Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

We all procrastinate sometimes. For about one in five adults, though, putting things off is a chronic habit that can hurt careers, strain relationships and keep people from the lives they want.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek talks with Deacon Joe Ferrari, a psychology professor at DePaul University in Chicago who has spent more than 40 years studying procrastination. He's been called "the man who made procrastination his life's work" and wrote Still Procrastinating? The No Regrets Guide to Getting It Done.

Deacon Joe explains why procrastination isn't the same as laziness, what separates an occasional delay from a chronic pattern, and why people keep avoiding tasks even when they know the consequences. He also gets into how fear of failure, fear of success and perfectionism can keep people from starting.

Then the conversation turns to practical help:

• Whether chronic procrastination can be "cured" or only managed, and what unlearning it looks like

• Whether "do the hardest task first" and "I work better under pressure" hold up to research

• How guilt and shame can lead to more procrastination, and why self-forgiveness matters

• Advice for employers, and for parents of teens who leave everything to the last minute

• Whether smartphones and AI will help us get things done or just give us new ways to stall

Whether you've been putting off a big project, a hard conversation or a long-held dream, this episode gives you a reason, and a plan, to start today.

About Deacon Joe Ferrari: Deacon Joe Ferrari is a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, and he's invested more than four decades studying why we procrastinate, what it costs us and, most importantly, what we can do to overcome it. Deacon Joe is an internationally recognized researcher and the author or co-author of numerous scholarly publications and three books, including Still Procrastinating? The No Regrets Guide to Getting It Done.

Millions of Americans know Robert Irvine as the tough-love chef who walked into struggling restaurants and gave them one last shot at survival. In this episode of Next Steps Forward, the celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and Restaurant: Impossible host sits down with Dr. Chris Meek to talk about the discipline, service, and setbacks behind his success.

Robert goes back to his childhood in England and his decision to join Britain's Royal Navy as a teenager. He explains how a life in professional kitchens around the world taught him to lead people of every personality and skill level. He talks about the 300 episodes of Restaurant: Impossible, where the problems were often less about the food and more about leadership and the owner's personal struggles. He also shares lessons from his book, Overcoming Impossible, and talks about why fear of failure can do more damage than failure itself. Robert also explains why he started the Robert Irvine Foundation, his years-long push to improve how America feeds its troops, and Fuel to Serve, the foundation's new initiative with USAA. He wraps up with how he keeps up his fitness and energy on a demanding schedule and the three qualities he believes everyone needs to handle life's challenges.

Whether you're leading a team, rebuilding a business, or looking for the courage to start over, this conversation is packed with honest, practical wisdom to help you take your next step forward.

About Robert Irvine: Robert Irvine is one of America's best-known celebrity chefs, a successful entrepreneur, an author, television personality, and a passionate advocate for the men and women who serve our country. Millions of Americans know him from his Food Network show, Restaurant: Impossible, where he brought his extraordinary culinary expertise, unmistakable personality, and tough-love approach to struggling restaurants across the country. Perhaps nowhere is his commitment to making a difference more evident than in his work supporting military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their families through the Robert Irvine Foundation.

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 does it take to lead when the plan stops fitting the circumstances? Retired four-star General Gary Brito spent 38 years in the U.S. Army, serving as an infantry officer in Iraq and Afghanistan and concluding his career as commanding general of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command, where he helped prepare soldiers and develop the next generation of leaders.

On this episode of Next Steps Forward, General Brito joins Dr. Chris Meek to share lessons that reach far beyond the military: what people need most from a leader in uncertain moments, how to know when you have enough information to act, and how to make it safe for someone to say, "I think we're getting this wrong." He talks about where compassion and vulnerability fit alongside toughness, how to keep standards high while giving people a fair chance to meet them, and why trust depends on both competence and character, even if you don't have a leadership title. He also looks at what human judgment should still decide as AI takes on more work, and what it's like to change careers when your identity is tied to the role you're leaving.

General Brito also discusses his work as chairman of the board of Army Emergency Relief, which provides financial assistance to soldiers and their families during times of hardship. He explains the financial pressures many people don't realize military families face, how even small contributions add up, and why asking for help before a problem becomes a crisis is a sign of strength.

About General Gary Brito: Retired four-star General Gary Brito brings 38 years of U.S. Army experience to the questions: What does it take to lead through uncertainty, help others recognize their potential, and stay committed to service when the stakes are high? An infantry officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he concluded his military career as commanding general of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command, helping prepare soldiers and develop the next generation of leaders. Today, he continues serving soldiers and their families as chairman of the board of Army Emergency Relief, which provides financial assistance during times of hardship.

For 21 years, John Larocchia ran toward danger as a New York City firefighter. For more than 20 years, he's also been running toward the microphone. In this episode of Next Steps Forward, the man once voted NYC's Funniest Fireman talks about building a comedy career alongside one of the toughest jobs there is, and about what came next.

John shares how stand-up grew into producing, acting, writing, radio hosting, and keynote speaking. He explains why he started the Laughter Saves Lives Comedy Tour and foundation. He also tells the story of the time an audition call landed him on Match Game, where he won his round and made it to the finals. Along the way, he gets into how humor helps first responders process what they carry, how to start something new without walking away from who you are, and why it's never too late to take the next step forward.

Whether you're planning a career change, looking for your second act, or just need a good laugh, this conversation will leave you smiling and motivated.

About John Larocchia: John Larocchia is the founder and president of the Laughter Saves Lives Foundation, as well as the producer and a regular performer of its Comedy Tour. John has been performing stand-up comedy for over 25 years. He was a New York City firefighter for 21 years, retiring in July 2008. Over the years, John has branched out from stand-up comedy to acting, writing, hosting a radio show, and keynote speaking.

Chris Meek speaks with Shauna "Doc" Springer, one of the world's leading experts on psychological trauma, military transition and suicide prevention, in this installment of Next Steps Forward. A trusted doctor to our nation's military war fighters, Springer will discuss practical, tangible tools for suicide prevention and the importance of trust in the prevention process. A champion for the power of connection, Springer will speak on how methods and results of connection have changed over the past year and how stressor events, like the pandemic, have impacted the mental health of veterans. Springer will also provide powerful insight into her best-selling book Warriors, which explores how society can best support those who have sacrificed so much to protect us. Dr. Springer's knowledge and understanding will lead the audience on a path to discovering trust, purpose and connection - and inspire them to share those same values with others.

Postpartum depression is only part of the picture. New mothers can also face anxiety, trauma, intrusive thoughts, bipolar symptoms, and, in rare cases, psychosis, often long after the six-week checkup. This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek talks with Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt, two central Iowa mothers who founded TogetHER after losing people close to them to suicide. Their grassroots organization helps women handle the mental health challenges of motherhood.

Kayla and Caitlin explain what people misunderstand about postpartum mental health and why risk doesn't depend on whether it's a mother's first child. They also discuss the Lindsay Clancy case in Massachusetts and a similar case decades ago in central Iowa, including how to talk about these tragedies without diagnosing anyone from the headlines. They share what mothers find hardest to say out loud, how partners and families can support a mom's identity beyond motherhood, and what they would tell lawmakers to fund next.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 by call or text at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). You can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

About Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt: Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt are two central Iowa mothers who co-founded TogetHER, a central Iowa grassroots organization to help women navigate the mental health challenges of motherhood, especially postpartum. Kayla O'Connor is a former educator who learned about a former student who died by suicide and was seven months postpartum. Caitlin Merritt is a nutritionist and personal trainer whose neighbor and the mother of her daughter's preschool best both died by suicide.

Athlete mental health is finally in the collective bargaining agreements, the press conferences, and the policy manuals. But has the care caught up with the conversation?

In this Next Steps Forward Symposium, Chris convenes a panel of leaders in the athlete mental health space for an honest assessment of where athlete mental health and sport psychology actually stand at the professional and collegiate levels.

They trace the real progress of the last 15 years and what drove it: collective bargaining agreements, players associations, athlete advocacy, and hard -won institutional buy-in, then turn to the harder questions:

▸ What still stands in the way of real change?

▸ Why is wellbeing so often bolted onto the high-performance environment instead of built into it?

▸ Why do sport organizations keep getting drawn to confident voices and quick fixes that don't help athletes?

▸ Is there even an adequate supply of competent, licensed sport psychologists to meet the demand?

A conversation about moving from awareness to actual care: valuable for athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, and anyone building a high-performance culture.

MEET THE PANEL

Dr. Robin Scholefield — Dr. Robin Scholefield is a licensed clinical psychologist, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, and a longtime leader of culture, wellbeing and sport psychology services within USC Athletics. Olympic bronze medalist (swimming, 1976).

Dr. Tom Golightly — Dr. Tom Golightly is a clinical Sport Psychologist with Intermountain Healthcare assigned to work exclusively with the Real Salt Lake organization, which includes MLS, NWSL, and MLS Next Pro teams. He is also the Mental Wellness and Mental Performance Consultant for the Utah Mammoth.

Grace Shirley — As a member of the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team, Grace Shirley and her teammates won the NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Championships in 2021 and 2023. While competing for Providence College as a graduate transfer in 2023/2024, Grace pursued a master's degree in counseling to become a licensed mental health counselor. She is currently an academic success coordinator at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts.

Dr. Lani Lawrence — Dr. Nohelani (Lani) Lawrence serves as the Senior Director of Performance Psychology, Wellness & Clinical Services for the New York Giants, where she oversees mental health and crisis services, mental performance development, and pre-draft assessments. In this role, she leads initiatives that support the psychological well-being and performance optimization of players, coaches, and staff across the organization.

Some of the most powerful stories of American service were never told on the battlefield. They were told in prison cells in Hanoi, around kitchen tables in military towns, and in the quiet persistence of families who refused to give up.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Taylor Baldwin Kiland, a former U.S. Navy officer, third-generation Navy family member, and military nonfiction author who has written, co-authored, ghostwritten, or edited eighteen books. Raised in Coronado, California, a community shaped by the Vietnam POW experience, Taylor has spent much of her career bringing forgotten chapters of that era to light.

Chris and Taylor discuss the remarkable women behind Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man Is Left Behind, and why their campaign to bring their husbands home still matters to military families today. Taylor shares the six traits of high-performing teams she drew from the POWs' experience in Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton, and how resilience forged in captivity translates to leadership in business and everyday life. She also opens up about her own next step forward: leaving a twenty-year career in marketing communications to become a writer, and her work helping veterans turn their service into books that educate and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Finally, Taylor offers a look at her latest project, Murder of the Jujube Candy Heiress: A Coronado Cold Case, the true story of a 1975 unsolved killing that shook her hometown.

Whether you're a veteran thinking about telling your own story, a leader looking for lessons in resilience, or someone who believes that no one should be left behind, this conversation is for you.

About Taylor Kiland: Taylor has written, co-authored, ghost-written, or edited eighteen books, including three about our nation's Vietnam POWs: Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man is Left Behind, Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton: Six Characteristics of High-Performance Teams and Open Doors: Vietnam POWs Thirty Years Later. A former naval officer, the third generation in her family to serve in the Navy, Taylor was raised in Coronado, California, and Alexandria, Virginia. She spent twenty years in the private sector as a marketing communications professional before starting her writing career. She holds a master's degree in marketing communications from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She now lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and their daughter. Taylor's work has been featured in NewYorkTimes.com, WashingtonPost.com, NBC Nightly News, CNN, C-SPAN, International Herald Tribune, Associated Press, Military.com, and Naval Institute's Proceedings, just to name a few.

What does leadership look like in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, big data, and behavioral science?

In this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, a globally recognized expert on AI, decision science, and the future of work. A faculty member at Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School, Dr. Cecchi-Dimeglio helps leaders navigate the intersection of technology, human behavior, and organizational strategy. Drawing on decades of research and advising Fortune 500 companies, global institutions, and governments, she explains how data and behavioral insights can uncover hidden barriers to performance, improve decision-making, and build more innovative and inclusive organizations.

They explore:

• How AI and big data are reshaping leadership and decision-making

• Why behavioral science is critical for building better organizations

• The real impact of diversity and inclusion on performance

• How leaders can prepare their teams for the rapidly evolving future of work

Dr. Cecchi-Dimeglio is also the author of The Diversity Dividend and Building a Thriving Future: Metaverse and Multiverse, where she offers practical, data-driven strategies to help organizations harness innovation while creating more equitable workplaces. Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or simply curious about how technology is transforming work and leadership, this conversation offers powerful insights into how organizations, and the people within them, can thrive in the AI era.