Episode Description

Most leadership or mission-driven podcasts don’t dive into politics. But when promises meant to save lives hang in the balance, it becomes a moral question — and leadership matters more than ever.

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I talk with Shawn VanDiver, founder and President of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of over 250 organizations that works with the U.S. government to relocate and resettle Afghan allies who served alongside American forces. Shawn’s leadership is born from crisis: it began during the chaotic fall of Afghanistan in 2021 and has grown into a global effort to fulfill a sacred promise to those left behind.

Our conversation is gritty, urgent, and full of nuance. We explore how #AfghanEvac operates at the intersection of civic duty, diplomacy, and moral conviction. We dig into the politics of refugee policy, broken systems, moral accountability, and what it takes to sustain a mission when media attention fades.

If you lead anything — a company, a nonprofit, a team, or even a movement — this episode is a call: when structures falter, it’s the character and courage of a few that determine whether promises are kept or abandoned.

Show Notes

In this episode, we cover:

• The story of how #AfghanEvac began — the phone call from Urgun, the military background, and the leap into coalition building
• Shawn’s transition from Navy veteran and civic strategist to founding and scaling #AfghanEvac across 250+ organizations (Gaslamp Consulting)
• How the coalition partners with the U.S. State Department through a Memorandum of Understanding, renewing government–civic collaboration (#AfghanEvac)
• The current crisis: refugee freezes, shifting U.S. policy, stalled pipelines, and what VanDiver calls “worse than the withdrawal” for many Afghans (The Diplomat)
• Systemic breakdowns: SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) pathways, U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) freezes, bottlenecks, and geopolitical risk (WORLD)
• Stories of individual stakes — the Afghans whose lives hang in the balance, whose service is caught in bureaucratic limbo (NBC 7 San Diego)
• How Shawn and his team maintain trust, accountability, and operational integrity across NGOs, governments, and families
• Moral questions of abandonment, betrayal, and what it means to lead in the gap between promise and policy
• Leadership lessons: sustaining mission under pressure, building systems when there is chaos, and how to lead “in between” institutions
• What listeners can do today — advocacy, awareness, supporting resettlement efforts, or amplifying marginalized voices

Why Listen & Key Takeaways

• Leadership in crisis demands more than vision — it demands grit, humility, systems, and moral clarity
• The promises made to wartime allies are not optional — their fulfillment speaks to national integrity and character
• Policy and bureaucracy are not abstract; they shape whether lives are saved or lost
• Coalitions and...

Episode Description

We’re living in a moment of turbulence not seen in higher education—or perhaps in leadership in general—for decades. Political pressure, financial stress, cultural division, campus protests, and debates about belonging and identity are all colliding in ways that make leadership feel impossibly hard.

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I speak with Beverly Daniel Tatum, distinguished psychologist and former president of Spelman College and interim president of Mount Holyoke, about her new book Peril and Promise: College Leadership in Turbulent Times. Drawing on years of leadership, rigorous research, and real crises, Beverly doesn't flinch from the threats facing our institutions—but she also insists there is hope, and that leadership grounded in values, courage, and clarity can make a difference.

This isn’t just for college presidents or university deans. If you’re an entrepreneur, executive, community leader—or anyone who carries responsibility in an organization—what Beverly shares here matters. We explore what it takes to lead when the ground is shifting, how to build belonging even amid conflict, and what character looks like when pressure is high.

Show Notes

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What Peril and Promise means by “peril” — the political, financial, cultural, and demographic threats higher education is currently facing. (Hachette Book Group)
• How Beverly defines “promise” — where opportunity still exists, especially through leadership, values-based decision-making, inclusive community, and courage in the face of resistance. (Forbes)
• The declining average tenure of university presidents (now under six years) and what that tells us about the speed and intensity of today's challenges. (Forbes)
• The role of belonging (affirming identity, building community, cultivating leadership) in helping students, faculty, and staff thrive—even when political pressure or cultural backlash is intense. (The Englewood Review of Books)
• How institutions can lean into free speech tensions: balancing respect, safety, academic freedom, and open dialogue. What decisions leaders are being forced to make. (Kirkus Reviews)
• Real case studies of leadership under pressure—how certain institutions have responded to threats, protests, and financial strain with integrity and vision. (Forbes)
• Lessons in character and governance: what board leadership should look like, how to sustain values under external attack, and why the internal culture of leadership matters. (Forbes)
• What “coherence in chaos” might look like for organizations outside academia: how lessons from...

Episode Description

What separates the people who keep showing up from those who quit when it gets hard?

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I talk with Dre Baldwin—also known as Dre All Day—a former professional basketball player who’s built a global personal development brand around his Work on Your Game philosophy. With over 40 books published and more than 30,000 pieces of content created, Dre’s story is proof that consistency beats talent, and discipline outlasts motivation.

We dive into Dre’s journey from the basketball court to the stage and the digital arena, unpack the four pillars of his framework—discipline, confidence, mental toughness, and personal initiative—and explore how his “third day” principle explains why most people fail before they even get started.

If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent or wondered how to build the presence and power that commands a room, this conversation will give you both the strategy and the inspiration to work on your game.

Show Notes

In this episode, we cover:

• Dre’s journey from professional basketball to building a global personal development brand
• Why he’s published tens of thousands of pieces of content without a single viral moment—and why that’s the point
• The story behind Work on Your Game and its four pillars:
• Discipline: showing up every day
• Confidence: putting yourself out there boldly
• Mental toughness: staying the course when results don’t come quickly
• Personal initiative: making things happen instead of waiting for permission
• The “third day” principle: why excitement fades, resistance kicks in, and success depends on whether you push through
• How content creation has evolved from YouTube’s early days to today’s algorithm-driven platforms
• The importance of owning your audience instead of being owned by platforms
• Why communication—writing, speaking one-to-one, and speaking to groups—is the most valuable skill for any leader

Resources & Links:

• 🌐 Dre’s website: workonyourgame.com
• 📚 Explore Dre’s books: Dre Baldwin on Amazon
• 🎙️ Listen to Dre’s podcast: Work On Your Game Podcast
• 📱 Follow Dre: LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

Episode Description

What if solving climate change wasn’t about sacrifice, but about building a more abundant, prosperous future?

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I talk with entrepreneur and storyteller Josh Dorfman—founder of Supercool and co-founder of Planted—about why we’ve entered a new era he calls climate adoption. The debate is no longer if we’ll make the transition, but how fast.

Josh shares stories of breakthrough companies and cities already leading the way: electrifying thousands of port trucks, reinventing the yellow school bus, deploying AI that cuts energy use in skyscrapers, and creating carbon-negative building materials from fast-growing grass. These aren’t marginal experiments—they’re profitable, scalable solutions changing how we live.

This conversation will shift how you think about climate—from doom and despair to innovation, economics, and hope.

Show Notes

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why Josh believes we’ve entered a new era of climate adoption
• The global investment surge—over $2 trillion annually—in clean energy
• How solar’s decades-long cost curve points toward a future of abundant, cheap energy
• The story of Planted: turning perennial grass into carbon-negative building materials and partnering with D.R. Horton, America’s largest homebuilder
• Examples of “supercool” climate solutions already scaling:
• Forum Mobility electrifying heavy-duty port trucks
• BrainBox AI cutting building energy use by up to 20%
• Zum reimagining school bus fleets with electrification and efficiency
• Why the most successful climate companies don’t sell “climate”—they sell cost savings, reliability, and better customer outcomes
• The role of profit motive as a catalyst for environmental change

Resources & Links:

• 🌎 Explore Supercool: supercool.earth
• 🌱 Learn about Planted: plantedmaterials.com
• 📺 Listen to Josh’s podcast, Supercool: Spotify link
• 📘 Josh’s earlier work, The Lazy Environmentalist: Amazon link

What does it mean to bear witness in a world where silence often feels safer?

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I sit down with Ross Halperin, author of Bear Witness, to explore the extraordinary story of Kurt Ver Beek and Carlos Hernández—two men who risked everything to confront gang violence and systemic corruption in Honduras. Together, they built a model of justice rooted in presence, bravery, and faith, showing that true change often begins when we refuse to look away.

But this story isn’t just about Honduras. As Ross explains, the problem of impunity—the failure to hold perpetrators accountable—exists right here in the United States, where most shootings go unsolved. What lessons can we learn from Kurt and Carlos’s journey, and how can their example shape our own pursuit of justice, community, and legacy?

Show Notes

In this episode, we discuss:

• The unlikely friendship between Kurt Ver Beek and Carlos Hernández—and why they chose to live in one of Honduras’ most dangerous neighborhoods.
• How their faith led them to embrace a theology of justice and bravery rather than comfort and safety.
• Why they moved beyond charity work to confront gangs and a broken justice system head-on.
• The moral gray areas they faced working with corrupt police and the personal cost of bearing witness.
• How their model helped reduce homicide rates—and eventually led them into national police reform.
• The striking parallels between impunity in Honduras and unsolved violence in U.S. cities like Chicago.
• What Ross learned through years of reporting, and how we might apply these lessons to our own leadership and communities.

Resources & Links

• Ross Halperin’s book: Bear Witness
• Connect with Ross: rossahalperin.com

Episode Description

What if the biggest challenge of our lifetime isn’t external at all — but whether we’ll bring out what’s already inside of us?

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I sit down with Steven Puri — technologist, entrepreneur, and creative visionary — to explore how we can live and lead from a place of authentic creativity in a culture designed to steal our attention.

Steven shares insights from a career that spans Academy Award–winning films, startups at the edge of innovation, and his own experiments with flow and human potential. We talk about how to reclaim our focus, why small daily steps matter more than grand gestures, and how building a life that truly matters means aligning with the creativity and greatness that already lives within us.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, distracted, or uncertain whether your contribution matters, this conversation is a reminder: what’s inside you is enough — but it’s on you to get it out.

Show Notes

In This Episode with Steven Puri:

• Why the central question of our lives is whether we’ll bring out what’s inside of us.
• Lessons from Steven’s journey at the intersection of technology, creativity, and human potential.
• The danger of living in a culture built to capture and monetize our attention.
• How flow states help us unlock our best work — and how anyone can access them.
• Why creativity isn’t optional; it’s essential to building a meaningful life.
• The power of small steps: why opening the front door and taking action matters more than waiting for the perfect plan.

Why This Conversation Matters:

Mission Driven You is about living from the capital “S” Self — creating from a place of authenticity rather than chasing shallow wins or algorithmic approval. Steven embodies that mission, showing how creativity, discipline, and flow can help us live lives that are both personally fulfilling and publicly impactful.

Follow & Connect:

• Subscribe to Mission Driven You on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
• Watch full episodes and video essays on YouTube.
• Join me on Substack at drwillsamson.substack.com
• Connect with me on LinkedIn for ongoing leadership insights.

Episode Description

Too often, conversations about leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship get reduced to surface-level soundbites — quick wins, growth hacks, and feel-good inspiration. But what happens when we step back and ask harder questions about the systems we’re building, the stories we’re living, and the future we’re shaping together?

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I sit down with Hussein Hallak — entrepreneur, community builder, and sharp critic of shallow narratives. Hussein challenges us to look past the algorithm, to reject the traps of short-term thinking, and to pursue innovation that aligns with integrity and humanity.

We talk about what it means to build with courage, how to recognize when our definitions of success are keeping us stuck, and why authentic connection is the real foundation for meaningful change.

If you’re ready to think differently about leadership and the future we’re shaping, this conversation is for you.

Show Notes

In This Episode with Hussein Hallak:

• Why innovation without integrity is a hollow game.
• How entrepreneurs and leaders can avoid being trapped by algorithmic thinking.
• The systemic narratives that keep us chasing growth at the expense of meaning.
• Why community and authentic connection are the most important currencies we have.
• Practical ways to measure success beyond money, status, or metrics.
• What it means to build ventures, organizations, and movements that endure.

Why This Conversation Matters:

Mission Driven You exists to move beyond “feel-good” wellness and business hacks into the deeper public implications of how we live and lead. Hussein embodies that mission — asking hard questions, challenging cultural scripts, and pointing us toward a future that’s human-centered and worth building.

Follow & Connect:

• Subscribe to Mission Driven You on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
• Watch full episodes and video essays on YouTube.
• Join me on Substack at drwillsamson.substack.com
• Connect with me on LinkedIn for ongoing leadership insights.

Episode Description:

What if I told you that the chaos in your life isn’t just happening to you—it’s happening through you? In this episode of Mission Driven You, I dive into the uncomfortable truth that you are the chaos—and the only way to regain control is through radical self-ownership.

We explore:

• Why control is an illusion—and how trying to “fix” chaos often makes it worse
• How your external world is a direct reflection of your internal state
• Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy and why self-mastery is the key to transformation
• The "Chaos Mirror" exercise to help you recognize how you're contributing to your own struggles
• Why no one is coming to save you—and why that’s the best news you’ll ever hear

If you’ve ever felt like life is happening to you instead of for you, this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you reclaim your power.

Show Notes:

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The Illusion of Control

• We’ve been conditioned to believe that control equals success.
• The hidden cost of chasing control—burnout, frustration, and self-doubt.
• A personal story from leading a multi-billion dollar merger—and why external success couldn’t fix internal chaos.

2. Chaos Isn’t Happening to You—It’s Happening Through You

• The running man problem: Why working harder won’t eliminate the chaos.
• How your inner narrative shapes your external reality—and how to rewrite that script.
• The moment I realized that mastering my external world required mastering my inner world first.

3. Powerlessness vs. Helplessness

• Powerlessness ≠ helplessness—it’s a strategy for clarity.
• The paradox of control—why trying to grip tighter actually makes you feel weaker.
• The Chaos Mirror Exercise—a tool to help you recognize your role in the volatility around you.

4. The Science of Self-Efficacy & Self-Mastery

• Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy—why belief in your own ability is the foundation of true power.
• The four ways to build self-efficacy:

1. Mastery experiences—small wins that build confidence.
2. Vicarious experiences—learning by seeing others succeed.
3. Verbal persuasion—how self-talk rewires your brain.
4. Managing physiological states—why stress and exhaustion kill self-agency.

5. No One Is Coming to Save You—And That’s Good News

• The hard truth: Waiting for external change is helplessness.
• You either own your life, or someone else will.
• The Ownership Audit Exercise—how to stop blaming and start acting.

Reflection Questions for Listeners:

• What’s one area of your life where you’ve been trying to control the uncontrollable?
• How have your thoughts and emotions been shaping your external circumstances?
• What’s one action you can take today to reclaim ownership of...