Palliative Care: Compassionate Communication and Mindfulness with Vicki Wetterskog

Palliative Care: Compassionate Communication and Mindfulness with Vicki Wetterskog

Compassion is learnable. Courage Seekers can intentionally increase the capacity to stay present with the pain of others and respond well. As a Courage Pathway, Compassion helps Seekers act bravely because it makes the drive to support themselves and others stronger than the fear. This episode explores ways Courage Keepers can help Seekers follow this pathway across three dimensions: offering direct compassion to Seekers who are suffering; helping Seekers develop self-compassion so their energy is freed for courageous action; and helping Seekers extend compassion outward toward others, because that outward turn is itself an act of courage. Vicki Wetterskog is a family nurse practitioner in Boston, Massachusetts. John and Vicki discuss the Compassion Pathway.

Courage Over Confidence with Mitch Greene

Mitch Greene, author of Courage over Confidence, is a clinical and sport psychologist who helps athletes and high performers build courage and resilience. His core philosophy is that peak performance doesn't require a lack of fear; it requires the ability to tolerate uncertainty and manage mind chatter.

The Bravery Effect with Author Jill Schulman

In this podcast, John sits down with author Jill Schulman about being brave. Jill talks about true growth and success comes from embracing discomfort. Knowing that taking steps forward, even when it's hard, is when growth happens.  Strength is born in a struggle. When we do uncomfortable, hard things, more growth happens in our brains. Jill's book, "The Bravery Effect," is based on an evidence-based self-leadership model that empowers individuals to push past their limits, embrace challenges, and elevate their success, happiness, and well-being.  ------------------ Jill Schulman is a former US Marine Corps Officer, leadership development expert, and founder of Breakthrough Leadership Group. She helps people do hard things — and love it. Lern more at jillschulman.com

Building Championship Culture: Character Over Scoreboard (with Sean Quirk)

What truly builds a championship team? In this episode of the Courage Keepers Podcast, John Yeager sits down with Sean Quirk—Head Coach of Springfield College Men’s Lacrosse and former national powerhouse builder at Endicott College. Sean shares lessons from decades of leadership across collegiate and professional lacrosse, including leading the Boston Cannons to a championship. But this conversation goes deeper than wins and losses. They explore: * Why culture beats talent * How character shapes performance * The courage required to lead young men beyond the scoreboard * What it really takes to build something sustainable Because championship culture isn’t built on trophies.  It’s built on people.

Bonus Episode: The Caring Dividend

What if care wasn’t just culture talk—but a strategic advantage? In this bonus episode of the Courage Keepers Podcast, John Yeager sits down with Dr. Brooklyn Raney and Dr. Stephanie Fitzpatrick to explore the concept of the Caring Dividend—the tangible return organizations experience when they invest deeply in wellbeing, belonging, and human-centered leadership. Together, they unpack: * How care drives measurable performance and resilience * Why belonging is a leadership responsibility * The gap between strategy and lived employee experience * What it takes to build organizational health that lasts If you lead people—and want excellence without burnout—this conversation is for you. ------------------------------------ Stephanie Fitzpatrick, EdD Stephanie Fitzpatrick is a former Fortune 5 Chief Learning Officer with prior senior leadership roles at Apple, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, and LBrands. She understands executive pressure from the inside, having led large-scale talent strategy, advised C-suite teams, and built leadership systems across global, matrixed organizations. She holds a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and brings both lived executive experience and doctoral research in leadership and sustainable performance to her work. Brooklyn Raney, EdD Brooklyn Raney is a former educational leader and the founder of a company dedicated to ensuring young people have the mentors they need—those who intentionally build strong connection while maintaining healthy and clear boundaries. She brings doctoral research in trust, care, and hierarchical relationships together with practical frameworks that help leaders strengthen engagement, communication, and culture. Her work translates relational care into actionable leadership strategies that support both people and performance.