I Like That Story

What can a 94-year-old teach us about life? Jeff Gould sits down with Alex Brown, age 94, to hear the wisdom that only nine decades of living can provide. Jeff believes we spend far too much time comparing ourselves to people our own age. Instead, he suggests we look 20–30 years ahead and learn from those who have already traveled the road we’re on. In this thoughtful conversation, Alex reflects on nearly a century of life — from growing up during the Great Depression, remembering Pearl Harbor as a child, serving in the U.S. Navy, building a business from scratch at age 40, and eventually selling that company after 25 years. Along the way he shares simple but powerful lessons about: • Longevity and staying healthy into your 90s • Starting a business later in life • The importance of goal setting • Parenting and family values • Faith and maintaining a positive outlook • What it’s like to witness nearly a century of world events Alex has lived through World War II, Sputnik, the Cold War, and the rise of di

Jeff Gould (“America’s Storyteller”) sits down with Thadeus Amadeus Giedd for a conversation that starts light—misheard names, funny mix-ups, and Jeff’s signature “JEFFARDY” question board—and gradually deepens into faith, leadership, fatherhood, and the power of living with intention. Thadeus, the longtime organizer behind TEDxSiouxFalls, shares what he believes makes a truly great TEDx talk: it’s not a lecture—it’s a story arc. The best speakers don’t try to cram in everything they know; they deliver one unforgettable insight, one unexpected moment, and one powerful takeaway in just 15 minutes. From there, Thadeus opens up about the ideas shaping his life right now—especially his love for Stoicism (Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca) and how he’s combined its virtues—courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance—with what he believes Stoicism lacks most: love. For Thadeus, letting Christ into his life didn’t replace the discipline of Stoicism—it completed it. The conversation also turns personal as Thadeus ta

What does it really take to build a workplace people want to stay in? In this wide-ranging, story-driven conversation, Jeff Gould sits down with Wendy Alexander, an HR professional (“HR guru”) with 20+ years in talent acquisition, coaching, employee relations, and workplace culture. #HR #Hiring #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #AI #Burnout #Recruiting #EmotionalIntelligence #TalentAcquisition #jeffgould #americasstoryteller #wendyalexander Topics covered: • Why “balance” can feel impossible (and what helps anyway) • The iPad story: boundaries, structure, and staying sane • AI at work: helpful tool or trust-killer? • The real formula for a great hire (role + manager + team dynamics) • Generational diversity: strengths, friction, and how to train for it • Leadership as coaching, not pushing • Books that shaped Wendy (Jordan Peterson, Catcher in the Rye, Enneagram work) • A candid closing question: Jeff’s biggest regret—and what saved him from it

Former professional bull rider Nick Morrison has survived more than 50 concussions, a broken neck, a broken back, and two devastating shoulder injuries that ended his rodeo career at just 21 years old. But his greatest battle came in 2020, when a heat-triggered neurological episode left him fully paralyzed and mute — trapped inside his own body.  @NickMorrisonComedy  #jeffgould #americasstoryteller #interview #nickmorrison #comedy #publicspeaking #rodeo #bullriding #knockedout With no insurance coverage and no rehab facility willing to take him, Nick rebuilt his brain the only way he could: one word at a time. Through music, relentless mental discipline, and unshakable faith, he fought his way back to the stage. Today, Nick is a bestselling author of Knocked Out, But Not Down, a nationally touring keynote speaker, and a stand-up comedian who has performed from Las Vegas to Fortune 500 stages — all while living daily with chronic pain. In this powerful and surprisingly funny conversation, Nick shares:

Jeff Gould interviews Sandra Dee Robinson (“The Charisma Coach”) on presence, faith, leadership, and what horses teach about emotional alignment. ‪@RealSandraDeeRobinson‬ They start with one core idea: better questions create better conversations. Sandra explains how thoughtful, non-invasive questions quickly build trust—especially for introverts. The discussion moves into resilience, as she shares how Psalm 23 became a source of strength during a season of loss and rebuilding, reframing desperation as growth. A major focus is her work in equine-assisted leadership. Horses mirror human emotion with precision, revealing that calm authority—not dominance—drives true leadership. Stress is contagious, but so is regulation. Even physiologically, large mammals can help lower blood pressure and restore clarity. They also address fame, identity projection, comparison, and the need for embodied presence in a noisy, AI-driven world. Sandra argues that charisma is alignment—when who you are matches what you express.

In a world that often glorifies youth and fame, the wisdom that comes with age is a treasure worth exploring. In this podcast episode, Jeff Gould and Rick Melmer delve into the profound insights that can be gained as one enters the later stages of life. Rick shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of perspective, community, and intentional living. Key Takeaways Rick Melmer’s insights remind us that life’s later stages can be vibrant and fulfilling. Embracing wisdom, engaging with others, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle can lead to a more positive outlook. In a culture that often overlooks the value of age, Rick’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the beauty of intentional living and the richness that comes from shared experiences. 00:00 The Importance of Learning from Others 06:50 Daily Regimen for a Fulfilling Life 13:00 Leadership and Teaching 18:48 Creating Leadership South Dakota 25:04 Improving Education and Leadership 42:02 The Unique Nature of Teaching 47:56 Leadership and Follow

In this engaging conversation, Jeff Gould and Marty Hofmann explore themes of intentional living, personal growth, and the importance of integrity. Marty shares his experiences from shearing sheep to his current work in real estate, emphasizing the grit and determination required in both life and work. They discuss the concept of true prosperity, which is defined not by wealth but by the impact one has on others. The conversation also delves into the significance of daily disciplines, the balance between family and work, and the power of authenticity in building connections. Ultimately, the discussion encourages listeners to live intentionally and avoid complacency in their lives. #martyhofmann #jeffgould #interview ⁨‪@martyhofmann1‬ Connect with Marty Hofmann: Website: https://www.martyhofmann.com/ with his new website to be https://killcomplacency.com Podcast (Kill Complacency): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... Instagram:   / martyhofmann1   Facebook:   / martyhofmann1   YouTube:    / @martyhofma

In this engaging conversation, Jeff Gould and Ali Gabriel explore a variety of topics ranging from social trends like TikTok to the intricacies of job satisfaction and parenting. They delve into the importance of decision-making skills instilled by parents, share behind-the-scenes insights from various jobs, and discuss the value of cultural exchange through travel. The conversation emphasizes the significance of interesting stories and perspectives in life, highlighting how personal experiences shape our understanding of the world. Takeaways • Conversations can be sparked by interesting questions. • TikTok is a controversial social trend affecting attention spans. • Behind-the-scenes insights from various jobs can be enlightening. • Tipping practices reveal much about service industry dynamics. • Decision-making can be guided by core values instilled by parents. • Travel experiences can shape cultural understanding and friendships. • Life advice from parents can have lasting impacts on decision-making. • Jo

It's hard to find Significance if others hold you back by using your loyalty against you! Strategies in dealing with these manipulators!

If life is a race, why is it so many of us give up, slow down and turn in a mediocre life? Listen to this podcast and see if you can find the missing word. Enjoy.

All change is both exciting an scary- even Retirement! Some see it as a gaping Black Hole of dread that hampers them living out their best story. Some great tips in the episode to think about and share :) Enjoy!

A person who is living a Significant Life has certain tells. Listen to who has had Significance and who is finding it and what they have in common.

The most common emotion I see when I officiate at funerals is REGRET. Not usually for what was done- but for what WASN'T done. Listen to this episode- while there is still time ;)

Stuck in a rut, asleep at the wheel, Autopilot- Take the Autopilot Test and see how you score!

You learn a lot from funerals- the wisdom from other peoples lives is fascinating but more important extremely valuable for those who seek Significance.

I talked to a retired Financial Planner about Success and Significance- the word he used may help you on your journey

We think of Significance as big things- but it's really finding what you're made to do and doing that really well- a perfect fast-food story shared by Pastor Randy Anderson

The hard part about Finding Significance...is...YES. It's murky! SO I decided to track down a guy who specializes in murkiness to see what he had to say- some really good stuff!

How can you enjoy life if you constantly worry about the others you are responsible for? This is the last episode in the Case Study of Sara- It has a great ending!

People who are natural caring people have a hard time accepting that they deserve the same treatment they give others. How Sara continues on her path to finding Significance