Title TBD: Tell Me a Story

Zane & daughters search for the Flatwoods Monster

I’ve got something a little different for this installment of Tell Me a Story. Rather than recapping an experience, tag along as I took my daughters on what has become an annual spring break thing - American cryptid road trip. I dropped a recorder in my pocket and hit record at different moments during our three day road trip from Raleigh, NC to Sutton, WV (home of the Flatwoods Monster) and the Lost World Caverns and back home again. Full disclosure: the audio can be a little rough in places but you’ll get the flavor of what it’s like to sit in a car with me and my daughters while we talk discover trolls that look like Jesus (but might not be trolls), why Bigfoot is much more of a presence in the northwest yet still has his own museum on the east coast, how Zendaya is everywhere, breakfast with the West Virginia Bowhunters Association, what was it that angered bat boy, was Bob Seger a serial killer, why is the last two hours of a road trip the longest experience of our life and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zaneewton.substack.com [https://zaneewton.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Andy says, "Hey, man! That's my shirt!"

Ever been to a Banana Republic or Gap store in the ‘90s? Ever hunt the thrift shops for Banana Republic or Gap clothes from the ‘90s? If so, there’s an excellent chance you have something sitting in your closet now that Andy had a hand in designing. In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Andy shares two similar experiences where the work he was doing at that time would later turn around and find him again. Once while on a first date at a Manhattan restaurant where he thought he might get shivved for shouting “hey, man! That’s my shirt!” to a man passing by. And then 30 years later when his teenager daughter came home from the thrift store and mentioned, “I think I got a shirt from that place you worked in your 20s.” There’s a legacy you leave when you make things for other people, because often those things come back around to you in fun and unexpected ways. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zaneewton.substack.com [https://zaneewton.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Only Jordan knows the name of the painting

Jordan didn’t know a homecoming to his alma mater’s dive bar would change his life, but he did know the woman he met that night, the woman floating above the bar sludge, would be his wife. At least that’s what he told her ex-boyfriend. In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Jordan starts with how he met the woman who would be his wife, how he almost messed it up and how they endured long distance romance before he gets to the main event: an elaborate marriage proposal at an NYC art gallery featuring his own painting (he’s not a painter), the mysterious (and completely made up) rules of an art show, a gallery owner he met only a few weeks prior who went above and beyond to help him and an international community of well wishers waiting around to see the proposal. Spoiler alert: the painting now resides in their bedroom. Have a story of your own to share? Please let me know. I’d love to hear it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zaneewton.substack.com [https://zaneewton.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

"I'm doing this for more time, but you're going to survive," said the 80-year-old man to Daniel

When Daniel was in his first year of college, he started feeling a strange sensation and pain in his leg. Being a sensible young adult male, he actually went to a doctor to get it checked out. He didn’t anticipate testicular cancer. In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Daniel shares his experience in cancer treatment and how facing mortality so young took him to a dark place mentally. However, he also sought counseling (I told you he was a sensible young adult male) and was able to find a path through his physical and mental challenges. Coming out the other side with a hopeful perspective, a commitment to serve others and the blessings of raising his own family. Coincidentally, April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. If you’d like to learn more or provide support, Daniel recommends the Testicular Cancer Foundation [https://www.testicularcancer.org/]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zaneewton.substack.com [https://zaneewton.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'Weighing the trash of my total existence' with Ellen

A quiet moment of terror, standing at a trash can in an Airbnb, led Ellen to a choice that sparked changing pretty much everything about her life. Bigger changes than a kitchen remodel in the middle of a global pandemic. In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Ellen shares her experience starting anxiety medication, finding support in unique places (like an astrologer with an MBA) and how it led her to take new directions in her life and work. Ellen discusses mental health challenges in this story, puts specific language to those challenges and shares some actions that worked for her. If you’re working through anxiety, depression or other challenges, please don’t wait to reach out for some help. Have a story of your own to share? Please let me know. I’d love to hear it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zaneewton.substack.com [https://zaneewton.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]