A podcast that explores the moments that change our lives

Life-shaping moments happen to every one of us, often many times over the course of our lives. I’m always intrigued when I hear other people talk about their moments—the ones that reveal an interest they never knew was there, help them to overcome something difficult, or lead them to make a greater impact on the world.

Take, for example, my friend and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. One of the most influential moments in Ken’s life, the one that helped to propel him to become a filmmaker, took place when he was just 12. Other moments in his life led to other critical life choices—whether to do documentaries or feature films; whether to live in a big city or settle in a tiny New Hampshire village. Those choices add up to someone who has forever changed the way we view history.

Each one of us experiences moments like Ken’s. They have the power to change our lives—and the lives of others around us. They can also open doors to new opportunities and experiences. It’s one of the reasons we ask our customers, “What would you like the power to do?”

In our new podcast series with The New York Times, That Made All the Difference, my friend and colleague Alicia Burke, one of the most authentic people I know, breaks through the clutter to capture these moments, drawing out new and surprising stories from the inspiring people you’ll meet in each episode. Some are well-known personalities. Others you’ve likely never heard of. But they are all what I’d call “doers and achievers,” and each of them were changed by an event, a moment or someone influential in their lives.

One episode shares the story of Lisa Ludwinski, an aspiring New York actor-turned-bakery owner whose moment came while riding down a scenic highway in California after visiting some local food companies. Keep listening. You’ll learn how the desire to help a family member drove Sal Khan to revolutionize online learning with the Khan Academy. You’ll also learn how Loretta Claiborne, bullied for her disabilities as a child, now shines a light for others as Chief Inspiration Officer for the Special Olympics, and how media personalities Arianna Huffington and Dan Harris overcame professional and personal crises, and now help others manage the burnout and stress of modern life.

Hearing these stories, I’m struck by how often one person’s defining moments help lift other people. Lisa Ludwinski, the owner of Sister Pie, talks about the responsibility she feels to “invest back in her business so it can be sustainable and continue to support people and the planet.” Like Lisa, at Bank of America we know that to sustain ourselves as a business, we depend on the success of our employees and our communities. We also know that each person we serve will continue to experience their own life-shaping moments. We want to be there to help them achieve the future they envision. That’s how we become a better company, and help support a better society.

I hope you take the time to tune in to That Made All the Difference, and listen to a story that resonates with you.