Episodes

The youngest of seven sisters, Sarah always knew that music was in her future. What she didn't know that it would take leaving home, moving to Eastern Europe, and co-founding a nonprofit in Transylvania to get there.In 2005, Sarah began a diaper project with her best friend and business partner, Steffi Vogel (whose own episode will be released in a couple weeks!) in a children't hospital in Brasov, Romania. That seemingly small act would catapult them both into a beginning a globally recogniz...

So much of Maureen's life has been wrapped up in her career - with dance companies, theaters, museums, nonprofits, political campaign's, and more; her ventures have been varied and many.When Maureen got COVID in March of 2020, all of that came to a screeching halt. Because she got the virus so early, Maureen unfortunately experienced the strongest strain. More than 2 years later, she's still struggling with the effects of what COVID has done to her.Known as Long-Haulers, a small percentage of...

Originally from the European country of Georgia, Lela has spent the last twenty years working hard to build the life she dreamed.Formerly a journalist, now an entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses, Lela is proud of the success that she has built for herself and her family - a legacy that will far outlive her.Lela's story of perseverance, determination, and grace, is not unlike many stories of immigrants - leaving people and places they love to take a chance somewhere else. But it's a ...

Susan's father was a pilot in World War II for the United States of America. While serving in France, his plan was shot down. Thus began a stranger than fiction story that impacted not only him, but the generations that have come after him.Stories like Susan's are fascinating. The story itself is quite incredible, but I think what's more is how important our legacies are to those around us, and how sacred it is to preserve them.This episode was recorded near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania._______...

When she graduated high school, Kristen was set on going to university to eventually have a career in architecture. After a slight shift in her major, and a major left turn in her life, Kristen is now a global gender equity specialist. Her two years volunteering with the Peace Corps in Ghana, as well as the many other places she has traveled and worked since then, have made her a powerful ally for women worldwide, and an expert in her field. Kristen's Website & SocialsThis episode was rec...

Part 2 of Ro & Bree's Story finds them facing down a global pandemic having both lost their jobs, with a baby at home. It was their dream or die moment, and they chose to dream.To hear Ro & Bree explain it, this was always inside of them. Love The People has always been their heart. It's more than a company, it's a movement. One as radical as it is simple - love people well.Ro & Bree have offered listeners of The Human Experience 20% off their purchase! If you visit their site and...

Ro & Bree are the ultimate husband and wife duo - raising a family and building their business together. Their love for each other, and for people in general, is inspiring.After years of walking together through incredibly difficult, and mysterious, health issues, they came out on the other side wanting to leave a positive and lasting impact on the world. They know what it means to live as though you haven't got much time left, and they've dedicated their lives to one of the only things y...

Winnie grew up enjoying the simplicity of farm life in rural Kenya; not one for the business of the city, she found her peace among the crops at her grandmother's farm. As an adult, though, Winnie traded the serene country life for one of turmoil; but it is within that life that she found her center. Kakuma and Dadaab are two of the largest refugee camps in Kenya. In fact, Dadaab used to be the largest camp in the world. As a humanitarian aid worker in the camps, you live alongside those disp...

Eric is bi-racial; his mom is white and his dad is black. His experience of being bi-racial is not one we often hear when talking about social complexities, but it's important nonetheless. Eric is a counselor by trade, a job that seems to suit him well as he is able to access and express his emotions freely, a skill that not everyone has honed. His yearning for both justice and compassion are a well established tension, a tightrope, that he walks determinedly in his pursuit of understan...

Hannah is the co-founder of a drop-in center in Columbus, OH called Sanctuary Night. Serving vulnerable women on the streets, Sanctuary Night meets the practical needs that we often take for granted, while also offering a space free of judgement or shame for women to find refuge and rest.Having experienced her own trauma early on in life, Hannah's learned capacity for compassion and grace have allowed her to champion others in pursuit of justice, love, and mercy.Visit Sanctuary Night's Websit...

Irine's joy is contagious. She is exactly the type of person that lights up a room. But that doesn't mean that her life has been easy; on the contrary, Irine has had to fight against social and familial norms to get to where she is today. And she is helping other young women get there too. Learn more about NeemaLearn more about Neema's capital campaign - Securing Her FutureThis episode was recorded in Kitale, Kenya._______________________Donate to The Human ExperienceFollow The Human Experien...

In the beginning of 2022, Tyler was on top of the world; he loved his life, he loved where he lived, and he knew that he had no definite plans for the future - just the way he preferred it. But just a few short months later, so much of that would change.Tyler's story offers a unique perspective - being the partner of someone that is dealing with a serious mental health condition. Mental health is a topic that should be handled with care and respect. It is for that reason that we have focused ...

Shelly Edwards Jorgensen is the author of Beautiful Ashes, a memoir about her life growing up in a domestic violence household and the permanent consequences it can have on your life.Shelly's father murdered her mother when Shelly was 15. It was both a shock and something that she had been waiting to happen. Shelly's story of growth and perseverance is hard-won. Her strength, wisdom, and humility are to be admired.Shelly's Website | Shelly's Facebook | Shelly's InstagramBuy Shelly's Book on A...

Alli is a licensed clinical social worker serving an extremely vulnerable population in the heart of Pittsburgh - those struggling with chronic, severe mental illness.The organization Alli works for, People's Oakland, is a pillar of their community - offering a respite and a space for safe, holistic healing to its members.Alli's journey to finding her purpose in this line of work is poignant and a beautiful example of how we never really know what opportunities are going to open up, and where...

Loitanit has had aspirations beyond her hometown of Kitale, Kenya for as long as she can remember. Growing up as a pastors kid, she saw people visit from all over the world.When she had the opportunity to go to the United States for school, Loitanit jumped at the chance; hoping to make her home there. But her family needed her back home.Now, Loitanit works for Neema as the the Business Skills Development Mentor for Alumni. She's good at what she does, and she enjoys the work. But in her heart...

The word refugee is bandied about quite a bit, armchair politics and clickbait news articles often inciting the conversation. But do we really know what we're talking about? Or rather, who we're talking about?Amin is a former refugee from Somalia. He is now an American citizen with a beautiful family and is on his way to realizing his dreams as a CRNA, but the road to get here wasn't easy. Amin was motivated to succeed through a promise that education would give him the life he wanted. And th...

Theresa and her husband, Ibrahim, run a lovely guesthouse in the heart of Kitale, Kenya called Karibuni Lodge. After growing up in the U.K. and finding herself in the monotony of the corporate world, Theresa knew she wanted something different for her life. Building a life in Kenya hasn't always been easy, but it's where their lives, their business, and their children are. Kenya is home.Visit Karibuni LodgeChild Rescue KenyaNeemaThis episode was recorded in Kitale, Kenya._____________________...

In the blink of an eye, everything can change. That's what happened when Sue found herself facing a corporate giant as she fought for justice for the sexual assault that was perpetrated against her. Since then, Sue is on a mission to end sexual exploitation through her organization, Walk Her Home. A nonprofit created to educate about human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, fundraise for change-makers, and lobby for policy that will help victims and survivors.For more information...

Mike's childhood wasn't picturesque by any means, but he worked to create success for himself. He was on top of the world when news of an illness brought him to his knees. In one fell swoop, everything changed.What do you do when it feels like everything you've worked for means nothing? What do you do when you lose it all?Mike has fought tirelessly to rebuild the life he thought he had lost. And through his efforts, he's created a community of people that have found hope, help, and understand...

Jackie is a trauma counselor for Neema, a skills-training facility for vulnerable young women in rural, western Kenya.Jackie's job is difficult, but her heart is boundless and abundant.Her passion for counseling and the healing that it brings is clear in the way she speaks and in the relationships she has built.Neema's staff of trauma counselors, social workers, teachers, and caregivers continually pour their hearts, energy, and resources into restoration.Learn more about NeemaMake a Donation...

We all know that refugees come to the United States. But do you know what happens after they arrive?Laura is an American working in refugee resettlement, a job that has both lit a passion and compassion deep within her. This wasn't the career she set out to do, but it's now where she's thriving. There are so many opportunities for U.S. citizens to welcome refugees to the United States; to help them begin to build a home, and to break barriers that are forged by misinformation and ignorance. C...

Joe's story, like many of ours, spans generations. A dedicated father, husband, brother, son and friend, Joe is committed to breaking the cyclical bonds of abuse seen over many lifetimes. Though he can identify with the lows, Joe's resilience and strength are what make him who he is.The National Domestic Violence Hotline (US)The Crisis Hotline (US)This episode was recorded near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Music by Zakhar Valaha_______________________Donate to The Human ExperienceFollow The Hum...

You are a product of who and where you came from. For better or worse, your story doesn't start with you. Join host, Jennifer Peterkin, as she shares part one of her story.Music by Zakhar Valaha & Juan Sanchez_______________________Donate to The Human ExperienceFollow The Human Experience on InstagramVisit The Human Experience websiteSend me an email at TheHXPod@gmail.com

Join us for Part 2 of The Human Experience launch as host, Jennifer Peterkin, shares more of her story and what led her to this space.If you are in the United States and need help please visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline.Music by Zakhar Valaha, Olexy & Juan Sanchez _______________________Donate to The Human ExperienceFollow The Human Experience on InstagramVisit The Human Experience websiteSend me an email at TheHXPod@gmail.com