Lets Have This Conversation

By Kevin McShanNews Daily News

Lets Have This Conversation episodes

July 29More Than Winning: How Athletics Shape Resilient Young Leaders| Dr. Chet Hesson
Student-athlete success extends far beyond wins and losses—it begins with
creating environments where young people can thrive academically, emotionally,
physically, and personally.
In this episode of Let's Have This Conversation,
Kevin McShan sits down with Dr. Chet Hesson, Athletics Director at
Monroe High School and an educational leader whose career has been dedicated to
helping student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field.
Holding a Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies, Dr.
Hesson believes athletics should be an extension of the classroom—providing
opportunities for young people to develop resilience, leadership, character,
and lifelong skills. At Monroe Public Schools, he has built an athletic culture
centered on four core values: Courage and Curiosity, Health &
Well-being, Emotional Intelligence and Environment, and Thoughtful Teaching and
Learning.
Before joining Monroe High School, Dr. Hesson served in the
Bowling Green State University Athletic Department as Senior Associate
Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Experience and Deputy Title IX
Coordinator, where he oversaw student-athlete services, mentorship and life
design, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, mental health, sports
nutrition, and served as the sport administrator for several NCAA programs.
Nationally recognized for his commitment to student-athlete
wellness and inclusive leadership, Dr. Hesson has chaired the N4A
Student-Athlete Well-being Committee, served on the Diversity, Inclusion &
Equity Council of Excellence (DIECE), co-chaired the BGSU Athletics DEI Task
Force, and contributed to Mid-American Conference committees focused on
student-athlete well-being and diversity.
During this thoughtful conversation, Kevin and Dr. Hesson
explore:
Whether you're a coach, educator, parent, school
administrator, or student-athlete, this episode offers valuable insights into
how sports can become one of the most powerful tools for developing the next
generation of leaders.

For more information: https://schools.snap.app/monroetrojans
LinkedIn: @Dr. Chet Hesson
Follow: @monroetrojanathletics
Email: [email protected]
Call: 734-265-3444 (

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1 hr 20 min
July 28A Roadmap for Health Activists with Professor Nicholas Freudenberg
For more than five decades, Nicholas Freudenberg has
been at the forefront of some of the most consequential public health movements
in America. As Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Public Health at the
City University of New York (CUNY), he has dedicated his career to
understanding—and transforming—the social, political, and economic forces that
shape health outcomes.
In this compelling episode of Let's Have This
Conversation, Nicholas shares why improving public health requires far more
than advances in medicine. It demands courageous leadership, community
activism, policy reform, and a willingness to challenge systems that perpetuate
inequality.
Our conversation explores the evolution of public health
activism through the lens of some of society's most pressing challenges,
including:
Nicholas also discusses his newest book, Fighting
for New York: Activism for Health and Social Justice Since the 1960s,
which chronicles decades of grassroots organizing and reveals the lessons
today's leaders, advocates, educators, and policymakers can apply to create
healthier, more equitable communities.
As the founder of CUNY's Urban Food Policy Institute,
the Hunter College Center on AIDS, Drugs and Community Health, and
the university-wide Healthy CUNY initiative, Nicholas has
spent a lifetime turning research into action. His work demonstrates that
meaningful societal change happens when academic knowledge, community
engagement, and public policy come together.
Whether you're a public health professional, healthcare
leader, policymaker, nonprofit executive, educator, student, or simply someone
passionate about creating healthier communities, this conversation offers
valuable insights into how collective action can improve lives and shape a more
just society.
This episode examines critical questions facing communities
around the world:
Join us for an insightful conversation about leadership,
advocacy, public policy, social justice, and the enduring power of ordinary
people working together to create extraordinary change.

For more Information: https://sph.cuny.edu/about/people/faculty/nicholas-freudenberg/
Get the Book: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/fighting-for-new-york/9780231221405/

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55 min
July 28 From High School to Independence: Empowering Neurodivergent Young Adults to Thrive: Carol Waldman
According to research from the National Longitudinal
Transition Study-2, only about 39% of autistic students who pursue
postsecondary education earn a degree within eight years of leaving high
school, compared to 52% of the general population. Studies also show that while
approximately one-third of autistic young adults enroll in college, many face
significant barriers to completion without the right accommodations, transition
planning, and support systems.¹² In this episode of Let's Have This
Conversation, we sit down with Carol Waldman, a passionate advocate dedicated
to improving outcomes for neurodivergent young adults as they navigate the
critical transition from high school to college, employment, and independent
adulthood. As the parent of a neurodivergent son who graduated from the
University of Wisconsin, traveled independently throughout Europe, and
completed an internship in Washington, D.C., Carol has experienced firsthand
what is possible when young adults are equipped with the right resources,
advocacy, and support. She also understands the challenges many families face
when school-based services end and young adults are expected to navigate
adulthood on their own. Through her volunteer work with Autism Tree and her
role as a parent mentor, Carol helps families recognize that college and
meaningful careers are attainable goals for neurodivergent students. She shares
practical strategies, resources, and lessons learned from her own family's
journey while helping others build confidence in their children's potential. Beyond
individual advocacy, Carol believes lasting change requires policy reform.
Drawing on decades of experience in political and public affairs—including
service as an Executive Board Member of the California Democratic Party, State
Delegate, legislative field representative, and National Delegate to the
Democratic National Convention—she is now focused on advancing legislation,
programs, and systemic solutions that improve postsecondary education,
employment opportunities, and independent living outcomes for neurodivergent
young adults. Join us for a powerful conversation about possibility, advocacy,
independence, and the collective responsibility to create pathways where
neurodivergent individuals can not only succeed—but thrive.
For more information: https://www.thewaldmanway.org/
LinkedIn: @Carol Waldman

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50 min
July 28What Happens When Your AI Becomes Your Employee? &Then Your Employer? | Gabe Campbell
What if the singularity isn't a future event—but something
that's already happening inside today's startups?
In this fascinating episode of Let's Have This
Conversation, Kevin McShan sits down with Gabe Campbell,
founder of aiOS and AI Genesis, to explore what it
looks like when artificial intelligence evolves from being a productivity tool
into a true business operator.
Gabe no longer runs many of the day-to-day operations of his
own company. His AI handles customer conversations, manages inboxes, creates
marketing campaigns, books podcast appearances, negotiates with lawyers and
lenders, oversees outreach, and has even hired human creators for business
projects. In many ways, the AI has become an employee—and sometimes, the
employer.
But beyond the headlines lies a much bigger conversation.
Growing up homeless at 17, Gabe taught himself to code while
working overnight shifts. That journey eventually led him to helping build AI
products at BMW, designing systems at Google that reached more than 50 million
daily users, and leading AI innovation for digital banking platforms serving
millions more. Today, he's building production-ready AI systems that are
transforming how businesses operate.
Rather than relying on hype, Gabe shares measurable results.
One deployment reduced a four-person customer support team to a single
part-time employee while automatically resolving approximately 92% of customer
inquiries and saving an estimated $15,000 per month.
The conversation also tackles one of artificial
intelligence's most pressing challenges: trust.
Gabe argues that most AI products don't fail because the
technology isn't capable—they fail because people don't trust them. He explains
why he abandoned many traditional AI guardrails in favor of behavioral
contracts and transparent evaluation systems, and why he believes responsible
AI requires accountability, not simply more restrictions.
Throughout this thought-provoking discussion, Kevin and Gabe
explore questions that every business leader, entrepreneur, and knowledge
worker should be asking:
This episode isn't about science fiction. It's about
technologies that are already operating inside real businesses today—and what
that means for organizations trying to remain competitive in an AI-driven
economy.
Whether you're a business executive, entrepreneur, software
developer, AI enthusiast, HR leader, or simply curious about where artificial
intelligence is headed next, this conversation offers a practical and
provocative look at one possible future that's already unfolding.
Join Kevin McShan and Gabe Campbell for an insightful
discussion about AI agents, autonomous businesses, trust, innovation, and why
the future of work may already be here.

For more information: https://myaios.app/
Instagram: @gabecampbellofficial

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55 min
July 24How the Minnesota Vikings Build Stronger Communities Logan Johnson on Leadership, Community Impact
Professional sports organizations are about far more than
wins and losses—they are powerful community builders. Research from
the University of Michigan shows that professional sports teams are
increasingly investing in local communities by expanding programs focused
on food security, small business development, and youth education,
demonstrating that community relations has become a strategic priority rather
than simply a charitable initiative.
In this episode of Let's Have This Conversation,
host Kevin McShan sits down with Logan Johnson, Director of
Community Relations for the Minnesota Vikings, to explore how professional
sports organizations create lasting social impact by strengthening
relationships with fans, nonprofits, schools, and local leaders.
Driven by a passion for creating meaningful change through
the platform of professional sports, Logan shares how the Vikings' commitment
to putting the team first, pursuing excellence, continuous learning, high
character, and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive
culture extends well beyond the football field and into communities across
Minnesota.
During this conversation, we discuss:
Whether you're a sports executive, nonprofit leader,
educator, community advocate, business professional, or simply someone
passionate about making a difference, this episode offers valuable insights
into how leadership, collaboration, and service can transform communities.

For More Information: https://www.vikings.com/community/
Instagram: @vikingsinthecommunity

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43 min
July 23Why Nutrition Is the Foundation of Athletic Excellence | Thomas Jensen
Did you know that up to 74% of collegiate athletes fail to meet minimum
carbohydrate intake recommendations, while roughly half do not
consume enough protein or total calories to support their training and
recovery? These nutritional gaps can significantly impact athletic performance,
injury prevention, recovery, cognitive function, and long-term health. (Sports
Journal)
Equally concerning, research from the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that as many as 50.4% of
surveyed collegiate student-athletes experience food insecurity, often due
to financial limitations and time constraints. Without reliable access to
nutritious food, many athletes struggle to meet the nutritional demands
required to compete at the highest level.
On this episode of Let's Have This Conversation,
I sit down with Thomas Jensen, Assistant Athletic Director of
Sports Nutrition at the University of Minnesota, to explore the
critical role nutrition plays in maximizing athletic performance, academic
success, and overall well-being.
Since joining the Golden Gophers in 2019, Thomas has led
sports nutrition initiatives that help student-athletes optimize fueling
strategies for competition, recovery, and everyday life. Before Minnesota, he
served as Team Dietitian for Minnesota United FC and
previously worked with the South Carolina Gamecocks, consulted with
the Kansas City Royals, and spent four years supporting
student-athletes at the University of Nebraska.
Thomas is also passionate about creating a more equitable
and sustainable future for sports nutrition. Through the Schwan's
Teaching Kitchen, he teaches Gopher student-athletes practical cooking
skills, meal preparation, and evidence-based nutrition strategies that empower
them to make healthier choices long after their playing careers have ended.
During our conversation, we discuss:
Whether you're a student-athlete, coach, athletic
administrator, sports dietitian, parent, or simply someone interested in
maximizing health and performance, this conversation offers valuable insights
into the science and practical application of sports nutrition.

Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @TommyJensen

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48 min
July 22 How Laughter, Inclusion, and Resilience Can Transform Lives | Jared Rayter
Inclusive acceptance is the active, intentional practice of
ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds—regardless of race, gender,
ability, or socioeconomic status—are fully valued, empowered, and able to
participate in every aspect of community life. It extends far beyond tolerance
by challenging systemic barriers, creating equitable opportunities, and
fostering a genuine sense of belonging for everyone.
Guaranteeing fair and meaningful access to healthcare,
public transportation, employment, education, and community life is
something Jared Rayter has dedicated himself to advocating
throughout his life.
Jared is an inspiring stand-up comedian, disability
advocate, and content creator who put his comedy career on hold for more than
12 years before making the courageous decision to pursue the dream that had
always been calling him. Yet, that remarkable comeback is only one chapter of
an extraordinary story.
Throughout his life, Jared has navigated significant
personal challenges, including living with bipolar disorder and losing his
mother at a young age. Rather than allowing those experiences to define him, he
has chosen to move forward with resilience, gratitude, and an unwavering
commitment to finding joy even during life's most difficult moments.
His philosophy is simple but powerful: laughter has the
ability to bring people together. Comedy can open conversations, break down
stereotypes, and remind us that our shared humanity is far greater than our
differences. Jared believes that when we laugh together, we create
opportunities for understanding, acceptance, and stronger communities.
Beyond the stage, Jared has built a growing audience on
TikTok, where he shares uplifting, humorous, and thought-provoking content
centered on disability awareness, diversity, inclusion, mental health, and
perseverance. Through authentic storytelling and relatable humor, he
demonstrates how social media can become a platform for hope, education, and
meaningful human connection.
In this week's episode, Jared joins me for an honest and
inspiring conversation about resilience, mental health, finding purpose, and
having the courage to pursue the life you truly want. We discuss how comedy
became a vehicle for healing, why inclusion benefits everyone, and how
maintaining a sense of humor can help us navigate adversity without losing
sight of what matters most.
If you've ever wondered how to overcome setbacks, rediscover
your passion, or build a life rooted in purpose and optimism, this is a
conversation you won't want to miss. Jared reminds us that success isn't simply
measured by professional accomplishments—it's also found in the relationships
we build, the joy we create, and the positive impact we leave on others.
Jared Rayter, Overcoming adversity, Kevin McShan,
Let's Have

TikTok:@jaredrayter0
Follow: @JaredRayter

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43 min
July 22 Reimagining Public Education for the Next Generation with: Taikein Cooper
According to Gallup, just 35% of Americans are
satisfied with the quality of K-12 education in the United States—the lowest
level ever recorded. Public confidence continues to decline, with only about
one in four Americans believing schools are headed in the right direction. Even
more concerning, just one in five believes today's schools are doing a good job
preparing students for the workforce, and only one in three believe they are
adequately preparing students for college.
These numbers represent more than statistics—they reflect
growing concerns about educational opportunity, economic mobility, and the
future of our workforce.
This week on Let's Have This Conversation, I
sit down with Taikein Cooper, President of the Richmond Ed Fund, who
believes that great public schools don't just educate children—they create
safer communities, stronger economies, and more prosperous cities.
For Taikein, Richmond, Virginia has always been a city
willing to chart its own course. Throughout American history, Richmond has
often found itself at the center of defining moments. Today, that same spirit
is being directed toward one of our nation's most urgent challenges: ensuring
that every child has access to the opportunities they deserve.
Growing up in historic Farmville, Virginia, Taikein
understands firsthand the power of strategic investment. He credits his own
success to people who believed in his potential and invested in his future.
While he remains deeply grateful for those opportunities, he also recognizes
that far too many young people never receive the same chance to succeed.
That belief fuels his leadership of the Richmond Ed Fund,
an organization dedicated to advancing educational excellence and economic
mobility. Rather than simply funding programs, the organization serves as a
mobility investment fund—using private capital to launch innovative educational
initiatives and scaling successful models through public investment. That
strategy has helped the organization grow tenfold over the past three years.
Taikein believes Richmond's greatest advantage is its
ability to move quickly. The city's size allows it to pilot bold ideas, measure
meaningful outcomes, and create models that can be replicated by communities
across America. His vision extends beyond strengthening one school
district—it's about creating a blueprint for the future of public education
nationwide.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about
education, leadership, innovation, workforce development, and why investing in
children today is one of the most important investments we can make in
America's future.

For more information: https://www.rps.fund/
LinkedIn: @TaikeinCooper

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1 hr 1 min
July 21 Ray Hartjen: Storytelling Has Become One of the Most Powerful Tools in Modern Marketing
According to the University of West Alabama, storytelling
has become one of the most powerful tools in modern marketing, with roughly 74%
to 92% of organizations using it to sell products and build
brand connection. More than 74% of B2B marketers and 73% of marketers
overall use storytelling in their messaging, while as many as 92% of consumers
say they expect advertising and brand communication to be delivered through
narrative.
My guest this week knows exactly why storytelling matters.
Ray Hartjen is a writer, musician, and full-stack marketer
based in Mission Viejo, California. Across a professional career spanning parts
of five decades, Ray has reinvented himself multiple times, moving through
industries that include investment banking, pharmaceuticals, consumer
electronics, and SaaS software. Through every chapter of that journey, one
constant has remained: storytelling.
Ray has been quoted by national media on the consumer
electronics and retail industries, and as a contributor to a variety of online
outlets — including his own platform, rayhartjen.com — he has written on everything from
sports, particularly football, hockey, and auto racing, to business topics such
as sales and marketing.
He is also the author of five published books: Immaculate:
How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh; Me, Myself & My Multiple
Myeloma; The Indy 500: A Year-Long Quest to Win the Greatest
Spectacle in Racing; Revenue Orchestration & Today’s New Era of
B2B Sales and Marketing; and Outflanked, an espionage thriller.
In March 2019, Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a
battle he continues to face with resilience and determination every single day.
And when he’s not writing or helping organizations tell their most compelling
stories, he’s making music as part of his two-piece acoustic band, the Chronic
Padres.
Ray joined me this week to talk about the power of
storytelling, the lessons he’s learned from a life of reinvention, and how
creativity, resilience, and human connection continue to shape both his
personal and professional journey.

For more information: https://rayhartjen.com/
Email: [email protected]

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59 min
July 20Creating Workplace Cultures Where Employees Thrive | Billy Bonaparte, MBA
The pace of organizational change has never been greater.
According to the World Economic Forum, C-suite executives are continuously
upskilling, restructuring their organizations, and investing in talent
development to remain competitive in an era increasingly shaped by artificial
intelligence and rapid market disruption. At the same time, LinkedIn reports
that up to 85% of executives believe innovation is the most important
outcome of their workplace technology and AI investments.
Yet technology alone doesn't create innovation.
Innovation is ultimately driven by people. Organizations
that thrive understand that trust, psychological safety, inclusive leadership,
and continuous learning are the true competitive advantages behind sustainable
business success.
This week on Let's Have This Conversation, I sat
down with Billy Bonaparte, MBA, Transformational Culture Executive
and Director of Culture and Engagement at Humana, to explore what it truly
takes to build organizations where people—and performance—flourish.
Billy has built a career helping organizations accelerate
growth through talent, innovation, organizational culture, and human
performance. Throughout his leadership journey, he has demonstrated that
culture isn't simply an HR initiative—it's a strategic business capability.
During his time at Humana, Billy led award-nominated culture
and engagement initiatives that reached more than 10,000 associates,
sustained engagement levels above 90%, and positioned
organizational culture as a key driver of business strategy. His leadership
included launching the enterprise-wide "Interrupting Bias" campaign,
a 16-part video series that generated more than 100,000 views while
encouraging authentic conversations around equitable opportunity and belonging.
He also facilitated town halls reaching more than 10,000 employees and
advised senior executives on communication strategies that strengthened trust
across every level of the organization.
What makes Billy's leadership especially compelling is that
his work extends beyond strategy documents and organizational charts.
He believes transformational leadership begins by connecting
hearts and minds.
Whether coaching executives to lead with authenticity,
creating space for courageous conversations, or aligning organizational purpose
with employee engagement, Billy consistently demonstrates that lasting cultural
transformation happens when leaders intentionally invest in people.
Throughout our conversation, we explored several timely
leadership topics, including:
One of the strongest themes throughout our discussion was
that organizations don't create exceptional cultures by accident.
They create them intentionally.
Culture is built through the everyday behaviors leaders
model, the psychological safety they establish, the trust they cultivate, and
the opportunities they create for every employee to contribute their best
ideas.
As artificial intelligence continues transforming how
organizations operate, the companies that distinguish themselves won't simply
be those with the most advanced technology.
They'll be the organizations whose leaders know how to
combine innovation with empathy, purpose, inclusion, and human connection.
Because while technology may accelerate business, people
remain the driving force behind every breakthrough.
This conversation offers practical insights for executives,
HR professionals, organizational leaders, and anyone committed to building
workplaces where trust fuels innovation, leadership inspires growth, and
culture becomes a lasting competitive advantage.

LinkedIn: @BillyBonaparte, MBA

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1 hr

About Lets Have This Conversation

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Multimedia Journalist and Motivational Speaker Kevin McShan brings you a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional YouTube Podcast called: “Let’s Have This Conversation. The intention is to provide a large…

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