Core to our mission is helping our audience and community reach their full potential and the most important part of reaching your full potential is starting to find your purpose. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from the community around how various folks found their purpose and we hope it helps you in your journey.
Johnny Gray
Finding purpose is something that not everyone has the privilege to do. I found my purpose during my stint in Luanda, Angola, where I was playing professional basketball. I have 3 reasons for finding my purpose while living there. Read More>>
Karin Adoni Ben David
My purpose really found me. I struggled with an eating disorder, which was one of the hardest experiences of my life. In my journey to heal, I turned to nutrition and health. At first just as a way to help myself. But as I started to transform, I fell in love with the process and realized I wanted to share that knowledge with others. Read More>>
Claire Howe
When I was in my early 20’s, I had a cubicle job I absolutely hated. One day, a friend and I went to lunch at a nearby Subway, and as I stood staring at the lunchmeat, neatly arranged behind plexiglass, I suddenly realized that I had absolutely no idea how (or from WHOM) it had gotten there. Read More>>
Theresa Morris
Being a public educator for the past 29 years, I was able to create a experiential education program within a middle school and high school. These were non-traditional programs focusing on the development of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) verses IQ. Read More>>
Ben Neill
Being an active participant and leader in artistic scenes and communities has played a crucial role in helping me to locate my purpose or calling in life. Back in the early 1980s I was studying to become a classical trumpet player. Read More>>
Jaynard Carter
I discovered my purpose by witnessing the struggles of immigrants firsthand and realizing that I had the skills to guide them through those challenges. What started as a mix of personal passion, community need, and a desire to bring hope to people during some of the most difficult times of their lives eventually grew into something deeper. Read More>>
Lauren Piemont Clamp
It takes time to find your purpose, but more than that, it takes living. I didn’t begin to discover my purpose until I started putting myself out there. I have been an art writer for a number of years and I studied art history in college. Read More>>
Horse ‘ El Caballo ‘ Wren
“Modeling was my first step into the spotlight — it taught me discipline, branding, and how to tell a story without saying a word. That naturally transitioned into acting, where I learned to bring depth to a character. Read More>>
Arrie Broussard
I left my profession to persure my passion. I was an Elementary School teacher, drowning in the day-to-day and constantly searching for a creative outlet. When I decided to leave that part of my life behind, I allowed myself the space to narrow my focus. Read More>>
Veronica Ibanez
Honestly my purpose has always been my kids. I did not grow up with much, and my plan was to not have kids because i didn’t want to fail them or to not give them the life they deserve. Read More>>
Cristiane Leite
I didn’t discover my purpose all at once—it unfolded over years of hands-on experience, challenges, and transformation. For over 25 years, I’ve worked with homes in every possible way—from cleaning and organizing to designing and remodeling. My journey began with the small things: learning how to care for a home, how to make it feel functional and beautiful. Read More>>
Marc Smith, MD
I’ve always been drawn to understanding the deeper layers of human experience—how our biology, thoughts, relationships, and stories interact to shape our mental health. During my training and early years in practice, I became especially interested in helping people who felt like their challenges weren’t being fully addressed by conventional care alone. Read More>>
Ariana Johnson
I found my purpose in my mid 20’s, I was working at in the court system and I was introduced to the field of social work, which motivated me to earn my masters degree. During the Pandemic, I noticed that the need of Mental Health Services was so important which prompted me to become a Mental Health Advocate Read More>>
Brian Driscoll
I found my purpose through opportunity. From the earliest days of my career as a dishwasher just starting in the industry and working my way up to cook, server, and bartender, I’ve always taken pride in doing every job with care and intention. I never saw any role as “just” a stepping stone. Read More>>
Paul Harvey
I feel my purpose in life and music is to help others. In regards to the music, when I played and posted my first video in 2019 I got such a profound reaction from so many people. Here I was, an ironworker…no musical training,just a passion for an instrument and a God given gift to reach folks in a profound way. Read More>>
Adrianna Mabrie
A few days ago, my former fifth-grade student, now a high school senior planning for college, emailed me. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from her and happy to know that she is doing well and has fond memories of her year in our classroom. Read More>>
Keri Oki
It’s taken me a while to find my purpose in life. My drag career started when I was only 20 years old and now I’m 29! I found my purpose when me and my best friend Elvie started our co produced production company called Big Table Productions! Read More>>
Jaye Harmon
My purpose, just as anyone else, is GOD given. When GOD gives us a purpose, we don’t have to go looking for it. It’s right there. All we have to do is cultivate and perfect it. Read More>>
Anya Garcia
A Bold Pivot: From Attorney to Early Childhood Advocate** People spend years dreaming of becoming an attorney—earning the highest Doctorate Degree in Law, taking on cases, and making an impact in the legal world. I was no different. I had worked tirelessly, accumulated massive student loan debt, and was standing at the threshold of a promising legal career with big prospects. Read More>>
Mikkita Moore
I found my purpose through the very experiences that could have destroyed me. The trauma, the pain, and now even the loss of my father were not designed to make me fail. They were preparing me. Every hardship I’ve endured became a stepping stone, showing me that my life is not just about survival—it’s about service. Read More>>
Michella Elad
Finding my purpose has been a journey shaped by faith, love, and sacrifice. At the heart of it all is my relationship with God. He has been my anchor in times of uncertainty, my guide when I felt lost, and my source of strength when I needed courage. Read More>>
Miriam Jones
There is a poem by William Stafford called ‘The Way it is’. It goes: There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Read More>>
Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC
I always thought my purpose was mental health, and in many ways, it still is, but now I understand it more deeply. Working in the mental health field, I’ve conducted group and individual therapy, both in person and virtually. Read More>>
Cara Blaine
Finding my purpose was easier than being brave enough to accept it. I’ve known since I was about seven years old that I wanted to be a writer. I took creative writing summer classes in elementary school, honed my skills in AP English classes in high school, and then went to college. Read More>>
Andre Arthur
I discovered my purpose by following my curiosity. I paired that curiosity with my strengths and interests, and once I began to see positive results and rewards from my efforts, I leaned into them and built momentum. Many people never find their true purpose because they spend too much time following someone else’s path instead of exploring their own. Read More>>
Isabel Ramirez
I discovered my purpose through my journey in the social media world, where I’ve been working since 2016. Over the years, I learned how powerful these platforms are not just for visibility, but for truly communicating with an audience in ways that create trust and connection. Read More>>
Bethany Bayless
I found my purpose through motherhood and the unexpected journey of starting Wildwind Lane, my sticker and stationery company. When the pandemic ended my career as a public speaker and I was navigating postpartum depression and anxiety as a new mom, I turned to art as a way to cope and heal. Read More>>
Mary Barr Rhodes
I have found my purpose through my creative process. I create artwork at the threshold of art, science and spirituality. My process is both methodical and intuitive: each chard of glass is deliberately positioned as though solving a puzzle of light, forming pockets of vibration that pulse with quiet intensity. Read More>>
Christian F Johnson
I didn’t find my purpose at the top of success—I found it in the silence after I lost something I thought I needed. For 10 years, I had been speaking, coaching, creating… doing what looked good, sounded good, and honestly felt productive. But I was still operating from a place of mimicry and masked messaging. I had mastered performance—but lost presence. Read More>>
Judy Goldie
We all play an important role in this world, now matter what we have chosen to do for work. I have told many of my staff through the years, it matters very little what you do, but who you are. We have a chose to each day to make a differance and be the light. Read More>>
Lisa Jordan
You know, my purpose didn’t come quietly. It came through a storm I didn’t see coming and one I tried to control for far too long. For a long time, I lived in a kind of survival mode, trying to hold everything together. Read More>>
Kelly Johnson
I found my purpose by aligning my professional strengths, personal values, and lived experiences, and by using my voice to champion others, especially when they doubt their own. There’s something deeply fulfilling about helping someone recognize their potential and then walk alongside them as they pursue it. Read More>>
Sophia & Sam Lopez
Creativity has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Growing up, our Nina would fill our days with arts and crafts. One of my most cherished memories is making papier-mâché piñatas from homemade glue, laughing together as we worked side by side. Our parents, meanwhile, showed us what hard work and dedication looked like every single day. Read More>>
Sophia & Sam Lopez
Creativity has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Growing up, our Nina would fill our days with arts and crafts. One of my most cherished memories is making papier-mâché piñatas from homemade glue, laughing together as we worked side by side. Our parents, meanwhile, showed us what hard work and dedication looked like every single day. Read More>>
Dr. Diane Hamilton
My purpose was developed over a lifetime of asking questions. I’ve always been a lifelong learner. Even before I had the words for it, I knew I was drawn to ideas, people, and possibilities. That hunger to learn eventually turned into a mission to help other people discover that same drive in themselves. Read More>>
Olha Kotsiubailo
I believe that even in childhood, I had an unconscious sense of who I wanted to become. I was always fascinated by beauty—not just as an appearance, but as a way to express individuality. Read More>>
Ali Mills
A childhood mentor of mine used to tell me ‘Quitters never win and winners never quit’. I was 7 when I first heard it, and I never let myself quit anything until I was 30 years old. I kept my heart and soul in everything that I ever wanted to do. Read More>>
Michelle Katz
My sense of purpose originally came from a burning desire to expose the flaws in our culture, society, and the world at large. But what I’ve discovered along the way—as a writer, film producer, painter, and now podcast host—is that true purpose has to begin within. My struggle with chronic illness gave me what I now think of as a time out from life. Read More>>
Kate Dawson
Well… accidentally. Like a glitter bomb went off in the middle of a financial crisis and suddenly I was covered in throw pillows and purpose. (But let me back up.) I’m a performer. Always have been, always will be. There’s nothing like the rush of telling a story that connects people to their humanity… to each other… to themselves. Read More>>
Maloos Khonsarian
How I Found My Purpose Through Documentary Wedding Photography: As a Chicago wedding photographer, my journey didn’t begin with lavish venues or grand ceremonies. It began quietly—on a Thanksgiving Day—with a family gathering that would forever shape my understanding of photography and purpose. A few years ago, someone asked me to photograph her family on Thanksgiving. Read More>>
Alexandra Mosca
Actually, my purpose found me. It was at the start of my college years when I took an after-school job at a local funeral home. Initially, I was looking to earn some extra money, but what I found was much more valuable. Read More>>
Alicia Liu
I found my purpose by paying close attention to the moments in my career that felt the most meaningful. I’ve always been passionate about food as a way to connect people and tell stories, but it wasn’t until I started experimenting with creating vegan ice creams that I felt everything click. Read More>>
Tina Tsai
I didn’t find my purpose all at once – it kind of came together over time. I used to be a Senior Director of Project Management and IT Chief of Staff in the corporate world. It was a stable job, and I was good at it. But I always felt this pull toward something more creative, something more personal. Read More>>
Lauren Ruth Ward
“I will continue to create from a desire to connect to myself and my listeners, not from a desire to achieve the industry’s standard of success.” Most days, this mantra is as easy as breathing. But occasionally, it feels like I’m sacrificing oxygen to stay true. When my self expression contradicts following viral formulas, I face joining the “whatever happened to them?” club. Read More>>
Yuliia Dudchenko
I discovered my purpose through time& experience, dance& community. I first started organizing women’s dance events in Ukraine, and later in Germany and I always loved it. At the same time, I had so many different interests- things I enjoyed doing both for myself and for others. But for a long time, society had this pattern that you were supposed to choose just one path. Read More>>
LaMarquita Leach
First of all I must say thank you for such an in-depth question. How did I find my purpose? Before I tell you I will say it’s going to be traumatic for some but it’s my story so I won’t say trigger warning. Empathize because imagine how I feel and what I carry. Read More>>
Karen Turadek
I discovered my purpose through my kids. When they were in preschool, they sometimes brought Ziploc bags for spare clothes, and I realized how many bags were being wasted in the process, which was harmful to the environment. I thought that creating a reusable bag for them would be beneficial for the planet, and I knew I wasn’t alone in this concern. Read More>>
