Amy Crawford's life is evidence that to become a spark for good we must first recognize that in the face of things that seem impossible, we can always start by doing something. In her nearly four decades working as an educator, Amy has joyfully guided the children in her classroom to not only enjoy a subject, but to recognize the value of their lives. She savored being an educator and the chance to encourage kids. And yet, Amy realized it wasn't just the children in her classroom that needed to ...
Jul 29, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 693
Rather than letting a traumatic ATV accident where he lost both of his hands cast a shadow on his future, Jason Koger has used the 2008 accident as a guiding light. And he became the first bilateral arm amputee to be fitted with multi-articulating bionic hands in the world. Today, Jason shares the pivotal role his resilient parents and hardworking grandfather played in shaping his indomitable spirit, the immense physical and emotional challenges he faced and how he turned these obstacles into a ...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 15Ep. 692
Few stories move me as powerfully as Victor Hugo's Les Misérables . Set in the midst of a revolution in France, it's a deeply moving portrait of individuals from various walks of life wrestling with grace, meaning, redemption, love and loss. Last month while watching this play with my wife, it became clear to me that the main character from Les Misérables illuminates not only how we should live as individuals, but also how we must move forward as a nation. And the character that modeled this exa...
Jul 22, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 691
In our polarized world, Rabbi Susan Talve stands as a beacon of hope, dedicating her life to building relationships across divides. As the founding rabbi of Central Reform Congregation, Susan has inspired a movement of community and connection, reminding us of the beautiful interconnectedness of humanity. Today, Susan shares how an archeological dig in Israel opened her heart and mind to a life of spiritual leadership, how she channels the grief of losing her daughter Adina into creating positiv...
Jul 18, 2024•52 min•Season 15Ep. 690
Hollywood has a reputation of attracting individuals capable of portraying one version of themselves in front of a camera … and a very different version when no one is watching. Perhaps that's why when people learn a movie was made about my life, and they hear about the actors who participated in the film, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "So, what are they really like?" After spending months with some well-known actors, producers, directors and leaders in the industry, my answer t...
Jul 15, 2024•8 min•Season 15Ep. 689
Randy Gravitt is an author, speaker and coach who dedicates his life to empowering leaders to achieve greatness both at work and at home. As a devoted husband, father to four daughters, and grandfather to six, Randy understands the delicate dance between professional responsibilities and personal commitments. His life is a testament to the power of nurturing meaningful relationships while pursuing excellence in one's career. And his wisdom goes beyond mere strategies — he offers practical steps ...
Jul 11, 2024•57 min•Season 15Ep. 688
What do we do with memories that sear? How do we cope with losses from our past? And how do we heal from scars we still bear? After returning from war, Bill Goodreau wrestled with these questions. In discovering an answer, he ultimately discovered not only a good life for himself, but one that could be used for good to elevate others. Let me explain.
Jul 08, 2024•5 min•Season 15Ep. 687
Retired Navy SEAL Captain John Doolittle dedicated 25 years of service to the United States of America, embodying resilience, determination, faithfulness and humility. Today, John shares his incredible journey of becoming a Navy SEAL, the struggles he faced and the invaluable lessons he learned along the way. Plus, the importance of camaraderie, the power of leaning on others, the immense strength found in mental toughness, how these qualities shaped his path and what it can do for you as you na...
Jul 04, 2024•56 min•Season 15Ep. 686
For the past six summers, all four of my kids have been able to pick a work trip they wanted to join their dad for. They look through my schedule. They pick the location, anywhere in the country. And other than the time I'm speaking, they determine what we do when we get there. My job is simple: say "yes" to whatever ideas they come up with while we are together. They affectionally call it "The Daddy Trip." They think it's for them. Selfishly, it's an excuse for me to spend focused one-on-one ti...
Jul 01, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 685
Patric Young, a former basketball star and two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, faced an unimaginable challenge in 2022 when a car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Once a towering force on the court, Patric now embarks on a journey of resilience, faith, and rediscovery, confronting the depths of his identity and strength. Today, Patric shares his journey as he faces adversity and embraces his renewed purpose in life. This story is a guiding light, reminding us to focus on w...
Jun 27, 2024•45 min•Season 15Ep. 684
"Do you ever have bad days?" While speaking with a group of college interns for a large insurance agency last week, I was asked this question. My answer surprised them. In sharing it with you, I hope it offers some encouragement for you. Let me explain.
Jun 24, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 683
Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge has led some of the world's most iconic brands. And yet, it's what she uncovered about her family's past that's most incredible. After discovering that her great-great-great-grandmother had been enslaved in Missouri, wrongfully convicted of a crime, and denied the justice she so deserved, Pamela eagerly sought to learn more about her family's heritage. My friends, today's episode goes beyond Pamela's journey as we celebrate unity, collaboration and how we can't change the...
Jun 20, 2024•53 min•Season 15Ep. 682
Every day offers the same opportunity: To invest in activities, efforts, work and conversations that build others up or to choose attitudes, words and actions that push others down. The choice we make profoundly influences how we feel about our lives and our capacity to positively impact the lives of those around us. Let me explain.
Jun 17, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 681
At the tender age of nine, Kim Meeder faced an unimaginable tragedy when she lost both her parents in a matter of minutes. Though losing her parents in such a horrific way could have shattered her spirit forever, she discovered strength in her faith and solace in the company of horses. It was in taking care of, riding, and simply being in the presence of these majestic animals that she found her path to healing. Today, Kim shares how she transformed her pain into a life filled with purpose and j...
Jun 13, 2024•55 min•Season 15Ep. 680
"I'm losing it. These were the final words spoken by the great singer, Frank Sinatra. The man who spent his life performing at sold-out theaters and proudly proclaiming he did it his way recognized at the end of his life that none of us are totally in control. Emily Dickinson offered a more poetic reflection as death approached. She looked past those gathered in the room and spoke these words, "I must go in, the fog is rising." "Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough." ...
Jun 10, 2024•7 min•Season 15Ep. 679
Christina Rasmussen is an acclaimed grief educator who has dedicated her life to helping others navigate the often misunderstood and silent struggles of everyday loss. Her mission is to guide others to living life fully and joyously. Today, Christina shares how she overcame her fears and limitations while growing up in Greece, how she confronted the profound grief of losing her husband to cancer at a young age and how she's helping others navigate their journeys with loss and grief. My friends, ...
Jun 06, 2024•52 min•Season 15Ep. 678
With intensifying conflicts around the world, ever-amplifying political tension in the United States, and persistent personal challenges we all deal with daily, it's easy to feel lost in the seemingly growing shadow of darkness. And yet, there are examples around us of individuals who survive unspeakable heartache, remarkably heal, and today reflect light into a world longing for it. Few individuals personify this more brilliantly than my friend, Kim Meeder.
Jun 03, 2024•8 min•Season 15Ep. 677
For 91 harrowing days, Immaculée Ilibagiza huddled a tiny bathroom with seven other women while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Today, Immaculée stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Join us at Immaculee shares her excruciating experience, how she found her faith and taught herself English in the midst of unimaginable terror, and most incredibly, embraced a life of peace, hope and forgiveness, even for those who had murdered her family....
May 30, 2024•58 min•Season 15Ep. 676
Today, many of us will enjoy a day off work. We'll sleep in, take walks, watch shows, or spend time with family and friends. And yet, many in our communities remain unaware of the true significance of this day. On this Memorial Day, let us pause and remember why we have this day off. Let us give thanks for the incredible opportunities we have today and remember the ultimate sacrifices that provided these freedoms. In a world where we often celebrate people for their beauty, social following, or ...
May 27, 2024•5 min•Season 15Ep. 675
While filming On Fire the Film, I had the incredible honor of working alongside heroes, experts, and a phenomenal crew of actors. Yet, there was one person who truly stood out: Jamison Sweet. His humility, excellence, and genuine love for others were unmistakable. As I got to know Jamison, I witnessed his remarkable service and unwavering dedication—not just to our nation as a Marine, but to each person he encountered, including me. Today, Jamison shares his inspiring journey of serving 15 years...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 15Ep. 674
In a world too often filled with blame-shifting, shirking responsibility or waiting for things to change for them, John Foppe reminds us what it looks like when we stop waiting for our circumstances to improve, and start living fully, vibrantly and joyfully the lives we already have. Some 18 years ago, I visited with a man who positively changed my life. In reading a bit more about his story, I believe he will change your life, too. Let me explain.
May 20, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 673
John Foppe embodies the profound truth that our limitations are often self-imposed. Born without arms, John has learned to adapt every aspect of daily life and transform every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Today, John shares his intimate experience of overcoming physical and internal obstacles that once seemed insurmountable and how he began to take responsibility of his disability and his identity. Plus, in recognizing the importance of lifting up others, John shares how his work as...
May 16, 2024•54 min•Season 15Ep. 672
The day started early for me, yet it was an encounter nearly 20 hours later that left me refreshed and reminded me that there are two ways to live our lives. Let me explain.
May 13, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 671
J.R. Martinez is an Army veteran, burn survivor, actor, New York Times best-selling author, and Dancing with the Stars champion, spreading a message of hope, resilience and optimism. Today, J.R. shares a story of pain, triumph, and the beauty of pushing forward. Hear the pivotal experiences that shaped his desire to become a cycle-breaker, what he learned while trapped inside a burning Humvee in Iraq, the process he went through to become grateful for his scars and how he rediscovered how to ful...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 15Ep. 670
Although health care practitioners are often cautioned to avoid becoming emotionally invested in a critically ill patient's outcome, the reality on the ground is it's impossible not to become engrossed. They spend significant time with the patient, get to know them intimately, and often become friends with the family. Such was the case during the five months I spent in the hospital after the fire. These nurses were the servants who never missed a single shift. Whether it was a holiday, weekend, ...
May 06, 2024•6 min•Season 15Ep. 669
Jimmie James is a radiant symbol of possibility. Born into poverty in 1959 in the Jim Crow South, Jimmie was one of eight children raised by a devoted single mother. From humble beginnings, he was determined to shatter every expectation by being the first person in his circle to graduate from high school. This dream was only the beginning as he then soared through college and launched into a transformative 33-year career at ExxonMobil. His climb from an entry-level engineer to a globe-trotting e...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 15Ep. 668
Jimmie James is a radiant symbol of possibility. Born into poverty in 1959 in the Jim Crow South, Jimmie was one of eight children raised by a devoted single mother. From humble beginnings, he was determined to shatter every expectation by being the first person in his circle to graduate from high school. This dream was only the beginning as he then soared through college and launched into a transformative 33-year career at ExxonMobil. His climb from an entry-level engineer to a globe-trotting e...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 15Ep. 668
"Legacy is not leaving something behind for other people. It's leaving something behind in other people." -Peter Strople Because of an unexpected gift from his late father, Blake Brewer is now on a mission to help one million parents write at least one well-written, meaningful legacy letter to their children. Let me explain.
Apr 29, 2024•8 min•Season 15Ep. 667
Blake Brewer is the founder of Legacy Letter and is on a mission to help one million parents write at least one well-written, meaningful, lasting legacy letter to their children. Hours after the tragic loss of his father, Blake discovered what would become a guiding light during his grief journey. A life-changing letter from his late father filled with wisdom, love and hope. Today, Blake shares his story of loss and resilience, focusing on the transformative power of legacy and his role in helpi...
Apr 25, 2024•48 min•Season 15Ep. 666
"The voicemail you have reached is currently full." If you try leaving a message on my cell phone, you'll often get that recording. The reason it's full is that I don't always delete the messages of friends and family. I love the tone of Mom as she practically sings out my name to begin her messages. I savor the softened, muted, sweet voice of my father checking in on me. I've kept several from my wife just letting me know she was thinking of me, and I've kept one from each of my kids so I can h...
Apr 22, 2024•7 min•Season 15Ep. 665
