All That Matters

Ralph Waldo Emerson urged kindness as a path to a fulfilling life. Jan shares the story of the nuns who taught him about his own father's kindness and the journey to his understanding that kindness can often be the best map to positivity and healing.

Jan introduces you to the story of Snowflake Bentley who taught us no two snowfall crystals were alike, each original, just like each of us. Asked as a teen to write the theme song for the local PBS production on Bentley's life, he discovers the inspiring creativity found in nature that definitely leads to more of the good stuff of life.

Fun. Jan shares stories of how some celebrities do it: Hanks and typewriters, Beyonce and actual Beehives-and introduces us to his simple childhood game of catching autumn leaves: pointing us to the power and balance created when we simply prioritize fun!

Longing vs. Living. Jan shares with you the vital story of a divorced woman sitting on the sidelines of life who discovers the power of getting on its dance floor and creating her own choreography of living!

We are all primed to go far in life, each in our own way, but to do that, at times, we must first find our way home. Jan shares the true story of his mother's Alzheimer's and the inspiration for his LA Times bestselling second novel of a mother and a son and the meaning of art.

Jan continues exploring grief and loss and why they are necessary parts of love and life and happiness. He turns to Toni Morrison and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross to help us understand how to talk to others about grief and loss and all that matters.

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Jan explores the grieving process as he introduces you to an older woman, Ruby, who taught him how to approach loss. As the Queen herself said after the death of her beloved husband last year, "Grief is the price we pay for love." How we pay and the power of that love matters.

Through words of his grandmother, as well as Mrs. Jihan Sadat, and Rachel Naomi Remen, Jan suggests there's a boon to our health by 'acknowledging' and 'letting go'.

There are memorable people we encounter who have the ability to alter our understanding of life itself. Jan introduces you to Hannah, who, in the corridors of a home for the elderly in Jerusalem, showed him what turning darkness into light looks like, and helped inspire the central character of his first novel.

Jan shares with you how his late brother gave the gift of celebration to their father by opening up the world of possibility. Come share life stories that lead us to the good stuff!

Jan shares the wit and wisdom of America's one-time cowboy-philosopher and the importance of sometimes being "a little dangerous" if we want to lift up ourselves and others.

Some call it "insolence," others "spiritual audacity." Jan shares the meaning and evolution of a word that, when put into practice for the right reasons, can help you make all the difference in your life and others.

Sometimes you rediscover a singer who reveals anew the good stuff in life and all that matters. Jan shares with you his recent evening of rediscovery and how, once and a while, we truly see the shared humanity in an artist and, even more, know that he/she is talking directly to us.

Jan introduces you to his first novel, the inspiration for this podcast, a work that #1 NY Times bestselling novelist, Kristin Hannah calls, "A compelling, deeply moving story of love, friendship, family, and second chances." Come share the roots of Jan's LA Times bestselling novel, All That Matters!

How do we express the hope that our love, in all its forms, is unbreakable? Join Jan as he introduces you to Namsam Mountain and the bridge of lovelocks in Seoul.

If you could capture any image that represents your life, what would it be? Jan shares the triumphant conclusion to one of the most inspiring individuals he has ever known, a man who experienced the worst that humanity had to offer, and gave back the best.

Torn from his home in Budapest, 17 year-old Kurt would journey from safe house to Bergen-Belsen with family and learn the worst mankind has to offer. Years later, in America, he and his wife would show the world the best of humanity. Jan introduces you to a friend and hero whose story will live inside your heart and inspire each of us to be the best we can be. (Part Two next week.)

Jan introduces you to the story of Imi Lichtenfeld, the legendary creator of a heralded self-defense training, Krav Maga, that has taught countless numbers to "walk in peace." He shares with you the astonishing moment when he stood with 8 men with hidden identities at his dear friend's graveside in tribute to her role in bringing Imi's teachings, together with her remarkable son, into their lives, helping them to protect and save thousands across the world. Yes, one can make a difference.

Join Jan as he introduces you to an actor and a dancer who remind us all of the power we have to change the world through our unique gifts.

The Talmud says, "All beginnings are hard." How about endings? What do you think might be there at the Grand Adios? Discover the meaning of your AQ. Join Jan at an ultimate exit interview and how it can impact your life for the better today!

Jan shares a father's day story (celebrating a young woman's dreams of art and theatre) and introduces you to a daddy and daughter moment of the last week that will uplift you. Because turning attention to who matters...really matters!