Finding Passion And Purpose

Hollywood screenwriter Jordan Roberts is probably best know for writing the 2005 Oscar winner for best feature documentary March of Penguins, or perhaps you’ll have watched his 2014 Best Animated Feature Film Oscar Winner Big Hero 6.

When we talk about purpose, it’s often thought that a true purpose needs to be grander than oneself, to serve a bigger cause. But what could set a greater example to the world than the compassionate healing of ones own soul so that it may shine bright for others experience. This is the domain of the artist. This is the domain of screenwriter, turned director, Jordan Roberts whose work has impacted millions of people all over the world with, as one film critic put it, a compassionate and healing voice for those who are suffering or going through tremendous struggle. She said of one of his movies: "It is like he’s giving a huge hug that can be felt through the screen".

Host: Richard Janes

Joe Hewitt has worked in some of Rio’s most dangerous favelas helping at-risk youth through soccer. He is the CEO and founder of The Sports Creative: a non-profit, creating sports programs and partnerships around the world for at-risk youth. Through his work, he has seen the devastating effects that homelessness brings to people, which led him to discover his unique purpose.

Host: Richard Janes

On August 19, 1958, 7-year-old Ayanna Najuma, and a group of 12 students together with a High School teacher named Clara Luper, set the stage for a civil rights protest that would sweep the nation in the 1960’s and continues to resonate in modern America through movements such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo.

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his practice of nonviolent protest, the plan was simple. The students would occupy the ‘white’ only lunch counter of a drug store called Katz and ask ask to be served a hamburger and a coca-cola. When they were inevitably denied service on the grounds that the lunch counter was for ‘whites only’ they would refuse to leave and stay seated in their seats until closing.

This sit-in protest was one of the first in the civil rights movement, happening 18 months before black college students took seats at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Over the next six years, Ayanna and her fellow civil rights demonstrators, led one of the longest nonviolent sit-in protests in the United States desegregating almost every eating establishment in their home city of Oklahoma’s capital.

Ayanna was just 7-years-old when on a hot august day she took her place on a stool embracing a passion and purpose that would not only have an impact on her life, but arguably the life of every American who has come after.

This is her story.

Host: Richard Janes

Guest: Ayanna Najuma

Philip Folsom is one of America’s top corporate cultural development experts. His journey to finding Passion & Purpose began at the age of 5 when his parents moved his family to a commune in the back woods of Washington.

Today, he helps leading organizations such as Apple, Google, Red Bull, and Snapchat, build healthy, high-performing environments through inspiration and innovation. Also known as, “The Tribe Guy”, what makes him different in the world of team development is his unorthodox methods which include Tibetan death cave meditations through to equestrian therapy.

Laura Zellmer was diagnosed with Cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening illness that affects the lungs and pancreas, when she was just 16 months old. Despite a staggering 80% infant mortality rate at the time, Laura defied the odds and survived.

Today, Laura is 43 years old and in her continued battle she received a double lung transplant last year.

In this amazing conversation, you with learn:

• How Laura psychologically dealt with her diagnosis
• What inspires her to take chances and embrace passion in spite of her illness
• How she has learned to appreciate what many take for granted
• How she stays motivated in maintaining her health everyday.

Laura’s story has been a source of inspiration during my own health struggles with ulcerative colitis. Her determination to live life to the fullest is a lesson we can all benefit from.

I'm so excited to share this with you!

SOME QUESTIONS I ASK LAURA:

• Where did your propensity to risk come from?
• How often do you think about the lung donor who saved your life?
• Do you think you would be here today if your son didn’t give you a sense of purpose?

LINKS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

• Resource for signing up as an organ donor

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Who was your inspiration for following Passion & Purpose?

Thanks so much for listening!