Searching For Heroes With Benjamin Hall

On this Easter Monday, Ben revisits his conversation with disaster psychologist and disaster ministry expert Dr. Jamie Aten, on faith and resilience. Dr. Aten dives into complex questions surrounding faith, tragedy, and resilience — and explains how his experiences and extensive research have allowed him to merge his understanding of the three. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Monday, April 15th, 2013, while crowds cheered on runners at the 117th Boston Marathon, no one could anticipate the events that would unfold. Two pressure-cooker bombs would detonate in a terrorist attack near the finish line, killing three people and injuring more than 260 others. Among the injured was Marc Fucarile, who was supporting a friend when the second bomb went off right beside him, leaving him critically injured. Marc joins Ben to share his incredible story of resilience, faith and survival. He sheds light on how our most vulnerable moments are often the ones that make us stronger. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine being accused of a murder you didn’t commit — and spending over 20 years behind bars, knowing the real killer was still free. That was Troshawn McCoy’s reality. As one of the Marquette Park Four, Troshawn was coerced by Chicago police into falsely confessing to a double murder and robbery. Despite zero physical or forensic evidence, he was sentenced to 55 years in prison. Decades later, newly analyzed fingerprint evidence proved what Troshawn had always known; he was innocent. This discovery ultimately led to all four men being exonerated in 2017. Troshawn sits down with Ben to discuss what it was like losing two decades of his life behind bars, the moment he found out he may be freed, and how he's now advocating and fighting to reform the criminal justice system. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Sergeant Alfred Brenner and his military dog Grief were hit by an IED in Afghanistan, he wasn't focused on the pain his severe injuries were causing - but on the fact nobody was calling out for his partner, Grief. In the months to follow, Sergeant Brenner underwent many physical challenges while recovering. But nothing would come close to the pain he endured learning to live without Grief -- who wasn't only his K9, but his closest ally and best friend. Retired Sergeant Brenner joins Ben to open up about what this recovery process was like, how he continues to honor Grief's memory, and why the bond that forms between a soldier and man's best friend is incomparable -- something he explores in depth in his book, Surviving with Grief: The Story of How a Marine and His Dog Survived The Everyday Battles of War. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was only thirteen years old when he began being groomed by the mother of a young boy who was in his Cub Scout troop. Years of abuse would follow, and even after he was free of his abuser, James Dold struggled immensely with the trauma he endured and how he was to move forward. Instead of letting this fear and pain drag him down, he turned to advocacy that has changed the world. Today, James joins Benjamin to discuss how he turned affliction into determination - leading him to pass 40 new anti-human trafficking laws and create Human Rights for Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of children who have nobody to turn to. He also shares how people can join in this fight, ensuring the criminal justice system is treating children who've experienced severe trauma fairly. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Friday, March 14th, marked three years since Ben and his team were struck by a Russian missile in Ukraine. While Ben's first year after the accident was spent in intense recovery as he learned how to walk again, the time since has been an enlightening period of reflection -- as he looked back on how much his life has changed since 2022, and how much he's learned about people, resilience, and resolve in the process. Starting tomorrow, Ben's reflections will be available for all to read in his new book, "Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds," which takes a deep dive into the revelations he's had since his life-altering accident, and features interviews with those who inspired Ben in his journey to understand what makes humans truly resolute. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"As long as a writer is read, he is alive." - Victoria Amelina 37-year-old author, Victoria Amelina was documenting the pivotal work Ukrainian women were doing in the Russia-Ukraine War when she was tragically killed in a Russian missile attack. Instead of letting her words be lost, her husband, friends, and colleagues came together to ensure her work was shared with the world. With the help of loved ones, Victoria Amelina now lives on through her book, 'Looking at Women Looking at War.' Close friend of Victoria, Ukrainian journalist and cultural manager Tetyana Teren, joins Benjamin to reflect on how she and Victoria had worked together to publish other deceased writers' works, and why it was crucial Victoria's story be finished. She also discusses the heart-wrenching challenge of watching so many of her colleagues and friends fall victim to the war and the driving force that pushes her forward: knowing the work she and fellow Ukrainian journalists are doing is crucial in revealing the realities of the war and preserving Ukrainian history and culture. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a 40-day period where Christians around the world offer a sacrifice to God. Actor, Mark Wahlberg and Benjamin discuss the meaning of the Lenten season in their lives and the beauty in letting go to make room for your faith. Mark also shares how the Hallow app reconnects believers to their faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can faith breed resilience, or vice versa? And how does resilience differ across various communities, cultures, and continents? From battling stage IV colon cancer to surviving Hurricane Katrina, Jamie Aten, Ph.D., has both experienced and witnessed intense suffering. And though this seems like it would have hardened Dr. Aten's outlook on the world, it instead made him curious — ultimately leading him to become a disaster psychologist and ministry expert. Dr. Aten dives into complex questions surrounding faith, tragedy, and resilience — and explains how his experiences and extensive research have allowed him to merge his understanding of the three. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 24th marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, beginning a brutal war that continues raging. While we take this day to honor Ukraine, a country that wasn't expected to last a month against Russia and yet continues fighting, we also take it to remember the innocent lives that have been lost, and pay respect to those who continue fighting. One of those people is Ambassador Oksana Markarova, who had only been serving as the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States for about a year when Russia invaded her country — leading to her work, and her face, being instantly projected across the globe. Ambassador Markarova joins Benjamin to discuss what the past three years have been like for her, as one of the key figures in charge of connecting Ukraine and the U.S. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"My niece Roni was awakened with a gun pointed at her face attwo and a half years old...and then around 1:30 p.m., Omri was handcuffed and taken hostage." It's been 499 days since Omri Miran, his wife Lishay, and their two young daughters Roni and Alma woke up to a nightmare on October 7th, 2023 -- when their family was held captive by Hamas militants, and Omri was taken hostage. Since that day, Omri's family has dedicated their lives to advocating for his release. While crucial progress is being made between Israel and Hamas, as they prepare to enter phase two of a hostage deal that will hopefully lead to the release of 33 Israeli hostages, Omri's brother-in-law Moshe Lavi says advocacy and fighting to bring the innocent home must never stop. Moshe details how his family has been working since October 8th to raise awareness and call for Omri's release and why he believes caution is crucial when dealing with a terrorist organization like Hamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A 21-year-old girl looking to become a Chinese interpreter and a former pediatric anesthesiologist may not seem like they'd end up on the same career path. However, after watching their beloved home country be torn apart by war, everything changed for Diana Obzhelian and Mykyta Kryzhanovsky. Diana and Mykyta join Benjamin to discuss how their love for Ukraine led them to the non-profit organization The Halo Trust, where they've dedicated their lives to "demining": clearing landmines and other explosives from former war zones. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I am slowly burning alive, and I have nothing to orient myself to get myself out of this situation. I'm realizing pretty quick that I'm not going to make it out." - Spencer Tejedas Except on that day in May of 2024, Gresham firefighter Spencer Tejedas did end up making it out of the burning building he thought would claim his life — suffering third-degree burns on 45% of his body and beginning down a courageous road to recovery. Spencer and his wife Melea join Benjamin to reflect on their vivid memories of May 30th, 2024, how they were able to remain hopeful even when Spencer's lungs were failing for nearly six weeks, and the ways they and their two children have adjusted to their "new normal" with the support of their community and each other. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"From the minute this happened in 2022, I never once thought of what had been taken. I thought of what I could do to get through it." How was Benjamin able to channel optimism after losing two of his colleagues and nearly losing his own life in Ukraine? Does everybody have the power to access this sort of hope? These are the exact questions Benjamin asked himself while recovering, and what ultimately led him to begin this search for heroes. Benjamin reveals his four keys to eternal optimism. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine meeting a stranger, cutting the small talk, and getting straight to the questions that cultivate connection. That's exactly what documentary journalist, viral TED Talk speaker, and founder of 'Make Big Talk,' Kalina Silverman is doing — and the results she's collected have inspired millions of people across the globe. Kalina joins Benjamin to discuss what led her to create 'Make Big Talk,' an organization aiming to fight loneliness and disconnection with community, curiosity, and empathy. She explains how one YouTube video revolving around asking strangers 'what do you want to do before you die?' has turned into a movement, and how she's now connecting with and raising funds for California wildfire victims through Make Big Talk. To Learn More: https://www.makebigtalk.com/ Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Firefighters are seen as some of the strongest, most selfless people in society — willingly risking their lives and enduring traumatic events to save others. With their courage and bravery on constant display, it becomes easy to assume these first responders are invincible. While they are heroes, they need our support just as much as we need theirs. Former firefighter paramedic and author of 'Overcoming Tuesday: A First Responder's Tale of Healing and Resiliency,' Jim Burneka opens up about the physical and mental toll that comes after years of fighting fires, and why his experience and own mental health journey led him to start Firefighter Cancer Consultants, an organization focusing on firefighter wellness and cancer awareness. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The holiday season followed by the start of the new year is often thought to be a time of joy, rest, and new beginnings — so when grief or depression feels inescapable during this time, it's common for people to feel defective or guilty for not feeling how society says we should. Jessica Cabeen, who's experienced this feeling firsthand, has a message for those going through this: "It's okay to not be okay. But it's not okay to not talk to someone about it or not seek help." The author, speaker, and award-winning school principal shares a few mindset changes, gratitude practices, and tools that can be essential when unexpected challenges arise during a season of joy — things she learned while experiencing one of the most incredible yet challenging experiences of her life: adopting her son Isaiah from Ethiopia. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Throughout the year, Benjamin has spoken to some of the most brave, courageous, and ambitious people in the world. Today, he's looking back at a few conversations that left a profound impact on him, and likely on many of you. A special thank you to all of the heroes who joined in 2024 and to all of you who joined Benjamin in his search. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Don't allow circumstances you were born in to dictate the outcome of your life." From the time he was young, Mayor Jermaine Wilson had big ambitions. But the environment he grew up in led him into a life of crime -- one that would land him in juvenile corrections for four years and in prison for three. However, through fatherhood, finding faith, and an uplifting prison fellowship program, Jermaine turned his life around. Jermaine shares how you can help support children and families of incarcerated people this holiday season through the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship program: https://www.prisonfellowship.org/about/angel-tree/ Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the beginning of July, Dr. Lucy Hone, the award-winning author behind the viral TEDTalk 'The three secrets of resilient people,' discussed what her academic journey studying resilience psychology has taught her, and how losing her twelve-year-old daughter Abi intimately influenced her understanding of how humans grieve, live, and recover. Now, as the seasons change, Dr. Lucy Hone is back to discuss a common obstacle many people face this time of year: the winter blues. She shares her advice on how people can escape from the rut that can come with cold, dark days, how she's continuing to study human response to traumatic events, and her latest research project that delves into how people cope with stressful life events. To take Dr. Hone's survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHFSggvj6qHybYGPz1ZDSm8JzCqQN4ghiETDnxYid6FjNMRA/viewform Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices