In this inspiring episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Pam Sherman, founder of Sherman Edge, global leadership coach, actor, writer, and author of Play You: The Role of a Lifetime.

For mission-driven leaders, authors, executives, and advocates, showing up with confidence is not about performing as someone else. It is about becoming more fully yourself and communicating in a way that builds trust, connection, and believability.

Pam shares how her background as an actor and leadership coach shaped her work helping leaders bridge what she calls the “believability gap,” the distance between who we truly are and how we think we are supposed to show up.

Together, Ashley and Pam explore how the tools actors use on stage can help leaders communicate with greater authenticity, presence, clarity, and impact. In this conversation, Ashley and Pam discuss:

• Executive presence for mission-driven leaders

• How to communicate with confidence and authenticity

• The connection between leadership, storytelling, and trust

• What the “believability gap” is and why it matters

• How acting techniques can help leaders become more real, not less

• Why self-awareness is the foundation of strong communication

• How leaders can identify their core values and purpose

• The importance of being fully present with your audience

• How to overcome outdated stories and limiting beliefs

• Why leadership is not about playing someone else’s role, but fully owning your own

This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence is not about becoming someone different. It is about understanding who you are, owning your story, and showing up with clarity, conviction, and humanity.

Learn more about Pam Sherman at thepamsherman.com

Order Play You: The Role of a Lifetime wherever books are sold.

In this powerful episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Sara Connell, five-time bestselling author, speaker, founder of Thought Leader Academy, and author of The Download: Train Your Brain, Unlock Your Genius, Create Miracles.

At a time when artificial intelligence can generate content, answers, and ideas in seconds, this conversation explores what still belongs only to human beings: original insight, lived experience, creativity, intuition, and purpose. For mission-driven leaders, authors, founders, and organizations, thought leadership is not about producing more content. It is about knowing what only you can say.

Sara shares the deeply personal story behind The Download, including her journey through infertility, loss, grief, walking, motherhood, and the breakthrough idea that changed her life. She also explains the “download walk,” a practical method for creating the conditions where original ideas, clarity, and creative insight can emerge.

In this conversation, Ashley and Sara discuss:

• How mission-driven leaders can access original ideas in the age of AI

• Why human insight matters more than ever for thought leadership

• The difference between AI-generated content and human creativity

• How to protect your voice, story, and message in a world of sameness

• Sara’s personal journey through infertility, loss, and motherhood

• The story behind The Download

• How walking can help unlock clarity, creativity, and breakthrough ideas

• The neuroscience and psychology behind creative insight

• Why leaders, authors, and changemakers need to make space before asking AI

• How to build a thought leadership platform rooted in lived experience and purpose

This episode is a powerful reminder that the future belongs to people who can offer what technology cannot: original human insight, imagination, compassion, and a message rooted in purpose.

Learn more about Sara Connell at saraconnell.com

Order The Download: Train Your Brain, Unlock Your Genius, Create Miracles wherever books are sold.

In this moving episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Luba Patlakh, speech-language pathologist, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Kidology, Inc., to talk about helping children find their voice, build confidence, and understand that their differences can become their greatest strengths.

After years of supporting children and families through speech, occupational, physical, and developmental therapy, Luba has built Kidology, Inc. into a nationally recognized pediatric therapy practice dedicated to accessible, family-centered care. Now, she is bringing those lessons beyond the therapy room through her new children’s book, Bobo Wears a Bowtie.

Luba shares how her work as a therapist, mother, entrepreneur, immigrant, and daughter shaped her mission to help children communicate with confidence and courage. She also opens up about the personal inspiration behind Bobo Wears a Bowtie, including the influence of her late mother and the powerful message of seeing the good in every day.

In this conversation, Ashley and Luba discuss:

• Why helping children find their voice is about more than speech

• The connection between communication, confidence, identity, and emotional well-being

• What parents should watch for when a child may be struggling

• Why early intervention and trusting parental instinct matters

• The emotional reality of supporting children with developmental differences

• How parents can help shape a child’s inner voice

• Luba’s journey building Kidology into a nationally recognized pediatric therapy practice

• The inspiration behind Bobo Wears a Bowtie

• Grief, resilience, entrepreneurship, and leading with purpose

This episode is a powerful reminder that courage does not always mean being fearless. Sometimes courage simply means showing up as yourself.

Learn more about Kidology, Inc. at kidologyinc.comLearn more about Bobo Wears a Bowtie at bobowearsabowtie.com

In this thought-provoking episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Jamie Metzl, futurist, bestselling author, technology expert, and founder of One Shared World, to explore one of the biggest questions of our time: how do we use powerful technology to help humanity become wiser?

Jamie’s latest book, The AI Ten Commandments: A New Moral Code for Humanity, explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, spirituality, responsibility, and human flourishing. In a groundbreaking move, Jamie publicly credits GPT-5 as a co-author, opening an important conversation about transparency, creativity, and the future of human-AI collaboration.

In this conversation, Ashley and Jamie discuss:

• Why AI is one of the most significant technological shifts of our time

• The promise and risks of artificial intelligence

• Why values, ethics, and governance matter as technology accelerates

• Jamie’s decision to credit GPT-5 as a co-author

• What human-AI collaboration can look like when done transparently

• The role of spirituality, morality, and shared human wisdom in the AI era

• How parents and families can think about AI at home

• Why purpose must come before technology

•What it means to remain deeply human in a rapidly changing world

This episode is a powerful reminder that the future of AI is not only about machines. It is about humanity, wisdom, responsibility, and the values we choose to carry forward.

Learn more about Jamie Metzl at jamiemetzl.com

Learn more about The AI Ten Commandments at theaitencommandments.com

In this powerful episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Casey Caston, co-founder of Marriage365 and author of The Marriage Habit, to talk about what it really takes to build a thriving marriage in today’s busy, high-pressure world.

After facing deep struggles in their own marriage, Casey and his wife, Meygan, made the decision to rebuild from the inside out. What began as their personal journey toward healing and repair became Marriage365, one of the most influential relationship platforms online, helping millions of couples create stronger, healthier, and more intentional relationships.

Casey shares why strong marriages are not built by accident. They are built through habits, systems, repair, communication, and the willingness to do the work within ourselves first. In this conversation, Ashley and Casey discuss:

• Casey and Meygan’s marriage story

• Why a better marriage starts with becoming a better version of yourself

• The power of the weekly marriage “business meeting”

• How small habits can prevent emotional distance over time

• Why apology and repair are essential to long-term connection

• What thriving marriages actually look like in everyday life

• The common patterns that create tension between couples

• Why strong marriages and families matter for future generations

• How The Marriage Habit gives couples practical tools to reconnect and grow

This episode is a powerful reminder that love is not only a feeling. It is a practice, a choice, and a set of habits we return to again and again. Learn more about Marriage365 at marriage365.com

In this powerful episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Dr. Hassan Tetteh, thoracic surgeon, retired U.S. Navy captain, healthcare leader, author, and board member for the American Heart Association in the Greater Washington region.

Together, they discuss Dr. Tetteh’s extraordinary life of service, from military medicine and trauma surgery to transplant care and organ donation. Dr. Tetteh shares the deeply human stories behind his book, From Death to Life, and offers a moving perspective on resilience, grief, hope, and the profound gift of organ donation.

Ashley and Dr. Tetteh also explore the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association, the importance of CPR readiness, and what women need to know about cardiovascular health, including why symptoms of heart disease can look different for women.This conversation is a reminder that life is fragile, purpose matters, and sometimes the smallest action can become someone else’s second chance at life.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Dr. Tetteh’s path from the Navy to transplant surgery

• The human side of organ donation

• The story behind From Death to Life

• Why CPR training matters

• Women’s heart health and overlooked symptoms

• How to get involved with the American Heart Association

• Living with purpose, gratitude, and service

In this episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Tom Davis, Vice President of Corporate Development and Partnerships at Good360, a nonprofit organization leading the way in product philanthropy.

Good360 helps redirect excess and surplus goods from corporations to nonprofits and communities that need them most, keeping usable products out of landfills and getting essential items into the hands of families, disaster survivors, shelters, schools, and organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Tom shares how Good360 works with major retailers, manufacturers, logistics partners and nonprofit partners to match donated products with real needs on the ground. From disaster relief and hygiene products to school supplies, toys, home goods, and corporate surplus, this conversation explores how everyday items can become powerful tools for dignity, recovery, and hope.

Ashley and Tom also discuss the importance of listening before helping, why disaster response requires coordination, and how corporations, nonprofits, and individuals can all play a role in building smarter, more compassionate systems of giving. In this episode, you'll learn:

• What product philanthropy means

• How Good360 redirects surplus goods to communities in need

• Why listening matters in disaster relief

• How corporate donations can support dignity and recovery

• The hidden impact of excess inventory and returns

• How nonprofits can become Good360 members

• Ways individuals and companies can get involved

• The future of circularity, social impact, and responsible giving

Learn more about Good360:https://good360.org

Learn more about Nardi Media:https://www.nardimedia.com

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In this episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Casey Erin Clark and Julie Fogh, co-founders of Vital Voice Training, to explore the power of voice, authentic communication, and what it really means to show up as yourself in leadership.

Casey and Julie help leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, authors, TEDx speakers, and organizations communicate with more confidence, presence, authenticity, and connection. Drawing from their backgrounds in professional theater, voice coaching, leadership development, and public speaking, they challenge the outdated idea that leaders need to sound a certain way in order to be taken seriously.

Together, Ashley, Casey, and Julie discuss why communication is not about perfection or performance. It is about humanity, embodiment, trust, and genuine connection.In this conversation, they explore:

• How to find and trust your authentic voice

• Why women’s voices are often scrutinized in leadership spaces

• The communication barriers that keep people from speaking up

• How theater and voice training can help leaders communicate with more presence

• Why “just be confident” is not helpful advice

• The role of voice, embodiment, and connection in public speaking

• Why human communication matters even more in the age of AI

• How leaders can create safer environments for people to use their full voice

• Why authenticity is not the opposite of intentionality

• What it means to lead, speak, and communicate as your real self

This episode is a powerful conversation for leaders, communicators, founders, speakers, and anyone who wants to speak with more clarity, courage, and connection.

Learn more about Vital Voice Training at vitalvoicetraining.com.

In this moving episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Camille Fortunato, mother, advocate, and founder of The Anthony Filippazzo Grant for Williams Syndrome Research, to share her family’s journey with Williams syndrome and the mission that grew from it.

When Camille’s son, Anthony, was born, doctors immediately knew something was wrong. After years of medical complications, uncertainty, and searching for answers, Anthony was diagnosed with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can affect development, learning, cardiovascular health, and multiple organ systems.

Camille shares what those early years were like, how her family found community after diagnosis, and why she turned pain into purpose through advocacy, awareness, and medical research. In this conversation, Ashley and Camille discuss:

• Anthony’s diagnosis journey

• What Williams syndrome is and why awareness matters

• The emotional reality of navigating a rare disease as a family

• The importance of community and connection

• The need for more research into Williams syndrome and cardiac complications

• How The Anthony Filippazzo Grant for Williams Syndrome Research is helping fund meaningful progress

• The joy, empathy, love, and humanity often found within the Williams syndrome community

This episode is a powerful reminder that awareness is more than information. It is connection, advocacy, and hope.

Learn more about The Anthony Filippazzo Grant for Williams Syndrome Research at wsresearch.org.

Subscribe to Purposeful for more conversations with mission-driven leaders using their voices, platforms, and stories to create meaningful change.

In this deeply moving episode of Purposeful, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America, to discuss the organization’s powerful mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Karen shares the origin story of Wreaths Across America, from one family’s simple act of remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery, to a national, year-round movement led by volunteers across the country.

Ashley also shares her personal connection as a Gold Star daughter, reflecting on how Wreaths Across America helps her honor her father’s legacy and teach her children about service, sacrifice, and remembrance. Together, Ashley and Karen explore:

• The story behind Wreaths Across America

• Why saying the names of fallen service members matters

• The role of volunteers in carrying the mission forward

• How the organization teaches children about service, civics, and freedom

• Why remembrance is about individual stories, not just symbolic acts

• How families, schools, veterans, and communities can get involved year-round

This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that remembrance is not limited to one day. It is something we carry forward through stories, service, education, and community.

Learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to get involved at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

Subscribe to Purposeful for more conversations with mission-driven leaders using their voices, platforms, and leadership to make a meaningful impact.