Team Powdered Donut™ Podcast

Gary Thompson
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Documentary

Over the past ten years, Gary has honored his late wife, Maureen’s, memory by delivering bags of powdered donuts to meaningful places each year on October 21, the day of her passing. What began as a way to turn grief into joy has sparked powerful connections and moments of healing. Team Powdered Donut™ takes this tradition and makes it about all of us. "One Story. One Moment. One Donut at a time." The podcast is going "on the air" ahead of Team Powdered Donut heading out on the road via Airstream® in 2026 to visit all 73 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers and other meaningful locations along the way. At every stop, powdered donuts will be shared and stories will be collected – echoing the spirit of StoryCorps® – with a mobile podcast studio in the Airstream in which Gary will travel. From patients to those who love them, from oncologists to their healthcare teams, stories will be captured and shared along the way.

  1. Jul 14

    What Does It Mean to be Human? An Exploration of Belonging in an Age of Hybrid Intelligence. | Jennifer Sertl, VP, Mktg, Circle Optics, Strategist, Futurist

    Who Is Jennifer Sertl? Jennifer Sertl is an internationally recognized strategist, leadership coach, and marketing executive with more than two decades of experience across transportation, beauty, defense, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. She is actively consulting through her firm Agility3R, where she helps organizations and executives build strategic capacity through resilience, responsiveness, and reflection. Jennifer is also Vice President of Marketing at Circle Optics, a deep tech company pioneering stitch-free panoramic imaging systems for aerospace, defense, and robotics. Her consulting and executive advisory work spans global companies including Genesee & Wyoming Inc., Zotos International, TRACSIS, Fujifilm, and Optimax Systems Inc., where she delivers transformation through behavioral branding, system design, and narrative intelligence. Jennifer is affiliated with several innovation ecosystems—including the MARL Accelerator, Upstate Venture Connect, Luminate Accelerator, GENIUS NY, and Alley to the Valley—supporting founders and leaders as they navigate growth, alignment, and complexity. She is the designer and creative director of three thought leadership platforms: ~ Studio A3R – her personal podcast, where she hosts thinkers and visionaries exploring the theme “The antidote to chaos is connection.” ~ 360° Pulse Podcast – produced for Circle Optics, focusing on Wide Field of View Innovation ~ Slow Drip Podcast – hosted by India Osborne, where Jennifer serves as creative director and co-producer Jennifer personally hosts both Studio A3R and 360° Pulse, and brings a high level of strategic storytelling and philosophical depth to each. A seasoned facilitator, she previously led three executive roundtables for Vistage International, curating thought leadership for C-level executives. She currently teaches “Exploring Innovation” at Rochester Institute of Technology and has spoken on global stages including Sibos, Asian Banker Summit, and the New York State CIO Conference. She is co-author of Strategy, Leadership and the Soul and The Upstate Founders Playbook, and serves on multiple advisory boards focused on technology, ethics, and workforce development. Jennifer lives in Rochester, New York. When she’s not consulting or creating, she’s likely hiking, reading existential philosophy, or hosting intimate salons that foster connection across disciplines and generations.

    What Does It Mean to be Human? An Exploration of Belonging in an Age of Hybrid Intelligence. | Jennifer Sertl, VP, Mktg, Circle Optics, Strategist, Futurist

  2. Jun 30

    We Can't Do it Alone. Business Design, Innovation & Co-Creation | Patrick Van der Pijl, Founding Partner, Business Models, Inc.

    Who Is Patrick Van der Pijl? Patrick founded Business Models Inc. the company that drives growth through innovation. BMI helps leaders and teams to systematically grow the core business, unlock new opportunities and build innovation capabilities. They work in collaboration with our clients like IKEA, ING, Mars, Medtronic and Heineken to create lasting results. After producing the global bestseller Business Model Generation, Patrick began writing his own books on business collaboration tools and methods, including Design a Better Business and Business Model Shifts. Through these books, he continues to explore business design—helping leaders and teams innovate, grow, and transform through practical tools, strategic thinking, and impactful business models. His latest book, Augmented Collaboration, explores an innovation workflow powered by AI and will be released on September 1, 2026. Available here - https://augmentedcollaboration.com/pages/buy-the-book

    We Can't Do it Alone. Business Design, Innovation & Co-Creation | Patrick Van der Pijl, Founding Partner, Business Models, Inc.

  3. Jun 16

    The Search For Meaning With the Luckiest "Mann" in the World | John David Mann, NYT Bestselling Author & Coauthor, The Go-Giver

    As I dug into John's story in preparation for his episode, I stumbled into not only a prolific writer but a deep thinker with a rich and interesting story. The kind of story and person I just love having a conversation with on the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast. John is as eloquent a speaker and thinker, as he is a writer. His own love story with Ana led to their book The Go-Giver Marriage, and they have another one on the horizon from their love story, "The Start of Something Big." As you get ready to listen to a truly special episode, these two quotes really stood out, both of which we discuss in the episode. One from John's Substack, "Mann’s Search for Meaning," definitely worth subscribing to by the way. John starts each post with a quote. This one from C.S. Lewis from the start of John's post, "On love, grief, and joy stood out. “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken." And finally, from Doris Lessig, the oldest winner of the Nobel prize in literature. "Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. Circumstances will always be impossible." Thank you John for inspiring us all not only with your more than 40+ books but to making the impossible possible! Who is John David Mann? John David Mann is an award-winning author whose books have sold more than 3 million copies in 3 dozen languages, including the New York Times bestselling memoir The Red Circle with former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb and the New York Times bestselling parable The Latte Factor with personal finance legend David Bach. As a teenager, John started his own high school and was an award-winning composer and cellist before turning to careers as an entrepreneur and author. His classic The Go-Giver (with Bob Burg) has sold over 1 million copies in 38 languages and won the Living Now Evergreen Medal for its “contribution to positive global change.” His book Take the Lead (with former White House staffer Betsy Myers) was named by Tom Peters and the Washington Post “Best Leadership Book of 2011.” His first novel, Steel Fear (with Brandon Webb), was nominated for a Barry Award in 2021 and named one of the “best books of the year” by Publishers Weekly. John lives in Florida and New England, where he leads a coaching program called Writing Mastery Mentorship. https://johndavidmann.com

    The Search For Meaning With the Luckiest "Mann" in the World | John David Mann, NYT Bestselling Author & Coauthor, The Go-Giver

  4. Jun 2

    The Holy Grail of Content Marketing - Ideas, Influence and Income | Tanya Hall, CEO, Greenleaf Book Group

    Who Is Tanya Hall? As CEO at leading hybrid publisher Greenleaf Book Group, Tanya drives growth efforts and fosters a culture built around serving authors. Prior to her current role, Tanya worked directly with Greenleaf's authors to develop publishing strategies (including multiple New York Times bestsellers); spearheaded growth strategies, including Greenleaf's ebook program and the River Grove digital-first imprint; and built Greenleaf's distribution organization, working directly with retailers and wholesalers to develop one of the fastest-growing distribution businesses in the industry. Tanya is the author of Ideas, Influence, and Income, a comprehensive guide to writing, publishing, and launching your book--and monetizing your content.

    The Holy Grail of Content Marketing - Ideas, Influence and Income | Tanya Hall, CEO, Greenleaf Book Group

  5. Jun 1

    Intro to Season 3 of the Team Powdered Donut™ Podcast

    Team Powdered Donut™ Podcast

    Intro to Season 3 of the Team Powdered Donut™ Podcast

  6. May 19

    Can You Really Change Everything in a Minute? | Dr. Masha Malka, Author, To Mastering Your Emotions

    Who is Dr. Masha Malka? Over the years, Masha has worked with C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and ambitious women worldwide — guiding them to break through limitations and design lives of purpose, freedom, and fulfillment. From co-founding ShiftHub – a global movement for women 40+ to transform midlife transitions into opportunities for growth, leadership, and authentic living - to founding Inborn Genius Corp. and creating The One Minute Coach™️ series, Masha is all about harnessing change. She is also a visionary leader, best-selling author, executive coach, and recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Speakers to Watch This Year. Holding an Honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship and a Master’s in Higher Education, she combines academic insight with two decades of real-world experience in personal transformation, mindset mastery, and strategic leadership. Her journey — from refugee beginnings to trusted advisor for global leaders — has reinforced her belief that we are never defined by circumstances, but by how we choose to transform them. Power, clarity, and possibility are always available when we align with who we truly are. Today, her mission is simple: to redefine what midlife means — and to build spaces where growth, leadership, and authentic living are not only possible, but inevitable. To learn more about Dr. Masha Malka, visit www.mashamalka.com or find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theoneminutecoach

    Can You Really Change Everything in a Minute? | Dr. Masha Malka, Author, To Mastering Your Emotions

  7. May 12

    Beyond The Red Dot - Empowering People. One Thing. One Decision at a Time. | Angela Pacheco, Founder, Good Better Best & TEDx Speaker

    Although Angela was faced by a breast cancer diagnosis of her own at 34, she, like my Maureen, is not defined by her cancer. For that matter, none of us are. We are instead defined by the spaces we are in. The theme of TEDx UW-Madison where I met Angela. I was captivated by her first words. Having spoken at several TEDx myself, I remember thinking... wow. Just wow! And I remember crying. Her vulnerability was incredible and her message was powerful. I knew when I walked up to her to say thank you that I just had to have her on the podcast. The fact that I was even at the TEDx at the University of Wisconsin is a testament to the power of serendipity. Something that I talked about in more detail with Rob Wolcott in his episode last week. I became aware of the event when a post from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation floated through my Instagram feed that their new CEO, Joe Specter, would be speaking. I smiled when I realized that my flight arrived early enough on Friday for me to attend. A big shout out to the students who curated great speakers and a great evening. And the chance for me to meet Angela. Who Is Angela Pacheco? Angela is the Founder/Owner and CEO of Good Better Best,LLC. She created this Nashville based concierge business to ‘make living better easy’. In partnership with her co-owner, Erin Karb, the company sources less toxic and environmentally friendly home and personal products which are delivered to your doorstep and refilled direct to the consumer. This business was founded through a shared young breast cancer diagnosis and journey to a healthier and sustainable lifestyle. Throughout her career Angela has led design and build teams to support fast growing and evolving organizations. She has a proven track record of partnering with leadership teams to create a people culture and operations to support the business and lead ongoing change. Angela's 18 year career was grown through a variety of expanding roles across Human Resources and Business Services. Agree most recently served as the Chief People Officer of The Gardner School. Prior to this, she was Chief Human Resources Officer of Keystone Agency Partners. Angela held several senior leader roles in her 7 years at Bridgestone Americas (BSAM), culminating as Vice President of BSAM Business Services in 2021. She began her career with Rolls-Royce North America where she progressed through the human resources function for nearly 8 years. Angela has a Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Michigan State University.

    Beyond The Red Dot - Empowering People. One Thing. One Decision at a Time. | Angela Pacheco, Founder, Good Better Best & TEDx Speaker

  8. May 5

    Proximity, Innovation & Serendipity. Is Change Closer Than We Think? | Rob Wolcott, Founder, TWIN Global & Author

    Today's episode with Rob Wolcott jumps in to his book, Proximity, which describes how every industry will change the rest of our careers, as well as his founding of the Kellogg Innovation Network, TWIN Global and his years as a professor across several leading universities. As we discuss from his book, digital technologies of all sorts push the production of provision of value (products, services, experiences) ever closer to the MOMENT of demand in time and space. Few have noticed this trend, but when you see it, you see it everywhere. PROXIMITY offers unprecedented foresight for business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and policy makers... and for each of us as citizens. We also discuss the power of serendipity and the joy of unexpected connections. Having been happily married for almost 25 years to my late wife, for whom Team Powdered Donut is dedicated, I love to ask couples how they met. Why? Because love stories are typically ones that come from wonderful unexpected connections. The ultimate serendipity engine. And, that is the point of the podcast and my upcoming road trip via Airstream to all of the major cancer centers around the country. To find unexpected connections. Unexpected connections in one person’s story, and unexpected connections between stories. Because like Rob and I talk about, everything is getting closer. And, “One Story. One Moment. One Donut at a time.” I hope to bring us all closer to each other. To our one thing. And to love… and you’re going to love this episode!! Who Is Rob Wolcott? Adjunct Professor of Innovation, Booth, University of Chicago, and Kellogg, Northwestern University. 2007 – 2019, Clinical Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Kellogg. Four-time Teacher of the Year in Kellogg’s EMBA program. Visiting Fellow, Imperial College London. Venture investor in nearly 50 companies and venture funds. Founder & Chair, TWIN Global (www.twinglobal.org), a global community of innovation leaders. Board member, Abroad.io and global non-profit CureBlindness Project. Author: PROXIMITY, (Columbia University Press, 2024), shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea of 2025 award. His work has appeared in MIT Sloan Management Review, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications worldwide. Contributor for Forbes on the impact of technology on business and humanity. BA, History; Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, Northwestern University. Show Notes: Proximity - How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life The fight with cancer - can a new internet change the terms of battle? | TEDxTallaght - The Atelier of Ideas | Gary Thompson | October 17, 2013

    Proximity, Innovation & Serendipity. Is Change Closer Than We Think? | Rob Wolcott, Founder, TWIN Global & Author
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Over the past ten years, Gary has honored his late wife, Maureen’s, memory by delivering bags of powdered donuts to meaningful places each year on October 21, the day of her passing. What began as a way to turn grief into joy has sparked powerful connections and moments of healing. Team Powdered Donut™ takes this tradition and makes it about all of us. "One Story. One Moment. One Donut at a time." The podcast is going "on the air" ahead of Team Powdered Donut heading out on the road via Airstream® in 2026 to visit all 73 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers and other meaningful locations along the way. At every stop, powdered donuts will be shared and stories will be collected – echoing the spirit of StoryCorps® – with a mobile podcast studio in the Airstream in which Gary will travel. From patients to those who love them, from oncologists to their healthcare teams, stories will be captured and shared along the way.

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