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Legends - Extraordinary Lives

Legends - Extraordinary Lives

By: Rick Tocquigny
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 Success Made to Last Legends podcast is about ordinary people that have become extraordinary through simple, significant actions. We celebrate these people and listen carefully for their lessons. We think our guests become the best mentors to the rest of the world.

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Episodes
  • TrulySignificant.com honors Mike Berenstain and his parents Stan and Jan, best selling children's authors

    TrulySignificant.com honors Mike Berenstain and his parents Stan and Jan, best selling children's authors
    Dec 20 2025
    Mike Berenstain is the son of Stan and Jan Berenstain. Mike now oversees the Berenstain Bears enchanting bears writing and designing all books.

    The Berenstains are now featured in the book Truly Significant. Visit www.trulysignificant.com to hear their complete story.
    Mike Berenstain holds significant cultural and literary importance, particularly within the realm of children's literature. His impact can be understood by exploring his legacy, contributions, and role in continuing a family tradition. 1. Legacy and Family Tradition Mike Berenstain is the son of Stan and Jan Berenstain, the creators of the beloved Berenstain Bears book series. After Jan's passing in 2012 (Stan passed in 2005), Mike took over full creative control of the series, ensuring its continuity while preserving its values.
    • Inheritance of Vision: Mike grew up immersed in the creative process of the Berenstain Bears. He collaborated with his mother starting in the late 1990s and co-authored several titles, learning directly from the original creators.
    • Preserving and Modernizing: He maintained the tone, moral instruction, and aesthetic of the original books while addressing contemporary topics like internet safety, bullying, and environmentalism.
    2. Contributions as a Writer and Illustrator Mike Berenstain is both an author and illustrator, combining storytelling with visual art in a manner that remains consistent with the classic Berenstain style:
    • Authored Hundreds of Titles: Since taking over the series, Mike has written and illustrated dozens of new Berenstain Bears books.
    • Faith-Based Branch: He introduced a Christian-themed line of Berenstain Bears books in partnership with Zonderkidz, a religious publisher. These stories incorporate Biblical values and teachings, expanding the series’ audience.
    3. Thematic and Cultural Significance
    • Moral and Educational Storytelling: Like his parents, Mike uses the Bear family as a mirror for real-life family dynamics, teaching lessons in responsibility, honesty, respect, and empathy.
    • Generational Appeal: His work appeals to parents who grew up with the series and now share it with their own children, making the Berenstain Bears a multi-generational phenomenon.
    4. Artistic Legacy Beyond the Bears, Mike Berenstain has also worked as a professional illustrator, contributing to magazines, textbooks, and his own picture books. He holds a degree from the Philadelphia College of Art and has a rich artistic foundation that informs his style and approach. 5. Continuing a Cultural Icon Mike’s stewardship of the franchise has kept the Berenstain Bears relevant in a fast-changing literary landscape. Under his direction:
    • The brand has expanded to include e-books, animated specials, and merchandising.
    • The books continue to appear on bestseller lists and are staples in schools and libraries.
    Conclusion Mike Berenstain is significant not just as the heir to a classic children’s series, but as a thoughtful creator who has sustained and evolved a beloved cultural brand. Through his writing and illustrations, he honors his family’s legacy while ensuring its resonance for new generations.


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    24 mins
  • TrulySignificant.com honors legendary coach and former Congressman Tom Osborne

    TrulySignificant.com honors legendary coach and former Congressman Tom Osborne
    Dec 20 2025
    TrulySignificant.com honors the one and only Tom Osborne.
    Osborne is a noted author, former U.S. Congressman and NCAA Football Coach of the 1990’s. He shares his about core values on building the best version of men from his famed University of Nebraska program.
    Tom Osborne is a highly significant figure in American sports, education, and leadership, especially noted for his roles as a legendary football coach, university leader, and U.S. Congressman. His life’s work exemplifies character-driven leadership, long-term vision, and a commitment to developing young people. 🏈 Legacy as a Football Coach at Nebraska
    • Tenure: Osborne was the head football coach at the University of Nebraska from 1973 to 1997.
    • Record: He compiled an extraordinary record of 255 wins, 49 losses, and 3 ties, with a winning percentage of .836.
    • National Championships: He led Nebraska to three national championships (1994, 1995, 1997), with the 1995 team widely considered one of the greatest in college football history.
    • Philosophy: Known for discipline, humility, and loyalty, Osborne emphasized team over individual stardom and built a culture of consistency and integrity.
    🏛️ Academic and Administrative Impact
    • Athletic-Academic Balance: Osborne was a pioneer in ensuring student-athletes met academic standards. Under his tenure, Nebraska often led the nation in Academic All-Americans.
    • Mentorship: He cultivated future leaders by teaching values, perseverance, and accountability. Many of his players later cited Osborne’s influence as central to their life success.
    • Public Service and Political Career
    • U.S. Congress: After retiring from coaching, Osborne served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (2001–2007) as a Republican from Nebraska. He focused on education, youth programs, and rural issues.
    • Nebraska Athletics Director: He returned to serve as Nebraska's AD from 2007 to 2013, where he played a pivotal role in stabilizing the athletic department and navigating conference realignment.
    Cultural and Ethical Influence
    • Character Model: Osborne is often celebrated for his ethical leadership, compassion, and calm, reasoned approach to challenges.
    • Mentoring & Legacy Programs: He founded the TeamMates Mentoring Program, which pairs adult mentors with young people to promote long-term success.
    • Faith & Values: As a devout Christian, his faith consistently guided his decisions and leadership style.
    Honors and Recognition
    • College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999.
    • Presidential Medal of Freedom: Awarded in 2023, recognizing his contributions to youth development, leadership, and national sports excellence.
    • Statues and Facilities: Nebraska honored him with a statue outside Memorial Stadium and other tributes throughout campus.
    📚 Inspirational Figure Tom Osborne remains a symbol of how sports, education, and principled leadership can intersect to shape lives. His life’s significance goes far beyond the gridiron, touching the realms of public service, mentorship, and moral example.

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    24 mins
  • TrulySignificant.com honors one of the greatest global travel writers of all time- Pico Iyer

    TrulySignificant.com honors one of the greatest global travel writers of all time- Pico Iyer
    Dec 20 2025
    Pico Iyer is our travel hero. His many books have taught us that real travel puts away our biases and gives us the deepest understanding of culture. He has awakened us with clear eyes to travel as a pilgrimage with a soulful intention. In our post human pace, he shuns speeds for quietness and fills our inner bank with sanity and reason.

    Read Pico's complete story in Truly Significant. Visit www.trulysignificant.com to buy the book.

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    15 mins
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