Small Changes Big Shifts With Dr. Michelle Robin

Matt is a former special education teacher and spent the majority of his educational career as an elementary principal. Under his leadership two elementary schools went from Low Performing schools to Top Ten High Performing schools in the State of Missouri. Matt contributes this increase in achievement to the power of positive relationships. When organizations are focused on people – great things happen … and it’s the little things that make a big difference. Matt currently serves as a Senior Consultant with Franklin Covey, a Room Tilter for Limitless Minds, and Lead Coach for John O’Leary LIVE INSPIRED. Matt is also the President of Miller Consulting, serving a wide variety of clients in the St. Louis area. He has been a Director for the West County Fire and EMS District for the past 18 years, serves on the YMCA Board, and is highly involved at St. Vincent DePaul Church in downtown St. Louis. Memorable Quotes: “I’ve never been more truly convicted to know that the most important thing we can do is to hook o

Susan Mettes is the author of the brand-new book coming out November 2 called, “The Loneliness Epidemic – Why So Many of Us Feel Alone and How Leaders Can Respond.” Susan has been studying people and their decisions for over a decade. She has experience in behavioral economics, writing, research, survey design and analysis, travel, journalism, public policy, and teaching. Susan is currently working as an Associate Editor at Christianity Today magazine. Her family alternates between living in East Africa and Washington D.C. Memorable Quotes: “Loneliness is really when we're disappointed with our relationship. So sometimes that takes the form of missing a specific person. Sometimes we wish we had friends, more friends, different friends, a specific friend. But it's always that gap between the relationships we want to have and the relationships we actually have.” “In the United States, the older you are, the less likely you are to be lonely. It is a young person's problem in our country.” “But sometimes people

Vicki O’Grady is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor, author, and accomplished workshop presenter.  She has worked in the fields of mental health, addictions, eating disorders and personal growth since the late 70’s. Vicki has traveled throughout the United States and Israel presenting personal growth workshops and seminars. She is the former President and founder of Personal Power and Prosperity, a personal growth organization.  In 2014, Vicki started the You Matter Compassion Project, which involves giving out YOU MATTER cards. Upward of 2 million have been given out by people in the US, Israel and other countries.  Memorable Quotes: “We're all seeking through outside experiences and through other people to validate our specialness, our goodness. We're trying to feel that unconditional love from a person that gives our life meaning. And one of the things that I found is that we all seek things outside of ourselves to try and give us that, whether it's an addiction or a person or a job or exercise.”

Linda Cohen is known as the Kindness Catalyst. She has been a nationally recognized kindness expert and professional speaker for over a decade. Linda works with a wide variety of businesses and associations on the ROI of Kindness. She is the author of two books. Her first book is called, “1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change Your Life.”   Her new book is called, “The Economy of Kindness: How Kindness Transforms Your Bottom Line,” and will be published in October 2021. She lives in Oregon with her husband of 28 years. They have two spirited young adult children and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Ginger and Remy. She loves practicing yoga and meditation and will never pass up a good cup of Earl Grey tea! Memorable Quotes: "If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that God has left for you to complete. But if you only see what is wrong and what is ugly in the world, then it is you yourself that needs repair." - Ra

City Wide is the largest management company in the building maintenance industry, facilitating janitorial and more than 20 additional maintenance services for every client. They do more than just manage maintenance services for commercial facilities, they pride themselves on being a partner that helps you save time and solve problems! We spoke with three members of the City Wide Team: Jeff Oddo, the CEO and owner of City Wide Facility Solutions and City Wide Franchise. Lisa Greco, the director of People and Culture at City Wide Facility Solutions. Tom Bridgeforth, a present owner of a City Wide Facility Solutions franchise in central New Jersey. Memorable Quotes: “And for me, Michelle, the ripple is all about kindness, treating others like they matter. It's like treating people like someone else's precious child, someone that deserves respect, and is worthy of love and kindness.” - Jeff Oddo “Whether that's walking the halls, whether that's bringing in new talent, whether that's enriching the lives of the em

Edie Varley is a speaker, advisor, educator and the founder of The Varley Group which focuses on developing the skills of Emotional Intelligence to transform human potential into constructive contribution. From the boiler room to the board room, Edie helps people find the meaning in their work and the value in their contribution. Her work has benefited individuals and corporations – from privately held to Fortune 500 alike. Prior to founding The Varley Group in 2000, she served for 25 years in the business of chemical manufacturing where she started in sales and ultimately led the company as CEO and owner. During her tenure, Edie helped people find the meaning in their work and as CEO led the company to double-digit net operating profit. Memorable Quotes: “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.” “Think about the way you’re speaking because words create worlds.” “You’re hard wired with gifts that you think everybody has, but they’re really gifts unique to you.” “When you’re aw

Dr. Sheila Robinson is the owner and publisher of Diversity Women Media. She is a keynote speaker on leadership, entrepreneurship, and diversity and inclusion. She’s written two books “Lead by Example: An Insider’s Look at How to Successfully Lead in Corporate America and Entrepreneurship” and “Your Toolkit for Success: The Professional Woman’s Guide for Advancing to the C-Suite.” Dr. Robinson mentors women in business and trains companies on how to transform their culture around equity and belonging. She is no stranger to adversity and has overcome many career challenges. As a result of her journey, she found her passion to help other business leaders achieve leadership success in their careers. She’s turned her personal achievements into a means of giving back to the community. Memorable Quotes: “What people say or do is a reflection of who they are and what I say and do is a reflection of who I am.” “Freedom is when your mind, body, and spirit don’t get in the way.” “We are only as great as the least amon

Qiana Thomason has dedicated her career to the improvement of health and wellbeing across the region. As the CEO of Health Forward, she focuses on communities over-represented in health injustice and those living in marginalized conditions. While Qiana has an impressive career repertoire, it’s her health journey that is the highlight of her story. After years of suffering from intense skin issues, self-isolation, and joint and gut pain, Qiana found the answer. It took stepping away from conventional medicine and discovering the root cause of her symptoms through a functional approach. The problem? An overgrowth of Candida albicans in her gut created an autoimmune response in the rest of her body. Through listening to her body, building relationships with her healthcare providers, and relentlessly pursuing wellbeing Qiana was able to find healing. Memorable Quotes: “There’s the food you get through what you eat, and the food you put on your body, and the food you put in your mind and your soul.” “I’ve always

Dr. Carolina is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry. She owns an outpatient clinic located in Prairie Village, Kansas and is the co-founder of the Healthy Aging Revolution. Her goal is to promote the mental health of adult and elderly patients by providing psychotherapy, medication management, and diagnostic evaluation for different disorders.  Dr. Carolina works with patients to assess and understand the biological, psychological, personal, and social aspects of their symptoms. She also takes into account their character traits, life experiences, and behavioral patterns, to suggest an appropriate treatment. She was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, and is fluent in both English and Spanish - and is raising two bilingual children! Dr. Carolina is happily settled in the Midwest and loves helping people pursue successful and healthy aging. Memorable Quotes: “I enjoy talking with very old people, they have come before us on a road by which

Carron Montgomery is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist and Level II trainer in EMDR. She utilizes a client centered approach that includes the importance of collaborating with each client's team of professional and primary caregivers. Carron is passionate about serving youth. She believes that building connections starts with being present. Nine years ago, Carron and two other women started a private practice with the hope to build connections in their community. Their practice, Aster Counseling, specializes in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and grief and loss. At the beginning of her career, she worked for two nonprofits; the first specializing in sexual abuse and the second working with low-income families and trauma. She currently treats ages four and up and often utilizes family therapy and parental support sessions. Carron is also a presenter for churches, schools and various organizations. She began presenting at the beginning of the pandemic, as she saw a huge nee

This week is the official launch of our new mini-series on loneliness and finding your tribe. Dr. Michelle Robin talks to Audrey Robin, her niece and newest member of the Small Changes Big Shifts team, to introduce the series. Audrey Robin is a holistic health copywriter who writes online content for functional medicine practitioners and health coaches. In this episode, Audrey turns the conversation around and interviews Dr. Robin about finding her tribe and building connections in a society fraught with loneliness. Memorable Quotes: “Hug yourself first, hug your faith, hug your family, hug your friends, hug your flag, hug your failures, hug your fears, hug your future, hug your firsts, hug your finals.” – Dr. Michelle Robin “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1 “Don’t give up and you’re going to have to put yourself out there. Don’t expect to sit at home checked out with Netflix and build your tribe.” – Dr. Michelle Robin What You’ll Learn: How to enrich your life usi

Jen Ciszewski is a functional medicine practitioner, lactation consultant, nature lovin’, birth doula, yoga teacher & family nurse practitioner student. She is also an entrepreneur who has set out to change the way we live with chronic symptoms and overall poor quality of life due to the foods, thoughts, and habits we consume daily. Her very own struggle with autoimmune disease led her to rock bottom physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. For a period of months in her mid-twenties she was couch-ridden and unable to continue in her career as a nurse. It was at this low that she learned the information and habits that would change her life and create the launch pad for her current success. A few short years later and she is now healing, inspiring, and leading others to improve their health - to then elevate their entire life!!! She is the owner of Inspire Health by Jen LLC, and author of the Midday Pigeon blog. Join Dr. Michelle and Jen in Part 2 as they talk about: Her step by step process wit

Jen Ciszewski is a functional medicine practitioner, lactation consultant, nature lovin’, birth doula, yoga teacher & family nurse practitioner student. She is also an entrepreneur who has set out to change the way we live with chronic symptoms and overall poor quality of life due to the foods, thoughts, and habits we consume daily. Her very own struggle with autoimmune disease led her to rock bottom physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. For a period of months in her mid-twenties she was couch-ridden and unable to continue in her career as a nurse. It was at this low that she learned the information and habits that would change her life and create the launch pad for her current success. A few short years later and she is now healing, inspiring, and leading others to improve their health - to then elevate their entire life!!! She is owner of Inspire Health by Jen LLC and author of the Midday Pigeon blog. Join Dr. Michelle and Jen in Part 1 as they talk about: Jen’s career and how she shifted

Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers is a graduate of the Disparities Leadership Program at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh where she received a Doctorate in epidemiology with a focus on understanding barriers associated with chronic disease and disability prevention. She is an expert in custom holistic health services with one-of-a-kind expertise in chronic diseases, disability prevention, and healthy aging. Between her extensive education and own experience struggling to overcome chronic health issues of 30 years, she is passionate about customized holistic healthcare that addresses root causes of pain, not just the symptoms. Join Dr. Michelle and Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers in Part 2 as they talk about: Elizabeth Rodgers| Healthy Transformation with the Heart Her own health struggles when she was 18 years old and what lifestyle changes she wished she had made growing up. How we can truly tune in and listen to what our body and mind need to heal c

Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers is a graduate of the Disparities Leadership Program at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh where she received a Doctorate in epidemiology with a focus on understanding barriers associated with chronic disease and disability prevention. She is an expert in custom holistic health services with one-of-a-kind expertise in chronic diseases, disability prevention, and healthy aging. Between her extensive education and own experience struggling to overcome chronic health issues of 30 years, she is passionate about customized holistic healthcare that addresses root causes of pain, not just the symptoms. Join Dr. Michelle and Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers in Part 1 as they talk about: Elizabeth Rodgers| Healthy Transformation with the Heart What an epidemiologist is and her role in helping people during their wellness journeys. How she helps people get to the root cause of their health problems. What many epidemiologists focus

PR and Social Media Director at Hallmark Cards, JiaoJiao Shen, joins Dr. Michelle Robin to discuss freedom and the power of connection. Join Dr. Michelle and JiaoJiao as they talk about: What it is like for JiaoJiao being a Chinese immigrant in the USA with two biracial children. Her thoughts on freedom especially with both children having been born on July 4, three years apart. Unpacking the discrimination and increase in hate we have seen in our communities over the last couple of years. Thoughts on Asian food and why we see people either love it or hate and discriminate against it. What people can do better to help support all races in their community. The continuous journey we’re all on towards anti-racism and how we can keep learning and improving. What difference we can make in the media and Hollywood by demanding more diverse content. Asian role models JiaoJiao had growing up and why she’s excited to see more representation in her children’s TV shows and movies. Mentioned In This Episode Both My Ki

Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all. Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, nationally known keynote speaker and best-selling author (with best-selling author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon) of The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change. His first book and autobiography, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, was published just three years after his release from a Texas maximum-security prison. Join Dr. Michelle and Damon as they talk about: Damon’s background story and his health journey of letting go of addiction for greater wellbeing. Why the world is a pot of boiling water and you have three choices: be a carrot, be an egg, or be a coffee bean and why you should choose to be a coffee bean. His childhood and the impact of being sexually abused by his babysitter. Takeaways Damon took away from his experience with drugs and going to prison for it. Damon and his wife, Kende

About Bellatore Recovery The Bellatore Recovery philosophy is grounded in connection. Their founders are all native Kansans, connected as personal friends and colleagues for over 15 years. Throughout their years treating eating disorders, they’ve consistently seen that building truthful connections with your own courage, your own beauty, and your own people lets you: Make peace with yourself Tap into your true unique strengths Find lasting recovery from eating disorders About Brooke Wesley Brooke’s desire to help individuals struggling with and recovering from eating disorders began shortly after she recovered from her own eating disorder. Today, she runs her own private counseling practice for adolescents, adult women, and families. She has been in the field of social work for over 20 years, having started as a technician on the Eating Disorder Unit at Baptist Lutheran Hospital. From there, she moved to the Women and Children’s Unit at Northstar, working in substance abuse recovery. After earning her Mas

About Alana Muller Founder and CEO of Coffee Lunch Coffee, Alana Muller is a Networking speaker, workshop facilitator, business relationship coach in Kansas City. She is also author of the book, Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide for Master Networking. She travels the world to share her expertise in the areas of Networking, Coaching, Strategic Planning and Business Consulting. About Johnny Waller Johnny Waller is the owner of JLW Group LLC and S.C.O.P.E. He earned both of his Masters and Bachelor degrees from Rockhurst University and his associate’s degree from Johnson County Community College. He is a former business owner, non-profit business executive and mentor to a great number of adults and youth in the Greater Kansas City area. He continues to have the pleasure and honor to speak on behalf of the population that he represents and looks forward to continuing these efforts through meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding among my fellow community stakeholders. Join Dr. Michelle, Johnny, a

A graduate of Stanford University, Victoria Labalme is a critically acclaimed director and producer, and also the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Risk Forward. Her proprietary Throughline, Rock The Room® and Risk Forward® systems have transformed hundreds of thousands of people around the globe, helping elite individuals create their life’s best work. With over 20 years in the Performing Arts – from Broadway to comedy clubs, landmark films to high-profile television – Victoria helps people awaken their hidden genius and perform at their highest levels. Using breathtaking stage skills, gripping stories, and comedic highlights, Victoria takes audiences through a profound experience they’ll never forget. Along the way, she shows people how to distinguish their brand, gain competitive advantage, and achieve sustainable growth through a surprising blend of art and business. Victoria’s proprietary systems and strategies have been embraced by Fortune 100 companies; C-suite executives at Starbucks