Coffee & Change

On Episode 143, I welcome back Kevin Walling for his third appearance on the show. Because who doesn't love a good trilogy? You might call it Return of the Electoral Jedi. Kevin is a political strategist and political media consultant who has run for office and supported candidacies for numerous leaders elected to office. Having known Kevin now for over a decade, I consider his stoicism and political pragmatism to be a salve on the wound that keeps getting reopened in the experiment that is democracy in the United States. Nearly four years to the day since we last recorded, Kevin joined me to talk about how much has changed since the 2020 election, which was supposed to be the most consequential election of our lifetimes. That is, until this one. Thanks for listening and please get out and vote.

Kesem is a national nonprofit whose mission is to support children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. Kesem does year-round programming like care packages, birthday cards, and Friends and Family Days, but the flagship program is a week-long summer camp that is completely free for all families. Kesem serves children aged 6-18 and recruits families from the local area by each chapter. Kesem at JHU is the JHU chapter of the national organization, and this year, they held camp from August 12-16th at Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center in North East, Maryland, about an hour away from the JHU Homewood campus. Kesem is run by passionate student volunteers who work to fundraise, plan programming, and recruit families and volunteers to the chapter. Kesem at JHU served 83 campers this past summer and fundraised $52,042.75 this year to support their families. Episode Guests: Maggie “Mochi” Yang is a Fall ‘23 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied Molecular/Cellular Biology and minored in Psycholog

Jothy Rosenberg has a powerful story of overcoming adversity as a cancer and disability survivor, tech founder, and thriver. After facing immense hardships, he has distilled his experiences into inspirational keynotes that educate and uplift audiences. Jothy speaks on topics like motivation, entrepreneurship, and startup growth strategies. His inspirational keynotes based on his TEDx talk and his books resound with audience and readers of all ages. His story will motivate you to keep going and never give up in the face of adversity. Enjoy the conversation and the inspiring story from Jothy.

I am excited for you to meet my next guest, Kristin. We were introduced about a year ago by a former podcast guest and his wife. Kristin's story is one we know all to well, whereby we feel there is a call to do more, be more and answer that faint ping of purpose. Kristin is a disruptor, thought rebel and possibilitarian who struggled finding her path. She felt misguided and misunderstood despite the incredible opportunities in building a career, she continued to feel unfulfilled. Her journey inward took Kristin through therapy, coaching and meditation leading her to unplug from the outdated systems that stopped us from seeing our own greatness. Imagine an alchemical unplugging and unraveling that lets us play outside the box and feel truly liberated. It is not as far away as you would imagine. Enjoy the interplay and imagine the possibilities on, with, at, for...

I cannot wait for you to meet Derek Mitchell. His origin story will have you remembering your own childhood, and the teachers and parents in your life that changed your world. Derek is the CEO of Partners in School Innovation. Partners in School Innovation has been on a mission to transform teaching and learning in the most challenged U.S. public schools so that every student thrives. Their vision: A thriving system of public schools that have an unwavering focus on results and are vibrant places to teach, learn, and grow. To achieve our mission and vision, Partners works alongside schools and districts collaboratively, with an assets-based mindset, with a systems perspective, and in ways that allow us to constantly learn and improve. Derek is a true Change Agent leading an army of other Change Agents focused on changing the world...for the better. Enjoy the listen.

What do Madonna and Microsoft have in common? Turns out more than you think. I posed this question to Copilot and learned a few things. And in this episode I meet the personification of many of the characteristics of success shared by a pop star and a software company. Get ready to meet Heather Cook, Joyful Warrior and Community Connector changing the world one courageous conversation at a time.

Pardon the interruption. But this is something we all need to hear. After a recent interview I noticed had great impact on those who listened it felt important to share this in the form of a solocast of sorts. What follows is a blend of poetry, philosophy and a cautionary tale to an ever-changing industry. You might say it’s an unrequited letter to humanity asking us all “How we can hold on to Our Humanity in the age of AI?”

Drake Jensen is a different kind of country. An early pioneer and a man whose music helped me at a pivotal time in my life. Drake sings with an open heart and that still gives some in this world some heartburn. And that suits him just fine. Drake and I first met back in 2011 when I reached out to him to thank him for his music and for being the courageous pioneer and trailblazer who was the first out, gay country artist with a Top 40 hit. That was on terrestrial radio, so that was an even bigger deal back then. In a campaign of gratitude after the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell I made sure to thank Drake for the soundtrack he was creating for many servicemembers who could relate to his songs. Drake has never been one to conform, to any style, trend, box, or label. And in the arch of his career so far, he's proven himself to be a unique voice, an admirable activist and wise elder. From his rural upbringing in Nova Scotia to the sometime unwelcoming and celebrated stages of Nashville, his story is one that

Each year, around this time, I like to feature a story in an episode I refer to as the PRIDE Edition. It is in this annual episode I feature an inspirational story of one human’s endeavor to authenticity and journey to joy. As many of us know, that is often a lifelong journey and one that comes with inordinate amounts of heartbreak and hopefully, equal parts healing. My guest for this special episode is Brian Johnson. And my connection with Brian reminded me that life is a gift and living is a choice. It is in his story I reacquainted with my own story and the stories of so many more like us. And it is in the echoing of those stories we remember we are not alone. Many of you will be moved by Brian’s story and I hope you come away renewed with the power of community, storytelling and most importantly…healing. It is a timeless thing, healing. There is no start clock, no stop watch and certainly no past due date. And in some cases, as Brian and I learned together, there may be matching birth dates. Enjoy the lis

Yes, you're the understudy to the Tortured Poet…you just didn’t know it. I had nearly forgotten about the event of the season arriving in the overnight hours to our digital devices. And this morning, as I prepare for my first public poetry reading, I have to smile, because the universe always has a way of showing us “a way.” I have been thinking about this solo podcast episode for a while now. Knowing I have wanted to tell the story of a Tortured Poet and the path of putting ink to paper, and paper to print, and print to publish. And now publish to public reading. While I didn’t plan it this way, I am happy that the word “poets” is being spoken into existence and resonance from arenas to amphitheaters today. I can’t imagine a better walk on song for a new poet to have as he prepares for his first public reading. Thanks for listening and supporting.

On this episode we meet multi award winning Sales Leader and All Around Luminary, Carson Heady. Carson is a bestselling author of five books in addition to being one of Microsoft's most influential Directors and #1 Social Sellers. He is a Global Sales Trainer, a podcast host and

Jim Fielding, a proud Ohio native and Indiana University Hoosier, started his career on the department store floor. Over the next 30 years, he would lead some of the world’s most beloved media and retail brands, including The Gap, Disney, Claire’s, Dreamworks, and 20th Century Fox. Jim is known for his ability to combine storytelling and product merchandising into unforgettable consumer experiences. As culture builder and talent spotter, he has recruited and trained global leaders in a variety of disciplines and at all levels. Today, Jim spends his time and talents on independent media, entrepreneurship, higher education, and philanthropy. He’s a Partner at Archer Gray, an independent media company inspiring change through storytelling and innovative brand collaborations. Jim has also been active in philanthropy for over 25 years and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.​ Read more at allpridenoego.com

Honored to welcome back Becky Morrison for the third time to the podcast. This time we talk about something powerful, simple and profound...HUMAN DESIGN. You are going to love this conversation. Reach out to Becky if you would like to learn more at untanglehappiness.com

Prepare for a powerful conversation of healing and rediscovering your legacy with the one and only, the incredibly inspiring Qiana Sanders. Qiana and I met in the newly minted hallways of a corporate office and in that first meeting we somehow knew we would be longtime friends and champions of change along the way. Qiana's story is one rooted in the power of rediscovering your legacy. And we all deserve to rediscover our legacy...that is when the healing begins. Happy listening!

Excited to welcome the first guest of 2024 with Brooke Hatala. Brooke is a rising star as a singer/songwriter in Nashville. "The North Carolina native’s penchant for honest storytelling with a tinge of rocking energy makes Hatala a perfect fit for Nashville’s new era.” And while she is not the only one in in the town of Nashville, she is certainly one of the ones with After attempting to connect and record in 2023, weather and technology got in the way. We we finally able to reconnect in early 2024 for this great conversation. Make sure to listen to Brooke's new single, "Not the Only One in This Town" out Jan 26th. Follow Brooke on Instagram: brookehatala Follow Brooke's music instruction and tutorial series on YouTube and listen to her music on all your favorite music platforms.

Be kind. This episode might be one of my first solo episodes that I recorded at length after much reflection going into 2024. And believe it or not, I was nervous every time I got in front of the mic. It is not perfect, but it is real. And it is me. It is probably indicative of the energy many of us went into 2024 with - slightly nervous and holding breath. Happy 1.11 after a year that ended 123.123. It was 555am when I recorded this episode to kick off the 2024 Season of the Coffee & Change Podcast. And in about a week, this podcast celebrates its 8th year of connection, content, curation and production. Happy Early Birthday Coffee & Change Podcast. It feels a bit strange saying that to be honest. And when I hear it in my head, I hear the trebled timeless words of Jimmy Stewart playing George Bailey running through the streets of a snow blanketed Bedford Falls. Something to the tune of “Merry Christmas you old Bailey Building and Loan.” I guess you could say I am grateful to be here. As a podcast ho

On Episode 128, we reunite with Paul McCarthy, who has been on quite the journey as he authored and published The F.I.R.E.D. Leader, the leadership and disruption playbook for the next generation. And on the heels of the most operatic firing of the world's most famous tech talent and leader - Sam Altman, Paul's book is proving to be a must read. In fact, I bet Sam could have used it last Friday. Paul has been consistently asking for over five years, "Are we firing the type of talent we need with the types of leadership qualities we will need to navigate ongoing disruption?" We clearly are seeing the answers to that question played out at this tipping point. The world has been asking that question loudly this past week with the events of OpenAI. We unpack the key events in our discussion while also welcoming Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to the emerging tribe of F.I.R.E.D. Leaders shaping the future. You can listen to Paul's origin story on Episode 68 and you can now order his new book at this follow

When was the last time you set a boundary? You know the ones you set for your sanity, your solitude and your serenity? Well, what if I told you that no matter how hard you worked to integrate mindfulness and meditation into your life and workday, you could be missing the biggest offender to your peace of mind which we encounter daily. Yes, those digital notifications that pop up in pretty much every Microsoft product, each of our social networking apps and even the app you are using to listen to this. I apologize in advance as I may even be part of the offense if you got a notification of this episode being published today. But, the good news is my guest today is here to help us get back those boundaries. Ståle Hansen hails from Norway and is the Founder and CEO of Cloudway. I first heard Ståle speak on a Webinar on Digital Wellbeing at Microsoft this past year and was empowered to make some instant changes for my sanity. Ståle speaks to many companies and teams about the importance of using our Digital Tools

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of hosting and running a podcast is when a guest you have just interviewed feels seen, heard and believed. And it is from that place of belonging that he or she so enthusiastically says, “Oh, you know who you should have on your show…” And another bridge is built to another human I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Well, this past week, I got to meet one of those incredible humans. David Watson, a former guest once said to me, “You have to interview Tim Seelig for the podcast.” And boy, was David right. This is one of those stories I didn’t know I needed to hear to heal. Tim Seelig is the former Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and has lived and witnessed historic change in his personal and professional life. Tim is a father, grandfather, author, a speaker, a performer, a conductor, a mentor, a coach and most importantly a friend and lifesaver to a great many humans on this Earth. Tim even won an Emmy for Best Documentary titled After Goodbye: An

My next guest opens the aperture to untapped potential, illuminates lifelong purpose and captures possibility for healing, all from the most complex canvas on earth…the human face. Jon Meadows is a high-end headshot photographer and expression coach whose work changes lives. He builds up his subjects teaching them how to present themselves on camera and get the best out of them. His results speak for themselves, found in the faces of powerful humans who unite with themselves from a place of healing and happiness, all captured in a shot. Join me in this fascinating discussion with Jon as we talk about how expression, representation and healing all happen in front of and behind the camera. Enjoy the conversation.