Spark Something New

Send us Fan Mail In this soulful episode, we flip the script on rest. As many head into the July 4th holiday — a time often packed with plans, productivity, and pressure — Dr. Katie challenges the hustle-hard mindset with one radical question: What if the most powerful thing you could do this week… is rest? But not the kind of rest that collapses on the couch after a whirlwind day. This episode ex...

Send us Fan Mail What if your biggest breakthrough didn’t come from sitting in a therapist’s chair—but from acting it out on a stage? In this eye-opening and refreshingly fun episode, Katie chats with Anna Bobikova to explore the transformative power of psychodrama —a therapeutic approach where roleplay becomes a tool for healing, insight, and connection. Anna demystifies the concept of psychodram...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we’re diving into one of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself: What would you do if you weren’t afraid?  But we’re not talking about the kind of fear that protects you from danger—we’re talking about the kind that often disguises itself as “logic,” “safety,” or “being realistic,” and keeps you from taking the leap your soul is actually craving. We expl...

Send us Fan Mail What if the thing you’re clinging to is the very thing holding you back? In this episode, Katie invites you into an uncomfortable conversation —one that could radically shift how you think about growth, purpose, and your next evolution. Inspired by Dr. Henry Cloud’s Necessary Endings , together we explore the idea that sometimes, in order to thrive, we have to let go. Whether it’s...

Send us Fan Mail What if the thing you think food is doing for you—it actually never could?  This week on Spark Something New , Katie sits down with the powerhouse that is Michelle Petties —TEDx speaker, food story coach, and author of the Amazon bestseller Leaving Large: The Stories of a Food Addict . But don’t get it twisted—this isn’t a conversation about what to eat or the latest food trends....

Send us Fan Mail Tough love alert. If you’re listening to this on Memorial Day while still checking your email, chauffeuring kids to sports, or planning your next Pinterest-perfect to-do list—pause. Because this solo episode is your wake-up call. Katie is coming in hot this week to drag the word we all love to hate: “busy.” She’s not just unpacking it—she’s beating it up, burning it down , and set...

Send us Fan Mail In this heart-expanding episode, Katie welcomes Jules Kuroda—corporate hippie, wanderer, and author of The N8 Self —for a conversation that blends humor, depth, and soul-level truth. Together, they explore a profound yet often overlooked part of our existence: the N8 self —our spiritual essence that lives beyond mind, heart, and body. Jules invites us to ask the big questions, but...

Send us Fan Mail “Emotional Intelligence: It’s Not A Thing, It’s THE Thing” In this transformative conversation, Katie sits down with the EQ Sensei himself— David Cory , founder of the Emotional Intelligence Training Company (EITC), celebrating 27 years of global impact. From creating national EQ programs in Botswana to dodging elephants in Zambia (yes, really), David brings heart, humor, and unma...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered if being kind makes you soft (spoiler: it doesn’t). In this soul-stretching, sass-laced convo, Katie sat down with the wise, radiant, and slightly magical Deb Crowe — coach, educator, yoga teacher, and bestselling author — to talk about a leadership philosophy that flips the script on old-school power games. ✨ What You’ll Learn (Whil...

Send us Fan Mail On this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Katie introduces listeners to the concept of toxic perseverance , a term coined by Dr. Michael Scarano.  Toxic perseverance is defined as the conscious or subconscious mindset that prevents a person from attaining inner peace, contentment, and joy —even while appearing outwardly successful. Michael explains that while perseverance...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Katie sites down with the remarkable Rahwa Teklai—SVP and Market Leader at Key Private Bank. She's a certified financial planner, ultra-endurance athlete, and radiant force of optimism. Rahwa shares her powerful life story, starting with her early years in East Africa and her family’s immigration journey from Eritrea to the U.S., emphasizing how resilience, m...

Send us Fan Mail In this heart-opening episode, I sit down Jim "JR" Rinere, an entrepreneur, c-suite executive, professional speaker, and author of There’s Coffee in the Fridge , to explore the courage it takes to stay, heal, and to find joy again.  It's an honest and powerful conversation about the pervasiveness and impact of mental health on our boys, young men, and adult men in t...

Send us Fan Mail She’s baaaack. On this week's episode, Dr. E returns to drop truth bombs, bust myths, and lovingly drag us all into better health. If you’ve been gaslit by your doctor, living off caffeine and good vibes, or Googling “is brain fog normal?” — this episode is your wake-up call. And spoiler: no, it’s not normal. We’re talking health optimization — not in the “buy this overpriced...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're diving into the power of social emotional leadership with the brilliant and joyful Future Cain—CEO of Future of SEL and a nationally recognized expert in social emotional intelligence and workplace wellness. We explore what it really means to lead from a place of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and positive relationships—whether you’re managing a...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt and thoughtful conversation, Katie explores the concept of connection with psychologist, executive coach, speaker, podcast host, and author, Dr. Adam Dorsay, whose new book Super Psyched dives deep into how connection shapes fulfillment, happiness, and resilience. Against the backdrop of rising loneliness, exhaustion, and societal disconnection, they explore how...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we're diving deep into the power of creativity, storytelling, and personal agency with the incredible Ophelia Chambliss —fine artist, visual communicator, and community change agent. Ophelia shares her journey as a self-taught artist, her passion for realistic cubism , and how she uses art as a tool for storytelling and empowerment. She also opens up about turning...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the Spark Something New podcast, Katie chats with Dr. Pedro Rivera, the President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and former Pennsylvania State Secretary of Education.  They discuss Dr. Rivera's journey as a lifelong learner, his passion for equitable education, and his five-step process for intentional learning. The conversation also delves into...

Send us Fan Mail This episode kicks off Women's History Month with the incredible, Dr. Amber Sessoms, a professional speaker, facilitator, consultant, and school psychologist. We discuss the principles of living authentically, the importance of knowing oneself, and the steps needed to unlearn harmful narratives.  Amber shares her insights on the need for curiosity, finding supportive communit...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Katie chats with Dr. Elizabeth Tisdell, also known as Libby, a distinguished professor emerita in lifelong learning and adult education. Libby shares her vast knowledge on embodied learning, a concept that emphasizes the importance of learning and experiencing life through our bodies.  She talks about her journey, from being a massage therapist and a campus minist...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Katie dives deep with the incredible Dr. E (Efrat Lamandre, PhD, FNP-C), a medical disruptor known for her work against medical gaslighting. Dr. E shares her journey into functional and integrative medicine. They unpack into why medical gaslighting predominantly impacts women and minority groups and how we can advocate for ourselves within the healthcare system. D...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Katie chats the kind and thoughtful Mark Maynard. He's a consultant, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author who transitioned from decades in the hospitality industry to the entrepreneurial world.  Their conversation dives deep into leading with love and living with purpose. Mark shares his profound belief in combining purpose, strategy, and action in b...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Katie chats with Carrie Johnson, an entrepreneur and thought leader with 30 years of experience in business and organizational strategy, founder of Girls on the Run of Lancaster-Lebanon, and an inspiring community leader.  They dive deep into what it means to discover and be your truest self in a world obsessed with perfection. Carrie shares her wisdom on finding...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Katie chats with the super cool Dr. A.J. Merlino, Executive Director of Learning Innovation & Workforce Solutions at Thinking Through AI. A.J.'s got an impressive background in professional music, endurance athletics, and higher education.  They dive deep into getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Need a blueprint? A.J.'s got you covered: ref...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Katie dives dive deep into why 2025 has been HARD for so many of us. It's been "brutiful" (both brutal and beautiful) in many ways. She explores the different types of hard and why THIS hard is different, yet essential to living a meaningful and fulfilling life. She also touches upon the concept of "grateful yearning" and why this calls us...

Send us Fan Mail Join Katie for a rich conversation with Jonathan Fields, a world-renowned thought leader and creator of the 'Good Life Project' and SPARKED body of work. Together, they explore profound themes such as the pursuit of a meaningful life, overcoming societal work norms, the importance of self-discovery, and finding joy through family and nature.  Jonathan shares personal sto...