The Second Goodbye: A Birth Mother's Journey of Love, Loss, and Letting Go

The Memory Board Test: Creating a Life Worth Remembering

IF SOMEONE MADE A PHOTO BOARD OF MY LIFE TODAY, WOULD I LIKE THE STORY THOSE PICTURES TELL? That was the question that hit me after a friend’s story about funeral photos got me thinking about the memories we’re capturing—and the lives we’re actually living. In this episode, I invite you to sit with me and take what I call the "Memory Board Test." Instead of aiming for perfect Instagram posts, I want us to focus on the small, authentic moments that truly define our lives. I share why I believe our legacy isn’t built on big milestones alone, but on countless ordinary days—a spontaneous kitchen dance, a heartfelt conversation, or that laugh-until-you-cry dinner with friends. I’m challenging you, as I challenge myself, to make sure we’re not just waiting for the “right” time but living intentionally, building a collection of real, meaningful memories. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE * The story that started it all: I recount a conversation about funeral photos and how it made me see our camera rolls in a new light (00:09–00:48). * My personal connection to photography: I talk about why freezing moments on film means so much to me, and what I learned as a scrapbooker and photographer (02:04). * Introducing the Memory Board Test: I explain how I came up with this test, and why I think everyone should try it—no doom or gloom, just motivation to live more fully now (03:44). * The importance of the little things: I reflect on how life’s epic moments are so often found in the tiniest experiences—road trips, sunsets, ordinary Tuesdays (04:53–05:17). * Why I stopped using the term 'bucket list': I share why I believe in creating a 'dream list' instead, focusing on what brings us to life right now, not just before it’s too late (06:18–06:41). * My ongoing challenge to myself (and you!): I walk you through my memory making challenge and invite you to join—one intentional, memory-board-worthy moment each month, just for you, not for social media (07:44–08:56). MY KEY TAKEAWAYS * I’m building my legacy every single day, one photo at a time—whether I realize it or not (06:50). * It’s the small, ordinary moments that often carry the most meaning in the end (05:01). * It matters that I choose to show up and be present, so my life tells a story I love (09:13). * “Epic” isn’t about having my name on a building or in history books—it’s about loving, connecting, taking risks, and being fully alive right where I am (09:13–09:46). * With every new day, I can change my story and become more intentional in the way I live (07:31). THE CHALLENGE: MAKE YOUR MEMORY BOARD I want you to join me this month. Here’s what I’m doing, and I hope you will too: * I created an album on my phone called “A Life Worth Remembering.” * Before this month is over, I’m making sure I intentionally create and capture at least one unforgettable, joy-filled, or meaningful moment—a memory-board-worthy photo just for me. * When I take that picture, I’m going to pause and ask: Is my life becoming a story I actually want remembered? If you give this a try, tag your moments with #epiclivingpodcast or come share your thoughts with me on Facebook (Epic Living with Jean) or at epiclivingwithjean.com [https://epiclivingwithjean.com]. I’ve also put together a free guide, "7 Ways to Start Living Epic," available on my site, plus info about my Dream Manager and Dream Activation programs if you’re ready for bigger change. Let’s stop waiting for the perfect time to live our stories. Our best memories are waiting to be made! Mentioned in this episode: Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork eWomenPodcastNetwork [https://epic-stories.captivate.fm/ewpn]

My Life Doesn’t Suck, My Circumstances Do: Bobby Quinn’s Battle with ALS and Unbreakable Spirit

WHAT IF YOU COULD CHOOSE JOY, EVEN WHEN LIFE ISN’T FAIR? This week on Epic Stories, Jean Tillery shares a powerful and deeply personal episode: a re-airing of her very first podcast interview with her friend Bobby Quinn, who faced ALS with unyielding courage, humor, and love. As Jean Tillery reflects on coming back to their conversation, she’s reminded of the lasting impact that ordinary people’s stories can have on our understanding of joy, resilience, and purpose. Whether you’re new or a longtime listener, you’ll hear Bobby Quinn speak openly about his journey with ALS, the realities of living with the disease, the importance of community support, and his unwavering choice to keep living and loving with joy—no matter his circumstances. KEY TAKEAWAYS * The Power of Perspective: “Bobby Quinn” famously said, “My life doesn’t suck. My circumstances do.” No matter what life throws at us, our outlook matters. * Community Matters: From fundraisers to friends feeding him lunch, Bobby Quinn’s story is a testament to the importance of relationships and letting others show up for you. * Facing Hard Truths: Candid discussion of ALS symptoms, daily challenges, and decisions around care—reminding us not to take anything for granted. * Lasting Impact: Even after his passing, Bobby Quinn’s humor, kindness, and refusal to lose his joy continue to inspire everyone who hears his story. * A Call to Action: Jean Tillery is donating $1 for every listener who comments “listened” on her Facebook episode post, in support of ALS fundraising. After listening, do something intentional to support or encourage another person—reach out, check in, donate, or share this story. Then, head to Jean Tillery’s Facebook page and comment “listened” on the episode post. Every comment means another dollar donated to fight ALS, honoring the spirit of Bobby Quinn and reminding us all: keep showing up, keep finding joy, and keep living EPIC. For more inspiration and resources, visit epiclivingwithjean.com [https://epiclivingwithjean.com] and download your free guide to living epic. Mentioned in this episode: Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork eWomenPodcastNetwork [https://epic-stories.captivate.fm/ewpn]

The Second Goodbye: A Birth Mother's Journey of Love, Loss, and Letting Go

HAVE YOU EVER LIVED A STORY THAT DOESN’T HAVE AN ENDING? Hi, I’m Jean Tillery, and in this episode of Epic Stories, I invite you to sit with me in the discomfort, hope, and beauty of an unfinished story—my story. This week, as Mother’s Day just passed, I share what it means to carry an experience that offers no perfect closure, a story that has shaped me in ways I’m still discovering. Last year, I told the story of being adopted and becoming a birth mom. But I’m not the same person I was then, and my story keeps shifting. Today, I open up about what has changed since I first shared that part of my heart—and about how I’m still learning to live in the tension of love, longing, and letting go. WHAT’S INSIDE THIS EPISODE I begin by reflecting on my journey, starting from my adoption as a baby and the loving home I was raised in. Decades later, I found myself looking at things from the other side, navigating the emotional and complex terrain of being a birth mom who chose adoption for my own son. I talk about the ache that comes from unanswered questions and what it was like the day my son found me after 37 years of silence. For four incredible days, I got to reconnect—even just through texts—and fill in the blanks in each other’s lives. And then, just as suddenly, he was gone again. I haven’t heard from him since August 11, 2021, and that silence is a wound I’m learning to live with. A few weeks ago, an unexpected moment at the movies cracked open these old feelings in a raw new way. I realized I needed to let go of the hope of reunion, not because I stopped caring, but because hope itself was becoming too painful to carry. Letting go was as hard as it was the first time—and even heavier, because now I know him. Throughout this episode, I’m honest about my grief, my hope, and my process of acceptance. I remind myself and anyone listening that you absolutely cannot control other people’s decisions or the way they process their own story. But I can choose how I carry mine. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Some stories don’t have tidy endings: Life rarely wraps heartbreak up in a bow. Unfinished stories are messy, real, and valid (01:03). * Adoption carries lifelong impact: Both as an adoptee and a birth mom, I learned love and loss can coexist, and some goodbyes never truly end (01:15–03:48). * Ambiguous loss is real and recurring: Connection and disconnection can happen in cycles, and losing someone for a second time can hurt even more (02:09–05:22). * Your feelings are never wrong: There is no perfect response to pain. It’s okay to have peace one day and grief the next—and to cycle through hope and hopelessness (06:09). * Letting go doesn’t cancel love: I learned (again) that love doesn’t go away just because it’s not returned the way you’d hoped—it’s still real, still valid, still worth honoring (06:32). * Practical ways to move forward: My Epic Challenge for you is to name the part of your story that’s heavy—not to fix it, but just to acknowledge it, honoring the reality of what you carry (07:03). YOUR EPIC CHALLENGE & INVITATION This is my invitation to you: If you’re living a story with no end in sight, try what I’ve learned—just honor it. Write it down. Say the name. Say a prayer. Let it exist as it is, without needing it to be different. You are absolutely not alone in this experience. If something in my story resonates with you, I’d be honored if you shared this episode with someone else who might need to know they’re not alone, either. Use the hashtag #epiclivingpodcast and comment on my Facebook page. You can dive deeper into my journey in my book, A Dreamer’s Travel Journal, or connect with more resources on my website, epiclivingwithjean.com. There you can find a free guide—7 Ways to Start Living Epic—and even set up a call if you want to talk about what “epic” might look like in your own life. Be gentle with yourself. Remember: Some stories aren’t meant to be finished—they’re meant to be carried. And as always, it’s all about the story. Thank you for being here with me. Now go out and live EPIC today and every day. Mentioned in this episode: Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork eWomenPodcastNetwork [https://epic-stories.captivate.fm/ewpn]

More Lessons From the Ironman: Endurance, Community, and the Moments That Shape Us

When was the last time you witnessed a moment so extraordinary, it changed the way you see your own potential? In this heartfelt episode of Epic Stories, Jean Tillery shares a deeply personal account from the sidelines of the Texas Ironman—a once-in-a-lifetime moment that celebrates grit, community, and the transformative power of doing what’s hard. With a proud mom’s voice and an observer’s keen insight, Jean Tillery takes us beyond the race’s finish line to reveal the hidden stories that matter most. KEY TAKEAWAYS * There Are Two Races in Every Journey: The one we see on the course, and the quieter, just-as-important one that happens among supporters and loved ones 01:19. * Support Means Meeting People Where They Are: Sometimes support looks like cheering, sometimes it’s simply offering silence and space 02:06. * Community Makes the Impossible Possible: No achievement, no matter how individual it appears, is completed alone 03:35. * Adversity Is Inevitable—Resilience Is a Choice: It’s not about avoiding challenges, but about how you respond when things go wrong 05:16. * Extraordinary Is Found in Endurance, Not Ease: What truly sets people apart is the willingness to keep going, especially when it hurts 07:13. * Epic Moments Can Go Unnoticed—and That’s Okay: Sometimes the real gift is knowing these moments happened, even if we weren’t there to witness them first-hand 02:54. * The Big Question: What hard thing have you been avoiding, and is it time to step into your own “race”? What is your “hard thing”? This week, embrace the challenge instead of waiting for it to feel easier. Share your journey and epic moments with Jean Tillery on the Epic Living with Jean Facebook page, and check out photos and more inspiration from the race. For more tools and to start your own epic journey, visit epiclivingwithjean.com [https://epiclivingwithjean.com], grab your free guide, and connect about living your own EPIC story. Don’t forget to share this episode using #epiclivingpodcast! Mentioned in this episode: Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork eWomenPodcastNetwork [https://epic-stories.captivate.fm/ewpn]

Decluttering Your Life: How to Release What No Longer Serves You

Are you overwhelmed by more than just the mess you see? Clutter isn’t just about the things piling up in your closet or the endless emails in your inbox—it’s often about the unspoken stories, habits, and identities we carry. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Young, a professional organizer who goes beyond surface solutions to help people uncover the “why” behind the clutter and find freedom in their physical, digital, and mental spaces. WHAT WE COVER * Why clutter is often rooted in emotional patterns, trauma, and learned behaviors—not just “too much stuff” * How societal changes and family history shape our urge to hold on or accumulate * The real impact of mental and digital clutter, and why they’re often overlooked * How to honor the stories behind sentimental objects without letting them control your space * Simple, functional strategies to start decluttering on your terms * The power of group support—and why sharing your decluttering journey can lighten your load KEY TAKEAWAYS * Clutter is about what we hold onto—and why. It’s more emotional than physical. * Functional organization is personal. Find what actually works for you, not what looks good in a magazine or on Instagram. * Sentimental items should be seen and enjoyed, not boxed and forgotten. * Your clutter often hides in digital and mental spaces. Unsubscribing from emails or acting on repetitive to-dos can bring immediate relief. * Asking for help isn’t a sign of failure—your ask may be the answer to someone else’s need. * Progress doesn’t require perfection. Start with one small step—trash a single item, unsubscribe from one email, schedule a lingering task. TAKE ACTION Pick one area—your junk drawer, inbox, or to-do list—and do a single thing today: throw out rubbish, unsubscribe from five emails, or finally tackle that one nagging task. Share your experience with a friend or in our community—because you’re not alone on this journey. Ready to transform your relationship with stuff? Visit hiresteph.com/clutterescape [hiresteph.com/clutterescape] for Stephanie Young's online support group, and join the conversation on the Epic Living with Jean Facebook page. Because it’s not really about having less. It’s about living with intention, creating space for what matters, and remembering—it’s all about the story. Mentioned in this episode: Epic Stories is Part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork eWomenPodcastNetwork [https://epic-stories.captivate.fm/ewpn]