Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast

The Soil Beneath Our Feet: Regenerative Organic Farming with Rodale CEO Jeff Tkach

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered about the Universe beneath your feet?

Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach shares his powerful metaphor of how unexplored by humans the universe beneath our feet is, drawing a parallel to human excitement about the unknown universe of space. In fact, Jeff shares that scientists estimate a mere teaspoon of healthy soil has 10 billion organisms in it, more than the total amount of people on the Earth. Truly an unexplored realm!

In season 2 episode 12 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, guest Jeff Tkach, Rodale Institute CEO and author of the fantastic book "The Farm Is Here!", shares the transformative power of regenerative organic farming and its impact on improving soil health, human health, water health, equitable food systems, economic and community social health, and environmental health.

If you care about your health, the health of your loved ones, and the health of the planet, then the starting place is actually under your feet with revitalizing soil health through regenerative organic farming!

In addition to explaining soil's vital role in human health, Jeff explains how things change across the spectrum of farming practices from conventional chemical based agriculture introduced in the 1970s by US Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butts to regenerative organic, and why regeneration is more than sustainability. Regeneration means improved soil health and a whole lot more as he explains what is required by the new rigorous ROC (Regenerative Organic Certification) Standards.

Jeff opens how each new regenerative organic farmer he meets impacts him and fills him with hope. He shares the important legacies of both J.I. Rodale and his son Robert Rodale on organic farming and regenerative organic farming respectively.

He shares with Katy what he thinks about the 5 revelations she found in reading his book, The Farm Is Here! They discuss the tool kit of regenerative organic practices, including composting, crop rotation, cover cropping, the role of livestock and rotational grazing in soil vitality, and low-till/no till practices and the innovation of the roller crimper for a healthy way to end a cover crop.

Jeff shares how Rodale's Farming Systems Trial is the only 45 year longitudinal study directly comparing conventional and regenerative organic wheat farming in North America. He touches on the new insights coming out of Rodale's Vegetable Systems Trial, including some important statistics about improving nutrient density in vegetables grown in regenerative organic plots. He highlights the scientific evidence from Rodale’s long-term research showing improvements in yields, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient density, water retention, climate resilience, and carbon sequestration from regenerative organic practices. Lastly, he shares how regenerative organic is proven to be more profitable than conventional and keeps more money with farmers and in their communities.

Lastly, Jeff shares his philosophy on what the farm whispers to him and how his friend Julian's shamanic wisdom taught him about the energetic imprint of food. He shares some highlights about the many farmer education opportunities there are with Rodale and via its courses. How Rodale relies on private philanthropy to support farmers and their communities by supporting the transitions to regenerative organic farming. Jeff closes on his hope for the future: youth and women in regenerative farming and reconnecting with nature.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer™, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across three continents to make the impact they care about.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Jeff Tkach

04:16 Jeff’s Moment of Impact

04:48 Conventional, Organic, and Regenerative Agriculture Explained

06:30 The Problem With Modern Industrial Agriculture

09:30 The Origins of the Organic Farming Movement

13:23 Why Regeneration Is More Powerful Than Sustainability

15:08 Soil Health as the Foundation of Human Health

18:50 How Modern Agriculture Impacts Human Health

21:40 Can Regenerative Agriculture Reverse Climate Change?

25:12 Composting and Crop Rotation

29:28 Why Healthy Soil Produces More Nutritious Food

33:12 The Role Consumers Play in Transforming Agriculture

37:45 Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Across America

41:51The Future of Food, Farming, and Public Health

49:11 What Gives Jeff Hope

50:23 Closing Thoughts

#regenerativeagriculture #organicfarming #soilhealth #humanhealth #climateaction #farming
@rodaleinstitute

Embracing Your "BrainHealth" with Laura Bloom Gordon

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Discover practical strategies to unlock the power of your brain and enhance your brain health, reduce age related brain decline, and realize your full potential. UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Laura Bloom Gordon shares her resilient journey with brain health, science-backed tips, and innovative programs that anyone can adopt to thrive mentally and emotionally.

In season 2 episode 11 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, we discuss the amazing science that supports how you can do daily exercises to strengthen your brain and in some cases, even reverse age related brain decline that begins as early as age 30.

Main Topics:
*The incredible potential of the human brain to be rewired and strengthened
*The impact of mental health challenges, personal resilience, and brain science
*Practical, science-backed habits to optimize brain performance and longevity

Legendary marketing powerhouse Laura Bloom Gordon shares how her unique journey with brain health has been affected by the mental health challenges of her older brother Donald and how she lost both her brother and her husband Aaron, the love of her life, to the ravages of mental illness. She shares a powerful moment of impact when she and her husband Aaron decided that they needed to pack everything up and move from Chicago to Dallas to support the learning journey for one of their sons who had been diagnosed with learning differences. She views her work at the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth as coming full circle and eagerly invests in sharing all the things we can do at any age to strengthen our brain through simple daily practices. With a fabled marketing career in the top positions at The Dallas Morning News, 7-11, Laura has helped many organizations transform at the critical moment of disruption and is a master at innovation.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka "The Impact Whisperer", is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across 3 continents to make the impact they care about.

Please subscribe so you don't miss any top global voices sharing how they activate and advocate for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts!!

Key Topics:
-The importance of brain strength and rewiring potential at any age
-Critical misconceptions about brain decline and Neuroplasticity
-Simple daily habits to boost brain blood flow and cognitive function
-The role of compassion, connection, and emotional balance in brain health
-How to measure and improve your brain health with the Brain Health Index and ongoing research
-The power of adaptation, curiosity, and resilience in personal growth
-Impact of mental health challenges within families and breaking stigma
-Practical tips for stress management, mindfulness, and social connection
-The innovative Brain Health Project's approach to personalized brain optimization
-The significance of early intervention, self-advocacy, and self-awareness in learning differences

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Laura Bloom Gordon

04:04 Laura’s Moment of Impact

05:07 Why Traditional Classrooms Are Built for Sameness

06:59 Navigating Learning Differences as a Parent

08:36 Leaving Chicago to Find the Right School

10:30 The Power of Early Intervention and Self-Advocacy

14:15 Growing Up With a Brother Who Had Schizophrenia

16:02 Caregiving, Mental Illness, and Family Resilience

20:00 How Donald Shaped Laura's Perspective on Life

23:16 Grief, Loss, and Honoring Donald's Legacy

24:34 Why Brain Health Matters to Everyone

30:17 Eight Lessons Learned About the Brain and Human Potential

34:49 Relationships, Connection, and Understanding Differences

40:01 Adaptability as the Most Important Modern Superpower

43:52 The Science of Brain Health and Cognitive Aging

46:59 Can You Actually Strengthen Your Brain?

49:50 Groundbreaking Research and the BrainHealth Project

58:00 Sleep, Stress, and Protecting Cognitive Performance

01:01:42 What Gives Laura Hope

01:02:55 Closing Thoughts

Final Takeaway:
Every individual has the capacity to strengthen and rewire their brain. Embracing curiosity, self-awareness, and adaptive habits are key to lifelong cognitive vitality and happiness. Start today—your brain’s best version awaits.

#neuroscience #neurodivergent #neuroplasticity #brain #brainhealth #brainchallenge #growth #impact #impactstories #podcast #podcastclips #socialimpact #empowerment #learningdifferences

Embracing Transformation: Personally & Organizationally with Ramesh Pari

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:45:00 -0400

Are you focused on your future and your past more than your present moment? What if tomorrow never comes?

In season 2 episode 10 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, guest Ramesh Pari, Transformation Director at Ocado Technology in the UK, shares profound insights on the importance of personal and organizational transformation. From dealing with loss and acceptance to leading with purpose and managing energy, Ramesh offers a compelling perspective on living a meaningful life aligned with service and presence. He shares how both his parents helped him understand the value of service and how he was able to reorient his concept of time. He opens up about how their influence has shaped his own approach to parenting his sons with his "Partner in Time" (his wife Millie) and coaching his teams at work.

Key Insights shared by Ramesh Pari:

*The importance of accepting what cannot be controlled and finding liberation in that acceptance

*How the legacy of a life driven by service creates deep impact beyond material achievement

*Cultivating energy as an active vessel for contribution rather than preservation

*The significance of high cadence living—prioritizing what truly matters

*Transforming behaviors through micro-decisions and cultural shifts

*Leadership rooted in understanding the whole person, not just the work role

*The lasting influence of mentoring, coaching, and modeling authenticity

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Ramesh Pari

04:49 Ramesh’s Moment of Impact

05:52 "Tomorrow Never Comes" — Rethinking Your Relationship With Time

10:20 A Life of Service: How His Mother Found Joy Without Material Wealth

17:09 Acceptance vs. Fighting: A Radical Perspective on Terminal Illness

23:46 Three Lessons His Mother Left Behind

25:08 The Sacrifice His Father Made Working Night Shifts for 40 Years

27:22 How COVID Gave Him Presence and Fatherhood

31:10 Living A High Cadence Lifestyle: His Physical Transformation

35:48 Running a Marathon in His Mother's Honor

41:57 Finding A Life Partner In His Wife Millie

45:15 Doing vs. Being: How to Live Intentionally Today

46:56 The Dream He Followed Since Age 7 — and Why He Left It Behind

55:05 Career As A Transformation Director At Ocado Technology

57:30 Why Real Transformation Has Nothing to Do With Cost Cutting

01:03:08 The Coaching Leader: Seeing People Others Gave Up On

01:13:14 What Gives Ramesh Hope

01:14:37 Closing Remarks

Main Topics:

*The transformative power of acceptance versus battle in face of adversity

*Living intentionally through the lens of time and mindfulness

*The role of service in personal fulfillment and leadership

*Balancing energy, purpose, and high engagement lifestyles

*Applying design thinking to organizational transformation

*Leadership as a coach: trust, holistic understanding, and empowering growth

*The ripple effect of purposeful investment in people and legacy

#impact #podcast #impactstories #family #transformation #transformationjourney #wisdom #lifelessons #parenting #partnering #lifepartner #legacy #uk #london #england #srilanka #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #coaching #time #timemanagement #fitness #marathon #marathontraining #cancer #designthinking #architect #technologynews #ai #rethinking

Pacific Palisades Fire: The Aftermath

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0600

In season 2 episode 9 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, Tracy Droz Tragos shares her moment of impact when she saw smoke & real fire billowing from a nearby ridge near her home in Pacific Palisades, CA, near Los Angeles, and wondered if the fire could be as close as it seemed. Maybe she should grab a few things and head out, and surely she could return home later that same afternoon.

What do you do in the aftermath of the Pacific Palisades Fire?

In this heartfelt podcast conversation, documentary filmmaker Tracy Droz Tragos shares her profound journey through sudden loss from the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfire, and her path to resilience and recovery.

Discover her insights on:
✅ Impact of California wildfires on personal life, work, family, and community;
✅ the role of storytelling in healing and resilience;
✅ Lessons learned from loss, rebuilding, and personal transformation;
✅ The importance of community and nature in recovery

Tracy Droz Tragos is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, a writer whose Substack “On Fire” is phenomenal, a Director, and a Producer at Dinky Pictures LLC. To quote Tracy, “she is drawn to issues involving women, inequality, and rural America.” Her body of work includes multiple award-winning films such as: HBO documentary "Abortion: Stories Women Tell"; "Smartest Kids in the World" about the crisis in the US education system; "Be Good, Smile Pretty", an Emmy-award winning documentary about the grief and healing of survivors of the Vietnam War; "Rich Hill", which won the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival; and "Plan C" about a network trying to expand access to abortion pills after the fall of Roe which premiered at 2023 Sundance Film Festival and SXSW.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer™, is an expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ client organizations across 3 continents to make the impact they care about for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts.

Please subscribe so you don't miss any top global voices sharing how they activate and advocate for their movements driving positive change. We are on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Substack.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Tracy Droz Tragos

01:23 Overview of Tracy's Documentary Films

06:08 Tracy's Moment of Impact

11:31 Losing Everything: Her Home, Her Office, Her History

17:49 The Catastrophic Failures of the Fire

21:48 Navigating the Frantic Immediate Aftermath of the fire

29:59 Coping With Grief and Devastation

40:02 Losing Your Family's History

43:40 The Fire Burned 12 Years of Film Footage

51:52 Who She's Becoming on the Other Side

58:21 Giving time, space, and grace for recovery

01:03:01 What Gives Tracy Hope

01:05:25 Closing Thoughts

#palisadesfire #palisades #wildfire #fire #california #malibu #topanga #losangeles #eatonfire #survival #impact #podcast #impactstories #empowerment #resilience #healing #filmmaker #sundance #indiefilm #writer #director #producer #growth #rebuilding #rebuild #nature #community #family #recovery #recoveryjourney #berkshires

The Promise of Precision Medicine with Nisha Janamanchi

Mon, 25 May 2026 08:45:00 -0400

The Promise of Precision Medicine: Why Standard Medical Treatments Fail and What's Replacing Them!

In this powerful season 2 episode 8 of the podcast Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, Nisha Janamanchi, an Analyst at HealthScape Advisors (a Chartis company), shares a personal story about how personalized medicine saved a loved one when standard treatments failed, sparking her interest in developing tailored treatment options, aka personalized or precision medicine. This experience highlights the critical role of genomics, AI, computational biology, and medical research in advancing healthcare innovation and disease prevention.

A 2025 Bioengineering graduate from the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Nisha is a Gen-Z leader seeking to make an impact through science-based innovations in the area of precision medicine, physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK), and related fields.

With Host Katy Hansell who has guided hundreds of people in their career, Nisha and Katy discuss Nisha's early interest in math and science, how she navigated STEM, how she had internships on campus and over her summers that helped her to refine her career interests and develop transferable skills.

This episode is for anyone who knows a young person trying to navigate STEM and land a job in a science or medical field after completing university.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, The Impact Whisperer™, is an expert impact coach, strategic advisor, and Board Director, known for helping 500+ client organizations across three continents make the impact they care about.

Please subscribe so you don't miss any top global voices talking about how they activate and advocate for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts!! We appreciate your support greatly!!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Nisha Janamanchi

03:23 Nisha's Moment of Impact

06:36 What Is Personalized Medicine?

08:11 How AI Predicts Which Treatments Will Work for You

09:50 Breast Cancer & Precision Medicine

16:03 Internship Spotlight: PBPK Modeling & Drug Dosages

18:57 Why the Same Drug Works Differently for Different People

21:09 AI's Transformative Power in Healthcare

23:57 The Future: Your Genome in Your Health Record

25:22 Fostering a Passion in Science and Math

29:08 What Is Computational Biology?

30:36 Using AI to Research Gut Microbiome Stability

33:43 First Internship: Lab Work & Career Self-Discovery

38:07 How to Land Internships (Even When You're Starting Out)

41:58 Nisha's Analyst Role: Where Science Meets Business

47:25 Advice for Women in AI & Tech Fields

50:25 Should You Study Computer Science in the Age of AI?

52:31 What Gives Nisha Hope

55:21 Closing Thoughts

#healthcare #precisionmedicine #personalizedmedicine #science #stem #ai #biomedical_engineering #biomedicalresearch #computerscience #computationalbiology #PBPK #sciencecareer #technologynews #uiuc #impact #podcast #impactstories #growth #empowerment #global #genomics #genomicsai

Arya Choudhary: Young Tech Serial Founder (age 23!)

Mon, 18 May 2026 08:45:00 -0400

#entrepreneur #founder #techecosystem In this engaging video is from season 2 episode 7 of the Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, young serial tech founder, age 23, Arya Choudhary talks about his approach to founding new businesses, tracing his evolution as a founder who used amazon as a distribution platform to found consumer goods businesses to his current day venture working on a health tech solution for high blood pressure: a wellness shot!

Arya shares how sitting on a bus in 9th grade next to a peer who was selling $200K of supplements opened his eyes to the possibility of being a founder at a young age, even in high school.

This pivotal friendship served as a powerful source of motivation, proving that making your own path and starting a business was within reach. His personal growth journey is a testament to the power of connection and inspiration for any aspiring entrepreneur.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer™, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor, and Board Director, known for helping 500+ client organizations across 3 continents make the impact they care about!

We feature emerging Gen-Z and established top global voices sharing how they activate and advocate for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts!Please Subscribe so you don't miss any leaders sharing how they built their movements for massive impact!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & Arya's Moment of Impact

02:55 The Bus Ride That Changed Everything

05:31 Becoming a Founder in 9th Grade

06:32 Co-Founders & Community: Your #1 Tool

09:56 Build Illinois: Creating a Founder Ecosystem

16:57 Crest Valley: Meat Snacks & His First Big Business

20:34 Joining Ozone: AI Video Editing & Taking on Adobe

24:50 Fundraising & Pitching VCs

28:59 The Y Combinator Advantage

31:12 Digital Twins & Predictive Health Tech

33:12 Reimagining Cardiovascular Care

37:39 The Challenges of Building a Wellness Brand

43:46 The Ideation Practice: 30 Ideas in 30 Days

46:21 3 Tips for First-Time Founders

47:17 What Gives Arya Hope

47:47 Closing Thoughts

#entrepreneurship #scaling #growth #growthhacking #founderinsights #impact #impactstories #podcast #empowerment #business #businessgrowth #socialimpact #venturecapital #venturecapitalist #siliconvalley #tech #technology #technologynews #ai #aiforbusiness #health #healthtech #innovators #innovation #global

Creating Inclusive Communities with Lawyer/Mediator Pamela Cohen

Mon, 11 May 2026 08:45:00 -0400

#inclusion #disabilityrights #impact

In this season 2 episode 6 from Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, guest Pamela Cohen, an Inclusion and Disability Rights Expert and Advocate, with a professional background as a discrimination law attorney, mediator, and now employer outreach specialist, shares how to build inclusive communities for people with and without disabilities to share for their mutual enrichment. Pamela Cohen guides employers to hire people with disabilities and to create inclusive environments.

"Community means everyone" is the motto of the nonprofit she founded and now is Board Chair of, The Purple Tree Café in Davis, CA, which hires people with disabilities. Purple Tree Café also organizes community events using music as a tool for inclusion and offering hootenannies where people with and without disabilities can come together and perform, often with an open mic and featuring the Team Davis Singers.

Pamela exemplifies how passion, strategic community building, and advocacy can transform lives. Through her work, she shows that inclusion isn't just a hiring goal, but a continuous journey of creativity, joy, and shared humanity. Be inspired by Pamela and lead with heart to create a more inclusive world.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer™, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor, & Board Director, known for helping 500+ client organizations make the impact they care about.

Chapters:

0:00 Pamela's Moment of Impact

07:40 Growing Up with Two Psychotherapist Parents

08:10 From Psychology to Law & Disability Rights

12:12 Founding the Purple Tree Cafe

15:35 Skills & Growth for Employees with Disabilities

18:23 What True Inclusion in the Workplace Looks Like

19:08 Music as a Tool for Inclusion (The Hootenanny)

25:30 Using Music & Activities for Advocacy

31:53 Funding & Community Partnerships

40:10 Pamela's Role as Employer Outreach Specialist

41:50 The Business Case for Hiring People with Disabilities

45:00 How Legal & Mediation Training Shapes Her Work

50:40 Invisible Disabilities & Individualized Solutions

55:00 What Gives Pamela Hope

56:20 Closing Thoughts

#disabilityempowerment #diversityandinclusion #employment #employmentlaw #music #equalrights #advocacy #fairwages #opportunity #empowerment

Cecilia Edwards On Using AI For Good?!

Mon, 04 May 2026 08:55:15 -0400

In this episode (season 2 episode 5) from Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, Wavestone Partner & AI Solutionist Cecilia Robinson Edwards shares her journey from the U.S. Air Force to global leadership, exploring the transformative potential of AI in leadership, societal change, and community empowerment.

Discover how agency, collective impact, and reimagining possibilities can shape a better future. In this compelling conversation, we explore the following:

The role of AI in leadership and societal transformation
The importance of agency and collective impact in change-making
Reimagining leadership and the future of work with AI

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer™, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach and strategic advisor, known for helping 500+ client organizations across 3 continents make the impact they care about for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts! Please subscribe so you won't miss any top global voices!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Cecilia Robinson Edwards

04:03 Cecilia's Moments of Impact

10:32 The Role of Education in Empowerment

17:58 Navigating Leadership in the Age of A.I.

22:41 Agency and Responsibility in AI Utilization

30:16 Collaborative Transformation and Community Empowerment

34:55 Leveraging Community Assets for Systemic Change

38:18 Building Capacity in Nonprofits

51:15 Leadership vs. Management in the Age of AI

56:16 Navigating DEI Challenges as a Black Woman

01:06:30 What Gives Cecilia Hope

01:06:51 Closing Thoughts

#impact #impactstories #podcast #growth #socialimpact #ai #aiforbusiness #aiforgood #dei #consulting #bcg #empowerment #communityimpact #communityengagement #technologynews #foundation #nonprofit #global #houston #dallas #texas #realestate #affordablehousing #education #earlyeducation #earlychildhoodeducation #healthcare #healthcareaccessibility #poverty #schoollunch #blackexcellence

Nutrition to Heal with Kim L'Ecuyer

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:30:42 -0400

Coming to us from her base in Quebec, Canada, Licensed Holistic Nutrition Consultant Kim L'Ecuyer shares that impactful moment when she realized she wanted to go back and become a nutrition counselor.

A collision of three factors drove her realization: 1) Her father was experiencing chronic disease; 2) her family had just bought a retirement home to manage and they were being told by Seniors that "our golden years are not that golden"; 3) Kim was turning 40 and realizing she wanted to have a very different aging experience than what she was seeing.

With a background in agronomy, Kim had seen the importance of prevention in the animal kingdom and was wondering why the same was not true with humans? Together, these insights drove her to start a new career as a holistic nutrition consultant.

The following topics are covered:

Importance of prevention and holistic approaches to wellness
Realities of caregiving
Critical role of insulin in health and need for balanced nutrition
Distinction between lifespan and health-span
Advocating for a proactive approach to nutrition and well-being
Intricate relationship between nutrition, mindset, and self-compassion

The dialogue emphasizes the significance of mindset in overcoming limiting beliefs and the necessity of self-compassion in the health journey. Ultimately, they highlight the hope found in human connection and the empowerment that comes from understanding and nurturing our bodies.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer™, is a globally recognized (Top 10) award-winning expert impact coach & strategic advisor, known for helping 500+ client organizations across 3 continents make the impact they care about.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Kim L'Ecuyer
03:18 Kim's Moment of Impact
04:56 The Perfect Storm: Family Health and Caregiving
08:18 Shifting from Animal to Human Nutrition
10:41 The Reality of Caregiving and Family Dynamics
15:04 Career Transition: From Retirement Home to Nutrition Consultant
15:54 The Journey into Holistic Nutrition Consulting
18:11 Understanding Lifespan vs. Healthspan
21:05 The Role of Insulin in Health and Metabolic Syndrome
25:40 Winter Hibernation and Food Reserves
27:56 Balancing Nutrition for Insulin Resistance
29:20 Exploring Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Foods
33:26 Transformative Client Stories: Lorraine's Journey
40:10 The Importance of Mindset and Self-Compassion
43:31 How Kim Takes Care of Her Well-being
49:53 What Gives Kim Hope
51:15 Closing Thoughts

#holisticnutrition #healthandwellness #prevention #insulin #insulinresistance #metabolicsyndrome #caregiving #podcast #impact #impactstories #nutrition #holistichealth #selfcare #mindset #antiaging #antiinflammatoryfoods #empowerment #growth #canada #quebec

Unite the Planet with Dave Santulli

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:26:46 -0400

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, also a Board Director of United Planet, explores the inspiring journey of United Planet Founder (now Chairman Emeritus) Dave Santulli, who dared to dream that it was possible to unite the planet one relationship at a time by building "bridges of understanding."

Notably, Dave has budget-traveled to 283 countries and built a global movement for peace and understanding. Discover how reflection, storytelling, and relational diplomacy can transform lives and foster a more peaceful world.

Dave is also the creator of the concept of "Relational Diplomacy", and the author of the book, "Relational Diplomacy: Innovations in Peace-building: A Case Study of Cyprus." Dave and his son Tristan have just launched an online platform called "CherishFamily.com" which promotes saving important family stories.This is a must-see/ must-listen episode for anyone who is interested in peace-building, global travel, immersive service and project-based learning, social impact, impact investing/ NGOs, and who considers themselves an aspiring Global Citizen.

Dave shares his blueprint for how he grew and sustained United Planet, which has generated over 2 million hours of volunteer service; 250,000 global relationships formed; 20,000+ across volunteers over 40 countries and 25 years.

Topics explored:

Relational diplomacy as a peace-building tool
The power of reflection and journaling in personal growth
Building global understanding through travel and storytelling
The impact of United Planet in fostering cross-cultural relationships
Overcoming challenges and criticism in social entrepreneurship

Key takeaways:

Reflection and journaling can deepen understanding and inspire action
Building relationships across cultures is key to peace-building
Impactful change starts with small, consistent efforts
Travel and direct engagement foster empathy and global awareness
Persistence and belief in your mission are crucial amidst criticism

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dave Santulli

03:30 Dave's Moment of Impact

06:16 Reflections on Cold War Tensions and Understanding

09:19 The Power of Writing and Activism in Youth

12:07 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Identity Formation

14:30 The Role of Education and Mentorship in Shaping Leaders

16:20 The Importance of Global Awareness and Cultural Understanding

21:10 The Path to Founding United Planet

23:25 The Early Days of United Planet and Its Mission

25:24 The Journey of a Founder

27:55 United Planet's Origin Story

34:25 Stories of Impact

37:14 The Importance of Experiential Learning

40:54 Building Strategic Partnerships

43:17 Overcoming Challenges in Fundraising

44:54 The Transformative Power of Travel

49:56 Relational Diplomacy and Peace Building

55:24 Cherishing Family Stories

59:46 What Gives Dave Hope

01:00:14 Closing Thoughts

#peacebuilding #globalcitizen #diplomacy #travel #impact #UnitedPlanet #Reflection #storytelling #peaceeducation #volunteerwork #servicetravel #globalservice #socialimpact #impactstories #growth #education #immersiveexperience #immersivelearning

Climate Justice Now with Vanessa Nakate

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:43:11 -0400

Discover how Vanessa Nakate, a prominent Ugandan climate activist, leverages her faith, personal experiences, and strategic initiatives to amplify marginalized voices, combat climate change, and foster hope for a sustainable future.

This episode explores the power of collective action, intersectionality, and the urgent need for climate reparations.

Main topics:

Vanessa Nakate's journey from climate strike founder to global activist
The significance of intersectionality in climate justice
Challenges and breakthroughs at United Nations COP conferences
The impact of systemic racism and colonialism on climate vulnerability
Innovative grassroots initiatives like Vash Green Schools Project
The role of faith in environmental activism
The importance of collective, inclusive movements

In this episode:

Vanessa shares her defining Moment of Impact (MOI), starting climate activism with her siblings in Uganda
The courage required to challenge social norms and cultural resistance
How climate impacts are already devastating communities in Africa and the Global South
Stories from Turkana and the link between climate injustice and historical exploitation
Strategies for amplifying marginalized voices through initiatives like Rise Up and Youth for Future Africa
Insights into the hypocrisy often seen at global climate forums
The urgent call for loss and damage funds, reparations, and climate justice rooted in racial and social equity
Faith as a guiding principle in advocating for creation care and justice
Vanessa's message of hope through collective action and diversity

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Vanessa Nakate

02:26 The Climate Strike That Started Everything

04:00 Finding the Courage to Speak Out

05:15 Launching Uganda's First Climate Strike

07:20 Family Support and Facing Public Criticism

09:25 Connecting Climate Change to Real-Life Impacts

11:40 Why Climate Change Is Happening Right Now

13:05 “We Are in the Same Storm, but Different Boats”

15:05 Witnessing the Human Cost of Climate Change

17:40 Climate Justice and Amplifying Marginalized Voices

20:05 Environmental Racism and Lessons from Cancer Alley

22:00 Why Africa Bears the Burden of a Crisis It Didn't Create

23:45 Climate Change, Gender, and Inequality

28:05 From Local Activist to Global Climate Advocate

29:00 The Davos Photo Controversy and Being Cropped Out

34:00 Turning Exclusion into a Global Conversation

38:30 Writing A Bigger Picture

42:00 The Importance of Telling African Stories

46:00 The Vash Green Schools Project

50:00 Education, Renewable Energy, and Community Impact

56:00 COP Conferences, Climate Policy, and Accountability

01:03:00 What Gives Vanessa Hope

01:10:00 Building a Collective Movement for Change

From Grief to Thriving with Erin M. Barlow

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:50:17 -0400

Erin M. Barlow opens this episode by sharing how she felt when she was in one of her life's lowest lows, when she was trying to navigate the loss of her beloved sister Michelle, and manage her own health crisis, and trying to find a way forward.

As she looked out at the patter of rain on the lake's surface, she felt a tap on the shoulder…Equal parts grit and courage, Erin shows us how she was able to move through loss, grief, and trauma…and chart her path forward to thriving. Erin is a talented, aspiring actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter.

She is chock full of badassery and even as a tween, was the only girl on her town's elite hockey team…and the Goalie!!

We can think of no one better to open season two of our podcast, Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ than the inimitable Erin M. Barlow! LinkedIn

#movingforward #actorlife #filmmakerjourney #visualization #selfimprovement #personalgrowth #futurefocus #transformation #growthmindset #lifeafterloss #traumarecovery #keepgoing #inspire#newbeginnings #evolve #progress #forwardmotion #onward #podcast #impact #impactstories #grief #loss #siblingloss #faith #prayer #creativewriting

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Erin M. Barlow

01:55 Erin's Moment of Impact

02:07 Reaching a Breaking Point After Years of Grief

03:24 Surrender, Faith, and Writing a Letter to God

05:01 Losing Her Sister Michelle

07:20 The Experience That Changed Everything

08:15 Rebuilding Faith Through Daily Letters and Journaling

10:00 Remembering Michelle and Learning to Move Forward

13:05 "God Pulled Me Out of the Grave"

16:00 Writing, Gratitude, and Healing Through Creativity

18:45 UCLA, Acting, and Finding Her Creative Voice

20:40 Losing Everything After Personal Tragedy

23:00 Why Dreams Never Truly Go Away

26:30 Living With Grief While the World Moves On

32:00 Supporting Others Through Loss and Trauma

38:15 How Improv Helped Rebuild Her Confidence

40:00 Returning to Acting, Writing, and Creative Purpose

45:20 Documentary Filmmaking and the Power of Storytelling

54:20 Following Your Calling and Making Dreams Reality

Own Your Message with Hussein Al-Baiaty

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:29:27 -0600

In our final episode of Season 1 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, our guest Hussein Al-Baiaity opens this episode by sharing how losing his beloved father changed his perspective about how to live his own life.

Hussein's father was visiting family and friends in Baghdad when he suddenly passed away. Hussein learned this devastating news in a phone call from a relative. His father, Kamel Al-Baiaity, was Hussein's greatest teacher and an acclaimed artist known throughout Iraq.

In fact, as you will learn in this episode, it is his father's artistry that enabled Hussein and his whole family to ultimately be granted safe passage from the refugee camp in Saudi Arabia where they lived for four years to the United States.

This episode makes no mention of the current war in the region, the US and Israel's war against Iran, as it was recorded before the war broke out on February 28, 2026. It does reference the Gulf War which caused Hussein and his family to have to flee under the cover of nightfall from their home south of Baghdad in Iraq.

The transformative power of art and its tool to build resilience are the major throughlines of this podcast conversation between Hussein and Host Katy Hansell. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong, as Hussein shares what it was like to be displaced from his home to a refugee camp and then trying to assimilate in the US before he knew how to speak English.

Like his father Kamel, Hussein used the power of art to find his way, befriend his peers, showcase his budding talent in school via a book creation contest, and ultimately help him advise others in his current business.

Hussein is the host of the Rising Authors Experience podcast, author of the book Art of Resilience: The Refugee State of Mind, and founder of Rising Authors, his coaching business where he helps authors build clear brands and thriving platforms that turn books into lasting opportunities.

#lifelessons #stroyteller #brandbuilder #refugeestory #creativejourney #lifeadvice #selfgrowth #dailymotivation #lifewisdom #lifepurpose #newperspective #immigrantlife #impact #impactwhisperer #refugee #dailywisdom #betteryou #mindsetshifts

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Hussein Al-Baiaty

00:42 Hussein’s Moment of Impact

05:46 Remembering an Extraordinary Father

10:13 Growing Up in As-Samawah, Iraq and Becoming Refugees in Saudi Arabia

13:13 How Art Helped a Family Survive

15:20 The Painting That Helped Them Reach America

17:51 Resilience, Relationships, and the Power of Creativity

19:25 Why Constraints Can Fuel Creativity: Learning Art and Color Theory

23:08 Creating a Home in Portland, Oregon and Learning a New Language

28:16 Identity, Belonging, and the Refugee Mindset

33:54 Building Resilience Through Adversity

39:57 Becoming an Author and Thought Leader

47:06 Helping Others Share Their Stories

53:31 What Gives Hussein Hope

55:06 Closing Thoughts

Choosing a Service-Based Profession with Dr. Faye T. Gamboa, O.D.

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0600

This episode opens with Dr. Faye T. Gamboa, O.D., sharing how a college volunteer service trip to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina opened her eyes to what true service looks like.

Moment of Impact: "If you want to help us, walk with us."

This episode is for anyone who is considering a service-based professional career or anyone who has a wanderlust for travel and wants to figure out how to combine travel with service. Dr. Faye also offers tips about how to own your own practice as a healthcare provider and move into entrepreneurship from clinical settings. We discuss the importance of role clarity when you have a team of professionals who want to collaborate in a frictionless way.

Dr. Faye T. Gamboa is the owner and optometrist at Wanderlust Eyecare in Northfield, IL where her husband Shwin also works and their dog Winnie. She is also a Primary Care and Ocular Disease Optometrist at the North Chicago VA Hospital.

Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Gamboa has a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois-Chicago and her doctorate cum laude from the Illinois College of Optometry. She completed her residency in Primary Eye Care and Ocular disease at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. She has worked in corporate and private practice settings and, in addition to her role as the founder of Wanderlust Eyecare, she devotes time to helping veterans and active-duty military personnel at the VA hospital.

Dr. Gamboa treats her own wanderlust with ample travel around the world. She is an enthusiastic foodie who loves to spend free time with family and friends.

Chapters:

00:00 Dr. Faye Gamboa's Moment of Impact

02:15 "Walk With Us" — The Lesson That Changed Everything

05:51 Discovering Optometry Through Mission Work

07:45 Inside an International Mission Trip

12:45 The Five-Year-Old Who Saw Clearly for the First Time

15:46 Practicing Optometry With Limited Resources

18:07 Access to Eye Care in Chicago and Around the World

20:08 Building a Career Around Service: Wanderlust Eyecare

25:15 Working With Her Husband and Building a Shared Vision

32:53 Developing a Relationship With Your Healthcare Provider

36:50 Travel, Service, and Expanding Your Perspective

45:58 What Gives Dr. Gamboa Hope

47:00 Closing Thoughts

#missionservice #servicecareers #careersuccess #optometrylife #optometry #visioncare #vosh #veteran #veteranstories #veteranhealthcare #travel #wanderlust #eyecare #entrepreneurship #globaltravel #foodie #impact #professionalservice #professionalservicecareers #servicebasedcareers #makeadifference #bethechange #positivechange #hurricanekatrina #volunteer #impactfulservice #missiontrip #charitywork #volunteerwork #helpinghands #gooddeeds

Pivot from Corporate: An Entrepreneur's Journey with Dave Babst

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:08:32 -0600

Dave Babst, President and Co-Founder of DNA Business Consulting, opens up this episode by sharing how the birth of his eldest daughter and becoming a father for the first time shaped his outlook on what is important in life.

Dave and his wife Amanda knew in advance that their eldest daughter Katherine would have a potentially challenging birth as she was identified in utero as having a congenital heart defect.

Dave shares how the experience of Katherine's birth changed his outlook to focus his life on how to be of service. We also explore a number of important topics relating to the ever-changing world of work and how to adapt to changing circumstances.

Dave started his career working for some of the top firms: Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, National City, Google, and Publicis Groupe. He decided to become an entrepreneur so that he could be home more to help out when Katherine needed some surgeries as a young girl.

We talk about how valuable fractional roles are for mid-career folks, especially given the ageism in the corporate world. Dave and Katy share their top tips for how to explore fractional roles if you have been faced with downsizing or being laid off. Dave shares how he has adapted and pursued strategic alliances that have helped his business become even more valuable to the founders, whom he helps scale by unlocking value and growth drivers.

Dave remains deeply involved in his community, serves on nonprofit boards, and coaches youth sports teams. He and his wife Amanda live in Cleveland, Ohio, where they're the proud parents to three teenagers.

Dave holds a JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, an MBA from the Katz Graduate School, and a BA from the University of Richmond with additional executive education from Stanford's School of Design.

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-babst/

Website: https://dnabizconsulting.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Dave's Moment of Impact

06:38 Redefining Success Through Family and Service

09:20 Building a Career with Purpose

10:44 Coaching Youth Sports and Leadership Lessons

13:07 From Goldman Sachs and Google to Entrepreneurship

14:56 Launching DNA Business Consulting

20:11 Why Action Is the Antidote to Anxiety

24:57 Staying Connected to Purpose in a Busy Life

29:11 Inside DNA Business Consulting

31:05 Growth Strategy, Fractional Leadership, and Scaling Companies

33:57 Reinventing Yourself and Designing a Sustainable Career

38:19 Curiosity, Creativity, and Solving Business Problems

42:53 What Gives Dave Hope

45:11 Closing Thoughts

#impact #purpose #career #work #family #empowerment #impactfulmoments #roadmap #growth #growthhacking #valuedrivers #fractional #fractionalroles #finance #consulting #parenting #fatherhood #NICU #childbirth #firsttimefathers #congenitalheartdefect #inspiration #ai #aiforbusiness #aiforgrowth #corporatecareers #cleveland #ohio #pittsburgh #pa #service #nonprofitboards #productivity #globalvoices #aiethics

Making Impact Through Humanitarian Action with Rebecca Liron

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:04:25 -0600

Rebecca Liron, a humanitarian response professional with 10+ years of global experience (Nairobi/Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Abidjan/ Côte d'Ivoire, Geneva), opens this episode by sharing how seeing an exhibit as an undergraduate student at Northwestern University piqued her interest in humanitarian work and made her want to learn more.

She is a Washington DC-based humanitarian response professional with 10+ years of global experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, foundations, and research institutions as a protection expert in contexts of forced displacements.

She shares the series of impactful moments that spurred the transformation points in her career, including Going to Nairobi, Kenya as a Princeton in Africa Fellow and working on behalf of the IRC (International Rescue Committee).

Now, Rebecca is working with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and leading the CGI Humanitarian Response Portfolio as Deputy Director. Among the themes we discuss are: Rebecca's passion for community-based protection, the meaningful participation of people with lived experience of forced displacement and statelessness, child protection, and the experience of forced migration and lived trauma. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about being a responsible global citizen and step into being an advocate for humanitarian causes, whether as a volunteer or a career.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Rebecca Liron

01:02 Rebecca’s Moment of Impact

02:15 From Future Lawyer to Humanitarian Advocate

04:02 The Center for Forced Migration Studies

05:37 Understanding Asylum Cases and Refugee Claims

08:46 Graduating College and Her Time in Nairobi

10:37 Working with the International Rescue Committee

14:05 Finding Confidence and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

16:00 First Visit to Kakuma Refugee Camp

18:46 Refugee Entrepreneurship and Community Leadership

21:11 Empowerment vs. Dependency in Humanitarian Aid

25:19 Interviewing Refugees Seeking Resettlement

30:23 Protecting Her Emotional Well-Being

36:00 Protection Work, Gender-Based Violence, and Human Rights

38:28 Leadership, Global Impact, and Career Growth

45:14 Work as a Junior Protection Officer

49:20 Reflecting on Impact, Resilience, and Hope

57:11 What Gives Rebecca Hope

58:06 Closing Thoughts

#forcedmigration #trauma #refugeeprotection #humanitarianissues #humanitariandisaster #humanrights #internationalhumanrightsday #asylum #asylumhelp #unitednations #democraticrepublicofcongo #columbiauniversity #unicef #somalia #nairobi #Ethiopia #kenya #eritrea #ethiopia #cotedivoire #burundi #kakuma #gbv #podcast #impact #impactstories #djibouti #tanzania #cameroon #uganda #princeton #northwesternuniversity #careergrowth #careerguidance #africa #traumahealingjourney #humanitarianaid #development #bethechange #positivedifference #makeanimpact #growth

The Humanist Surgeon with Dr. Elke Zani-Ruttenstock

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:16:12 -0600

Dr. Elke Zani-Ruttenstock, Pediatric Surgeon at Washington University and Director of the Pediatric Colorectal Program at St. Louis Children's Hospital, opens this episode by sharing how life threw her a curveball when there was a time in her career when she couldn't practice medicine and it really affected her sense of identity and self-image.

What we talk about is so relatable to anyone who feels displaced from their work against their will. While the circumstances were due to being part of a two-surgeon power couple and trying to navigate international careers in medicine, Elke shares what many people feel when they are laid off or let go from a career they loved and have to make sense of it.

I share my own sense of this identity struggle from when I left my high-powered consulting career (BCG) and being a Director of Strategy (Bayer) to become a stay-at-home mom for a period of time. Elke tells us how she shared in a yoga group about her struggle, and someone directed her to coaching. In pursuing coaching during that interval, she realized how it was a blessing in disguise because it helped her to see the importance of presence, authenticity, listening, and empowerment in the OR and in health care settings.

Once she was able to return to being a pediatric surgeon and in charge of a clinic, she was able to infuse her lessons about centering humanness into medicine.

Hence, I call her "The Humanist Surgeon"! We also discuss how A.I. is changing surgery and which use cases make sense at this stage in the tool's development; her global perspective on healthcare and how differences show up in different countries; how important it is to be willing to show vulnerability even when you are an accomplished professional in a high-status role, like surgeon.

Elke has practiced medicine in 4 countries (US, UK, Canada, and Austria) and speaks 4 languages. She is a mom to two daughters and lives with her husband in St. Louis, MO.

Thank you to Dr. Elke Zani-Ruttenstock for honoring us with her presence and insights on the pod!

Washington University in St. Louis bio

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Elke Zani-Ruttenstock

00:54 Dr. Zani-Ruttenstock’s Moment of Impact

03:06 Professional Identity, Fear & Showing Up Anyway

08:01 The Path to Becoming a Pediatric Surgeon

10:28 The Calling of Pediatric Surgery

13:08 Vulnerability, Career Setbacks & Starting Over

17:35 Changing Her Story

20:48 Coaching Surgeons and Supporting Others Through Change

24:50 Why Empathy Should Be a Clinical Skill

29:35 Practicing Medicine Across Cultures and Countries

36:16 Authenticity, Authority & Leadership in Healthcare

40:49 Innovation, AI & the Future of Surgery

47:04 Technology vs. Human Connection in Medicine

54:59 What Gives Dr. Elke Hope

57:09 Closing Thoughts

The Freedom of Emotional Fitness with Sonali Makanji

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:32:38 -0600

Sonali Makanji, Communications & Relational Expert focused on Emotional Fitness, is a London-based ICF Accredited Coach (CPCC, ACC) who helps individuals discover how to be more authentic in their communications and their presence.

Now running her own coaching practice "Coaching with Sonali", she brings 12+ years of experience across corporate and professional services, spanning consulting and in-house industry leadership roles. She has served as Head of Communications for a pan-European management consultancy in the City of London and as Director, Head of Brand for a private equity backed tech unicorn.

In her first Moment of Impact (MOI), Sonali opens this episode by sharing an early lesson in primary school where she first became aware of the power of choosing perspective. She shares how seeing a peer draw a peacock using colors other than ones they naturally appear in opened her mind to thinking outside the box.

In a second Moment of Impact (MOI), she shares how she encountered a practitioner when she traveled to the foot of the Himalayas to rejuvenate, and how he advised her to "do nothing" during her stay there. He had perceived that she drove herself hard, was accustomed to planning and executing at a high level, but it was taking its toll on her well-being. Sonali embraced this advice and journaled. She became aware of how "just being" can be so cathartic and therapeutic.

These moments of insight she shares elucidate how she has developed her current work on emotional fitness. Sonali offers a suite of coaching services to help clients reconnect with themselves and deepen their connections with others.

In our conversation, Sonali shares an example of a bride who was getting "decision fatigue". Through their work together, they discovered that what was actually happening was the bride was seeking perfection in the planning of the wedding in order to feel safe and in control.

Sonali's work often focuses on unpacking these layers to get to the essence of what is actually going on and helping the person unlock their own wisdom in response. Sonali would love you to engage with the art series on her website. In our pod convo, we discuss the "Onion People" image and what it strikes in each of us when we see it.

Be sure to go to www.sonalimakanji.com to see what you think! We talk about essentialism, building self-awareness through community, the power of inter-generational friendships, and more!

As with every episode of our podcast, we close on what brings Sonali hope! We are so honored that Sonali appeared on the podcast and shared so many insights about how to be more emotionally fit and thriving! Thank you, Sonali! Personal site: www.SonaliMakanji.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalimakanji/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & Sonali's Moment of Impact

04:33 Art as Self-Discovery and “The Onion People”

06:53 Burnout, Achievement Culture & Searching for Something More

10:54 “Your Onion Is Peeling” — A Life-Changing Realization

12:18 Why Well-Being Matters More Than Performance

14:56 The Impact of Deep Self-Connection

16:47 What Emotional Fitness Really Means

19:29 Hope, Optimism, Resilience & Authenticity

21:15 A Client Story: Navigating Overwhelm, Change & Marriage

25:48 The Body, Emotions & Understanding Discomfort

29:18 Why Modern Life Keeps Us Disconnected from Ourselves

33:18 Sonali’s Philosophies

36:09 Emotional Fitness in Relationships, Leadership & Daily Life

47:03 What Gives Sonali Hope

48:25 Closing Thoughts

AI, Public Health, and Higher Ed with Gina S. Lovasi, PhD, MPH

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:24:31 -0600

Gina S. Lovasi, PhD, MPH, Dana and Davis Dornsife Dean at Drexel University of the Dornsife School of Public Health, opens up the episode talking about her moment of impact. When reflecting back on her career, she is most proud of the times when she worked in partnership with others to answer big questions that none of them could have tackled on their own. A renowned epidemiologist and the youngest dean of a school of public health in the US, probably the youngest dean at the university level in the US period, Dr. Lovasi tells us how the work of public health affects our daily lives. She shares how epidemiologists focus on "exposures" and "outcomes" and carefully examine causation versus correlation. In order to create trust with the public, when facing policy decisions with spending ramifications, Dr. Lovasi focused at the neighborhood level and the implications for the reality on the ground.

To help us understand her work in practical terms, she shares an example of a research question examining what the impact on a neighborhood food desert would be if a grocery store were added. While it sounds so simple at face value, we learn that it is actually complex. Another example of evaluating if planting trees will produce the desired benefit of reduced asthma. Again, not what you think at first glance!

We go on to learn how she keeps the integrity of the inquiry, joins with partners from other disciplines, and constituents affected in the processes she designs to keep maximum trust in the process. We discuss AI and higher ed. She makes the point that if you are not paying for AI, why is it free to you? It is because YOU are training the model. We discuss how the responsible use of AI should balance in the water and energy consumption and we as a global society should decide is it worth it for jokes and memes OR should we conserve it for the best use cases where AI can solve intractable problems. Finally, she shares what it is like to be a dean when you are trained in science, but not necessarily in management, how she balances her professional life with her family life as a spouse, mom, and other important roles, and what gives her hope for the future.

From the Dean's Desk: https://drexel.edu/dornsife/news/deans-blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-s-lovasi-ab19a064/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Gina Lovasi

01:19 Dr. Lovasi’s Moment of Impact

04:15 Learning Across Disciplines: Epidemiology, Sociology & Ethics

06:01 Retail Environments, Healthy Aging & Cardiovascular Disease

08:17 What 30 Years of Health Data Revealed

10:00 When Health Improvements Lead to Gentrification Concerns

14:19 Correlation vs. Causation Explained

18:12 The Trees and Asthma Study: A Surprising Finding

20:25 What Urban Tree Planting Really Accomplishes

23:18 Artificial Intelligence, Academia & Human Thinking

29:42 Trust, Leadership & Responsible AI Use

35:31 Public Health Communication in an Era of Misinformation

44:17 The Future of Public Health Education

49:53 Lessons Learned as Dean of the Dornsife School of Public Health

54:51 Mentorship, Service & Creating Opportunities for Others

59:19 Reflections on Leadership, Learning & Lifelong Curiosity

01:00:22 What Gives Dr. Lovasi Hope

01:02:05 Closing Thoughts

How To Land Your Dream Job with Katie Desmond

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:12:03 -0600

Katie Desmond, Client Manager at Forsman & Bodenfors (now Hecho Studio), opens up this episode by sharing her moment of impact (MOI) is to be a voice for Gen-Z and Gen Alpha in navigating this complex and challenging AI-era job market. A 2023 UNC (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) graduate with a BA in Communications and Media Studies, Katie aspired to leave her hometown and go to NYC to work in a creative field.

She shares her struggle sitting at home in Cary and filing hundreds of applications, but getting nowhere. She knew there had to be a better way, so she created a presentation for her parents to ask for them to take a chance on her and let her go to NYC for 6 months and try to land a job. They agreed she was a high ROI "investment" :). Once in NYC, Katie could begin networking in earnest, which is such a crucial part of getting clarity about what you want to do, how to pitch yourself, and how to develop relationships that could ultimately end up with being referred to HR for an interview.

Because Katie was open to contractor roles, not just permanent positions, she was able to land two attractive sequential contractor roles that helped her demonstrate her skills, her potential, and gave her a portfolio of experiences she could talk about on some major global campaigns that her current employer was interested in. Ultimately, the contractor roles enabled her to land her current FT permanent role. Katie keeps it real and lets you know that you are not alone in the struggle. She gives her best networking tips and advice.

The pod host, Katy Hansell, is a globally recognized, award-winning executive and leadership coach, who has 25 years of experience guiding individuals and organizations across three continents to make the impact they care about for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts. In a smash up of the two Katie/Katy's, we hear Katy's 5 step system to land a job and from Katie how she implemented those steps to her current success.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiedesmond1/

Instagram: @katieedesmond

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Katie Desmond and Moment of Impact

01:12 Life and Work in New York City's Advertising Industry

02:35 The 5-Step Framework for Landing a Job

04:04 Figuring Out What You Want to Do

08:13 Career Assessments: StrengthsFinder & Personality Tools

09:57 Resume Keywords, ATS Systems & Beating the Bots

12:22 Why Networking Matters More Than Applications

18:48 Applying Smarter: Quality Over Quantity

22:22 LinkedIn Strategies That Actually Work

26:52 Informational Interviews and Building Genuine Relationships

32:07 AI Tools Every Job Seeker Should Be Using

33:48 Katie’s Start in New York City

37:28 Why Contract Roles Can Lead to Full-Time Careers

45:28 Large Agencies vs. Small Agencies: Pros and Cons

48:48 The Social and Emotional Toll of Job Searching

57:20 What Gives Katie Hope

59:40 Closing Thoughts

Caring for the WHOLE person with Georgina Dukes-Harris

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:35:19 -0600

Georgina Dukes-Harris, Founder & CEO of swishvo, opens up this episode by sharing with us how her lived experience of giving birth to her first child compelled and propelled her into creating her current health-tech company called "swishvo" (swishvo.com). Her traumatic and difficult birth experience as a young woman seeded in her the idea of creating a platform for the "wrap-around" care that women need in the pregnancy experience, especially BIPOC communities where the risk of Black maternal death is 3.5x that of white women.

With a January 2026 launch of swishvo V2.0, Georgina shares her company mission: "To make sure that every baby enters the world safely and every person lives 100 quality years." She has expanded her focus to create the state-of-the-art health-tech platform for people and providers of holistic and spiritual care services to connect and for providers to be able to document their results to health care systems/ payors and accelerate their credentialing and integration into networks.

Providers of all types of services are joining and the care is from "womb to tomb", meaning not just maternal care, but all types of care for life's transitional moments. Having won more venture capital and accelerator pitch contests than I can count, Georgina is an insanely talented entrepreneur and founder, has mad technology skills (Is a Google AI Fellow), and 15 years of deep experience scaling companies to soaring success. She is one of the most talented founders I have ever met and her funding trajectory proves it.

As Georgina says, swishvo is "creating an infrastructure where everyone can access Whole Health Care, especially under-served BIPOC communities, and where providers, payors, and patients can all find each other in the sacred relationship of holistic healing." What could be better than that?! If you are a Founder or an investor, you will also want to listen or view this episode as Whole Health is the next untapped domain of value-based care. We are so honored and so grateful to Georgina that she came on the pod and brought her fantastic multi-hyphenate energy, futuristic insights, advice to anyone seeking "alternative" types of health care, advice to founders and much more! Thank you Georgina!

Swishvo: https://www.swishvo.com/

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginadukes/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Georgina Dukes-Harris

01:51 Georgina's Moment of Impact

02:38 The Origin Story of Swishvo

06:41 Why Swishvo Became a Full-Time Mission

09:59 The Black Maternal Mortality Crisis

11:42 The Importance of Postpartum Care & the Fourth Trimester

15:09 Building the Village: Doulas, Midwives & Lifesaving Support

16:48 Why Education and Income Don't Protect Black Mothers

21:59 Social Determinants of Health

24:54 Beyond Healthcare: Housing, Food, Transportation & Wellness

29:07 The Missing Pillar: Spiritual Health in Healthcare

34:17 Making Spiritual Care Measurable & Actionable

40:17 Whole-Person Care and Better Health Outcomes

48:18 The Future of Spiritual Health in Healthcare

50:33 Entrepreneurship, Fundraising & Pitch Competitions

01:00:45 What Gives Georgina Hope

01:02:10 Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Strong Enough to Be Gentle with Marshall Davis Jones

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0600

Marshall Davis Jones opens up this conversation by sharing how breaking boards, hard and soft, symbolize how we dance with impact. In a firewalking retreat he helped to facilitate, he witnessed how people used the board breaking to let go of what no longer served and to deepen the commitment to what they wanted to transform into.

"Marshall Davis Jones is a poet, speaker, and communication coach specializing in affective presence. He is the Founder and CEO of GNTL STRNGTH and Mind Body Speak. The 5X TEDX speaker has had his poems flown into space by NASA, has shared some stages with the likes of Will.I.Am & Simon Sinek, and somehow along the way has coached the ATF, SFPD, and former hostage negotiator Chris Voss.

He's appeared on Access Daily with Mario Lopez and appears as himself in Ray Romano's film, "Somewhere In Queens." He is the author of "Tonal Influence: How to Listen Better, Speak Clearer, and Set The Tone." (Source: Marshall Davis Jones)

In his inimitable and poetic way in this pod conversation, Marshall shares how movement can help you strengthen your impact and hone your communications; how tone is so important to relationships and to becoming influential; how your body shows your "tell"; and how to create the type of strength that allows you to be gentle. And why that matters.

If you want to hear a "master of communication" at work, this entertaining episode is for you! He models in his delivery all the things that he can coach you on and more.

Instagram : @marshalldavisjones

Facebook : @marshalldavisjones

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindbodyspeak/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Marshall Davis Jones

01:01 Marshall's Moment of Impact

07:09 The Meaning of "Allowing" Movement and The Grandfather Clock Analogy for Human Motion

09:34 Feeling Stuck: Why Movement Is Essential for Health and Transformation

12:35 Unlocking Wisdom Through Fire Walking

15:11 Creating a Before-and-After Transformation Moment

16:16 Why the Mind Keeps Us From Taking Action

17:44 The Hidden Cost of Needing to Be Right

19:57 AI, Coaching, and Human Transformation

25:20 Gentle Strength: Integrating Mind, Body, and Communication

29:02 Movement as a Language, Not Just Exercise

31:19 Why Fluid Movement Changes How We Think

34:39 Learning to Trust Yourself First

36:10 What the Body Reveals That Words Cannot

43:34 Tonal Influence by Marshall Davis Jones

52:32 Intention, Congruence, and Authentic Communication

56:03 What Gives Marshall Hope

58:43 Final Thoughts & Closing

Ocean Health Is THE Agenda with Bodhi Patil

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0600

Bodhi Patil opens up this conversation by sharing a childhood moment when he snorkeled on his father's back and discovered the world below the water's surface, becoming amazed by all he saw and falling in love with the ocean.

"As a United Nations-recognized, award-winning Gen Z ocean climate solutionist, Bodhi is focused on improving Ocean Health and Human Health (OHHH), which are interconnected. He is also the Founder & CEO of InnerLight, whose mission is to help a generation discover their "innerlight" to restore OHHH to its highest potential.

Bodhi is also a Co-Founder of Ocean Uprise with Parlay." (Source: www.BodhiPatil.com). As we chat from his location in The Philippines, Bodhi shares how he discovered at a young age how to manage anxiety and become grounded through practices that build "strong body, calm mind, and vibrant spirit." He won funding from Jane Goodall Institute's Roots and Chutes program and went on to create a program that he shared with his middle school and then began traveling and sharing it elsewhere, ultimately touching 1400 students.

In this episode, he shares how his entrepreneurial journey unfolded from these early beginnings, culminating in sharing the launch of his Inner Light Foundation, first announced on our pod.

Thanks Bodhi!!! Everyone please support it!!! He walks through the updates for the international treaties and UN SDGs, how Indigenous wisdom can inform ocean and climate action, and how to take easy actions from your community to make a difference on Ocean Health Human Health (OHHH). Bodhi wants you to feel your best, optimize your Human Health, so that you have the energy to devote to promoting Ocean Health because our survival depends upon it.

With his optimistic and positive approach as a solutionist, Bodhi shares "the billion things you can do to get involved right now, in your area, in the ways you enjoy, and contribute."

Bodhi's Website: www.BodhiPatil.com

Instagram: bodhi_patil

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Bodhi Patil

00:42 Bodhi’s Moment of Impact

01:42 Why Ocean Health is Human Health

03:04 The Biggest Threat Facing the Ocean

05:38 Deep-Sea Protection & The High Seas Treaty

08:08 Indigenous Knowledge Peace and Our Responsibility to the Ocean

10:11 Can Gen Z Save the Climate With What Indigenous Stewardship Can Teach Us?

16:01 Turning Anxiety Into Purpose and Action

19:40 From a $200 Grant to Building InnerLight

23:58 How to Support InnerLight’s Mission

26:08 Plastic Pollution and Scalable Alternatives

31:03 The Blue Economy and the Future of Ocean Investment

33:31 Rethinking Leadership, Capital & Global Systems

36:54 The Origin and Definition of Petro-masculinity

43:45 AI, Creativity, and Not Outsourcing Your Brain

47:38 What Gives Bodhi Hope

49:28 Closing Thoughts

How to Reclaim Health After Cancer with Sahar Paz

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0600

Sahar Paz opens up this conversation by taking us to that jaw dropping moment when she was meeting with her oncologist after the 4th recurrence of cancer and was told she had 2-5 years to live, 5 if she was lucky. In that conversation, Sahar decided that there had to be another way.

She embarked on a healing journey that she shares with us in this open-hearted conversation with lots of advice and inspiration for anyone who has a loved one touched by cancer or any other disease. Sahar shares with us that she has created "House of Paz", an online platform for emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. Through this work, she continues to spread her message of healing, of empowerment, and of courage.

As a patient advocate herself and a consultant to healthcare systems, Sahar knows how to work with your medical team to create a partnership of strong reciprocal communication. She knows how to reconnect you with your grounded, empowered self.

Sahar Paz is a Harvard-certified emotional intelligence expert, seasoned communications executive, and globally recognized keynote speaker who helps people change the way they connect–by changing the stories they tell. Sahar's clients include Facebook, HBO, Whole Foods, Texas Medical Center, and Emerging Women Live.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sahar Paz

01:29 Sahar's Moment of Impact

03:17 Reclaiming Personal Power and Developing Self-Advocacy

09:53 How To Support a Loved One Through a Cancer Diagnosis

10:52 The Story Behind "Thelma & Louise"

12:34 Becoming Your Own Patient Advocate and Building a Relationship With Your Body

15:42 Healing vs. Being Healed

18:02 Integrative Oncology, Reiki & Meditation

19:50 Thoughts, Energy & the Subconscious Mind

23:44 Why Healthcare Can Feel Disempowering

24:58 Hope, Storytelling & Medical Systems

27:13 “Trading Hustle Culture for Healing Culture”

30:33 Origin of House of Paz and the Three Pillars

39:48 Relationships, Support & Community During Healing

46:42 What Gives Sahar Hope

48:09 Closing Thoughts

Sahar's Website: www.SaharPaz.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@houseofpaz

Instagram: @saharpaz

Preview: The Impact Whisperer™ Podcast

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:40:05 -0600

We are excited to share with you today the trailer for our podcast…Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer (™). The trailer features a quick cameo by each of the 12 fire guests that compose season 1 so that you can see that we approach IMPACT from every angle.

Our season 1 guests are from all corners of the globe, from The Phillipines, to London, to Los Angeles and lots of places in between. They come from different professions and vocations and represent every generation. What they all have in common is that they are ordinary people who found a way to make extraordinary impact by embracing the people, causes, and communities that have captured their heart and taking practical steps to make their impact!

Launch day is Monday, January 26, 2026 where we will share with you three amazing episodes so be sure to subscribe so you will be notified when they drop. Our mission is to whisper the call of impact to anyone and everyone we can so that the ripple effects of your impacts change the world for the better!