The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper

You may recognize Melissa Knowles from her time on The Morning Express with Robin Meade on HLN, or her many times anchoring for CNN. Or maybe, you remember her from the Live Free or Die Hard movie with Bruce Willis. She stole the show on that one, in my opinion. I have been a fan of Melissa Knowles for as long as she's been gracing our television and movie screens. Maybe it's her incredibly positive energy or her amazing sense of humor that first got my attention. But it is her good heart and her amazing soul which just radiates from her that kept me watching.  Melissa is one of those people you can't help but feel uplifted by. As she graces our Instagram and TikTok feeds (follow her @knowlesitall) feeds, she is a shining example of someone who goes out of her way to create a positive Ripple in the world. She's honest. She's direct. She's funny as Hell. And she will probably make you wish you had worked out just a little bit harder (Soul Cycle, can you just make my girl your spokesmodel already?) and had that extra something something of whatever she takes in the morning to vibrate at some high level. I am deeply honored she agreed to come on The Ripple Effect Podcast. I am a huge fan not because she's famous but because she is a good person and a Rippler through and through. I could not wait to have this conversation with her.  Learn more about Melissa and her work at melissaknowlestv.com Here's Melissa's official bio: Melissa Knowles is an exceptional entertainment news personality with an impressive two-decade career in live and scripted broadcasting. Most recently, Melissa was the entertainment news reporter for "Morning Express with Robin Meade" and a valuable contributor to "CNN New Day." Melissa's daily segment, 'What's Poppin', was a captivating dive into the latest breaking pop-culture news, featuring her distinctive conversational style, quick wit, and polished storytelling. Beyond her regular entertainment news duties, Melissa frequently anchored both 'Morning Express with Robin Meade' and 'Weekend Express with Susan Hendricks,' showcasing her versatility and expertise. Melissa is renowned for her vibrant personality, which shines through the screen, creating a genuine connection with her audience. Her career commenced as a reporter for Channel One News, laying the foundation for her remarkable journey. Prior to joining the HLN/CNN on-air team, she hosted the daily entertainment news and pop-culture show 'Trending Now' at Yahoo! News. Her work extended to major events like The Summer Olympic Games in London and Super Bowl XLVII for Yahoo! Sports, where she demonstrated her adeptness at delivering high-profile sports coverage. Notably, Melissa has also served as a correspondent for BET News, covering significant events such as the presidential inauguration in 2013 and the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, displaying her versatility in news reporting. Her sports reporting experience includes a stint at Fox Sports, where she covered the Detroit Pistons, and an anchor role for 'Big 12 This Week' on ESPNU. Additionally, she worked as a sideline reporter for the ESPN family of networks, offering in-depth coverage of college sports. Melissa's educational background is rooted in journalism, as she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Methodist University. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Melissa and her family have made Atlanta their home. Beyond her broadcasting career, Melissa, along with her husband Scott, is deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. Their dedication to non-profit educational initiatives is instrumental in closing the opportunity and achievement gap for economically disadvantaged children, underscoring her passion for making a positive impact beyond the screen. Melissa Knowles is a multi-talented, dedicated professional who continues to captivate audiences with her charisma and expertise.  

In this captivating episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, Steve Harper is joined by the amazing Lark Meadow, a co-founder and CEO from Aeon Blue Technologies. Lark shares her inspiring journey from the film industry to the forefront of climate technology. Lark shares her unexpected but incredible transition into the world of climate tech, fueled by her brother's (Doc) groundbreaking invention that transforms air and water into fuel. This technology promises a sustainable future and encapsulates the essence of innovation with its potential to revolutionize the energy sector. Lark's narrative is a testament to the power of curiosity and the willingness to step out of one's comfort zone. Her transition from film to climate tech was driven by a desire to contribute to something larger than herself, a theme that resonates deeply with entrepreneurs and changemakers. The conversation delves into the technical marvel of their venture, Aeon Blue, which focuses on creating clean fuel and carbon capture solutions, aiming for a 600% carbon-negative impact. Her team's approach is not just about innovation but also accessibility and affordability, aiming to integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructures and consumer habits. Lark's story is a compelling reminder of the impact each of us can have on addressing global challenges simply by Rippling our commitment and support to supporting and leveraging sustainable initiatives in our daily lives. Listeners are invited to explore Aeon Blue Technologies and the remarkable strides it's making in addressing climate change. Lark's journey is not just inspiring but a wake-up call for all of us to contribute to a sustainable future in whatever way we can. To learn more about Aeon Blue Technologies, go to their website - https://www.aeonbluetechnologies.com/ To connect with Lark go to LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/larkmeadow/

In this interview, Jenn Breisacher discusses her passion for transforming education and creating a positive impact in the classroom. She shares some of her inspiration behind leaving the classroom to start her own thing and create even bigger Ripples as CEO of her firm Student-Centered World. Jenn shares the importance of small changes in teaching methods and can completely transform a school one educator at a time. Jenn emphasizes the need for work-life balance for teachers and how separating the job from their personal life is essential to avoid burnout. She also shares the support of her family, especially her husband, Shawn, who clearly deals with blood better than she does (joke), plays a significant role in her journey as an education change-maker and entrepreneur. The conversation delves into Jenn's long-term vision of training teachers worldwide in student-centered teaching methods and her upcoming book, "The Classroom Dichotomy." She believes that the power of small changes in teaching can and will lead to a positive Ripple Effect in education. Jenn and Steve also discuss the challenges in education today, the importance of teacher buy-in, and the need for a ground-up approach in implementing new methods rather than a top-down mandate.  You can't help but be inspired by Jenn's dedication to improving education and inspiring teachers to create meaningful change in their classrooms. She is no doubt changing the world one teacher, one classroom, and one student at a time. Talk about a Ripple Effect! Learn more about Jenn and her company - https://www.studentcenteredworld.com/about/

The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper launches, COVID and all, today! So before the first episode of the new season, Steve has something to say. Who is Fenius?

In the year-end recap of the Ripple Effect podcast for 2023, host Steve Harper reflects on the incredible guests and experiences the show has offered. He expresses gratitude for the diverse lineup of guests, including American Ninja Warriors, TEDx speakers, and world-changing leaders. Steve shares how these guests, many of whom he didn't know before, willingly joined the podcast and praised his thoughtful and engaging interview style. He highlights the positive feedback he received and the lasting connections formed with guests. Steve also discusses personal growth and how the podcast has boosted his confidence, expanded his network, and inspired him to learn new skills. He acknowledges the challenges and decisions he made to streamline his content, make space for new opportunities, and focus on building a community called "The Pond." Steve emphasizes the importance of continued learning and the impact of the podcast on his life.

Kathleen Fors has always amazed me. Her deep desire to make a difference in the world has been apparent every since I met her at one of my 8 Minute Ripple events years ago. But how she and her husband are making a difference now in their own lives now will serve as a bit of wake-up call for us all to get off the couch and start doing something. For Kathleen, that's winning national tennis titles at the age of 75 - a sport she only recently picked up competitively. But that's not all she's into, as she'll share in this inspiring episode. The grit and determination Kathleen has will assuredly inspire you as it has me. She was such a hoot to have on the show and I am so very grateful to call her a friend! To learn more about Kathleen and the amazing work she does, check out her website at kathleenfors.com   

Fun story. We featured Christin Collin's amazing TED Talk for our Connect + Grow Ripple Coaching Membership recently. I selected her talk for our members because I was enamoured with Christin's energy and beautiful talk. So naturally I thought our members would benefit greatly from her message and decided to feature it for our monthly TED Ripple session. Boy was I right! Our members couldn't stop talking about how much they took from her talk. So much so, I thought she needed to know.  I decided to create a Ripple and reach out to her - just to let her know how much her message was appreciated by us all. What I found in receipt of my effort was an even warmer, more inviting Christin inviting me to engage and share more. Well, of course, we talked and I just knew she needed to be on the podcast. So I swung for the fences and invited her. And spoiler alert, she agreed! Christin is everything you'd ever hope to experience in someone who is out to change the world. Her personal struggles and mission to educate herself and her clients has resulted in a completely new career path for her and if you ask me, she's focusing on the work she was always destined to do.  Here's a little snippet (borrowed from her LinkedIn) that instantly tells you who Christin is at her core:  When we know ourselves, we unlock true happiness and freedom. And the best part - the answers for self-love and care lie inside of all of us. My purpose is to inspire an awakening within. The foundational insights of knowing and loving oneself have been shaped by my role as a health care executive and my personal healing experience. I hope they help you be your BEST YOU, fully connected with yourself and your universe. be. love. CC Learn more about Christin's work at: christincollins.com and be sure to watch her TEDx Talk

I am so honored to have my friend and storytelling mentor, Lyn Graft on this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast. Aside from Lyn being a New Mexico homie, he's one of the nicest, most genuine guys I know. And I am I thrilled for you to get to know him too! Here's a bit more about Lyn: Lyn Graft is the Chief Story Officer at Shār Snacks, founder of Storytelling for Entrepreneurs, and author of the best-selling book, Start With Story. He has filmed over 1,000 entrepreneurs including the founders of Starbucks, Whole Foods, TOMS, and LinkedIn. He co-created and produced CNBC’s first primetime TV series ‘American Made’ and has produced 1,200 videos for entities such as Entrepreneur Magazine, Microsoft, Dell, and Nestle. Lyn founded 8 companies and has raised $10.0M in venture funding and serves or has served on advisory boards for SXSW, Dell, and Empowering a Billion Women. Lyn has given over 50 keynote presentations on entrepreneurial and business storytelling at entities such as HP, Dell, EY, EO, SXSW, Wharton School of Business, and the University of Texas. He also is a mentor at the SKU Consumer Packaged Goods Accelerator, Founding Institute Startup Accelerator, and EBW Women Executive Accelerator. Lyn has a BA in electrical engineering and an MBA in marketing and entrepreneurship. For more information, go to LynGraft.com.  

Talk about a guy that has been through a lot and has come out on the other side so much better for it. G. Brian Benson is an amazing speaker, writer, producer, actor, Iron Man, cancer survivor, podcaster and one hell of a guitar player. Oh and did I mention, he might be one of the kindest, most soulful guys you could ever hope to meet.  I am so honored to have this amazing man join me for The Ripple Effect Podcast. I am in awe of all that he is done and all that he still strives to do. He's inspirational from the word go and I am forever in his debt to have this opportunity to sit down and learn from him. Here's a bit more about Brian: In 2008, Brian followed a hunch and left his family’s golf center business, stepping into the unknown. Ever since, inspiration has followed. Letting intuition be his guide, he began to step out of his comfort zone and unexpected paths and talents started to emerge such as writing, acting, and crafting stories. Tapping into this emerging creativity, Brian began his own hero’s journey of self-realization and growth, which continues to influence his empowering and inspiring books, films, and presentations. Learn more about Brian's great work at his website: https://www.gbrianbenson.com/  

In this engaging podcast interview, Steve Harper is excited to welcome his friend and colleague Patti DeNucci to The Ripple Effect Podcast. Patti, renowned for cultivating authentic networks and engaging in profound conversations, is currently promoting a new book and a newfound love of conversation. Topics you know Steve, can't help but get excited about! Patti provides insights into her background, hailing from a mining town in northern Minnesota, where she learned the art of conversation and connection from her gregarious father and grandfather. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in networking, regardless of one's personality type. Patti's first book, "The Intentional Networker," guides readers in effective, genuine networking, while her second book and recently released, "More Than Just Talk," serves as a valuable resource to enhance conversational skills and get past the unproductive small talk many of us find annoying.  Steve and Patti have a fun and engaging conversation that underscore the significance of gratitude, curiosity, and meaningful questions in building strong connections. Their anecdotes and strategies illuminate the path to authentic networking and the power of sincere conversations in both personal and professional spheres. This powerful episode is an essential episode to save to your library as you will want to reference it again and again. To learn more about Patti and her work, please check out her website intentionalnetworker.com, for additional resources and information on her books.