Stokemeter began in 2009 as a livestream where professional athletes were interviewed by the audience. During that time, we learned that both the person being interviewed and the interviewee learned from each other. Today, Stokemeter carries on that learning tradition by interviewing people from all walks of life in the hopes that listeners can learn from each other. Different disciplines bring different ways of viewing the world and through that expanded view, we hope that it benefits you and those around you.
Episode 124: Overcoming the Odds: Dyslexia, Poverty, and the Path to Medicine - with Owen Ala
In this episode, we sit down with orthopedic surgeon Owen Ala, whose journey to the operating room began in rural Alaska. Owen talks about his challenges with severe dyslexia, being placed in "remedial" reading groups, and the humiliating moment his high school peers laughed at him when he struggled to read aloud in his first AP class. Compounding his struggles were financial insecurity and a professor’s prediction that he would only ever be a "C minus" student.
Owen shares the details of his creating his future, which included grueling 14-hour study days, and the "do or die" pressure of paying for every cent of his own education, as well as the spiritual turning point in a college library that changed the way he approached his work. This is a deeply personal look at how a kid with "nothing to his name" relied on faith, relentless persistence, and a competitive "hockey player" mindset to become one of the top students in his class and eventually a highly respected orthopedic surgeon.
14 Jan 2026
Episode 123: Escaping the One-Dimensional Trap of Success with Nell Derick Debevoise
It was a pleasure to visit with Nell Derick Debevoise, a leadership strategist and creator of the Lead in 3D framework. She is dedicated to helping high achievers find fulfillment without burnout by aligning three dimensions: Me (wellbeing), We (teams), and World (impact). After leading humanitarian missions in war zones and the West Bank, Nell experienced a personal collapse that taught her the dangers of being one-dimensionally focused on impact. She now advocates for Systematic Subtraction by helping leaders move away from the "more is more" mentality to find the most efficient path to their desired results. Enjoy the show!
5 Jan 2026
Episode 122: Cultivating Culture with Greg Hawks
We had the pleasure of visiting with leadership consultant Greg Hawks, who brings a unique perspective shaped by years of directing large-scale youth programs. He discusses his transition from the non-profit sector to the corporate marketplace and how that background helped him develop his signature "Ownership Mindset".
In this episode, Greg breaks down three primary workplace mindsets—Owners, Renters, and Vandals—and introduces the concept of "Thinking Whole House". This approach encourages employees to look beyond their specific departments and value the health of the entire organization. We also explore:
Bridging Generational Gaps: How to connect with a workforce spanning five generations by focusing on universal human needs like voice and value.
The Power of Connection: Using a unique mental exercise of envisioning colleagues as middle schoolers to foster empathy and better communication.
Building "Thick Trust": Moving away from "thin trust" through intentional, brave conversations and choosing to like others based on your own character rather than their differences.
Actionable Next Steps: Why leadership must move beyond theory into immediate, practical application to produce real results
Enjoy the show!
Inside a recent episode
Episode 32: Jen Welter - Love of Football and Becoming the First Female Coach in the NFL
Published 22 Sept 2021 · Transcript excerpt
[…] You know, that's what you hope. If you're first, you hope you're not the last. And it doesn't mean they'll always be the one to walk through every door. You also have to be very realistic about that. Like as a first, you know, I've said this to other people before, it's like, you've got to be a great fullback. […]
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