Matters.com Presents

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Jun 2026

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About the show

(Formerly Solvecast) A collection of podcasts, stories, and experiments from Matters.com — where we explore what matters, one series at a time. This feed is home to interviews, limited series, and audio projects that reflect the wide range of what people care about today — from personal turning points to global conversations, from entertainment to big ideas. Some shows are polished, some are in progress, and some are just us trying things out. They won’t all matter to everyone. That’s the point. It’s all part of the Matters.com platform — a new way to focus, connect, and collaborate around what truly matters.

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60 recent

June 9, 202614 min

Why Neurodiversity and Self-Discovery Matter to Amanda Scott, Licensed Clinical Counselor

In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Dakota Rouse interviews Amanda Scott.Amanda Scott, licensed clinical professional counselor and coach, shares her journey from early childhood education to special education and ultimately into counseling — and how she found her calling working with neurodivergent individuals. She opens up about her passion for helping people with ADHD and autism recognize their unique strengths rather than viewing themselves as broken or "not working right." Using a memorable hammer-versus-pliers analogy, Amanda explains why she believes the goal isn't to fix people, but to help them discover what their brain is truly built for and start using it that way.[00:35] Amanda's background: From early childhood teaching to special education to counseling[01:38] Finding her niche working with ADHD and autism communities[02:10] Helping clients have that "someone finally gets me" moment[02:42] The hammer and pliers analogy: understanding your brain as a tool[04:18] Why Amanda loves the intersection of ADHD and autism — where rigidity and chaos meet[05:42] Challenging societal conformity through a cognitive behavioral lens[06:20] Asking the key question: Is this rule actually serving you?[07:00] Workplace flexibility and how it's already breaking neurodivergent molds[08:23] Speed Round begins[14:02] About Amanda's practice, Manda's Pathway, and where to find her[08:23] Matters.com Speed Round: Telehealth, Space Exploration, Sports, Podcasts, Astrology, Artificial Intelligence, CoffeeYou can find Amanda Scott at:https://www.mandaspathway.comThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

June 2, 202612 min

Why Authentic Leadership and Mindset Matter to Dr. Valentina Kordi, Organizational Consultant

In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Barton Williams interviews Dr. Valentina Kordi.Dr. Valentina Kordi, organizational consultant and bestselling author based in Athens, joins Barton to explore one of the most persistent problems in modern leadership — the gap between what organizations say they value and what they actually practice. Dr. Kordi shares insights from her bestselling book, "The Mirror Effect: What You See Is How You Lead," explaining how a leader's mindset and habits are reflected throughout an entire organization. She also offers practical advice for aspiring female leaders, with authenticity and conscious observation at the heart of her message.[00:27] Dr. Valentina Kordi on the gap between organizational values and real-world practice[01:36] The Mirror Effect: What you see is how you lead — unpacking her bestselling book[03:27] Dr. Kordi's background: from employee and manager to running her own boutique consultancy[04:00] Why working with top leadership, not just the team, is the key to real organizational change[04:48] Gender dynamics in leadership: what men and women are — and aren't — allowed to show[06:08] Three pieces of advice for aspiring female leaders: authenticity and conscious observation[08:07] Matters.com Speed Round: AI, Dogs, Sport, Politics, Art, Books, Exercise, NASA, Mental Health, HolidaysYou can find Dr. Valentina Kordi at:https://valentinakordi.com/http://linkedin.com/in/valentinakordThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

May 14, 202614 min

Why Heartbreak, Responsibility, and Authentic Expression Matter to Dusan Velickovic, Musician

In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Emily interviews dusan.Singer, songwriter, and guitarist dusan opens up about the deeply personal story behind his new song "The Diary" — how discovering his ex-wife's diary reshaped his understanding of their relationship and the nature of blame after a breakup. He shares powerful thoughts on the impact of divorce on children, the value of traditional approaches to working through conflict, and why authentic songwriting beats anything AI could ever produce.[00:13] Introduction to dusan and his new song "The Diary"[00:32] What matters most to dusan right now — processing heartbreak and understanding the real story behind a relationship's end[02:15] The story of discovering his ex-wife's diary and how two people can live together for years while living entirely different stories[04:21] Using art and songwriting to work through emotional pain and personal experience[06:14] How divorce impacts children — the powerful lyric about splitting a child in two and why kids matter most[09:04] Matters.com Speed Round: AI in Music, Rice Cakes, Divorce, Coffee, Chocolate, FIFA World Cup, Lyrics and SongwritingYou can find dusan at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusan-velickovic-90436aa1/https://www.instagram.com/_vdusan/This podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

May 5, 20265 min

Glitzy™ Presents: When Your Patience Runs Out at Work

Glitzy™ Presents: When Your Patience Runs Out at Work! A situation from Self Settings™.Self Settings is a about the controls, sliders, and toggles inside us — the dials we never knew we could adjust. This one is hosted by Glitzy Pup and we're looking at a public library worker writes in: she has zero patience left for the steady stream of angry patrons. One woman threw a fit because a brand-new bestseller was on hold, and she snapped — "this is a library, it's free." She knows it wasn't great. She wants to stop reacting like that.Glitzy™ and her friend Glitchy dig into what's actually under the irritation: the way frustration carries forward from patron to patron, how emotional regulation slips when you're already running on empty, and why setting realistic expectations isn't the same as setting good limits. Three internal settings come up — Emotional Regulation, Restart, and Active Tolerance — and how to use them so that the version of you helping the tenth ridiculous patron isn't carrying the residue of the first nine.Includes a clip from On Purpose with Jay Shetty — How to Communicate So People Actually Listen — on what happens the moment we respond from pure emotion instead of intention.For anyone whose patience meter needs recalibrating.Find your settings at SelfSettings.comThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

April 27, 202620 min

Why Connection and Storytelling Matter to Tressa Glover, Podcaster and Storyteller

In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Emily interviews Tressa Glover.Tressa Glover, Pittsburgh-based storyteller, actor, and creator of the award-winning podcast Yinz Are Good, shares why human connection is at the heart of everything she does — from her personal relationships to her work amplifying everyday changemakers. She opens up about how her podcast grew from a local Pittsburgh project to reaching listeners in 89 countries and territories, why good-news storytelling works best when it doesn't shy away from life's challenges, and how hosting the show as herself — not as a character — has been genuinely life-changing. It's a warm, fun conversation full of insight about storytelling, community, and what it means to really listen.[00:23] What matters most to Tressa: meaningful connection with others and listening deeply[01:05] Why Yinz Are Good works — it's not Pollyanna positivity, it's real journeys and real inspiration[04:11] The origin of "Yinz" and the linguistic history of Pittsburgh's unique dialect[06:09] The surprising reach of a local podcast — now heard in 89 countries and territories[07:31] What truly surprised Tressa: the sheer number of people quietly helping others every single day[08:00] How podcasting changed Tressa's life and the lightbulb moment of connecting as herself, not a character[09:43] Matters.com Speed Round: Podcasting, Performing Arts, Live Theater, NASA's Artemis 2 Mission, NHL Playoffs, Coachella, Pets[19:46] Where to find Tressa and Yinz Are GoodYou can find Tressa Glover at:https://www.yinzaregood.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressa-glover-6310b898/https://www.instagram.com/yinzaregood/This podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

April 24, 20262 min

Glitzy & Glitchy™ Present: Emily Advani's News

Imagine a news show made just for you — built around the topics you said matter.That's what every Matters.com members get: their own personal News, narrated by Glitzy & Glitchy™, our gamer pup hosts, and created around what they told us matters to them. Their people, their stakes, their week — not a generic feed, not what the algorithm thinks they'll click, not what everyone else is watching. Each week we feature one member's episode. Because hearing the news from someone else's perspective is one of the best ways we know to stay out of our own information bubbles.Follow her here:https://matters.com/@emilyadvani419https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyadvani/This podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

April 17, 20265 min

When AI Keeps You Up at Night on Self Settings™

When AI Takes Keep You Up at Night — Presented by Glitzy & Glitchy™ , the gamer pups. A Matters.com property.THE SITUATION_I am so worried about AI. I can't sleep at night. Yes I am worried about my job, but even more about our future. What will our kids do for jobs? What will a future be like in a world of AI?You're not alone. In this episode of Self Settings™, Glitzy Pup and Glitchy Pup break down a real situation from someone lying awake at night worrying about AI taking jobs, what their kids will do for a living, and what the future even looks like anymore.Featuring real audio clips from Radiolab and the Cheeky Pint podcast — including Bret Taylor of Sierra on AI agents and a Radiolab story about discovering chaos in unexpected places — the pups dig into the settings that might actually help: Notifications, Background Processes, and Decatastrophizing.Self Settings is a new kind of self-help tool where you search for your settings, find real-life stories from people who've been there, and even get a personalized podcast. You can create your own self-help podcast episode at SelfSettings.com for whatever your current situation is — whether it's a boss fight or a side quest.Cheeky Pint - Bret Taylor of Sierra on AI agents, outcome-based pricing, and the OpenAI boardhttps://cheekypint.substack.com/p/bret-taylor-of-sierra-on-ai-agentsRadio Lab - Life in a Barrelhttps://radiolab.org/podcast/life-in-a-barrelThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

April 15, 202610 min

Why Growth, Self-Worth, and Mindset Matter to Bianca Lysette, Serial Entrepreneur and Mentor

In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Barton Williams interviews Bianca Lysette.Bianca a mentor and serial entrepreneur from Orlando, Florida, shares how growth, mindset, and self-worth have shaped her journey from watching her family struggle financially to building a seven-figure business. She opens up about the importance of always staying a student no matter your level of success, and why mastering cash flow is the key to handling financial setbacks without fear. Bianca also gets real about the power of intentionally surrounding yourself with the right people — even when that means stepping away from close friends and family.[00:28] What matters most to Bianca: growth as a leader, entrepreneur, and whole person[01:00] On staying humble and remaining a student even after reaching success[01:50] How watching her family struggle with money led her to entrepreneurship[02:38] Building a money mindset: confidence, knowledge, and belief in your goals[03:16] Why mastering cash flow is the secret to handling financial failure[04:33] Practical advice for beginners: shoot for the moon and negotiate your worth[05:43] How the five people you surround yourself with shape your success[06:45] How an introvert used meetups and online communities to level up her circle[07:40] Matters.com Speed Round: AI, Dogs, Books, Exercise, Politics, NASA, Sport, Mental Health, ArtFind Bianca Lysette online at biancalysette.comThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

April 13, 202615 min

Why Juvenile Justice Matters to Greg Harris, Nonprofit Executive

In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Olivia interviews Greg Harris.Greg Harris, Executive Director of CounterACT International and former senior DOJ juvenile justice official, shares what drives his passion for working with incarcerated youth across Central America. He opens up about the complex realities facing young people in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala — including the unintended consequences of El Salvador's sweeping emergency laws — and explains why catching youth early, building genuine relationships, and providing mentorship are the keys to lasting transformation. Greg also shares the inspiring full-circle moments when formerly incarcerated youth come back to give to their own communities.[00:29] Greg Harris on what matters most: helping incarcerated youth in Central America find hope and a new path[01:13] The Northern Triangle crisis: how Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala ranked in the top 10 murder capitals of the world — and what's changed[02:06] The unintended consequences of El Salvador's emergency law and its impact on youth who had already served their time[03:33] Why believing in a young person's future is the first step — and how mentorship, governments, NGOs, and churches must work together[05:29] The importance of reaching youth early, and how CounterACT works with kids as young as 11 and 12 inside juvenile detention centers[06:19] Practical paths forward: micro-enterprise, informal economies, and building skills when formal employment isn't accessible[13:13] Life inside the book CounterACT: the backstories, the transformation, and the coaches who support youth after release[14:23] The full-circle moment: formerly incarcerated youth returning to their communities to mentor the next generation[07:27] Matters.com Speed Round: Juvenile Justice, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, Sports, Pizza, Mentorship, Music, Prison ReformYou can find Greg Harris at:https://counteract.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorypharris/https://www.instagram.com/counteractorg/This podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

April 1, 202614 min

Why Heart-Led Leadership and Resilience Matter to Lauren Wu, Executive Coach and Attorney

In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Barton Williams interviews Lauren Wu.Lauren Wu, attorney, executive coach, keynote speaker, author, and mother, shares the story behind her HEART-Led Leadership framework — and it's deeply personal. After suffering a near-fatal pulmonary embolism at 41, Lauren realized that burnout is a system failure, not a personal one, and she's on a mission to change how leaders show up at work and at home. She walks us through practical small shifts anyone can make, why high achievers need to stop sprinting through a marathon, and how leading with empathy and authenticity can create seismic change over time.[00:35] Lauren introduces the HEART framework: Humanity, Environment, Alignment, Resilience, and Trust[01:58] Lauren shares her personal turning point — a pulmonary embolism at 41 that nearly took her life[03:08] Small shifts that can prevent burnout: rest, honesty, and leading with empathy[06:18] How high achievers can keep achieving without burning out[07:10] Why burnout is a system failure, not a personal failure — and the healthcare product recall analogy[08:21] Modeling healthy behavior for children and letting go of perfectionism[09:31] Lauren's work as an executive coach helping companies change their systems from the inside out[10:04] Matters.com Speed Round: AI, Science, Health, Exercise, Mental Health, Politics, The Arts, Sport, The Oscars, DogsYou can find Lauren Wu at:https://www.heartledleadership.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-foster-wu/https://www.instagram.com/heartledlaurenThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.