an unexpected place: online gaming. But this conversation isn't really about fantasy novels or video games. It's about curiosity. It's about remaining open to new experiences long after most people believe they're supposed to have life figured out. Richard offers a refreshing perspective on retirement, creativity, and what it means to continue growing as we age. We discuss why so many people abandon their passions too early, how creativity evolves over a lifetime, the importance of community and adventure, and why "doing what you love" remains some of the best advice at any age. Whether you're approaching retirement, already retired, or simply wondering what your next chapter might look like, Richard's story is a powerful reminder that meaningful work, learning, and personal growth don't have an expiration date. Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Against the Norm, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's ready to make the next chapter of life their most adventurous yet. To learn more about Richard Sparks, read his writing, and follow his latest adventures, visit him here: Connect with Richard Sparks: *  Substack: https://substack.com/@richardsparks [https://substack.com/@richardsparks] *  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardsparks_author/ [https://www.instagram.com/richardsparks_author/] *  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RichardSparks_author [https://www.youtube.com/@RichardSparks_author] *  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550662994731 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550662994731] Contact us:   againstthenorm.net [https://againstthenorm.net]

Doctors Said “Let Him Go.” Instead, He Built an Extraordinary Life | Ken Kunken

> At age 20, Ken Kunken broke his neck making a routine tackle during a Cornell football game. Doctors told his family he probably wouldn’t survive the week — and if he did, he would spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.They even said: “If he were my son, I’d let him go.”But Ken refused to let that prediction define him. > > In this deeply moving episode of Against the Norm, Ken shares how he returned to Cornell University just months after becoming paralyzed, eventually became a successful trial attorney, found love, married, and became the father of triplet boys at age 54. This conversation is not just about overcoming adversity. It’s about purpose, resilience, family, identity, and refusing to let other people define what your life can become. Ken’s story is a powerful reminder that even when life changes in an instant, meaning, joy, and contribution are still possible.  We discuss: > *  Surviving a catastrophic spinal cord injury  > *  Depression, hope, and rebuilding identity  > *  Returning to Cornell in a wheelchair before accessibility laws existed  > *  Becoming a lawyer and helping others with disabilities  > *  Marriage, fatherhood, and raising triplets  > *  Why purpose matters at every stage of life  > *  The mindset that kept him moving forward for over 50 years  > > Ken’s Links > 📘 Memoir: I Dream of Things That Never Were > 🌐 Website: Kenneth Kunken's Website > 📸 Instagram: > @ken.kunken [https://www.instagram.com/ken.kunken/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] > ▶️ YouTube: > Ken Kunken YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdUUa2hyQF8ubUmEARY9WKA?utm_source=chatgpt.com] > 📘 Facebook: > Ken Kunken Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566473121422&utm_source=chatgpt.com] Contact us:   againstthenorm.net [https://againstthenorm.net]

Reinventing a Life in Paris--American Runaway by Audrey Edwards

What happens when you reach retirement age… and realize you’re not ready to simply “settle down”? In this fascinating and deeply personal conversation, journalist and author, Audrey Edwards, shares the emotional story behind her decision to leave America after the 2016 election and begin a completely different life in Paris at nearly 70 years old. But this episode is about far more than politics. Audrey opens up about fear, reinvention, aging, risk-taking, identity, race, retirement, loneliness, freedom, and what it really means to create a life that still feels alive and meaningful later in life. We talk about: *  Why so many people stay trapped in lives that no longer inspire them  *  The emotional side of starting over in your 60s and 70s  *  Learning to live in a foreign culture without speaking the language  *  Why Paris changed the way she experiences life  *  The difference between comfort and fulfillment  *  Retirement, purpose, and the question: “Retire to what?”  *  Why risk-taking becomes even more important as we age  *  The surprising cultural differences between America and France  *  What truly makes a place feel like “home”  Audrey’s stories are funny, thoughtful, moving, and incredibly honest — from freezing winters in tiny Paris apartments to discovering a completely different rhythm of life abroad. This is a conversation about courage, reinvention, and refusing to coast through the later chapters of life. Audrey’s memoir:  American Runaway: Black and Free in Paris in the Trump Years https://www.facebook.com/audrey.edwards.260471 If you enjoy stories about reinvention, purpose, travel, and living boldly later in life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Contact us:   againstthenorm.net [https://againstthenorm.net]

His Life Fell Apart… So He Walked Away for 14 Years

What would you do if your entire life collapsed all at once? When Ray Martin’s marriage ended, his business unraveled, and his father died within the same period of time, he found himself emotionally shattered and completely lost. What was supposed to be a six-month sabbatical turned into a 14-year journey across Asia, Europe, and deep into himself. In this fascinating conversation, Ray shares how a successful CEO with all the “right” badges of success slowly realized he was living a life built around other people’s expectations—not his own. Along the way, he: *  Ran marathons for charity  *  Worked with elephant sanctuaries and orphanages  *  Learned meditation in a silent Buddhist retreat  *  Became a leadership coach in Asia  *  Randomly auditioned for — and landed — the lead role in a stage play with no acting experience  *  And ultimately rebuilt his life around meaning, freedom, intuition, and service  This episode is about far more than travel or reinvention. It’s about what happens when you finally stop asking:  “What am I supposed to do with my life?” …and start asking:  “What actually feels true to me?” If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, burned out, or quietly disconnected from the life you built, this conversation may hit very close to home. To learn more about Ray Martin, his book, coaching, and his journey of reinvention, visit: Website: https://lifewithoutatie.com/ Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachraymartin/ Contact us:   againstthenorm.net [https://againstthenorm.net]

Cancer Didn’t Break Him—It Forced Him to Ask the Question Most Men Avoid

After surviving cancer twice, he discovered the one question that can wake up any man who feels stuck—and most men never ask it. What would you do if life hit you with cancer… not once, but twice? Most people would shut down. Most would ask, “Why me?” But today’s guest, Savio Clemente, asked a very different—and far more powerful—question: “Did I live the life I was meant to live… and what do I do now?” In this deeply honest and thought-provoking conversation, Savio shares how facing two life-threatening diagnoses didn’t break him—it transformed him. What followed wasn’t just recovery… it was a complete reimagining of how to live, how to find meaning, and how to move forward with purpose. But this episode isn’t just about cancer. It’s about something far more relevant to many men in their 60s and beyond:  👉 drifting  👉 losing direction  👉 and quietly wondering if the best years are already behind them We tackle the real questions: *  How do you find purpose when there’s no crisis forcing you to change?  *  Why is joy the first thing you should focus on—not legacy?  *  What does it actually mean to “take inventory” of your life?  *  And how do you let go of regret before it defines your future?  Savio also shares powerful insights on resilience, identity, and what he calls “adaptive resilience”—the ability not just to bounce back, but to evolve. If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, or unsure what comes next…  this conversation might hit closer to home than you expect. Connect with Savio Clemente: *  Website: https://www.saviopclemente.com/ [https://www.saviopclemente.com/] *  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saviopclemente/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/saviopclemente/] *  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanresolve [https://www.instagram.com/thehumanresolve] 🔗 Connect with Norman: *  Website: https://againstthenorm.net [https://againstthenorm.net] Contact us:   againstthenorm.net [https://againstthenorm.net]