Episodes
Jan. 27, 2026
The Responsibility to Remember w/ Andrew H. Card Jr and Leon Panetta
In this milestone 250th episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek is joined by two of the most consequential public servants of our time: Andrew Card and Leon Panetta . In a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, ...
Jan. 20, 2026
The Future of Free Enterprise: Gentry Collins on Empowering Entrepreneurs
In this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Gentry Collins , Founder and CEO of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce , to explore how small and medium-sized businesses can thrive i...
Jan. 13, 2026
Faith in Action: Shane Manney on Purpose, Service, and Global Impact
Shane Manney , Founder and Executive Director of 5 Stones International , a mission-driven nonprofit expanding hope, training, and humanitarian aid around the globe, joins program host Dr. Chris Meek on this installment of Ne...
Jan. 6, 2026
The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear Into Your Superpower w/ Michelle “MACE” Curran
Next Steps Forward host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Michelle “MACE” Curran , former U.S. Air Force combat pilot, elite Thunderbirds Lead Solo, bestselling author, and trailblazing motivational speaker, to the program to discuss c...
Dec. 30, 2025
The Heart of a Cheetah: Africa’s Path to Prosperity w/ Magatte Wade
What if the key to ending poverty in Africa isn’t more aid but more freedom? In this powerful episode of Next Steps Forward , host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with globally recognized entrepreneur, author, and thought leader Mag...
Dec. 23, 2025
Redefining Love, Aging, and Life on Your Own Terms w/ Vicki Larson
In this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward , host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with award-winning journalist and author Vicki Larson to explore love, independence, aging, and the evolving landscape of journalism. Vicki shares i...
Dec. 16, 2025
Fire It Up: How Couples Rebuild Trust, Joy, and Emotional Closeness w/ Carolyn Sharp
This week on Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek is joined by Carolyn Sharp , a nationally recognized relationship expert, licensed independent clinical social worker, and award-winning author of Fire It Up: Four Secrets to R...
Dec. 9, 2025
Fighting Trafficking, Restoring Hope: A Conversation w/ Brittany Dunn
This week on Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Brittany Dunn , Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Safe House Project , one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to ending human trafficking and supp...
Dec. 2, 2025
Building Healthier Workplaces w/ Dr. Katina Sawyer
On this week’s installment Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Katina Sawyer , organizational psychologist, associate professor at the University of Arizona, and co-founder of Workr Beeing. Together, they explore...
Nov. 25, 2025
Leadership, Service and the Future of Military Medicine w/ Colonel (Ret.) Joshua D. Hartzell, MD
This week on Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Colonel (Ret.) Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA , a nationally recognized leader in military medicine, medical education, and compassionate healthcare lead...
Nov. 4, 2025
From Championship Ice to Mental-Health Champion w/ Grace Shirley
In this installment of Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek sits down with former Division I hockey champion Grace Shirley , who is twice a national title winner with the Wisconsin Badgers (2021 & 2023), to explore her journey...
Oct. 28, 2025
From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel: A 9/11 Firefighter's Journey of Healing w/ Rob Weisberg
In this installment of Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Rob "Sleepwalker" Weisberg , a 9/11 firefighter who turned personal tragedy and decades of silent suffering into a path of healing. After grappling wit...
Oct. 21, 2025
Leading with Purpose: Ilya Bratman on Faith, Service, and Student Empowerment
In this episode of Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Ilya Bratman, Executive Director of Hillel at Baruch College and a U.S. Army veteran, to explore his inspiring journey from immigrant to educator and advoc...
Oct. 14, 2025
What Is Life Worth: Defining the Value of Life After Tragedy w/ Kenneth R. Feinberg
In this powerful and emotionally resonant episode of Next Steps Forward , host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes renowned mediator and attorney Kenneth R. Feinberg , one of the foremost experts in administering compensation funds in th...
Oct. 7, 2025
Preserving the Legacy of the Marine Corps: A Conversation with Gen. Jim Lukeman
On this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General James Lukeman , the current CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation . With a distinguished 40-year military car...
Sept. 30, 2025
From Wall Street to Wellness: How Sophia Mullins Is Redefining Corporate Wellness
This week on Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Sophia Mullins , founder of Wall Street Wellness, LLC , to share her remarkable journey from the fast-paced world of investment banking and private equity to becoming ...
Sept. 23, 2025
Building Trust in a Remote World with Dr. Tim Currie
In this episode of Next Steps Forward , host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Tim Currie , CEO of NOVA and author of Swift Trust: Mastering Relationships in the Remote Work Revolution . Drawing from his groundbreaking research and...
Sept. 9, 2025
Courage After Tragedy: Kristen Breitweiser’s Fight for Justice In the Wake of 9/11
As the 24th observance of the September 11th attacks approaches, Next Steps Forward host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Kristen Breitweiser, a woman whose life was forever changed that day and who transformed her grief into a ...
Sept. 2, 2025
Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Veteran Mental Health with Dr. Ron Acierno
This week on Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Ron Acierno , professor and vice chair of Veterans Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School, and...
Aug. 26, 2025
The Power of Coaching: Building Leaders Who Inspire and Transform w/ Dr. Dana Kirchman
What makes a good leader truly great? In this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward , host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Dana Kirchman, leadership expert, executive coach, and trusted advisor, to explore that very question. With...
Aug. 19, 2025
ENCORE: Giving A Voice to the Voiceless w/ Janice Trey & Ying Chen
Janice Trey, the head of Epoch Times/NTD Network, and Ying Chen, conductor at Shen Yun Performing Arts, join program host Dr. Chris Meek in this installment of Next Steps Forward to discuss their experiences with the Chinese ...
Aug. 12, 2025
ENCORE: Trailblazing Leadership: Lieutenant General Patricia “Patty” D. Horoho on Resilience, Service, and Empowering the Next Generation
In this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Patricia “Patty” D. Horoho, a trailblazer who made history as the first woman, first nurse, and first non-p...
Aug. 5, 2025
Serving Those Who Serve w/ Lt. Randy Sutton
What happens when the protectors need protection? This week on Next Steps Forward , host Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Lieutenant Randy Sutton (Ret.) , a 34-year law enforcement veteran, national media voice, and founder of T...
July 29, 2025
Leadernomics: How Economics Can Teach Us to Lead with Integrity w/ Lt. Col. Seung Paik
What can economics teach us about leadership, resilience, and character? This week on Next Steps Forward , host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Seung Paik, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, award-winning educator, and creator of Lead...