Find Your Spark

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Jena reflects on her less-than-ideal start to 2025. Through her reflection, she shares a story about her son who recently tried out for the track team and despite making the team, had a lot of insecure thinking about his first meet. As the episode unfolds, Jena gives some advice to her son that she later discovers she can apply to her own mindset. At...

In this episode, Stephanie has the pleasure of speaking with our long-term partner in Norway, Elin Henriksen. Elin is a 4th grade teacher, coach, Certified SPARK Facilitator, and all around wonderful human being. In this conversation, she reflects upon a recent insight into trusting our inner wisdom, our SPARK. Through a range of metaphors including surfing, ski-lifts, and Indiana Jones, Elin’s pr...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad speaks about the fascinating concept of quantum leaping and how it connects to your intuition—also known as your SPARK. Learn how trusting your gut feeling can lead to bold changes and big opportunities in your life. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure of your next move, this episode will inspire you to take that leap and trust your inner guide.

In this week's episode of the Find Your SPARK podcast, Mari discusses her experience working with at-risk and institutionalized young people, including the need for positive and consistent relationships, the joy and importance of serving this population, and a special thank you the Foundation of Caring for selecting The SPARK Initiative as a grant recipient to serve juveniles in our local detentio...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Nicole reflects on her return to the middle school classrooms this year and discusses the importance of providing students at this age with a program like SPARK. She shares personal stories from her own classes, highlighting the impact it has on her students. Nicole also explains why she believes having access to such a program during her own middle...

This episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast falls on Giving Tuesday - A day that follows the Thanksgiving holiday and the madness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with the focus of giving. In this episode, Ashley highlights the level of appreciation organizations like ours have for the donations we receive. As a non-profit, we rely on these donations to continue implementing the programs that hav...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla is joined by special guest, Gabriella Reece. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the season of thankfulness, Makayla and Gabriella discuss all of the things they are thankful for within their own lives. The pair also dive into the tendency we have to spiral into a state of mind where thankfulness seems out of reach. Listen as their conversation...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, listen as Ashley is joined by special guests, the Rebels for Peace. Rebels for Peace is a youth-led initiative committed to improving mental health, uncovering resilience, and providing credible and sustainable Social Emotional Learning skills to the next generation. The Rebels made a trip from Chicago to Florida following the postponement of the Nat...

Join host Brooke Wheeldon-Reece and guest Lynne Robertson in this special episode of the Find Your Spark podcast as they reflect on the unexpected challenges brought by Hurricane Milton. In a year marked by unprecedented planning, the SPARK team faced the heart-wrenching decision to postpone their biggest events in a decade. In this episode, Brooke and Lynne share valuable lessons learned from nav...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Jena shares a simple yet transformative insight about creativity that has led her to uncover her creative potential. Creativity is often an attribute that many people feel they lack; however, what if creativity is so much simpler than some artistic ability? Listen as Jena explains how everyone has the potential to be creative. Then revel in the under...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Stephanie shares a simple yet profound insight she had while on a walk yesterday. She was pondering how she could support more parents deal with stress, given the Surgeon General’s advisory that found that 48% of parents report that most days their stress is completely overwhelming. While in a state of relaxed curiosity about this, she had an interac...

​​​​​In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla references a famous quote by Erin Hanson that reads, "What if I fall? Oh but darling, what if you fly?" In this self-reflective episode, Makayla details personal narratives that illustrate the ways in which this quote has helped her state of mind. Listen as Makayla details a more optimistic approach to life, and the unhelpfulness of pess...

During this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, the entire SPARK team sits in to celebrate 200 episodes.   Veering off our typical style of podcast, Makayla hosts an interview-style session with the Spark team. Throughout the episode, team members reflect on the changes they've observed since their beginning at SPARK, key takeaways from our teachings, and what they hope to see SPARK become ove...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad speaks about the importance of embracing your true self and breaking free from societal expectations. He delves into how often we feel pressured to conform to the standards and norms set by others, losing sight of who we truly are in the process. Through candid conversations and personal reflections, Chad encourages listeners to discover his uni...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Brooke and Ashley discuss the relationship between the unknown and the faith that it all works out. This topic has been a recurring one both at the office and in Brooke's day-to-day life. Listen as the two discuss the possibilities that open up by simply relying on your SPARK to calm your anxiety and reinforce the belief that it truly all works out....

In this episode, Stephanie tells the story of a recent conversation she had with her 10-year old son. After excitedly sharing that she’d be teaching SPARK to 8th graders at the local middle school in DC, he emphatically proclaimed she was “going to get cooked.” Tune in to hear her thoughts on this ominous prediction.

During this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla is joined by a very special guest, her mom. Makayla and Jocelyn had the privilege of teaching together during Makayla's time in the classroom. Listen as they reflect on that special time in both of their lives. The pair also speak to the role of educators, how teaching has changed, and the importance of programs like SPARK in every classr...

In this episode of the Find your SPARK podcast, hosts Ashley and Jena dive deep into one of SPARK’s core beliefs: "Possibilities are Infinite." Together, they explore the powerful impact of embracing limitless potential in both their professional and personal lives. Ashley and Jena share candid stories of times when their own thinking hindered their creativity, as well as moments when being open t...

During this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Brooke and Makayla Wheeldon sit down in the infamous Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to discuss an insight that Makayla recently shared with the SPARK team. Makayla, someone who has struggled with OCD for most of her life, shares how a lesson from the SPARK curriculum changed her approach to one of her toughest battles. Brooke, who is also Makayla's...

This week on the #FindYourSPARK Podcast, inspired by a Jim Carey video and Independence Day, Ashley, Jena, and Stephanie reflect upon the concept of freedom. Recognizing their privilege in enjoying many social and physical freedoms, this conversation focuses on perhaps the most valuable freedom a person can have – freedom of mind. Freedom of mind is recognizing the fundamental truth that no one ca...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad speaks about the importance of understanding the power of "no" and how to navigate its power in our everyday lives.  Chad also discusses impactful steps to self-discovery and self-care. Join us as we do a deep dive into the ways "no" can help us with self-discovery and empower us to the best of our abilities.

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Nicole Wilson and Brandon Evans discuss the importance of men’s mental health and why mentoring young men at an early age is crucial. Brandon speaks on his experiences of societal pressures and what he does differently with the young men he mentors to give them a safe space and educate them on their emotional intelligence. He also shares some helpful...

This week on the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla and Chad choose to highlight that June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. Men's Mental Health is a topic that is not typically in the spotlight; however, at SPARK we believe that everyone's mental health is equally important. Join Makayla and Chad as they share stories regarding the stigma surrounding men's mental health in their own lives. As...

In this episode, Stephanie, Brooke and Ashley formally announce that The Spark Initiative is hosting the inaugural National Wellbeing & Resilience Conference. The trio speak to the importance of restoring hope, resilience, and mental & physical wellbeing within some of the most taxing professions. The National Wellbeing & Resilience Conference presents the unique opportunity to create a ripple eff...

This week on the Find Your Spark podcast, Jena, Mari and Nicole reflect on the past Mental Health Awareness month by highlighting the SPARK inside all athletes. Together, they share some of the benefits and struggles competing in sports may have on wellbeing as well as some of the stigma surrounding athletes. Jena, Mari and Nicole all share their unique experiences around this topic while shining...