Finding The Upside

In this powerful and deeply personal talk from the Revive and Thrive 2025 Empowerment Summit , certified trauma care practitioner and mindset coach Stacey Uhrig takes us on a journey from her very first anxiety attack at age 12 to the transformative moment she stopped fighting her anxiety and started listening to it. In PART ONE in this two-part episode, Stacey shares how anxiety became a constant...

Building something that lasts requires patience, relationships, and a deep commitment to serving others first. In this episode of Finding the Upside , I sit down with Ivan Misner, founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization. Often called the father of modern networking, Ivan shares how BNI grew from a simple need for referrals into a global orga...

As we step into 2026, leadership is being tested in new and uncomfortable ways. Systems are shifting. Expectations are changing. And the old rules for success no longer apply. In this episode, I’m sharing what’s ahead for Finding the Upside — and why the conversations we’re having now matter more than ever. Looking back at the themes that shaped 2025, one truth stands out: belonging is no longer o...

This year, I have been thinking…If I’m helping leaders build cultures where people can thrive… how can I also help my community thrive? In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind a major shift for MDR Brands, the launch of incorporating a Give Back Business Model. At the Revive & Thrive 2026 event, I announced the MDR Give Back Program, our new commitment to donate a percentage of our sales...

AI might be the biggest buzzword in business right now, but most leaders are still asking the same quiet question: Are we actually ready for this? In this episode of Finding the Upside, I break down why readiness, not technology, is the real factor determining whether AI will create value in your organization.  Using current research from McKinsey, MIT, and BCG, I unpack why so many CEOs feel unpr...

In today’s episode of Finding the Upside, I sit down with the icon, the legend, Les Brown for a conversation that unfolds with honesty, warmth, and a depth that only he can bring. We talk about how quickly the world is shifting, especially with technology and AI, and how important it is to stay curious, adaptable, and willing to grow. What struck me most was how aligned we were in seeing change no...

This year Training Innovations, powered by MDR Brands began a 3-year sponsorship as an Affiliate Partner with our home state’s professional hockey team. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our partnership with New Jersey Devils Affiliate Partner Program and Eleven Sports Media.  We presented the game and brought the Jr. Captain onto the ice for the November 6th match up with the Montreal Ca...

Across the U.S., the No Kings movement has sparked one of the largest grassroots protests in our history, reminding us that democracy belongs to the people , not to any one leader. In this episode, I’m speaking straight from the heart about something that matters deeply to me- activism in action and the power of showing up .  I share why I refuse to stay silent as our values of freedom, fairness,...

 In this episode of Finding the Upside , I take a hard look at what happens when the promises of freedom and belonging aren’t applied equally. Right now, in the United States, we’re seeing an immigration crackdown that is being carried out in ways that are inhumane, unjust, and not rooted in law, but in manufactured justifications for stripping people of their status. We’re at a moment where peopl...

We’ve all felt that sting, the gut-punch moment when feedback doesn’t land like a compliment. But what if feedback, even the toughest kind, could actually strengthen your confidence instead of shaking it? In this episode of Finding the Upside , I share how to reframe criticism so it becomes a powerful tool for growth. Drawing from my 30+ years of coaching leaders, I am breaking down practical mind...

In this episode of Finding the Upside, I dive into one of the most exciting shifts happening in business right now; the rise of the AI-enabled solopreneur. No big teams, no giant budgets, just you, your hustle, and the power of AI. I share how I’ve been exploring AI in my own business and why I believe it’s becoming one of the most important skills to learn, whether you’re a founder or simply the...

In today’s shorty episode of Finding the Upside, I’m diving into the opportunities and tensions that come with leading multigenerational teams. With five generations now working side by side, I believe inclusion isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a business strategy that drives resilience, innovation, and trust. I share insights from research, real-life stories, and current corporate shifts to uncover...

In this special compilation episode of Finding the Upside , I am bringing together three powerful stories of resilience and transformation. You’ll hear from: Jessica Amerosa — who turned unimaginable personal loss into a mission to reclaim her health, happiness, and purpose. Miho Kanazawa — a multicultural therapist who created a safe space for belonging after witnessing cultural misunderstandings...

Here’s one of the toughest truths about leadership that most leaders miss: The culture you tolerate is the culture you create. Culture isn’t shaped in lofty mission statements or big strategic announcements, it’s built in the small, everyday choices and behaviors that often go unnoticed. In today’s episode of Finding the Upside , I share why those little moments matter more than we realize, how si...

In today’s special episode of Finding the Upside, I weave  together three powerful perspectives on neurodiversity, identity, and growth -curated from past Finding the Upside interviews, with the full conversations linked in the show notes.  Neurodiversity coach Pasha Marlow demystifies key terms and shows why teams thrive when all brains are welcome.  Personal empowerment coach Mandy Keene reveals...

In this episode of Finding the Upside , I’m diving into the subtle yet powerful ways we hide parts of ourselves at work—what researchers call covering or masking . From code-switching to “task masking,” these behaviors may feel like survival strategies, but they drain our energy, stifle creativity, and prevent true belonging. I am sharing surprising statistics (like the 60% of U.S. workers who adm...

We are launching the fifth season of Finding the Upside and I’m declaring it a season of bold action and we’re not asking permission. We are using our voices louder than ever, and telling the truth about systems that harm people and empowering rebel leaders to fix them. This year, I’m bringing you real stories, live moments from our stages, and tactical leadership tools, paired with a sharper lens...

This past June, leaders, innovators, and changemakers gathered at the Archer Hotel for Revive & Thrive 2025 — a weekend designed to reignite passion, amplify purpose, and celebrate the power of connection. In this episode of Finding the Upside , I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the event: The moments that moved the room The big ideas that set the tone for transformation And the theme...

In today’s special episode of Finding the Upside, I am sitting down with the legendary speaker, author and ultimate motivator, Les Brown. In this powerful first part of our conversation, we dive into his incredible life story and the timeless mindset shifts that helped him rise from humble beginnings to inspire millions.  Les shares how being labeled in school fueled a journey of resilience, how t...

Your voice isn’t just sound — it’s influence. It can ignite movements, rewrite your story, and transform how people see you… and how you see yourself. This special episode of Finding The Upside drops you straight into the energy of the REVIVE and THRIVE Summit at the Archer Hotel, where we are giving you a sneak peek at three unforgettable talks that revealed what it takes to truly own your voice...

I’m taking a moment to talk about something that gets thrown around a lot but still isn’t fully understood; belonging. Let me be clear: belonging is not a buzzword. It’s not a vibe. It’s not a box to check. It’s a business strategy and a powerful one at that. In this shorty episode of Finding the Upside, I’m breaking down what belonging actually means, why it matters more than ever, and how we can...

In this special episode of Finding the Upside , we spotlight the Revive and Thrive 2025 Event, held at the Archer Hotel in Florham Park this past June. Experience the power of storytelling in this dynamic, rapid-fire episode featuring courageous women who shared their transformation from writing a chapter in a collaborative book project.  At the event, in just 7 minutes each, authors Cassandra Len...

In this special episode of Finding the Upside , we bring you straight to the heart of the REVIVE & THRIVE event, recorded live at the Archer Hotel in Florham Park. With the incredible Angela Hoover as our Guest Host,  this powerful panel shares their insights on leading, living in alignment and finding calm in the chaos. Angela is joined by four bold and brilliant voices who are reshaping the...

In this episode of Finding the Upside, I’m wrapping up the three-part Rebel Leader series with something every leader faces —  disruption. One of the most important things to master as a leader is reconnection, especially after there’s been some disruption. Let’s face it in —  today’s world of corporate business is unfortunately,  riddled with volatility, including reinvention, restructuring, chan...

Today on Finding the Upside, I’m continuing the Rebel Leader Series with PART 2: You’ve awakened the rebel—now what? Today I am giving you real talk on what happens when you actually start leading differently. I get into the truth of what it feels like to lead with authenticity in systems still clinging to outdated leadership norms. If you’ve wondered how you lead without losing yourself, you’re n...