Stepping In to Review His Life and Legacy Through Writing a Memoir with Colby Coash

In this episode, Kara is joined by Colby Coash, a childhood friend and author of the newly released book, Running Naked: Surviving the legacy of family in rural Nebraska. After reading his book, set primarily in their childhood hometown of Bassett, in three sittings, Kara was thrilled to get the opportunity to go a little deeper into Colby's story. The two talk about their reflections on growing up in a small rural Nebraska town, which they both hold dear. They share heartfelt conversations about hometown roots, themes of hard work, family expectations and growing up in true community. Kara and Colby also go into difficult conversation about the confusion he had as a boy of only 13 when his mom abandoned their family to create a new life for herself in a faraway state and eventually another country. Colby shares how the lonely process of writing his midlife memoir helped him make sense of and find purpose in his life thus far. He invites his readers to reflect with him through his childhood memories while offering his adult reflective perspective as he takes us on a journey through the stories he shares. The book and conversation will have you laughing and crying, reflecting and thinking about how your own stories shape your life and if you have children, your parenting.

Connect with Colby:

• Website: www.colbycoashauthor.com

Colby Coash is the Associate Executive Director for the Nebraska Association of School Boards, providing leadership and government relations work on behalf of elected leaders across Nebraska. This work gives him an opportunity to engage with policymakers and elected leaders using his experience as a former two-term State Senator. During his tenure in the Nebraska Unicameral Coash championed various causes, including child welfare, tourism, criminal justice reform, and support for people with disabilities.

Prior to his public service, Colby worked many years in the field of developmental disabilities while operating group homes and emergency shelters for kids with disabilities. It was here he learned the value of advocacy and inclusion in all settings while working with the most vulnerable citizens of his State.  He has spoken regionally about his passion for advocacy and taking a simple approach to leadership.  

His work has taken him from group homes to the Capitol. His training as an actor allows him to use storytelling as a medium for sharing his passion for advocacy and taking a simple approach to leadership. Colby speaks nationally in the areas of advocacy, employee engagement, performance coaching, communication, and leadership.  Colby holds a Masters Degree in Leadership Education and is an adjunct faculty member at Doane University and the Bryan College of Health Sciences. 

He is married with one son and enjoys movie making, having appeared in dozens of short and feature films. 

His debut memoir, Running Naked, Surviving the Legacy of Family in Rural Nebraska was released in 2024.

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