Connect to Joy Podcasts: Circle of Hope | Not Quite Strangers | Time to Come Alive

I invite you into a vulnerable, uplifting, and heart-to-heart “honorable closure” with my dear friend, Ingrid Gavshon, documentary filmmaker, executive coach, and one of the sparks behind my growth journey. In this milestone conversation, we reflect on over 30 episodes of Circle of Hope, the launch of my next adventure: writing a book on meaningful connection and personal growth, and the wisdom, j...

After 30 conversations on The Circle of Hope Podcast , this isn’t a typical episode… It’s a pause. In this reflection, I take a step back to share what this journey has revealed, not just about relationships, but about what happens when we take the time to talk about them. What I discovered is this: It’s not just the relationships we have that matter… it’s the conversations we’re willing to have a...

If you’ve ever wished for your family to feel more like your inner circle, one that truly understands, uplifts, and connects, you’ll want to press play on this episode. Welcome to another heartfelt episode of The Circle of Hope! I’m your host, Valerie Hope, and today I’m joined by my three amazing brothers, Eduardo (Dito), Ricardo (Ricky), and Rolando (Roli) Hope. For the first time, we open a win...

If you’re a creative spirit who’s ever struggled to bring your vision to life—or wondered how true collaboration can elevate every single project you touch, this episode is for you. Welcome to Circle of Hope, where I, Valerie Hope, invite you inside deeply personal conversations designed to illuminate the power of human connection. In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant (and family!) filmm...

If you’re searching for deeper meaning, more joy, and authentic connection in your career (and life), this episode is just for you. This week on The Circle of Hope, I sit down with a kindred spirit, Sandy Duhe, a leader, teacher, and pioneer in bringing love and well-being into business. Sandy’s journey takes us from the heights of corporate finance to classrooms, entrepreneurial ventures, and eve...

If you’re a leader looking to bring more joy, intentional authenticity, and emotional safety into your organization, or a parent, educator, or seeker craving deeper connection in all areas of life, this episode is for you. I sat down with my dear friend Connie Laufersky, master Montessori educator and leadership coach, to unravel the secrets to nurturing transformative relationships that span deca...

If you want more meaning, trust, and genuine connection in your work, community, and finances, this episode is for you. Welcome to another episode of the Circle of Hope Podcast! In this heartfelt conversation, I dive deep with my longtime investment advisor, and now friend, Tyler Downing, exploring the art of cultivating trust, mentorship, and authentic connection, both professionally and personal...

If you long for deep, joyful connection in new places or just want permission to bring your whole self to every friendship and opportunity, this episode is for you. In this soul-nourishing episode, I sit down with my vibrant friend Alice Tenjiwe Kabwe to unpack our unlikely friendship, sparked at a Nonviolent Communication retreat in Nairobi. From braids and belly laughs to creating space for vuln...

If you’re looking to break through surface-level conversations and nurture bonds that truly matter in business or in life this episode is for you. In this heartfelt episode of Circle of Hope, I sit down with the extraordinary Tildet Varon entrepreneur, coach, and author to explore how we can turn everyday encounters into meaningful human connections. We talk about our own journey from chance acqua...

Welcome back to Circle of Hope, the podcast that unpacks the spark, the soul, and the strategy behind life-changing human connections. I’m Valerie Hope, your host, and this week’s episode is a deep dive into connection, courage, and community with special guest Keveney Avila. What happens when a successful entrepreneur deletes all her social media, then returns for one wild 30-day experiment to re...

Welcome back to Circle of Hope, the podcast where I, Valerie Hope, hold transformative conversations with leaders and visionaries who prove that meaningful connections spark extraordinary growth. In this episode, I’m joined by the unstoppable Shawn Paynemiller, II – or as he likes to say, SP-squared – now VP of Finance at Hyatt for the Americas. We dig deep into the real power of legacy, authentic...

If you’ve ever felt isolated, judged, or wondered if true connection could transform lives, this episode is for you. As your host, I invite you into an unforgettable, deeply honest conversation with George Orwa, founder of Safi Nyuolo Safi Community Based Organization in Nairobi, Kenya. This isn’t just a story of surviving seven years of incarceration in a foreign land: it’s about finding purpose,...

If you’re seeking deeper connections, hope through life transitions, and inspiration for your own purposeful living, this episode is for you. In this episode, I sit down with Iris Huang, multicultural executive coach, global citizen (hello, Uruguay + Taiwan roots!), and my inspiring peer from the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute. This episode is a celebration of how two “third culture kids” f...

How Vulnerability Fuels True Leadership | Ep. 19 COH | Valerie Hope If you’re a leader, coach, or seeker who wants to create deeper meaning, comfort with vulnerability, and lasting personal growth through your connections—this episode is for you. Welcome to Circle of Hope! I’m Valerie Hope, and in this episode, I reconnect with my fellow Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute graduate David Ooley f...

In this heartfelt episode of Circle of Hope, I’m joined by Jérôme Vaillancourt, from Montreal, Canada, for an inspiring and vulnerable conversation about connection, coherence, and healing. Jérôme and I reminisce on how our friendship sparked in the most unlikely of places—a randomly assigned, two-minute breakout room during a HeartMath Institute course at the height of the pandemic. What began as...

In this lively, heartfelt episode of The Circle of Hope, I sit down with my niece Lucy Hope, a rising high school senior—and, fittingly, my summer virtual assistant! We unravel the power of curiosity, listening, and connecting with those who help us grow. From Lucy’s early days as the inquisitive toddler in our family kitchen to her navigation of high school clubs, friendships, and the dynamic lan...

In this special episode of The Circle of Hope, I’m joined by the incredible Ingrid Gavshon—accomplished documentary filmmaker, masterful coach, and a dear friend who truly embodies compassion and connection across cultures. Our conversation is a soulful exploration of how meaningful relationships are fostered, especially with those who may seem different from us on the surface. Ingrid draws from h...

In this powerful episode of The Circle of Hope, I’m thrilled to welcome Linda Balola, a lecturer and peacebuilder whose journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda has been marked by transformation, learning, and the courage to shift entire communities toward healing. Our story together began serendipitously in Nairobi, Kenya, when Linda recognized me from my TEDx talk—a beautiful remi...

In this heartfelt and laughter-filled episode of The Circle of Hope, I reconnect with my brilliant, soulful, and multifaceted friend, AJ Thomas. Our journey together—spanning unexpected musical moments, executive coaching at Berkeley, and transformative collaborations at Google X—sets the stage for a candid conversation about the art of building deep, enduring connections both personally and profe...

In this episode of The Circle of Hope, I sit down with my long-time friend and colleague, Rahim Saafir, to explore two decades of friendship, growth, and the power of authentic relationships. We reminisce about our journey at the Hyatt Regency DFW, where Rahim began working in security after leaving government work and transitioned into Human Resources—thanks, in part, to his unstoppable drive and...

In this heartfelt episode of The Circle of Hope podcast, I sit down for a lively, soul-nourishing conversation with my dear friend of fifteen years, Keisha Carpenter-Ricks. What began as a simple meeting at a haircare class blossomed into a rich, lasting friendship built on intentionality, mutual growth, and a shared zest for life. Keisha opens up about her journey from being my hairstylist to bra...

In this deeply heartfelt episode of The Circle of Hope, I reconnect with one of my favorite coaching partners, Donald Stup, for an intimate, live conversation about navigating life after a life-changing health diagnosis. Donald bravely shares his journey from discovering a tumor on his spinal cord to adapting to significant shifts in mobility—including time spent in a wheelchair and recovery from...

In this heartfelt episode of The Circle of Hope, I sit down with the incredibly insightful Chuck Roundtree—sound facilitator, coach, and founder of The Love Affect. Our conversation dives straight into the magic of referrals, but not just as business transactions; Chuck reframes them as acts of love, gratitude, and energetic connection. We unpack stories of how meaningful introductions, like the o...

In this heartfelt and expansive episode of The Circle of Hope podcast, I sit down with my dear friend of over thirteen years, Felipe Ferreira. Our friendship began when our professional paths crossed in the hospitality industry—Felipe based in Sao Paulo and me in Texas. Over the years, despite having only met twice in person, we’ve grown an immensely supportive, curious, and genuinely reciprocal r...

This episode of The Circle of Hope podcast takes you inside an extraordinary life journey with Chef Dr. Yadira Stamp—a culinary entrepreneur, author, and true trailblazer whose entire story is fueled by resilience, curiosity, and indomitable hope. Inspired by a connection made on Instagram (shout out to my mom for the introduction!), Yadira and I dive deep into her transformation from a street-sma...