Advertise on podcast: Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

Postpartum depression is only part of the picture. New mothers can also face anxiety, trauma, intrusive thoughts, bipolar symptoms, and, in rare cases, psychosis, often long after the six-week checkup. This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek talks with Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt, two central Iowa mothers who founded TogetHER after losing people close to them to suicide. Their grassroots organization helps women handle the mental health challenges of motherhood. Kayla and Caitlin explain what people misunderstand about postpartum mental health and why risk doesn't depend on whether it's a mother's first child. They also discuss the Lindsay Clancy case in Massachusetts and a similar case decades ago in central Iowa, including how to talk about these tragedies without diagnosing anyone from the headlines. They share what mothers find hardest to say out loud, how partners and families can support a mom's identity beyond motherhood, and what they would tell lawmakers to fund next. If you or someone you know is struggling, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 by call or text at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). You can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. About Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt: Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt are two central Iowa mothers who co-founded TogetHER, a central Iowa grassroots organization to help women navigate the mental health challenges of motherhood, especially postpartum. Kayla O'Connor is a former educator who learned about a former student who died by suicide and was seven months postpartum. Caitlin Merritt is a nutritionist and personal trainer whose neighbor and the mother of her daughter's preschool best both died by suicide.

Athlete mental health is finally in the collective bargaining agreements, the press conferences, and the policy manuals. But has the care caught up with the conversation? In this Next Steps Forward Symposium, Chris convenes a panel of leaders in the athlete mental health space for an honest assessment of where athlete mental health and sport psychology actually stand at the professional and collegiate levels. They trace the real progress of the last 15 years and what drove it: collective bargaining agreements, players associations, athlete advocacy, and hard -won institutional buy-in, then turn to the harder questions: ▸ What still stands in the way of real change? ▸ Why is wellbeing so often bolted onto the high-performance environment instead of built into it? ▸ Why do sport organizations keep getting drawn to confident voices and quick fixes that don't help athletes? ▸ Is there even an adequate supply of competent, licensed sport psychologists to meet the demand? A conversation about moving from awareness to actual care: valuable for athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, and anyone building a high-performance culture. MEET THE PANEL Dr. Robin Scholefield — Dr. Robin Scholefield is a licensed clinical psychologist, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, and a longtime leader of culture, wellbeing and sport psychology services within USC Athletics. Olympic bronze medalist (swimming, 1976). Dr. Tom Golightly — Dr. Tom Golightly is a clinical Sport Psychologist with Intermountain Healthcare assigned to work exclusively with the Real Salt Lake organization, which includes MLS, NWSL, and MLS Next Pro teams. He is also the Mental Wellness and Mental Performance Consultant for the Utah Mammoth. Grace Shirley — As a member of the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team, Grace Shirley and her teammates won the NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Championships in 2021 and 2023. While competing for Providence College as a graduate transfer in 2023/2024, Grace pursued a master's degree in counseling to become a licensed mental health counselor. She is currently an academic success coordinator at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. Dr. Lani Lawrence — Dr. Nohelani (Lani) Lawrence serves as the Senior Director of Performance Psychology, Wellness & Clinical Services for the New York Giants, where she oversees mental health and crisis services, mental performance development, and pre-draft assessments. In this role, she leads initiatives that support the psychological well-being and performance optimization of players, coaches, and staff across the organization.

Some of the most powerful stories of American service were never told on the battlefield. They were told in prison cells in Hanoi, around kitchen tables in military towns, and in the quiet persistence of families who refused to give up. This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Taylor Baldwin Kiland, a former U.S. Navy officer, third-generation Navy family member, and military nonfiction author who has written, co-authored, ghostwritten, or edited eighteen books. Raised in Coronado, California, a community shaped by the Vietnam POW experience, Taylor has spent much of her career bringing forgotten chapters of that era to light. Chris and Taylor discuss the remarkable women behind Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man Is Left Behind, and why their campaign to bring their husbands home still matters to military families today. Taylor shares the six traits of high-performing teams she drew from the POWs' experience in Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton, and how resilience forged in captivity translates to leadership in business and everyday life. She also opens up about her own next step forward: leaving a twenty-year career in marketing communications to become a writer, and her work helping veterans turn their service into books that educate and inspire the next generation of leaders. Finally, Taylor offers a look at her latest project, Murder of the Jujube Candy Heiress: A Coronado Cold Case, the true story of a 1975 unsolved killing that shook her hometown. Whether you're a veteran thinking about telling your own story, a leader looking for lessons in resilience, or someone who believes that no one should be left behind, this conversation is for you. About Taylor Kiland: Taylor has written, co-authored, ghost-written, or edited eighteen books, including three about our nation's Vietnam POWs: Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man is Left Behind, Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton: Six Characteristics of High-Performance Teams and Open Doors: Vietnam POWs Thirty Years Later. A former naval officer, the third generation in her family to serve in the Navy, Taylor was raised in Coronado, California, and Alexandria, Virginia. She spent twenty years in the private sector as a marketing communications professional before starting her writing career. She holds a master's degree in marketing communications from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She now lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and their daughter. Taylor's work has been featured in NewYorkTimes.com, WashingtonPost.com, NBC Nightly News, CNN, C-SPAN, International Herald Tribune, Associated Press, Military.com, and Naval Institute's Proceedings, just to name a few.

What does leadership look like in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, big data, and behavioral science? In this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, a globally recognized expert on AI, decision science, and the future of work. A faculty member at Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School, Dr. Cecchi-Dimeglio helps leaders navigate the intersection of technology, human behavior, and organizational strategy. Drawing on decades of research and advising Fortune 500 companies, global institutions, and governments, she explains how data and behavioral insights can uncover hidden barriers to performance, improve decision-making, and build more innovative and inclusive organizations. They explore: How AI and big data are reshaping leadership and decision-making Why behavioral science is critical for building better organizations The real impact of diversity and inclusion on performance How leaders can prepare their teams for the rapidly evolving future of work Dr. Cecchi-Dimeglio is also the author of The Diversity Dividend and Building a Thriving Future: Metaverse and Multiverse, where she offers practical, data-driven strategies to help organizations harness innovation while creating more equitable workplaces. Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or simply curious about how technology is transforming work and leadership, this conversation offers powerful insights into how organizations, and the people within them, can thrive in the AI era.

What does it take to lead when the stakes are highest? This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Milford "Beags" Beagle, Jr., whose distinguished 35-year military career culminated in leading the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and serving as Commanding General of Fort Leavenworth. Throughout the conversation, General Beagle shares the leadership principles that guided him from platoon leader to three-star general, emphasizing that true leadership begins with character, humility, and a genuine commitment to developing others. Drawing from decades of service, including commanding soldiers in combat, leading one of the Army's premier divisions, and shaping the education of future military leaders, he offers powerful insights into building trust, making difficult decisions under pressure, and fostering resilient, high-performing teams. LTG Beagle also explores the importance of mentorship, servant leadership, and preparing the next generation to lead with integrity in an increasingly complex world. Whether you're a veteran, business executive, educator, or someone striving to become a better leader, this conversation delivers practical wisdom and timeless lessons on purpose, accountability, and service. Join them for an inspiring discussion with one of America's most respected military leaders as he reflects on a lifetime of service and reminds us that leadership isn't defined by rank, it's defined by the positive impact we have on others.  About LTG Milford H. "Beags" Beagle Jr.: Milford H. "Beags" Beagle Jr. is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, leadership advisor, and organizational strategist with more than 35 years of experience leading transformation across some of the nation's largest and most complex institutions. He specializes in helping organizations align strategy, people, and execution during periods of rapid change, technological disruption, and operational uncertainty. As the former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Beagle led the Army's professional military education, leader development, doctrine, and training integration enterprise, influencing more than 200,000 learners annually and modernization efforts affecting over 1.5 million personnel worldwide. Throughout his career, he helped organizations navigate complex transitions, integrate new capabilities, improve decision-making, and sustain readiness in dynamic environments. Today, Beagle advises public and private sector organizations on leadership, organizational effectiveness, strategic alignment, and the human dimensions of transformation. His unique combination of operational leadership, enterprise-level integration, and executive advisory experience enables organizations to translate strategy into action while building the clarity and alignment necessary for long-term success.

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, host Chris Meek sits down with retired Master Sergeant Chris Spence, a Green Beret who was among the first Americans on the ground in Afghanistan. In the weeks after 9/11, Spence deployed with 5th Special Forces Group as part of Operational Detachment Charlie 53, working alongside ODA 595 and Afghan Northern Alliance fighters across some of the most unforgiving mountain terrain on earth. They often traveled by horseback, calling in American air power against Taliban and al-Qaeda positions. A photograph Spence took of his teammates on horseback became one of the defining images of America's response to 9/11, was displayed by then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and helped inspire the America's Response Monument, the Horse Soldier statue that stands near the World Trade Center site today. Spence talks about where he was the morning of the attacks, what it took to build trust with Afghan fighters he had just met, the piece of the World Trade Center his unit carried into the country, and what books and Hollywood got right and wrong about the mission. He also reflects on the 2021 withdrawal, the question of whether it was all worth it, and how he rebuilt a sense of purpose after 25 years in uniform. It's a conversation about courage, adaptability, and taking the next step forward when the mountain ahead looks impossible to cross. About Chris Spence: Soon after the terrorist attacks, another chapter of the September 11, 2001 story was already beginning as a small group of U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers that included Master Sergeant Christopher Spence were on the ground in Afghanistan. The members of that group, known as Operational Detachment Alpha 595 and Operational Detachment Charlie 53 worked alongside Afghan Northern Alliance fighters across unforgiving mountainous terrain, sometimes on horseback, to help direct devastating American air power against Taliban and al-Qaeda positions. Thanks to a photo taken by Chris, the men became known as the Horse Soldiers and their extraordinary mission would inspire books, a major motion picture and the America's Response Monument. That photo by Sergeant Spence of his fellow soldiers on horseback became one of the iconic images of America's response to 9/11.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Mikaila Cruz arrived at her office on the 95th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower expecting an ordinary Tuesday. After the North Tower was struck, she and her colleagues at Fiduciary Trust Company International were told their building was secure and that they should stay where they were. She left anyway. That decision saved her life. This week, Mikaila joins host Dr. Chris Meek for a conversation that starts long before that morning. She talks about growing up in Queens with immigrant parents, the values they instilled in her, and the ambition that carried her to Wall Street during the boom years of the 1990s. Then she takes listeners inside the South Tower as the attacks unfolded, down all those flights of stairs, and out into the chaos of Lower Manhattan. The conversation also turns to everything that came after. Mikaila describes how surviving changed her relationship with fear, which forms of healing proved most useful, and why she eventually chose to speak publicly and co-author the bestselling book Pursuing Your Destiny: How to Overcome Adversity and Achieve Your Dreams. With more than 100 million Americans either born after 9/11 or too young to remember it, she shares what she hopes the history books will say, and what still gives her optimism about the future. This episode is part of a series marking the 25th observance of the September 11 attacks. To learn more, visit the 9/11 Legacy Foundation at the911legacy.org. About Mikaila Cruz: Mikaila Cruz is an author, entrepreneur, speaker and 9/11 survivor whose remarkable life story spans cultures, careers and one of the most consequential days in American history. She arrived at her office on the 95th floor of World Trade Center's South Tower expecting an ordinary workday. Instead, she found herself caught in the unfolding terrorist attacks and forced to make decisions that ultimately saved her life. Determined to help others navigate adversity in their own lives, Mikaila transformed her experiences into a message of hope and perseverance, in part as the co-author of the best-selling book, Pursuing Your Destiny: How to Overcome Adversity and Achieve Your Dreams. Today, through speaking, mentoring and business leadership, Mikaila continues to encourage others to move beyond fear, embrace opportunity and pursue lives of meaning and intention.

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, one of the day's most remarkable rescue stories remains one of its least known. This week on Next Steps Forward, Chris Meek is joined by Jessica DuLong, award-winning author, journalist, independent historian, and former chief engineer of the historic New York City fireboat John J. Harvey. Built in 1931 and retired decades later, the Harvey was being painstakingly restored by a crew of volunteers when the World Trade Center was attacked. With water mains destroyed and hydrants buried beneath rubble, the retired fireboat was called back into service, pumping seawater to Ground Zero for four days and giving firefighters the water they needed to fight fires that otherwise couldn't have been fought. Jessica served as one of the boat's engineers during that mission. She and Chris trace her unlikely path from writer to maritime engineer, what it took to keep a 1931 vessel running, and what she saw, heard, and felt approaching Lower Manhattan that morning. They also discuss the story at the heart of her acclaimed book, Saved at the Seawall: Stories from the September 11 Boat Lift, the largest maritime evacuation in history, in which mariners with no orders and no playbook carried nearly half a million people off the island of Manhattan in a matter of hours, surpassing even Dunkirk. It's a conversation about ingenuity, instinct, and what September 11 revealed about the very best of humanity. About Jessica DuLong: Jessica DuLong is an award-winning author, journalist, independent historian, and former chief engineer of the historic New York City fireboat, the John J. Harvey. On September 11, 2001, the John J. Harvey, a retired fireboat that volunteers were painstakingly restoring, was called back into service after the attacks on the World Trade Center. With water mains destroyed and hydrants buried beneath rubble, the Harvey pumped seawater to Ground Zero for four days, providing the water firefighters desperately needed to battle fires that otherwise could not have been fought. Jessica served as one of the boat's engineers during that historic mission. Her acclaimed book, Saved at the Seawall: Stories from the September 11 Boat Lift, tells one of the most remarkable yet least known stories of 9/11.

Filmmaker Eli Steele has built a career on the conversations most people would rather avoid: race, identity, culture, and opportunity. Born profoundly deaf into a family whose heritage spans Black, Jewish, white, and Native American traditions, Eli grew up outside the categories America uses to sort people. In this wide-ranging conversation with host Dr. Chris Meek, he opens a window into a world few listeners have ever considered: how a deaf child learns that objects have names, how reading happens without sound, and how someone comprehends the very concept of sound having never heard one. He also revisits his decision at twenty-five to undergo cochlear implant surgery, chronicled in the film Eli's Story: Learning to Hear, including the day his implants were activated, the first sound he remembers, and why hearing more didn't change who he was. From there, the conversation turns to the camera. Eli discusses how growing up deaf sharpened him as an observer, the responsibilities that come with documentary filmmaking, and whether objectivity is even the goal. He talks candidly about his father, the influential writer and thinker Shelby Steele, how their relationship evolved from father-and-son into creative collaboration, and how he works to remain distinctly his own person. And he takes on the films themselves: What's Bugging Seth, How Jack Became Black, the controversy surrounding What Killed Michael Brown? and its temporary removal from Amazon, and his newest project, What Killed the Dream? Along the way: whether the marketplace of ideas is opening or narrowing, where editorial judgment ends and censorship begins, what threatens the American Dream, and what stories, if any, can still unite us. About Eli Steele: Eli Steele is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer, storyteller and president of Man of Steele Productions. He has devoted his career to exploring some of the most difficult and important conversations in America: race, identity, culture and opportunity. Born profoundly deaf and raised in a family whose heritage spans Black, Jewish, white and Native American traditions, Eli brings a perspective shaped by experiences that don't fit neatly into society's labels. His documentaries, including How Jack Became Black and What Killed Michael Brown?, have sparked national conversations and challenged audiences to reconsider some of the assumptions that shape modern American life.

What if the deepest human need isn't success, but the certainty that we matter? This week, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with researcher, speaker, and author Dr. Zach Mercurio, whose work on purposeful leadership and meaningful work began, improbably, with a conversation in the back of a Washington, D.C. taxi. That exchange with a driver who understood something profound about human significance became the seed of Mercurio's latest book, The Power of Mattering. Together, Chris and Zach explore why feeling seen, heard, valued, and needed is a fundamental human requirement rather than a luxury and what happens psychologically when that need goes unmet. They unpack the great paradox of our age: how a world more technologically connected than ever has left so many people, including the outwardly successful, feeling invisible. They examine why the next promotion, title, or award so rarely satisfies, whether we've begun confusing attention with connection, and how a smile or a thank-you from a stranger can change the course of someone's day or life. About Dr. Zach Mercurio: Zach Mercurio, who earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change from Colorado State University, believes one of the greatest human needs is not simply to be successful, but to know that we matter. He is a researcher, speaker, and author whose work focuses on purposeful leadership, meaningful work, and the science of helping people feel seen, heard, valued, and needed. His latest book, The Power of Mattering, explores how leaders, families, educators, and communities can create cultures where people thrive because they know they make a difference.

What's the difference between happiness and joy and why do so many of us spend a lifetime chasing one while missing the other? This week, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Dr. La'Tesha Sampson, a nationally recognized educator, licensed psychotherapist, author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader. A New Jersey native, Dr. Sampson has spent more than two decades helping individuals and communities overcome adversity, improve mental health, and build lives filled with purpose. She is the founder of Great Joy Counseling and Consulting Services, executive director of the Great Joy Community Development Corporation, and director of the Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration programs at Seton Hall University. Dr. Sampson opens up about the childhood trauma and periods of homelessness that shaped her early years, the moment she realized her circumstances didn't have to determine her future, and the people who helped her believe in herself along the way. She and Chris explore why joy can coexist with grief and uncertainty, why mental health has long been difficult to discuss openly in communities of color, and whether America is facing a genuine mental health crisis or simply a new awareness of old problems. The conversation also takes on a provocative question raised recently in The New York Times: are we pathologizing ordinary life? Plus: faith and healing, service as leadership, entrepreneurship with a mission, and what today's young leaders are getting right. About Dr. La'Tesha Sampson: Dr. La'Tesha Sampson is the epitome of academic, philanthropic, and social service excellence. A proud Roselle, New Jersey native, she has devoted over 27 years to serving disenfranchised individuals and communities, guided by her belief in helping others transform their thinking to transform their lives. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, professor, author, grant writer, corporate and nonprofit trainer, program facilitator, media personality, and serial entrepreneur, Dr. Sampson wears many hats but each is rooted in a singular purpose: to cultivate healing, leadership, and sustainable joy. She is the Founder and President of Great Joy Counseling and Consulting Services, a thriving multi-state group practice where she and her team provide psychotherapy and life coaching to thousands of individuals, couples, families, and groups each year. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Great Joy Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing health, wellness, and quality of life for disenfranchised communities globally. In higher education, Dr. Sampson has taught and mentored future change agents at the University of New England, Rutgers University, the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and Kean University. She now serves as Director of the Master of Public Administration Program and MSW Practicum Education at Seton Hall University, where she combines her passions for scholarship, leadership, and service. A committed philanthropist, Dr. Sampson sponsors scholarships for New Jersey high school students and supports nonprofit initiatives across Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Ghana, Mexico, and Egypt. She has trained leaders from more than 200 organizations, colleges, and universities and currently serves on national and local boards, including NASW-PACE and the NJ Association of Black Social Workers. Her thought leadership has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Star Ledger, Thrive Global, The Huffington Post, NBC News 4, and TV One's Fatal Attraction. She is also gearing up to be a TEDx speaker on the topic "Rejecting Happiness, Cultivating Joy."

This week on Next Steps Forward, program host Dr. Chris Meek is joined by the co-founders of 9/11 Day, David Paine and Jay S. Winuk. Together, they share the remarkable story behind how a day of national tragedy was transformed into a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance, now inspiring tens of millions of Americans to honor those lost in the September 11 attacks through acts of kindness, volunteering, and community service. David and Jay discuss the origins of the movement, the deeply personal loss that shaped its mission, and how service became a unifying force across the country. They also explore the ambitious vision behind the 25th anniversary of 9/11 Day, which aims to mobilize the largest day of service in American history through nationwide volunteer initiatives, education programs, and cross-sector partnerships. At a time of increasing division, this conversation highlights the enduring power of service to bring people together, strengthen communities, and reaffirm shared humanity. About David Paine: David Paine is the co-founder and president of 9/11 Day, the nonprofit organization that led the formal establishment of September 11 as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance. Over the past 24 years, 9/11 Day has inspired tens of millions of Americans to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 through acts of kindness, volunteering, and charitable giving—transforming a day of tragedy into a powerful annual moment of unity and service across the country. For the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Paine and his co-founder Jay Winuk are leading an ambitious national effort to organize what is expected to be the largest day of service in American history. The initiative will feature 50 large-scale, multi-city service projects focused on critical needs such as hunger relief, alongside expanded education programs and grantmaking to support schools, nonprofits, and youth organizations nationwide. This historic effort is powered by an extraordinary coalition of influential partners — including the NFL, Major League Baseball, National Governors Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, America250, AmeriCorps, Points of Light, and many others — and is supported by more than 600 corporate partners, including Delta Air Lines, Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., JPMorgan Chase, American Express, Citigroup, Pfizer, Blackstone, The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, and many other leading corporations committed to advancing service and unity nationwide. At a time of deep division, Paine is advancing a bold, unifying vision for civic engagement — one that invites Americans of all backgrounds to join together in shared purpose through service. His work is rooted in the belief that even in the face of profound loss, acts of compassion can help bridge divides, strengthen communities, and reaffirm our common humanity. Through his leadership, he has helped build a lasting national movement grounded in empathy, unity, and the enduring idea that doing good for others is one of the most meaningful ways to remember.  About Jay S. Winuk: Jay S. Winuk is co-founder and executive vice president of 9/11 Day, the nonprofit organization that began and annually organizes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. On September 11, 2001, Jay's brother Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney, volunteer firefighter and EMT, was killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. Inspired by his brother's lifelong devotion to community service and courageous actions, Jay joined David Paine in 2002 as co-founder in helping to build and lead the 9/11 Day observance. Jay is a frequent public speaker and a leading national voice about volunteerism, charitable service, terrorism, individual empowerment and his own experience as the brother of a murdered 9/11 first responder. His work, commentary and personal story have been featured in major news media reports, documentaries and books throughout the nation and world. Jay was a featured speaker at the nationally televised ServiceNation "Presidential Candidates Forum" at Columbia University, representing the 9/11 family community and delivering his remarks just prior to those of candidates U.S. Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. Since co-founding the nonprofit 9/11 Day organization with David Paine, Jay has spoken about charitable service and volunteerism before dozens of audiences – including at national conferences, corporate and annual meetings, press conferences with national legislative leaders, charitable events, on Capitol Hill, at colleges and high schools and more. In addition to his leadership role for 9/11 Day, Jay serves as president of Winuk Communications, Inc., the public relations agency he founded in 1994. He and his firm have won numerous national public relations awards, including multiple Silver and Bronze Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America, the industry's highest honors.  In this capacity Jay has provided PR support to many of the nation's leading corporations, nonprofits and other organizations.

What does it take to lead under pressure: on the field, in the broadcast booth, and in the most personal corners of family life? In this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with NFL legend and MVP quarterback Boomer Esiason for a wide-ranging conversation about resilience, identity, purpose, and what it means to use your platform in service of others. Boomer led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and earned league MVP honors in 1988 across a 14-year career. But his story didn't end with retirement. When his son Gunnar was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Boomer channeled his competitive drive into founding the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for research, education, and care. He also became a powerful voice for ensuring that the September 11, 2001 attacks are never forgotten, especially by the one-third of Americans who were too young or not yet born to remember that day. In this episode, you'll hear Boomer discuss: What it was like to play as a left-handed quarterback in an overwhelmingly right-handed league The belief and mindset that fuels comeback resilience, even when a team is down 31 points at halftime Receiving Gunnar's cystic fibrosis diagnosis and what it demanded of him as a father and an advocate Where he was on September 11, 2001, and why keeping that memory alive has become a personal mission About Boomer Esiason: Boomer Esiason is one of the most accomplished NFL quarterbacks of his era. He's best known for leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and earning league MVP honors in 1988. Boomer Esiason's football career spanned 14 years, but his story extends far beyond the game. Following his playing career, he became a respected broadcaster and a passionate advocate for those in need. After his son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Boomer founded the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support research, education, and care for those living with the disease. Throughout his life, Boomer Esiason has used his platform to serve others by advancing medical progress, supporting families, and helping ensure that future generations understand the significance of moments like 9/11 that have shaped our nation.

Program host Chris Meek is pleased to welcome Ruth Rathblott back to Next Steps Forward to further speak on issues of inclusion and diversity, the freedom of accepting your differences and rising above life's challenges. Ruth, a licensed social worker, TEDx speaker, award-winning former CEO and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion expert and strategist, was born with a limb difference and is now committed to creating inclusion for all. In this appearance, Ruth will also focus on her most recent book "Unhide & Seek" which offers a blueprint for uncovering the person you are meant to be - both in your career and in your personal life. The book focuses on embracing your differences, performing at your best, building meaningful connections and becoming a leader. If you feel as though your true potential has yet to be discovered, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!

In this milestone 250th episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek is joined by two of the most consequential public servants of our time: Andrew Card and Leon Panetta. In a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, these former White House Chiefs of Staff reflect on lives shaped by service, leadership under pressure, and a shared commitment to preserving the lessons of September 11, 2001. From Leon Panetta's upbringing as the son of Italian immigrants and his journey through Congress, the CIA, and the Department of Defense, to Andrew Card's path from the Merchant Marine Academy to the highest levels of government, including his pivotal role on 9/11, this episode explores what truly forms a leader. The discussion spans decades of American history and civic life: the moral weight of leadership decisions, the value of military and public service, lessons learned from presidents across party lines, and the growing challenges facing democracy in an era of polarization. Card and Panetta also offer candid advice to young Americans considering public service today and reflect on whether unity and the political "center" can be restored. The second half of the episode is devoted to September 11, 2001 and its enduring legacy. Together, Card and Panetta recount the facts of that day, share firsthand experiences and behind-the-scenes moments, and examine how 9/11 reshaped national security, diplomacy, intelligence, and preparedness. As members of The 9/11 Legacy Foundation, they explain why remembrance must remain nonpartisan, why education is essential for future generations, and what lessons from 9/11 are most at risk of being forgotten as the 25th commemoration approaches. This landmark episode is a powerful reflection on leadership, memory, unity, and responsibility, and a reminder that remembering 9/11 is not just about honoring the past, but about shaping the future we choose to build. About Andrew H. Card Jr: Known for his calm, disciplined leadership and deep sense of duty, Andrew Card has spent decades in high-level roles in the public and private sectors. Among his roles during three administrations was his service as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Chief of Staff for President George W. Bush during one of the most consequential periods in modern American history, including the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  About Leon Panetta: Leon Panetta is one of America's most experienced public servants. A former member of Congress, he has also served as White House Chief of Staff, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Director of the CIA, and later as the United States Secretary of Defense. He also founded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy to inspire civic engagement and educate future leaders.