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The Facing Project This is the show that seeks to strengthen communities by connecting people through stories. Hosted by the founders of The Facing Project non-profit organization, J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman, each month's show carries a theme and features performances of stories that follow The Facing Project's model. This podcast features extended commentary on the stories, leaving listeners with the courage to share their own stories and the empathy to listen to others.
The Facing Project

Podcast Directory
The Facing Project

The Facing Project

From Indiana Public Radio

This is the show that seeks to strengthen communities by connecting people through stories. Hosted by the founders of The Facing Project non-profit organization, J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman, each month's show carries a theme and features performances of stories that follow The Facing Project's model. This podcast features extended commentary on the stories, leaving listeners with the courage to share their own stories and the empathy to listen to others.

Most Recent Episodes

S04 E09 - The Psychology of Forgiveness (Rebroadcast)

Think for a second about the last time you forgave someone. Was it hard? How did it make you feel? Or what about the person you forgave? This time on The Facing Project, J.R. Jamison shares the stories of two women — one who forgave the man who paralyzed her son in a car accident, and another who forgave her once absent mother and abusive brother. Later, he is joined by Dr. Robert Enright, who was named by TIME magazine as the leading researcher on the psychology behind forgiveness. Photo Credit – Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/6BaVu2 Stories included in this episode – Stopping to Forgive Greg Zgunda's story as told to Stephanie Fisher by his mother, Beverly Zgunda, from Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana. Performed by Katy Wolfe. What I Know About Me An anonymous story as told to Bev Nye from Facing Poverty in McPherson, Kansas. Performed by Tiffany Erk. This episode originally broadcast on Sep. 24th, 2022. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S05 E10 - Growing Food, Community, & Vibes in an Urban Food Desert

Ten years ago, six acres of abandoned lots in the Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore were transformed into an urban farm, and today the American Farmers Bureau Federation has rated it as one of the top 10 innovative farms in the country. But there's more than food being grown in Park Heights; they're growing community and investing in the future. Join host J.R. Jamison as he shares stories from the Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm, and sits down with four of the faces who keep the farm and its neighborhood thriving each and every day. Photo Credit – Provided and used with permission. Story Performances – A Safe Haven, Margie Smith's story as told to Zion Jalloh-Jamboria. Performed by Chandra Ford; Willing to Work, Willing to Grow, Elijah Staton's story as told to Darren Marshalleck. Performed by Khaleo Price. Interview – Farmer Imani B, Administrative & Research Analyst for the Farm; Farmer Ayo, Arts & Humanities Program Coordinator & Vice President of the Farm; Farmer Karma, Marketing Executive for the Farm; and Santana Alvarado, Senior Project Manager for the Center for Religion & Cities. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S05 E09 - Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways: An in-depth discussion with author Brittany Means

Ahead of her debut memoir hitting shelves in October, J.R. Jamison sits down with Brittany Means to discuss the power of the human spirit—and the written word—to combat the most harrowing of childhood memories. Hailed by Jeannette Walls (author of The Glass Castle) as "Gut-wrenching but at the same time triumphant," Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways untangles the web of Means's most painful memories, while crafting a tale of self-preservation, resilience, and hope. Synopsis – Brittany Means's childhood was a blur of highways and traumas that collapsed any effort to track time. Riding shotgun as her mother struggled to escape abusive relationships, Brittany didn't care where they were going—a roadside Midwestern motel, a shelter, or to The Barn in Indiana (the cluttered mansion her Pentecostal grandparents called home) as long as they were together. But every so often, her mom would surprise her—and leave. As Brittany grew older and questioned her own complicated relationships and the poverty, abuse, and instability that enveloped her, she began to recognize that hell wasn't only the place she read about in the Bible; it was the cycle of violence that her family was stuck repeating. Through footholds such as horror movies, neuropsychology, and strong bonds, Brittany makes sense of this cycle and finds a way to leave it. Photo Credits – Brittany Means (photo by Jeff Owens and provided by the author) The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S05 E09 - Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways: An in-depth discussion with author Brittany Means

Listen · 30:19

S05 E08 - A Place to Call Home

Evictions are a tale as old as time, and will continue as long as there are landlords and renters; but not every eviction is equal. In this episode, J.R. Jamison shares two stories from individuals who have faced eviction in different ways; the first from a man who has experienced homelessness due to job losses, and a judge who says that sometimes the landlords are right, and sometimes they're wrong. Later, he sits down with four experts who research and work on the front lines of eviction and housing insecurity every day. This episode is a companion piece to the book: Facing Eviction and Housing Insecurity in Dayton, Ohio. Photo Credit – Shantanu Suman Stories – A Place to Be, an anonymous story as told to A.B. Hiatt and performed by Carl Frost; From the Eyes of a Magistrate, an anonymous story as told to Christine Trotter and performed by Chandra Ford. Interview – Dr. Kathy Rowell of Sinclair Community College; Dr. Tim Thomas of the University of California–Berkeley; and Debra Lavey and Destiny Brown both at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S05 E07 - Writing Tough Topics for Young Adults: An in-depth discussion with #1 New York T...

Ahead of her latest book hitting shelves worldwide, J.R. Jamison sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Glasgow to discuss writing for young adults, and the themes of teenage depression, addiction, and self-harm that are often covered in her sought-after novels (Girl in Pieces; You'd Be Home Now; How to Make Friends with the Dark; The Agathas; and the forthcoming The Night in Question). Photo Credit – Caroline King Photography (used with permission) The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S05 E07 - Writing Tough Topics for Young Adults: An in-depth discussion with #1 New York T...

Listen · 28:59

S05 E06 - Searching for Peace on a Divided Island

J.R. Jamison travels to Cyprus to explore the historical and cultural past of the island that led to the 1974 Turkish invasion and, ultimately, the Green Line—a demilitarized buffer zone patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force that divides the island to this day. Later, he's joined by Demetris Hadjisofocoli, a former Cypriot refugee and founder/CEO of the Center for Social Innovation, an organization that cares about all people, regardless of borders, to increase their purpose and quality of life. Photo Credit – Provided by Demetris Hadjisofocoli. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S04 E05 - More Than My Illness (Rebroadcast)

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events—these are all contributing factors to the more than 40 million adults in the U.S. who suffer from anxiety or depression. Yet, with nearly 12% of the overall population battling these illnesses, mental health is still stigmatized and misunderstood. Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story of a missionary who battled depression 4,000 miles from home, and another from a college student with a "broken brain" who says the best way to help is to listen. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by that former college student who is now a high school English teacher at a virtual public school in Washington state. Photo – Via Flickr Creative Commons by Seth Jackson: https://flic.kr/p/TrtEhh. Stories included in this episode – It's Not the Common Cold Bailie Sage's story as told to Jon Toronto from Facing Depression in Cache Valley, Utah. Performed by Amy Leffingwell*.* It's Not My Fault My Brain is Broken Kiah Penfield's story as told to Chris Bavender from Facing Depression in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Melinda*.* Music used in this episode – "spring_thaw" by The Green Kingdom Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) license. From the Free Music Archive. There Is Always A Reason" by Borrtex Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.

S04 E06 - Reclaiming the Disabled Narrative (Rebroadcast)

We've all seen and read the stories of those with disabilities portrayed as secondary characters, there in the background to support the able-bodied lead in their quest for love, adventure, and success. But what if the script were flipped, and those with a disability were the main characters finding their own love, adventure, and success? Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story a polio survivor who loves to dance; a former runner with an auto-immune disorder who is finding a new path; and a college student with autism who asks us to pay attention. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by global disability influencer Monica Engle Thomas who has reclaimed her own narrative and uses it to inspire others. Originally released on April 30, 2022. Photo – Provided by Monica Engle Thomas. Stories included in this episode – Carry Sandy Penrod's story as told to Jennifer Stanley from Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana. Performed by Beth Nahre. Finding My Way Antonio Kioko's story as told to Deirdre Lane from Beyond Face Value: A Facing Project from Principal Financial in Des Moines, Iowa. Performed by Carl Frost. Pay Attention Carter Tharp's story as told to Jamie Reece from Facing Autism in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Charley Isaacs. Music used in this episode – "HOEDOWN" by Jason Shaw Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) License. From the Free Music Archive. "The Woods (Remastered)" by Axletree Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive. "Gourd Hunting" by Jesse Spillane Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.

S05 E05 - The Empathy Effect

Humans are hardwired for empathy through mirror neurons, but time, culture, and climate determine if empathy grows, remains neutral, or worse—leads to anger or distress. On this episode of The Facing Project, J.R. Jamison will explore empathy through two stories: one from a woman in Indiana who teaches kids empathy through theatre, and the other from a woman in Ohio who found it by loving her trans daughter. Later, he is re-joined by former co-host Kelsey Timmerman for a two-way where they make the argument for why empathy, if practiced in the right ways, has the ability to save us all. Photo Credit – Provided by The Facing Project. Stories included in this episode – The World Through the Eyes of Another Laura Williamson's story as told by Monique Armstrong from Facing Mentoring in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Lorri Markum. Hearts & Homes Katie Flesch's story as told by Kate DeVantier from Facing Intolerance in Springfield, Ohio. Performed by Laura Williamson. Music used in this episode – "my bloody beating heart" by kitchenromance Licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive. All other music used with permission or through licensed use. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S05 E04 - The First Step: An in-depth discussion with filmmakers and producers Lance & Bra...

Ahead of its nationwide theatrical release, J.R. Jamison sits down with the producer and director of Van Jones's documentary, The First Step, to discuss Jones's attempts to bring people together across party lines to pass landmark criminal justice reform, while finding himself under fire from all sides. Later, the trio discuss filmmaking, storytelling, and why it's more important than ever to create bridge-building art during a time of extreme polarization. Photo Credit – Meridian Hill Pictures (used with permission) The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

S05 E04 - The First Step: An in-depth discussion with filmmakers and producers Lance & Bra...

Listen · 53:46
The Facing Project

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