Empowered Learning Podcast

What if the next generation of leaders didn’t have to wait until adulthood to start learning leadership?

In this inspiring episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs (SoCE), a nonprofit helping children ages 6–17 build confidence, leadership, and real-world business skills through hands-on experiences.

Leah shares how watching her own children turn simple ideas into action sparked a bigger vision: creating a community where young people are trusted with responsibility and supported as they develop real skills.

Through business fairs, mentorship, and entrepreneurship curriculum, SoCE gives kids the opportunity to launch real ventures, learn financial literacy, and develop resilience through experience—not just theory.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Leah also shares the deeper philosophy behind her work: when children are trusted, supported, and given meaningful opportunities, they rise to the challenge.

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership development doesn’t have to start in college—or even high school.

Sometimes it starts with a lemonade stand, a creative idea, and a parent who believes in what their child is capable of.

Connect with Leah Ellis

https://www.instagram.com/societyofchildentrepreneurs/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahkellis/

https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/

https://leahkellis.com/

https://bit.ly/m/SoCEHub

What if true prosperity meant more than just money?

In this inspiring episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Mary Lesperance Held to explore a holistic view of freedom—one that includes spirit, soul, body, and finances.

Mary shares how many people feel stuck in one area of life because another area is out of alignment. Someone may be financially stable but emotionally burdened, physically healthy but unable to fund their calling, or spiritually grounded yet trapped in limiting beliefs about money.

Drawing from her faith, personal experience, and ministry work, Mary explains how breakthrough often begins by challenging long-held assumptions—especially around finances and purpose.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

Mary also shares the biblical foundation behind her message, referencing 3 John 2:

This episode challenges listeners to rethink prosperity—not just as wealth, but as alignment across every dimension of life.

If you’ve ever felt called to something greater but unsure how finances, purpose, and faith fit together, this conversation will both encourage and challenge you.

Connect with Mary Lesperance Held

Website: www.maryloveslife.org 

What if the biggest barrier to better leadership, relationships, and mental wellness isn’t the world around you—but the filters inside your brain?

In this fascinating episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with educator, researcher, and author Lisa Riegel to explore how brain science shapes the way we perceive reality.

Lisa explains that much of our perception happens unconsciously. When information enters the brain, it first passes through the thalamus, then is filtered through the amygdala, where past emotional experiences are stored. The result? We often respond not to what’s actually happening—but to our brain’s interpretation of it.

These mental “filters” act like a strainer, allowing certain information through while blocking or distorting other parts of reality. That’s why two people can experience the same situation yet walk away with completely different interpretations.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

With over two decades of experience helping schools, leaders, and organizations align brain science with human systems, Lisa offers powerful insights into how understanding the brain can transform relationships, decision-making, and leadership.

If you’ve ever wondered why misunderstandings happen so easily—or why certain situations trigger strong reactions—this episode will help you see those moments through an entirely new lens.

Connect with Lisa Riegel, Ph.D

Website: lisariegel.com 

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/ 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/NeuroWell-Applying-science-supportive-proactive/dp/B0F1N5DJQF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IX1K7Z3A0G1W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h2bwJ7MeQVukaqADM_1Q9w.80pV7yYQUz72cwFOf_lZBhDOV76fuyYKKPXE60evO0c&dib_tag=se&keywords=neurowell+riegel+book&qid=1767901632&sprefix=neurowell%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1

Why do so many talented teams struggle to work well together?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Simon Mont, co-founder of Harmonize, to explore why leadership and collaboration often break down inside organizations.

Simon shares a powerful insight: expertise does not equal leadership.

Most organizations assume that if someone is great at their job, they’ll naturally be great at leading others. But Simon explains that three completely different skill sets are at play:

When those skills get confused, teams suffer. Leaders become overwhelmed, systems break down, and collaboration becomes chaotic.

Drawing from more than a decade of working with 500+ organizations, Simon reveals why effective teamwork must be intentionally designed—not left to chance.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

Simon also shares insights from his uniquely interdisciplinary background—blending law, facilitation, mysticism, yoga, and indigenous wisdom to help organizations transform from the inside out.

If you lead a team, run an organization, or care about building healthier workplaces, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and collaboration.

Connect with Simon Mont

Website: www.harmonize.work

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarmonizeWork

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonize.work/?hl=en

What does real leadership look like over the course of a lifetime?

In this episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with retired Lieutenant Colonel Richard Crossley Jr. to explore leadership through the lens of military service, education, and mentorship.

Colonel Crossley began his career as an enlisted soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, eventually rising through the ranks to serve in multiple leadership roles across the U.S. Army. But some of his most meaningful leadership work came after his military career—mentoring young people through JROTC programs in Fort Worth, Texas.

Throughout the conversation, Colonel Crossley shares how his understanding of leadership evolved—from commanding soldiers as a young officer to helping thousands of students develop character, discipline, and purpose.

This episode explores:

Colonel Crossley also discusses how he continues serving others today—through veteran organizations and by writing a book that captures the lessons, mistakes, and leadership principles he’s learned throughout his journey.

If you're interested in leadership, mentorship, education, or public service, this episode offers timeless wisdom from someone who has spent decades helping others grow.

What if posture wasn’t about appearance… but about your brain?

In this episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Dr. Brett Hill to unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in modern health: posture.

Dr. Hill explains that posture isn’t about pulling your shoulders back or “sitting up straight.” It’s a neurological function that develops in early childhood—through crawling, balancing, and learning to stand against gravity. When that system becomes disrupted by modern lifestyle habits, the body compensates. Over time, those compensations show up as migraines, vertigo, lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, chronic tension, and more.

This conversation dives into:

Dr. Hill also shares his personal journey—building a clinic from scratch and later creating an online program that brings neurological posture correction to people worldwide.

If you’ve struggled with recurring pain or unexplained tension, this episode will challenge how you think about your body—and give you hope that real correction is possible.

Connect with Dr. Brett Hill:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xperiencelifechiro/

Website:  https://www.yourpostureprogram.com/

CTA (Podcast Offer): https://www.yourpostureprogram.com/videos 

What if curiosity—not supplements, not shortcuts—was the real fountain of youth?

In this episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Andrew Panella for a practical and deeply personal conversation about health, discipline, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.

After battling chronic inflammation and undergoing five surgeries, Andrew spent nearly a decade searching for answers within the traditional healthcare system—with little success. Frustrated but determined, he turned to books. Hundreds of them. What started as desperation became transformation.

Now a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and Corrective Exercise Specialist, Andrew runs a full-time coaching business and shares daily health insights with a community of over 130,000 followers. His philosophy is simple but powerful: health is the foundation of everything.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

This episode is a refreshing reminder that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.

If you care about longevity, leadership, and living fully engaged—this one is for you.

Connect with Andrew Panella:

LinkedIn: ⁠in/andrewpanella⁠

YouTube: ⁠@Longevity_EDU⁠

Instagram: ⁠@Longevity_EDU_⁠

TikTok: ⁠@Longevity_EDU⁠

X: ⁠@Longevity_EDU

What does it take to become an award-winning author? Talent? Inspiration? A lightning-bolt idea?

According to thriller author Caleb Stephens, it takes something far less glamorous—and far more powerful: discipline, humility, and the courage to fail.

In this episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Caleb to unpack the real story behind his success. Caleb shares how he spent five years writing his first novel—only to realize it wasn’t good enough. That humbling realization became the turning point that shaped his career.

Together, they explore:

Caleb’s journey—from early missteps to becoming a two-time Colorado Book Award finalist—offers powerful lessons not just for writers, but for anyone pursuing mastery in their field.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, creative frustration, or the slow grind of improvement, this conversation will remind you that skill compounds—and perseverance wins.

Tiktok & Instagram: @calebstephensauthor 

What if your money story isn’t just about dollars—but about energy, beliefs, and inherited patterns?

In this empowering episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, Andy Bennetts sits down with Chella Diaz, a money mindset coach and spiritual entrepreneur, to explore the deeper layers of how we think, talk, and feel about wealth.

From her entrepreneurial childhood and early real estate wins to guiding women into confident, abundant pricing today, Chella shares how personal experiences and subconscious beliefs shape our financial lives. She challenges listeners to reframe limiting beliefs as gifts, build confidence around value, and reconnect with their innate strengths.

You’ll also hear Chella’s take on:

A practical, spiritual, and motivating conversation—perfect for entrepreneurs, educators, and anyone ready to shift their money story.

Connect with Chella Diaz:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/chelladiaz/

Facebook: facebook.com/abundancefrominside/ 

Email: [email protected] 

What if career readiness wasn’t just a checklist—but a journey of curiosity, identity, and lifelong learning?

In this episode of the Empowered Learning Podcast, host Andy Bennetts sits down with Scott Brewster, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Hats & Ladders—an edtech platform empowering youth (ages 14–24) to explore careers, build essential skills, and confidently navigate their future.

Scott shares how gamified learning, backwards design, and "trying on hats" help students develop not only job skills, but durable power skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and systems thinking. He opens up about missteps, pivots, the growing role of AI in learning, and what it takes to help students thrive in an ever-changing world.

✅ Career readiness reimagined

Whether you're an educator, leader, or lifelong learner—this conversation will challenge how you think about careers, school, and success.

Connect with Scott Brewster:

Website: https://hatsandladders.com/ 

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