Episodes

Dec. 3, 2024

Faith, Prayer and Politics w/ Pastor Lorenzo Sewell

In this installment of Next Steps Forward, host Chris Meek celebrates the 200th episode of the program! After first seeing Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, Senior Pastor at 180 Church in Detroit, Michigan, on a news segment where he di...
Nov. 26, 2024

Being Muslim Today w/ Saqib Qureshi

Saqib Qureshi is a Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he received his PhD in International Relations and Epistemology. His work has been featured in the Financial Times, the Wall Street Jour...
Nov. 19, 2024

Making A Difference Today for a Safer Tomorrow w/ Kristi Wells

Kristi Wells joins program host Dr. Chris Meek on Next Steps Forward as a leading expert in the fight against human trafficking in the United States. She co-founded Safe House Project, a nonprofit organization combating traff...
Nov. 12, 2024

Solving the Climate Crisis w/ Dr. John Berger

Dr. John Berger, an environmental science and policy specialist and a Senior Research Fellow at The Pacific Institute, joins Dr. Chris Meek on Next Steps Forward to discuss his book “Solving the Climate Crisis: Frontline Repo...
Nov. 5, 2024

The Only Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude w/ Tony Trzeciak

Tony Trzeciak is a Philadelphia native, husband and father of four. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2008 to 2012. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Kilo Company, Tony completed a combat tour...
Oct. 29, 2024

Small Actions, Big Impact w/ Dr. Resa Lewiss & Dr. Adaira Landry

Special guests Dr. Adaira Landry and Dr. Resa Lewiss join program host Dr. Chris Meek on this installment of Next Steps Forward. Dr. Landry is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and an emergency medicine physici...
Oct. 22, 2024

Promoting Women's Economic Security w/ Rachel Pearson

Rachel Pearson, founder and chief executive officer of Engage for Women, joins program host Chris Meek on Next Steps Forward to speak about promoting women’s economic security. Engage for Women is a non-profit organization de...
Oct. 15, 2024

Let’s Change The World w/ Emiliana Vegas

Emiliana Vegas, EdD, has been highly recognized for her career working to inform education policy in the so-called Global South. She has been a leading economist at the World Bank, division chief of education at the Inter-Ame...
Oct. 1, 2024

An Inside Look at Athlete Mental Health w/ Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a writer and editor who was previously the copy chief for Sports Illustrated. Before that, she was the copy editor at The Ringer, weekend editor and breaking news contributor at The Week, and a news fellow a...
Sept. 24, 2024

Unstoppable Grit w/ Danielle Cobo

Danielle Cobo is a former Fortune 500 senior sales manager and renowned for empowering individuals with the grit, resilience and courage to thrive both professionally and personally. She joins program host Dr. Chris Meek to d...
Sept. 17, 2024

Is it Catastrophe or Transformation? w/ Dr. Caroline Hickman

In addition to being a lecturer at the University of Bath, Dr. Caroline Hickman has a background in mental health social work and has worked closely with a number of community mental health projects. Her background lends itse...
Sept. 10, 2024

Inspiring People to Realize Their Potential w/ Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Rabbi Daniel Cohen, who has served in the rabbinate for over twenty years, is a popular motivator, mentor and inspirational speaker, who will bring his unique blend of authenticity, humor, wisdom and insight to help the Next ...
Sept. 3, 2024

Unhide & Seek w/ Ruth Rathblott

Program host Chris Meek is pleased to welcome Ruth Rathblott back to Next Steps Forward to further speak on issues of inclusion and diversity, the freedom of accepting your differences and rising above life’s challenges. Ruth...
Aug. 27, 2024

Honor First: Securing Our Nation’s Borders w/ Rodney Scott

Prior to joining the Texas Public Policy Foundation in the fall of 2021 as the Distinguished Senior Fellow for Border Security, Rodney Scott served as the 24th Chief of the United States Border Patrol. In this installment of ...
Aug. 20, 2024

The Positive and the Possible w/ Donna Orender

Donna Orender is a powerhouse executive whose innovative leadership shaped some of the most recognizable brands in the sports industry. She is the former president of the WNBA, PGA Tour Senior Executive, and current CEO of Or...
Aug. 6, 2024

You Don't Have to Change to Change Everything w/ Beth Kurland

On this installment of Next Steps Forward, program host Chris Meek speaks with Dr. Beth Kurland, a clinical psychologist with three decades of experience. She is a TEDx Talks speaker, sought-after public speaker and a mind-bo...
July 30, 2024

The Power of Emotional Strength w/ Kendall Gammon

Kendall Gammon is a sought-after keynote speaker with a presence that’s quite different from what you’d expect from a 15-year NFL veteran known for his physical strength. He attended Division II Pittsburg State University whe...
July 23, 2024

Principal to Principal: A Conversation w/ Kristi Rogers

Kristi M. Rogers is a leading executive and former senior government official with extensive international leadership experience in the public and private sectors. She joins program host Chris Meek to discuss the strategic ad...
July 16, 2024

The Unicorn Queen…Believe in Magic w/ Peggy Willms

Peggy Willms is innately and passionately wired to help others discover the healthiest version of themselves as a certified personal trainer, sports performance nutritionist, and health, wellness and life coach. Well known as...
July 9, 2024

You’re Not the Only One w/ Dr. Marie Murphy

Dr. Marie Murphy is a non-judgmental coach for people involved in infidelity. She is trained and certified as a life coach, with her training coming from the Life Coach School and Martha Beck’s Wayfinder life coach training. ...
July 2, 2024

A Voice of Courage w/ Travis Conover

Travis Conover is an actor, film producer and president of StoryTeller Film Company. He made his on-screen acting debut, co-starring in The Trial of Everett Mann, which won several awards throughout some of the largest film f...
June 25, 2024

Be More Curious and Less Furious w/ Stacy Blakeley

Stacy Blakeley is the CEO of The Policy Circle, a national organization that informs, equips, and connects women to be more impactful citizens. Founded in 2015 on the belief that the free market is the best means to unleash h...
June 18, 2024

God Can Heal You w/ Julius Adams

Singer, songwriter, musician and producer Julius Adams is music and music is Julius Adams. His love for music extends from his own love for people, as the Next Steps Forward audience will find as he joins program host Chris M...
June 11, 2024

Suicide Prevention for Black Youth w/ Dr. Sherry Molock

Dr. Sherry Davis Molock, is a Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dr. Molock teaches undergraduate and doctoral courses in clinical psychology...