128. The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything

133. The 2% Miracle

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012443/fan_mail/new] On this episode of A Shot of Inspiration, I sit down with Dean Otto, a man who was given just a 2% chance of ever walking again after a devastating cycling accident. What followed was an incredible journey of faith, forgiveness, resilience, and purpose. Dean's story is proof that even in life's darkest moments, hope can prevail and miracles can happen. 3 Key Takeaways: • Forgiveness creates freedom.  • Faith provides strength.  • Resilience is built before adversity arrives. About Dean: Before the accident, Dean spent over three decades in high-performing executive roles across sales and marketing at companies like Pillsbury, Frito Lay, KPMG and at software companies like Marigold and Braze. He led global teams, built multi-million-dollar business units, and thrived in environments that demanded accountability, grit, and results. He understands corporate leadership because he’s lived it—and rebuilt it from the ground up. In his most recent role at Braze, Dean served as a Senior Strategic Global Account Lead for 5 years, entrusted with managing and expanding key relationships with marquee clients such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global, McDonald’s, and YUM! Brands. Despite thriving in the role—consistently surpassing his goals and earning recognition as Braze’s top salesperson in 2024—Dean made the bold decision to leave the corporate world. Driven by a deep passion to inspire others, he chose to pursue his lifelong dream of sharing his miraculous personal story and the powerful lessons it taught him. Today, Dean’s message reaches companies not just because of what he survived—but because of what he knows. He bridges real-world business experience with life-changing insight, creating a message that meets teams where they are and moves them toward what’s possible. Resources: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanottospeaking/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanottospeaking/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedeanotto [https://www.facebook.com/thedeanotto] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/otto.dean/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/otto.dean/?hl=en] Website:  https://deanottospeaking.com/ [https://deanottospeaking.com/] Email:  rdeanotto@gmail.com [rdeanotto@gmail.com] Book:  2% Chance: A Journey In Resilience, Recovery, And Rebirth:  https://www.amazon.com/2-Chance-Journey-Resilience-Recovery/dp/1642252727 [https://www.amazon.com/2-Chance-Journey-Resilience-Recovery/dp/1642252727]

132. The Quantum Leap Technique: Unlocking the Power of Your Subconscious

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012443/fan_mail/new] On this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend Mark Shearer, creator of the Quantum Leap Technique, to explore how subconscious beliefs may be influencing every area of our lives. Mark shares insights from decades of studying consciousness, personal transformation, and human potential. We discuss hidden patterns, emotional blocks, and how becoming aware of what's operating beneath the surface can help create meaningful change in our relationships, health, finances, and overall well-being. Key Takeaways: * Subconscious beliefs shape our daily lives. * Awareness is the first step to change. * Challenges often contain our greatest lessons. About Mark: Mark Scherer is a life coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Encompass Life. For more than 30 years, he has studied consciousness, language, spiritual principles, and personal transformation. As the creator of the Quantum Leap Technique (QLT), Mark helps individuals, families, business leaders, and organizations identify limiting patterns and align with their highest potential. Since founding Encompass Life in 2018, Mark has worked with thousands of individuals and facilitated programs for corporations, leadership groups, and Fortune 500 companies. Drawing from both professional experience and personal transformation, he is passionate about helping people create meaningful change in their lives, relationships, and careers. Resources: Website: encompasslife.com [http://encompasslife.com] Email:  mark@encompasslife.com [mark@encompasslife.com] qlt@encompasslife.com [qlt@encompasslife.com]

131. Healing the Wounds We Bring to Work

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012443/fan_mail/new] On this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sat down with Susan Schmitt Winchester to explore how our past experiences shape the way we lead, communicate, and respond to conflict at work. Susan shares insights from her book Healing at Work and explains how self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal responsibility can transform both our careers and our lives.  Key Takeaways * Workplace conflicts often reveal deeper personal patterns that need healing. * Self-awareness and emotional regulation are essential leadership skills. * Growth begins when we stop blaming others and take responsibility for our own responses. About Susan: Susan Schmitt Winchester is an HR leader, consultant, speaker, and author with more than 36 years of experience, including serving as Chief HR Officer for Fortune 150 Applied Materials and Fortune 500 Rockwell Automation. Co-author of Healing at Work, she helps leaders and organizations improve performance, well-being, and workplace culture by addressing the beliefs and patterns that drive stress, burnout, and conflict. A Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, Susan has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, U.S. News, and Thrive Global. Through executive coaching, speaking, and consulting, she equips professionals with practical tools for personal growth, emotional resilience, and effective leadership. Resources: Websites:  https://susanwinchester.com/ [https://susanwinchester.com/]    https://healingatwork.com/ [https://healingatwork.com/] LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanschmittwinchester/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanschmittwinchester/] Book Co-Authored with Martha I. Finney:  https://bit.ly/4voaDyN [https://bit.ly/4voaDyN]

130. The Diamond Within

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012443/fan_mail/new] I sat down with Dr. Doug Gulbransen on A Shot of Inspiration podcast, and what unfolded was a powerful conversation about reinvention, purpose, healing, and discovering the “diamond” already inside of us. From his journey as a successful dentist to losing everything through health challenges, Dr. Doug shared how life’s hardest moments can become the doorway to transformation. We talked about faith, identity, relationships, personal growth, and the courage it takes to create a completely new beginning.  Key Takeaways * A new beginning is always possible. * The life you want starts with changing yourself first. * The “diamond” you’re searching for may already be within you. About Dr. Doug: Dr. Doug Gulbrandsen is a speaker, author, coach, radio and TV personality, and host of the Inspire Vision Podcast. For more than 15 years, he has helped individuals and business owners uncover their potential, develop an abundance mindset, and create lives filled with greater purpose, fulfillment, and success. Through his podcast and mentoring, Dr. Doug inspires lasting personal transformation by encouraging people to recognize the “diamonds” already within themselves. Resources: Website:  https://inspirevisionpodcast [https://inspirevisionpodcast] Instagram: inspire_vision_podcast  TikTok: @inspirevisionpodcast  FaceBook personal: https://www.facebook.com/doug.gulbrandsen [https://www.facebook.com/doug.gulbrandsen] FaceBook podcast: https://www.facebook.com/DrDougRadioInspireVision [https://www.facebook.com/DrDougRadioInspireVision] LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inspirevisionpodcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/inspirevisionpodcast/]

129. The Kindness Reset We All Need

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012443/fan_mail/new] On A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sat down with guest Amy Spangler to talk about leadership, kindness, emotional intelligence, and the power of intentional human connection. Amy shares how small acts of kindness can transform schools, workplaces, families, and communities while helping people reconnect in a world filled with distraction and division. Key Takeaways 1. Kindness is empathy in action. 2. Trust and integrity shape strong leadership. 3. Reflection creates deeper human connection. About Amy: Amy N. Spangler, M.Ed., is a lifelong public-school leader with more than 30 years of experience serving learning communities across the United States and internationally in Tokyo, Japan. Known for her servant leadership style, Amy has served as a teacher, principal, strategic planning director, mentor, adjunct professor, and executive leader in education and professional development. Amy is the Co-Executive Director and cofounder of International Kindness Reset, a Minnesota nonprofit focused on kindness, emotional intelligence, and social-emotional learning. She is the lead coauthor of the internationally recognized Connect with Kindness curricula and other kindness-centered educational resources designed to strengthen schools, families, and communities. Resources: kindnessreset.org [http://kindnessreset.org] kindnessreset@gmail.com [kindnessreset@gmail.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-n-spangler-07b16a4a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-n-spangler-07b16a4a/]