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Find Your Spark

Find Your Spark

Hosted by The SPARK Initiative

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Episodes

277

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the 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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 11, 202622 min

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 a firsthand understanding of what it takes to serve others well. Together, Chad and Nicole dig into why nonprofit work deserves recognition, from the everyday dedication behind the scenes to the lasting impact felt by the communities SPARK serves. It's a heartfelt look at what keeps people committed to this work year after year, and why days like this one matter. Whether you're part of the nonprofit world yourself or simply curious about what drives it, this episode offers a genuine, insider perspective worth hearing. Want to be part of the impact? Support The SPARK Initiative today: https://www.thesparkinitiative.com/ways-to-give

August 4, 20268 min

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 share. It's a rare chance to hear directly from a young voice on topics that shape his generation. Educators, social workers, program directors, community advocates, and those working in systems of care will come away with a fresh, honest look at how a young man is thinking through the world around him.

July 28, 202634 min

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 Bestie." Listen in as she reads excerpts aloud to Ashley for the very first time, and stay for the laughter, tears, and honest conversation as the two unpack the perfectly balanced relationship they have built both in and out of the office. This episode is a beautiful reminder of what it looks like when friendship flows from a place of connection, presence, and genuine appreciation for one another.

July 21, 202639 min

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 around us. Together, they explore her journey through the classroom, her work as a trainer, and the passions driving her today, including her advocacy for cultural awareness and the power of building genuine connections with people whose backgrounds and perspectives differ from our own. Afreen reminds us that understanding one another isn't just a professional skill, it's a human one. Tune in for a conversation full of warmth, wisdom, and practical insight for anyone working in education, systems of care, or their own community.

July 14, 202620 min

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 habit, one we convince ourselves is keeping catastrophe at bay. In reality, that constant mental rehearsal of what could go wrong only makes life heavier and more anxiety filled. The truth? Most of what we worry about never comes to pass. Tune in for a conversation that just might help you loosen your grip on worry and rediscover the peace of mind that's been there all along.

July 7, 20266 min

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 want to become. What does freedom mean to you, personally? Chad celebrates the freedom we enjoy as Americans while also digging into the responsibility that comes with it. Freedom was never free. Generations before us sacrificed, fought, and built so that we could have what we have today. Honoring them means more than remembering. It means living with intention and using our freedom well. Tune in for a conversation that will leave you feeling grateful, grounded, and ready to carry the spirit of Independence Day forward with a little more meaning. Happy 250th, America!

June 23, 20268 min

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 episode is your permission slip to do exactly that.

June 16, 20268 min

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 depending on who you are and where you come from. What does freedom mean to you? What does opportunity look like in your life right now? What does equality still need to look like? Juneteenth invites us to sit with those questions honestly. To honor the lessons left by those who came before us. To look at how other people's experiences differ from our own. And to ask ourselves what we are doing, right now, to create opportunities for the generations that come after us. This is not just a day to celebrate. It is a day to reflect, to learn, and to look forward with intention.

June 2, 202616 min

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 brought him to SPARK, what his role looks like, and the impact he's already witnessed from the curriculum — even in his short time here. The two also get into life beyond the office, balancing work and home, and yes…the role Red Bulls play in it all.

May 26, 20267 min

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 mental wellbeing shapes everything we do, and the quiet power of choosing to understand rather than judge, starting with ourselves. Because grace isn't just something we give others in their hardest moments. It's something we all need to practice, every day. Join Chad for this important conversation. It just might be the one you needed to hear.

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