Love Your Story

Healing Our Stories Healing is a cyclical event. We don’t do it once. We do it over and over. As I ponder on this topic I think about all the people I have interviewed – people who have lost children to hiking accidents, car accidents, suicide. People who have lost spouses and parents to murder and suicide. A woman with an eating disorder and a man whose father tried to kill him as a child in order to prove himself a prophet in God’s eyes. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The stories are raw, powerful, and illustrate people who found ways to stand up, heal, and move on to make the world better, to make their own lives better, and to rise from the ashes of pain, loss, betrayal and self-loathing. Today’s conversation is about healing, because it’s a part of every story, and the alternative is to suffer. The things we must heal from are myriad. What affects each of us and how it affects us is very personal–that personal hero’s journey. And the beauty of that is the utter brilliance of it. WE EACH HAV

Episode 83 Interview Wendy Garrett – Life is Tough, but I’m Tougher Welcome to the Love Your Story podcast,  episode 83 where I’m talking with Wendy Garrett. When one has a paralyzed limb it’s unlikely that you’ll see them running, but it’s even less likely that you’ll see them running a marathon, but even less likely than that is that they will be competing in the major world marathons, but that’s the story we get to hear today. Stay tuned to find out about Wendy’s accident, the long process to discovering why she couldn’t use her leg, and the way it has become possible for her to get the support she needs to walk and run on her own. From the age of 6 to her retirement at age 23 Wendy Garrett was a competitive gymnast. She attended Utah State University where she got her degree in Sports and Exercise Science, and after her retirement from gymnastics, she began running as a way to stay active. For her, this was ½ marathon and marathons and she became a full-time gymnastics coach which took her

Hearing From Those Inside the 21-Day Challenge The 21-Day Challenge launched in January and I wanted to give you a peek into what the challenge has been creating for those who have jumped on the bandwagon and accepted the challenge. Today’s episode contains stories from four of the 21-Day Challenge participants so you can hear about some of the challenges, you can hear what the participants think of the challenges, and you can get a feel for the type of experiences being generated. I hope you’ll enjoy the stories they shared…I know I did. And I’d love to have you join us on the inside and start creating these powerful experiences in your own life. Join the 21-Day Challenge by going to the website and signing up: www.loveyourstorypodcast.com Fantastic bargain at only $39 and worth so much more! Create possibility, connection, and peace in your own life story! See you on the inside…. Thanks to all participants who shared their experiences.

Relative Race: Interview with the host Dan Debenham -Reality TV Helping People Find Family Today I’m sitting at Roots Tech, the genealogy tradeshow at the Salt Palace in the capital of Utah, Salt Lake City. Dan Debenham, the host of the popular and highly acclaimed reality TV show Relative Race, and I, are sitting inside a bright lime green car, used by one of the teams in the reality show. We are sitting in here as a type of sound booth, so we can talk about the show, get the stories of the family members found, of the season highlights, and hear about people finding the characters in their stories that they didn’t even know were a part of their stories. Tune in to this week’s podcast for our discussion and see the links below to watch past episodes or follow Relative Race. @RelativeRace https://www.byutv.org/relativerace https://www.byutv.org/player/d294ba93-f5d4-4420-8953-77d974e34470/relative-race-season-3-episode-1 https://www.byutv.org/relativerace

Interview with Diane Butterfield – Part 2 You Can’t Choose What Happens to You, But You Can Choose How You Respond   Welcome to the Love Your Story podcast. Today is episode 80, which ends a 2-part series of interviews with Diane Butterfield. I’ve given this story 2 episodes because it’s long, it’s intense, and around every corner, there is another twist to the plot, another funeral, another dragon to be slain. If you’ve ever thought life was not fair, well…you’re in good company with today’s interviewee… If you’re just joining us, go back and listen to episode 79 first so you can get the first part of the story. On her fridge, there’s a sign that says, “Fair is something you go to  in the fall.”  But one thing Diane is clear about is that while she is not in charge of what happens to her she is totally in charge of how she gets to act and react. In today’s episode we deal with suicide and finding your way forward when you find half your family in the cemetary. Stayed tuned for the rest o

Interview with Diane Butterfield – Part 1 You Can’t Choose What Happens to You, But You Can Choose How You Respond   Welcome to the Love Your Story podcast. Today is episode 79, which starts a 2-part series of interviews with Diane Butterfield. I’ve given this story 2 episodes because it’s long, it’s intense, and around every corner, there is another twist to the plot, another funeral, another dragon to be slain. If you’ve ever thought life was not fair, well…you’re in good company with today’s interviewee… On her fridge, there’s a sign that says, “Fair is something you go to  in the fall.”  But one thing Diane is clear about is that while she is not in charge of what happens to her she is totally in charge of how she gets to act and react. Stayed tuned for the story. Tune into the podcast for her story of infertility, job loss, tragic car accidents and the loss of her children. But you’ll also hear about tender mercies and perseverance that inspires.  

Episode 78: Interview with Ganel-Lyn Condie One of the things that I believe that we run up against in this day in age is the issue of self-condemnation, comparison, expectations,  – we live in a cultural space of doing it all; a social media space of seeing it all – all the great vacations, all the great relationship tributes, all the perfectly prepared meals and nicely decorated homes, the business accolades of associates and friends, the award banquets and the celebrations – all wonderful things, but of course, only part of the story. We should earn good money, we should be good parents, we should create good in the world by starting a non-profit that will save the starving orphans in Africa and stop the sex trade. And, don’t forget, you should look hip, thin, and extremely put together while doing it. There are moral and ethical realms that we should be topping out on, and of course, everyone else seems to be pulling it off in a sense of knowing and purpose. I’m always talking about how life is Messy –

Interview with Mark Asquith – Origin Stories: The past defining the future Every story has a life, and every life has a story.  Today on the Love Your Story podcast I bring to you Mark Asquith, from England, successful entrepreneur also known as the Hot Dog kid. Why do I bring this up – the incident with the hot dog? Because it’s a catalytic story in Mark’s life that made such an impact that over 20 years later it still helps him define what he wants, who he is, and who he isn’t. Stay tuned for my interview with Mark and find out how a sausage can shape your personal brand. Mark Asquith, owner of Excellence Expected, Podcast Websites, and the 7-Minute Mentor podcast, is here today to share HIS story. I don’t want to give away too much, so I’ll let him tell it. From formative grade school experiences to successful business man and international speaker, I’ve asked Mark to share his story with my audience because it’s a prime example of the impact story can have in defining who we become and how we go a

Body Talk – Stories from the Inner Critic Looking in the mirror has for many, become one of the most uncomfortable things we do. Uncomfortable because the minute we do the inner critic hammers away. It’s universal. You’re not alone. Criticizing the physical form we each inhabit is a rampant and pervasive story no matter where you live or who you are. Keep listening for a discussion on body talk, recrafting body stories, and why we’re all in this together. Stories are our lives in language. Welcome to the Love Your Story podcast. I’m Lori Lee, and I’m excited for our future together of telling stories, evaluating our own stories, and lifting ourselves and others to greater places because of our control over our stories. This podcast is about empowerment and giving you, the listener, ideas to work with in making your stories work for you. Story power serves you best when you know how to use it. Now, I love my body – it’s taken me up mountains, down mountains, across lakes, across deserts, down canyons, acros

The Search for Annie Schmidt: Part 3 “Bless the thing that broke you down and cracked you open because the world needs you open.”  –Rebecca Campbell On Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 Annie Schmidt, daughter of Jon Schmidt, famous for his piano playing in the Piano Guys, and Michelle Schmidt, was reported missing. Over the next month, hundreds of people and search dogs embarked on what became an ordeal that gained national attention as the search for her unfolded. This three-part series includes interviews with Annie’s mother -Michelle, the woman who found Annie’s body – Lydia Mcgranahan, and another participant who was key in helping to find Annie – Marty Newey. This series starts out introducing Annie and Lydia – the woman who found her,  and we jump into the inspiration that brought a woman who had no idea who Annie was into the search in the Columbia River Gorge. The second installment takes us further into the search and the inspiration and weaving of events that took place as we talked

PART II The Search for Annie Schmidt On Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 Annie Schmidt, daughter of Jon Schmidt, famous for his piano playing in the Piano Guys, and Michelle Schmidt, was reported missing. Over the next month, hundreds of people and search dogs embarked on what became an ordeal that gained national attention as the search for her unfolded. This three-part series includes interviews with Annie’s mother -Michelle, the woman who found Annie’s body – Lydia Mcgranahan, and another participant who was key in helping to find Annie – Marty Newey. This series starts out introducing Annie and Lydia – the woman who found her,  and we jump into the inspiration that brought a woman who had no idea who Annie was into the search in the Columbia River Gorge. This second installment takes us further into the search and the inspiration and weaving of events that took place as we talk about the experience with those who were there. Tune in for in-depth interviews as we uncover the miraculous events surrounding th

THE SEARCH FOR ANNIE SCHMIDT – PART 1 On Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 Annie Schmidt, daughter of Jon Schmidt, famous for his piano playing in the Piano Guys, and Michelle Schmidt, was reported missing. Over the next month, hundreds of people and search dogs embarked on what became an ordeal that gained national attention as the search for her unfolded. This three-part series includes interviews with Annie’s mother -Michelle, the woman who found Annie’s body – Lydia Mcgranahan, and another participant who was key in helping to find Annie – Marty Newey. This series starts out introducing Annie and Lydia – the woman who found her,  and we jump into the inspiration that brought a woman who had no idea who Annie was into the search in the Columbia River Gorge. Tune in for in-depth interviews as we uncover the miraculous events surrounding the discovery of Annie Schmidt in this three-part series. Other links regarding Annie Schmidt: http://fox13now.com/tag/annie-schmidt/ https://www.deseretnews.co

Understanding Story Archetypes Can Provide A Whole New Interpretation of Your Story Welcome back to the Love Your Story podcast. Today we are getting real with the parts of story. This is going to be fun.  Have you ever been blocked in life? You’re cruising along in life, headed toward your goal or something you want, and bam, something challenges you. Of course you have! It’s a part of everyday life. So, let’s talk about a perspective shift here on this topic. First a definition. What is an archetype? An archetype is a recurrent symbol or motif.  In story there are 7 character archetypes. Carl Jung called the archetypes of story the ancient patterns of personality that are the shared heritage of the human race. His claim is that within the human mind all 7 of these archetypes are a part of each of us. Sometimes we’re the hero, sometimes the mentor, sometimes the Herald , the shape-shifter, threshold guardian, or the trickster. Sometimes we must even deal with the shadow – the repressed part of the hero tha

A Story about Zimbabwe, Three Professional Golfers, and a Whole Lotta Love Once Upon A Time there were three professional golfers who walked into a bar…. No, No, wrong story… But there were 3 professional golfers.  Their names were Reeve, CeCe and Lolly. All three were blond white women, but one was a native Zimbabwean, one was a native South African, and one was a native Norwegian. This story starts with Reeve, a coach on the professional women’s European golf tour, who in 1996 was walking through the children’s ward in a hospital in Zimbabwe. As she walked through the ward she met a  12-year-old girl who had been blinded when she was 8, by bi-lateral cataracts. Long story short, after a 15 minute surgery, this young girl who hadn’t been able to see her families faces, or where she was walking, or a sunrise or sunset for 4 years, later had the bandaged removed and her eyesight restored. Reeve cried at the miracle of it. Of how little it took to give so much back to another person. Cataract surgery costs

Sharing Stories to Create Understanding Sometimes something as simple as a pair of cowboy boots and a story can change lives. The stories that make up our lives are the building blocks, that when put together, explain, in large part, who we are because they illustrate the paths we’ve walked and the decisions we’ve made or not made. When these stories are shared we open the doors to understanding one another, and that changes everything. Stay tuned for a discussion on understanding one another better through the sharing and listening to stories, and for a story about a girl in turquoise cowboy boots. Stories are our lives in language. Welcome to the Love Your Story podcast. I’m Lori Lee, and I’m excited for our future together of telling stories, evaluating our own stories, and lifting ourselves and others to greater places because of our control over our stories. This podcast is about empowerment and giving you, the listener, ideas to work with in making your stories work for you. Story power serves you bes

Ben Amos Interview: Using Video Strategically (Business Episode) Welcome back to the Love Your Story interview land. Today we embark on a business episode in our interview with Ben Amos from Austrailia. Ben is a passionate online video strategist and the host of Engage with Story podcast. He is the founder and creative director of Innovate Media; an online video strategy and production agency based in Queensland, Australia. His podcast is all about exploring the power of storytelling in moving people to action in your business strategy. He talks with expert story artists from around the world deep diving into storytelling for business. I’ve asked him on the podcast today to talk about the angle of strategy. Stay tuned for our discussion from the land down-under. Stories are our lives in language. Welcome to the Love Your Story podcast. I’m Lori Lee, and I’m excited for our future together of telling stories, evaluating our own stories, and lifting ourselves and others to greater places because of our control

21-Day Challenge – Take it and get serious about creating your best story. Today is Launch Day! Let me explain… Love Your Story was created to help people realize that their life stories are within their control. It is a platform for conversations about ideas and tools that help us shape our life stories and create them on purpose with more joy, love, satisfaction, or whatever you want to write into the story you create with your every day living. Well, since we went live in October of 2016 we have talked every week about a variety of these tools, with the hope in mind that those who are listening are getting ideas, inspiration and empowerment to create healthy, happy, and strong stories, rather than small, scared and heavily burdened life stories that often just come with the territory of living. But…that’s a lot of tools. If you’re anything like me, it’s all fine and dandy to know what you should do, but when there is too much to do I just shut down. I go into overwhelm mode and I don’t do anything.

Habits – Breaking Bad: 3 Steps to Reprogramming your Habits What is a new year if not a time to create resolutions, feel crappy when we don’t really keep them, and then create stories in our minds about how we never follow through! Yay – happy new year and welcome back to the habit of attempting a new start toward better ways at the beginning of each new year. We always mean so well. Today, I have a solution that actually has a pretty strong chance of success – a 3 step process that works for changing bad habits. Travis Bradberry said, “Humans are creatures of habit. If you quit when things get tough, it gets that much easier to quit the next time. On the other hand, if you force yourself to push through it, the grit begins to grow in you.” Our habits create our character. Do you realize you have story habits? Stories that get replayed, over and over in your mind as fact. Since our character is defined by our habits, and our lives are created with our stories, it seems pretty important to consider the habi

Shannon Happe Interview – A discussion on the mental stories we need to take us to over-the-top success. Welcome back to the next episode in Love Your Story interview land. Have you ever watched the Olympics and wondered what it takes to be one of these athletes who dominate their sport. One of these people who make it to the very top performance level? What type of mind control do they have to conquer the fears, the fatigue, overwhelm? While the Olympics are the display of physical prowess and control, behind the scenes it is a game where one must first control the mind, the stories that can so easily beset us, well…today I am talking with Shannon Happe, 2-time Olympic medalist in moguls, a US Women’s Freestyle Skier and world champion about her story and what it takes to garner that type of success. Stay tuned. Stories are our lives in language. Welcome to the Love Your Story podcast. I’m Lori Lee, and I’m excited for our future together of telling stories, evaluating our own stories, and lifting ou

Interview with Annadel Lemon – Take Back Your Power During the month of August we had a series of podcasts, one each week, that dealt with the 5 steps of reframing the parts of our stories that are hard, shameful, full of regrets, etc. — the difficult parts of our tales that often hold us back until we can accept them and find the value in the experience. This reframing is such a powerful tool, and on today’s podcast I am excited to interview Annadel Lemon. who has done some massive reframing and has her own way of making that process work. When Annadel was 15 years old her father shot her mother and then killed himself in a tragedy that certainly created a difficult story for Annadel. Instead of letting her story hold her back Annadel, “The Freedom Warrior,” instead decided to use her experiences of overcoming negative emotional trauma to help others clearly see their potential and do the same thing, reframing with gratitude, perspective shifts, and allowing for the grief of the moment to be ok