A podcast exploring the origin stories of masters in their craft—from elite athletes to dedicated teachers—to uncover the mindset of overcoming adversity and finding joy in the pursuit of greatness.
My Aunt, Martha McBride, passed away at 98 years old recently. I was fortunate to visit with her a couple of years ago at her home in New Jersey and record an impromptu interview. We discussed everything from President John F. Kennedy's assassination and childhood stories from her memories growing up in South Carolina to the importance of preserving oral history. In this short and sweet special episode, I hope listening will make you feel like you're at an elders kitchen table soaking u...
27 Jan 2026
S1E6 Origin Stories: Love is the Lesson, with Marcie Wombold, Ed.D.
Welcome back to Origin Stories. In this episode, we sit down with Marcie Wombold, Ed.D., a teacher-leader, dedicated researcher, and one of the most authentically impactful people in the world of education. For over 20 years, Marcie has shaped the innovative curriculum at Raisbeck Aviation High School and recently earned her doctorate at the University of Southern California. Marcie’s entire classroom and life philosophy is centered around a courageous, profound idea: Leading with Love. We ex...
21 Jan 2026
S1E5 Origin Stories: Just Keep Pedaling, with Steven Wright
Welcome back to Origin Stories, the place where we explore the unexpected twists and lifelong connections that define who we are. Today, I sit down with a person who fundamentally changed my path—my longtime mentor, Steven Wright. Steven's own origin story is a perfect example of how life’s path is a creative, non-linear process. He is a high-level corporate consultant who utilizes visual planning and graphic facilitation to help major companies rebuild their vision. Yet, his deepest impact c...
13 Jan 2026
S1E4 Origin Stories: Leading with Purpose and Soul, with Tamar Coleman
Description In this inspiring episode of Origin Stories, we celebrate the powerful journey of Tamar Coleman, Assistant Principal at Garfield High School. Tamar’s entire career—spanning 15+ years across roles from Childcare Director to Special Education Teacher—is a testament to the power of unwavering service and a deep-seated growth mindset. Her path is rooted in one driving, non-negotiable mission: uplifting and empowering students farthest from educational justice. We dive into what it tak...
6 Jan 2026
S1E3 Origin Stories: The Ring as a Classroom, with Zach Zabel
In this episode of Origin Stories, we go on a field trip into the world of Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu to explore the gym as a profound place of education. I sit down with my old coach, Zach Zabel of Vital Muay Thai and Vital Jiu Jitsu (Fife, WA), a natural-born teacher whose deep understanding of martial arts has created a powerful supplemental space for development. For me, discovering Muay Thai was a turning point as an insecure kid struggling with mental health. The gym became my genuine clas...
30 Dec 2025
S1E2 Origin Stories: Legacy in Motion, with Rick DuPree
In this episode of Origin Stories, I sit down with true Seattle leader, Rick DuPree, to trace an incredible journey of creative reinvention and lifelong service. Rick's path is a masterclass in persistence, moving from the broadcast booth as Seattle’s first Black sports talk show host to a decades-long career in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and community leadership. Rick embodies the "keep going energy" required to step into new roles, whether leading affinity groups, di...
21 Dec 2025
S1E1 Origin Stories: The Courage to Begin Again, with Sheree Bennett
Description In the very first episode of Origin Stories, I sit down with my mom, Sheree Bennett, to trace the incredible story of her resilience. Her journey shows what it takes to navigate the demands of higher education, a full-time career, and motherhood—often all at once. Like many of us, she faced moments of deep self-doubt, but she found the strength to keep pushing forward. This is a conversation about the courage to begin again whenever life requires it. We explore the profound impact...
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