Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

Eric Canonico, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of MOTOPARA Foundation, Inc., speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about how his organization elevates and enhances lives by delivering elite global response teams made up of Veteran Special Forces Operators and Military Specialists that administer search and rescue, disaster response and humanitarian relief. In addition to MOTOPARA, Canonico will discuss how to promote a healthy, sustainable lifestyle, as well as holistic wellness and sustainability within a variety of industries. Having overcome challenges in life, including a life-altering experience with leukemia, Canonico is dedicated to improving the lives of others and will share with listeners how they, too, can mentor, assist and inspire those around them.

Todd Connor, U.S. Navy veteran and co-founder of the career and professional development program The Collective Academy, speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about how to facilitate an environment in which leaders thrive and how to transform the way that we think and deal with the challenges that life presents. Connor will also discuss how he aims to empower military veterans as leaders in innovation through his national nonprofit, Bunker Labs, and his new book "Third Shift Entrepreneur," which explores how to pursue your dreams of starting a business without being held back by financial and personal risks. Having held a multitude of leadership roles in both the public and private sector, Connor will share with listeners how they can find success in their entrepreneurial endeavors, how to be a true leader while being of service to others and how to be in control of redirecting their lives.

Program host Chris Meek is honored to speak with Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence on this special presentation of "Next Steps Forward." In her role as Second Lady, Mrs. Pence has elevated art therapy as a mental health profession and has raised awareness about the role it can play in treating military members and veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mrs. Pence will discuss in-depth her passion for art and advocacy for art therapy, the work she is doing on behalf of preventing veteran suicide as Lead Ambassador of the Presidents Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) task force, as well as how she uses her platform as one to promote the power of healing. Mrs. Pence's enthusiasm for those things she is passionate about and her willingness to share her passions with others to better their lives will leave listeners inspired.

"Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek speaks with Anne Beiler, creator of the world's largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise, Auntie Anne's, Inc. Beiler will offer an inside look at the company's humble beginnings as a single farmer's market stand and the steps she took to turn it into an internationally recognized brand. Beiler will speak about how her professional success came after many years of personal turmoil and how others who have experienced hardship can emerge as a better person, too, by implementing lessons she learned along the way. Throughout the hour, Beiler will inspire listeners with her authentic, relatable stories and life experiences. And, she'll offer support and guidance to help others overcome past pain to take their next steps in life and achieve the personal and professional success they seek.

Martha MacCallum, award-winning anchor of Fox News Channel's The Story With Martha MacCallum, speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about her more than 25 years of reporting experience on some of the most noteworthy events of the past two decades and the opportunities she has had to interview many of the most influential American figures of our time. MacCallum will also discuss her new book, Unknown Valor: A Story of Family, Courage, and Sacrifice from Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima, including her travels to Normandy on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and Iwo Jima as she researched the best-selling book. MacCallum has long been an inspiration to many and, throughout the hour, will share with listeners how to cultivate a mindset and lifestyle that sets our personal stories on a positive and empowering path.

WWE Superstar Lacey Evans speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about her successful career in sports entertainment. Evans will take listeners on her personal journey, speaking candidly about growing up in a toxic home environment and how that informed her career progression. From enlisting in the U.S. Marines, where she served as military police to opening and operating her own construction business to her current career as a WWE Superstar, Evans has continuously demonstrated her tenacity and fight. She will offer insight into what it takes to achieve your goals through hard work and determination, what makes a business and brand successful and how to fight like hell for what you want out of life.

Commander Guy Snodgrass, student turned instructor at the Navy's Fighter Weapons School known as TOPGUN, speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about the skills he learned in the TOPGUN program and the leadership qualities he hopes to instill in the next generation. Commander Snodgrass will offer a unique inside look into what it takes to train the top 1% of America's fighter pilots, and provide a glimpse into his current work as a strategic advisor in national security and foreign policy. He'll also discuss his new book, "TopGun's Top 10: Leadership Lessons From the Cockpit," to be released in September. Commander Snodgrass also will give practical advice on leadership that we can all take with us in our next steps forward into everyday life.

Graham Rahal, a race car driver for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the NTT IndyCar series, kicks things off by speaking about his experiences on the race track. Rahal will also share how he has applied leadership skills and a work ethic learned through racing to his business and philanthropic ventures, which includes his work through the Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation. The foundation supports Turns For Troops, a program dedicated to helping our country's veterans. One such veteran, Sgt. Dan Rose, speaks with Rahal and host Chris Meek about utilizing revolutionary medical technology in the form of an exoskeleton suit to regain his ability to stand and walk again after being severely injured by an improvised explosive device. Rahal and Sgt. Rose will provide listeners with an inside look at how perseverance, the power of hope and hard work can be harnessed to achieve everyday success, motivate us to give back to others and find successes we never thought possible.

This week on "Next Steps Forward," host Chris Meek speaks with Dr. Albert "Skip" Rizzo, director of medical virtual reality at the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies, about BraveMind, the virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy program Rizzo created to successfully treat post-traumatic stress (PTS) in veterans. Aside from discussing that groundbreaking technology and treatment in-depth, Rizzo will also touch on how other revolutionary medical technology advancements are paving the way we address mental health. Joining the conversation is Chris Merkle, a 14-year U.S. Marine combat veteran who has directly benefited from the BraveMind technology during his own experiences with PTS. Merkle will also introduce ways that we can all work to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and speak on the feelings of empowerment that volunteering in his own community has afforded him.

Rorke T. Denver, a U.S. Navy SEALs commander and founder of the motivational brand Ever Onward, speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about his experiences running every phase of SEALs training and leading special forces teams in international hot spots. In addition, they will discuss Denver's novels Worth Dying For and bestseller Damn Few, his appearances on FOX competition series American Grit, and the hit film Act of Valor. Denver will give an inside look into the SEAL principles to call leaders to take action and display boldness on their journey to reaching new levels. Rorke will walk listeners through these same principles to take their next steps into a more satisfying life.