Who We Remember

Kristen Oliveri on her grandmother - Rooted, Not Rushed

We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?" Today's guest: Kristen Oliveri, founder and CEO at Wealth Reimagined [https://www.wealth-reimagined.com/]. Kristen's pick: Her grandmother, Maura O'Brien Healy Sound Bites - “At 29, before she could board the steamer at Ellis Island, they pulled every tooth in her mouth -and still she came to America alone. That kind of resilience stayed with her, and with all of us.” - “I don’t have many of her things - just one little clover pin my mom gave me two years ago. But in holding it, I feel her presence, as if every cup of tea and every patient glance is still here.” - "My grandmother always found space for others—six kids at home, yet she still took in cousins, neighbors, and friends. That spirit of hospitality is the thread I carry forward in my life and work." Summary Journalist and founder of Wealth Reimagined [https://www.wealth-reimagined.com/], Kristen Oliveri honors her grandmother Maura O’Brien Healy—an Irish immigrant whose quiet strength shaped three generations. Prompted by a single clover pin and a surprising scarcity of heirlooms, Kristen reconnects with her mother and aunts, sparking a shared family archive and fresh conversation about memory, migration, and meaning. She revisits Maura’s extraordinary path—from leaving Wicklow at 14, enduring a full dental extraction to pass Ellis Island’s exam, to a five-year courtship and six children in Brooklyn—and the “village of women” who helped raise 25 cousins. Along the way, Kristen traces the thread from tea-table interviews with Grandma to her own calling in storytelling, hospitality, and amplifying women’s voices. It’s a tender, grounded portrait of legacy in everyday ritual: a brooch, a cup of tea, a slow meal—rooted, not rushed—and how those gestures echo in the work and lives we build. About Kristen Kristen Oliveri is the founder of Wealth Reimagined, a platform dedicated to reshaping how we talk about wealth by highlighting its human, lifestyle, and legacy dimensions. With nearly two decades of experience in the family wealth world—as a journalist, event curator, and advisor—she brings people together to share authentic stories and fresh perspectives. A native New Yorker now based on Long Island’s North Fork, Kristen blends her love of storytelling, travel, and hospitality with a passion for amplifying women’s voices and fostering meaningful connections. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2354335/open_sms] Join Us Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast [https://www.storykeep.com/podcast] to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats. Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember." Credits Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here [https://listen.takenobumusic.com/]

Suzy Riedman on her dad - Quiet Strength in a Cowboy Hat

We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?" Today's guest: Suzy Riedman,  Suzie''s pick: Her dad, Richard Riedman Sound Bites “A grown man apologizing to his child—that’s real strength. My dad taught me courage lives inside an apology.” “He couldn’t stand public speaking, yet he became a professor for 30 years. He trained himself to love what scared him.” "My dad lived in threadbare Levi’s and drove a rusty Ranchero, but when it mattered—the horses, his kids—he paid for the best care without blinking." Summary In this tender, funny, and deeply human conversation, Suzy Reedman—founder of Family Wealth Dynamics—remembers her father, Richard Reedman: horseman, professor of audiology, humble builder of wealth, and relentless appreciator of simple joys. Suzy shares how he taught college for 30 years despite disliking public speaking, lived far below his means while quietly providing the best care for the people and animals he loved, and rode horses until months before his death from Parkinson’s.  We hear the now-legendary “maybe it was me” barn mystery, a family story that became Suzy’s touchstone for accountability and grace in conflict. From threadbare Levi’s and a well-worn cowboy hat to sunlit rides through Oregon woods, Suzy paints scenes that illuminate how humor, apology, and presence form a lasting legacy—and how her dad’s quiet strength informs her work guiding inheritors to clarity, purpose, and connection beyond the balance sheet. About Suzy                                                                                                                                     Suzy Riedman is the founder of Family Wealth Dynamics, where she guides inheritors and enterprising families through the emotional and practical complexities of wealth.  An inheritor herself with a background in real estate investment and coaching, Suzy creates safe, transformative conversations that help clients integrate identity, values, and capital—so relationships thrive alongside stewardship. She studied creative writing and is authoring a children’s book series (beginning with Bobby & Billy [https://familywealthdynamics.com/waitlist]) designed to spark healthy, age-appropriate conversations about money, friendship, and purpose in families of wealth. Based in Oregon, Suzy draws on her lived experience—humor, humility, and a horseman father’s quiet wisdom—to help rising-gen leaders move from uncertainty to ownership, and from pressure to meaning. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2354335/open_sms] Join Us Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast [https://www.storykeep.com/podcast] to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats. Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember." Credits Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here [https://listen.takenobumusic.com/]

Kate Bright on her grandmother - An Activist with a Smile

We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?" Today's guest: Kate Bright, CEO and Founder of UMBRA International [https://umbrainternational.com/] Kate's's pick: Her grandmother, Olive Duncan Sound Bites - “You can protest on the picket line, fight for what's right—and still be wearing matching gloves, a hat, and polished shoes. Why not?” - "She gave birth to my mother in an air raid. If that’s not a story about strength, I don’t know what is." - "If you know who you are, you know where you're going. That’s what this journey into Olive’s life has given me—and what I hope to pass on." Summary Security specialist and business founder Kate Bright brings to life the remarkable story of her grandmother, Olive Duncan—a glamorous rebel born in 1912 London who defied societal norms with style and strength. Raised amid war, Olive lost her father young, raised three daughters, got divorced when few women dared, and even protested forced retirement wrapped in a Union Jack. As Kate uncovers her grandmother’s past, she reflects on intergenerational resilience, the enduring power of feminine identity, and the impact of storytelling as a tool for connection, protection, and purpose. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to a woman ahead of her time—and a reminder that legacy lives on in both action and spirit. About Kate Kate Bright is the founder and CEO of UMBRA International [https://umbrainternational.com/], a pioneering security firm that helps ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families feel safe through her signature “secure lifestyle” approach—a human-centered, holistic take on personal protection. A former family office executive and a Chartered Security Professional, Kate sits at the intersection of discretion, strategy, and care. Proudly British and Irish, with Danish and Bavarian roots, she brings a rare combination of elegance, clarity, and strength to everything she does—whether advising governments on national security policy or mentoring the next generation of leaders. She’s also an unapologetically hands-on auntie, a passionate community advocate, and an experiential memory-maker (not the arts-and-crafts type, as she says). Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2354335/open_sms] Join Us Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast [https://www.storykeep.com/podcast] to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats. Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember." Credits Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here [https://listen.takenobumusic.com/]

Michael E. Holden on his mother - The Woman Who Saved Us All

We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?" Today's guest: Michael E. Holden, Author of Authenticity Deficit ‘2024’ [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R9F9V4?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4SRWKAR60ZP9N8G67NGN&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4SRWKAR60ZP9N8G67NGN&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4SRWKAR60ZP9N8G67NGN], Speaker, Trainer, Registered Corporate Coach. Michael's pick: His mother, Catherine Holden Sound Bites - “Instead of being put into a context of deficit, my mother's love and trust placed me into a context of abundance. That belief cascaded through the rest of my life.” - "Why wait until someone dies to celebrate their life? I threw my mom a surprise celebration—not because she was gone, but because she’s still here. That’s the gift of living in alignment." - "The world is pouring 99% of its time into things it won’t think about on its deathbed. What if we just raised that 1%—the part that actually matters? That’s what I’m after now." Summary In this moving and intimate episode, Michael E. Holden pays tribute to his mother—a woman of extraordinary strength, sacrifice, and compassion. Born in southern India, she left behind a life of rural hardship to become a pioneering nurse and midwife, ultimately immigrating to the U.S. during the “brain drain” of the late 1960s. Her story is one of relentless devotion: to her patients, her faith, and most of all, her family. Michael shares powerful memories of how his mother championed him as a misunderstood child, supported his daughter through a life-threatening epilepsy diagnosis, and stood by him through spinal surgery and cancer. Their bond is spiritual, generational, and alive in every story he tells. As Michael steps away from a 20+ year career in finance to pursue work aligned with authenticity and service, he credits his mother’s example as his deepest source of inspiration. About Michael Michael E. Holden is a speaker, author, and father of three who left a 20+ year career as a Fortune 500 executive to pursue a life centered on family, faith, and authenticity. A Cornell Executive MBA graduate, he is the author of The Authenticity Deficit [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R9F9V4?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4SRWKAR60ZP9N8G67NGN&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4SRWKAR60ZP9N8G67NGN&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4SRWKAR60ZP9N8G67NGN] and founder of a growing platform dedicated to helping others live with deeper meaning and purpose. Widely respected in the financial services world for his candor and client-first philosophy, Michael now channels his storytelling gifts to honor the people who shape us—especially the quiet heroes within our families. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2354335/open_sms] Join Us Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast [https://www.storykeep.com/podcast] to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats. Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember." Credits Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here [https://listen.takenobumusic.com/]

Johnny Sirpilla on his Triplets - A Day That Changed Everything

We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?" Today's guest: Johnny Sirpilla, Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author and Chief Encourager at Encourage [https://johnnysirpilla.com] and Chief Experience Officer at Wellspring Financial Advisors [https://www.wellspringadvisorsllc.com/] Johnny's pick: His triplets Nicholas, Mary and Peter Sound Bites - “Their lives were so short, the only time we get to say their names is in remembrance. So I say them—Nicholas, Mary, and Peter—because that’s how I honor them. We don’t speak their names in daily life the way we do with our living kids, but saying their names keeps their spirit present.” - "We don't get to pick and choose what happens in the past, but we do get to choose how we reflect on it. And we made an intentional decision—to be grateful. Grateful we were chosen to be their parents, even for a single day." - "The significance of a life isn’t measured in years. My children lived for one day, but their impact has lasted 30 years—and will last forever. They taught me how to lead with compassion, how to listen with empathy, and how to love without limits." Summary In this profoundly moving episode of Who We Remember, Jamie Yuenger speaks with entrepreneur, author, and family champion Johnny Sirpilla about the brief but transformative lives of his triplets—Nicholas, Mary, and Peter—who were born and passed on the same day. With heart and clarity, Johnny reflects on how one day of parenthood reshaped his values, leadership, and legacy. He shares why he chose to document their funeral, the spiritual significance of saying their names, and how their memory has continued to shape his family and professional life 30 years on. This is a conversation about the sacredness of short lives, the healing force of intentional remembrance, and the quiet power of gratitude in the wake of loss. About Johnny Johnny Sirpilla is an entrepreneur, speaker, and the bestselling author of Life is Hard, But I’ll Be OK [https://www.amazon.com/Life-Hard-but-Ill-Gratitude/dp/1956642870], a memoir about navigating grief, resilience, and the power of perspective. A former president of Camping World and now the founder of Encourage LLC, Johnny leads and invests across industries—from leadership development to healthcare innovation—while speaking nationally on emotional intelligence, legacy, and inner growth. His story is deeply shaped by the loss of his first three children, Nicholas, Mary, and Peter—triplets who lived only one day—an experience that continues to inform his personal and professional life. Johnny lives with his wife Susan between Canton, Ohio and Naples, Florida, and is the proud father of three grown children. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2354335/open_sms] Join Us Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast [https://www.storykeep.com/podcast] to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats. Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember." Credits Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here [https://listen.takenobumusic.com/]