I Spark Change Podcast

Ep#181: Building Adaptability, Presence, and Stronger Teams w/ Beth Sanchez

In this episode, Rick shares his interview with Beth Sanchez, founder and CEO of Impactful Improv, a company that helps professionals and teams strengthen communication, collaboration, and adaptive thinking through improv-inspired learning. Beth shares how her background in business and leadership led her to discover improv as a powerful tool for skill-building while earning her MBA at Duke University. She explains how improv helps people become better listeners, think on their feet, embrace uncertainty, and build authentic human connection—especially in today’s fast-paced, virtual work environments. Through stories from her journey and client work, Beth highlights why presence, play, and curiosity are essential for effective leadership and meaningful teamwork. This episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎙🚀  We will discuss the following: ⭐️ Improv builds essential business skills like listening, adaptability, and collaboration. ⭐️ Presence and human connection drive stronger communication in teams. ⭐️ Learning through play helps ideas stick and strengthens engagement. ⭐️ Great leaders create trust by embracing uncertainty and curiosity. ⭐️ Small moments of connection can create powerful ripple effects. & more... More information about Elizabeth: Website: www.impactfulimprov.com [https://www.impactfulimprov.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-beth-sanchez/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-beth-sanchez/] Grab your gift and Join our group of thousands from all across the globe who want to spread positive change. 25 TRANSFORMATIONAL TIPS TO A BETTER YOU  ➡️ https://www.isparkchange.com/join [https://www.isparkchange.com/join] Become a Patron today here 👉 https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]  Rick will bring you relevant and practical episodes each week, empowering you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring person who learned how to turn their struggles into strengths or a message to help you unlock your inner gifts to share with the world. 🌎👇🏽 IG: @i_spark_change [https://www.instagram.com/i_spark_change/] & @rickornelas [https://www.instagram.com/rickornelas/] FB: Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/isparkchange] Twitter: @isparkchange [https://twitter.com/isparkchange] YTB: @i_spark_change [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxszC0wtIG4XxUOiFrHUqQ] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]

Ep#180: Global Education and Human Connection w/ Scott Marshall

In this episode, Rick shares his interview with Scott Marshall, President & CEO of the Institute for Shipboard Education and host of the As Unexpected Podcast. Scott reflects on how a formative study abroad experience in Japan sparked his lifelong commitment to global education and cross-cultural understanding. He shares his journey from academia to leading Semester at Sea, the world’s leading comparative study abroad program, and explains how immersive travel builds empathy, challenges assumptions, and deepens human connection. Together, they explore leadership, purpose, and why experiencing the world firsthand is more important than ever in an increasingly divided and digital age. This episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎙🚀  We will discuss the following: ⭐️ Global education builds empathy by exposing students to diverse cultures and perspectives. ⭐️ Experiential learning creates deeper understanding than classroom study alone. ⭐️ Human connection across borders reduces fear, bias, and misinformation. ⭐️ Purpose-driven leadership starts with curiosity, humility, and service. ⭐️ Travel and cultural immersion help shape more informed, compassionate global citizens. & more... More information about Scott: Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-marshall-b250305/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-marshall-b250305/] Semester at Sea YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9BX34qeu4MTcQnAkeJokYg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9BX34qeu4MTcQnAkeJokYg] Semester at Sea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/semester-at-sea-ise/ [https://www.linkedin.com/school/semester-at-sea-ise/] Semester at Sea Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semesteratsea/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/semesteratsea/?hl=en] As Unexpected Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@asunexpectedpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@asunexpectedpodcast]   Grab your gift and Join our group of thousands from all across the globe who want to spread positive change. 25 TRANSFORMATIONAL TIPS TO A BETTER YOU  ➡️ https://www.isparkchange.com/join [https://www.isparkchange.com/join] Become a Patron today here 👉 https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]  Rick will bring you relevant and practical episodes each week, empowering you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring person who learned how to turn their struggles into strengths or a message to help you unlock your inner gifts to share with the world. 🌎👇🏽 IG: @i_spark_change [https://www.instagram.com/i_spark_change/] & @rickornelas [https://www.instagram.com/rickornelas/] FB: Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/isparkchange] Twitter: @isparkchange [https://twitter.com/isparkchange] YTB: @i_spark_change [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxszC0wtIG4XxUOiFrHUqQ] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]

Ep#179: Ending Child Trafficking w/ Erin Williamson

In this episode, Rick shares his interview with Erin Williamson, Chief Programs & Strategy Officer at Love146, an organization dedicated to ending child trafficking and exploitation. Erin shares her powerful journey from working with unhoused children in Kenya to leading national prevention and survivor care programs across the United States. She explains how trauma-informed, relationship-based care can help young survivors heal, reclaim their identity, and build a future beyond exploitation. Erin also discusses the realities of child trafficking in the U.S., the importance of prevention education for families and communities, and why hope, connection, and trust are essential to systems-level change. This conversation offers a deeply human look at leadership, resilience, and how everyday actions can create a ripple effect that protects and empowers vulnerable youth. This episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎙🚀  We will discuss the following: ⭐️ Child trafficking prevention starts with education, awareness, and trusted relationships. ⭐️ Trauma-informed care helps survivors heal without being defined by their past. ⭐️ Community support and connection are critical to protecting vulnerable youth. ⭐️ Parents play a key role in online safety and early prevention conversations. ⭐️ Real systems change happens when compassion and evidence-based practice work together. & more... Know more about Erin: Website https://love146.org/ [https://love146.org/] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-williamson-5b88b58b [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-williamson-5b88b58b] Twitter (X) https://x.com/Love146 [https://x.com/Love146] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/love146 [https://www.instagram.com/love146] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/love146.org/ [https://www.facebook.com/love146.org/] Grab your gift and Join our group of thousands from all across the globe who want to spread positive change. 25 TRANSFORMATIONAL TIPS TO A BETTER YOU  ➡️ https://www.isparkchange.com/join [https://www.isparkchange.com/join] Become a Patron today here 👉 https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]  Rick will bring you relevant and practical episodes each week, empowering you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring person who learned how to turn their struggles into strengths or a message to help you unlock your inner gifts to share with the world. 🌎👇🏽 IG: @i_spark_change [https://www.instagram.com/i_spark_change/] & @rickornelas [https://www.instagram.com/rickornelas/] FB: Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/isparkchange] Twitter: @isparkchange [https://twitter.com/isparkchange] YTB: @i_spark_change [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxszC0wtIG4XxUOiFrHUqQ] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]

Ep#178: Building Fearless Leaders w/ Brendan P. Keegan

In this episode, Rick shares his interview with Brendan P. Keegan, visionary CEO, board leader, bestselling author, and founder of bFEARLESS Ventures, an investment and advisory firm built on courage, clarity, and bold action. He shares how leadership first took root in his life at a young age, shaped by mentorship, service, and the belief that leadership is a gift you must choose to accept. Brendan reflects on leading six companies through successful exits, raising over $10 billion in capital, and why his true mission today is building one million fearless leaders. This powerful conversation explores mentorship, curiosity, service, and the responsibility leaders have to lift others as they climb. Brendan reveals why true impact is not measured by titles or numbers, but by the people you empower and the legacy you leave behind. This episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎙🚀  We will discuss the following: ⭐️ Leadership begins with courage, service, and the decision to lift others along the way. ⭐️ Mentorship is essential for personal growth, career success, and long-term fulfillment. ⭐️ Purpose-driven leadership creates lasting impact beyond business results. ⭐️ Curiosity and connection are foundational skills for effective leaders. ⭐️ True success is measured by the leaders you help build, not just the companies you grow. & more... Know more about Julie: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bpkfearless/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/bpkfearless/?hl=en]  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanpkeegan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanpkeegan/] Website https://brendanpkeegan.com/ [https://brendanpkeegan.com/] Grab your gift and Join our group of thousands from all across the globe who want to spread positive change. 25 TRANSFORMATIONAL TIPS TO A BETTER YOU  ➡️ https://www.isparkchange.com/join [https://www.isparkchange.com/join] Become a Patron today here 👉 https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]  Rick will bring you relevant and practical episodes each week, empowering you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring person who learned how to turn their struggles into strengths or a message to help you unlock your inner gifts to share with the world. 🌎👇🏽 IG: @i_spark_change [https://www.instagram.com/i_spark_change/] & @rickornelas [https://www.instagram.com/rickornelas/] FB: Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/isparkchange] Twitter: @isparkchange [https://twitter.com/isparkchange] YTB: @i_spark_change [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxszC0wtIG4XxUOiFrHUqQ] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]

Ep#177: Equity for Multilingual Learners w/ Dr. Julie Lara

In this episode, Rick shares his interview with Dr. Julie Lara, Multilingual Programs Director at Ensemble Learning, former Director of the Emergent Bilingual Support Division at the Texas Education Agency, and a leading advocate for educational equity.  She reflects on her journey from special education teacher to statewide policy leader serving 1.3 million emergent bilingual students. Julie opens up about her identity as a first-generation Latina, how her family’s story shaped her purpose, and why embracing students’ home languages is essential for academic success and generational change.  Julie shares the pivotal moments that fueled her passion for dual-language education, including the creation of the Texas Effective Dual Language Immersion Framework and her work influencing national conversations on multilingual policy. She explains how bilingualism is a superpower, why culturally responsive education matters, and how community members can advocate for more equitable schools.  This inspiring conversation reveals the heart behind Julie’s leadership and her mission to ensure every child—regardless of background, identity, or zip code—has access to an empowering education that honors who they are. This episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎙🚀  We will discuss the following: ⭐️ Dual-language education is one of the most effective ways to support emergent bilingual students and promote long-term academic success. ⭐️ Dr. Lara explains how multilingualism strengthens cognition, identity, and opportunities for generational upward mobility. ⭐️ The episode explores how equitable policy decisions directly shape student outcomes statewide and nationally. ⭐️ Listeners learn why community advocacy and voting are essential to advancing bilingual education. ⭐️ Julie shares how her lived experience fuels her commitment to transforming systems for multilingual learners. & more... Know more about Julie: Julie's LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/julie-lara-ph-d-97591437 [http://linkedin.com/in/julie-lara-ph-d-97591437] Ensemble Learning LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ensemblelearning/posts/?feedView=all  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ensemblelearning/posts/?feedView=all ] Ensemble Learning Website https://ensemblelearning.org/ [https://ensemblelearning.org/] Grab your gift and Join our group of thousands from all across the globe who want to spread positive change. 25 TRANSFORMATIONAL TIPS TO A BETTER YOU  ➡️ https://www.isparkchange.com/join [https://www.isparkchange.com/join] Become a Patron today here 👉 https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]  Rick will bring you relevant and practical episodes each week, empowering you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring person who learned how to turn their struggles into strengths or a message to help you unlock your inner gifts to share with the world. 🌎👇🏽 IG: @i_spark_change [https://www.instagram.com/i_spark_change/] & @rickornelas [https://www.instagram.com/rickornelas/] FB: Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/isparkchange] Twitter: @isparkchange [https://twitter.com/isparkchange] YTB: @i_spark_change [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxszC0wtIG4XxUOiFrHUqQ] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange]