This interview would never have happened if Suzy and I had not connected first at a conference. It started with a simple hello but pretty quickly escalated from there into full-on Rippling. To say we hit it off and became fast friends would be an understatement.

Suzy is the founder of Soulshine Rhythm Experience, and she is quite literally changing lives with her joyful way of teaching music to anyone who will listen. She works with people in recovery, senior centers, hospice patients, and anyone and everyone to help them find their own internal rhythm. Through her monthly drum circles, she has brought thousands of people together to connect with something deep inside of each of us, something primal and hardwired.

Spend just a few minutes listening to her passion and you will be as hooked as I am. It's probably why I've invited Suzy to lead our Ripple Membership through a monthly drum lesson as part of our offering. These respites from life's stresses can transform someone's mood, attitude, and outlook on life. I, for one, recently rewatched one of her lessons when I was stuck on a creative problem, and let's just say she helped me find the drum beat of my creativity and helped me finish a project in record time.

She's amazing, and I know you will love her just as much as I do.

Check out Suzy's website at https://soulshinerhythm.com/ or email her directly at [email protected]. You can also find her on Instagram at @soulshinerhythm

What a way to kick off Season 8 for The Ripple Effect Podcast!

Dr. Jenna Valentine is a gift. She is one of the most patient and kind people you could ever hope to meet, let alone treat you.

She is an incredible guide and resource for people navigating their physical and mental health struggles. As we look to kick off the new year, isn't it time you start treating your body with more care and compassion and, quite frankly, love? Dr. Jenna gives some excellent guidance and advice on how to kick your 2023 off the right way and why right now is an excellent time to take control of your health.

Speaking from first-hand experience, she is an amazing practitioner but is an even more powerful friend. I can't wait for you guys to meet her!

More about Jenna: Dr. Jenna Valentine has always had a love for people and the connections that can occur between them. She has a history of working with many different populations: veterans with mental illness, individuals with substance abuse issues, youth in foster care and juvenile justice, people without homes, wealthy individuals seeking relationships, and everyday people trying to get through this crazy life. Jenna’s extensive experience has given her a deep understanding of people and shown her that everyone shares one common desire: to love and be loved.

Currently based in Austin, TX, Jenna has her doctorate degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) and is a Texas Medical Board & NCCAOM Certified Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. She has seen the way a feeling of being disconnected can impact physical and emotional well-being. Jenna offers acupuncture, cupping therapy, and TuiNA bodywork services to help her patients reach their healing goals. She also utilizes her psychology background and training to provide in-depth intimacy coaching to individuals & couples looking to enhance their relationships with others and with the self.

Jenna has 1000s of hours of experience practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chengdu China, at the Veteran’s Administration, Austin Recovery Center, People’s Community Clinic, AOMA Clinic, Community Wellness Hours and in private settings.

I just had to recap what 2022 has meant to me and share a few nuggets of awesomeness I discovered along the way. Perhaps you'll find a few people to check out, books to read, some music to listen to and a new brand of whiskey or mescal to wet your whistle with.

Kristin Casey is an incredibly interesting and yet, very complex person. She has gone through hell and come out the other side stronger, more committed and a true inspiration to so many. Myself included.

The author of My Life With Joe Walsh, Kristin shares a look behind the curtain of drug additiction, co-dependency and the struggle of recovery. She holds nothing back in this interview and I was truly humbed by her open and honest approach. The courage she demonstrates will not only intrigue you but inspire you.

Addiction has impacted so many of our lives. I feel confident this interview will be one that not only resonates with many of you, but may be a catalyst to starting a conversation about this important topic. Perhaps it's an opportunity to share this interview with someone struggling, especially now at the holidays, as a reminder that they aren't alone in their struggle. And there people like Kristin who can help. Talk about the ultimate Ripple!

Kristin lives in Austin, Texas where she is a screenwriter, author, sexuality counselor and a licensed Intimacy Coach. She leverages her own journey in getting sober to help her clients navigate their own challenges and personal demons. Just in the time we spent together, I can honestly say I can see why she is effective breaking through the barriers and darkness that haunts many of our clients.

To learn more about Kristin and her work, please check out kristincasey.com and buy her book at Amazon or any local bookstore. 

We are so grateful that Matthew Homann with FIlament stopped by The Ripple Effect Podcast. He and Steve have been great friends for a lot of years and we area so honored he came on the show to share some of the incredible work he and his team are doing.

From hosting really innovative meetings through his company Filament to his incredible annual "Thinksgiving" events, his efforts to create positive Ripples in the world never stop.

He will simply blow your mind in this interview!

Here's a bit more about Matt:

Matt Homann is the founder and CEO of Filament, a meeting-focused business that is rethinking the ways people think, meet, and learn together better. An accomplished keynote speaker and creative facilitator, Matt has worked with legal, accounting, financial services, nonprofit, and healthcare professionals around the world, as well as with executives from companies including Google, Purina, McDonald's, HP, Microsoft, IBM, British Petroleum, DuPont and the US Military.

In his previous life as a lawyer he earned a reputation as a tireless advocate for legal innovation, alternative fees, and client-focused service. He was named one of the 50 most innovative people in law by Fastcase, a "Legal Rebel" by the American Bar Association, and is a fellow of the College of Law Practice Management.

Matt has suffered from "Idea Surplus Disorder" as long as he can remember. He's the founder of and former CEO of Invisible Girlfriend and Invisible Boyfriend, a startup that pioneered virtual companionship and that was featured on The Today Show.

He's also the inventor of Thinksgiving: a collaborative event that pairs deserving nonprofits with innovative teams from smart companies for a day of creative problem-solving.

Matt lives in St. Louis with his wife, Jessica and daughter, Grace.

We were so honored to have Chris Stedman stop by for a powerful chat on religion, writing, storytelling, and the multitudes of being human, online and off.

Chris Stedman is a writer, activist, and professor who teaches in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. He is the author of IRL and Faitheist, and the creator and host of Unread, named one of the best podcasts of 2021 by the Guardian, Vulture, HuffPost, Mashable, and the CBC, and honored by the 2022 Webby Awards. Additionally, Chris has written popular essays for outlets including the Atlantic, Pitchfork, BuzzFeed, VICE, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and the Washington Post. 

Check out Chris' work at chrisstedmanwriter.com and be sure to follow up on Twitter and Instagram @ChrisDStedman

Yvonne Nava is an anchor at KVUE in Austin, Texas.

Yvonne starts her day bright and early with the Daybreak team. You can catch her behind the desk weekdays from 5 to 7 a.m. and on Midday at 11 a.m. Yvonne has reported and anchored across the country for more than a decade and is so happy to be back in her home state. In her years with KVUE, Yvonne has been recognized numerous times by the Texas Associated Press for her anchoring.

Born and raised in Laredo, Yvonne jumped into the business at the age of 18 when she started reporting for Telemundo. While attending the University of Texas at Austin, she graduated with degrees in broadcast journalism and business. During her senior year she was recognized by Hispanic Magazine for being an outstanding role model for Latinas.

After graduating from UT, Yvonne got her first anchoring job at KACB in San Angelo, Texas. Her next move took her to KCBD in Lubbock, Texas, where she anchored the weekend evening news, covering everything from deadly tornadoes to the Columbia space shuttle disaster. After less than two years, she was off to Tennessee at WATE in Knoxville, where she helped launch the station's weekend morning newscast.

Yvonne's journey through journalism then took her to the beaches of sunny South Florida. In 2005, she joined WPLG in Miami as a breaking news reporter and anchor. She covered everything from Fidel Castro to Hurricane Katrina. After Miami she was off to Connecticut where she anchored their weekday morning newscast and her days consisted of wall-to-wall coverage of massive blizzards instead of tropical storms.

In the Nutmeg State, Yvonne was also named one of Hartford's Top 40 Under 40 which is given to people in Connecticut who are positive role models in the community.

Her career highlights include traveling to rural Mexico, where she discovered contaminated vegetables were the cause of a Hepatitis A outbreak in East Tennessee. She also reported on the capture of Eric Rudolph, the Olympic Park bomber, in North Carolina.

Outside of work, Yvonne enjoys being active in the community. She has volunteered with the American Parkinson's Disease Association, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and their Race for the Cure, the American Red Cross, the Lupus Foundation, the Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels. Yvonne enjoys mentoring young girls with GenAustin because she remembers how impressionable she was as that age. She believes it's important for young girls to know that they control their own destiny, which includes not only their career path, but their overall happiness as well.

On the weekends, Yvonne loves to go exploring with all her boys -- her husband, Alex, and her sons. Together they like to go off the beaten path by going on road trips and visiting different museums and restaurants. And now that she is close to family, you can definitely add football tailgates and backyard barbecues to the list!

Watch Yvonne every weekday morning and be sure to follow her on Instagram @yvonnefromkvue or on Twitter @YvonneN_KVUE 

Do you know that Cameron Crowe movie, "Almost Famous"? Well, let's just say the movie could have literally been inspired by Elise Krentzel. Her quest to cover the rock band KISS during the Japan leg of their tour is nothing short of fascinating. The Ripples of her adventure will capture your imagination, tickle your inner hero and leave you wishing you had the guts or chutzpah to follow your passion, live your dreams and break some hearts along the way.

Steve was so excited to have Elise stop by The Ripple Effect podcast during her promotional tour for her latest book "Under My Skin: Drama, Trauma & Rock & Roll" and boy did they have some fun! Friends for a number of years, Steve and Elise have only met once, in person, a fact they figure out during their interview. But they are a living testament to the fact friendship has no bounds and that it can in fact be built via social media. Which is ironic, since they both live in Austin. A fact that isn't lost on either of them.

This is a fun, but very "adult" conversation about Elise's amazing journey, her lessons learned, and the way she hopes it all inspires us all to chase our dreams and smile and laugh while we do it. 

Join Steve for a solo episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast as he shares November's theme at Ripple Headquarters and what it means to him personally. This is a really insightful look at where he struggled with in Finding His Voice but what's happened because he persevered. Plus, he shares his excited for the Ripple Membership.

Steve met Helen years ago at a corporate training and well, that's all it took for them to become friends. Well that, a few lunches and some fun conversations about changing the world. Oh and maybe a little Scottish futbol for dessert.

Helen Lenk is someone you just instantly fall in love with. Whether it's her strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer service or her never-ending commitment to get the job done right, Helen is up for whatever challenge she has in front of her.

She has an incredible personality and is smart as a whip. We've been excited to watch her lean into her power and land in a role where her efforts are literally creating Ripples and driving corporate culture. And don't think that's all! She's just getting started.

Check out Helen's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-lenk-35294662/