In this Season 3 Episode 6 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer® podcast, guest Shontra Powell, a seasoned corporate leader and podcaster/author of "Proven Not Perfect"™, shares her inspiring journey of courage, purpose, and self-acceptance that will empower you to lead with confidence and grace.

Our conversation explores how ambitious women leaders can navigate the complex path of purpose-driven success without sacrificing their authenticity or well-being.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ organizations across 3 continents to make the impact they care about.

Key topics covered:

• The defining moment of impact that reshaped Shontra's outlook on life and leadership
• The importance of aligning personal values with professional pursuits
• How to embrace vulnerability and humility as powerful leadership tools
• The myth of perfection—who truly benefits from striving for flawlessness?
• Building resilience through fortitude and course correction during setbacks
• The role of spiritual connection and purpose as anchors in leadership
• How to cultivate inspiration and confidence in everyday moments
• Practical strategies for balancing ambition, family, and self-care
• The transformative power of community, kindness, and hope in leadership journeys

Please share this with an aspiring leader who will find it inspiring and informative. We would love you to subscribe so you don't miss any top global voices who are sharing how they activate and advocate for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts.

Chapters:

• (00:00) Introduction to Shontra Powell
• (03:37) Shontra’s Moment of Impact
• (08:49) Choosing Family Over Corporate Success
• (10:08) The Unexpected Ripple Effect of Courage
• (11:34) Listening to Your Inner Calling
• (13:30) Success, Ambition & The Hidden Trade-Offs
• (16:21) The Multi-Facets of Womanhood
• (17:36) What Purpose-Driven Leadership Really Means
• (18:36) Discovering Your Calling
• (23:27) Leading With Values Instead of Perfection
• (27:24) Practical Habits for Intentional Leadership
• (30:15) Overcoming Perfectionism & Self-Doubt
• (33:34) Building a Sustainable Leadership Mindset
• (39:07) Success Without Sacrificing Yourself
• (42:35) Humility and Living With Purpose Every Day
• (48:18) What Gives Shontra Hope
• (50:15) Closing Thoughts

Leadership, Innovation, and Resilience: Insights from President & CEO of John Clements Consultants, Inc., Carol Dominguez

Carol Dominguez cared so much about preserving the opportunities built in her father's company, John Clements Consultants, Inc. of The Philippines that upon the news of his sudden passing, Carol sacrificed personally and professionally to save her family's global business...and ended up scaling and sustaining it way beyond its original design as its President and CEO for many decades.

Discover how Carol Dominguez transformed her career and business amidst personal tragedy and industry shifts. This episode highlights the power of agility, technological foresight, and authentic leadership in navigating transformational disruption and growth. Carol shares how she led her global enterprise through multiple pivots with business model and technological adaptation.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across 3 continents to make the impact they care about.

Main Topics:

• The personal and professional impact of unexpected loss and taking over a family business
• Strategic pivots: from staffing to BPO call centers, leadership development, and AI integration
• Building a resilient and innovative leadership culture
• The importance of continuous learning, networking, and self-reinvention
• Navigating AI adoption, governance, and organizational change

Be sure to share this episode with a leader who can leverage Carol's insightful lessons about how to lead a global enterprise through successive eras of pivoting and adaptation. Please subscribe so you don't miss any top global voices sharing how they activate and advocate for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Carol Dominguez

02:26 Carol’s Moment of Impact

04:48 Leaving a Global Career for the Family Business

10:05 The First Year: Grief, Pressure & Responsibility

15:25 Growing Beyond Executive Search

17:56 Seeing the BPO Opportunity Before Everyone Else

20:30 Turning the Philippines Into a Global Talent Hub

27:57 Building a Strong Leadership Culture

30:07 Hiring for Potential, Not Just Experience

32:55 How AI Is Reshaping Recruiting

35:06 The Skills That Will Matter Most in the AI Era

39:15 Advice for Future Business Leaders

41:48 Leading Through Uncertainty and Reinvention

45:17 Carol's Personal Leadership Philosophy

49:34 What Gives Carol Hope

50:52 Closing Remarks

Breaking Barriers: An Autism Advocate's Journey to Impact and AcceptanceIn season 3 episode 4 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer® podcast "Autism: Differently Abled, Not Disabled", explore the inspiring story of guest Sam Mitchell, creator of the award-winning podcast "Autism Rocks and Rolls", as he shares insights into living with autism, breaking stereotypes, and advocating for neurodiversity.

Diagnosed with autism at age 4, Sam Mitchell is successful "with autism", and uses his platform from his non-profit organization and podcast of the same name, "Autism Rocks and Rolls", to spread his message that "people with autism are not broken, do not need to be fixed, and can thrive with autism."

Sam is also a TEDx speaker, "Controlling Chaos with Structure" at TEDxBloomington.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients from 3 continents to make the impact they care about. Discover Sam's practical strategies for fostering understanding, inclusion, and self-empowerment in this candid conversation.

Topics we explore:Sam's personal journey with autism from diagnosis at age four to becoming a leading voice

The significance of self-acceptance and authentic living in building confidence

How hyper-focus and out-of-the-box thinking are strengths of neurodiverse individuals

The importance of structure and visual supports, like Velcro charts, for daily management

Debunking myths about autism as a spectrum and emphasizing varied abilities

Practical advice for parents, educators, and employers to support and include neurodiverse people

The power of podcasting and advocacy work in amplifying marginalized voices

Sam's experiences with public speaking, including his TEDx talk on "Controlling Chaos with Structure"

How kindness and grace can improve societal perceptions of neurodiversityChapters:(00:00) Introduction to Sam Mitchell(03:50) Sam’s Moment of Impact(05:47) Choosing Authenticity and Finding Confidence(07:49) Starting "Autism Rocks and Rolls"(09:11) Advice for Anyone Who Feels Like They Don't Belong(11:47) "People with Autism Don't Need to Be Fixed"(15:54) Rethinking How We Learn Best(16:28) Why There Is No Such Thing as "Normal"(18:06) Helping Neurodiverse People Thrive(21:10) Communication, Relationships & Everyday Challenges(26:08) Strengths, Self-Advocacy & Independence(31:02) Building a Nonprofit and a Podcasting Platform(34:57) Creating a More Inclusive World(41:17) Advice for Families, Educators & Employers(46:35) What Gives Sam Hope(47:12) Closing Thoughts

Award-winning Creative Director, Branding and Storytelling Expert Shea Pepper shares how she catalyzed the power of creative disruptions to optimize brand storytelling and engagement as new technologies became available in each successive media era, from streaming to today's AI-driven personalization era.

With leadership roles at Lifetime, BBC America, NBC Universal SyFy Chiller and now as Sr. Director, Dynamic Content and Creative Services at SundaySky, Shea shares how her success is driven by her ability to fuse the power of new technologies with creative innovations. For Shea, the real game-changer was embracing adaptation as a creative director—constantly learning, shifting, and evolving with technology.

This season 3 episode 3 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer® podcast is for anyone who wants to be up to speed on how AI-driven personalization works, as well as how to play the long game in your career to evolve your creative chops as technologies transform. Shea Pepper shares her journey through the evolution of media technology, starting with how the Avid Media Composer disrupted linear editing to AI-driven personalized experiences.

Discover how her fusion of creativity and technical expertise has enabled her to lead innovative storytelling in a rapidly changing media and advertising landscape.Today, AI and personalized storytelling aren’t just buzzwords—they’re tools demanding curiosity, agility, and a willingness to experiment. The question isn't just about tech — it’s about how we as creatives and strategists adapt, harness curiosity, and stay relevant in a constantly shifting world.Whether it’s personalized AI videos or shaping new revenue models in media, Shea shows that the key to leading change is embracing adaptation and staying curious, no matter where you are in your career. That mindset—seeing every challenge as a new adventure—might just be the most powerful tool we have in this fast-evolving world.Maybe that's the point.Worth thinking about.

Creator/ Host Katy, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across 3 continents to make the impact they care about. Please share with someone who would find this conversation inspiring and please subscribe so you don't miss any top global voices sharing how they advocate and activate for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Shea Pepper

(05:10) Shea's Moment of Impact, Discovering Avid Media Composer

(07:38) How Video Editing Worked Before Non-Linear Editing

(10:15) The Technology That Changed Everything

(12:11) Finding a Passion for Storytelling & Production

(17:15) Launching a Career

(20:19) Lessons in Serendipity & Following Opportunity

(26:35) Building BBC America's Creative Department

(31:32) The Streaming Revolution Changes Everything

(35:26) From Mass Media to Personalized Content

(38:37) Why Data Makes Better Storytelling

(41:40) Dynamic Creative Optimization & Personalized Video

(49:47) Ethics, Privacy & Responsible AI

(55:41) What Brings Shea Hope

(56:51) Closing Remarks

#personalization #media #advertising #impact #global

Are you looking to maximize your health, vitality, and achieve longevity?!! At any age?!!

In this season 3 episode 2 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer® podcast, Board-Certified Health & Longevity Coach Anne Engel shares expert tips on how to age well, reclaim your health, and build a more vibrant future—at any stage of life.

We discuss the powerful idea that health is not just the absence of illness, but our ability to achieve our dreams, stay independent, and keep building a meaningful life. Anne breaks down her "7 Roots of Healthy Aging": mindset, nourishment, movement, stress resilience, sleep optimization, low-toxicity living, and community connection—plus the importance of living with purpose. She also explains her “prescription” approach to taking health ownership, the role of anchor habits, and how small daily actions can shift both health markers and self-belief.

Anne shares her moment of impact watching her parents’ health journeys, realizing she needed to focus on her own health, and developing a newfound curiosity about health coaching led her to create Anne Engel Health, her practice centered on simple, sustainable habits that support longevity.

Top Takeaways:

• Health is a foundation for impact, energy, and long-term purpose.

• Reframing health as the ability to achieve your dreams makes it more motivating.
• You can reclaim how you want to feel through small, consistent habits.
• Mindset is central: awareness, positivity, and self-compassion matter.
• Food, movement, sleep, stress management, and connection all work together.
• Even one-minute habits can help you stay consistent during busy seasons.
• Owning your health means becoming an active participant, not a passenger.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across 3 continents to make the impact they care about for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Anne Engel

(04:22) Anne’s Moment of Impact

(08:10) Learning From Her Parents' Health Journey

(10:07) Leaving Corporate for a Purpose-Driven Career

(12:39) What Does "Health" Really Mean?

(14:26) The Illness-Wellness Continuum Explained

(17:14) Reclaiming Your Health at Midlife

(20:07) Anne's "Reclaim" Program & Healthy Aging

(24:54) The Importance of Daily Movement

(27:46) Low-Toxicity Living

(31:27) Managing Stress Before It Manages You

(34:09) Why Social Connection Extends Life

(37:37) The Metaphor of "The Villagers"

(40:36) Small Changes Create Big Results

(44:36) Owning Your Health Instead of Reacting to It

(51:04) What Brings Anne Hope

(52:18) Closing Remarks

#longevity #healthyaging #vitality

Is Responsible AI an actual advantage for your enterprise?

TRUST is the new competitive advantage and there is no better way to develop trust than to put ethical frameworks and guardrails around your AI and have clear Yes/No as to what your enterprise will and will not do.

In season 3 episode 1 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer® podcast, guest Robert Levitan, Co-Chair of The Ethical Tech Project & 6X Serial Founder, shares his insights on how enterprises can harness AI responsibly and still leverage its power of innovation for good.

This episode is a must listen for anyone who is leading an enterprise and wants to establish trust with their users around AI tools AND for anyone who values hearing the lessons learned from one of tech's earliest and wisest adopters who scaled 6 very different companies.

An OG member of the NYC Tech Silicon Alley scene in the 1990s, Robert Levitan has founded and scaled 6 successful enterprises and learned a lot along the way about how to manage the early adoption of nascent technologies. He was first to create affiliation-based online communities (iVillage which he IPO'd), early on digital currencies as stores of value (Flooz), early of massive file sharing (Pando Networks, sold to Microsoft), and he and his brothers collaborated to form Prone2Help in 2020 to help patients with covid breathe more easily through the use of proning cushions.

As Co-Chair of The Ethical Tech Project, Robert is part of a team that works with organizations to help them define what their ethical guidelines will be and how to implement guard rails that work so that they can truly leverage their Responsible and Ethical Use of AI as a Competitive Advantage!

Robert opens his episode with a moment of impact seeing the Twin Towers be struck on the first day after his Flooz bankruptcy when he was feeling dejected and then realized the absolute precious nature of each moment. With Host Katy Hansell, they discuss the past successes and failures of tech innovation, the ethical frameworks guiding AI, and how we can collectively shape a trustworthy AI future.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for helping 500+ clients from 3 continents make the impact they care about for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Robert Levitan

(03:29) Robert’s Moment of Impact

(06:28) Robert's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

(09:43) Why Online Communities Changed Everything

(12:37) The Unintended Consequences of the Internet

(16:26) Early Digital Currency Before Bitcoin

(17:47) The FBI, Cybercrime, and Learning From Failure

(20:19) Prone2Help: Saving Lives During COVID

(28:30) Why AI Feels Like the Early Internet

(34:41) How Ethical AI Can Benefit Society

(38:52) What Responsible AI Governance Looks Like

(42:17) Innovation vs. Regulation: Finding the Balance

(47:05) The Future of Work in an AI World

(51:18) What Gives Robert Hope?

(55:14) Closing Remarks

#ai #ethics #innovation

Have you ever wondered about the Universe beneath your feet?

Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach shares his powerful metaphor of how unexplored by humans the universe beneath our feet is, drawing a parallel to human excitement about the unknown universe of space. In fact, Jeff shares that scientists estimate a mere teaspoon of healthy soil has 10 billion organisms in it, more than the total amount of people on the Earth. Truly an unexplored realm!

In season 2 episode 12 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer® podcast, guest Jeff Tkach, Rodale Institute CEO and author of the fantastic book "The Farm Is Here!", shares the transformative power of regenerative organic farming and its impact on improving soil health, human health, water health, equitable food systems, economic and community social health, and environmental health.

If you care about your health, the health of your loved ones, and the health of the planet, then the starting place is actually under your feet with revitalizing soil health through regenerative organic farming!

Jeff explains how things change across the spectrum of farming practices from conventional chemical based agriculture introduced in the 1970s to regenerative organic, and why regeneration is more than sustainability. Regeneration means improved soil health and a whole lot more as he explains what is required by the new rigorous ROC (Regenerative Organic Certification) Standards.

Jeff opens how each new regenerative organic farmer he meets fills him with hope. He shares the important legacies of both J.I. Rodale and his son Robert Rodale.

Jeff and Katy discuss the tool kit of regenerative organic practices.

Jeff shares how Rodale's Farming Systems Trial is the only 45 year longitudinal study directly comparing conventional and regenerative organic wheat farming in North America. He highlights the scientific evidence from Rodale’s long-term research showing improvements in yields, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient density, water retention, climate resilience, and carbon sequestration from regenerative organic practices. Lastly, he shares how regenerative organic is proven to be more profitable than conventional and keeps more money with farmers and in their communities.

Lastly, Jeff shares his philosophy on what the farm whispers to him and how his friend Julian's shamanic wisdom taught him about the energetic imprint of food.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer®, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across three continents to make the impact they care about.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Jeff Tkach

(04:16) Jeff’s Moment of Impact

(04:48) Conventional, Organic, and Regenerative Agriculture Explained

(06:30) The Problem With Modern Industrial Agriculture

(09:30) The Origins of the Organic Farming Movement

(13:23) Why Regeneration Is More Powerful Than Sustainability

(15:08) Soil Health as the Foundation of Human Health

(18:50) How Modern Agriculture Impacts Human Health

(21:40) Can Regenerative Agriculture Reverse Climate Change?

(25:12) Composting and Crop Rotation

(29:28) Why Healthy Soil Produces More Nutritious Food

(33:12) The Role Consumers Play in Transforming Agriculture

(37:45) Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Across America

(41:51) The Future of Food, Farming, and Public Health

(49:11) What Gives Jeff Hope

(50:23) Closing Thoughts

#regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #humanhealth

In season 2 episode 11 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer®podcast with guest UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Laura Bloom Gordon, we discuss practical strategies to unlock the power of your brain, enhance your brain health, reduce age related brain decline that starts as early as age 30, and realize your full potential through innovative programs that anyone can adopt to thrive mentally and emotionally.

Main Topics:

• The incredible potential of the human brain to be rewired and strengthened

• The impact of mental health challenges, personal resilience, and brain science

• Practical, science-backed habits to optimize brain performance and longevity

Legendary marketing powerhouse Laura Bloom Gordon shares how her unique journey with brain health has been affected by the mental health challenges of her older brother Donald and how she lost both her brother and her husband Aaron, the love of her life, to the ravages of mental illness. She shares a powerful moment of impact when she and her husband Aaron decided that they needed to pack everything up and move from Chicago to Dallas to support the learning journey for one of their sons who had been diagnosed with learning differences. She views her work at the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth as coming full circle and eagerly invests in sharing all the things we can do at any age to strengthen our brain through simple daily practices.

With a fabled marketing career in the top positions at The Dallas Morning News, 7-11, Laura has helped many organizations transform at the critical moment of disruption and is a master at innovation.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka "The Impact Whisperer®", is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across 3 continents to make the impact they care about.

Key Topics:

• The importance of brain strength and rewiring potential at any age
• Critical misconceptions about brain decline and neuroplasticity
• Simple daily habits to boost brain blood flow and cognitive function
• The role of compassion, connection, and emotional balance in brain health
• How to measure and improve your brain health with the Brain Health Index and ongoing research
• The power of adaptation, curiosity, and resilience in personal growth
• Impact of mental health challenges within families and breaking stigma
• Practical tips for stress management, mindfulness, and social connection
• The innovative Brain Health Project's approach to personalized brain optimization
• The significance of early intervention, self-advocacy, and self-awareness in learning differences

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Laura Bloom Gordon

(04:04) Laura’s Moment of Impact

(05:07) Why Traditional Classrooms Are Built for Sameness

(06:59) Navigating Learning Differences as a Parent

(08:36) Leaving Chicago to Find the Right School

(10:30) The Power of Early Intervention and Self-Advocacy

(14:15) Growing Up With a Brother Who Had Schizophrenia

(16:02) Caregiving, Mental Illness, and Family Resilience

(20:00) How Donald Shaped Laura's Perspective on Life

(23:16) Grief, Loss, and Honoring Donald's and Aaron's Legacy

(24:34) Why Brain Health Matters to Everyone

(30:17) Eight Lessons Learned About the Brain and Human Potential

(34:49) Relationships, Connection, and Understanding Differences

(40:01) Adaptability as the Most Important Modern Superpower

(43:52) The Science of Brain Health and Cognitive Aging

(46:59) Can You Actually Strengthen Your Brain?

(49:50) Groundbreaking Research and the BrainHealth Project

(58:00) Sleep, Stress, and Protecting Cognitive Performance

(01:01:42) What Gives Laura Hope

(01:02:55) Closing Thoughts

#brainhealth #neuroplasticity #antiaging #brainscience #neurology #growth #empowerment #innovation #impact #global #mentalhealth #healthcare #brainexercises