Find Your Spark

This weekend, America turned 250. On this episode of Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad takes a moment to reflect on what that really means. The conversation starts where it should: freedom. Not just fireworks and cookouts, but the freedom to make our own choices, live our own lives, and decide who we want to become. What does freedom mean to you, personally? Chad celebrates the freedom we enjoy as Ame...

Chad hits pause this week, and he's inviting you to do the same. In a lighthearted reflection on summer, he speaks directly to the students and educators SPARK serves and reminds us all that rest isn't something you earn, it's something you need. Summer is the perfect time to recharge, and this episode is your permission slip to do exactly that.

History gives us perspective. It reminds us that change is possible, that progress takes courage, and that the work is never truly finished. In this episode, Chad reflects on what Juneteenth means beyond the holiday itself. Freedom is at the heart of this day, but freedom looks different depending on who you are and where you come from. What does freedom mean to you? What does opportunity look lik...

In this episode, Chad sits down with SPARK's newest team member, Shawn Adkins, for a fun and candid conversation about all things Shawn. With a background in case management and a lifelong heart for working with youth, it's no surprise that SPARK felt like home from day one. Shawn shares what brought him to SPARK, what his role looks like, and the impact he's already witnessed from the curriculum...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but if we're being honest, mental health deserves our attention every month of the year. In this episode, Chad sits down for a candid, heartfelt conversation about the realities of mental health: the stigma that keeps too many people silent, the way our mental wellbeing shapes everything we do, and the quiet power of choosing to understand rather than judge, s...

In our final episode of the series, Brooke and Chad sit down with the woman whose words started it all: Mavis Karn. You may not have known her name, but chances are you've felt the truth in her words: "My state of mind is the most important thing to me." That simple statement became the heartbeat of this entire series. And now, Mavis is here to tell us what she really meant. She starts with a stor...

Some words stop you in your tracks. And when you're lucky, someone else in the room felt it too. In this episode, Brooke is joined by Stephanie Fox, one of the only other people present the day Mavis Karn said the words that changed everything: "My state of mind is the most important thing to me." Both women heard it, and both were moved in remarkably similar ways. In the weeks that followed, they...

What if the key to showing up as your best self wasn't a practice you had to perfect, but simply an awareness you could come back to, moment to moment? In this episode of the State of Mind series, Chad sits down with Jena Travise for a conversation that is as honest as it is eye-opening. Jena shares her understanding that state of mind isn't fixed. It's fluid, shifting from one moment to the next....

What if your first reaction to "my state of mind is the most important thing to me" was... that's a little selfish? That's exactly where Makayla started. In this episode, Brooke sits down with Makayla Wheeldon for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about navigating a demanding career, the realities of wedding planning, and what it actually takes to show up fully in a relationship. As they dig de...

In this third installment of the State of Mind series, Chad sits down with Nicole Wilson to explore one of the most foundational truths we can embrace: that state of mind is everything. Together they unpack how your state of mind isn't just how you're feeling in a given moment — it's the root of everything you respond and react to, and the filter you're looking at life through. Nicole shares why s...

In this episode, Brooke is joined by SPARK team member Ashley Hunt for an honest and heartfelt conversation about what it really means to prioritize your state of mind. When Ashley first encountered the idea that your state of mind is the most important thing to you, she was stopped in her tracks because for as long as she can remember, she's been the person who puts everyone else first. In this e...

Have you ever heard something that completely shifted the way you see yourself and the world around you? "My state of mind is the most important thing to me." These words sparked something powerful, and in this brand new 7-part series, Find Your SPARK hosts Brooke & Chad are diving deep into what that really means. In this first episode, Brooke & Chad introduce the State of Mind series and Brooke...

After a few weeks of hosting solo episodes, Brooke and Chad are back together and catching up on the whirlwind start to 2026 at SPARK. From packed schedules to meaningful moments in the classroom, they reflect on the busyness of the past two months and what it’s been teaching them. Chad shares insights from his recent classes, including the unexpected “uproar of six seven” and what it revealed abo...

In this insightful conversation, Ashley sits down with the author of Beyond the Noise: A Path to Overcoming Fear and Anxiety, Melissa Azar Cohen, to explore the deeper truth behind what keeps so many of us feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Through personal stories and honest reflection, Melissa shares the inspiration behind her book, the moments that led her to write it, and what she hope...

In this episode, Chad recognizes National Red Cross Month, a time dedicated to honoring the millions of volunteers, donors, and everyday people who step up to help others in moments of need. Led by the work of the American Red Cross, the month highlights the power of compassion in action — neighbors supporting neighbors, communities showing up for one another, and ordinary individuals doing extrao...

In this episode, best friends and coworkers Brooke Wheeldon-Reece and Ashley Hunt sit down to reflect on Brooke’s 12-year journey with The SPARK Initiative. As President and CEO, Brooke has helped shape SPARK’s vision, programs, and impact from the ground up — guiding its growth while staying rooted in the mission of helping people understand the power of their own minds. Together, Brooke and Ashl...

In this episode, the SPARK Team reflects on what it felt like to host this year’s Summit — and how the experience unfolded in a way none of us could have fully anticipated. In the days leading up, there were of course moving pieces and natural questions. But when the doors opened, an overwhelming sense of calm carried through the entire day. It didn’t feel rushed. It didn’t feel heavy. It felt pre...

Brooke sits down with Santy Sanchez and Beto Contreras from the Insight Alliance to explore a powerful truth: wellbeing and resilience already live within every human being- yes, even young people. This conversation shines a light on how nurturing the self-awareness of their unbreakable SPARK can unlock potential and inspire hope in the next generation. Whether you’re an educator, parent, mentor,...

Leading up to the National Wellbeing & Resilience Summit, Chad sits down with Prince Jimmar, co-founder and director of Rebels for Peace, to explore the powerful work he’s doing with youth on Chicago’s South Side. Together, they discuss how understanding the simple nature of how our minds work can unlock wellbeing for anyone — regardless of background, circumstances, or where you grow up. Driven b...

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad speaks with Rob Cook, internationally recognized speaker and transformational coach, about resilience, leadership, and the power of psychological safety. Rob shares how understanding the nature of thought can help people move through stress, uncertainty, and change with greater ease—and why wellbeing is not something we need to achieve, but some...

Want more wellbeing and resilience? Good news—you already have it. What if it’s really that simple? Join Brooke as she sits down with bestselling authors and thought leaders Michael Neill and Mavis Karn as they share a taste of what’s to come at the upcoming National Wellbeing & Resilience Summit and why this topic matters now more than ever. In this conversation, they unpack the innate wellbeing...

We’re kicking off the new year by coming together as a full SPARK team for a meaningful “around the table” conversation. In this special episode, Brooke leads us through thoughtful questions about what we’re carrying forward from the past year, the goals we’re setting for SPARK in 2026, and the personal intentions shaping our individual futures. Rooted in gratitude for all that last year brought a...

In this episode, Chad is joined by fellow SPARK team members Makayla Wheeldon, Ashley Hunt, and Stephanie Fox for an inside look at the National Wellbeing & Resilience Summit. Together, they explore the why behind the summit and the impact it’s designed to create through a series of individual reflections and thoughtful group questions. One of the most meaningful conversations centers on what sets...

With Chad back as host to kick off the new year, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Meghan Waldron — a mother, partner, educator, and passionate advocate for education in its truest form. Deeply committed to K–12 learning environments, Dr. Waldron believes education extends far beyond academics and plays a vital role in cultivating resilience, confidence, and lifelong growth. In this episode, Chad dives...

In this special end-of-year episode of Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad sits down with the SPARK team to honor Mari, who is leaving after nearly four amazing years to return to her hometown of Chicago. Together, they reflect on cherished memories, share heartfelt appreciation for Mari as both a teammate and a true friend, and celebrate the lasting impact she has made on SPARK and everyone around her....