Live Your Purpose

My guest is Amy LaRue. In 2015 Amy’s family faced the biggest storm they had ever walked through. She remembers feeling helpless, angry, frustrated, lonely, and hopeless. She couldn’t believe addiction had taken over her family.

Within six months Amy had hit her rock bottom as a loved one of an alcoholic. She decided a change needed to be made and began to seek help for herself. That is when she attended her first Finding Hope meeting.

Because of Finding Hope, Amy learned she was not alone, it was not her fault, and there was hope. She discovered who she was again. Amy began to pray for God to use this storm for His glory and purpose.

In 2019 God called Amy to become the Finding Hope Coordinator for Hope is Alive Ministries. She now provides oversight and direction to all Finding Hope Support Groups across the United States & beyond. Amy’s mission is to give support and hope to others who are in the midst of the storm of loving someone addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Connect with my guest:
You can connect with Amy LaRue by email at amy@hopeisalive.net or by phone at 1-844-3-HOPE-NOW.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

My guest is Caleb Klusmeyer, a 31-year-old father of 3 who is in long term recovery from drugs and alcohol. Caleb has not had a drink or drug since Jan 21st of 2015. He is passionate about recovery and helping others find their own path. Caleb has worked in treatment for just shy of 7 years, finding his first job in the field in Prescott Arizona.

Connect with my guest: You can connect with Caleb Klusmeyer by email at cklusmeyer@thevirtuecenter.org or by phone at 405-321-0022.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

My guest is Donovan Woods, who currently serves as the Director of Development for the Oklahoma State University Foundation, focusing efforts on the OSU – Oklahoma City Campus, and OSU Institutional Diversity. His primary role at the OSU Foundation is identifying, cultivating, and soliciting ongoing relationships with major gift prospects for the University. This involves coordinating closely with the President of OSU-OKC and other administrators in providing oversight of fundraising programs.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Donovan played professional football, helping the Pittsburgh Steelers win a Super Bowl in 2008. He also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. Donovan is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where he played football and majored in Business Marketing. While at OSU, he was a 4-year starter at 3 different positions and Team Captain in 2007.

In addition to his roles with the OSU Foundation, Donovan speaks publicly on topics related to his experiences with football, motivation, and leadership. He sits on multiple boards in various roles within the Oklahoma City Metro area and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Donovan attends Greater Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church and is married to Megan Woods of Eufaula, Oklahoma. They have 1 daughter together named Henley. Donovan enjoys spending time with his family, especially his brothers, fishing, and football.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Stephany Cochran, who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Green Shoe Foundation, a mental health non-profit organization that offers a 5-day group therapy retreat for adults 21 and older with a focus on healing from childhood trauma.

Stephany earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Counseling and Student Services from the University of North Texas. She is passionate about helping others reach their full potential through compassion, leadership, and education.

Prior to joining the Green Shoe team, she was a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and specialized in working with families, youth, and children. She facilitated experiential groups for children and teens struggling with emotional and behavioral difficulties. Through that practice, and as a mom to two incredible boys, her next move was close to the heart when her team started a private school for children and youth that offered individualized academic and therapeutic treatment plans. Once relocating to Oklahoma, Stephany’s path transitioned into Higher Education working with non-traditional students in the career college setting. Now as the Executive Director of Green Shoe, she is truly rooted where she gets to use her remarkable gifts at a place she loves to be.

Stephany is a huge advocate for self-care, whether through her leadership or simply taking a friend to dinner, creating mental health awareness is what she lives and breathes. When Stephany isn’t coaching others, you can find her tossing a ball to her fur-baby, Penske, reading Harry Potter or Twilight (for the hundredth time), spending time with her family, watching Hallmark movies, or cheering on her Texas Rangers during baseball season.

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My guest is Mason Phillips, who is just a plain Oklahoma boy. He was born and raised right here, watching the Pokes play on Saturdays, fishing in the cool early weekend mornings, church every Sunday morning, and catching as many baseball games as he can. There was a time when he thought he would be a big music star, but somewhere along the way he took one psychology class and he was in love. No one would ever be impressed by his ACT score or GPA. But one thing is for sure, Mason makes even 30 minutes of conversation worth a man’s while.

In 2015, he officially made it his full-time job to have worthwhile conversations with people by becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He would spend the next years discovering how to help people break habits, became certified as a hypnotherapist, and eventually a State supervisor for new therapists.

Since then, Mason has learned that people really do change and grow inside the context of their relationships. Whether it be in your relationship with your spouse, your child, your parent, your God, or yourself, Mason wants you to be able to live in diverse relationships wholeheartedly. Mason works with individuals and couples to help them discover what they truly value in life and become clearer on what purpose God has for them here.

Mason does this privately in his therapy sessions, but he has also done this in group settings, at conferences full of people looking for stronger intimacy in their marriages, in classrooms, churches, and in organizations trying to fortify their leadership. And he can do it for you, too.

Today, Mason still lives in the heart of Oklahoma with his beloved wife, three incredible and hilarious kids, and his loyal dog, Clark. He still goes fishing, roots for the Cowboys every college football season, makes it to church every Sunday. And tries to catch as many baseball games as he can.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Tisha Rowe, who is a substance abuse therapist currently under supervision. Tisha has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix and her master’s in arts from the University of Central Oklahoma. She’s married and has a blended family with 6 children.

Tisha enjoys spending time traveling with her husband and children. She’s passionate about helping others that struggle with addiction. Tisha is currently working at a comprehensive treatment center that dispenses methadone and Subutex as part of a medicated assisted treatment program for those facing opioid use disorder.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving drug use, addiction, and substance use withdrawal. Call or text 988 24x7 for confidential mental health support if you are experiencing distress or thoughts of suicide.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Ashlee Trammel, who is a 38-year-old mother of 3 beautiful children. She’s a grateful recovering addict that has struggled with addiction more years than she hasn’t. Ashlee has been in recovery for over 2 years and has worked the program and continued doing the next right thing. The catalyst in her story was losing custody of her youngest daughter due to her addiction. She was making poor choices and her mom stepped in with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) to protect her child from those poor choices. 

Ashlee struggled with anger, guilt, resentment, and addiction to top it all off. She found her recovery family and they loved her through it. They gave her the grace and space to figure it out. She thanks God every day for all of her struggles and accomplishments because they all mean something today.

Her greatest accomplishments are completing a DHS case and regaining custody of her youngest daughter, enrolling in college classes at Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC), and taking the opportunity to participate in the OSU-OKC Center for Social Innovation (CFSI) program. Without her sobriety none of this would be possible. 

Ashlee’s goal is to help others overcome their obstacles. She currently serves as a Parent Partner with Northcare, helping parents with DHS cases to overcome their barriers. She is so honored to share her experience, strength and hope with others. Ashlee feels like that is her purpose.

“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.”

-Sigmund Freud

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving trauma, drug use, addiction, and law enforcement. Call or text 988 24x7 for confidential mental health support if you are experiencing distress or thoughts of suicide.

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with Ashlee Trammel by email at ashlee.trammel@yahoo.com or on Facebook @ smasheepoo.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

My guest is Joe Kendrick, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Christian Mission for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. Joe has a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He is married to Lacy Kendrick, the Vice President of Financial Development for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, and they have two boys: Connor, and Duncan, who are his absolute favorites.

In his spare time, Joe volunteers as a coach for the YMCA, with Community Market at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, dabbles in toy photography, and pretending to be a pit master.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Mrs. Ella Jefferson-Speed, also known as “Sista-Soul Survivor,” who is the founder and CEO of the non-profit Soul Survivor Supportive Living Foundation. A California native, who has lived in Oklahoma for over 20 years, Mrs. Jefferson-Speed is a retired veteran of the United States Army. She is currently attending Oklahoma State University to enhance her leadership skills, and is a participant in a program called the Center for Social Innovation (CFSI) based at the OSU campus in Oklahoma City. Mrs. Jefferson-Speed is a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist who strives to assist her “Sisters”, and their children, in achieving a better lifestyle by providing a clean, safe, drug-free environment that offers vital resources in order to ensure successful transitions. Additionally, she is a member of the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The 3,500 square foot Soul Survivor transitional facility is a felon friendly atmosphere certified by the Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Residences. The home consists of 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 living areas, 2 staircases, 2 fireplaces, a 2-car garage, and a media room. The doors were opened to the first survivor and her child on June 21, 2021. Soul Survivor is the first specialty home in Oklahoma catering exclusively to female veterans who need assistance rebuilding their lives.

Mrs. Jefferson-Speed has two major goals before her now. To open additional specialty support homes in Oklahoma City, as well as the Tulsa/Lawton area, and to earn a degree in Crime Victim/Survivor Services.

When not working, Mrs. Jefferson-Speed enjoys quality time with family, exercising, traveling and volunteering in the community.

Her motto is: “Alone you survive; Together we can thrive.”

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with Ella Jefferson-Speed by email at urassurvivor@gmail.com, or phone at 405-863-5578.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

My guest is Dr. Javier Ley, who has been the Executive Director of Arcadia Trails INTEGRIS Health since February 2021. This position came about through a partnership between Arcadia Trails INTEGRIS Health and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Javier earned a Doctorate in Professional Counseling from Mississippi College, a Master’s in Health Care Transformation from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Saint Mary’s University at Texas, and a Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Florida. He has over 12 years of experience in the field of substance use disorder treatment which has occurred in multiple settings both in the United States and internationally.

His professional journey has included experience at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, Minnesota, and as Vice-President of Operations for Valley Hope in the region that includes Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Certification Board serving addiction professionals. Javier has also served as Co-Chair for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential with the “International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium” (IC&RC), the world’s largest credentialing body of addiction professionals. Additionally, he has been involved with the IC&RC as a Subject Matter Expert in diverse capacities.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Walter Wolf, which is the pen name of a 30-year veteran of the movie and television industry who produced studio and independent films and television. That all changed in 2010, with one 3 A.M. call that a family member was in crisis due to addiction. Like millions of others throughout the nation, Wolf had no idea what to do, but he knew who would ––– a lifelong friend with unequaled contacts in the treatment world. Within 24 hours, Wolf’s loved one was at one of the top rehabs in the nation. 

It wasn’t long before Wolf began receiving calls from frantic families who, once like himself, didn’t know anything about treatment but had no one to call who did. Distressed by the multitude of the uninitiated families who are too often preyed upon by grifters and imposters, Wolf naturally was drawn into being an Interventionist and treatment placement specialist for the past seven years. 

My guest is Steve Blake, who holds three core pillars in his life: Faith, Family, and Fitness. Steve was born and raised in northern New Jersey, where he graduated high school in 2010 and then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. While there, he received a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance science, an FAA airframe and powerplant certificate, and FCC general radio operator licenses. More importantly, he also met his wife Mary who was studying Aeronautical Science on her path to becoming a pilot. In 2015, the two married and happily celebrated 6 years of marriage this past summer. Steve and Mary have been in the Oklahoma City metro since 2015 and both hold full time careers in the corporate aviation industry. They were blessed to add a son to their family in 2020. 

One of Steve’s biggest passions is fitness. In 2015, he transformed his life by beginning his own fitness journey. He’s tried many subcategories of fitness, but has found a pull toward combining endurance and strength training, specifically utilizing these training methods in the sport of triathlon.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Adam Soltani, who is the Executive Director of CAIR Oklahoma. CAIR is the Council on American-Islamic Relations and is a civil liberties group with affiliations nationwide, including Oklahoma.

Adam is a graduate from the University of Oklahoma holding a Master’s degree in Human Relations with a certificate in Organizational Diversity and Development. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in the field of Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has served the Muslim community in various capacities as a professional including promoting and managing American Muslim artists for a London based record label Meem Music, serving as an assistant director for outreach at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, coordinating youth development programs at the Islamic Society of Edmond, and being one of the founding members of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Soltani currently serves as the chair of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches’ Religions United Committee. He is a former member of the Oklahoma Democratic Party Religious Education Committee, the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma, the planning committee for OKC’s Jewish-Muslim Film Institute, and the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City Executive Committee.

Adam’s written commentary is regularly featured in the Oklahoma Gazette, Tulsa World, and Oklahoman, and he has been interviewed by local, national, and international broadcast media. He is a regular public speaker at Oklahoma universities and college campuses on topics ranging from the basics of Islam to specialized topics such as demystifying Jihad.

He's the recipient of numerous awards, is an adjunct instructor at Oklahoma State University, and is a husband and father of two, Zane and Aaron.

With more than 25 years of professional, visionary, enthusiastic, relational and results-oriented nonprofit leadership, Jeanean Yanish Jones, PhD(c), MA, CFRE, leads the Health Alliance for the Uninsured with a passion for helping those in need, providing more than 3,000 physician specialist services and $3.5 million of medication assistance annually for more than 17 free and charitable clinics in Central Oklahoma.

Through her doctorate work, she is the founder of the Live Love Laugh Leadership Curriculum and Podcast program focused on the whole person – mind, body and spirit – health and leadership integration. In addition, Jeanean is an Independent Certified OPTAVIA Coach, certified by OPTAVIA in partnership with the MacDonald Center for Obesity Prevention and Education (COPE) & M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University.

Her experience in leadership, fundraising and strategic planning as a non-profit professional includes the Green Shoe Foundation, Oklahoma Christian School and The Salvation Army. Jeanean was selected as the Journal Record’s 2020 Healthcare Hero, Edmond Chamber’s 2017 Woman of the Year finalist, and is the Journal Record’s 2018 Woman of the Year’s Woman Making a Difference recipient. Jeanean has deep expertise in turning visions into successes by serving people and giving back to her community. She has served as statewide chairman of the Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association and as an agency director with the United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Jeanean is a member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, and her Rotary background includes serving as President at the Rotary Club of Edmond in 2016-2017, past secretary of Rotary Club of Edmond and Community Service Chair. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and has served Rotary District 5750 as its District Membership Co-chair and currently serves as an Assistant District Governor. Jeanean will serve at the Rotary District 5750 District Governor in 2023-24.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Reverend Kelsey Cobbs, who is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a recent graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School. Residing in Oklahoma City, Kelsey is passionate about building a world where all people know they are loved, have what they need to thrive, and engage with their community to find meaning and purpose alongside one another. 

Kelsey's professional experiences have brought her to churches, jails, prisons, hospitals, and tent cities as she learned what it means to do the tender work of bearing witness to the humanity of her neighbors.

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with Reverend Kelsey Cobbs via Twitter and Instagram @kelsiamaria.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

My guest is Secretary Justin Brown. In June 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Justin Brown as Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the state’s largest agency by workforce. In March 2020, Governor Stitt further appointed Brown to the position of Cabinet Secretary of Oklahoma Human Services. 

As CEO of a regional senior housing company prior to these appointments, Brown built a deep experience in organizational leadership, finance and strategic planning & execution. With this experience, Brown is well suited to build a vision based on a customer first mentality, motivating the team to execute on a vision of serving the State of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens. As a strong relationship builder, Brown was uniquely qualified to position the Department of Human Services as a collaborative agency that engages with partners across the state to serve together.

In addition to having built a passion for serving seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease through his prior profession, and Board of Directors engagement with the Alzheimer’s Association, Brown has built a life of service to children through non-profit service including the OU Children’s Hospital Foundation, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, the OKC Zoo, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, among others.

He and his wife, Kelly, have been married for 19 years and have two children, Hannah and Ford.

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Avery Buck, co-owner of MentaliTea and Coffee, a mental wellness themed coffee shop located in Bethany, Oklahoma at the intersection of NW 36th and College Avenue. Avery has been a student athlete her whole life and on into college, where her passion for mental health all started. She received an undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in sociology at Rogers State University. Now, she wants to combine her love of coffee with her passion for mental health, and hopes to use her platform to make mental health conversations as casual as getting a cup of coffee.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicide. Utilize the numbers and websites listed below to get help.

Reachout National Crisis & Information Hotline: 1-800-522-9054 (24x7)

Oklahoma 211: 211 (24x7)

National Crisis Text Line: 741741 (24x7)

My guest is District Judge Kenneth Stoner, who oversees Oklahoma County’s Treatment (Drug/DUI) Courts. He was appointed to the position of District Judge by the Governor in January of 2018.

Judge Stoner began his legal career in 2001 in the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office serving as a felony prosecutor. He later went into private practice focusing on corporate, entertainment, and criminal law. Prior to being appointed to the bench, he concentrated on representation of clients suffering from addiction and mental health issues. Judge Stoner has earned distinction for his innovative approach to handling such cases.

He is also a member of the Oklahoma Behavioral Health Association, Addiction & Mental Health Professionals of Oklahoma, and Lawyers Against Domestic Abuse.

Judge Stoner is a six-generation Oklahoman and a member of the Cherokee Nation. He and his wife Barbara have three sons, Max, Will and Sam who are not particularly impressed with any of his accomplishments. His wife is also an attorney, serving as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Bernard Jones.

Connect with my guest:

Dustin Huckabe, MSW, is a person in long-term recovery and has been sober since May of 2011. He is originally from San Antonio, TX and is married to Emma Huckabe. They moved to Lubbock Texas where Dustin attended The Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities at Texas Tech University. Upon Emma’s graduation from Texas Tech in May of 2018, they relocated to Moore, Oklahoma, where Dustin graduated in 2020 with his bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and recently achieved his master’s degree in Social Work, from The University of Oklahoma.

Dustin is the recipient of the National Collegiate Recovery Student of the year award in 2019 for his tireless work building a recovery space on campus for students. He was also the BSW student of the year in 2019, as well as a two-time recipient of the Anne and Henry Zarrow Social Justice Award for 2020-2021. Dustin has sat on numerous boards of directors in the Oklahoma community.

Connect with my guest: 

You can connect with Dustin Huckabe by email at dustin.huckabe@stagesofrecovery.net, or by phone at 210-464-3267. 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

My guest is Alton Carter, who is a Stillwater-based author, and a former foster child and police officer. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school and college. Now the director of youth ministries for the First United Methodist Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State University alum has dedicated his life to working with young people becoming an author and a foster parent himself in the process.

In April of 2015, his debut book, THE BOY WHO CARRIED BRICKS, was published by The RoadRunner Press. The book is a true recount of Carter's hard-scrabble life growing up in small towns of Oklahoma.  He has gone on to author two picture books and two more juvenile nonfiction titles: Aging Out (RoadRunner Press, 2016) and The Boy Who Survived (RoadRunner Press, 2019).

Connect with my guest:

My guest is Dr. Julio Rojas, who has been a member of the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center since 2005. He is an Associate Professor and the Director of ExecuCare, an outpatient program designed to evaluate and treat distressed or impaired healthcare professionals and executives. His dedication to advancing the understanding of addiction has earned him the recognition of residents, fellows, faculty, and professional organizations.

His work focuses on treatment and training issues related to addictive disorders, psychiatric comorbidity and trauma. He has consulted on a number of new addiction treatment programs in Oklahoma over the past several years. His most recent project was serving as the clinical committee chair that provided the clinical DNA for the INTEGRIS Arcadia Trails, Center for Addiction Recovery that opened in May 2019 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Dr. Rojas is past-president of the Oklahoma Psychological Association (OPA) and past Chair of its Colleague Assistance Program. From 2014 to 2016 he served on the American Psychological Association's Advisory Committee for Colleague Assistance. Dr. Rojas contributed to “Killing Pain: The Epidemic,” the first educational video series about the opioid addiction epidemic in Oklahoma. He also served as an expert witness in the historic State of Oklahoma vs. Johnson & Johnson, et al. opioid trial in May, 2019.

Dr. Rojas earned his doctoral degree at the University of Georgia and completed his internship training at Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. He completed his postdoctoral training in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Chemical Dependency at OU Health Sciences Center. Last year, he received the College of Education Alumni Award, Mid-Career Practitioner, from the University of Georgia for his work in addictions.

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My guest is Mary Bixler, who grew up on a small farm in Jones, Oklahoma where she gardened, raised animals and even tended a little orchard. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication and a minor in Spanish with a focus on sustainable food systems.

Mary has had a passion for local food, sustainable agriculture and food justice through dealing with her own chronic illness, and finding healing through food, farming and community. Mary is currently the manager of the OSU-OKC Farmers Market at Scissortail Park and serves on a community advisory council for building a coalition of Oklahoma farmers markets.

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with Mary Bixler by email at mbixler@scissortailpark.org, cell phone at 405-550-3104, and follow on Instagram @tistheseason_tobemary.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

My guest is Jennifer Eckert, who is currently serving as the Director of Development for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, which has as its mission to lead a network that provides nutritious food and pathways to self-sufficiency for people facing hunger. Jennifer also offers strategic planning and external grant review services for national grantmaking foundations as an independent consultant. For thirteen years, she has served the State of Oklahoma in the field of public health.

Jennifer is a certified mediator, with a master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma, a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Central Oklahoma, and an associate’s degree in fine arts from Austin Community College. She utilizes her connector skills to address the social determinants of poverty, and values faith, family, community, and work. She believes that while help is necessary, hope is essential.

Jennifer also serves on the State Board for Kairos Prison Ministry International and is a regular volunteer at Mabel Basset Correctional Center in Oklahoma. She’s a graduate of the Salt and Light Leadership Training (SALLT) Class 14, and in 2020, was recognized as an Honoree for the Oklahoma Woman of the Year award by the Journal Record newspaper.

Jennifer and her husband, Doug, operate a home bakery called Grandma Doug’s Bakery, and together they have three young adult children.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving suicide and trauma. Utilize the numbers and websites listed below to get help.

Reachout National Crisis & Information Hotline: 1-800-522-9054 (24x7)

Oklahoma 211: 211 (24x7)

National Crisis Text Line: 741741 (24x7)

My guest is Ariel Moore, who is the Senior Director for the Center for Social Innovation at Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City, where she helps to lead individuals out of adverse backgrounds, such as involvement in the criminal justice system, poverty, trauma, substance abuse, and many other barriers, and into new enriching lives, full of purpose and hope.

Her personal journey has been one of brokenness, addiction, incarceration, and finally redemption. She’s a mother, wife, and member of the OKC Community Church, which meets in the historic Tower Theatre located in Northwest Oklahoma City.

Ariel’s passion is to live out her calling by helping people renew and rebrand themselves after receiving a second chance at life – in the same way that she was able to.

Joining Ariel are two special guests, Michelle Tubby and Michael Norris, who are both participants in the Center for Social Innovation program.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving abuse, mental illness, trauma, drug use, addiction, and incarceration. Utilize the numbers and websites listed below to get help.

Reachout National Crisis & Information Hotline: 1-800-522-9054 (24x7)

Oklahoma 211: 211 (24x7)

National Crisis Text Line: 741741 (24x7)

My guest is CJ Lance, who is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband, office manager, and oftentimes, an aspiring comedian. Living in Oklahoma City most of his life, comedy has been more of a passionate pursuit, than a feasible career. Nonetheless, the enjoyment of creating laughter has encouraged him to continue writing and performing.

Aside from comedy, CJ works as an office manager at Lettering Express, a local sign and branding shop in Oklahoma City.

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with CJ Lance on Instagram @cjlancecomedy, or on Facebook @cj.lance.3

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Bricktown Comedy Club Open Mic Night https://www.bricktowncomedy.com/events/34964 <<

Bricktown Comedy Club https://www.bricktowncomedy.com

Okie Show Show https://www.okieshowshow.com/

Press:

The Oklahoman Funniest Person in OKC Award https://www.oklahoman.com/article/5433384/rookie-comic-named-funniest-person-in-okc

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My guest is Crista Graham McCann, who is an art teacher in the public school system and an adjunct art professor at Oklahoma State University. She’s also the owner of Crista McCann Art and Photography, which features her original work and photos. You can find out more by visiting her website cristacreates.com.

2020 marked a year of hardship for Crista. It required her to step out of the boat and face many of her fears. Divorce, moving, a new job, and a battle with cancer - all during a global pandemic - were challenges that gave her the courage to create a life she’d always wanted, and empowered her to embrace her art like never before.

Crista’s journey is one of faith. It has been a reminder of God's great love for her and His plan for her life. She’s hopeful that it will allow her to be a testimony and a blessing to others.

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with Crista through her website at https://www.cristacreates.com/contact.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Crista Creates https://www.cristacreates.com

Crista McCann Art and Photography Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cristamccannartandphoto

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My guest is Dar Yasseri, who currently serves as the Vice President of Student Experience at Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City. In this role, he has the privilege to serve, lead, learn with, and support essential campus elements and critical teams that engage and grow student experiences. His aim is to assist each student in academic achievement, career success, and the realization of life goals, along with working to build the best environments for learning and personal growth.

Dar is an area achiever with a long history in the Hospitality & Tourism Industry and in Higher Education....which includes an interesting path in getting there. He’s worked with world class organizations such as Holiday Inn, Harrah’s Entertainment, Promus Hotels, and Hilton Worldwide. He brings this wealth of industry knowledge and its application to the strengthening of humanity and performance, all in support of purpose. He is passionate about people and the culture of organizations, strategic planning, and operational excellence.

An avid music lover, Dar looks forward to the return of live gigs. He also anticipates watching his two daughters strive and succeed, and eventually living somewhere with sand underfoot.

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with Dar through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dar-yasseri-m-s-cha-chia-0273bb8/. You can also contact him by email at yasseri@okstate.edu, and by phone at (405) 945-6761.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City https://osuokc.edu/

OSU-OKC Center for Social Innovation https://osuokc.edu/cfsi

CFSI Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Center-for-Social-Innovation-109336291207421/

CFSI LinkedIn Page https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-social-innovation/

Press:

The Oklahoman https://oklahoman.com/article/5672455/osu-okc-uses-1-million-gift-to-launch-center-for-social-innovation

OSU State Magazine https://news.okstate.edu/magazines/state-magazine/articles/2020/winter/osu_okc_launches_center_for_social_innovation_to_help_those_in_recovery.html

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My guest is Kirk Morrison, who enjoys volunteering for Parents Helping Parents, a nonprofit organization that provides education, resources, shared experiences, and support to parents whose children, no matter the age, are struggling with substance use disorder.

Kirk’s career was in commercial construction, having worked for Timberlake Construction & Concrete Enterprises. He is also a cofounder of Contemporary Cabinets.

Kirk and his wife Kathy enjoy traveling in the national parks, and they have two adult children and enjoy spoiling their two grandsons.

His Favorite Quote is: “There Is Help and Hope.”

Connect with my guest:

You can connect with Kirk through the Parents Helping Parents website at https://www.parentshelpingparents.info/contact

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Parents Helping Parents, Inc. https://www.parentshelpingparents.info/

PHP Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/parentshelpingparentsinc

PHP Instagram @ parentshelpingparentsinc

Partnership to End Addiction https://drugfree.org/

PtEA Parent Coaching Program https://drugfree.org/article/parent-coaching/

Derek Talkington, MA, LADC-MH https://www.therapywithderek.com/

Press:

Edmond Outlook Magazine https://www.edmondoutlook.com/archives/m.blog/27/parents-helping-parents

Fox 25 News https://okcfox.com/news/local/addicted-oklahoma-parents-helping-parents

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My guest is Graciela Lopez, who is a Family Advocate at Sunbeam Family Services in Oklahoma City. She’s originally from Mexico City and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Sociology degree in Human Services, along with minors in both Leadership and Modern languages.

Graciela is passionate about advocating for the interests of the people in her community, and strives to establish trusting relationships with families to help them accomplish their important goals for success. She’s also a Zumba instructor, and enjoys arts and crafts, gardening, crochet, and cooking.

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My guest is Muhammet Ali Sezer, who is the Executive Director of Dialogue Institute Oklahoma and Raindrop Turkish House Oklahoma. Muhammet graduated from Suleyman Demirel University with a degree in Mathematics. He also earned a College Counseling Certificate from the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA Extension).

Muhammet is an alumnus of Leader Tulsa Class 58. He serves on the Oklahoma Governor International Team (OKGIT), Executive Board of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ), Religions United Committee of Oklahoma Conference of Churches (OCC), US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) of Oklahoma, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society of Tulsa. Muhammet is married to Zuleyha and they are the parents of Murat, Zeynep and Melih.

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You can connect with Muhammet Ali Sezer through the Dialogue Institute Oklahoma website https://www.dialogueoklahoma.org/.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Dialogue Institute Oklahoma https://www.dialogueoklahoma.org/

DIO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DialogueOK

Raindrop Turkish House Oklahoma https://www.facebook.com/raindropokc

The Turkish Food Festival https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.21516

The Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma https://www.tiaok.org/

TIAO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithOK/

Press:

https://oklahoman.com/article/5679897/turkish-american-muslims-honor-christian-traditions

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My guest is Blythe Donovan, who is a serial entrepreneur and Independent Insurance Agent. She has a background in marketing, psychology and education, which she uses to help small businesses grow and flourish. If she had to sum up what she wants to do with her life, it would be "To spread joy and take care of people." Fortunately, insurance allows her to do that.

Blythe has been a single mom to 2 beautiful children for over 10 years now, and loves getting to be a mom! In her spare time, she likes to go on road trips with her children, exploring the beauty of the world. She helps other people navigate the perils and heartbreak of divorce, and of overcoming their struggles when life doesn't go the way they thought it would. She loves to write, and someday hopes to complete her book. She is an avid reader and a nature lover, and finds joy in all circumstances.

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You can contact Blythe by email at blythe@joyfullyabundant.me.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

MVP Insurance https://insuremvp.com/

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My guest is Thomas Hill, who serves as CEO of Kimray, a leading manufacturer of valves and controls for oil and gas production. His grandfather, Garman Kimmell, founded the company in 1948. Today it employs more than 500 people at its production facility in Oklahoma City and store locations throughout the United States. Having grown up in the company, Thomas has worked in virtually every department—giving him an intimate knowledge of the people and processes from start to finish.

Thomas is also a self-described addict leader who hit rock bottom and had to find a new way to live and work. He’s the author of the book Recovering Leadership: Musings of an Addict Leader, in which he shares his own story of success, failure, and lessons learned in recovery. You can read and subscribe to his “Monday Musings” on life and leadership at recoveringleadership.com.

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My guest Derek Talkington, who is a licensed addiction and mental health therapist in Oklahoma. He is a skilled program director and clinician with experience in various outpatient and residential addiction treatment centers. His work has included outpatient adult, adolescent and family treatment and intensive family and individual therapy in several residential settings. 

Derek previously sat as the Clinical Director of Second Story Ranch Recovery Community and as Executive Director of Parents Helping Parents. In 2017 Derek co-founded CLASSEN9, a behavioral health treatment and development firm.

Currently Derek is the owner and CEO of Blackbird Cooperative, a premier community development organization in Oklahoma City as well as hosting The Chasing Sanity podcast.

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My guest is Dr. Jeff King, who is the Executive Director of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Center for Excellence in Transformative Teaching and Learning (CETTL). His research and application interests have long focused on use of engaging educational strategies and activities, on how faculty can help students learn and be motivated toward deep learning processes, and on the ways faculty and institutions can help students persist in their educations. 

This interest has found its way into his work at CETTL and as project director for UCO’s Student Transformative Learning Record (STLR) initiative, a process that develops students’ employability skills while raising persistence.

Over the years as a college faculty member and in faculty professional development, Jeff has been able to match passion to position in helping faculty and students succeed.

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My guest is Denise Shaw, who is a certified yoga instructor and owner of You Power Yoga in Edmond, Oklahoma. She is passionate about sharing the physical, mental, and spiritual improvements yoga brings. Her wish is to help others experience the joyful, lasting transformation of yoga.

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My guest is Matthew Goodwin, who is the Executive Director of Bella SPCA, which is an Oklahoma City based non-profit that assists with the cost of veterinary bills for those who can’t afford them, and that also seeks to find permanent loving homes for rescued animals. In addition, Matt currently serves as a City Councilman for Ward 2 in the City of Bethany. 

His current passion project is cultivating the Brave & Creative Podcast: Embracing the Nonprofit Leader as Artist, Activator, and Disruptor. His free time is filled with walking their two rescue dogs, playing guitar, coaching his daughter’s sports teams, and cheering on his wife in her PhD studies at Baylor University.

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My guest is Jay Sheldon, a professional cinematographer, host of the Miscellaneous Important Stuff podcast, and fellow all around creative. After receiving a video camera for Christmas at the age of 14, Jay decided that he wanted to pursue a career in film and video. He went on to earn degrees in both Film and Video Production and Graphic Design from Oklahoma City Community College.

Jay has honed his skills in working professionally as an eMedia Specialist, Multimedia Coordinator, and for the past 5 years as a cinematographer and editor at Insight Creative Group – where he gets to combine his love of creative collaboration and storytelling through video.

In 2014, Jay was awarded with a Heartland Emmy for co-directing, shooting, and editing the short documentary, 'Going Dark: The Final Days of Film Projection'.

When not working, Jay spends his time playing soccer, screen printing, playing guitar, watching Netflix, making balloon animals, learning yoyo tricks, reading, and looking for new hobbies that he can’t make time for.

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My guest is Dean Imel, an Oklahoma City kinetic artist who crafts moving copper wind sculptures of all shapes and sizes. Dean has been a regular at the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts for years, and was selected as the 2020 Featured Artist by the Oklahoma City Arts Council. Although this year’s festival has been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his art continues to move. Join me as I learn about Dean’s early days, his exciting adventures, and what inspires him to work with the wind.

"Though I make quite a few pieces each year, each one is personal to me.  I appreciate that people use their hard earned money to buy something I made, and I do not want to disappoint them.  I use the best materials and processes that I know to make something beautiful that will last.  I also get a kick out of going to someone's home to install a piece.  I am an amateur gardener (aren't we all) and enjoy seeing the plants they use in their landscape.  People are interesting, and I have gotten to know quite a few through my work.  It's one of the real joys of what I do.  While it is disappointing to have the Arts Festival canceled this year, I am an optimist and look forward to an even better show next year with new people to meet and new yards to explore."

- Dean Imel

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You can contact Dean Imel through email at kdimel@hotmail.com or by cell phone at 405-229-4516.

My guest is Kyearra Morris, who was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK. After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with her BA in Mass Communications & minor in Marketing & Business, Kyearra pursued her MBA at the University of Oklahoma. She has over 15 years of experience in Marketing & Business Development, with the past 7 years being dedicated specifically to the addiction and recovery industry. She is the founder of a registered 501c3 nonprofit called AMP Resources, that is devoted to connecting professional resources for substance abuse and mental health with those who struggle and their families. 

Kyearra has also been with Stonegate addiction treatment center since 2017 and has contributed to helping countless individuals and families get their lives back. She truly has a passion for helping others and believes she is fulfilling her true calling. 

Kyearra loves playing softball, coaching boys baseball, volunteering for several nonprofits, spending time with her husband and two boys, and is an avid University of Oklahoma sports fan.

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My guest is Cristy Gosset, who uses music as a medium to make meaningful connections with children of all ages. Her desire is to help children discover that music has a place in their lives and can make a positive difference. Her first inspirations were her own Elementary Music teacher, her piano teacher, and her voice teacher when she was young. Since she was a teenager, she has also used her voice as an instrument for her faith. Music has always been an enormous part of her life and has been a vehicle for her inner passion. When studying as a Vocal Music Performance major in college, Cristy quickly discovered that her path was to share the joy of music with students.

After teaching for many years, taking time to be at home with her 2 daughters when they were very young, and then coming back to the public schools to teach music, she found her heart belonged to the students at her school. Having a strong desire to stay in the classroom, Cristy also found ways she could help other teachers in the school district by serving as the District Elementary Music Chair for Fine Arts. She also found her voice for advocacy for both education and the Fine Arts beginning with the Oklahoma Teacher Walkout in 2018. She continues her advocate role in her school, in the school district, in the local teacher’s union and through speaking with legislators whenever she has the opportunity. You can see her passion in her blog “Passionate Music Teacher” on Tumblr.

Cristy is always a passionate music teacher. Most recently her passion has been ignited during the COVID-19 pandemic and finding ways to care for and stay connected with her students.

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My guest is Ernest Odunze Jr., the Director of Restore OKC. He was born and raised in Oklahoma City and has been known to say ‘one day his bones will be covered in red clay.’ He received his B.A. from the University of Central Oklahoma and plans to pursue a Masters in Divinity soon. 

After poor life choices led to a felony, Ernest was mentored and began serving in a small local church plant where he met his now-wife and best friend Moneek. Married in 2011, the Odunze’s have 2 sons and a daughter on the way. They have dedicated their lives to fostering community and raising leaders in Northeast Oklahoma City where they live, work, and play.

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My guest is Brian Warfield, who has been a hospital chaplain for over 8 years and absolutely loves it. He’s had the chance to work at Baptist Medical Center, Spencer Mental Health, and most recently at Southwest Medical Center as Pastoral Care Manager. What he loves most is meeting people who are in a difficult crisis and providing a caring presence to support them. He tries to be a warm, engaging, and hopeful representative of his faith tradition. 

He enjoys chaplaincy because he gets to be creative in how he offers spiritual support. It can be a spirituality group, a 1-with-1 encounter, or most recently a Facebook Live prayer time from the SMC chapel. He finds himself most engaged when he feels like what he does makes a difference and allows him to use different parts of his personality: the creative side, reflective side, analytical side, and passionate side. 

When he’s not chaplain-ing, he loves to spend time with his family, go running with friends, and play the guitar. He also spends entirely way too much of his money at Dunkin’ Donuts.

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My guest is Senator Carri Hicks, who is a mother, an educator, and a lifelong Oklahoman. The daughter of a public school teacher, she graduated with degrees in Mass Communications and Political Science, as well as Master's Degrees in both Leadership Management and Early Childhood Education. Hicks currently serves as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City University, and in 2019 was named a Gaylord-McCasland Education Fellow by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Among her many leadership roles, she works to equip teachers with STEM integration to prepare the next generation of Oklahomans for the changing workforce. She was also recently selected as one of The Journal Record’s 40 Under 40.

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My guest is Jeremie Kubicek, who is the CEO of GiANT - the leader in Scalable People Development. Through the GiANT TV platform, GiANT has created the 100X People System, which has been called the "Netflix meets Peloton for Adult Learning." Additionally, Jeremie is a best-selling author and a sought after international speaker. He has lived in Moscow, Atlanta and London and currently speaks to organizations around the world while working with his team to raise up 100X Leaders in every sector and city in the world.

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My guest is Dr. Imam Imad Enchassi, who grew up in Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut, Lebanon. His experiences as a child surrounded by war and conflict have shaped his passion as an adult for promoting unity and understanding. Imam Enchassi is the senior religious leader at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, and he has received much recognition for his efforts to encourage dialogue, peace, and tolerance in the OKC community and far beyond.

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My guest is Carey Cronin, who is the founder of Reaching For Recovery, an organization that offers self-help resources and advocacy for eating disorders, mental health, suicide prevention, and education. Carey has 7 years in recovery from an eating disorder, and is passionate about helping others who are seeking relief from disordered eating. She volunteers for the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association (OEDA), Eating Disorders Hope, and World Eating Disorders Action Day, which takes place every year on June 2nd.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving eating disorders, mental illness, addiction, and suicide. Utilize the numbers and websites listed below to get help.

Reachout National Crisis & Information Hotline: 1-800-522-9054 (24x7)

Oklahoma 211: 211 (24x7)

National Crisis Text Line: 741741 (24x7)

In this episode, I share my personal story, including my journey of recovery from alcoholism and what motivated me to become a life purpose coach.

Looking back, I can see that my life has really been a search for my own potential. Although I was always bright and outwardly successful, inwardly I was often plagued by self-doubt, fear and uncertainty about the future. Depression was common and I developed an addiction to alcohol that lasted for 16 years. This addiction, more than once, threatened to take everything away from me that mattered most. Fortunately, I was able to find recovery and my life was transformed from the inside out.

In recovery, I began to experience life in ways I had never known before. I started to understand how I was causing my own suffering and misery without even realizing it. This understanding helped me to find a deep sense of freedom, empowerment, and true happiness for the first time. My whole attitude and outlook on life were dramatically changed for the better. Each day became a quest for purpose and the fulfillment of my potential. That quest is what led me to become a coach.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving addiction, mental illness, trauma, and suicide. Utilize the numbers and websites listed below to get help.

Reachout National Crisis & Information Hotline: 1-800-522-9054 (24x7)

Oklahoma 211: 211 (24x7)

National Crisis Text Line: 741741 (24x7)

My guest is Brandy Sitts, who taught visual art for 12 years in public school, was the 2017 Oklahoma Secondary Art Educator of the Year, and is currently a curriculum coordinator for Fine Arts and Gifted Education. She has a Bachelor of Art Education and a Master of Secondary Education with emphasis in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Education. One of her professional goals is to develop programs and services to empower children to find their voice and make an impact in their worlds. In her current profession, this desire manifests through leading professional development for art educators and gifted specialists who then reach their hundreds of students.

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