One Person Can Change Everything: WWII Stories from Notre Dame, Chartres & the Arc de Triomphe

In this episode, I share the deeply inspiring experiences from my recent trip to Paris with my 14-year-old son. What started as an eighth-grade graduation gift became a profound journey through living history, exploring three iconic sites that offered unexpected lessons about resilience, courage, and the power of individual choice. From the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral rising magnificently from the ashes of its 2019 fire, to standing at the Arc de Triomphe where my son experienced a powerful moment of historical realization, to walking the medieval labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral (the birthplace of the modern labyrinth movement) each experience left me with renewed hope and inspiration. Read the full show notes on my website. Get your Plan Your 2026 guide. In this episode, we cover: The breathtaking restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral and what it means to rise from the ashes together My son's powerful moment of historical realization at the Arc de Triomphe Walking the sacred medieval labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral and its connection to Lauren Artress and the modern labyrinth movement Colonel Welborn Barton Griffith Jr.'s courageous decision to save Chartres Cathedral from Allied bombing in August 1944 General Dietrich von Choltitz's refusal to follow Hitler's order to destroy Paris How individual acts of moral courage can change the trajectory of history for millions Finding hope and inspiration in stories of people who chose beauty and humanity over orders and expectations Resources: Instagram: @jumpstartyourjoy Notre Dame Cathedral documentary on NBC Cobblestone Paris apartment rentals Lauren Artress interviews about Veriditas and the labyrinth movement Keywords: Paris travel, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Chartres Cathedral, medieval labyrinth, Lauren Artress, Veriditas, World War II history, Colonel Welborn Barton Griffith Jr, General Dietrich von Choltitz, liberation of Paris, labyrinth walking, Grace Cathedral, AIDS epidemic, French h

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One Person Can Change Everything: WWII Stories from Notre Dame, Chartres & the Arc de Triomphe is an episode from Jump Start Your Joy by Paula Jenkins.

This episode is 31:42 long.

This episode was published on Jan 28, 2026.

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