Flip Your Script

The Flip Your Script podcast launched in 2020, and our first episode featured host Kristi Piehl's journey from Emmy Award-winning TV reporter to entrepreneur. Since then, over 150 guests have shared stories of struggle and resilience. As we close this chapter of the podcast, Kristi shares another personal story as she sits down with her son Alec to discuss how a knee injury taught him the power of perseverance, faith and perspective, reminding us that setbacks can lead to new beginnings.

Janice Kaplan is a gratitude expert and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Gratitude Diaries. Her new book, What Your Body Knows About Happiness, explores the mind-body connections to happiness and shares insights on how small environmental changes and physical actions, like sitting up straight or holding a warm cup, can influence mood and perceptions. In this episode, Kristi Piehl and Janice discuss the power of gratitude, the mind-body connection to happiness and small changes that can transform your mindset.  

Sharing his own struggles with mental health and addiction, Patrick J. Kennedy has spent his career fighting to end discrimination against people with mental health conditions. He founded the Kennedy Forum and spent 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He often compares today's mental health efforts to the goals set by his uncle, President John F. Kennedy. In this episode of Flip Your Script, Patrick discusses the power of personal stories in breaking stigma and advocating for policy change.

Dr. Amy Attas is a veterinarian and the founder of City Pets Vets in Manhattan. Over the years, she has cared for over 10,000 pets, including those of everyday people and celebrities like Billy Joel, Cher and Joan Rivers. In her new memoir, Pets and the City, Dr. Amy reflects on the challenges and rewards of her unique career, sharing memorable stories from her work. In this episode of Flip Your Script, Dr. Amy discusses her journey of revolutionizing the veterinary industry with house-call vet services.

Chynna Clayton was raised by her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother while her father was in prison. After graduating from college, she interned at the White House where she began working closely with First Lady Michelle Obama. Over nearly a decade as Mrs. Obama's bodywoman, Chynna learned the importance of valuing assistant roles. In this episode of Flip Your Script, Chynna shares how Michelle Obama encouraged her to start her own company and how she advocates for these often-overlooked positions.  

Matt Allen, known as “Nur-D,” is a key figure in the Minnesota hip hop scene. He has performed at Paisley Park and U.S. Bank Stadium, shared the stage with artists like Jaden Smith and Tyler the Creator and toured with Brother Ali. The murder of George Floyd was a pivotal moment for Nur-D, deepening his commitment to social justice. In this episode of Flip Your Script, Nur-D emphasizes the importance of authenticity in his work and the responsibility artists have to use their platforms to create change.

Sophie Grace Holmes was born with cystic fibrosis and was told she wouldn't reach her teenage years. Despite the challenges, she has made it her mission to show what's possible with a healthy lifestyle. Now a fitness coach and athlete, she has accomplished feats like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, paddleboarding 80 miles from the Bahamas to Florida, and running 36 marathons in 36 days. In this episode of Flip Your Script, Sophie shares her inspiring journey and the importance of setting ambitious goals.

Holly Hardman started her career as a researcher for Rolling Stone, PBS and Twentieth Century Fox before moving into writing, directing and producing short films. After a personal experience with the dangers of prescribed benzodiazepines, Holly began her latest project, As Prescribed, a documentary that shares the problems linked to these drugs. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Holly shares her advocacy for patients and the importance of understanding the risks of some prescriptions.

Cullen Jones was rescued from a near-drowning incident when he was just five years old. This experience sparked his passion for swimming, leading him to become an Olympic gold medalist and the first African American to hold a world record in the sport. Cullen is now dedicated to promoting water safety and drowning prevention. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Cullen shares his journey from nearly drowning to becoming a renowned swimmer and advocate for inclusivity in water sports.

Yasmine Arrington Brooks grew up with her parents behind bars. When she started applying for college, she noticed a lack of scholarships for students in her situation. She founded the nonprofit ScholarCHIPS, which offers scholarships, mentorship and a peer support network for students with incarcerated parents. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Yasmine discusses how ScholarCHIPS started and the inspiring stories from some of the scholars who are changing their life trajectory.

Steve Hoffman is a tax preparer who loves writing and the French language. Looking to reignite those passions, he moved his family from Minnesota to the French countryside. Steve started journaling about his experiences connecting to the food, the wine and the people. He found a new version of himself and is rewriting his middle-aged story. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Steve talks about his recent memoir and how his perspectives changed after his move to France.

Maggie Nichols trained as an elite-level gymnast with hopes of competing in the 2016 Olympics. Her dreams were crushed when she didn't make the team, but she went on to become an 8-time NCAA national gymnastics champion. She's now an advocate for young athletes after bravely speaking out about years of sexual abuse by her team physician. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Maggie talks about her memoir, Unstoppable!, the sexual abuse scandal and her relentless pursuit of justice.

Devan Kline started Burn Boot Camp in a parking lot with his last few hundred dollars after his baseball dreams with The San Francisco Giants were shattered. He grew up in abuse and chaos but used baseball as his escape to freedom and changed the direction of his life. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Devan shares how he overcame mental challenges through physical exercise and inspires others to adopt resourcefulness and a proactive mindset.

Isaac Saul grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, one of America's most politically divided counties. After spending years as a political reporter, Isaac wanted to fix how people consume news. Isaac is the founder of Tangle, an independent, non-partisan politics newsletter that offers both sides of the biggest news stories. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Isaac shares how the newsletter has evolved, advice for conversations about politics and his thoughts on the upcoming election.

Beth Rodden began climbing at a young age and quickly gained recognition for her accomplishments. However, Beth's journey took a dramatic turn when she and three others were kidnapped by militant rebels and held captive for six days while on a climbing trip in Kyrgyzstan. This experience changed Beth's perspective on life and climbing. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Beth shares her experience with perfectionism, seeking therapy and confronting trauma as an elite athlete.  

Grandma Joy and her grandson Brad Ryan have visited all 63 National Parks in the U.S. and are now on a new challenge to visit all seven continents. Their journey isn't just about traveling; it's also about forgiveness and overcoming difficult family dynamics. They're inseparable nowadays but the grandma-grandson duo were estranged for about a decade. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Grandma Joy and Brad share their remarkable journey of travel, aging, forgiveness and personal growth

Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour had a childhood dream of being a police officer on horseback, a dream that evolved into becoming America's first Black female combat pilot. She served two tours in Iraq, piloting an attack helicopter and now travels the country as a speaker and consultant. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, FlyGirl shares her journey of persistence, resilience and hunger for success and how she faced rejection multiple times before achieving her goals.   

Phil Catudal was diagnosed with leukemia as a child and lost his father to cancer when he was 12 years old. Both experiences significantly impacted his life and shaped his wellness journey. Phil is now a celebrity personal trainer with a philosophy centered on accountability, education and dedication. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Phil shares how his childhood gave him a unique perspective on health and fitness and how he uses his story to help others prioritize their well-being.

A life-threatening car accident changed Jenn Drummond's outlook on life. She knew she was given a second chance and started prioritizing personal fulfillment and embracing experiences. Jenn broke a Guinness World Record by becoming the first woman to climb the Seven Second Summits. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jenn emphasizes the value of perseverance and determination and shares how she overcame her car crash and developed the mindset to become a mountain climber.

Carol Han Pyle is a former fashion and beauty editor at Elle and now the founder of a luxury fragrance and candle brand. NETTE combines inspiration from her childhood with her passion for clean ingredients and a desire for a safe home following fertility struggles. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Carol shares her journey from remembering her mom's homemade candles to creating a successful luxury brand focused on clean ingredients, sustainability and mental well-being.

Stacy Lyn Harris started her career as a lawyer. When she met her husband, Scott, who is an avid outdoorsman, she got a taste of a different way of life. His passion became her passion, and she left her job to care for their seven children and a vegetable garden. Now, she is a southern lifestyle guru, chef and author. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Stacy talks about what inspired her to write cookbooks to share stories and how her cooking philosophy goes back to her childhood. 

Meir Kay is best known for spreading positivity and happiness on YouTube. He is the founder of Super Soul Party, a non-profit dedicated to bringing people together and providing comfort to those facing homelessness. During the Super Bowl, they host Super Soul parties in cities across the U.S. and offer a meal, haircut, clothing and an opportunity to connect with others. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Meir shares the positive impact of small acts of kindness.

Cheryl Hunter was a teenager when she left her family's horse ranch in Colorado to travel across Europe. While abroad, she met two men who promised to make her a model but instead abducted her, held her captive and eventually left her for dead. She survived the life-changing event and now uses her story to help others overcome adversity and own their stories. In this episode of Flip Your Script, host Kristi Piehl and Cheryl talk about the importance of sharing personal stories to help others.  

Golf has always played a large role in Christine Fraser's life. She grew up on her family's golf course and played competitively in college. Christine spent five years in England practicing golf course design under architect Dr. Martin Hawtree and recently became the first woman in golf history to hold a lead design role on a golf course in Canada. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christine shares her design philosophy centered on sustainability and her goal to make golf accessible.

Donald James began his career as an intern at NASA with plans to stay a couple years. However, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, it set off a series of events that changed the direction of Donald's career. He retired from NASA after 35 years and is now a public speaker, mentor, business coach and author of Manners Will Take You Where Brains and Money Won't. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Donald shares how he's using his experiences to inspire the next generation.  

As 2023 comes to an end, we are reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the next. In this bonus episode of Flip Your Script, host Kristi Piehl gets vulnerable, talking about intentionally saying “no” in 2023 in order to say “yes” to new opportunities. This transformative mindset shift led her to meet Lisa Valle. Lisa joins Kristi to talk about how getting outside of our comfort zones and saying “yes” to vulnerability can bring so much into our professional and personal lives.

LeeAnn Walton was teaching yoga when she had a massive stroke. After years of being angry and not understanding why, LeeAnn discovered her strength and purpose. Now, LeeAnn is the author of Every Stroke Survivor has a Warrior Within and founder of the nonprofit organization, Stroke Warriors Inc. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, LeeAnn vulnerably shares the emotional and physical challenges she has faced and her mission to support stroke survivors on their journey.

Antonio T. Smith Jr. lived in a dumpster from ages six to 14. Despite a lack of resources and support, he put himself through school and later became a spy in the U.S. Army, an innovative tech CEO in the AI industry and a self-made millionaire. He is a bestselling author, celebrity business advisor and inspirational speaker. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Antonio shares his dedication to uplifting individuals and reshaping society.  

Despite no musical or vocal training, Todd Tilghman made it through NBC's The Voice blind audition with all four celebrity judges wanting to coach him. The former pastor went on to win season 18, however, there is much more to his story than just winning the popular primetime singing competition. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Todd talks about leading with love and why being authentic is so important to his journey.  

Leonard Kim went from being on the verge of homelessness to a nationally recognized public figure and personal branding expert featured in publications like Inc. Magazine and Fortune. After opening up about his hardships, Leonard let his failures fuel his success. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Leonard openly shares the importance of being your true, authentic self and how to accept and prepare for life's unknowns.

An inspirational speaker, author and former Wall Street executive, Jim Owen was 70 when he found a new passion in life and decided to get physically fit. Since his fitness journey began 13 years ago, Jim has been sharing his wisdom and inspiring other aging adults through his books and documentaries. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jim talks about how his positive mindset has played a role in his life and shares advice for those willing to look at life and aging differently.

Sasha DiGiulian is a two-time world champion rock climber who dominates the traditionally male sport. Sasha stepped into a climbing gym for the first time at the age of six and was competing within a year. She has gained global attention and has been on the cover of 27 magazines and features, including Oprah, Good Morning America and The Today Show. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Sasha shares how she navigates imposter syndrome, physical and mental challenges.

Despite Doug Dane's painful past, he now lives a life of freedom, gratitude and hope. Doug is an international keynote speaker, mentor and author. He uses his experiences with adoption, child abuse and kidnapping to help people discover their true self and live a life free of guilt or shame. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Doug shares how he learned the truth about his story and how he encourages others to come to terms with their own stories so they can move forward and heal.

Christine Ha lost her vision due to a medical condition almost two decades ago and had to re-learn how to cook. Now known as The Blind Cook, she is a New York Times best-selling cookbook author and the chef behind three restaurants: The Blind Goat, Xin Chào and Stuffed Belly. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christine shares how MasterChef launched her culinary career and how creativity and determination can turn challenges into extraordinary achievements.

Jason Arday was diagnosed with autism as a child and couldn't read or write until he was 18. Facing many challenges growing up, Jason wrote a list of personal goals on his parents' bedroom wall. One goal said: “One day I will work at Oxford or Cambridge.” Now, Jason is the youngest black professor at the prestigious University of Cambridge. In this inspiring episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jason shares his story and talks about the people who got him to where he is today.

Amanda Brinkman is a small business champion and marketing expert. She has worked on campaigns for brands like BMW, Reebok and Sony. But it was a role as Chief Brand Officer at Deluxe that gave her the chance to launch her boldest career move. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Amanda shares her “Do Well By Doing Good” philosophy, the reality show she created, produced and hosted, Small Business Revolution, and how she flipped her script by shining a light on small businesses.

Their friendship began during elementary school recess. Now, Maggie Brown and Grace Moore are the founders of the wildly successful brand Recess Pickleball. They launched the company in 2021 and grew it from a pandemic passion project to a renowned pickleball gear company with fun and trendy paddles and accessories. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Maggie and Grace share how a simple game turned into a successful business and how they navigate running a business as friends.

Few people want to talk about their failures, but Christina Wallace has built a career talking about hers. The failure of her first company made headlines and became a case study used in business schools around the world. As a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Christina now shares the value of learning from our failures. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christina talks about how she started telling the truth about her failed business and became an author and educator.

After being diagnosed with PTSD, Christy Warren retired as a fire captain from the Berkeley Fire Department in California. The diagnosis didn't stop her from achieving new goals: She became a triathlete and completed the Escape from Alcatraz swim five times. Christy is the author of Flash Point: A Firefighter's Journey Through PTSD and hosts The Firefighter Deconstructed podcast. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christy shares her struggles with PTSD and the healing process.  

Jimmy Choi was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease at 27 years old. After years of denial, an accident pushed Jimmy in a new direction and he no longer let his diagnosis hold him back. Jimmy is now a Guinness World Record holder, endurance athlete, ultra marathoner, American Ninja Warrior, motivational speaker and Parkinson's advocate. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jimmy shares his personal journey with Parkinson's and the power of social media.

With hundreds of millions of TikTok views, the Savannah Bananas are not your average baseball team. Through skits, dances and unique rules, the Georgia-based team takes the field with one mission: make baseball fun and put fans first. Head Coach Tyler Gillum dreamed of becoming a baseball coach in high school, and now he's helping the team flip the script on the sport. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Tyler shares his journey to the Savannah Bananas and the concept of Banana Ball.

Nadia Liu Spellman left her career in investment banking to pursue her passion for good food. With the support and guidance of her parents, Nadia launched the popular restaurant Dumpling Daughter. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Nadia talks about her entrepreneurial journey and her family legacy. Nadia's mom also joined this episode to share how she encouraged her daughter to start a business after owning and operating one of Boston's most renowned Chinese restaurants.

Jenny Smith was 16 years old when a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the chest down. Despite being faced with a new life she could've never imagined, Jenny leaned on her support system and never gave up. She now educates the public and advocates for people with spinal cord injuries and distributes wheelchairs internationally. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jenny tells her story of living with a spinal cord injury and her message that we are capable of more than we think.  

Debra Vines struggled to find resources and support when her son Jason was diagnosed with autism. After years of feeling helpless, Debra started The Answer Inc., a nonprofit that supports families impacted by autism. Debra has been acknowledged numerous times for her work, including being named one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Debra shares the emotions that come with raising an autistic child and her hopes for everyone to open their hearts and minds.

Christine Handy began modeling at age 11, working for brands like Guess, J. Crew, Pepsi and Target. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to flip her script when she underwent chemotherapy and eventually lost her breasts. Christine shifted from surviving to thriving and started modeling again for New York Fashion Week and Victoria's Secret. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christine talks about the importance of sharing your story to help others understand they are not alone.

Josh Meredith was a queer youth growing up in West Virginia and struggled with his mental health. The hardships he faced helped him discover a passion for mental health advocacy. Josh is now the Chief of Staff for the Born This Way Foundation, co-founded by Lady Gaga and her mom. The foundation promotes kindness and conversations about mental health. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Josh shares how Lady Gaga changed his life and his passion for mental health and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Kechi Okwuchi was only 16 when she and one other person survived a plane crash that killed 107 people. Throughout her recovery, Kechi was supported by her family, friends, faith and music. Kechi later became a finalist on America's Got Talent and received Simon Cowell's golden buzzer. She has continued to release her own music and wrote a memoir titled 'More Than My Scars'. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Kechi shares her inspiring story filled with courage, resiliency and hope.  

Amanda Burrill has been a rescue swimmer in the Navy, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, a copy editor for the New York Post and a sponsored triathlete and marathon runner. Through it all, she was living with an undiagnosed brain injury. It took a second brain injury for her to realize what was causing her health issues. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Amanda shares her experiences with a traumatic brain injury and how she is advocating for veterans and others with TBIs. 

J.R. Martinez was serving in Iraq when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb and exploded, leaving him with severe injuries and burns on more than one-third of his body. Now, after three dozen surgeries, J.R. travels the world to share his story and teaches people to adapt and overcome. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, J.R. shares his experiences as a burn survivor, Army veteran, actor, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author and Dancing with the Stars season 13 champion.

Like any good Disney story, Katie Evans has had to overcome obstacles to find her happy ending. While struggling with postpartum depression, Katie moved her family to Disney World. She also wrote a book, The Magic of Hope, where she shares her personal struggles and triumphs and inspires others to always follow their dreams. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Katie talks about how the magic of Disney changed her life and her family.

As 2022 comes to a close, we are reflecting on the past year and looking forward to a new chapter in all our stories. Over the past year, 44 people shared their inspirational Flip Your Script stories about finding the strength and motivation to turn the page. In this special Flip Your Script bonus episode, host Kristi Piehl unveils never-before-heard insights from some of our most popular guests of 2022 to help motivate and remind you that you are capable of more than you think in the new year.