Stories on Purpose
Stories on Purpose
Podcast Description
Stories on Purpose is a podcast that uncovers the life-changing moments that define who we are and why we’re here. Hosted by Stan Ajemian, a life and leadership coach who has transformed his own adversity into radical acceptance and gratitude, this show features deep, authentic conversations with guests who have turned their biggest challenges into fuel for growth, meaning and impact.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores themes of personal transformation, identity, and resilience, with episodes highlighting individuals who have found purpose through adversity, such as musicians who've transitioned to coaching and stories of overcoming trauma and redefining oneself.

Stories on Purpose is a podcast that uncovers the life-changing moments that define who we are and why we’re here. Hosted by Stan Ajemian, a life and leadership coach who has transformed his own adversity into radical acceptance and gratitude, this show features deep, authentic conversations with guests who have turned their biggest challenges into fuel for growth, meaning and impact.
Aaron Simmons met his wife, Polly, in the Peace Corps, and together they built a life filled with art, literature, and deep partnership. They married, bought a house, and had three children. Then, three years ago, Polly died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism, leaving Aaron to navigate life as a solo father and to wrestle with unanswerable questions.
In the midst of his grief, Aaron discovered Polly's journals—pages and pages of her thoughts, insights, and humor written over the years. As he began writing through his own pain in the middle of the night, an idea emerged: what if they could write a book together, even after her death?
In this conversation, Aaron shares how he's keeping Polly present for his children, how writing became both his healing and their collaboration, and why he believes grief never truly resolves—it simply becomes part of who we are. He reflects on the tension between moving forward and honoring what was lost, and offers wisdom for anyone sitting with loss they didn't choose.
This is a story about creating beauty from loss, honoring the dead by living fully, and understanding that healing isn't linear—it's a mosaic.
To Learn more about Aaron Simmons:Website: aaronsimmons.name
To Buy the book widow— widower— widowest— a grief mosaicBook website: widowest.comPublisher website: www.motinabooks.com/book/widow-widower-widowest/Amazon:www.amazon.com/-/he/Aaron-Simmons-ebook/dp/B0FZ5HZZRM
To learn more about your host, Stan Ajemian:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stanajemianEmail: [email protected]Website: beingthechangecoaching.com

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