What happens when a dream you set aside years ago suddenly refuses to stay quiet?

Writer Tracey Thompson always loved stories, but raising children and handling the demands of everyday life left little room to pursue writing. Then one unexpected comment from her daughter sparked an idea she could not ignore. With no outline, no carefully mapped plan, and no certainty about where the story would lead, Tracey opened her laptop and began writing.

In this candid and entertaining conversation, Brian and Tracey explore what it means to discover—or rediscover—your creativity later in life. They discuss writing without following the traditional rules, allowing characters to surprise you, and why stepping away from a project may sometimes be exactly what the story needs.

Tracey also shares how her naturally sarcastic, cynical sense of humor shaped her fiction, why she prefers bending imaginary worlds to her will, and what happened when early feedback made her question whether her book was worth publishing at all.

Together, Brian and Tracey examine the complicated relationship writers have with feedback. When should you listen? When should you protect the story? And how do you separate helpful criticism from someone else’s opinion about what your work is “supposed” to be?

This episode is for aspiring writers, late bloomers, unconventional creatives, and anyone who has ever wondered whether they missed their opportunity to pursue something meaningful.

You’ll hear an honest conversation about creativity, confidence, imperfect first drafts, human editors, unexpected inspiration, and the freedom that comes from creating something because it matters to you.

Because your timeline does not have to look like anyone else’s—and the idea you keep returning to may be waiting for you to finally give it a chance.

Connect with Tracey Thompson

Website: https://tathompsonwriter.com/
Instagram: @t.a.thompsonwriter

What if love is not something you earn, exchange, or receive, but something you choose to embody?

After receiving her own cancer diagnosis and then losing her husband to pancreatic cancer just six weeks after his diagnosis, business coach, author, and *Love Is* podcast host Kim Sorrelle began questioning everything she thought she knew about life and love.

Her search became a 14-month experiment in living out the principles found in 1 Corinthians 13, including patience, kindness, forgiveness, and keeping no record of wrongs. What she discovered challenged many of the messages we have been taught about relationships.

In this conversation, Kim joins Brian R. King, MSW, to explore why love is not transactional, why judgment and love cannot coexist, and how being fully present with another person can become one of the most meaningful gifts we offer.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover

* Why giving love with the expectation of receiving it creates disappointment

* The difference between performing kind actions and living with genuine kindness

* How grief and loss led Kim to investigate the true meaning of love

* Why love is an identity and practice rather than simply an emotion

* How patience begins with being fully present

* Why listening without preparing a response can transform relationships

* How judgment prevents us from loving people where they are

* Why we cannot always understand what someone else is carrying

* How changing your personal narrative can help release old wounds

* Why love can be both deeply freeing and personally empowering

About Kim Sorrelle

Kim Sorrelle is a business coach, author, speaker, and host of the *Love Is* podcast. Following a season of profound illness and loss, she committed herself to exploring what love truly means and how it can be practiced in everyday life.

Her book, *Love Is*, shares what she discovered during her 14-month journey.

Connect With Kim Sorrelle

YouTube: @kimsorrelle

Instagram: Kim Sorrelle

Facebook: Kim Sorrelle

Search for Kim’s book, Love Is, wherever books are sold.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Love may be one of the most commonly used words in our vocabulary—but how often do we stop to examine what it asks of us?

Listen to the full episode to discover how patience, presence, grace, and a willingness to release judgment can change the way you experience your relationships and your life.

Listen now, share the episode with someone who needs encouragement, and choose one opportunity to practice love without expectation today.

What if the story you've been hiding is the very thing someone else needs to hear?

For decades, Ty Gipson believed he should handle life's hardships quietly. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, he endured kidney failure, multiple organ transplants, dialysis, and countless medical setbacks while trying to live as "normally" as possible. It wasn't until he finally shared his story with family that everything changed. His honesty inspired loved ones to become organ donors and encouraged others facing their own struggles to keep going.

In this heartfelt conversation, Brian R. King and Ty explore resilience, the power of mindset, why vulnerability creates connection, and how one person's willingness to speak up can have a ripple effect far beyond what they ever imagined.

You'll Learn

• Why keeping your struggles to yourself may prevent others from finding hope
• How childhood beliefs about "toughness" can shape adulthood
• What multiple organ transplants taught Ty about resilience and gratitude
• Why mindset is one of the most powerful tools we have during adversity
• The importance of talking with your family about organ donation
• How sharing your story can inspire people in ways you'll never expect
• Why daily habits like reflection, visualization, and gratitude build mental strength

Memorable Moments

• The family reunion that inspired multiple relatives to register as organ donors.
• A mother's incredible gift of donating one of her kidneys to her son.
• Surviving a 16-hour transplant surgery and rebuilding a life afterward.
• Why Ty now believes hiding your story may be the most selfish thing you can do.
• The reminder that there are often incredible opportunities waiting on the other side of life's hardest seasons.

Books & Resources Mentioned

• Organ donation awareness and registration
• Daily practices of visualization, reflection, and goal setting
• Faith, gratitude, and intentional mindset routines

Key Takeaway

Your greatest struggle may become someone else's greatest source of hope. When we're willing to be honest about our challenges, we remind others they aren't alone. Whether you're facing illness, loss, or another kind of adversity, resilience isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's about choosing to keep moving forward, trusting that there is life, purpose, and possibility waiting on the other side.

Enjoying the Show?

If Ty's story inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today. And if you haven't already, consider having an honest conversation with your loved ones about organ donation. One decision could change, or even save, someone else's life.