Stokemeter

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...

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 d...

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—O...

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-driv...

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 i...

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 indivi...

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 th...

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...

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 opportunitie...

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 Nomad...

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 Yout...

Kelci Sager is a Grief Educator & Certified Life Coach.  She is also the  founder of Rise With Grief. In a short time period, her sons were in serious accidents. As they were on the mend, her husband was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, leading to his death. In this episode, she explains how she overcame the immense grief through the help of others and a change in perspective. She...

Gretchen Evans is a retired Command Sergeant Major. She was in the military for 27 years. She was involved in an explosion while leading her team into enemy territory. After sustained a brain injury as well as loss of hearing, effectively ending her military career. Since that time, she has been busy inspiring others. She formed Team UNBROKEN. It is a group of veterans and civilians who have exper...

Jmond Tapp is a Defensive Lineman for the University of Texas Longhorns football team. In this episode, Tapp shares the opportunities football has opened for him, including an experiences such as serving the people in Guatemala by building basketball courts so the kids could have somewhere to play. It had a profound impact on him and highlighted the importance of cherishing everything we have in t...

Tammy Rabideau is an essayist for the New York Times and a writer for a number of other news organizations (Newsweek, Washington Post, HuffPost). In this episode, she shares how she became an essayist, and her experiences of homelessness, sexual assault, emotional abuse led to lessons she learned that allow her to relate and teach others through her writing and how the kindness of others as a traj...

Justin Batt is a father of four, a TEDx Speaker, an Entrepreneur, Spartan Racer, Farmer, Clemson Fan, Farmer, Author and fatherhood coach to entrepreneurs, business leaders, politicians, celebrities, athletes and more.  His goal of end the cycle fatherlessness. In this episode, Justin shares some of ways fathers can build their relationships with their kids, including “Failure Fridays”, “Would You...

Dr. David Bearss is a trained cellular biologist and serial entrepreneur committed to finding cures for cancer. He is the CEO and co-founder of Biolexis Therapeutics (biolexistx.com) as well as six other biotech companies. In this episode, David discusses the advances in technology that expedite the drug discovery process. Biolexis’ Moleculern process utilizes artificial intelligence combined with...

Bobbi Gibb is a is also an artist, lawyer, neuroscience researcher, and author.  She is also the barrier breaking first woman to run the Boston Marathon, breaking assumptions of what physical challenges women capable of accomplishing. She shares some of the inspiring scenes as she ran the course, including the great support she received along the way.  Her enthusiasm in contagious and her commitme...

Malte Niebelschuetz is a social entrepreneur, change maker and CEO of Shore Buddies, whose mission is to bring Sustainability into Play, to keep Plastics out of the Oceans.  He is also a “Play Ambassador” for the Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative. In this episode, Malte discusses the change from a corporate career to that of an entrepreneur whose company helps the environment and passes...

Mika Shino is the Founder and CEO of Mochi gummies, which mission is to “build bridges across cultures through food”. She shares her impressive journey of being a first generation Japanese American and the lessons she learned as a United Nations diplomat; a senior advisor to Herbie Hancock as a UN Goodwill Advisor; Founder/CEO of Roar Consulting and SoundPlay; an author and more!  She is a true re...

Dan Young has been an entrepreneur his entire life.  He is the CEO of Xidax PCs, PC Laptops, Ugly Unicorn Crypto Hedge Fund as well as a creator, investor, and mentor. Dan’s passion is to share his experiences on maximizing financial, physical and psychological well-being. In this episode, Dan shares his story, including his successes, his highs and lows, the importance of balance and mental healt...