Podcast
Hard Turn
Hosted by KOMO · ENGLISH
Hard Turn is the podcast that dives into life’s biggest decisions and transformative moments. Hosted by Kelly Koopmans and Mary Nam, this weekly show features compelling stories from guests who have navigated life-altering experiences like retirement, sobriety, health challenges, and career changes. Along the way, Kelly and Mary share relatable anecdotes, insightful advice, and personal reflections, offering listeners inspiring stories and meaningful conversations. Whether you’re facing a turning point or just curious about how others have tackled theirs, Hard Turn offers stories and insights you won’t want to miss. Join Kelly and Mary as they explore what it means to take life’s next Hard Turn.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Trauma to Triumph: Jere's Hard Turn to Success
Dec 1700:38:03Tap to summarizeJoin us for a powerful conversation with Jere Stille, a former Boeing executive and author of the memoir, When Left Turns Go Right. Jere shares his incredible life story, beginning with a very difficult and traumatic childhood. Hear how a transformative experience at age 19 helped him turn his life around, leading to professional success and a career that defied all expectations. Jere also opens up about his aggressive, rare cancer diagnosis, and the profound role of faith and mindset in overcoming his health battle and defying medical odds. This episode is a testament to the power of the mind to change your story and turn life's hardest "left turns" into incredible "right turns." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Rick Rizzs: Love and Baseball
Dec 1000:36:53Tap to summarizeLegendary Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs opens up about the season of a lifetime, the moments that shaped him, and the love that carried him through his greatest heartbreak. From the highs of an unforgettable Mariners run to the profound story of his son Nick, Rizzs shares a candid and emotional look at faith, family, and the game that’s defined his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Preparedness is Love
Dec 300:34:41Tap to summarizeBeth Hartsoch shares the story of her husband Jake's unexpected death during a solo mountain scramble. She emphasizes the crucial role that advance planning played in the immediate aftermath of the emergency, detailing the four essential pieces of information Jake provided her every time he went out. Beth, Kelly and Mary discuss how setting up systems like healthcare documents and financial beneficiaries is not just adult responsibility but a powerful act of love for your family. Beth's experience underscores the importance of being prepared, even for the unthinkable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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No Guests, Just Gravy: Hard Turn Unplugged
Nov 2600:28:14Tap to summarizeHappy Thanksgiving! Join Kelly and Mary for a special bonus episode of Hard Turn. The hosts kick off the holiday by discussing their perfect Thanksgiving foods. They then reflect on Season 2 guests, highlighting lessons learned from their guests. Kelly and Mary also share what they are personally thankful for this year, including a newfound sense of peace for Kelly and Mary's gratitude for her health. Don't miss this candid conversation as they turn the spotlight on themselves and look forward to the remaining guests this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Clutter Crisis: The Emotional Weight of "Stuff"
Nov 1900:28:58Tap to summarizeKelly and Mary talk to Suzanne Allbee about the massive emotional and logistical challenge of decluttering, downsizing, and dealing with inherited belongings. Suzanne shares the personal "hard turn" that launched her into this work: helping her father, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, move from a large family home into a senior living community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She offers deep insights into the psychology behind why we hold onto things, detailing different "organizing profiles" like the Memory Keeper and the "Just-In-Case-er". Beyond the personal, the discussion tackles the large-scale cultural and economic shifts affecting how different generations relate to their possessions. Suzanne offers compassionate, actionable advice on how to start these difficult conversations with family members, especially aging parents, and how connecting old possessions to a charitable cause can be a massive motivator for letting go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Drowning in Silence: A Mother's Fight for Water Safety
Nov 1200:31:01Tap to summarizeIn this raw and profoundly honest episode of Hard Turn, hosts Kelly Koopmans and Mary Nam sit down with Chezik Tsunoda, a mother who transformed her family's deepest tragedy into a mission for change. Chezik shares the heartbreak of losing her three-year-old son, Yori, to drowning on Mercer Island in 2018. This devastating hard turn fueled her creation of the nonprofit, No More Under, and the documentary, Drowning in Silence. Chezik discusses the lack of access and awareness surrounding water safety and swim lessons. The conversation delves into the complicated nature of grief, the struggle to be an active parent while processing an immense loss, and the powerful realization that her ceaseless advocacy would never bring Yori back. Ultimately, Chezik offers advice on holding onto hope and remembering that even the hardest moments in life "shall pass". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Teacher Who Became Police Chief
Nov 500:35:51Tap to summarizeKelly and Mary sit down with Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes to explore the unexpected pivot that defined his career. Before leading a major police department, Barnes was a public school history teacher. He shares the powerful, heartbreaking story of a bright student who committed murder, revealing the moment he felt he "missed an opportunity to help." He talks about a conversation with a School Resource Officer that put him on the path to law enforcement and the philosophy of community policing. Chief Barnes discusses the hard truth about work-life balance for high performers , the value of preparation as a cure for anxiety , and his philosophical approach to leadership, paying attention to the seeds, not the flowers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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From Seizure to Surgery: Katie's Miracle
Oct 2900:29:48Tap to summarizeKelly Koopmans and Mary Nam sit down with Katie Denniston for an astonishing story of resilience. While 23 weeks pregnant with her second child, Katie was diagnosed with a five-centimeter tumor on her brain shortly after her husband recovered from a collapsed lung. Katie found the inner strength to defer surgery until after giving birth to her daughter, Poppy. Through unwavering optimism, Katie defied medical expectations by having a full resection and ditching her walker days after surgery. Her journey highlights finding joy and a renewed faith while navigating her family's rapid changes. Katie's powerful story is an inspiration for anyone facing a sudden, massive challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Unexpected Gift
Oct 2200:28:39Tap to summarizeNicholas Ford shares the "hard turn" moment in his life when his son, Aloysius, was diagnosed with Down syndrome just five days after birth. Nicholas describes the initial shock as planning a trip to Italy but unexpectedly arriving in Holland. Now six, Aloysius is described as friendly, full of joy, and a hard worker. As both educators and parents, Nicholas and his wife Rachel are now driven to promote greater inclusion and belonging in schools, advocating for an environment where Aloysius and other neurodivergent children can thrive alongside their peers. He offers heartfelt advice to families facing a new diagnosis, encouraging them to embrace "Holland" and find consolation in the uncertainty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Taking Midlife Head-on
Oct 1500:29:29Tap to summarizeGet ready for a midlife glow-up. Hosts Mary Nam and Kelly Koopmans welcome Alicia Erickson, known on Instagram as the Midlife Maven. Alicia shares the pivotal moments, her "hard turn," that led her to quit alcohol for good and fully embrace a new, intentional chapter in midlife. They discuss the transition to becoming an empty nester, which she views as a prime period of life, not an expiration date. Alicia, who is now a coach for other women, also opens up about navigating perimenopause and what she views as critically important things for women's long-term health, confidence, and quality of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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