Ellen Butterfield's Story

FromMy Unsung Hero

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Ellen Butterfield's Story

FromMy Unsung Hero

ratings:

Length:

5 minutes

Released:

Dec 19, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Ellen and her husband were afraid the border guard would confiscate the chemotherapy drugs they were bringing back from Mexico. But then he did something unexpected.

Released:

Dec 19, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

The daily news can fill us with despair. My Unsung Hero is an antidote to that despair. Each episode reveals what the news ignores: everyday acts of kindness and courage that transformed someone's life. Listen — and renew your faith in humanity. From Hidden Brain Media.

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Terri Powers' Story: It's a few days after her mother's death, and Terri is at the checkout line in a grocery store. As she turns to leave, the bagger stops her, and asks a question. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Jamie Spurway's Story: On his first international trip alone, Jamie gets lost in the hustle and bustle of L.A. Before things go too awry, a young woman appears and goes above and beyond to help him. by My Unsung Hero
6 min listen
Adrianne Drazin's Story: Adrianne is on a long overseas flight with her baby and two young children. After she exits the plane, she notices a family nearby, waiting for something. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Lorrie Paul's Story: It's 1996, and Lorrie is visiting her ailing father in the hospital. She's crying in the hallway near his room when a kind stranger walks by. by My Unsung Hero
3 min listen
Introducing My Unsung Hero: Each week, we share a story about a moment when one person helped another in a time of need. And we show you how these acts of heroism — some big, some small — transformed someone’s life. by My Unsung Hero
3 min listen
Dorothy Tiernan's Story: As Dorothy's father lies in a hospital bed, dying and in great pain, a nurse bends the rules to come to his aid. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Betsy Cox's Story: Betsy Cox is having one of those days where everything feels like a struggle. But then a kind stranger offers a few simple words that shift her perspective. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Alie Ward's Story: It’s 2013, and Alie’s year is going terribly. Then she gets a Facebook message from a generous stranger. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Vanessa Grace Miller's Story: When Vanessa has a life-threatening allergic reaction in a foreign country, her young tour guide steps in to help. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Rick Mangnall's Story: In 2008, while driving to work, Rick crashes into a slab of granite rock. He's hanging upside down in his seatbelt when he sees an old Ford truck pull over across the road. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Mary Louise Kelly's Story: Mary Louise loses her wallet while walking home from the bookstore. Then she gets an email from a stranger. by My Unsung Hero
6 min listen
Chewey Clinton's Story: Chewey is a teenager from rural Idaho. He's struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and a friend is there when Chewey needs him most. by My Unsung Hero
6 min listen
Heather Church's Story: Heather slips on the stairs at a busy clothing store. As she begins to fall backward, she hears a noise behind her. by My Unsung Hero
3 min listen
Jackie Briggs' Story: A stranger notices Jackie at a conference, and realizes something is wrong. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Deb Merchant's Story: When Deb Merchant was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, her partner Scott Stevens was at her side through every part of her treatment. It made all the difference in her recovery. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Carolyn Hax's Story: As Carolyn struggles to cope with her mother's terminal illness, a colleague gently reaches out to help. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Vanessa's Story: It's the middle of the night, and Vanessa and her husband are stranded on an Alaskan highway. Just when they've given up hope, a car pulls over. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Jamil Zaki's Story: It’s one in the morning, and a doctor has just told Jamil some difficult news about his newborn daughter. But instead of getting back to work, the doctor pulls up a chair. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Julie Ort's Story: Julie is having a very bad day. She's hiding out in the library when a stranger offers a comforting gift. by My Unsung Hero
6 min listen
Alexandra Middlewood's Story: Alexandra is struggling with hybrid teaching when a small gesture from a student reminds her of why she loves her job. Tell us about an unsung hero in your life! To do so, please go to myunsunghero.org for instructions on how to record and send us your story. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Tony Ludlow's Story: Tony is angry at his English teacher, Mrs. Holman, for making him stay after class. But on the last day of school, she takes his hand, and tells him something he'll never forget. If you like the show, please share it with a friend, or write a review! And if you'd like to share your unsung hero with us, go to myunsunghero.org for instructions on how to do so. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Lesia Day's Story: Lesia's mother, Stephany, is used to coming over for a visit on Sundays. But one Sunday, Stephany doesn't show up. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Vige Barrie's Story: On the way to an important meeting, Vige trips and is injured. Two kind strangers come to help. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Justin Horner's Story: Justin’s tire has blown out, and he’s sitting on the side of a freeway, hoping someone will help. Right around the time he’s about to give up, a van pulls over. by My Unsung Hero
6 min listen
Renée's Story: When Renée’s boyfriend loses his passport at the airport, she can tell he’s about to take his anger out on her. But then, a kind man appears and defuses the situation. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Mary Amato's Story: After giving birth to her second child, Mary is struggling with her identity as a stay-at-home mom. But then an older woman says something to her that makes all the difference. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Betsy Cox's Story: This week, a favorite episode from the archives: Betsy is having one of those days where everything feels like a struggle. But then a kind stranger offers a few simple words that shift her perspective. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Sophia Croll's Story: It’s 2013, and Sophia is having a bad day at the airport. As she quietly cries on a bench, a stranger approaches her with words of comfort. by My Unsung Hero
7 min listen
Sanaa Kerroumi's Story: Sanaa is on her train ride home when an angry man begins threatening her. Before he gets too close, a stranger intervenes. by My Unsung Hero
7 min listen
Leah Bartell's Story: It's 1994, and two men approach Leah on a dark street as she's walking home. Then she sees a car, and a glimmer of hope. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen

More Episodes from My Unsung Hero

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Joy Diaz's Story: Joy and her parents are dedicated to helping others. Then they receive some life-changing help themselves. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Jim Martin's Story: Father Jim Martin remembers an act of generosity by a nun named Sister Janice Farnham. by My Unsung Hero
3 min listen
Juleus Ghunta's Story: Growing up, Juleus struggled to read. Then a young teacher saw his potential. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Nicole George O'Brien's Story: Nicole had a seizure while driving to work. When she woke up in the hospital, she learned about an incredible act of courage by another driver on the road. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Nick Epley's Story: After Nick's daughter was diagnosed with cancer, the owner of a restaurant near her hospital made a surprising gesture of support. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
John Woeste's Story: John honors the man who saved his life and inspired his vocation of nearly 40 years. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Paix Auslander's Story: When Paix moved to a new high school, he felt lost and alone. Then an older student said something that gave him a flash of hope. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
River Adams' Story: After fleeing to the US from the Soviet Union, River’s family was struggling to survive. Then, a kind gesture changed their life. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Kathryn Fumie's Story: After Kathryn burned her face in a kitchen accident, the ambulance worker on the ride to the hospital helped her feel like everything was going to be ok. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Nancy Pardo's Story: Nancy was terrified after her husband, Tom, suffered a series of fainting spells. When she asked his doctor what they should do next, the doctor’s answer stunned her — and changed her life. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Bethany Renfree's story: Bethany Renfree was feeling overwhelmed as a single mom with three small children. But one small act of kindness by a nieghbor let Bethany know she'd be okay. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Mas Masumoto's Story: A worker at a funeral home makes a special effort to locate the family members of an ailing woman, and unwittingly uncovers a family secret that goes back decades. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Julie Silverman's Story: After Julie developed a persistent cough, no one seemed to be able to identify the cause. Then, her unsung hero stepped in and saved her life. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
JoAnne Foley's Story: Forty years ago, when JoAnne was working the night shift as a neonatal nurse, a baby girl was born terminally ill. JoAnne recalls the way her supervisor, Nancy, went above and beyond to make the baby feel loved. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Ben Gomes' Story: When Ben got a call about his mother being badly injured, he feared the worst. But when he arrived to the hospital, he learned how a stranger's quick thinking had saved her life. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Biar Kon's Story: Biar tells the story of a stranger who approached him on the street in Nairobi, Kenya and "sowed a seed of kindness" that he carries with him today. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Sandy Renner's Story: When Sandy burst into tears in the supermarket checkout line, a store employee offered her unexpected comfort. by My Unsung Hero
2 min listen
Alexandra Middlewood's Story: A favorite from our archives: Alexandra was struggling with hybrid teaching when a small gesture from a student reminded her why she loved her job. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Roger Lynn's Story: When Roger's wife was in the cancer ward, a nurse went out of her way to make her last days more comfortable. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Justin Horner's Story: In 2011, Justin was sitting on the side of the freeway, hoping someone would help him fix his busted wheel. Right around the time he was about to give up, a van pulled over. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Teresa Hernandez's Story: As Teresa was waiting to have a cesarean section, she started to have a panic attack. Just then, a nurse put her hand on Teresa's head and made her feel she was going to be ok. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Gary Dietz's Story: Four kind strangers helped Gary when his son with special needs was struggling during a day out in the city. by My Unsung Hero
7 min listen
Oliver Muensterer's Story: Minutes before an important job interview, Oliver realized he'd forgotten his dress shirt. A stranger offered a kind and unexpected solution. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Calvin Lowe's Story: When Calvin’s young son was about to go into surgery, his doctor shared a comforting message. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Mary Griffis' Story: Not long after she lost her brother to suicide, Mary accidentally stalled her car in heavy traffic. As drivers honked and shouted, a stranger slowed down to help. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, there are people who can help. You can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. by My Unsung Hero
4 min listen
Sarah Lubarsky's Story: The emergency room staff was ignoring Sarah's gravely ill fiancé — until a young doctor stepped in. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Laura Eshelman's Story: Laura was in a mental health crisis when someone unexpected calmed her down. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Robin Annexstein's Story: More than 10 years ago, when Robin's father died, a man at the U.S. passport office offered a moment of relief. by My Unsung Hero
3 min listen
Katie Ortman Doble's Story: As Katie struggled with a medical ordeal, a stranger offered exactly the comfort she needed. by My Unsung Hero
5 min listen
Wendy McDowell's Story: In 1979, Wendy was eight years old, crying alone in an airport. Then she saw a woman in white walking toward her. by My Unsung Hero
6 min listen

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Ellen Butterfield's Story

Ellen Butterfield's Story

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from My Unsung Hero