Breaking Through The Noise

What if the toughest environments, the ones steeped in structure, control, and human suffering, were actually spiritual gyms? What if leadership, even inside a prison, was less about control and more about consciousness? My guest today, John Shartle, is a former federal prison warden who led with integrity, empathy, and a deep sense of spiritual grounding.

In this conversation, we talk about the power of presence, the sacredness of a well-prepared meal, and the quiet rebellion of placing books like A New Earth in a prison library. We talk about labyrinths, leadership, and the idea that maybe the path to change, even in the hardest places, starts with small acts of compassion done again and again. I'm so glad you're here for this one.

Today, I have the absolute privilege of introducing you to someone who has profoundly impacted how I think about career, family, and what it means to make a life that truly works for you.

Cheryl Procter-Rogers is a PR and business strategist, an executive coach, and most importantly, someone who embodies wisdom, resourcefulness, and joy in everything she does. You can find more about her on https://cherylprocterrogers.com/

She's built a thriving career while raising her daughters, often as a single parent. And the way she speaks about integrating work and family is unlike anyone or anything I'd heard yet. Our conversation today is about career, community, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference. So let's dive in.

Today's episode is one that will stay with you long after you finish listening.

I'm talking with Emily Campbell, the powerhouse behind Not These Ovaries, who went from being a 33-year-old woman experiencing bloating and fatigue to facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis that turned her life upside down.

Emily's journey is jaw-dropping, not just because of what she's been through but because of what she's done with it, from misdiagnosis to life-altering surgery to launching a movement that's raised millions of dollars and is changing the future of ovarian cancer research.

Her story is a masterclass in resilience, self-advocacy, and turning pain into purpose. If you love stories of fierce women overcoming their circumstances and making real change, this one is for you. Let's get into it.

Today I'm talking with Emily Pagone, a therapist and the founder of Authentic Growth Wellness Group about something so many of us deal with, but don't always recognize, that critical voice inside our heads. Emily's inner critic showed up early in her life, shaped by a nervous system that didn't quite fit into the traditional learning environments. It wasn't until she became a mother that she finally got the full picture, both for herself and her children. In this episode, she shares her story of unlearning, of healing, and of finding true self-compassion and what that looks like in real time. If you've ever wondered how to shift that challenging internal dialogue, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Today's episode is a powerful one. I'm joined by Jason Ulaszek, a design leader, entrepreneur, and the founder of Yes We Cancer, an initiative tackling the unseen struggles families face during pediatric cancer.

When Jason's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at two years old, his family was thrown into chaos, not just medically, but in every aspect of life: Finances, school, work, and relationships. He quickly saw that while the healthcare system treats cancer, no one is currently responsible for or supporting what Jason is calling the whole family impact of the diagnosis.

Through Yes We Cancer, Jason is working to change that, focusing especially on the first 30 days post diagnosis when families are forced to make huge life decisions with little guidance. He's using design thinking, technology, and his real life experience to fill in these gaps and make an unbearable process just a little less hard. This conversation is about resilience, systems change, and rethinking how we support families in crisis.

Let's dive in.

Today, I'm excited to introduce you to Kelsey Behringer, CEO of edtech startup PackBack.

Kelsey has an incredible story. She went from being a high school teacher to leading a thriving tech company and successfully selling it, all without following the traditional path of rigid personal goal setting. Instead, she's built her success by trusting her instincts, focusing on meaningful work, and surrounding herself with people she loves.

In this conversation, Kelsey shares how living in the moment has guided her career, why embracing uncertainty can be a strength, and how authenticity has been her superpower in leadership. If you've ever wondered whether success always requires a set plan, this episode is for you.

Let's dive in.

In today's episode, we're discussing the transformative power of change and transition with Bill Kruse, founder of HKA and Associates, CPAs, and Advisors, and author of an upcoming skinny book about navigating life's pivotal moments.

Bill shares his journey from a farm upbringing to becoming a successful CPA and business owner, reflecting on how unexpected changes shaped his path and inspired his work. Together, we explore how embracing change, permitting yourself to evolve, and building accountability into your life can lead to profound personal and professional growth.

With insights into planned and unplanned transitions, the importance of investing in yourself and your business, and the mindset needed to turn challenges into opportunities; this conversation is a goldmine for anyone facing change.

Join us as Bill inspires us to lean into transitions with courage, preparedness, and maybe even a little fun. Let's get started.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Rich Lyons, CEO and founder of Life Is Sales and former CEO of Lyons Consulting Group, who shares deeply personal stories about vulnerability, growth, and leadership. From his childhood experiences of being an emotionally sensitive kid to navigating the complexities of marriage, fatherhood, and business, Rich opens up about the hard work of emotional intelligence, building trust, and redefining masculinity.

He offers wisdom on holding space for emotions, setting bold goals, and creating meaningful connections in life and business.

This conversation is a raw and inspiring look at what leading with intention, resilience, and heart means.

Join us as we explore the importance of trusting and embracing vulnerability, as well as cultivating a culture of service in every way.

In this episode of The Expanders Podcast, we chat with Dr. Nolan Lee, author of Testosterone: The Science of Mojo, which will launch soon. You can preorder this book here.

Nolan, a child of Chinese immigrants, opens up about rediscovering his passion at the crossroads of natural health, medicine, and tech after losing interest in his initial career.

He discusses his pursuit of truth in the ever-evolving health landscape, where popular remedies often shift with social media trends. Drawing on Eastern health principles, Nolan challenges us to prioritize true well-being in a system that often misaligns incentives.

As Western medicine extends lifespans, he explores ways to enhance not just the quantity but the quality of our years—seeking to keep the “prime of life” lasting well into old age.

You can find more about Scott on his website

You can preorder Scott's book "Beyond The Founder Rainmaker" here

At the heart of my conversation with Scott Peterson are these questions. What is it that you really want? Are you honest with yourself about that? And what are you doing to get it? Scott Peterson is the founder of Carver Peterson Consulting and author of Beyond the Founder Rainmaker, a book soon to be published by the skinny platform. Through sales strategy consulting, Scott has created breakthroughs within many small and medium-sized businesses. And more than that,

He's a natural simplifier. Scott has developed a simple yet brilliant framework for assessing clients and customers that results in deeper team alignment and higher business performance, meaning more close deals and higher revenue. But what I love most about this discussion is that Scott's framework can create more clarity and alignment in almost anything, from dating to assessing business partnerships to thinking through the hats we wear.

At its core, Scott's work challenges us to clarify what we're really after and then commit to pursuing it.