On this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General James Lukeman, the current CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. With a distinguished 40-year military career that included deployments to the Persian Gulf, Germany, and Okinawa, as well as leadership roles ranging from Commanding General of the Second Marine Division to Deputy Director for Strategy and Plans at U.S. Africa Command, General Lukeman brings unparalleled insight into service, leadership, and resilience.

In their conversation, General Lukeman reflects on what inspired him to join the Marines, the challenges and triumphs of his decades in uniform, and the lessons in resilience and leadership that remain at the heart of Marine Corps culture. He also shares his candid perspective on the ups and downs of military life, including how early setbacks shaped him into a stronger leader.

As CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, General Lukeman discusses the mission of preserving and promoting the history, traditions, and values of the Corps through the National Museum of the Marine Corps and beyond. From the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps to the Foundation’s education and outreach initiatives, he offers a powerful vision of how the legacy of the Marines continues to inspire unity, service, and hope for the future.

About Gen. Jim Lukeman: As the current CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, retired U.S. Marines Corps Major General James Lukeman’s mission is to preserve and promulgate the history, traditions, and culture of the Marine Corps, and educate all Americans about its virtue. Jim Lukeman attended the University of Notre Dame on a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship, was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation, and spent 40 years of his life on active military duty. Among his many assignments over the years, General Lukeman was deployed to the Persian Gulf, Germany, and Okinawa. He was detailed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, served as the Chief of Staff for Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, served as the Deputy Director for Strategy and Plans for the U-S Africa Command, was the Commanding General of the Second Marine Division, and served as the Commanding General of the Training and Education Command.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Sophia Mullins, founder of Wall Street Wellness, LLC, to share her remarkable journey from the fast-paced world of investment banking and private equity to becoming a leader in corporate wellness. After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition, Sophia took charge of her health through functional medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. Her recovery not only transformed her personal well-being but also ignited a passion for helping professionals thrive without sacrificing their health. That passion became Wall Street Wellness, a consultancy dedicated to equipping high-pressure workplaces with practical, sustainable wellness strategies.

In this episode, Sophia opens up about her health journey, the hidden costs of stress in demanding industries, and the challenges of leaving a successful finance career to pursue a mission-driven path. She also explains what corporate wellness really means - beyond gym memberships and fruit bowls - and how organizations can build cultures that foster resilience, balance, and long-term performance. Whether you’re a professional navigating a high-stress career, a leader looking to invest in workplace wellness, or someone curious about making a bold career change, Sophia’s story offers inspiration, practical insights, and hope.

About Sophia Mullins: Sophia Mullins spent nearly a decade working and thriving in the high-pressure world of investment banking, private equity, and hedge funds. Her life and career took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. Through functional medicine, nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes, Sophia regained her health and discovered a passion for helping others navigate wellness in demanding careers. That passion led her to found Wall Street Wellness, a corporate wellness consultancy that helps individuals and companies integrate realistic, sustainable wellness practices into high-pressure work environments. Not only is she the founder of Wall Street Wellness, she’s also a certified health and well-being practitioner. Sophia’s mission is simple: empower professionals to perform at their best while maintaining their health, resilience, and balance. 

In this episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Tim Currie, CEO of NOVA and author of Swift Trust: Mastering Relationships in the Remote Work Revolution. Drawing from his groundbreaking research and leadership experience, Dr. Currie unpacks the hidden “trust bleed” that erodes collaboration, engagement, and culture in remote and hybrid workplaces.

He explains why traditional approaches to building trust no longer work in today’s distributed environments and offers practical strategies for leaders to intentionally design the rituals, relationships, and structures that teams need to thrive. Whether you’re a business leader navigating hybrid work, an HR professional shaping culture, or a team member looking to strengthen connections, this conversation will give you actionable insights to help you and your organization succeed in the future of work.

About Dr. Tim Currie: Dr. Tim Currie stands at the forefront of organizational trust innovation, having personally sold over $100 million in revenue and guided teams to over $1 billion more. As a transformational leader who's managed 1,000-plus professionals throughout his career, he combines doctoral-level research with lived experience, driving high-growth technology companies through digital transformation. His pioneering work on trust architecture promises to revolutionize how Fortune 500 companies build cultures of innovation in remote environments. When not reshaping the future of work, Dr. Currie applies his insights as an advisor to tech startups and private equity firms seeking exponential growth through trusted leadership.

As the 24th observance of the September 11th attacks approaches, Next Steps Forward host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Kristen Breitweiser, a woman whose life was forever changed that day and who transformed her grief into a powerful call for justice and accountability.

After losing her husband, Ron, in the attacks on the World Trade Center, Kristen emerged as one of the most determined and influential voices for 9/11 families. Alongside three other widows, known to the nation as the “Jersey Girls,” she fought tirelessly for the creation of the 9/11 Commission, testified before Congress, and challenged the U.S. government to answer hard questions.

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Kristen reflects on:

• Life with her husband Ron before 9/11 and the moments she holds most dear

• The morning of September 11, 2001, and the immediate aftermath of loss

• How her grief became a driving force for activism and systemic change

• The creation and legacy of the 9/11 Commission; its successes and shortcomings

• The resilience it takes to face criticism and keep pushing forward

Kristen also shares insights from her book, Wake-Up Call: The Political Education of a 9/11 Widow, which chronicles her journey from suburban mom to nationally recognized advocate.

Whether you lived through 9/11 or belong to a generation that only knows it through history, this episode is a powerful reminder of courage, resilience, and the ability of “ordinary people” to make extraordinary change.

About Kristen Breitweiser: Kristen Breitweiser is a 9/11 widow, lawyer, and activist who has spent more than two decades demanding truth, accountability, and justice for victims of terrorism. Thrust into advocacy after the loss of her husband Ron in the South Tower on September 11, 2001, she helped lead a movement, known as the “Jersey Girls," that transformed grief into action. Their persistence forced the creation of the 9/11 Commission and ensured Congress enacted sweeping national security reforms based on its recommendations. Breitweiser testified before the Joint Inquiry of Congress in September 2002, calling for the Commission’s establishment, and later before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee in 2004 on the need for reforms. She chronicled her journey in her memoir Wake Up Call: The Political Education of a 9/11 Widow, and continues to be a leading voice on victims’ rights and government accountability.

Her work has extended far beyond the Commission. She has been deeply involved in shaping legislation such as the Justice Against State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), the 9/11 Transparency and Accountability Act, the Sudan Claims Resolution Act, and reforms to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSSTF). Most recently, she was involved in the “Fairness for 9/11 Families Act,” legislation that, while intended to deliver long-overdue justice, was ultimately compromised and provided only sharply limited restitution to thousands of 9/11 estates, widows, and children. Today, Breitweiser continues her advocacy on Guantánamo, counterterrorism policy, and the pursuit of full and equitable restitution for all victims of state-sponsored terrorism. She is currently at work on a follow-up to Wake Up Call (to be released in September 2026) and co-hosts the soon-to-launch Chat 9-11 Podcast.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Ron Acierno, professor and vice chair of Veterans Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School, and executive director of the UTHealth Trauma and Resilience Center. With more than 150 published articles, 30 book chapters, and decades of groundbreaking research, Dr. Acierno is a leading voice on trauma, resilience, and veteran mental health.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Acierno and Dr. Meek explore:

• The realities and misconceptions surrounding post-trauma stress and why language matters.

• The urgent challenges of veteran suicide, moral injury, and stigma around seeking care.

• How trauma affects not only service members but also spouses, partners, and children and what whole-family healing can look like.

• Breakthroughs in treatment approaches, including telemedicine, peer-to-peer support, and innovative interventions that save lives.

• Insights from working with veterans across generations, from Korea and Vietnam to today’s post-9/11 era.

Dr. Acierno also discusses his research on elder abuse, the future of trauma treatment, and how digital platforms and artificial intelligence may shape mental health care moving forward.

Whether you are a veteran, a family member, a clinician, or someone seeking a deeper understanding of trauma and resilience, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and actionable insights.

About Dr. Ronald Acierno: Ron Acierno is a professor and vice chair of Veterans Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School. He also serves as the Executive Director of the UTHealth Trauma and Resilience Center (TRC). Acierno has two related but distinct research foci: epidemiological studies of elder mistreatment and treatment outcome studies, focusing on victims of trauma, disaster, combat or loss. He has served as Principal Investigator on grants from NIA, NIMH, NIJ, the Department of Defense, The Department of Veterans Affairs, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, the Archstone Foundation, and the Retirement Research Foundation. Thus Acierno mixes epidemiological research with treatment outcome research, and keeps close to the clinical world as a clinician-administrator for treatment programs serving both civilian and military traumatized populations. Acierno has also been recognized for his personal investment in the mentoring of others, with over 20 current faculty researchers across the country having worked alongside him in his lab over the years. Acierno has over 150 published articles and 30 book chapters, and has served on the Editorial Boards of several journals. In addition, he is a member of several grant review committees for the VA, NIH, and DoD. Finally, he has worked on special expert panels in the areas of elder abuse for the CDC, the WHO, and the NIJ.

What makes a good leader truly great? In this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Dana Kirchman, leadership expert, executive coach, and trusted advisor, to explore that very question. With more than 25 years of experience working alongside leaders at the highest levels, Dr. Kirchman shares her insights on the habits, mindsets, and relational skills that drive authentic leadership transformation.

From the role of compassion in high-stakes environments, to the impact of remote and hybrid work, to the essential differences between emotional intelligence and relational intelligence, Dr. Kirchman unpacks what leaders need most to succeed in today’s world. Listeners will also hear her perspectives on when to seek executive coaching, what to look for in a coach, and how coaching can empower both top executives and emerging leaders to reach their full potential.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive, an aspiring leader, or someone curious about how leadership evolves, this episode offers practical wisdom, candid stories, and thought-provoking lessons to help you take your own next steps forward.

About Dr. Dana Kirchman: Dr. Dana Kirchman, Ed.D., J.D., PCC, leads an executive and team coaching practice grounded in compassion and relational intelligence. Dana is a leadership expert, executive coach, and trusted advisor, partnering with leaders at the highest levels for over twenty-five years. Known for her combination of expertise, insightful candor, and care, Dana brings experienced points of view to leadership transformation. Dana holds a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California and teaches at the Columbia University Coaching Certificate Program. She is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a Columbia University Certified Executive Coach, combining practical coaching methods with a rigorous understanding of organizational culture. Dana earned her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude, from Yale University. She has also worked as a theatrical producer and is a trained meditation instructor who can integrate creativity and mindfulness into her coaching work. As a counselor and catalyst, Dana supports clients while challenging them to think bigger and lead more purposefully. She is a sought-after guide for executives navigating change.

Janice Trey, the head of Epoch Times/NTD Network, and Ying Chen, conductor at Shen Yun Performing Arts, join program host Dr. Chris Meek in this installment of Next Steps Forward to discuss their experiences with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), communist history and to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses of numerous groups in China. Janice Trey will detail her experiences in a CCP labor camp, where she lived until she was 9 years old, and her inside view of the two vastly different worlds of communism and freedom. She discusses why her commitment to spread true information and accurate unbiased journalism is important, not just for her but for everyone. As the conductor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Ying Chen shares her personal experiences defying the CCP’s attempts to cancel Shen Yun, the difficulties the company has faced in light of the CCP’s global campaign to cancel it and what fuels her sense of empowerment in the face of adversity. Both Janice and Ying’s journeys and work underscore the necessity to keep people informed. 

Janice Trey: Janice Trey’s thirst for truth sprouted from a Chinese labor camp. She was born in the middle of the Cultural Revolution—one of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Mao Zedong’s campaigns that targeted traditional Chinese culture, killing an estimated millions. Living her first 9 years in the camp and making it out has given her an inside view of two vastly different worlds and a commitment  to spread true information and accurate unbiased journalism as the head of the Epoch Times/NTD Network. During the Communist Cultural Revolution, authorities labeled people like her parents, college educated engineers as an inferior class and sent them (and the entire family) to a labor camp in a remote southern Chinese village. The living conditions were brutal. When she came to the United States her quest for learning led her to the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Business School where she excelled. She also holds a Management and Leadership certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Janice Trey, is a Certified Public Accountant, has held various executive roles at Fortune 500 companies. Her healthcare experience includes leadership roles in global health tech, consumer lifestyle, medical device, life science, and technology companies. Ms. Trey is passionate about boosting well-being, and saving and improving lives. She is a strong advocate of human rights, free speech, free press  and freedom of religion. In that regard, she encourages excellence from her team of journalists and on-air broadcasters to provide the accurate news and information that is critical to the world.

Ying Chen: Since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006, Ying Chen has served as conductor, principal flutist, piccoloist, orchestra manager, and stage manager. She was born into a family of elite musicians in Beijing, and studied flute at the Music Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory. After graduating with the highest honors, she relocated to the United States, where she attended Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University on scholarship and studied with the principal flutist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She composed pieces for New Tang Dynasty Television’s Global Chinese New Year Gala and Holiday Wonders performances in 2004 and 2005.

In this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Patricia “Patty” D. Horoho, a trailblazer who made history as the first woman, first nurse, and first non-physician to serve as the Army Surgeon General and Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command. With a career spanning over 38 years of service, General Horoho reflects on her remarkable journey from the Green Ramp disaster in 1994 to the Pentagon on 9/11, and her transformational leadership in Army medicine. After retiring from the Army, General Horoho’s leadership continues to shine as Chief Strategy, Innovation and Transformation Officer for Optum Health, where she has rapidly grown the organization to multi-billion-dollar success, particularly through her agile response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this conversation, they discuss her career milestones, leadership principles, resilience, and the groundbreaking changes she implemented in military healthcare. LTG Horoho also shares insights into her personal life, including balancing her demanding career with motherhood, and how she continues to serve others through the 2Serve Together Foundation, which honors military women. Tune in to hear her inspiring advice on leadership, resilience, and the importance of empowering the next generation of leaders—especially women. 

About LTG Patricia "Patty" D. Horoho: Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Patricia “Patty” D. Horoho is the current Chief Strategy, Innovation and Transformation Officer for Optum Health. She was the 43rd Army Surgeon General and the Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command. She made history as the first woman, first nurse and first non-physician to hold these posts. In these roles, LTG Horoho led the world’s third-largest health care system with a multi-billion-dollar budget, a staff of 156,000 and a global logistics, research and care network that spanned five continents. After her retirement from the Army in December 2015, she joined UnitedHealth Group in 2017 to establish the Optum Serve brand, which is the end-to-end federal business of both Optum and UnitedHealth Group. In the last two years, Optum Serve has entered into new markets, grown the top line by three-hundred percent, and grown into a multi-billion dollar organization. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, her agility and ability to effectively leverage resources resulted in Optum Serve rapidly standing up new business models to support COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution. In 2023, LTG Horoho also established the 2Serve Together Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring our military women.

What happens when the protectors need protection? This week on Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Lieutenant Randy Sutton (Ret.), a 34-year law enforcement veteran, national media voice, and founder of The Wounded Blue, the only nationwide organization dedicated to helping injured and disabled law enforcement officers.

During his decades of service, Randy Sutton witnessed firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial toll of the job - especially when officers are injured in the line of duty. Out of that experience, he created The Wounded Blue, a nonprofit that provides critical support, advocacy, and peer counseling to officers and their families when they need it most.

In this powerful conversation, Sutton shares: ✔ The real challenges faced by law enforcement officers when tragedy strikes. ✔ How The Wounded Blue is changing lives - and why the need for its mission is greater than ever. ✔ His perspective on the state of policing in America today. ✔ Personal stories from a remarkable 34-year career that earned him the reputation as the “voice of American law enforcement.”

If you care about public safety, resilience, and supporting our nation’s heroes, this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.

About Randy Sutton: Lieutenant Randy Sutton (Ret.) is a distinguished figure in the law enforcement community. With over 34 years of service, he brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Sutton founded The Wounded Blue as a means to support injured and disabled law enforcement officers. As the Chair of the Board of Directors, he leads initiatives aimed at providing assistance and resources to those who have sacrificed for the safety of others. In addition to his contributions in law enforcement, Sutton is a prolific author, and his insights have earned him appearances in movies and TV shows, solidifying his reputation as the “voice of American law enforcement.”

What can economics teach us about leadership, resilience, and character? This week on Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Seung Paik, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, award-winning educator, and creator of Leadernomics, for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership in today’s complex world.

After 25 years of distinguished service, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and leadership roles across the globe, Paik transitioned from military command to the classroom - where he combined his passion for leadership and economics into a groundbreaking framework: Leadernomics. Described as “the 101 course everyone wishes they had,” Leadernomics explores the intersection of economic principles and leadership behaviors to help individuals and organizations move from “what is” to “what should be.”

About Col. Seung Paik: Seung Paik retired from the United States Air Force at the rank of colonel after 25 years of distinguished service. He has led award-winning organizations at various levels, specializing in resource and financial management, and has served in operations across the globe from Korea, Japan and Germany to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He received his master’s degree from Penn State University and has been an instructor at both the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and the United States Air Force Academy where he was awarded the Outstanding Academy Educator. As a dedicated educator, Seung Paik has taught micro and macroeconomics, law and economics and developed a seminar on the economics of sports. While teaching at the Academy, Seung’s passion for leadership and economics came together in the creation of Leadernomics, which he describes as the 101 everyone wishes they had.