Heartbeat For Hire with Lyndsay Dowd

Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (ret), born in 1971 in The Bronx, New York, is a trailblazer in the field of aviation and a symbol of perseverance and excellence. She is notably recognized as the first and only African American woman to pilot the U-2 "Dragon Lady," a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft in the United States Air Force. Her journey to this remarkable achievement began with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Haven, where she was one of only three women in her program and actively participated in basketball and ROTC. Merryl's military career started in the Navy as a commissioned officer after graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1994. She excelled as a Naval Aviator, piloting the SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter and serving in various global locations, including the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. Her transition to the Air Force marked a historic moment as she became the only Black woman to fly the U-2 spy plane, accumulating over 1,000 flight hours and participating in critical reconnaissance missions worldwide. To know more about Merryl visit her website:

www.merryltengesdal.com

Chris Schembra, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, and one of the leading voices on the power of gratitude and human connection in the workplace. In a world where over half the workforce feels lonely and nearly 8 out of 10 people are disengaged at work, Chris offers a radical but refreshingly simple idea: the key to thriving isn't pushing people harder, it's helping them feel seen, appreciated, and connected. He's the creator of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™, a framework used by hundreds of companies like Google, Microsoft, IBM, Dell, Citi, and even the U.S. Navy to build trust, deepen relationships, and create cultures of belonging. Over the past decade, Chris has facilitated more than 750 transformative experiences, helping thousands of professionals slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what truly matters. Known as "The Gratitude Guru" by USA Today, Chris is also the author of Gratitude and Pasta and Gratitude Through Hard Times. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, Forbes, Fast Company, and more, and he serves on the Executive Board at Fast Company and as a Founding Member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council. Whether through a question, a story, or a plate of pasta, Chris's mission is clear: to help people unlock human potential, one meaningful moment at a time. To know more about Chris visit his website:

www.chrisschembra.com

Scott Jacoby is a Grammy Award-winning Writer, Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Musician and Recording Artist. His work – spanning all media and virtually every genre of music – has garnered awards, graced platinum-selling albums and topped charts throughout the world. John Legend, Coldplay, Vampire Weekend, Sia, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae, Pink, Aloe Blacc, Natasha Bedingfield, Moses Sumney, Laura Izibor, Stormzy, Ty Dolla Sign, Rachel Platten, Jose James, Rozzi, Vanessa Hudgens, Fabolous, Jackie Evancho, SZA, Allen Stone, Chimene Badi, Naturally 7, Son Little, Ronnie Spector and Cory Henry are a few of his diverse and notable collaborations.

An acclaimed Composer, Scott has scored and engineered award-winning feature-length films (New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization, The Immigrant, My Last Day Without You), documentaries (Frontline's Policing The Police, CNBC's Escape From Havana, Doped – The Dirty Side of Sports), television shows (Keeping Up With The Kardashians, The Shield, Book Of Pooh), and national television commercials (Old Navy, Oscar De La Renta, Jansport) for the world's leading studios, film-makers and brands.

Scott is the Founder/President of EUSONIA – a family of progressive music industry enterprises which includes a state-of-the-art recording studio in Manhattan (Eusonia Records), an independent record label featuring Grammy-winning and nominated artists (Eusonia Studios), and a world-class recording equipment company (Eusonia Audio). Scott is also the CEO of his production company, SCOJAC Music Productions.

To know more about Scott visit his website:

Scott Jacoby is a Grammy Award-winning Writer, Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Musician and Recording Artist. His work – spanning all media and virtually every genre of music – has garnered awards, graced platinum-selling albums and topped charts throughout the world. John Legend, Coldplay, Vampire Weekend, Sia, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae, Pink, Aloe Blacc, Natasha Bedingfield, Moses Sumney, Laura Izibor, Stormzy, Ty Dolla Sign, Rachel Platten, Jose James, Rozzi, Vanessa Hudgens, Fabolous, Jackie Evancho, SZA, Allen Stone, Chimene Badi, Naturally 7, Son Little, Ronnie Spector and Cory Henry are a few of his diverse and notable collaborations. An acclaimed Composer, Scott has scored and engineered award-winning feature-length films (New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization, The Immigrant, My Last Day Without You), documentaries (Frontline's Policing The Police, CNBC's Escape From Havana, Doped – The Dirty Side of Sports), television shows (Keeping Up With The Kardashians, The Shield, Book Of Pooh), and national television commercials (Old Navy, Oscar De La Renta, Jansport) for the world's leading studios, film-makers and brands. Scott is the Founder/President of EUSONIA – a family of progressive music industry enterprises which includes a state-of-the-art recording studio in Manhattan (Eusonia Records), an independent record label featuring Grammy-winning and nominated artists (Eusonia Studios), and a world-class recording equipment company (Eusonia Audio). Scott is also the CEO of his production company, SCOJAC Music Productions.

Website:

www.scojac.com

www.cantinuummusic.com

Keren Eldad ("Coach Keren") is a top executive coach helping high achievers—from Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 leaders—reach extraordinary success. As the bestselling author of GILDED: Break Free From the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More, she challenges ambitious individuals to redefine success on their own terms. As the founder of THE CLUB, Keren empowers high performers to unlock their full potential. Recognized as a Top Ten Executive Coach by the ICF, Real Leaders Magazine, and Goop, she holds advanced degrees from The London School of Economics and the University of Jerusalem. A former C-suite executive with experience in 17 countries, she coaches in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and French. With over 500,000 TEDx views and a global speaking presence, Keren's insights inspire leaders worldwide. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Ryan, and their beloved pets. To know more about Keren visit her website and socials:

Website - https://kereneldad.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachkeren

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/coachkeren

Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coached-with-coach-keren/id1467079024

Riley Tejcek, a native of Carmel, Indiana, grew up with a passion for sports from the moment she could walk. She went on to play Division I softball at George Washington University, earning a degree in Political Science before commissioning into the United States Marine Corps. Today, Riley is a pilot with Team USA Bobsled and an Olympic hopeful for 2026. In her very first international competition, she captured two bronze medals in the North American Cup and has since competed in back-to-back World Championships. Her journey continues as she trains with determination to represent the United States on the world's biggest stage.

To know more about Riley visit her socials:

Instagram: @riley.tejcek

LinkedIn: @Riley Tejcek

Pamela Levine, most recently serving as the CEO of Manduka (leading yoga brand), has a long tenure in the health and wellness space with over 25+ years in brand leadership in consumer goods. After early years in technology consulting, she pivoted her career and went back for her Masters in Sport Management landing her in sales management for global sport product companies such as Saucony and Quiksilver. Over the years, she has been lucky enough to lead best in class brands in sport and the health & wellness lifestyle ranging from $50M to $250M. She most enjoys growing beloved community driven brands for both short-term performance and long-term growth. She has also been consistently a member of senior management teams for both public and private companies including serving on Board of Directors during her tenure. She is a proud University of Massachusetts Amherst alum with both a Masters degree in Sports Management Masters (2001) and an Undergraduate degree in Mathematics alongside a Japanese minor. She is also a UMass Student Athlete alum where she played Tennis from 1990-1994, including successfully leading a Title IX correctional action to reinstate four Women's teams at the University, including her tennis team, including needed financial resources. Golf was introduced (and taught) to her during her Graduate program and has served as a key networking tool in her career to this day. Originally from New Jersey (no accent, but a huge fan of NY sports), she spent many years in New England / Boston and is now based in Los Angeles, CA where she avidly plays tennis and golf with her family and friends.

To know more about Pamela visit her LinkedIn:

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

Denise Brown, MD, has over three decades of experience as a physician, CEO, and Chief Strategy Officer. She is a transformation leader who helps women in business learn how to prioritize and avoid stress and burnout. A thought leader in self-care for working women, Brown is a graduate of The University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine, with training at Stanford and Vanderbilt. She resides in Austin, TX with her husband and children.

Linkedin: @denisesbrownmd Instagram: thefairygoddoctor

To know more about Denise visit her website:

www.denisesbrownmd.com

Dr. Dre bio: Dr. Andrea Mata, PhD, is on a mission to throat-punch the mental health crisis and equip people with the tools they need to take control of their lives. Statistically, she shouldn't be where she is today—growing up as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant in a gang-infested neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago. But Dr. Mata transformed her challenging upbringing into a source of strength, inspiring resilience in families, businesses, and communities nationwide. With advanced degrees from Valparaiso University and Kent State University, Dr. Mata founded BrightSpot Families and partnered with the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Toledo. Her direct, relatable approach offers actionable strategies for navigating mental health challenges and creating lasting change.

To know more about Andrea visit her website & socials:

https://www.drdremata.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdremata/ https://www.youtube.com/@drdremata Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results.

https://www.summitleadershipgroup.com/

Our guest today has been called a "soothing gut punch." Rachel Druckenmiller brings the perfect mix of warmth and wake-up call that sticks with you long after the mic drops.

She's a TEDx speaker, singer-songwriter, and award-winning entrepreneur who spent 13 years as a corporate HR leader before founding UNMUTED in 2019. Rachel's worked with leaders at Deloitte, Citizens Bank, and Sherwin-Williams, helping thousands of people step up, say YES, and show up fully at work and in the world.

Named one of Forbes' Next1000 honorees, a 40 Under 40 Game Changer by Workforce Magazine, and a Best of the Stage Speaker by Smart Meetings, Rachel is known for reigniting the human spirit at work and helping people become their bravest, boldest, most UNMUTED selves.

She married her college sweetheart, never turns down a dance party, and will absolutely steal the mic at karaoke. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Spotify, and on her website www.RachelDruckenmiller.com.

Social Media Links: - Website: www.RachelDruckenmiller.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbdruckenmiller/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmutedlife/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/racheldruckenmiller - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0u42nNEz1pAsJsoEcDkTvA?si=43gptFwPRtGbHh5pxFH6xQ

Paul Ollinger quit his job at Facebook to chase his comedy dream. (Don't ever do that.) This highly unprofitable decision has allowed him to headline major clubs like Carolines on Broadway, Cobbs (SF), and Zanies (Nashville and Chicago). He has performed at the Hollywood Improv and Comedy Cellar, and headlined his own show in the 2024 New York Comedy Festival.

Paul is the host of the Reasonably Happy podcast, on which he explores the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning in conversations with some of the world's most interesting people. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Deepak Chopra, Judd Apatow, Paul Shaffer, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, and Olympic gold medals. He has just published a collection of essays, also titled Reasonably Happy, in which he shares humorous, thoughtful, and sometimes touching insights from over 200 of these interviews.

Podcast Sponsor: Summit Leadership Group

Summit Leadership Group transforms organizations by developing bold, agile leaders who inspire performance and lead with purpose. Through tailored coaching and immersive training, we ignite lasting growth where it matters most—at the intersection of people, culture, and results.

To know more about Paul visit his website:

www.paulollinger.com