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I get to meet a bunch of heroes in this job. That's just one of the many side benefits of this gig. Think about it. Some jobs bring health insurance, 401K, discounted eyeglass prescriptions. I get heroes.
I got an extra kick out one of the stories I posted last week on the Heroism page. I'm talking about the one with the story of Arkansas' Lt. Governor Bill Halter pulling an elderly woman out of burning home.
It's a good story on its own merits--big time politician does good. For me, though, it brought an extra smile.
See, I knew Bill Halter before he was a hero, before he was Lt. Governor of Arkansas.
We met my freshman year at Stanford in a way that confirms for me that some college administrator had a big sense of humor.
Bill was a couple years ahead of me and assigned to be my upper classman academic advisor. A quirkier match has never been made. There was Bill, from Little Rock, AK--so serious! and beyond super smart intelligent. Truman Scholar, Rhodes Scholar, shoot his scholars had scholars.
And then there was me--from Southern California, majoring freshman year in an ever-expanding social life and let's just say not quite as dedicated or capable in the academic pursuits as Bill.
And yet, that administrator must've picked up on something because as Humphrey Bogart says in Casablanca, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Long before Lt. Gov. Halter pulled the woman out of the burning building, he helped pull me out of some burning academic situations.
Our friendship continued long after graduation. I headed into the news world, Bill headed into politics, climbing the ladder in the Clinton administration. It wasn't that big a stretch for our paths to cross.
Long before Bill met his lovely wife, Shanti, he needed a date for one of those Clinton inaugurations. I gladly stepped in. It was hardly a big sacrifice to have a ball at the ball.
Along the way, we've cheered on each other's paths. He's clearly setting the world on fire in more ways than one and I think, much like my freshman year, still smiling and yes, sometimes cracking up at the choices I make.
And now the world knows about Bill, what I've known for many years--that he's a hero.
Congratulations, Bill, er, I mean, Lt. Governor!
My wonderful friend, Larry Hatteberg, always brings the most wonderful surprises.
Larry is the big time anchor at KAKE-TV in Wichita, KS (although, you'll never get him to admit to the "big time part") who often sends me wonderful stories. Stories like today's featured video on 81-year-old Eula West.
I dare you to try to watch that story and not smile and feel one of Eula's big hugs.
I've already shared in this blog the very surprising way I know Larry, my fellow inspirational storyteller. A serial killer introduced us. True story. If you haven't heard it, you can check it out here.
This week, Larry was nice enough to send along a fresh batch of "Hatteberg's People" stories. He also sent this email:
Daryn,
Here are three more stories for your web site.
If you like 'em....great! If not....enjoy the extra tape.
Anyway....You're doing a wonderful job on the book tour --- keep it up.
Also, as you may or may not know --- I give about two or three speeches a week on the average in Kansas. (I think it's because I'm cheap)
I was in the small Kansas community of Moundridge speaking to a group of about 200 people. I noticed an Amish couple in the room and they looked familiar --
After the speech I found that I had done a story with them 20 years ago....they came up to say 'hi'. As I was talking to them they said their granddaughter loved to watch my work....but they also said...they didn't have TV.
So I said if you don't have a TV (which the Amish here do not) how did she see my work?
They said: "We have a computer and one of the few (very few) web sites she is allowed to see is darynkagan.com --- and that is where she watches the stories.
Small world isn't it?
The young girl believes you 'walk on water' and loves your web site and everything you do and discuss. I think she is about 10 years old.
You never know where life leads.....
Take care,
Larry
Small world indeed! And a wonderful one, with you and your stories in it, Larry! Thanks for all your stories that touch my heart!
I went somewhere Friday. Somewhere I hadn't been in 18 months and one day.
I went back to CNN.
In a case of "It's all true," the same bosses who didn't renew my contract after 12 years with the network have been unbelievably supportive of my efforts in launching this website and now writing my first book.
There was the moment a couple weeks ago when Larry King held up What's Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make a Difference and gave it a huge endorsement.
Then there was Friday's invitation. Come sit in your anchor chair and talk about the book.
What a wonderful visit.
I often get asked if I miss all the glitz and supposed glamour of my TV news career. I always honestly answer that I while I appreciate what was a huge opportunity and adventure, I haven't looked back for a second.
But walking in that newsroom Friday, I realized that I do miss something more than I realized.
The people.
I miss the time I had to bond with my women folk. The time you have the luxury of sitting in a make-up chair for a half-hour. Talk about a sisterhood! There is no life crisis that has not been discussed, dissected, and addressed in the CNN makeup room!
I miss many of the guys, too. I loved talking sports with them. Mondays are just not the same during NFL season. And having to get through the NCAA basketball tournament without the guys and without my dad this year, well, that was just downright not fun.
As I made my way from hug to hug throughout the newsroom, I was treated to baby picture after baby picture. Is it really possible for kids to grow that much in a year and half? What are they feeding these children? That part was more like a time warp.
Of course, nothing is guarnteed in breaking news land. I showed up there Friday knowing that if big news starting happening somewhere, my segment to talk about inspiration and hopeful news would go poof.
Sure enough, tornadoes started popping up in Arkansas in the hour before my interview was to take place. The old newsie in me thought, "Uh oh. There goes my segment." No hard feelings. That's just the name of the game.
I guess I just have a lot of folks on my team and those producers made it work. There was plenty of info on the tornadoes AND they made time for me and the book. That's actually an understatement. They made 5 minutes and 55 seconds! In TV news time, that's pretty much a full-length documentary.
It was a wonderful segment with video of some of the stories you've seen here on DarynKagan.com and plenty of mentions of What's Possible! Here's a look:
I can share that it was great to sit in my old chair and talk about the amazing people I get to profile now. When I look back on tape of the segment I think, "I don't think I ever looked this happy in 12 years."
That was a great feeling. As were all hugs and familiar faces. After the 5 minutes and 55 seconds, the anchor, Don Lemon, wrapped up the segment saying almost apologetically, "Well, we need to turn to some bad news now."
He was off to talk about tornadoes.
I was off to go home. My new home, right here. Exactly where I'm supposed to be.
I knew a lot was possible. That's just a simple by product of running this website. I see remarkable stuff all the time.
And my own personal experience has been remarkable. I've seen war, the Oscars, The Super Bowl. But I can honestly say I've never been confetti.
That is, until this week's trip to Memphis, TN.
My book signing at the Davis Kidd Bookstore was hosted by the local chapter of Ladies Who Launch. The group is led by a remarkable force of nature who goes by the name Tammy Gunnels.
That's Tammy, second from the right.
I've been to Memphis quite a few times before. I knew the city had assets like Graceland, Beale Street, the Mississippi River. Now I can add Tammy to that list. Or as I came to dub her over the last couple days, "The Tammy."
This mom of four is coming into her own as she discovers her purpose in life is to help women discover their purpose and network through LWL.
I should've known this trip to Memphis was going to be quite a trip from the moment Tammy picked me up at the Memphis airport. There she was waiting at the bottom of the escalator holding a copy of my book, sporting a smile that stretched to the Arkansas border.
Tammy spent the weeks leading up to my visit harassing, er, encouraging every soul she came across in Memphis that they had to come to my book signing. She had special cards printed up that encouraged folks to come to the Davis Kidd bookstore and they had better bring some friends, as well.
She set up interviews with media outlets all over town and escorted me to each one as smoothly as any seasoned public relations professional.
Just as we were pulling up to visit with the "Live at 9" folks, Tammy shared a confession. "I hope this is OK," she shared. "I made some confetti."
"Confetti?" I asked not sure where she was going with this.
"I wanted your book signing to be special and festive, so I decided we needed some confetti," Tammy explained.
She held up a Ziploc bag full of round discs about the size of a quarter. I could see my face staring back at me through the plastic.
Tammy explained how she went on DarynKagan.com, pulled off images of me, the book, "What's Possible," and went to work using an old scrapbook hole puncher.
Sure enough, at the book signing those round discs were everywhere! Those poor book store people will probably still be finding them months from now just as I'm still finding sparkly confetti from last year's 4th of July party on my deck.
It was a wonderful evening and I thank all the folks who came out to greet me.
And to The Tammy—as I told you, you are a force of nature, a true gift and as fine a Southern hostess as there ever was. Thanks for expanding my horizons. Confetti? Who knew!
I had to start the week sharing with you an incredible thing that happened to me last Thursday evening.
I was scheduled to speak about my book at a wonderful place called, The Sophia Institute in Charleston, SC. I was in the middle of driving down from Atlanta when my cell phone rang. It was Carolyn Rivers, the incredible woman who created and runs Sophia.
Carolyn wanted to make sure I was all set and on my way down. Also, she shared an intriguing phone call she had received.
"A man called here today saying that he very much wants to come to your talk, but he has a scheduling conflict. He's very anxious to meet you because he says he has pictures of your father."
"My father?" I wondered. "Who could my Dad had known in Charleston?"
Of course, I couldn't check with my Dad, because as visitors of this website know, he passed away in September. So, I did the next best thing--called my Mom in Los Angeles.
"Who did Dad know in Charleston?" I asked.
She couldn't think of a soul. Her best guess was that perhaps it was someone he served with in the navy.
Fade in. Fade out. I made it to Chareleston. I gave my talk, signed a bunch of books, and wrapped up the event. As the last people were walking out, Carolyn remarked, "That man with the photos never showed up."
Oh well, I wrote it off as an ongoing mystery and thought perhaps he would show up another time and leave the photos at the Sophia Institute.
Carolyn, her husband, Henk, and I got in the car to go to dinner. As we were rolling down the driveway, we see this tall, lanky man well into his 70's chasing us down. "Stop the car! Where's Daryn???" he was yelling.
You got it. Turns out they mystery man found me.
His name is Jack Guedalia. He's a judge in Charleston, and yes, my mom's guess was right. He did serve with my Dad in the navy.
The photos? They are true treasures. They show my Dad, Stu, and Jack in their navy uniforms standing in Japan 54 years ago. Judge Jack went to the time and trouble to have them copied and blown up to 5x7.
Here's my Dad.
Here he is with Jack.
My family has nothing like this. What a wonderful gift to receive 6 months after we said goodbye to Stu. He looks so handsome, so full of life.
Also, what a wonderful reminder of how our journeys take us to such surprising places. I had thought I was going to Charleston to give, as in give a talk.
Turns out, my trip was more about receiving a wonderful gift I could've never imagined as I set out on my journey.
Here's hoping this week brings you a joyful surprise you could've never imagined, as well.
I'm still smiling from last night.
At the end of his show, my old CNN colleague and friend, Larry King held up my new book and gave it a huge endorsement.
Here's what he said:
And if you're looking for real life inspiration, pick up What's Possible! by our old friend Daryn Kagan. A former CNN anchor, Daryn is now the host of an amazing Web site that bears her name. What's Possible! shares stories of people who have beaten the odds and done great things. If you have a dream and want to make it come true, Daryn Kagan's book is for you.
Thanks, Larry!
The book already has a wonderful endorsement on the cover from Wolf Blitzer.
I'm feeling much love, support, and love today from the folks I spent 12 years of my life with.
Thank you!
Yes, Welcome! To the thousands of new visitors to DarynKagan.com!
Boy, this weekend was like Christmas, Hannukah, Ramadan, and my birthday all rolled into one. The gifts were some amazing stories and interviews about this website and my new book, What's Possible: 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make A Difference.
Sunday, I popped up to New York City for my first visit to Fox News. I have to admit it was kind of funny for this former CNN'er to be in the building. But, I also have to say the folks at Fox couldn't have been nicer. Thanks to everyone at Fox and Friends for the warm welcome and great segment.
As soon as that interview ran, the flood of email started. Many well wishers saying, "Oh, so this is where you went! I've been looking for you since you left CNN!"
Later in the day, Associated Press TV writer, Dave Bauder posted a great piece on all that I've been up to. No, I guess technically, I'm not on TV these days. But Dave was interested in my story of reinvention in light of all the news about so many TV news jobs going away. Looks like I'm a beacon of hope that there is life after a traditional news career. Yes, there is!
Between the Fox News visit and the AP article that's now running in newspapers around the world, traffic on the site yesterday was nuts! There's probably smoke coming off those servers!
So many of you took the time to drop me an email wishing me well and saying how much you love the idea of DarynKagan.com. I just want to say back, "Thank you!" Group hug! I hope you come back often. And feel free to make use of the "Daily Daryn," the quick daily email I send out each day telling you what the inspiring story of the day is. A lot of folks really like that. Why bother having to remember to get inspired when it can come directly to your inbox?
Off to gather more inspiration for you.
Oh and a heads up—my next appearance for the book is this Thursday. I'll be in Charleston, SC at the Sophia Institute. If you're anywhere in the Low Country area, I hope you'll stop by.
Here's a concept: I think I better finish unpacking my suitcase from last weekend's trip to New York City, so that I can fill it up and again as it's time to head back up to the Big Apple again.
For those of you in the Eastern time zone and the rest of you other early risers, you might want to tune into Fox News on Sunday Morning.
I've been invited to come on "Fox and Friends," to talk about my book, What's Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make A Difference.
They tell me I'll be on some time from 7:30 am-8 am. I know from my zillion years in the news biz, that's a ballpark figure. If news breaks, I'll be spending time next to the box of donuts off the set. That's fine. I'm happy for the invite and I'm more than happy to go with the flow.
Before I head out, or rather, before I go tackle the suitcase, I really want to share some photos from Tuesday night's book signing here in Atlanta.
What a wonderful turnout I had at the Barnes and Noble on Peachtree in Buckhead!
It took two hours to meet and sign books for everyone who showed up.
My supporters covered an incredible age range. 10-month-old Evie Hanover brought her parents Tara and Justin, and sported her favorite "We Show The World What's Possible at DarynKagan.com" onesie.
91-year-old Bill Montgomery also came. He's the blind sculptor who I like to say taught me to see. I featured Bill's story here on the website yesterday and you can read more about him and his incredible wisdom in the book.
Bill was just one of the many heroes in my posse Tuesday night. I invited every inspiring person in the book or who I've featured here on the website who happen to live in Atlanta area. The night was just as much about celebrating them as I introduced them to the crowd.
Here is Sebri Omer, the Ethiopian immigrant who sold half his gas station business to finance a modern hospital back in his African hometown.
Sebri is standing next to Adrienne Simpson. She's the person to talk to if you're facing a corporate layoff. Adrienne has survived twice. The second time led to creating "Smooth Moooves," a moving and relocation service that caters to seniors.
Finally, it wouldn't be a celebration for me if it didn't have cake. Thanks to my incredible friends, I was not disappointed. They commissioned my favorite Cake Lady, Gloria Brock, to create an amazing cake in the shape and design of my book! Can you believe that?
I can report that it tastes even better than it looks. And it's my favorite cake combo--white cake w/tons of white gooey frosting. Days later, it is still the gift that keeps giving.
Okay, the suitcase is a callin'. I'll keep bringing my camera along grabbing some memories to share with you.
Thanks to all of you are supporting the book and thanks for sharing this journey with me.
January 28, 2008: Birthday-Palooza!>>
January 24, 2008: My Dog's Credit Card>>
January 21, 2008: Confessions of My 3-Legged Cat>>
January 17, 2008: Snow Geek>>
January 15, 2008: Revsiting "Finding Good From Evil">>
January 14, 2008: Rachel Ray discovers DarynKagan.com Star!>>
January 9, 2008: Crazy Good>>
January 8, 2008: New Year's Wishes>>
December 31, 2007: Who Are These People?>>
December 23, 2007: Actually, You're Not>>
December 18, 2007: Are You An Awesome Engaged Couple? Here's Your Chance for A Dream Wedding!>>
December 17, 2007: The Shoe Story>>
December 14, 2007: Why I Don't Have To Choose>>
December 10, 2007: Doing The Best They Can All The Time>>
December 7, 2007: Good Morning, America!>>
December 6, 2007: I'm Officially In The Holiday Spirit>>
November 26, 2007: Belated Thanks>>
November 12, 2007: Happy Birthday, DarynKagan.com!>>
November 9, 2007: Happy Birthday, Mom!>>
November 7, 2007: The Last Thing I Expected>>
November 6, 2007: A Great Bunch>>
October 30, 2007: What's In A Name?>>
October 24, 2007: Fires>>
October 21, 2007: A Proud Mama>>
October 15, 2007: For Mom.>>
October 14, 2007: History Is Made!>>
October 10, 2007: The Shop's Open!>>
October 10, 2007: Help Find The Mystery Flight Attendant!>>
September 24, 2007: Thank You>>
September 21, 2007: Dad>>
September 11, 2007: An Honor To Turn It Over>>
September 10, 2007: The Gratitude Bouquet>>
August 23, 2007: Am I Getting Punchy?>>
August 21, 2007: Sisters and Websites>>
August 15, 2007: We're Growing!>>
August 7, 2007: Hooray For Your Heroes>>
August 1, 2007: Our First Award>>
July 27, 2007: Arizona's Family>>
July 23, 2007: No Barriers To Big Thinking>>
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