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

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...

In this episode of The Circle of Hope, I’m joined by Dr. Carla Pulliam for an open-hearted, insightful exploration of what it really takes to bring diversity, connection, and intentionality into our circles of influence. We reminisce about our first meeting—volunteering for a college readiness mentoring program where a simple conversation soon spiraled into deep dives on topics like critical race...

Welcome to The Circle of Hope Podcast! I’m Valerie Hope, and in this episode, I sit down with the creative dynamo Jeanne Lambin—facilitator, coach, storyteller, and connector. Together, we explore the art (and the heart) of building real community, showing up for each other without judgment, and crafting spaces where creativity, kindness, and meaningful connection can thrive. We talk about everyth...

In this episode of The Circle of Hope, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Anderson, a dynamic leader whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Our paths first crossed in a workshop at UT Dallas, where Michael, then a Deputy CTO, lingered after class to dive deeper into public speaking, coaching, and finding new purpose beyond the corporate grind. What began as a networking connect...

Welcome to The Circle of Hope Podcast! I’m Valerie Hope, and in this inspirational LIVE episode, I sit down with intuitive coach and master connector, Shoshanna French. We share real stories of accidental meetings (are they ever truly accidental?), the epidemic of loneliness, and actionable ways to find, nurture, and deepen your circle of influence. Explore why reciprocity, boundaries, energetic r...

Welcome to Circle of Hope, my podcast where I explore how powerful human connections can ignite purpose, partnership, and community transformation. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Janet Morrison Lane, Executive Director of the Vickery Meadows Youth Development Foundation. We reflect on the moment we met, the spark that started it all, and how it’s evolved into years of collaboratio...

Welcome to Circle of Hope, the podcast where I explore the power of connection to spark transformation. In this episode, I have the joy of reconnecting with my longtime friend and colleague, Winn Fuqua, a former photographer turned handyman and aspiring speaker. Together, we dive into the meaningful (and often hilarious) ways that trust, referrals, and reputation shape both our personal and profes...

The "Circle of Hope” is a podcast hosted by Valerie Hope that explores how meaningful connections spark purpose, growth, and impact. Through real conversations with inspiring guests, each episode reveals how a single relationship can transform lives—and even spark a movement. Whether you’re looking to… Grow your network with intention – beyond surface-level connections Get practical strategies for...

Strangers: Felipe Ferreira & Valerie HopeFrom: Brazil/Germany & Panama/Texas, USA Connect With:·        Felipe Ferreira·        Valerie Hope Resources:·        Gathering Behind the Scenes: Not Quite Strangers Spotify Playlist·        Valerie Hope's TEDx Talk - How to Connect to Joy at Work Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connectio...

Stranger: Meet Nenuca SyquiaFrom: Philippines/California, USAConnect With:Nenuca Syquia•        LinkedIn•        WebsiteResources:Valerie’s TEDx Talk: How to Connect to Joy at WorkSubscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at Not Quite Strangers. Let's Connect:•        Website•        NQS Chall...

Being a Successful Mompreneur |Ep. 76 NQS | Valerie HopeStrangers: Meet Gabbie Kelly & Keisha RicksFrom: New Hampshire, USA & North Carolina/Texas, USAConnect with:    ·   Gabbie Kelly - Instagram    ·   Keisha Ricks - InstagramResources:    ·   Book: Becoming Better Grownups    ·   Book: We Should All Be Millionaires    ·   Video: Iyanla Vanzant & Oprah WinfreySubscribe to my YouTube channel and...

How to Balance Being Productive and Relaxed. | Ep. 75 | Valerie HopeStrangers: Meet Jamal Martin & Sky JarrettFrom: Mississippi, USA & Jamaica/Florida, USAConnect with:  Jamal Martin ·   LinkedIn   Sky Jarrett ·   LinkedIn ·   WebsitesResources: ·   Sky’s TEDx Talk - Finding Joy in Grief: A Radical and Mindful Approach to Grieving ·   How to Connect to Joy at WorkSubscribe to my YouTube chan...

Raising Mixed Race Families | Ep. 74 NQS | Valerie HopeStrangers: Karabi Acharya & Sara Emond HopeFrom: India/Illinois, USA & Vermont/Texas, USAConnect with:    Karabi Acharya    ·      Instagram: We Are Multitudes    ·      Twitter    ·      LinkedInResources:    ·     Celebrating Loving Day  Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Conne...

Supporting the Well-being of Men | Ep. 73  | Valerie HopeStrangers: Bala Subramanium & Ben GarciaFrom: India/Texas, USA & Texas, USAConnect with:  Bala Subramanium ·      Facebook ·      LinkedIn   Ben Garcia ·      Facebook ·      LinkedIn Resources: ·     Men managing depression & burnout - Ep. 43 - Not Quite Strangers Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive...

What it takes to end human trafficking | Ep. 72 | Valerie HopeStrangers: Lisa Welch & Rebecca JowersFrom: Texas, USA; Texas, USAConnect with:Lisa Welch ·      LinkedInRebecca Jowers – ·      LinkedIn ·      WebsiteResources: ·      Documentary: The Wisdom of Trauma ·      The Stages of Change Model ·      Movie: The Sound of FreedomSubscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes!...

Our Heart Trumps the Mind and the Body | Ep. 71  | Valerie HopeStrangers: Jérôme Vaillancourt & Saoussan GhandourFrom: Montreal, Canada & Lebanon/United Arab EmiratesConnect with: Jérôme Vaillancourt · jerome.vaillancourt@hotmail.com Saoussan Ghandour · selfleadershipjourney@gmail.com Resources: · Book: Gabor Mate - When the Body Says No · Video: Thomas Hubl - Healing Collective Trauma · Marshall...

Strangers: Bway Paw & Dar Cuai From: Thailand/Texas, USA & Myanmar/Texas, USA Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at www. NotQuiteStrangers.com. Let's Connect:·        Website·        NQS Challenges·        Instagram·        Twitter·        Facebook #NotQuiteStrangers #ConnectToJoy #Insp...

Teachers Make a Profound Impact | Ep. 69 | Not Quite StrangersStrangers: Meet David Bolich & Eddie WatkinsFrom: Alabama, USA; Alabama, USAConnect with: David Bolich – ·  Facebook  Eddie Watkins – ·  Facebook ·  Email Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challenges' in your inbox, subscribe at www. NotQuiteStrangers.com.  #No...

How Men Make Friends and Keep Them | Ep. 68 | Not Quite StrangersStrangers: Abhijit Solanki, James Haney, and Sammy HaddadFrom: India/California, USA; Texas, USA; Lebanon/Texas, USAConnect with:·      Abhijit Solanki LinkedIn ·      James Haney LinkedIn ·      Sammy Haddad LinkedInSubscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Challen...

Learning From the LGBTQIA+ Community: What it Means to Be an Ally | Ep. 67 | Valerie HopeStrangers: Ash Desai & Doy CharnsupharindrFrom: India/Pennsylvania, USA & Thailand/California, USAConnect with: Ash Desai ·   Instagram ·   LinkedIn Doy Charnsupharindr ·   Instagram ·   LinkedIn Subscribe to my YouTube channel and access new and past episodes! To receive episodes and personal 'Connection Chal...

Strangers: Meet Marcia Dawood & Romone PennyFrom: Pennsylvania/North Carolina, USA & Illinois, USAConnect With:Marcia Dawood·        LinkedIn·        Website·        Podcast: The Angel Next Door·        Venture Capitalist vs. Angel Investor Rap Battle Romone Penny·        Email: info@pursuitsportsgroup.com·        Instagram: @PursuitSportsGroup and @Romonefpenny·        Pursuit Stream Website·    ...

Strangers: Andy Thomas & Tommy McDowellFrom: Richardson, Texas & Denton, Texas Connect With:·        Andy Thomas·        Tommy McDowell - LinkedIn Resources:PSYCH-K·        Workshops·        What is PSYCH-K Video from creator Rob Williams Landmark Worldwide·        https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/ Books:·        The Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur·        Men are Mars and Women are from Venus by...

What is the Wisdom of Wellness? | Ep. 64 NQS | Valerie HopeStrangers: Meet Heather McNabb & Jennifer DeFeoFrom: Forney, Texas & Plano, TexasConnect with:Heather McNabb ·      Website ·      Instagram ·      FacebookJennifer DeFeo ·      FacebookResources: ·      Book: You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay ·      Book: I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years by Ilchi Lee ·      Wildfit Program by Eric Edmead...

Ep. 63 - Not Quite Strangers: Meet Heidi Jackson Everett & Patricia BradleyFrom: Kentucky/Washington D.C/USA & Philadelphia/Texas, USATalk About: Blazing a Trail and Being Responsible WomenConnect with:Heidi Jackson Everett ·      LinkedIn ·      Instagram: @heidijeverett and @star_cypress ·      Website Patricia Bradley ·     LinkedIn ·     Facebook ·     InstagramResources: ·     To learn a lang...