Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek is honored to speak with Dana Perino, co-anchor of FOX News Channel’s morning news program America’s Newsroom and co-host of The Five, about her career as an American political commentator, bestselling author and role as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush. Perino will speak about the lessons that she has learned throughout her career on how to maintain a level head and find success in the face of adversity. No conversation with Perino would be complete without talking in-depth about her time working for President Bush and, of course, politics in general, including how to navigate relationships with individuals in the workplace or in our families who have different political views. In addition, Perino will share the inspiration behind her latest book “Everything Will Be Okay: Life Lessons for Young Women (by a Former Young Woman)” and why men, and not just women, should consider reading her book. Perino serves as an inspiration for young women and all Americans alike and, throughout the hour, will share with the audience how they too can feel empowered and achieve their goals.

Program host Chris Meek is pleased to sit down with Sylvie Légère Ricketts on this week's episode of Next Steps Forward to discuss the philanthropist's passion for leveraging technology to provide solutions to unite and inspire individuals and for advancing future generations of changemakers, particularly those that are female. A staunch believer in the power of public policy's impact on daily life, Sylvie is the co-founder and chairman of The Policy Circle, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization which seeks to inform, inspire and develop women into thoughtful civic leaders. Not only will she discuss how the organization works to drive fact-based conversation, promote personal responsibility and increase civic engagement but she will also highlight another area that is of particular interest to her: how technology can transform the lives of others. Sylvie has seen firsthand the power of utilizing technology as means to communicate and educate others and will speak to the importance of encouraging teachers to push students into STEM programs from an early age. Continuously curious about the ways in which technology can enhance our lives, Sylvie will influence the audience to exercise their own curiosity and to open their eyes further to how much better life is made by technology.

Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek is joined by 20TIMinutes podcast creator and host Tim McCarthy to discuss how his own experiences with mental health, including living with ADHD, anxiety, bipolar II and manic depression, as well as a suicide attempt, has shaped his view on brain health and the topics he discusses with his guests each week on his podcast. The audience will find the manner in which Tim tackles mental health to be refreshing and completely void of judgement. His stories and perspectives will also remind the audience that individuals do not need to handle their mental health alone - we are all in it together and building a community is paramount to fostering good mental health. He uses the help of humor, positivity, motivation, insight and his own personal experiences and stories to touch on tough issues and advocate for building strong mental health and encouraging those to seek help if they need it. If you're looking for mental health motivation and a reminder to embrace who you are - this is it!

Program host Chris Meek speaks with inspirational speaker, author, coach and advocate Jennifer Tracy on this installment of Next Steps Forward. Jennifer experienced tragedy at the age of 29 when her husband and one of her daughters were killed in a drunk driving accident and will discuss how she was able, with God's help, to put her experience into perspective to use the skills she already had to face life head on. She will detail what it means to "lose the battle, win the war," the idea that if we are focused on the war we each wage in life than it doesn't matter what we go through because we can find solitude in knowing that the overall war is winnable and we will indeed win it. Jennifer's work has impacted countless thousands and her belief that it takes courage to be vulnerable is a sentiment that most everyone can relate to. For those looking for inspiration to forge ahead in life despite their life-altering experiences and circumstances, listening to Jennifer's story and wisdom is a fantastic place to start. The audience will fall in love with Jennifer's positive demeanor and approach, which encompasses the mind, body and spirit, to spark change in the lives of others

On this installment of Next Steps Forward, program host Chris Meek speaks with Lt. Col. Justin Constantine about his experience serving in the Marine Corp as a JAG officer. Constantine will share the powerful story of how he survived a gunshot to the head by a sniper while on a combat patrol and how he has emerged as a portrait of courage in the years since. Constantine will discuss his current focus on workforce development for veterans and disadvantaged job seekers and provide an inside look into how he uses the leadership and teamwork skills that he developed during his time in the service to guide those in the private sector on how they can engage in the same principles to maximize success. Constantine turned his life around on a dime and along the way refused to let his life's adversities define him. He embodies empowerment, leadership and conquering adversity - which encompasses exactly what Next Steps Forward is all about. Take the opportunity to hear from him for inspiration on how to focus on those you care about, make every moment count and live a purposeful life.

In this installment of Next Steps Forward, program host Chris Meek speaks with Dot Sheehan, founder, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization Operation Hat Trick (OHT) which supports the recovery of wounded service members and veterans through the sale of OHT branded merchandise, the proceeds of which are donated to those organizations that align with OHT's mission. Sheehan will speak about how the $1.6 million that OHT has donated since its inception in 2008 has positively impacted the lives of veterans. She will address the work carried out by the organizations that OHT supports, reflect on current veteran's issues and how she grew OHT into an internationally recognized nonprofit from the ground up. Dot's passion for ensuring the success of our nation's heroes will touch the audience and stir them to look at their own lives through a fresh lens and perhaps even motivating them to give back to the veterans or others in need in their own communities.The audience will immediately warm to Dot's outgoing demeanor and will take interest in her unique perspective on the importance of giving back to our nation's heroes.

On this installment of Next Steps Forward program host Chris Meek speaks with legendary NFL linebacker and defensive end Charles Haley. Haley, who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1986 to 1991 and again from 1998 to 1999, as well as the Dallas Cowboys from 1992 to 1996, will speak about the trajectory of his football career from high school to college and then on to the NFL. Haley will discuss what it takes to play professionally, how he learned to use his teammate's strengths to increase his own strengths and the importance of his coaches' faith in him and his abilities on his path to greatness. In addition to football, Haley will also reflect on what it is like to live with bipolar. At first using violence to keep people and his teammates at arms length and oftentimes honing in on the negatives amongst all the many positives, Haley speaks in-depth about how he learned to cope with his mental health setbacks. After attempting suicide at a young age, he asked God to give him something to live for which came in the form of football. Haley will discuss the role that God has played in maintaining his own mental health and in his professional career. Haley's words will embolden those in the audience who are struggling to find their own "one thing" to live for.

On this episode of Next Steps Forward, program host Chris Meek speaks with Ken Hersh, current President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center and co-founder of NGP Energy Capital Management. Hersh will discuss the nonpartisan philanthropic endeavors carried out by the George W. Bush Institute, which serves as the public policy arm of the Bush Center and focuses on economic growth, education, post-9/11 veterans and leadership. He will share how he first met President Bush and how he and his team are carrying out their commitment to honoring the Bush family's legacy. Hersh will discuss how leaders use their skills to nurture and develop the leadership skills of others, leaving the audience inspired by his words of wisdom and approach to fostering the next generation of American leaders. In addition, he will also discuss the ingredients needed to be a successful investor and the types of risks worth taking that he learned during his time at the forefront of a private equity ownership strategy.

Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek is honored to speak with Dana Perino, co-anchor of FOX News Channel's morning news program America's Newsroom and co-host of The Five, about her career as an American political commentator, bestselling author and role as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush. Perino will speak about the lessons that she has learned throughout her career on how to maintain a level head and find success in the face of adversity. No conversation with Perino would be complete without talking in-depth about her time working for President Bush and, of course, politics in general, including how to navigate relationships with individuals in the workplace or in our families who have different political views. In addition, Perino will share the inspiration behind her latest book "Everything Will Be Okay: Life Lessons for Young Women (by a Former Young Woman)" and why men, and not just women, should consider reading her book. Perino serves as an inspiration for young women and all Americans alike and, throughout the hour, will share with the audience how they too can feel empowered and achieve their goals.

Steve LaCroix speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about his successful 30-year career as a sports and entertainment executive. Having served as the Minnesota Vikings' executive vice president and chief marketing officer from 2001 to 2020, LaCroix will provide a glimpse into what it's like to work for a major sports franchise, how he adjusted to being an effective leader during the pandemic - including what it was really like for the players to play games without fans in the stadium - and will reflect on the Vikings' long and storied history. A sports enthusiast his entire life, LaCroix found that he could combine his passion for athletics with his knack for marketing and will break down the often overlooked business side of sports. In addition, he will provide an inside look at what it's like working for a high profile league which undergoes intense media scrutiny and constant fan attention, while balancing giving back to the community and monitoring the needs, particularly those related to mental health, of players. This is a conversation that Vikings fans and football and sports lovers alike will not want to miss!