Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

With America divided as never before, Kelly Wright, host of NTD News' "America's Hope with Kelly Wright," seeks to answer questions such as "where can we find hope?" and "how can we return to the values outlined by our Founding Fathers?" A unique performer and accomplished musician, many individuals have become familiar with Mr. Wright's work as an Emmy Award-Winning TV news journalist over the course of his more than thirty years delivering news to the American public. A former co-host of Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends Weekend and America's News Headquarters Weekend, his current show America's Hope explores timely and informative topics such as fatherlessness across the country, how freedom of religion is under attack, how individuals are going above and beyond to overcome their disabilities and the current state of education in America, to name a few. Now he joins Next Steps Forward to discuss not only his career trajectory and passion for exploring the topics and news headlines that mean the most to Americans, but shed light for the audience on the fundamental questions he seeks to answer: where exactly he believes each and every one of us can find hope and how we each play a role in how we can return to the values put forth by our Founding Fathers.

Dr. Lisa Babbage is an author, teacher and philanthropist. She has spent 20 years teaching math and science in the public school system in Georgia, where she currently resides. As a child, Babbage, her mother and brother, were frequently homeless. In 2011, she took a three-year leave of absence from her profession to inaugurate a non-profit organization, Maranatha House Ministries, aimed at the fight against homelessness. She joins Next Steps Forward to share her love for people and how it serves as a basis for giving back to those in her community through teaching, writing and entrepreneurial endeavors so that her community can reach its fullest potential. She is also currently involved in ground-breaking efforts to reform Georgia's education system and empower more people in Atlanta. Throughout the hour Dr. Babbage will share her thoughts on why she believes in education reform, the key challenges facing the current education system, how reform efforts address these issues and how education politics and practices can be made more responsive to the needs of marginalized and underserved communities.

Natasha Owens is a contemporary Christian musician who has taken a new direction by offering up a bold, proud, powerful concept collection in her fifth studio album, American Patriot. Through her music she bridges an unwavering love of country with the themes of faith and family that have always played a significant role in her artistry. Program host Chris Meek welcomes Mrs. Owens to the program to discuss how her faith has turned her darkest days into light, reflect on her own seasons of loss and how through peace poured into her through the Holy Spirit she has taken her love of music and poured it into others in an effort to find healing. She will speak of God's intent for His children to do more than merely survive but thrive, with the hope that her own story will be a powerful testimony to this very fact. The lessons in faith Mrs. Owens shares will inspire the audience to trust in the Lord to help them face any feelings of inadequacy or intimidation they may be experiencing.

Program host Chris Meek is honored to have the audience join him for a lively discussion with Jessica Cording, a registered dietitian, health coach and author with a passion for helping people simplify their wellness routines by building sustainable, healthy habits. Through her writing, consulting, public speaking and counseling, she works with individuals, corporations, and the media to help make drama-free healthy living approachable and enjoyable. She is the author of “The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress and Anxiety” and her recently released second book “The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver’s Guide to Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep.” Jessica also runs the Drama-Free Healthy Living podcast and has recorded guided meditations for Simple Habit. She has also created educational content for CARAVAN Wellness. Cording is part of the mindbodygreen Collective and a frequent contributor to various media outlets such as Forbes, SHAPE, and more. Additionally, as a big believer in the mental and physical benefits of exercise, she is a certified Pilates mat instructor. With all of the noise that can distract us from how we feel, or should feel, about our bodies and that causes us to overthink what we should be doing to improve our health, Jessica provides perspective on how we can each quiet that noise and listen to the right voices.

Meaghan B Murphy is the author of “Your Fully Charged Life: A Radically Simple Approach to Having Endless Energy and Filling Every Day with YAY” (Penguin Random House), an editor, on-air personality, lifestyle and health expert, a home-hack master and certified trainer. She brings her high-energy, upbeat personality to Next Steps Forward to discuss how the audience can take a simple yet effective approach to having endless energy everyday. She will provide an overview of the concepts presented in her book, including cultivating gratitude and passing it on, making meaningful connections, learning to say no and recharge when you need it and how to contribute to a happier, healthier world.

Mike Erwin graduated from West Point in 2002 and went on to serve on active duty for 13 years, including three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in the First Cavalry Division and 3rd Special Forces Group. This week on Next Steps Forward, Mr. Erwin joins program host Chris Meek to discuss what his time in the military taught him about leadership and the importance of giving back to those fellow Americans who serve our country. Mr. Erwin will discuss his work through the veteran-focused non-profit organization he founded in 2010, Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) and the work the organization carries out to enrich the lives of America's service members. Additionally, he will discuss the Positivity Project, a non profit organization he co-founded with the mission to empower America's youth to build positive relationships. Mr. Erwin has consistently demonstrated a commitment to actively using the skills he developed in the military to pursue life changing projects in the civilian sector to better the lives of countless American veterans and children. Beyond his work with veterans and youth, he is the co-author of "Lead Yourself First." Throughout the interview he will focus on the principles of the book, including how solitude strengthens people's character and their ability to lead with clarity, balance and conviction.

This week's guest is Dr. Robb Kelly, a sought-after recovery expert who believes in treating the causes of addiction and not the symptoms. A frequent contributor to radio and print interviews, his professional credentials include a PhD in psychology from Trinity College/Oxford University and a PhD in Psychology with a behavioral science concentration from the University of Southampton. Dr. Kelly hosted the Sober Celebs show on KLIF radio in Dallas and currently hosts the Breaking Through Addiction podcast featuring special guests discussing a variety of mental health issues. He is currently the chief executive officer of the Robb Kelly Recovery Group, an addiction and mental illness recovery coaching company he created based on extensive research and behavior studies that he has conducted over the past 20 years. As some in the audience know all too well, many patients often wonder if the professionals who treat them have ever experienced what they've experienced and whether those professionals truly empathize with them. Because Dr. Kelly has lived through the highs and lows of addiction himself while struggling with and overcoming crippling alcoholism, he will authentically share his personal journey with the audience, not just the chapter involving his addiction but his life leading up to addiction and after recovery.

Susan Ann Davis is Chairman of Susan Davis international (SDI). She joins program host Chris Meek to discuss how the global strategic communications consulting firm headquartered in Washington, DC provides expertise in reputation management, market entry and expansion, public affairs, crisis and risk communications. Ms. Davis will provide an inside look into her role offering counsel to government and business leaders in 14 countries, including Northern Ireland, Ireland, Panama, Egypt, Sweden, and Germany, as well as providing public relations counsel to the Vatican for the Papal Visit to Ireland. In addition to counseling Members of the US Congress; NGOs, multinational C Suite executives, and senior leaders of US government agencies, she is also a lifelong advocate for democracy building and leadership development for women. As such, she will speak to the initiatives she is involved in to advance such efforts including having served as the Board Chair Emeritus of Vital Voices Global partnerships, the preeminent NGO empowering emerging women leaders in 125 countries.

Ashley Davis is a lead principal at West Front Strategies, a multi-million dollar lobbying firm she co-founded in 2015. In that role, she oversees advocacy efforts for the interests of her Fortune 500 clients before the federal government's legislative and executive branches. This week she joins program host Chris Meek on Next Steps Forward to share her expertise garnered through years working in the executive branch. As Special Assistant to National Director and then Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Ashley directed the daily operations and oversaw the staff at the newly created Office of Homeland Security. She holds a Masters of International Business from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. She will also discuss her philanthropic spirit, as she sits on several non-profit and corporate boards, including The Kennedy Center National Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Christine Hardy and Dr. Kristen Weishaar of the Flint Animal Care Cancer Center at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado join Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek to discuss their mission to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in pet animals and how they translate their research and knowledge to benefit people with cancer. Dr. Christine Hardy is the Associate Director, Development Operations and Strategy Lead of the One Cure Program. Dr. Kristen Weishaar is the Director of the Oncology Clinical Trials Service. They will both speak to the incredible similarities between cancer in dogs and humans and the research that is creating a better understanding of both.