Mission Driven With Dr. A C Cristales

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about the power of self-reflection and shares his entrepreneurial journey of being a keynote speaker. A.C. shares some of his experiences, both good and bad, that have led him to where he is now. This is an honest and raw conversation that will empower you on your journey of pursuing your goals and dreams. It is...

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about the untimely death of Kobe Bryant and why it impacted him, and also about the passing of one of his former students. "What is your life? It is just a vapor, appearing for a little while, and then vanishing."

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Dr. Elaine Vallie, middle school teacher in Texas. In this episode, Dr. Vallie shares about several educators who impacted her life, and also about her dissertation study on Middle School Librarians' Perceptions and Promotion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) books. This is an episode tha...

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Dr. Adam Saenz, author of the best selling book, The Power of a Teacher, and also the developer of the Educator Assessment of Social and Emotional Learning (EASEL), which is a measure of personality and emotional intelligence that is central to the work and curriculum associated with his new book, The EQ Intervention...

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Josh Tovar, principal of Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas. Socorro High School currently enrolls over 2,400 students, and what Josh and his staff have done to make sure that every student feels that they are cared for is nothing short of spectacular. In this episode, Josh opens up a bit about his journey to beco...

On the first episode of 2020 for the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about taking ownership of your life and future. Using some dialogue from the film, The Godfather Part II, A.C. provides 3 steps that you can use today to take ownership of your future.  You only have one life. Don't spend it living someone else's dreams or plans for your life. This is an episode wh...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about the importance of optimism for your personal and professional growth. Using a few lines of dialogue from the film, The Godfather, A.C. outlines 3 ways optimism can help you on your journey of success. Some of you are not reaching your goals because of pessimistic thoughts. This is an episode where you will...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Destiny Chavarria, Educational Specialist at the Region 17 Education Service Center in Lubbock, Texas.  Destiny works with Migrant Education, which has the goal to ensure that all migrant students reach challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or complete a GED), and also th...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales gets you ready for 2020 by discussing the power of gratitude.  He also explains how gratitude should not be limited to just holidays or special events. Gratitude should be practiced daily because there is always something to be grateful for.  A.C. concludes by providing 3 ways to practice gratitude starting today.  Th...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by 8th grade math teacher, Weston Wilcox. Weston teaches in the Dallas, Texas area, and in this episode, he shares how being a teacher was his calling. However, he also discusses real issues that he dealt with having to do with mental health and depression.  Weston also details a dark moment in his life that...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by FOCUS Pastor at Richland College, Sirak Asfaw. Sirak leads the FOCUS group, which is an interdenominational campus ministry at Richland College. FOCUS is a community that values equipping students to be missionaries to their college campuses. In this episode, Sirak shares the importance of having faith-ba...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about paying the ultimate price to achieve the ultimate goal. Using a few lines of dialogue from the film, Point Break, A.C. outlines 5 things you must do in order to pay the ultimate price. Some of you have the dream, but you're not willing to pay the price to achieve it. This is an episode where you will want...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Program Coordinator at Richland College, Gabe Randle. Gabe leads the MAP (Male Achievement Program) at Richland College. This program is designed to help students of color with their academic and social integration at the post-secondary level. In this episode, Gabe shares what it takes to break down the w...

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales uses some lyrics from the Notorious B.I.G. song, "Sky's The Limit" to provide you with 7 lessons that can help alter your belief system. Some of you aren't reaching your potential because you have limiting beliefs. This is an episode where you will want to take notes and you'll definitely want to share it with a frien...

A.C. Cristales is joined by educator and school leader Rachael Brown to discuss her journey into education, how her current position as a school administrator aligns with her life's mission, and her tips for teachers, parents and students. Also, at the end of the podcast, a quick interview with A.C.'s daughter, Isabella, on who her favorite teacher has been so far. If you're wanting to become a be...

Even though many people don't like to talk about pain, it's important to know that our pain has power. It can either strengthen you or it can weaken you. Pain is a powerful force in our lives. In this episode, A.C. shares how changing our perspective on pain can help better our lives and also help inspire others. If you want to know how pain can actually be used for our good, this is the episode f...

What kind of mindset do you have? Is it a fixed or growth mindset? It's important to know which mindset you possess because the type of mindset you have will determine the words you use to communicate with others.  In this episode, A.C. shares what having a growth mindset looks like and how you can use it to better serve your kids, students and followers. So, if you want to help those you serve su...

To some, Tupac Shakur was a thug. To others, he was a revolutionary. Regardless, of what you think about 2Pac, one thing is certain. 2Pac was one man with many legacies. In this episode, A.C. talks about how the following 2Pac lyrics have helped him with regard to being driven by his life's mission: "Driven by my ambitions, desire higher positions. So, I proceed to make G’s. ETERNALLY in my missio...

Did you know that faith without works is dead? Faith only works when you put action to it. This flashback edition is a six minute clip of A.C. speaking a month after he left his position as an assistant principal in 2014 to become a full-time speaker. Also, there's a surprise after the "faith" audio clip. It's a song A.C. recorded with his friends from Chicago. Give it a listen and be encouraged a...

Humans are made for interaction. Therefore, we need each other and we need community. But not just any community. We need a community where we know we matter and are respected, where we are cared for, and where we're recognized and acknowledged. If you're a principal, teacher, parent or youth worker and you want to strengthen your community, this is the podcast for you! For more information about...

Humans are built for endurance. Through hardships character is built, and in failures, lessons are learned. In this episode, A.C. shares what it means to go the distance and how endurance and perseverance are essential traits for leaders and people pursuing their dreams and working toward their goals. Using a couple of scenes from the classic movie, Rocky, which starred Sylvester Stallone, A.C. en...

We all wonder sometimes whether or not our lives have purpose. In this inaugural episode, A.C. shares what this podcast hopes to accomplish, with regard to helping you be a better leader, entrepreneur, parent, student, or simply someone who wants to be a positive influence in society. He also shares one of his life changing moments when he knew there was purpose for his life, which ultimately led...