Erik Rees: Jessie's JoyJars and a Legacy of Never Ever Giving Up(ep. 876)

Most of us believe making a difference requires something big. A big platform. A big title. A big personality. A big story. Trust me, I understand why. For much of my life, people have introduced me through the lens of having a big story. They know about the burns, the explosion, the hospital rooms, the visits from celebrities, the comeback story, the Hall of Fame baseball, the Hollywood ending. And while I'm grateful my story has encouraged others, I've learned something important over the years: It is rarely the brightest lights or biggest personalities that change the world most profoundly. Far more often and far more importantly, it's ordinary people quietly choosing to use whatever gifts they have to lift the lives around them. That's why I want you to meet Amy McMaken. Let me explain.

Glenn Sturm is an attorney, entrepreneur, photographer, and cancer survivor whose life changed forever after receiving a stage four cancer diagnosis nearly two decades ago. What once was a relentless pursuit of professional success became an invitation to slow down, refocus on what mattered most, and live with greater purpose and gratitude. Through years of treatment, setbacks, and unexpected joy, Glenn has become a passionate advocate for holistic cancer care, meaningful relationships, and finding beauty even in difficult seasons. Today, Glenn shares how cancer unexpectedly freed him from an exhausting cycle of overwork, why rediscovering photography and chasing solar eclipses reignited his sense of wonder, and the life-changing impact of a strong support system. He opens up about facing fear and grief while continuing to choose hope, curiosity, and joy. Glenn also reflects on the lessons passed down from his family and why he believes our greatest legacy is the love we leave behind. My friends, if you're walking through uncertainty or trying to remember what truly matters, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that even in life's hardest seasons, there is still beauty to notice, purpose to pursue, and hope worth holding onto.

While heading to the final speaking event of a very full, very hectic year, I found myself doing what so many of us do this time of year: rushing. It was a tight connection through a crowded terminal at DFW. As I hurried from one gate to the next, weaving through travelers, rolling suitcases, coffee cups, and glowing phone screens, I happened to glance out the window. There on the tarmac stood a white hearse beside an arriving plane. Let me explain.

Haley Scott DeMaria is a speaker, author, and former University of Notre Dame swimmer whose life changed forever after surviving a tragic team bus crash that left her temporarily paralyzed. Told she may never walk again, Haley endured years of recovery before ultimately returning to compete for Notre Dame. Today, Haley shares the heartbreaking aftermath of the 1992 bus crash that claimed the lives of two teammates, the physical and emotional battle to rebuild her life, and the people who carried her through it all. She reflects on grief, survivor's guilt, returning to the pool, and learning how to move forward when life takes an unexpected turn. My friends, if you or someone you love is walking through disappointment, grief, uncertainty, or a season that feels impossibly heavy, this conversation is for you.

It's difficult when a chapter that once felt endless suddenly comes to an end. Sixteen years ago, Beth and I stood nervously outside a little school in St. Louis called Holy Redeemer Catholic School. We were young parents then, with a five-year-old, a three-year-old, a one-year-old, and another child on the way. Life was chaotic and like most parents stepping into something new, we wondered if we were making the right decision. Let me explain.

Nicholas Epley is a behavioral scientist, bestselling author, and professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business whose groundbreaking research explores why we as human beings often misunderstand each other. From studying social connection and happiness to teaching students how to design a meaningful life, Nicholas has spent his career helping people better understand themselves and those around them. Today, Nicholas shares why we're far more connected than we think, why our fears around talking to strangers are usually wrong, and how one simple conversation can change the course of a day… or even a life. Drawing from the research behind his latest book, A Little More Social, we talk about the real cost of isolation, the lessons he's learned through personal loss and fatherhood, and why meaningful connection starts when we move past surface-level small talk and become genuinely curious in one another. My friends, if you want to learn why expressing gratitude, asking better questions, and taking small social risks can lead to deeper joy, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling life, this conversation is for you.

At a recent speaking engagement, I asked the audience to turn to a neighbor and share what they were grateful for in the moment. On this morning, hundreds of new friends turned away from me and toward the person seated nearest them. Voices elevated, tears fell and smiles returned. It was awesome to observe this from stage. But off to the side stood one woman. Alone. I came down from the stage, walked over, knelt beside her, and said, "I love you…and there's nothing you can do about it! Now, tell me, what are you grateful for?" She looked back and said, "Nothing." Let me explain what happened next.

Chad Robichaux is a former Force Recon Marine, USA Today bestselling author, and founder of Mighty Oaks, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of veterans and first responders recover from PTSD, trauma, and the invisible wounds of war. After eight deployments to Afghanistan and years serving in elite special operations, Chad now dedicates his life to helping others rediscover hope, healing, and purpose. Today, Chad shares how growing up in a violent and broken home shaped his life, the heartbreaking loss of his brother, and the journey that led him into the Marines and eventually into some of the darkest battles of his life. We discuss how accountability, faith, and serving others helped him rebuild his family, restore his purpose, and launch Mighty Oaks to help others do the same. My friends, if you are walking through pain, regret, or hopelessness, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that healing is possible and even our deepest scars can become a source of hope for someone else.

Four astronauts recently returned from space. Part of the Artemis II mission, they went up as pilots, engineers, and explorers. They came back entirely changed; their perspective on life altered forever. Their professional insights will undoubtedly shape the future of our space program, our return to the moon, and exploration beyond. But perhaps their most important discovery isn't about space at all. Perhaps it's about our life right here on Earth. After launching from Earth and traveling at speeds approaching 25,000 miles per hour, the crew journeyed hundreds of thousands of miles through space. When they returned ten days later, the world leaned in, eager to hear what they had learned. And yet, in interview after interview, the crew of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen struggled to find the words. Awkward silences filled press conferences. Not because they lacked intelligence or clarity, but because they experienced something too big for language. Let me explain.

Erik Rees is the founder of NEGU, Never Ever Give Up, which is a global movement inspired by the life of his daughter Jessie. What began as a father walking through unimaginable grief has become a mission that has delivered nearly 600,000 JoyJars to children battling cancer around the world, each one carrying a simple but powerful message: you are not alone. Today, Erik shares the extraordinary life of his daughter Jessie, why she chose to focus on bringing happiness to other kids in the middle of her own fight, and how her legacy continues to impact families across the globe. My friends, if you are walking through grief, searching for purpose, or wondering how something painful could ever be used for good, this conversation is for you. You'll leave ready to live courageously, love constantly and lead compassionately.