The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper

From the moment our conversation began, I knew this episode would be something special. Meghan Potter brings the kind of energy that lights a fire in your soul. If you’ve ever felt called to do more, lead with purpose, or rise to your potential but weren’t sure how to take that first step, this is the wake-up call you’ve been waiting for. Meghan Potter is a leadership development coach and founder of Lead Like a Lady Coaching, where she helps new and aspiring managers build the skills and confidence to lead thriving teams. With over a decade of experience in the tourism industry and a background in middle management, Meghan specializes in teaching foundational leadership skills like giving and receiving feedback, navigating difficult conversations, and supporting employee growth. She’s passionate about making leadership less overwhelming and more human, offering practical, bite-sized tools through her social platforms, digital templates, and eBooks. Her mission? To empower more women to step into leadership and enjoy the work they do. In this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, we conversed about what it really means to be a woman in leadership today: the challenges, the pressure, and yes, the superpower of staying calm when things get chaotic. We also discussed career growth, leading with empathy, and why you don't need a title to lead. This conversation is about more than just professional development. It’s about building momentum, creating positive Ripples in your community, and leading from the heart. Meghan proves that empowering women is more than a mission. It’s a movement. If you’re here for leadership coaching tips, inspiration for your career, or just need a reminder that you can absolutely do hard things with grace, go ahead and hit play. You’re going to fall in love with Meghan’s energy! Oh, and don’t forget to follow for more powerful content on women in leadership, personal growth, and the Ripple Effect of being unapologetically you.   You can also watch Meghan’s video interview here: https://youtu.be/HTpJWw7W9Aw   Ripple with Meghan Potter Instagram: @leadlikealady_ Join Meghan’s newsletter list by checking out the link in her IG bio.   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  Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond    #womeninleadership #leadershipcoaching #leadlikealady #calmisasuperpower #empoweredwomenempower #firsttimemanager #careergrowth #emotionalintelligence

Are you feeling uncertain about your next career move or overwhelmed by the state of the job market in 2025? In this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, we engage in a powerful conversation with Lisa Ramirez, Senior Vice President of Operations and Client Success at Indeed. In her role, she focuses on operational efficiency and effectiveness as well as building scalable systems and processes, helping employers meet their hiring goals. She joined Indeed in 2019 as Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer. Lisa shares her unique journey, offering firsthand insight into how Indeed is helping people get jobs through innovation, adaptability, and deep empathy for job seekers and employers. This conversation explores the evolving job market, from the rise of AI in hiring to the importance of client success and user experience. Lisa discusses how Indeed’s pay-for-performance model and commitment to customer impact are transforming how employers find talent and job seekers navigate opportunities. We also unpack how to lead with intention, the role of empathy in business, and what organizations can do to engage the younger and older workforce.  Lisa’s perspective offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Indeed’s mission and culture create Ripple Effects across industries and generations. So, if you’re ready to rethink what a successful career can look like and how to align your energy with meaningful work, this is the episode for you!    Connect with Lisa Ramirez on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-henken-ramirez-2b07167/ 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 Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond To inquire about Steve Harper's availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com. #lisaramirez #indeed #futureofwork #careeradvice #jobsearch2025 #clientsuccess #therippleeffectpodcast #steveharper #leadership #workwithpurpose #careerchange #womenintech

Angela Pappas, an expert in leadership development with a rich background at Tesla and Palo Alto Networks, shares transformative insights on the future of work. She emphasizes the power of emotional intelligence and servant leadership, arguing that the best leaders ask the right questions instead of having all the answers. Angela discusses building trust-based relationships, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and the importance of continuous development in navigating career transitions. Her passion for fostering an inclusive workplace shines through, making leadership a journey of empathy and connection.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Blair Channing Rae. She is a Navy veteran, social worker, writer, and social media influencer who is seriously lighting up the world one Ripple at a time. Today, we dive into Blair’s incredible journey from serving in the military to becoming a powerful voice for mental health awareness. She shares her experiences living with bipolar disorder, opening up about how vulnerability and honesty have fueled her mission to connect, inspire, and empower others. Blair’s story is a beautiful example of how authentic connections can happen across social media platforms like Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, and beyond. From her first posts that caught my eye to the incredible spark of friendship that grew across the miles, Blair has shown what The Ripple Effect really means. It is through creating positivity, building real community, and showing up with light even on the hardest days. She has been a lifestyle influencer since 2023, and her content focuses on mental health, identity, pop culture, and relationships. She is also currently working on a book of essays entitled Being Social: The Psychology of Social Media. If you’ve ever wondered how a mental health advocate and a social media influencer could roll all that into one unstoppable force, Blair Channing Rae is your answer. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this conversation about resilience, friendship, purpose, and the power of a single Ripple to change lives. Listen until the end and Ripple On!!!   Ripple with Blair Channing Rae: @iwritergirl  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 Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe   To inquire about Steve's availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com.   #therippleeffectpodcast #steveharper #blairchanningrae #mentalhealthawareness #veteranvoices #positivevibes #bipolardisorderawareness #bipolardisorder #navy

Ready to level up your brand and tap into the future of marketing? Natalie Micale is a dynamic founder who goes all in—whether leading her company, mentoring entrepreneurs, or redefining what it means to build a personal brand in the digital age. A proud Latina entrepreneur, Natalie started her career as a TV anchor and reporter in the Midwest, where she honed her ability to craft compelling narratives that captivate audiences. Her transition from television to the agency world was a strategic one. While serving as Head of Business Development at Evol Empire Creative, she gained a deep understanding of the ROI companies demand from their branding and marketing efforts. That experience laid the foundation for Oh Hello Agency, a creative powerhouse she built from the ground up. What started as a brand innovation lab quickly became a full-scale creative firm, crafting high-impact brand strategies for clients across industries. Known for her bold, cutthroat approach to brand growth and her unwavering commitment to authenticity, Natalie has helped countless businesses and entrepreneurs elevate their influence through a multimedia-first approach. In 2025, Oh Hello Agency was acquired by The Big Smoke Media Group, an Australian agency, solidifying Natalie’s reputation as a visionary in the branding and media landscape. Natalie discussed what’s next for creative agencies, the rise of human-centric branding, and how AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini transform content creation and marketing strategy. Whether you’re working in a creative agency or just AI-curious, listen up! She also shares real talk on imposter syndrome, entrepreneurial mindset, and how content creation (3–4 posts a week) builds trust and visibility. If you’re all about future-forward branding, this is a must-watch for crushing the marketing trends of 2025 and beyond. Hit play and get inspired! ____________________________________________  Follow Natalie on Instagram: @nataliemicale Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliemicale/ Visit Oh Hello's website: https://oh-hello.co ____________________________________________  Ripple with me! Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com    #therippleeffect #steveharper #nataliemicale #ohhelloagency #brandingstrategy #aiinmarketing #natalieMicale #contentcreationtips #personaldevelopment #marketingtrends2025 #digitalbranding #womeninentrepreneurship #chatgptforbusiness #femaleleaders #futureofbranding

What happens after winning a Super Bowl and two national championships? Former Nebraska football star Tony Veland shares his journey from the field to the boardroom as the Director of Development for the University of Nebraska Foundation. For Tony, it doesn’t matter whether he’s in the sports arena or the boundless field of life. He is strongly committed to encouraging, imparting knowledge, and helping in any way he can. For today’s episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, Tony opens up about transitioning from a football athlete to a community leader. He also discusses why STEM education and engineering careers are crucial for the future, how companies must adapt to workforce development, and the value of mentorship and teamwork. Tony’s passion for giving back is stronger than ever as he continues to mentor young athletes and professionals to achieve their dreams. He also serves on numerous nonprofit boards, building positive lasting change for those in the community. Bringing the discipline and lessons of sports to life, Tony is 100% an inspiring force and a role model for all! This interview will surely leave an indelible mark on whoever gets to hear Tony’s message and legacy. ____________________________________________ 💧Ripple with Tony Veland LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tony-veland-6303b5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv_thirty_two/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.veland.9/ ____________________________________________ 💧 Ripple with me! Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com 💧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. #therippleeffect #steveharper #tonyveland #sports #football #life #superbowl #engineering #lifechanging #inspiringstories

Want to take your leadership to the next level? Today’s episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast will help you uncover realizations and put them into action. This episode is the result of a Ripple with my long-time friend, Anne Grady, who introduced me to the amazing Jennifer Hutcheson, our special guest today. Like me, Jennifer Hutcheson is deeply fascinated with human behavior and connections, which made us get along quickly!  Jennifer Hutcheson is an executive and leadership coach with a background in industrial and organizational psychology. She shares her incredible journey from a 26-year career at Dell Technologies as an executive coach to a full-time entrepreneur. Jennifer explains why building strong networks is crucial, how executive coaching transforms leaders, and how understanding the “why” behind coaching makes all the difference.  We also touched on leadership challenges, the power of curiosity, and how data-driven coaching helps leaders grow. So, if you’re an aspiring leader, entrepreneur, or coach, this episode is full of insights you can’t afford to miss. Know what it really takes to lead with IMPACT. Hit play now and take the next step in your leadership journey! ____________________________________________ For those curious about Jennifer’s work, click these links to know more.  Connect with Jennifer Hutcheson on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenniferhutcheson Visit Jennifer's website: jenniferhutcheson.com ____________________________________________ If you found this channel helpful, please like, comment, and subscribe for more content like this! 💧 Ripple with me! Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com 💧Be a Patron: patreon.com/SteveHarper 💧 Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond #therippleeffectpodcast #therippleeffect #humanconnections #humanbehavior #psychology #careergrowth #leadership #executivecoaching #corporatecoaching #organizationalladder 

What if I tell you the secret to success is getting more NOs instead of YESes? It’s not about avoiding rejection but embracing it. I’m telling you, you will learn from the best! In this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, we sit down with Andrea Waltz, an engaging speaker, business consultant, Founder of Courage Crafters Inc., and co-author of the groundbreaking book Go For No! Together with Richard Fenton, Andrea Waltz solidified the core philosophy of Go For No! Go for No! has sold over 500,000 copies and ranked in Amazon’s top 50 sales books for over 14 years. More good news? The much-awaited second installment of this book, Go For No! The Sequel will be released soon. Tune in to The Ripple Effect Podcast as we discuss the story and inspiration behind the Go For No! book and its philosophy, how embracing the “no” mentality redefined businesses, how it helped sales professionals of all levels, and the areas of life in which you can apply this idea. We will uncover the power of rejection and why failing more leads to winning bigger. Are you ready to dive deep into it? ____________________________________________  Learn more about Go For No!: goforno.com Connect with Andrea Waltz: linkedin.com/in/goforno ____________________________________________  Did you find this helpful? Please like and subscribe for more insightful interviews with experts, speakers, and leaders. 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 Join the ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond. It's FREE: https://ripplecentral.com/pond To inquire about Steve’s availability for conference keynotes, corporate training or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com. #therippleeffect #steveharper #andreawaltz #goforno #rejection #sayingno #refusal #businesspsychology #psychology #sales #business #businessexpert #businesstips #coach #speaker

Ever wonder how you can integrate the latest technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), into the job search process? Think no more. Our special guest for The Ripple Effect Podcast, career coach Chloe Spillane, has just launched her groundbreaking tools, Chloe AI and Resume Matcher. What are these tools, and how can you use them? Chloe AI is a career coach (aka Chloe) in your pocket, specifically developed to help you with all things career — from resume-building to interview practices; you can rely on Chloe AI! Chloe AI is a GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) type of artificial intelligence. If you’re familiar with ChatGPT, you will have no problem using or navigating this tool. Listen to Chloe Spillane as she discusses how to use Chloe AI in ways you can’t imagine.  Try Chloe AI here: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67409583ab448191a794c43a96eb8bcd-chloe-ai-career-coach-customgpt With years of experience as a career coach, Chloe Spillane understands the hardships of finding a new job — one of which is doom-scrolling through infinite job postings to see which one best fits you. That’s why Chloe built the Resume Matcher.  Resume Matcher analyzes the content of your resume, runs through the infinite data of open job postings, and provides you with a list of jobs you’ll likely get hired in. You will get a detailed spreadsheet containing information such as your rank in the listed job, salaries, necessary links, and more helpful details to simplify your job search! Try Resume Matcher here: https://statuesque-eclair-638b2d.netlify.app Chloe AI and the Resume Matcher are free as of this episode’s release. Don’t miss the chance to try them! Watch the full video for instructions on how to start with Chloe AI and the Resume Matcher.  You can also reach out to Chloe Spillane via her website and send her your feedback: https://www.chloecareers.com   #TheRippleEffect #TheRippleEffectPodcast #CareerSearch #CareerTalk #JobSearch #OpenforWork #JobOpportunities #CareerGuidance #CareerTools

Let’s end Heart Month with an empowering story from a stroke survivor, former beauty queen, principal of School District U-46, fantabulous mom and wife, and a lightning bolt of energy and positivity — Natalie Poli. Natalie is living her dream — basking in the spotlight and cheers of the crowd, confidently sharing her grace and talent as a Chicago Bulls dancer. She cared for her health and stayed physically active, yet something unexpected changed her life. She was only 29 when she suffered from a stroke. Luckily, Natalie got immediate medical help when a police officer recognized the symptoms of stroke when he got into Natalie’s home. Natalie’s road to recovery from her heart surgery has been challenging. It all happened while she was pursuing a Master’s Degree and caring for her nine-week-old and two-year-old children. This experience awakened something inside Natalie. She made it her life’s purpose to educate, support, and inspire stroke survivors, their families, healthcare professionals, and organizations. She became the voice that tells you to listen to your body. She became the voice that created urgency for taking actionable steps to save lives.  Being crowned Mrs. Illinois and Mrs. Midwest International also gave Natalie a platform for heart health and stroke advocacy. Natalie further expanded her reach when she started a podcast called Stroke of Insight, where she interviewed individuals, families of survivors, and organizations to share their experiences and knowledge about the common enemy — stroke.  You will undeniably learn and realize a lot from this episode. So tune in to The Ripple Effect Podcast and prepare to get struck by Natalie’s contagious confidence, charm, and resilience.  This video will leave you thinking, “If she can, I can.” ____________________________________________  If you suffered from stroke and other heart-related issues, know you’re not alone in the journey to recovery. As mentioned by Natalie Poli in this video, you can reach out to these organizations for support:  American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/ Mended Hearts International: https://mendedhearts.org  Little Hearts: https://www.littlehearts.org If you’re a medical professional who is passionate about heart health awareness, be a part of the PICS Society or The Pediatric & Congenital Interventional Cardiovascular Society: https://www.picsymposium.com Listen to Natalie’s Podcast called Stroke of Insight: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ztgq0MpG0L1CllmNnSljm?si=6eb5a70861b64786   #TheRippleEffectPodcast #SteveHarper #NataliePoli #HeartHealth #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeSurvivorJourney #HealthandWellness #HeartMonth