Title TBD: Tell Me a Story

Professional wrestling in the 1980s was a different beast than it is today. A fascinating cast of characters with their own language and culture, you had to prove yourself to be allowed in the room. When Tim was first offered the opportunity to photograph an NWA show in Pittsburgh, the magazine editor said they would only pay him if the work was good. As a young, recent art school grad, Tim took a chance with the thought that at the very least, it would be an interesting evening. He realized quickly, he was being tested on more than his eye for a good photo.In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Tim shares the adventure of this fateful evening as he brushed up against (and ran for his life) from some of the biggest names in professional wrestling. It was most definitely an interesting evening, and he got paid for this photos. It was the first of many nights for Tim who went on to work in many roles within professional wrestling. He shares some of his photos on his Instagram. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve all been there. Those phases in life where it feels as if nothing is going well and we’re on the edge of it all spinning sideways. It’s temporary but doesn’t feel temporary in the moment.Listen to this episode of Tell Me a Story as Alan talks about one of those phases in his life and how the simple act of taking an unusual approach to a work meeting helped turn the tide. Working on a creative team about 20 years ago supporting a famous brewing company, he felt like he wasn’t measuring up to his own expectations or the those of his bosses. To shaken things up, instead of pulling together a few PowerPoint slides for an upcoming meeting, Alan made a raw video with a narrative about how his work and life was blending, framed through the lens of beer.It was a turning point for Alan and opened more doors in his path. Opportunities he admits he wasn’t ready for but shifted what he thought he was capable of achieving when he pushed beyond his comfort zone. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

There’s nothing routine about a medical procedure but Erin was anticipating a rather routine breast reduction surgery, at least until the mammogram technicians started looking a little closer at the images.In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Erin shares a look into navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, advocating for herself even when she was afraid and working through the additional medical challenges. But she also talks about finding a community within her challenges.It’s a tough listen in moments, but it’s also an inspiring reminder to speak up for yourself and to show up for yourself and others. In the end you might find yourself with others in the same Dragonboat, and it will feel like flying. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

If you’re lucky, you make friends in school and college and maybe even in your 20s. Then life starts to happen and making friends can become difficult, if not impossible.In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Jenni shares her experience in making not just a friend, but a best friend, in her 30s. What it takes to keep it going is a lot of effort but its also effortless at the same time. It includes international adventures and ongoing stream of consciousness WhatsApp messages and all things in between.Really, it means showing up for each other. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

College chums Rosie and Richard were tied at the hip until their 20s when university, relationships and all the complications of life took them in separate directions.In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Rosie talks about her relationship with Richard, how it started when they were rabble-rousin’ school kids (smoking and drinking on the field trips) and how it rekindled later in life when Richard was diagnosed with a terminal illness.Anyone who has been blessed with at least one friend that you can spend years apart and the moment you see each other again, it’s as if no time has passed, will know the joy in Rosie and Richard’s friendship.By Rosie’s own admission, it doesn’t sound like a happy story. But it is a happy story and it has shaped her life in positive ways since. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve got something a little different for this installment of Tell Me a Story. Rather than recapping an experience, tag along as I took my daughters on what has become an annual spring break thing - American cryptid road trip.I dropped a recorder in my pocket and hit record at different moments during our three day road trip from Raleigh, NC to Sutton, WV (home of the Flatwoods Monster) and the Lost World Caverns and back home again. Full disclosure: the audio can be a little rough in places but you’ll get the flavor of what it’s like to sit in a car with me and my daughters while we talk discover trolls that look like Jesus (but might not be trolls), why Bigfoot is much more of a presence in the northwest yet still has his own museum on the east coast, how Zendaya is everywhere, breakfast with the West Virginia Bowhunters Association, what was it that angered bat boy, was Bob Seger a serial killer, why is the last two hours of a road trip the longest experience of our life and more. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

Ever been to a Banana Republic or Gap store in the ‘90s? Ever hunt the thrift shops for Banana Republic or Gap clothes from the ‘90s?If so, there’s an excellent chance you have something sitting in your closet now that Andy had a hand in designing. In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Andy shares two similar experiences where the work he was doing at that time would later turn around and find him again. Once while on a first date at a Manhattan restaurant where he thought he might get shivved for shouting “hey, man! That’s my shirt!” to a man passing by. And then 30 years later when his teenager daughter came home from the thrift store and mentioned, “I think I got a shirt from that place you worked in your 20s.”There’s a legacy you leave when you make things for other people, because often those things come back around to you in fun and unexpected ways. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

Jordan didn’t know a homecoming to his alma mater’s dive bar would change his life, but he did know the woman he met that night, the woman floating above the bar sludge, would be his wife.At least that’s what he told her ex-boyfriend.In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Jordan starts with how he met the woman who would be his wife, how he almost messed it up and how they endured long distance romance before he gets to the main event: an elaborate marriage proposal at an NYC art gallery featuring his own painting (he’s not a painter), the mysterious (and completely made up) rules of an art show, a gallery owner he met only a few weeks prior who went above and beyond to help him and an international community of well wishers waiting around to see the proposal. Spoiler alert: the painting now resides in their bedroom.Have a story of your own to share? Please let me know. I’d love to hear it. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

When Daniel was in his first year of college, he started feeling a strange sensation and pain in his leg. Being a sensible young adult male, he actually went to a doctor to get it checked out. He didn’t anticipate testicular cancer. In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Daniel shares his experience in cancer treatment and how facing mortality so young took him to a dark place mentally. However, he also sought counseling (I told you he was a sensible young adult male) and was able to find a path through his physical and mental challenges. Coming out the other side with a hopeful perspective, a commitment to serve others and the blessings of raising his own family.Coincidentally, April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. If you’d like to learn more or provide support, Daniel recommends the Testicular Cancer Foundation. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe

A quiet moment of terror, standing at a trash can in an Airbnb, led Ellen to a choice that sparked changing pretty much everything about her life. Bigger changes than a kitchen remodel in the middle of a global pandemic. In this installment of Tell Me a Story, Ellen shares her experience starting anxiety medication, finding support in unique places (like an astrologer with an MBA) and how it led her to take new directions in her life and work.Ellen discusses mental health challenges in this story, puts specific language to those challenges and shares some actions that worked for her. If you’re working through anxiety, depression or other challenges, please don’t wait to reach out for some help. Have a story of your own to share? Please let me know. I’d love to hear it. Get full access to Title TBD at zaneewton.substack.com/subscribe