Personal empowerment, commitment to our own well-being and the motivation to achieve more than we ever thought possible are the ingredients of a better life. And, they're all within our reach. Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek delves into the keys to adding energy, excitement, direction and purpose to everything that we do.
The program hosts mental health advocates and medical experts, frontline voices on human trafficking and social justice issues, familiar faces from the worlds of entertainment and sports, and leading entrepreneurs to engage in thought-provoking discussions that inspire the audience to take their own next steps forward to better themselves and their communities. Next Steps Forward is intended to be a source of empowerment that many around the world are in need of now more than ever.
For guests who join the program, Chris cultivates a space where honest, quality conversations thrive and are not only meant to educate and inform but inspire action, introspection and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek is an informative, uplifting hour every Tuesday at 1 PM Eastern Time/10 AM Pacific Time that's certain to inspire you to take that important next step forward, too.
From the Firehouse to the Front Row: John Larocchia on Laughter, Service, and Second Acts
For 21 years, John Larocchia ran toward danger as a New York City firefighter. For more than 20 years, he's also been running toward the microphone. In this episode of Next Steps Forward, the man once voted NYC's Funniest Fireman talks about building a comedy career alongside one of the toughest jobs there is, and about what came next.
John shares how stand-up grew into producing, acting, writing, radio hosting, and keynote speaking. He explains why he started the Laughter Saves Lives Comedy Tour and foundation. He also tells the story of the time an audition call landed him on Match Game, where he won his round and made it to the finals. Along the way, he gets into how humor helps first responders process what they carry, how to start something new without walking away from who you are, and why it's never too late to take the next step forward.
Whether you're planning a career change, looking for your second act, or just need a good laugh, this conversation will leave you smiling and motivated.
About John Larocchia: John Larocchia is the founder and president of the Laughter Saves Lives Foundation, as well as the producer and a regular performer of its Comedy Tour. John has been performing stand-up comedy for over 25 years. He was a New York City firefighter for 21 years, retiring in July 2008. Over the years, John has branched out from stand-up comedy to acting, writing, hosting a radio show, and keynote speaking.
13 Oct 2026
Encore: How to Support Those Who Protect Us with Dr. Shauna Springer
Chris Meek speaks with Shauna "Doc" Springer, one of the world's leading experts on psychological trauma, military transition and suicide prevention, in this installment of Next Steps Forward. A trusted doctor to our nation's military war fighters, Springer will discuss practical, tangible tools for suicide prevention and the importance of trust in the prevention process. A champion for the power of connection, Springer will speak on how methods and results of connection have changed over the past year and how stressor events, like the pandemic, have impacted the mental health of veterans. Springer will also provide powerful insight into her best-selling book Warriors, which explores how society can best support those who have sacrificed so much to protect us. Dr. Springer's knowledge and understanding will lead the audience on a path to discovering trust, purpose and connection - and inspire them to share those same values with others.
6 Oct 2026
Nobody Should Mother Alone: Postpartum Mental Health with the Founders of TogetHER
Postpartum depression is only part of the picture. New mothers can also face anxiety, trauma, intrusive thoughts, bipolar symptoms, and, in rare cases, psychosis, often long after the six-week checkup. This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek talks with Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt, two central Iowa mothers who founded TogetHER after losing people close to them to suicide. Their grassroots organization helps women handle the mental health challenges of motherhood.
Kayla and Caitlin explain what people misunderstand about postpartum mental health and why risk doesn't depend on whether it's a mother's first child. They also discuss the Lindsay Clancy case in Massachusetts and a similar case decades ago in central Iowa, including how to talk about these tragedies without diagnosing anyone from the headlines. They share what mothers find hardest to say out loud, how partners and families can support a mom's identity beyond motherhood, and what they would tell lawmakers to fund next.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 by call or text at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). You can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
About Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt: Kayla O'Connor and Caitlin Merritt are two central Iowa mothers who co-founded TogetHER, a central Iowa grassroots organization to help women navigate the mental health challenges of motherhood, especially postpartum. Kayla O'Connor is a former educator who learned about a former student who died by suicide and was seven months postpartum. Caitlin Merritt is a nutritionist and personal trainer whose neighbor and the mother of her daughter's preschool best both died by suicide.
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