The Best of 2020 [Encore]

About this episode

The episode reflects on the year 2020, highlighting inspiring stories from everyday people amidst the chaos.

2020 is the year that never was, but also the year that had it all: fires, floods, protests, murder hornets—a pandemic! With so much unrest and concern about the future, it’s easy to overlook the good that’s happened in the world. Join J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman as they take a look back at 2020 and share their favorite stories from everyday people who provide inspiration despite their present-day circumstances. Photo – By Marco Verch via Flickr Creative Commons. Chapters [00:00] Introduction. [04:40] Interview with Will Grinstead. [18:53] Jason Phillips’s story. [25:35] Listener call-in. Content advisory: Please note that from 20:46 - 24:10 there are descriptions of gun violence. Original air date: Dec. 26, 2020

People in this episode

Hosts: J.R. Jamison, Kelsey Timmerman

Guest: Will Grinstead

Topics covered

• 2020 recap
• inspiration
• community stories
• pandemic
• social issues
• personal narratives

Keywords

• 2020
• inspiration
• stories
• pandemic
• community
• social issues
• gun violence

More episodes of The Facing Project

• Alone Together: Stories from a Pandemic [Encore] · June 3, 2026 · 29 min
• Bookish · May 30, 2026 · 52 min
• Facing Recovery — 17 Stories of Survival [Encore] · May 23, 2026 · 53 min
• Life After 60: The Golden Years [Encore] · May 16, 2026 · 30 min
• A Shooting in the Heartland [Encore] · May 13, 2026 · 32 min
• Lessons on the Road to Peace with John Noltner [Encore] · May 9, 2026 · 1h 4m