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In this episode, we sit down with orthopedic surgeon Owen Ala, whose journey to the operating room began in rural Alaska. Owen talks about his challenges with severe dyslexia, being placed in "remedial" reading groups, and the humiliating moment his high school peers laughed at him when he struggled to read aloud in his first AP class. Compounding his struggles were financial insecurity and a professor’s prediction that he would only ever be a "C minus" student. Owen shares the details of his creating his future, which included grueling 14-hour study days, and the "do or die" pressure of paying for every cent of his own education, as well as the spiritual turning point in a college library that changed the way he approached his work. This is a deeply personal look at how a kid with "nothing to his name" relied on faith, relentless persistence, and a competitive "hockey player" mindset to become one of the top students in his class and eventually a highly respected orthopedic surgeon.

It was a pleasure to visit with Nell Derick Debevoise, a leadership strategist and creator of the Lead in 3D framework. She is dedicated to helping high achievers find fulfillment without burnout by aligning three dimensions: Me (wellbeing), We (teams), and World (impact). After leading humanitarian missions in war zones and the West Bank, Nell experienced a personal collapse that taught her the dangers of being one-dimensionally focused on impact. She now advocates for Systematic Subtraction by helping leaders move away from the "more is more" mentality to find the most efficient path to their desired results. Enjoy the show!

We had the pleasure of visiting with leadership consultant Greg Hawks, who brings a unique perspective shaped by years of directing large-scale youth programs. He discusses his transition from the non-profit sector to the corporate marketplace and how that background helped him develop his signature "Ownership Mindset". In this episode, Greg breaks down three primary workplace mindsets—Owners, Renters, and Vandals—and introduces the concept of "Thinking Whole House". This approach encourages employees to look beyond their specific departments and value the health of the entire organization. We also explore: Bridging Generational Gaps: How to connect with a workforce spanning five generations by focusing on universal human needs like voice and value. The Power of Connection: Using a unique mental exercise of envisioning colleagues as middle schoolers to foster empathy and better communication. Building "Thick Trust": Moving away from "thin trust" through intentional, brave conversations and choosing to like others based on your own character rather than their differences. Actionable Next Steps: Why leadership must move beyond theory into immediate, practical application to produce real results Enjoy the show!

Jill Moses of the Inspired Community Project joins us once more and shares the journey of her organization since its inception in 2021 and how it has grown into reality with a dedicated center in the Bronx, New York. Their focus on early intervention, family advocacy, and training local professionals through New York State's first behavioral health apprenticeship program have led to community-driven solutions to empower Bronx families and professionals. Programs include direct services for children, advocacy coaching for families, and apprenticeship opportunities, creating lasting impacts on the community. Jill shares the future plans that involve replicating this model in other NYC boroughs while maintaining a strong local focus. Jill's dedication to empowering individuals and addressing systemic barriers has turned her vision into a growing and sustainable movement.

Winston Wilkinson, a former chief of staff in Maryland’s governor's office, shares his experiences cultivated in his years  in government relations where he directed the Office for Civil Rights and served on the Salt Lake County Council. He also shares what he learned growing up in the segregated community of Cedar Heights, Maryland and how that shaped his perspective. After joining the Navy in 1962, he witnessed historic events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington. His career includes roles under Presidents Reagan and Bush. Active in Maryland and Utah politics, Wilkinson emphasizes the importance of understanding societal dynamics and educating future generations to overcome racial and economic barriers.

In this episode we visit with Cole Parkinson, Executive Director of Carry On Foundation and Founder/Owner of Malleable Mind, Performance Mental Skills. In this interview, Cole speaks about the transformative power of action sports in nurturing the mental health of youth. Discover how action sports serve as a catalyst for building confidence, competence, character, and connection among young individuals. Cole also shares his expertise on addressing real-world , emphasizing the importance of refining technology habits and enhancing educational opportunities for the younger generation. Drawing from his extensive research in Sport Psychology, Cole underscores the pivotal roles of confidence, focus, and motivation in overcoming emotional hurdles. Join us for a great discussion explaining the intersection of action sports and mental health.

Nasirullah Safi is from Afghanistan and was the interpreter for American Troops. Because of this, he and his family were targeted by the Taliban. They suffered many atrocities, but despite this, John has found purpose and meaning in helping others that have gone through similar experiences.  His story is one of resolve and a reminder of appreciating the simple things in life.

Ethan Gibson is the author of “Nonchalant Perfectionsism”, which highlights his journey toward mental health. In this episode, he discusses what he discovered when he began making decisions for himself despite what others thought; how mental health is not a linear process and more.

Wesley Johnson is the the Triathlon Coach for the University of Arizona. He has spent the last 9 years as a coach with USA Triathlon, leading teams I the World Championships, Paralympic and Pan American Championships and was named the 2021 USA Triathlon Coach of the Year.  In this episode, he speaks about the necessity of getting fundamentals down first; learning from those you coach and more.

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 was forced to land on the Hudson River. Dave Sanderson was the last passenger off of the plane as he chose to help others get off first. In this episode, Dave shares what he learned from that experience, including what matters most; effective leadership; the power of checking egos at the door; how the statement of “No One Is Going To Die Today” became the statement that unified the passengers in purpose; and much more.

Selvi Clark is a Gold Star Spouse to CIA Officer & US Navy EOD Tech Casey Clark. She is the Director of Booz Allen of AI Adoption. In this episode we talk about the loss of her husband while on his 57th deployment and the toll of that sacrifice on family, emotional health, the power of therapy, and the importance of prioritizing spending time taking care of one’s health and key relationships.

Whitney Lyn Allen is a Grief Coach, speaker, and the author of “Running In Trauma Stilettos”.  In this episode, Whitney shares her journey of finding peace and purpose after the loss of her husband.   Her message to those going through the trauma of loss is, “I see you” and “You’re not alone”.  She highlights the power of purpose in overcoming challenges as well as what others can do if they know someone going through grief.  You can learn more about Whitney at:  whitneylynallen.com https://www.instagram.com/whitneylynallen/ https://www.tiktok.com/@whitneylynallen

In this episode we speak with Michelle Hoover, a Leadership Development Strategist | Keynote Speaker | Talent Strategy Consultant | Executive Coach about how the COVID pandemic and the “break of action” impacted businesses and the workforce resulting in re-prioritization of what workers feel important in life. Michelle has found that leaders who provide a “whole person” experience and opportunities to connect with others within the organization and externally do more for the health of a company than times previous.  Her commitment is the “betterment of people”. Thanks to Michelle for spending some time with us!

James Brunson is the head coach of The North Philadelphia Nomads rugby team in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Having played rugby, he helped Larry Conlan set up a team. After budget cuts forced school closures, many students were assigned to attend the different schools. Because there were few spots on the various athletic teams, many students were at risk. These students and others, formed the Nomads. The program has grown substantially since then and has led to players improving their grades, develop leadership skills, overcoming external obstacles, and gaining college scholarships.  Their story has been made into the movie: “The Nomads”.

Norman Brown was given multiple life sentences for possessing drugs. In 2015, President Barack Obama granted him clemency after reviewing his case. As a Program Manager for the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), he is a mentor to youth to  “Formulate goals, objectives and strategies for the Credible Messenger Mentoring Program utilizing the Restorative Justice and Positive Youth Development Models for the rehabilitation of adolescents in the juvenile correctional setting.” Despite over two decades in the justice system, he admonishes all to make the best of their situation, regardless of where you find yourself.