Podcasts about Leadership Academy

Episode 679 Schedule a one on one free coaching call, click here or visit LoanOfficerStrategyCall.com. Welcome to Loan Officer Freedom, the #1 podcast in the country for loan officers, hosted by Carl White. In this episode, Carl White sits down with Kevin Gillespie to explore an important leadership question: what works better, motivation or inspiration? They discuss how motivation can create an immediate push to take action, while inspiration can help people develop the internal drive and confidence to keep moving forward even when no one is pushing them. Carl and Kevin share examples from their own experiences and explain why great leadership is not about choosing one approach over the other. The key is understanding what your team needs in the moment. Sometimes people need encouragement and an example to follow. Other times they need clear standards, accountability, and a respectful push to take action. They also discuss why leaders should focus on the activities people can control instead of only measuring results like applications and closings. By coaching the right behaviors, setting clear expectations, and leading by example, leaders can help their teams improve while building a culture of personal responsibility. Whether you're leading a branch, managing a team, or looking to become a stronger leader, this episode will help you think differently about how you motivate, inspire, coach, and hold people accountable. To learn more about Kevin Gillespie's Leadership Academy and strategies for growing a stronger mortgage team, visit ProfitDrivenPlan.com.

Episode 676 Schedule a one on one free coaching call, click here or visit LoanOfficerStrategyCall.com. Welcome to Loan Officer Freedom, the #1 podcast in the country for loan officers, hosted by Carl White. In this episode, Carl White sits down with Kevin Gillespie to break down one of the biggest opportunities for mortgage leaders looking to grow their branch: recruiting the right loan officers. Kevin explains why successful recruiting is not about waiting for good producers to come along, but about building a repeatable system for identifying the right people, starting conversations, and guiding potential recruits through a clear process. Carl and Kevin discuss why the first recruiting meeting should be less about showing off your products, technology, and compensation plan and more about asking questions, listening, and discovering what the loan officer actually wants. From there, leaders can create a plan that shows how joining their team could help that person increase production, gain more time freedom, and reach their goals. They also explain why consistent follow-up matters just as much in recruiting as it does when building relationships with referral partners. A great candidate may not be ready to make a move today, but staying in touch and continuing to demonstrate value can dramatically improve your chances when the timing is right. Whether you're a producing branch manager, non-producing manager, or mortgage leader looking to grow your team, this episode gives you a practical framework for creating a recruiting process that attracts better candidates, improves conversions, and sets new team members up for success from day one. To learn more about Kevin Gillespie's Leadership Academy and strategies for growing a stronger mortgage team, visit ProfitDrivenPlan.com.

Episode 674 Schedule a one on one free coaching call, click here or visit LoanOfficerStrategyCall.com. Welcome to Loan Officer Freedom, the #1 podcast in the country for loan officers, hosted by Carl White. In this episode, Carl White sits down with Kevin Gillespie to tackle a challenge nearly every mortgage leader faces: where should you spend your time when a small percentage of your team produces the majority of the results? Carl and Kevin discuss why leaders often find themselves pouring their energy into struggling producers while their top performers receive less attention simply because they appear to have everything under control. Kevin explains why strong leadership starts with creating systems that give everyone an opportunity to improve while allowing each person's actions to determine how much additional time and attention they receive. They discuss the importance of offering consistent sales training, maintaining high standards, and recognizing that you cannot want someone's success more than they want it for themselves. They also explain why lowering expectations to keep underperformers happy can ultimately hurt the culture and make it harder to attract top talent. Carl and Kevin also dive into the importance of always recruiting, giving developing producers an opportunity to prove themselves, and investing more heavily in the people who demonstrate through their actions that they are ready to grow. The goal is not to write people off based on current production, but to create an environment where effort, participation, and results make it clear who is ready for more support. Whether you're a producing branch manager, mortgage leader, or company owner, this episode offers practical ideas for protecting your time, raising your standards, developing future top producers, and building a team culture that attracts people who want to win. To learn more about Kevin Gillespie's Leadership Academy and strategies for building a stronger mortgage team, visit ProfitDrivenPlan.com.  

Reed VanderSlik has almost four decades of executive leadership. About half of that experience wasin Manufacturing and the last half in Senior Living. He moved to Winston-Salem 7 years ago from AnnArbor, Michigan, where he served as President of a senior living community. Since September 2019, hehas served as President and CEO of ThriveMore, formerly Baptist Retirement Homes of North Carolina.ThriveMore has four campuses throughout North Carolina. Reed has an MBA from Grand Valley StateUniversity in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Reed has also served on the Leadership Academy at Leading Age.https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series created to encourage and support leaders in Christian higher education. Every other week, we'll revisit some of the most popular conversations from past seasons, with practical insights and meaningful reminders about the importance of Christ-centered education.This episode originally aired January 2026___What does it take to equip leaders, boards, and faculty for the rapidly changing realities of biblical higher education? In this forward-looking conversation, Eric Brandt offers a first look at the ABHE Leadership Academy, a new initiative designed to strengthen institutions from the inside out. Drawing on decades of experience in digital education and faculty development, Eric shares why accessible, mission-aligned leadership formation is essential for the future health and flourishing of ABHE institutions.___Tune In to Discover✅Why Leadership and faculty development are critical for institutional flourishing✅How the ABHE Leadership Academy expands access beyond conferences✅What makes micro-courses an effective tool for ongoing formation✅How biblical integration and effective teaching practices are being addressed for faculty ✅Why ABHE is investing deeply in leaders at every level___Inside the Episode02:00 – The evolution of distance and online education and why it matters now09:47 – Why leadership and faculty development are essential for institutional health15:40 – What makes the ABHE Leadership Academy different from past initiatives21:35 – Addressing biblical integration and effective teaching gaps among faculty28:03 – What courses are launching first and the long-term vision for 100 micro-courses32:02 – Why the Leadership Academy is offered as a member benefit for ABHE institutions___To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player.The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Summit County Councilmember Megan McKenna recaps Wednesday's meeting, including a discussion with the People's Health Clinic about their need for more space, Heber City public information officer Ryan Bunnell talks about Heber City's Leadership Academy and Arts Council of Park City & Summit County Executive Director Jocelyn Scudder talks about Friday's 'live art' gallery stroll and the Summit County Fair art show that starts Aug. 6.

Send us a text and chime in!Residents are invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at how the City of Avondale serves the community through the Citizens Leadership Academy, a free, interactive program designed to connect participants with the people, projects, and services that keep the city running. The academy provides an inside look at city operations through engaging presentations, guided tours, hands-on workshops and demonstrations. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how city services are delivered, how future developments are planned, and how local government works to meet the needs of the community. Over the course of the program, residents will explore a variety of...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/citizens-leadership-academy-in-avondale/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Tiffany Kerns has spent thirteen years building the CMA Foundation into what it is today, and along the way, helped shift the language from donation to investment. As Executive Director of the CMA Foundation and SVP of Industry Relations and Philanthropy at CMA, Tiffany joins Natalie to talk about what it means to invest in the whole person, not just the output. She shares the story behind the Music Teachers of Excellence Award, the Women's Leadership Academy, and why she believes the best colleague you'll ever have is yourself.Learn more about the CMA Foundation.In this Episode:How music found Tiffany by accident, and the throughline from political science to philanthropyThe 90-day rule that got her through a cross-country move to San Francisco, she almost talked herself out ofWhy CMA Foundation made the deliberate shift from "donation" to "investment" language, and what that means for how they show up for partnersThe origin story of the Music Teachers of Excellence Award, and how one dinner for 50 teachers became a national, industry-wide celebrationBuilding the Women's Leadership Academy from the ground up, and what she's learned about what women in the music industry actually needHer practice of journaling and voice memos as tools for reflection, and why she calls herself her own best colleagueAdvice for leaders on staying human with their teams in a fast-moving industry–––––––––––––This episode is presented by Women of NAMM and Powered by AKG.Follow Us Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack——————————This episode was co-produced and edited by Natalie Morrison, Stephanie Lamond, and Julia Olsen.  

Send us Fan MailThis week our focus is on Georgia's 2Gen Leadership Academy…a first-of-its-kind, cross-agency program that brings together leaders from state government and nonprofits. Their goal is to help families thrive by supporting both children and the adults who care for them. The academy was developed by the Georgia Children's Cabinet and facilitated by the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Joining us to talk about Georgia's 2Gen Academy are four recent graduates of the 4th cohort of the program, all from DECAL.  And they are Colette Bolds, CCS Special Investigations Manager; Shayna Funke, Director of Research Partnerships & Business Support; Melinda Knowles, CAPS 2Gen Strategies and Partnerships Project Manager; and Mia Obiwo, Workforce Policy and Process Administrator. Support the show

(!!!unbeauftrag und unbezahlte Werbung!!!) Endlich ein Job, der zu mir passt: Wie du Erfüllung im Job findest und beruflich vorankommst - mit einem Arbeitsplatz, an dem du dein volles Potenzial entfalten kannst von Jenna van Hauten In diesem Buch nehme ich dich mit auf deine Karrierereise, wie du Erfüllung im Job findest und beruflich vorankommst – mit einem Arbeitsplatz, in dem du dein volles Potenzial entfalten kannst.Über den AutorJenna van Hauten ist MSc-Psychologin, 2-fach Mama und Stärkenentdeckerin. Mit ihrer Coaching & Leadership Academy begleitet sie Menschen dabei, in ihrem Job und Leben wirklich glücklich zu sein.SocialMedia & WebsiteBuch: https://vanhauten.com/buch/Kurz-Persönlichkeitstest: https://test.vanhauten.com/Instagram: https://insta.vanhauten.com/Schema Du® Podcast: https://vanhauten.com/podcast/https://vanhauten.comJetzt reinhören.---Meine LesungEin Podcast in dem Autoren ihre Bücher, und auch sich selbst vorstellen.Du als Leser, mit Interesse an Lesungen, kommst voll auf deine Kosten. Finden für dich interessante Lesungen nicht in deiner näheren Umgebung statt? Dann ist dieser Podcast genau das Richtige für dich. Hier stellen diverse Autoren ihre Bücher im Rahmen einer Lesung vor. Ein paar Fragen zum Autor und seinem Buch dürfen natürlich nicht fehlen. Der Podcast kommt in einem wöchentlichen Rhythmus und bietet ein riesiges Portfolio an Autoren bzw. Buch-Lesungen. Du kannst diesen Podcast auch kostenlos mit der App deiner Wahl abonnieren. Sobald es eine neue Folge gibt, wird diese zum anhören bereitgestellt. Alle Einzelheiten und Informationen unter https://meinelesung.de.Bist du AutorIn oder Autor und möchtest dein Buch in meinem Podcast vorstellen? Aufnahmen sind per Telefon, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom oder bei einem gemütlichen und persönlichen Zusammensitzen möglich. Melde dich ganz einfach bei mir, und wir können vorab alle Einzelheiten besprechen.Weitere Einzelheiten, Informationen und Kontaktmöglichkeiten unter https://meinelesung.de.Dir gefällt dieser Podcast? Dann empfehle ihn weiter und lass eine kleine Bewertung in den entsprechenden Portalen da, wie zum Beispiel Apple Podcasts (iTunes) oder Podcast.de.Herzlichen Dank. SocialMedia:website: https://meinelesung.deInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meinelesungfacebook: https://www.facebook.com/meineLesungYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meinelesungPodcast AbonnementRSS-Feed: https://pcr.apple.com/id1484505215

0:00:00 Introduction. 0:00:15 President's Message; Delivering more than the mail to our communities. 0:05:12 News from Washington 0:12:07 NALC, USPS head to mediation on new collective-bargaining agreement 0:16:13 For your information; CCA relative standing and conversion to career 0:23:44 National Convention Updates; Things to do in Los Angeles 0:49:53 Helping when it's needed most 0:57:55 Leadership Academy founder encourages grads to make themselves, their union stronger 1:03:04 Running with purpose 1:09:07 Retirement savings made simple 1:27:06 Carriers and the mail make news online 1:30:57 Proud to serve; Honoring heroic carriers 1:36:48 President appoints Region 4 national business agent 1:38:18 NALC Building Corporation—Property acquisitions by Executive Vice President Paul Barner 1:44:38 Unity by Vice President James D.Henry 1:48:26 Important reminders for branch officers by Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine 1:54:35 The face of the Service by Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Mack I. Julion 1:58:37 City Delivery updates by Director of City Delivery Christopher Jackson 2:06:20 Buckle up for safety by Director of Safety and Health Manuel L. Peralta Jr 2:11:48 Frequently asked retirement questions by Director of Retired Members Dan Toth 2:18:44 The Mutual Benefit Association 2025 financial report by Director of Life Insurance James W. “Jim” Yates 2:19:46 Men's health by Director of Health Benefits Stephanie Stewart 2:25:36 Contract Talk; Overtime equitability 2:38:41 FECA Transmittal 26-2: Making the claims process more difficult for injured letter carriers by Regional Workers' Compensation Assistant Coby Jones 2:46:42 UNI Post & Logistics Universal Service Conference by Research Director Holly Feldman-Wiencek 2:54:01 MDA Report; MDA raffle tickets 2:55:17 Veterans Group; Wounded Warriors Leave rights 3:04:44 Veteran profile: Paul Trzeciak

Does marketing really matter for churches and young adult ministries? In 2026, the answer is a loud yes—if you want to actually reach Gen Z and young adults. In this episode, Josiah Kennealy sits down with Dillon Smith (CMO.Church, former marketing lead for the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast & Life.Church Open Network, and former content manager for Carey Nieuwhof) for a masterclass in church communications, digital outreach, and AI. Connect with Dillon Smith: Website: CMO.Church Join the Art of Leadership Academy and look for the Digital Outreach space: https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/ More about us: www.youngadults.today Resources & Action Steps: Sign up for the West Coast Leader Gathering August 12-13th, 2026 in Irvine, CA: https://www.youngadults.today/west-coast-conference Give to the mission of youngadultstoday: https://tithe.ly/give?c=5350133 Resources: Free eBook "10 Steps to Starting a Successful Young Adult Ministry: https://www.youngadults.today/book/starting-a-successful-young-adult-ministry Join our FaceBook Group Community with 2500+ leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796270437396021 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadults.today/ 

Send us Fan MailIn 2001, former NFL player and 3x Superbowl Champion, Matt Light, and his wife Susie, established The Light Foundation to help young people develop the skills, values, and mindset they need to create a meaningful and productive future.The mission of The Light Foundation mission is to take young people out of their everyday environments and provide them with unique opportunities that ignite their passion, purpose, and motivation to succeed.-Quick Episode Summary:Buckeye Blast celebrates youth mentorship, outdoor fun, and community leadership together.-

  The podcast begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the episode and thank their sponsor, Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards for supporting the show (0:10-0:48). They welcome guest Bret Munsell of Munsell Vineyards, a family friend with deep ties to the Alexander Valley wine community (0:49-1:15). Bret shares his family's 150-year farming legacy in Alexander Valley, starting with his great-great-grandfathers in the 1870s and 1880s, who initially focused on vineyards and wineries before diversifying into crops like prunes, hops, and dairy. By 1972, the family transitioned entirely to wine grapes (1:15-2:57). Bret discusses his journey, including studying business at UC Davis and working in agricultural finance before joining the family business. He credits his banking experience with giving him valuable insights into production and finances, which he applies to their vineyard operations (3:03-4:27). Bret reflects on the importance of instilling a love for the land in his children, emphasizing the value of community and stewardship (4:36-5:14). He shares how his family celebrated their 150th anniversary with a community-focused event, highlighting the joy of bringing people together (7:12-8:03). The conversation shifts to the growth of their business, which now includes managing 400 acres of their own vineyards and an additional 400 acres for clients. Bret credits his wife for pushing the family to start making wine in 2006, beginning with Chardonnay and Cabernet. They later expanded to Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, and Petit Verdot, with their Zinfandel earning double gold awards in competitions (9:11-14:34). Bret explains their unique approach to wine sales, focusing on private tastings in the vineyards rather than a traditional tasting room, allowing guests to connect with the land (15:01-16:09). Bret recounts his early experiences working in the vineyards as a child, learning the value of hard work and responsibility. He shares how his daughters and nieces have also participated in vineyard work, gaining an appreciation for the effort involved (17:12-18:06, 32:11-33:10). He reflects on his passion for farming and the wine grape industry, describing it as the perfect blend of hard work and beauty, with Sonoma County offering unparalleled diversity and vistas (21:14-23:00). As the current chair of the Sonoma County Wine Growers Commission, Bret discusses the organization's role in marketing Sonoma County wine grapes and supporting vineyard workers through programs like the Leadership Academy (23:46-25:06). He highlights the importance of balancing work, family, and community involvement, sharing his family's participation in 4-H and FFA activities (25:48-26:26). Bret also talks about his hobbies, including gardening, hunting, and spending time at a family cabin, which provide a welcome escape from his busy schedule (34:39-36:00). The episode concludes with Bret reflecting on the enduring legacy of wine grapes in Alexander Valley, the challenges and changes in the industry, and his deep connection to the land. He encourages listeners to visit Munsell Vineyards for a unique tasting experience and to watch a heartfelt video celebrating their 150th anniversary, which captures the spirit of their family and agricultural heritage (37:22-41:08).   We're excited to share this video of the Munsell Family legacy.  What an honor.  150 Year Celebration

Wisconsin.Golf's Rob Hernandez talks with Phil Poletti, executive director of the Caddie & Leadership Academy, a program he started in 2014 to help train and mentor caddies and connect them with golf clubs around Wisconsin. The program currently has around 100 students and it partners with several clubs in the state.

You have more knowledge than you've ever had, and somehow you're more tired. More guarded. More prone to walk into a room and see everything wrong with it before you see anything right. You used to believe things would get better. Now you believe you've simply seen enough to know they probably won't. You call it wisdom. But it might be something else entirely.   Carey Nieuwhof joins me for a conversation I've been looking forward to for years, and he opens up in a way I did not expect. At 61, in the wake of 29 simultaneous external stressors, a rare blood disorder that nearly took his life, aging parents, the death of a father-in-law, and the loss of the physical sanctuary that had been his refuge, Carey is navigating what grief actually looks like for a leader who spent two decades not grieving anything. The phrase that has stayed with me since this conversation is one his mentor gave him 25 years ago: ministry is a series of ungrieved losses. We cover what that means in practice, why cynicism is not a character flaw but a predictable outcome of accumulated knowledge without adequate grief, how the shift from fluid to crystallized intelligence changes what leadership should ask of you in your 40s and beyond, and what Carey and his wife Toni are actually doing, not just saying, to finish well. There is something here that will not comfort you the way you're hoping to be comforted. Carey is too honest for that, and this episode is too important for that. If you have been running at a pace that leaves no room to feel your losses, this conversation is going to cost you something. Sit with it. Let it do its work. Guest Bio Carey Nieuwhof is a former attorney and pastor who leads one of the most listened-to leadership podcasts in the Christian space, with more than 800 episodes and over 36 million downloads. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling At Your Best, and the founder of the Art of Leadership Academy, a growing community of more than 20,000 leaders. He spent over a decade as a lead pastor north of Toronto before stepping away to focus on helping leaders at scale. He has studied burnout, cynicism, moral failure, and the patterns that separate leaders who finish well from those who don't. He brings to this conversation more than two decades of pattern recognition built at the intersection of personal suffering and serious study. Show Partner SafeSleeve designs a phone case that blocks up to 99% of harmful EMF radiation—so I'm not carrying that kind of exposure next to my body all day. It's sleek, durable, and most importantly, lab-tested by third parties. The results aren't hidden—they're published right on their site. And that matters because many so-called EMF blockers on the market either don't work or can't prove they do. We protect our hearts and minds—why wouldn't we protect our bodies too? Head to safesleevecases.com and use the code WINTODAY10 for 10% off your order. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

In der aktuellen und letzten Folge von „Flutlicht & Flipcharts“ vor der Sommerpause sprechen die Podcast-Hosts Christoph Bökamp und Boris Davidovski mit Dr. Tim Kübel. Trotz Geburtsjahres 1993 liest sich Tims Lebenslauf schon jetzt beeindruckend und außergewöhnlich vielfältig: Mit 16 Jahren als Jugendspieler von Jürgen Klopp zum BVB gelotst worden und in der U19 unter Hannes Wolf und Edin Terzic gespielt, zum Studieren, Fußball spielen und Trainieren in die USA gegangen, um anschließend als Doktorand beim FC Chelsea auf wissenschaftlicher Basis die sozialen Entwicklungen bei jungen Spielern im dortigen Nachwuchsleistungszentrum zu untersuchen. All das führte ihn dann kürzlich wieder zurück zum BVB, wo er seit Januar 2026 sein geballtes Wissen als „NLZ-Koordinator für Kultur und Entwicklung“ einbringt, um den BVB-Nachwuchs vor allem abseits des Rasens in Sachen Charakter, Empathie und Weltoffenheit weiterzuentwickeln. „Ich bestärke die Jungs in den Eigenschaften, die sie in so jungem Alter selbst noch nicht in sich sehen. Sehr gute Fußballer sind sie alle schon jetzt. Aber für langfristigen Erfolg – im Fußball und vor allem im Leben – brauchen sie Menschlichkeit, Bodenständigkeit, Perspektivwechsel und Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten, um als Individuum aufblühen zu können. Die Etablierung einer solchen Kultur bei uns ist der Kern meiner Arbeit“, erklärt uns Tim im Gespräch. Darüber hinaus berichtet er davon, wer und was ihn auf seinem persönlichen Weg besonders geprägt hat, wie er seine eigenen charakterprägenden Erlebnisse heute für die Arbeit im BVB-Nachwuchsleistungszentrum nutzt und wie die neue NLZ-Philosophie unter der Leitung von Paul Schaffran und Thomas Broich langfristig wirken soll.

Although we're heading into the final weeks of the school year, learning should never stop. OEA members have the opportunity to learn from each other, improve their practice for their students, and build their skills and relationships at this year's OEA Summer Leadership Academy June 22-24 in Columbus. In this episode, we're sitting down with two OEA members who are presenting at SLA about why this is such a valuable experience for educators. We're also hearing from one of the OEA staff members who is co-planning the event about why a fireside chat with the keynote speaker, Tyler James Williams from Abbot Elementary, is just one of the many draws for this year's SLA conference.REGISTER NOW FOR SLA | The OEA Summer Leadership Academy is designed to help OEA members at all levels of the association realize and develop skills and talents as leaders of their profession and their association while building relationships and organizing for power. June 22-24, 2026 - Hyatt Regency Columbus (350 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43215)More information and registration at https://cvent.me/z0aWP9Registration deadline: June 12026 Summer Leadership Academy Features:• Annual OEA District Leaders Event open to all Summer Leadership Academy attendees• Meet and Greet with Ohio's 2026 pro-public education candidates• More than 40 unique sessions to meet your professional learning needs• NEW! A wellness session block focused on balance, care, and creativity• Time for you to connect with your colleagues, learn together, and reflect on how OEA members are United for Public EducationJOIN OEA FOR MORE SUMMER FUN | In addition to this year's Summer Leadership Academy, OEA is offering several other opportunities for educators to come together while school is out:GOLF OUTING | Join OEA at Champions Golf Course before you head to SLA on Monday, June 22, 2026.Click here for full details and info about registering your foursome or signing up to attend as a spectator.SUMMER CELEBRATION OF DIVERSE READERS | OEA and the Dayton Education Association will be giving away thousands of free books featuring diverse characters, written by diverse authors at the 4th annual Summer Celebration of Diverse Readers on Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lohery Recreation Center (2366 Glenarm Ave. Dayton, OH 45420)  SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guests: Mackenzie Leonard, Van Buren Education Association memberMackenzie is the EL Program Coordinator and ESL teacher at Van Buren Schools, where she works with students grades PK-12. She is also a member of the Ohio TESOL Board and a proud member of OEA's EL Cadre. Kenzie is a graduate from THE Ohio State University as well as from BGSU and has a passion for developing and fostering cultural awareness and multicultural experiences within small-town communities. Kenzie is a daughter, sister, and "Mama" to her ever-energetic daughter, Palmer!Joie Moore, Pickerington Support Staff Association PresidentJoie Moore serves as the president of the Pickerington Support Staff Association, as a board member of Central OEA/NEA, and on the OEA Board of Directors, representing Central Unit 2. Additionally, she is the Vice Chair of the Ohio Association of Education Support Professionals. She was a participant in the OEA ESP Educator Voice Academy and a 2023 NEA ESP Leadership Academy graduate.  Joie is married to Greg, a fellow OEA member, and they have two adult children, who both graduated from Pickerington Schools, Frankie and Nick.  In her downtime Joie enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and reading. Daria DeNoia, OEA Education Policy and Practice Consultant In her role as an Education Policy and Practice Consultant for the Ohio Education Association, Daria DeNoia (she, her) advocates for best practices and equitable policies for Ohio educators at the state level, and provides professional development for OEA members that supports their teaching practices.  She has been a special education teacher for young children with significant needs in an urban school district, an experiential pre-school teacher, and a program coordinator for an educational equity organization. Daria believes that communities are strongest when all people work together to create systems that support their needs, and works as a community organizer to build local power. She has her B.A. in English Literature and American Studies from Rutgers College, her M. Ed. in Special Education from the University of Dayton, achieved National Board Certification, and is a certified Restorative Practices Facilitator through IIRP. Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on April 14 and 22, 2026...

Most church leaders are leading inside a model they never chose and rarely understand. In this episode, Todd Wilson, founder of Exponential, walks through the true history of the modern church: Church Growth, Seeker Sensitive, Attractional, Missional—and what's coming next.  This is the seminary class no one got, but every church leader needs.

In this episode, Linda and Dana unpack major leadership lessons from Keller Williams' Leadership Academy, top real estate masterminds, and personal growth experiences. They explore why many high-performing agents master leads and listings but stall when they fail to recruit true leadership-level talent, emphasizing that real growth requires building a bench of exceptional "whos" who can solve problems without constant oversight. They break down passive income, opportunity mapping, saying yes before you feel ready, and letting go of identity tied to one role or income stream, and why your own success can sometimes become the very thing holding you back from your next level.  

In this episode, host Janet Michael chats with Kit Redmer, Communications Director for the City of Winchester, and several of her fellow Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) classmates about their experiences in this immersive, nine-month program designed to connect residents with their local government. What is the Civic Leadership Academy? The CLA is a program run by the City of Winchester that gives civically minded residents an inside look at how their city operates. Participants tour city departments, learn about the budget, meet city staff, and discover ways to get more involved. The program runs September through May, meeting the third Friday of each month from 1–4 PM. Applications are now open! The next cohort begins in September. Up to 20 Winchester residents will be selected.

On this week's Unpacking Europe podcast, CER's senior research fellow Zselyke Csaky sat down with Zsuzsanna Szelényi, director of the Democracy Institute's Leadership Academy, a founding member of Fidesz and a former MP in the Hungarian Parliament to take a detailed look at Hungary's landslide election outcome. They discussed the biggest challenges that Péter Magyar faces, including when it comes to rebuilding democracy at home and resetting Hungary's relations with the EU and its neighbours.

Dr. Clara Walters is a Central Florida gem! She has racked up numerous "firsts" in the field of education in her career that began in the mid-60s. Today, she continues her amazing journey as the board chair of Central Florida Leadership Academy, an innovative charter school led by Principal Maria Cameron. Both visit the studio in this episode.

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Marketing & Communications Lead Sebastian Bennage is joined by Project Engineer Carter Patterson, Northern Maine Safety and DOT Compliance Specialist  Adam Smith, and Division Vice President at Well Built Matt Verderamo in the Flywheel Studio for an on-the-fly conversation recorded during the Sargent Leadership Academy. The group talks through what the Academy is, why it matters, and what participants are taking back to their crews and teams.The Well Built Podcast: https://www.wellbuiltconsulting.com/thewellbuiltpodcastIf you liked this week's episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website.https://sargent.us/apply/If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to:sbennage@sargent.us

 Meet Your Host: Brian Williams Powered by: Think Kindness | SchoolCulture.orgIn this episode, host Brian Williams sits down with his longtime friend and fellow martial artist Gary Engels — founder of Leadership Academy in Woodruff, WI — to explore the power of Legacy Loops, a gamified habit-tracking app designed to build character, consistency, and confidence in students. From a daughter's Duolingo streak to 19,000 acts of kindness collected in two weeks, this episode is packed with actionable inspiration for educators ready to ignite lasting change in their classrooms.Gary Engels is the founder of Leadership Academy Martial Arts in Woodruff, Wisconsin — a school he built from the ground up over 20 years to serve 200+ students in a town of only 3,000 people. He is a Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and 4th-degree Taekwondo Black Belt under Master Tom Callos. Gary gave a TEDx Talk on project-based leadership training and created Legacy Missions — a youth leadership platform built around micro-missions, streaks, and milestone achievements. Meet Gary: garyengels.com legacy-missions.com

Welcome back to another episode of Crawfordsville Connection

Dawn Marie, Ashley, and Sheba joined Zack to talk about the Community Leadership Academy cohort that recently took place in Benton Harbor with the end result of their work being a Youth Summit coming up soon in the city. Dawn Marie also gives us a preview of the next cohort taking place in the Niles/Buchanan communities. You can register at behealthyberrien.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Schroeder—former frontman of OP Gone Bad, national anthem singer for the Colorado Avalanche, and executive director of the Denver Police Activities League—now runs the D-Day Leadership Academy, bringing inner-city youth to Normandy, France to learn leadership through the stories of World War II.After concussions, insurance costs, and political shifts dismantled his youth sports programs serving 4,000 kids a year, Jake pivoted. Inspired by the WWII veterans he'd been bringing back to Omaha Beach and Utah Beach since 2011, he transformed his nonprofit into a Normandy-based leadership program built on five pillars drawn from D-Day: leading from the front, total commitment to mission, chaos, preparation, and empathy. In this conversation, he and host Christian Taylor—director of the award-winning documentary The Girl Who Wore Freedom—explore what success really means when the money isn't there but the mission keeps growing.What You'll Learn:What does the D-Day Leadership Academy teach kids in Normandy?How do you pivot a nonprofit when your core programs collapse?What did WWII veterans say about people recreating on Normandy's beaches?How do you define success when your documentary or nonprofit isn't financially profitable?What are John Elway's three rules for running a successful charity event?How does Stoic philosophy help when you're facing failure in filmmaking or leadership?What documentary films should you watch? Elway to Marino, Miracle: The Boys of '80, Cold War on IceTimestamps:00:00 Introduction03:07 How Christian and Jake met in Normandy, France04:56 The Girl Who Wore Freedom documentary connection06:19 Following up on failure: Epic Bill and redefining success09:00 OP Gone Bad band years: when the road is worth it12:16 Stoicism and choosing your response to hardship15:06 Virginia Beach at night: perspective and insignificance17:16 Documentary filmmaking relationships that last a lifetime18:36 Denver Police Activities League: origin and mission22:00 Starting inner-city hockey with the Colorado Avalanche23:56 Youth sports crisis: specialization, concussions, and insurance27:12 The pivot: shutting down programs and reimagining the mission28:04 How the Normandy leadership program began (2015)30:16 What the D-Day Leadership Academy program looks like today33:31 Five pillars of D-Day leadership: empathy, chaos, preparation36:04 Expanding to adult leadership retreats in Normandy42:45 Normandy tours: culinary, yoga, couples, and classical concerts45:13 The Girl Who Wore Freedom guided tour and charity auction47:55 What WWII veterans said about children playing on Utah Beach49:49 Message to documentary filmmakers: your film matters51:53 John Elway's elevator advice on charity events55:58 DocuVue Déjà Vu: Elway to Marino, Miracle: The Boys of '80, Cold War on IceAbout Jake Schroeder:Jake Schroeder is a fourth-generation Colorado native, former frontman of the funk-rock band OP Gone Bad, and sang the national anthem for the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) over 1,000 times across 25 years. He began volunteering with the Denver Police Activities League in 1999, became executive director in 2014, and transformed the organization into the D-Day Leadership Academy—a nonprofit that brings inner-city youth, police officers, and combat veterans to Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy, France to learn leadership through the stories of D-Day, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. He lives in Golden, Colorado with his partner Brooke Ferguson, principal flutist of the Colorado Symphony. Website: Home | D-Day Leadership AcademyIf you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a review!VIRGIL FILMS LINKS:Home (New)Virgil Films (@VirgilFilms) on XVirgil Films and EntertainmentVirgil Films (@virgilfilms) • Instagram profile

We talk constantly about training in law enforcement, but are we investing enough in leadership? Tactical skills are reinforced from the academy through specialty assignments, yet the challenges facing today's agencies demand more than operational competence. Ethical judgment, resilience, culture building and strategic thinking are now mission-critical. In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley sits down with leaders from three major agencies who decided to tackle that gap together. Chief Paul Noel of the Knoxville Police Department, Deputy Chief Emily McKinley of the Louisville Metro Police Department and Captain Michael Vaughn of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department break down the creation of the Tri-City Police Leadership Academy. They discuss how the idea evolved from the DC Police Leadership Academy, how three chiefs aligned on vision and funding, what three weeks of “future-focused leadership” actually looks like, and how the program is shaping sergeants, lieutenants and professional staff to lead through culture change, crisis and complexity. About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

It took answering just one question for Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity to secure President Donald Trump’s coveted endorsement in this year’s governor's race. That’s according to an audio recording obtained by WITF of Garrity recounting the story at a Republican fundraiser. Our recent snowstorm is having a ripple effect on the area blood supply, among regional American Red Cross banks and centers. The organization declared a severe national emergency last month. Demand at health centers is currently outpacing supply. Health advocates and doctors are raising awareness about a program for seniors that helps people on Medicare pay for their prescription costs in monthly installments, instead of all at once. Research shows the program has seen scant enrollment since debuting last year. The Pennsylvania State Police is now accepting applications for its 20-26 Law and Leadership Academy. The program is free and open to anyone interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ANCOR Foundation launched the Leadership Academy on May 1, 2017 to nurture emerging leaders who are building their careers in services and supports for people with disabilities. Over the course of two years, the Foundation provides training and mentoring opportunities to support mid-career professionals in cultivating their areas of expertise and thought-leadership to build influence and reputation in the national I/DD community as the next generation of leaders.In this episode you'll hear from three graduates of the program, Rachel Fuller (Skills, Inc.), Liz Armentrout (Systems Unlimited), and Jordan Eddings (LikeSkills, Inc.). They'll discuss what drew them to the opportunity, their experiences, learnings and challenges during the program, the camaraderie built with others in their class, and so much more.Listen to how the council aims to help us collectively raise our voices in the worldwide human rights movement in support of people with I/DD!=================This podcast is produced by ANCOR, the leading voice in Washington, DC, for providers of services for people with disabilities. Views expressed during the podcast do not necessarily reflect the position of ANCOR.To learn more, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ancor.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.=================Intro and outro music provided by YouTube Audio Library Intro Music ⓒ V for Victory - Audionautix Outro Music ⓒ Dirt Rhodes - Kevin MacLeod

Episode 185 What separates high-performing mortgage branches from the ones constantly chasing results? Sales culture. Process. And leadership that actually knows how to develop loan originators. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Gillespie, who runs the Leadership Academy for the Mortgage Marketing Animals, to break down four critical elements every mortgage leader must develop to build the right sales culture and sales process. Kevin works directly with branch managers, broker owners, divisional managers, and mortgage leaders who are responsible for growing production, managing loan originators, and running a profitable business—not just putting out fires. While we don't give away the entire playbook here, this conversation delivers real insight into how the right leadership approach can significantly improve loan officer performance, accountability, and consistency across a team. If you're a mortgage leader who wants: Stronger sales culture Better-producing loan originators A clearer, repeatable process for growth Coaching that goes beyond surface-level motivation This episode is a must-listen. And this is just a small sample of what Kevin and the Leadership Academy offer. To learn more about Kevin Gillespie and his coaching programs, visit: ProfitDrivenPlan.com Listen in, take notes, and start leading with intention. Looking for Construction or Fix & Flip financing for your clients? Partner with Park Place for fast, dependable funding. Get a quick quote here: http://workwithparkplace.com Powered by: Mortgage Marketing Animals

Ed Kasputis interviews Colin Cerniglia, the founder and CEO of the Talent 409 Leadership Academy about his new book, Culture of Excellence.

This episode of the National Links Trust Podcast is a recording from a recent edition of the Municipal Golf Network Webinar Program. In this episode, we explore how municipal and daily fee public golf facilities can build and sustain successful junior caddie programs.A junior caddie program not only offers golfers a unique way to experience your course—it also deepens your facility's impact on the community. These programs teach kids and teens valuable communication and life skills, introduce them to the game of golf, and can open doors to life-changing scholarship opportunities, including the Western Golf Association's Evans Scholars Program, which provides full tuition and housing scholarships to deserving junior caddies nationwide.This webinar specifically spotlights one of the country's best models: CommonGround Golf Course in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by the Colorado Golf Association, CommonGround is home to the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, a two-year program that develops leadership and character through caddying. Like National Links Trust's Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program, the Solich Academy partners with the WGA to connect caddies with the Evans Scholars Program. Guests in this episode include Ed Mate, Executive Director and CEO of the Colorado Golf Association, who has led the growth of the Solich Academy and Brandon Rogers, Senior Director of Caddie Development (Southwest Region) and Spencer Groessl, Director of Caddie Recruitment, (Central Region) for the WGA.

Listen to the January 2026 edition of The Postal Record. Browse the digital issue here. 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Looking back and looking forward, by President Brian L. Renfroe 05:03 News from Washington 12:05 2025 JCAM is now available 18:58 Register now for the food drive 25:14 Informal Step A Training announced 30:25 After a year of standing strong NALC is ready to fight on. 2026: A look ahead 50:07 Leadership Academy founder asks grads to serve other letter carriers back home 58:26 Important benefits new letter carriers should expect to receive from USPS 01:11:22 Caretakers of the community 01:39:04 George Meany, first president of the AFL-CIO 01:44:30 NALC Branch Publication competition call for entries 01:50:07 Carriers and the mail make news online 01:56:31 From airwaves to the page: A creative journey and tribute to lifelong friends 02:04:00 Veterans' legislative update 02:16:56 Executive Vice President Paul Barner: An update to cases pending at the Interpretive step 02:27:38 Vice President James Henry: NALC Needs you 02:32:57 Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine: Reporting to the DOL: Forms LM-2, LM-3 and LM-4 02:38:57 Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Mack Julion: Postal protection 02:44:33 Director of City Delivery Christopher Jackson: USPS pilot testing and additional revenue streams 02:49:48 Director of Safety and Health Manuel Peralta Jr.: Safety committees 02:56:45 Director of Retired Members Dan Toth: Roth TSP—Another tool to manage your taxes 03:02:49 Director of Life Insurance James Yates: MBA Retirement Savings Plan 2026 update 03:08:32 Director of Health Benefits Stephanie Stewart: New benefits and wellness programs 03:14:40 Contract Talk: Route inspections 03:36:41 Regional Workers' Compensation Assistant Coby Jones: Preexisting conditions 03:43:18 Staff report - CLUW: "Women of the World Unite'

What does it take to equip leaders, boards, and faculty for the rapidly changing realities of biblical higher education? In this forward-looking conversation, Eric Brandt offers a first look at the ABHE Leadership Academy, a new initiative designed to strengthen institutions from the inside out. Drawing on decades of experience in digital education and faculty development, Eric shares why accessible, mission-aligned leadership formation is essential for the future health and flourishing of ABHE institutions.

In this episode, I sit down with Sean Holland to break down the Leadership Academy at FENCETECH, along with the growing impact of Veterans in Fence. We talk leadership development, mental health awareness, networking, and why this group course can make a real difference for fence company owners and managers. Whether you're just getting started or are looking to grow your fence business, this is an episode you don't want to miss!Watch the live recording here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/live/U7VkgGvO57MSubscribe to my YouTube for shorter clips of this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCObWyk_pdREnpfoX3Kba-hg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Red Cross Does More Than You Think When most people hear "American Red Cross," they immediately think of blood drives. However, as Deborah Fleming, Executive Director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter, explains to The Valley Today host Janet Michael, disaster relief and recovery represent a massive—and increasingly critical—portion of the organization's mission. Deborah oversees operations across 11 counties spanning West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, including Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Hampshire, and Hardy counties in West Virginia; Washington County in Maryland; and Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren, Clarke, Page counties and the city of Winchester in Virginia. Beyond blood drives, the chapter provides training services like CPR and first aid, supports military families, and most importantly, coordinates disaster response and recovery efforts. A Growing Threat We Can't Ignore The statistics paint a sobering picture. Disasters are increasing in both frequency and intensity every year. While the Shenandoah Valley hasn't experienced catastrophic events on the scale of recent flooding in Southwest Virginia or the devastating wildfires in California, Deborah warns that complacency could prove dangerous. "These disasters are happening more rapidly, and their intensity is greater," she explains. "We haven't had the big disasters like we're seeing right now in California, but unfortunately we do expect that we're gonna be seeing more of those types of things." Moreover, the landscape of disaster response is shifting dramatically. Federal support through FEMA has been cut, and the focus is returning to local communities. This represents a significant reversal from the post-Katrina era when federal disaster response expanded considerably. "After Katrina, that's where FEMA expanded, because it's really difficult for one community to come up with the resources they need," Deborah notes. "So now that we're headed back in that direction, it's really important that each member of the community is prepared for themselves, but also to support the community that they live in." Building Your Emergency Kit: Beyond the Basics Deborah emphasizes that preparation begins at home. The first essential step involves creating an emergency kit that can sustain your household for a minimum of three days—though she strongly recommends preparing for two weeks. The kit should include one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, medications, hygiene products, a battery-operated or crank radio (particularly NOAA weather radios), flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kit, copies of important documents like passports and driver's licenses, and cash. Interestingly, Janet raises an important point during the conversation: emergency kits need regular updates as life circumstances change. She admits that despite maintaining a basement emergency kit for years, she never added supplies for her dogs after adopting them—no extra collars, leashes, pet food, or medications. Deborah validates this concern, explaining that pets are now accepted in Red Cross shelters because people often refuse to evacuate without their animals, putting themselves in dangerous situations. She recommends not only including pet supplies in emergency kits but also researching which hotels accept pets in advance. Making a Plan: When Technology Fails Having supplies represents only half the equation. Deborah stresses that families must also create comprehensive evacuation and communication plans. "How do I get out of the house? Do we have phone numbers that we have shared with other people so that they can get ahold of us?" she asks. "Do we have a meeting place? Do we know where the centers are that are most likely gonna be a place of support for us?" Critically, these plans cannot rely solely on smartphones. Deborah emphasizes writing down essential phone numbers and information because communication systems may fail during disasters. This is where AM radio becomes invaluable—a point that resonates strongly with the podcast's station owner, Andrew. "If your phone is not down, having those apps so that you can get the correct information as well," Deborah explains. "But of course we do communicate with the AM radio stations to make sure that we can allow people to know what is going on at any given time." For families with children in different locations during the day or household members with sensory conditions who might hide during emergencies, practicing evacuation plans becomes even more crucial. She recommends running through these plans several times a year. The Disaster Leadership Academy: Coordinating Community Response Recognizing that effective disaster response requires coordination among multiple organizations, Deborah announces the launch of a Disaster Leadership Academy. This initiative aims to bring together government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and community members to ensure everyone understands their role when disaster strikes. "When disaster strikes, effective communication and coordination of leadership is essential in helping the community become resilient," Deborah explains. "When you have a lot of players, which you need in a disaster, if they aren't coordinated and talking with each other, they're gonna be tripping over each other." The academy doesn't compete with existing structures like VOADs (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) but rather helps people discover and engage with these resources. Different communities have different needs—what Shenandoah County requires may differ drastically from what the city of Winchester needs based on geography alone. Deborah illustrates the importance of coordination with a practical example: if one organization opens a shelter without communicating this information, another might open a competing shelter, leaving disaster victims confused about where to seek help. Similarly, when people donate supplies without a coordinated distribution plan, those resources can go to waste. The academy will include simulations and mock Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs), typically coordinated by emergency management, which bring together all organizations that can support disaster recovery. These exercises reveal not only what each organization does but also what they don't do, helping identify gaps in community preparedness. Community Mobilization: Your Neighbor Needs You Beyond organizational coordination, Deborah envisions a network of trained community members—ideally someone on every block or every two blocks—who know what questions to ask and where to direct neighbors for resources during emergencies. "Just imagine if you had somebody on every block of every community or every two blocks that were trained to know what questions to ask, where to go if there's a fire in your community, to get those resources to those people," she says. "What an amazing resource that would be." This grassroots approach proves particularly valuable for "minor" disasters—though Deborah acknowledges they're anything but minor to those experiencing them—like single-family or multi-family fires where residents lose everything. The commitment required isn't overwhelming. Deborah notes that even highly engaged Red Cross volunteers typically deploy only twice a year. The organization welcomes people who want to contribute a little, a lot, or anywhere in between. "A lot of people think, well, I'm not qualified or am I too old?" she says. "And no, you're not too old. And yes, you're qualified if you care for people, you are qualified to help." Taking the First Step For listeners inspired to get involved, Deborah recommends visiting RedCross.org to volunteer or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. The organization will match volunteers with opportunities based on their interests and skills—whether that's disaster response, administrative work, finances and fundraising, or participating in the Leadership Academy. As Janet notes, there are people in every community who instinctively stop to help when they see someone pulled over on the roadside or come upon an accident. "You are that person," she tells listeners. "That's all you need to have is that, oh my gosh, I have to see what I can do." The Bottom Line Deborah's message throughout the conversation remains clear and urgent: the time to prepare is now, before disaster strikes. With federal resources shrinking and disasters intensifying, communities must build their own resilience through individual preparedness, organizational coordination, and neighborhood-level support networks. The Shenandoah Valley may have been fortunate so far, but that luck won't last forever. By building emergency kits, creating family plans, participating in community preparedness initiatives, and volunteering with organizations like the Red Cross, residents can ensure that when disaster does strike, their community will be ready to respond, recover, and rebuild together. As Deborah will continue to emphasize in her monthly appearances on The Valley Today throughout 2026, disaster preparedness isn't just about surviving the immediate crisis—it's about building communities strong enough to support each other through whatever challenges lie ahead.

Former LCBC Senior Pastor David Ashcraft talks about the small church dysfunction he encountered when he arrived at LCBC when it was just a small church. Plus, he discusses how it scaled into a mega-church of 22,000, succession, and how he repositioned the Global Leadership Summit for the future.

Sharon Hodde Miller discusses entering ministry with idealism that is crushed when people break your heart and leave your church. Plus, she discusses how to keep your heart engaged, learning to fight cynicism, and how to know when to speak into culture and when to keep silent.

Theologian and church planter Dom Ruso offers lessons from church planting in Montreal, one of the most secular environments in North America, and how to reach a very difficult culture.  He talks about the lack of theological training churches are facing, why we're probably not ready for real revival, and how to reach people most people think are unreachable.

J.R. Briggs has studied the art of asking questions for ten years. He shares how the quality of your questions determines the quality of your life and leadership, how to use questions to get your audience's full attention, and why question-asking is a dying art.

In this episode of the podcast, N.T. Wright discusses the forces that formed him into the scholar, priest, and writer he is today: his early influences, his calling, and what he gave up to pursue his writing. He also shares his views on spiritual warfare and the problem of Christians demonizing their enemies.

Lysa TerKeurst opens up about the end of her marriage and offers insight into the distinction between difficult and destructive relationships. Lysa shares the biblical grounds for divorce, and Carey and Lysa discuss how to help people in a tough marriage.

J.D. Greear shares the tension every pastor feels over when to speak out, how to speak out, and which issues should command a pastor's voice. J.D. also discusses Charlie Kirk, the culture wars, and social outrage. 

Episode 593 Welcome to Loan Officer Freedom, the #1 podcast in the country for loan officers, hosted by Carl White. In this episode, Carl sits down with Kevin Gillespie, leader of the Leadership Academy at Mortgage Marketing Animals, to reveal how loan officers can stop competing on price and start winning with value. Kevin shares five key strategies that top producers use to raise conversion rates, increase profits, and stand out in a crowded market without being the lowest rate in town. Together, they dive into how to build irresistible "wow" offers, stack value into every loan, and instantly engage clients so they feel confident choosing you from the very first call. You'll also learn how to move from transactional selling to true consultative conversations that build trust and long-term relationships. If you're ready to earn more while doing less, this episode will show you how to turn pricing pressure into profit power. Want help putting these systems in place for your own business? Visit ProfitDrivenPlan.com to schedule a free strategy call.

Episode 592 Welcome to Loan Officer Freedom, the #1 podcast in the country for loan officers, hosted by Carl White. In this episode, Carl shares a powerful perspective that every loan officer needs to hear. He explains why building a thriving mortgage business is actually a smarter and more profitable path than owning a franchise like McDonald's. He compares the $2 million investment it takes to open a single McDonald's location to the near-zero startup cost of being a loan officer and reveals how a handful of well-managed closings each month can outpace what most franchise owners earn in a year. Carl breaks down the real numbers, lifestyle freedom, and scalability that make the mortgage business such an incredible opportunity when you follow the right systems. He also gives a nod to Kevin Gillespie and the Leadership Academy for inspiring this powerful mindset shift that could change how you see your own business. If you're tired of thinking you need a massive investment to make a great living, this episode will open your eyes to just how close you already are to building your own McDonald's-level success without the grease traps or name tags. Ready to see how simple it can be to grow your income and freedom at the same time? Visit GetMoreLoans.com to schedule a free strategy call.