Find Your Spark

In this episode, Stephanie describes the key events and insights that led her to join SPARK. Born and raised in a small farming town in Minnesota, she describes how college opened her eyes to the wider world and the suffering that existed. Inspired by working with children and adults who had experienced profound tragedy, she has dedicated her career to ending human suffering. Her own personal low led her to explore what she was missing in her efforts. Through this exploration, she met Brooke and the rest of the SPARK team and is now thrilled to be helping children and adults everywhere realize their own wellbeing and potential.

Inspired by one of our favorite podcasters, we thought it would be fun and (hopefully!) interesting to record a series highlighting our team's 'origin stories,' or what led us to SPARK. Through this series, we hope to give you a better sense of who we truly are. In this episode, Ashley shares with Stephanie her own personal journey of where she came from and all the paths that led her to now. Listen to learn things you'd never guess about Ashley and how her SPARK helped her discover who she really is, giving her the courage to be who she always wanted to become!

In this episode, Ashley and Nicole speak about differences they have seen in being internally motivated. Nicole shares how she went from, " I could NEVER go back to college", to now being in school, with a daughter and a full-time job! She shares how her internal motivation showed up for her and took her much further than any person on the outside telling her "you can do it" . Ashley then shares that she has been lacking motivation to get active for quite some time now, continually looking to outside sources to try and help. Then, she shares how she saw the importance of looking within and found exactly what she needed.

Listen as they share how their SPARK helped them find the exact motivation they needed all along!

In this episode, Mari reflects on the impact of an affirmation she's been utilizing for a few months. She discusses how she's been able to reframe her perspective during times that feel difficult or when old habitual thoughts make their way back into her mind. Tune in to hear how a simple statement has helped shift Mari's perspective during those moments that can feel hard to overcome.

In this week’s podcast, Stephanie shares the story of how she went from a lifetime of loathing running to all of the sudden not only doing it, but actually enjoying it. With no effort, one day her legs just took off in a group exercise class. This shocking phenomenon occurred when she listened to a quiet little voice inside that nudged her to run. This podcast is an invitation for you to get curious about the nudges your body might be giving you. Is there something you might actually enjoy doing that currently seems impossible? Happy exploring! 

In this episode of the Find Your Spark podcast, Jena and Ashley are joined by a special guest, Anamarie Patch. Anamarie was in the Insight to Wellbeing program that SPARK runs at our local jail. She has since been released and called to update Jena and Ashley on how she has been. We invited her on the podcast to share her recovery experience since being released from jail, and now celebrating 1 year of sobriety! Listen as she shares what insights she gained from the program, and how she hopes to help others in recovery and beyond!

You can keep up with Anamarie Patch on Tiktok @anamariepatch

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK podcast, Brooke and Ashley share a VERY exciting announcement! 

After Brooke and Ashley learned about this fantastic news, many fears and doubts started to bubble up. However, it was right at that moment they both heard EXACTLY what they needed to hear, in a very unlikely place...TikTok!

Listen as they share their insights and the moment their fears and doubts turned to excitement and knowing!

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK podcast, Brooke, Ashley, Nicole, Jena, Stephanie, and Mari all reflect on the past year and share what they learned in 2022. They share some of their lows, and highs, while also reflecting on the amazing way that each person went through things. The SPARK staff also share their hopes for 2023 and are all so excited to point in a direction of growth and lean into this! Listen as they share what they hope is to come, cheers to 2023!

This week’s episode is extra special, as we have four amazing guest speakers from the Rebels for Peace. Rebels For Peace is a youth-led organization that wants to spread its message of bringing hope and faith back to the community of Chicago and the world. They believe understanding the mind as the source of everything we see in society is crucial to making any change. Instead of looking to outside forces to make a change, these Rebels feel that every human being has it within themselves to make a difference in the community, and that collective action can greatly impact the world. Joining us from the Rebels are Prince Jimmar, Dajohn White, Brandon Tillery, and Mark Sanders. They all have been collaborating with SPARK for a while now, and even go into schools in the inner city of Chicago and use the SPARK curriculum! Throughout this episode, they share what they feel is most important for youth to know and understand about their mind. This episode will give anyone listening hope for the future of our youth. You can find more about the Rebels for Peace here: https://www.rebelsforpeace.org/ #rebelsforpeace #youthled #hopeforyouth