Dean Jacobs S3E155
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In this deeply reflective episode of Lives Radio Show & Podcast, host Stuart Chittenden welcomes traveler, educator, and storyteller Dean Jacobs, who shares the transformative journey from a secure corporate career at Pfizer to a life of global exploration and human connection. Dean recounts pivotal moments—riding a bike 20 miles as a child to confront his fear of dogs, surviving a near-fatal car accident in the U.S., and later being robbed at gunpoint in Turkey—that catalyzed his decision to leave behind material comfort for a life of curiosity, presence, and purpose. He emphasizes the 'common ground of our humanity'—the shared values of kindness, dignity, and generosity that transcend borders, cultures, and economic status. Through stories from Sudan, New Zealand, and the Amazon, Dean illustrates how small, everyday acts of compassion reveal the deeper truth of our interconnectedness. He also addresses the challenges of doubt, loss, and fear, framing them not as setbacks but as invitations to grow. As a speaker and educator focused on youth, Dean finds profound meaning in the long-term impact of his work, exemplified by a handwritten letter from a former student now studying in South Africa, whose life was changed by a single visit to her elementary school. Ultimately, Dean’s message is one of courage: that we are not meant to live in small boxes, but to expand, explore, and believe in ourselves and each other.
Fear is a gateway to growth—pushing through it reveals a world beyond your comfort zone.
The most meaningful moments in life are often small, quiet acts of kindness that go unnoticed by the world but change lives.
You don’t need permission to dream—your dreams are valid, even if you come from a humble background.
Hard experiences are not failures; they are teachers that deepen your humanity and resilience.
Impact is often invisible in the moment but can ripple forward for decades, especially when you inspire young people.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
From Corporate Life to Global Adventure
“On the other side of that wall of fear, there is a whole world way to be explored. But if I let that wall of fear stop me, I get trapped in what I call a small box.”
The Accident That Changed Everything
“My number wasn't up, obviously, because that would have been a good time for me to check out. That there must be something else left for me to do here.”
The Common Ground of Humanity
“We are better when we watch out for each other versus being separate.”
Facing Fear, Loss, and the Power of Choice
“We're given a choice every day. Do I keep pedaling or do I turn around? Do I choose to be grateful? Or do I choose to focus on why I'm upset and be justified in that?”
The Ripple Effect of Impact
“Those seeds were planted the day that you came to talk to us when I was in elementary school. And now she's getting ready to graduate from the University of Nebraska.”
“On the other side of that wall of fear, there is a whole world way to be explored. But if I let that wall of fear stop me, I get trapped in what I call a small box.”
“Those seeds were planted the day that you came to talk to us when I was in elementary school. And now she's getting ready to graduate from the University of Nebraska.”
“We add all those lights together. We cut through the darkness and as a result... We changed the world.”
Host
Guest
Dean Jacobs
person
Stuart Chittenden
person
Fremont
place
Lives Radio Show & Podcast
media
Pfizer
organization
Turkey
place
Sudan
place
New Zealand
place
Madison
person
Mount Ararat
place
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