On a Roll: A Story of Change, Courage, and the Road Still Rising

Part of the Healing Circles Series

Jerry Millhon and Host Elin Stebbins Waldal

~Co-presented with Healing Circles Global~

Join us for a live conversation with Jerry Millhon—father, life partner, friend, educator, and founder of Thriving Communities—as he reflects on the life-changing impact of a devastating bike accident. In this honest and wide-ranging dialogue with guest host Elin Stebbins Waldal of Commonweal’s Healing Circles program, they explore what it means to navigate unexpected change, claim strength in the face of uncertainty, and hold fast to belief when the road ahead is still being written. Together, they reflect on vulnerability, perseverance, and the daily, courageous work of believing in what’s still possible.

Listen (audio only)

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Jerry Millhon

Jerry serves as team member for the Thriving Communities Initiative, which began in 2011 as a program of the Whidbey Institute. He was director from 2010 through 2015, focusing on common people doing uncommon work for the common good. Transformational films, storytelling and bringing people together have produced a powerful network of people over the United States who are making positive impact. Jerry previously served as executive director of the Foundation for Vascular Cures in San Francisco, California; director of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas; and headmaster of several independent schools. In August 2024, Jerry was in a bike accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Slowly recovering, the healing process has been an uneven and profound experience.

Elin Stebbins Waldal

Host

Elin has a diverse background in sales, team management, and public speaking. She is the author of an award-winning memoir that highlights her journey of healing from domestic violence to advocating for its prevention. She is program director of Healing Circles Langley on Whidbey Island in Washington State, where she’s responsible for developing programming, supporting volunteers, community outreach, and fundraising. Committed to community engagement, she’s passionate about creating impactful programs that bring people together in ways that promote healing, learning, and overall well-being.