Some moments stay with you forever.
Not because they were loud, but because they were true.

In this deeply personal episode of The Pemberton Podcast, released on both Father’s Day and Steve’s birthday, Steve reflects on the night he left behind everything that tried to break him and the man who met him on the other side.

His name was John Sykes.
When the world offered silence, John offered a yes.

Woven into this episode are rare recordings of John's own voice, filled with warmth, wit, and a kind of quiet strength that never needed to announce itself. Together, their story becomes more than memory. It becomes a message.

This is not a story about rescue.
It is about presence.
It is about believing in someone before they believe in themselves.
And it is about how one act of kindness can carry the weight of freedom.

Steve introduces us to the voice and the presence of John Sykes, his mentor, his friend, and the man his children would one day call Grandpa John.

For those who have ever needed to be seen or felt called to see someone else, this is a reminder that your yes could be the turning point in someone’s life.

Because the most meaningful change often begins quietly, with courage, compassion, and one willing heart.

Host: Steve Pemberton

Produced by: David Alexander

Boston College Support:

Special Thanks!

Paul Dagnello
Assistant Director of Media and Technology
Boston College
Office of University Communications