The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper

I honestly can't believe we are kicking off Season 11 of The Ripple Effect Podcast. This episode is really just me sitting down with you and talking about where this show has been, where it's going, and why I'm more excited about this season than any season we've done before. What started as an idea has turned into something way bigger than I ever imagined, and that's because of you showing up, listening, sharing, and engaging. This show has never been about perfection or overly produced visuals. It's about real conversations, real people, and real lessons that actually matter in your life and your work. Season 11 is all about going deeper. Deeper into trust. Deeper into relationships. Deeper into leadership, career growth, confidence, imposter syndrome, and how we actually build meaningful connections in a world that keeps trying to push us behind screens. We're going to have CEOs, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and everyday Ripplers on the show this season. You'll hear the wins, the struggles, the mistakes, and the lessons learned the hard way. We're also going to talk about AI, the future of work, career changes, side hustles, and what it really takes to build trust and connection when everything feels fast, automated, and transactional. One thing I'm asking of you this year is to not just listen passively. I want this to be a two-way conversation. Go back and listen to the episodes again. Pull out the nuggets. Take some notes. Think about how these ideas apply to your life. Then come back and tell me what hit home, what questions you still have, or what you wish I had asked. This podcast works best when the Ripples don't just go out, but also come back. If you're looking for a podcast that feels more like sitting across the table having a real conversation than listening to a scripted interview, you're in the right place. Season 11 is stacked with incredible guests and powerful conversations, and I can't wait to bring them to you. Thanks for being here. Thanks for supporting the show. Let's get rolling and make 2026 the year we create some serious Ripples. Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe Be a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond To inquire about my availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com.

Welcome to the 2025 podcast recap. What a ride! This episode lets me do two things I love: celebrate the baddest ass people on the planet who showed up on this show, and gently remind you that if you missed even one episode, you have an absolute treasure chest waiting for you. We are talking season 10 podcast recap-style, which still blows my mind. Ten seasons. You are going to hear quick nuggets from leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, coaches, creators, and straight-up legends. These are mini master classes. Listen once for the fun, then come back for the education and the "wait, how did I miss that the first time" moments. Expect authentic leadership and modern leadership strategies that hit you right in the heart and right in the calendar. Expect career development wisdom, interview confidence tips, HR career advice, and job search strategy 2025 conversations that will make you want to take control of your career. Expect entrepreneurship mindset and personal branding tips, content strategy for entrepreneurs, and marketing strategy for small business ideas that will make you want to build a brand and actually commit to the content, even when your couch is begging you not to. And because we are living in the future, yes, we get into AI tools for professionals, prompting tips for beginners, how to write better prompts for ChatGPT, custom GPT talk, and AI productivity for business, including AI interview practice and AI for career coaching. If you have been curious about using ChatGPT for work, or you want to stop getting "meh" results and start getting "whoa" results, you will love these segments. We also hit the real stuff. Sales mindset, boundaries, how to handle rejection, and more lessons from experts from their respective fields. So if you want the best podcast episodes of 2025 in one place, this is it. If you want a season recap podcast that feels like a hype video for your next level, buckle up. Please share this with a friend who needs a little optimism, and tell me in the comments which guest you are going back to binge first. Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and get ready to kick 2026 in the hindquarters. Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe Be a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond To inquire about my availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com.

This is a solo episode, and it's just me talking honestly about the show, the journey, and what podcasting has turned into for me. Over the last couple of years, I've gotten a lot more comfortable doing this. Not because I figured out some secret formula, but because I stopped trying to sound polished and started showing up as myself. This episode is really about authenticity, building real connections, and why I believe the best podcasts feel more like conversations than interviews. I talk about podcast growth, not in terms of downloads or numbers, but in terms of trust, relationships, and consistency. I share why I don't script interviews, why I don't overprepare, and how focusing on people instead of performance has changed everything for me as a podcast host. If you're a podcaster, creator, entrepreneur, or just someone trying to find your voice, there's a lot in here about confidence, curiosity, and letting things unfold naturally. Podcasting has become my home base, a place where leadership, personal growth, and meaningful conversation all come together. I'm incredibly grateful for the guests who've trusted me, the relationships that have grown beyond the mic, and the listeners who've stuck around and supported the show. This episode is really a thank you and a bit of a reflection on where I am and where I think this is headed. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who might get something out of it. That's how Ripples start. Thanks for being here. Let's Ripple!!! Instagram Facebook X Website Subscribe to the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe Be a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond To inquire about my availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com.

Rick Torrison, a USA Today bestselling author and transformational coach, joins the discussion on breaking limiting beliefs and pursuing significance. He shares insights about shifting from success to purpose and the emotional freedom that comes with spiritual awakening. Rick dives into the power of self-assessment and community support, introducing his Living Limitless app, featuring faith-aligned AI coaching. Listeners are encouraged to challenge their assumptions, redefine their paths, and embrace a life of intentional legacy.

If you've ever built a business that looked successful from the outside but secretly felt misaligned on the inside, this episode will hit home. I'm so grateful to have the incredible Mel McSherry on The Ripple Effect Podcast! We explore Human Design for entrepreneurs and the surprising ways it can eliminate burnout, imposter syndrome, and that nagging feeling that you're doing everything right, yet something still feels off. Mel's story is powerful. Being a business & life guide, Mel McSherry helps inspired yet overwhelmed entrepreneurs honor their lives and become the architects of their own success. Mel uses their spiritual gifts and 15+ years of business-building experience to slash entrepreneurs' stress and bring their success to life! Using both Human Design in partnership with traditional business development tools, Mel coaches others on how they can connect to what they want, understand how they are designed to create what they want, and implement their strengths and strategies, so every day they are profitable–mentally, emotionally, and financially. As an entrepreneur since 2010, Mel has launched two successful businesses, become a 2x published author, spoken almost 200 times all over the US and overseas, and created a true life by design–all while being the primary caregiver to their teenage son with autism. We discuss time and energy management, emotional and energetic profitability, the power of honoring your natural design, and what happens when you stop forcing yourself into strategies that were never meant for you. Are you curious about Human Design? Are you a coach, entrepreneur, or a leader searching for a more authentic and sustainable way to grow your business? If so, I can't wait for you to hear Mel's insights. She brings clarity, humor, honesty, and a level of realness that makes this one of my favorite conversations on The Ripple Effect Podcast. Ripple with Mel McSherry Instagram LinkedIn Website Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram Facebook X Website Patreon Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list. Subscribe here. Join The Pond community.

Natalie Bevacqua, a seasoned entrepreneur and mentor for women, shares her journey of midlife reinvention after moving to Oregon at 50. She reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Natalie discusses building community through fitness and genuine connections, rather than traditional networking. She emphasizes the significance of taking risks, trusting oneself, and mentoring women to pursue their dreams. She also touches on her aspirations to write about her experiences and the ripple effect of small, intentional actions.

AI career coaching is here... and it's transforming how job seekers, entrepreneurs, and professionals grow, connect, and thrive. I'm beyond excited to share this powerful conversation with my amazing guest, Chloe Spillane, founder of Chloe Careers and the visionary behind Chloe AI, an incredible AI career coach that's reshaping how job seekers, professionals, and entrepreneurs navigate their careers. In this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, we discuss how AI in career development is changing the game for anyone looking to land that next big opportunity. Chloe and I talk about her journey from New York's fast-paced startup scene to building her AI-powered career guidance tool from the quiet beauty of regional Australia. We explore what it takes to create a digital twin technology experience that feels real and personal, how she's helping people prepare for interviews with AI interview preparation tools, and why this moment marks a major shift in the future of work AI movement. If you've ever wondered how to use AI for job seekers or what it really takes to merge innovation with purpose, this conversation will light a fire in you. Chloe shares how her passion for empowering others led to creating a tool that doesn't just talk to you but listens, learns, and supports your journey at every step. This is a story about vision, resilience, and the power of technology to amplify human connection. So grab your coffee, lean in, and join us for a conversation that will challenge you to think differently about your career, your goals, and what's possible when you let curiosity and courage guide your path. If you liked Chloe's story and vision, it's not her first time here on The Ripple Effect Podcast. You can also watch and listen to the other episode: https://youtu.be/gS-NvQN9t4Y CHLOE AI: https://www.chloecareers.com/ai-hub 1:1 Coaching: https://www.chloecareers.com/coaching Ripple with Chloe Spillane LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloespillane/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careercoachchloe/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@careercoachchloe Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com Be a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe Be a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond

If you think sales is about slick pitches and perfect scripts, think again. I've met a lot of sales professionals in my career, but few bring the heart, humility, and wisdom that Drew Norton does. In this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, Drew joins me to talk about what it really means to lead with authenticity and sell with purpose. He's passionate about helping people realize that sales isn't just a job. It's a mindset. Drew Norton, known as The Everyday Sales Leader, is a dynamic self-development coach, sales consultant, and co-host of The Everyday Leader Podcast. With a background spanning sales, hiring, recruiting, leadership, and training across diverse industries, he's a seasoned expert in cultivating individual and organizational success. His career journey encompasses a proven track record in sales, and he's passionate about translating his wealth of knowledge into actionable insights, empowering others to achieve their career aspirations in sales and leadership. Drew is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in the Utah Ogden Mission. Originally from southeastern Arizona, Drew cherishes the values of small-town life. He and his wife have been married for nearly 13 years and are blessed with four children. A sports enthusiast, he cheers on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Utah Jazz, and Denver Broncos. His love for the outdoors extends to hunting and side-by-side riding. A private pilot, Drew also enjoys the freedom of flight. From the outside, Drew looks like a high-performing sales professional (and he is), but what makes him special is how deeply he connects the dots between selling, serving, and living with purpose. He's led multimillion-dollar sales teams, trained professionals across industries, and now helps business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders discover how sales can transform every part of their lives, from how they lead at work to how they communicate at home. Going deeper, he shares the story of a near-death experience with his six-month-old son, and how that terrifying moment taught him lessons that go far beyond business. If you've ever said, "I'm not in sales," this episode is your wake-up call. Because the truth is… we're all in sales. Why? Watch till the end! Ripple with Drew Norton Website: sales.theeverydayleader.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeverydaysalesleader/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theeverydaysalesleader/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEveryDaySalesLeader TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theeverydaysalesleader Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theeverydaysalesleader Tune in to The Everyday Leader Podcast: https://www.theeverydayleader.co/podcast Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com

Are you an entrepreneur selling yourself as the brand, or someone with a bold idea or purpose to share with the world? Then, you're in the right place. Welcome to The Ripple Effect Podcast, where today's guest, Justin Foster, brings over 20 years of brand coaching wisdom that flips traditional marketing on its head. Justin is redefining what it means to build a brand by moving away from formulas, numbers, and data overload, and toward something simpler, but far more powerful: authenticity. His message, F the Formula, is a breath of fresh air for anyone tired of chasing algorithms or trying to fit into someone else's version of success. We are talking about building a soul-led brand that feels real, not forced. This is Part Two of my conversation with Justin Foster, where we dive deeper into the nitty-gritty of his bold "F the Formula" philosophy. I know, this is the one you've been waiting for! Ripple with Justin Foster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterthinking/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinFoster LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fosterjustin Website: massivechange.co/ Subscribe to The Third Way: https://substack.com/@fosterthinking Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe Be a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond

What happens when a cowboy poet, brand provocateur, and unapologetic truth-teller decides to burn the old playbook and start over in Mexico City? Meet Justin Foster, the co-founder of Massive Change, an advisory firm helping non-profit leaders and entrepreneurs build just, equitable brands. Raised on a cattle ranch in Oregon, Justin brings a no-BS, straight-off-the-range approach to leadership and business. For more than two decades, he's delivered heretical brand coaching that cuts through the noise, distilling complex ideas into clear, high-impact messages that move people. A master of language, he's the author of four books and a prolific writer of essays, poetry, and songs. At his core, Justin is a poet, agitator, and strategist who fiercely challenges entrenched power and questions the narratives that uphold the status quo. After multiple setbacks, I finally had the chance to interview Justin for the Ripple Effect Podcast. Justin is overflowing with insight and soul, so this conversation is split into two parts. Part One explores his move, mindset, and rediscovery of purpose, while Part Two delves into building soul-led brands and leading with authenticity in a world obsessed with formulas. Tune in to The Ripple Effect Podcast and join me for a powerful, unfiltered conversation with Justin Foster: a living example of what it means to live with intention and fire. Ripple with Justin Foster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterthinking/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinFoster LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fosterjustin Website: massivechange.co/ Subscribe to The Third Way: https://substack.com/@fosterthinking Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe Be a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond To inquire about my availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com.