Next Steps Forward host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Michelle "MACE" Curran, former U.S. Air Force combat pilot, elite Thunderbirds Lead Solo, bestselling author, and trailblazing motivational speaker, to the program to discuss courage, confidence, and breaking through fear to live a life of purpose and possibility. Michelle's journey from a small-town girl in Wisconsin to one of the most respected fighter pilots in the world is nothing short of remarkable. During her 13-year career in the U.S. Air Force, she flew F-16s in combat missions across the globe and made history as only the second woman ever to serve as Lead Solo for the Air Force Thunderbirds, a role that demands precision, resilience, and fearless leadership.

After stepping away from military service, Michelle founded Upside Down Dreams, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to overcome self-doubt, embrace bold action, and unlock their full potential. As a keynote speaker and author of the bestselling book The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear Into Your Superpower, she takes lessons from the cockpit and applies them to everyday challenges, showing us how to reframe fear, conquer imposter syndrome, and build high-performing mindsets in both personal and professional life.

During the interview, Michelle will share:

• What it really takes to push past fear and self-imposed limits

• How her experience as a fighter pilot shaped her views on leadership, teamwork, and resilience Why starting before you're ready is one of the most powerful moves you can make

• Practical strategies for turning uncertainty and doubt into confidence and action

Whether you're facing a major life transition, career challenge, or simply looking to elevate your mindset, this conversation with Michelle "MACE" Curran will leave you feeling empowered, motivated, and ready to take your next steps forward.

About Michelle "MACE" Curran: Michelle "MACE" Curran is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and lead solo for the Thunderbirds. In early 2022, Michelle left active duty military service to found Upside Down Dreams, a company which empowers people to overcome obstacles and the fear of failure. She travels the country speaking to organizations on lessons of grit, perseverance, determination, and teamwork. Through keynotes, courses and workshops, she empowers individuals to shift how they view fear, overcome self-doubt, and build trust in high performing teams. Over the last few years, she's shared her story from over a hundred stages and taken it to the page. Her debut non-fiction book, The Flipside, became a USA Today Top 20 Bestseller and has been featured on CBS Mornings, The Next Big Idea, and in Fast Company. She has also written two children's books Upside Down Dreams and What's Your Callsign?, both picture books for children with big dreams looking for a real-world heroine. She loves inspiring others, both young and old, to chase their dreams and achieve their true potential.

What if the key to ending poverty in Africa isn't more aid but more freedom? In this powerful episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with globally recognized entrepreneur, author, and thought leader Magatte Wade to challenge some of the most deeply held assumptions about Africa, capitalism, and human flourishing. Born and raised in Senegal, Magatte shares her firsthand experience of a culture rich in dignity, community, and tradition, yet constrained by limited economic opportunity. From her early years in West Africa to her current work spanning Austin, Texas and the African continent, Magatte explains how governance, regulation, and economic freedom, not charity, shape prosperity.

As Senior Fellow at Atlas Network, Magatte makes a compelling case for free markets as the most effective tool for lifting people out of poverty. She discusses why youth unemployment remains high even in stable democracies, how excessive regulation stifles entrepreneurship, and what it would take for Senegal, and Africa more broadly, to become a beacon of economic freedom. The conversation also tackles controversial topics head-on: the legacy of colonialism, the failures of post-independence leadership, and why Magatte has famously called foreign aid "poison." She explains why she believes aid often does more harm than good, what real freedom looks like for Africa's future, and how dignity, purpose, and enterprise can restore hope to disillusioned young people.

About Magatte Wade: Magatte Wade is a Senior Fellow at Atlas Network, the leading organization of African free market think tanks. She was listed as a Forbes "TWENTY Youngest Power Women in Africa," a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and a TED Global Africa Fellow. Magatte is the bestselling author of "The Heart of a Cheetah," and the host of "The Magatte Wade Show." Magatte's passion for the role of free markets in overcoming poverty and the power of enterprise to tackle social issues and promote entrepreneurial education make her a sought-after speaker and thought leader at major conferences, events, and universities around the world. She's spoken at the United Nations, Aspen Institute, Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, Yale, MIT, and the TED mainstage and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Fast Company, Fortune, and many other well-regarded media outlets.

In this week's episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with award-winning journalist and author Vicki Larson to explore love, independence, aging, and the evolving landscape of journalism.

Vicki shares insights from her latest book, LATitude: How You Can Make a Live Apart Together Relationship Work, explaining what it means to pursue committed relationships while maintaining separate households and why this approach is growing in popularity. She also discusses her acclaimed book, Not Too Old for That: How Women Are Changing the Story of Aging, and offers empowering perspectives on how women can embrace later life as a time for growth, independence, and self-discovery.

Throughout the conversation, Vicki reflects on her decades-long career in journalism, the challenges and joys of reporting with curiosity and compassion, and how societal norms around marriage, relationships, and aging are evolving. Listeners will gain practical advice, thoughtful reflections, and inspiration to define life on their own terms, no matter their stage of life.

Tune in for an enlightening discussion on courage, curiosity, resilience, and the freedom to live differently.

About Vicki Larson: Vicki Larson is an award-winning journalist who has spent her career asking questions that challenge long-held assumptions about marriage, aging, and what it means to live a fulfilling life on our own terms. She is the author of "LATitude: How You Can Make a Live Apart Together Relationship Work." Her book "Not Too Old for That: How Women Are Changing the Story of Aging" was named Best Book of 2022 by Take the Lead and earned praise from former supermodel and pro-aging activist Paulina Porizkova. Vick is also the coauthor of "The New I Do: Reshaping Marriage for Skeptics, Realists, and Rebels," which was named the Best Book of 2014 by PopSugar.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek is joined by Carolyn Sharp, a nationally recognized relationship expert, licensed independent clinical social worker, and award-winning author of Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship. With more than 30 years of experience helping couples build resilient connections, Carolyn offers deep insights into the nature of true intimacy, why it often fades, and how attachment styles, subtle relationship patterns, and major breaches of trust shape long-term connection. She also explains how couples can reignite emotional closeness, the difference between intimacy and sexual connection, and the transformative role of PACT, the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy.

Chris and Carolyn will explore the world of high-conflict couples: what defines them, how early experiences fuel repeated patterns, and how professionals determine whether partners should stay together or separate for their safety and well-being. Carolyn reflects on her career path from working with children in the foster care system to counseling high-conflict couples, sharing the lessons she's learned about resilience, healing, and the rebuilding of trust.

About Carolyn Sharp: Carolyn Sharp, LICSW, is a nationally recognized relationship expert with over 30 years of experience helping couples, individuals, and teams build resilient connections. Her career began working with severely impacted children in foster care, later serving as Clinical Director at the YMCA and faculty member at Washington School for Professional Psychology, training future therapists. In 2005, Carolyn launched her private practice, specializing in high-conflict couples therapy. She trained extensively with Dr. Stan Tatkin, founder of PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), and served as a PACT Institute ambassador.

Carolyn expanded into coaching, retreats, and corporate consulting, creating transformational experiences worldwide using real-time, science-based interventions. She's the award-winning author of Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship, has spoken for The New York Times Company, and is a Psychology Today columnist. She leads sold-out retreats across the U.S. and Italy. Known for her direct, insightful, humor-infused style, Carolyn brings deep compassion and a no-nonsense drive for real change. Personally, after navigating divorce and blending a family of four teenagers, Carolyn understands firsthand the work required for lasting love. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, passionate about helping others build relationships that are joyful, resilient, and fully alive.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Brittany Dunn, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Safe House Project, one of the nation's leading organizations dedicated to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors on their path to freedom and restoration.

With a decade of global business experience and years of hands-on leadership in the anti-trafficking movement, Brittany brings a rare combination of strategic insight, operational expertise, and deep compassion for the individuals Safe House Project serves. Under her co-leadership, the organization has expanded survivor housing, advanced trauma-informed care, strengthened national reporting and identification efforts, and mobilized cross-sector partners to fight trafficking at the systemic level.

In this powerful conversation, Mrs. Dunn discusses:

• The realities of human trafficking in the United States and the misconceptions that hinder progress

• Why safe housing is one of the biggest gaps in survivor recovery

• How Safe House Project builds national networks of care and long-term support

• Success stories that illustrate what true restoration looks like

• Policy and community changes needed to protect vulnerable populations

• How individuals, companies, and communities can be part of the solution

This episode sheds light on a crisis too often hidden and highlights the resilience, courage, and hope of those fighting it every day.

About Brittany Dunn: Brittany Dunn is a nationally recognized expert in the fight against human trafficking, with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. She earned a B.A. in Economics and English from Wellesley College and an MBA with distinction from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Before co-founding Safe House Project, Dunn spent a decade in mergers and acquisitions, leading international business development across Europe and Southeast Asia. Her corporate background in strategic planning and fostering corss-sector and cross-cultural collaboration now informs her innovative work in combating trafficking.

As co-founder and COO of Safe House Project, Dunn has refined the national response to human trafficking by building a pioneering network of safe housing and holistic care for survivors while driving systemic change at every level of government. Appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Governor's Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support, she has shaped policy, enhanced protections, and created sustainable public-private solutions.

Her leadership has been featured in Forbes, The Hill, and CBN, and in 2024 she co-authored Eradicating Human Trafficking: A Transformative Approach Through Collective Impact. A military spouse and mother of two, Dunn is dedicated to creating a safer, more equitable world for future generations.

On this week's installment Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Katina Sawyer, organizational psychologist, associate professor at the University of Arizona, and co-founder of Workr Beeing. Together, they explore the roots of her work in organizational psychology, what truly drives workplace well-being, and the inspiration behind her mission to help companies create healthier, more human-centered cultures. Chris and Katina also discuss the evolving nature of work-life balance, how the pandemic and generational shifts are reshaping our expectations of work, and the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in today's workplace. With insights on burnout, belonging, leadership, and the future of work, this conversation offers practical guidance for anyone striving to thrive, both on the job and beyond it.

About Katina Sawyer: Katina Sawyer is a co-founder of Workr Beeing and an Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management. Her areas of expertise include diversity, work-life balance, leadership, and positive workplace behaviors. Over the years, Katina has published over 50 peer–reviewed studies, book chapters, and Harvard Business Review articles. Her work has been cited in many public outlets, including the Washington Post, Bloomberg Business Week, The Atlantic, Forbes, and The Conversation.

She has been awarded research grants from the National Science Foundation and the Society for Human Resource Management. In 2017, Katina was named Top 40 under 40 from the Philadelphia Business Journal. She also has extensive experience consulting with various organizations. Katina earned her BA in Psychology from Villanova University and a dual-PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Women's Studies from the Pennsylvania State University.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Colonel (Ret.) Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA, a nationally recognized leader in military medicine, medical education, and compassionate healthcare leadership.

Dr. Hartzell brings more than 25 years of Army service, including deployments with the 82nd Airborne Division, and a distinguished career as an infectious disease physician and educator. From leading the Internal Medicine Residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to shaping the future of graduate medical education through innovative leadership training, he has become a transformative voice in how we train, mentor, and care for those who serve.

Now a faculty member at the Uniformed Services University, author, speaker, and coach, Dr. Hartzell continues to champion a culture of excellence grounded in empathy, service, and human connection.

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Hartzell and Dr. Meek explore:

• How military experiences shaped his philosophy of leadership and resilience

• Lessons learned from caring for service members in challenging environments

• Why compassionate leadership is critical in both medicine and the military

• His work developing next-generation medical education and leadership programs

• The power of mentorship, purpose, and service in building stronger teams and communities

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a veteran, an aspiring leader, or someone seeking motivation to take your next step forward, this episode offers wisdom you won't want to miss.

About Col Josh Hartzell: Colonel (retired) Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd currently serves as faculty within the Center for Health Professions Education. He served 25 years in the Army before retiring in 2023. His final role in the Army was the Program Director for the National Capital Consortium Internal Medicine Residency Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). His previous roles included being the Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency, Assistant Chief of Graduate Medical Education (GME), and Army Intern Director at WRNMMC and the Assistant Dean for Faculty Development and Director of Internal Medicine Selectives at the Uniformed Services University. He is a board certified Internist and Infectious Diseases Physician.

Dr. Hartzell has a variety of research and scholarly interests. He has conducted research on infectious diseases to include pertussis, multidrug resistant organisms, leishmaniasis and Q fever. He was the lead author for the Armed Forces Practice Guidelines for the Management of Q fever and was a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention working group on Q fever that published similar recommendations. Dr. Hartzell's primary interests, however, are medical education, mentoring, and leadership development. In particular, Dr. Hartzell has an interest in developing the leadership and teaching skills of residents and faculty. Dr. Hartzell attended the Stanford Faculty Development Clinical Teaching Course in October 2013 and has avidly been conducting faculty development since that time. Dr. Hartzell developed a military-wide leadership curriculum for Graduate Medical Education that began in 2017.

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.

In this installment of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with former Division I hockey champion Grace Shirley, who is twice a national title winner with the Wisconsin Badgers (2021 & 2023), to explore her journey beyond the rink. Grace shares how the thrill of victory and the pressures of elite sport shaped her path, how she discovered the importance of mental-wellness through her own experience, and why she's now focused on becoming a counselor and advocate for student-athlete mental health.

They'll talk about:

• the moment she realized that being "just a hockey player" wasn't enough;

• the transformative role of sports psychology and seeking support early;

• balancing academic, athletic, and personal identity;

• and her vision for what the next chapter looks like: helping others ask for help, redefine success, and embrace the person behind the athlete.

Whether you're a student-athlete, coach, parent or anyone trying to navigate high expectations and identity beyond a role, this episode offers candid insight, practical encouragement, and a reminder that your next step is as meaningful as your first win.

About Grace Shirley: Grace Shirley is a Canadian-born former collegiate ice hockey player turned mental-health advocate and counselor. Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she played four seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey program, helping the team capture NCAA national championships in 2021 and 2023, both alongside her older sister Sophie.

During her tenure at Wisconsin, Shirley earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times, and also received Academic All-WCHA recognition. Despite her athletic and academic success, she candidly reflects on the internal pressures she faced as a student-athlete: "There was a lot of just pressure that I was putting on myself," she said, describing the toll that self-doubt took on her well-being.

In 2023–24, Shirley transferred to Providence College as a graduate student, where she played one season for the Friars and concurrently pursued a master's degree in counseling with the goal of becoming a licensed mental-health counselor. Her experience seeking support, working with a sports psychologist at Wisconsin and finding broader value in those resources beyond the rink, sparked a commitment to helping other student-athletes navigate the intersection of performance and mental-wellness.After graduating with her master's degree, she is poised to step into a career that bridges her athletic background and her passion for mental-health advocacy, striving to be the kind of mentor she once needed.

In this installment of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Rob "Sleepwalker" Weisberg, a 9/11 firefighter who turned personal tragedy and decades of silent suffering into a path of healing. After grappling with PTSD and survivor's guilt for over 20 years, Rob found unexpected hope and renewal on the Appalachian Trail. His memoir, From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel, chronicles a raw, courageous journey from darkness to light, offering inspiration to anyone facing their own battles.

Rob Weisberg: Rob Weisberg's memoir From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel: A 9/11 Firefighter's Journey from Despair to Hope takes readers from the harrowing chaos of September 11, 2001, to the healing solace of the Appalachian Trail. As a firefighter who served during the tragic attacks, Rob confronts the aftermath of that fateful day, grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its ripple effects on his life and relationships. Through raw storytelling, he recounts his struggles, the guilt he carried, and his path to understanding and self forgiveness. In a journey marked by resilience and reflection, Rob Weisberg finds a path forward through unexpected companions - horses, service dogs, and the unique culture of Appalachian Trail hikers. Each step on the trail becomes a step away from despair and toward hope, showing how the simple act of walking can lead to transformation. His book From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel is a deeply moving tale of survival, connection and strength to rebuild after life's darkest moments.