Episodes

Protecting the Next Generation: Confronting Online Exploitation and Reclaiming Digital Safety with Donna Rice Hughes
March 10, 2026

Protecting the Next Generation: Confronting Online Exploitation and Reclaiming Digital Safety with Donna Rice Hughes

This week on Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Donna Rice Hughes , President and CEO of Enough Is Enough , for a candid conversation about what’s really happening online and what it’s going to take to protect...
Blindspotting: What Great Leaders Don’t See and How to Break Through It w/ Martin Dubin
March 3, 2026

Blindspotting: What Great Leaders Don’t See and How to Break Through It w/ Martin Dubin

In next week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, and executive coach Martin Dubin for a powerful conversation about leadership and the hidden barriers that hold ...
The Heart of a Hero w/ Clarence Singleton
Feb. 24, 2026

The Heart of a Hero w/ Clarence Singleton

In this compelling episode of Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Clarence Singleton to explore a lifetime defined by service, sacrifice, and resilience. Clarence reflects on growing up in South Carolina under ...
Demystifying Therapy: Strengths, Anxiety, and the Courage to Grow w/ Aaron Gilbert
Feb. 17, 2026

Demystifying Therapy: Strengths, Anxiety, and the Courage to Grow w/ Aaron Gilbert

In this installment of Next Steps Forward , Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Aaron Gilbert, LICSW , a licensed independent clinical social worker with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, an...
The 9/11 Promise: Honoring 9/11 Through Action w/ Jen DePoto & Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy
Feb. 10, 2026

The 9/11 Promise: Honoring 9/11 Through Action w/ Jen DePoto & Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy

As the 25th observance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks approaches this year, Next Steps Forward continues its mission of honoring resilience, service, and purposeful action. In this powerful episode, host Dr. Chri...
Future-Proofing Your Life: Technology, AI, and Taking Your Next Steps Forward w/ Crystal Washington
Feb. 3, 2026

Future-Proofing Your Life: Technology, AI, and Taking Your Next Steps Forward w/ Crystal Washington

Join host Dr. Chris Meek as he sits down with Crystal Washington , one of Forbes' 50 Leading Female Futurists, to explore how we can navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape while staying true to our human val...
The Responsibility to Remember w/ Andrew H. Card Jr and Leon Panetta
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, ...
The Future of Free Enterprise: Gentry Collins on Empowering Entrepreneurs
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...
Faith in Action: Shane Manney on Purpose, Service, and Global Impact
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...
The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear Into Your Superpower w/ Michelle “MACE” Curran
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...
The Heart of a Cheetah: Africa’s Path to Prosperity w/ Magatte Wade
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...
Redefining Love, Aging, and Life on Your Own Terms w/ Vicki Larson
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...
Fire It Up: How Couples Rebuild Trust, Joy, and Emotional Closeness w/ Carolyn Sharp
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...
Fighting Trafficking, Restoring Hope: A Conversation w/ Brittany Dunn
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...
Building Healthier Workplaces w/ Dr. Katina Sawyer
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...
Leadership, Service and the Future of Military Medicine w/ Colonel (Ret.) Joshua D. Hartzell, MD
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...
From Championship Ice to Mental-Health Champion w/ Grace Shirley
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...
From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel: A 9/11 Firefighter's Journey of Healing w/ Rob Weisberg
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...
Leading with Purpose: Ilya Bratman on Faith, Service, and Student Empowerment
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...
What Is Life Worth: Defining the Value of Life After Tragedy w/ Kenneth R. Feinberg
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...
Preserving the Legacy of the Marine Corps: A Conversation with Gen. Jim Lukeman
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...
From Wall Street to Wellness: How Sophia Mullins Is Redefining Corporate Wellness
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 ...
Building Trust in a Remote World with Dr. Tim Currie
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...
Courage After Tragedy: Kristen Breitweiser’s Fight for Justice In the Wake of 9/11
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 ...