In this episode, we talk with Michael Nebeker — a visionary bringing hospitals on wheels to those who need them most. His story reshapes what impact and purpose mean.

David Ibarra welcomes former Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis to discuss the Readiness Mindset and Pleasing Personality — and how preparation and kindness can transform leadership and life.

In this episode of Live Ready Beyond Think and Grow Rich David Ibarra welcomes former Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis to discuss the Readiness Mindset and Pleasing Personality — and how preparation and kindness can transform leadership and life.

 Palmer DePaulis, former Salt Lake City Mayor and Utah Cabinet member, is known for his calm, unifying leadership and lifelong dedication to public service.

From revitalizing neighborhoods to leading state human services, his legacy reflects purpose, compassion, and a readiness to serve — showing that true leadership is about meaningful connection.

Saving Lives - A Purpose with Dedication

In this episode of Live Ready – Beyond Think & Grow Rich with David Ibarra, we speak with Michael Nebeker — a visionary whose mission is literally putting hospitals on wheels to reach the most vulnerable.

His story will challenge how you define impact, purpose, and what legacy really means.

Michael Nebeker is the co-founder of Mobile Surgery International, a nonprofit dedicated to delivering lifesaving surgical care — including cleft lip and palate repairs — via mobile hospitals in countries like Mexico.

Over four decades, he’s raised more than $100 million for humanitarian causes, and his inspiration dates back to his missionary service in Thailand, where a harrowing encounter triggered his lifelong commitment to the underserved. It was at this moment that he felt he was given his true, higher calling - "Take care of my children".

Join us as we explore how Michael combines big dreams with big heart and how you can apply that same principle of purpose to your own life.

What does it mean to live with true purpose? In this inspiring episode of Live Ready – Beyond Think and Grow Rich with David Ibarra, meet Melissa Schaefer, founder of Strengthen Her Utah, a movement built on compassion, empowerment, and purpose.

Her mission is simple but powerful — to lift women and children out of hardship and help them find confidence, stability, and hope.

Melissa rose through the management ranks at IBM, achieving remarkable success before retiring at just 45. But her greatest work began when she followed a deeper calling — to serve. From helping thousands of refugee mothers to breaking the cycles of poverty and domestic violence, Melissa’s vision for Strengthen Her Utah continues to inspire women to stand tall, dream big, and build lives of self-reliance and purpose.

As a young child she asked herself, "When I die, what do I want to be known for?" Her purpose and drive will make sure that she is known for all the right reasons.

What drives a true leader? In this episode of Live Ready – Think & Grow Rich with David Ibarra, former Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker reveals how one powerful word — Purpose — shaped his entire journey.

From parks to politics, Ralph shares the mindset that helped him turn passion into impact and leadership into legacy. Before serving as Mayor, Ralph Becker spent 11 years in the Utah State Legislature, championing issues that balanced progress with preservation. His journey began in the National Park Service, where his passion for protecting public lands ignited a lifelong dedication to service.

That same drive led him from parks to policy — and ultimately to leading one of America’s fastest-growing cities.

In this episode, Ralph shares how defining your purpose can become the foundation for lasting success and meaningful leadership.

This week’s guest, James Davenport, will help you with tips that have made him one of Utah’s top financial advisors. 

James has 25 years of experience working with family businesses and executives in customizing comprehensive plans to bring about client focused objectives.

A key pivot in 2007 directed James’ attention and passion to helping families establish multi-family office services to facilitate generational wealth planning transfers.

He currently works with Crewe Advisors, a top ten firm in Utah, and James has been named one of the top 25 advisors in the state. James graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Finance and Accounting and is a CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.

David explores the principle of Optimizing Time & Money as he sits down with top financial advisor James Davenport. It's a very enriching episode not to be missed

Conversations with David Ibarra takes a neew direction with "Live Ready - Beyond Think & Grow Rich". In this episode David explains the reasons for the move. Don't Miss It!

David Ibarra loves discussing politics, so you can expect plenty of engaging topics when he sits down with former Salt Lake County Mayor and one-time Utah gubernatorial candidate, Peter Corroon.

With a long history of public service, Peter has used his motivational tactics to inspire growth in both people and communities. 

Peter Corroon is the President of Sentry Financial's Real Estate Division. He is also owner of Corroon Company, a real estate consulting firm and Red Gate Properties, LLC, a real estate development and management firm.

Peter has worked in various facets of real estate development from appraisal, construction, law, development and management. He has built or managed multi-family, office, warehouse and self-storage properties. He also started a non-profit affordable housing company to serve the housing needs in Salt Lake City.

Peter has an extensive background in government, civic affairs and small business development. Peter previously served as Salt Lake County Mayor from 2005-2013, overseeing an $850 million budget and up to 8,000 employees who provided services to the over one-million citizens.

He is currently the President of the Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity and has presided over the boards of the Utah Democratic Party, Catholic Community Services of Utah, the Salt Lake Vest Pocket Business Coalition, and was appointed as a Small Claims Court Judge.

He has served on the boards of the National Association of Counties, the United Way, Friends of Alta, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce where he received the Best Elected Official award, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Visit Salt Lake, the Utah Technology Council.

Peter also served as the Small Business Administration Regulatory Fairness Ombudsman for the State of Utah. He previously provided volunteer legal advice in Spanish to the Hispanic Community.

He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Golden Gate University School of Law, a Master of Science in Real Estate Development and Finance from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University.

Peter also speaks fluent French, intermediate Spanish and some Italian. He also has taught finance and real estate development courses at Westminster College and Salt Lake Community College.

In this episode, David sits down with former Utah State Legislator Mark Archuleta Wheatley for a candid conversation about two decades of public service, the power of working across the aisle, and what it really takes to solve problems when the politics get loud.

Mark shares the highs and lows of his 20 years in the Utah Legislature, from passing landmark legislation on inmate rehabilitation and substance abuse funding to navigating some of the most contentious immigration debates in state history.

He also reflects on growing up in Salt Lake City's Central City neighborhood, a place shaped by diversity long before it became a talking point, and how those early experiences shaped his approach to leadership and community.

This is a conversation about service, resilience, and the kind of quiet, steady leadership that actually moves things forward.