One of the greatest gifts of my career in broadcasting and speaking has been the opportunity to meet people whose paths I might never otherwise have crossed. This week was another reminder of just how meaningful those encounters can be.
For the third consecutive year, I had the honor of emceeing the Giving GRACE Breakfast at Arrowhead Stadium, supporting the work of In the Name of GRACE, a nonprofit founded by Rob and Anissa Elsey. I consider Rob and Anissa heroes for their commitment to helping people in recovery find hope, stability and a second chance.
In the days leading up to the breakfast, I joined our keynote speaker, Laurie Dhue, a former national television news anchor who spent 25 years working at CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, for visits to multiple Oxford Houses. These are homes where people recovering from addiction live together, share responsibilities and hold one another accountable. The residents pay their own way and help run the homes, creating an environment built on independence and mutual support.
Laurie, who is approaching 20 years in recovery herself, has a remarkable ability to connect with people through her own experiences. Her openness encouraged the residents to share their stories, leading to conversations that were deeply personal, emotional and inspiring. I was grateful to listen as people spoke so honestly about their struggles and the lives they are rebuilding.
I listened to women talk about arriving with almost nothing, only to discover that their new housemates had already gathered clothes for them. I heard about morning coffee, checking on one another and the sense of family that develops when people share both their struggles and their victories.
Anissa Elsey and Joel Goldberg visiting an Oxford House
At a men's house, one resident described how, for the first time in his life, he felt wanted somewhere. He explained what that acceptance meant to him in a way that captured so much of what these homes provide.
“They loved me until I could love myself.”
Someone who had struggled to recognize his own worth found a group of people who recognized it for him. Through their encouragement and everyday acts of kindness, he began to see it, too.
Thursday's breakfast brought together a room full of people at Arrowhead who believe in giving others that opportunity. Laurie shared how she spent years as a successful national television news anchor while privately battling addiction. Her story was a reminder that we never really know what someone else is going through, no matter how successful their life may appear from the outside.
I love emceeing this breakfast, but the true highlight for me is visiting the Oxford Houses and spending time with the residents. Several of the men and women spoke about being grateful for their addiction, not because of the pain it caused, but because their recovery had given them a purpose they might never have discovered otherwise. They're now helping others find their way through the same struggles they once faced.
I know plenty of people who have achieved tremendous professional success but still struggle to find that sense of purpose. In my own life, I never imagined that some of the most meaningful parts of my career would come from the people I've met and the opportunities I've had to share their stories. I dreamed of talking about sports on television. I couldn't have anticipated how much the relationships and experiences along the way would come to mean to me.
There's a Small Ball lesson in all of this, too. From the clothes waiting for someone who arrives with nothing to the morning coffee shared with a housemate and the encouragement to keep going when someone is struggling. None of these gestures seems particularly extraordinary on its own, but together they help create a place where people feel valued and begin to believe in themselves again.
Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness and encouragement help someone discover a much bigger purpose.
EXTRA INNINGS
A little more from beyond the ballpark.
Come Cruise the Rhine With Us!
AmaWaterways’ Rhine River Cruise
In November 2027, Susan and I will be hosting a special Rhine River cruise, and we'd love for you to join us! We'll explore beautiful European cities, take in incredible scenery, enjoy great food and share experiences that go well beyond the typical vacation. For us, the best part of any trip is often the people we meet and the memories we make together, and we're looking forward to sharing this adventure with friends, both old and new.
Click here to learn more about the cruise and how to join us!
SOMETHING NEW IS TAKING SHAPE
I've been spending a lot of time exploring the connection between storytelling, trust and the small moments that bring people together. I'm working on something new that will bring those ideas to life in a different way, and I'll have more to share soon.
ONE LAST THOUGHT
“Maybe stories are just data with a soul.”
Brené Brown