Coffee & Change

Excited to connect on this reunion episode with Lisa Manning Cassidy who I met over 15 years ago at IBM where we worked together to forge corporate history with Social Business anchored in selfless service to our country. Lisa spent over 15 years at IBM and led transformational work for government agencies and for IBM's global workforce. She and I both answered the courageous calls for paying it forward and today I am excited to reconnect with her and hear about her latest walks across the bridges of change. Thanks for listening. You can find Lisa and her great work on LinkedIn.

My guest on this special episode of Coffee & Change is Patrick "Sledge" Mullins, a former Air Force Fighter Pilot who flew F-15s for years and has certainly seen his fair share of change and challenge. On this powerful episode we discuss the flight path of his incredible life and the arc of change, community and connection that kept him going and growing. And while he got his call sign from being known as the Sledgehammer, the only thing he is breaking these days is the cycle of trauma. His healing journey is one that should be echoed far and wide, especially for men moving through the toughest stages of life. Patrick's story will remind you to keep going, never give up and always find the light inside you that makes you you. The world needs you and you are worthy...of love and forgiveness. Happy listening. You can find Patrick on LinkedIn as well as Instagram to follow his journey in healing and helping others. Thanks a Veteran today.

Welcome back to Coffee & Change. On this special two part episode, under the banner number 151, I am flipping the script. After inviting and engaging in 150 conversations, I have the unique opportunity of being hosted by my friend and former guest, David Watson. He digs deep, asks the big questions, and puts me on the spot as I reflect on recording 5.68 days—that's 8,186 minutes—of content. To put that in perspective, if you started listening to every single episode of this podcast back-to-back, it would equate to listening to Taylor Swift's entire discography 6.5 times. (That's a lot of storytelling… or a lot of heartbreak anthems!) And I guess it is then only appropriate to title this episode Charting the Arc of Change Across the Eras. Enjoy the two part episode and reach out if you have any follow on questions.

This is the Part 2 Discussion continuation from my powerful conversation with David Watson. This story, my story, continues to evolve, and I want to thank you each for walking alongside me on this journey. Your listening, the very act of listening, changes the story. I appreciate you all.

Welcome back and thanks for listening. This week, we're diving into a topic that's reshaping the way we think about change: the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Change Management. You may recall an episode with my guest titled The Art and Science of Change back in May of 2023. I was excited to welcome him back to explore this highly debated topic with than someone who has dedicated his career to understanding and guiding change — Tim Creasey, Chief Innovation Officer at Prosci. The last time Tim was on the podcast, we had an insightful conversation about the art of change and how not to lose that amidst all this innovation and excitement around AI. But as we have seen, its hype has never slowed down. And with the rapid advancements in AI, organizations, leaders, and change practitioners are facing new challenges—and new opportunities—in how we manage, adopt, and sustain change. So, grab your coffee, settle in, and join us as we unpack how AI is influencing the world of Change Management, what it means for the future of work, and how we, as humans, can adapt, lead, and thrive in this ever-evolving landscape. Make sure to check out Tim's latest research and give the Prosci AI tool a spin at www.prosci.com Tim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TimCreasey/ Evolution of AI Capabilities: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/expanding-world-generative-ai-capabilities-timeline-tim-creasey-n9rgc/ AI Integration Framework: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unlocking-adoption-ai-integration-framework-tim-creasey-0aupc/ Prosci's Kaiya: https://www.prosci.com/kaiya-ai-tool

The Polish word for friendship is "przyjaźń" (pronounced pshih-yah-zh-n). When I think of the Polish people, my time living there, and the memories made, this is the word that comes to mind, everytime. Friendship. From the first days of my arriving in Poland in 1990 to my recent return and reunion nearly 35 years later, the spirit of friendship has always guided me, as it does the people of Poland. On today's episode we hear from one of those friends - Grzegorz Leseniewski. Grzegorz is an attorney at law and a managing partner at Leśniewski Borkiewicz Kostka & Partners, where he helps clients navigate the complex and dynamic legal landscape of new technologies, CyberSec, FinTech, e-commerce, and M&A. Enjoy this conversation and reunion. Dziękuje za słuchanie. - Thanks for listening.

On Episode 150 we welcome back our guest from Episode 1 and Episode 50. Shawna Saffle Rasmussen was probably my first listener in addition to being my first guest. How the world, our worlds, have changed since then, 8 years later. A friendship going on a decade, this was such a joy to sit down together in a great setting and stop time in its place. Together we reflect and seek refuge in a deep discussion about the next chapters in change in both of our lives.

On this episode I welcome back Chris Lovett. Author, Writer, TEDx Speaker, Award-Winning Leader, Executive Coach & Simplicity Expert - as someone who lives and breathes a less is more lifestyle, Chris feels it's his responsibility to help employees improve their relationship with work by simplifying. His work has been read, seen and heard in 65 countries and he's spent years coaching CEOs, exec talent, senior leaders and teams through this stuff. Chris used to be a radio DJ, coached an x-factor winner, and is a proud music geek and loves to take Mondays off. Join for this reunion conversation as we talk about what makes us Relentless. And keep an eye out for his second book later this year.

On today's episode I interview Kristie K. Jones, a seasoned sales leader, sales enablement coach and best-selling author of "Selling Your Way In." Kristie is known for her Kristie-isms and her no nonsense approach to sales, leadership and life. She is focused on empowering sellers to not just meet their goals, but crush them. During this episode we talk about life, challenges, dreams, hopes, aspirations and more. Enjoy the listen!

On Episode 147 I welcome Lindsay Yellin. She is a sought after, dynamic leadership coach spearheading Yellin's transformative approach. With over a decade of experience in advertising account management, Lindsay proved her determination & impact by climbing the ranks to VP before turning 30. But her lasting legacy lies in her role as a team builder and culture shifter, leaving an enduring impact on the teams & clients she served. Lindsay dedicates herself to transforming self-doubting execs into possibility-driven leaders who inspire engagement & performance through meaningful connection. Lindsay's unique strategy centers on connecting leaders back to themselves first to unlock clarity & confidence to intentionally expand their leadership impact. Her curated coaching journey is a values-driven approach that empowers leaders to bust through success blockers & overcome self-limiting beliefs while building a toolkit of resources to accompany them throughout the rest of their career journey.

Jonathan Bardzik is a storyteller, chef, and author. He believes that life can and should be filled with joy, abundance and agency. His story is one that mirrors a beautiful culinary journey. Be sure to visit www.jonathanbardzik.com! Author of three cookbooks, he's given over 900 live appearances over the past 9 years and appears regularly on local television networks. You can also find his at farm markets and creating experiences for private clients including businesses, organizations, and homes. His television series, Jonathan's Kitchen has so much joy. Jonathan knows how to curate experiences and make moments into memories. In preparing food and sharing our stories, we spark connection and communication, bringing us closer together. Be sure to reach out to Jonathan about his work, retreats and books if you're interested in learning more.

Today's featured guest is Rafael Zhansultanov. Rafael has over 10 years of experience working at the nexus of global economics, geopolitics, international development and financial markets in emerging and developing countries. Rafael has studied and worked in the U.S., U.K. and Eurasia and possesses a multicultural, multilingual outlook and first hand understanding of business and customs around the world. Rafael is a Chevening Scholar and a U.S. Edmund S. Muskie Scholar having been awarded these prestigious scholarships only given to a small percentage of applicants from around the world. It was an honor to reconnect with Rafael and talk about the importance of words.

Matt VanFossen is an award winning independent artist and currently holds a well earned spot on both my Apple Replay and Spotify Wrapped of 2024. And if it wasn't for an Instagram story I almost missed, I wouldn't have heard his music at all, much less have had this healing conversation with him on the importance of forgiveness, the power of heartbreak and the future of country music. You all are in for a treat in this conversation, with a man who IS the future of country music. After hearing his story and wisdom you will want to hear every one of his songs. Thanks for listening.

On Episode 143, I welcome back Kevin Walling for his third appearance on the show. Because who doesn't love a good trilogy? You might call it Return of the Electoral Jedi. Kevin is a political strategist and political media consultant who has run for office and supported candidacies for numerous leaders elected to office. Having known Kevin now for over a decade, I consider his stoicism and political pragmatism to be a salve on the wound that keeps getting reopened in the experiment that is democracy in the United States. Nearly four years to the day since we last recorded, Kevin joined me to talk about how much has changed since the 2020 election, which was supposed to be the most consequential election of our lifetimes. That is, until this one. Thanks for listening and please get out and vote.

Kesem is a national nonprofit whose mission is to support children through and beyond their parent's cancer. Kesem does year-round programming like care packages, birthday cards, and Friends and Family Days, but the flagship program is a week-long summer camp that is completely free for all families. Kesem serves children aged 6-18 and recruits families from the local area by each chapter. Kesem at JHU is the JHU chapter of the national organization, and this year, they held camp from August 12-16th at Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center in North East, Maryland, about an hour away from the JHU Homewood campus. Kesem is run by passionate student volunteers who work to fundraise, plan programming, and recruit families and volunteers to the chapter. Kesem at JHU served 83 campers this past summer and fundraised $52,042.75 this year to support their families. Episode Guests: Maggie “Mochi” Yang is a Fall ‘23 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied Molecular/Cellular Biology and minored in Psychology. Sandra “Happy Feet” Fahmy is a Spring ‘24 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied Chemistry and Neuroscience. Both having joined Kesem at JHU in their freshman year, Maggie and Sandra have both served on the coordinator board since sophomore year and just finished up their senior year as co-directors of the chapter. They just got back from camp last month in August, which was their fourth time at camp (third in-person). They are now both living in Boston during their gap year while they apply to medical school. Maggie is currently working as a clinical research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Sandra is a medical assistant at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Jothy Rosenberg has a powerful story of overcoming adversity as a cancer and disability survivor, tech founder, and thriver. After facing immense hardships, he has distilled his experiences into inspirational keynotes that educate and uplift audiences. Jothy speaks on topics like motivation, entrepreneurship, and startup growth strategies. His inspirational keynotes based on his TEDx talk and his books resound with audience and readers of all ages. His story will motivate you to keep going and never give up in the face of adversity. Enjoy the conversation and the inspiring story from Jothy.

I am excited for you to meet my next guest, Kristin. We were introduced about a year ago by a former podcast guest and his wife. Kristin's story is one we know all to well, whereby we feel there is a call to do more, be more and answer that faint ping of purpose. Kristin is a disruptor, thought rebel and possibilitarian who struggled finding her path. She felt misguided and misunderstood despite the incredible opportunities in building a career, she continued to feel unfulfilled. Her journey inward took Kristin through therapy, coaching and meditation leading her to unplug from the outdated systems that stopped us from seeing our own greatness. Imagine an alchemical unplugging and unraveling that lets us play outside the box and feel truly liberated. It is not as far away as you would imagine. Enjoy the interplay and imagine the possibilities on, with, at, for...

I cannot wait for you to meet Derek Mitchell. His origin story will have you remembering your own childhood, and the teachers and parents in your life that changed your world. Derek is the CEO of Partners in School Innovation. Partners in School Innovation has been on a mission to transform teaching and learning in the most challenged U.S. public schools so that every student thrives. Their vision: A thriving system of public schools that have an unwavering focus on results and are vibrant places to teach, learn, and grow. To achieve our mission and vision, Partners works alongside schools and districts collaboratively, with an assets-based mindset, with a systems perspective, and in ways that allow us to constantly learn and improve. Derek is a true Change Agent leading an army of other Change Agents focused on changing the world...for the better. Enjoy the listen.

What do Madonna and Microsoft have in common? Turns out more than you think. I posed this question to Copilot and learned a few things. And in this episode I meet the personification of many of the characteristics of success shared by a pop star and a software company. Get ready to meet Heather Cook, Joyful Warrior and Community Connector changing the world one courageous conversation at a time.

Pardon the interruption. But this is something we all need to hear. After a recent interview I noticed had great impact on those who listened it felt important to share this in the form of a solocast of sorts. What follows is a blend of poetry, philosophy and a cautionary tale to an ever-changing industry. You might say it's an unrequited letter to humanity asking us all “How we can hold on to Our Humanity in the Age of AI?”

Drake Jensen is a different kind of country. An early pioneer and a man whose music helped me at a pivotal time in my life. Drake sings with an open heart and that still gives some in this world some heartburn. And that suits him just fine. Drake and I first met back in 2011 when I reached out to him to thank him for his music and for being the courageous pioneer and trailblazer who was the first out, gay country artist with a Top 40 hit. That was on terrestrial radio, so that was an even bigger deal back then. In a campaign of gratitude after the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell I made sure to thank Drake for the soundtrack he was creating for many servicemembers who could relate to his songs. Drake has never been one to conform, to any style, trend, box, or label. And in the arch of his career so far, he's proven himself to be a unique voice, an admirable activist and wise elder. From his rural upbringing in Nova Scotia to the sometime unwelcoming and celebrated stages of Nashville, his story is one that inspires countless unsung heroes, writers, producers, artists and performers to keep going. This producer and creative included. I really enjoyed this conversation and reunion with Drake and cannot wait to hear his newest material due out soon. Keep an eye and ear out for his latest single, "Lovers in a Dangerous Time."

Each year, around this time, I like to feature a story in an episode I refer to as the PRIDE Edition. It is in this annual episode I feature an inspirational story of one human's endeavor to authenticity and journey to joy. As many of us know, that is often a lifelong journey and one that comes with inordinate amounts of heartbreak and hopefully, equal parts healing. My guest for this special episode is Brian Johnson. And my connection with Brian reminded me that life is a gift and living is a choice. It is in his story I reacquainted with my own story and the stories of so many more like us. And it is in the echoing of those stories we remember we are not alone. Many of you will be moved by Brian's story and I hope you come away renewed with the power of community, storytelling and most importantly…healing. It is a timeless thing, healing. There is no start clock, no stop watch and certainly no past due date. And in some cases, as Brian and I learned together, there may be matching birth dates. Enjoy the listen.

Yes, you're the understudy to the Tortured Poet…you just didn't know it. I had nearly forgotten about the event of the season arriving in the overnight hours to our digital devices. And this morning, as I prepare for my first public poetry reading, I have to smile, because the universe always has a way of showing us “a way.” I have been thinking about this solo podcast episode for a while now. Knowing I have wanted to tell the story of a Tortured Poet and the path of putting ink to paper, and paper to print, and print to publish. And now publish to public reading. While I didn't plan it this way, I am happy that the word “poets” is being spoken into existence and resonance from arenas to amphitheaters today. I can't imagine a better walk on song for a new poet to have as he prepares for his first public reading. Thanks for listening and supporting.

On this episode we meet multi award winning Sales Leader and All Around Luminary, Carson Heady. Carson is a bestselling author of five books in addition to being one of Microsoft's most influential Directors and #1 Social Sellers. He is a Global Sales Trainer, a podcast host and

Jim Fielding, a proud Ohio native and Indiana University Hoosier, started his career on the department store floor. Over the next 30 years, he would lead some of the world's most beloved media and retail brands, including The Gap, Disney, Claire's, Dreamworks, and 20th Century Fox. Jim is known for his ability to combine storytelling and product merchandising into unforgettable consumer experiences. As culture builder and talent spotter, he has recruited and trained global leaders in a variety of disciplines and at all levels. Today, Jim spends his time and talents on independent media, entrepreneurship, higher education, and philanthropy. He's a Partner at Archer Gray, an independent media company inspiring change through storytelling and innovative brand collaborations. Jim has also been active in philanthropy for over 25 years and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.​ Read more at allpridenoego.com

Honored to welcome back Becky Morrison for the third time to the podcast. This time we talk about something powerful, simple and profound...HUMAN DESIGN. You are going to love this conversation. Reach out to Becky if you would like to learn more at untanglehappiness.com

Prepare for a powerful conversation of healing and rediscovering your legacy with the one and only, the incredibly inspiring Qiana Sanders. Qiana and I met in the newly minted hallways of a corporate office and in that first meeting we somehow knew we would be longtime friends and champions of change along the way. Qiana's story is one rooted in the power of rediscovering your legacy. And we all deserve to rediscover our legacy...that is when the healing begins. Happy listening!

Excited to welcome the first guest of 2024 with Brooke Hatala. Brooke is a rising star as a singer/songwriter in Nashville. "The North Carolina native's penchant for honest storytelling with a tinge of rocking energy makes Hatala a perfect fit for Nashville's new era.” And while she is not the only one in in the town of Nashville, she is certainly one of the ones with After attempting to connect and record in 2023, weather and technology got in the way. We we finally able to reconnect in early 2024 for this great conversation. Make sure to listen to Brooke's new single, "Not the Only One in This Town" out Jan 26th. Follow Brooke on Instagram: brookehatala Follow Brooke's music instruction and tutorial series on YouTube and listen to her music on all your favorite music platforms.

Be kind. This episode might one of my first solo episodes that I recorded at length after much reflection going into 2024. And believe it or not, I was nervous every time I got in front of the mic. It is not perfect, but it is real. And it is me. It is probably indicative of the energy many of us went into 2024 with - slightly nervous and holding breath. Happy 1.11 after a year that ended 123.123. It was 555am when I recorded this episode to kick off the 2024 Season of the Coffee & Change Podcast. And in about a week, this podcast celebrates its 8th year of connection, content, curation and production. Happy Early Birthday Coffee & Change Podcast. It feels a bit strange saying that to be honest. And when I hear it in my head, I hear the trebled timeless words of Jimmy Stewart playing George Bailey running through the streets of a snow blanketed Bedford Falls. Something to the tune of “Merry Christmas you old Bailey Building and Loan.” I guess you could say I am grateful to be here. As a podcast host, newly published author, and ever curator, I am leaving this takeaway for anyone listening: “Create your own distinct, compelling content.” Thank you again for joining me on this journey. I'd love to hear from you on who you'd like to hear from on this podcast. Who inspires you. Whose story would you like to grow from? You can always reach me via the Podcast's LinkedIn page or on Instagram. Just search for Coffee and Change and the Instagram handle is coffee.and.change I am looking forward to your recommendations and reviews as we celebrate another year of stories in change. Till next time. Be well.

On Episode 128, we reunite with Paul McCarthy, who has been on quite the journey as he authored and published The F.I.R.E.D. Leader, the leadership and disruption playbook for the next generation. And on the heels of the most operatic firing of the world's most famous tech talent and leader - Sam Altman, Paul's book is proving to be a must read. In fact, I bet Sam could have used it last Friday. Paul has been consistently asking for over five years, "Are we firing the type of talent we need with the types of leadership qualities we will need to navigate ongoing disruption?" We clearly are seeing the answers to that question played out at this tipping point. The world has been asking that question loudly this past week with the events of OpenAI. We unpack the key events in our discussion while also welcoming Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to the emerging tribe of F.I.R.E.D. Leaders shaping the future. You can listen to Paul's origin story on Episode 68 and you can now order his new book at this following link with a special discount for Coffee & Change Listeners: https://practicalinspiration.com/book/the-fired-leader Discount Code: FIREDLEAD30

When was the last time you set a boundary? You know the ones you set for your sanity, your solitude and your serenity? Well, what if I told you that no matter how hard you worked to integrate mindfulness and meditation into your life and workday, you could be missing the biggest offender to your peace of mind which we encounter daily. Yes, those digital notifications that pop up in pretty much every Microsoft product, each of our social networking apps and even the app you are using to listen to this. I apologize in advance as I may even be part of the offense if you got a notification of this episode being published today. But, the good news is my guest today is here to help us get back those boundaries. Ståle Hansen hails from Norway and is the Founder and CEO of Cloudway. I first heard Ståle speak on a Webinar on Digital Wellbeing at Microsoft this past year and was empowered to make some instant changes for my sanity. Ståle speaks to many companies and teams about the importance of using our Digital Tools in a way that makes wellbeing not only a possibility, but a reality. And the good news is it is finally being built into one of the most underrated modules right at our fingertips…Microsoft Viva. Ståle and I could have gone on for hours nerding out about all the tactics to take back control of our tech and we didn't even touch on the ever growing popularity of Copilot and Generative AI Technology. That we saved for a future episode. Enjoy this conversation and make each day a day where you adjust those notifications for your peace of mind. Thanks for listening.

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of hosting and running a podcast is when a guest you have just interviewed feels seen, heard and believed. And it is from that place of belonging that he or she so enthusiastically says, “Oh, you know who you should have on your show…” And another bridge is built to another human I wouldn't have met otherwise. Well, this past week, I got to meet one of those incredible humans. David Watson, a former guest once said to me, “You have to interview Tim Seelig for the podcast.” And boy, was David right. This is one of those stories I didn't know I needed to hear to heal. Tim Seelig is the former Director of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and has lived and witnessed historic change in his personal and professional life. Tim is a father, grandfather, author, a speaker, a performer, a conductor, a mentor, a coach and most importantly a friend and lifesaver to a great many humans on this Earth. Tim even won an Emmy for Best Documentary titled After Goodbye: An AIDS Story. This hour flew by and it was so what my heart and soul needed. It was a true honor to spend time in the presence of a modern elder and mystic who reminds us of the power of creativity and connection, and how it saves lives. Thank you, Tim for joining the show and thank you David for the connection. Links to Performances: - Testimony, written by Stephen Schwartz: https://youtu.be/-XZRNL9ZnyM?si=XZET-dmKFe3CUpGO Tim Seelig: Farewell Concert Opening: https://youtu.be/CUnnglbG2nY?si=naZwFMdDqLeW0KWG Stephen Schwartz Acceptance Speech mentioning Tim: https://youtu.be/nNeuQ-6yv6U?si=PtW-wm7z8N913nXh -

My next guest opens the aperture to untapped potential, illuminates lifelong purpose and captures possibility for healing, all from the most complex canvas on earth…the human face. Jon Meadows is a high-end headshot photographer and expression coach whose work changes lives. He builds up his subjects teaching them how to present themselves on camera and get the best out of them. His results speak for themselves, found in the faces of powerful humans who unite with themselves from a place of healing and happiness, all captured in a shot. Join me in this fascinating discussion with Jon as we talk about how expression, representation and healing all happen in front of and behind the camera. Enjoy the conversation.

Welcome back to Coffee & Change. After a much needed summer break, we are returning to kick off the Fall 2023 Season. This season we will be connecting with many creatives and hearing their stories in change. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy the upcoming Fall lineup of guests, starting next week.

Such an honor to join Isis Latham and the Evolution Business Development Podcast with a few fellow hearts, each along their journey in storytelling and change making.

In Part 4 of this Limited Audio Series exploring Generative AI, we discuss the power of and importance of Altruism in the arena of policy setting for Generative AI. Every gesture counts. If we are going to find out humanity in these technologies, then every gesture counts.

Part 3 of a Limited Audio Series on Leading Change in the Era of AI. A reflection on all the testimony on the topic of Generative AI.

Limited Audio Series: Leading Change in the Era of AI - Part 2. Are we sleepwalking through technology? What role has AI played in increasing our technology somnambulism? How do we wake up to what is happening all around us? Thanks for the listen.

Limited Audio Series on Leading Change in the Era of AI. This is an audio accompaniment to a LinkedIn Newsletter with the same title authored by the host, Bill Kirst. Enjoy the brief listen and deep reflections from each in this series.

Before taking the summer off to restore, rejuvenate and research new guests, I wanted to share a brief interlude to thank all the loyal listeners around the world. We've reached a milestone with 50,000 full episode listens from people around the world. Remember to keep chasing your dreams, no matter what. Perseverance, resilience and passion matter more than ever. Look forward to returning with more stories in change in the Fall Season 2023. Till then, have a relaxing and memorable holiday.

Tim Creasey is the Chief Innovation Officer at Prosci, the research-based organziation focused solely on change management. Tim is a change expert, researcher and author who focuses on achieving change success with and through people. His work forms the world's largest body of knowledge in change management. Tim's role as Chief Innovation Officer at Prosci means bringing new perspective and understanding to the world of change management. Tim has built a career that's steeped in a foundation of unparalleled insight from the challenges and trends to a vision for the future. Using his economics background, Tim brings a data-rich, analytic perspective to give organizations powerful, actionable insights into change success. Speaking to audiences around the globe, Tim is authentic, knowledgeable and unassumingly funny, creating memorable experiences that leave his audiences prepared, energized and ready to bring about positive change. Learn more about Tim and Prosci at http://www.prosci.com Enjoy the conversation.

Mark Rowe is southern born actor who grew up in Tennessee. He spent a decade in New York City as a stage actor, and, since 2012 has lived in LA, Atlanta and New York, working in film, television, commercials and theater. Today in conversation with Mark we will hear about his change journey that took him from “You're a Good Man Charlie Brown” all the way to “Stranger Things Season 4” with a few stops along the way starring in a memorable and profitable Superbowl Budweiser commercial, a particularly moving role in “The Resident” and most recently a film called “Campfire” that I cannot wait to hear more about as a Veteran. Enjoy the conversation and learn more about Mark at https://www.markroweactor.com/

Emily Falvey is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter. She is an alumna of Belmont University's Curb College, graduating in 2018 with a B.A. in Songwriting & a B.B.A. in Music Business. Falvey signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Shane McAnally's publishing company, SMACKSongs, in April 2018. The single she penned for Big Loud artist MacKenzie Porter, “Seeing Other People,” recently reached #1 on the Canadian country airplay chart. Falvey has other recent & upcoming releases with artists such as Walker Hayes, Carly Pearce, Tiera, Josh Kerr, Jake Scott, and more. Falvey is a member of the AIMP Songwriter Series class of 2019, was voted "Favorite Songwriter" by Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP), & was named to the inaugural Nashville Briefing 30 Under 30 List. Enjoy the conversation!

Remember back to the days of pandemic lockdown, when so many of us tapped into the well of mindfulness, meditation and mental wellness apps? Perhaps you dusted off the Headspace app in your phone or maybe you discovered an app called Insight Timer, discovering audio treasures and tracks including music to help us heal amidst our unyielding grief. In those early days, when it was hard to breathe, even scary to breathe, I stumbled upon an artist page in the Insight Timer app. It was one breathtaking photo of the Cliffs of Moher that caught my eye. And with one tap further, I dove into a track called Ireland. And it changed everything for me. It was in that moment, my grief danced with a duo of souls using the power of intention and frequency to resonate new levels of healing. Matt Bingham and Andrew Hamby make up the duo The Light Meeting. Matt on Guitar and Andrew on Cello. And their creations became my soundtrack for serenity, solitude and stability when all around us was falling apart. On this episode I have the pleasure of hearing Matt's story of change and thanking him personally for the countless souls he has stirred on this earth with his creations. This is one of those episodes where I got lost in conversation and connected to my younger self. Healing comes in many forms, and for some, there is always music involved. Enjoy the listen.

Over a decade ago I had the opportunity to meet and mentor two incredible consultants, who were just starting out in their careers at IBM in Washington, DC. Together we created a family-like environment, and worked like we were in a startup, always having each other's back and hyper focused on the mission our daily work supported. That mission was to protect the U.S. joint warfighter and the military's digital infrastructure around the world. In this episode you will hear from Matt Hennessy and Kristen Mullery, two inspirational humans whose commitment to service has grown to benefit Veterans and global communities around the world. It was an honor to take a walk down memory lane with these two guests and echo their story of change in the world.

In 2020 over 18 million students applied to go to college. And 17.7 million of those students applied for financial aid. Applying for financial aid can be a daunting and emotional process for students and families. In my research for this episode, I learned that in 2020 the number of submitted applications of the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, fell by 50,000 applicants. Guiding students and families along that journey is a global community of Financial Aid Directors and Counselors who are committed to simplifying the complexities and easing the pathway to graduation for the next generation. This episode is dedicated to these unsung heroes, these keepers of all those forms and even some of the memories. Those makers of dreams. With their focus ever on the next generation pursuing higher education and newfound purpose, their work is seldom heralded. And while the statistics and metrics are all too easily cited, we rarely hear of the stories behind the numbers. Nor do we get to meet the people whose lives have been changed forever by the work of a Financial Aid counselor, like David Carnevale. In this episode I bring two of those stories to light. Told nearly 20 years later, this story of change is a reunion between a young student and the counselor who helped him find his path to independence and eventually graduation. Thank you to David and Brian for joining the podcast and trusting this platform to echo their stories while championing the next generation of changemakers.

Welcome back. And pardon the interruption. It is a time of reflection in the times we are in. And as such, my partner in composition, a man I am fortunate to call a friend, has scored a new seasonal anthem for the podcast. You may reflect back on his previous seasonal scores, or even his powerful story shared in Episode 72, Playing it Through with Jason Latham. And as with any co-creation, it often leaves us inspired and gifted with words to accompany the silence between the notes. And so, on this interlude episode, I will share with you, the listeners, the very words that came to the composer as he beautifully scored, composed, mixed and produced this masterful piece, aptly titled, “ALL THE KING'S HORSES” followed by an full, uninterrupted listen of the movement of the music that inspired his words. Enjoy and thanks for listening and sharing.

Sydney is journalist turned strategist with a unique blend of experience in diversity & inclusion, management consulting and people strategy. Her superpower is th ability to connect and influence - With a knack for leaning into hard and uncomfortable conversations with employees of all levels. She is anchored in doing work that is meaningful and directly impacts and uplifts historically excluded communities. From scrappy pre-IPO startups to public Fortune 50 companies, Sydney has honed her skills in building diversity recruiting strategies, D&I programs, policy and product inclusion, guiding teams through change management, and educating and empowering senior executives to build, sustain and lead more diverse and inclusive teams, companies and environments. When not at work, she's trying a new recipe, traveling to and exploring a new place, listening to Stevie Wonder (or trap music) on full blast, reading Black American fiction and sippin' something bubbly. Enjoy the conversation!

My guest on Episode 117 is Beth Banks Cohn, PhD. As President of ADRA Change Architects, Beth helps individuals and organizations reach their full potential. She uses a highly developed organizational intuition to help them see what others might have missed. All efforts are focused on giving the business results they desire. With over 25 years of business experience in the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare arena, Beth brings time in IT, Sales & Marketing and Operations and combines it with degrees in Organization Development and Human and Organizational Systems as well as a Certificate in Positive Psychology to bring a unique and proven approach. Beth knows that change and transformation isn't easy for individuals or organizations, no matter what the business drivers are. But it's amazing how much easier it can be when they can align their people and strategy - and look forward to seeing them all grow. Learn more about Beth at adrachangearchitects.com Enjoy the listen.

My next guest could write an opus on what it feels like to lead and live in change. I first heard Drew Wilkinson's story on a the Powered by the People podcast at Microsoft, and instantly found myself drawn in to learn more about his story, most intriguingly the path that led a modern day poet to go from the stage life as the lead singer of a hardcore punk band to one of the world's preeminent technology companies leading corporate activism and communities of passion for sustainability. If you look up Drew Wilkinson, you will find a quote that fits his change story, and reads almost like a lyric from his days as the front man of his band, “We don't give up easily. No, doesn't intimidate us.” Those are the words of a changemaker. Those are the words of a punk rock veteran. And those are the words of an activist, working to leave the place better than he found it. It was an honor to record in person, capturing Drew's incredible story and listening to the music his band put out into this world. It speaks to the inner songwriter in me, and the quiet rebel in all of us. Enjoy the listen. Learn more about the community in this short video Microsoft Sustainability Connected Community - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rjDLpGdVs8 Or by reading pages 9-10 of Microsoft's 2021 Environmental Sustainability Report | Microsoft CSR: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/sustainability/report You can also reference Drew's previous blogs on this topic @ Make Sustainability Part of Everybody's Job (microsoft.com): https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/green-tech-blog/make-sustainability-part-of-everybody-s-job/ba-p/3146718 And connect with him on LinkedIn Drew Wilkinson | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmartinwilkinson/

I met my next guest sailing somewhere in the waters of the Eastern Caribbean in 2014. Canaan Cox began his career singing on Cruise Ships and is now one of Nashville's fastest rising Independent artists. A true entertainer, Canaan is what some in the industry might consider a triple threat. Actor, singer, dancer…and now he has director and producer credits under his belt too. Having been a fan since the first time I heard him sing so many years ago, it was my honor to welcome Canaan to the show and hear stories of change as an independent artist. Learn more about Canaan at http://www.canaancox.com