Waking the Why

This week’s guest is Emily Martin Prisbrey. Emily is a connector, someone who naturally brings people together and helps them see what’s possible in their lives. With a background in relationship management, event planning, and community leadership, she has built her work around people, connection, and meaningful impact. Shaped by experiences living across the country and stepping into a variety of roles, Emily has developed a deep love for people and the unique paths they each walk. She is driven by a genuine desire to uplift others, often creating opportunities, building relationships, and encouraging growth in those around her. Now, through both her work and everyday life, Emily continues to pursue her passion for helping people succeed, live with purpose, and make a lasting impact.

This week’s guest is Jo Dailami. Jo is a people and culture-centered development leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Dailami, a drinkable yogurt brand focused on high protein, collagen, and fiber. Jo has taken experiences from her life to create for others. With over eleven years of experience, Jo has built a career around collaboration. In addition to her professional work, Jo volunteers with Bolder Way Forward, supporting initiatives that expand opportunity and advancement. Now as both a leader and founder, Jo is passionate about helping individuals grow with purpose, intention, and create lasting positive change for everyone.

This week’s guest is Representative Jill Koford. On January 1, 2025, Jill began her legislative service representing Utah’s House District 10, serving communities across South Ogden, Riverdale, Washington Terrace, and Uintah. An accomplished business owner and community leader, Jill is the owner and artistic director of Creative Design Ink, co-owner and CFO of Protean Edge, Inc., and president of the Rechieve Foundation. With a strong commitment to service, she has served on numerous boards, including the Weber School District Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of Weber-Davis, and currently chairs the Weber State University College of Social and Behavioral Science’s Advisory Board. A devoted wife and mother of three, Jill is also an instrument-rated pilot pursuing her commercial and multi-engine certifications, using her leadership and passion to make a lasting impact in her community.

This week’s guest is Sarah Frei Mills. On July 30, 2020, Sarah’s life changed forever when the car she was riding in was hit head-on by a drunk driver. At just seventeen years old, she suffered a T11 spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down and required the amputation of both of her legs. After more than twenty surgeries and months of recovery, Sarah chose resilience over despair, inspiring thousands with her courage and faith. Now a college graduate, elementary school teacher, and powerful voice for hope, Sarah shares her story to remind others that even after life’s most devastating moments, purpose, joy, and possibility can still be found.

This weeks guest is Hailey Babcock. Hailey Babcock is the founder of Hailey Happens Fitness, an online fitness and nutrition brand dedicated to empowering women over 35 to feel strong, confident, and energized through every stage of midlife. With over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, Hailey has guided more than 50,000 women through her online programs, which focus on fat loss, strength training, and sustainable nutrition. Hailey’s mission is simple: to help women thrive—not just survive—as they age, with smart, supportive, and science-backed fitness and nutrition strategies.

(Part 2) This week’s guest is Trevor Anderson. Trevor is a husband, father of six, and kidney transplant recipient. At the age of 25, Trevor began experiencing symptoms of kidney failure. Over the next 15 years, he endured unimaginable medical and emotional hardship. During his journey toward a seemingly—and statistically—impossible kidney transplant, Trevor’s medical complexities continued to mount. Along the way, he welcomed four more children, maintained his career, supported his family, and stayed deeply engaged in his community. Trevor openly shares his gratitude for the many people who carried him through every stage of his journey, from his initial diagnosis to his life-saving transplant, and reflects on the deeper meaning found in perseverance, faith, and community.

(Part 1) This week’s guest is Trevor Anderson. Trevor is a husband, father of six, and kidney transplant recipient. At the age of 25, Trevor began experiencing symptoms of kidney failure. Over the next 15 years, he endured unimaginable medical and emotional hardship. During his journey toward a seemingly—and statistically—impossible kidney transplant, Trevor’s medical complexities continued to mount. Along the way, he welcomed four more children, maintained his career, supported his family, and stayed deeply engaged in his community. Trevor openly shares his gratitude for the many people who carried him through every stage of his journey, from his initial diagnosis to his life-saving transplant, and reflects on the deeper meaning found in perseverance, faith, and community. Be sure to join us next week for Part 2 of Trevor's story!

This week’s guest is Nathan Ogden. Nathan is a bestselling author, international keynote speaker, and resilience expert who has taught thousands how to move from paralysis to progress by confronting fear and eliminating excuses. After a life-altering snow skiing accident in 2001 left him paralyzed, Nathan endured not one but two devastating neck breaks that reshaped his physical and mental reality. Through those trials, he discovered powerful systems for overcoming mental paralysis and reclaiming purpose. A wheelchair athlete, co-creator of the nonprofit Chair the Hope, and author of Unfrozen and co-author of Resilience and Leadership in Trying Times—both #1 bestsellers—Nathan now helps individuals and organizations identify the lies that hold them back and build resilience that leads to meaningful progress. His extraordinary life experiences, courage, and determination inspire people around the world to rise beyond limitations and live with renewed hope, focus, and impact.

This week’s guest is Bret Rasmussen. Bret is the founder and CEO of KURU Footwear. Bret is a passionate entrepreneur and visionary leader whose dream of starting a footwear company began in fifth grade and became reality with the founding of KURU. After launching the brand’s patented heel-hugging KURUSOLE® technology in 2008, Bret built KURU into a mission-driven, direct-to-consumer company focused on eliminating foot pain and helping people live lives they love. Under his leadership, KURU has grown through innovation, purpose, and community impact, delivering feel-it-to-believe-it footwear designed to support healthy, active living.

This week’s guest is Christine Jacobson-Ware. Christine is a trailblazing pharmacist, entrepreneur, and health advocate who made history in 2000 as the founder of Utah’s first woman-owned independent pharmacy. The owner and manager of Wasatch Pharmacy Care, Christine is a licensed health practitioner and registered compounding pharmacist with a Purdue University education and more than 25 years of experience in retail pharmacy. Under her leadership, Wasatch Pharmacy Care has served the Ogden community for over two decades. Christine is dedicated to helping every individual “stay healthy” through exceptional care and connection.

This week’s guest is Weston Brandon. Weston is a speaker, men’s coach, and father whose life embodies resilience and purpose. After years of top-tier success in sales, his world shifted in 2019 when his wife passed away shortly after the premature birth of their son, a loss that led him to rebuild his life from the ground up. He found healing in the HVAC trades, remarried, expanded his family, and developed the D.R.I.V.E. System, a framework that helps people reclaim identity, purpose, and momentum. Today, Weston teaches the Law of Impact and guides audiences to reconnect with their WHY, empowering them to break barriers, ignite resilience, and build forward with intention.

This week’s guest is Mallory Everton. Mallory is a creator, writer, and performer from Portland, Oregon. She co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in the feature film Stop and Go, a covid-era road trip comedy that premiered at SXSW in 2021. Known for her sharp wit and creative range, Mallory also created the hit web series Freelancers, starred in the viral Purple Mattress “Raw Egg Test” ad, and wrote and acted in the first nine seasons of Studio C. More recently, she’s appeared in Villains Inc. alongside Colin Mochrie and in her first horror film, I See The Demon, with Jon Heder. She also co-hosts two podcasts: The Soloists, exploring singleness, connection, and belonging, and Gods, Ghosts, and UFOs, a weekly dive into all things mystical and unexplainable.

Welcome back to Part 2! This week’s guest is Holly Porter. Holly is a motivational speaker, trainer, animal lover, and survivor whose story is one of faith, grit, and resilience. After a near-fatal horseback accident left her on life support, and later losing her home to a fire, Holly learned to face life’s hardest moments with courage and humor. Through her speaking and writing, she inspires others to rise after being knocked down, find joy in the journey, and live each day with unshakable purpose.

This week’s guest is Holly Porter. Holly is a motivational speaker, trainer, animal lover, and survivor whose story is one of faith, grit, and resilience. After a near-fatal horseback accident left her on life support, and later losing her home to a fire, Holly learned to face life’s hardest moments with courage and humor. Through her speaking and writing, she inspires others to rise after being knocked down, find joy in the journey, and live each day with unshakable purpose.

This week’s guest is Jodi Brown. Jodi is a motivational speaker, bestselling author, certified business coach, and brain tumor survivor. At thirty-three, her life changed when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In her bestselling memoir, "The Sun Still Shines", Jodi shares how she turned unimaginable hardship into purpose, facing paralysis, pain, and uncertainty with faith and resilience. Now the author of five books and an award-winning speaker, Jodi inspires others to rise from adversity, rebuild with hope, and design lives that shine through even the darkest challenges.

This weeks guest is Portia Louder. Portia is a wife, mother, author, and speaker who has walked a remarkable road of redemption. Her journey from incarceration to freedom is one of honesty, resilience, and faith. In her book, "Living Louder: A Compassionate Journey Through Federal Prison", Portia opens her heart and shares with raw vulnerability the lessons she learned about accountability, grace, and the power of second chances. Her story is a testament that no matter how far we fall, it is possible to rise, rebuild, and live with deeper purpose. Portia’s message will inspire anyone who longs to transform pain into peace and live a life anchored in hope.

This week's guest is Dalton Castor. Dalton is 5+ years sober and uses his journey to recovery to give a voice to those facing similar challenges. He celebrates his new life overcoming addiction by courageously sharing his story and taking ownership of his journey. He shares, that though life may be unpredictable, you possess within you the extraordinary strength to rise above adversity, discover comfort in your unwavering beliefs, and propel forward with unrelenting passion and resilience. 

The week's guest is Aimee Stephens. Aimee is an athlete, mother, author, and VICTOR. She believes that all joy, fulfillment, and purpose in life begins with your own healing journey. Her book, "Turning Pain Into Purpose" shares her story and narrates a profound journey of self-discovery and healing as the author navigates through the complexities of life, relationships, and personal growth. Aimee's story of going from victim to victor is one that will inspire, uplift, and give others hope that anything you want in life is possible when you make the choice to heal.

This week’s guest is Chad Hymas. An internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, and passionate advocate for safety awareness and personal empowerment. After a life-altering accident left him paralyzed from the chest down, Chad’s resilience, leadership, and determination have inspired audiences around the world.A devoted husband and father of four, Chad creates experiences that touch hearts for a lifetime. In this episode, we talk about giving up, knowing when to pivot, the courage to accept help, and the power of everyday choices.