In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with documentary filmmaker Evan Grae Davis for a conversation that spans human rights, personal transformation, and the courage it takes to question everything you were taught to believe.

Evan spent more than two decades traveling the world creating documentary films that highlight urgent global issues. His groundbreaking film It’s a Girl exposed the devastating reality of gendercide in India and China—where cultural pressures, economic forces, and long-standing traditions have contributed to the disappearance of hundreds of millions of girls. The film reached audiences in more than 20 countries and sparked global conversations about human rights and the value of women and girls.

But Evan’s own story is just as compelling as the ones he films. Raised in an isolationist religious cult, Evan grew up believing he had a divine duty to save the world. As an adult, traveling internationally and witnessing different cultures challenged everything he had been taught. When he finally began questioning those beliefs, it cost him his career, community, and family support system—forcing him to rebuild his life from the ground up.

In this candid conversation, Jill and Evan explore:

• The shocking realities uncovered while filming It’s a Girl

• The difficult moral questions surrounding cultural practices and human rights

• Growing up in a religious cult and breaking free from deeply ingrained beliefs

• How childhood trauma can shape our identities, relationships, and careers

• The struggle—and freedom—of reclaiming your voice and purpose

• Why authentic, relationship-driven storytelling matters more than ever in the digital age

Now a filmmaker, speaker, and marketing strategist helping others tell meaningful stories, Evan shares how understanding our past can become the key to building a more honest and impactful future. This episode is a deeply human conversation about identity, justice, culture, and what it means to live—and tell stories—with authenticity.

As Stories from Everywhere approaches its one-year anniversary, Episode 43 flips the (no)script in the most heartfelt way. Board member Danielle Brooks takes the host seat and interviews Jill L. Ferguson about the deeper “why” behind Let’s Talk About Love — the social purpose corporation and global movement Jill felt called to create.

In this candid, unscripted conversation, Jill opens up about:

• The healing journey that led to a powerful vision of Truth and the message that “love is the way”

• Launching a grassroots love movement in a time when fear and division dominate headlines

• Why love is not soft — but one of the strongest forces on the planet

• How trust, truth, and vulnerability form the foundation of real connection

• The personal cost of starting something meaningful while navigating family illness

• The small, everyday acts of kindness that ripple outward and change lives Jill shares a moving story about listening to an inner nudge to buy a meal for a stranger — and how that simple act became a profound moment of human connection on one of the hardest days of his life

It’s a reminder that love is not theoretical. It’s practical. It’s relational. It’s brave. You’ll also hear Jill speak vulnerably about where she still struggles — especially around romantic vulnerability — and why choosing love anyway is worth the risk.

Together, Jill and Danielle explore:

• What it really means to “lead with love”

• How to respond to hate without becoming hateful

• Why community and collaboration are the only path to lasting change

• How you can participate in spreading love — through storytelling, meditation, conversation, and everyday courage

This episode is personal. It’s philosophical. It’s practical. And it’s an invitation.

If you’ve ever wondered whether love can truly change systems, businesses, relationships — or even the world — this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Because in the end, as Jill reminds us, we are here for such a short time.

And when everything else fades, what remains is love. Listen in. Then go start your own ripple.

What if money isn’t just about numbers but about grief, identity, purpose and how we move through life’s biggest changes?

In this deeply human and surprisingly soulful conversation, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with Joshua Dunlop, founder of Even Path and a purpose-driven financial planner who works at the powerful intersection of money and emotion. Together, they explore why financial decisions are often hardest during moments of loss, divorce, retirement, or major life transitions—and why spreadsheets alone can’t guide us through them. Joshua shares his philosophy on emotionally informed financial planning, why shame keeps so many people from seeking help, and how true financial clarity can free us to grieve, heal, and reimagine what comes next.

From redefining retirement as a lifestyle transition (not a financial event), to unpacking our complicated relationship with money, relevance, and self-worth, this episode challenges everything we’ve been taught about success and security.

You’ll hear about:

+ Why emotions—not investments—derail financial plans

+ The six non-financial pillars that predict a fulfilling retirement

+ How grief, identity, and money collide during major life changes

+ Letting go of shame around finances (no matter how much—or little—you have)

+ Why purpose-driven planning may be the future of financial guidance

This episode is for anyone navigating change, questioning old definitions of success, or wondering how to build a life that feels meaningful—not just financially “sound.”

💛 Because when money meets clarity, life gets lighter.

What happens when music becomes an act of resistance and love becomes a form of education?

In this deeply moving and unflinchingly honest conversation, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with composer, TED Fellow, and founder of the Flying Carpet Festival, Sahba Aminikia, to explore how art can heal what politics and war have broken. Raised in Tehran during years of cultural repression and conflict, Sahba shares how underground music, storytelling, and community became lifelines and how those early experiences now fuel his life’s work.

As the artistic director of the Flying Carpet Festival, Sahba has helped bring music, performance, and joy to more than 400,000 children living in war zones and conflict-affected regions.

In this episode, he speaks candidly about growing up amid bombs and beauty, why limitation fuels creativity, how children suffer for adult decisions, and why investing in imagination may be the most radical peace-building act of all.

Together, Jill and Sahba unpack big ideas with rare nuance: the danger of dehumanization, the failure of cultural institutions, the difference between information and wisdom, and why “only through love is education possible.”

This is not a conversation about politics; it’s a conversation about humanity, empathy, and what it means to bring light into the darkest places. If you believe art can change lives, if you’ve ever wondered how hope survives in impossible conditions, or if you’re searching for a reminder of what truly connects us across borders—this episode is essential listening.

In this heartfelt and surprisingly funny neighborhood-turned-global story (Episode 40 of Stories from Everywhere), host Jill L. Ferguson welcomes Billy Walsh and his partner Wendy Childer, the owners and creators behind Long Beach–based raw pet food company TC Raw Eats—the shop that Jill literally gets dragged into by her own dogs.

What begins as a conversation about healthier food for aging pets quickly unfolds into a powerful narrative about loss, love, resilience, and entrepreneurship. Billy shares how losing his Labrador to cancer sent him down a rabbit hole of pet nutrition, culinary school, and eventually K9 nutrition certification—transforming a personal heartbreak into a mission to change how people feed their dogs and cats.

You’ll hear:

• Why raw food can mean shinier coats, cleaner teeth, better digestion (yes, even better poop), and happier, more energetic pets

• How TC Raw Eats grew from a tiny apartment “cottage industry” into a fully licensed brick-and-mortar shop with over a dozen freezers—and a fiercely loyal four-legged fan base

• Billy’s life-altering traumatic brain injury after a Vespa accident, his journey through coma, memory loss, seizures, and later discovering he is autistic—and how that understanding reshaped his life and relationships

• How he used AI as a personalized training partner to prepare for a marathon, turning technology into a motivational tool tailored to a neurodivergent brain

• Wendy’s own intense health battles—including hip dysplasia, spinal surgeries, and literally growing an inch from metal spacers—while still helping run a growing business

This episode is about more than pet food. It’s about questioning authority, advocating for your animals and yourself, navigating trauma and neurodiversity, and building a life—and a business—out of love, curiosity, and stubborn hope.

If you’ve ever wondered whether raw food really makes a difference, how small businesses survive in California’s regulatory maze, or how two people can stay standing when their bodies keep breaking, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In a world where everyone is talking — and fewer people are truly connecting — how do you find your real voice?

In this illuminating episode, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with vocal coach, author, performer, and communication strategist Kate Peters, the founder of Vocal Impact and the visionary behind her new venture, The Human Voice Initiative. Kate is preparing to release her upcoming book, Reverberate! The Art of Finding Your Voice in a Noisy World, and this conversation is a masterclass in presence, influence, and authentic connection.

Drawing from decades as a professional singer, violinist, voice teacher, consultant, and coach to corporate leaders, Kate reveals why your voice is not a fixed trait; it is a skill you can train, strengthen, and align with your purpose.

Together, Jill and Kate explore:

* Why most people take their voices for granted and how to change that

* The difference between wishful intention and “purpose with a plan”

* How intention, story, and presence must align to create real influence

* Why communication is a practice, not a one-day workshop

* How to use “Story with a capital S” to create meaningful connection

* The subtle mechanics of inflection, tone, and presence, especially for women in leadership

* Practical voice-care tips for cold season, including what not to do when you lose your voice

* How gratitude, thank-you notes, and job follow-ups become powerful when fueled by genuine intention

* Kate’s peace-building work with Braver Angels, helping people bridge divides through courageous dialogue

This episode is for anyone who has ever said, “I wish I could speak up,” “I don’t like my voice,” or “I don’t feel heard.” Kate reminds us that your voice is not something you’re born with; it’s something you create.

🎧 Tune in and discover how to move from being just another voice in the noise to becoming a presence people truly feel.

In this moving and deeply personal episode 39 of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson sits down with graphic designer, educator, and author Ellen M. Shapiro to explore the true family story behind her middle-grade novel The Secret Buttons—a tale of courage, creativity, and quiet resistance during the Holocaust.

Ellen shares how her mother, a Viennese medical student forced to flee Nazi-occupied Austria, secretly crocheted diamonds into sweater buttons so Jewish refugees could smuggle their wealth to safety. What began as a mysterious childhood memory became the heart of a novel where young girls aren’t just victims of history—they’re the heroes who solve the impossible. You’ll hear how The Secret Buttons was crafted specifically for middle-grade readers who wanted to understand the Holocaust in a way that centers hope, agency, and resilience, and how Ellen wove authentic historical research with stunning illustrations to make the book both beautiful and emotionally accessible.

The conversation also dives into:

• How identity was systematically stripped from Jewish families—names changed, passports stamped, parks suddenly “forbidden”—and how these small humiliations led to catastrophic loss

• Why today’s children need stories that show them standing up for themselves, becoming early feminists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers

• Striking parallels between the refugee crisis of WWII and modern attitudes toward immigrants around the world

• Ellen’s belief that design is not decoration; it’s communication with soul, something no machine can replace

This is an episode about honoring the gifts immigrants bring, teaching young readers that they can choose who they want to be, and remembering that sometimes the smallest acts—like knitting a button—can change the course of a family’s future.

🎧 Tune in for an unforgettable story of love, loss, creativity, and the power of telling history through the eyes of children. The etsy shop mentioned in this episode is TheAlphagramshop.etsy.com The specific URL of the personalized editions of the book (hardcover and premium softcover) is https://www.etsy.com/listing/1818656257/the-secret-buttons-illustrated-wwii?sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=shop_home&ref=shop_home_active_12&sts=1&logging_key=b15cf9eae3edb8ecaaf321be4a5c6a706829d5bc%3A1818656257

What does it mean to truly live after a life-altering diagnosis?

In this powerful and heart-opening episode 37 of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson welcomes award-winning internationalist, strategist, mentor, and breast-cancer-dragon-boating pioneer Michelle Hanton OAM joining us from a small island off the coast of Queensland, Australia — the only island in the country connected to the mainland by a single bridge. Michelle shares the extraordinary journey that took her from a young breast cancer diagnosis to founding Dragons Abreast Australia, now a nationwide movement supporting more than 2,000 survivors through the transformative power of dragon boating. What began as a medical study in Canada became a global community redefining recovery, resilience, and what it means to move your body — and your life — forward after cancer.

Together, Jill and Michelle explore:

• How breast cancer dragon boating began as a clinical trial — and became a worldwide movement

• Why community, not isolation, is essential to healing

• The stigma men still face when diagnosed with breast cancer — and why advocacy matters

• What it means to “pass the baton” as a founder and let your legacy live beyond you

• Michelle’s globe-trotting childhood with a UN-diplomat father and how it shaped her fearless adaptability

• Why retirement can feel like emotional whiplash — and how to plan not just what comes next, but how it will feel

• The importance of writing down your life stories before they’re lost forever

• Her upcoming memoir collaboration with her 87-year-old mother

• And the one lesson she wants everyone to remember: don’t wish your life away — happiness is built from the inside out.

This episode is a moving reminder that survival is only the beginning and that legacy is not what we leave behind, but what we build, paddle by paddle, day by day.

🎧 Listen in for inspiration, perspective, and a deep conversation about courage, change, and creating a life that still thrills you — no matter what you’ve been through. And here’s a link to Michelle’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Internationally-Abreast-Exercise-as-Medicine/dp/064528890X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PPMABE6ZYUW5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VOIpSjDQV_Znf0bs3caCKXnfJBLk9e9iIV5oUwpmzpbwZwUzX9lFl5K_xyjwQcwHknjacDVsC7uqTAeZSPYib3xuEZ1pgqqJKBAP0P0_bR43fzCJdpn8X6GKVN_N_PE2_PZmTk7Yt2eHU3K3pB70eqABRE-o9r1ZtMLRiaOQ7Jvgz2y7Z_or3IbX08CPudChG5PAL-J9naKWdRrHy-W1Foqk9UAl20W5jiEVs-0RQkM.Qx2EeYBNJBLk_3tEEZ_yOaz3KO-U8g266Rw8i85-478&dib_tag=se&keywords=Michelle+Hanton&qid=1768249426&sprefix=michelle+hanson%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1