In this richly layered book, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives: A Path to Reconciliation in Our Divided Times, I confront the pressing issue of societal divisiveness and explore ways to transcend it. Over 13 months, I embarked on four extensive road trips, delivered 19 impactful speeches, conversed with nearly a thousand individuals, and conducted in-depth interviews with 71 intrepid souls using a protocol crafted by Dr. Dan P. McAdams, a distinguished pioneer in narrative psychology from Northwestern University.
The Project
How did this book come to life? What began as a simple idea blossomed into a captivating series of events that shaped this enduring project. Initially, I dismissed that spark from 2015, convinced that, as a numbers person, I was not destined to craft words that could evoke emotion. Yet, like any idea that refuses to fade away, a chain of circumstances propelled this vision forward until it finally materialized on October 4, 2021.
The Journeys
I often wonder what it would have been like to see the world through the eyes of explorers like Marco Polo or Ferdinand Magellan. Though I’ll never know their experiences, my adventure was thrilling in its own right. In researching my book, I set off on four distinct road trips, each one a unique chapter in the adventure.
During the initial leg, my primary mission was to find individuals eager to share their life stories. Yet, as the journey progressed, my focus began to shift. I was drawn into the vibrant pulse of urban attractions and engaged in spontaneous conversations that veered away from formal interviews. In the first 26 cities, I delivered just six speeches. But in the next 27, that number soared to 13, reflecting the deepening connections I made. Here’s how these four journeys unfolded, originating from my centrally located home base in Illinois:
- Eastern Journey: 17 cities, 84 days, May 1, 2022, to July 23, 2022
- Western Journey: 16 cities, 82 days, September 1, 2022, to November 21, 2022
- Southern Journey: 11 cities, 58 days, January 23, 2023, to March 21, 2023
- Great Plains Journey: 9 cities, 47 days, April 23, 2023, to June 8, 2023
The Stories
Within the pages of this book, you will uncover 66 concise mini-biographies of remarkable individuals who contributed to this project. These narratives are crafted for quick and captivating reading. As you immerse yourself in these brief yet profound life stories, pause to reflect on your journey. What connections can you identify with each individual? Do these shared experiences render their stories more relatable to you?
Now, let’s explore the data. Below is a revealing table showcasing the 66 individuals and the unique journeys I had the privilege of documenting through our interviews. It was a true honor to listen to their stories and to share their voices with you.
| East | West | South | Plains | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALE | 19 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 50 |
| FEMALE | 4 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 16 |
| 20s / 30s | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 40s | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 50s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| 60s | 9 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 25 |
| 70s | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 13 |
| 80s / 90s | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
< Scroll left/right to view table >
The Author
Hailing from the picturesque shores of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Gregory J. Leeson boasts a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Western Ontario. After a brief yet intense foray into investment banking in Toronto, he made a bold leap to the United States, trading bond futures at The Chicago Board of Trade. Years later, following a life setback as a trader, he became a self-taught expert in various software engineering languages and co-founded Chinova Software, crafting innovative systems for renowned companies such as Sears Roebuck, Quaker Oats, and Abbott Laboratories. His eclectic career culminated with retirement in 2021 as a senior R&D manager at Pfizer.
In 2015, while donning the mantle of Master of Ceremonies at his 40th high school reunion, an electric spark ignited his passion for the life stories of seemingly “ordinary” individuals. On May 1, 2022, he embarked on the first of four monumental road trips from his Illinois home. Following these exhilarating journeys, he returned home on June 8, 2023, ready to transform the vivid tapestry of stories he had collected into the book he had envisioned since that fateful night in 2015.
| PAST ENGAGEMENTS | TYPE | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| The Frankie Boyer Show | SYNDICATED RADIO | 12/17/24 |
| The Chris Voss Show | PODCAST | 12/16/24 |
| The Mark Alyn Show | PODCAST | 12/12/24 |
| The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club | SPEAKING | 01/19/24 |
| The Rotary Club of Johnston | SPEAKING | 06/06/23 |
| The Rotary Club of Ankeny | SPEAKING | 06/06/23 |
| The Sioux Falls West Rotary Club | SPEAKING | 05/26/23 |
| The Billings West Rotary Club | SPEAKING | 05/17/23 |
