Find Your Spark

In this episode, Ashley introduces a new team member, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Makayla Wheeldon. Makayla, a former elementary school teacher, is now learning and embracing the beautiful insight that every human has a Spark inside of them that can't be broken. Join Ashley and Makayla as they shine light on Mental Health Awareness Month, specifically teacher mental health. In a profession that burnout is experienced often, and teachers are exiting the classroom in large numbers, Makayla speaks to the factors that contribute to that while reflecting on resources that she wished she had during her time in the classroom. For those struggling, your mental health matters. It's helpful to know that as real as your thoughts may seem, they too shall pass. Click here to learn more about the National Wellbeing & Resilience Alliance Conference: https://www.wellbeingandresiliencealliance.com/

This week on the Find Your Spark podcast, Brooke is joined by colleague turned personal mentor and coach Monica Corota. Monica Carota is a top-tier coach who’s redefining how we understand and embody high-performance. Her work uses precision and depth to polish away any barriers to the remarkable power that already lies at the core of who you are. She believes that peak performance is the result of bringing the fullest expression of your incredible humanity online and making an impact from your inner genius. Listen as Brooke and Monica share a little bit about their recent work together. Monica can be found at: monicacarota.com

Your hosts, Brooke and Ashley, work with youth in rehabilitation centers, jails, trafficking survivor safe houses, and other alternative settings with one objective - to teach an understanding of how the mind works so they can tap into their potential and thrive. This episode will explore how a simple understanding of how the mind works leads to young people becoming more resilient and less reactive - even amid the most trigger-worthy circumstances.

This week on the Find Your SPARK podcast, Brooke shares a story about how she recently navigated an argument between her parents who have been married for over 60 years. To her it was both entertaining and insightful to see two people, who have so much love for each other, get lost in the details of their own crazy state of minds and lose sight of things most obvious to those around them. Listen as Brooke shares how it was both eye opening and relieving to witness that even her parents, who have a love that has stood the test of time, could get lost and find their way back to the heart of the matter within minutes.

The SPARK Initiative recently participated in Week of Caring, a week-long collaboration by United Way Suncoast and partner organizations to enhance our community through volunteer efforts while learning about other like-minded organizations in our area. Nicole, Jena, Chad, and Mari discuss the importance of volunteerism and the amazing opportunities offered at MacDonald Training Center in Tampa.

In this episode of #FindYourSpark podcast, Stephanie and Denzel discuss "Learn Fresh" and the active learning Denzel promotes by using sports as a method of teaching math. As a former educator himself, Denzel speaks passionately about a child's innate ability to learn, but believes that learning comes easier when it involves things that they love. Stephanie and Denzel discuss the #SPARK inside of every learner, and the mutual belief that learning comes from within. Please visit https://learnfresh.org/ for more information.

In this episode of the Find your Spark podcast, Nicole and Ashley share their personal stories of recent stress and the implications they have recently experienced in their work and their home life. Listen as they highlight how a simple conversation helped provide a key to unlocking the chaos in their mind and allowed them to step outside of the "stress storm."

In this episode, Nicole and Mari discuss one of SPARKs values, “we’re all in this together” and what that means to them. Listen as they share how this has impacted them and how it can relate to others in the world.

In this episode, Stephanie has the pleasure of interviewing Elexa Reece, a 16-year-old, who has been described as ‘wise beyond her years.’ Elexa talks about the importance of having a mentor and some of the key insights she’s had about herself and the human experience. She shares about learning to embrace her humanness, developing a true connection with herself, and not focusing on things beyond her control, like other people’s opinions. Tune in for these and other inspiring words from Elexa! Please also share with any and all teenagers in your life who might benefit from her wisdom.

In this episode, Chad talks about the importance of access and how there is beauty in how we choose to navigate it throughout our experiences. Join us as we discover how impactful life can get when we choose ourselves, minds, souls, and energy based on the access we decide to give or not to give!