As we step into a new school year, many of us are in a season of transition. Sending little ones off to kindergarten, big kids off to high school, and young adults off to college means a time filled with backpacks, checklists, early bedtimes and busy mornings. It also means waving goodbye not just to the kids as they leave the house, but chapters of life that will never return.

Last summer around this time, I was struggling mightily. In the span of about a week, a dear friend passed away, my father’s health declined significantly, and we packed up my oldest son, Jack, to head off to college out of state. Everything around me felt chaotic and unmoored. A chapter I had loved living was ending and a new one was beginning. The sadness lingered long after leaving my friend’s wake, visiting Dad at the hospital or driving away from the dorm where Jack now lived.

This year as we grieve the loss of my dad and prepare to send Jack back to college, two more boys into high school, and my daughter Grace into her final year of middle school, I’m trying something different to help me cope: I’m reframing the goodbye.

Let me explain.

As we begin the Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series, it only makes sense to start with the man who’s been with this story from the very beginning: Sean McNamara.

Sean McNamara is the director behind beloved films like Soul Surfer, Spare Parts, The Miracle Season, Reagan, and many more. Known in Hollywood as an “actor’s director,” he’s celebrated not only for the powerful performances he brings to the screen, but also for the humility, kindness, and joy he brings behind the camera.

More than seven years ago, Sean first read the script that would become SOUL ON FIRE, and he never let it go. From the earliest drafts to its upcoming nationwide release, his vision, passion, and persistence have been at the heart of bringing this story to life.

Today, Sean shares about childhood in a big Irish family, how his parents challenged him to dream big and do mighty things, his journey from delivering scripts as a production assistant to directing box-office hits, and what it meant to shepherd SOUL ON FIRE from page to screen.

My friends, if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to hold onto a dream, to pursue it with persistence, and to create with both excellence and heart, this conversation is for you. You’ll walk away reminded that great stories aren’t just told on screen... they’re lived out by those who refuse to let them go.

John Ruhlin built a wildly successful business and life practicing radical generosity. While many spend their lives asking, “How much do I have to give?” John asked, “What’s the most I possibly can?” That question—and the way he answered it—changed my life. And it changed the world around him. Let me explain.

Neal McDonough is an award-winning actor known for memorable roles in Band of Brothers, Justified, and Desperate Housewives, as well as more than 150 film and TV credits. Beyond his on-screen success, Neal is a devoted husband, father of five, and storyteller whose real-life journey rivals any script he’s ever brought to life.

Today, Neal shares how a chance meeting with his wife, Ruvé, changed everything, why he walked away from roles that didn’t align with his values, and how losing nearly everything led him to a deeper faith, a stronger marriage, and a renewed purpose. You’ll also hear about the hard lessons he’s learned from Hollywood legends, the projects he’s now creating to inspire others, and why he believes resilience starts with knowing who you are.

My friends, if you’ve ever faced setbacks, questioned your worth, or wondered how to start again, this conversation is for you. You’ll leave with a reminder that your values matter more than your circumstances, that love is worth fighting for, and that with faith and grit, there’s always a way forward.

True value doesn’t come from how others see us; it comes from knowing who we are.

Sometimes the most important lessons are taught in unexpected places, by unforeseen people and in unpredicted ways.  A recent experience provided such a reminder…even if it wasn’t a lesson I wanted to receive. Let me explain.

Did you know 84% of Americans say stress impacts them as deeply as trauma?

Recognizing this, Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a stress physiologist whose work is reshaping how we think about pressure, performance, and resilience.

Today, Rebecca shares how we can reframe stress as a tool for growth, how to move from trauma to post-traumatic growth, and why curiosity is often the best way through anxiety. With research-backed examples and real-life stories, she explains why your belief about stress (not the stress itself!) may be what’s holding you back.

My friends, if you’re carrying more than your fair share right–personally, professionally, emotionally, or something else–then this conversation is for you. You’ll leave feeling a little lighter, a lot more empowered, and equipped to view stress not as something to run from, but as a signal you’re on the edge of something meaningful.

Earlier this summer, I sat next to my dad in a darkened movie theater. We shared some popcorn, fought over Milk Duds, and watched a movie together.

The film we watched—a retelling of the life we’ve lived together, now stunningly portrayed on the big screen—was a powerful reminder: when intuition whispers, listen. Let me explain.

Former Governor John Kasich has spent his life bringing people together to tackle tough problems, guided by a deep belief that we all have a role to play in making the world a little better than we found it. As a former Ohio governor and four-time New York Times bestselling author, it’s his deep commitment to faith and building community that matters most to him.

Today, John Kasich shares why he believes the antidote to our cultural division isn’t politics — it’s purpose. Hear John share about his working-class roots, how losing his parents to a drunk driver deepened his faith, and why he believes real change always begins from the bottom up. He also reveals the stories behind his new book Heaven Help Us, which highlights unsung heroes whose love, compassion, and faith are quietly transforming communities across the country.

My friends, whether you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, Independent or something completely different, this conversation is for you. You’ll leave reminded that you matter, that your choices ripple, and that faith—when lived boldly and lovingly—can unite, heal, and change the world.

More than 20 years ago, my wife Beth and I volunteered to take on a Little Brother from our local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. We thought we would be helping a child who needed something we could give. What we didn’t expect was how much we’d grow—and how much that little boy would change our lives.

You see, at the time, I was busy, distracted, stretched thin. But that small, consistent commitment turned into a life-giving friendship. And Beth and I learned an important lesson that still guides us today: that stepping outside your comfort zone isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming more.

I was reminded of that lesson when I read the nomination for this month’s On Fire For Good honoree, Aimee Risser. Let me explain.

Jameson Reeder Sr. and his 10-year-old son, Jameson Jr., were swimming nine miles off the coast of Florida when a 9-foot bull shark appeared out of nowhere. In seconds, their peaceful snorkeling trip turned into a fight for life, and one that would test their faith, summon unexpected heroes, and reveal a little boy’s unshakable courage.

Today, Jameson Sr. and Jameson Jr. share how a terrifying shark attack led to a series of undeniable miracles. You’ll hear how strangers leapt into action, how courage showed up in the most unexpected ways, and how just weeks after the attack, Jameson Jr. asked to return to the place of the attack to face his fear.

My friends, if you need a reminder of the strength we carry, even in the most unthinkable moments, this conversation is for you. You’ll be moved by Jameson Jr.’s resilience and compassion in the face of pain, as he shows us what it means to be brave, how to forgive the unimaginable, and how to meet fear with courage, grit, and even joy.