About Phillip Bogolub:

Phillip Bogolub is the originator of The Mindfully Immersive Communication System of "AJANOI"(Ahjha-noy). As a one-man powerhouse with an engineering degree and an MBA, Phillip has developed a unique mindful imaging technique that empowers individuals to find answers within themselves. Ideal for companies invested in their people's well-being, Phillip incorporates music, sound, singing, and colored spectrums of light into his unique training, providing a holistic approach to corporate wellness. Delivering mindfully immersive employee engagement to create the change-maker leaders and millions of employees worldwide are looking for.

In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss:

• The gift of not having everything in life and leadership
• Gratitude for simple necessities over material excess
• Scarcity as a catalyst for creativity and innovation
• Using imagination, faith, and vision to move through uncertainty
• Surrounding yourself with supportive people and collaborative mentors

Key Takeaways:

• Not having everything can be a gift. Scarcity forces us to look at what we already have and discover how much we can create from limited resources.
• Gratitude for simple things changes how we lead. Noticing basics—health, shelter, relationships—shifts focus from constant comparison to grounded contentment.
• Constraints are catalysts for creativity. When money, tools, or support are limited, leaders are pushed to innovate, adapt, and see new possibilities.
• Vision and faith sustain you when the path is unclear. Imagination, prayer, and inner conviction help leaders keep moving even when plans fall apart.
• The right people make the journey possible. Surrounding yourself with encouraging, values-aligned partners and mentors helps you persist when progress feels slow.

"Surround yourself with positive people. Surround yourself with the supportive people… Seek out the people that you need, and it's all going to be working out for you." – Phillip Bogolub

Connect with Phillip Bogolub:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bogolubrecords

Website: https://www.lightpipe.media/

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63

About Bradley Barrick:

Dr. Bradley Barrick is the seventh president of Montcalm Community College, where he leads with a commitment to access, excellence, and community impact. But his leadership doesn’t stop at the campus gates. He also serves as an Army National Guard officer, bringing a disciplined, mission-driven mindset shaped by service to something bigger than himself.

In addition to that, Dr. Barrick wears another critical hat as the Executive Director of Communications and Executive Director of Government and Military Relations—operating at the intersection of influence, advocacy, and alignment. Whether he’s shaping institutional voice, strengthening partnerships, or navigating complex systems, his work reflects a deep understanding that leadership is about trust, clarity, and responsibility.

In this episode, Kevin and Bradley Barrick discuss:

• Championing culture as a core leadership responsibility
• Translating military leadership principles into civilian institutions
• Breaking down silos through shared equity leadership
• Keeping students at the center of organizational decisions
• Leading with service, humility, and long-term vision

Key Takeaways:

• Culture does not change through words alone. Leaders shape culture by modeling behaviors, building trust, and consistently reinforcing values through everyday decisions rather than mission statements or slogans.
• Leadership becomes more effective when power is shared intentionally. Inviting diverse voices into decision-making strengthens accountability, reduces silos, and creates a sense of ownership across teams and departments.
• Student-centered leadership requires constant realignment. When organizations lose sight of why they exist, blame and fragmentation grow, but returning to mission helps teams move forward together.
• The most meaningful leadership impact often happens quietly. Investing in people, mentoring future leaders, and opening doors for others creates transformation that outlasts titles, rankings, and short-term wins.

"Part of my success is talent development, and so I'm really investing in my team, and really there's that next generation of leaders." – Bradley Barrick

Connect with Bradley Barrick:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleybarrick/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.bradleyjbarrick/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montcalmccpresident/

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63

About Lisa Burgess:

Lisa Burgess is the Dean of STEM at Bucks County Community College with over 25 years of experience in STEM pedagogy, curriculum development, program assessment, faculty development, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership. Previously, she served in multiple roles at Broward College, including professor of biological and physical sciences and Coordinator of Faculty Development at the Greene Center for International Education, supporting faculty at 14 international centers. She later became Assistant Director for the Center for Teaching & Learning at Boston University, where she worked with faculty on evidence-based teaching, SoTL, and integrating AI into instruction. An accomplished lecturer, Burgess has presented on generative AI, academic integrity in online science courses, and co-authored Everyday Biology: #WhatsThePoint (2018). A first-generation community college graduate, she holds an A.S. from Broward College, a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University, an M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Florida, and an M.S. in Biotechnology and Molecular and Cell Biology from Johns Hopkins University.

In this episode, Kevin and Lisa Burgess discuss:

• Leading through active listening and kindness
• Nonlinear paths into leadership
• Supporting today’s students in a high-pressure world
• Helping students discover rather than dictating their paths
• Practical wisdom for life and career growth

Key Takeaways:

• Listening is a core leadership superpower. Stepping out from behind the desk, removing distractions, and reflecting back what you hear builds trust and helps people feel genuinely heard.
• Nonlinear paths still lead to meaningful leadership. Lisa’s journey—from dropping out of high school to becoming a Dean of STEM—shows that setbacks and detours can become the very experiences that prepare you to lead.
• Education works best when it’s expansive, not transactional. Students benefit when colleges expose them to multiple disciplines, support exploration, and connect them with resources like career and internship services.
• Kindness and curiosity reduce the gap between students and institutions. Approaching students and colleagues with empathy, open dialogue, and an assumption of good intent helps navigate generational differences and systemic pressures.

"I just really believe sometimes we get a little caught up in what we think it should be, and we don't really give people an opportunity to do what it is they want to do." – Lisa Burgess

Connect with Lisa Burgess:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-burgess-0b4816b

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63

About Greg Hedgepeth:

Greg Hedgepeth is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the NC State University Graduate School and President & CEO of Substantial Media, an award-winning platform amplifying the voices and stories of Black and Brown communities. With over 16 years of experience in higher education marketing and communications, Greg is also a certified digital marketing professional, professor at Shaw University, and passionate social entrepreneur. A proud first-generation college graduate from Halifax County, NC, he holds degrees from East Carolina University and Webster University, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Learning and Organizational Change. Greg is a sought-after speaker and facilitator, recognized nationally for his service in education and community empowerment.

In this episode, Kevin and Greg Hedgepeth discuss:

• Why communication and true connection are a leader’s greatest superpowers
• Using storytelling to shape culture, preserve history, and build community
• Finding your “why” and not wasting time or opportunities
• The difference between managing by title and leading through influence
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and refusing to let your job title define your identity

Key Takeaways:

• Communication is a leader’s superpower. It is not just talking, but truly connecting, meeting people where they are, and building real relationships through words.
• Your full story is your strength. When you embrace both the polished and unpolished parts of your journey, you create authenticity, credibility, and a deeper connection with others.
• Prepared people maximize opportunities. Saying yes to new roles, projects, and collaborations, while doing the quiet work of research and groundwork, opens doors you may not expect.
• Real leadership goes beyond titles. Shifting from managing by position to leading with influence, humility, and self-awareness helps you combat imposter syndrome and expand your impact.

"There's no passion to be found playing small for settling for a life that is less than the one that you are capable of living." – Greg Hedgepeth

Connect with Greg Hedgepeth:

Substantial Magazine: https://www.substantialmagazine.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-hedgepeth/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsubstantial2u

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregory.hedgepeth.1

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63

About Dr. Andy Scarpelli:

Dr. Andrew Scarpelli is a Chicago science and art professor whose training is in microbiology and synthetic biology. He is a 2020 Global Community Biosummit fellow and SciArt Resident in “The Bridge” program. He is cofounder and president of the community biolab ChiTownBio. He is greatly interested in expanding the utility of biotechnology into fields such as art and social justice.

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Andy Scarpelli discuss:

• Blending science, art, and imagination in leadership
• Why context matters more than memorization in learning
• Translating complex ideas so people can actually connect with them
• Creativity as a leadership skill, not a personality trait
• The role of curiosity in innovation and problem-solving

Key Takeaways:

• True understanding comes from context, not repetition. Memorizing terms or concepts without meaning creates distance, while learning rooted in a real-world context helps people connect ideas to purpose and application in leadership and education.
• Creativity is not limited to artists or innovators by title. It shows up whenever leaders are willing to listen, translate ideas across disciplines, and make space for curiosity rather than control.
• Great leaders act as bridges. They sit between worlds, learn the language of each side, and help people understand one another without diminishing complexity or oversimplifying meaning.
• Innovation grows when people feel safe to explore ideas they do not fully understand yet. Curiosity, humility, and the willingness to ask better questions open doors that expertise alone often keeps closed.

"If you find everything that you need, you're going to want to share it with the people that you care about, because I don't, I would think the vast majority of people don't want to be alone in things." – Dr. Andy Scarpelli

Connect with Dr. Andy Scarpelli:

Website: https://chitownbio.org/

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63

About Polina Kratova:

Polina Kratova is the Founder of Rising Stars, an organization focused on reimagining K–12 education through innovation, AI, and experiential learning. She leads a multidisciplinary team building future-ready programs and products designed to prepare students for the evolving world of work, creativity, and human potential.

Through Rising Stars, Polina helps empower the next generation of thinkers, makers, and leaders by integrating AI literacy, leadership development, wellness, and hands-on learning into education. The organization designs and implements AI and future-ready learning programs, student hackathons and innovation challenges, creative arts and wellness experiences, and entrepreneurship and career-readiness pathways.

With a background in technology, AI, and education innovation, Polina brings together educators, engineers, and community partners to build equitable learning ecosystems in collaboration with school districts, tech companies, and philanthropic organizations. Her work is driven by a vision to inspire students not just to learn, but to create the future, to reach more than 100,000 students by 2030.

In this episode, Kevin and Polina Kratova discuss:

• Redefining K–12 education through personalized and project-based learning
• Helping students discover their strengths, passions, and leadership abilities
• Teaching AI literacy, entrepreneurship, and financial skills responsibly
• Creating safe, supportive learning environments for underserved students
• Why ownership and agency are essential to long-term student success

Key Takeaways:

• Education is most powerful when students are given ownership of their learning. When young people are trusted to explore their interests, choose how they learn, and build projects that matter to them, confidence and leadership develop naturally rather than being forced.
• Preparing students for the future requires looking several steps ahead. Skills like creativity, adaptability, collaboration, and technological literacy matter just as much as traditional academics, especially in a world shaped by rapid change and emerging tools like AI.
• Support systems can change the trajectory of a student’s life. Access to mentors, encouragement, and safe spaces allows students to see possibilities they may never have imagined for themselves, particularly those from underserved communities.
• Growth comes from focusing on quality before scale. Slowing down, building strong systems, and embracing mistakes as part of the learning process leads to healthier organizations and more meaningful, sustainable impact over time.

“There’s so much magic that happens when you bring together mentors and the students and just give them the space.” – Polina Kratova

Connect with Polina Kratova:

Website: https://risingstarsprograms.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/polina-kratova-26411351/

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63