DunnWise Perspectives

Stand Up, Speak Up, Move Forward

Episode Summary In this episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris sits down with Andrea Davis, founder of The Resiliency Initiative, to explore what it truly means to stand your ground in the face of adversity. From graduating high school eight months pregnant to navigating toxic workplace environments and leading large-scale disaster recovery efforts, Andrea shares powerful stories of resilience, courage, and hard-earned wisdom. Together, they unpack what difficult experiences can teach us—about leadership, integrity, and staying true to who we are, even when it would be easier to shrink back. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * Why resilience isn’t something you plan—it’s something you build through experience * How to handle toxic environments without losing your identity * The importance of calling out what’s wrong—even when it’s uncomfortable * Why confidence can feel threatening to others—and how to navigate that * Practical ways to respond (not react) in difficult situations * How to advocate for yourself when your ideas are overlooked or taken * Why understanding your “why” is critical to getting through tough moments * The power of reflection over reaction * How humor—and even baking—can become a powerful coping tool Key Takeaways * You don’t have to accept unacceptable behavior. * Not every battle is worth fighting—but some absolutely are. * Clarity comes from reflection, not reaction. * If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one else will. * Even the worst experiences can become your greatest teachers. About Andrea Davis Andrea Davis is a nationally recognized leader in emergency management, known for bridging public and private sector silos to advance a unified, community-centered approach to disaster resilience. She has held senior roles across NGOs (American Red Cross, Save the Children), the federal government (FEMA, Federal Reserve), and Fortune 500 companies (Walmart, Disney), consistently leading global initiatives that promote risk-informed decision-making and inclusive engagement. As President and CEO of The Resiliency Initiative (TRI) and founder of The Resiliency Institute, a 501(c)(3), she continues to expand her impact through innovative programs and thought leadership, including her published professional development self-help cookbook, "I only Remember Grievances and Desserts..." which translates resilience principles into practical, actionable guidance for individuals and organizations. A decorated leader, Davis has been named a Top 10 Inspiring CEO by CIOViews, Emergency Manager of the Year by IAEM, and an inductee of the Women’s Hall of Fame for Emergency Management. Connect with Andrea * Info About the Book and Professional Development Workshops: https://www.grievancesndesserts.com/ [https://www.grievancesndesserts.com/] * My company's website: https://www.theresiliencyinitiative.com/ [https://www.theresiliencyinitiative.com/] * Resiliency YouTube series: https://www.youtube.com/@TheResiliencyInitiative [https://www.youtube.com/@TheResiliencyInitiative] * My nonprofit's website link: https://www.resiliencyinstitute.org/ [https://www.resiliencyinstitute.org/]; Connect with Doris * Email: doris@dunnwise.com * Website: www.dunnwise.com [http://www.dunnwise.com] * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn] * Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call [https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call] Want to Be a Guest? Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA [https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA]

The Strength You Don't See with Jason Rappoport

What does it take to keep going when no one sees the battles you’re fighting? In this conversation, Jason Rappoport shares the unseen side of resilience. From childhood bullying and addiction to loss, recovery, and a life-saving heart and kidney transplant, his story is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful. This episode is a reminder that strength is not always loud. The hardest fights are often the ones no one else can see. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The hidden impact of bullying and early health challenges * Addiction, loss, and what “rock bottom” really feels like * The turning point that led to long-term sobriety * Redefining what it means to be “sober” * Why vulnerability and connection are essential to healing Key Takeaways * You are not alone—even when it feels like you are * Rock bottom can be the beginning of real change * Lasting transformation starts from within * Vulnerability and humility are essential to growth * Connection and community can change everything About Jason Rappoport Jason Rappoport is a heart and kidney transplant survivor and a man in long-term recovery whose life has been shaped by resilience, loss, and transformation. With a 25-year career in high-performance sales and leadership, he understands what it means to operate under pressure, but his greatest lessons have come from the personal challenges he’s faced along the way. Connect with Jason * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin/in/rappoportsells [https://www.linkedin/in/rappoportsells] Connect with Doris * Email: doris@dunnwise.com * Website: www.dunnwise.com [http://www.dunnwise.com] * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn] * Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call [https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call] Want to Be a Guest? Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA [https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA]

Believing Your Way Into Greatness with Tremale Delano

In this powerful episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris sits down with Tremale Delano to explore a story of resilience, identity, and the unexpected paths that shape who we become. Tremale shares his journey from being passed through the foster care system in Los Angeles to building a successful career in construction and real estate management. Raised by a remarkable foster mother who believed deeply in the potential of every child, he was taught early on that his circumstances did not define his future. But what makes this story truly unforgettable is the belief that drove him for years—that his biological father was a successful attorney who wanted nothing to do with him. That belief fueled his ambition, his work ethic, and his desire to prove something bigger. Until he discovered… it wasn’t true. In this conversation, Tremale opens up about: * Growing up in foster care and the impact of unconditional belief * The role of forgiveness in shaping his mindset * How a powerful—but inaccurate—story drove his success * What happened when that story unraveled * Why life isn’t black and white—and how perspective changes everything * The mindset shift from “one path” to discovering new doors This episode is a reminder that even the stories we question—or outgrow—can still serve a purpose. And sometimes, the path we didn’t plan leads exactly where we’re meant to go. Key Takeaway * Your beginnings don’t determine your destination * Beliefs—true or not—can shape your trajectory * Mindset isn’t about avoiding setbacks, but reframing them * When one door closes, another may already be open—you just have to look * Life is less about certainty and more about perspective About Tremale Delano Tremale Delano is a storyteller who takes his audiences on a riveting journey of discovery, using cinematic storytelling and honest reflections to foster transformative thinking. His signature style has been shaped, in part, by competing in the annual Toastmasters International Speech Contest, where he most recently advanced as a semifinalist in the 2024 World Championship of Public Speaking. With a degree in architecture and nearly two decades of experience in commercial construction management, Tremale uses his unique builder’s mindset to bring conceptual ideas to life. Connect with Tremale * Email: tremalespeaks@gmail.com [tremalespeaks@gmail.com] * LinkedIn: Tremale Delano, LEED AP | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tremale-delano-leed-ap-60363a33/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PoignantEnigma/videos [https://www.youtube.com/user/PoignantEnigma/videos] Connect with Doris * Email: doris@dunnwise.com * Website: www.dunnwise.com [http://www.dunnwise.com] * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn] * Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call [https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call] Want to Be a Guest? Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA [https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA]

From Breaking Point to Purpose with Quintina Waller

Episode Summary What would you do if one moment pushed you to the edge—and then changed the entire direction of your life? In this powerful episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris Dunn sits down with Quintina Waller, founder of Hope Station, to share a story of resilience, faith, and purpose that began in one of the darkest moments of her life. After being denied basic assistance while caring for her newborn, Quintina found herself facing overwhelming emotional and financial stress—along with thoughts she had never experienced before. But in that moment, everything shifted. What followed was not just survival, but the creation of something that has now helped thousands of women in Middle Tennessee. Quintina shares how Hope Station was born, how she turned personal hardship into a mission, and what it really takes to keep going when the path is uncertain. In This Episode * The moment that sparked Hope Station * Living in the “gap” between income and stability * Mindset, faith, and moving forward * The importance of focus and storytelling * Asking for help without shame Key Takeaway You are not the only one going through what you're facing—and the very thing you're struggling with may be the thing you're meant to solve. About Quintina Waller Quintina Waller is the Founder and Executive Director of Hope Station, a nonprofit serving Rutherford and Davidson counties. Hope Station provides rent, utility, and mortgage assistance to single working mothers who fall into the gap—earning too much for government support, yet still struggling to make ends meet. Since its founding, Hope Station has helped thousands of women maintain stable housing and navigate life’s unexpected challenges. Connect with Quintina * Email: quintina@thehopestationtn.org [quintina@thehopestationtn.org] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quintina.sisney [https://www.facebook.com/quintina.sisney] * Website: https://www.hopestationtn.org/ [https://www.hopestationtn.org/] Connect with Doris * Email: doris@dunnwise.com * Website: www.dunnwise.com [http://www.dunnwise.com] * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn] * Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call [https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call] Want to Be a Guest? Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA [https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA]

When Everything Falls Apart, Look Up with Heidi Siefkas

Episode Summary What do you do when life changes in an instant? In this first episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Doris Dunn sits down with author and speaker Heidi Siefkas to talk about resilience, reinvention, and the power of mindset. After surviving a devastating accident, personal betrayal, and later the loss of the love of her life, Heidi shares how she learned to focus on what she could control—and rebuild from there. This is a conversation about real life, real loss, and real strength. In This Episode * Why mindset is the one thing you can always control * How to “triage” your life during overwhelming moments * The power of small steps when everything feels impossible * Why community matters more than going it alone * A simple daily practice to reset your perspective Key Takeaway You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take the next step—and keep going. About Heidi Siefkas Heidi Siefkas is an author, speaker, TEDx presenter, and host of The Look Up Mindset Podcast. She shares powerful stories of resilience and helps others navigate life’s toughest moments with strength and perspective. Connect with Heidi * Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HeidiSiefkas [https://linktr.ee/HeidiSiefkas] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiNSiefkas [https://www.facebook.com/HeidiNSiefkas] * Book link (Amazon): https://a.co/d/0qVuPEJ [https://a.co/d/0qVuPEJ] * Book link (Ingram Spark): https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=cHWYFwnzpYmpVKTNuTp2affxjOntwyBCn54vfefF8rl [https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=cHWYFwnzpYmpVKTNuTp2affxjOntwyBCn54vfefF8rl] Connect with Doris * Email: doris@dunnwise.com * Website: www.dunnwise.com [http://www.dunnwise.com] * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn] * Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call [https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call] Call to Action If this conversation resonated with you, don’t let it stop here. Take a moment to reflect on where you might be stuck—and what your next step could be. If you’re ready for more clarity and direction, I’d love to connect. Want to Be a Guest? Have a story of resilience, reinvention, or overcoming a challenge? I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Submit your story here: https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA [https://forms.gle/gJWpVcsZ5wTwfAgSA]