Be The Connection

We're starting a new year with a purpose - focusing upcoming episodes on defining, understanding and building better communities in our lives in all the places and forms they exist. This is our kickoff for the series as we tackle a key part of understanding and establishing better connections in our lives. Getting after it to start 2025!

The iconic Smokejumpers parachute into dangerous fires to battle blazes consuming tens or hundred of acres, relying on their team connections, support and brotherhood as they risk their lives to save land and property. Active third-generation Smokejumper Kurt Rohrbach jumps into talk about the bonds that help his team succeed, protecting the lives and livelihoods of people he'll never meet and a w...

The Farm State of Mind campaign helps farmers battling anxiety, challenges on their farms and the stress that comes with their demanding lifestyle by building connections and linking them to community and to resources to help keep them – and their farms – healthy. Director Jessica Cabrera joins to delve into how this program from the American Farm Bureau is empowering farmers to thrive against myr...

Refreshing our memories on the insights and impactful stories of our guests from the last eight episodes so we don't forget their life-changing thoughts and can better apply them to our day-to-day. We want to internalize that wisdom and live it out, so let's dive into episodes 27-35!

Team Rubicon connects veterans with those in need as they help with recovery and rebuilding efforts in communities devastated by disaster. Drew Hanna served in the 82nd Airborne and now applies those skills to assist victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and more. He joins us to share about the bonds within the military, within Team Rubicon and with those who receive help in their time of...

American Public Square works to create civil, impactful conversations around issues where we find ourselves disagreeing and even fighting – and tries to empower progress and growth. Executive Director Claire Bishop joins us for a conversation about that work and how we can apply those same ideas to our daily lives to have a positive influence.

Carlin Isles started life in foster care and facing challenges, but has authored an amazing story as he's become a U.S. Rugby star, NFL player, mentor and community leader for kids in his hometown. Hear how he's using his story as a way to help troubled kids look beyond their present hardships, fight for a better future and develop good relationships.

Reenita has seen families and relationships torn apart in her home country of India based simply on who a person chooses to love and has turned those realities into a novel that's part historical, part personal. She joins us to talk about all of it, along with her support of women entrepreneurs and what happens when they don't have access to the opportunities to pursue their dreams.

Connections are the lifeblood of minor league baseball – and in ways you might not even realize. Akron RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander checks in to talk about the community aspect of MiLB, the bonds between team and community and how players can make a lasting impact with fans both on and off the field. Let's play ball!

Once a high-powered political official and power player, addiction derailed Jeff Breedlove's life – but connecting with a famous college football coach in the same situation has renewed his sense of purpose and given him a new mission in life. Hear his story and how connections and community have lifted him to a powerful calling. AARA website: https://eliminatethewhisper.com/ AARA Instagram: https...

Refreshing our memories on the wisdom and amazing stories of our awesome guests from the last eight episodes so we don't forget their life-changing thoughts. We want to internalize that goodness to help us apply it better, so let's dive into episodes 18-26!

Mental health and addiction issues impact us all, inspiring Running 2B well to bring people together in a community that moves, connects, supports and lifts one another up. Founder Keith Johnston dives into how the group began, the effect giving a pair of shoes to someone can have and how connection is hard-wired into our well-being. R2BW website: https://www.running2bwell.org/ R2BW on Facebook: h...

With 35 years spent mentoring, investing in and connecting with students during their college careers and in life past graduation, professor Doug Hausknecht has an amazing perspective to share. He dishes on life-changing stories with students he mentored, those who invested in him and how those bonds continue even into retirement.

Scott has told epic true stories of heroes in the battle for racial equality in sports, the Tulsa Race Riots, the Civl War and more and he checks in with us to discuss how those stories can connect us and what we can learn about times of great division that can help in today's fractured America. Scott's literary catalog on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=scott+ellsworth+books&crid=X...

More than a meal. Meals on Wheels America provides not just regular meals for seniors in need, but a wealth of support and connection that benefits these older Americans in life-changing ways for both them and the volunteers who serve them. Chief of Staff Jenny Young joins us to share in-depth about the organization's mission and stories of those it helps on a daily basis across the country.

Keith Dambrot coached LeBron James, won more than 600 games across 40 years in coaching and recently retired after leading Duquesne to a massive NCAA Tournament upset. He digs into the lessons he's learned about relationships, togetherness and lasting connections with players and coaches across his four-plus decades in the game.

Polyvagal Theory looks to promote for health and wellness by providing training, supporting community and powering better communication - something Play Zone founder Michael Allison knows well. He's worked with the Polyvagal Institute since 2020 and sits down to discuss how our bodies and brains interact when it comes to communicating, connecting and being vulnerable with each other. It's...

Social justice is a topic that affects us all, but we don't all understand it well or engage in it effectively. Anthony Finnell, a 20-year veteran in the social justice, law enforcement and security arenas, sits down to break down what social justice means, why it's important, barriers to connecting well and building a community that supports and advocates for the cause and more. Set aside...

Check your CrossFit "cult" stereotypes at the door. Chalk up and hear how CF is a place that supports and loves people in and out of the gym, cheers them on through doing hard things and build bonds that fuel success in life beyond barbells and pull-up bars. CrossFit Central (Austin, Tex.) owners Carey Kepler and Jeremy Thiel check in for an awesome, encouraging conversation about connec...

A powerful revisiting of the great insights, impactful stories and influential notes of our awesome guests from the last eight episodes so we don't forget the life-changing wisdom they've shared. Our goal is serving up content that makes a difference and helping you retain wisdom that will empowers you to build real connections in your day-to-day. Let's dig in on episodes 9-16!

Akron Promise works to connect students throughout the city to educational, career and workforce growth tools and resources that help them achieve their personal and work goals. Tom Ghinder, its founder, joins BTC to share how the organization uses mentorship, running events, group meals and more to build a community that helps students thrive in and well beyond high school. Akron Promise website:...

We trust doctors with our health and lives - but don't often stop to ask if they're mentally and emotionally well, healthy and avoiding burnout. Dr. Ron Jones recently retired after 40-plus years as an internal medicine doctor and now works to help doctors and future doctors learn how to stay mentally well, connect with help when they need it and better connect with patients to provide bet...

Connecting Through Art empowers those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and their care partners to find community with others fighting the same battles, bonding through the beauty of art and connection. Hear the impactful stories of lives changed and support provided by a program that helps people find ways to prevent their disease from stealing their joy.

Lifelong adventurer Hazen Audel has braved the rapids of the mighty Mekong River, traversed Africa's Rift Valley to witness the Great Migration and trekked across the unforgiving Andes in South America and he joins us to share lessons learned from connecting with the people who live in these remote places, connecting with nature and forging a deeper connection with his self through his epic ad...

With 29 years in the Air Force, decades as a runner and coach and a long tenure as a primary care doctor helping post-9/11 veterans, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella has helped build communities and connections throughout the U.S. He delves into the special bonds of the military community, how running draws diverse people together and the special bonds that exist in small towns. Dr. Mark Cucuzzella's websi...