The Wisdom movers

In this episode of Wisdom Movers Podcast, we sit down with Joshua Harrison, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Leaf Island and Director of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure at UC Santa Cruz, to explore how nature-inspired innovation can transform the future of our cities.

Joshua shares insights from more than three decades of work at the intersection of ecology, systems thinking, art, and climate resilience. Together, we discuss why extreme heat has become one of the greatest threats facing urban communities, how rapid urbanization is reshaping our relationship with the environment, and why today's cities must evolve from concrete landscapes into living ecosystems.

Our conversation explores how green infrastructure—including green roofs, living walls, and nature-based urban design—can reduce heat, improve air quality, manage stormwater, support biodiversity, lower energy costs, and even repurpose waste into sustainable building solutions. Joshua also explains why working with nature, rather than against it, offers one of the most practical and scalable paths toward healthier, more resilient, and more equitable cities.

Whether you're interested in climate change, sustainability, urban planning, architecture, or environmental innovation, this episode offers a hopeful and practical vision for building cities that not only survive the future but thrive in it.

To learn more about Joshua Harrison, Leaf Island, and their work in regenerative urban infrastructure, visit the Leaf Island website: leafisland.org.

In this episode of Wisdom Movers Podcast, we sit down with Chris Parks, pastor, church planter, author, and leadership coach, to explore what it truly takes to become a healthy and effective leader.

Drawing from nearly three decades of marketplace leadership, executive ministry experience, and church planting in Silicon Valley, Chris shares the lessons he learned through both success and failure. We discuss the realities of building healthy teams, creating thriving organizational cultures, developing future leaders, and navigating the difficult decisions that test both character and faith.

Our conversation also explores the often-overlooked "unseen work" that happens within a leader before lasting influence is ever visible. Chris explains why personal growth, spiritual formation, and character development are the foundation of sustainable leadership, and how embracing challenges can prepare leaders for greater purpose and impact.

Whether you lead a business, ministry, nonprofit, or simply want to grow as a person of influence, this episode offers practical leadership principles, timeless wisdom, and encouraging insights on leading with integrity, humility, and purpose.

To learn more about Chris Parks, his leadership coaching, speaking, and his book, The Unseen Work: What God Does in the Church Planter Before the Plant, visit his website: https://www.chrisparks.org.

In this episode of Wisdom Movers Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Emily Levy, education expert, founder and director of EBL Coaching, researcher, and author of several nationally used educational programs designed to help students succeed.

Drawing from decades of experience in special education and educational research, Dr. Levy explains why many students struggle despite working hard and how individualized, research-based, multi-sensory instruction can transform learning outcomes. We explore effective strategies for improving reading comprehension, strengthening math skills, developing executive functioning, and helping students become more confident, independent learners.

Our conversation also examines common misconceptions about learning, the importance of teaching students how to learn rather than simply what to memorize, and practical techniques that parents, teachers, and students can use to improve academic performance. Dr. Levy shares insights from her groundbreaking research on reading comprehension and discusses how evidence-based instruction can unlock a child's full potential.

Whether you're a parent, educator, student, or lifelong learner, this episode offers practical tools and timeless insights into creating meaningful educational success and fostering a genuine love of learning.

To learn more about Dr. Emily Levy, EBL Coaching, and her educational resources, visit the EBL Coaching website: www.eblcoaching.com.

In this episode of Wisdom Movers Podcast, we sit down with Zulma Williams, founder of Dragonfly Therapy Services, licensed psychotherapist, inspirational speaker, and host of Keeping It Real with Zulma: The Swearing Therapist.

Zulma shares her remarkable journey from Argentina to the United States, the challenges of starting a new life as an immigrant, and the courage it took to pursue higher education later in life. Just weeks after earning her bachelor's degree, she was diagnosed with breast cancer—a life-changing moment that tested her resilience but never defined her.

Together, we explore overcoming trauma, anxiety, depression, abusive relationships, and suicidal ideation, while discussing the mindset that helped Zulma reclaim her life. She explains why healing isn't about becoming perfect but about discovering the warrior within yourself and learning to move forward despite life's deepest challenges.

We also discuss the importance of authenticity, emotional resilience, self-compassion, and why embracing life's imperfections can become the foundation for lasting transformation. Whether you're navigating personal struggles, supporting someone you love, or seeking inspiration to begin again, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope.

To learn more about Zulma Williams, her therapy services, speaking engagements, and podcast, visit Dragonfly Therapy Services: https://www.dragonflytherapyservices.net/

In this episode of Wisdom Movers Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Dechaine, a real estate consultant and industry leader with more than two decades of experience in new home sales, team leadership, and real estate consulting.

Jennifer shares why she believes real estate is fundamentally a human-change profession rather than simply a sales profession. Drawing from her own experience with burnout, she explains how many professionals are expected to master emotional resilience, trust-building, and navigating clients through uncertainty without ever being taught these essential skills.

Our conversation also explores the broader housing landscape, including the causes and lasting lessons of the 2007–2008 subprime mortgage crisis, today's housing affordability challenges, the future of Canadian housing supply, and why putting people—not just transactions—at the center of real estate leads to better outcomes for professionals, businesses, and communities alike.

Whether you're in real estate, sales, leadership, or simply interested in understanding housing markets and human behavior, this episode offers practical insights into building trust, preventing burnout, and creating lasting impact in high-pressure industries.

To learn more about Jennifer's work, Human Foundations™, and her initiatives in real estate leadership and housing, visit Congruent Projects.

Podcast Description

In this episode, we welcome Steve Barton, executive coach, author, and creator of The Game of Ten®, an awareness-based framework that helps high performers overcome fear, self-doubt, guilt, and shame to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Drawing on nearly five decades of business and leadership experience, Steve shares why external success doesn't always lead to inner fulfillment and how cultivating awareness can transform the way we make decisions, build relationships, and achieve lasting success. We explore the hidden mental patterns that hold leaders back, the role of intuition in high-performance leadership, and practical strategies for moving from stress and overthinking to confidence and aligned action.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, leader, or someone striving to perform at your best without sacrificing your peace of mind, this conversation offers valuable insights for both your professional and personal life.

Learn more about Steve Barton and The Game of Ten®:

https://www.stevebartoncoaching.com

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Joe Elefante—writer, educator, jazz pianist, and author of An Endless Knot: How Democracies Form the Citizens They Need—to explore the deeper qualities that sustain a healthy society.

Drawing from his experience in education, music, philosophy, and personal loss, Joe explains why democracy is more than politics or institutions. He shares how jazz teaches listening, collaboration, and discipline, why the arts play a vital role in shaping compassionate citizens, and how grief transformed his understanding of attention, responsibility, and human connection.

Whether you're interested in leadership, education, civic life, personal growth, or the power of music, this conversation offers profound insights into the character traits that help individuals—and democracies—flourish.

Tune in for a meaningful discussion on kindness, empathy, resilience, and the inner life required to build a better world.

connect with Joe on: https://www.jelefante.com/

In this episode, we sit down with U.S. Marine Officer, award-winning author, and leadership mentor Olaolu Ogunyemi for a powerful conversation that cuts through the noise of modern leadership. From high-stakes military environments to the everyday responsibilities of fatherhood, Olaolu shares why real leadership isn’t about power, titles, or status—it’s about service, discipline, and putting others first.

We dive deep into his philosophy of “Lead Last,” unpack the dangers of today’s “me-first” culture, and explore how leaders can build trust-based teams that thrive both in the boardroom and at home. Olaolu also opens up about his acclaimed children’s book Crow From the Shadow and why teaching kids emotional intelligence, self-worth, and healthy decision-making is one of the greatest investments we can make in the future.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why leadership starts with service

• The balance between empathy and authority

• How military discipline can strengthen family life

• Building trust that lasts in teams and relationships

• Raising emotionally strong children

• Creating a legacy bigger than your title

This is an episode full of practical wisdom, raw truth, and actionable strategies for anyone looking to become a stronger leader, parent, or mentor.

Connect with Olaolu Ogunyemi:

parent-child-connect.com⁠

What does it really take to build a life of success from the ground up?

In this episode of The Wisdom Movers Podcast, I sit down with Larry G. Dix II—entrepreneur, founder of APEX, bestselling author, cattle rancher, race car driver, real estate investor, and host of Born or Made—for a powerful conversation on grit, perseverance, and the mindset behind long-term success.

Larry shares his journey from loading lumber as a teenager to building an 8-figure manufacturing company, revealing the challenges, setbacks, and hard lessons that shaped him along the way. We talk about overcoming the doubts of others for not going to college, navigating the tough economic climate early in his career, and surviving moments that nearly drove him into bankruptcy.

We also explore the philosophy behind Born or Made, his thoughts on generational wealth, the importance of integrity in business, and why his life’s guiding principle—“Do What’s Right”—has remained the foundation of everything he’s built. Larry’s platform centers on interviewing high-level entrepreneurs and uncovering the principles behind elite success.

Born Or Made

Apple Podcasts

This episode is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone determined to build something meaningful through discipline and resilience.

In this episode, we cover:

• Overcoming criticism and doubt without a college degree

• Building an 8-figure business from humble beginnings

• Lessons from nearly going bankrupt

• The power of grit, perseverance, and integrity

• The philosophy behind Born or Made

• Larry’s perspective on generational wealth

• Why doing what’s right always wins in the long run

• How to build a legacy that lasts

Connect with Larry and explore more of his work here:

bornormadepodcast.com⁠

For speaking, mentorship, or podcast opportunities, you can also reach him through his official contact page:

bornormadepodcast.com

In this episode of The Wisdom Movers Podcast, we sit down with Anissa Hudak, founder of Phoenix Women Healing, to explore a different approach to trauma recovery. She shares how trauma affects the body and nervous system, why traditional talk therapy doesn't always work, and how women can heal without reliving painful experiences. This conversation offers practical insights into moving beyond survival mode and rebuilding a sense of safety, confidence, and self-trust.