Episodes

Jan. 31, 2023

Involved Health w/ Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi

Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek is excited to welcome Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi to the program to discuss timely topics surrounding wellness, such as how to reduce the stigma around mental health, how to improve mental healt...
Jan. 24, 2023

Lessons in Faith from a Fragile Life w/ Bob Vander Plaats

God often uses the weakest among us to make the greatest impact. Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER whose gospel-first mission is to strengthen families by coming alongside the Church and inspiring Chri...
Jan. 17, 2023

Taking Division out of Diversity Conversations w/ Karith Foster

Karith Foster is a Diversity Engagement Specialist whose signature programs are impacting lives at academic institutions, organizations and corporations across America. Now, she is joining Chris Meek on Next Steps Forward to ...
Jan. 10, 2023

A Passion for Healing w/ Dr. Dawson Church

Dr. Dawson Church is an award-winning science writer with three best-selling books to his credit and the founder of the EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Universe with a mission to bring the healing benefits of EFT tapping a...
Jan. 3, 2023

Taking Charge of Your Mental Health w/ Ross Szabo

Thank you for joining Next Steps Forward as we launch into 2023 with a continued commitment to helping improve your wellbeing, become even more empowered and achieve more than you ever thought possible. As always, it's an hon...
Dec. 27, 2022

Sleep and Recovery w/ Vitalijus Majoravas

Vitalijus Majoravas is a sleep biohacker, certified sleep and recovery coach, certified Buteyko clinic breathing instructor and co-founder of Pulsetto, who has spent more than ten years in the sleep products industry. On this...
Dec. 20, 2022

Sum of Parts w/ Kimberley Tent

Constable Kimberley Tent is an author, poet, retired police officer and owner of Apothic Entertainment. In her book “Parts of Me,” Kimberley details how she had given up on life and her battle with post-traumatic stress disor...
Dec. 13, 2022

A Conversation on Mental Health w/ Dr. Katherine Grill

On this edition of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Katherine Grill, the CEO and co-founder of Neolth, a Walnut Creek, California technology company that provides personalized mental health support to teens through a self-guided progr...
Dec. 6, 2022

Living an Abundant Life w/ Dr. Tiffany Tajiri

Did you know that the brain generates more energy in one day than all of the cell phones in the world combined? Dr. Tiffany Tajiri joins Next Steps Forward host Chris Meek to speak more on that incredible fact, as well as in-...
Nov. 29, 2022

Living Your Best Life With Intention w/ Laura Cox Kaplan

Laura Cox Kaplan is the creator of She Said / She Said — a multimedia platform for women who strive to live their best lives with intention and who are seeking insight and inspiration through thoughtful conversation and conte...
Nov. 22, 2022

Quiet the Noise and Listen to the Right Voices w/ Jessica Cording

Program host Chris Meek is honored to have the audience join him for a lively discussion with Jessica Cording, a registered dietitian, health coach and author with a passion for helping people simplify their wellness routines...
Nov. 15, 2022

Defiant Hope w/ Rob Morris

This week’s guest on Next Steps Forward is Rob Morris, CEO and co-founder of Love146, an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation. Before co-founding Love146, Rob worked with M...
Nov. 8, 2022

The Heart of Service w/ Ben Elmore

Ben Elmore is the CEO, Founder and Managing Partner of Intevity, a boutique digital consultancy that develops solutions and technology to drive growth, transform business and make a real impact on people’s lives. He joins pro...
Oct. 18, 2022

A Light is Coming w/ Aaron Stark

On this edition of Next Steps Forward, program host Chris Meek speaks with Aaron Stark, a TEDx speaker, author and advocate, who shares his story of growing up in painful and abusive conditions which very nearly led him to an...
Oct. 11, 2022

Light the Spark & Become the Fire w/ Brittany Dunn

Brittany Dunn, a national leader working to eradicate human trafficking in the United States and COO and Co-Founder of Safe House Project, joins program host Chris Meek in this edition of Next Steps Forward. Prior to the Safe...
Oct. 4, 2022

The Paralyzed Movement by Amanda Zwanziger

On this edition of Next Steps Forward, Amanda Zwanziger joins program host Chris Meek! Amanda is the best-selling author of “The Paralyzed Movement” and is a successful speaker, life coach and professional focused on helping ...
Sept. 27, 2022

Building Meaningful Relationships w/ Susan McPherson

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, corporate responsibility expert and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. The aut...
Sept. 20, 2022

Surviving Devastating Loss w/ Matthew Bocchi

Matthew Bocchi is a survivor of devastating loss, emotional and psychological trauma, and sexual assault after his father, John, lost his life during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Matt then began speaking in fro...
Sept. 13, 2022

Thoughtful Action w/ Bryce Cherryholmes & Saul Martinez

On this noteworthy installment of Next Steps Forward, program host Chris Meek is honored to be joined by Staff Sergeant Bryce Cherryholmes and double-amputee and Purple Heart Recipient Saul Martinez. SSgt Cherryholmes served ...
Sept. 6, 2022

Supporting Today’s Veterans w/ George Casey and Joel Kupersmith

On this edition of Next Steps Forward, program host Chris Meek speaks with General George Casey and Dr. Joel Kupersmith, authors of “Supporting Veterans After 50 Years of the All-Volunteer Force and 20 Years of War: Ideas Mov...
Aug. 30, 2022

One Year Later: The Afghanistan Withdrawal w/ Lyla Kohistany

On the first anniversary of the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, program host Chris Meek speaks with Lyla Kohistany, an inclusion strategist and cultural intelligence advisor, on her thoughts about what the U.S. go...
Aug. 23, 2022

The NBA in Black and White w/ Ray Scott

On this edition of Next Steps Forward, National Basketball Association (NBA) great Ray Scott joins program host Chris Meek. Scott was a six-foot-nine-inch forward and center who played his college basketball at the University...
Aug. 9, 2022

Combating Human Trafficking w/ Heather C. Fischer

On this week’s edition of Next Steps Forward, special guest Heather C. Fischer joins program host Chris Meek to discuss human trafficking, human rights and democracy. Heather became involved in combating human trafficking as ...
Aug. 2, 2022

Becoming Mindful w/ Ayman Mukerji Househam

Regular listeners and viewers of Next Steps Forward know that the program is focused on personal empowerment, commitment to our own well-being and the motivation to achieve more than we ever thought possible. This installment...