Today, I’m joined by Abby—a young woman with an old soul, an imagination that’s always in motion, and a love for all sorts of things: from cultural theory to cozy, grandmotherly joys.

Abby is always writing stories in her head, observing theworld with both precision and curiosity. In this conversation, we talk about the unexpected wisdom she’s collected so far, the things that give her joy and hope, and her surprisingly insightful take on vampires in fiction—yes, vampires—as reflections of what we fear, crave, and wrestle with as a culture. There’s a thoughtful stillness in the way Abby seesthings—and a spark that might just catch you off guard. So here’s a conversation with someone who sees what othersmight miss—and who reminds us that insight isn’t always a function of age, but of presence.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brian—a friend whose life hasbeen anything but static. His story moves from Central Arkansas to Paraguay, back to Arkansas again to live in a dorm called the Hog Dump at the University of Arkansas, and eventually to South Carolina.

What unfolded in this conversation is a look at Brian’sdeeply personal and thoughtful spiritual journey. We talk about the many influences that have shaped him—some inherited, some discovered, some wrestled with—and the lens he’s bringing into the future as he raises a family and lives with intention.

Brian speaks with a kind of honesty that doesn’t forceconclusions, but invites reflection. His story reminded me that belief isn’t always a straight line—and that living a meaningful life is often more about curiosity and courage than certainty.

So settle in. I think you’ll find something in Brian’s paththat resonates with your own.

Today’s guest is someone close to home. Carl is my brother-in-law, and in this conversation, we cover more ground than I expected…both figuratively and literally.

We talk about hiking the Appalachian Trail, raising daughters, working across generations, and why listening to other people’s stories is such a powerful act of empathy. There’s also a brief sidebarfeaturing an obscure movie quote from the early 1980s.

What I love about this episode is that it unfolded like a trail itself—winding, surprising, full of small, memorable markers. Carl shares with the kind of honesty that makes you lean in, and somewhere along the way, we both landed on insights we didn’t know we were walking toward.

This one feels like a reminder: that the people you think you already know might still have stories that change the way you see the world—and yourself.

So, take some time and relax, or lace up your walking shoes, and settle in for this conversation with Carl.