Accidental Hoops Star to Pickleball Cruises with Shell Dailey | What's Your Story with Jaime and Stan | Ep #86

92-Year-Old FAA Whistleblower: Surviving Chaos & Zero Stress with Frank Boyer | Ep. 91

At 92 years old, former FAA air traffic controller Frank Boyer wakes up every single day at a "10 out of 10"—a radical reality forged inside one of the most notoriously stressful, substance-heavy work environments in American history. In this conversation, Frank uncovers the painful fallout of becoming a presidential whistleblower under the Reagan administration, the single domestic regret that forever changed how he protects his peace, and the hidden "superpower" holding most of us hostage to our own chaos. Press play to discover why sometimes, getting ousted by the system is the most vital thing that can ever happen to your soul. KEY TAKEAWAYS * The "Latchkey" Baseline: Deconstructing Frank’s 1930s Ohio childhood; how solitary Saturdays making bologna-and-potato-chip sandwiches established an early, impenetrable nervous system baseline of somatic relaxation. * 1930s Farm-to-Table Epigenetics: The compounding biological payoff of growing up alongside a Shawnee Native American grandfather, eating pre-commercialized organic produce, and rejecting the American myth of red meat as a pre-requisite for masculine stamina. * The 1981 Vegetarian Pivot: The aesthetic and physical catalysts that drove Frank to eliminate animal flesh from his diet over four decades ago, resulting in a completely pain-free existence at age 92. * The D.C. Center "Washout" Crucible: Inside the 1959 Civil Aeronautics Administration; how Frank navigated a brutal 75% failure rate among trainees through mental 3D spatial mapping, raw geometry, and radical peer solidarity. * The Anatomy of Airspace Chaos: An unvarnished look at the realities of commercial flight safety, the compounding sequence of human errors that cause mid-air collisions, and Frank’s terrifying personal near-miss caught inside the backwash of a Japan Air jumbo jet. * The 1981 PATCO Strike & Reagan’s Hit List: The immense psychological toll of watching 20,000 colleagues get terminated overnight, writing a warning letter directly to President Ronald Reagan, and the reality of being fired for refusing to compromise safety restrictions. * Dismantling the Type-A Controller Archetype: The dark underbelly of 1970s tower culture; utilizing workplace hazing as a high-pressure relief valve, managing surprise drug-testing protocols, and how the post-strike integration of female controllers fundamentally stabilized the profession. * The 92-Year-Old Longevity Blueprint: A granular look at Frank’s non-negotiable daily stack: the 1985 Fit for Life food-combining philosophy, morning sunlight, light 30-pound resistance training, and sourcing daily emotional regulation from monastic philosophy. * The Superpower of Radical Non-Intervention: The profound personal breakthrough of letting people do whatever they want—and the specific family regret involving his wife that taught Frank the danger of over-internalizing other people's battles. * Transcendental Meditation (TM) in the Tower: How an 8-year-old’s acting gig with the San Francisco Conservatory Theater introduced Frank to the ultimate somatic reset, allowing him to quietly teach meditation to hyper-stressed FAA executives. * The Modern FAA Crisis: An expert critique of current aviation infrastructure; the systemic danger of transitioning from "training to filter out" to "training until they pass," and why non-operational bureaucrats are suffocating American airspace. CONNECT WITH FRANK BOYER Website: https://www.themaverickmanager.com CONNECT WITH JAIME & STAN Website: https://www.jaimemarco.com Got feedback or a guest recommendation? Email: connect@jaimemarco.com

Stepping Out of a Music Legend's Shadow with Sharon Preston- Folta | Ep. #90

Listen in as we explore a deeply guarded piece of music history and the profound emotional toll of family secrets. In this episode, you'll hear Sharon Preston-Folta share her extraordinary journey of growing up as the unacknowledged daughter of jazz legend Louis Daniel Armstrong, and how she transformed a legacy of shadows into a testament of resilience. In this episode, you'll hear: * The untold history of Black Vaudeville, the Apollo chorus girls, and the reality of touring the Chitlin Circuit in the 1940s and 50s. * The shocking moment a 10-year-old Sharon discovered her father's "other" life and wife while watching the Johnny Carson show. * How she navigated the complex feelings of betrayal, anger, and teenage acting out after realizing she was being kept a secret. * Her inspiring pivot to channel her theatrical DNA into a successful 30-year broadcasting career as a single mom. * The powerful journey to write Little Satchmo and produce an award-winning documentary, ensuring she was no longer erased from her father's history. If you discovered a massive, world-altering family secret, how do you think you would handle it?  Tag us on social media and let us know! And if you loved this conversation, please remember to follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tY?si=7b0e1e6ab1764b2a] Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan] CONNECT WITH Sharon Preston-Folta  LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonfolta] Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/littlesatchmo122/] CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaks] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaks] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarco] Website [https://www.jaimemarco.com/] Got feedback or a guest recommendation? Email: connect@jaimemarco.com

The Heartbreaking Choice to Save Her Son's Life with Ida Fields | Ep. #89

Imagine spending ten years desperately searching for answers as you watch your child slowly lose their ability to speak, play, and safely exist in the world. In this deeply moving episode, Ida Fields reveals the harrowing reality of raising a child with a microscopic, ultra-rare genetic mutation—and the agonizing but life-saving decision to place her 12-year-old son into a specialized residential facility. Her untold story of resilience, medical mysteries, and unyielding love will change how you view parenting and the neurodivergent mind. Key Topics: * The Power of Living Authentically: Why stepping out of corporate compartmentalization and sharing your "messy" truth can be profoundly healing and unexpectedly connective. * Mother's Intuition is Real: How Ida trusted her gut when noticing early signs of developmental delays like low muscle tone, excessive drooling, and missed milestones, even when doctors told her she was just a "nervous mom". * The Danger of Incomplete Genetic Testing: The devastating realization that years of standard autism treatments and psychiatric medications were actively working against her son's ultra-rare condition. * Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS): An inside look at this rare genetic condition (a missing SHANK3 protein on chromosome 22), affecting only about 2,000 people worldwide, and the incredible foundation leading the research. * The Silent Toll on Families: The raw reality of how severe special needs children impact marriages, cause trauma for younger siblings, and push parents into years of sleep-deprived survival mode. * A New Paradigm of Care: An exploration of The Center for Discovery, a groundbreaking residential facility in New York that grows its own food and provides unparalleled, dignified care for complex individuals. * Neurodiversity as Evolution: Ida's thought-provoking perspective on why conditions like autism might not be an epidemic, but rather an evolution of human intelligence. * The "Fork Bracelet" Philosophy: A beautiful reminder from a poignant story that no matter how difficult life gets, "the best is yet to come". Jamie let it slip that she was entirely traumatized by a Japanese restaurant in Epcot as a kid... what is your most absurd or unexplainable childhood restaurant trauma? Take a screenshot of this episode, tag us on social media, and let us know! If you were moved by Ida's incredible story today, please hit that Follow button so you never miss an episode. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review—it helps us bring more extraordinary stories of everyday people right to your ears!   LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tY [https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tY] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan] CONNECT WITH IDA FIELDS LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ida-fields-3a7269b/ Instagram: @ideafields CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaks [https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaks] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaks [https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaks] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarco [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarco] Website: https://www.jaimemarco.com [https://www.jaimemarco.com] Got feedback or a guest recommendation? Email: connect@jaimemarco.com

The Myth of "Full Recovery" with Mallary Tenore Tarpley | What's Your Story #87

Mallary Tenore Tarpley opens up about her deeply personal journey through anorexia and the biggest secret the medical world rarely acknowledges: "full recovery" is often an illusion. She reveals her groundbreaking framework for living in the "middle place"—the messy but beautiful space between acute sickness and perfection where slips are accepted, and true healing actually begins. Key Topics Discussed: * The trauma of losing her mother to breast cancer at age 11 and how the desire to "stop time" triggered severe anorexia. * The reality behind navigating five hospitalizations and the transition into residential treatment. * The "Middle Place" framework: why letting go of the pressure for a tidy, perfect recovery is the key to sustainable health. * The challenge of blending deeply personal memoir writing with investigative journalism and cutting-edge science. * What Mallary learned from interviewing and surveying hundreds of eating disorder patients, doctors, and researchers. * How loved ones can actively support someone in recovery without placing the crushing expectation of perfection on them. * The dangers of perfectionism and learning to embrace life's imprints and setbacks as part of the process. Indexed Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 03:15 - Losing Her Mother and the Desire to "Stop Time" 08:42 - The Hidden Realities of Anorexia and Hospitalization 15:30 - The Secret to Surviving the "Middle Place" of Recovery 22:15 - Why "Full Recovery" Can Be a Dangerous Illusion 31:05 - The Challenge of Interviewing Hundreds of ED Patients 38:40 - How to Support Loved Ones Without Expecting Perfection 45:12 - Blending Journalism with Deeply Personal Trauma 52:50 - Letting Go of Perfectionism to Find True Healing   If you had to write a memoir about your own life, what would the most unpredictable, messy chapter be called?  Let us know in the comments! 👇   LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tY Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan]   CONNECT WITH MALLARY TENORE TARPLEY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley-6719484/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley-6719484/] SubstackSubstack newsletter: mallary.substack.co [http://mallary.substack.co] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley [https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley] Personal website: mallarytenoretarpley.com [http://mallarytenoretarpley.com/]   CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarco Website: https://www.jaimemarco.com Got feedback or a guest recommendation? Email: connect@jaimemarco.com

Accidental Hoops Star to Pickleball Cruises with Shell Dailey | What's Your Story with Jaime and Stan | Ep #86

Discover how Shell Dailey went from a dancer who didn't know how to dribble to an undefeated college basketball champion. She reveals the hilarious story of getting caught staring at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during a game, and how she transitioned from the stressful world of coaching to hosting pickleball wellness cruises. Tune in for an inspiring journey about finding your true purpose, embracing life's pivots, and playing the game of life with passion.  Key Topics Discussed: * Shell’s 40th college reunion celebrating the University of Texas's historic 34-0 undefeated national championship basketball season. * Her hilarious introduction to basketball at age 12, where she left a dance recital and scored 14 points in her first game without knowing the rules. * Playing under legendary coach Jody Conradt and revolutionizing the women's game with a faster, physical playstyle. * The unforgettable moment Shell was caught starstruck by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Pat Riley during her own college game. * Leaving her corporate job at Neiman Marcus to follow her true calling as a college basketball coach at TCU. * The realities of youth sports parenting and raising her son, Eric, who now plays basketball for UCLA. * Pivoting her career post-coaching to launch pickleball wellness retreats on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. * The inspiration behind her book, "More Than a Coach," and how she navigated the profound grief of losing both her parents within six months of each other. Indexed Chapters * 0:00:02 - Welcome & Introducing Basketball Legend Shell Dailey * 0:04:30 - Celebrating an Undefeated 34-0 National Championship 40th Reunion * 0:08:29 - From Dance Recitals to Scoring 14 Points on the Court * 0:13:50 - Fixing the "Ancient" Set Shot and Learning to Dribble * 0:21:21 - Getting Discovered by Texas and the Power of Coach Jody Conradt * 0:28:39 - The Origins of Professional Women's Basketball: WNBA & ABL * 0:30:45 - Starstruck: Meeting Kareem, Magic, and Pat Riley * 0:35:10 - Leaving Neiman Marcus to Find Purpose in Coaching * 0:41:26 - Raising a Star: Son Eric's Journey to UCLA Basketball * 0:47:33 - Finding Love on the Court & International Hoops * 0:52:34 - The Big Pivot: Pickleball Wellness Retreats on Cruise Ships * 1:01:17 - Writing "More Than a Coach" and Overcoming Deep Loss If you had to drop everything right now to jump into a sport you know absolutely nothing about—just like Shell did with basketball —what sport would you choose to save the day? Drop your wild answers in the comments below! 👇🍿     LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tY [https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tY] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan] YouTube: https://youtu.be/UBIDahYFW9I [https://youtu.be/UBIDahYFW9I]   CONNECT WITH SHELL DAILEY Website: https://shelldailey.com/ [https://shelldailey.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shell.dailey/ [https://www.facebook.com/shell.dailey/]   CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaks [https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaks] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaks [https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaks] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarco [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarco] Website: https://www.jaimemarco.com [https://www.jaimemarco.com] Got feedback or a guest recommendation? Email: connect@jaimemarco.com