Intent on Purpose

Laura Hansen Breksa
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Personal Journals

Conversations with people who put time, energy, and talents into what they believe.

  1. Shawn Dunning Sets Out to Make a World that Works for Everyone. When Talent and Passion Meet Need

    1d ago

    Shawn Dunning Sets Out to Make a World that Works for Everyone. When Talent and Passion Meet Need

    Show Notes: Can you imagine being locked in a small building at the geographic South Pole for nine months straight, in 100-degree-below-zero weather, with 40 people you didn't choose? When friction inevitably happens, you can't walk away. This week, host Laura Hansen Breksa sits down with international peacebuilding expert and conflict mediator Shawn Dunning to explore how we can strategically direct our time, energy, and talents to solve big, messy problems instead of letting them fester. Shawn takes us on a fascinating ride through his 25-year career—sharing how he discovered his unique talent as a teenager in the principal's office, why he took a 50% pay cut to chase his purpose, and how he uses high-adventure challenges to kinesthetically teach Israelis, Palestinians, and corporate executives how to get along. 💡 Questions answered in this episode:How do you know when it’s time to pivot your talents away from a practical career (like engineering) toward work that genuinely impacts others?Why is avoiding a problem harder than collaborating, and how does "escape" drain our energy over time?What is the structural difference between a compromise and a win-win solution, and how do we co-create them in our own backyards? Hit play to learn how to stop sitting in conflict, start uncovering underlying needs, and begin investing your energy where it makes the highest impact. https://shawnmdunning.com/ The Principal's Office / First Mediation Story(00:25) "I think if I were to go back to a point where that started, it's probably my junior or senior year in high school..." The South Pole Crew Training Story(03:48) "And you asked me about the South Pole crew. So that's one of my more interesting clients. I'm now in the 11th year..." The Croatia Mountain Storm / Israeli & Palestinian Expedition Story(11:15) "I'll give you an example. A few years ago... when I was working with the Israelis and Palestinians, there was one very, very challenging experience that we had one time in Croatia..."

    19 min
  2. You Need Work to Pay the Bills, But You Don't Need Stardom to Find Joy on Stage, Steven Michaels

    Jun 9

    You Need Work to Pay the Bills, But You Don't Need Stardom to Find Joy on Stage, Steven Michaels

    In this episode of Intent on Purpose, host Laura Hansen Breksa welcomes Steven Michaels, a recently retired 29-year U.S. Navy Reserve veteran (O-6) and an accomplished engineer with a 35-year career in the communications and defense industries. Holding a master's degree in electrical engineering, a professional engineer license, a PMP certification, and serving as a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Steven brings a massive wealth of leadership and technical expertise to the table. Yet, despite his highly decorated military and engineering background, Steven reveals that his true calling has always been music. Reflecting on his roots growing up in a working-class neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago surrounded by steel mills, he explains how he navigated a practical career path to fuel his lifelong musical passion. Now a semi-professional keyboardist, guitarist, and singer with nearly 50 years of stage experience under his belt, Steven details the rigor it takes to perform at a professional level, the unique joy of playing timeless 70s and 80s anthems like "Hotel California" in his current Eagles cover band, and how music acts as a truly universal language that bridges cultures. Closing out the interview, Steven shares his deeply personal life philosophy: Carpe Diem (Seize the Day). Inspired by his parents—both Army veterans—and shaped by a deployment to Afghanistan that left him with long-term health challenges, Steven discusses his determination to live intentionally. From hauling heavy band gear to serving as a neighborhood captain in Arizona, Steven proves that no matter what life throws at you, it’s never too late to invest your talents where they are matter most. Learn more about Steven at https://stevendeyoungmusic.com/ Interview Timestamps00:05 – Welcome & Introduction00:34 – The Decorated Background: Military & Engineering Credentials01:13 – The Real Calling: Choosing a Day Job to Fund Music02:51 – The Physical Reality of the "Weekend Warrior" Lifestyle03:38 – Playing Keyboards & Harmonies in an Eagles Cover Band04:11 – The Evolution of Live Sound: 1980s Analog vs. Modern Digital06:37 – "Hotel California" & Seeing a Sea of Phone Lights in the Audience07:06 – Rewinding to 1978: The First Gig at Age 1408:17 – The Ageless Appeal of 70s & 80s Rock as a Universal Language09:54 – Words for the World: The "Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day) Philosophy10:30 – Walking Into the Recruiter's Office & Navigating the Navy Career11:57 – Managing Afghanistan-Related Lung Issues While Carrying Heavy Gear12:54 – A Tribute to Army Veteran Parents & Closing Remarks #BalancingADayJobWithMusic#WeekendWarriorMusician#IndependentMusician#SemiProMusician#MusicianLife

    15 min
  3. Ukraine Is More Than War, Natailia Lototska, PhD Shares Her Belief in Ukraine and Its People

    Jun 1

    Ukraine Is More Than War, Natailia Lototska, PhD Shares Her Belief in Ukraine and Its People

    What does Ukraine look like beyond the headlines? In a compelling new episode of Intent on Purpose, Ukrainian PhD, professor, and software engineer Natailia Lototska shares an authentic perspective on her homeland's history, culture, innovation, and resilience. Laura Hansen Breksa's conversation with Nataailia explores how Ukrainians continue to build businesses, educate future generations, support communities, and preserve hope while living through ongoing conflict. This episode provides a timely and deeply human perspective that helps international audiences better understand Ukraine beyond news coverage. Get to know Natailia: Nataliia Lototska is a Ukrainian PhD, university associate professor, and software engineer at an international company, successfully balancing her academic career with the global tech industry. A proud wife and mother of two, she blends her professional and scientific expertise with a deep passion for her country's heritage. She is dedicated to sharing Ukraine’s rich history, vibrant traditions, and modern innovative spirit with the world. Through this episode, she aims to give global audiences a closer look at her homeland, showcasing why Ukraine is truly "More Than War." #IntentOnPurpose #Ukraine #Leadership #Resilience #Innovation A few facts about Ukraine: Home to more than 40 million people before the full-scale invasionKyiv is among Europe's oldest citiesApproximately one-quarter of the world's black soil reserves are located in UkraineThe Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote the original version of "Carol of the Bells"Ukraine has one of Eastern Europe's strongest technology sectorsUkrainian-founded innovations include globally used platforms such as Grammarly and GitLabUkraine is recognized for advanced digital government servicesThe country's history spans more than a thousand years

    18 min

  4. May 27

    Why Most Workplaces Handle Conflict Wrong | Yvette Durazo

    Most people fear conflict. Yvette Durazo says that’s exactly why we need to learn it. In this episode of Intent on Purpose, we unpack why conflict starts shaping us before age seven, why workplaces keep getting it wrong, and how conflict management is an essential skill. From HR systems to power dynamics, mediation, anxiety at work, and the hidden cost of toxic culture — this conversation changes the way you think about human behavior. Conflict isn’t the enemy. Avoiding it badly might be. 🎧 Listen now. Get to know Yvette: Yvette Durazo, MA, PCC, is a workplace conflict strategist and founder of Unitive Consulting. She helps organizations navigate high-stakes conflict, leadership strain, and cultural breakdowns before they become costly or damaging. A first-generation professional, Yvette brings lived experience, mediation expertise, and her proprietary Conflict-IQ® methodology to support leaders in building trust, accountability, and resilient workplace cultures. She is the author of Conflict-IQ® and In the High Heels of a Smart Negotiator, and a longtime instructor in conflict resolution and leadership development. #WorkplaceDrama #LeadershipTok #CareerGrowth #OfficePolitics #ConflictManagement #HumanBehavior #ProfessionalDevelopment #HealthyWorkplace #BusinessPodcast #SelfAwareness #TeamCulture #DifficultConversations conflict resolutionworkplace conflicttoxic workplace cultureHR and conflictmediation skillsalternative dispute resolutionemotional intelligence

    17 min
  5. Crochet Therapy and Handmade Kindness: Jenny Chapman Shares Her Story

    May 13

    Crochet Therapy and Handmade Kindness: Jenny Chapman Shares Her Story

    Jenny Chapman’s interview was part crochet masterclass, part comedy hour, and part heartfelt ode to creativity. From the moment she confessed that crochet was just the “100th craft” she’d picked up, Jenny’s personality unraveled faster than a badly counted stitch. What started as a calming hobby during a stressful job became a full-blown passion involving blankets, bath mats, “yarn chicken,” and enough acrylic yarn to survive the apocalypse. Jenny spoke lovingly about learning crochet from her Grammy, who passed down both the skill and the creative spark that now fuels Jenny’s life as a teacher, theater lover, audiobook addict, and self-proclaimed “hooker” — in the crochet sense, of course. She explained how repetitive stitches can calm an overactive brain, why lockdown brought fiber arts roaring back into style, and how she once mailed handmade blankets to flight attendants who bribed her with airplane snacks. Between stories about theater, teaching high school English, and intimidating lacework projects, Jenny’s real message was simple: make things, share them, and don’t hide what brings you joy. Whether she’s crafting blankets for graduating students, donating handmade gifts, or teaching teens to perform Antigone, Jenny stitches warmth into everything she touches — one row at a time. More about Jenny: Jenny has been crafting since the age of 5 and has hand made over 100 blankets as of today. She always has a craft in hand while traveling and can always recommend a great audiobook to listen to while crafting. #ADD #ADHD. #Crochet

    46 min
  6. Take the Trauma Out of Healing from Trauma. Don't Become Someone Else's Trauma. Get Help

    May 5

    Take the Trauma Out of Healing from Trauma. Don't Become Someone Else's Trauma. Get Help

    What if healing your trauma isn’t about finding the right method—but finding the right support for you? In this powerful episode of Intent on Purpose, Laura Hansen Breksa sits down with somatic coach Victoria Duarte to break down the truth about trauma, anxiety, and emotional healing. Together, they explore why cookie-cutter solutions often fail, how even small childhood moments can shape your adult reactions, and what it really means to heal from the inside out. You’ll learn how trauma lives in the body, why you might still feel triggered even when nothing is “wrong,” and how to begin creating safety, self-compassion, and real change in your life. Whether you’ve tried therapy before, feel stuck in anxiety, or are just beginning your healing journey—this conversation will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. Get to know Victoria: Victoria is the co-founder of Healing Arts Center, a practice built around the healing modalities that supported her business partner Mark during his military retirement. With over 15 years of experience, Victoria works as a somatic and mindfulness coach helping military families and civilians find healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety. She is deeply committed to making healing accessible to the Hampton Roads community, believing there is no one size fits all approach. She tailors every session to the individual sitting in front of her and creates a space where people feel safe enough to have honest conversations with themselves. https://www.healingartsvb.com/ In this episode, you’ll discover: Why trauma healing is not one-size-fits-allHow to recognize hidden trauma responsesThe difference between coaching and therapyWhy your body—not just your mind—needs to healWhen it’s time to seek deeper support🎧 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start—this episode is for you.

    51 min
  7. Why Am I Yelling at My Kids and How Do I Stop? Mindy Green Tells Us How!

    Apr 21

    Why Am I Yelling at My Kids and How Do I Stop? Mindy Green Tells Us How!

    How do you handle tantrums? What do personality types reveal about family dynamics? And what can just 90 seconds teach us about behavior? In my conversation with parenting coach Mindy Green, we unpack it all—and you might just leave with a new mantra: keep calm and parent on. Get to know Mindy: Mindy Green is a Parenting and Family Communication Coach, former school social worker, and author whose work grew from her own journey of raising four children. What began as a search for better ways to support her family became a passion for helping others understand emotions, personality, and the patterns that shape relationships. Through storytelling and practical tools, Mindy guides parents to break generational cycles and build deeper connection at home. She believes that living with purpose starts with how we show up for ourselves and for the people we love. https://mindygreencoaching.com/ #Partenting #parentingtips #tantrums #mindfulparenting #parentingcoach #familydynamics

    40 min

  8. Apr 21

    What can you do to increase the likelihood your children will grow into happy adults?

    Mindy Green believes she has the answers. This short reels reveals a lot of Mindy Green's beliefs, which she talks more of in her complete conversation on Intent on Purpose with Laura Hansen Breksa.

    18 sec
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Conversations with people who put time, energy, and talents into what they believe.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Hansen Breksa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Laura Hansen Breksa