Shows
LilyListEpisode 30: Sara Ecklein - legacy, intentionality, preparationWelcome to Episode 30 of The Lilly List Podcast! We're honored to feature Sara Ecklein, a professional fiduciary, entrepreneur, and host of the Legacy of Love podcast. Sara joins us for a deeply personal conversation, sharing how her childhood experiences shaped her path to helping others navigate the complexities of life and death planning. From growing up on a half-acre "cow town" in Marin County to facing significant family and financial challenges, Sara's journey is a testament to intentionality and the power of proactive planning. Join us as she discusses the crucial importance of having difficult conversations, the hidden blessings...2025-05-241h 15
LilyListEpisode 29: Mary Coyne Wessling - outspoken, empathy, advocacyWelcome to episode 29 of the lilylist podcast! Today, we're joined by the insightful and dynamic Mary Wessling. In this engaging conversation, Mary takes us on a journey through her life, from her upbringing in a large Irish Catholic family in Cleveland to her impactful work in journalism and social advocacy. Get ready to hear about her early experiences shaping her empathetic and outspoken nature, the pivotal moments that defined her career and personal life, and her ongoing passion for connecting with people and making a difference.
Here are some highlights from this episode:
* Early Life...2025-05-1147 min
LilyListEpisode 028: Rhonda Parker Taylor - connection, self-discovery, empowermentWelcome to another episode of the LilyList Podcast. In episode 28, we have the pleasure of hosting Rhonda Parker Taylor, a multifaceted individual with a wealth of experiences and insights to share. Rhonda takes us on a journey through her life, from a small-town childhood filled with unique community connections to navigating personal and professional challenges.
We'll delve into her early experiences, the pivotal moments that shaped her, and the wisdom she's gained along the way. It’s an inspiring conversation about empowerment, the need for human connection, and finding your own path to success.
To lear...2025-04-1251 min
LilyListEpisode 027: Heather Prall - resilience, reinvention, creativityWelcome to Episode 27 of the LilyList Podcast! Today, we have the incredible Heather Prall joining us - a talented artist whose work speaks to the balance of structure and chaos, much like her life journey. From an early adoption story to a structured upbringing, from a corporate career in HR to taking a leap into a creative life, Heather's path is anything but conventional.
In this episode, Heather shares the pivotal moments that led her to embrace her artistic passion, the deep personal challenges she and her family have faced, and the bold decisions that redefined her...2025-03-1542 min
LilyListEpisode 026: Martin Hensel - entrepreneurship, resilience, perspectiveWelcome to Episode 26 of the LilyList Podcast, where our goal is to be a handbook for the living. In this episode of the LilyList Podcast, we talk with Martin Hensel, an entrepreneur and advisor to LilyList, whose journey spans decades of innovation in digital publishing and technology. From his early days growing up in rural Washington to his experiences in politics, startups, and leadership, Martin shares candid insights about the realities of entrepreneurship, business cycles, and personal growth. We explore his experiences founding and running Texterity, the digital publishing company that helped shape the transition from print to digital...2025-02-2542 min
LilyListEpisode 025: Tiffany Speax - self-discovery, resilience, legacyWelcome to Episode 25 of the LilyList Podcast, where our goal is to be a handbook for the living. This week, we sit down with Tiffany Speax, a storyteller, creator, and resilient spirit who has worn many hats—filmmaker, educator, mother, and community leader. Tiffany shares an honest and compelling journey through her childhood in North Carolina, her career in TV and film production, the challenges of balancing creative ambitions with family life, and ultimately, finding herself again.
This conversation is filled with raw insights, hard-earned wisdom, and an inspiring perspective on self-discovery and legacy. If you’ve ever...2025-02-0253 min
LilyListEpisode 024: Laura Jane Vincent - creativity, community, legacyThis week, we’re thrilled to sit down with Laura Jane Vincent, an accomplished musician, songwriter, and creative force, to dive into the stories that shaped her artistry and the unique journey she's undertaken in the music world. From her early days in rural North Carolina to launching her own record label and mentoring other artists, Laura Jane shares heartfelt insights into the power of music, community, and legacy.
In this episode, we explore how Laura Jane’s upbringing shaped her artistic expression, the lessons she’s learned from touring and managing a music career, and her commit...2025-01-2042 min
LilyListEpisode 023: JV Hilliard - publishing, legacy, inspirationWe're thrilled to be joined by JV Hilliard, a best-selling author known for his epic and dark fantasy novels, including The Warminster Saga. From his early inspirations shaped by family and Dungeons & Dragons to navigating the complexities of the publishing world, JV shares his creative journey, insights on storytelling, and thoughts on leaving a lasting legacy. Whether you’re a fantasy enthusiast, a writer, or simply someone fascinated by the art of moving from government to creative endeavors, this episode has something for you.
To learn more about JV and his work:
http://www.jvhilliard.com/2025-01-0444 min
LilyListEpisode 022: 2024 Rewind - gratitude, gratitude, gratitudeWelcome to the 2024 end of year wrap-up of the LilyList Podcast. Our goal is still to be a handbook for the living, but in this episode, we let NotebookLM take the lead on recapping the journey thus far. We are thankful for each and every guest and listener who shared their story, supported our work, and helped us understand what is important, why stories and legacies are important, and how we can better serve our audience going forward.
We are excited to announce the LilyList concierge and self-guided experiences will be launching in the first quarter of 2025...2024-12-2813 min
LilyListEpisode 021: Thomas Brown - growth, self-awareness, connectionIn this episode, we connect with Thomas Brown—a writer, cyclist, and mental health advocate whose journey of loss, self-awareness, and resilience has shaped an extraordinary perspective on life. Thomas shares how personal trauma, including the loss of his brother to suicide, set him on a transformative path of emotional growth, creative exploration, and impactful action. From walking across the country to riding 7,000 miles for suicide awareness, Thomas reveals the lessons learned, the importance of self-awareness, and his inspiring vision for leaving a meaningful legacy.
Tune in as we explore his profound insights on emotional wellness, the co...2024-12-2236 min
LilyListEpisode 020: Nancy Dillingham - transformation, creativity, communityIn this inspiring conversation, we catch up with Nancy Dillingham, whose journey from a successful corporate career to becoming a passionate glass artist and business owner is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and self-discovery. Nancy shares how she found her artistic voice later in life, built a thriving studio—Glass Arts Collective—and the lessons she learned along the way.
This episode is packed with wisdom about redefining creativity, embracing second acts, and making a meaningful impact through art and community. Whether you're looking to make a career shift, reignite your creativity, or simply hear a hear...2024-12-0737 min
LilyListEpisode 019: Suzanne Goodell - courage, reflection, gratitudeWelcome to this special release of the LilyList Podcast. In this episode, we honor the life and legacy of Suzanne Goodell, who passed away on November 1, 2024. Suzanne was a woman of grace, resilience, and purpose, whose journey through life was marked by a deep commitment to family, community, and personal growth. In this moving conversation, Suzanne reflects on her experiences—from a rich career in healthcare administration, a commitment to raising a wonderful family, and her courageous battle with cancer.
More than just an interview, this episode is a tribute to Suzanne’s legacy and the values she...2024-11-3047 min
LilyListEpisode 018: Cathy Nesbitt - independence, discovery, and joyIn Episode 18 of the LilyList Podcast, we dive deep into personal journeys, impactful life choices, and the legacies we create along the way. Our guest is Cathy Nesbitt, a vibrant entrepreneur and educator whose passion for sustainability, laughter, and mindfulness has shaped a life full of meaningful contributions. From her early love of nature to pioneering worm composting and becoming an advocate for laughter yoga, Cathy’s story is one of resilience, discovery, and joy. In this episode, we’ll explore how she turned challenges into opportunities and developed practices that enrich not only her life but also the live...2024-11-2333 min
LilyListEpisode 017: Petar Krastev - resilience, transformation, and purposeIn this episode, we’re joined by Petar Krestev, a resilient and inspiring entrepreneur whose journey from a challenging childhood in Bulgaria to building a fulfilling life and business is nothing short of remarkable. Petar opens up about his struggles with loneliness, financial hardship, and finding his own path against all odds. From being forced to live in a garage to discovering faith and purpose, his story is one of strength, humility, and unwavering commitment to becoming a better person. He’s now dedicated to creating positive change for younger generations in Bulgaria, aiming to leave a legacy far beyo...2024-11-0944 min
LilyListEpisode 016: Ginger Gleason - love, service, and legacyIn today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Ginger Gleason, a dedicated nurse and mother who has spent nearly two decades in the healthcare industry. Ginger's journey from her experience growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina to becoming a nurse is filled with personal and professional transformations. After experiencing the pivotal moment of her daughter's complicated birth, Ginger found her calling in nursing and has since become a passionate advocate for holistic care, always focusing on helping others.
Ginger shares her wisdom on balancing family life with a demanding career, what it means to be...2024-10-2631 min
LilyListEpisode 015: Chris Pappalardo - resilience, growth, and reinventionWe sat down with Chris Pappalardo and explore the powerful journey of a man who has reinvented himself time and time again. From his early days growing up in a challenging family environment, to his pursuit of music, and later, his successful career in real estate, Chris shares how his life experiences—both personal and professional—have shaped his outlook on life and legacy. We discuss his marriages, the lessons he learned from love and loss, and how those relationships influenced his career choices and personal growth. Whether reflecting on the highs and lows of his music career or rebu...2024-10-1357 min
LilyListEpisode 014: Dr. Kim Harms - personal adversity, resilience, love & legacyIn this deeply moving interview, Dr. Kim Harms shares her journey of overcoming personal adversity and dedicating her life to helping others through grief and healing. Born with only seven fingers and facing a turbulent childhood, Dr. Kim recounts how she navigated the challenges of her mother’s suicide, her own physical limitations, and the devastating loss of her son to suicide at 19. Despite these hardships, Dr. Kim’s resilience shines through as she speaks about her career in dentistry, her transition to grief counseling, and her mission to help others build meaningful legacies. She discusses the importance of love...2024-09-2933 min
LilyListEpisode 013: Angy Brinson - abuse, ghosts & the paranormal, empathy & burnoutWelcome to episode 13 of the LilyList podcast, where our goal is to be a handbook for the living. In this candid conversation, Angy Brinson, a social worker and former paranormal investigator, opens up about her journey through life’s challenges and her dedication to helping others. From her difficult childhood in rural North Carolina to founding a paranormal investigation team and eventually becoming a social worker, Angy’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and a desire to make a difference. She discusses the impact of growing up with an abusive parent, her struggles managing mental well-being, and how her...2024-09-1534 min
LilyListEpisode 012: Chris Lockler - self-discovery, addiction, and making amendsIn episode 12 we chat with Chris Lockler who shares his inspiring journey of self-discovery, overcoming addiction, and making amends. We discuss his struggles with substance abuse, finding purpose in volunteering and helping others via his work with Bearded Villains, Team Rubicon, and the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. He touches on his experience of going through the process of finding hope, learning from his mistakes as a leader, and the importance for people to take immediate action when it comes to community-driven recovery efforts.
To learn more about Chris and the organizations he supports:
https://www...2024-09-0144 min
LilyListEpisode 011: Stacey Carter - horses, murder, resilience, and impactIn Episode 11, we chat with Stacey Carter, a prominent advocate and community leader from Salisbury, North Carolina. She emerged as a powerful voice in the aftermath of tragedy – known for her appearances in documentaries about the infamous Pazuzu Algarad killings. Stacey courageously shared her personal experience of losing her son’s father to Algarad's heinous crimes. Her journey through grief and resilience has inspired many and led her to launch two impactful organizations: Happy Roots and Heart Centered Horsemanship.
Happy Roots is dedicated to providing nature-based wellness programs to improve the mental and emotional health of communities thro...2024-08-1848 min
LilyListEpisode 010: Tom Troyer - religion, music, and who inherits whatWelcome to episode 10 of the LilyList podcast, where our goal is to be a handbook for the living. We chat with North Carolina artist Tom Troyer about his upbringing in the Wesleyann church, the intersection of education and religion, how he transitioned to music full-time, and who he wants to leave his gear to when he dies. His latest album - The Silent Years by Farewll Friend - is now available and I can highly recommend it. You should see a link in the description of wherever you are presently listening to this.
For more information on T...2024-08-0450 min
LilyListEpisode 009: Eddie Pepitone - childhood, career, and legacyIn episode 9 we catch up with our friend Eddie Pepitone. We touch on Eddie’s background, experiences in pursuing a creative career in America's capitalist system, and the importance of personal legacy and preparing for legal aspects of life. We also chat about writers that inspire us, the impact of Eastern philosophy, and even Eddie's health and fitness routine.
For more information on Eddie:
https://www.eddiepepitone.com/
Thank you for listening, and as always, you can visit https://LilyList.com for more information about our work.
Outro music: Denouement by Sift - ht...2024-07-1436 min
LilyListEpisode 008: Mishka Shubaly - ephemeral reality, legacy in art, marriageIn episode 8, Mishka and Curt discussed the challenges of living in extreme weather conditions, the ephemerality of creative work, and the importance of legacy in art. They also shared their personal experiences and influences that shaped their artistic expression, including the impact of music and their tumultuous journeys from troubled childhoods to "successful" careers. Lastly, they reflected on their personal relationships, the concept of marriage, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with plans (hopes?) to stay in touch and reconnect in the future.
For more information on Mishka:
@mishkashubaly
Thank you for listening...2024-06-3051 min
LilyListEpisode 007: Beth Talbert - adoption, early-onset dementia, and taking back lifeIn episode 7 we present a very interesting conversation with Beth Talbert. An amazing human being with an amazing story, who isn’t done yet. We discuss her life from adoption, growing up on islands and moving to New Hampshire, landing in North Carolina, and navigating life while caring for a husband with early-onset Alzheimer’s. We also touch on her present life and what she is looking forward to. This is one of the best conversations that we’ve had on Lily List and I thank Beth, sincerely, for sharing her time and story with us.
Thank you fo...2024-06-1644 min
LilyListEpisode 006: Brian Clarey - journalism, hating Greensboro, community and activismWelcome to episode 6 of the Lily List Podcast. Brian Clarey is a lifelong journalist, NY native who landed in Greensboro, NC via New Orleans, founder and leader of an independent news organization, and true believer in the power of family and community. In this episode, we discuss his journey - the challenges and successes, as well as where he is focused today, and what he is working toward moving forward.
For more information on Brian and his work, you can visit https://triad-city-beat.com/author/brian-clarey/
To support the work of Triad City Beat, check...2024-06-0945 min
LilyListEpisode 005: JT Habersaat - entrepreneurship in comedy, writing, and capturing end-of-life documents on a podcastWelcome to episode 5 of the Lily List Podcast. JT Habersaat is an entrepreneur, standup comic, storyteller, and lives life by the DIY punk ethos. In this episode, we discuss the impact his parents had on him, how he shifted from a 9 to 5 to being his own boss, his writing career, and why we had to capture his DNR on this recording - versus him speaking to a lawyer.
For more information on JT and his work, you can visit https://jtcomedy.com/
Thank you for listening, and as always, you can visit https://LilyList.com f...2024-05-2447 min
LilyListEpisode 004: Lydia Lunch - artistic life, rebellion, and what's nextWe were grateful to host Lydia Lunch recently and see her perform live. She can come across in her performances as angry, brash, and insulting to some, but we found her to be wonderfully intelligent, open, and generous with her time.
In this episode we touch on where Lydia came from - nature versus nurture - some of her many experiences, where she is today and where she is focused next.
For more information on Lydia's work visit https://www.lydia-lunch.net/
Thank you for listening, and as always, you can visit https...2024-05-1118 min
LilyListEpisode 003: Dr. Corinne Auman - elder care, entrepreneurship, and appropriate planning (and how rare that is)In episode three, we speak with Dr. Corinne Aumann. She is the founder and CEO of Choice Care Navigators, a Nationally Certified Guardian and an Advanced Professional member of the Aging LifeCare Association. Dr. Auman received her Ph.D. from NC State University, where she studied developmental psychology with a specialty in adulthood and aging. Corinne is also author of the book Keenagers: Telling a New Story about Aging. On top of all that, she’s been a friend for many years and we’ve been grateful to be able to see her hard work turn into success.
Fo...2024-05-0551 min
LilyListEpisode 002: Michael - hope, loss, and re-focusing on life with Judy DutcherContinuing the conversation with my mother, we explore the life of Michael - her son and my brother - what his arrival gave us, what his loss took from us, and what the legacy of his life has been. We also dive deeper into how Judy navigated this period in her life, and what she looks forward to today.
2024-04-2051 min
LilyListEpisode 001: Substance abuse, suicide, and moving forward each day with Judy DutcherIn the maiden voyage of LilyList, Judy Dutcher talks about her experiences growing up, having four kids before the age of 26, handling substance abuse and the suicide of her first husband, and what keeps her getting up each day, focusing on the positive, and moving forward.
2024-03-3138 min