Show Notes: #0 - Ethan Lewin - Why This Podcast Exists
For those curious, I’ve decided to start sharing my show notes and (or) key takeaways from my guest interviews. I’ll be publishing a takeaway article on my recent episode and conversation with Peter Rhodes.
If you haven’t listened yet, check it out here: Spotify link.
Enjoy!
Intro
Hi everyone! I’ve decided to one take wonder this… here goes nothing!
I’m thrilled—and a bit nervous—to be recording and publishing the first, introductory episode of my podcast. For those who don’t know me, I’m Ethan Lewin: a recent graduate from Florida Atlantic University, just back from my final semester exploring Europe. As of May 14th, 2024, I’m 23 years old.
For the past five years, I’ve known two things:
ONE I want to be a dad and a loving husband to a beautiful wife. (PAUSE) And TWO
If I could do anything for a living, it would be to talk—with people I love, admire, want to learn from, and connect with.
That’s the inspiration behind this podcast.
I believe in God. (PAUSE) I believe in family. (PAUSE) I believe in freedom—and I believe the Constitution gives me the right to speak with conviction, even if I’m still figuring it out.
The people I admire most in this world stepped up when the odds were stacked against them. I bet they were scared to put themselves out there—just like I am—but they did it anyway. And so will I.
I have a story, and I believe it’s a good one. My path has not gone the way I necessarily would have signed up for but it has been nothing but a blessing in disguise. They say if you don’t share your story, you lose it. I’ve lived through some things, as we all have, and I wouldn’t trade my new life and lifestyle for the world. I’m happier and more grateful than ever. And I have so much love to share.
As much as this podcast is for me, I pray its byproduct inspires others—whether you’re my age, younger, or older—to live fearlessly, with faith and trust in the Lord.
I thought this would be fun to add. My mom named me Ethan Chase for a reason:
Ethan means steadfast in truth, and Chase means pursuer of truth. (PAUSE)
My name's a reminder of how I need to live — steadfast, and always in pursuit of what’s true.
A Little About Me
After suffering life-altering concussions and dealing with post-concussion syndrome, I’ve had to rebuild from the inside out. It hasn’t been easy (PAUSE) —but it’s shaped me. I hit rock bottom—and honestly, thank God I did. (PAUSE) It forced me to pause (PAUSE) and reflect. A blessing in disguise. Or as Matthew McConaughey would say, a Greenlight.
A week after my 21st birthday, I sustained two more back-to-back head injuries. That was the turning point. I went sober. Stepped away from my fraternity. Committed to recovery. Focused on nurturing my relationship with the Lord, with my family and friends, and building a support team around me. Anyone who's experienced traumatic brain injuries might relate—it’s an isolating experience. (PAUSE)
Now? I can say confidently, I am in a good place. (PAUSE)
I love my new lifestyle.
I love my friends—each unique, each complementing the other's strengths & weaknesses.
I love my blended family. (PAUSE)
And, thankfully, what feels like my calling is becoming clearer by the day.
These are blessings. For the record, I didn’t always view them that way. Sometimes I still don’t, to be truthful. However, it’s important for me to say aloud that I feel lucky.
And to be real with you—I easily could have gone down a different path– (PAUSE) I was heading down that path. Thank goodness, though, like Dave Ramsey says, “I met Jesus on the way up, and I got to know Him on the way down.”
I listened to the wrong voices. I take full responsibility. It’s painful to admit because not only was I trying to be someone who I wasn’t, but I also did things I regret. A young life, yes—but a full one. An adventure I sometimes ask, wait, did I sign up for this? (PAUSE)
So… Why Podcasting?
This podcast is a natural extension of what I already do (PAUSE): talk with people I care about, learn from, and love. So, I figured, why not invite others along for the ride? Plus, it gives me an extra reason to:
Get out of bed every day
Speak truth, inspire, and spread the Word of God
Confront the things that terrify me—knowing that in doing so, it will sustain me (for example, facing my fears around being an imposter, putting myself out there, and being seen) (PAUSE)
This podcast helps answer my calling: to love, lead, and make a difference
Recover my personal authority (that is, to forge a path unique to me, Ethan Lewin, not what society tells me to do) as well as practice
As well as practice having deep, long-form, meaningful conversations that potentially can help people feel less alone and give them hope (as many people I plan to speak with and podcasts have provided me with hope)
I want this podcast to shine light on living counter-culturally
Give regular joes a voice—like my friend Peter Roads—just as much as the well-known
In short, to raise up stories and messages that I believe are valuable to hear
This podcast also helps me set aside time to talk to the people I want to talk to. Period. (The first goal is one episode per week for 52 weeks)
I want to practice being me in every situation no matter who is in front of me, as well as practice storytelling
I hope this podcast helps build real relationships and open doors I can’t even imagine yet
And forces me to spend time with topics and people I honestly do not want to spend time with to gain a new understanding and challenge myself
(PAUSE) Podcasting might even lead me to a new job, a co-founder—or maybe even someone I can get the opportunity to fall in love with. I see this podcast as an opportunity to share vulnerable conversations that encourage others to open up too.
It’s also a way to learn everything—tech, interviewing, storytelling. It’s fun, creative, and meaningful.
I’m a bit of a podcast nerd if you can’t tell and want to follow the lead of my role models in the podcasting community—Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, Shawn Ryan, Chris Williamson, Theo Von, Lex Fridman, Tucker Carlson, Brett & Heather from the DarkHorse Podcast, RFK Jr., etc.—who, each in their own way, have fun, (PAUSE) learn, experience, (PAUSE) laugh, cry, create, (PAUSE) take care of each other, and most important of all, aim at uplifting the truth.
In short, I am doing this for me. I hope that doesn’t sound selfish.
I believe that for this podcast to be successful, I MUST make the ultimate guiding post be that even if the only single listener of the podcast was me (aka no one else tuned in) that I would still continue to podcast (PAUSE) (talk & record conversations with people) BECAUSE I SEE VALUE IN IT.
What fuels me more is that I sincerely hope this podcast raises to light the stories, life experiences, and messages of people from everyday walks of life. No single topic–just a shared journey aiming upward. Please, I invite you to come alongside me as I live out this journey we call life. There’s no better time than The Now... Episode #1 will reveal the only moment we have is the present moment.
So (PAUSE) cheers (PAUSE)—chin chin as the Italians say—to starting something new.
(PAUSE) To confronting the things that terrify us knowing in doing so they sustain us. (PAUSE)
To encouraging deeper conversations with the people we cherish—yes, even the difficult and so-called forbidden ones. (PAUSE)
I've realized I’m here to learn, grow, and serve—and that includes this podcast. I welcome your feedback and, if it's aligned with my mission, I’ll use it to help this embryonic startup evolve. If you're navigating your own comeback story OR simply striving to live with more understanding, you're in the right place. Head on over to Episode #1 to listen to our first guest—Peter Rhoads!! (PAUSE) Please like and subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Let’s keep going—together.
PEACE!
