Have there been challenges in your life where you wonder if you'll ever get through them? In this transparent conversation, Angela Rivers shares her story of going from having a successful career to becoming paralyzed overnight. She reveals her struggles, her triumphs, and how you can turn some of your darkest moments into something new and better.

For the Month of May, Barbara Gustavson - Discover Next Step brought a new series to life on the We Are Business Podcast in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Thank you Barbara and outstanding guests for sharing tools and tips on ways to get your spark back.

Host: Barbara Gustavson, Founder, Discover Next Step

Guest: Angela Rivers, Fredericksburg Region of UMFS

Angela Rivers; Resource Parent Recruiter for the Fredericksburg Region of UMFS and creator of podcast FXBG Mission. Professionally, Angela is a community advocate for high-risk children and families in the ‘Burg. She is on the board of Safe Harbor as well as serving as Secretary at the Mental Health Association of Fredericksburg. In the community, Angela is an unwavering champion; striving to help children heal and grow from past trauma and abuse. A mom to two littles, she serves as PFA President at Fredericksburg Academy. Angela is passionate about her career and has big dreams for the community and for herself. She aspires to create further awareness for the needs of the Fredericksburg region; allowing people to know that they are not alone.

Struggling with focus, attention, and losing motivation in your work? Dr. Dunn shares simple tips (backed by neuroscience) that can help boost your productivity.

For the Month of May, Barbara Gustavson is bringing a new series to life on the We Are Business Podcast in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Join Barbara and subject-matter experts as they share tools and tips on ways to get your spark back.

Host: Barbara Gustavson, Founder, Discover Next Step

Guest: Dr. Alex Dunn, University of Mary Washington

Alexandra M. Dunn, Assistant Professor of Management, is an organizational scientist who teaches management, human resources, and organizational behavior in the undergraduate and MBA program.

She is a member of the Fredericksburg SHRM chapter and SHRM-CP certified. She enjoys collaborating on research projects with undergraduate and graduate students, professors from UMW and other universities, and local businesses.

Her research focuses on creating supportive work environments, recruiting and onboarding, high-reliability organizations (e.g., firefighters, police officers), and how to design effective surveys.

Dr. Dunn’s work has been published in numerous academic journals including the Journal of Business and Psychology, Human Relations, and the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. She also has co-authored work that appears in The Cambridge Handbook of Meeting Science and has contributed to The SAGE Encyclopedia of Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Dr. Dunn’s work has been quoted in multiple media outlets including Men’s Health, the Charlotte Business Journal, and Fredericksburg.com. She has received fellowship awards from the National Science Foundation and P.E.O. International and was recently awarded the Waple Professorship at UMW.

Find yourself getting stuck in a cycle of anxiety or fear about your life or business? Dr. Daniel Amen shares how you can interrupt these thoughts and re-pattern your brain to a more empowered way of living.

For the Month of May, Barbara Gustavson is bringing a new series to life on the We Are Business Podcast in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Join Barbara and subject-matter experts as they share tools and tips on ways to get your spark back.

Host: Barbara Gustavson, Founder, Discover Next Step

Guest: Dr. Daniel Amen
Dr. Amen is a child and adult psychiatrist, twelve-time NY Times bestselling author, and founder of Amen Clinics, with 8 clinics across the United States. Amen Clinics has the world’s largest database of brain scans related to behavior, totaling more than 160,000 scans on patients from 121 countries. Dr. Amen’s research team has published more than 80 scientific articles on his work and Discover Magazine named his research as one of the Top Stories in Science for 2015. Dr. Amen has also hosted 14 popular public television shows about the brain and is regarded as a gifted teacher. His new book is titled Your Brain is Always Listening.

Leader 2 Leader Series:
Join Chamber President and CEO, Susan Spears on a journey as she interviews some of the top community leaders in this series. Susan and her guests will share their insight and wisdom on making teams more effective, leveling up your communication skills, and building the courage to lead during difficult times. The Leader2Leader series is about making the most of it all —with insights, research, advice, practical tips, and expertise to help you become the leader you desire to be.

Today's Guest: Janet Gullickson, President, Germanna Community College

 Episodes will be launched bi-weekly Thursdays.

The "Good News" team is celebrating another season coming to a close with our series sponsor, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative . Not only did we explore our region, local businesses and the initiatives that are taking place; but we learned more about REC and their impact on our Fredericksburg community.

If you missed last season, our team interviewed 26 locally owned businesses and shared over 100 pieces of good news in the beginning of the pandemic. 

Almost a year later, here we are bringing you even more good news and spotlighting more of our members.

Today's Guest:  Gary Arrington, Co-Owner, 540 Party Bus

Do you sometimes wonder why some people come out of a challenge stronger than others? Nathan Gist shares what true resilience is and how everyone can develop it. He leverages humor, the imagination and brain techniques to teach you how to build your mental muscles.

For the Month of May, Barbara Gustavson is bringing a new series to life on the We Are Business Podcast in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Join Barbara and subject-matter experts as they share tools and tips on ways to get your spark back.

Host: Barbara Gustavson, Founder, Discover Next Step

Guest: Nathan Gist, Fredericksburg Hypnosis
Nathan's Bio: 
Nathan Gist is an International Speaker, Teacher, Radio Host, Business Owner, Husband, and Father. As a Confidence Coach Nathan has taught thousands of people how to overcome fear and anxiety, build confidence, and improve the quality of their life. From federal agents to stay at home moms and entrepreneurs Nathan designs programs customized to each individual or group need. Approaching life with humor, fun, and faith Nathan's main drive is to connect and to teach how to live life to the fullest and be at your best. Utilizing professional coaching, NLP, Hypnosis, and some good ole' mental hustle Nathan brings real and actionable solutions to life.

Episodes released weekly in the month of May. 

The "Good News" team is back better than ever along with our series sponsor, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative . Not only will we explore our region, local businesses and the initiatives that are taking place; but we’ll learn more about REC and their impact on our Fredericksburg community.

If you missed last season, our team interviewed 26 locally owned businesses and shared over 100 pieces of good news in the beginning of the pandemic.

Almost a year later, here we are bringing you even more good news and spotlighting more of our members.

Today's Guest: Adrienne Kinsch, General Manager, Capital Ale House Fredericksburg

Tune in Wednesdays weekly on Apple and Spotify for Good News Fredericksburg episodes. (May 12, 2021 is our Season 2 Finale)

The "Good News" team is back better than ever along with our series sponsor, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative . Not only will we explore our region, local businesses and the initiatives that are taking place; but we’ll learn more about REC and their impact on our Fredericksburg community.

If you missed last season, our team interviewed 26 locally owned businesses and shared over 100 pieces of good news in the beginning of the pandemic.

Almost a year later, here we are bringing you even more good news and spotlighting more of our members.

Today's Guest: Mickey Riesenberg, President, Force Multiplier Management

Tune in Wednesdays weekly on Apple and Spotify for Good News Fredericksburg episodes.

The "Good News" team is back better than ever along with our series sponsor, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative . Not only will we explore our region, local businesses and the initiatives that are taking place; but we’ll learn more about REC and their impact on our Fredericksburg community.

If you missed last season, our team interviewed 26 locally owned businesses and shared over 100 pieces of good news in the beginning of the pandemic.

Almost a year later, here we are bringing you even more good news and spotlighting more of our members.

Today's Guest: Jonathan Maynard, President, Red Door Pro Wash

Tune in Wednesdays weekly on Apple and Spotify for Good News Fredericksburg episodes.

Leader 2 Leader Series:
Join Chamber President and CEO, Susan Spears on a journey as she interviews some of the top community leaders in this series. Susan and her guests will share their insight and wisdom on making teams more effective, leveling up your communication skills, and building the courage to lead during difficult times. The Leader2Leader series is about making the most of it all —with insights, research, advice, practical tips, and expertise to help you become the leader you desire to be.

Today's Guest:  Matt Rothe, The Way Church 

Episodes will be launched bi-weekly Thursdays.