ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What happens when we stop seeing people through labels and start seeing the person underneath?
Jody Zarn joins Born Without a Choice to share the unexpected friendship that changed her understanding of homelessness, mental health, trauma, empathy, and human connection. What began with something as simple as buying a man named Leroy a cup of coffee grew into a two-year journey of friendship, trust, healing, and transformation.
As Jody got to know Leroy, she discovered a person whose experiences, intelligence, accomplishments, and talents challenged many of the assumptions people can make about someone experiencing homelessness. Their relationship also brought Jody face-to-face with her own experiences of childhood bullying and the loss of her father to dementia.
Their story became the foundation for Jody’s book, Higher Power Betty and The Homeless Man Who Changed My Life, and a broader message about dignity, empathy, mental health, and learning to see the human being before the circumstances or label.
This conversation explores what it truly means to help without trying to fix, how trust is built, and how sometimes the person we think we’re helping can end up teaching us something about ourselves.
📬 Guest Details
- Name: Jody Zarn
- Role: Author | Corporate Trainer | TEDx Speaker
- Website: jodyzarn.com
- Book: Higher Power Betty and The Homeless Man Who Changed My Life
- Key Story: A two-year friendship with Leroy, a man experiencing homelessness, that began with a simple cup of coffee
- Expertise: Empathy, human connection, mental health awareness, trauma, personal growth and storytelling
- Key Themes: Homelessness, dignity, trust, empathy, mental health, trauma, friendship, compassion and overcoming labels
- Focus: Encouraging people to look beyond circumstances and labels and recognize the humanity, experiences and individuality of every person
TRANSCRIPT 🔗
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