Celeste Cuffie sits down with Joseph Franz, Fire Captain with the Milwaukee Fire Department at Engine 16, to unpack the messy truth behind personal growth, bouncing back from failure, and why loving people is always better than loving stuff. If you’re tired of playing it safe or stuck after a setback, Joe’s hard-earned wisdom feels like guidance from someone who’s truly been there.

Joseph shares unfiltered stories of losing it all, rebuilding, and learning to ask for help sooner rather than later. He talks about teaching courage to the next generation, building a marriage on friendship, and shifting from selfishness to service—without getting preachy.

Ever wondered how a “fearless” firefighter finds strength after failure and keeps building a life of meaning? Find out what’s changed for Joe and how you can build resiliency that lasts.

Episode Highlights: 

14:51 – You're going to make mistakes. You're gonna fail, but don't let the failure define you. Continue to push hard and anything work hard at. Nothing we've ever been given or have that's been given to us easily do we even value or have anymore. But the things that you work hard for, and that you're paying for or you're invested in. You take care of it. You cherish it. You nourish it like you do all the things. Because you're invested in that thing that you're doing.

25:50 – It's important not to lose yourself in all. All of this stuff. And so I think when I lost all that stuff before, I think I loved stuff and I used people in that moment in my life, and now I love people and I use stuff. That's really what it's about. It's being good to people.

36:27 – One is don't be afraid to fail. That's the number one. Don't be afraid to fail. Don't be afraid to step out... For you and the stuff you do, and for my wife to watch her step out of her comfort zone. My wife likes to be very comfortable. And one thing I think she likes about me is I'm always kind of like, hey, let's get to that edge. 

Guest Bio
Joseph (Joe) Franz is a dedicated and experienced fire service professional currently serving as a Fire Captain with the Milwaukee Fire Department at Engine 16, located on Fon Du Lac Ave. On the city’s northwest side. With a career spanning over two decades, Joseph has held various roles, including Heavy Equipment Operator, Fire Lieutenant, and Interim Health and Safety Manager. He has been instrumental in training and mentoring new recruits and has played a significant role in the department's peer support and safety initiatives. 

As a proud MPS graduate of James Madison Highschool. Joe’s commitment to serving his community started at an early age when he joined the Fire Cadet program right after graduation. He is also actively involved in his community, serving as a Deacon at Greater New Birth Church and coaching youth softball teams. His commitment to public service and community well-being is evident in his extensive experience and ongoing contributions.

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Let’s be honest: the myth of work-life balance is holding us back. Dr. Laci Robbins joins Celeste Cuffie for a conversation about designing life on your own terms, leaning into intentionality, and giving yourself permission to pivot—even when everyone’s watching. If you’ve ever felt guilty for outsourcing help, worn out by juggling too many roles, or uncertain about changing direction in business or life, this episode is going to bust some myths wide open.

Dr. Laci unpacks how she and her husband built systems that blend marriage, parenting, ministry, and leadership without losing themselves. She tells the story of how a moment of crisis led her to ask, “What would I do if I couldn’t fail?” The result: a career and family life that thrive through rhythm, grace, and the courage to start over.

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to pivot confidently or buy back your time without apology? Tune in for tips on designing a life and a legacy you actually want.

Episode Highlights:

20:55 – What's the one thing that you are going to be able to buy back your time with? So for some people, it may not be getting their house clean. They don't mind it. It's therapeutic for them. But maybe it's like, you don't want to take the time to get your car washed, so you get the little monthly subscription to get your car washed, whatever it might be. I encourage everybody, just take that, pick that one thing, find your thing, and then double down on it.

24:12 - Choice is the most powerful thing in the world. And so I choose me. I choose to show up authentically, which I find ironic is one of your words that you listed for me. And I also choose to, when I am someone's friend, like, we love you and Sheldon, as you know. And so when I am someone's friend, I am 100% love hard. I'm the one that's in the corner cheering what is happening. I'm there and I think I have received that in return, and I'm grateful for that. Because the seeds we plant today become the harvest we receive in the future.

37:13 – I think the biggest thing I want people to walk away with when it comes to legacy, it's one that can be created. So we all are creating a legacy, be it good or bad. Just with the choices we're making now. And my mother often says that she wants her ceiling to be my floor. And so I've taken the same position. So the experiences that I'm creating... That's legacy. We are living legacies. 

 Guest Bio
Dr. Laci Robbins is a Leadership & Workplace, Culture Expert, Keynote Speaker, who helps leaders design systems for life and business success. Anchored by a strong foundation in faith, she is also celebrated as a wife, mother, friend, and first lady. As the founder of Robbins' Nest Consulting, Dr. Robbins empowers women and organizations through intentional leadership, work-life design, and culture-focused strategies. Her journey of resilience, embracing pivots, and commitment to building legacy inspires others to pursue growth, authenticity, and well-being in every area of life.

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Celeste Cuffie sits down with Ed Hagopian, a true renaissance thinker, to explore why curiosity—not credentials—may be your strongest asset for career and life success.

In a world obsessed with degrees and fast answers, Ed’s story is proof that being interested in everything is a superpower. Whether he’s running a tech startup, building with his hands, or mentoring future leaders, Ed never stops learning.

Ed’s approach touches on more than just skills or titles. He breaks down the value of life experience, the wisdom of failure, and why building relationships is just as critical as racking up expertise. What if letting go of “one right path” could move you forward faster?

Ever wondered how someone balances being a tech expert, a family man, and still makes time to pursue new passions? Hear how Ed shapes his own version of success—and how you might, too.

Episode Highlights:

07:53 - I think there's something innately powerful about having a natural curiosity and really wanting to know how does something work? How does this, this work? Why does it work the way it does? What can I learn from that? Oh, that's interesting. Oh, that takes me down a different road. 

13:06 - I'm one of those people where the degree wasn't the thing that I needed to get gateway into my professional life. I was already doing it professionally beforehand, but it was something that my father really wanted for the family. I was the first one to actually get the degree in my family.

20:48 - I think education is more than just kind of learning things. It's understanding how to interact with people, it's understanding how to problem solve, it's understanding how to do time management. It's understanding there's a huge facet of life skills that comes from absolutely from that, that can be really important beyond just getting a particular degree in something. 

Guest Bio
Ed Hagopian is the Vice President of Product Security at Cream City Cyber, where he leads the charge in developing innovative security strategies to protect organizations from increasingly sophisticated threats. With a deep understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, Ed is committed to fortifying defenses and ensuring that businesses can operate securely and efficiently. Prior to his role at Cream City Cyber, Ed served as Director of Enterprise Security Architecture at Dell Technologies. There, he was instrumental in pioneering AI-enabled defenses within the Secure Development Life Cycle and creating frameworks like “Subzero Trust.” By integrating industry standards such as NIST, MITRE ATT&CK, and OWASP ASVS, he significantly enhanced Dell’s risk mitigation efforts and strengthened its global security posture. Before his impactful tenure at Dell, Ed held key positions at Northwestern Mutual and Microsoft, where he focused on cloud platforms (like Azure and AWS) and infrastructure strategies that balanced innovation with operational resilience. He is known for his ability to rapidly build world-class architecture teams and seamlessly implement DevSecOps and Zero Trust methodologies across both traditional infrastructure and cutting-edge AI solutions. This approach has led to improved collaboration and faster threat response times. As a dynamic speaker and mentor, Ed frequently shares his insights on AI governance, Zero Trust, and transformative cybersecurity practices at industry conferences and seminars. His unique ability to blend technical expertise with executive insights makes him a sought-after adviser for organizations striving for robust and forward-thinking security solutions. At Cream City Cyber, Ed continues to push the boundaries of product security, guiding organizations toward safer and more profitable growth in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

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Celeste Cuffie is joined by James Daniels, who, along with his wife Martha, shares the keys to maintaining a flourishing 55-year marriage in this heartfelt episode of Life Empowered Living. If you're searching for heartfelt advice on nurturing long-lasting, fulfilling relationships in both personal and professional settings, James has wisdom in abundance.

Drawing from his own life, James discusses the critical importance of absolute truth in partnerships, where love comes with shared responsibilities and mutual respect. As an accomplished former IRS executive, he reveals the bridges he built between career success and family life, always with a focus on encouragement and support.

Want to know how James and Martha have successfully merged marital love with life's inevitable challenges over half a century? Tune in to discover the values that have fortified their enduring marriage and thriving careers.

Episode Highlights:

15:42 – I always looked at Martha as a bit like a best friend. And to me, a good friend is just like a rare diamond. You don't find them every day. We established before we got married, our engagement period. We spent over eight months of nearly every day sitting in the park or even on the porch of her home talking to each other and telling each other about each other. Now I prayed. I asked God for a good wife. I wanted a good wife, and I believe he gave–I know he gave me a good one. 

20:51 – At the base that I was at, she could have dated any guy, had degrees and everything else. But she chose me, which I will never know why she chose me. But I know as a fact that I always felt proud and honored with her at my side. I always felt honored and proud that she taught my children to respect and love me. I always felt honored and proud that she looked up to me as her husband. 

25:58 – I was the first generation out of slavery. After the civil rights bill passed, blacks were coming into management, and it was a total different culture. There was no black managers who had been in there 15-20 years to tell you which way to go. You had to learn for yourself. So I had the only way I could learn is if I hear them say something, I write it down, go home at night, research it, and study it to the point I don't know.

Guest Bio
James Daniels brings a lifetime of experience from his influential career in the IRS and his enriched personal life. Celebrated for his commitment to family and community, he remains a revered figure who exemplifies leadership, dedication, and love over decades of shared life experiences with Martha.

Martha Daniels shares insightful wisdom gained from 55 remarkable years of marriage. She attributes their enduring relationship to clear communication, genuine friendship, deep mutual love, and unwavering protection and support for one another. Her practical yet heartfelt advice resonates deeply, making her an inspirational figure to those striving for lasting relationships and personal harmony.

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Celeste Cuffie welcomes Leana Nakielski Mesdjian, a woman with an intricate journey of self-discovery, professional transformation, and cultural appreciation. This episode focuses on how Leana has reconnected with different versions of herself.

Leana speaks about her upbringing in a bilingual, multicultural household and how those experiences shaped her identity and career. From starting in engineering to exploring urban agriculture, and now setting her sights on completing a novel, Leana offers a fresh perspective on resilience and purpose.

Wondering how Leana has managed to pivot her career multiple times while staying true to herself and her roots? Tune in to find out her secrets to maintaining balance and self-value amid life’s transitions.

Episode Highlights:

03:42 - Bringing life into this world, it's just like a whole 'nother space to live in. And so reconnecting first with that physical and spiritual self, I think, is what then propelled me into this larger scope of, who am I without the work title?

05:23 - I grew up in this very multicultural, bilingual environment where some weekends would be Spanish only with my mom's family, very rich in culture. And then other weekends would be Green Bay Packer games and very Wisconsin-y experiences.

28:25 - I think it's about reminding myself just that success and progress take steps and reminding myself that certain steps need to be achieved in order to get to the end goal.

Guest Bio 
Leana Nakielski Mesdjian has a background in Agriculture and Applied Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She transitioned from nonprofit roles focused on urban farming and sustainability to corporate endeavors, eventually pursuing an MBA. Now an aspiring novelist, Leana combines her diverse experiences to inspire others through her writing and speaking engagements.

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Celeste Cuffie sits down with the ever-inspiring Sara Junio, a Transformation Executive and Strategic Leadership Coach, best-selling author, and Organizational Change Management Consultant at Trissential. Sara has dedicated her career to guiding companies through significant changes using technology and data governance. If you're seeking wisdom on understanding behavioral patterns and improving organizational change, this episode is brimming with valuable insights.

Sara highlights the importance of discerning the intentions behind actions, along with the role of technology in today's business environment. She shares personal anecdotes about resilience, from her humble beginnings on a farm to overcoming personal and professional challenges, all while maintaining an unwavering sense of hope and empowerment.

What motivates someone to shift from agricultural pursuits to becoming a top-notch transformation coach guiding executive teams? Tune in to discover Sara's compelling journey and learn actionable advice for your own career transformation.

Episode Highlights

30:49 - What I do is business transformations, typically involving technology or data, data governance, data management. And a lot of that is companies are coming in with this whole industrial revolution and recognizing in order for us to do more with data, we have to have systems to collect that data, and we have to have more automation. And so, I get involved in those business transformations, either leading the technology initiative as a program manager or specializing in, if it's a large company, how do I help them let the technology people implement the system, but then how do I work with the business to accept that and adopt that technology? 

38:57 - I think I'm trying to tell myself that asking for help and I think it's okay now. I'm that sandwich generation where with my parents, they don't ask for a lot of help. That's just not natural for them. The younger generation, my kids, who are in their 20s, almost to 30, it's very natural for them to ask for help, and it's very natural for them to say, "Hey, we're a team. How do we do this together?" 

48:10 - Evaluate your actions in anything that you're doing. And if you don't like the result that you're getting, understand, you can change an action, but you've got to get to the root cause. And your actions are derived from your thoughts. Your thoughts are derived from your belief system. So what is the limiting belief that's creating your thoughts, that's driving your actions? And ask that question, who says I can't do that? At the end of the day, if you get frustrated or you're not far enough along in something or you're telling yourself no, no shouldn't be in the vocabulary. It should be like not now or something like that. Ask your question. Well, who says I can't do this? 

Guest Bio

Sara Junio is a seasoned expert in Strategic Leadership, Transformation, Organizational Development, and Customer Experience, with over 20 years of progressive experience. She partners with mid to large-sized organizations, guiding executives, senior leaders, and HR managers through business transformations that drive growth and success. Sara specializes in cultivating highly engaged teams, resolving conflicts constructively, and developing strategic solutions to overcome challenges. Known for her empowering approach, Sara has authored "The Identity Effect" and is working on a new book focused on organizational change.

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Celeste Cuffie and Kenge Adams discuss the journey of finding self-worth and setting boundaries in this episode of Life Empowered Living. Yearning for more than just a traditional career path, Kenge shares her transformation from a corporate role to becoming an empowered entrepreneur—a courageous leap many of us can relate to.

Kenge's insights into recognizing personal triggers offer a roadmap for fostering mental well-being amidst life's challenges. From leaving draining environments to rediscovering passions, she unveils strategies that have allowed her to build a fulfilling life brimming with intention and purpose.

Keen to hear how Kenge revamped her life at 50, tackling entrepreneurship with no solid plan but unyielding confidence? Tune in to catch her pearls of wisdom on transitioning mindsets and pursuing personal fulfillment.

Episode Highlights

14:11 - I think your body knows those triggers. When you start feeling anxiety or sadness, or you don’t feel like yourself around someone, when you can’t be your authentic self—like they try to dampen your joy, your laugh, or anything that makes you feel good—you realize this is not a person you want close in your life. 

25:30 - My journey, but it is like I did put in the work. I did the research, I networked, and I talked to other entrepreneurs and people in this area. That's one thing I think is important—coming up with a plan for whatever your pivot is. I kept a spreadsheet and a board for all my projects. I still did all the things I did in a company, but I did them for myself. All the lunches, coffees, events, and networking—I went to them on behalf of myself and my business. It was a different mindset; now, I wasn’t wearing a badge or hat for a company. I was wearing it for me.

42:39 - I don’t have to run everything. I can take a step back and let other people lead. As an entrepreneur, you have to wear all the hats, but if there’s a hat I know I’m not good at or need support on, that’s when I call on friends or bring in another consultant for that part. Not having to do everything all the time myself has been helpful.

Guest Bio 

Kenge Adams transitioned from her corporate career to successful entrepreneurship after recognizing her dissatisfaction and need for a fulfilling life. With more than 20 years of experience, Kenge now mentors women entrepreneurs, infusing her journey with resilience and confidence. She balances multiple ventures, including her latest endeavor, Nkenge's Gallery, breathing new life into African artifacts through community engagement.

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Celeste Cuffie sits down with Thaddeus Hannah, the Vice President Strategic Partnership Manager at U.S. Bank, to decode the art of managing life’s transitions and striking a work-life balance. 

Thaddeus shares how his grounding in core values has guided him through major life changes, from marriage to fatherhood and shifts in career paths. He uncovers the transformative power of community support, strategic planning, and the relentless pursuit of excellence despite imperfections.

Ever wondered how one person can balance family, career changes, and personal growth while maintaining positivity and resilience? Tune in to hear Thaddeus’s “boulders of wisdom” on living an empowered life.

Episode Highlights

09:19 - I believe that you can train a person on products and services. You can't, in my opinion, train a person on really how to have people skills, how to be a good leader, and how to lead with compassion. Either you have it or you don't. Sometimes it just becomes a front, and eventually, what's in you is going to come out of you. So for me, even in that case, if it's an individual that I can see the potential and they're showing me they want it, I want you with me because I believe we're helpers one to another. We're better together.

24:52 - For me, legacy is not always about really what you leave behind. Some people will tell you, "I want to leave x amount of money for my children, houses and stocks, and all of that." But for me, it's really what do people say about you when you're gone. How do people feel about you? How did you make people feel when they were in your presence? 

33:45 - I just believe all things work together. So though I may have fears or things that are making me a little bit anxious, I always remember who I serve. And I always remember that I can do anything that I put my mind to. We can do all things through Christ. So it's important for me with navigating life, keeping my eye on the prize.

Guest Bio

Thaddeus Hannah, with a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Concordia, transitioned from a retail career at Walgreens to banking to enhance his work-life balance. As an assistant pastor and dedicated family man, Thaddeus blends leadership with deeply rooted values. His story is a testament to resilience, community support, and strategic life planning.

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Celeste Cuffie sits down with Tiffany Dillon, the Vice President of IT Infrastructure & Operations at Landmark Credit Union, for a conversation about navigating career shifts and finding self-acceptance. If you're figuring out how to pivot your career or seeking to understand how to be true to yourself at work, this episode offers valuable takeaways.

Tiffany recounts the pitfalls of focusing on just one job opportunity during college and how she learned the importance of networking. She also discusses her journey into cybersecurity, the signs that indicate it's time to change jobs, and the art of balancing career aspirations with family obligations.

Curious to learn how Tiffany shifted her focus from tech roles to leadership positions while staying true to her authentic self? Tune in to gain insights on managing career transitions and embracing who you are.

Episode Highlights:

08:22 - One of my rules was do not waste my time. I can't buy it, steal a bottle of time back. Once it's gone, it's gone because I could be using that time to better me and to better my community. In my view, if you can explain to people the value of time, that's where you can get them to really understand. This is how you can grow because you can pull that time back and say, “You know what? How can I better my life? How can I better my financial situation? How can I help my family? I think time is the key piece to that because I don't think everyone values time because they think we got so much of it, and we don't.

19:33 - I'm going to be genuine in whatever message I deliver. Some people dance around it a lot of things, and sometimes it waters down the message because they're doing a smoke and mirror show. That was one feedback I got long ago in my career. They're like, "When you told us, 'Raise the flag, something's wrong,' we believed you because you never had smoke and mirrors. You never danced around stuff. So if you said it, we trusted it." So that was huge for me. That was really good feedback because I was like, "Well, I just naturally do that. I didn't realize it was a trait." So for sure, stand on that because even if I have to deliver bad news, there's a way to deliver bad news, but you got to be genuine and tell the truth.

32:25 - You have to give back to your community so that it sustains for the next generation and the generation thereafter. Because so many things are falling off the rails because we're losing human kindness. And I think if people naturally were giving back and just touching the community and understanding it, not being so many levels away from it, that we would be in a better place.

Guest Bio

Tiffany Dillon is the Vice President of IT Infrastructure & Operations at Landmark Credit Union, where she has worked for over a year and a half. She is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. With a solid background in IT and a passion for cybersecurity, Tiffany balances her significant career responsibilities with a strong commitment to family and mentorship. Her journey is marked by resilience, continuous learning, and a dedication to community service.

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Struggling with how to balance work, family, and personal growth? You're not alone. In this episode, Celeste Cuffie welcomes guest Noleta Franz to share her expert insights on building a support network, managing expectations, and prioritizing self-worth. 

If you've ever felt overwhelmed juggling multiple roles, you won't want to miss Noleta's strategic approach to seeking advice and handling priorities as they arise.

Curious about Noleta's framework for a successfully blended family or how she mentors younger generations while managing a demanding career? Tune in for practical tips and personal stories that will inspire you to reevaluate how you approach your own challenges.

Episode Highlights:  

17:15 - Be bold. Just do it, almost like Nike. Those experiences rattle you, and you become a little more reserved, a little more strategic in thinking super long term. What I would do differently is not just go after the safe stuff. I would have probably tried to see what life would be like out of state. I would have tried to advance myself in ways I didn’t because of fear of failure.

22:04 - Don't second guess yourself. You got this. So being my own cheerleader as well. You said you can't say work-life balance, but I really took that to heart because what is the priority at the time? Handle what you need to handle when you need to handle it, and everything else will take care of itself. You don't have to do it all. You just have to do what you need to do when you need to do it. 

27:38 - Everyone's not meant to be on speed dial for everything. I'm big on giving what I have to give when I can. You have to be strategic and thoughtful in that approach because people have lives. What I like to do is, once I've identified my village, my circle of people I go to, I've also identified who I go to for what.

Guest Bio

Noleta Franz, Assistant Director of Legal Processes and a passionate board member, is also the founder of "Beautifully Blended," where she offers coaching and counseling for blended families. A Southern belle from Bay Springs, Mississippi, Noleta built her career in law while nurturing diverse personal and professional networks. She is dedicated to empowering women and fostering inclusive communities, making her a beacon of support and inspiration.

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