エピソード

  • 277: International Youth Day

    277: International Youth Day
    2026/08/04
    In this episode, Shawn hands over the mic for a rapid-fire Q&A with Carter Reece, one of Brooke's kiddos, age 14. Rather than the usual format, Shawn lets Carter take the floor, asking him about the issues he sees today, the struggles young people face, and opinions he doesn't often get asked to share. It's a rare chance to hear directly from a young voice on topics that shape his generation. Educators, social workers, program directors, community advocates, and those working in systems of care will come away with a fresh, honest look at how a young man is thinking through the world around him.
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    9 分
  • 276: International Day of Friendship

    276: International Day of Friendship
    2026/07/28
    In honor of International Day of Friendship, Brooke welcomes her work and real-life best friend Ashley Hunt to the podcast for a heartfelt celebration of the bond they share. Brooke arrives with a surprise she has been working on for an entire year: a gift called "30 Reasons Why You're My Bestie." Listen in as she reads excerpts aloud to Ashley for the very first time, and stay for the laughter, tears, and honest conversation as the two unpack the perfectly balanced relationship they have built both in and out of the office. This episode is a beautiful reminder of what it looks like when friendship flows from a place of connection, presence, and genuine appreciation for one another.
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    35 分
  • 275: From the Classroom to Consulting - Culture, Connection, and Care

    275: From the Classroom to Consulting - Culture, Connection, and Care
    2026/07/21
    This week, Chad sits down with Afreen Gootee, a thought leader in trauma-informed care, retired educator, and founder of Thoughtful Minds Consulting. Afreen brings decades of experience in education and training to an honest conversation about what it truly means to see and support the people around us. Together, they explore her journey through the classroom, her work as a trainer, and the passions driving her today, including her advocacy for cultural awareness and the power of building genuine connections with people whose backgrounds and perspectives differ from our own. Afreen reminds us that understanding one another isn't just a professional skill, it's a human one. Tune in for a conversation full of warmth, wisdom, and practical insight for anyone working in education, systems of care, or their own community.
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    39 分
  • 274: Why Worry Doesn't Work

    274: Why Worry Doesn't Work
    2026/07/14
    What if the worry you carry every day isn't actually protecting you? This week, Chad sits down with special guest Ashley Hunt to explore a powerful passage from Mavis Karn's book It's That Simple: A User's Manual for Human Beings. Together, they unpack how worried thinking so often becomes a habit, one we convince ourselves is keeping catastrophe at bay. In reality, that constant mental rehearsal of what could go wrong only makes life heavier and more anxiety filled. The truth? Most of what we worry about never comes to pass. Tune in for a conversation that just might help you loosen your grip on worry and rediscover the peace of mind that's been there all along.
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    20 分
  • 273: 250 Years of Independence Day - Happy Birthday America!

    273: 250 Years of Independence Day - Happy Birthday America!
    2026/07/07
    This weekend, America turned 250. On this episode of Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad takes a moment to reflect on what that really means. The conversation starts where it should: freedom. Not just fireworks and cookouts, but the freedom to make our own choices, live our own lives, and decide who we want to become. What does freedom mean to you, personally? Chad celebrates the freedom we enjoy as Americans while also digging into the responsibility that comes with it. Freedom was never free. Generations before us sacrificed, fought, and built so that we could have what we have today. Honoring them means more than remembering. It means living with intention and using our freedom well. Tune in for a conversation that will leave you feeling grateful, grounded, and ready to carry the spirit of Independence Day forward with a little more meaning. Happy 250th, America!
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    7 分
  • 272: Summer Wellness

    272: Summer Wellness
    2026/06/23
    Chad hits pause this week, and he's inviting you to do the same. In a lighthearted reflection on summer, he speaks directly to the students and educators SPARK serves and reminds us all that rest isn't something you earn, it's something you need. Summer is the perfect time to recharge, and this episode is your permission slip to do exactly that.
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    8 分
  • 271: Observing Juneteenth with Intention

    271: Observing Juneteenth with Intention
    2026/06/16
    History gives us perspective. It reminds us that change is possible, that progress takes courage, and that the work is never truly finished. In this episode, Chad reflects on what Juneteenth means beyond the holiday itself. Freedom is at the heart of this day, but freedom looks different depending on who you are and where you come from. What does freedom mean to you? What does opportunity look like in your life right now? What does equality still need to look like? Juneteenth invites us to sit with those questions honestly. To honor the lessons left by those who came before us. To look at how other people's experiences differ from our own. And to ask ourselves what we are doing, right now, to create opportunities for the generations that come after us. This is not just a day to celebrate. It is a day to reflect, to learn, and to look forward with intention.
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    9 分
  • 270: A New Voice Joins the Team

    270: A New Voice Joins the Team
    2026/06/02
    In this episode, Chad sits down with SPARK's newest team member, Shawn Adkins, for a fun and candid conversation about all things Shawn. With a background in case management and a lifelong heart for working with youth, it's no surprise that SPARK felt like home from day one. Shawn shares what brought him to SPARK, what his role looks like, and the impact he's already witnessed from the curriculum — even in his short time here. The two also get into life beyond the office, balancing work and home, and yes…the role Red Bulls play in it all.
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    16 分