What happens when you achieve your impossible dream and suddenly feel completely lost? Olympic Gold Medalist David Verburg opens up about the rarely discussed "Olympic fog" that hit him after winning gold in the 4x400 relay, revealing how reaching the pinnacle left him questioning everything he thought he wanted. His journey from world-class athlete to passionate animal advocate began with a simple act of stopping to save a turtle in the middle of the road, which unexpectedly went viral and launched his wildlife foundation.

David shares the raw truth about navigating success when you haven't planned for what comes after your biggest goal, his adoption story that shaped his resilience, and how he transformed athletic discipline into a mission that truly matters to him. From carrying dog food bags for homeless pet owners to turning down the peak of his career to pursue something deeper, his story challenges everything we think we know about success and purpose. You'll discover why he believes building your name in one area gives you credibility to make change in completely different spaces, and walk away with practical ways you can make a difference for animals in need starting today.


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Instagram: adiverb

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What happens when a woman gains access to the same tactical knowledge taught to Navy SEALs? Ph.D. Alice Atalanta exposes the dangerous myths women are fed about self-defense and success, revealing why we're taught to use lollipop sticks while men learn real combat techniques. Her shocking discovery about the gap between male and female empowerment will change how you think about power forever. Alice shares the uncomfortable truth about why "being nice" is putting women at risk and how military-grade confidence becomes your secret weapon in boardrooms, negotiations, and life.

From her work with special operations teams to coaching Fortune 500 executives, Alice reveals the hidden curriculum women never receive. You'll learn why every woman's most accessible defense tool is something society tells us never to use, how professional fighters approach risk assessment, and why the ability to be "gentle and violent" is the key to authentic empowerment. This isn't your typical women's empowerment conversation - it's a tactical manual for reclaiming power.


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Connect with Alice Atalanta, PhD:
Website: www.AtalantaLeadershipForge.com

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What if the hiring crisis in blue collar industries isn't about lazy workers, but about leaders who haven't learned how to become employers of choice? Ryan Englin, founder of Core Matters, shares the eye-opening moment he realized his father's construction business wasn't failing because of marketing problems, but because of people problems. After watching his dad work relentlessly for 40 years without achieving the lifestyle he dreamed of, Ryan discovered that most blue collar businesses are stuck in an outdated mindset that treats workers as replaceable parts rather than human beings with goals and dreams.

Ryan reveals why the suicide rate in construction is five times the national average and how COVID exposed that office jobs weren't treating people any better than the trades. He breaks down the simple system that helps contractors attract, hire, and retain the right people by understanding what workers are truly sacrificing when they leave their families for 10 hours a day. From creating individual career paths to having vision conversations before hiring, Ryan shows how transparency and genuine investment in people's personal success transforms entire companies. You'll discover why 'nobody wants to work' really means 'nobody wants to work for you' and how to become the type of leader people actually want to follow.


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Connect with Ryan Englin:
LinkedIn: ryanenglin
YouTube: Core Matters
Website: corematters.com
Email: [email protected]

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What if the solution to America's gun violence epidemic isn't more laws, but a simple 60-second daily practice? Judge Frank Szymanski spent 18 years in one of Detroit's busiest juvenile courts, witnessing the devastating consequences of unchecked emotions and violence. Through his frontline experience with troubled youth, he discovered something powerful: the root cause of violence isn't just access to weapons, but our collective failure to train our minds.

Now Judge Frank is championing a revolution in consciousness, using meditation, mindfulness, and what he calls the "760 Mad Minute Plan" to help people control their emotions before violence erupts. His approach goes beyond traditional legal reform, focusing on identity design and mental training as the keys to achieving success and preventing tragedy. You'll discover why he believes controlling your emotions is a superpower, how a simple mantra practice can transform your life, and why looking in your rearview mirror might be holding you back from your true potential.


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Connect with Judge Frank Szymanski:
Email: [email protected]

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What does it really mean to honor your potential when life gets messy? Actress Gabrielle Walsh, who stars as Lacey Quinn on NBC's gripping drama Found, opens up about transforming personal trauma into a powerful voice for others. From feeling like she didn't belong anywhere as a mixed-race child to playing a character who helps survivors find hope, Gabrielle shares how she learned to see herself in everyone around her. Her approach to success isn't about perfection-it's about showing up even when you don't feel like it, choosing kindness as a form of peace, and remembering that healing isn't linear.

In this deeply personal conversation, Gabrielle reveals the pillars that keep her grounded when 16-hour filming days threaten to blur the lines between her character's trauma and her own mental health. She discusses why the entertainment industry desperately needs mental health support on set, how movement and community became her non-negotiables, and the wisdom her acting mentor shared: 'How are you going to portray life if you're not living it?' You'll discover practical strategies for staying connected to yourself during intense work periods and learn why sometimes being 'lost in the right direction' is exactly where you need to be.


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What if the phrase 'college is not for everyone' is actually feeding one of education's most damaging stigmas? Dr. Carrie Kisker, president of Kisker Education Consulting and leader of the Center for the Study of Community Colleges, reveals how she built a groundbreaking career by choosing the road less traveled in higher education. After earning her PhD from UCLA, she made the bold decision to skip the traditional 25-year university path and create her own consulting practice focused on bridging research and practice in community college education. Her unconventional journey led her to become the first author of the seventh edition of 'The American Community College,' a foundational text read in graduate programs nationwide.

Dr. Kisker shares the pivotal moment when her mentor told her that if she truly cared about access and equity, she had to study community colleges - not the elite institutions that get all the attention. She discusses her passionate mission to combat the harmful stereotypes surrounding community colleges and their students, including why she literally made a t-shirt that says 'Community College is College.' You'll discover practical strategies for eliminating bias in hiring practices, the power of moving community college resumes to the top of the pile instead of the bottom, and how storytelling can transform public perception. This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about higher education pathways and inspire you to see community colleges as America's great superpower in creating opportunity and mobility.


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Connect with Carrie Kisker, PhD:
Website: www.kiskeredconsulting.com
LinkedIn: carriekisker

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A celebrity stylist who's dressed some of the biggest names in entertainment just revealed the one thing that can make or break your success, and it's not what you think. Jeni Elizabeth Paolella has spent over two decades watching how clothing choices determine career outcomes, relationship dynamics, and life-changing moments. She's seen the same outfit boost someone's confidence so dramatically they land their dream job, while another person's wardrobe choice costs them everything they've worked for. The psychology behind her approach will shift how you think about getting dressed forever.

But this conversation goes deeper than fashion tips. Jeni reveals the raw truth about working in Hollywood's inner circles, the physical toll of carrying success for others, and why she believes most people are sabotaging their potential before they even leave the house. She shares the exact moment her mother changed her perspective on success, how she's building an empire with her children, and the surprising connection between bright colors and business outcomes. This isn't about following trends-it's about understanding how your external choices shape your internal world.


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Facebook: jeni.elizabeth.3
LinkedIn: Jeni Elizabeth Paolella

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What if the key to future-proofing your business isn't about adopting the latest technology, but completely reimagining how you think about automation and human potential? Microsoft executive and fractional CTO Arunansu Pattanayak reveals why every organization will eventually become a technology company, and shares the strategic framework that's helping Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike transform their operations through AI and data-driven solutions. His unique perspective from both corporate leadership and entrepreneurial ventures offers a rare glimpse into how businesses can leverage technology not just to survive, but to create entirely new revenue streams they never thought possible.
From reducing podcast prep time from two hours to thirty minutes using AI tools, to helping a yoga studio architect custom solutions that could support at-home classes through mobile apps, this conversation breaks down exactly how to approach technology adoption without overwhelming budgets or complex implementations. You'll discover why AI is simply the evolution of automation, how to overcome the fear-based resistance that keeps teams stuck in outdated processes, and the specific questions every business leader should ask before investing in new technology infrastructure.


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Connect with Arunansu Pattanayak:
LinkedIn: arunansuspeaks
Website: www.arunansupattanayak.com
Email: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

A single question at 5 PM completely rewrote everything LT. Col. Oakland McCulloch thought he knew about leadership. After 23 years in the military and commissioning over 600 officers, this decorated leader discovered that the most powerful leadership tool isn't authority-it's asking 'why.' Oakland reveals the shocking difference between leaders who know their people and those who don't, sharing real stories of how personal connections saved missions and transformed organizations. From the platoon sergeant who taught him humility to the crisis moments where preparation met opportunity, you'll hear exactly why he believes 'the enemy always has a say' and how that mindset can revolutionize your approach to business challenges. His daily reflection practice and relationship-building strategies offer a blueprint for leaders who want to inspire trust, make better decisions under pressure, and create cultures where people actually want to show up.


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Connect with LT. Col. Oakland McCulloch:
LinkedIn: Oakland McCulloch
Website: ltcoakmcculloch.com 
Email: [email protected]

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What happens when a son refuses to let history forget his father's greatness? Richard Allen Jr. and Dr. David J Fletcher share the decade-long journey to get baseball legend Dick Allen into the Hall of Fame-a mission that became so much more than they ever imagined. From losing by a single vote twice to finally achieving justice in 2024, their story reveals the power of persistence when you know someone deserves recognition. Dick Allen wasn't just a record-breaking player who saved the Chicago White Sox from leaving the city-he was a man who faced extraordinary racism in Little Rock, Arkansas, yet chose forgiveness over bitterness.

Through candid conversations about legacy, forgiveness, and what it means to honor those who paved the way, you'll discover how two men from different backgrounds united around a shared mission. Richard opens up about learning things about his father he never knew, while Dr. Fletcher shares how this project evolved from fan admiration to deep friendship and historical justice. Their upcoming documentary captures not just baseball history, but a powerful story about resilience, truth-telling, and the impact one person can have across generations.


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