On this episode of The Crossman Conversation, host John Crossman welcomes Crystal Davidson, Vice President of iBuild Central Florida and a seasoned workforce leader with over 25 years of experience. Crystal oversees apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training programs that prepare youth, adults, and justice-involved individuals for sustainable careers in construction and the skilled trades.

From securing millions in grant funding to building nationally recognized industry partnerships, she has dedicated her career to advancing economic mobility, second-chance opportunities, and inclusive education. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on workforce innovation, leadership, and the transformative power of apprenticeships.

In this episode of The Crossman Conversation, host John Crossman speaks with Ursula Taylor—an attorney, consultant, and conflict resolution expert—about how organizations can embrace healthy conflict to foster stronger leadership and better outcomes. With over 17 years in commercial litigation, Taylor now helps teams move beyond legal battles to address the emotional roots of disputes. She shares practical tools for preventing conflict, reducing litigation, and building workplace cultures where disagreement leads to growth, not division. Tune in for a fresh, human-centered perspective on resolving conflict in business, law, and beyond.

On this episode of The Crossman Conversation, host John Crossman is joined by Brandi Neal—an inspiring voice of perseverance, talent, and reconciliation. Adopted as a child, Brandi faced the challenge of finding her identity and place in the world. Music became her guiding light. From her beginnings at Valencia College to graduating from Bethune-Cookman University as a standout member of the concert chorale, Brandi's story is one of transformation through passion and purpose. Now a chorus teacher in Georgia and a recent Teacher of the Year honoree, she shares how she reconnected with her birth mother, continues to lead beyond the classroom, and still finds time to perform. Tune in to hear her powerful story of resilience, healing, and hope.

Dr. Bertrhude Albert has a heart to see her beloved Haiti transformed - and she is using her skills, education, and passion to make a difference, by training Haiti's teachers. Haiti has struggled for many years, as 60% of elementary kids drop out of school.  She is aiming to train teachers to teach in such a way that this issue will be addressed.  Haiti has the physical schools.,,they just need trained teachers, and Dr. Albert is making that happen.

This week on The Crossman Conversation, John Crossman welcomes Peter Samuelson, President of First Star and CEO of PhilmCo Media, for a powerful conversation about purpose, balance, and his new book, FINDING HAPPY.

Peter shares why he wrote the book, the importance of emotional wellness, and how his mission to support foster youth has shaped his work and life. From building tools for young people to navigating challenges with clarity and compassion, this episode is a reminder that real success starts with knowing who you are—and choosing joy anyway.

John Crossman welcomes Laura Peddie-Bravo to the conversation. Laura is a respected Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and founder of The Bravo Counseling Group, LLC, based in Winter Park, Florida. Peddie-Bravo offers outpatient counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in the Central Florida area. She brings extensive experience to her clients, working with individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, victims of crime and much more. On this podcast, Laura offers great tips on having a healthy mental health mindset at the workplace.

In this episode of The Crossman Conversation: Career Builders, John Crossman sits down with Dakota Doman, President & Managing Principal of The Executive Search Group, to discuss the invaluable impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). From leadership development to career placement, Dakota shares insights on why HBCUs matter.

In this episode of The Crossman Conversation: Career Builders, John Crossman sits down with Dakota Doman, President & Managing Principal of The Executive Search Group, to discuss the invaluable impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). From leadership development to career placement, Dakota shares insights on why HBCUs matter.

In this episode of The Crossman Conversation, we’re joined by Kwasi Crawford, Senior Commercial Real Estate Advisor at Lloyd Commercial Advisors and Director of Sponsorship for Young Fathers of Central Florida. Kwasi shares how his nonprofit is creating life-changing opportunities for young dads—many of whom have been incarcerated or overlooked by traditional support systems. From securing grants for child support assistance to building resumes and prepping for interviews, Kwasi is on a mission to empower fathers with the tools they need to thrive. He also previews an upcoming Father’s Day event week in June and discusses why mentorship and visibility are critical for these men. As Kwasi puts it, “Young fathers are forgotten”—but they don’t have to be.