On this essential episode of Route to Success, host Sara Orellana welcomes Tosha Connors for a critical conversation exploring how violence can become tragically normalized within households and communities. The discussion emphasizes the powerful role of social responsibility in driving change.

Tosha highlights that strengthening relationships and offering support are the only ways to enact real healing and systemic change. Discover the profound impact of simple acts of care, such as asking, "Are you okay?" The episode advocates for active community engagement, stressing that these small gestures are crucial for improving mental health and building resilience.

Learn why support must be tailored to individual needs, and how encouraging open dialogue helps break the cycle of violence. Tosha shares a powerful reminder that everyone has a role in fostering a healthier, more supportive community environment.

Key Takeaways:

The dangers of the normalization of violence and the need for awareness.

Why strengthening community support is essential for lasting change.

The impact of simple questions like, "Are you okay?" and "How can I support you?"

How active community engagement fosters better mental health and well-being.

The vital role of building supportive relationships to break cycles of harm.

If you are passionate about community building, social responsibility, and creating meaningful change, this episode provides actionable insights into offering effective support and fostering collective healing.

#violence #community #support #normalization #change #relationships #mentalhealth #socialresponsibility #healing #socialjustice #toshaconnors #saraorellana #routetosuccess

Discover the powerful role of empathy and kindness in modern leadership from Ben Campbell, the young CEO of Hospitality America. Ben shares his remarkable journey from starting as a night auditor to overseeing 850 employees across eight states.

This episode dives deep into how defining company culture is the foundation for success in the hospitality industry. Ben explains the rituals that keep a consistent culture, the importance of active listening for employee engagement, and how to coach your team for kindness—because, as he says, "Kindness becomes a system."

Key Discussion Points:

(04:39) Why Empathy in Leadership is non-negotiable for team success.

(06:37) The strategies for Defining Company Culture that allows for scaling.

(10:21) How Listening to employees drives genuine Engagement.

(17:32) Practical advice on Coaching for Kindness within your team.

(22:45) Navigating major setbacks (like COVID-19) and the strategy for recovery.

(27:04) The leader’s role in building hope and supporting hotel staff.

Whether you're interested in business growth, overcoming professional setbacks, or improving team listening, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for any leader in any industry.

#hospitality #leadership #empathy #companyculture #employeengagement #kindness #growth #setbacks #CEO #hotelmanagement #businesstips #culture #listening #recovery

On this episode of Route to Success, host Sara Orellana welcomes guest Joe Fiore for a deeply personal conversation about the inevitable nature of life challenges and the essential role of resilience. Joe shares his journey of facing and overcoming adversity, and how his perspective on obstacles has profoundly evolved over time.

Joe emphasizes that adversity is a natural part of life, and with a resilient mindset, any challenge can be navigated successfully. Learn the simple but profound mantra he uses to stay grounded: "This too shall pass." This episode provides a powerful look at reframing difficult situations, seeing them not as negative events, but as opportunities for personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

How the perception of obstacles changes as you gain more life experience.

The power of the phrase, "This too shall pass," in managing anxiety during tough times.

Why embracing challenges is essential for building inner resilience.

Strategies for shifting your mindset to view adversity as an opportunity for growth, not a setback.

If you are facing struggles or seeking to build greater mental strength, this episode offers a hopeful and practical perspective on overcoming adversity and celebrating your innate ability to persevere.

#obstacles #resilience #lifechallenges #personalgrowth #overcomingadversity #mindset #inspirational #selfimprovement #mentalstrength #joefiore #saraorellana #routetosuccess

In this episode of The Route to Success, host Sara Orellana sits down with Khanh Tran, first-generation Vietnamese American, co-owner of Beyond Group Cyber, and founder of TASLE (Technologists Aspiring through Servant Leadership). Khanh shares an inspiring journey from aviation to cybersecurity — and from self-imposed limits to empowered leadership.

They explore how mentorship, integrity, and servant leadership shape inclusive workplaces and why communication and collaboration are the keys to unlocking potential in nontraditional students. Khanh also opens up about how their son’s autism diagnosis transformed their life’s purpose and inspired advocacy for more inclusive programs in technology and education.

Listeners will walk away with practical steps for growth, insight into the human side of cybersecurity, and a reminder that failure truly is the mother of all success.

Listen to learn:

How to overcome self-imposed boundaries and take the first step toward your dreams

Why mentorship at every level—peer or professional—matters

How servant leadership builds stronger, more inclusive teams

The story behind TASLE and its mission to empower technologists through giving and growth

(Guest: Khanh Tran, Beyond Group Cyber | Host: Sara Orellana, The Route to Success)

Khanh's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanh-t-48842151/

Host Sara Orellana welcomes Randy Rush, a nonprofit leader who shares his powerful journey from corporate sales to leading an organization focused on recovery from substance use disorders.

Randy Rush on recovery that works.
What it covers: a hospital-embedded overdose response model, why lived experience beats stigma, and how a business mindset drives nonprofit ROI. We map the first 30 minutes after stabilization, the metrics funders care about, and the unglamorous but decisive work of meeting basic needs before treatment.

You’ll hear how Courage Center embeds peer coaches in emergency departments, equips EMS with prepaid-phone “connection pouches,” and uses recovery-capital assessments to remove barriers. We dig into recruiting and upskilling staff with lived experience, building win-win partnerships across hospitals, shelters, probation, and county agencies, and measuring avoided ER visits and jail days to unlock funding. We close with one action listeners can take today and where families can get help.

Randy emphasizes the crucial role of hope, strategic partnerships, and a business-minded approach in nonprofit work. The discussion is a deep dive into effective harm reduction strategies and the significance of lived experience in staff recruitment, highlighting how meeting basic needs is fundamental for sustainable recovery.

Learn how this organization leverages community support and celebrates small victories to combat addiction and improve mental health. Randy shares a compelling message of resilience, assuring listeners that "People do recover" and "Families recover too."

Resources mentioned:
• Courage Center: https://couragecentersc.org
• Email: randy@couragecentersc.org
• Faces & Voices of Recovery directory: https://favor.org
Host: Sara Orellana. Guest: Randy Rush, Executive Director, Courage Center, South Carolina.

Key Discussion Points:

(01:39) Randy’s personal transition from the corporate world to nonprofit leadership.

(14:50) Understanding and implementing harm reduction strategies effectively.

(22:32) The value of lived experience in empowering staff and building trust.

(30:52) Why addressing basic needs is essential for long-term recovery.

(39:26) Practical ways to cultivate and exercise hope in the face of addiction.

(45:18) How listeners can get involved and provide meaningful community support.

If you're interested in the intersection of business strategy and social impact, or seeking inspiration and strategies for recovery, this episode offers a profound message of healing and resilience.

#recovery #substanceusedisorders #nonprofitleadership #harmreduction #communitysupport #livedexperience #partnerships #hope #mentalhealth #addiction #theroutetosuccess #saraorellana

A retired Army veteran turned tech-ag leader, David Flynn explains how Amplified Ag pairs a warehouse-grade control stack with IoT sensors and container farms to grow fresh produce anywhere. We cover why controlled-environment agriculture should complement, not replace, traditional farms. We quantify water and land savings, shelf-life gains, and how “right-sized” hubs cut spoilage and logistics. We dig into workforce programs in prisons and the VA, farm-to-school opportunities, and why replicating small, self-sustaining sites beats scaling one mega-farm.

You’ll learn:

* How a WMS-style platform, sensors, and VPD control run a farm remotely.
* Why hyperlocal capacity matched to local demand protects unit economics.
* The recidivism and employment upside of agriculture training behind the fence.
* How schools and medical centers can stand up on-site production.
* A simple playbook for city lots, community gardens, and corner distribution.

Mentioned:

* Amplified A (vertical farming technology and shipping-container farms).
* Vertical Roots (in-house farm proving the tech).
* Tools: warehouse management–style control system, IoT sensors and controllers, VPD control, controlled-environment agriculture.
* Programs and agencies: USDA Farm-to-School grants, VA medical centers, “Food is Medicine” initiatives.

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidflynn15/

What if hope isn’t just a feeling—but a skill your brain can learn?
In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Gina Anderson explores the science of hope, resilience, and learning. Discover how neuroplasticity helps us adapt through challenges, why action sparks hope, and how authentic community and peer learning can transform mental health.

You’ll also learn practical ways to:

Reconnect with nature to calm the brain

Set boundaries with digital distractions

Build genuine connections that fuel learning and growth

Whether you’re an educator, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this conversation will leave you inspired to take action and rewire your brain for hope.

#Hope #Neuroscience #Resilience #MentalHealth #Learning #Community #BrainScience #PersonalGrowth

CEO Courtney Hampson joins host Sara Orellana to open the doors of Bluffton Self-Help, a 38-year community hub where a dignified free-grocery market becomes the magnet for deeper support. Hear how integrated services and warm referrals serve about 900 families each month, why 55% engage in more than one program, and how adult education—ESL, GED, digital and financial literacy—can lift earning power by ~$8,000 with 75% class attendance, 95% first-try GED pass rates, and 80% ESL level-ups. Courtney shares merger lessons, a shared-intake partnership with Volunteers in Medicine, and volunteer stewardship that saved roughly $1M last year. We close with simple advice that fits every community: be kind. Find links and ways to help in the show notes.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

#theroutetosuccess #podcastshow #podcast #futureleaders