Grief, Grit, and Building Hope from Heartbreak (S3 -E5 )
Host: Kathryn Lancioni
๐๐๐ฒ๐๐: Jason Reid
Episode Overview:
Kathryn Lancioni sits down with Jason Reid, a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Tell My Story foundation, to explore the gut punches life throws our way and the resilience required to move forward. Jason opens up about his experience building businesses, facing repeated setbacks, and the unimaginable loss of his son, Ryanโa tragedy that drastically altered his perspective on life, family, and mental health. Together, Kathryn Lancioni and Jason Reid unpack how we navigate loss, learn from failure, and ultimately, choose to rebuild and help others along the way.
5 Key Lessons from This Episode:
1. Resilience Is a Muscle We Build
Jason believes the ability to be resilient is one of the most important skills anyone can have. Life will present constant challengesโsome expected, many notโand it is our response to adversity that defines us, not just the adversity itself. Finding the strength to keep moving forward, even after substantial loss, is at the core of his message.
2. Everyone Faces Challenges, No Exceptions
Both Jason and Kathryn reflect on the idea that everyone has โtheir something,โ even if they donโt always admit it. Jason shares candidly about entrepreneurial failures, brushes with bankruptcy, and personal losses. The key, he says, is understanding that setbacks are a universal part of the human experience, and comparing ourselves to others is rarely fruitful.
3. The Power of Choosing How to Respond to Tragedy
After losing his son, Jason faced a crossroads: retreat or lean in and take action. He chose to channel his grief into advocacy, founding Tell My Story and creating resources to help others understand and address mental health challenges. He reminds listeners that even amid life-altering pain, we have agency over our next stepsโeven when those steps feel impossible.
4. Real Connections Come from Honest Communication
Jason emphasizes that meaningful connections with our childrenโor anyoneโoften happen in unexpected ways, like car rides or family dinners, rather than forced eye-to-eye conversations. He encourages parents to create environments where kids feel comfortable to open up on their terms, reinforcing that parenting is often inconvenient, but rewarding when we lean in at the right moments.
5. Progress Requires Movement, Even When Itโs Hard
Jasonโs most practical advice for anyone feeling stuck is simple: keep moving. Stagnation is the enemy of growth. He reminds us that every day brings new challenges and opportunities, and our attitude toward those ups and downsโrather than the events themselvesโwill shape how we rebuild and grow.
During the episode, Jason Reid shares the story behind Tell My Story, an organization dedicated to making a difference in youth mental health. He discusses a range of impactful projects, including the documentary "Tell My Story" available on Amazon Prime, as well as mental health resources and tools like the card game designed to foster open conversations between parents and kids. Jason Reid and his team have also created additional films and programs to support families navigating difficult times.
Connect with Jason Reid:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrreid
- Website: https://www.tellmystory.org/
- Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Tell-My-Story-Jason-Reid/dp/B09QFQJB42
Produced by the Digital Transformation Broadcast Network.