Ashley Engle: The Art of Showing Up

Ashley Engle is a multimedia journalist in Orlando who sees firsthand what happens when people choose to step out from behind their screens and show up for each other. She's covered everything from food drives to grief support groups, and the common thread is always the same: real connection requires real courage. Brian and Ashley dig into why it's so easy to default to doom-scrolling when your couch is right there, and what it actually takes to build community — whether you've just moved to a new city, or you've lived there your whole life. Ashley shares how sitting alone at a coffee shop as a neighborhood reporter taught her that people are hungry to be heard, and that the best stories always start with someone willing to listen. Ashley also opens up about losing her mother and how covering a story about the Modern Widows Club helped her navigate her own grief. Ashley and Brian explore why building trust takes time, why passion speaks louder than any reporter voice, and how serving others might just be the answer to an increasingly isolated world. You can connect with Ashley on LinkedIn at   / ashleyenglee