Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

I Thought Gen Z Had It Easier. I Was Wrong. - Sean Murphy

Many adults assume today's young people have it easier than previous generations. Sean Murphy used to think something similar until a classroom discussion stopped him in his tracks. In this episode. Sean reflects on the uncomfortable moment that forced him to listen more closely, rethink long-held beliefs, and see a new generation through a different lens. Along the way, he shares what he learned from hundreds of poems written by young people about hope, resilience, and the future they're inheriting. ABOUT GUEST Sean Murphy is director of the Center for Story at Shenandoah University and founder of 1455, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing writers and building community through storytelling. Learn more about their Young Poets Anthology here: https://1455litarts.org/ypa/ CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:42) Meet Sean Murphy (1:30) The Compliment That Backfired (2:47) Bullying in 2026 (3:34) Checking Our Assumptions (6:01) What Young People Carry (8:28) Hope in Young Poets (9:40) “How to Unburn the World” (12:16) Inspired to Do More (12:51) Conclusion

"You're Not You Anymore": Facing Alzheimer's Head-On – Dr. Anthony Goodman

After decades as a surgeon, professor, and medical expert, Dr. Anthony Goodman found himself facing an unexpected diagnosis: early Alzheimer's disease. In this conversation, Dr. Goodman and his wife, Maribeth, share what it was like to recognize the signs, receive the diagnosis, navigate treatment, and redefine life as a family. They discuss the difficult moment their daughter urged Dr. Goodman to seek help, the emotional challenge of moving from doctor to patient, and the surprising hope they found through early intervention and new Alzheimer's treatments. They offer an honest look at caregiving, stigma, identity, and the importance of talking openly about dementia. ABOUT GUEST Dr. Anthony Goodman is a former surgeon and medical educator. His new memoir, “Great Saves and Terrible Losses: The Journeys of a Surgeon,” chronicles both his decades-long career in medicine and his journey after being diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease. He is joined by his wife of over four decades, Maribeth. You can learn more about the book and find various Alzheimer's resources at his website: https://anthonyagoodman-author.com/. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Meet Dr Anthony Goodman and Maribeth 01:34 Early Signs and Family Concern 04:34 From Normal Aging to Dementia 05:58 Getting Alzheimer's Diagnosis 08:29 Treatments and Early Intervention 10:36 Sharing the News with Loved Ones 12:29 Still A Doctor in a Crisis 14:26 Writing to Destigmatize Dementia 15:56 Conclusion

How Can You Rebuild a Broken Friendship? – Pete O’Dell

Would you rekindle a friendship with someone you considered dead to you? In this episode, our guest Pete O’Dell shares the story of reconnecting with a once-inseparable friend after years of silence and resentment and why sending one uncomfortable email changed everything. Pete also shares why he does a yearly friendship assessment, why the maximum number of friends you can have is 150, and why making friends as an adult is so difficult. ABOUT GUEST Pete O’Dell is a retired tech executive, author of “Dying for Friendship and Community,” and co-founder of Conexus, a platform designed to help people build meaningful real-world friendships (https://getconexus.com). CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:30) Meet Pete O’Dell (1:02) Rekindling a Broken Friendship (2:49) The Email That Worked (3:47) Dunbar’s Number Explained (5:39) Friendship Circles (6:43) Annual Friendship Assessment (8:53) Community Groups Matter (10:34) Why Making Friends Is Hard (11:28) Building Conexus (13:41) Friendship as Lifeline (15:36) Conclusion

Finding Your Worth After Hitting Rock Bottom – Jane Chen

What happens when your entire sense of worth is tied to achievement? Jane Chen spent years pushing herself to the limit: working nonstop, chasing impact, and trying to prove she was enough. From the outside, she looked wildly successful: she co-founded a company whose life-saving infant incubators would eventually help over one million babies around the world. But internally, she was exhausted, disconnected, and falling apart. In this episode, Jane shares how burnout forced her to confront the childhood trauma, perfectionism, and fear of failure that had been driving her for decades. She talks about the uncomfortable process of slowing down, healing, and learning self-compassion for the first time. ABOUT GUEST Jane Chen is a leadership coach and keynote speaker. She is the co-founder of Embrace, whose life-saving infant incubator has helped over one million babies worldwide. Her new memoir is “Like a Wave We Break” (https://www.janemariechen.com/). CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:48) Meet Jane Chen (1:24) Building Embrace (2:26) Hitting Rock Bottom (3:29) High Highs Unhealthy Drive (5:41) Extreme Healing Quest (7:42) Uncovering Trauma (10:07) Being Enough (11:39) Self Compassion Redefines Resilience (12:49) Inner Child Breakthrough (15:23) Embrace Returns (16:17) Catching Waves Taking Risks (17:42) Conclusion

After a Devastating Accident, He Had to Reinvent Himself - Lt. Edmund Fisher

Lieutenant Edmund Fisher spent nearly two decades serving with the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office near New Orleans. Then, during a late-night pursuit, a catastrophic accident changed everything. After losing his leg and facing an uncertain future, Lt. Fisher had to confront painful questions about purpose, identity, faith, and resilience. In this episode, Lt. Fisher opens up about surviving the accident, leaning on his family and community, rediscovering his “why,” and learning to focus on what he can do instead of what he’s lost. ABOUT GUEST Lt. Edmund Fisher has served with the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana for 18 years. He now leads the department’s drone program and oversees field training officers. CHAPTER (0:00) Introduction (0:48) Meet Lieutenant Edmund Fisher (1:18) The Accident (2:38) Amputation (3:11) Community Support (5:06) Finding New Purpose (6:59) Family and Faith (7:51) Resilience Roots (8:31) Grandfather’s Example (10:01) Recovery Milestones (11:18) Lessons and Gratitude (12:16) Conclusion