We’ve talked to a number of storytellers on this podcast, but none like Eustace Heston Francis.Heston is a man who lights up any room he enters with his music, his paintings, his writing, or just his smile.He’s landed songs on Billboard’s R&B charts, he’s performed at the Apollo, he’s shared the stage with Kanye West, he’s played in front of tens of thousands.But Heston Francis didn’t start with an audience, he started from humble beginnings in Dominica -- a small Caribbean nation of about 70,000 people.

These are the roots that formed the storyteller he is today. He’s authentic -- he paints what he remembers, he performs what he feels, but above all else he connects with people easily -- be it on stage or over a cup of coffee. We’re not just talking to an artist musicianWe’re talking to a storyteller who found his voice … and had the courage to share it with the world. So we’re gonna learn how he did it, and who in his life helped guide the way.Find Estace Heston Francis at:https://www.hestontheartist.com/@hestontheartist

In this episode, we sit down with legendary storyteller Neal Foard — a man who spent decades shaping the voice of brands like Budweiser, Toyota, and Sony, before stepping out from behind the curtain to tell stories that actually matter: the stories of us.

Neal has become famous for something rare — reminding people that the world is still full of decency if you’re willing to look for it. With his fireside-chat style videos on LinkedIn, he captures small human moments that feel bigger than any ad campaign he ever created.

Neal unpacks the stories that shaped him — including the unforgettable lesson he learned as a young man when his father’s car broke down on the side of the road. They explore why certain moments hit us in the heart, what Neal learned from a lifetime in the ad world, why humility is a superpower, and how “it costs zero dollars to be a decent human being.”

Episode 34 is a reminder that the smallest gestures can change everything — and that great storytelling begins with paying attention.

Find More on Neal at:

https://www.nealfoard.com/

https://www.storyfire.net/

https://www.youtube.com/@nealfoard

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-foard/

https://www.instagram.com/nealfoard/More on The Great Unfamous:

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Some people follow the path they planned. Others take the one they were meant for.

Mike Lebsock was supposed to be a doctor. Instead, he became something rarer: a teacher who changes not just what you know, but how you see the world.

By tapping into his own story—and the stories buried in America’s past—he’s turned classrooms into conversations and students into thinkers. And along the way, he’s helped educators rediscover why they teach in the first place.

This isn’t just about history. It’s about curiosity. It’s about connection. It’s about the power of a teacher who reminds us that the right story, at the right time, can change everything.

Huzzah... and welcome, Mike Lebsock.

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He’s not a politician. Not an influencer. Not a name you’ll see trending.
But Matt Elliott has been quietly changing the world for 20 years.

In this episode, we meet the man who lit the spark behind civic leader Sarah Teti (Ep. 30), and never stopped building bridges.

Raised in the small town of Newport in upstate New York and shaped by the wild beauty of the Adirondacks, Matt saw early on how environmental damage didn’t just touch the land -- it touched lives.

So he did something radical: he kept showing up. First as a student organizer. Then as a deep-woods surveyor. Now as a lobbyist who listens more than he lectures.

Matt doesn't seek attention. He seeks impact. And in this conversation, he shares what he's learned about finding common ground in divided rooms, how small towns shape big convictions, and what to do when you want to make a difference -- but don’t think you have the time, the talent, or the title.

Because as Matt proves, sometimes the greatest leaders are the ones who walk in quietly, build something lasting, and leave it better than they found it.More on The Great Unfamous:

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The 10 Lies We Carry: Brian F. Martin on Breaking the Silence Around Childhood Domestic Violence

What if 1 in 8 people are carrying invisible scars from something they don’t even know they experienced?

This week on The Great Unfamous, I sit down with Brian F. Martin, someone who’s not only survived an invisible epidemic, but is devoted to helping others name it, understand it, and rise above it.

It’s called Childhood Domestic Violence (CDV).
1 in 8 people are affected. Most have no idea.

Brian's book, Invincible, names the 10 lies CDV teaches us:
That we’re not good enough.
That we’re to blame.
That we’ll always be broken.
That love, confidence, and calm are for someone else.

But here’s the good news: those lies aren’t permanent. They’re not true.
They’re just stories — stories that can be rewritten.

In this conversation, Brian and I unpack what it means to reclaim your narrative, how a 30-second self-screening tool could be the spark of a turning point, and why shining a light on the hard stuff is the beginning of healing.

For you. For someone you love.
For the part of you that knows there’s more.

It’s about awareness.

And action.

Listen in. It matters.

More on CDV

# Visit the CDV.org website

# Take the free 30-second CDV screening

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In this episode of The Great Unfamous, host Jim Thompson sits down with Sarah Teti — a singer, songwriter, civic leader, and newly named Citizen of the Year — to explore how small acts, offered with heart, can grow into something extraordinary.

Sarah shares the surprising story behind her rise from quiet community volunteer to the driving force behind a food pantry that now serves thousands. Along the way, she reflects on how music, empathy, and a fierce sense of dignity for others have helped her build not just programs — but community, hope, and change.

From her earliest songs to her mission work in Malawi, Sarah’s story is a reminder that real purpose doesn’t arrive all at once — it’s discovered, one choice, one act, one song at a time.

If you've ever wondered whether small actions can truly make a difference, this conversation might help.

More on Sarah Teti’s Music:

Youtube.com/@Sarahtetimusic

Upcoming Gigs

Instagram.com/sarahtetimusic/

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It’s not easy to catch lightning in a bottle, but Dr. Bill Monroe did it and spent the rest of his career trying to repeat it in numerous forms.

Before leading one of the most respected honors colleges in the country at the University of Houston, Dr. Monroe did something even rarer—he created intellectual electricity at McMurry College.

Over lunch, tennis courts and pickup basketball games, he helped build a space where young minds spoke boldly, thought deeply, and disagreed with respect. It wasn’t a syllabus—it was a spark.

That spark lit the fire in countless students, including silver-tongued storyteller Mark Williams, who we met in Episode 26. In this episode, we find out from Dr. Monroe what it takes to assemble a group of people who push, listen, take down and lift up their colleagues, plus the Great Unfamous figures who shaped him.

It’s a conversation about legacy without trophies, just changed lives -- lots of tactical guidance here.

Contact Dr. Bill Monroe @

Williamfmonroe@gmail.com

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In this episode we meet, Khoa Le, an artist, entrepreneur, and filmmaker whose true medium is possibility. From directing films to launching companies, winning awards, and redefining how independent creators get promoted and paid, Khoa’s journey is one of relentless innovation.

Khoa overcame early hardships to attend Juilliard and Rutgers, building multiple seven-figure businesses, including Kvibe Studios, Live Picture Studios, and Sutudu Media—a platform reimagining opportunities for independent artists. His filmmaking credits include biopics on Walt Disney, Jeff Bezos, Jose Feliciano, and his latest feature film, “Christmas Cowboy,” debuted on Amazon Prime last November.

But beyond his impressive résumé, Khoa is a mentor, leader, and advocate for creators everywhere. His mission? To inspire others to make their own dreams come true.

Join us as we dive into Khoa’s journey, the lessons he’s learned, and the people who helped shape his path.

More on Khoa Le:

The Khoa Le Show on YouTube:

KhoaLefilms.com

Instagram: @khoalefilms

Facebook: facebook.com/kvibe

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