What's Your Why?

There's two kinds of families, those with mental illness and those who don't have mental illness yet. - Thomas Insel 

Even for all the problems that it brings forward, it also brings forward possibilities and promise. - Stephen Aron

Did you know that the first Native American to chair the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grew up on a Navajo reservation in Arizona and faced tremendous challenges on her journey to higher education? Her story will inspire you. Discover how she is promoting indigenous knowledge and cultural inclusivity in education at a national level to make a difference.

It's almost like someone telling you that your child is wrong - I mean, she'd be really perfect if you would just change her hair and add some freckles and then make her taller. - Traci Jones 

"How do we move forward? How do we hold the past in all its complexity and move forward?" - Rebecca Clarren

I had become a writer. The habit had stuck, and I fell in love with books and reading and writing, and the rest of the path unfurled from there. - Mason Engel

"You can move mountains when you're happy and you're motivated and you're getting rewarded for your actions." – Susan Rogers

"I was given a gift with my hand, that it was a tool to start to get people talking about what they're hiding and to share my journey of unhiding, so that wherever people found themselves on this continuum of hiding and unhiding, they could say, wow, she did it." - Ruth Rathblott

Uncover the unexpected truth about embracing differences and the power of unhiding. ...

The Evolution of an Environmentalist: From Counterinsurgency to Anti-Poaching: Damien Mander

"If we don't protect it, there's going to be nothing left. This is our backyard. There's a responsibility upon all of us to look after nature in whatever way we can." - Damien Mander

Discover the remarkable journey of a former special operations sniper who transitioned...

Renowned comedian W. Kamau Bell fearlessly challenges societal norms and amplifies underrepresented voices, sparking conversations on race and identity in America. W. Kamau Bell shared his journey of self-discovery and growth. From childhood dreams of becoming a superhero or entering show business to finding his voice as a comedian. Kamau's path reflects the universal quest for identity and purpose. His decision to use...

“Just treat people the same way you treat anyone else. Don't just assume something about someone and just truly see them for what they can become.” - Tanner Dunn

In this episode of What's Your Why? hosted by Emy Digrappa, our guest Tanner Dunn, a photographer and musician with autism, shares his journey from capturing nature's beauty to aspiring to be part of his first ever photography art exhibit. Tanner'...

"There are many layers of tradition that people carry with them and their families and their communities." - Shane Doyle

In this episode we talk with Dr. Shane Doyle, a Montana-based scholar, teacher, and community advocate whose work focuses on the history and heritage of Native American tribes of the Northern Great Plains. Growing up on the reservation, he experienced the rich oral traditions, history, a...

"The buffalo is still central to our lifeways, our spirituality, our ceremonies, but has been missing for over 130 years. Bringing them back is integral to our healing from atrocities and the restoration of our cultural value." - Jason Baldes

Jason Baldes, an Eastern Shoshone and member of the Inter Tribal Buffalo Council, joins us on this episode of What's Your Why? to discuss his work in restoring buffal...

“Action is a byproduct of clarity. When you know what you want and where you're going, it's easier to make decisions, take action, and let your intuition and instincts guide you.” - Bonnie Wan

In this episode of the podcast What's Your Why?, you'll hear from Bonnie Wan, a strategist, author, and speaker, as she shares her insights on the power of creating a life brief. Bonnie's expertise as the head of bra...

"Clowning is about revealing the truth of things. It's about that moment of epiphany when the world makes sense and laughter emerges." - Bob Berky 

In a world where destiny can take unpredictable turns, one man's journey from the symphony to the circus is a wonderful story of learning and accomplishment.  From the enchanting sound of the French horn to the uproarious laughter of working as an accompl...

It's the worst evil on the planet. It's the worst kind of exploitation of the vulnerable populations, and it's everywhere. - Ashleigh Chapman

Welcome, Ashleigh Chapman, a truly remarkable advocate in the fight against human trafficking. Ashleigh’s journey began as a child, providing a safe haven to three abused children, which sparked a lifetime dedication to the cause. She has since tirelessly worked to i...