Welcome to Stories on Purpose. I’m your host, Stan Ajemian.

This is a podcast about the moments that change us—the stories of adversity, resilience, and transformation that shape who we are and why we do what we do.

Every two to three weeks, I release a new episode, usually around 30 to 60 minutes long. Most of the time, you’ll hear me in conversation with remarkable guests who share their journeys of finding meaning through struggle. And every so often, I’ll share my own reflections in solo episodes.

My hope is that these stories don’t just inspire you, but also invite you to reflect on your own path—how the challenges you’ve faced might hold the seeds of growth, purpose, and even joy.

So if you’re curious about how people find strength in the hardest places, and how we can all live more intentionally, I invite you to listen in.

Stories on Purpose—because your story matters.

Most people view cancer as a devastating diagnosis. For Steve Staruch, it was something he met with curiosity and an unwavering belief that he would survive. He credits the steadfast support of the people around him as a vital part of his healing journey.

In this episode, Steve, well known as a beloved classical music radio host, shares how he faced cancer while continuing to embrace life with joy and gratitude. He reflects on the ways music, faith, and community became sources of strength, and how leaning into beauty allowed him to thrive even in difficult times.

To hear Steve Staruch on the radio:

In the Twin Cities of Minnesota, tune into 99.5 FM

Stream online at: yourclassicalmpr.org

To learn more about your host, Stan Ajemian:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stanajemian

Email: stan@beingthechangecoaching.com

Website: beingthechangecoaching.com

Sebastian Merz grew up in Germany, where the people continue to carry the reality of a dark past that has never been fully reconciled. His search for peace within his family and culture eventually led him to Canada, where he now serves as a government negotiator on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia, while also guiding his coaching clients through their own transformations.

In this episode, Sebastian speaks candidly about the pain he carries from his German ancestry and the parallels he sees in the struggles of reconciliation with Indigenous communities. He reflects on the tension between his natural harmonizing nature and the need for healthy confrontation to be more effective as both a negotiator and a coach.

At one point in the conversation, host Stan Ajemian pauses to recall the ancestral tribes that inhabited the area known as Denver, Colorado. This was the ancestral homeland for the Arapaho, Ute, and Cheyenne peoples.

Sebastian’s story reminds us that reconciliation is never just cultural or historical, but deeply personal, and invites each of us to consider where repair is needed in our own lives.

Learn more about Sebastian Merz:Website: https://Fierce-Heart.Co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-merz-51582828/

To learn more about your host, Stan Ajemian:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stanajemianEmail: stan@beingthechangecoaching.comWebsite: beingthechangecoaching.com