Weaving its way through our stories, loneliness is a shared human experience. These experiences form the narratives we share. And listening to the stories of others forms connection. Neuroscience has found that our brains are shaped by stories. Stories move us toward empathy. Stories connect us together.
Stories remind us that we are not as alone as we may feel.
September
October
December
NOVEMBER
January
February
March
April
May
MEET our storytellers
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
Ethan wall
Meet Ethan Wall. Ethan shares about the experience that led to inspire his mom, Kristin Wall to start Only7Seconds. Growing up in a small town, he's learned not to judge a book by its cover and how to connect with people that were outside of his normal friendship circles. Ethan is currently working as a graduate assistant as he pursues his master's degree at Northwest University.
story Themes:
Loneliness, friendships, physical and mental health challenges, depression
view ethan's story
Mariah Paz
Meet Mariah Paz. Mariah identified as a mean girl in school. Since then, she has learned to see people for who they really are and build relationships with them. From losing a close friend to suicide to struggling with her own mental health to becoming a teen mom, her story hasn't been easy. However she has found finding connection with others has helped her through those hard times.
story Themes:
Bullying, suicide, abuse, fitting in, runaway
view Mariah's story
Danny Rigsby
My name is Danny. Ever since I was a little kid, I have played basketball and I currently play basketball in college. From the outside, I sometimes looked like I had it all together, but there have been plenty of times I felt lonely. Everyone at times is lonely. But you have to reach out to people you trust and they will give you support. Life is a marathon and you have to keep on running until the end.
story Themes:
Adoption, Race, Racism, Injuries, Suicide, Making someone proud
view danny's story
MAC & HAILEY POTTS
We are Mac and Hailey Potts! We both grew up as musicians and music connected us. We ended up getting married and now we both do music full time. Mac is a blind recording artist and Hailey is a music teacher. We started a family with two kids (and one on the way), but we still love to connect with each other and others through music!
story Themes:
Physical disability, fitting in, interests and hobbies
view their story
VIK CHOPRA
My name is Vik! I am a gay and formerly incarcerated film-maker. I believe that connection is essential for grounding into our true, authentic selves. There was a time in the not so distant past that I almost lost my life to addiction. But today, my life is a blessing, as I am deeply connected with some of the most amazing people who inspire me and make me...me!
story Themes:
Drinking, drugs, addiction, homelessness, illegal acts, suicide
view vik's story
Mario Gonzalez
Meet Mario Gonzalez. He is a creative who loves photography, filmmaking, and documenting people and stories. Losing one of his parents at 13 years old deeply impacted his life, but he has learned the importance of seeking out community and mentorship. Now as a first generation high school graduate and a senior in college, Mario reflects on the decisions— and more importantly, the people— that shaped him into who he is today.
story Themes:
Drugs, alcohol, grief, loss of parent, anxiety, depression, mentorship
view mario's story
KEA YAMAMOTO
Meet Kealani Yamamoto. Kea’s story shares about her experience being diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a young teenager and learning to thrive on the other side of her diagnosis. She was a superstar athlete and runner in high school and college. Now she runs a small business, where she shares her love for the outdoors and art through custom jewelry pieces.
story Themes:
Bipolar disorder, friendship, in-patient treatment
view kea's story
Izzy Boring
Hello! I’m Izzy! I am a recent high school graduate and basketball player. A hard piece of my story has been losing my boyfriend to suicide during my senior year, but through that I have learned to connect with people supporting me. I have learned that it is okay to not be okay and it is okay to be vulnerable!
story Themes:
Loneliness, suicide, mental health, religion, faith, cancer, incarceration, grief
LYNDSEY SPRINKLE
Hey! I am Lyndsey. I am a recovery addict and ex-convict. I have gone from a life of active addiction, a prison sense, ego and pride to a life of recovery, redemption, and a fulfilling career. I enjoy traveling throughout the states and sharing my experience, strength and hope to show individuals anything is possible if you reach out and connect with those around you.
story Themes:
Loneliness, physical injury, isolation, drugs and substance abuse, incarceration, recovery
Meet Ethan Wall. Ethan shares about the experience that led to inspire his mom, Kristin Wall to start Only7Seconds. Growing up in a small town, he's learned not to judge a book by its cover and how to connect with people that were outside of his normal friendship circles. Ethan is currently working as a graduate assistant as he pursues his master's degree at Northwest University.
March's story:
EThan wall
story Themes:
Loneliness, physical & mental health challenges, depression
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
view his story
KEA YAMAMOTO
Meet Kealani Yamamoto. Kea’s story shares about her experience being diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a young teenager and learning to thrive on the other side of her diagnosis. She was a superstar athlete and runner in high school and college. Now she runs a small business, where she shares her love for the outdoors and art through custom jewelry pieces.
story Themes:
Bipolar disorder, friendship, in-patient treatment
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
Mario Gonzalez
Meet Mario Gonzalez. He is a creative who loves photography, filmmaking, and documenting people and stories. Losing one of his parents at 13 years old deeply impacted his life, but he has learned the importance of seeking out community and mentorship. Now as a first generation high school graduate and a senior in college, Mario reflects on the decisions— and more importantly, the people— that shaped him into who he is today.
story Themes:
Drugs, alcohol, grief, loss of parent, anxiety, depression, mentorship
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
MAC & HAILEY POTTS
Meet Mac and Hailey Potts. Mac & Hailey Potts grew up as musicians and music connected them. They ended up getting married and now they both do music full time. Mac is a blind recording artist and Hailey is a music teacher. While they have started a family and now have three kids, they still love to connect with each other and others through music!
story Themes:
Physical disability, fitting in, interests and hobbies
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
VIK CHOPRA
My name is Vik! I am a gay and formerly incarcerated film-maker. I believe that connection is essential for grounding into our true, authentic selves. There was a time in the not so distant past that I almost lost my life to addiction. But today, my life is a blessing, as I am deeply connected with some of the most amazing people who inspire me and make me...me!
story Themes:
Drugs and addiction, homelessness, crime & illegal acts, incarceration
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
Danny Rigsby
I'm Danny Rigsby! Ever since I was a little kid, I have played basketball and I currently play basketball in college. From the outside, I sometimes looked like I had it all together, but there have been plenty of times I felt lonely. Everyone at times is lonely. But you have to reach out to people you trust and they will give you support. Life is a marathon and you have to keep on running until the end.
story Themes:
Adoption, Racism, Overcoming Adversity, Suicide Loss
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
Mariah Paz
I am Mariah! I am a high school junior and used to be a mean girl. Since then, I have learned to see people for who they really are and build relationships with them. I have experienced some difficult times in my life, but finding connection with others has helped me through those hard times. I love wrestling for school. And I enjoy connecting with my community while working at my Aunt’s coffee shop!
story Themes:
Bullying, suicide, abuse, fitting in, runaway
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
Ethan wall
Meet Ethan Wall. Ethan is a pianist and high school basketball player currently pursuing a college degree in music. Growing up in a small town, he learned not to judge a book by its cover and connect with people that were outside of his normal friendship circles.
story Themes:
Loneliness, isolation, physical health challenges, mental health challenges, depression
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
Izzy Boring
Hello! I’m Izzy! I am a recent high school graduate and basketball player. A hard piece of my story has been losing my boyfriend to suicide during my senior year, but through that I have learned to connect with people supporting me. I have learned that it is okay to not be okay and it is okay to be vulnerable!
story Themes:
Loneliness, suicide, mental health, religion, faith, cancer, incarceration, grief
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
LYNDSEY SPRINKLE
Hey! I am Lyndsey. I am a recovery addict and ex-convict. I have gone from a life of active addiction, a prison sense, ego and pride to a life of recovery, redemption, and a fulfilling career. I enjoy traveling throughout the states and sharing my experience, strength and hope to show individuals anything is possible if you reach out and connect with those around you.
story Themes:
Loneliness, physical injury, isolation, drugs and substance abuse, incarceration, recovery
Kealani Yamamoto
Mario Gonzalez
Vik Chopra
Mac & Hailey Potts
Danny Rigsby
Mariah Paz
Ethan Wall
Izzy Boring
Lyndsey Sprinkle
As part of the I Know Lonely Project, we release a monthly podcast featuring a candid conversation with each storyteller along with a bonus episode from a special guest. Hosted by executive director, Luke Wall.
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*Only7Seconds is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are 100% tax deductible. EIN: 87-1356736
there are so many more stories to tell.
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Consider supporting this project and join us as we continue to share stories and create a world without loneliness.
+ Read More
Growing up in a town of 500 people, Ethan experienced a tight-knit family and community. In his words, his no-stoplight town, Pateros, WA, “revolved around sports.” “My basketball team was like one of the things that brought a lot of people together, because we were pretty dang good.” In Ethan’s freshman year of high school, […]
March 1, 2023
+ Read More
Meet Ethan Wall. If you’ve been around the Only7Seconds world in the past few years, chances are you’ve probably heard a bit of Ethan’s story. But in this episode, Ethan shares about the experience that led to inspire his mom, Kristin Wall to start Only7Seconds. He reflects on what he’s learned about friendships, the importance of asking for help, and navigating differences in friendships.
March 1, 2023
I know lonely,
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