Sean Spence has spent his life helping others. He started activism young, and since then has continued trying to help make the world a better place, while still recognizing his privilege in life. He has done everything from organizing HIV testing days in the 80s, to raising money for public radio by breaking world records. This week’s episode is full of everyday bravery, choosing happiness, and the small things that everyone can do to make the world better. Top Takeaways You can be friends with ...
Nov 11, 2021•55 min•Season 12Ep. 191
Impact • Believe • Support Dana Heino experienced every parent's nightmare when her two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare variety of brain cancer. Despite a long and painful battle, Avery did not survive. Dana now works to teach medical advocacy for parents and makes sure Avery remains a prominent part of her family. This episode, both beautiful and heart-wrenching, proves that family is truly one of the strongest bonds in the world but so is community. This is a story about love, fait...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 12Ep. 190
Today on the Brave Files, Heather Vickery is her own guest. Having written just released her new book, F*CK FEARLESS - Making The Brave Leap, Heather is providing insights into her brave book journey including the writing process, publication, and even some sneak peeks into the well-anticipated book itself. Short and sweet, this episode of the Brave Files gives a little window into the behind-the-scenes of the Brave empire Heather has worked so hard to build. Top Takeaways You have to be honest ...
Oct 28, 2021•27 min•Season 12Ep. 189
Kindness • Connection • Expansion Pain is always something that helps you grow! Leaving a job you love to create a life you love even more is badass! That’s what this week’s guest, Dr. Manuela Powell did! Manuela is a powerhouse and a force who celebrates failure, loves herself fiercely, and helps others do the same! Through a hard but rewarding journey, Manuela has become a better mother, a better coach, and most importantly, a better ally to herself. Top Takeaways When you stop looking for som...
Oct 21, 2021•56 min•Season 12Ep. 188
Reinvention • Unordinary • Unfinished Sonya Morton-Firth went from picked on kid to a cut-throat businesswoman making top dollar to jobless and burnt and, eventually, to hosting her own show. It was the hardest journey of her life, but she finally created her own version of success. Never let anyone tell you that you’re incapable, if there is a will, there is always a way. Top Takeaway Never let anyone tell you that you’re incapable, if there is a will, there is always a way. If there’s anything...
Oct 14, 2021•58 min•Season 12Ep. 187
Belief • Faith • Commitment Carlos Adell’s journey to turning his life around could be called a miracle, but in truth, it speaks to his hard-working nature and passion for helping others. From drug dealer to CEO of a renowned consulting agency, Carlos lives to embody his core values and live life knowing he’s helping make the world better. It isn’t always easy, but he knows that every minute of it was worth it. Top Takeaways Never take life for granted, recognize you have limited time, and live ...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr•Season 12Ep. 186
Resilient • Genuine • Passionate On the outside, Christine looks like she has it all figured out - some might even say her life looks “perfect.” But inside, she holds the hurt of losing her daughter Maeve, who was stillborn. But she still works to live her best life and create a legacy for her daughter. An author, coach, entrepreneur, and mother, Christine knows that she is capable and willing to live life with no regrets. Top Takeaways Life can change drastically in a single moment. Everyone de...
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 12Ep. 185
Intuitive • Raw • Resilient Parenthood is rarely the journey we imagine it to be but when Ali Goodman discovered her son was Autistic, she had to recalibrate and learn to embrace and honor him just as he was. The journey towards acceptance and removing shame has been life-changing. Tune in to hear her inspiring story of love and resilience. Top Takeaways The child you imagine will likely never be the one you get, but you have to accept your child for all they are. Autism is not something you hav...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 12Ep. 184
Gentle • Curious • Connection Etai is a funny, engaging, passionate heart-centered human. He’s compassionate, kind, and leads by example. He also has Cerebral Palsy. While his CP has dedicated a lot of his life, it hasn’t stopped him from making his mark on the world- and the people around him. Etai works to make the world a better place through understanding the people around him and even speaks 7-10 languages simply so he can communicate with as many people as possible. Though his thoughts som...
Sep 16, 2021•52 min•Season 11Ep. 183
Attacked • Intentional • Repurpose 20 years ago, on September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. The attacks of 9/11 took the lives of thousands and forever altered the lives of millions all over the world. Mike Cortes, a 9/11 first responder, honors the victims of the tragedy by sharing his story. Mike continues to carry out the legacy of the fallen through living his life with purpose and intention and he has a request for you. Mike’s story is one you shouldn’t miss. Top Takeaways It's impor...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 11Ep. 182
Inspiration - Love - Growth A name change, a career change, and several adventures off the beaten path, Sloane tore her life down and rebuilt it with intention. Despite the challenges, by following her heart she’s found her purpose. She now understands the importance of growing into her true self by any means necessary. Takeaways Sometimes you have to allow yourself to grow, despite the people around you who want you to stay the same. You have to experience life in all its “ick” to find your win...
Sep 02, 2021•53 min•Season 11Ep. 181
VULNERABLE • ZANY • ALIGNED Mike Iamele stumbled into the spotlight in 2014 after his coming-out story went viral. So when the business venture following his success failed, Mike was crushed. Rather than let the failure itself define him, Mike decided to host a Failure Celebration that changed his life. It turns out, failure is just as valuable as success. Takeaways Failure is just as valuable as success. If your mind is unaligned, your body is, too. It’s okay to make yourself vulnerable and ask...
Aug 26, 2021•51 min•Season 11Ep. 180
CIRCUITOUS • HARD-WON • IMPATIENT Annie P. Ruggles knows she’s brave—But it took a long time for her to recognize and admit it. For years, Annie believed bravery was reserved for grand acts. But now Annie sees that getting out of her comfort zone and doing small Brave acts throughout the day are what count most. There’s a power in every day brave, folks. Let’s get into it. Top Takeaways: Your name is your title. It’s how you declare yourself to the world. It’s hard to let go of moments where we ...
Aug 19, 2021•52 min•Season 11Ep. 179
In this solo episode, Heather talks about the importance of being alone. She shares her own experiences and lessons from spending time alone and traveling alone. Do you like spending time with yourself? Why? Why not? If you don’t like to be alone—What are you afraid of? Takeaways: When we choose bravely with intention and thought, we choose bigger, we win bigger, and it’s contagious. Brave, much like success, is self-defined. Brave can be anything. What’s important is that you have a fear that y...
Aug 12, 2021•23 min•Season 11Ep. 178
Terry Tucker started his life following his father's dreams and ignoring his own passions. He didn’t realize any of this, of course, until his father passed away. Then he started to live the life HE had always dreamed of. And then he got cancer again, and again and again. But Terry’s a survivor. While he knows cancer will, eventually, take his life he is NOT interested in giving up. Because Terry doesn’t believe life is just about him. He believes his story can change hearts and minds and He wan...
Aug 05, 2021•40 min•Season 11Ep. 177
Gayle Kabaker is living the dream. She’s an artist and illustrator whose work is featured in The New Yorker, Condé Nast, and even at the Kennedy Center. Still, there are times when her inner critic tries to sabotage her career. Gayle’s success doesn’t come from a lack of fear or self-doubt—It comes from her ability to push through, with a little help from her friends, family, and collaborators. Takeaways: The quiet is before something busy will happen. Give yourself time to do nothing! Change is...
Jul 22, 2021•58 min•Season 11Ep. 175
Cheryl Rausch says everyone is “a little bit psychic.” She joins host Heather Vickery, to talk about discovering her psychic ability, learning to trust ourselves and being your most vulnerable, authentic self! Takeaways: Our lives open up when we learn to trust ourselves. Energy never dies. We can’t ever fully suppress how we feel and who we truly are. Don’t prolong the inevitable—It only hurts you. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. REGISTER FO...
Jul 15, 2021•50 min•Season 11Ep. 174
Meet Kelly Gordon, entrepreneur, activist, LGBTQ community member, recovering alcoholic, abuse survivor and so much more. Getting an Autism diagnosis at 33 provided Kelly with a lot of answers, but it didn’t fundamentally change who she was and how she, successfully, navigated the world. Kelly learned many coping skills as a young child and she’s used them to communicate and connect in remarkable ways. Her story may change your perspective on a lot of things and will enlighten you! TOP TAKEAWAYS...
Jul 08, 2021•56 min•Season 11Ep. 173
Matt Zinman never saw himself as an entrepreneur. But when he got a divorce, Matt decided to become his own boss so that he could be a present, hands-on father to his, then, young son. Taking that leap wasn’t easy, but Matt works through his fears by moving through the world with relentless positivity and earned confidence. TOP TAKEAWAYS: Humans are incredibly adaptable. When we have to, we do. Bravery means being afraid and pushing through the fear. Let your bravery bolster you, even when you’r...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 11Ep. 172
Elise Brown thought she knew what she wanted from her life. But then her apartment complex burned down and she realized her life, up to that point, had never been about her! Today, Elise's life looks wildly different than it did before the fire. That’s because Elise took the time to pause, reassess, and act on her intuition. TOP TAKEAWAYS: Despite what history has told you, you have control and power. You can create change. It’s never too late to change your life. You have permission to make dec...
Jun 17, 2021•44 min•Season 11Ep. 171
Is there a story inside of you that you just know would help you heal if you let it out? Or perhaps it would help others heal? Here’s your inspiration to put it out there! Ronit Plank never planned to write a memoir. However, she realized that her story’s too good to keep to herself. This week, Heather talks with Ronit about her shockingly beautiful, recently-published memoir, When She Comes Back, where she details her tumultuous childhood, being abandoned by the most important person in her lif...
Jun 10, 2021•49 min•Season 11Ep. 170
TOP TAKEAWAYS: You have multiple chances to find what’s right for you. If something doesn’t work, you can always try something else. EVERYONE has the opportunity to become a better ally. Empathy is a superpower. It’s okay to be proud of yourself, even (and perhaps especially) when other people aren’t. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Call 31...
Jun 03, 2021•50 min•Season 11Ep. 169
TOP TAKEAWAYS: Everyone has the power to make a positive impact. Big, beautiful, amazing things can come from the seed of an idea. You will be stronger if you view your obstacles as opportunities. Just a little bit of intentional compassion can change your life. We can speak our truths and support others without being harmful and hateful back. We have to be intentionally compassionate to ourselves before we can to others. There are different ways to lead, and different types of leaders in every ...
May 27, 2021•45 min•Season 11Ep. 168
TOP TAKEAWAYS: Our histories do not define us. We don’t have to be who everyone else expects us to be. We determine our future. Sometimes, it’s from where we’re broken that our brightest light shines. We receive the energy we put into the world We are never truly alone. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Call 312-646-0205 to share feedback, as...
May 20, 2021•48 min•Season 11Ep. 167
TOP TAKEAWAYS: Our capacity for attention and awareness is magical. It’s an art we can hone. Self-love can be difficult work, but it’s also some of the most worthwhile work to do. We can’t help others if we don’t help ourselves. Growth can be painful, but suffering is part of life. Honesty is courageous. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Call...
May 13, 2021•45 min•Season 11Ep. 166
TOP TAKEAWAYS: We never really know what will be the next big thing in our life. Good decision-making is a learned skill. Our emotions are useful in the decision-making process. Listening to your gut will guide you to a place that’s best aligned with your values. The people in our lives inform our values. Putting words to what we believe in will help distinguish between our actual values and those of others. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. Ge...
May 06, 2021•52 min•Season 11Ep. 165
TOP TAKEAWAYS: It’s essential to do something that fills you up that isn’t work. Momentum builds momentum. If you’re overwhelmed by a goal or project, split it up into bite-sized pieces. Doing something for five minutes is better than doing nothing at all. You are worth showing up for. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave on Purpose. Join here. Call 312-646-0205 to sh...
Apr 29, 2021•44 min•Season 11Ep. 164
TOP TAKEAWAYS: The most badass thing we can be is who we are. Even though outside factors can help us realize the actions we need to take, it’s up to us to actually take action. It’s natural to want to mimic people we admire, and it might even help your project get off the ground. But it’s important to reassess your plan of action. Ask yourself, “Is this true to who I am?” Every day, it’s our job to take one small step forward. Some days those steps will feel like grand leaps, but it’s because t...
Apr 22, 2021•50 min•Season 11Ep. 163
TOP TAKEAWAYS: True intelligence doesn’t come from books—It comes from how you allow life to educate you. It takes a village to walk through this world. Caring for others can help you care for yourself, too. Empathy and compassion are the best assets we have. It’s okay to let yourself fall apart sometimes. Discomfort helps us grow. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) Facebook Collective, Brave...
Apr 15, 2021•52 min•Season 11Ep. 162
TOP TAKEAWAYS: Growth isn’t always pretty—Any teenager can tell you that. But growing pains are temporary, and can be punctuated with moments of joy and celebration. Play to your strengths. If you do something you’re good at and you do it well, it’s still worthy of celebration. Being brave isn’t easy. It’s a conscious choice, not a permanent state of being. Get additional details, show notes, links, and a full transcript of the episode here. Get your BRAVE on by joining our exclusive (and FREE) ...
Apr 08, 2021•52 min•Season 11Ep. 161
