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Hunter speaks to three strangers with one thing in common: they’re adopted. Alyssa is a Black woman who grew up in a predominantly white community as an adopted child of an Italian-American family, making her adoption visually apparent from an early age. Her biological brother found her and reached out via Facebook after their biological father drunkenly revealed her existence to him. Upon reconnecting with her biological family, her biological mother denied her and called her a catfish, which Alyssa describes as one of the most painful things she ever experienced. Despite this, she does not regret the reunion, stating she would have wondered for the rest of her life otherwise.  Charley always knew she was adopted and initially viewed it positively, describing it as a gift. However, she experienced recurring feelings of loneliness throughout her life, particularly at night as a young girl. She had no desire to find her biological mother well into her 20s and even threw away research a college friend compiled about her possible birth mother. At age 46, she submitted a 23andMe test for medical background information, and at 47 received a message from a biological relative identifying a possible match to her birth mother. She met her birth mother, but found the relationship one-sided and stressful, as her birth mother never asked Charley anything about herself. After working with a therapist, Charley ended the relationship in a phone call from a parking lot, expressing both love and the need to set a boundary. Sean was adopted from the south side of Chicago, with his adoptive mother spending two years visiting him and his birth mother before taking him home. Sean does not feel anger toward his biological parents but describes living with constant uncertainty and unanswered questions for 25 years. He describes the feeling as "free falling," with a core piece of information missing from his life. He learned that substances were found in his birth mother at the time of his birth, which he describes as one of the most painful pieces of information he received. Sean credits a very supportive family and open conversations for helping him stay afloat, but still feels like a piece of himself is missing. Chapters: 00:00:00 Navigating identity and non-traditional family bonds 00:03:32 Processing rejection from a biological mother 00:06:54 Reconnecting with a biological brother through Facebook 00:10:05 Finding closure and setting boundaries after adoption 00:13:33 Expressing gratitude to supportive adoptive parents 00:16:15 Discovering biological relatives through DNA testing 00:19:20 Breaking up with a birth mother for self-preservation 00:22:48 Healing from past heartbreak and finding personal growth 00:26:07 Reading real letters about adoption and loss 00:29:18 Learning the truth about an early adoption process 00:32:45 Uncovering biological origins and facing uncertainty 00:36:10 Understanding birth parents through empathy and acceptance Topics: Navigating identity as an adoptee Reconnecting with biological family Facing rejection from a birth mother Setting boundaries with biological parents Gratitude for loving adoptive parents Finding family matches through DNA testing Dealing with unanswerable adoption questions Overcoming childhood feelings of isolation Learning the truth behind early adoption Embracing empathy and self-acceptance FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast   FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER   ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/   ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

-Jeremy is a Canadian actor and comedian who put his career on hold to move to New York for his second husband, Zach, whom he met on Tinder. He describes Zach as the greatest love of his life, noting they met briefly on the app before transitioning to a more old-fashioned phone call and then a first date over wine on a rooftop. They married shortly before the pandemic, and Jeremy attributes the end of their marriage largely to the extreme pressures of that period. This was Jeremy's second divorce, and he acknowledges the embarrassment of going through it again, even making it part of his standup comedy material. After the split, he found himself in a foreign country without a strong social network, having paused a flourishing acting career in Canada to be in the relationship. Key contributions from Jeremy include his advice on navigating grief and loss by actively filling the emotional and mental space left behind with positive activities and experiences, as well as his insight that only the individual can do the work of rebuilding themselves after heartbreak, symbolized by a tattoo he got of an anatomical heart half made of bricks. -Anna Laura is an artist who speaks about the profound influence of her mother, Anne Marie, describing her as having the soul of a true artist who introduced her to new ways of seeing the world. She views heartbreak as essential to growth, comparing the darkness of grief to the richness of soil that enables new life. She explains that art is her playground and laboratory for testing her self-concept and connecting with the world on a deep, somatic level. She describes the feeling of making resonant art as akin to spiritual communion. -Cece recently came out as queer and describes falling in love for the first time with a woman she met in Hawaii through a friend app. Their relationship was intense and cinematic, involving last-minute flights, declarations of love, and talk of moving in together, characteristic of what she describes as the "U-Haul lesbian" phenomenon. The relationship ultimately ended, with both parties hurting each other, but Cece does not regret it, calling it a "canon event" in her life story. She now lives in New York with her best friend Annie, whom she describes as a "lavender marriage" partner, finding unexpected fulfillment and stability in that platonic domestic arrangement -Chelsea went through a breakup approximately six months prior to the conversation, ending a relationship with someone who had been a close friend for three years before they began dating. She describes the particular difficulty of leaving a relationship where the other person had not done anything overtly wrong, noting that he was kind and patient but fundamentally failed to ask about her life, her feelings, or her accomplishments. She recounts how she began suppressing her own achievements because he would minimize them, causing her to quell her own excitement. She identifies the turning point as meeting a friend who naturally showed her the curiosity and engagement she had been missing in her relationship. Since the breakup, she reports that positive changes have come quickly, including meeting someone new who asks her about her day and genuinely wants to know her.  Topics:  Rebuilding identity after a breakup Navigating loss and second divorce Filling emotional space after loss Heartbreak as a tool for growth Creating art through personal pain Finding home in platonic friendship Understanding lavender marriages Leaving emotionally distant partners Recognizing emotional neglect as harm Making space for supportive love FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunters speaks with three strangers who are remembering family members they’ve lost, or are losing. -Caty shares the story of watching her mother decline from primary progressive aphasia, a form of frontotemporal dementia. She describes first suspecting something was wrong during her senior year of college, noticing her mother misusing names and making uncharacteristic errors. Her mother was formally diagnosed in May 2022. Katie reflects on the pain of losing the close, almost mirror-image relationship she shared with her mother, the concept of anticipatory grief, and the one-sided nature of their current communication. She also describes finding comfort in signs she believes are sent by her mother, particularly through the song "Dancing in the Moonlight", and explains that she copes by living one day at a time, drawing on the perspective her mother's illness has given her. -Chris speaks about his aunt who passed away around 2010. Though she had no children of her own, she treated Chris, his siblings, and his family as her own, planning baby showers and showering them with gifts and attention. Chris expresses deep sadness that she did not get to witness his growth into adulthood and worries she will not be there for future milestones such as marriage or having children. He keeps her photo as his phone background as a way of staying connected to her memory, though he laments that he has forgotten the sound of her voice. He says that if he could have one more conversation, he would ask her for honest life advice, and credits his father, sister, and close friends with helping him through his grief. -Antony shares the deeply painful story of losing both parents at a young age. His father died from AIDS-related complications, and his last words were an apology to Antony's mother, who contracted the disease from him. Despite this, she continued to raise her four children with unwavering devotion, mourning her husband in black until her own death. Antony describes the heartbreak of his mother losing her voice before she died, leaving the family unable to say goodbye. He holds no anger toward his father, recognizing his suffering and the guilt he must have carried. Antony reflects that, despite immense loss, he feels the ongoing presence of his parents within him, particularly through sharing his mother's smile, and acknowledges that some wounds never fully heal.   Chapters: 00:00:00 Adapting dreams after a mother's dementia diagnosis 00:03:32 Identifying early symptoms and primary progressive aphasia 00:07:03 Transitioning to adulthood and losing normalcy with family 00:10:33 Navigating language loss and changes in communication 00:14:38 Processing anticipatory grief and finding her guiding spirit 00:19:10 Reflecting on a beloved aunt who acted as a mother 00:23:24 Grieving lost future milestones and forgetting a voice 00:27:19 Seeking life advice and finding support through family bonds 00:30:38 Remembering a mother's selfless sacrifice and early hardship 00:33:24 Uncovering family secrets, terminal diagnosis, and forgiveness 00:37:18 Forgiving past choices and recognizing a father's unspoken love 00:41:24 Carrying on a mother's legacy and living with grief Topics:  Living with a parent's dementia Navigating anticipatory grief Loss of language from dementia Remembering a beloved aunt after loss The quiet pain of forgetting a voice Understanding a father's dying words A mother's devotion through illness Choosing forgiveness over anger Losing a parent during the pandemic Finding signs and legacy after loss FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

-J’Quay reflects on “heartache” rather than just heartbreak, describing how investing deeply in something that doesn’t work out leads to emotional crashes, but also to the realization that time helps us cope and reframe those experiences. J’Quay shares that they do let people get close and give everyone “equal parts” of themselves, but believe that heartbreak is survivable because there are billions of people in the world and one person’s rejection isn’t definitive. They talks about a childhood dream of being “palatable but different” to achieve goals, and how they consciously let go of that dream in favor of individuality, which has helped them make friends, get jobs, breathe easier, and feel stronger. -Seve describes struggling with negative self-talk and not often focusing on beautiful things others say, but he cherishes a compliment from a not-very-close friend who called them caring and kind-hearted, which made them feel deeply seen and warmed. He shares that one of the most painful things he tells himself is that he’s undeserving of happiness, rooted in feeling left out when seeing others experience love and joy, especially in high school and college. When feeling undeserving, he looks in the mirror and thinks of his parents’ love and dreams for their children, seeing himself as the child their parents wanted and as a product of their parents’ love, which helps them affirm “I’m enough.” -Nyle reflects on growing up in a very white neighborhood as a brown Pakistani person, praying to God and asking why he was made different, and feeling displaced and ashamed of their racial identity despite not facing overt racism. He tried changing key aspects of himself to conform—listening to the same music, changing his tastes—to avoid being an outcast. He convinced himself that a white girl wouldn’t like him because of the color of his skin, and begged his mother for skin-whitening cream. Later he learned to accept himself and take pride in his complexion. Topics: High school love, early insecurity, and shame  Struggles with racial identity in a white neighborhood The danger of chasing physical perfection Finding self-love and worth by caring for others  How time helps process heartache and heartbreak Overcoming the fear of standing out and embracing yourself Letting go of the dream of being palatable Overcoming negative self-talk by stepping back  Finding self-worth in the love of parents and joy with family Choosing self-worth over validation from others FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter speaks with three people about their unique relationships with their fathers. Meet this week’s strangers: - William recently lost his father. William’s father, also named William, was a Marine Corps sergeant, a decorated combat Marine whose unit’s motto was “Retreat hell,” and later an attorney handling high‑profile, difficult cases, including immigration work. He grew up during Jim Crow in St. Louis, experiencing segregation and witnessing his own father, a World War II and Korean War veteran, being humiliated by police in the South; these experiences fueled an intense drive to be excellent at his work and “the best at whatever he did.” William considers his father to be his hero. William recounts the hospice experience, missing his father’s final moments, and then moving quickly into “problem solving mode” to arrange a military funeral, memorials, and a carefully crafted eulogy that honored his father’s career, impact, and the “weight of his attention” as a parent. - Gil had a complicated relationship with his recently deceased father. Gil’s father left the family when Gil was 10, pursuing a midlife crisis lifestyle of motorcycles, a Corvette, and a succession of much younger girlfriends, including one who was 10 years older than Gil when he was 12. Gil describes himself as “more of an accomplice than a son,” explaining that his father wanted a partner for scams and grifts rather than a child, which shaped Gil’s later difficulties with older male authority figures. After his father’s death, Gil cried at the bedside and during meditation, but says the sadness now centers on the finality and the knowledge that they would never have a real conversation about who he is and what their relationship truly meant.  - Gerardo reflects philosophically on love, noting its many forms (nature, family, romantic) and the difficulty of truly “doing” love, which requires forgetting about oneself and loving the other. His greatest love is his father, also named Gerardo, whom he loves for being unconditionally present and doing anything for him, especially in hard moments. His father died when Gerardo was about 15, and Gerardo describes how Mexican culture shaped his view of death as less taboo and more integrated, helping him embrace fear of death and see it as leading to some of his best life experiences. His favorite memory with his father is learning to fish at a lake in Chihuahua, Mexico, where he connected with nature and released the fish, valuing the bond between himself, his father, and the living world.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Honoring a father’s memory and lasting legacy 00:01:10 A marine attorney’s transformative smile and kindness 00:03:56 Sublimating Jim Crow trauma into professional excellence 00:06:07 Redefining heroism through service and quiet acts of generosity 00:08:07 Caring for a declining hero and finding sweetness in his final days 00:11:30 Stepping up to carry family responsibility after a sudden loss 00:14:38 Writing a father’s eulogy and carrying his attention 00:17:23 Remembering a childhood trip to Amsterdam sitting on my father’s shoulders 00:19:45 Processing the cruelty of a father who wished for his children to fail 00:22:23 Mourning an absent parent and choosing a childfree life 00:27:12 Accepting the finality of an unresolved relationship 00:29:45 Finding beauty in unconditional love and nature Topics: Overcoming Jim Crow discrimination in St. Louis Marine Corps combat discipline and military service Supporting friends of William as an pro-bono attorney  Writing eulogy for his father and honoring memory  Paternal abandonment and navigating male authority figures Narcissistic father hoping his children will fail Choosing a childfree life due to unresolved family trauma Accepting the finality of an abusive, no-win relationship Defining unconditional love and Amado Nervo Spanish poetry FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

- Peter immigrated from Korea as a child. As the only person of color in his school, he felt alienated and othered. He dealt with bullying because of the food he brought to school, called “Kim Jong-un” and told to go back to his own country. These experiences caused emotional pain, a desire to return to Korea, and resentment toward his parents, which he later reframed as gratitude for the opportunities they sought for him and his brother. Peter’s story takes an unexpected turn when he describes doctor’s finding a tennis ball-sized tumor in his head. His family—father, mother, and brother—dropped everything to spend a month with him in the U.S. during and after surgery, which he describes as the most beautiful thing they’ve done for him and a profound expression of support.  - Jade moved to the US from Ecuador with her family seeking better opportunities as conditions worsened back home; she was 17 and left behind the life and community her mother had built. She felt rejected and isolated at school in her U.S. senior year, struggling to make friends because classmates already had established groups, facing bullying and mockery over her English, leading her to isolate herself. Coping with loneliness and a desire to be seen and heard, she gravitated toward friends who felt like “home” but whose lifestyle centered on frequent drinking and going out, which led her into heavy alcohol use and emotional turmoil. Eventually decided on her own that “it’s been enough,” taking accountability and choosing to change, crediting herself for doing the hard work of applying advice and finding “a home” within herself over time.  - Sylvanna moved from Italy to England, and then to the United States. She emphasizes that immigrants are often looked down upon regardless of their efforts, noting that many in the U.S. forget their own immigrant roots. She argues that adapting to a new country involves more than language; it requires changing mentality, how you approach people, and how you work.  Chapters: 00:00:00 The isolation of moving to a new culture 00:01:10 Facing racism and being an outcast in school 00:03:46 How childhood hardships build resilience 00:05:57 Overcoming loneliness to become a people person 00:09:11 A dentist visit leads to a shocking diagnosis 00:10:35 How family support helped overcome a brain tumor 00:13:52 Learning to cherish and give back to aging parents 00:17:44 Anonymous strangers share their most painful memories 00:18:49 Finding strength in a mother’s pride 00:21:25 Leaving Ecuador and the struggle of senior year 00:24:23 Hitting rock bottom and escaping through drinking 00:28:03 Finding a home in yourself and taking accountability Topics:  The isolation of moving to a new culture  Facing racism and being an outcast at school  How childhood hardships build resilience  Overcoming loneliness to connect with others  A dentist visit leads to a brain tumor diagnosis  How family support helped overcome illness  Learning to cherish and support aging parents  Strangers share painful past memories  Finding strength in a mother's support  Leaving Ecuador and starting over in high school  FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast   FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/   ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter speaks with three strangers about meeting partners who changed the course of their lives.  Meet this week's strangers: - Niko is a school teacher from New York City who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. During treatment he grew closer to his long-time friend Lauren who gave him gift packages, which became a catalyst for rekindling their relationship and eventually dating. He describes Lauren’s support as essential, saying he would not have gotten through cancer or remained mentally okay without her; she showed up early, handled everything with grace, gave him hope, and made him feel handsome and normal even when he had lost his eyebrows and eyelashes. He explains that falling in love with Lauren during treatment meant everything; she became the person he wanted around when he felt worst, and he now sees her as his life partner, having already bought a diamond with plans to propose. - Selene's greatest love is Ethan, whom she first met in 2010 through her cousin on the day of the World Cup final; he is half Spaniard, and they initially connected over rooting for Spain. Their relationship unfolded over years of near-misses: she moved to California and he dated someone else; later they reconnected while she was in another relationship; then again as friends in a group when both had other partners, with him repeatedly “popping out of nowhere.” Eventually, after both had ended other relationships, Ethan directly expressed that he still had feelings and wanted marriage, and despite her hesitance, his clarity led her to give the relationship a serious try, including moving in together earlier than planned. She recalls the relationship feeling easy and largely conflict-free, later wondering if they didn’t argue enough; the turning point came when a disagreement over her wanting to attend a concert prompted him to admit he hadn’t felt the same for some time, which shocked her. They still went on a planned trip to Spain, where she had once imagined getting engaged, but despite trying, he couldn’t rekindle his feelings, leading her to conclude that two good people aren’t always a good long-term fit and that some loves aren’t meant to last forever. - Kyle’s greatest love is his wife, Bethany, whom he met in Long Beach, New York, during a grassroots effort to petition the city to reinstate the music portion of a surf contest that had been canceled after Hurricane Irene. They first met at City Hall while working with mutual friends to gather signatures; later that night he visited her house, met her family, and, too nervous to ask for her number, wrote his number on her hand at her request. They first said “I love you” about a month into dating while sitting on a couch with friends, describing it as something that felt natural to say. Now married nearly 13 years, Kyle reflects that love has evolved: he feels most loved when he feels truly seen, especially through life’s challenges, and emphasizes that marriage is not easy but that growing up together and sharing those struggles is something special.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Unexpected love stories from strangers 00:03:28 Niko faces a cancer diagnosis at twenty nine 00:06:05 Reconnecting with childhood crush during chemo 00:08:56 Celebrating remission and ringing the bell 00:12:08 How unconditional love provided strength 00:15:37 Realizing she is the person I want to marry 00:21:11 Selene shares her story of an old flame 00:24:38 Trying to make a relationship work through timing 00:28:39 When two good people still grow apart 00:32:06 What lost love teaches us about self focus 00:35:30 Kyle on meeting his wife while petitioning 00:39:27 How love evolves through thirteen years of marriage   Topics:  Finding love during cancer treatment The power of a gratitude journal Proposing after beating cancer  Reconnecting with childhood friends Why relationships end for good people Learning to prioritize yourself Meeting during a hurricane relief work Shooting your shot and giving your number How love evolves over 13 years Long term marriage and connection FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast   FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/   ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter talks to strangers who are carrying on the memories of loved ones that were taken too soon. Meet this week’s strangers: - When Yauri was introduced to Matthew by a mutual friend they immediately became close friends. Matthew was a chubby, goofy friend who would always crack jokes and let Yauri practice her hair styling skills on him. Unfortunately, Matthew had one foot in the gang world and was tragically shot and killed. The loss of Matthew rocked Yauri. She describes the depression that followed, and how she still thinks about him all of the time, and the neighborhood day that honors his memory. - John lost his mother Barbara earlier this year. She had John at the age of 16 and he felt like they really grew up together. Her remains were buried in Indiana just three days before the conversation, making the grief fresh; this process allowed John to relive their shared history and reflect on their relationship. He carries a picture of her and has taken her ashes on a “tour” to places like Hawaii and Indiana, continuing to include her in family journeys. -Sean’s grandfather, Paul, died in June and was one of Sean’s biggest inspirations, especially in motivating him to pursue engineering. Paul served in the army during the Korean War but was stationed in France, where he “ate his way across Europe,” and was known for always having a funny story or trick to make people smile. He now sees Monarch butterflies as signs that his grandfather is with him, which helped him move through the main stage of grief; seeing them makes him happy rather than sad.   Chapters: 00:00:00 - Finding Light in the Darkness of Grief 00:04:54 - Yauri and Matthew: Unexpected Tragedy and Loss 00:09:30 - Processing Sudden Loss Far Away From Home 00:14:15 - Honoring Legacy, Community, and Lasting Impacts 00:19:10 - Navigating Peer Influence and Complex Relationships 00:23:15 - John and Mom: Growing Up Together and Navigating Grief 00:28:00 - Crafting Eulogies and Fulfilling Final Requests 00:32:45 - Sean and Poppy: Finding Meaning and Signs from Loved Ones 00:37:15 - Cherishing Fond Memories and Unconditional Love Topics: Yauri remembers her best friend Matthew Impact of street violence in Harlem Struggling with best friends death far from home Honoring a legacy through community Influence of peer pressure on youth John reflects on losing his mother Writing her eulogy and honoring her wishes Sean and close relationship with grandfather Losing your biggest inspiration Finding comfort in signs from above Grandson shares how he’s honoring his legacy FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast   FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/   ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter talks to three strangers who had moments in their youth that changed the shape of their lives going forwards. Even though they’re adults now, they still feel their young selves inside.  Meet this weeks strangers: - Mia shares how being called “weird” and told she couldn’t sing deeply hurt her as a child, especially as a quirky, ADHD kid who once went to school dressed as a clown. She describes a traumatic recess incident where popular kids staged a fake breakup to humiliate her, chasing her and throwing papers, which shattered her sense of safety but later fueled her compassion and artistic philosophy of creating non‑judgmental, welcoming spaces. She talks about processing these memories through EMDR therapy, learning that childhood experiences lodge in the body and that working through them can be painful but ultimately liberating. Mia reflects on how bullying made her abandon her authentic, “weird” self to fit in as a teen, leading to a sense of “lost time” and a long journey back to self‑trust and self‑expression.  - Jon recalls being a disruptive class clown in ninth grade and having a teacher physically slam him against a wall and call him a “loser” who would “never amount to be anything,” a moment whose full hurt surfaced only later. Johnny also describes a long, hostile relationship with a principal from junior high through high school, and how decades later that principal followed him on Facebook, praised his art, and moved Johnny to tears, feeling freed from the old “prison‑like” school dynamic. Asked about his greatest love, Johnny says it is the creative process itself, which sustains him spiritually and emotionally, serves as meditation and escape, and has been more enduring than his past marriage or romantic relationships. Reflecting on those educators, Johnny says he would now apologize to the teacher he tormented, acknowledging he disrupted what might have been the teacher’s passion and that the teacher had reason to try to stop the source of his pain.  - Amit still thinks often about her fourth‑grade English teacher who taught her after she immigrated from Israel to the United States in 2008 without knowing English. Thrown into public school with almost no English beyond “yes” and “no,” she initially communicated with peers through sounds, he took her under his wing, teaching her one‑on‑one during and after school, and even weekly at the library over the summer, so that by fifth grade she could speak English fluently, if imperfectly. Amit describes how his care made her feel loved and seen, stabilizing an otherwise frightening and destabilizing childhood immigration experience where she initially felt unsafe and unable to express herself. Now a teacher and tutor herself, Amit hasn’t yet reconnected with her former teacher, but wants to tell him she’s doing the same work he did—teaching kids to read, write, and speak English—and that she thinks of him almost every time she teaches.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Why our teenage years still shape us 00:04:17 Mia shares a devastating high school prank  00:08:12 Reclaiming lost time and your true identity 00:12:14 Learning to hold compassion for the bully 00:14:54 Why every stranger has a story to tell 00:17:13 Jon and overcoming the loser label 00:21:00 Finding closure with a past principal on social media 00:24:44 The creative process as a spiritual bride 00:28:42 Turning the right pain into artistic success 00:32:42 Amit and finding a voice after immigrating 00:37:45 The teacher who became her greatest cheerleader 00:43:03 Why adult words become a child's inner voice Topics: Healing through EMDR therapy Impact of childhood bullying Reclaiming your inner child Overcoming the teenage labels Art as a spiritual meditation Reconciling with past enemies Immigrating without English The power of patient mentors Changing your inner narrative Why adult words stick forever FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod   ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast   FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/   ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter talks to three people who were raised by parents suffering from addiction, and how that changed them. Meet this episode’s strangers: -Troy was raised from age two to seventeen by his stepdad, who is an ex-NFL player. Troy looked up to him, but as his stepdad’s alcoholism spiraled out of control, he drifted out of Troy’s life. Troy describes watching him slide into depression and isolation, and the heartbreak he felt discovering that his “superhero” stepdad was deeply flawed. Despite long absences, Troy continues to reach out to his stepfather and hopes one day he will find the help he needs. -Taylor’s father fell into drug addiction when she was 10 years old. The addiction changed him drastically. He became abusive and struggled to maintain a job and home, forcing the family to become unhoused. She describes celebrating her 16th birthday living in a shelter. Now, as an adult, Taylor is working to heal her relationships with her mother and her father, who has found sobriety. -Jeffery describes growing up with a mother who became addicted to opioids. Even after repeatedly confronting her about her addiction, she continued to use. He describes living in fear that she would die, and the anticipatory grief he felt. Sadly his fears were realized when she passed away from an overdose. Even through all the pain, Jeffery recognizes that his traumatic experience shaped him into the man he is today. Chapters: 00:00:00 The impact of addiction on children 00:03:30 Troy - witnessing my dad's alcoholism and depression 00:07:15 Learning lessons from a parent's mistakes 00:11:00 Overcoming self-sabotage and finding peace 00:14:45 Taylor - Growing up in an unstable home environment 00:18:30 Navigating teenage homelessness and hardship 00:22:15 Breaking generational cycles of family trauma 00:26:00 Rebuilding self-worth and emotional stability 00:29:45 Jeffrey - Coping with my mother's death and complex grief 00:33:30 Healing from emotional neglect and abandonment 00:37:15 Processing the slow loss of an addicted parent 00:41:00 Choosing forgiveness and reparenting yourself Topics:  Growing up with parental addiction Overcoming childhood trauma & grief Breaking generational toxic cycles Reparenting your inner child safety Navigating parent alcoholism & drugs Moving past self sabotage to peace Coping with parental abandonment Healing emotional unpredictability Overcoming teen homelessness strain Choosing forgiveness & self grace FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter interviews three individuals who were sent reeling after the losses of their fathers.  Meet this episode’s strangers: -Koi’s describes her father as “the perfect person”. Tragically he was taken one day in a freak hit and run accident while riding his bicycle through Los Angeles. She recounts finding out about his death and the emotional toll it took on her. While she initially turned to substances to cope with his loss, she has since found religion and has pulled herself back onto her feet. -Brittany’s father died of a heart attack. She describes the moment she felt his spirit leave this Earth. She wishes that she could still call her father everyday and share her life’s milestones with him, but after a period of darkness she realized that she can still speak with him anywhere and anytime.  -Vanessa grew up without knowing who her father was. As an adult she did some internet sleuthing and found him in Mexico. Reconnecting with her father was a wonderful experience that they both appreciated. Sadly, after three years, he passed away, but she still cherishes the short amount of time they had together.  Chapters: 00:00:12 Saying goodbye to your father 00:01:20 Koi: my father was killed in a tragic hit-and-run accident 00:04:02 Why the stages of grief are a myth 00:07:23 Receiving the news "He's gone. It's final." 00:11:31 Brandon’s legacy: perfect memories and LA hidden gems 00:15:15 Finding faith and resilience after tragedy 00:18:08 A daughter’s final letter: "I get it now" 00:20:15 Angel Brittany: the hardest call of my life 00:22:46 Learning how to talk to your dad when you can’t call  00:28:18 Vanessa: meeting my biological father at age 40 00:33:54 Hearing "I love you" for the first time, finding self-worth 00:41:35 The bittersweet honor of picking his final funeral suit Topics: Coping with the loss of a father Navigating sudden parental tragedy Healing after an unexpected death Meeting your biological father at 40 Turning grief and anger into peace Caring for a sick parent near the end Remembering a parent's legacy daily Preparing a loved one's final funeral FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter talks to three people who are living with disabilities, and how it’s effected them. Meet this episode's strangers: -Gabriella was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was a baby. She received cochlear implants, and after attending a preschool for the deaf, she transitioned to “mainstream” schools where most people didn’t realize she was deaf. To this day, she takes her implants off when she wants to feel grounded and at peace. Now, as an adult, she wouldn’t choose to be any other way. -Anthony was extremely offended when RFK Jr. made hurtful remarks towards people with autism. Anthony was diagnosed with autism at age three and has spent a lifetime learning to cope with it. He finds love and support from his mother, who has modeled behavior and advocated for him. Anthony emphasizes that no one can do life entirely alone, and people like his mother can help him push through challenges. -Nathalia has visible scars on her face that made her feel like an outcast growing up. When she was young she experienced bullying and feelings of low self worth. But one day she was told by a boy she had a crush on that if it weren’t for her scars she wouldn’t be so pretty, and it changed the way she felt about herself. Today she lives a normal, fruitful life and accepts her scars as part of herself. Learn more about Nathalia's story here 👉 https://www.instagram.com/lovingmydots Chapters: 00:00:00 Embracing Physical and Mental Differences 00:00:52 Nathalia: My Scars are Essential to My Identity 00:07:53 Finding Love and Feeling Normal for the First Time 00:12:19 Overcoming the Trauma of School Bullying 00:15:13 Why I Refuse to Camouflage My Scars 00:19:49 Anthony: Reacting to Autism Misconceptions 00:23:41 Navigating Sensory Overload and Invisible Disabilities 00:25:41 The Life-Changing Power of a Mother’s Support 00:29:21 Why You Can't Do Anything Alone 00:33:14 Gabby: Growing Up Between the Deaf and Hearing Worlds 00:39:21 The Healing Peace of Total Silence 00:45:21 Radical Self-Acceptance: Choosing to Be Me Topics: Embracing physical differences Growing up with deafness Living with cochlear implants Finding peace in silence Debunking autism stereotypes Power of maternal advocacy Overcoming childhood bullying Beauty beyond the scars Rejecting societal standards Choosing yourself every day Support Our Sponsors: If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/stories FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast    FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter interviews four powerful women about their relationships with their mothers and their experiences as mothers themselves. Meet this episode's strangers: - Rosabella was adopted from Ukraine by a single mother and raised in Los Angeles. Her adoptive mother located her biological mother through a private investigator. She reached out and traveled across the world to the war-torn Ukraine to meet her biological sister. She is so grateful for this experience, which gave her not one but two loving mothers. - Michelle Obama chats with Hunter about how beautiful it has been to watch her daughters grow, and her own mother, who told her to "Come home, we'll love you here", which has always helped ground her. - Brenda is the single mother of an autistic son. Through him, she's learned how fulfilling it is to be a mother and is doing whatever she can to make his dreams come true. She's even started a quesadilla cart in order to give him a job and make ends meet.  - Sharron tells the story of her late mother, who was her best friend. Sharron herself is the mother of 10 children, fulfilling her lifelong dream of having lots and lots of kids. She wishes her mother were alive to see how full the family tree has gotten.  Topics:  - Michelle Obama's parenting advice - The wisdom of Marian Robinson - Finding biological roots in Ukraine - A teen mother's path to purpose - Raising a child with autism - The reality of raising ten kids - Healing from the loss of a mother - Presence over material things - Breaking the silence of grief - The strength of maternal bonds Chapters:  00:00:00 Parenting is the Hardest Job on Earth 00:01:23 Michelle Obama on The Bond her Daughters 00:03:39 Come Home: Wisdom from Marian Robinson 00:06:57 Finding Your Voice at the Family Table 00:10:28 Advice for Anyone Scared to be a Parent 00:12:47 Rosabella: Searching for Biological Roots in Ukraine 00:19:14 The Reality of Being a Chosen Child 00:25:13 Finding Birth Parents with a Private Investigator 00:33:22 Bri on Finding Purpose through Motherhood 00:37:27 Coping with the Fear of Not Being Enough 00:43:33 Sharron on Healing from the Loss of Your Mother As A Mother 00:50:51 Raising 10 Children and 16 Grandkids Support Our Sponsors: If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/stories  FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter speaks with four strangers who recount their stories of falling in love with their soulmates. Meet this episode's strangers: - Marylou and Arthur met in New York City in the 80s after they'd both been recently dumped. At first, it seemed like they'd never work, but they soon fell madly in love with each other. Marylou describes curling up with Arthur on his mattress on the floor as feeling like the safest place in the world. All these years later, they're still together, and their relationship is stronger than ever. - Pinar describes feeling alienated and lonely after moving to Los Angeles from Istanbul, Turkey. She talks about how hard it currently is for immigrants moving to the United States these days, and how everything changed for her when he met her husband, who also immigrated from Turkey. - Brenda glows as she talks about meeting her partner, whom she describes as "her greatest love". What started as a friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship 5 months ago, and being with her partner makes her feel at home.  Chapters: 00:00:00 What finding your soulmate really feels like 00:01:11 Mary Lou and Arthur on finding home 00:02:53 The origin of a unique blind date 00:05:20 A song on the answering machine 00:09:50 First impressions and meeting with flowers 00:14:02 Falling in love in overwhelming circumstances 00:20:10 The secret to seventeen years of love 00:24:50 Brenda on emotional safety and peace 00:26:02 Upgrading from a six year friendship 00:37:13 Advice for sharing feelings with a friend 00:40:11 Pinar on moving from Istanbul to LA 00:46:23 Advice for immigrants on finding community Topics: - Defining true soulmate connections - Finding safety in relationships - Moving from friendship to romance - Building home in a new country - Secrets to long term marriage FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod  ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast  FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter talks to three strangers who were brought to the brink of death, only to be given a second chance at life.  Meet this episode's strangers: - David recounts his close relationship with his mother, whom he sadly lost recently. It's a loss that is still fresh and painful. Before her passing, she had gotten him through his own catastrophic medical issue. While playing softball, David collapsed on the field, struck with a sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to the help of a total stranger, David pulled through this harrowing event. - Art was drafted into the Vietnam War at the age of 19. He gives a tense and emotional account of his time in the war, of the friends he lost, and what it was like to come back home and deal with the immense trauma he experienced.  - Karan was a seemingly healthy young person when he was suddenly diagnosed with end-stage liver failure in 2019 due to an undiagnosed, rare condition. Karan tells Hunter about the life-saving last-minute transplant and the long recovery process that saved his life. Chapters: 00:01:21 David remembers his mother Debbie and their bond 00:05:24 Navigating the rollercoaster of grief and final goodbyes 00:09:32 The sudden cardiac arrest that stopped a baseball game 00:13:32 Why some people survive fatal events and others don't 00:17:21 Finding gratitude in pain and shattering daily anxiety 00:21:25 Art is drafted at 19 to Vietnam to fight in war 00:25:21 Surviving a year of monsoon season in the Vietnam jungle 00:29:29 The reality of firefights and healing through brotherhood 00:33:31 Karan in organ failure after rare disease diagnosis 00:37:33 Trading the hustle for grandma walks and valuable time 00:41:38 Learning that a mother knows how to give life twice 00:45:35 Receiving a miracle organ transplant on the final day Topics: - Surviving a sudden cardiac arrest - Life after a miracle organ transplant - True memories of the Vietnam War - Finding hope through deep grief - The support of a mother  - Recovery from autoimmune disorder  - The unique bond of veterans   Stories from a Stranger is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions in partnership with Higher Ground and AND Media. Music by Jackie Miclau. FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromastrangerpod ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@storiesfromastrangerpod ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesfromastrangerpodcast FOLLOW HUNTER PROSPER ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterprosper  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.