Journey into the Present

In this episode of Journey into the Present, host Bryan Burrs interviews Damaune Journey, Global Chief Growth Officer at 72andSunny. Damaune shares the harrowing experience of his daughter being born six weeks early while he was out of the country, the rush to Denver, and the family’s time in the NICU.

Damaune reflects on the lessons learned: how to turn strong emotions into productive energy, the need to stay present in urgent moments, the role of prayer and calm breathing, and how these experiences have shaped his approach to parenting and leadership.

In this episode of Journey into the Present, host Bryan Burrs talks with Cory Stern, a longtime HR leader at Johnson & Johnson, about a pivotal career moment when he had to decide whether to stay or leave after two decades. Cory shares how he slowed down, separated fear from values, sought counsel from his wife, and intentionally chose to stay, a decision that led to two of the most rewarding years of his career.

They explore themes of presence under pressure, moving toward possibility versus away from discomfort, the power of conscious choices, and how coaching and values guide leadership during moments that matter most.

Bryan Burrs reflects on four years of sustained stress — legal battles, uncertainty about his children, career shifts, and personal loss — and how choosing presence transformed his experience. He shares the difference between fear-driven 'what if' thinking and faith-filled 'even if' acceptance, explaining how deciding to trust who he would be in the future allowed him to live fully in the present despite ongoing challenges.

Host Bryan Burrs sits down with his mother to discuss three pivotal moments — leaving an abusive relationship, returning to school to pursue a doctorate, and becoming a board-certified energy healing practitioner — and how choosing faith over fear helped her stay present through each challenge.

The conversation explores how those decisions built confidence, shaped family life, and offer practical wisdom on finding strength, purpose, and presence when the stakes are real.

Ola Snow spent 24 years at Cardinal Health, ultimately serving as Chief Human Resources Officer for one of the largest and most complex organizations in healthcare. She was the person shaping culture for 50,000 employees — the one people looked to when things got hard.

During the pandemic, she was communicating regularly with her audience. Steady. Present. Holding the line.

And then she told them she wasn't okay.

In this episode of Journey into the Present™, Bryan doesn't ask Ola to explain her philosophy on vulnerability or offer advice on mental health in the workplace. He asks her to go back to the moment — what it felt like to be the steady one, and then decide to crack the door open anyway.

This is Presence in Motion. Real moments. Real stakes. Real people revisiting what it felt like when how they showed up mattered.

Welcome to Journey into the Present with Bryan Burrs and guest Leslie Storms, president of Ethos Veterinary Health. In this episode Leslie recounts a raw, recent leadership moment: she had to withhold news of her departure during a major company spin-off and lead her team through uncertainty. The conversation explores the emotional toll of staying present under pressure, the priority of serving a team over personal discomfort, and the lessons in authenticity, courage, and leadership that came from that day.

Host Bryan Burrs reflects on a turning point in early 2023 when he traded lifelong performance and anxiety for presence, asking himself what he truly wants and how to show up honestly for himself and others.

He shares how that shift changed his relationships, work, and sense of purpose, and invites listeners to consider whether they've quietly abandoned themselves or can answer the call to be present.

Host Bryan Burrs interviews Kate Masschelein, a former Johnson & Johnson executive and leadership coach, about a high‑stakes product recall that occurred shortly after a major launch.

Kate shares the physical anxiety she experienced, how meditation and self‑management helped her stay present, and why choosing honesty and vulnerability when addressing 150 U.S. sales leaders rebuilt trust and informed her leadership going forward.

Host Bryan Burrs welcomes Lori Holt to kick off Season 3 of Journey into the Present to revisit a defining moment: losing her mother while her career and responsibilities were rapidly expanding. Lori shares how she stopped performing and chose to be genuinely present for her daughter, her team, and herself.

The conversation explores presence as a practice and a form of strength—trusting your instincts, prioritizing what truly matters, and showing up authentically when the stakes are highest.

In this season two finale of Journey into the Present, the host ties together pressing cultural themes — politics, AI, mental health, community, and natural disasters — and explains how presence can help us respond instead of react. The episode explores how awareness can turn into service, local action, and clearer personal values amid noise and division.

The host offers simple practices to try: a mindful media diet, micro-actions like writing to local officials or volunteering, listening sessions with people you disagree with, and increasing offline presence. The invitation is to let presence be an anchor and to focus on small, local acts that align with your values.