Christina Alessi never expected her career to lead where it has.

After beginning in luxury hospitality with Marriott and Langham, Christina joined Simon Sinek’s team during a major period of growth, eventually serving as Director of Sales. That chapter gave her a front-row seat to thought leadership, leadership development, and what it looks like to build deep relationships around ideas that resonate with people.

In 2021, Christina stepped away and launched Sfera Agency, a boutique speakers bureau built around a highly personal, white-glove approach to serving both clients and speakers.

In this episode, we talk about the lessons she carried from hospitality into the speaking world, what she learned during her years with Simon’s team, the leap into entrepreneurship, and how her definition of success has continued to evolve along the way.

It’s a conversation about people, purpose, faith, and learning to keep moving forward even when you can’t quite see what the next chapter is going to look like.

Kristen Bowen has spent her career helping organizations communicate clearly, build trust, and connect with people. But some of the biggest turns in her own life came through things she never could have planned.

In this episode, Kristen shares how a career in communications led her to Princeton Alliance Church, how the loss of both of her parents reshaped her life, and how that season eventually inspired the creation of Hearts + Homes, a New Jersey nonprofit helping families rebuild with dignity, care, and a true sense of home.

We also talk about grief, resilience, leadership, volunteer culture, the difference between a house and a home, and what Kristen has learned about taking risks when life does not follow the plan.

It’s a conversation about preparation, unexpected pivots, and building something meaningful from the experiences that change us.

In this episode of The Power of Human Stories, I sit down with Christie Heimbach, a photographer, educator, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder whose life has moved through several different seasons of creativity, service, grief, and reinvention. Christie shares the story of growing up as a multi-passionate theater kid, co-founding 2 Seconds Or Less at 19, working with communities in Zimbabwe, teaching through Teach for America, and eventually building a photography business rooted in relationships and storytelling. Along the way, we talk about youthful idealism, hard lessons in leadership, the emotional cost of caring deeply, learning not to place your whole identity in your work, and what it looks like to keep a soft heart with more discernment. This is a conversation about creativity, calling, loss, rebuilding, and the ongoing work of figuring out how to serve others without losing yourself in the process.

In this episode of The Power of Human Stories, I sit down with Kris Cravey, a longtime leader, operator, professor, and someone I’ve personally learned a lot from over the years. Kris and I first met when he was leading the MBA program at Messiah University, where he became both a professor and a mentor to me. In this conversation, we unpack the unexpected path that took him from Bible college and seminary into executive leadership, private equity, and higher education. Kris shares how his early faith, working-class roots, and years of leadership shaped the way he thinks about people, culture, and organizational health. We talk about career transitions, the hidden forces that shape workplace culture, what healthy leadership actually looks like, and how identity often gets wrapped up in the work we do. We also explore the human side of exits, organizational change, and legacy, ending with Kris’s growing passion for his family ranch and what it means to build something worth passing on. This is a conversation about leadership, but even more than that, it’s a conversation about stewardship, purpose, and the long road of becoming.

In this episode of The Power of Human Stories, Rolando Vega interviews actor and producer Ethan McDowell, who shares his journey from a small town in Wyoming to the bustling film industry in Los Angeles and beyond. Ethan discusses his early passion for film, the challenges of breaking into acting, and his breakthrough role in the crowdfunded series Space Command. He reflects on the dynamics of the acting industry, the importance of commercial work, and the supportive environment of the Atlanta film scene. Throughout the conversation, Ethan emphasizes the value of persistence, creativity, and community in the pursuit of a successful acting career. In this engaging conversation, Ethan McDowell shares his journey from Los Angeles to Atlanta, highlighting the significant increase in audition opportunities and the challenges of the acting industry. He reflects on his experiences working with notable figures in the entertainment world, including Queen Latifah and Bradley Cooper, and discusses the impact of shows like The Walking Dead on the Atlanta community. As he navigates the ups and downs of his career, Ethan emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and maintaining connections with good people. Now based in New York City, he looks forward to new opportunities while cherishing the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode, Rolando interviews composer Roland Bingaman, who shares his journey from a musical upbringing in Pennsylvania to becoming a successful composer for films, commercials, and documentaries. Roland discusses his early influences, the transition from performing in bands to filmmaking, and the pivotal moment when he realized composing could be a viable career. He reflects on significant projects, including winning the My Rode Reel contest, and how personal experiences, including his wife's health challenges, have shaped his music. Roland also talks about fatherhood, his creative outlets, and the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective on success and creativity.

In the first ever episode of The Power of Human Stories, Rolando Vega interviews Rob Ricotta, a professional voice actor and musician. They explore Rob's journey from a small town in North Carolina to working with iconic brands and creating impactful content. The conversation delves into the importance of creativity, relationships, and the evolution of faith-based media. Rob shares his experiences in voice acting, music, and the challenges of thriving in the creative industry, emphasizing the significance of endurance and adaptability. In this engaging conversation, Rob Ricotta shares his journey as a versatile voice actor and musician, discussing the challenges of balancing multiple passions, the vibrant creative community in Nashville, and the impact of AI on the voiceover industry. He emphasizes the importance of relationships in his career and the need for authenticity in an increasingly automated world.

This short trailer sets the foundation for The Power of Human Stories.

Host Rolando Vega shares the journey that led to the creation of the podcast — from early days exploring short films and creative experimentation, to years of telling stories in corporate, nonprofit, church, and higher-education spaces. Along the way, one thing became clear: so many meaningful stories don’t fit neatly into short edits or highlight reels.

This podcast is an attempt to create space for what often gets left out — the context, the humanity, and the reflection behind the work.

In The Power of Human Stories, Rolando sits down with creatives, entrepreneurs, leaders, and builders to explore where they came from, the moments that shaped them, what they’re passionate about now, and how they’ve become who they are.

These aren’t polished success stories. They’re honest conversations grounded in curiosity, listening, and lived experience.

This episode introduces the heart behind the podcast and what’s to come.

Episode 01 launches Monday, February 16th.