Walk On

Michael welcomes Cheryl D'Cruz Young, Senior Client Partner, Sustainability Leader at Korn Ferry to the final podcast of season 2. In addition to being Michael's colleague at Brown University's ACT Executive Leadership and Performance Coaching program, Cheryl is a global citizen, born in Kenya as the youngest of five children. She relocated to London because her family had British citizenship when she was two-months old. Michael and Cheryl discussed her passion for supporting Women In Leadership, navigating corporate leadership as a working mother, a career in sustainability/CSR and Korn Ferry's Sustainability COE accelerating towards net zero through client energy transition commitments. Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and Executive Leadership and Performance Coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, nonprofits, and trade associations. Learn more about Cheryl at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-dcruzyoung/ and Michael at www.michaelmills.info

Michael welcomes friend and fellow entrepreneur EJ Stern to the 5th episode of Walk On Podcast Season 2. EJ founded the Fractional Law Firm CMO, a first to market company offering fractional marketing services to small and midsize law firms. They’ve grown rapidly, hiring their 7th full-time employee after just 18 months, and are serving more than 20 law firms across the US and Canada. EJ and Michael cover a range of topics from the "sliding door" phenomena to the challenges and opportunities of opening your own business.  Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and Executive Leadership and Performance Coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, nonprofits, and trade associations. Learn more about EJ's firm at https://www.fractionallawfirmcmo.com/ And learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info

Hope Ferdowsian (MD, MPH) is a practicing physician, professor of medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and president and co-founder of Phoenix Zones Initiative. As part of Phoenix Zones Initiative, Hope is building an Institute for Universal Rights, Health, and Justice. And She authored the book “Phoenix Zones: Where Strength is Born and Resilience Lives.”Hope's journey and resulting insights are at both jarring and inspirational and her enthusiasm for bringing progress out of the ashes is, infectious! Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and Executive Leadership and Performance Coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, nonprofits, and trade associations. Learn more about Hope's work at https://www.phoenixzonesinitiative.org/ And learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info

Whitney Marshall, owner of Whitney Marshall Coaching, joins the podcast to discuss career transitions, finding your passion, and overcoming negative self-perception and the wiring from family and corporate roles to live a fulfilling life. Whitney is a Certified Professional Coach on a mission to cultivate and nurture more genuine and generous leaders. She comes to this work from a remarkable career in corporate social responsibility. Whitney shares how her previous career felt expected of her, and a forced transition led to a new career more perfectly aligned with her personal values and passions. This episode is insightful, uplifting, and authentic - adjectives that could be used to describe Whitney, herself.   Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and Executive Leadership and Performance Coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, nonprofits, and trade associations. Learn more about Whitney at https://www.whitneymarshall.com. And learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info

Sharon Goldmacher, Founder, President & CEO of communications21 joins the podcast to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship and the confidence to try new thingsListen today, if you are looking for deep insight from a successful entrepreneur on how to build a company, find your leadership style, and the importance of taking chances.Learn more about Sharon and her firm here https://www.c21pr.com/ Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and leadership coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, and running nonprofits and trade associations. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info

Season two kicks off with Erin Barbeau, Senior Director, Sales Performance at FIS. What an energetic, fun and insightful conversation. This emerging corporate leader shares her insights on finding your voice at work, paying it forward, and investing time and treasure in organizations growing women in the workforce. We also fit in a little conversation about sports, travel, and finding passion outside the office. Listen today, if you are looking for a refreshing conversation with a dynamic corporate leader and generous mentor and volunteer! Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and leadership coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, and running nonprofits and trade associations. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info

Michael interviews noteworthy Finger Lakes winemaker Kelby James Russell for the final episode of season one. Kelby recently launched Apollo's Praise winery after successfully leading winemaking at Red Newt Cellars and his eponymous Kelby James Russell brand. He graduated from Harvard University, participated in the glee club and returned home to the FLX in 2009. He is a Wine Enthusiast “40 Under 40 Tastemaker” and co-chairs the “FLXcursion” International Riesling Conference.The interview covers the bounty of the "FLX" wine region, keys to launching a successful business, and finding ways to target your own passion.Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and leadership coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, and running nonprofits and trade associations. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info and Kelby at https://apollospraise.com/

Season one, episode four of the Walk On Podcast features an interview with Anna Ruth Peiffer who founded Alloy in 2012 (then known as ARPR), with just a laptop and a small family loan. In its first decade of business, the marketing communications agency grew to over $10M USD, acquired a unit to expand creative and technical offerings, and became sought after by global software brands. In 2022, Anna Ruth sold her majority stake in Alloy. Today, she focuses on the agency’s go-to-market strategy and senior-level client counsel. And she is following her entrepreneurial spirit to found a new eco-resort in Hawaii. The interview covers coaching and mentorship, the challenges and excitement of entrepreneurship, and so much more. Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and leadership coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, and running nonprofits and trade associations. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info and Anna Ruth at https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaruthwilliams/

Interview three has Michael interviewing Mark Taylor, Mason Family Head Coach of the current back-to-back NCAA champion Hobart Hockey Team. Mark is the Edward Jeremiah Award AHCA Division III and NEHC Men's Coach of the Year for 2023 and 2024. Taylor is the fourth leader of the Hobart hockey team and is the most successful coach in program history with a 406-176-55 record. The interview covers a range of topics including team building, leadership best practices and following your dreams - and then reloading once you achieve them.   Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and leadership coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, and running nonprofits and trade associations. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info and Coach Taylor at https://hwsathletics.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/coaches/mark-taylor/2109

Michael interviews Craig Allen Eck, Guitar Tech for country superstar Sam Hunt. The interview covers life on the road, holding on to your passion, and insights like "you can't teach experience." Craig rose from music retails sales to professional touring musician to serving on the road team for Sam Hunt who has received many awards, including one American Music Award, one CMT Music Award and Billboard Music Award and Grammy Award nominations. Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and executive coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, and running nonprofits and trade associations.  Learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info and Craig at https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-eck-03ba3b8/

Michael Mills kicks off the first episode of the Walk On Podcast with his brother James Richard Mills. The two discuss sales, finding your passion, and leading with purpose leveraging insights from James' successful career in pharmaceutical sales and a recent transition to selling real estate. Walk On is a podcast about the journey of finding passion in a life of purpose and turning that into leadership through conversations with people living aligned and fulfilling existences. Michael Mills is a communications consultant and executive coach, with more than 30 years of public affairs experience at agencies and corporations, and running nonprofits and trade associations. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelmills.info and James Richard Mills at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrmillsii