The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper

Spend five minutes with Carrie Vanston and you'll see someone who is truly committed to helping bring the best out of you. She's kind, personable, and sweet as the smoothest glass of Texas sweet tea you've ever had. But don't let that fool you. She is relentless too! But in a good way. Her commitment to helping leaders find that next gear and to bring a better version of themselves to the surface is fierce. She won't let you get away with not putting in the work let alone living on the same old tired excuses. Carrie's belief is the real leader the world needs is still inside of you, and she's on a mission to bring it out. Her leadership mindset approach is changing the way companies are run and helping leaders become something they never thought possibe. Here's a bit more about Carrie: Carrie's articles have appeared in the Austin Business Journal, Texas CEO Magazine, and the Austin's National Speakers Association Anthology. Her article, "3 Ways to Energize Your Mindset After a Win," appeared in the Texas CEO Magazine in June 2023 and an earlier article "Five Keys to an Engaged and Innovative Culture" was one of the magazine's top 5 most read articles of the year.  She is a popular speaker on being a more self-aware, connected, and visionary leader and has made presentations around the world including the Product Management Institute, VMware, Unilever International, Remax, IEEE, University of Texas SAGE Program, National Association of Health Care Recruiters​, Morgan Stanley, Laurea University, Finland, Product Camp, Texas Women's Chamber, and many others. Carrie has a long history of helping others be more innovative, successful, and sustainable. During her years at Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI), she co-authored the award-winning book, MiniTrends: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends. The book, as well as workshops and conferences she directed, focused on the importance of a growth-oriented mindset for success and sustainability.​ She is presently a Board Member at TFI.   She later led Corporate Cultures That Rock, which helped organizations improve their culture and engagement.  Carrie founded the Austin/San Antonio Chapter of Association of Corporate Growth's ACG C-Suite Roundtable and Mastermind and directed it for a year and a half. She has been the ACG Ambassadors Officer since 2018. She was a 2022 Honoree for Austin Business Journal's Women in Business and is an Advisor for the non-profit, Art 84.  She was formerly a National Adviser and Austin Board Member of the Academy of Culture Ambassadors.  Carrie is an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), iPEC Certified Professional Executive Coach (CPC), Accredited ICF Coach (ACC), and a Professional Speaker at the National Speaker Association.  On the personal side, Carrie loves to dance, travel, and spend time with her two amazing teenage sons.

Nicole Casanova understands what it takes to connect, engage and create Ripples of immeasurable value. She is a kind, thoughtful soul that just so happens to be one amazing, kick-ass entrepreneur! This episode was so much fun to record because Nicole is such a warm, inviting individual. Her approach to life and every venture she has ever undertaken is a lesson in diligence, following your heart and your gut. She is one incredible lady and I am so grateful to call her a friend. Here's a bit more about Nicole: Nicole Casanova, a visionary leader at the intersection of the sacred and the innovative, invites you to journey with her towards freedom and sovereignty. With a trailblazing career in media, advertising, and tech, Nicole has empowered female founders, fostering over $200M in growth. But her true wealth lies in the relationships she's nurtured with exceptional individuals worldwide.     Through her ventures, including The Conspiracy, a community leveraging relationships for good, they tap into the transformative power of unity and connection. Nicole's "Last Casanova's Love Letters" chronicle her personal journey of radical self-love, reflecting her ability to manifest magic through words.    She believes in the infinite potential of every individual's unique expression. Nicole is here not just as a mirror of your divinity, but as a catalyst for your empowerment. Let's shift the game, power the people, and breathe together.    Learn more about her at: https://bio.site/Nicolecasanova

Ann Fry is a very special person to me, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to interview her for the show. She is in the fight of her life yet still shows all the wit and wisdom I've come to admire and love all these years. Battling early-onset dementia, Ann has recently had to retire from the work she has loved for so many years. But that spark she is so known for is still there. Her deep desire to make a difference and continue pushing you to be the best version of yourself is very evident and is on full display during our time together. Ann and I met during my early days of consulting and coaching. She sized me up pretty quickly recognizing I was lacking confidence and struggling to believe I had anything worthwhile to share with the world. She and I met for the first time outside an event I had just spoken at, and she sensed I had more to give. There was more inside my message than I was actually sharing due to my insecurity. Ann being Ann, couldn't let that stand. She took me aside and though expressed gratitude for my message, told me she could tell I was not being my full self up on stage. I had more to give and the world needed to see it. They longed to see it. This gave me so much confidence and a new perspective to stop trying to be something I was not. If I were going to make a difference, well, I needed to be me and let the chips fall where they will. Her advice and support gave me so much confidence and I was truly grateful for her willingness to be open and honest with me. She was a gift to me as she has been to so many of her students, clients, and friends. Ann is retired, but you can still follow her at: facebook.com/ann.fry.94, and you can still purchase one of several books she has authored by contacting her through Facebook.

Sandy Stewart is someone that has always impressed me. We met shortly after the release of my book and we just clicked. We had similar views on what it takes to be a strong leader, build a successful company and build something more than just about the money. I admire her greatly because she's a no-nonsense kind of person who will tell like it is. She probably gets that from her West Texas upbringing. She's a true badass and someone I deeply admire. Even more, after hearing the trials and tribulations she's gone through these past few years. To see her confident, focused, and ready to create bigger and bigger Ripples is inspiring. And let's just be honest, you can't help but love that sweet southern twang and her laser focus drive to change the world. It's intoxicating. Here's a bit about Sandy and her latest venture: Sandy Stewart is the creator and founder of Think Big, an outsourced sustainability support and training program for small- and mid-sized businesses. Her twenty-two-year career helping SMBs and SMEs grow value now has an added focus on what’s known as the triple bottom line (people, planet, and profits). She believes that companies that care for their people, their customers, and their community have a duty to run a profitable, thriving business. She’s a speaker, trainer, author, social impact strategist, carbon footprint specialist, value growth expert, and her current volunteer work includes Past President & VP/Treasurer for Tapestry Dance in Austin, TX and founder & Membership Chair for NAWBO Austin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-stewart-9534a/   https://www.instagram.com/thinkbigprogram/  www.thinkbigimpact.com  

"I've reached a point in my life, where there are a lot more yesterdays than there are tomorrows." - Bruce Springsteen Prepare to be captivated by Steve Harper's heartfelt musings in this new episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast. Drawing inspiration from some amazing nuggets of wisdom Steve uncovered from some of his recent guests such as Ben Dennis, Carol Costello, Maggi Thorne has him thinking about his very own legacy. Couple that with a popular TikTok and Instagram trend about writing your own obituary, well, you know Steve, he's gonna have a lot to say about that. This becomes too good not to have a solo episode with The Ripple Man himself! Steve implores listeners to break free from the monotony of life and dare to dream bigger - and want a whole lot more. With an engaging mix of humor, introspection, and valuable life lessons, Steve encourages listeners to ask better questions, challenge societal expectations, and seize every moment to live a more authentic and fulfilling life. Whether you're seeking inspiration, personal growth, or a fresh perspective on life, this episode will leave you with a renewed sense of purpose and a burning desire to create a life that truly matters. Check out these past few episodes for more: Ben Dennis - https://youtu.be/--aQbMhkYM4 Carol Costello - https://youtu.be/LALQWqNqRjo Maggi Thorne - https://youtu.be/kdiiLYfKa1o  

The most amazing connections come from some of the least expected opportunities we experience in life. Just like the unlikely heroes we read about in stories and mythology, the impossible becomes possible.  Such was the random comment I made one day to my friend Ted Rubin (Season 8, Episode 5), as he shared some of his musings about a ski vacation he was having with a friend he met by chance some thirty years earlier on Instagram. These two friends were clearly having a blast and I was enjoying the snippets of check-ins being posted by Ted about their ski trip together. One of these posts caught my attention, specifically when Ted recorded a video coming down into the lodge to find his friend. He said something like, "There's Ben, snuggled away in the corner, thinking and writing again."  There was something about the intensity of his friend sitting there in the corner in that video that really caught my attention. It was as if he spoke to me at that moment. So, of course, I asked what he was writing to which Ted replied, "Who knows but with Ben, it's sure to be interesting. You'd like Ben, he's a deep thinker." Ted was right. I not only like Ben Dennis, but I have become fascinated with how this man thinks, tells a story and looks at the world and his place in it. He has a calming, almost meditative spirit about him that washes over you. I found myself wishing our conversation could go on forever because he just has a way that inspires me. I know if you listen to this whole podcast, he will do the same for you as well. A little more about Ben: Ben is a mythologist and writer cultivating an ongoing life-long love of story, myth, and psychology. He is passionately involved in ritual, rites of passage, psychodrama, and storytelling. His mythic interests include Greek mythology, Native American story, European Fairy tales, and Hindu epic literature. He has a wide variety of experience having worked in diverse fields such as commercial fishing, construction, and Investment Banking, and a veteran of the U. S. Air Force. Ben is a retired 28-year veteran Fire Fighter in Seattle where he served as a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team. Ben has been adjunct faculty at Antioch University Seattle and holds his PhD in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Ben has participated in and led a variety of workshops and conferences. He has assisted and taught at the Minnesota Men’s Conference as a featured Storyteller since 2013. He has also been a featured storyteller and teacher with Veteran’s groups dedicated to addressing “the emotional, moral, and spiritual wounds of veterans, their families and communities.” Over the past 20-years Ben has facilitated rites of passage events for young men, mentored in the workplace and in his community, and offers storytelling and drum making classes. “With a life-long fascination in literature, myth, and story I recognize that teaching is a vital part of individual growth, community support, resiliency, and understanding the community we live in. I believe it is crucial to engage the imagination in startling and fresh ways. We each have survived and thrived countless generations through oral tradition, self-reliance, dedication to community, and the archetypal desire to share what we have learned with future generations. My intention is to learn and teach in whatever way I am able.”   

Carol Costello is one the most authentic and trusted journalists in the modern era. Watching her conduct an interview is like a masterclass in how it should be done. Her warm and inviting presence always made her guests comfortable and willing, to tell the truth - no matter how difficult or sensitive the topic happens to be. I swear, she is either Wonder Woman in disguise or was gifted her very own "Lasso of Truth" by her. She's that good at getting real, truthful answers from whomever she might be interviewing. I've been a huge fan of Carol's for as long as I remember, and I still can't believe she said yes to come onto the show. She tells it like it is, and honestly, in a way we all need to hear it. Gosh, how I miss seeing her on television every day.  But she's creating even bigger RIpples today. Helping the next generation of journalists learn to think for themselves, question everything and pursue the facts, not simply strive for the likes, the views, or the notoriety. Why? Because journalists should never be part of the story. The good ones know how to tell it so that we understand and, hopefully, learn from it. To that end, I am grateful to know people like Carol are out there shaping the hearts and minds of our future journalists. Carol's Bio:   Carol Costello is an award-winning journalist and former anchor and correspondent at CNN and HLN. Her distinguished career as a local, regional, and national broadcaster spans three decades, covering a broad range of world leaders, events, and politics. Carol serves as Special Advisor and Ambassador at LMU and teaches a broadcast journalism course in LMU’s journalism program. She also hosts “Carol Costello Presents: Blind Rage,” a true-crime serial podcast and “I Hate Your Generation,” a podcast series exploring the generational divide. In 2019, Carol created Project Citizen, a special program at LMU that provides resources and mentorship for student journalists. Project Citizen’s core mission is to discover ways to ease the partisan divide in our country. Carol also serves on the journalism professional advisory board at Kent State University in Ohio and is a mentor to its journalism students. In 2001, Carol joined CNN as an anchor on “Headline News.” From 2002 to 2009, she anchored “Daybreak,” the network’s former early morning news program. And from 2012 to 2018 she anchored “Newsroom.” She also sub- anchored and was a political reporter for “The Situation Room.” Carol contributed to CNN.com Opinion from 2015-2017. In 2018, she hosted HLN's Across America with Carol Costello. At CNN, Carol was at the forefront of some of the world’s most significant stories. She was part of CNN's Peabody Award-winning coverage of the Gulf Oil Spill, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2008 presidential election. She also reported on Pope Francis’ visit to the United States, the Boston Marathon bombing, the last space shuttle launch, the Ohio midterm elections, the shooting at Virginia Tech, the tsunami disaster in South Asia, the Russian school hostage crisis, and Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. Carol interviewed four former U.S. presidents: President Jimmy Carter, President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush, and President Bill Clinton; and she covered five presidential inaugurations as well as the 1992, 2008, 2012 and 2016 presidential elections. Before joining CNN, Carol worked at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., where she was an anchor and investigative reporter for five years. Prior to that, she spent three years at WBAL-TV in Baltimore. She began her career as a weekend anchor and reporter for WAKR-TV in Akron, Ohio, then moved to WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio, to serve as the station's principal weeknight anchor. Costello earned a degree in journalism from Kent State University in Ohio. Carol's reporting has been honored numerous times, including a 1991 Emmy Award for a special on crack and cocaine, a UPI award, and several Associated Press awards. She received an Emmy nomination in 1993, then again in 2008 for outstanding coverage of a breaking news story after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. In 2009, she received an individual Emmy nomination for Outstanding Morning Program. Carol has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Magazine, Columbus Monthly, Akron Beacon Journal, and the Canton Repository.

Maggi Thorne's Journey as an Athlete, Motivational Speaker, and American Ninja Warrior In this captivating episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, special guest Maggi Thorne, a remarkable athlete, motivational speaker, and American Ninja Warrior competitor, takes center stage. Maggi's incredible journey, marked by triumphs and overcoming adversity, inspires listeners as she shares her insights on mental resilience and personal growth. Maggi's path to success was not traditional. From growing up in a low-income family and late initiation into sports, she defied the odds to become the number one runner in California during high school. This achievement led her to earn a full scholarship to compete in track at Nebraska. However, personal tragedies struck when she lost her brother and best friend, prompting a powerful realization that her calling was to build and empower others. With unwavering determination, Maggi embraced new challenges and opportunities, including becoming a top competitor on NBC's American Ninja Warrior. She emphasizes the significance of failure as a catalyst for growth, urging individuals to reframe setbacks and view them as valuable learning experiences. Maggi's journey showcases the power of visualization, mindset shifts, and self-compassion in overcoming obstacles and unleashing one's full potential. Key Takeaways: Embracing Failure and Growth: Maggi Thorne's personal experiences highlight the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to personal growth. Individuals can develop resilience and continue pushing forward by reframing setbacks as learning opportunities. The Power of Mindset and Visualization: Maggi emphasizes the significance of adopting a growth-oriented mindset and harnessing the power of visualization techniques. These practices help individuals overcome challenges and tap into their full potential. Building Mental Resilience: Maggi's journey on American Ninja Warrior underscores the critical role of mental resilience in achieving success. Individuals can thrive and make a lasting impact in their pursuits by cultivating self-compassion, embracing challenges, and maintaining an adaptable mindset. Maggi Thorne's story is a testament to the transformative power of mental resilience, inspiring listeners to believe in their potential and strive for greatness in their chosen endeavors. Check out maggithorne.com and follow her on Instagram @nvr_gvup  

In this episode of The Ripple Effect podcast, hosted by Steve Harper, he shares his personal journey and recent successes, expressing excitement for upcoming opportunities. Steve discusses his commitment to supporting people in career transitions and creating a women-focused group within his community. He reflects on his growth as an interviewer and encourages listeners to overcome self-doubt and ask for what they want. Throughout the episode, Steve emphasizes the power of taking risks, believing in oneself, and creating positive ripples in personal and professional networks. Key takeaways: Take chances and ask for what you want: Steve's personal experiences show that reaching out to others, even those who may seem unattainable, can lead to surprising opportunities and meaningful connections. Overcome self-doubt and step out of your comfort zone: Steve admits to initial hesitations and lack of confidence, but by pushing through fear and taking action, he has been able to achieve success. Believe in your potential and value: Steve emphasizes that everyone has something valuable to offer, and it's essential to recognize your worth when pursuing goals or building relationships. Create positive ripples: Steve invites listeners to engage with his community, subscribe to his newsletter, and spread the message of creating positive impact. By doing so, listeners can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

Linda is an amazing entrepreneur, and I am so grateful to call her a friend. She is incredibly smart, dedicated, and committed to changing how corporations find, attract, and retain talent. Her company TalentGuard is changing the game regarding workforce skills management. Despite their success, Linda continues to grind every day to continue to be a thought leader in how AI can develop the best talent for an organization. She and her team are breaking new ground with their software and approach, and I, for one, am so grateful she shared a little bit of their approach and some secrets to her entrepreneurial success. Here's a little bit more about Linda: Linda is the Founder and CEO, TalentGuard • Linda is the Founder and CEO of TalentGuard, a leading Workforce Skills Management Platform that enables organizations to meet business and workforce demands for reskilling, talent mobility and personalized development. • Before TalentGuard, she founded a successful career development franchise, The Ginac Group, serving clients across the U.S. and Canada. Prior to this, Linda was Vice President of Product Strategy at Cofiniti, where she was instrumental in pioneering Cofiniti’s global entry into collaborative financial planning using cloud-based technology and helping to prepare the company for a successful exit to H&R Block.  • Linda also served as marketing executive at pcOrder collaborating with the team that led the company from a start-up to a NASDAQ-listed public corporation. In prior leadership roles, Linda served as Vice President of Marketing at EPSIAA, where she led global expansion of the brand through acquisition by Fiserv, Vice President of Business Development at Computer People and a few roles in marketing at Digital Equipment Corporation. • Linda is based in Austin, TX, USA, and has a Master’s Degree in Career Development from John F. Kennedy University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Norwich University Follow Linda on Instagram @lindaginac and be sure to check out her company at talentguard.com