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The Human Experience

The Human Experience

Written by: Jennifer Peterkin
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Can you pinpoint a moment in time when your life changed? Maybe it wasn’t a moment, maybe it was a complicated chain of events that led you to where you are today. Or maybe, it was a generational impact that started before you were even born. Regardless of what it contains, all humans have a story. And those stories are the building blocks of who we are, at our very core. Join host, Jennifer Peterkin - lover and collector of stories, as she interviews humans from all walks of life. Tune in every week to hear stories of love and loss, triumph and defeat, and all that exist in between.

 Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 100: The Tables Turn - Jennifer Peterkin on Dreams, Travel, and the Power of Legacy

    Episode 100: The Tables Turn - Jennifer Peterkin on Dreams, Travel, and the Power of Legacy
    Jan 27 2026
    For this milestone 100th episode, we're doing something special—host Jennifer Peterkin hands over the mic to her friend, Kesh Witmer, for an intimate conversation about the journey behind The Human Experience podcast.In this raw and reflective episode, Jennifer opens up about the three-year odyssey of creating this show, from publishing her first episode at 11:50 PM on January 31st, 2023 (cutting it close to her self-imposed deadline) to interviewing guests across the world. She shares the deeply personal reasons behind her commitment to in-person interviews, how her grandfathers' stories inspired the podcast, and why she believes everyone has a story worth telling.Jennifer also reveals the evolution of her relationship with travel, from leveraging her podcast as a way to see the world to discovering that solo adventures gave her more confidence than anything else in her life. Plus, she unveils an exciting new venture: The Human Experience Legacies, a curated interview service designed to preserve family stories as heirloom keepsakes.This is a celebration of 100 episodes, countless miles traveled, and the beautiful realization that sometimes our dreams are already happening—even when they don't look exactly like we imagined.Key TakeawaysEveryone has a story worth telling: You don't need trauma or drama—being alive means you have experiences that matter and they are doors to connection.Dreams happening ≠ dreams perfected: Your dreams may already be coming true even if they don't match your original vision. Don't let perfectionism blind you to your progress.Confidence comes from doing: Solo travel, launching a podcast, or any challenge teaches you that you're capable of more than you thought—and you don't need anyone's permission.In-person connection is irreplaceable: There's something sacred about physically bearing witness to someone's story that can't be replicated virtually.Preserve stories before it's too late: Voices, laughter, emotion—these disappear when people pass. Recording stories in real-time is a gift to future generations.Compassion is about being present: You don't need to fix, advise, or relate—sometimes compassion means simply bearing witness and sitting in lament with someone.Travel expands your worldview exponentially: Leaving your bubble and experiencing how others live teaches you that "maybe my life experience isn't the only one that matters."Memorable Episodes ReferencedEpisodes 57 & 58 - Alisa’s StoryEpisode 22 - Susan’s StoryQuotes to Remember"Our stories are always gonna be the thing that capture our humanity, so they're always worth telling." - Jennifer Peterkin"If I want to do it, I can do it... Nothing is holding you back except yourself." - Jennifer Peterkin"You're alive, so you have a story. The problem is that we feel like things have to be so dramatic or, unfortunately, traumatic for them to be worth telling." - Jennifer Peterkin"Just because the vision you have in your head about what your dream is, just because that doesn't fully get realized, doesn't mean that your dreams aren't happening and they aren't a reality." - Jennifer Peterkin"When somebody is in need of compassion, they don't need fixing. They need a soft place to land." - Jennifer Peterkin"I think lamentation is something that we are very uncomfortable with because there is no quick fix for it... I think that it is an act of compassion itself. And I also think it's an act of worship when we can sit with somebody and just try to feel this depth of sorrow for their pain and not try to do anything else with it." - Jennifer Peterkin"Just because you're not in the exact place you thought you would be when all of these things are happening doesn't negate the fact that they are happening." - Jennifer PeterkinSTAY CONNECTEDThe Human Experience Podcast | Instagram | FacebookThe Human Experience Legacies | InstagramConnect with Jennifer on Substack | LinkedInSupport the Podcast
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    53 mins
  • Understanding Schizoid: Breaking Stigmas and Changing Lives

    Understanding Schizoid: Breaking Stigmas and Changing Lives
    Jan 13 2026
    In this insightful podcast, host Jennifer Peterkin interviews Blair, an individual diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder, to shed light on this widely misunderstood condition. Blair shares personal experiences of being perceived as different from an early age and the internal struggles faced in social settings. The conversation highlights the significant impact of schizoid disorder on one's life, including potential links to homelessness and the difficulties in seeking help. Blair's story, particularly his journey to writing a book about his experiences, serves as a beacon for raising awareness and encouraging interventions to improve lives similarly affected.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Carrying the Tiger: Tony Stewart on Love, Loss, and the Healing Power of Story

    Carrying the Tiger: Tony Stewart on Love, Loss, and the Healing Power of Story
    Dec 30 2025

    Show Notes:
    In this deeply reflective episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin visits lifelong New Yorker Tony Stewart, who shares an intimate story of love, creativity, and grief.

    Tony recounts meeting his wife, Lynn Kotula—an accomplished painter—and building a life together rooted in art, exploration, and storytelling. He opens up about Lynn’s cancer diagnosis, the emotional and practical realities of caregiving, and the profound ways illness reshapes relationships.

    Through honesty and vulnerability, Tony reflects on grief, resilience, and how sharing personal stories—through writing and community—can become a powerful tool for healing and connection in the aftermath of loss.

    ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of serious illness, caregiving, and grief. Listener discretion is advised.

    Key Takeaways:
    ● The podcast’s mission centers on courage, vulnerability, and the power of personal storytelling.
    ● Tony shares his life story and relationship with his wife, Lynn, and their shared experiences in New York City.
    ● Reflections on city life versus country life and how place shapes identity.
    ● The story of how Tony and Lynn met, including their age difference and creative partnership.
    ● Lynn’s career as an artist and the challenges she faced in the art world.
    ● Tony’s background in filmmaking and software development at the intersection of creativity and technology.
    ● The impact of Lynn’s cancer diagnosis on their marriage and daily life.
    ● Using CaringBridge to communicate updates and maintain social connection during illness.
    ● The emotional toll of caregiving and the importance of honest communication.
    ● Storytelling as a means of processing grief and fostering understanding.

    Interview recorded in New York City.

    Tony Stewart’s Bio:
    Tony Stewart has led a multifaceted career spanning film, technology, and storytelling. He has made award-winning films for colleges and universities, written software praised by The New York Times and The New York Daily News, designed a grants-management system used by three of the world’s five largest charities, and led the development of an international standard for advertising transaction messaging.

    Tony is the author of the memoir Carrying the Tiger, which won two Gold Medals at the 2025 Global Book Awards. Inspired by the healing process of writing his memoir, Tony studied with David Kessler and is now a Certified Grief Educator.

    He and his late wife, painter Lynn Kotula, traveled extensively through India and Southeast Asia, embracing local cultures, food, and life off the beaten path. Today, Tony continues to share stories that explore love, loss, and resilience.

    Connect with Tony Stewart:
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonystewartny/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570889459153
    🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonystewart/
    📰 Substack: https://tonystewartauthor.substack.com

    Connect with The Human Experience Podcast:
    Website: https://www.thehxpod.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehxpod/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getthehx
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehxpod
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehxpod
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    2 hrs and 1 min
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