In this retrospective of "At the Podium," Corinne Bowen sits down with Patrick Huey (At the Podium Creator and Host) to review the impact of the first season of this groundbreaking series. They review some of the lessons learned from the 34 guests who gave of their hearts, their souls and their wisdom as they shared their stories of profound transformation with Patrick. At the core of each guests' journey was their willingness to say "yes" to the unexpected turns of their lives and in doing so, unleash their creativity, their artistry and their own vision for who they could be in the world.

In his own beautiful way, Charlie Davies - host of Morning Footy on CBS Sports’ Golazo Network - teaches us that each new day is a gift. Each sunrise is second chance. Each interaction we have is an opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face. Beyond his immense philanthropic efforts as the Director of The ‘Quin Impact Fund, and his expertise as a CBS Broadcast Analyst, Charlie’s legacy is that of creating hope from no hope, of creating a brilliant tomorrow, from an uncertain today.

In our conversation this week, Lucia Brawley, Chief Creative Officer of AMP Global Technologies, and I explore the uncomfortable, real conversations about identity, race, representation and who gets to say who is or is not part of any ethnic group. A fascinating conversation as we live in a time where the truths of the past are daily questioned and challenged and re-examined.

Shahin Safai is the Founder and CEO of Royal Personal Training (RPT), a premier private training facility in Beverly Hills, CA. In a town like Beverly Hills where people are obsessed with looking good, being seen and crafting a perfect physical image, making it to the top of the fitness and wellness world is no small feat to achieve. You have to have a tenacity of spirit to beat the odds. His story of overcoming multiple failures, getting knocked down and almost losing his business is the American Dream writ large.

McCord’s unvarnished story is one of a young man filled with much promise looking for his place in the world as he comes to grips with his sexuality and wrestles with the demons of alcoholism. His story is also one of hope. Where a person once passed out drunk on the floor of his job, can now hold his head high with a fierce humility and say, “I am recovered. I am living.”

Bill Thompson, Executive Director Young Storytellers, shines a light on the forgotten children who have been oppressed by poverty, lack of economic opportunity, and racial and social discrimination. His broad empathy is informed by his own experience of being an outsider growing up. He weaves the story of his life into his mission today, which is helping kids find their power by claiming their own narratives through storytelling.

With her work today, as the Founder and CEO of Violets Are Blue, Cynthia herself has become a flashlight for thousands of women battling for their lives. She eloquently and passionately calls for more education, more technology, more treatments and a cure so that Stage 4 women can stay alive for more than five to 10 years. As she reminds us with almost startling candor, “There is no Stage 5. Stage 4 is it.” The time for action is now.

We speak to Ryland during a time in his life when he is the process of rebuilding, reflection and reexamination. This is his season of life where there is no production, but silence, stillness and tarrying as springtime glimmers on the horizon. It’s a lesson for us all, really. As he describes it, there is a “divine timing for the inhale and the exhale.” And as with each breath, there is always a pause.

Josh’s journey reminds us of what happens when you stop running and start facing the pain of your life. When you find the capacity within your heart to forgive yourself and those who have caused you great disappointments. In a time when religion and commitment to following any religious doctrine can be used as a tool to divide us, Josh uses his pulpit to call upon us, the Church and the world to start a love revival. To love all people. To love all people abundantly.

Shannon Flynn joined the Hannah Montana cast and crew from the beginning. First as an assistant, then as an acting coach and finally as a director of the show. Shannon openly talks about how she battled imposter syndrome and had to learn to fight for her own ideas as a director.

Delia McLinden and her family own Farmhouse Fresh, one of the most successful product brands in the global spa industry. Built into the mission of the company is their living, breathing passion for farm animal rescue.

The necessity and relevance of art is a conversation needed today given that we live in tumultuous times, not unlike the 1960s. And if we are going to have this conversation, Lisa Channer is a voice that must be heard. She is a director, producer, dancer, performer, educator, wife and mother.

Mary Poppins dispensed medicine with a spoonful of sugar (and a really fun sing-along with the kids “in the most delightful way”) to make it easy for her young wards to swallow. That’s what it feels like when you read a book by Nora Zelevansky. Tough wisdoms and truths wrapped up in smart language, articulate characters and magical, invisible jets that can take you from Paris to New York in a matter of minutes (see Semi-Charmed Life). 

Enter Cassandra Worthy. She is a global keynote speaker, author and consultant who is the CEO and optimistic mind behind Change Enthusiasm. Her three-step method of “Signal. Opportunity. Choice.” provides a blueprint for organizations in transition as they help their employees accept inevitable changes by embracing what she calls the growth mindset. What distinguishes Cassandra’s approach is that a significant part of her pedagogy is based upon the acknowledgement and leveraging of the employees’ emotions in this change process.

Joshua Banbury’s work and personal narrative are a tapestry of rich textures influenced by the wide range of music (Jazz, Folk Music, Classical, Carnatic Music and Art Songs) that he has been a student of and performed at the highest levels. He is also artistically and intellectually inspired by Surrealist artists like Leonora Carrington, his Texas roots, and the folk songs of Appalachia.  

Dr. Bryan Williams is a determined executive coach, author, husband and father. But most of all he is a man of faith. And he has used that faith to propel him through the unimaginable journey of his life and career. He reminds us that faith is the essential ingredient required to let go of what we are holding onto in order to grasp the unforeseen and unknown gifts of greatness that lie before us. As he himself says, his life story is predicated on “an interesting mix of anxiety mixed with supreme confidence and supreme faith.” Thank you for sharing this lesson, Bryan. We are better for it.

I have known Tembi Locke (writer and producer of the Netflix Limited Series From Scratch) for most of my life. Thirty-seven and a half years to be precise. But more than knowing her, she has been a friend, and taught me a valuable lesson: Find a way no matter what. It’s that attitude, that tenacious spirit in her that comes from her ancestors that has helped her pave an unconventional path to her life, her career and to love. Her successes are many in the unrelenting world of Hollywood, but what Tembi wants to talk about, as she puts it, is a question she learned from her parents, “How do I do what I need to do? How do I serve my community AND preserve the essence of who I am as a person?” Thank you Tembi, for engaging in the conversation.

In her very thoughtful way, Claudia Zelevansky speaks a powerful truth about living today. We are at a time in human history when we must question the very relevance of long-standing conventions, beliefs and norms. And if we find them lacking, we must be brave enough to change them. As she keenly states, we have to put the context first and not the result.

My conversation with Hugh was a reminder about what life and careers can look like when we are genuinely who we are and when we approach our time on the planet without the label making machine and just explore the many facets of our lives. Underneath Hugh’s laid-back persona is a quiet and inquisitive strength that we can all learn from. Hugh, thank you for your time and your heart centered wisdom.

Jane Cho is a powerhouse. In this riveting and unafraid conversation, she calls us all to the task of stepping into the unknown spaces, the complex spaces and claiming who we are. She reminds us that the barometer for success is tied to how emotionally, spiritually, attuned and aligned we are. Thank you, Jane!

In my conversation with Toby Poser - actress, producer, writer, director - the themes of family, the importance of finding your own creative voice and celebrating all of the things that unite us as human beings shine through. She reminds us of the importance of storytelling, not just for entertainment, but for survival. And she extols the virtues of having fun in your life and your work. She leaves us with this simple yet meaningful prayer or challenge – she says to us “You can find creativity in everything” even in the rising and setting of the sun. What beautiful gifts Toby gives us.

In our conversation about the state of business affairs today, Seth Mattison provides specific and elucidating examples of how the priorities of workers have shifted. He leaves us with necessary pieces to consider as we think about how we shape our next chapters – work is no longer a singular enterprise. Many of us will wear different hats and pursue multiple work existences. And we will all have to lean into becoming agile learners and be comfortable with the discomfort of learning new ways of being.

Sometimes you have to walk through doors that open for you. It sounds simple enough, but as Keiko Anderson points out, sometimes a closed door can be more comforting than an opened door. At least with a closed door you know what it is. An opened door means that you have to take the risk and step across the threshold into the unknown. How does Keiko recommend you proceed when standing on the precipice of the mysterious and the unfamiliar? Have faith and know that sometimes you have to make a decision and not back down.

There is a lyric from the Broadway musical, “Once on this Island” – “And if the gods move our feet, we dance.” The gods have certainly moved Skyler Maxey-Wert’s feet for almost 20 years. From studying at the Jacqueline Kennedy Oasis School of the American Ballet Theater, to performing with the SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, Germany he has learned some valuable life lessons: you have to have the tools to maneuver through the rigorous training and expectations of the dance world with grace and kindness towards yourself, you must breathe into the space of being an artist as opposed to just trying to be perfect all of the time, and most importantly, there is room at the ballet bar for all types of people and body types. Skyler certainly has wisdom beyond his years.

With his honest telling of his struggle through profound prescription drug and alcohol addiction, Quentin Vennie gives us soul stirring life lessons. We can turn our traumas into our triumphs. We all have to receive forgiveness and extend it to people who hurt us, even when we don’t want to. And in a world where society often strips people of humanity, when we have the courage to tell our stories to one another honestly, that’s when we can feel and see each person we meet through a lens of empathy and compassion.