Ep. 148 Christine Fraser: From Family Business to Golf Course Architect
Golf has always played a large role in Christine Fraser’s life. She grew up on her family’s golf course and played competitively in college. Christine spent five years in England practicing golf course design under architect Dr. Martin Hawtree and recently became the first woman in golf history to hold a lead design role on a golf course in Canada. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christine shares her design philosophy centered on sustainability and her goal to make golf accessible.
Ep. 147 Donald James: From Intern to Top NASA Leadership
Donald James began his career as an intern at NASA with plans to stay a couple years. However, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, it set off a series of events that changed the direction of Donald's career. He retired from NASA after 35 years and is now a public speaker, mentor, business coach and author of Manners Will Take You Where Brains and Money Won't. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Donald shares how he’s using his experiences to inspire the next generation.
Bonus Episode 2023 Year in Review: Vulnerability and Gratitude with Lisa Valle
As 2023 comes to an end, we are reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the next. In this bonus episode of Flip Your Script, host Kristi Piehl gets vulnerable, talking about intentionally saying “no” in 2023 in order to say “yes” to new opportunities. This transformative mindset shift led her to meet Lisa Valle. Lisa joins Kristi to talk about how getting outside of our comfort zones and saying “yes” to vulnerability can bring so much into our professional and personal lives.
Ep. 145 LeeAnn Walton: From Stroke Survivor to Educator and Advocate
LeeAnn Walton was teaching yoga when she had a massive stroke. After years of being angry and not understanding why, LeeAnn discovered her strength and purpose. Now, LeeAnn is the author of Every Stroke Survivor has a Warrior Within and founder of the nonprofit organization, Stroke Warriors Inc. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, LeeAnn vulnerably shares the emotional and physical challenges she has faced and her mission to support stroke survivors on their journey.
Ep. 144 Antonio T. Smith Jr.: From Living in a Dumpster to Self-Made Millionaire
Antonio T. Smith Jr. lived in a dumpster from ages six to 14. Despite a lack of resources and support, he put himself through school and later became a spy in the U.S. Army, an innovative tech CEO in the AI industry and a self-made millionaire. He is a bestselling author, celebrity business advisor and inspirational speaker. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Antonio shares his dedication to uplifting individuals and reshaping society.
Ep. 143 Todd Tilghman: From Pastor to The Voice Champion
Despite no musical or vocal training, Todd Tilghman made it through NBC’s The Voice blind audition with all four celebrity judges wanting to coach him. The former pastor went on to win season 18, however, there is much more to his story than just winning the popular primetime singing competition. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Todd talks about leading with love and why being authentic is so important to his journey.
Ep. 142 Leonard Kim: From Nearly Homeless to Personal Branding Expert
Leonard Kim went from being on the verge of homelessness to a nationally recognized public figure and personal branding expert featured in publications like Inc. Magazine and Fortune. After opening up about his hardships, Leonard let his failures fuel his success. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Leonard openly shares the importance of being your true, authentic self and how to accept and prepare for life's unknowns.
Ep. 141 Jim Owen: From Wall Street Executive to SuperAging Expert
An inspirational speaker, author and former Wall Street executive, Jim Owen was 70 when he found a new passion in life and decided to get physically fit. Since his fitness journey began 13 years ago, Jim has been sharing his wisdom and inspiring other aging adults through his books and documentaries. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jim talks about how his positive mindset has played a role in his life and shares advice for those willing to look at life and aging differently.
Ep. 140 Sasha DiGiulian: From Breaking Stereotypes to World Champion Climber
Sasha DiGiulian is a two-time world champion rock climber who dominates the traditionally male sport. Sasha stepped into a climbing gym for the first time at the age of six and was competing within a year. She has gained global attention and has been on the cover of 27 magazines and features, including Oprah, Good Morning America and The Today Show. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Sasha shares how she navigates imposter syndrome, physical and mental challenges.
Ep. 139 Doug Dane: From Hidden Childhood Trauma to the Power of Sharing Stories
Despite Doug Dane’s painful past, he now lives a life of freedom, gratitude and hope. Doug is an international keynote speaker, mentor and author. He uses his experiences with adoption, child abuse and kidnapping to help people discover their true self and live a life free of guilt or shame. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Doug shares how he learned the truth about his story and how he encourages others to come to terms with their own stories so they can move forward and heal.
Ep. 138 Christine Ha: From Losing Her Vision to MasterChef Champion
Christine Ha lost her vision due to a medical condition almost two decades ago and had to re-learn how to cook. Now known as The Blind Cook, she is a New York Times best-selling cookbook author and the chef behind three restaurants: The Blind Goat, Xin Chào and Stuffed Belly. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christine shares how MasterChef launched her culinary career and how creativity and determination can turn challenges into extraordinary achievements.
Ep. 137 Jason Arday: From Autism Diagnosis to University of Cambridge Professor
Jason Arday was diagnosed with autism as a child and couldn't read or write until he was 18. Facing many challenges growing up, Jason wrote a list of personal goals on his parents’ bedroom wall. One goal said: “One day I will work at Oxford or Cambridge.” Now, Jason is the youngest black professor at the prestigious University of Cambridge. In this inspiring episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jason shares his story and talks about the people who got him to where he is today.
Ep. 136 Amanda Brinkman: From Big Brand Campaigns to Small Business Champion
Amanda Brinkman is a small business champion and marketing expert. She has worked on campaigns for brands like BMW, Reebok and Sony. But it was a role as Chief Brand Officer at Deluxe that gave her the chance to launch her boldest career move. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Amanda shares her “Do Well By Doing Good” philosophy, the reality show she created, produced and hosted, Small Business Revolution, and how she flipped her script by shining a light on small businesses.
Ep. 135 Maggie Brown & Grace Moore: From Childhood Friends to Recess Pickleball Founders
Their friendship began during elementary school recess. Now, Maggie Brown and Grace Moore are the founders of the wildly successful brand Recess Pickleball. They launched the company in 2021 and grew it from a pandemic passion project to a renowned pickleball gear company with fun and trendy paddles and accessories. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Maggie and Grace share how a simple game turned into a successful business and how they navigate running a business as friends.
Ep. 134 Christina Wallace: From a Failed Business to Harvard Professor
Few people want to talk about their failures, but Christina Wallace has built a career talking about hers. The failure of her first company made headlines and became a case study used in business schools around the world. As a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Christina now shares the value of learning from our failures. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christina talks about how she started telling the truth about her failed business and became an author and educator.
Ep. 133 Christy Warren: From Rescuing Others to Saving Herself
After being diagnosed with PTSD, Christy Warren retired as a fire captain from the Berkeley Fire Department in California. The diagnosis didn't stop her from achieving new goals: She became a triathlete and completed the Escape from Alcatraz swim five times. Christy is the author of Flash Point: A Firefighter's Journey Through PTSD and hosts The Firefighter Deconstructed podcast. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Christy shares her struggles with PTSD and the healing process.
Ep. 132 Jimmy Choi: From Parkinson’s Disease to American Ninja Warrior
Jimmy Choi was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease at 27 years old. After years of denial, an accident pushed Jimmy in a new direction and he no longer let his diagnosis hold him back. Jimmy is now a Guinness World Record holder, endurance athlete, ultra marathoner, American Ninja Warrior, motivational speaker and Parkinson’s advocate. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jimmy shares his personal journey with Parkinson's and the power of social media.
Ep. 131 Tyler Gillum: From High School Baseball to Savannah Bananas Head Coach
With hundreds of millions of TikTok views, the Savannah Bananas are not your average baseball team. Through skits, dances and unique rules, the Georgia-based team takes the field with one mission: make baseball fun and put fans first. Head Coach Tyler Gillum dreamed of becoming a baseball coach in high school, and now he's helping the team flip the script on the sport. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Tyler shares his journey to the Savannah Bananas and the concept of Banana Ball.
Ep. 130 Nadia Liu Spellman: From Mom’s Kitchen to Dumpling Daughter
Nadia Liu Spellman left her career in investment banking to pursue her passion for good food. With the support and guidance of her parents, Nadia launched the popular restaurant Dumpling Daughter. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Nadia talks about her entrepreneurial journey and her family legacy. Nadia’s mom also joined this episode to share how she encouraged her daughter to start a business after owning and operating one of Boston’s most renowned Chinese restaurants.
Ep. 129 Jenny Smith: From Gymnastics Injury to Living the Impossible
Jenny Smith was 16 years old when a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the chest down. Despite being faced with a new life she could've never imagined, Jenny leaned on her support system and never gave up. She now educates the public and advocates for people with spinal cord injuries and distributes wheelchairs internationally. In this episode of Flip Your Script with Kristi Piehl, Jenny tells her story of living with a spinal cord injury and her message that we are capable of more than we think.