Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

Hosted by Dr. Chris Meek, the Next Steps Forward Symposium brings together thought leaders, scholars, and public figures to explore pressing issues shaping our nation and world. In this session, "America as a Cultural Mosaic," the symposium examines how race, religion, heritage, and personal experience influence our shared civic life.

Our distinguished panel includes:

Dr. Sherry Molock, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at George Washington University, who explores mental health, identity, and resilience within African American communities.

Colonel Seung Paik, U.S. military veteran, leadership expert, and author of Leadernomics, sharing insights on service, heritage, and leadership in diverse communities.

Dr. Saqib Qureshi, author of Being Muslim Today, providing perspective on faith, identity, and ethical leadership in contemporary America.

Adela Cojab Moadeb, legal fellow at the National Jewish Advocacy Center and Syrian-Jewish activist, addressing identity, advocacy, and combating antisemitism.

Through conversation and reflection, the panel explores the strengths and challenges of the "cultural mosaic" model, asking: Can a society that celebrates difference foster the same unity as a melting pot? How do our diverse identities enrich civic life, strengthen communities, and shape the next generation's understanding of belonging?

The symposium emphasizes dialogue, learning, and shared responsibility, highlighting the ways Americans can honor their differences while advancing unity, resilience, and civic engagement. It's a timely discussion about how our individual and collective identities contribute to the ongoing work of building a stronger, more inclusive nation.

In the inaugural Next Steps Forward Symposium: Combating Human Trafficking, Dr. Chris Meek, host of the Next Steps Forward weekly podcast, leads a solution-focused conversation with three distinguished experts: Kristi Wells, founder and CEO of Safe House Project; Dr. Stephany Powell, a human trafficking expert advisor for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation; and Andi Buerger, a survivor and founder of Voices Against Trafficking.

This discussion pulls back the curtain on the $160 billion global human trafficking industry, challenging the myth that exploitation only happens in distant places. The panel examines the "hidden" nature of trafficking in local communities , the alarming role of technology and social media in targeting minors, and the urgent need for demand reduction through legislation. Beyond the statistics, the participants emphasize moving from awareness to action, discussing the necessity of survivor-centered restorative care and the profound hope found in the resilience of those who have reclaimed their lives.

Capt. Hanna Born was one of the children evacuated from the Pentagon daycare on September 11, 2001, too young to fully grasp what had happened, but old enough for it to leave a mark. Now an Air Force Captain and helicopter pilot, she carries that day not as a wound, but as a compass. In this installment of Next Steps Forward, Hanna opens up about growing up in the shadow of a national tragedy her family lived from the inside: a Marine father racing through gridlocked roads to find her, a mother commanding a military unit while not knowing if her daughters were alive, and two little girls trying to make sense of a world that had suddenly changed. She shares what it looked like to heal as a child, how art became her first language for processing fear, and what it meant to grow up surrounded by service members who modeled quiet duty over recognition.

From the role of protector she assumed over her younger sister before she could even read, to the cockpit of a military helicopter, Hanna reflects on the through-line connecting that September morning to the life she has chosen. She talks about leadership under pressure, the weight and privilege of a family legacy in uniform, and what it means to honor a story you were almost too small to remember.

For anyone who has ever wondered what it looks like when the children history touched grow up and choose to serve, this conversation is for you.

About Capt. Hanna Born: Hanna Born was not yet three years old on September 11, 2001, when her father Tim raced through gridlocked traffic to reach her at the Pentagon daycare center after Flight 77 struck the building. It was the sound of her voice, crying out "Daddy!," that greeted him when he finally found her safe, sheltered within a ring of metal cribs set up by unnamed Marines who had carried the children to safety and disappeared.

In the aftermath of that day, Hanna quietly bore the weight of what she had witnessed. She slept for twenty-four hours straight, a common trauma response in young children, and cycled through regression and anxiety in the weeks that followed. She channeled her emotions into art: watercolors, crayons, finger paints and took on an early role as protector to her younger sister Heather. A photograph from those first raw days captures her stoically comforting Heather while the two looked at the still-smoldering Pentagon from a distance.

Growing up surrounded by Air Force Academy cadets in Colorado Springs, and shaped by a family legacy of military service stretching back generations, Hanna found her path. Today she serves as a Captain in the United States Air Force and a helicopter pilot stationed at Fort Novosel, Alabama. She has also spoken publicly at 9/11 commemorations, carrying forward the story that began before she was old enough to fully understand it.

Dr. Robert C. Smith, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry at Michigan State University and author of Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? Why Our Mental Health System is Failing Us and What Should Be Done to Cure It, has spent a lifetime helping physicians reclaim the human side of medicine. Bob has seen, from inside the exam room, how fragmented systems and over-documentation pull doctors away from their calling. His mission is to reconnect medicine to its original purpose: to listen, heal, and serve.

The Next Steps Forward audience will relate to his clear, hopeful message about leadership and compassion in a system that often feels broken, including:

• How restoring empathy and communication can transform care

• What patients wish doctors knew…and vice versa

• Why healing the healers is key to fixing medicine

• The future of mental health integration in primary care

Dr. Smith brings both credibility and heart. His insights help anyone in a service or leadership role remember why they started.

About Dr. Robert C. Smith: Robert C. Smith, MD, MACP, is a university distinguished professor and a professor of medicine and psychiatry emeritus at Michigan State University, East Lansing. With many publications, awards, and strong grant support, he has been involved in teaching and research in patient-centered communication and primary care mental health since 1985. He and his colleagues defined the first evidence-based patient-centered interview, now published in a popular interviewing textbook, Smith's Patient-Centered Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Method (4th ed., 2018). It is used in medical, nursing, and other health care schools in the United States and abroad for teaching interviewing and the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Smith's group also identified the first evidence-based method, the mental health care model, to guide primary care clinicians in managing mental health and substance-use problems. Essentials of Psychiatry in Primary Care: Behavioral Health in the Medical Setting (2019) resulted and is widely used to teach primary care mental health.

On this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Gretchen Murphy to share a powerful story of resilience, gratitude, and legacy. As a three-time scholarship recipient of the 9.11 Promise, Gretchen's journey is deeply personal, rooted in the lasting impact of the September 11 attacks and shaped by a community committed to honoring those who served. Now a student at Marist University pursuing both her undergraduate and master's degrees, Gretchen reflects on how this support system has helped her grow academically, professionally, and personally.

From studying abroad in Florence to leading initiatives with a student-run communications firm, Gretchen has embraced every opportunity made possible through the scholarship, driven by a desire to honor her family's story and give back in meaningful ways. In this conversation, Gretchen shares what it means to come "full circle," from applicant to advocate, as her younger brother prepares to follow in her footsteps. She offers a heartfelt perspective on remembrance, community, and the responsibility to carry forward the legacy of those who sacrificed so much. This episode is a moving reminder that behind every act of service is a ripple effect, one that continues to shape the next generation of leaders.

About Gretchen Murphy: Gretchen Murphy is a junior at Marist University studying Communication and Marketing. As a high school senior, she completed her Girl Scout Gold Award titled "A Sunny Tuesday in September," an age appropriate presentation aimed at middle school and high schoolers to retell the sort of 9/11 through her father and other first-responding firefighters perspectives. Her mission is rooted in honoring the true meaning of "Never Forget" by continuing to share the story of 9/11 and emphasizing why it remains vital to keep this conversation alive nearly 25 years after the attacks.

What if financial advice was accessible, judgment-free, and tailored to wherever you are on your money journey? In this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Lori Atwood, CFP® and founder of Fearless Finance, a firm dedicated to bringing "money happiness" to everyone. Lori shares her unique approach to financial planning, offering hourly, virtual, fiduciary guidance with no sales, no commissions, and no minimums. Drawing on nearly 25 years of experience, from telecom investment banking in Europe, to serving as CFO of a startup, to managing assets for high net worth families, Lori helps individuals and small businesses understand their finances, set meaningful goals, and create plans that actually work.

Lori will discuss practical strategies for budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for retirement, and shares how Fearless Finance meets clients exactly where they are, whether they are building wealth or managing existing assets. Along the way, she also offers insights into her journey in finance, her passion for helping people feel confident about money, and a glimpse into her life outside of work. Discover how to take control of your financial future, achieve your goals, and experience true financial wellbeing, no matter your starting point.

About Lori Atwood: Lori Atwood, CFP® is the founder of Fearless Finance, whose mission it is to bring money happiness to absolutely everyone. Lori founded Fearless Finance to provide fiduciary, hourly, virtual financial planning advice to people who felt expert financial advice was out of reach. No sales, no commissions, no minimums and no judgment. We meet our clients where they are on their financial journey. Fearless Finance has registered financial planners located nationwide who work with individual clients and small businesses on financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, debt, savings, goal setting, investments and retirement planning. We help clients understand their financial situation, make a plan to achieve goals and maintain and enhance their financial wellbeing, no matter whether you have lots of assets or are still building your wealth.

Lori Atwood started Atwood Financial Planning, LLC in 2016, and she has worked in finance for almost 25 years. The firm now operates under the brand Fearless Finance. Lori started her finance career in telecom investment banking in Europe. She then became the CFO of a 20-person internet start-up where she oversaw the sale of that company to a publicly traded company. After the sale, Lori went back to banking as an investment consultant managing assets for institutions, foundations and high net worth families. Lori also worked with a private equity firm to place capital in emerging markets.

Lori has an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master's degree from Georgetown University. In her free time, she loves to cook, go to boot camp and most of all, spend time with her husband and daughter. Lori is a CFP® Professional and Atwood Financial Planning, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC.

Adela Cojab is a legal advocate and media contributor recognized for her commitment to protecting Jewish rights and addressing antisemitism in academic institutions. Many in the Next Steps Forward audience will recognize her from the complaint she filed in 2019 against New York University (NYU) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for failing to protect its Jewish community from discrimination and harassment. Her case contributed to the Executive Order on Combating Antisemitism, laying the groundwork for subsequent cases. She joins program host Dr. Chris Meek to provide an account of her experiences at NYU and how they inspired her work to combat antisemitism, how young adults can move important conversation surrounding antisemitism and Israel on university campuses, how others can find effective ways to speak out against antisemitism and the importance of building bridges and making an impact both in and outside of Jewish communities.

About Adela Cojab: Adela Cojab Moadeb is a legal advocate and media contributor recognized for her commitment to protecting Jewish rights and addressing antisemitism in academic institutions. Adela is best known for filing a complaint against New York University (NYU) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in 2019 for failing to protect its Jewish community from discrimination and harassment. Her case contributed to the Executive Order on Combating Antisemitism, laying the groundwork for subsequent cases. Adela has served as a commentator on major networks like FOX News Channel, Telemundo, and Univision, and has consulted on multiple antisemitism cases. Her work, from political advocacy to interfaith peace rallies, has been recognized internationally. Adela is a legal fellow at the National Jewish Advocacy Center, handling cases to protect Jewish Civil Rights. Adela formerly cohosted the interfaith podcast, Americanish: Daughters of Diaspora, and currently hosts OpenDor Media's daily YouTube show, TodayUnpacked. Adela holds a J.D. from Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and B.A. from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, with a concentration in Middle Eastern Diaspora Structures.

Kendall Gammon is a sought-after keynote speaker with a presence that's quite different from what you'd expect from a 15-year NFL veteran known for his physical strength. He attended Division II Pittsburg State University where he was captain of the 1991 National Champion Gorillas and was voted most inspirational by his teammates. During a fulfilling 15-year NFL career that included 4 years each with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints, and his final seven years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kendall played in the 1995 Super Bowl and a 2005 Pro Bowl. Today, in addition to his speaking engagements, he is recognized for his role as a Color Analyst for the Chiefs Radio Network Broadcast team where he broadcasts alongside "Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus. Kendall joins Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek to speak about harnessing the power of emotional strength, which he believes is the key to quality of life, and how to improve emotional communication within yourself and others. As the audience will find, he is not afraid of being vulnerable and his storytelling will take listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions chalk full of laughter and inspiration.

Deborah Lee James, former Secretary of the United States Air Force and the second woman to lead a U.S. military service, speaks with host Chris Meek about her experiences managing 660,000 people and a $139 billion dollar budget (more than the GDP of over 120 countries) in her role. James will discuss the challenges and successes that she encountered as Secretary, as well as in other roles, including professional staff member in the US House of Representatives and Assistant Secretary of Defense. She will use lessons she's learned to guide the audience on how to reach their own personal success and fulfillment by not only surviving, but thriving, both in the professional and personal spheres. The author of the leadership book Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success, Secretary James will speak about how her book chronicles her rise through the ranks of male-dominated institutions and how she used strategic problem-solving skills to overcome challenges.

This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is Enough, for a candid conversation about what's really happening online and what it's going to take to protect the next generation. Rather than looking back, this discussion focuses on the urgent challenges facing families right now: the rise of online exploitation, the normalization of extreme content, the mental health impact of social media, gaming risks, and how predators leverage emerging technologies. Donna breaks down how these threats have evolved since the early days of the internet and explains why today's digital landscape demands a new level of accountability from tech companies, lawmakers, and culture at large.

She also shares what meaningful reform looks like: from bipartisan policy efforts and presidential pledges to practical tools parents, educators, and communities can implement immediately. Drawing from her work developing Internet Safety 101 in partnership with the United States Department of Justice and her experience bringing these issues to national audiences through PBS, Donna outlines a clear framework for prevention, education, and enforcement. This episode goes beyond headlines. It's a forward-looking conversation about responsibility in the digital age, empowering families without fear, and how collaboration between the public, the tech industry, and the legal system can create lasting change. If you care about online safety, child protection, or the future of digital culture, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

About Donna Rice Hughes: Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is Enough® (EIE) is an internationally known Internet safety expert, author, speaker and producer. Her vision, expertise and advocacy helped to birth the Internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age. Since 1994, she has been a pioneering leader on the frontlines of U.S. efforts to make the Internet safer for children and families by implementing a three-pronged strategy of the public, the technology industry and legal community sharing the responsibility to protect children online. This strategy has been adopted by industry and governments worldwide. Under her leadership, most recently, EIE created the Internet Safety 101 Program with the U.S. Department Of Justice. She is the Executive Producer, and host of the Internet Safety 101 DVD series which was reformatted into the Internet Safety 101 Television Series for PBS (2013). She received an Emmy nomination as the program's host.

Hughes also spearheaded EIE's bi-partisan Children's Internet Safety Presidential Pledge (2016) which was signed by then Candidate Trump, and supported by Hillary Clinton; the 2024 Children's Internet Safety Presidential Pledge" to Vice President Harris and President Trump supported by 60 organizations and survivor leaders representing millions of Americans; The Governor's Pledge led by S.C. Governor McMaster and the State Attorneys General Pledge co-led by AG Wilson (SC) and AG Racine (DC) and signed by 15 AG's thus far. She has given thousands of media interviews on all the major news outlets on topics related to online dangers (porn, CSAM, sexual predation, bullying, trafficking, online gaming, social media, etc), safety solutions, testified numerous times before Congress, and is the winner of numerous awards including the 2013 Women In Technology Award for Social Impact and the 2014 Professional Women in Advocacy Excellence In Advocacy Award for "Veteran Practitioner". She also received a Senate appointment to serve on the Child Online Protection Act Commission.