Failing Forward

Peg Ruppert is caring, faith-driven and a seasoned leadership coach. But when her marriage of nearly 25 years ended, she questioned her identity. Now, Ruppert has used her experience to write a new book, “Rediscover You Post-Divorce.” On episode 140—the last episode of this podcast—Peg and Sarah talk about how to pick yourself up after failure and embrace the unknown future. Peg is a big believer in focusing on the future without losing sight of the past. She shares three tips for moving on from hardship in a positive way to connect with your inherent self-worth. Show Notes: - Read Peg’s book “Rediscover You Post-Divorce”: https://www.amazon.com/Rediscover-YOU-post-divorce-confidence-Wonderful/dp/B0BW23RTL4 - Read and work through “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252

When she was 7 years old, Corrie Loeffler fell in love with the Scripps National Spelling Bee when her brother competed in a regional competition. Today, she is the executive director of the annual event. But first, she had her own run attempting to become the national champion. On episode 139, Corrie shares how her shot at winning it all went south and how she ultimately learned the Bee is not about winning in the first place. Even after her competition days were over, Corrie volunteered and eventually was offered a job. She also talks about the evolution of the Bee to become more inclusive in recent years and how the organization weathered the pandemic. Show Notes: - Learn more about Scripps National Spelling Bee: https://spellingbee.com/ - Read about Zaila Avant-garde, the 2021 spelling bee champion: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/us/spelling-bee-zaila-avant-garde.html

One of Michelle Spoelstra’s first career aspirations was to be an interior designer. Ultimately, she found her way into clinical psychology. When the pandemic hit, she thought more and more about the importance of space, and today, Michelle is a healing interior designer. On episode 138, Michelle explains what she does and why she created her business. She believes healing takes many forms, including through beauty and aesthetics. Through healing practices and clearing energy and clutter, Michelle helps her clients unlock the power of shifting their space. She also shares her infertility journey and discusses spirituality. Show Notes: - Learn more about Michelle and her work: https://www.michellespoelstra.com/ - Read “You Can Heal You Life” by Louise Hay: https://www.hayhouse.com/you-can-heal-your-life-paperback

Kelly Seelig started working at tech startups in Silicon Valley in the ’90s. She adapted to her male-dominated environment, but when she realized she was losing herself in the process, she decided to make a change. On episode 137, Kelly discusses her experience as a woman in a male-dominated field and tells us about the dance class that changed her whole mindset. Her career journey inspired Kelly to write her book, “Right Brain Girl Left Brain World,” about how she found her voice and herself. She and Sarah also discuss psychological safety. Show Notes: - Read Kelly’s book “Right Brain Girl Left Brain World”: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1QQCP7 - Read “True North” by Bill George: https://billgeorge.org/book/true-north - Read “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann: https://thegogiver.com/the-go-giver/ - Read “Leadership Wisdom From the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” by Robin Sharma: https://www.robinsharma.com/book/leadership-wisdom-from-the-monk-who-sold-his-ferrari

During the Christmas break of his junior year at college, Brian Joseph was home visiting his family when he experienced intense pain in his shoulder. Doctors couldn’t find an explanation, but the always-on-the-go Brian was bedridden for weeks and had to drop out of school. Recovering gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. 
On episode 136, the former insurance salesman explains how introducing payroll deduction to his nationwide company led to a division vice president offer when he was 21 years old. Today, Brian is the co-founder of RevJen Group, which focuses on human and financial sustainability by helping support the business side of nonprofits. He and Sarah talk about success and significance, finding your path and what it means to get into the arena. Show Notes: - Read “Surrender” by Bono: https://surrendermemoir.com/ - Listen to Brené Brown’s interview with Bono on “Unlocking Us”: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/songs-of-surrender-and-carrying-the-weight-of-our-contradictions-part-1-of-2/ - Learn m

Six months after coming out of retirement to join Under Armour, Randy Harward didn’t feel right. Not on his morning run or all day at work. He went to the emergency room, and it turns out he was experiencing heart failure. The road to recovery has been long, and today, Randy contends he isn’t the same person he was. On episode 135, Randy shares what it was like to return to work after double bypass surgery. He still experiences a fogginess, but his system for managing his confusion is one that anyone can adopt if you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Now a business advisor for Stanford and other organizations, Randy talks about the power of constraints, his years in the outdoor industry and why he always asks about brand’s long arcs. Show Notes: - Read “Getting Things Done” by David Allen: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/getting-things-done-david-allen/1101546710 - Learn about the Getting Things Done work management system: https://gettingthingsdone.com/

Claudia Jakubzick grew up in south Florida, the second daughter of Peruvian immigrants. Her childhood was filled with fun and love, then later partying and parental neglect. She graduated from high school with a third-grade reading level, but she was determined to not be a “loser.” On episode 134, Claudia shares how she found the will to forge a new path for her future. She pursued her childhood passion for science, and today, she is an associate professor within Dartmouth’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology. She tells Sarah about her relationship with her parents today and how she, in turn, parents her three children. Show Notes: - Read Claudia’s article in Journal of Experimental Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6400547/

Many of us have had less-than-stellar dates that make for a good story, but Stephanie Hibbert has a book-full of them. Once, her date even left her at a concert. It wasn’t until she began loving herself that she found everything she had always been looking for. On episode 133, Stephanie shares some of her worst date stories that inspired her book, Thank You for Swiping Right. She talks about giving herself a mindset makeover, abandoning her preconceived timeline and having gratitude even for people who weren’t her right match. Show Notes: - Read Stephanie’s book, Thank You For Swiping Right: https://stephhibbs.com/ols/products/thank-you-for-swiping-right

When JeRod Lindsey was looking for a path to success after dropping out of college, he decided to ask for help. He met Mike Rodarte through a mentorship program, and soon, their friendship cemented. JeRod’s educational and professional success followed. On episode 132, the pair explain their friendship story and share their latest mentorship initiative: Level Up Cincinnati. The program offers scholarships and mentorship to Black, Latinx, and first-generation college students to develop future leaders. JeRod and Mike also delve into the importance of male friendship and are a great example of the people who help us through failure. Show Notes: - Get involved and learn more about Level Up Cincinnati: https://www.levelupcincinnati.org/ - Listen to JeRod’s podcast, The Discussion: https://www.thediscussion513.com/

The day Bassey Eno-Idem’s brother passed away at 28 from diabetes complications, Bassey also lost his best friend. Out of the grief, he rooted himself in the desire to not let fear or his own insecurities dictate his future. On episode 131, Bassey shares how he transitioned from mechanical engineer to sales leader and entrepreneur. In 2018, he and his wife, Jess, began the process of opening a Shred415 fitness studio. Everything was in place for Bassey to quit his corporate career and run the studio full-time, and then the pandemic hit. By relying on his engineering skillset, he pivoted, and they still found success. Show Notes: - Learn more about Shred415 fitness studio: https://shred415.com/locations/redbank/ - Listen to the How I Built This podcast featuring Spanx founder Sara Blakely: https://www.npr.org/2017/08/15/534771839/spanx-sara-blakely

Crystal Render is more in tune with her body, her values and her internal monologue than most people. It’s how she knew something was wrong when she was pregnant with her third child, despite doctors and nurses dismissing her pain. After reexamining her, they found five blood clots and double pneumonia—diagnoses that could have killed her. On episode 130, the chef and founder of Magnificent Morsels catering company tells us about how growing up in humble beginnings has led to a life of gratitude. It hasn’t always been easy, but Crystal embraces failure whole-heartedly and works to turn the tests she faces into testimonies of her character. A devoted practitioner of manifestation, she explains the 3-6-9 technique she uses to bring her goals and dreams to life. Show Notes: - Learn more about Magnificent Morsels: https://www.mmcaterz.com/ - Listen to Sarah’s interview with Suzy DeYoung: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-96-suzy-deyoung-la-soupe-founder-chef/id1330322754?i=1000531160658

In the span of two months, Lauren Bates left her job as chief marketing officer at Urban Stems and ended her 7-year relationship. As she worked to reinvent herself, she kept thinking about starting her own women’s-only travel company, but it wasn’t until her friends and family encouraged her that she decided to go for it. On episode 129, Lauren shares how she started Wild Terrains and how the business has evolved naturally and in the wake of COVID-19. Long before she started her company, she lived in Southeast Asia for seven months after graduating college. Later on, her experience working at a startup informed her own decisions as an entrepreneur. Show Notes: - Learn more about Wild Terrains: https://www.wildterrains.com/

Paul Delaney had one goal at the start of his career: climb the corporate ladder to become a senior vice president of a national company. After all, that was the path modeled to him by his father, at job fairs, and in his network. Then, it all shifted as he got clearer on his purpose and values and expanded his thinking. On episode 128, Paul explains how he came to reject the corporate ladder for a place within a boutique business. As partner at Amend Consulting, he works to foster a collaborative, not competitive, culture where every employee can be successful. Paul was born and partially raised in South Africa, and he reflects on how his native country’s apartheid government impacts his outlook on diversity and inclusion today. Show Notes: - Read “The Earned Life” by Marshall Goldsmith: https://marshallgoldsmith.com/book-page-the-earned-life/ - Listen to Huberman Lab: https://hubermanlab.com

After starting out in more traditional advertising roles, Kelli Stam redirected her career to focus on purpose-driven work. She left her corporate job to join the Peace Corps at 40 years old and has since worked as Apple’s global director of social impact marketing and for the Human Rights Campaign. Today, she’s focused on answering the question: How can her work support her life, instead of her life supporting her work? On episode 127, Kelli talks about recognizing when she has been in misalignment, the tragedy that propelled her into making bold moves, and what it was like serving in the Peace Corps. She was based in Nicaragua for two years, and returning back to the U.S. brought its own kind of culture shock. Kelli chooses to center her life and identity around her values, not her job. Show Notes: - Watch or stream “Everything Everywhere All At Once”: https://a24films.com/films/everything-everywhere-all-at-once

Reckoning is a central word in Meghan Cummings’ vocabulary. Her career in nonprofits has been focused on reckoning and rectifying societal problems like racial, gender, and socioeconomic inequalities. But before joining the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Meghan was reckoning with her next career step. On episode 126, the Vice President of Civic Advancement walks us through her work and how she moved forward during a period of self-doubt and uncertainty. By relying on her support system and reflecting on her truths and passions in life, Meghan found the right organizational fit and a new sense of confidence. Show Notes: - Learn more about the Greater Cincinnati Foundation: https://www.gcfdn.org/

All her life Michele Hobbs has had an unbeatable work ethic and a determination to get what she sets her mind to. In high school, she was denied for a loan from Fifth Third Bank but convinced the bank president to give her another shot. Today, she is the founder of OTR Stillhouse and Pet Wants. On episode 125, Michele tells us about becoming an entrepreneur, her leadership ethos and landing an incredible deal on the property that OTR Stillhouse now occupies. She also shares stories about her personal life, growing up on Cincinnati’s West Side and coming out in 1979. Show Notes: - Check out OTR Stillhouse: https://otrstillhouse.com/ - Learn more about Pet Wants: https://www.petwants.com/

Mark Neff is no stranger to pivoting. He’s made drastic career changes—from the business world to hair styling to coaching. Years ago, after getting his second DUI in six months, he decided to finally face his alcoholism and get sober. He is a testament to what can happen when you embrace your authentic self. On episode 124, Mark shares his career journey, his path to sobriety, and what it was like to come out as a gay teenager. Just before the pandemic, Mark sold his hair salon and followed his passion into coaching. At the beginning of the year, he published a book, “Diving Into Darkness to Find Light.” Show Notes: - Read Mark’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Diving-Into-Darkness-Find-Light/dp/0578334852 - Brene Brown’s interview with Father Richard Rohr: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/spirituality-certitude-and-infinite-love-part-1-of-2/

Noelle Van Vlierbergen says writing saved her life. It gave her an outlet to explore her interior life after years of numbing herself through heavy drinking. Today, she is a life and addiction recovery coach, an author, and the creator of Day by Daybook, a journal for change. On episode 123, Noelle shares her journey getting sober, discusses the benefits of writing, and explains how she transitioned from an HR position at Apple to take her coaching and writing full-time. Today, there are three Daybooks: Classic, Recovery, and Teen. Show Notes: - Get the Day by Daybook journal: https://shop.daybydaybook.com/ - Learn more about Noelle’s coaching: https://noellevan.com/ - Read Noelle’s book, “The Sober Leap”: https://www.amazon.com/Sober-Leap-Practical-Amazing-Addiction/dp/1683507371

After college, Mike Sanford found immediate success as a software engineer. By 23, he was supervising a team of 30, but it ended in a train wreck. Reeling from the experience, he realized his job shouldn’t be the anchor of identity and began a journey to have a relationship with God. On episode 122, Mike walks us through his search for faith, why Islam became his spiritual home, and how his faith has helped him through hard times. He explains some basics about the Islamic faith and touches on life as a single parent. Show Notes: - Learn more about CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations: https://www.cair.com/

As the director of corporate communications and media relations for Kroger, Kristal Howard was busier than ever at the start of the pandemic. When managing stress from her job and the open-ended health crisis reached a breaking point, she made a pivotal realization: She had her dream job but not her dream life. On episode 121, Kristal tells us about giving herself permission to make bold changes in her life. She initiated a breakup, and this May, left her job to focus on play, travel, and making space for the unexpected. Kristal explains what deciding to go felt like and what’s next. Show Notes: - Read "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks?variant=32205677625378