Martin tells a passionate and amusing story about the day he made the biggest commitment of his young life and how that solemn vow has been the source of his happiness ever since. And coming to the support of this theme is a beautiful array of classic poetry filled with the promise of love to inspire and sustain us.

In his deeply moving story “Bobby” Martin conveys how learning of the mortality of his hero, Bobby Kennedy did not shake his faith but gave him pause and strengthened it, proving that even the most tragic events can bring us to a positive personal realization beyond our expectations. He then goes on to interview his son, Emilio Estevez who offers his own take on how he processed this same tragedy many years later in his life and the miraculous circumstances surrounding that journey.

Martin explores the many facets of war through his own poetry and writings as well as the pen of Shakespeare and fellow poets’ works. Whether rallying the troops, offering comfort to a grieving nation, or struggling through the aftermath and its personal toll, this episode confirms that war leaves no aspect of life untouched.

This episode exemplifies Martin’s podcast at its core and the reason why he chose to tell the stories of his life. The listener is invited to journey with Martin to the past where he recalls his father’s first time seeing him on the Broadway stage, the lack of communication between them and how they would eventually have an amicable reckoning. And as his story concludes not all the threads of this tale are neatly tied, reminding us that life has its own plans despite our careful planning.

What does Martin do at the height of his career in 2006 after wrapping up seven years starring on the top show at NBC? Go to college! And a college in Ireland no less! Martin shares a story of his college adventures followed by a compilation of writings and poems that explore the search for wisdom and clarity, most notably the Robert Frost classic “The Road Not Taken.”

To know Martin is to know where he stands on the issues of social justice. And this episode shines a spotlight on who and what first inspired him to take his activism to the next level and sustained his faith in the process. Supported by the timely poetry of Edna St Vincent Millay and Ferlinghetti and by Martin’s own call to action in these uncertain times, this episode is an uplifting reminder that we must all effect change by finding that passion in our own hearts!

Martin brings together an assortment of his favorite poems and quotes. And these particular writings just happen to share the common theme of advice, be it crucial, loving, humorous or cautionary. From Kipling, to Mark Twain, to Dylan Thomas, advice is the order of the day in this not to be missed episode.

Martin imparts a story of his encounter with renown Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini and the legendary actress Ava Gardner that is both humorous and touching. An interview with his son, Ramon Estevez follows where they enjoy reminiscing about the films they worked on together over the years, their talk culminating in a beautiful, shared memory of their friendship with Ava Gardner. In conclusion, Martin reads a poem he wrote about the difficulty he experienced with one of his sons as a teenager, something he feels every parent can relate to.

Martin shares a glimpse into his background and what makes him the person he is today, starting with his parents and their immigration to America and the courage it took to begin anew. He beautifully recites The New Colossus found at the base of the Statue of Liberty and its significance to our nation as well as the rousing poem “Chicago,” an homage to the bold and fearless city by Carl Sandburg. This episode is filled with heroic stories and poems and the men and women who, despite the dangers, valiantly followed their hearts.

“Every life, even the clumsiest like my own, is a life of worth and honor.” Those words are part of my story “Bobby” that I share on my podcast The Martin Sheen Podcast and they are a profound personal realization of what it is to be human. That is the very crux of my podcast, what it is to be human. And through sharing autobiographical stories and inspired poetry and person reflections, this is the theme I find myself exploring again and again. But I do so in the hope that it sparks listeners to see how it relates to their own lives and their own story of discovery. Please join me each Sunday for a beautifully crafted 20-minute journey of personal exploration. I am proud to say “The Martin Sheen Podcast” will premiere Season I on Oct 26th.