The Impact Project Podcast

In this conversation, Seth Gehle and Conner Furu discuss the significance of sharing personal stories and the impact of resilience through pain and suffering. They emphasize the role of coaches and mentors in shaping lives, the importance of connection and vulnerability in healing, and the urgent need to raise awareness about human trafficking. They also explore personal initiatives and community involvement as ways to make a difference, and the necessity for understanding and support in schools to help children facing trauma.

Aaron shares his story of nearly losing his son and how that experience has shaped his life into being the entrepreneur that he is today.

Kristilee talks about her experience as a Special Victims Unit Detective and member of the SWAT team. 

Kota shares his personal story of growing up in an abusive household, the impact it had on him, and his journey to healing and becoming a better father. He discusses the importance of men being able to identify and communicate their emotions, and the power of telling one's story. Kota  also opens up about his daughter's diagnosis of mitochondrial disease and the challenges they faced as a family. He shares his experience of losing his daughter and the impact it had on his life and relationships. He reflects on the guilt, anger, and grief he felt, as well as the challenges of being a father and husband. He discusses the importance of open communication and vulnerability in relationships and the need to confront insecurities and past traumas. He also talks about his journey to becoming a firefighter and the intense experiences he had during his first year on the job. In this conversation Kota shares his experiences as a firefighter, a father, and a survivor of trauma. He discusses his first fire and the intense emotions he felt during the experience. Kota also opens up about the loss of his daughter and the challenges he faced in processing his grief. He emphasizes the importance of being a good person and taking care of others, both as a firefighter and as a father. He reflects on the impact of his own upbringing on his parenting style and the lessons he hopes to pass on to his son. He also discusses the role of therapy and mental health support in the fire department and the need for a cultural shift in how trauma is addressed. Overall, Kota's story is one of resilience, growth, and the power of connection.

Marie Alessi shares her experience of losing her husband and how she has found power and healing in grief. She emphasizes the importance of choosing happiness and love over staying stuck in grief. Marie discusses how she talks to her children about their father and keeps his memory alive. She also highlights the significance of self-love in the healing process and the need to lean into love rather than fear. Marie challenges the societal belief that grieving for a longer time or harder shows more love, and instead encourages a focus on healing and moving forward. Marie Alessi shares her experience of grief and healing after the sudden loss of her husband. She emphasizes the importance of holding space for people and allowing them to heal, rather than expecting them to stay stuck in grief. Marie discusses the timeline of her grief and the moment she decided to create the happiest life possible for herself and her children. She also talks about the role of coaching in her healing journey and the power of making a decision to heal. Marie highlights the need to validate emotions and the importance of love and happiness in the healing process.

Kellie Kaminskas shares her personal journey of loss and grief, from losing her mother to cancer while pregnant with her son, to the tragic death of her son's father due to addiction. She discusses the challenges of being a single mother and the importance of therapy for her son. Kellie also talks about her experience with publishing her book and the obstacles she faced along the way. The conversation covers topics such as therapy for children, the impact of neglect on young boys, the importance of relationships and love in healing from trauma, the challenges of talking to children about addiction and death, and the need for open dialogue and empathy in society.

Seth Gehle and Chris Cathers discuss Chris' background and his journey into the military. Chris talks about growing up with a single father, his rebellious teenage years, and his decision to join the military after high school. He shares his experiences in basic training, selection, and the Q course, highlighting the physical and mental challenges he faced. Chris also reflects on the importance of humility and the lessons he learned from older, more experienced team members. Chris Cathers shares his experiences in unconventional warfare, including his time in Iraq and Africa. He discusses his close relationships with his team members and the challenges they faced in combat. Chris also talks about his transition to civilian life and the difficulties he encountered, including the loss of a close friend and struggles with mental health. Chris Cathers shares his personal journey of overcoming trauma and mental health challenges as a veteran. He discusses the impact of his military service, including multiple deployments and exposure to traumatic events. Chris also opens up about his struggles with depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. He emphasizes the importance of seeking help and unpacking past traumas, and highlights the work of his nonprofit organization, BKVF, in providing support and resources to veterans in need. The conversation with Chris Cathers from the Brothers Keeper Veterans Foundation (BKVF) covered various topics, including the mission and work of BKVF, the challenges faced by veterans, the importance of community support, and the role of faith in healing. Chris has found purpose in helping other veterans. The conversation also touched on the upcoming gala event and the impact it has on the community. Overall, the conversation highlighted the resilience and determination of veterans and the importance of coming together to support and uplift one another.

Seth Gehle shares his personal story of overcoming hardship and trauma and explains why he started The Impact Project podcast. He discusses the six principles he lives by: inspiration, mentality, perseverance, achievement, commitment, and tenacity. Seth emphasizes the importance of finding sources of inspiration, adopting a warrior mentality, pushing through hard times, acknowledging achievements, and staying committed and tenacious. He also highlights the power of making impacts on others and being open to the impacts others can have on us.