Find Your Spark

In this episode of the #FindYourSPARK podcast, Brooke is joined by one of her very best friends and colleagues from Scotland, Lynne Robertson to discuss what they have learned from the simple phrase "There is no Solution to a Feeling". Listen as Brooke and Lynne walk down the memory lane of their friendship and talk about how the work they both do has led them on the path of continuous "seeing and reseeing" that they have come to cherish.

In this episode, Mari reflects on living in Tampa, Florida for a full year and the life changes that occurred during that time. Having been born and raised in Illinois, Mari remembers how leaving the state felt like an impossible option for most of her life simply because she was so focused on fitting into the same lifestyle as those around her, yet struggling to feel fulfilled in the spaces she was occupying. Mari remembers how difficult it was for her to "dive into self-awareness" and make the 1,100-mile journey to find a new home. Now Mari recognizes how deeply transformative it was, and continues to be, to allow oneself the mental space to make the choices that will truly benefit the individual, rather than making the choices that will benefit the group that the individual cannot imagine themselves apart from. By taking time to practice and implement self-awareness, Mari saw and continues to see transformations in her life at work, with loved ones, with the world, and with herself.

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Nicole Wilson shares her experience of saying goodbye to 30 and hello to 31 with many emotions that followed. She expresses how her birthday started with crying lots of tears while feeling bitter about closing the 30th chapter of her life, to then having a shift of mind and insight about turning 31 and age in general. As she allowed herself to feel all the emotions that came with turning 31, it gave her the space to see something beautiful about getting older and to be grateful for it all, even the heavier feelings. Listen as she shares more about her experience and why it's okay to just live your life and forget your age.

In this episode of the Find Your Spark podcast, Chad takes us on his journey of how he managed to tackle his anxiety and find peace throughout his life. He also shares the obstacles he faced during the dark sides of anxiety and how he was able to navigate his true self through awareness, Self-love, and Self-care. Chad also touches on the importance of allowing our thoughts to be processed and the benefits of doing so. #Anxiety #FindYou

In this episode, with Nicole Wilson and Selah Freedom's Assessment Coordinator, Angelea Valenti, they explore the partnership that SPARK and Selah have shared for over 7 years together. Angelea shares the impact of SPARK and her personal story being a Selah graduate and going through the SPARK program years ago when we first started our partnership. Nicole shares some of her experiences leading the weekly meetings and why it's so important to continue doing this work with Selah Freedom. Selah Freedom is a nonprofit anti-human trafficking organization, based in Florida and the Midwest, with the mission to end sex trafficking and bring freedom to the exploited through five strong programs: Awareness, Prevention, Outreach, Residential and Organizational Consulting. Tune in to hear something new and bring awareness around how to end sex trafficking. If you see any signs of sex-trafficking, please call the Selah Freedom hotline at 1-888-8FREEME (1-888-837-3363.)

In this episode, Nicole, Emily and Macy share some upcoming event details about the SPARKING Change Youth Leadership FUNdraiser! Macy and Emily share the importance of this program and what was their biggest take away. Nicole shares why its impactful for our community's young people to have this opportunity to see their SPARK inside and create the change they want to see. Nicole also shares some upcoming details for our online FUNdraiser event and our guest speakers, Dicken Bettinger, Cathy Casey, Rob Cook and our Insight to Well-Being graduate, Jordan Brimlow. Be sure to listen to see why we fundraise every year for this amazing program and how it helps our community.

In this episode of the Find your SPARK podcast, Jena shares about her recent challenges and how she has navigated through them with a new lens. Jena talks about all the changes that have been taking place and how she has been in a stressful state of mind, but when a new challenge arrives, it completely shifts everything! Tune in to hear Jena reflect on tearing her Achilles tendon, how it made her become aware of what was going on in her mind, and why she is thankful for it all.

In this episode, Nicole Wilson and guest speaker, Jay Spires, speak to the importance of having awareness of the mind and how that alone can create change around suicide. Jay shares his story with suicide and how he was able to overcome the fight with his thoughts. Nicole then shares why being aware of this understanding of how the mind works and seeing your natural resilience is the solution that everyone deserves to know about. "This is a human thing; we are all in this together and you are never alone" #FindYourSPARK

On this episode of the Find Your Spark podcast, Ashley and Jena discuss the many emotions they’ve experienced as their kids have returned to school. This year, both Jena and Ashley had their “babies” start middle school. And as if that wasn’t enough of an emotional milestone, Ashley’s oldest entered high school. Ashley and Jena both share how they have been handling things as fear, anxiety, and sadness have come in like waves. Listen as they talk about navigating through these waves of emotions, riding them, and allowing them to pass just as quickly as they came.

In this episode we welcome our newest team member, Tara Phillips! Tara joins SPARK after 16 years teaching elementary school in Texas, Florida, and Abu Dhabi. Her love for her kids and passion for bringing out the best in them is infectious and what drew us together. Tara shares her perspective on educating the whole child, her reasons for changing careers, why she chose SPARK, and what parents and our educational leadership can do to help all kids realize their potential. Tune in to hear why we are so excited to have this passionate educator join our team! Click here to watch the full podcast.