Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference ... With Jess Todtfeld

Game Changers with Jess Todtfeld | Water Is the Next OilWhat if the most important resource shaping the future of the world is not oil, lithium, or rare earth minerals… but water?In this episode of Game Changers, Jess Todtfeld sits down with water policy expert and Salty Water Podcast host Eric Jankel to explore why water could become the next global power struggle. As climate pressures grow, infrastructure ages, and populations increase, access to clean water is quickly becoming one of the most important strategic issues facing governments, industries, and communities worldwide.Eric Jankel has spent decades working in the global water sector, including helping launch the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Muscat, Oman, a historic effort designed to bring Arab and Israeli scientists together to collaborate on water technology. Today he advises companies and organizations across the water and infrastructure space and hosts the Salty Water Podcast, where he interviews global leaders shaping the future of desalination, reuse, and water security.During this conversation, Jess and Eric explore why water is increasingly becoming a geopolitical issue, why many people misunderstand the economics of desalination, and why innovations happening right now could dramatically reshape how the world produces and manages fresh water.One surprising insight: the common belief that desalination is too expensive may no longer be true. When compared to building new reservoirs, well fields, and massive pipeline systems, desalination can sometimes be just as cost effective, especially for coastal regions.They also discuss why water reuse may be one of the biggest untapped opportunities in the United States, particularly in industrial settings where enormous amounts of water are used in manufacturing processes.The conversation also dives into the global race to advance water technology. Through a partnership between the government of Abu Dhabi and the XPRIZE Foundation, more than $100 million is being offered to accelerate breakthroughs in desalination technology. The goal is to dramatically reduce the cost and energy required to produce fresh water from the ocean.Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this episode is that most people rarely think about water infrastructure because it is largely invisible. It runs underground in pipes and treatment systems that quietly support modern civilization. But as climate change increases both drought cycles and extreme storms, the need to invest in resilient water systems is becoming more urgent than ever.00:00 Why water may be the next global game changer00:55 The biggest misconception about desalination02:10 Water reuse and why the U.S. should be doing more03:30 Why we take water infrastructure for granted05:00 Climate change, droughts, and stronger storms06:20 Why water is becoming a geopolitical issue07:45 The global water conflicts already happening09:05 The $100M XPRIZE for desalination innovation10:40 The surprising 7,500 year history of desalination12:00 Eric’s path into the global water sector13:20 Using water cooperation to promote peace14:20 Lessons from leaders working in waterEric Jankel has worked in global water policy and infrastructure for decades. His career includes leadership in major water initiatives, including the launch of the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Muscat, Oman. He now advises companies across the water and infrastructure sector and hosts the Salty Water Podcast, where he interviews global leaders working to solve the world’s most pressing water challenges.Hosted by Jess Todtfeld, media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours. Jess is the founder of Media Ambassadors and helps experts turn visibility into real business results.

What happens when success isn’t enough?Dr. Sonya Bhole had the credentials. The career. The drive. She comes from a long line of doctors and entered medical school at 17. The path was clear. The expectations were high. Failure was never an option.But burnout was.In this episode of Game Changers with Jess Todtfeld, Dr. Bhole opens up about the moment everything shifted. After years of relentless forward motion through pre-med, medical school, and residency, she was forced to stop. Ten weeks of bed rest during preterm labor with her twins gave her something she had never had before: time to think.That pause changed everything.We talk about:• Fear of failure vs fear of stagnation• Why high achievers rarely stop to ask what makes them happy• The hidden burnout cycle in medicine and leadership• “Optionality is the key to burnout”• Reinventing yourself at 41• Launching the podcast You’re a Doctor, Right?• What she learned interviewing top medical expertsThis conversation goes beyond medicine. It’s about identity, ambition, and what drives high performers when the external validation fades.If you’re ambitious but restless… successful but unsatisfied… this episode will resonate.00:00 – The fear that drove her from the beginning01:00 – Growing up in a family of doctors02:00 – The nonstop pre-med to residency treadmill03:00 – The 10 weeks that changed everything04:00 – Fear of failure vs fear of stagnation05:00 – “Optionality is the key to burnout”06:00 – Launching a podcast despite tech frustration07:00 – Lessons from interviewing medical experts09:00 – Behind-the-scenes insights from the anesthesia episode10:00 – Why self-deprecation and reinvention matterGame Changers with Jess Todtfeld spotlights leaders who share the one thing that changed the trajectory of their career, mindset, or mission.Hosted by Jess Todtfeld — media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours — this show explores the turning points behind success.New episodes release the first and third Monday of each month.Follow Dr. Sonya Bhole and check out her podcast You’re a Doctor, Right? for practical medical insights explained in plain language.Subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are redefining what success looks like.burnout recoverydoctor burnoutfear of failurefear of stagnationhigh achiever mindsetreinventing yourself at 40women in medicinemedical leadershipcareer pivot storypodcast host journeyGame Changers podcast

What if your life shattered overnight… and you rebuilt it by choosing red?In this heartfelt episode of Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference, host Jess Todtfeld speaks with Rachel Kerr Schneider, author of The Widow Chose Red, about grief, resilience, and how a relationship with faith — not just religion — helped her reclaim purpose after devastating loss.Rachel’s husband was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), a terminal illness that slowly paralyzes the body while leaving the mind fully aware. He passed away within three years, leaving Rachel a widowed mom of two young boys — and faced with the most difficult chapter of her life.Instead of collapsing into despair, Rachel turned inward — and upward. She began talking with Jesus daily. She journaled. She reflected. She chose faith over fear. And when it came time to celebrate her husband’s life, she wore a red dress — a bold symbol of love, passion, and the Holy Spirit.💬 “There is never the same love twice. Sometimes your heart breaks open so it can actually hold more love.”This episode will inspire anyone navigating grief, caregiving, loss, or reinvention. Rachel offers not just encouragement, but concrete tools you can use: journaling, voice memos, faith as a conversation, and connecting with like-minded community.0:00 – Meet Rachel Kerr Schneider1:45 – Her husband’s ALS diagnosis3:10 – Understanding the brutal nature of ALS4:35 – A moment of crisis tests her faith6:00 – The shift: From religion to relationship7:10 – Daily conversations with Jesus9:00 – Power of the Holy Spirit during hard moments11:20 – Life 14 years later: Unexpected blessings12:05 – Why she wore red to the funeral13:10 – The meaning behind The Widow Chose Red15:00 – Hope, healing, and her message to readers17:00 – Tools for healing: journaling, voice notes, support20:45 – The Spirited Salon and building community22:10 – Why your story could save someone else24:00 – Final thoughts: You are not alone“Faith is a relationship, not a religion” — the mindset shift that changed Rachel’s lifeJournaling and voice memos as powerful outlets for griefThe symbolic choice of red: love, fire, and transformationCommunity is crucial — no one should walk through grief aloneSharing your story can give others the courage to face their ownHow Rachel built Spirited Pros to support women on similar journeys🎧 Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference is a business and leadership podcast hosted by Jess Todtfeld, media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours. Hear powerful conversations with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday heroes about the single idea that shifted everything.🌐 Website: https://MeetTheGameChangers.com🔔 Subscribe for new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.📩 Want to suggest a topic or guest? DM us or visit the website.📌 Also follow:Instagram: @jesstodtfeldFacebook: facebook.com/jess.todtfeld.2025Business site: https://www.mediaambassadors.com🎤 This podcast is part of the visibility and authority-building network at Media Ambassadors, helping experts turn their message into powerful, lasting content.⏱️ Timestamps:🧠 Key Takeaways:

Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference | Why Mission-Driven Leadership Changes EverythingWhat drives transformational leadership? For Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, CEO of Family & Children’s Association, the answer is simple — mission. In this episode, Jeffrey shares how focusing obsessively on one purpose helped him lead 60+ programs, impact over 35,000 lives each year, and turn personal hardship into fuel for change.From addiction recovery to human trafficking to hiring people with lived experience, you’ll hear what real impact leadership sounds like.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:45 – 140-year FCA legacy03:10 – Obsessing over mission05:50 – 35,000 lives a year07:30 – Measuring change09:40 – Jeffrey’s personal story14:15 – Addiction recovery story18:45 – Human trafficking and healing24:30 – Lived experience hiring27:10 – Life after cancer30:05 – Purpose over paycheck33:00 – Ripple effects in families35:50 – Final takeawaysFollow Jess Todtfeld: Instagram @jesstodtfeld | MeetTheGameChangers.comFollow Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds: Instagram @drjeffreyreynoldsFCA: Instagram @fca_daily | TikTok @wearefcaVisit: MeetTheGameChangers.com | Agency: mediaambassadors.com

What if everything you want is on the other side of fear?At age 59, Dr. Mimi Secor transformed her body, her confidence, and her career — not by faking it, but by stepping into her power. In this episode of Game Changers, Jess Todtfeld dives deep with the nationally recognized nurse practitioner, author, and speaker to uncover the mindset shift that helped her conquer fear, earn a doctoral degree, compete in bodybuilding, and overcome cancer.🎯 This conversation is about real confidence — the kind you don’t fake.💡 What you’ll learn:Why “Fake it till you make it” is damaging — and what to do insteadHow life coaching helped Mimi unlock confidence she already had insideThe story behind her bikini competition at nearly 60 years oldWhat nurse practitioners uniquely bring to healthcare (and why it matters)How to stop playing small — even if you’re already successfulConfidence strategies that work in relationships, media, and leadershipA powerful shift: Act it. Become it.👤 About Dr. Mimi SecorDr. Mimi is a nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and international speaker who helps professionals take charge of their health and mindset. She’s the author of Debut a New You and Health and Fit at Any Age — and a passionate advocate for authentic transformation, no matter your age or stage.👉 This episode is for you if: ✔️ You feel confident on the outside but uncertain inside✔️ You’ve been waiting for the “right time” to make a change✔️ You want to own your story and stop second-guessing yourself✔️ You’re ready to act — and become who you were meant to be🎧 Subscribe to Game Changers for weekly conversations with leaders who are rewriting the rules and reshaping what’s possible.🌐 Full episodes + bonus content: MeetTheGameChangers.com📺 Video version: YouTube.com/@GameChangersPodcast🎙️ Host Info: https://www.JessTodtfeld.com/#MimiSecor #Confidence #FakeItTillYouMakeIt #LifeCoaching #PersonalGrowth #GameChangersPodcast #TransformationStory #BodybuildingOver50 #MindsetShift #JessTodtfeld

What if you could go from unknown to in-demand — without spending years trying to prove yourself? In this episode of Game Changers, Jess Todtfeld sits down with Trevor Crane — bestselling author, business strategist, and host of Greatness Quest — to break down exactly how to position yourself as the go-to expert in your space… fast. ✅ Whether you're a coach, consultant, doctor, lawyer, or entrepreneur — this episode will show you how to use your story, expertise, and message to command attention and authority. 💡 Inside this episode: How Trevor went from broke to 7-figure business owner The fastest way to build trust with your audience Why your story is the most powerful marketing asset you have The book publishing strategy that turns clients into celebrities in their niche How to stop sounding like everyone else — and stand out in any crowded market A better way to get featured, followed, and PAID 👤 About Trevor Crane Trevor is the founder of Epic Author Publishing, a business mentor, and the host of the Greatness Quest podcast. He’s helped hundreds of entrepreneurs write bestselling books, launch signature programs, and elevate their message to dominate their industries. 👉 Ready to step into your authority? 🎧 Subscribe to Game Changers for more conversations with leaders who are rewriting the rules.🌐 Full episodes and bonus content: MeetTheGameChangers.com🎙️ Learn more about Jess: https://www.JessTodtfeld.com/ #TrevorCrane #AuthorityBuilding #BusinessStrategy #Storytelling #GameChangersPodcast #Branding #ExpertPositioning #PublishABook #JessTodtfeld #EntrepreneurMindset

Game Changers with Jess Todtfeld is the show where we spotlight the one move, mindset, or strategy that has made the biggest difference in our guests’ lives and businesses. Hosted by Jess Todtfeld — media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours — this podcast delivers high-impact conversations in short, powerful episodes. Whether it’s a breakthrough approach in business, a life-altering realization, or an innovation reshaping an industry, each episode features a “game changer” worth sharing. Some episodes feature interviews with top professionals in fields like healthcare, law, finance, and entrepreneurship. Other times, Jess shares solo insights on trends, tools, and ideas that can help you become a true game changer in your field. New episodes drop on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. If you're looking to sharpen your edge, grow your influence, and make a bigger impact—this is the podcast for you.