Small Steps. Big Change.

Andrew Sullivan
Small Steps. Big Change.

Are you looking to create a big change in your life? Are you unsure of where to start? That was me in August of 2020. For as long as I can remember, my story was always defined by my poor choices and how they lead to pain, devastation, and trauma. After years of heavy alcohol and cocaine use, I hit rock bottom. I realized that I was preventing myself from living life with purpose and being true to myself, and decided that it was time to turn the page and start a new story. I started taking small steps. By taking that first step, I was ready to take the next one, and then the next one, and then the next one. Every day is a journey for me, and I now believe I am in the middle of the most beautiful recovery story of all time. Why? Because it is my story, and for the first time ever, I was authoring my own life. No matter what you are going through, without taking small steps, you are limiting your potential to create big change. Whether it is substance use abuse, gun violence, mental health, race, social media, you name it, the only way to make lasting change is to dot all your I’s and cross all your T’s. Each week I will introduce you to a friend who has used small steps to help create their big change. As humans, we are all going through something, and it is my goal that by sharing our stories and bringing vulnerability and empathy to the forefront, we can learn from each other, and take the small steps that are needed to create big change.

Episodes

  1. 2022-11-09

    Ep 10: Small Steps with Marisa Renee Lee: Healing From Loss & Navigating Through Grief

    Many of the conversations we have had on this podcast have been around subject areas or circumstances that many of us, but not all of us, go through. This discussion with Marissa. Renee Lee is one that can connect with everyone. Losing a loved one or having a really bad experience in life happens to us all. Marissa joins us to discuss the idea that healing from loss does not mean moving on, but instead that we need to strive to love those we have lost even after death. And when you really dive deep, you can sometimes find love that you didn't even feel when they were alive Marisa Renee Lee is a called upon grief advocate, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of Grief is Love: Living with Loss. Deemed "the friend we all wish we had in times of need" by Elaine Welteroth, Marisa is able to utilize research-based advice and wisdom to help others navigate the complicated and dark emotions we face when experiencing loss, offering unique insights for women and Black communities.  In addition to her work in the grief space, Lee is a former appointee in the Obama White House and CEO of Beacon Advisors, a mission-driven consulting firm primarily focused on racial equity. She is a rabble-rouser of social healing: former managing director of My Brother's Keeper Alliance; co-founder of the digital platform Supportal; and founder of The Pink Agenda, a national organization dedicated to raising money for breast cancer care, research, and awareness.  Lee also regularly contributes to The Atlantic, Glamour, Vogue, MSNBC, CNN and serves as an expert for Ritual's wellbeing app. She is a Harvard graduate and an avid home cook. Marisa lives in Virginia with her husband Matt, their newborn son Bennett, and their dog, Sadie. Join us in this conversation to hear the small steps Marisa Renee Lee took to better navigate grief.   Want to learn more from Marisa Renee Lee? >>Visit marisareneelee.com >>Grief is Love: Living with Loss  >> Follow on Facebook >>Follow on Instagram @marisareneelee   Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    51 min
  2. 2022-10-26

    Ep 8: Small Steps with Robert Walker: Measuring Our Lives by the Impact We Make

    This conversation is with a special guest, Robert Walker, who is also my friend and mentor. Robert Walker is known to his friends and colleagues as Bob. Bob founded American Program Bureau (APB), to provide an open forum for individuals to voice their opinions and point of view. Today, APB has the largest speaker roster in the industry, from entertainers and politicians to business leaders and renowned public intellectuals. A pioneering force in the lecture industry, Bob and the team at APB Speakers created the medium for people to see the most exciting and popular personalities, hear cutting-edge ideas, and experience the leaders, activists, and innovators, unedited and unfiltered by mass media.  Upon founding APB in 1965, Walker reinvented the traditional lecture by creating infotainment to transmit the innovative intellectual excitement of a dynamic time and an entertaining format. From colleges to town halls, community forums, corporations, and trade and professional associations, this fourth medium offered audiences what they could not get elsewhere. To this day, under Walker's guidance and leadership, APB's culture of innovation continues to define each era while always looking into the future. Join us in this conversation to hear the small steps Robert Walker took to put purpose over profit and show us how to measure our lives by the impact we make.   Want to learn more from Robert Walker? >>>Visit apbspeakers.com >>>Connect on Twitter @Robert Walker >>>Connect on LinkedIn @Robert Walker   Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    1h 1m
  3. 2022-10-19

    Ep 7: Small Steps with Joanne “Coach P” McCallie: How to go from Survivorship to Thrivership

    Episode 6 with Chamique Holdsclaw dove into overcoming adversity and rebounding from trauma. This week’s guest, Joanne P. McCallie is also known as Coach P to her players and colleagues, has a very similar story to Chamique. As a coach, the stigma can be even worse. Coach P shows us the power of storytelling, and drives home the need for more education, action, and overall change to the stigma-filled narrative about brain health. Joanne “Coach P” McCallie is a former NCAA Division I women’s basketball head coach for 28 years, leading teams at Maine, Michigan State, and Duke, making National Coach of the Year, and winning numerous championships at all three schools. She is the only coach in history to win Coach of the Year in four different conferences, and then achieved that five times. And she is the only Division I head coach to lead two different programs to 30-win seasons with three National Championship game appearances. Coach P was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at age 30 while coaching at Maine. It was something she wanted to reveal for decades but was counseled that it would be career suicide and distracting to her teams. In 2021, she decided it was time to talk and became a mental health advocate and speaker, sharing her story to inspire and educate others on how to “win without losing yourself.” The result was her best-selling book, Secret Warrior: A Coach and Fighter, On and Off the Court, and numerous speaking engagements where she shares her story. Join us in this conversation to hear the small steps Coach P took to go from survivorship to thrivership.   Want to learn more from Joanne P. McCallie?  >>Connect with Joanne on LinkedIn >>Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @coachp4life >>Secret Warrior: A Coach and Fighter, On and Off the Court   Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    58 min
  4. 2022-10-12

    Ep 6: Small Steps with Chamique Holdsclaw: Overcoming Adversity and Rebounding from Trauma

    Growing up, Drew recalls seeing the Holdsclaw jersey hanging on the wall in sports stores, although he never really knew exactly who Chamique Holdsclaw was. The only thing that Drew knew was that she was a really good basketball player– no one knew what Chamique Holdsclaw was going through behind the scenes. This conversation will be all about that part of Chamique’s life. You will hear her personal story of resilience as well as a message of the importance of self-care, prioritizing mental health, asking for help, and knowing that you are not alone. From the rough edge courts of New York City and recruited by Coach Pat Summit for the University of Tennessee's, Lady Balls, Chamique Holdsclaw was hailed as the female Michael Jordan- impressing crowds with her artistry, athleticism, and drive. A three-time NCAA champ and number one draft pick in the WNBA, Holdsclaw seemed destined for a spectacular professional career until her long-suppressed battle with mental disorders emerged to derail her career and threaten her life. Join us in this conversation to hear the small steps that Chamique Holdsclaw took after hitting her rock bottom moment.    Want to learn more from Chamique Holdsclaw on how to overcome adversity and rebound from trauma? >>Follow Chamique on Instagram and Twitter @ChamiqueHoldsclaw    Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    50 min
  5. 2022-10-05

    Ep 5: Small Steps with Wawa Gatheru: Building Community & Why It Matters

    Drew is honored to share with you his conversation with Wawa Gatheru. Wawa’s passion for life and her energy around climate justice is something that everyone should hear. In this episode, Wawa shares this passion while opening up about what an activist means to her, who her community is, and the small steps she took to be able to express herself today.  Wawa Gatheru is a climate justice storyteller motivated to uplift the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis. She has become the voice of her generation using the power of social media to share how communities of color and women had been adversely affected by climate change and the racist roots of the environmental movement. Wawa is also the founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, an Erode Scholar at the University of Oxford, a narrative fellow at the All We Can Save Project, and a recent Revolutionary Power Fellow at the US Department of Energy, where she worked under the first-ever deputy for energy justice to integrate energy justice in the federal landscape. She is also the youngest member of the Earth Justice Council and the first black person in history to receive the Rhodes, Truman, and Udall Scholarships. Join us in this conversation to hear the small steps Wawa Gatheru took to build her community, why they matter to her, and how she became a climate justice storyteller.     Want to learn more from Wawa Gatheru about building a community and why it matters? >>Visit wawagatheru.org >>Follow Wawa Gatheru on Instagram @wawa_gatheru   Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    58 min
  6. 2022-09-28

    Ep 4: Small Steps with John Quiñones: Do the Right Thing, Even When No One is Watching

    Like many of our guests, John Quiñones is an excellent storyteller and uses his storytelling as a way to further social change. We will continue to discuss some of the themes from past episodes and really center on the idea of always doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. A lifetime of never taking no for an answer took John Quiñones from migrant farm work and poverty to more than 30 years at ABC News, the anchor desk at 2020 and Primetime, and seven national Emmy awards for his reporting over the years. Along the way, John broke through barriers, won the highest accolades, and became a role model for many. As host and creator of What Would You Do? the highly rated hidden camera, ethical dilemma news magazine. Now on its 14th season, Quiñones has literally become the face of doing the right thing to millions of fans. Known for truly connecting with audiences and leaving them uplifted and inspired, John Quiñones delivers a powerful message of believing in oneself, never giving up, and always doing the right thing. Join us in this conversation to hear the small steps John Quiñones took to do the right thing even when no one is watching.    Want to learn more from John Quiñones? >>Follow John on Twitter @JohnQABC, Facebook, and Instagram @johnquinones. >>Click here for full episodes of What Would You Do? on ABC   Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    53 min
  7. 2022-09-21

    Ep 3: Small Steps with Feminista Jones: Living Your Most Authentic Life

    I've had the privilege of knowing Feminista Jones for close to five years. I have always been impressed with her inspirational story, her ability to set boundaries, and the way in which she brings all of her lived and learned experiences to everything she does. Feminista is a role model when we talk about living your most authentic life. Named one of the top 100 Black Social Influencers and 25 Most Inspiring Women on Twitter, Jones is a feminist thought leader and social media influencer honored for online activism.   Feminista Jones is a Philadelphia-based feminist writer, public speaker, community activist, and retired social worker. She's an award-winning writer and the author of the critically acclaimed Reclaiming Our Space: How Black Feminists Are Changing the World from the Tweets to the Streets. Her work center is around queer identity, critical race theory, intersectionality, mental health, and social work. She also teaches a course on the African American queer experience at Temple University.  Join us in this conversation to hear the small steps Feminista Jones took to live her most authentic life.    Want to learn more from Feminista Jones? >>Follow Feminista Jones on Twitter FJ(@Feminista Jones) and on Instagram @feministajones. >>Visit www.feministajones.com to learn about Feminista’s services, upcoming events, and listen to the Black Girl Missing Podcast. >>Reclaiming Our Space: How Black Feminists Are Changing the World from the Tweets to the Streets   Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    58 min
  8. 2022-09-14

    Ep 2: Small Steps with Tara Schuster: Self-Care & Picking Your Tribe

    In this discussion on Small Steps. Big Change, Tara Schuster joins me to talk all about self-care and picking your tribe. We will discuss things like practicing gratitude, silencing the unhealthy voices inside of us, and making sure that we know exactly who is on our team. I have loved getting to know Tara over the past few years, and I know you will too. Once best known as the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning show Key & Peele, Tara Schuster turned her struggle with chronic anxiety and depression into a best-selling book and mission to help others. Her humorous takes on taking charge of one's mental health, always backed by empowering action steps have won praise from readers ranging from Wharton professor, Adam Grant, to academy award winner, Angelica Houston, and bestselling author, Glennon Doyle. In style, People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Goodreads, Buzzfeed, Goop, and many others have chosen her memoir as one of the best books of 2020. Join us in this episode to hear Tara Schuster’s inspirational small steps that she took towards her big change in practicing self-care and picking her tribe.    Want to learn more from Tara Schuster? >>Follow Tara Schuster on Twitter and Instagram @taraschuster >>Visit www.taraschuster.com for more information on Tara’s books: Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and Glow in the F*cking Dark (Releasing in March 2023 Pre-Order NOW) >>Text GLOW to 66866 to receive Tara’s Weekly Newsletter   Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    55 min
  9. 2022-09-09

    Ep 1: Small Steps with Juju Chang: Leading with Empathy and Compassion

    I am so excited about today's conversation with my friend Juju Chang. Juju's life has been nothing short of incredible. And if it wasn't for her small steps along the way, who knows where she would be. In this episode, we will dive into an array of topics, including the power of representation, work, life balance, self-care, and Juju's superpower: leading with compassion. Juju Chang is one of the most prominent Asian Americans in broadcast news. Juju Chang is the Emmy award-winning co-anchor of ABC News, Nightline, and was a regular contributor to Good Morning America in 2020. With the rise of hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, Chang leveraged her platform to become a much-admired champion of social change. Chang's highly visible reporting on Asian hate is the culmination of decades of covering everything from natural disasters to terrorism, mass shootings, immigration, violence against the LGBTQIA+ community, and most recently the inequities of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Known for her in-depth personal narratives and long-form storytelling, Chang has won a claim for stories with underlying themes of civil and women's rights and social justice. In addition to reporting, Chang has profiled newsmakers like Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, and Facebook COO Cheryl Sandberg. She has also profiled entertainers, such as Tom Hanks, Chris Pratt, and Nicki Minaj, and social media moguls, Kendall Jenner, and Dude Perfect. Follow Juju Chang on Instagram @jujuchangabc Connect with Andrew Sullivan on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    1h 4m
  10. 2022-09-01

    Trailer: Welcome to Small Steps. Big Change.

    Welcome to the trailer for the Small Steps. Big Change Podcast. This trailer will give you a glimpse into my journey and a sneak peek of what you can expect from future episodes. My name is Drew Sullivan, and this is my story. For as long as I can remember, I have always felt different. Whether it was constantly being in trouble as a kid or constantly blacking out as an adult, my story was always defined by my poor choices and how they led to pain, devastation, and trauma. In August of 2020, I hit rock bottom, and I had no choice but to ring the alarm and go into crisis mode. I am not sure what clicked, but after years of heavy alcohol and cocaine use, two things that limited me from living life with purpose and being true to myself, I decided that it was time to turn the page and start a new story.  What I have learned is that my story has a lot in common with anyone looking to make a big change. No matter what you are going through, without taking small steps, every challenge will be daunting. Whether it is substance use abuse, gun violence, mental health, DEI, social media, you name it, the only way to make lasting change is to focus on the next right move. Each week on this podcast I will introduce you to a friend who has used small steps to help create their big change. We are all going through something, and it is my goal that by sharing our stories and bringing vulnerability and empathy to the forefront, we can learn from each other, and take the small steps that are needed to create big change.  Connect with me on Instagram @thesmallstepspod Watch Small Steps, Big Change on YouTube @Small Steps Big Change Podcast

    6 min

Trailer

About

Are you looking to create a big change in your life? Are you unsure of where to start? That was me in August of 2020. For as long as I can remember, my story was always defined by my poor choices and how they lead to pain, devastation, and trauma. After years of heavy alcohol and cocaine use, I hit rock bottom. I realized that I was preventing myself from living life with purpose and being true to myself, and decided that it was time to turn the page and start a new story. I started taking small steps. By taking that first step, I was ready to take the next one, and then the next one, and then the next one. Every day is a journey for me, and I now believe I am in the middle of the most beautiful recovery story of all time. Why? Because it is my story, and for the first time ever, I was authoring my own life. No matter what you are going through, without taking small steps, you are limiting your potential to create big change. Whether it is substance use abuse, gun violence, mental health, race, social media, you name it, the only way to make lasting change is to dot all your I’s and cross all your T’s. Each week I will introduce you to a friend who has used small steps to help create their big change. As humans, we are all going through something, and it is my goal that by sharing our stories and bringing vulnerability and empathy to the forefront, we can learn from each other, and take the small steps that are needed to create big change.

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