Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

Dr. Chris Meek
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Personal empowerment, commitment to our own well-being and the motivation to achieve more than we ever thought possible are the ingredients of a better life. And, they're all within our reach. Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek delves into the keys to adding energy, excitement, direction and purpose to everything that we do. The program hosts mental health advocates and medical experts, frontline voices on human trafficking and social justice issues, familiar faces from the worlds of entertainment and sports, and leading entrepreneurs to engage in thought-provoking discussions that inspire the audience to take their own next steps forward to better themselves and their communities. Next Steps Forward is intended to be a source of empowerment that many around the world are in need of now more than ever. For guests who join the program, Chris cultivates a space where honest, quality conversations thrive and are not only meant to educate and inform but inspire action, introspection and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek is an informative, uplifting hour every Tuesday at 1 PM Eastern Time/10 AM Pacific Time that's certain to inspire you to take that important next step forward, too.

  1. 6d ago

    From Tragedy to Unity: David Paine and Jay S. Winuk on Building 9/11 Day

    This week on Next Steps Forward, program host Dr. Chris Meek is joined by the co-founders of 9/11 Day, David Paine and Jay S. Winuk. Together, they share the remarkable story behind how a day of national tragedy was transformed into a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance, now inspiring tens of millions of Americans to honor those lost in the September 11 attacks through acts of kindness, volunteering, and community service. David and Jay discuss the origins of the movement, the deeply personal loss that shaped its mission, and how service became a unifying force across the country. They also explore the ambitious vision behind the 25th anniversary of 9/11 Day, which aims to mobilize the largest day of service in American history through nationwide volunteer initiatives, education programs, and cross-sector partnerships. At a time of increasing division, this conversation highlights the enduring power of service to bring people together, strengthen communities, and reaffirm shared humanity. About David Paine: David Paine is the co-founder and president of 9/11 Day, the nonprofit organization that led the formal establishment of September 11 as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance. Over the past 24 years, 9/11 Day has inspired tens of millions of Americans to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 through acts of kindness, volunteering, and charitable giving—transforming a day of tragedy into a powerful annual moment of unity and service across the country. For the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Paine and his co-founder Jay Winuk are leading an ambitious national effort to organize what is expected to be the largest day of service in American history. The initiative will feature 50 large-scale, multi-city service projects focused on critical needs such as hunger relief, alongside expanded education programs and grantmaking to support schools, nonprofits, and youth organizations nationwide. This historic effort is powered by an extraordinary coalition of influential partners — including the NFL, Major League Baseball, National Governors Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, America250, AmeriCorps, Points of Light, and many others — and is supported by more than 600 corporate partners, including Delta Air Lines, Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., JPMorgan Chase, American Express, Citigroup, Pfizer, Blackstone, The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, and many other leading corporations committed to advancing service and unity nationwide. At a time of deep division, Paine is advancing a bold, unifying vision for civic engagement — one that invites Americans of all backgrounds to join together in shared purpose through service. His work is rooted in the belief that even in the face of profound loss, acts of compassion can help bridge divides, strengthen communities, and reaffirm our common humanity. Through his leadership, he has helped build a lasting national movement grounded in empathy, unity, and the enduring idea that doing good for others is one of the most meaningful ways to remember.  About Jay S. Winuk: Jay S. Winuk is co-founder and executive vice president of 9/11 Day, the nonprofit organization that began and annually organizes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. On September 11, 2001, Jay's brother Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney, volunteer firefighter and EMT, was killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. Inspired by his brother's lifelong devotion to community service and courageous actions, Jay joined David Paine in 2002 as co-founder in helping to build and lead the 9/11 Day observance. Jay is a frequent public speaker and a leading national voice about volunteerism, charitable service, terrorism, individual empowerment and his own experience as the brother of a murdered 9/11 first responder. His work, commentary and personal story have been featured in major news media reports, documentaries and books throughout the nation and world. Jay was a featured speaker at the nationally televised ServiceNation "Presidential Candidates Forum" at Columbia University, representing the 9/11 family community and delivering his remarks just prior to those of candidates U.S. Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. Since co-founding the nonprofit 9/11 Day organization with David Paine, Jay has spoken about charitable service and volunteerism before dozens of audiences – including at national conferences, corporate and annual meetings, press conferences with national legislative leaders, charitable events, on Capitol Hill, at colleges and high schools and more. In addition to his leadership role for 9/11 Day, Jay serves as president of Winuk Communications, Inc., the public relations agency he founded in 1994. He and his firm have won numerous national public relations awards, including multiple Silver and Bronze Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America, the industry's highest honors.  In this capacity Jay has provided PR support to many of the nation's leading corporations, nonprofits and other organizations.

  2. Jul 21

    Leadership, Resilience, and Never Forgetting w/ Boomer Esiason

    What does it take to lead under pressure: on the field, in the broadcast booth, and in the most personal corners of family life? In this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with NFL legend and MVP quarterback Boomer Esiason for a wide-ranging conversation about resilience, identity, purpose, and what it means to use your platform in service of others. Boomer led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and earned league MVP honors in 1988 across a 14-year career. But his story didn't end with retirement. When his son Gunnar was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Boomer channeled his competitive drive into founding the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for research, education, and care. He also became a powerful voice for ensuring that the September 11, 2001 attacks are never forgotten, especially by the one-third of Americans who were too young or not yet born to remember that day. In this episode, you'll hear Boomer discuss: What it was like to play as a left-handed quarterback in an overwhelmingly right-handed league The belief and mindset that fuels comeback resilience, even when a team is down 31 points at halftime Receiving Gunnar's cystic fibrosis diagnosis and what it demanded of him as a father and an advocate Where he was on September 11, 2001, and why keeping that memory alive has become a personal mission About Boomer Esiason: Boomer Esiason is one of the most accomplished NFL quarterbacks of his era. He's best known for leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and earning league MVP honors in 1988. Boomer Esiason's football career spanned 14 years, but his story extends far beyond the game. Following his playing career, he became a respected broadcaster and a passionate advocate for those in need. After his son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Boomer founded the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support research, education, and care for those living with the disease. Throughout his life, Boomer Esiason has used his platform to serve others by advancing medical progress, supporting families, and helping ensure that future generations understand the significance of moments like 9/11 that have shaped our nation.

  3. Jul 14

    Unhide & Seek w/ Ruth Rathblott

    Program host Chris Meek is pleased to welcome Ruth Rathblott back to Next Steps Forward to further speak on issues of inclusion and diversity, the freedom of accepting your differences and rising above life's challenges. Ruth, a licensed social worker, TEDx speaker, award-winning former CEO and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion expert and strategist, was born with a limb difference and is now committed to creating inclusion for all. In this appearance, Ruth will also focus on her most recent book "Unhide & Seek" which offers a blueprint for uncovering the person you are meant to be - both in your career and in your personal life. The book focuses on embracing your differences, performing at your best, building meaningful connections and becoming a leader. If you feel as though your true potential has yet to be discovered, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!

  4. Jul 7

    The Responsibility to Remember w/ Andrew H. Card Jr and Leon Panetta

    In this milestone 250th episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek is joined by two of the most consequential public servants of our time: Andrew Card and Leon Panetta. In a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, these former White House Chiefs of Staff reflect on lives shaped by service, leadership under pressure, and a shared commitment to preserving the lessons of September 11, 2001. From Leon Panetta's upbringing as the son of Italian immigrants and his journey through Congress, the CIA, and the Department of Defense, to Andrew Card's path from the Merchant Marine Academy to the highest levels of government, including his pivotal role on 9/11, this episode explores what truly forms a leader. The discussion spans decades of American history and civic life: the moral weight of leadership decisions, the value of military and public service, lessons learned from presidents across party lines, and the growing challenges facing democracy in an era of polarization. Card and Panetta also offer candid advice to young Americans considering public service today and reflect on whether unity and the political "center" can be restored. The second half of the episode is devoted to September 11, 2001 and its enduring legacy. Together, Card and Panetta recount the facts of that day, share firsthand experiences and behind-the-scenes moments, and examine how 9/11 reshaped national security, diplomacy, intelligence, and preparedness. As members of The 9/11 Legacy Foundation, they explain why remembrance must remain nonpartisan, why education is essential for future generations, and what lessons from 9/11 are most at risk of being forgotten as the 25th commemoration approaches. This landmark episode is a powerful reflection on leadership, memory, unity, and responsibility, and a reminder that remembering 9/11 is not just about honoring the past, but about shaping the future we choose to build. About Andrew H. Card Jr: Known for his calm, disciplined leadership and deep sense of duty, Andrew Card has spent decades in high-level roles in the public and private sectors. Among his roles during three administrations was his service as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Chief of Staff for President George W. Bush during one of the most consequential periods in modern American history, including the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  About Leon Panetta: Leon Panetta is one of America's most experienced public servants. A former member of Congress, he has also served as White House Chief of Staff, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Director of the CIA, and later as the United States Secretary of Defense. He also founded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy to inspire civic engagement and educate future leaders.

  5. Jun 30

    What We Leave Behind w/ Col (Ret) Allison Black

    She never asked for the nickname "Angel of Death." But when General Abdul Rashid Dostum taunted Taliban fighters over the radio on the first night of combat operations after 9/11, warning them that America had sent its women to fly bombers and kill them, Allison Black became part myth, part warning, part green laser dot in the dark. This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Colonel (Ret) Allison Black, one of the first women to fly combat missions in Afghanistan, a veteran of the AC-130 gunship and the elite U-28 Draco community, and a leader who spent decades helping younger service members find their footing and their purpose. Col. Black grew up in suburban Long Island with no military background and no master plan. A late-summer TV commercial and a phone book changed everything. What followed was a career defined not by the nickname she never wanted, but by the quiet, deliberate work that the public rarely sees: hours of observation, precise coordination, and the moral weight of decisions made thousands of feet above the ground. In this conversation, she explores what it means to serve with purpose when public support fades, how 9/11 remained her anchor through 20 years of war, and what she carried home from her first trip back to New York City in February 2002, including a handful of spent brass she brought to the firehouses still grieving their own. They also talk about legacy: not the kind etched in medals, but the kind measured in greasy fingerprints; the small, indelible marks people leave on your life, and the ones you leave on theirs. Humble. Credible. Approachable. It's on the edge of her challenge coin. And it's the throughline of everything she has to say. About Col (Ret) Allison Black: Allison Black is a retired United States Air Force Colonel with a distinguished 32-year military career. She enlisted in 1992 and served as a SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, & escape) specialist for over six years. Allison earned her undergraduate degree from Wayland Baptist University and was commissioned in 1998. She served the next 24 years of her career in USSOCOM & Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC).She has flown a total of over 3,400 hours  with 2,000 combat hours in the AC-130H Spectre Gunship & U-28A Draco. In 2001, Allison deployed in support of TF Dagger as the initial response to the attacks on September 11th, earning the moniker "Angel of Death" for the decisive battlefield effects of the AC-130 crew. Allison has commanded at all levels of leadership and culminated her career as the Commander of the 1st Special Operation Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. She's a native of East Northport, New York and has a Strategic Communications master's degree from George Mason University and master's in security studies from National Defense University. Allison lives in Navarre, Florida with her husband Ryan and two sons Connor and Cooper.

  6. Jun 23

    From Wall Street to Healing and Hope: Bill Villafranco's Journey Through Loss, Addiction, and Purpose

    On this week's episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Bill Villafranco, executive director of myFace, former Wall Street executive, philanthropist, and advocate whose life story is a powerful testament to resilience. Behind professional success, Bill faced profound personal challenges, including the loss of a young child, parenting two daughters through addiction, and battling his own depression and substance abuse. In this candid conversation, he shares what despair really looks like and how an unexpected friendship introduced him to Research Meditation, a practice that helped him quiet his mind, reframe trauma, and begin healing. Bill also discusses his leadership at myFace, the 70-year-old nonprofit supporting children and adults with facial differences. From anti-bullying education to family support and advocacy, he explains how the organization is creating more inclusive communities and empowering families nationwide. This episode is an honest and inspiring conversation about loss, recovery, service, and the power of becoming present, with ourselves and with others. About Bill Villafranco: For more than a decade, Bill Villafranco has been involved as a donor, board member, board president, and now executive director of myFace, the respected organization that supports children and adults with facial differences. As compelling as that work is, Bill Villafranco's life story is an intriguing one. His biography describes him as an advocate, a father, a philanthropist, and a speaker. But he's also a former Wall Street executive who survived multiple market crashes, knows the pressure of high-stakes performance and the hidden pain that often lies beneath success. Bill has lived through profound personal loss, including the death of a young child and the heartache of parenting two daughters through addiction. He has also faced his own battle with depression and substance abuse, navigating years of despair before finding a path to healing through the practice of Research Meditation.

  7. Jun 16

    Have You Forgotten? w/ Darryl Worley

    Twenty-five years after September 11th, the question Darryl Worley asked in song still echoes. This week, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with the country artist whose post-9/11 anthem "Have You Forgotten?" spent seven weeks at #1 and became one of the most defining songs of a generation, not because it was chasing a moment, but because it was speaking for one. Worley's story starts long before Nashville. Raised in southern Tennessee by a Methodist minister and a church-choir mother, he spent five formative years honing his craft at the legendary FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals before carving out a place in country music on his own terms, refusing to compromise his traditionalist roots even when the industry pushed back. His instinct to stay true to himself paid off, producing a string of hits that resonated with the working-class audiences he'd always written for. But it was a Christmas USO trip to Kuwait and Afghanistan in 2002 that changed everything. What he witnessed among the men and women serving overseas moved him to write a song that wasn't just country radio fodder,  it was a rallying cry. In this conversation, Worley reflects on what inspired "Have You Forgotten?", what it meant to the troops he visited, and what it still means to him as the nation approaches the 25th observance of that September morning. For Darryl Worley, remembering isn't about politics. It's about people: the ones who were lost, the ones who answered the call, and the ones still carrying it forward. About Darryl Worley: Darryl Worley is a country artist whose music has always been rooted in the working class and built on authenticity. Raised in southern Tennessee by a Methodist minister father and a church-choir mother, he honed his craft at the legendary FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals before making his way to Nashville, where he scored three Top 20 hits with his debut album. His second album produced his first #1 single, "I Miss My Friend," but it was "Have You Forgotten?", written after a USO trip to Kuwait and Afghanistan in 2002, that cemented his place in country music history. The song spent seven weeks at #1, becoming one of the defining anthems of the post-9/11 era. Beyond the music, Worley has completed more than 15 USO tours and has used his platform to serve his community in lasting ways. He founded the Tennessee River Run, an annual event in Savannah, Tennessee, that has raised over $100,000 annually for local charities and supports the Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center, a facility that brought critical care to a previously underserved region. A traditionalist who cites Merle Haggard and George Jones as his north stars, Worley has never chased trends at the expense of his values, and his music continues to reflect the same honesty, purpose, and blue-collar heart that have defined his career from the start.

  8. Jun 9

    Hard Lessons from Inside the War on Drugs w/ Richard Baum

    The opioid epidemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of American lives, devastated families, and challenged policymakers for more than four decades. In this compelling episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Richard Baum, a 28-year veteran of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy who served under six presidential administrations, including a stint as acting director. Drawing on nearly three decades at the center of America's drug policy efforts, Baum provides an insider's perspective on the evolution of the opioid crisis, from prescription painkillers to heroin to the deadly rise of fentanyl. He examines the policy decisions, cultural shifts, pharmaceutical influences, and enforcement challenges that helped fuel one of the most devastating public health crises in modern American history. Baum also discusses lessons from his new book, Hard Lessons from Inside the War on Drugs, offering candid reflections on what worked, what failed, and why meaningful progress has often proven so difficult. The conversation explores the balance between public health and criminal justice approaches, the role of mental health and treatment, the international dimensions of fentanyl trafficking, and the bipartisan efforts required to address addiction and overdose deaths. Most importantly, Baum shares the human stories behind the statistics, families forever changed by addiction, the emotional toll of the epidemic, and the reasons he remains hopeful that future generations can learn from the past. This is a thoughtful, timely discussion about one of America's most complex and consequential challenges and what it will take to move forward. About Richard Baum: Richard J. Baum has served at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for two decades in a variety of positions through five presidential administrations. He was Acting Director of ONDCP – or Drug Czar – from March 2017 to February 2018. In this position he served as the principal advisor to the President on drug policy and worked directly with Cabinet Secretaries. For much of his tenure as Acting Director he served concurrently as Executive Director of the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, overseeing ONDCP's work with the Commission in drafting and editing their two reports and coordinating and participating in their meetings in Washington. Mr. Baum has previously served in a variety of management and policy positions at ONDCP. During his career at the Drug Czar's office he led the development of numerous strategic documents, including the organization's marquee publication, the National Drug Control Strategy, six times in three administrations, more than any other ONDCP official in its 30-year history. Prior to joining ONDCP's staff in 1997, he was a drug/health/justice policy analyst, researcher and grant writer, and served for six years as a Congressional Staff Member. He currently works on emerging drug threats at ONDCP's Office on Translational Research and also serves on the faculty of the annual Rx Summit and Illicit Drugs and speaks at a variety of other policy forums on behalf of his agency. Mr. Baum has both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Georgetown, as well as a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Colorado. He is an Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University's McCourt Graduate School, where he designed and teaches a course entitled: The War on Drugs: Causes, Consequences and Alternatives. His first book, "Hard Lessons from Inside the War on Drugs," was published in 2025. He was Born and raised in New York City's East Greenwich Village. He resides now in Falls Church, Virginia with his wife Linda Bloss-Baum, an 18-year old son, Matthew, is at Fordham University studying communications. An older daughter, Alexandria, 23 graduated from Penn State with a degree in hospitality.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Personal empowerment, commitment to our own well-being and the motivation to achieve more than we ever thought possible are the ingredients of a better life. And, they're all within our reach. Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek delves into the keys to adding energy, excitement, direction and purpose to everything that we do. The program hosts mental health advocates and medical experts, frontline voices on human trafficking and social justice issues, familiar faces from the worlds of entertainment and sports, and leading entrepreneurs to engage in thought-provoking discussions that inspire the audience to take their own next steps forward to better themselves and their communities. Next Steps Forward is intended to be a source of empowerment that many around the world are in need of now more than ever. For guests who join the program, Chris cultivates a space where honest, quality conversations thrive and are not only meant to educate and inform but inspire action, introspection and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek is an informative, uplifting hour every Tuesday at 1 PM Eastern Time/10 AM Pacific Time that's certain to inspire you to take that important next step forward, too.

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