Mission Matters Network

•

Channel • 41 Shows

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Weekly
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated Weekly
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated Weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Weekly
Mental Health

Mental Health

Updated Weekly
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated Weekly
Careers

Careers

Updated Weekly

2D AGO

Trump's been in office for a year. Are we any closer to peace?

With peace talks ongoing for the past year Trump has been in office, it's worth asking: where are we with the peace process and where will things go from here? We've hit another inflection point it seems. Trump's White House is eager to claim 90% of work is done with the peace talks. The West seems to have largely aligned around their position and the US seems to believe a deal could be coming. However, the experts I spoke with in this episode are far more skeptical. And as am I. Are these talks credible and leading somewhere? Is Putin interested in reaching a deal? Could Zelenskyi agree to what's on the table? Is Europe's Coalition of the Willing a serious proposal? Where do we go from here? Listen in to get the answers to this and many other questions from two of the leading political scientists focused on Ukraine: Taras Kuzio and Paul D'Anieri. About the Guests Taras Kuzio, British Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. His area of study is Russian and Ukrainian political, economic and security affairs, and he has contributed pieces to the Atlantic Council and Foreign Affairs. Paul D'Anieri, Professor of Political Science and former Provost of University of California, Riverside, specializing politics and international relations in the former Soviet Union, focusing on Ukraine and Russia. He has been called “one of the leading scholars of the study of contemporary Ukraine” To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

2d ago

•

48 min
JAN 29

From Cleveland to Ukraine - how one chef decided to help many with food

It's always nice to meet and speak with like-minded, passionate, empathetic people who dedicate their lives to something bigger than themselves. And that's what this podcast was all about. I had the great pleasure of speaking with a proud Ukraine supporter, who also comes from my hometown of Cleveland! Brandon Chrostowski has travelled multiple times to Ukraine to help, not because of his heritage (he's not Ukrainian) but just because it's the right thing to do and he has a skill that can contribute to some good. Listen in for some inspiration from a guy who is doing great stuff for the people of Ukraine, those in other conflict zones, as well as those in Cleveland. About the Guest Brandon Chrostowski, Chef, Restaurateur, and Politician residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the founder, president, and CEO of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, an NGO that acts as both a French restaurant and culinary institute training former prison inmates. Chrostowski is also a certified sommelier and a fromager, and ran for mayor of Cleveland in 2017. He has visited Ukraine (and other conflict zones) multiple times, bringing food, conducting cooking classes, and rebuilding a children's hospital, while also providing financial support to those suffering from the war. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Jan 29

•

23 min
3D AGO

The Other Side of Color with JL James: Prejudice, Identity, and Resilience

Author Gene, writing under the name JL James, joins Conversations That Count to share the story behind his novel The Other Side of Color. This episode explores prejudice that can exist within the same community, the emotional impact of family estrangement, and the determination required to escape personal alleyways and create a different future. Gene walks through his creative journey from a short story to a full novel, the realities of self-publishing, and what it takes to promote meaningful work while balancing a day job. We also discuss his music project Soft Pillows, written as comfort for those who have experienced loss, and how creative expression can become medicine for the soul. Listeners will hear about identity, resilience, storytelling, and the go-getter mindset, along with a simple challenge to help anyone move one step closer to their own North Star. Follow Conversations That Count on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that they can win. About the Guest Gene Belcher Jr. is an author and storyteller writing under the name JL James. His novel The Other Side of Color explores how prejudice can exist within the same community and how identity, family dynamics, and resilience shape a young man’s life. Raised in upstate New York, Gene draws from real experiences and emotional truth to tell stories about coming out of personal alleyways and crossing bridges toward a better future. His work has found its way into schools and libraries and is increasingly used to spark conversations around identity, belonging, and self belief. In addition to writing, Gene has spent decades in sales and marketing, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to creative work. Business contact Email: jljames144@gmail.com Phone: 731 394 1914 LinkedIn: Eugene F Belcher Jr on LinkedIn To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

3d ago

•

43 min
JAN 15

No, the war was not about NATO. This and other myths of the war - a discussion with Dr. Branislav Slantchev

With so much disinformation about the war particularly at this moment, I felt it would be good to do a show on some of these lies. Although I was hoping we could delve into the many myths of this war, we ended up speaking primarily about the central myth of this war: the Russian lie that this is a defensive war in retaliation against the last 30 years of NATO expansion. Listen in to understand the numerous reasons why this is clearly a lie. I had the great pleasure speaking with Dr. Branislav Slantchev, a professor of Political Science at UC San Diego, who helped provide extensive evidence and quotes by Russian leaders themselves clearly setting the record straight and proving this is a war of Russian imperial aggression, not a defensive war against NATO. His Foreign Affairs article - https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/obstacles-diplomacy-ukraine And I highly recommend you follow him on X at https://x.com/slantchev About the Guest Dr. Branislav Slantchev is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California San Diego. Slantchev teaches courses in international relations, national security, and game theory. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Jan 15

•

1h 9m
JAN 22

What has happened to the US?

I admit I departed from my usual more detached analytical style, and spoke a bit more from the heart in this one. Too much has happened and for too long to not do a podcast like this. Most of my adult life I have spent in Europe and so have gained a solid perspective on how Europeans and other non-Americans view the US and how these views have developed. I'm also asked routinely by friends and family back in the US how non-Americans view the US. So in this episode, motivated by Trump's threats to European and NATO democratic allies, I felt compelled to dive into these perceptions and touched upon what it means to be American. Who are we as Americans if we don't have principles and beliefs that we ascribe to? To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Jan 22

•

29 min
JAN 1

Fighting the Information War - a Ukrainian in the USA

There's an information war going on related to the War in Ukraine, and unfortunately Russia has been very successful in spreading its propaganda into the West and influencing popular perceptions and also policy-makers themselves. I thought it would be informative to have on the show a Ukrainian who recently moved to the US and what she has seen on the ground related to Americans' perspectives on the war and what has been alarming to her. In our discussion we touched upon the war itself, what Americans believe and understand, views on the Russian opposition and Navalny himself, as well as issues like language and religion in Ukraine. Please listen in to better understand and expose this information war. About the Guest Olga Usenko, Strategic Communications and Legal Market Analyst with nearly 20 years of experience leading high-impact research and media projects in Ukraine’s legal sector. Olga holda a PhD in International Economics and is currently a Fellow at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, focusing on strategic communications and global partnerships for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and investment growth. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Jan 1

•

31 min
04/08/2025

Burnout, Leadership & Letting Go: Why Doing Less Makes You a Stronger Leader

In this episode, Patrice Bonfiglio sits down with Dr. Sandy Fiaschetti, organizational psychologist and founder of Lodestone People Consulting, for a refreshingly honest conversation about high-performance leadership, the hidden cost of “doing it all,” and the science behind sustainable success. From running a thriving consultancy to raising five kids and guiding Fortune 500 executives, Sandy shares powerful lessons on how to lead without losing yourself. You’ll hear how Sandy went from overextended entrepreneur to aligned leader—and why her biggest breakthroughs didn’t come from pushing harder, but from pulling back. She dives deep into the psychological patterns driving burnout in both men and women, why even top-performing execs crumble under pressure, and what it really takes to cultivate authenticity and resilience at work and home. 💡 Sandy also unpacks the truth about “great instincts,” the dangers of over-scheduling kids, and why your White Lotus binge might be better for your brain than another productivity podcast. You don’t have to earn your burnout to justify restLeaders who admit they don’t know everything inspire more trustStop glorifying busy—start honoring boundariesParenting and leadership both thrive when perfectionism diesVulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a strategic advantageWe’re all just French bread: crusty outside, soft insideTo learn more about Sandy Fiaschetti: 🌟 Founder of Lodestone People Consulting, serving private equity firms with human capital science 🌟 Host of the Women in Leadership Retreat – Sept 2–5, 2025, in Colorado https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-fiaschetti/ To learn more, visit www.theburnoutclub.com Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/patrice-bonfiglio/

04/08/2025

•

42 min
12/11/2025

How are most Russians supportive of this imperialistic war? A chat about Imperial Innocence and Victimhood

How do so many Russians either outright support this war or at least passively approve it? And what about Russians in Moscow and St. Petersburg? Do they have a more Western political culture? Can Russia ever drop its imperialistic mentality and make the country less violent abroad? To answer these questions and more, I spoke with Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova, an expert on Russia imperialism, to discuss the concept of Russia's Imperial Innocence. Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova is a professor of Eastern European History at the University of Zurich. Earlier, she received her BA and MA in Bishkek and Essex, respectively. Dr. Kassymbekova completed her doctorate at Humboldt University Berlin and worked as a postdoc in Berlin, Liverpool and Basel, as well as a guest scholar at Columbia University, New York. Her research focuses are Soviet history, Stalinism/post-Stalinism, and Russian imperial history. Listen in to understand the drivers behind Russian political culture and how Putin can sustain popular support for this war despite the extreme casualties and destruction of Russia's economy and demographics for the next generation. Her article noted in the podcast can be found here: https://www.ponarseurasia.org/time-to-question-russias-imperial-innocence/ To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

12/11/2025

•

1h 10m
2D AGO

Why Caregivers Need Breaks (And Why I’m Taking One Now)

While I step back to care for my loved one, join me for a special pause on 'The Power of Why.' This episode uncovers ten game-changing ways to support caregivers—why rest isn't selfish, how it fights burnout, and simple steps to prevent mistakes. Real talk, quick fixes, and a reminder: even heroes need breaks. Back soon, promise. To learn more, visit: https://humanerrorsolutions.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/ginette-collazo/

2d ago

•

14 min
04/29/2025

"You Get What You Tolerate”: Redefining Success & Burnout with Stacy DiStefano

What if burnout was the catalyst for your most fulfilling chapter yet? In this powerful episode, host Patrice Bonfiglio sits down with Stacy DiStefano—CEO of Consulting for Human Services and former COO of multi-state mental health organizations—to unpack the hidden truths behind burnout, success, and sustainable leadership. From navigating a critical care system through the chaos of the pandemic to launching a million-dollar consultancy in less than a year, Stacy’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and radical boundaries. With brutal honesty and heartfelt wisdom, she shares how walking away from traditional career molds led to more impact, more freedom, and a healthier definition of success. This conversation explores the myth of work-life balance, the power of saying “no,” and why psychological safety isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s the foundation of every thriving team. Whether you're scaling a business or just craving more intentional living, this episode will shift how you see your own success path. Burnout is often the sign you’re overdue for a life redesign Executive presence can be taught—even virtually Sustainable success requires unapologetic boundaries “You get what you tolerate”—your standards shape your life Work-life harmony beats work-life balance every time Success doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful 🌿 Subscribe, share, and visit https://theburnout.club/ for additional resources. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/patrice-bonfiglio/

04/29/2025

•

40 min

Welcome to the Mission Matters Podcast Network where we amplify stories of entrepreneurs, executives and experts.