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
20 episodes
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,...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:24:43
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:02:39
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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54:07
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:02:50
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...
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1:21:10
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:17:57
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 ...
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57:53
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:41:40
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:27:13
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, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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11:21
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:56:16
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:14:15
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:23:10
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:03:45
Howard Stockwell
In this episode I interview my uncle Howard, who shares his recollections of his 81 years. We discuss his upbringing on a farm, life in a large family, and his time in the military. Howard delves into tales of childhood chores, mischief, and ha...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:33:10
Bruce Ross
In this episode I interview my dad, Bruce Ross, reflecting on his 74 years of life growing up, living, and raising a family on a farm in Beach. Bruce shares his experiences from childhood, including school days in one-room schoolhouses, working...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:28:37
Jessica Maloney
In this episode of The Simple Lives We Live, I interview my close friend Jess, who shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in a small South Dakota town to navigating life in background Hollywood and ultimately becoming a stay-at-home m...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:18:44
Cheryl Ross
In this episode of 'The Simple Lives We Live,' I interview my mom, Cheryl Ross, about her life experiences, from growing up in a large family of 13 on a farm and then in town, to the challenges and cherished moments of raising her own five chil...
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1:24:06