Watch the Episodehttps://youtu.be/PQrt-ZTduvwWhat helps us believe that we matter? Is it something we find within ourselves, or do the people and places around us help us recognise it?Jerry Clark's story moves through very different experiences of belonging. As a boy who stuttered, he often withdrew rather than risk ridicule. In the Marines, he discovered that …
Watch the Episode
What helps us believe that we matter? Is it something we find within ourselves, or do the people and places around us help us recognise it?
Jerry Clark’s story moves through very different experiences of belonging. As a boy who stuttered, he often withdrew rather than risk ridicule. In the Marines, he discovered that he could lead, contribute and make a difference. Later, as a husband and father, he had to confront the fact that some of the behaviours that had served him well in military life were hurting the people he loved most.
This conversation explores what can happen when we feel seen, when people care enough to challenge us, and when someone makes enough room to genuinely hear what we have to say.
Watch the full episode:
https://youtu.be/x-TnanbYxZE
What’s Brewing in This Episode?
Jerry returned from thirteen months in Vietnam carrying experiences he didn’t initially understand. At home, his desire for control affected his relationships. He describes treating his sons like Marine recruits and eventually recognising that what worked at work didn’t work at home.
Years later, a couples group became a turning point. People challenged Jerry in ways he found difficult to hear, yet they continued to share friendship and laughter with him. Their willingness to challenge his behaviour without simply rejecting him helped him begin to change.
There was another kind of recognition in 1988. More than twenty years after returning from Vietnam, Jerry walked in a Houston parade as people called, “We’re proud of you. Welcome home. We love you.” He remembers weeping for much of the two-mile walk.
Today, Jerry uses what he calls “gently curious questions” with people experiencing emotional suffering. Rather than immediately trying to convince someone that they matter, he creates room for them to speak and hear their own voice.
Behind these very different experiences sits our larger human question: How do we help another person know that they matter?
Guest Bio
Jerry Clark is a United States Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran, counsellor, husband, father and grandfather.
His work now includes supporting people experiencing emotional suffering and fellow veterans. Since 2012, he has been part of a weekly veterans group where veterans come together over a meal and conversation. Jerry also writes regularly and is the author of a book.
Connect with Jerry:
jerryclark.com
Brew the Change Challenge
This week, choose one person and make space for them to be heard.
Ask a gently curious question such as, “Help me understand that,” or “Can you tell me a little more about that?”
Then stay curious and listen a little longer than you normally would. Sometimes the most compassionate thing we can do is help another person leave a conversation knowing that they matter.
Watch on YouTube
What does coming home really mean when the journey isn’t only about returning to a place?
Pour a cuppa, grab your chocolate and join my conversation with Jerry Clark as we explore belonging, family, being challenged, being heard and the human need to know that we matter.
Watch Chocolate & Coffee Break: A Compassionate Proposition:
https://youtu.be/x-TnanbYxZE
Let Love Be the Loudest Voice.
Get in Touch with Us
We’d love to hear from you—share your thoughts or ask a question!
