Scott Gragg, Former NFL Player and current Principal for McNary High School, talks about his journey a bit and what he has learned about leadership in his years. He talks about the importance of avoiding micromanaging and giving freedom and trust to those who work with you. He also shares some insights about his journey as a parent of 2 very different kids.

Jim Seymour talks about his long career helping communities with Catholic Community services and how his life changed thanks to a man who believed in him enough to promise him work if he committed to educating himself. Truly an inspiring story about determination.

Tom Hoffert, CEO of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, talks about his journey through his career in the private sector on to nonprofits and focusing on helping small, local businesses thrive in his area.If you'd like to learn more about what Tom does with Salem Chamber, you can visit their website: salemchamber.orgTom also hosts a podcast with the Salem Chamber, you can find more info at salemchamber.org/podcast

Jessica Howard, President of Chemeketa Community College, Shares about her journey through multiple degrees and searching in her career to land where she is today. She also hares a lot about the new Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree that they just offered which was created to make a more meaningful degree focused on real work experience in their chosen field. If you'd like to learn more about what Chemeketa has to offer, check out their website: chemeketa.edu

Dan Kohler, Keizer City Council Member and Owner of Professional Preneeds, talks about his important work in the city and how he became the man he is today. He gives advice on surprises he faced in multiple areas and also talks about determination.

Pat Bailey, 2-time National Championship Baseball Coach and current Multi-Area director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, talks with us about his keys to success and how learned to see his job truly as education. If you'd like to learn from a successful coach, you should definitely. listen to this episode!

Soraida Cross is a Keizer City Councilor and the General Manager of the Hotel Salem. She talks about her what she learned starting from the bottom rung of the ladder and moving up to more important positions within the same company. She also talks about the importance of civics and learning to know your limits in capacity for work.If you'd like more info on The Hotel Salem, visit their website: hotelsalemoregon.comYou can also contact Soraida with her City Councilor Email: CrossS@keizer.org

Louis and Leslie Risewick own Aj's Hideaway Bar & Grill and also the KBZY (1490AM) radio station. They talk about their lives growing up and their beliefs about what business is about and how to serve the community through their local businesses.If you'd like to learn more about them, you can go to their radio station's website: KBZY.comor their restaurant's website: ajshideaway.com

Fred Broadwater is a native Oregonian, retired National Guardsmen, and Keizer Post 17 Commander of The American Legion. One of his favorite parts of his post is the Boys State program where high schoolers all gather to practice forming municipalities and government structures from scratch! The kids learn valuable lessons about how to be involved with their local government and the decision-making involved in it!If you'd like to learn more about The American Legion of Oregon, visit their website: orlegion.org

Zak Stone is a photographer that does wonderful work and specializes in capturing the essence of landscapes and the outdoors for himself and his clients. He talks about how he got started in it all and gives advice for newcomers to the craft as well as business owners looking to get the most out of their imaging.You can find him on instagram @zakstonephotographyOr his website: zakstonephotography.com

Mike Peterson talks about his world of helping people reach others effectively through marketing. He talks about how he grew from someone who struggled in school to a business owner through learning the value of hard work.If you'd like to reach out to him, you can email him at mpeterson@hitedigital.comOR you can find him on his various socials and websites all branching from mikegpeterson.com

Gayle Withnell is a philanthropist and former teacher who works with her husband, Dick Withnell, to better the communities they are a part of through civic engagement and charity. She talks about how she stays busy and continues to improve the world around her.

Mike Adams is an entrepreneur who owns a few restaurants and is likely most known for turning a food truck into a restaurant: Adam's Rib Smokehouse. He talks about his life story, the beginnings of his entrepreneurial spirit, and gives advice that he wishes he had when he was younger.If you'd like to learn more about his smokehouse, you can visit their website adamsribsmokehouse.com

Justin and Emmy Arana run the Acres of Hope Youth Ranch in Independence, OR. They work with troubled youth tho help them connect with mentors, nature, horses, and more. On the podcast, they talk about their personal origins as well as the origins of the ranch and how they go about doing what they do.If you'd like to learn more about Acres of Hope, visit their website: acresofhopeyouthranch.orgOr you can reach out to Justin via email: justin@acresofhopeyouthranch.org

Tim Sinatra is the of the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties. He talks about his struggles in school and how he overcame those to be the successful leader he is today. He also talks about life lessons he learned from his father and how he manages balancing work and life.If you'd like to reach out to Tim to find out more about what he does, you can email him at tsinatra@theyonline.comYou can also go to their website at theyonline.org

Rollyn Betts is a health coach, vocal coach, and even a horse trainer! He has many passions focused around educating others and helping them achieve goals they perhaps didn't think were possible! He shares with us advice he wishes he had and advice for everyone else too.If you'd like to reach him about providing some cpr training, you can find more info at orcprpro.comIf you'd like to reach out to him about anything, you can email him at coachrollyn@abetts.org

Holly Nelson, Executive Dean of Chemeketa Community College, pops into our podcast this week to share about her journey and what she does for students today. She talks about transitioning from teaching directly to administration and its impact for change. If you'd like to see more of what Chemeketa offers, go to their website chemeketa.eduIf you'd like to reach her, you can email her at holly.nelson@chemeketa.edu

Tony Frazier is the Director for the Salem Kroc Center. They work with the local community and underserved children and families to provide activities for young people. Someone can go there to experience their pool, gym, educational centers and so much more.If you'd like to learn more about what Tony does, check out their website: salem.kroccenter.org

Katy Canales shares with us a bit of her life story and what she has learned about having influence in a community and business. She currently works with home loans and mortgages. She talks about being a twin and transitioning to a school without them and other life changes that can have an impact on a person.If you'd like to reach out to her, you can reach her via email katy.teamcanales@gmail.com or by phone 503-385-4040

Anna Sponable is a new high school graduate that is on their way to becoming an awesome civic leader one day. She has participated in many community projects and was a participant in the American Legion mock government project. We all wish her luck and are excited to see what she will pursue after she continues her education in college!