Compass Stories

Veronica Sterling shares her transformative experience in Kings Canyon National Park, exploring the giant sequoias, navigating weather challenges, and reflecting on the importance of connection and community in uncertain times.KeywordsKings Canyon, Sequoia National Park, giant sequoias, connection, community, travel, nature, resilience, personal growthKey topicsThe unique ecosystem of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National ParksThe importance of slowing down and engaging with natureLessons on connection and community during challenging conditionsTakeawaysConnection is a vital tool for moving forward in uncertainty.Courage is about willingness to stay in motion despite doubt.Shared experiences in difficult conditions foster a sense of community.guest nameSound bites"Feeling small but connected to everything""Playing in the forest invites participation""In a group, trying to find our way together"Chapters00:00 Exploring Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks07:46 Sharing Unique Experiences and Soundscapes08:49 MASTER OUTRO.mp409:17 The Environment of Giant Sequoias12:13 The Growth Journey of Sequoia TreesResourceswww.veronicasterling.comKings Canyon National Park - https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htmSequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Official Site) - https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htmGeneral Sherman Tree - https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/generalsherman.htm

In this uplifting conversation, Claire Edwards, speaker, author, and morning routine coach shares insights to guide our clarity in what truly matters and make space to pursue the passions in our life. If you’ve experienced disruption and are looking for ways to reorient yourself, Claire’s insight and encouragement will help you build new capacity to move forward. GUEST BIOClaire Edwards is a Morning Routine Writer & Speaker who helps ambitious 9-5ers unlock work/life balance with a powerful morning routine. She has helped over 900 people through her workshops and workbooks and built a community of over 3,800 people across different platforms. She has hosted her signature Morning Routine Workshop at companies like Sherwin Williams, JM Smucker, Marzetti, and more. Her TEDx talk, titled "What's Your Yellow?" will be published this summer 2026. It challenges us to expand our identity beyond work, one hobby and one morning at a time. Claire is a firm believer that there is no “perfect morning routine,” just the perfect morning routine for you! Her morning looks like a 5:30am wakeup to journal alongside her dog Maisy, and work on her speaking & writing before heading to her 9-to-5 supply chain job. KEYWORDSmorning routines, personal development, work-life balance, passion, habits, productivity, self-growth, entrepreneurship, community, purpose KEY TOPICSBuilding sustainable morning routinesThe concept of anchor activities for self-check-inOvercoming self-doubt and fear of judgmentThe importance of community and connectionEvolving your passions over time"Plan your morning based on who you're waking up for." CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Claire Edwards04:44 The Importance of Morning Routines07:50 Building a Supportive Morning Routine10:50 Finding Passion and Purpose13:46 Navigating Life's Disruptions16:48 The Journey of Self-Discovery19:41 Work-Life Balance Perspectives22:31 The Evolution of Passion Projects25:30 Overcoming Awkwardness in Pursuing Passions40:10 Finding Your Community42:56 The Power of Accountability46:05 Overcoming Self-Doubt50:02 Embracing Change and Evolution53:27 Dreaming Bigger57:35 Creating Space for Passions01:01:44 Establishing a Morning Routine01:06:22 Surprising Connections Through Vulnerability01:13:25 MASTER OUTRO.mp4 RESOURCESClaire Edwards | SubstackClaire Edwards | LinkedIn 

Veronica Sterling shares insights on supporting friends through grief, emphasizing the importance of connection, presence, and empathy, set against the backdrop of her trip to Death Valley National Park.Keywordsgrief support, emotional connection, friendship, empathy, mental health, personal growthKey topicsSteps to support a grieving friendThe importance of listening and following the leadThe role of being a witness in healingCommon pitfalls like saying 'at least'Practical actions to show supportTakeawaysStart before you're ready to connect.Follow the griever's lead and listen.Be a witness to their pain without trying to fix.Avoid minimizing phrases like 'at least.'Actions speak louder than words—offer practical help.Sound bites"Avoid phrases like 'at least'—they dismiss pain.""Apologize if you misspoke or feel you took a misstep.""When unsure, make the connection through actions."Chapters00:00 Exploring Death Valley's Unique Landscape06:14 Supporting a Grieving Friend: Practical Steps09:00 MASTER OUTRO.mp4Resourceswww.veronicasterling.com

In this heartfelt interview, Christopher Littrell shares his personal journey through grief, recovery, and the power of human connection. He discusses how courage, faith, and community have helped him navigate life's peaks and valleys, offering insights for those facing their own challenges. GUESTChristopher Littrell is a retired law enforcement officer with almost 20 years of experience serving in the Pacific Northwest, including time on a regional SWAT team. He is also a U.S. Air Force veteran, where he served in Security Forces, building a foundation in leadership, discipline, and service.Throughout his career, Chris specialized in critical incident response, investigations, and officer wellness, gaining firsthand experience in high-stress environments that shaped his approach to leadership and resilience.Today, Chris is the founder of Gravity Consulting and Training, where he equips leaders and organizations with practical tools in leadership development, emotional intelligence, communication, and wellness. He is also the host of the Gravity Podcast and the author of Echoes from the Street: A Police Officer’s Journey Through Trauma, Recovery, and Redemption, where he shares powerful lessons from his career and personal journey of growth.  KEYWORDSgrief, recovery, human connection, courage, faith, mental health, resilience, loss, healing, life lessons KEY TOPICSThe importance of human connection in healingThe role of faith in coping with griefCourage as a contagious forceNavigating peaks and valleys of lifeThe impact of community support during trauma CHAPTERS00:00 The Importance of Human Connection06:00 Courage and Its Contagious Nature11:25 Navigating Grief and Joy17:22 The Journey of Change and Surrender23:21 Supporting Grievers: The Role of Friends29:07 Navigating Grief and Community Support37:39 The Importance of Presence in Grief41:07 Faith and the Struggle with Loss45:55 Finding Strength in Endurance Sports52:28 The Power of Apology and Connection RESOURCES Christopher Littrell, MBA | LinkedInChris Littrell FacebookEchoes from The Street Book on AmazonGravity – Captivating audiences

Veronica shares her journey of traveling through national parks in her vintage Airstream, exploring themes of pursuing dreams, embracing change, and the power of connection.keywordsTravel, Dreams, Change, Connection, Inspiration, National Parks, Airstream, Personal Growthkey topicsPursuit of dreams and personal growthThe role of disruption and change in lifeThe importance of connection and starting before you're readyguest namesound bites"This desert is a wild wilderness.""Believe your dream is worth the leap.""There is so much more to explore."Chapters00:00 Exploring Mojave National Preserve05:56 Navigating Life's Changes and Dreams06:40 MASTER OUTRO.mp4resourcesNational Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/Veronica Sterling's Website - https://veronicasterling.com

We realize a need for change, but how do we get started? How do we tackle self-doubt? In this conversation, Matt shares his story as he navigates growth through sobriety, wellness pursuits, and building a business that fulfills a purpose.Matt McManus was born and raised in Cincinnati. He went away briefly to attend Mississippi State University and majored in marketing.  After he graduated, he worked as a golf professional for 4 years before turning to the financial services industry.  Eventually he helped co-found and is currently one of the partners at Triplecrown Wealth Management.  His focus is on working with first responders and delivering actionable financial advice viewed from a lens of wellness.  He lives on the west side of the city with his wife Sarah and their 4 kids. Matthew McManus RICP Friend to 1st Responders | LinkedInTriplecrown Wealth ManagementVeronica's Interview on Pension Protectors Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pension-protectors-s3e10-life-lessons-from-hospice/id1731409954?i=1000754833552Main Topics Covered:Matt’s story of addiction and recoveryThe relationship between mental, physical, and financial wellnessTechniques for overcoming self-doubt and cravingsThe importance of setting clear goals with a "start ugly" mindsetBuilding resilience through faith, purpose, and community

Veronica shares her reflections on hope, disruption, and the journey of healing during her travels through New Mexico. She explores how hope acts as a guiding lantern in difficult times and offers practical ways to activate hope in our lives.Keywordshope, healing, disruption, personal growth, motivation, mental health, journey, inspirationKey topicsThe role of hope in navigating disruptionPractical ways to activate hopeThe paradox of pain and hope in healingguest nameSound bites"Hope is like holding up a lantern in the dark""Hope is a decision to activate""I am moving forward anyway"Chapters00:00 Exploring Bandelier National Monument10:12 MASTER OUTRO.mp410:40 Valles Cauldera Forest Hike_ Birds_Wind_Footsteps 05.19.26.mp3ResourcesBandelier National Monument - https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htmLos Alamos National Laboratory Museum - https://www.lanl.gov/about/visiting/index.phpValles Caldera National Preserve - https://www.vallescaldera.gov/

I am talking to Amy Scalia. She is a Cincinnati-based entrepreneur, founder of Local Creator Studio, and co-founder of PS Never Give Up. She’s built her work around storytelling - not just as a creative tool, but to help people feel seen, connected, and less alone in the messy middle of their experiences.In this conversation, Amy shares what it feels like to live through heartache without losing hope – and she shows us how hope can help build our life into something bigger than we ever expected.KEYWORDS storytelling, entrepreneurship, fertility, chronic illness, hope, community, vulnerability, personal growth KEY TOPICS Amy's journey from media to entrepreneurshipThe importance of vulnerability and sharing the messy middleHow hope sustains us through challengesThe intersection of chronic illness and fertilityBuilding community and support through storytelling SOUND BITES "Always choose hope because until it's over, it's not over.""I didn't think I could be this much of a family person.""Finding purpose through pain helps you move forward." CHAPTERS 00:00 The Birth of a Podcast Dream02:01 Amy's Journey into Media and Entrepreneurship04:30 The Power of Storytelling in the Digital Age07:03 Embracing the Messy Middle09:04 Navigating Fertility Challenges16:34 Choosing Hope in Difficult Times19:31 Self-Care and Expanding Capacity33:01 Embracing Health and Longevity36:01 The Journey of Motherhood42:00 Finding Purpose Through Pain RESOURCES Amy's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amy_scalia/Local Creator Studio - https://localcreatorstudio.com/PS Never Give Up Foundation - https://psnevergiveup.org/

Vega, Texas I-40 West bound to our next destination. We’ve been driving for two full days and have covered over 1100 miles. I’m sharing my reflections from my travel diary on uncertainty, exploring how it influences our perceptions of safety, control, and growth. I hope you feel encouraged to reconsider the role uncertainty plays in our life and embrace it as a landscape of possibility and curiosity. KEY TOPICS The nature of uncertainty and how our brains react to itThe illusion of control and its impact on our livesTurning uncertainty into a landscape of possibilityThe role of curiosity in personal growthPractical ways to embrace uncertainty in daily life KEYWORDS uncertainty, growth, curiosity, travel, life lessons, control, predictability, adventure, mindset, resilience TAKEAWAYS Uncertainty is the space between what we know and what we cannot see.Our brains are wired to predict and protect, but life is rarely predictable.Control is an illusion we cling to for safety.Embracing uncertainty can open up new possibilities and growth.Curiosity is a powerful tool for navigating the unknown. SOUND BITES "Will this risk become regret?""Control is an illusion we cling to.""Let curiosity be your guide in the unknown." RESOURCESwww.veronicasterling.comIG: @veronicasterlingspeaksFB: https://www.facebook.com/VeronicaSterlingSpeaksLI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/ 

Today I am talking to Kenny Schroeder. He has 30 years in fire service and is currently a Lieutenant with the Fort Mitchell, Kentucky Fire Department. Kenny is also a dedicated advocate for first responder wellness and peer support, working to make sure others have access to resources and don’t have to face their hardest moments alone.In this conversation, Kenny shares what happened after he stepped away from the career that had shaped so much of his identity – and how that transition and the stress form the job led him into a deeply personal struggle with his mental health.He speaks candidly about what it means to reach a breaking point and the courage it takes to keep going and choose a different path forward.This is a meaningful conversation. I learned so much from Kenny. I’m really glad you’re here for it.Kenny Schroeder | LinkedInFirst Responder Health and Wellness Services | KYFRPSTTri-State First Responder Peer Support Team - HomeSAVE A WARRIOR™ – We Came Back For YouDetails about adding stellate ganglion block (SGB) to standard trauma treatment:Who Doesn’t Want to Feel Better Faster? - JAMES LYNCH, MDKEYWORDS firefighter mental health, trauma recovery, Save a Warrior, peer support, resilience, mental wellness, first responder culture KEY TOPICS Kenny's journey into firefighting and mental healthThe impact of trauma and burnout on first respondersThe role of Save a Warrior in recoveryImportance of vulnerability and peer supportStrategies for ongoing mental wellness and resilience SOUND BITES "It's okay to not be okay.""We can just be ourselves.""You're not alone." CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Firefighting Dreams05:13 The Journey to Becoming a Firefighter08:01 Retirement and Identity Crisis10:42 Struggles with Mental Health13:36 Seeking Help and Finding Resources16:51 The Impact of Save a Warrior Program19:29 Transformation and Personal Growth22:47 Present and Future Aspirations29:58 Transformative Journeys: From Brokenness to Healing37:31 Daily Practices: Building a New Life45:40 Resources and Support: Finding Help50:51 The Human Experience: Embracing Vulnerability

In this trailer episode of Compass Stories, host Veronica Sterling introduces the heart behind the podcast and the journey ahead. A former hospice CEO, keynote speaker, and traveler, Veronica shares why stories matter and what it means to navigate disruption with purpose, courage, and connection.You’ll hear what to expect from upcoming episodes, including meaningful guest conversations and personal reflections recorded during a cross-country Airstream journey. If you are navigating change, searching for direction, or longing for more meaningful conversations about life, growth, and resilience, this podcast is for you.