Compass Stories

Veronica Sterling shares insights from her journey through volcanic landscapes, using them as metaphors for life's disruptions and transformations. She offers practical questions to navigate change and find new meaning. Keywords disruption, transformation, resilience, personal growth, volcanic landscapes, Crater Lake, Lava Beds, life changes, mindset, inspiration Key topics Disruption as a catalys...

Matthew Gellin shares his transformative journey in theater, emphasizing its social impact, innovative approaches, and the power of empathy and storytelling to foster community and personal growth. Keywords theater, social change, empathy, childhood development, community, storytelling, education, leadership, innovation, American Legacy Theater Key topics Theater as a tool for social change and em...

Veronica Sterling shares her transformative journey through the Redwood National Park, exploring themes of nature, mindfulness, and the power of response. She reflects on her experiences, quotes Viktor Frankl, and invites listeners to consider their own responses to life's circumstances. Keywords personal growth, mindfulness, Redwood National Park, Viktor Frankl, response, resilience, reflection,...

Chief Tom Synan shares his journey from childhood purpose to leading community efforts in addiction response, emphasizing empathy, vulnerability, and collaboration in addressing complex social issues. Keywords police leadership, addiction response, empathy, community coalition, mental health, grief, vulnerability, social issues, law enforcement, purpose Key topics Chief Synan's early purpose and c...

Veronica Sterling shares her transformative journey through Yosemite and Big Sur, highlighting lessons on resilience, acceptance, and choosing how to respond to life's unexpected challenges. Keywords personal growth, resilience, acceptance, Yosemite, Big Sur, life lessons, travel, injury, mindset, reflection Key topics Resilience and mindset during travel Lessons from falling and injury in nature...

In this insightful interview, change expert Mark Stelzner shares his journey from aerospace engineering to transformation leadership, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, empathy, and courage in navigating change. Discover practical strategies for personal growth, organizational transformation, and preparing for the future of work amidst AI advancements.   KEYWORDS change management, leadershi...

Veronica Sterling shares her transformative experience in Kings Canyon National Park, exploring the giant sequoias, navigating weather challenges, and reflecting on the importance of connection and community in uncertain times. Keywords Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Park, giant sequoias, connection, community, travel, nature, resilience, personal growth Key topics The unique ecosystem of Kings Ca...

In this uplifting conversation, Claire Edwards, speaker, author, and morning routine coach shares insights to guide our clarity in what truly matters and make space to pursue the passions in our life. If you’ve experienced disruption and are looking for ways to reorient yourself, Claire’s insight and encouragement will help you build new capacity to move forward.   GUEST BIO Claire Edwards is a Mo...

Veronica Sterling shares insights on supporting friends through grief, emphasizing the importance of connection, presence, and empathy, set against the backdrop of her trip to Death Valley National Park. Keywords grief support, emotional connection, friendship, empathy, mental health, personal growth Key topics Steps to support a grieving friend The importance of listening and following the lead T...

In this heartfelt interview, Christopher Littrell shares his personal journey through grief, recovery, and the power of human connection. He discusses how courage, faith, and community have helped him navigate life's peaks and valleys, offering insights for those facing their own challenges.   GUEST Christopher Littrell is a retired law enforcement officer with almost 20 years of experience servin...

Veronica shares her journey of traveling through national parks in her vintage Airstream, exploring themes of pursuing dreams, embracing change, and the power of connection. keywords Travel, Dreams, Change, Connection, Inspiration, National Parks, Airstream, Personal Growth key topics Pursuit of dreams and personal growth The role of disruption and change in life The importance of connection and s...

We realize a need for change, but how do we get started? How do we tackle self-doubt? In this conversation, Matt shares his story as he navigates growth through sobriety, wellness pursuits, and building a business that fulfills a purpose. Matt McManus was born and raised in Cincinnati. He went away briefly to attend Mississippi State University and majored in marketing.  After he graduated, he wor...

Veronica shares her reflections on hope, disruption, and the journey of healing during her travels through New Mexico. She explores how hope acts as a guiding lantern in difficult times and offers practical ways to activate hope in our lives. Keywords hope, healing, disruption, personal growth, motivation, mental health, journey, inspiration Key topics The role of hope in navigating disruption Pra...

I am talking to Amy Scalia. She is a Cincinnati-based entrepreneur, founder of Local Creator Studio, and co-founder of PS Never Give Up. She’s built her work around storytelling - not just as a creative tool, but to help people feel seen, connected, and less alone in the messy middle of their experiences. In this conversation, Amy shares what it feels like to live through heartache without losing...

Vega, Texas I-40 West bound to our next destination. We’ve been driving for two full days and have covered over 1100 miles. I’m sharing my reflections from my travel diary on uncertainty, exploring how it influences our perceptions of safety, control, and growth. I hope you feel encouraged to reconsider the role uncertainty plays in our life and embrace it as a landscape of possibility and curiosi...

Today I am talking to Kenny Schroeder. He has 30 years in fire service and is currently a Lieutenant with the Fort Mitchell, Kentucky Fire Department. Kenny is also a dedicated advocate for first responder wellness and peer support, working to make sure others have access to resources and don’t have to face their hardest moments alone. In this conversation, Kenny shares what happened after he step...

In this trailer episode of Compass Stories , host Veronica Sterling introduces the heart behind the podcast and the journey ahead. A former hospice CEO, keynote speaker, and traveler, Veronica shares why stories matter and what it means to navigate disruption with purpose, courage, and connection. You’ll hear what to expect from upcoming episodes, including meaningful guest conversations and perso...