Compassionate Las Vegas Podcast with Will Rucker

Can Compassion Be a Political Skill?  Gabriel Cornejo on Rebuilding Community What happens when a near-death experience forces you to rethink everything about the way our society works? In this episode of Compassionate Las Vegas, host Will Rucker sits down with Gabriel Cornejo—a public servant, former Presidential candidate, and Congressional hopeful—to discuss why compassion is the "missing...

They said you can’t build policy on compassion. Cristina Gonzalez proved them wrong. On this week's episode, we take a journey to Monterrey, Mexico, with special guest Cristina Gonzalez. In a world that often feels fractured, Cristina reveals how she has successfully united diverse sectors—from the halls of government to local classrooms—under the banner of compassion. Join host Will Rucker for a...

Why do we cling to fear instead of facts? Can empathy actually "fix" a broken prison system? In this powerful episode of Compassionate Las Vegas, Will Rucker sits down with Dr. Chapple-Love —a forensic psychologist and the first Black President-Elect of the Nevada Psychological Association—to decode the human mind. From the psychological mechanisms behind conspiracy theories and the "death of expe...

Does "going back to normal" feel impossible? You aren't alone. In this episode of Compassionate Las Vegas, Will Rucker sits down with Dr. Dominique Hammonds—distinguished educator, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and owner of Hammonds Counseling. They unpack the viral moment that changed how we see mental health during the pandemic and why "survival mode" is still affecting us today. Fr...

Is "hope" just a buzzword, or can it actually rebuild our cities? We often think of compassion as something soft, easy, and purely positive. But what if true compassion is actually uncomfortable? What if it requires us to face hard realities rather than chase utopian dreams? In this episode of Compassionate Las Vegas, host Will Rucker sits down with Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute a...

About the Guest: Thomas Legrand is a renowned expert in sustainable development, ecological economics, and public policy. Having worked extensively with UN agencies, Legrand brings a wealth of experience in examining the intersections of environmental sustainability and socioeconomic systems. As an author, his acclaimed book, "The Politics of Being," explores transformative societal paradigms, adv...

About the Guest: Dr. Debra Hendrickson is a seasoned pediatrician operating in Reno, Nevada, renowned for its status as the fastest warming city in the United States. With a dual background in environmental science as an environmental analyst and planner, Dr. Hendrickson merges her expertise to address the health implications of climate change on children. Her extensive career spans nearly two dec...

The lecture titled "When the Bottom Falls Out: Building Inner Strength in Times of Crisis" was held on November 14, 2024, at UNLV in Las Vegas. The session featured Rick Hanson, Ph. D., a renowned psychologist and best-selling author, who discussed strategies for building resilience in the face of personal and societal challenges. This lecture is valuable during uncertain times when individuals se...

"Never dim your light. If somebody tells you you're shining too bright, tell them to put their shades on." — Fajr DeLane About the Guests: Fajr DeLane is the CEO of Fun Fit Fabulous (F3), an organization dedicated to empowering young girls and women through personal development and wellness initiatives. Her journey into advocacy began in high school after observing food inequities and has since ev...

About the Guests: Will Rucker : Reverend Will Rucker is a key figure dedicated to fostering compassion throughout Las Vegas. He serves as a Global Council Trustee for the United Religions Initiative (URI) North America and is at the forefront of promoting peaceful and ethical engagement in faith communities. Karen Volker : Karen is the Director of Partnership and Violence Prevention at URI. With o...

🎙️ Compassionate Responses to Systemic Violence | Special Guests: Ann Helmke & Felipe Zurita In this powerful episode of Compassionate Las Vegas: The Podcast ,  Geneva Blackmer moderates a conversation with podcast host Will Rucker, Ann Helmke, faith liaison for the City of San Antonio, and Felipe Zurita from the Charter for Compassion, to explore how compassion can disrupt and disma...

Episode Summary: Join host Will Rucker as he engages in a profound conversation with Ole, a dedicated advocate for global compassion and member of the Global Charter for Compassion. Ole's life-altering transition from a successful business career to a mission-driven journey for a better world sets the stage for this insightful episode. During the episode, Ole delves into his transformative experie...

About the Guest: Pedro Silva II is an insightful thought leader committed to fostering compassion and understanding in diverse communities. He is known for his work in the areas of belonging, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Silva is also a podcaster, an author, and someone who deeply values authentic relationships and big love. He has a unique way of seeing the world, often challenging con...

"Your belonging is not in question. If you find yourself questioning your belonging, you're wrong." - Pedro Senhorinha Silva II About the Guest: Pedro Silva is an accomplished professional with a robust background in diverse fields including military service, linguistics, corporate recruitment, pastoral work, and social advocacy. An Air Force veteran fluent in Mandarin, Pedro moved into corporate...

"We trust technology more than we trust each other." - Arun Vishwanath About the Guest: Arun Vishwanath is a cognitive behavioral scientist who specializes in the nexus of technology and human behavior. He has devoted over 20 years as a tenured professor to studying technology use and deception, focusing on cyber hygiene and cybersecurity. Arun has written extensively in major media outlets, inclu...

About Erica Mosca: Erica Mosca is a changemaker with roots deeply embedded in community development and educational equity. As the founder and past executive director of Leaders in Training (LiT), she has dedicated her career to fostering leadership amongst youth, particularly those from underserved communities. Erica is recognized for being the first Filipina to serve in the Nevada Legislature, r...

I always felt that every day from the time that my grandparents fled Europe was a gift to me and my family. And what you do with a gift is you pay it forward. - Shelley Berkley About the Guest: Shelley Berkley is a renowned figure in public service, with a career spanning over three decades. She has served as a member of the Nevada State Assembly and as a U.S. Congresswoman. In her post-political...

"Healing is the outcome of being yourself." - Lauren Sunshine About the Guest: Lauren Sunshine is a thinker, creator, and advocate passionately centered around the themes of gender healing and self-alignment. As a content creator, group facilitator, and digital strategist, Lauren focuses on the transformative power of personal gender exploration to forge a more connected, creative, and compassiona...

"Justice in the pursuit of equity is going to be an ongoing conversation for generations to come. We all should have equal access and opportunities to succeed, irrespective of our backgrounds." - Kara Jenkins About the Guest: In this episode of Compassionate Las Vegas - the Podcast, host Will Rucker introduces us to guest Kara Jenkins, an influential figure who has been appointed by the governor t...

About the Guest: David Gershon, an esteemed founder of the Empowerment Institute, is a visionary leader who has dedicated his career to advancing the global movement of peace and empowerment. Renowned for orchestrating an event that saw a symbolic flame traversed worldwide, David ignites a spirit of peace in the hearts of global citizens. With an ambitious mission of achieving peace on earth by 20...

"Hope is teachable. Keep shining." - Kathryn Goetzke About the Guest: Kathryn Goetzke is an advocate for mental health awareness and the power of hope. A survivor of personal tragedy, she lost her father to suicide as a freshman in college and later faced her own challenges with mental health. Goetzke channeled her experiences into a mission to understand the root causes of suicide and how to fost...

In the Season 6 premiere of Compassionate Las Vegas—the Podcast, host Will Rucker interviews world-renowned psychologist and mindfulness teacher Rick Hanson. They discuss the power of compassion and the importance of empathy and caring in today's world. They delve into the challenges of overcoming the " us versus them " mentality and the need for unity and cooperation. Rick also shares insights on...

About The Guest: Joel Kisner is a former law enforcement officer with a passion for helping victims of crime. After a long career in law enforcement, including working on a federal task force and in homicide investigations, Joel now runs his own business called Pinnacle Consulting and Advisors. He is also involved in the development of the Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) and the System of...

LeAnzar Stockley is a grief recovery specialist and the founder of Soul Society 61. He is certified in the evidence-based grief recovery program and helps individuals process their grief in a healthy and effective way. Summary: LeAnzar Stockley discusses the impact of the holiday season on grief and provides strategies for navigating through grief during this time. He emphasizes the importance of...

About The Guest: Tasha K is a certified love coach and restoration life coach. With a background in accounting and therapy, Tasha combines her skills to help individuals heal their hearts and cultivate self-love. She believes that love is a necessity and works to spread love and compassion to people all over the world.   Summary: Tasha K, a certified love coach and restoration life coach, joi...