PODCAST · education
Find Your Spark
by The SPARK Initiative
“FIND YOUR SPARK” is a podcast that uncovers real-life stories about discovering and embracing your SPARK—even in the middle of a busy, messy life. Hosted weekly by Brooke Wheeldon-Reece, President & CEO of The SPARK Initiative, and Chad Hudson, this show brings a fresh and authentic perspective on life, growth, and impact.Each episode features heartfelt conversations as Brooke and Chad explore topics like family, mental health, personal development, running a nonprofit, and the transformative work of The SPARK Initiative. With a mix of honesty, humor, and deep insight, they create a space for meaningful dialogue—capturing the raw, unfiltered experience of being human while navigating life’s challenges and striving to make the world a better place.
Episodes
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288: Emotional Wellness Month - How Are You Really Doing?
“How are you?” We hear it a dozen times a day, and most of us answer on autopilot. In honor of Emotional Wellness Month, Chad invites you to pause and ask yourself that question for real. In this episode, Chad explores what it looks like to check in with yourself honestly, why slowing down…
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287: From Stigma to Superpower - An ADHD Awareness Month Conversation
For ADHD Awareness Month, SPARK CEO Brooke Wheeldon-Reece is joined by special guest Rob Cook for an honest conversation about living with ADHD. They both spent years hiding it, held back by stigma and the quiet belief that something was wrong with them. Brooke and Rob talk about what that hiding...
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286: Bullying Prevention Month
October is Bullying Prevention Month, and in this episode, Chad sits down to talk about what bullying really looks like today. Bullying is wrong, but recognizing it isn't always simple. It doesn't just happen on the playground anymore. It shows up in group chats, comment sections, and social…
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285: Protecting Your Yes
On this episode of Find Your SPARK, Chad explores the power of saying no for your mental health. Saying yes to everything is often just habit, not a real choice. A meeting, a favor, a commitment agreed to before we've even thought it through. Most of the time we don't decide, we default. That...
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284: Architects of Peace - A Conversation for International Day of Peace
In honor of the International Day of Peace, Stephanie Fox sits down with longtime friend and colleague Mara Gleason Olson for a conversation about what peace actually requires, starting from the inside out. Mara is the co-founder of One Solution, where Stephanie served as Middle East Director…
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283: Moving Through The Lows With Grace - Suicide Awareness & Prevention Month
In this episode of Find Your SPARK, Brooke & Nicole sit down for a conversation in honor of the loved ones they've each lost to suicide. Recorded in their memory, this episode shares the message Nicole and Brooke bring to the people SPARK serves every day: understanding the nature of thought can...
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282: World Suicide Prevention Day
This week, in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th) and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Chad joins us for an honest, unfiltered conversation about mental health and stigma. Together we explore how stigma keeps people from asking for help, what it really means to check…
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281: Let's Talk Burnout
Burnout awareness is having a moment, with schools and organizations across the country finally giving it the attention it deserves. In this episode, Chad sits down with Makayla Wheeldon to unpack what burnout really means, where it comes from, and why it shows up in so many forms, mentally,...
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280: The Value of Mentorship
In this episode, hosts Brooke and Chad sit down to talk about what mentorship really means to them and why it matters so much, both in life and in their work with SPARK. They dig into the different forms a mentor can take: a teacher, a boss, an older sibling, or someone who never fits neatly into...
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279: Celebrating the Leo Season!
This week, we're doing something a little different and a lot more personal. Brooke and Nicole are celebrating their August birthdays in true Leo fashion. In this episode, the two co-hosts reflect on what it means to be born in the sign of the lion: natural leaders, fiercely loyal, endlessly...
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278: National Non-Profit Day
In honor of National Non-Profit Day on August 17, Chad sits down with special guest Nicole Wilson, SPARK's Special Initiatives Manager, for a conversation about the heart behind nonprofit work. Nicole has been with SPARK for a decade, spending those years leading community initiatives and gaining…
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277: International Youth Day
In this episode, Shawn hands over the mic for a rapid-fire Q&A with Carter Reece, one of Brooke's kiddos, age 14. Rather than the usual format, Shawn lets Carter take the floor, asking him about the issues he sees today, the struggles young people face, and opinions he doesn't often get asked to...
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276: International Day of Friendship
In honor of International Day of Friendship, Brooke welcomes her work and real-life best friend Ashley Hunt to the podcast for a heartfelt celebration of the bond they share. Brooke arrives with a surprise she has been working on for an entire year: a gift called "30 Reasons Why You're My…
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275: From the Classroom to Consulting - Culture, Connection, and Care
This week, Chad sits down with Afreen Gootee, a thought leader in trauma-informed care, retired educator, and founder of Thoughtful Minds Consulting. Afreen brings decades of experience in education and training to an honest conversation about what it truly means to see and support the people...
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274: Why Worry Doesn't Work
What if the worry you carry every day isn't actually protecting you? This week, Chad sits down with special guest Ashley Hunt to explore a powerful passage from Mavis Karn's book It's That Simple: A User's Manual for Human Beings. Together, they unpack how worried thinking so often becomes a…
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273: 250 Years of Independence Day - Happy Birthday America!
This weekend, America turned 250. On this episode of Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad takes a moment to reflect on what that really means. The conversation starts where it should: freedom. Not just fireworks and cookouts, but the freedom to make our own choices, live our own lives, and decide who we...
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272: Summer Wellness
Chad hits pause this week, and he's inviting you to do the same. In a lighthearted reflection on summer, he speaks directly to the students and educators SPARK serves and reminds us all that rest isn't something you earn, it's something you need. Summer is the perfect time to recharge, and this...
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271: Observing Juneteenth with Intention
History gives us perspective. It reminds us that change is possible, that progress takes courage, and that the work is never truly finished. In this episode, Chad reflects on what Juneteenth means beyond the holiday itself. Freedom is at the heart of this day, but freedom looks different…
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270: A New Voice Joins the Team
In this episode, Chad sits down with SPARK's newest team member, Shawn Adkins, for a fun and candid conversation about all things Shawn. With a background in case management and a lifelong heart for working with youth, it's no surprise that SPARK felt like home from day one. Shawn shares what...
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269: No Filter - Real Talk on Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but if we're being honest, mental health deserves our attention every month of the year. In this episode, Chad sits down for a candid, heartfelt conversation about the realities of mental health: the stigma that keeps too many people silent, the way our…
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268: State of Mind Part 7 - The Voice Behind the Statement
In our final episode of the series, Brooke and Chad sit down with the woman whose words started it all: Mavis Karn. You may not have known her name, but chances are you've felt the truth in her words: "My state of mind is the most important thing to me." That simple statement became the heartbeat...
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267: State of Mind Part 6 - A Moment to Moment Self-Care Mission
Some words stop you in your tracks. And when you're lucky, someone else in the room felt it too. In this episode, Brooke is joined by Stephanie Fox, one of the only other people present the day Mavis Karn said the words that changed everything: "My state of mind is the most important thing to…
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266: State of Mind Part 5 - It’s a Moment to Moment Shift
What if the key to showing up as your best self wasn't a practice you had to perfect, but simply an awareness you could come back to, moment to moment? In this episode of the State of Mind series, Chad sits down with Jena Travise for a conversation that is as honest as it is eye-opening. Jena...
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265: State of Mind Part 4 – What's Love Got to Do With It?
What if your first reaction to "my state of mind is the most important thing to me" was... that's a little selfish? That's exactly where Makayla started. In this episode, Brooke sits down with Makayla Wheeldon for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about navigating a demanding career, the...
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264: State of Mind Part 3 - State of Mind is EVERYTHING
In this third installment of the State of Mind series, Chad sits down with Nicole Wilson to explore one of the most foundational truths we can embrace: that state of mind is everything. Together they unpack how your state of mind isn't just how you're feeling in a given moment — it's the root of...
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263: State of Mind Part 2 - You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup
In this episode, Brooke is joined by SPARK team member Ashley Hunt for an honest and heartfelt conversation about what it really means to prioritize your state of mind. When Ashley first encountered the idea that your state of mind is the most important thing to you, she was stopped in her tracks...
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262: State of Mind Part 1 - My State of Mind is the MOST Important Thing to ME
Have you ever heard something that completely shifted the way you see yourself and the world around you? "My state of mind is the most important thing to me." These words sparked something powerful, and in this brand new 7-part series, Find Your SPARK hosts Brooke & Chad are diving deep into what...
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261: Back in Sync - Thought Spirals, Six Seven, and What We’re Leaving Behind
After a few weeks of hosting solo episodes, Brooke and Chad are back together and catching up on the whirlwind start to 2026 at SPARK. From packed schedules to meaningful moments in the classroom, they reflect on the busyness of the past two months and what it’s been teaching them. Chad shares...
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260: Beyond the Noise - Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
In this insightful conversation, Ashley sits down with the author of Beyond the Noise: A Path to Overcoming Fear and Anxiety, Melissa Azar Cohen, to explore the deeper truth behind what keeps so many of us feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Through personal stories and honest reflection,...
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259: National Red Cross Month
In this episode, Chad recognizes National Red Cross Month, a time dedicated to honoring the millions of volunteers, donors, and everyday people who step up to help others in moments of need. Led by the work of the American Red Cross, the month highlights the power of compassion in action —...
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258: 12 Years In - Lessons in Leadership
In this episode, best friends and coworkers Brooke Wheeldon-Reece and Ashley Hunt sit down to reflect on Brooke’s 12-year journey with The SPARK Initiative. As President and CEO, Brooke has helped shape SPARK’s vision, programs, and impact from the ground up — guiding its growth while staying...
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257: When the “What If?” Works Out
In this episode, the SPARK Team reflects on what it felt like to host this year’s Summit — and how the experience unfolded in a way none of us could have fully anticipated. In the days leading up, there were of course moving pieces and natural questions. But when the doors opened, an overwhelming...
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256: Igniting Hope with the Next Generation through their Own Wellbeing & Resilience
Brooke sits down with Santy Sanchez and Beto Contreras from the Insight Alliance to explore a powerful truth: wellbeing and resilience already live within every human being- yes, even young people. This conversation shines a light on how nurturing the self-awareness of their unbreakable SPARK can...
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255: Finding Peace from the Inside Out - A Conversation with Prince Jimmar
Leading up to the National Wellbeing & Resilience Summit, Chad sits down with Prince Jimmar, co-founder and director of Rebels for Peace, to explore the powerful work he’s doing with youth on Chicago’s South Side. Together, they discuss how understanding the simple nature of how our minds work…
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254: Resilience Without the Struggle: A Conversation with Rob Cook
In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad speaks with Rob Cook, internationally recognized speaker and transformational coach, about resilience, leadership, and the power of psychological safety. Rob shares how understanding the nature of thought can help people move through stress,...
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253: The Simple Truth About Wellbeing & Resilience: Are We Overthinking It?
Want more wellbeing and resilience? Good news—you already have it. What if it’s really that simple? Join Brooke as she sits down with bestselling authors and thought leaders Michael Neill and Mavis Karn as they share a taste of what’s to come at the upcoming National Wellbeing & Resilience Summit...
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252: Around the Table - Our Hope for 2026
We’re kicking off the new year by coming together as a full SPARK team for a meaningful “around the table” conversation. In this special episode, Brooke leads us through thoughtful questions about what we’re carrying forward from the past year, the goals we’re setting for SPARK in 2026, and the...
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251: Your Guide to the National Wellbeing & Resilience Summit
In this episode, Chad is joined by fellow SPARK team members Makayla Wheeldon, Ashley Hunt, and Stephanie Fox for an inside look at the National Wellbeing & Resilience Summit. Together, they explore the why behind the summit and the impact it’s designed to create through a series of individual...
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Episode 250: A Passion for Learning: Education, Resilience, and the New Year
With Chad back as host to kick off the new year, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Meghan Waldron — a mother, partner, educator, and passionate advocate for education in its truest form. Deeply committed to K–12 learning environments, Dr. Waldron believes education extends far beyond academics and…
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249: An End-of-Year Farewell to Mari
In this special end-of-year episode of Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad sits down with the SPARK team to honor Mari, who is leaving after nearly four amazing years to return to her hometown of Chicago. Together, they reflect on cherished memories, share heartfelt appreciation for Mari as both a...
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248: A Decade at SPARK - Ashley's Impact Story
In this special episode, Brooke is joined by former co-host, and decade-long team member, Ashley Hunt to celebrate her 10 incredible years at SPARK. Together, they look back on Ashley’s journey, from her very first days on the team to the countless moments that have shaped her both professionally...
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247: From Giving to Growing - The Heart Behind SPARK's Work Right Now
In this Giving Tuesday special, Chad takes the mic to talk about why this day of global generosity means so much to us at SPARK. He shares the powerful impact he’s witnessed first-hand in SPARK classrooms, including our current initiative reaching 780 local middle school students with…
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246: Reflections & Gratitude - What Dreamforce Inspired in Us
In this special episode, Brooke is joined by Ashley Hunt, Makayla Wheeldon, and Jena Travise to reflect on their incredible experience traveling to San Francisco for Dreamforce. Together, they share moments of gratitude for the opportunity to represent a small nonprofit like SPARK at one of the...
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245: Role Models
In honor of Veterans Day, Brooke and Chad take a moment to reflect on the powerful influence of role models — both those who have served and those who embody the same spirit of courage, sacrifice, and leadership. Veterans remind us daily of what it means to give selflessly for a greater purpose,...
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244: The Heart of Adoption, Love, Choice & Connection
In this episode, Brooke shares her deeply personal journey of adopting her three children, offering an honest and heartfelt look at the joys, challenges, and profound connections that come with building an adoptive family. She reflects on how her adoption story has inspired much of the work we do...
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243: Igniting Purpose - Nonprofit Work Matters
As Brooke and Chad settle into their new roles as co-hosts, they take time to share important updates from The SPARK Initiative and dive into the heart of nonprofit work. This episode explores what it really means to be a not-for-profit organization, why this work matters, and how donations...
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242: Brooke Turns the Mic on Chad
Now it’s Brooke’s turn to ask the questions—and this time, co-host Chad Hudson is in the spotlight. As Operations Coordinator and mentor at The SPARK Initiative, Chad shares openly about his journey, the work that drives him, and the experiences that shaped who he is today. Just like Brooke, he...
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241: Chad Turns the Mic on Brooke
In this episode, Chad flips the script and puts co-host Brooke Wheeldon-Reece in the hot seat! Without knowing the questions ahead of time, Brooke, President & CEO of The SPARK Initiative, fields a mix of fun, lighthearted questions and deeper, work-related ones. From laughter and personal…
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240: The Next Chapter - Find Your SPARK with Brooke & Chad
We’re kicking off a new chapter of the Find Your SPARK podcast! In this episode, hosts Brooke Wheeldon-Reece and Chad Hudson sit down to reintroduce themselves and share what you can expect from this revamped format. From their personal journeys with SPARK to their vision for where this podcast…
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239: Celebrating 9 Years at SPARK
The original four founding team members of The SPARK Initiative are back together to celebrate Jena’s 9-year workiversary! In this special episode of the Find Your SPARK podcast, Brooke, Ashley, and Nicole ask Jena a mix of fun, personal, and work-related questions, highlighting her incredible...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
“FIND YOUR SPARK” is a podcast that uncovers real-life stories about discovering and embracing your SPARK—even in the middle of a busy, messy life. Hosted weekly by Brooke Wheeldon-Reece, President & CEO of The SPARK Initiative, and Chad Hudson, this show brings a fresh and authentic perspective on life, growth, and impact.Each episode features heartfelt conversations as Brooke and Chad explore topics like family, mental health, personal development, running a nonprofit, and the transformative work of The SPARK Initiative. With a mix of honesty, humor, and deep insight, they create a space for meaningful dialogue—capturing the raw, unfiltered experience of being human while navigating life’s challenges and striving to make the world a better place.
HOSTED BY
The SPARK Initiative
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Find Your Spark have?
Find Your Spark currently has 287 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Find Your Spark about?
“FIND YOUR SPARK” is a podcast that uncovers real-life stories about discovering and embracing your SPARK—even in the middle of a busy, messy life. Hosted weekly by Brooke Wheeldon-Reece, President & CEO of The SPARK Initiative, and Chad Hudson, this show brings a fresh and authentic perspective on...
How often does Find Your Spark release new episodes?
Find Your Spark publishes regularly with 287 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Find Your Spark?
You can listen to Find Your Spark on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Find Your Spark?
Find Your Spark is created and hosted by The SPARK Initiative.
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