Advocate Episodes

Dustin Shepherd on Helping Veterans Navigate Life After Service | 1,591 Dustin Shepherd believes the greatest act of leadership is making the path easier for someone else to walk. A retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with 29 years of service, Dustin Shepherd spent his military career leading through some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Multiple combat deployments taught him that leadership is measured not by authority, but by the ability to guide people through uncertainty, hardship, and change. After facing his own personal struggles and the devastating loss of fellow Soldiers, Dustin realized that many people who want help never receive it because they do not know where to begin. That insight inspired him to found TOA, an organization dedicated to connecting individuals with the right resources, support, and guidance when they need it most. Rather than creating another program, Dustin focused on building a bridge, one that brings clarity to complex systems a…

Nora Smyth on Creating Safer Spaces for Healing | 1,589 Nora Smyth believes meaningful change begins with the people who care for others. A licensed clinical social worker, educator, and founder of Join The Constellation PLCC, Nora is dedicated to strengthening the next generation of mental health professionals through intentional clinical supervision, practical education, and trauma informed leadership. Her work is driven by the belief that healthier practitioners create healthier individuals, families, and communities. As the author of five self care toolkits, Nora equips both clinicians and the public with practical strategies for resilience, reflection, and emotional well being. She is also developing specialized continuing education focused on domestic violence, helping practitioners move beyond theory with real world tools that strengthen trauma informed care. Beyond her clinical work, Nora is a passionate advocate committed to breaking the silence surrounding domest…

Roxanna Johnson on Healing Betrayal Trauma After Infidelity | 1,579 Roxanna Johnson is giving a voice to the people whose pain is too often overlooked. An author, speaker, and recovery advocate, Roxanna helps spouses and partners heal from the devastating impact of sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. Drawing from her own lived experience, a background in research, and years of serving in recovery communities, she offers a message rooted in faith, compassion, and hope. Through her book, Forgotten In The Battle with Sexual Addiction: The Journey of a Spouse, Roxanna shines a light on the often unseen struggles of those left navigating heartbreak, confusion, and shattered trust. Her work acknowledges the depth of that pain while pointing toward the possibility of healing, renewed identity, and restored faith. As a recovery group facilitator and sought after speaker, Roxanna continues to encourage individuals and families to move beyond survival and embrace lasting transform…

David Woods Bartley on Healing Trauma Through Connection | 1,568 David Woods Bartley is changing the way people talk about mental health by replacing shame with understanding and isolation with connection. An internationally recognized speaker, trainer, TEDx presenter, and mental health advocate, David draws from a life marked by profound adversity to deliver one of the most authentic voices in the mental wellness movement. After surviving childhood sexual abuse, the loss of a parent, depression, PTSD, and suicidal struggles, he transformed his own healing journey into a mission to help others find hope. At the heart of his work is the belief that mental health cannot be addressed by focusing on symptoms alone. Through his Whole Person Care philosophy, David teaches a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnected roles of emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well being in lasting recovery and resilience. Over the course of more than 800 presentations and two T…

Jennifer Ballow on Why Stories Shape a Child’s Mind | 1,556 Jennifer Ballow believes some of life's most important conversations begin with a story. A licensed master level social worker, children's author, and advocate, Jennifer has dedicated her career to supporting children, families, individuals with disabilities, and older adults through compassion, connection, and meaningful engagement. Drawing from her professional background and personal experience as a mother of twin daughters, she understands the powerful role that stories play in helping children make sense of the world around them. Through her books, she creates opportunities for families to connect, spark imagination, and encourage conversations that foster confidence, creativity, and emotional growth. Jennifer's work is rooted in a simple but profound belief: when children feel seen, heard, and understood, they develop the foundation to thrive. By combining her expertise in social work with her passion for st…

Tanya Taibl on Better Communication in Dementia Care | 1,553 Tanya Taibl believes dementia care begins with seeing the person, not just the diagnosis. With a background in special education, Tanya brings a unique and deeply compassionate perspective to supporting individuals experiencing cognitive decline and the families who care for them. Rather than focusing solely on what has been lost, she focuses on what remains possible through adaptation, communication, and understanding. Her work centers on helping care partners and loved ones navigate the complexities of dementia with greater confidence, empathy, and practical strategies. By exploring how communication styles, environmental design, and relationship dynamics influence quality of life, Tanya helps create experiences that preserve dignity, connection, and meaning. What sets her approach apart is a simple but powerful shift in perspective: instead of asking what a person can no longer do, she asks how we can better s…

Dr Kenneth Markowitz on Rebuilding Life After Addiction | 1,552 Dr. Kenneth Markowitz understands addiction from both sides of the conversation, as a physician who treated patients for nearly two decades and as someone who faced his own battle with addiction. A former pediatrician and now an addiction recovery coach, Kenneth brings a rare combination of medical expertise, clinical experience, and lived recovery to the people he serves. After pornography addiction unexpectedly derailed a successful medical career, he was forced to confront the very challenges he had spent years helping others navigate. That experience became the catalyst for a new calling. Today, Kenneth helps individuals struggling with both chemical and behavioral addictions move beyond shame, isolation, and self destructive patterns toward lasting recovery and personal freedom. Drawing from his background in medicine, psychology, and his own recovery journey, he offers a deeply personalized approach that…

How Lenna Rodriguez Supports Veterans After Service | 1,551 Lenna Rodriguez has spent her life serving in places where leadership, resilience, and courage are not optional. A retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3, Lenna served for more than 20 years in some of the military's most demanding roles, spanning intelligence, criminal investigations, civil affairs, and special operations support. From deployments in Africa and Afghanistan to leading complex investigations as a Supervisory Special Agent with the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, her career was built on protecting others and solving problems under pressure. But for Lenna, service did not end when she took off the uniform. Today, she is a passionate advocate for veterans, military families, and those facing the invisible challenges that often follow military service. Through her work supporting America's Warrior Partnership and the "Know a Vet, Tell a Vet" initiative, she helps strengthen a…

Sara Hathaway on Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times | 1,549 Sara F. Hathaway explores one of society's most uncomfortable questions: what happens when everything we depend on suddenly disappears? An author, self-defense instructor, podcaster, and preparedness advocate, Sara has built a devoted following through The Changing Earth Series, a gripping fictional universe that examines the fragility of modern civilization and the resilience required to survive its collapse. But beneath the action, suspense, and survival scenarios lies a deeper message. Confidence is not something you find in a crisis. It is something you build long before one arrives. Drawing from her expertise in self-defense and personal preparedness, Sara teaches people how to develop the mindset, skills, and adaptability needed to face uncertainty with strength rather than fear. Whether through her novels, The Changing Earth Podcast, or The Changing Earth Audio Drama, she challenges audiences to think differe…

Elisa Neven Pugh on Turning Limitations Into Strength | 1,545 Elisa Neven-Pugh is challenging the assumptions people make before a single word is spoken. Living with a disability has given Elisa a perspective that many people never have to develop. She knows what it feels like to be underestimated, overlooked, or defined by what others see on the surface. Rather than allowing those experiences to limit her, she transformed them into a mission. Today, Elisa is a motivational speaker, advocate, and author whose work centers on personal responsibility, spiritual accountability, and recognizing the strength that exists even in life's most difficult circumstances. Through her speaking and advocacy, she helps people move beyond victimhood, reconnect with their own resilience, and recognize the support, opportunities, and possibilities that may already be surrounding them. What makes Elisa's message powerful is its authenticity. She does not teach from theory. She teaches from li…

Lauretta Zucchetti on Reinventing Life and Rising Beyond Your Past | 1,533 Lauretta Zucchetti is a speaker and transformation advocate whose life reflects what it means to rise beyond conditioning and reclaim your identity. Raised in Italy in an environment where her voice was meant to be small, Lauretta experienced early hardship, instability, and the weight of limiting beliefs about what a woman should accept. By her teenage years, she was navigating life on her own, forced to grow up quickly and make decisions that would shape her future. Choosing a different path, she left to reunite with her father, and later made a bold move to the United States, where she began rebuilding her life from the ground up. Within a short time, she rose to become one of the top sales performers at Xerox, then expanded her career with Apple Computer International, working globally and eventually leading and training teams across the country. Through every stage, Lauretta came to understand …

How Christopher Bylone Builds Real Workplace Belonging | 1,531 Christopher Bylone is on a mission to prove that belonging is more than a workplace initiative. It is a human need. As the founder of Innovation Unbiased and host of the podcast I Know I Belong When..., Christopher brings together data, storytelling, and lived experience to spark meaningful conversations about identity, inclusion, and human connection. His work challenges organizations and individuals alike to move beyond performative efforts and build cultures where people genuinely feel seen, valued, and empowered. A cancer survivor, advocate, and corporate leader, Christopher has spent years shaping belonging strategies for global organizations, leading multimillion dollar initiatives, strengthening employee communities, and helping transform workplace culture from the inside out. But his commitment to belonging did not begin in the boardroom. It began with a belief that everyone deserves a place where they …

Dr Alison Pattison on Turning Vision Into Action | 1,528 Dr. Alison Pattison thrives at the intersection of education, leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. As a professor, Senior Doctoral Chair at Grand Canyon University, entrepreneur, podcast host, speaker, and advocate, she has dedicated her career to helping people turn ideas into impact. Her work spans health and human services, leadership development, higher education, and developmental disability advocacy, all connected by a common mission: empowering others to create meaningful change. Known for her ability to bridge academic excellence with real world application, Dr. Pattison mentors emerging leaders, researchers, and professionals who want to make a difference in their communities and industries. Whether guiding doctoral candidates, launching innovative projects, or leading conversations that inspire growth, she brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, compassion, and vision. At her core, Dr. Pattison …

Howaida Abdalla on Reclaiming Power After Survival | 1,521 Howaida Abdalla turned survival into purpose. Life coach. Advocate. Voice for healing and empowerment. Through lived experience, resilience, and unwavering compassion, Howaida helps survivors reclaim their identity, rebuild confidence, and move beyond the pain that once defined them. Her work creates space for honest conversations, deep healing, and the kind of transformation that begins when people finally feel seen, heard, and believed. Alongside her coaching and advocacy, she is deeply committed to raising awareness around the long-term emotional impact of FGM, challenging stigma, and helping communities better understand the realities survivors carry long after the silence ends. Her message reaches beyond survival. It is about reclaiming power, restoring dignity, and choosing a future on your own terms. Healing is possible. Your story matters. And your life belongs to you. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Enj…

Chris Bingham on Leadership Loyalty and K9 Partnership | 1,518 Chris Bingham stands at the intersection of service, discipline, and loyalty. Law enforcement leader. K9 advocate. Mentor. With more than two decades in policing and leadership, Chris has dedicated his life to protecting others while building elite K9 programs grounded in trust, precision, and purpose. A graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, his work extends far beyond the badge. He is widely recognized for the powerful bond he shares with his retired partner, K9 Tambo, whose journey of resilience became a symbol of courage, recovery, and unwavering loyalty. Through public speaking, storytelling, and advocacy, Chris shines a light on the lasting impact of working dogs and the responsibility owed to them long after service ends. Driven by discipline, fatherhood, fitness, and perseverance, Chris uses his platform to remind people that strength is not built through comfort. It …

Emily Holl has dedicated her life to giving a voice to the people so often left out of the conversation: siblings of individuals with disabilities and complex health needs. As Director of The Sibling Support Project, she has become a leading advocate, writer, and guide for families navigating the lifelong realities of love, responsibility, identity, and connection. But her work is more than professional. It is deeply personal. As a sibling herself, Emily understands the invisible emotions, quiet sacrifices, and profound bonds that shape these relationships in ways the world rarely sees. Through her writing, research, workshops, and advocacy, Emily creates space for siblings to feel seen, understood, and less alone. Her work speaks to the complexity of caregiving, family, and belonging with honesty, compassion, and extraordinary depth. Whether through her books, public speaking, or support programs, she reminds people that behind every diagnosis is a family learning how to carry bot…

1,474 | From Breakdown to Breakthrough Gretchen Schoser Gretchen Schoser, known as G Rex, is a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and podcast host redefining how individuals and organizations approach well being. She is the co host and business manager of the award winning podcast Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, a globally recognized show with over 2 million downloads across more than 100 countries. The podcast creates space for real, unfiltered conversations around mental health, blending honesty, humor, and lived experience to remind people they are not alone. Gretchen’s work is rooted in her own turning point. After facing one of the most difficult chapters of her life, she made the decision to reach out for help, a moment that shifted everything. What followed was not just recovery, but a complete redefinition of purpose. Today, as the owner of Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions, she works with small and midsize businesses to build healthier, more human centered …

1,457 | Kalise White on Second Chances and Real Transformation Kalise White is a published author, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate for healing, transformation, and second chances. Her work is grounded in lived experience, hard earned wisdom, and a deep commitment to helping others reclaim their voice and purpose. After spending more than a decade incarcerated at a young age, Kalise returned home without a roadmap, resources, or support system. Through faith, discipline, and relentless self reflection, she rebuilt her life, becoming a two time published author, successful business owner, and a powerful voice for trauma recovery and emotional healing. Today, she speaks with honesty and conviction, reaching individuals navigating trauma, incarceration, abuse, grief, and identity loss. Her message resonates deeply, especially with women and justice impacted communities who often feel unseen and unheard. Kalise does not speak from theory. She speaks from truth. …

1,449 | Shashana Kaplan on Turning $1 Into Real Impact Shashana Kaplan is the founder of PIFster.org and a passionate advocate for what she calls “Neighborhood Heroes,” everyday organizations making a real difference in their communities. After a 40 year career as an Emmy nominated makeup artist working on major productions like Dancing with the Stars, she made a bold shift from the spotlight to service. Drawing on her experience behind the scenes of high profile environments, Shashana now focuses on elevating local charities that often go unseen. She successfully navigated a major transition into the tech space to build PIFster, a platform designed to make giving simple and accessible. With just one dollar, anyone can become a philanthropist, supporting causes they believe in through collective micro giving. Her mission is clear. Empower communities, amplify impact, and prove that small actions, when multiplied, can create meaningful change. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎧 L…

1,429 | Lisa Conway on Surviving 100 Shock Therapy Treatments Lisa A. Conway, MSW, is a mental health advocate, author, and former medical social worker dedicated to ethical care, patient advocacy, and lived experience recovery. After years in the medical field, she now focuses on raising awareness around transparency, informed consent, and patient centered approaches in mental health treatment, especially in relation to shock therapy. As an ECT survivor who underwent more than one hundred treatments, Lisa speaks openly about the long term impact of psychiatric interventions and the importance of honoring patient voices. Her memoir, Shocked, offers a powerful and personal look into mental illness, the healthcare system, and the journey from trauma to advocacy. Through her writing and speaking, Lisa works to reduce stigma while encouraging honest, necessary conversations about mental health, recovery, and compassionate care. She enjoys running with her service dog Teddy, writi…

1,417 | Valeriya Hjertenaes Reframes Neurodiversity in the Boardroom Valeriya Hjertenaes is a PhD level expert in neurodiversity and sustainability leadership, working at the intersection of human performance, social sustainability, and leadership in complex systems. As a neurodivergent leader with lived experience of OCD, she approaches leadership through the lens of cognitive diversity, structural resilience, and decision intelligence. Her work reframes neurodiversity not as an inclusion topic but as a performance advantage that strengthens ethical leadership and long term value creation. Valeriya is the founder of the 5E Enablers Method™, a sustainable leadership framework built on five strategic principles: Empathize, Evolve, Evaluate, Enhance, and Empower. The model equips boards and executive teams to translate human complexity into measurable resilience, better decisions, and sustainable performance. With more than 15 years of cross cultural leadership experience ac…

1,404 | Celeste Glover on Turning Tragedy Into Advocacy Celeste Glover is a hands on remodeler and landlord whose business motto is simple: Improving community. She has built her career transforming highly distressed properties into safe, livable homes, strengthening neighborhoods one project at a time. On July 19, 2023, Celeste survived a complete spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down. While there is currently no cure for spinal cord injury, she has committed herself to pursuing innovative treatments that are showing promising results in restoring function and improving quality of life. These emerging therapies are helping address paralysis, spasms, nerve pain, incontinence, and autonomic dysreflexia, with clinical trials underway in the United States and additional treatment options available internationally. Celeste is raising funds to participate in treatment at Verita Neuro in Guadalajara. While she understands that a full recovery may not be pos…

1,397 | Amanda Cassar Shares How to Reclaim Financial Confidence Amanda Cassar is a financial adviser, author, and advocate whose work sits at the intersection of money, relationships, and personal autonomy. With more than two decades of experience, she supports individuals and families through life transitions with clarity, dignity, and confidence. Internationally recognized for her leadership in financial abuse awareness, Amanda equips professionals to identify and respond to hidden forms of control and coercion. Through her writing, speaking, and her podcast *Financial Secrets Revealed*, she challenges outdated money myths and reframes financial conversations around safety, values, and informed choice. At her core, Amanda believes money should be a tool that supports a life well lived, not a force that limits it. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎧 Love our show? Show some love! 👉 Check out today’s guest: https://www.wealthplanningpartners.com.au 🎬 Need stunning videos, clean…

1,329 | Tewabech Genet Stewart Shares a Hopeful Framework for Child Welfare Reform Tewabech Genet Stewart is a visionary leader, abolitionist, and advocate dedicated to reimagining child welfare and creating a world where families are strengthened, not separated. After spending 22 years inside Florida’s child welfare system—and later adopting her son from foster care—Genet saw the system from every side. Motherhood deepened her conviction to speak boldly about the harm children endure and to champion a model rooted in truth, dignity, and love. Her seven-step framework for transforming child welfare replaces punishment with support, surveillance with community, and fear with belonging. Grounded in Biblical principles and compassion, her approach offers a hopeful and practical path toward healing and restoration. Recognized nationally for her leadership, Genet is a recipient of the Association of Junior Leagues International’s 40 Over 40 Award, APSHA’s Distinguished EDIB Lea…