Afleveringen
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In this powerful episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Dr. Marcel van der Watt, the president of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), to discuss his remarkable career and the global fight against sexual exploitation. With over 22 years of experience, Dr. van der Watt brings expertise from his background as a police investigator, hostage negotiator, and criminal case consultant. Together, they dive into the devastating impact of pornography, especially on young minds, and the alarming rise of online sexual exploitation. Dr. van der Watt sheds light on how pornography is reshaping relationships, desensitizing youth, and potentially leading to more violent behaviors. He also provides insights into how easy access to these harmful materials is impacting children, and shares effective strategies for parents to protect their kids in the digital age.
The conversation also explores the important work of the NCOSE, including their efforts in policy advocacy, legal action, corporate accountability, and survivor support. Dr. van der Watt discusses the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which aims to combat online sexual exploitation, and the centerâs annual Dirty Dozen list, highlighting the biggest corporate enablers of exploitation. Tune in for this eye-opening discussion on the complex and urgent issue of sexual exploitation, and learn what steps we can all take toward change.
About Dr. Marcel van der Watt: As President of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Marcel van der Watt (Ph.D.) brings over 22 years of expertise in combating the interconnected criminal economies of organized crime, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. Marcel has earned global recognition for his leadership, investigative expertise, and research contributions. His extensive background as a police investigator, hostage and suicide negotiator, and criminal case consultant continues to inform and inspire his work today. Marcel has consulted in and provided expert court testimony in several sex trafficking cases, briefed members of the US Congress on issues related to online criminality, and engaged with both the Presidency and the Multi-Party Womenâs Caucus in South Africaâs Parliament on matters related to implicit harms-,myths-, and laws associated with the sex trade. As a keynote speaker and published author, Marcel has shared his expertise on international stages, training professionals from diverse disciplines across over 30 countries. His deep commitment to justice is rooted in his personal faith in Jesus Christ. Married to his best friend Karolien, Marcel finds great joy in seeing others thrive, pursue their dreams, and hone their talents. He is passionate about celebrating and protecting the inherent dignity and value of every individual, inspiring them to live life to its fullest potential.
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Many know sports columnist Jason Gay from his work at The Wall Street Journal. In his interview with program host Dr. Chris Meek, Jason starts at the start, speaking candidly about how he decided to become a writer and the path that led him to his current job. Named the Sports Columnist of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists on several occasions, Jason will discuss his approach to writing about sensitive topics, such as scandals or controversies; the most challenging and memorable interviews heâs completed, his approach to striking a balance between respecting interview subjects while still asking the tough questions, and so much more on this episode of Next Steps Forward.
About Jason Gay: Jason Gay is The Wall Street Journalâs sports columnist. In 2024, Jasonâs sports column was awarded first place by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. He was named Sports Columnist of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2010, 2016 and 2019. He is author of the essay book âI Wouldnât Do That If I Were Me,â published in 2022, and his 2015 bestseller âLittle Victoriesâ was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Write to Jason at [email protected], and follow him on Twitter @jasongay.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this weekâs episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Patricia âPattyâ D. Horoho, a trailblazer who made history as the first woman, first nurse, and first non-physician to serve as the Army Surgeon General and Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command. With a career spanning over 38 years of service, General Horoho reflects on her remarkable journey from the Green Ramp disaster in 1994 to the Pentagon on 9/11, and her transformational leadership in Army medicine. After retiring from the Army, General Horohoâs leadership continues to shine as Chief Strategy, Innovation and Transformation Officer for Optum Health, where she has rapidly grown the organization to multi-billion-dollar success, particularly through her agile response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this conversation, they discuss her career milestones, leadership principles, resilience, and the groundbreaking changes she implemented in military healthcare. LTG Horoho also shares insights into her personal life, including balancing her demanding career with motherhood, and how she continues to serve others through the 2Serve Together Foundation, which honors military women. Tune in to hear her inspiring advice on leadership, resilience, and the importance of empowering the next generation of leadersâespecially women.
About LTG Patricia "Patty" D. Horoho: Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Patricia âPattyâ D. Horoho is the current Chief Strategy, Innovation and Transformation Officer for Optum Health. She was the 43rd Army Surgeon General and the Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command. She made history as the first woman, first nurse and first non-physician to hold these posts. In these roles, LTG Horoho led the worldâs third-largest health care system with a multi-billion-dollar budget, a staff of 156,000 and a global logistics, research and care network that spanned five continents. After her retirement from the Army in December 2015, she joined UnitedHealth Group in 2017 to establish the Optum Serve brand, which is the end-to-end federal business of both Optum and UnitedHealth Group. In the last two years, Optum Serve has entered into new markets, grown the top line by three-hundred percent, and grown into a multi-billion dollar organization. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, her agility and ability to effectively leverage resources resulted in Optum Serve rapidly standing up new business models to support COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution. In 2023, LTG Horoho also established the 2Serve Together Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring our military women.
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Kelly McDonald, bestselling author of four books on business and leadership, acclaimed speaker, and founder of one of the nation's top advertising agencies, joins program host Dr. Chris Meek on this episode of Next Steps Forward. Kelly has built her career on the belief that embracing our differences can lead to greater creativity, innovation, and success in both our work and personal lives. She will dive deep into her philosophy of working with people "not like us." From different personalities to varying work habits, Kelly shares why we should stop viewing our differences as barriers and start using them as strengths. She explores how traits like being a morning person vs. a night owl, introvert vs. extrovert, or analytical vs. creative can lead to more ideas, more joy, and a more collaborative environment. Kelly also addresses the topic of diversity beyond the usual discussions of race, gender, and sexuality. With practical tips and real-world examples, she offers actionable advice on how to connect with colleagues and clients who may have different viewpoints, political ideologies, and working stylesâwhile fostering an inclusive, dynamic culture that brings out the best in everyone. Tune in to hear about Kelly's journey, the mindset that propelled her to success, and how we can all better navigate the complexities of working with people who are different from usâwhether itâs at work or in life. Donât miss this inspiring conversation on how embracing differences can transform our businesses and our relationships!
About Kelly McDonald: Kelly McDonald is considered one of the nationâs top experts in diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I), leadership, marketing and sales to people ânot like youâ, consumer trends, and leveraging the customer experience. Kelly is a 4X bestselling author and renowned professional speaker. She is also the founder of McDonald Marketing, which has twice been named one of the âTop Ad Agencies in the U.S.â by Advertising Age magazine and ranked as one of the fastest-growing independently-owned companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine. She has been featured on CNBC, in Forbes Magazine, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, on CNNMoney.com and on SiriusXM Radio. Her client experience includes iconic brands such as Toyota, State Farm, Nike, Harley-Davidson, Miller-Coors and Sherwin-Williams, Great Clips and NASA. Kelly is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin â Madison. She now lives in Denver, Colorado. When sheâs not speaking and traveling for business, she enjoys boxing (yes, actual boxing â not kickboxing!) and shopping for high heels.
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Charles L. Bender III is the founding CEO of Place of Hope, a faith-based and state-licensed family-style residential child-caring agency for abused and neglected children, located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Program host Dr. Chris Meek is thrilled to welcome Mr. Bender to a conversation exploring the organizationâs mission to support at-risk youth, foster children, and families facing adversity. With a heart for creating lasting change, Mr. Bender and his fellow team members at Place of Hope offer a variety of programs designed to promote emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Mr. Bender will share insights into the work being done at Place of Hope from their foster care initiatives to the restoration services that help individuals rebuild their lives, including an emphasis on those who have been victims of human trafficking. The audience will hear inspiring stories of resilience, learn the positive impacts of community support, and the importance of offering hope in times of uncertainty. Whether youâre interested in learning more about how to get involved with Place of Hope and similar organizations or you simply want to hear about the difference one group can make, this episode is sure to leave you inspired and motivated to take action. Tune in to discover how Place of Hope is building brighter futures, one life at a time.
About Charles L. Bender III: Charles L. Bender III is the Founding CEO of Place of Hope, a faith-based and state-licensed family-style residential child-caring agency for abused and neglected children, located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He earned his B.A. degree in Sociology from Florida Atlantic University and also studied at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Charles came to Place of Hope in 1999 following many years of work with various housing, social, and human services organizations throughout Palm Beach County. He has participated in numerous community committees, task forces, special initiatives, and boards. He has been a team member of several other local leading organizations including: Palm Beach County Housing and Community Development, Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc., the City of Delray Beach Community Development Division. The majority of Charlesâ work has involved low-income individuals and families, homeless and substance abusing populations, and at-risk/dependent children and youth. Prior to spearheading implementation of Place of Hope, Charles was a primary volunteer in the multi-year visioning and development processes while still a âvisionâ of Christ Fellowship (founding church). Charles has significant experience developing and administering social programs and low-income housing initiatives, executing growth plans, implementing federal, state, and local funding programs, building organizational capacity and community coalitions, enhancing service delivery systems, raising capital and annual operating funds, and managing overall non-profit operations.
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In this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Meg Tuszynski, the Managing Director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom in the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, joins program host Dr. Chris Meek for a conversation championing economic freedom. Throughout the hour, Dr. Tuszynski will discuss her research to understand the causes and consequences of variations in economic freedom across nations, states, and localities, as well as her research seeking to advance our understanding of entangled political economy. She will provide the audience with a nuanced view of the intersection of economics, public policy and individual freedom, as well as provide insights on how economic freedom drives growth, fosters entrepreneurship and impacts inequality. She will also delve into the role of fiscal policies in shaping economic landscapes and their effects on womenâs careers. Tune in as she explores the power of free markets and provides valuable perspectives on key issues in modern economic thought.
About Dr. Meg Tuszynski: Dr. Meg Tuszynski is the Managing Director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom in the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. She is also a Research Assistant Professor in the Cox School. Megâs research interests primarily fall into two categories. One category of research seeks to understand the causes and consequences of variations in economic freedom across nations, states, and localities. A second strand of research seeks to advance our understanding of entangled political economy, which analyzes the ways in which market and government actors are interlinked. Meg has published research in Public Choice, the Southern Economic Journal, the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, the Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, and the American Journal of Entrepreneurship, among several others. She has also published popular pieces in outlets including Investors Business Daily, the Washington Examiner, the Dallas Morning News, and the Daily Caller. Meg lives in Texas with her husband, two children, and three dogs.
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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 Mediaâs 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.
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Traci Scott, communications strategist, author and public speaker, started her broadcasting career at just 16 years old with the Far East Network (FEN) in Japan. Since then, her career path has taken her from CBS News, Capitol Hill, and the Pentagon to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan and advising more than a dozen Army generals and a cabinet secretary. She joins program host Dr. Chris Meek to describe how her love of country inspired her to go to Iraq in 2003, where she served as a civilian press officer for the Coalition Provisional Authority and later wrote a book, âTake Off Your Hoop Earrings Before Putting on your Gas Mask: A Civilian Chickâs Guide to Surviving a War Zone,â about how coping with daily attacks, the loss of friends, and unideal living conditions, among other life lessons, taught her how to use wit, determination and perseverance to survive. She speaks candidly about how the lessons about leadership she learned in Iraq and other areas of life led her to create and develop a non-profit, The Green Dress Project, which mentors and prepares young women from underserved communities for their future careers.
About Traci Scott: Traci Scott was only 16 years old when she started her broadcasting career with the Far East Network (FEN) in Japan. Since then, her career path has taken her from CBS News, Capitol Hill and the Pentagon to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most recently, she has served as a key advisor to more than a dozen Army generals and a cabinet secretary. She later decided to transition out of broadcasting, moving to Congress where she first launched a communications office for a freshman U.S. Senator and subsequently generated a similar effort for an up-and-coming political candidate. In 2003, her love of country inspired her to go to Iraq, where she served as a civilian press officer for the Coalition Provisional Authority. Later, she was chosen to stand up the press office for the special inspector general for Afghanistan. In 2015, Scott was one of 60 leaders chosen from 1000+ applicants to participate in the first Presidential Leadership Scholars class. This prestigious program was founded by Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Those lessons in leadership led her to create and develop a non-profit, The Green Dress Project, which mentors and prepares young women from underserved communities, for their future careers. Scott was among the first to earn a masterâs degree from the Graduate School of Political Management when it merged with the George Washington University in 1996. She graduated from Howard University with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1987.
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Janice Trey, the head of Epoch Times/NTD Network, and Ying Chen, conductor at Shen Yun Performing Arts, join program host Dr. Chris Meek in this installment of Next Steps Forward to discuss their experiences with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), communist history and to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses of numerous groups in China. Janice Trey will detail her experiences in a CCP labor camp, where she lived until she was 9 years old, and her inside view of the two vastly different worlds of communism and freedom. She discusses why her commitment to spread true information and accurate unbiased journalism is important, not just for her but for everyone. As the conductor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Ying Chen shares her personal experiences defying the CCPâs attempts to cancel Shen Yun, the difficulties the company has faced in light of the CCPâs global campaign to cancel it and what fuels her sense of empowerment in the face of adversity. Both Janice and Yingâs journeys and work underscore the necessity to keep people informed.
Janice Trey: Janice Treyâs thirst for truth sprouted from a Chinese labor camp. She was born in the middle of the Cultural Revolutionâone of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Mao Zedongâs campaigns that targeted traditional Chinese culture, killing an estimated millions. Living her first 9 years in the camp and making it out has given her an inside view of two vastly different worlds and a commitment to spread true information and accurate unbiased journalism as the head of the Epoch Times/NTD Network. During the Communist Cultural Revolution, authorities labeled people like her parents, college educated engineers as an inferior class and sent them (and the entire family) to a labor camp in a remote southern Chinese village. The living conditions were brutal. When she came to the United States her quest for learning led her to the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Business School where she excelled. She also holds a Management and Leadership certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Janice Trey, is a Certified Public Accountant, has held various executive roles at Fortune 500 companies. Her healthcare experience includes leadership roles in global health tech, consumer lifestyle, medical device, life science, and technology companies. Ms. Trey is passionate about boosting well-being, and saving and improving lives. She is a strong advocate of human rights, free speech, free press and freedom of religion. In that regard, she encourages excellence from her team of journalists and on-air broadcasters to provide the accurate news and information that is critical to the world.
Ying Chen: Since Shen Yunâs inception in 2006, Ying Chen has served as conductor, principal flutist, piccoloist, orchestra manager, and stage manager. She was born into a family of elite musicians in Beijing, and studied flute at the Music Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory. After graduating with the highest honors, she relocated to the United States, where she attended Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University on scholarship and studied with the principal flutist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She composed pieces for New Tang Dynasty Televisionâs Global Chinese New Year Gala and Holiday Wonders performances in 2004 and 2005.
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Dr. Jon Mills is a philosopher, psychoanalyst, and clinical psychologist. In his book âEnd of the World: Civilization and Its Fateâ he contends with whether civilization is destined for self-annihilation in light of climate change, famine, threats of global war and nuclear annihilation. He joins Dr. Chris Meek on Next Steps Forward to explore the emergencies that could ignite an apocalypse and why we must seriously question whether humanity is under the sway of a collective unconscious death wish. Examining ominous existential risks and drawing on the psychological motivations, unconscious conflicts, and cultural complexes that drive human behavior and social relations, he offers fresh new perspectives on the looming fate of humanity based on a collective bystander disorder.
About Dr. Jon Mills: Jon Mills, PhD, is a philosopher, psychoanalyst, and clinical psychologist. He is Honorary Professor at the University of Essex, on faculty at Adelphi University; and a Supervising Analyst at the New School for Existential Psychoanalysis. He has authored and edited more than thirty books. He lives in Ontario, Canada.
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Donna Rice Hughes is the President and CEO of Enough Is Enough Âź (EIE), an internationally known internet safety expert, author, speaker and Emmy-Award winning producer. She joins Chris Meek on this installment of Next Steps Forward to share her vision which helped to birth the internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age and how, since 1994, she has been a pioneering leader on the frontlines of U.S. efforts to make the internet safer for children and families. Throughout the hour she will share steps to prevent internet-initiated crimes against children through education, equipping and empowering parents, educators and caring adults with the knowledge and resources they need to protect children, as well as cyber security risks and dangers related to social networking, online gaming and mobile devices. Ms. Rice Hughes uses evidence-based curriculum to equip adults to implement both safety rules and software rules when it comes to youthâs internet enabled devices.
About Donna Rice Hughes: Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is EnoughÂź (EIE) is an internationally known Internet safety expert, author, speaker and Emmy-Award winning producer. Her vision 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. She has given thousands of media interviews on preventing the internet-enabled exploitation of children and has been a featured guest on most major media outlets including Fox News, CNN, Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah, Barbara Walters Show, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time, Newsweek, People, Ladies Home Journal among others. She has also testified numerous times before Congress, served on various government task forces, and on the Child Online Protection Commission appointed by the US Senate.
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Dr. Nadine Macaluso is the real-life inspiration behind Naomi Belfortâs character in âThe Wolf of Wall Street.â She survived a turbulent eight-year marriage to Jordan Belfort, marked by abuse, greed, and trauma. She joins Next Steps Forward to detail her journey of trauma and how healing inspired her to become a psychotherapist and expert in trauma bonds. Pulling from her combined thirty yearsâ experience, she will provide insight on why women enter and stay in abusive relationships, the psychological makeup of vulnerable women and pathological lovers, how to leave a trauma bond and how to heal and find healthy love. Dr. Macaluso firmly believes in the potential for post-traumatic growth, instilling hope in her patients and guiding them to reach their potential in life and love.
About Dr. Nadine Macaluso: Dr. Nadine Macaluso, known to her patients as Dr. Nae, is the real-life inspiration behind Naomi Belfort's character in "The Wolf of Wall Street." She survived a turbulent eight-year marriage to Jordan Belfort, marked by abuse, greed, and trauma. Following her experiences, Dr. Macaluso relocated to California. Her journey of trauma and healing inspired her to return to school at age 39, where she earned her Master's in counseling and a Ph.D. in somatic psychotherapy. She further specialized with a two-year postdoctoral training in the Neuro-affective Relational Model (NARM). As a therapist, Dr. Macaluso combines her education and personal experiences to help others heal from trauma. Her practice focuses on assisting patients in connecting with their authentic selves, fostering confidence, resilience, and agency. Dr. Macaluso firmly believes in the potential for post-traumatic growth, instilling hope in her patients and guiding them to reach their potential in life and love.
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Dr. Chris Frueh, PHD has over thirty years of professional experience working with military veterans and active duty personnel as a clinical psychologist. In this edition of Next Steps Forward, he joins Dr. Chris Meek to discuss his work to uncover a pattern of interrelated afflictions, including traumatic brain injury, hormonal dysregulation, sleep apnea, chronic pain, and more, which he has labeled âOperator Syndrome.â Throughout the hour he will guide the audience through the harrowing terrain of Operator Syndrome, providing a roadmap to understand its multifaceted origins and complex effects on every biological system in the body - as well as the social systems of family, work, and the indifferent society warriors return to. In addition, he explains how modern healthcare systems have failed a generation of service members by all too often relying on the PTSD âeasy buttonâ and provides real solutions, lifestyle adaptations and treatment strategies that truly work.
About Chris Frueh: Dr. Chris Frueh, PHD has over thirty years of professional experience working with military veterans and active-duty personnel, and has conducted clinical trials, epidemiology, historical and neuroscience research. He has co-authored over 300 scientific publications, including a graduate textbook on adult psychopathology. His work on âOperator Syndromeâ is helping change the way we understand and treat the complex set of interrelated health, psychological, and interpersonal difficulties that are common downstream outcomes of a career in military special operations. He devotes effort to the SEAL Future Foundation (chair, medical advisory board), Boulder Crest Foundation (scientific advisory panel), Military Special Operations Family Collaborative, The Mission Within, VETS, Inc., Quick Reaction Foundation (Houston) and to the military special operations community in general.
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Rabbi Daniel Cohen, who has served in the rabbinate for over twenty years, is a popular motivator, mentor and inspirational speaker, who will bring his unique blend of authenticity, humor, wisdom and insight to help the Next Steps Forward audience better navigate contemporary society and lead a life of legacy. Throughout his appearance on the program, he will focus on varying topics including Judaism in the 21st century, examining the human experiences found in the Torah, how ancient texts relate to our lives, inspiration for others to realize their own unique potential, and timeless stories and strategies which will enable the audience to maximize every moment while leading a life of impact and legacy.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen-
Popular motivator, mentor, and inspirational speaker, Rabbi Daniel Cohenâs unique blend of authenticity, humor, wisdom, and insight helps anyone better navigate contemporary society and lead a life of legacy. Rabbi Cohen has served in the rabbinate for over twenty years and is the author of âWhat Will They Say About You When You Are Gone? Creating a Life of Legacy, and his newest book, âThe Secret of the Light.â
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Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek is honored to welcome legendary auto racing driver, Bobby Rahal, who most famously won the Indianapolis 500 in 1986 to the program. In an 18-year career spanning F1, Can-Am, Le Mans/IMSA and CART, Mr. Rahalâs name is widely known across the world having garnered three CART championships, along with wins at the 1981 24 Hours of Daytona and the 1987 12 Hours of Sebring endurance races. Chris is honored to know Mr. Rahal personally, having founded the nonprofit SoldierStrong which benefits greatly from Mr. Rahalâs many philanthropic efforts. Throughout the hour, Mr. Rahal will discuss his iconic career in auto racing, his role as a principal at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and his focus on philanthropy and bettering the communities in which his businesses serve.
Robert âBobbyâ Woodward Rahal was born in Medina, Ohio, in 1953, and worked his way up through the racing ranks starting with the SCCAâs feeder series to Formula Atlantic and then onto European Formula Two. In an 18-year career spanning F1, Can-Am, Le Mans/IMSA, and CART, Rahal notched three CART championships, including a win at the 1986 Indy 500, along with wins at the 1981 24 Hours of Daytona and the 1987 12 Hours of Sebring endurance races. Along with former late night talk show icon David Letterman and businessman Michael Lanigan, he is a principal in Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing where Rahal has overseen the growth of the team from a one-car program to a multi-car, multi-discipline organization. Along with his leadership of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, he is the founder and Chairman of the Board of the Bobby Rahal Automotive Group, a string of car dealerships in Pennsylvania, is President of the Road Racing Drivers Club, is on the Board of Directors for the Petersen Automotive Museum and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, and is very active in the community through the Bobby Rahal Foundation.
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Judy Isaacson Elias founded Heroes to Heroes in 2010 as a tribute to her father, Irving M. Isaacson, a World War II veteran, as a way to honor the service of all veterans, especially those with moral injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. She joins program host Dr. Chris Meek to discuss how Heroes to Heroes invites U.S. military veterans of all faiths - and even no faith - who have attempted suicide, or are on a path to self-destruction, to join their 12 month, research-based, non-denominational program. She will speak on her profound belief that healing comes from a sense of belonging, a spiritual/faith connection and finding forgiveness. You won’t want to miss out on Judy’s appearance if you are interested in engaging more with the topics of overcoming shame and guilt, connecting with a “higher power,” and what it takes to achieve forgiveness.
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Ashlee Boyson is the author of the blog and book series titled “The Moments We Stand,” which tells the story of her family’s journey of healing after the infidelity and murder of her husband Emmett in 2011, just months after giving birth to their fifth baby. In this installment of Next Steps Forward she joins Dr. Chris Meek to share Emmett’s story and the unique experience she has been given to reflect on her journey as a guest on national media platforms, such as Dateline, Dr. Phil, True Crime Daily, and many others. After feeling alone for many years she found her voice through the pain and will speak about her current work as an advocate for victims and families impacted by loss and grief and will also touch on other topics such widowhood, murder and infidelity. In an effort to help others not feel alone, she has grown to love sharing her story to help shine light on a path for others still stuck in the dark, a place she knows all too well. Ashlee believes that each day is a gift and feels grateful for the grace and hope she has found in her story and speaks to the truth of the light she knows shines within all of us.
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In this installment of Next Steps Forward, host Chris Meek celebrates the 200th episode of the program! After first seeing Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, Senior Pastor at 180 Church in Detroit, Michigan, on a news segment where he discussed his focus on the topics of faith, politics, human trafficking, race and mental health, Chris specifically invited Pastor Sewell to be the special guest as he encapsulates the focus of the program exceptionally well. Pastor Sewell was born and raised in Detroit and grew up in a physically and verbally abusive home. High school was a challenging time for him as his father went to prison and his younger brother was killed. He became heavily involved in drugs and drug-dealing and became a gang leader in east Detroit. His life ultimately took a dramatic turn when he had a “Damascus Road” encounter with Christ that set his heart on fire! Pastor Sewell serves as an example not only for how pastors should guide their congregations in matters of faith but also how faith leaders can play a role in guiding their congregations effectively and appropriately on the most pressing political issues of our time. He will surely leave a lasting impression on the Next Steps Forward audience, just as he has left a lasting legacy on his congregation and the wider community of the Motor City.
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Saqib Qureshi is a Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he received his PhD in International Relations and Epistemology. His work has been featured in the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Entrepreneur. He has produced two films and, in 1996, the BBC One documentary, Al Dawaah, the first television documentary about the Muslim community in any Western country. He joins program host Dr. Chris Meek to discuss his most recent book “Being Muslim Today: Reclaiming the Faith From Orthodoxy and Islamophobia.” Throughout the hour he will discuss key topics regarding his book including his inspiration for writing a book on Islamophobia, his goal for the book and hopes for the audiences’ take away from it, common misconceptions about Islam that he seeks to address, and some of the most significant impacts of Islamophobia on Muslim communities. In addition, he will speak in-depth about what people of other faiths should understand about the origins of Islam and its early history, how Muslims view God and the key attributes of God in Islam, and how Islam addresses the issues of justice, compassion and loving one another. Please join their informative discussion!
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Kristi Wells joins program host Dr. Chris Meek on Next Steps Forward as a leading expert in the fight against human trafficking in the United States. She co-founded Safe House Project, a nonprofit organization combating trafficking in America, in 2017. Inspired to take action after becoming aware of the high volume of this criminal activity, juxtaposed with the lack of safe and supportive housing options for those who have experienced trafficking, under Kristi’s leadership Safe House Project has quickly become a unifying leader of the anti-trafficking field. Through her efforts the organization has raised millions of dollars which have allowed them to support the launch of new safe homes across America for trafficking survivors to find healing. Throughout the hour she will discuss the importance of a coordinated, collaborative, public-private national response to trafficking, how her vision and commitment via Safe House Project have significantly impacted the lives of survivors through survivor identification, serving survivors as they depart trafficking situations and prevention, as well as how to address the policy side of eradicating human and sex trafficking.
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