Thomas Wilson is a passionate storyteller, advocate, and mentor dedicated to creating spaces where all voices are heard and valued. Growing up in Manchester, New Hampshire, he faced the challenges of neurodiversity, bullying, and a system that often failed to support him. Yet, through the power of storytelling—found in poetry, novels, and music—he discovered a refuge, a source of strength, and a pathway to resilience. He became a peer specialist, working within agencies that recognized his passion and drive. Through his mentorship, he has helped others navigate personal challenges, gain independence, and build confidence in their own voices.Today, Thomas channels his storytelling expertise into the world of Dungeons & Dragons, leveraging the game’s immersive, narrative-driven structure as a powerful tool for mentorship, community-building, and personal growth. As a group facilitator and educator, he helps individuals connect, collaborate, and redefine their own paths in ways that are meaningful to them.With over 30 years of lived experience, Thomas remains committed to building bridges—creating inclusive spaces where storytelling fosters connection, healing, and joy. His mission is to ensure that every individual, regardless of background or challenge, finds a place where they are seen, heard, and empowered.Contact Thomas at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-wilson-42762927b/ or ndttrpg@gmail.com

Jen Esparza is a marketing agency owner, business consultant, and author dedicated to helping small businesses and nonprofits craft and implement effective marketing strategies. She is the author of Marketing Basics for Your Small Business and Marketing Basics for Nonprofits, both designed to provide clear, actionable guidance without industry jargon.

Head over to https://thejenadvantage.com/ to learn more about Jen's services and expertise, read blogs and download free resources and find information about her books.

Author Dr. Jonathan Bernstein is a Writer, Entrepreneur and Author of 2 books (“Two Goats” and “Election Day” and, both with Illustrator Natalia Berezina).Full podcast: https://bit.ly/JonathanBernsteinPodcastBernstein wants to make a positive impact through the power of visual storytelling. Born in NYC, he grew up in San Francisco and now lives in Portland, Oregon with his “modern family”. Bernstein has a PhD from Yale University in Literature. As a life-long student of European languages, he speaks 6 languages (German, French, Russian, English, Spanish & Swedish). He believes visual stories can be understood in “multiple languages”. His work has been seen on KGO ABC7 Mornings San Francisco, Outrage Overload Podcast, Coffee with the Dog, and in the Jewish Journal, Authority Magazine and many top podcasts. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bernstein-66020a336/Two Book Websites:Election Day https://electiondaybook.com/Two Goats - 2nd Edition - released in Dec 2024https://twogoatsbook.com/

Dr. Michael Neal is not just an optometrist—he’s a visionaryentrepreneur on a mission to revolutionize the hiring process in healthcare.

As the Founder & CEO of Build My Team, Dr. Neal turned hisown hiring nightmares into an innovative system that now helps healthcarepractices across 40+ states and Canada find the right people with ease.

It all started in 2002 when Dr. Mike and his wife, Dr. Amy Neal,launched Lakeside Vision in Hawley, Pennsylvania with big dreams. But yearafter year, their growth stalled—not because of their skills as doctors, butbecause of hiring mistakes that led to constant staff turnover. Every time theylost a key team member, they were forced to cancel vacations, scramble to fillpositions, and endure the painful cycle of hiring the wrong people.

That’s when Dr. Mike had an epiphany. Instead of hiring based onexperience alone, he flipped the script. He asked, “What kind of person willtruly thrive in this role?” By identifying key performance factors—like speedof learning, mindset, and natural strengths—he created a data-driven hiringprocess that transformed his practice. Suddenly, they weren’t just fillingroles—they were building a high-performing, engaged team.

Word spread, and soon, friends in the healthcare field asked forhis help. The method worked so well that Dr. Mike expanded it into what is nowBuild My Team, a company that helps private practices hire smarter, faster, andwith greater success. Modeled after the recruitment strategies of Disney andthe Four Seasons, Build My Team removes the guesswork from hiring, ensuringpractices bring on team members who are truly a perfect fit.

When he’s not helping practices build world-class teams, Dr.Mike is a dedicated dad to two amazing sons, a marathon runner, and an aspiringultra-runner, often training alongside his wife.

Dr. Don Simmonds is a trademark attorney with over a decade of experience specializing in intellectual property law and, more recently, artificial intelligence.

Jim Fielding is a respected leader in Experiential Retail, Brand Management, and Media Development, with over 15 years of experience at the President and CEO level. He has emerged as a prominent voice in Authentic Leadership and DEI following the release of his best-selling book, ALL PRIDE, NO EGO, in 2023. Full episode link: https://bit.ly/JimFieldingPodcast Jim's career spans over 30 years with major companies like The Gap, Disney, and 20th Century Fox, where he became known for building collaborative global teams and cultures. Jim works with clients on entrepreneurial ventures, higher education initiatives, and advisory roles. He has presented to organizations such as Oshkosh Inc., Salesforce, and CVS Health, engaging audiences ranging from 50 to 800 attendees. Additionally, Jim is an active angel and venture investor, serving on boards and advising companies in the consumer goods and health sectors. Additionally, Jim is an active angel and venture investor, serving on boards and advising companies in the consumer goods and health sectors. Jim's commitment to higher education includes roles at Indiana University, where he has served on several boards and received multiple honors. His dedication to servant leadership is reflected in his charitable work with organizations like Make-A-Wish International, GLSEN, and the Human Rights Campaign. Jim has been featured on premier press outlets like Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Newsweek and on podcasts such as Strategy Skills Podcast, Make It Happen Mondays, Office Hours with David Meltzer, Gay Men, Gay Talk, Life (UN)Closeted, Follow Your Different.

Devan Gonzalez is a mindset-driven entrepreneur, CEO of Strive 11 Fitness, host of The Mindset Cafe podcast, and the Best-Selling Author of Money Muscle Mindset: The Underground Playbook for Aspiring Gym Owners. Devan brings a powerful combination of grit, strategy, and inspiration to every podcast interview. Starting his journey as a martial arts instructor at just 13, he uncovered a passion for fitness, mentorship, and personal development. This passion fueled his evolution into a dynamic leader in the fitness industry. By 20, Devan had built a thriving 6-figure personal training business—achieved entirely in-person, bucking the trend of today's online models. His reputation for transforming lives, from athletes to fitness novices, set the foundation for even greater success. At 28, Devan turned a vision into reality by opening his own gym, creating a fitness community centered on personal growth and resilience. Not one to stop at good, he co-founded Strive 11 Fitness, a revolutionary fitness franchise that eliminates class times, making it the ideal solution for busy people. By 31, Devan had ascended to CEO of Strive 11 International, Inc., scaling the business while mentoring franchisees to replicate his success. As the host of The Mindset Cafe Podcast, Devan reaches a global audience, sharing strategies for breaking through mental barriers, mastering mindset, and achieving long-term success. His personal story resonates with entrepreneurs, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone striving for greatness.

Cam F Awesome is a 12-time national boxing champion, 3-time Olympic Trials champion, and former captain of the USA National Boxing Team. But beyond the medals and accolades, Cam’s journey is one of resilience, grit, and the power of positive internal dialogue. Full Podcast: https://bit.ly/CamAwesomePodcast Starting as a bullied kid who found confidence in the boxing ring, Cam transformed setbacks into opportunities, even bouncing back after being kicked off the Olympic team. Now, he’s taken the lessons he learned in the ring to inspire others, speaking at schools, workplaces, and events about resilience, mindset, and overcoming failure. With a knack for humor and a talent for storytelling, Cam captivates audiences of all ages, helping them see challenges as stepping stones to success. He’s also the author of Becoming Awesome: How to Make Success Inevitable, and he’s here to share his insights with us today.