Find Your Spark

As Brooke and Chad settle into their new roles as co-hosts, they take time to share important updates from The SPARK Initiative and dive into the heart of nonprofit work. This episode explores what it really means to be a not-for-profit organization, why this work matters, and how donations directly fuel life-changing impact in schools, communities, and beyond. With honesty and gratitude, Brooke and Chad highlight the ripple effect of generosity—reminding us how much of a difference support makes for those who benefit from SPARK programs.

Now it’s Brooke’s turn to ask the questions—and this time, co-host Chad Hudson is in the spotlight. As Operations Coordinator and mentor at The SPARK Initiative, Chad shares openly about his journey, the work that drives him, and the experiences that shaped who he is today. Just like Brooke, he didn’t know what was coming, so expect a mix of lighthearted fun and meaningful insights. Get to know Chad in a whole new way as he brings his story, humor, and heart to the conversation.

In this episode, Chad flips the script and puts co-host Brooke Wheeldon-Reece in the hot seat! Without knowing the questions ahead of time, Brooke, President & CEO of The SPARK Initiative, fields a mix of fun, lighthearted questions and deeper, work-related ones. From laughter and personal stories to thoughtful reflections on leadership and impact, listeners get an inside look at Brooke beyond her role as host. Tune in for a candid, engaging conversation that helps you get to know the person behind the mic.

We’re kicking off a new chapter of the Find Your SPARK podcast! In this episode, hosts Brooke Wheeldon-Reece and Chad Hudson sit down to reintroduce themselves and share what you can expect from this revamped format. From their personal journeys with SPARK to their vision for where this podcast is headed, Brooke and Chad give you a behind-the-scenes look at why they’re excited to bring you weekly conversations that highlight resilience, mental wellbeing, and the potential within us all.

The original four founding team members of The SPARK Initiative are back together to celebrate Jena’s 9-year workiversary! In this special episode of the Find Your SPARK podcast, Brooke, Ashley, and Nicole ask Jena a mix of fun, personal, and work-related questions, highlighting her incredible growth and contributions over the past nine years. Tune in for laughs, stories, and a true celebration of dedication and impact! Plus: Don’t miss next week’s episode, where we’re launching a whole new structure for the Find Your SPARK podcast—new hosts, fresh stories, and even more ways to unleash your potential!

In recognition of National Recovery Month, Stephanie explores the different dimensions of what “recovery” can mean. Drawing on her own experience of stepping away from alcohol, she reflects on how different definitions—from Oxford’s “return to a normal state of health” to SAMHSA’s process-oriented approach—shape our understanding. Stephanie shares why the idea of recovery resonates as a return to the innate health we all already possess, rather than something that must be earned through effort or external steps. Through personal stories and insights, she highlights how our bodies and minds are constantly guiding us back toward balance, resilience, and well-being. Listeners are invited to see recovery not as a rigid process, but as a natural rediscovery of inner health and potential that is always available.

In this week’s episode, Brooke opens up about a deeply personal moment while moving her oldest daughter into her new apartment for her junior year of college. What started as a late night argument over planning turned into something much more, a real time lesson in awareness, anxiety, and breaking habitual cycles. Brooke shares how the emotional umbilical cord she and her daughter have wrestled with throughout their relationship often fuels codependency and tension. In this moment, she caught herself, shifted the pattern, and experienced firsthand how awareness can interrupt anxiety driven behaviors. This episode is an honest reflection on the way our habits, fears, and love intertwine, and how seeing them clearly can spark freedom, connection, and growth.

In this episode, Brooke and Nicole explore the connection between understanding the mind and how it can impact suicide prevention. They discuss the power of thought, how easily it can be misunderstood, and the ways those misunderstandings can shape how we think, feel, and respond to life. In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we invite you to listen to this discussion and please reach out if you’d like to continue this conversation. Sometimes simply talking with someone can open the door to your natural resilience and wellbeing, helping you find steadiness even when life feels overwhelming. We’re grateful for you, we love you all, and please always remember—you matter.

Nicole reflects on a powerful team conversation that reminded her we are all born whole, carrying our SPARK—our innate wellbeing—within us. She shares a touching story about her 7-year-old daughter, whose simple, genuine reminder helped her reconnect with that truth and remember that she’s okay, just as she is.

In this week’s episode, Makayla reflects on the past week’s SPARK & IWB Implementation Training and the unexpected lessons it brought about awareness and presence. Coming into the training after a whirlwind July, Makayla was already navigating a busy state of mind. But just hours into the first day, life intervened — a gut-wrenching phone call from her mom revealed that her dog, Tank, was immobile and in severe pain. In the past, Makayla might have pushed through her scheduled training session, ignoring how deeply shaken she felt. This time, awareness stepped in. She recognized that her ability to show up was deeply affected in that moment and made the difficult — but right — choice to step away and check on Tank. Thankfully, Tank is now okay, and Makayla returned to the training with a renewed sense of presence and clarity. In sharing this story, she explores how awareness allows us to truly choose ourselves — and how that choice transforms the way we show up for others.

In this episode, Jena explores the power of curiosity and how it often shows up in the most unexpected ways. What begins with a simple moment—her son sneezing—turns into a playful and reflective dive into the question, “What if I don’t say bless you?” Through this lighthearted story, Jena invites listeners to notice how even small moments can spark deeper awareness. Sit back and enjoy an episode that’s equal parts fun and thought-provoking, all inspired by a sneeze and a little bit of curiosity.

In this episode, Stephanie celebrates her first year alcohol-free by sharing how listening to her inner guidance—her SPARK—transformed her relationship with alcohol. After 30 years of drinking and many unsuccessful attempts to quit, an unexpected auto-renewal charge for the Reframe app became a turning point. Rather than dismissing the event, Stephanie recognized it as her SPARK nudging her toward a healthier path. Embracing this inner wisdom, she joined the app’s 30-day challenge, connecting with a supportive community and engaging in daily self-reflection. During this time, Stephanie experienced a profound shift: the urge to drink simply faded away. She realized that her inner guidance was always working to keep her healthy, offering subtle signs and encouragement to make positive changes. Stephanie explains how alcohol impaired her brain’s decision-making, but by trusting her SPARK, she gained mental clarity, energy, and emotional well-being. She encourages listeners to honor their own inner guidance, recognizing it as their SPARK’s desire for health and happiness. By staying open to these intuitive nudges, anyone can find the strength to break free from unhealthy habits and embrace lasting change.

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad speaks about how overthinking the smallest things, like whether or not to text someone first, can reveal a deeper struggle with confidence, fear, and trusting your SPARK to guide your social instincts.

In this week's podcast, Mari reflects on the impact that the SPARK Mentoring Program is having on the young people at a Hillsborough County Juvenile Detention Center and the importance of making programs like ours available to individuals experiencing incarceration.

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla opens up about her personal journey as a forward thinker—someone who’s always looking ahead, planning, and preparing for what’s next. While this mindset has its strengths, Makayla shares how it can also pull us away from fully experiencing the moments right in front of us. She invites listeners to pause, let go of worries about the past or future, and embrace the beauty of the present day. Tune in for an honest, heartfelt reminder about the power of being here, now.

In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Nicole shares a powerful realization: you don’t have to feel a certain way to take action. She dives into the idea that while emotions are natural and ever-changing, focusing too much on the unhelpful ones can hold us back. Nicole explains that waiting to feel motivated or "ready" isn’t necessary—you’re capable of doing hard things even when it doesn’t feel that way. Once you recognize the power of your SPARK, you’ll see that action is possible no matter your emotional state.

In this episode, Stephanie shares her recent experience when her partner suffered a stroke. She reflects on the divine timing of the event, which occurred just one day after she resolved to stop scaring herself with her own thoughts. Tune in to discover the resilience she has found through this experience.

In this episode, Jena and Nicole open up about what the SPARK Team has been up to lately. Since the year began, the team has joined Michael Neill’s training program, “How to be Really Happy and Love Your Life”. Over the course of these trainings, the team has gained incredible insights, but this episode focuses on one in particular – the insight that what we focus on grows. Listen as Jena describes her personal journey through knee replacement surgery, how her focus got the best of her and then ultimately, how it all worked out.

In this episode, Brooke and Ashley sit down once again to debrief and discuss some of the many incredible insights that have occurred over the last few months. This time, Brooke describes her trip home from Nashville with Ashley, and how running out of pre-saved Netflix episodes on her flight somehow landed her as a guest on an episode of “Connect with Jonathan Mark”. Jonathan is a Celebrity Psychic Medium, widely known for helping law enforcement solve cases. Listen as Brooke and Ashley unpack the weight of the conversation that was had and the healing that followed. If you or someone you love is dealing with thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Listen to the episode of “Connect with Jonathan Mark” referenced in this episode at the link below. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fighting-a-silent-battle-the-aftermath-of/id1760009567?i=1000702638463

In this reflective episode, Brooke and Ashley discuss some behind-the-scenes struggles they were both internally battling but not communicating about. This ongoing internal dialogue led to Brooke stepping up to ask a question during the live recording of Kim Lessing and Kate Arend’s podcast “Million Dollar Advice” at SXSW EDU. This podcast details the way that our thoughts can make us jump to conclusions, the helpful insights that come from simply asking, the ability to recognize everyone’s unique strengths, and the realization that not everyone is going to mirror the expectations you have for them, but that’s okay too. Listen to the episode of “Million Dollar Advice” referenced in this episode at the link below. https://schedule.sxswedu.com/2025/events/PP155925