One Spark Stories

Today we are joined by a friend, fellow Disney College Program alum, and National Director with one of the biggest hearts I know. Nick Wagner is the National Director of Programs for A Kid Again, a national organization providing Adventure to families raising children with life-threatening conditions. He has over 10 years of non-profit experience with a strong focus on peer to peer fundraising He...

Dr. Jeffrey A. Barnes is a bestselling author & captivating keynote speaker that engages audiences with lessons learned from Walt Disney. In 2014, Jeff created a college course on The Life And Lessons of Walt Disney. The day after that first class, while still riding the high of it being a hit, he received news about his health that could have stopped him in his tracks. Instead, he doubled down on...

Many people talk about feeling a pull to try something new, or a calling to a different career. Few see that tug as a sign from a higher power and take action the way Mark Wells has. Mark has lived a purpose driven life including working as a registered nurse, building and selling three different businesses over 15 years, and working in youth ministry for the past 18 years, and founded and directe...

Dr. William Sprankles is Assistant Superintendent of Innovative Teaching and Learning at Butler Tech. Butler Tech always been an organization that embraced innovation and educational change for the betterment of Career Tech and Public Education, but they have made significant shifts in the last five years thanks to high impact creatives like William and the Butler Tech leadership team. They don't...

How many Corporate Humorists do you know? Honestly I'd be shocked if you know any other than the one and only Andrew Tarvin. After all, he is the one that decided to create his own business cards with that title while he was working as an IT Project Manager at Procter & Gamble. From there he started adding jokes to the ends of my emails, volunteered to MC meetings he wasn't invited to, and got a n...

What can we learn from the magical mouse who does a good job helping all employees align with its deeper company "why"? This week the tables turn as I, Katie Currens, share a bit about the journey to become a published author with Leadership Fusion  -- after getting an extra spark to go for it when I was told I didn't have enough credibility to contribute since I hadn't been formally  published be...

After retiring from his role as Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Lee Cockerell has worked to help others create magic in their leadership and life. His less than traditional upbringing inspires many as he shows the lengths you can go with a bit of hard work.  After meeting Lee in 2006 I was hooked to his "low key" leadership style. He makes it known that it wasn't a...

He's Magical. He's a Dude. And he's here on the podcast! If anyone has ever defined their purpose as a kid and taken incredibly intentional actions every step of the way to live that purpose, it's Lee Kitchen.  From creating background music in his bedroom to a 32 year career with The Walt Disney Company, everything Lee does is around harnessing creativity and having a whole lot of fun.  Lee now w...

Claudine Pohl is the Founder and President of Lemoneight Consulting, known as the entrepreneur that successfully launched her business with the cruise industry in early 2020 while the rest of the world was shutting down! That is a purpose driven business if I've ever seen one.  Not only will you hear about how she built her business working within the cruise industry starting in the midst of globa...

After a fulfilling and exciting 26-year career with the Walt Disney Company, Dan and his wife Valerie made the decision to set out on a new venture and start their own consulting and speaking business where they leverage their expertise to focus on their clients' most critical issues and areas of opportunity in order to help them create a path to excellence. His experience in building and cultivat...

There seems to be a mindset that in order to be successful, you have to step into the spotlight, climb the ladder, become the boss, or chase whatever version of success that's been dangled in front of you. But what if there's another way? What if fame, money, and power aren't all that we should be chasing? Today's conversation with Tim Schurrer is full of stories that will encourage you to reevalu...

There are two things I not only believe, but have seen to be true; "You learn more when you're having fun" and "if you have an emotional connection to what you are learning, it will stay with you forever." So when I saw these front and center for a woman called The Pop Coach, I knew I had to meet her.  Amanda is a speaker, trainer, MC, and all around Pop Culture Maven, hence the name The Pop Coach...

D'Shawn van Kerkhoff is a 21 year old student that recently took a solo trip from the Netherlands to board a cruise with people he had only met online. Sounds concerning, right? For D'Shawn, it was perfectly aligned with his future goals and an opportunity he wasn't going to let sail past.  This episode is a great conversation on how to leverage your professional passion to connect with people tha...

The tables have turned! Rita Richa, host of the Bippity Boppity Business podcast , and I recently recorded a live conversation about professional purpose. While it was done as an experiment, it was a great way to highlight the value of leaning into curiosity. During this conversation Rita turned the tables and asked me questions about: my Dis-tory and what impact my time as a Cast Member at Walt D...

Jessica Magee is one of my favorite humans and educators and I couldn't be more excited to have her on to share incredible perspective on the stigma around math and burnout.  Before becoming a consultant and instructional coach she spent years as a math teacher. She has helped design and implement math curriculum, and countless professional development around topics including one of my favorites r...

This episode is a great conversation about the power of authentic connections with Rob Miridi. Rob and I just returned from an event where we had the opportunity to spend several days with other innovators and creators, so it only made sense that we record while the energy is high.  Rob Midiri is a certified project manager in healthcare and is currently serving as the director of operations for a...

Mike Simmons is the owner of Catalyst Sale, which helps Founders, Sales Professionals and Leaders FIND Clarity and STOP Second-Guessing the Work They Do.  His business processes, frameworks, tools, and methods are the catalyst for enabling people and organizations to reduce waste, create certainty, and improve execution through clarity, focus, and design. Mike is also host of the Find my Catalyst...

Michelle Baker is the Co-Founder of Stoneledge Enrichment, LLC (pause) the creators of the "Aligned Leadership" approach. She brings 24 years in leadership experience as a former Director from the Disney Institute, and was an opening team member, Senior Leader and Officer with the Disney Cruise Line. Michelle is a Welch Scholar & MBA Graduate from the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer Uni...

As a former educator and vocal advocate for innovation in schools, I couldn't be more excited to welcome Tom Burton, superintendent of Princeton City Schools. Tom is a proven and dynamic school administrator. He is well known and praised for his leadership and empowerment shown through his work and at recent speaking engagements including the American Association of School Administrators, Institut...

Many employers and job seekers find navigating the job market intimidating, especially now with the Great Resignation and Labor Shortage going on. However, Tim Dyck is r eady to show you how to get past your employment fears and get the best possible professional result every single time . When you learn the right mindset, understand what employers and job seekers are really looking for, and have...

Today's episode brings a ridiculous amount of energy, hope, and realistic optimism. Larry Long Jr is the Founder and CEO (Chief Energy Officer) of LLJR Enterprises, which focuses on sales motivation & inspiration, as well as team trainings. He is the host of the 'Midweek Midday Motivational Minute', Co-Author of Color Outside The Lines , and has a new book coming soon titled JOLT!   Larry's experi...

What do a Podcaster, Park Ranger, Executive Coach, and Financial Analyst have in common? The name Jody Maberry! Today we welcome the one that was ultimately behind the final push I needed to get this podcast live, Jody Maberry. Jody is a former park ranger who became the happiest podcaster on earth. With more than 1,600 podcast episodes across several shows, his podcasts have been listened to more...

This episode connects us with the wonderful Cassie Tucker. Cassie has spent years in social media, marketing, public relations, photography, and consulting at a local and even international level. She's an incredibly savvy storyteller that loves seeking new ways to engage audiences, which is why she has been so successful moving from corporate agencies to running her own marketing business while a...

Today I am so excited to kick things off with someone I have long admired for the courageous risk she took to take control of her professional career. Katelyn began her career in marketing and public relations in Nashville, Tennessee. After working in the agency world for six years, she decided to pursue the entrepreneurship route to create more freedom and flexibility in her life. Now, Katelyn wo...

Today we have my friend, the integrator to my visionary self, Heather Havey. Heather has an incredible passion for helping organizations transform their business through intentional systems, with a guest services expertise that combines the art of Disney and the science of GE. She is a Six Sigma Black Belt and spent over 20 years with The Walt Disney Company working across hospitality and financia...