The Simple Lives We Live
Some of the most extraordinary stories don't come from celebrities or history books. They come from everyday people - your neighbor, your grandmother, the man who runs the corner store, or the woman sitting next to you at church.
On The Simple Lives We Live, we sit down with ordinary people to uncover the beautiful, hard, faithful, and fleeting moments that shaped their lives. Stories of love and loss. Of grit and grace. Of family, faith, and the simple days we didn't know we'd one day miss.
So please join me each week as we capture voices and memories that deserve to be heard and remembered. Because the truth is, ordinary people live the most extraordinary lives.
Episodes
29 episodes
Jean Hardy
Jean Hardy reflects on her upbringing in a large faith-filled family that moved often before settling in Valley City, North Dakota, so several of her siblings could receive special education support. She shares memories of childhood routines, c...
Jan Wales
Jan Wales shares memories about growing up on a South Dakota farm in a large family with strict gender roles, few modern conveniences, and a one-room schoolhouse, where chores, homemade food, and simple fun shaped daily life. She reflects on su...
John Ross - Part 2
In part 2 of my interview with John, we talk about enlisting at 18 and serving in Vietnam, where he experienced guard duty, patrols, and the realities of war - including the loss of his best friend, John Quam. He shares what it was like returni...
John Ross - Part 1
John, 78, is a North Dakota farm kid and the oldest of four. He shares memories of growing up without running water, using party-line phones, and the rhythm of farm chores that shaped his strong work ethic. From one-room schoolhouses and county...
Mel Bosserman
Mel Bosserman, 83, shares what it was like growing up on a disciplined farm in Beach, ND - balancing hard work with small-town joys like Saturday nights and one-room school days. He reflects on a life shaped by music, family, and farming, along...
Milo Thompson
In this episode, Milo Thompson reflects on his time at the Little Missouri, his work with the Forest Service, traveling through Europe as a young man, continuing to serve and explore through Rotary, and the love he shared with his wife, Pam.
Magdalene Dolyniuk
At 94, Magdalene looks back on a life shaped by simple beginnings and deep family roots. From being born on a Bowman County farmstead to growing up in Belfield during the Depression, to raising seven children of her own, Maggie shares memories ...
Joanne Tescher
In this episode, I interview Joanne Tescher. who shares what it was like growing up in a large family (including a twin sister), in a small town where summers were spent swimming, winters skating, and days filled with softball. She reflects on ...
Tammy Simnioniw
In this conversation with my mother-in-law, Tammy - alongside my son Josiah - we reflect on the kind of life that's built in the little moments. Tammy shares memories of growing up on a farm, her time at boarding school, and singing around the ...
Swenda Braden
In this episode, Swenda Braden shares a heartfelt look at a life built on family, faith, and togetherness. Swenda shares memories of her upbringing, raising her children, and the deep love that shaped her home. She fondly remembers her husband,...
Mert & Rella - Part 2
In part 2 of my interview with Mert and Rella, we talk about marriage, raising families, and the different paths their lives took through work and career. From early weddings to long days spent teaching, serving their communities, and supportin...
Merdythe "Mert" Popiel & Rella Abernethy - Part 1
In today's episode, I interview sisters Rella Abernethy (born 1937) and Merdythe “Mert” Popiel (born 1933), ages 88 and 92, about their childhood near Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. They share memories of their parents - a quiet farmer-rancher f...
Sherry Zachmann
In this interview, Sherry Zachmann shares memories of growing up in Beach, North Dakota, after moving there from the Golva area as a small child. Raised in a lively of eight children by her parents Paul and Viola ("Weenie"), Sherry reflects on ...
Judy Ridenhower
In today's episode, I interview Judy RIdenhower, 80, about her rural North Dakota upbringing with five siblings and life without electricity or running water. Judy recalls school in Sentinel Butte (graduating in 1963), small-town sports and ban...
Norma Myers - Part 2
Part 2 of Norma's interview begins with her traveling while pregnant in 1952. She discusses working as a silverware salesperson while nursing her son; meeting and marrying her third husband, a dentist; and reflecting on lessons from their 30-ye...
Norma Myers - Part 1
In this interview I got to visit with Norma Myers. Newly 100 (born Christmas Day), Norma recounts being born at her grandparents’ homestead in Buffalo Gap and growing up on a North Dakota ranch with four siblings. She shares a dramatic account ...
James (Buster) Schneider
In this episode of 'The Simple Lives We Live,' I had the pleasure of interviewing Buster Schneider, a 76-year-old man with a wealth of life experiences. Buster shares stories from his upbringing in Wibaux, Montana, and later in Beach, as the el...
Troy Tescher
In this episode of 'The Simple Lives We Live,' I interview 62-year-old rancher Troy Tescher, delving into his rich life history filled with stories of grit, tradition, and hard work. Troy discusses his upbringing as one of five siblings, detail...
Pauline Ross
When I was in the 2nd grade, I interviewed my Grandma, Pauline Ross. As you can imagine, the cassette tape was fairly damaged, and for years I had no way of listening back to the interview. The tape has followed me everywhere, and in December, ...
Dee Brown
In this episode of 'The Simple Lives We Live,' I interview my aunt and Godmother, Dee Brown, who shares her life story over the course of nearly nine decades. Dee recounts growing up in a large family in Beach, North Dakota, recalling memories ...
Perry Stockwell
In this episode of 'The Simple Lives We Live' podcast, I interviewed my Uncle Perry Stockwell, a 74-year-old who recounts his early life experiences, growing up as one of 13 children in Beach. Perry shares memories of his childhood, family dyna...
Ethel Kippley
In this heartwarming episode of 'The Simple Lives We Live,' I had an amazing conversation with 96-year-old Ethel Kippley about her extraordinary life journey. Ethel shares vivid memories from her childhood, including growing up on a farm, endur...
Gloria Stockwell
In this episode of 'The Simple Lives We Live', I have the honor of interviewing my Aunt Gloria, who reflects on her 79 years filled with family, love, resilience, and faith. Gloria shares vivid memories of growing up in Beach, North Dakota, fro...