Lead with Empower Podcast

Dr. Don Sawyer Leads with Empower Don Sawyer, Ph. D. is the Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Leadership Development, as well as an Associate Professor of Sociology, at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Additionally, Don is one of the Founders of HipHopHeals, a community-based project in the Dominican Republic, using the hip-hop culture to unite Haitian and Dominican youth. "Me giving b...

Tracy Tighe Johnston Leads with Empower Tracy is the Founder and Executive Director of Tighed Together - a non-profit that facilitates restorative and recreational outings for families experiencing trauma caused by a medical diagnosis, a tragedy, a loss, a chronic condition, or a disability. Tighed Together guides the families they serve from trauma and despair, through change, toward healing and...

Senior Master Sergeant Jenny Gonzalez-Smith Leads with Empower SMSgt Jenny Smith-Gonzalez is the Human Resources Advisor with the 103rd Airlift Wing of the CT Air National Guard. Jenny has over 20 years of service time with the Air Guard and her current role focuses on providing mentorship and coaching, diversity and inclusion training, and victim advocacy for Airmen. Additionally, Jenny serves he...

Coach Heather Stone Leads with Empower Coach Stone is entering her 16th season as Head Coach of the Western Connecticut State University Softball program. Heather has led the WCUS program to 5 NCAA appearances, a 2007 ECAC New England Championship during her tenure at her alma mater. Additionally, Coach Stone is a member of the WCSU Athletics Hall of Fame (2001 inductee). "Leadership is about acco...

Dr. Matthew Raidbard Leads with Empower Dr. Matthew Raidbard is the Author of "Lead Like a Pro: Effective Leadership Styles for Athletic Coaches" and Founder of Raidbard Sports Leadership Consulting. Dr. Raidbard brings his 15 years of experience in Division I college basketball coaching and senior level college athletics administration to the Lead with Empower podcast for a tremendous conversatio...

Sean Banks Leads with Empower Sean is the General Manager of the DC Breeze, a professional ultimate frisbee team from the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL). Sean's journey, from being a music education major in college to his current role as the GM of the DC Breeze, is inspiring and empowering! Sean shares his thoughts on professional ultimate frisbee, leadership in sport (and beyond), and the...

Christopher Koch Leads with Empower Christopher Koch is one of the Assistant Principals at Bunnell High School (Stratford, CT Public Schools). I was first introduced to Chris during a Spring 2021 Zoom team building event and developed a great relationship with Chris during our 2-week Summer Empowerment program with students from Stratford Public Schools. Chris has a unique ability to develop trust...

John Yeager Leads with Empower John Yeager is the Founder and CEO of Yeager Leadership and co-author of The Coaching Zone: Next Level Leadership in Sports . The Yeager Leadership management firm helps organizations become more aware of how their ability to leverage strengths and culture, and to manage "healthy tensions," leads to maximizing engagement, capacity and performance. John is a tremendou...

Season III of the Lead with Empower Podcast concludes with a wonderful conversation with Joselyn DeFreest, the Group Adventure Specialist from Empower Adventures Tampa Bay (EATB). Joselyn is one of the original EATB team members - joining soon after their opening in 2016. To sum up Joselyn's role in one job title is nearly impossible - she is the ultimate Empower Swiss Army Knife! We hope you enjo...

"Humanity is not an individual sport." Doug Whittington Leads with Empower and brings an excitingly fresh perspective on what it means to lead effectively in business, at home, and in life. We learn about Doug's journey to (and from) the corporate world, his family's current adventure (cross country road trip since February 2021), and so much more. We hope you enjoy our conversation! 00:00: Episod...

"Don't let other people tell you that you are not good enough to do something. Give it your best shot and prove them wrong!" The Lead with Empower crosses enemy lines!!!! Dan Jaskot, the host and avid fan of the New York Yankees, is joined by real estate agent, former major league pitcher with the Tampa Bay Rays, and current broadcaster of the Rays, Mr. Doug Waechter. All kidding aside - what a tr...

"Help someone do something that they don't think they can do!" I first met Dayna when she interviewed for a seasonal zip line guide position with Empower Leadership Sports & Adventure Center in the winter of 2009. Dayna quickly became a key player in the Middletown operation and, since about 2016, the entire Empower Adventures Operation. Whether it was sitting next to her in the small corner o...

"People are only motivated out of two areas - either desire or fear. The problem with motivating people out of fear is that the moment you leave the room, so does the motivation. If you motivate people out of desire, they will go to town." Eric Seidel - Mayor of the City of Oldsmar, FL - was kind enough to join us for a great conversation about community development, leadership, volunteerism, and...

"The only place you see success before work is in the dictionary." Joe Borelli - Dean of School Culture at the Hamden Charter School of Science - Leads with Empower. In addition to his work as Dean of Culture, Joe is a CrossFit athlete and trainer, personal trainer, nutrition coach, and entrepreneur. Joe Borelli believes we all have the opportunity to have a tremendous impact on others and he wast...

"The memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime" - Free Four, Pink Floyd Carl Johnson, the Principal of Plainville HS (Plainville, CT), Leads with Empower! Carl is a lifelong educator who joined us during the school's April Vacation to share his journey from young history enthusiast to educator and principal, and to discuss the role leadership plays in the Plainville HS o...

"It is really nice to do something that makes someone else smile because that always makes me smile!" Providing youths with positive and safe opportunities to build trusting relationships, develop important life skills, serve their community, and learn to lead is an important facet of youth development. Young adults thrive when given the opportunity to do so! This episode of the Lead with Empower...

"Life in 15 Minute Increments" - Farrand Violette Leads with Empower! Today's episode features a great conversation with an old friend from Springfield College Football - Farrand Violette. Farrand is currently serving as a teacher, special education case manager, and assistant football coach in Knoxville, TN. Farrand shares great stories, anecdotes, and advice during our conversation - bringing hi...

The Middletown Youth Services Bureau Team Leads with Empower! We are joined by Justin Carbonella, Youth Services Coordinator, and Bonnie Daley, Diversion Coordinator, from the City of Middletown Youth Services Bureau. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Bonnie, Justin, and many young adults from the MYSB over the years and can say with the utmost confidence that Bonnie and Justin are both...

Joe Dumpson, Community Leader and Shift Manager for the State of Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, joins the Lead with Empower Podcast! I first met Joe, or as we call him "D", in the Fall of 2003 at the Mill Pond School. Joe was the in-house room supervisor at the time and quickly became a mentor to me at the Mill Pond School due to his ability to connect with and lead the youths we work...

One year ago, the Lead with Empower was just a random thought that flew through the somewhat empty space in my brain! Over the past 12 months, we have recorded 46 episodes with 62 unique guests - guests who are all absolute inspirations when it comes to leading themselves and leading others! The 47th episode of the Lead with Empower Podcast is a bit different. I step over to the "other side of the...

This episode of the Lead with Empower podcast is an audio recording of our most recent webinar - Empowered Athletes Overcome. The purpose of the webinar was to connect high school athletes, who aspire to compete in college athletics, with our panel of college coaches. Our panel includes Coach Kevin Loney (Bowdoin College Football), Coach Laura Duncan (University of New Haven Women's Soccer), Coach...

Zach Hoffman - Founder and CEO of Swiss-Army Leadership Leads with Empower. Zach is originally from Pittsburg, PA and grew up with dreams of playing in the NFL. While Zach's childhood dream did not come to fruition, Zach discovered his true calling as a coach, mentor, and leader! Zach shares his story from college athlete in the States and professional American Football Player in Europe to authori...

Sara Stirling is back for part 2 of a 3-part "podcast mini-series" focused on Goal Setting and Goal Achievement in 2021. Sara shares her personal goal for 2021 (Create 10 new art pieces per month), her plan for achievement, and an update as to how things are going 5-weeks into her goal achievement journey! 00:00: Episode Introduction and "Roll Call" We catch up with Sara Stirling, the VP of Market...

Episode IV, Season 3 - Ulish Booker, CEO of Spartan Global Network, Leads with Empower! Ulish is a retired professional football player, with World Bowl (NFL Europe) and Super Bowl rings, who has taken the jump into the adventure of entrepreneurship. Ulish shares his story and leadership lessons learned along the way from West Haven High School to Michigan State University followed by his jump to...

Episode III, Season 3 - we are joined by three students and two advisors from Hamden Hall Country Day School. Lisa Daly and Chase du Pont, the two advisors of the Princeton Peer Leadership Program at Hamden hall, as well as Jess Stanley, Alex Blaise, and Nick Perkins, senior students and Peer Leaders, join the Lead with Empower podcast to discuss their leadership experiences, their upcoming "Quart...