A Neighbor, a Partner, a Parent: What Does it Really Mean to 'Do Life Together'?

How I Ally

Lucinda Koza welcomes Will Acuff—entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Corner to Corner—for a rich conversation about parenting, purpose, and what it means to truly ally with your community. From playing the Apollo to launching 1,600+ small businesses, Will’s journey defies the expected—and reveals the radical power of showing up with curiosity, compassion, and a theology of neighbor.

Will also opens up about parenting a son with disabilities, his wife’s journey with trauma, and how personal healing has reshaped everything from their marriage to their mission. This episode is a masterclass in turning hardship into joy, over-functioning into empowerment, and burnout into deep, grounded presence.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

• Will’s transition from rock musician to nonprofit co-founder
  
• The power of proximity: what it means to “do life together”
  
• Starting a movement for underestimated entrepreneurs
  
• Parenting a child with autism and rare disease
  
• Trauma work and healing within a marriage
  
• How to stop over-functioning and let others own their journey
  
• Creating space for joy—even when life feels like Everest
  

📚 Mentioned in This Episode:

• Will’s book: No Elevator to Everest (available on Amazon)
  
• Corner to Corner nonprofit: cornertocorner.org
  

📌 Memorable Quotes:

“When people have the tools to thrive—they thrive.”

“You don’t know what kind of seed you’re holding until you nurture it.”

“Joy and suffering are not opposites—they’re companions.”

🔗 Connect with Will Acuff:

Instagram: @willacuff

Website: cornertocorner.org

Book: No Elevator to Everest

🎧 Listen + Subscribe:

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