Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek

Dr. Chris Meek
  • 5.0 (10)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 2D AGO

    Harnessing Fear: The Science of Trauma and Resilience w/ Dr. Arash Javanbakht

    Dr. Arash Javanbakht, a leading psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and founding director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wayne State University School of Medicine, joins Dr. Chris Meek on this installment of Next Steps Forward.  A nationally recognized expert in anxiety, trauma, and PTSD, Dr. Javanbakht shares insights from his extensive work treating civilians, refugees, and first responders. The conversation explores the complex science behind fear and resilience, from biological and psychological factors to the role of environment and lived experience in shaping how individuals respond to trauma. Dr. Javanbakht also discusses innovative approaches being used at STARC, including the integration of art, movement, mindfulness, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and telemedicine to support healing and recovery. Drawing from his acclaimed book Afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear, and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety, he offers a powerful perspective on how fear can be understood, not just as a challenge, but as a tool for growth. This episode is a compelling look at the future of trauma treatment and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there are pathways to resilience, healing, and forward progress. About Dr. Arash Javanbakht: Arash Javanbakht, M.D., is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, founding director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is nationally known for his clinical and research work on anxiety, trauma, and PTSD. He is heavily involved in treatment of civilians, refugees, and first responders with PTSD. Dr Javanbakht researches the biological, psychological, and factors of risk and resilience among refugee children and adults. This work is funded by an NICHD R01 award and examines epigenetic, autonomic, parenting, and environmental elements of trauma impact. STARC also uses art, dance and movement, and yoga and mindfulness in helping refugee families overcome stress. Dr. Javanbakht's work in treatment and research of trauma among first responders is funded by the State of Michigan. STARC is also a national leader in utilization of patented artificial intelligence and augmented reality and telemedicine technologies for treatment for anxiety disorders and PTSD. This work is funded by the State of Michigan, and the DoD. Dr. Javanbakht is recipient of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America Distinguished Member Award, The Society for Biological Psychiatry Humanitarian Award, and International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Distinguished Member Award. Dr. Javanbakht's work has been featured on CNN, Aljazeera, NPR, Scientific American, Washington Post, Smithsonian, PBS, Science, Lancet, American Psychiatric Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Society of Biological Psychiatry, and tens of other media outlets. He is the author of the book "Afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear, and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety".

    52 min

  2. APR 28 ·  VIDEO

    Next Steps Forward Symposium: America as a Cultural Mosaic

    Hosted by Dr. Chris Meek, the Next Steps Forward Symposium brings together thought leaders, scholars, and public figures to explore pressing issues shaping our nation and world. In this session, "America as a Cultural Mosaic," the symposium examines how race, religion, heritage, and personal experience influence our shared civic life. Our distinguished panel includes: Dr. Sherry Molock, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at George Washington University, who explores mental health, identity, and resilience within African American communities. Colonel Seung Paik, U.S. military veteran, leadership expert, and author of Leadernomics, sharing insights on service, heritage, and leadership in diverse communities. Dr. Saqib Qureshi, author of Being Muslim Today, providing perspective on faith, identity, and ethical leadership in contemporary America. Adela Cojab Moadeb, legal fellow at the National Jewish Advocacy Center and Syrian-Jewish activist, addressing identity, advocacy, and combating antisemitism. Through conversation and reflection, the panel explores the strengths and challenges of the "cultural mosaic" model, asking: Can a society that celebrates difference foster the same unity as a melting pot? How do our diverse identities enrich civic life, strengthen communities, and shape the next generation's understanding of belonging? The symposium emphasizes dialogue, learning, and shared responsibility, highlighting the ways Americans can honor their differences while advancing unity, resilience, and civic engagement. It's a timely discussion about how our individual and collective identities contribute to the ongoing work of building a stronger, more inclusive nation.

    57 min

  3. APR 28 ·  VIDEO

    Next Steps Forward Symposium: Combating Human Trafficking

    In the inaugural Next Steps Forward Symposium: Combating Human Trafficking, Dr. Chris Meek, host of the Next Steps Forward weekly podcast, leads a solution-focused conversation with three distinguished experts: Kristi Wells, founder and CEO of Safe House Project; Dr. Stephany Powell, a human trafficking expert advisor for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation; and Andi Buerger, a survivor and founder of Voices Against Trafficking.  This discussion pulls back the curtain on the $160 billion global human trafficking industry, challenging the myth that exploitation only happens in distant places. The panel examines the "hidden" nature of trafficking in local communities , the alarming role of technology and social media in targeting minors, and the urgent need for demand reduction through legislation. Beyond the statistics, the participants emphasize moving from awareness to action, discussing the necessity of survivor-centered restorative care and the profound hope found in the resilience of those who have reclaimed their lives.

    53 min

  4. APR 28

    From the Pentagon Daycare to the Pilot's Seat: A Story of Duty, Healing, and Flight w/ Capt. Hanna Born

    Capt. Hanna Born was one of the children evacuated from the Pentagon daycare on September 11, 2001, too young to fully grasp what had happened, but old enough for it to leave a mark. Now an Air Force Captain and helicopter pilot, she carries that day not as a wound, but as a compass. In this installment of Next Steps Forward, Hanna opens up about growing up in the shadow of a national tragedy her family lived from the inside: a Marine father racing through gridlocked roads to find her, a mother commanding a military unit while not knowing if her daughters were alive, and two little girls trying to make sense of a world that had suddenly changed. She shares what it looked like to heal as a child, how art became her first language for processing fear, and what it meant to grow up surrounded by service members who modeled quiet duty over recognition. From the role of protector she assumed over her younger sister before she could even read, to the cockpit of a military helicopter, Hanna reflects on the through-line connecting that September morning to the life she has chosen. She talks about leadership under pressure, the weight and privilege of a family legacy in uniform, and what it means to honor a story you were almost too small to remember.  For anyone who has ever wondered what it looks like when the children history touched grow up and choose to serve, this conversation is for you.  About Capt. Hanna Born: Hanna Born was not yet three years old on September 11, 2001, when her father Tim raced through gridlocked traffic to reach her at the Pentagon daycare center after Flight 77 struck the building. It was the sound of her voice, crying out "Daddy!," that greeted him when he finally found her safe, sheltered within a ring of metal cribs set up by unnamed Marines who had carried the children to safety and disappeared. In the aftermath of that day, Hanna quietly bore the weight of what she had witnessed. She slept for twenty-four hours straight, a common trauma response in young children, and cycled through regression and anxiety in the weeks that followed. She channeled her emotions into art: watercolors, crayons, finger paints and took on an early role as protector to her younger sister Heather. A photograph from those first raw days captures her stoically comforting Heather while the two looked at the still-smoldering Pentagon from a distance. Growing up surrounded by Air Force Academy cadets in Colorado Springs, and shaped by a family legacy of military service stretching back generations, Hanna found her path. Today she serves as a Captain in the United States Air Force and a helicopter pilot stationed at Fort Novosel, Alabama. She has also spoken publicly at 9/11 commemorations, carrying forward the story that began before she was old enough to fully understand it.

    53 min

  5. APR 21

    Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? w/ Dr. Robert C. Smith

    Dr. Robert C. Smith, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry at Michigan State University and author of Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? Why Our Mental Health System is Failing Us and What Should Be Done to Cure It, has spent a lifetime helping physicians reclaim the human side of medicine. Bob has seen, from inside the exam room, how fragmented systems and over-documentation pull doctors away from their calling. His mission is to reconnect medicine to its original purpose: to listen, heal, and serve. The Next Steps Forward audience will relate to his clear, hopeful message about leadership and compassion in a system that often feels broken, including:  How restoring empathy and communication can transform care What patients wish doctors knew…and vice versa Why healing the healers is key to fixing medicine The future of mental health integration in primary care Dr. Smith brings both credibility and heart. His insights help anyone in a service or leadership role remember why they started. About Dr. Robert C. Smith: Robert C. Smith, MD, MACP, is a university distinguished professor and a professor of medicine and psychiatry emeritus at Michigan State University, East Lansing. With many publications, awards, and strong grant support, he has been involved in teaching and research in patient-centered communication and primary care mental health since 1985. He and his colleagues defined the first evidence-based patient-centered interview, now published in a popular interviewing textbook, Smith's Patient-Centered Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Method (4th ed., 2018). It is used in medical, nursing, and other health care schools in the United States and abroad for teaching interviewing and the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Smith's group also identified the first evidence-based method, the mental health care model, to guide primary care clinicians in managing mental health and substance-use problems. Essentials of Psychiatry in Primary Care: Behavioral Health in the Medical Setting (2019) resulted and is widely used to teach primary care mental health.

    55 min

  6. APR 14

    A Sunny Tuesday in September w/ Gretchen Murphy

    On this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Gretchen Murphy to share a powerful story of resilience, gratitude, and legacy. As a three-time scholarship recipient of the 9.11 Promise, Gretchen's journey is deeply personal, rooted in the lasting impact of the September 11 attacks and shaped by a community committed to honoring those who served. Now a student at Marist University pursuing both her undergraduate and master's degrees, Gretchen reflects on how this support system has helped her grow academically, professionally, and personally. From studying abroad in Florence to leading initiatives with a student-run communications firm, Gretchen has embraced every opportunity made possible through the scholarship, driven by a desire to honor her family's story and give back in meaningful ways. In this conversation, Gretchen shares what it means to come "full circle," from applicant to advocate, as her younger brother prepares to follow in her footsteps. She offers a heartfelt perspective on remembrance, community, and the responsibility to carry forward the legacy of those who sacrificed so much. This episode is a moving reminder that behind every act of service is a ripple effect, one that continues to shape the next generation of leaders. About Gretchen Murphy: Gretchen Murphy is a junior at Marist University studying Communication and Marketing. As a high school senior, she completed her Girl Scout Gold Award titled "A Sunny Tuesday in September," an age appropriate presentation aimed at middle school and high schoolers to retell the sort of 9/11 through her father and other first-responding firefighters perspectives. Her mission is rooted in honoring the true meaning of "Never Forget" by continuing to share the story of 9/11 and emphasizing why it remains vital to keep this conversation alive nearly 25 years after the attacks.

    55 min

  7. APR 7

    Fearless Finance: Finding Money Happiness w/ Lori Atwood

    What if financial advice was accessible, judgment-free, and tailored to wherever you are on your money journey? In this episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Lori Atwood, CFP® and founder of Fearless Finance, a firm dedicated to bringing "money happiness" to everyone. Lori shares her unique approach to financial planning, offering hourly, virtual, fiduciary guidance with no sales, no commissions, and no minimums. Drawing on nearly 25 years of experience, from telecom investment banking in Europe, to serving as CFO of a startup, to managing assets for high net worth families, Lori helps individuals and small businesses understand their finances, set meaningful goals, and create plans that actually work. Lori will discuss practical strategies for budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for retirement, and shares how Fearless Finance meets clients exactly where they are, whether they are building wealth or managing existing assets. Along the way, she also offers insights into her journey in finance, her passion for helping people feel confident about money, and a glimpse into her life outside of work. Discover how to take control of your financial future, achieve your goals, and experience true financial wellbeing, no matter your starting point. About Lori Atwood: Lori Atwood, CFP® is the founder of Fearless Finance, whose mission it is to bring money happiness to absolutely everyone. Lori founded Fearless Finance to provide fiduciary, hourly, virtual financial planning advice to people who felt expert financial advice was out of reach. No sales, no commissions, no minimums and no judgment. We meet our clients where they are on their financial journey. Fearless Finance has registered financial planners located nationwide who work with individual clients and small businesses on financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, debt, savings, goal setting, investments and retirement planning. We help clients understand their financial situation, make a plan to achieve goals and maintain and enhance their financial wellbeing, no matter whether you have lots of assets or are still building your wealth. Lori Atwood started Atwood Financial Planning, LLC in 2016, and she has worked in finance for almost 25 years. The firm now operates under the brand Fearless Finance. Lori started her finance career in telecom investment banking in Europe. She then became the CFO of a 20-person internet start-up where she oversaw the sale of that company to a publicly traded company. After the sale, Lori went back to banking as an investment consultant managing assets for institutions, foundations and high net worth families. Lori also worked with a private equity firm to place capital in emerging markets. Lori has an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master's degree from Georgetown University. In her free time, she loves to cook, go to boot camp and most of all, spend time with her husband and daughter.  Lori is a CFP® Professional and Atwood Financial Planning, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC.

    55 min

  8. MAR 31

    Fighting Antisemitism w/ Adela Cojab

    Adela Cojab is a legal advocate and media contributor recognized for her commitment to protecting Jewish rights and addressing antisemitism in academic institutions. Many in the Next Steps Forward audience will recognize her from the complaint she filed in 2019 against New York University (NYU) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for failing to protect its Jewish community from discrimination and harassment. Her case contributed to the Executive Order on Combating Antisemitism, laying the groundwork for subsequent cases. She joins program host Dr. Chris Meek to provide an account of her experiences at NYU and how they inspired her work to combat antisemitism, how young adults can move important conversation surrounding antisemitism and Israel on university campuses, how others can find effective ways to speak out against antisemitism and the importance of building bridges and making an impact both in and outside of Jewish communities.   About Adela Cojab: Adela Cojab Moadeb is a legal advocate and media contributor recognized for her commitment to protecting Jewish rights and addressing antisemitism in academic institutions. Adela is best known for filing a complaint against New York University (NYU) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in 2019 for failing to protect its Jewish community from discrimination and harassment. Her case contributed to the Executive Order on Combating Antisemitism, laying the groundwork for subsequent cases. Adela has served as a commentator on major networks like FOX News Channel, Telemundo, and Univision, and has consulted on multiple antisemitism cases. Her work, from political advocacy to interfaith peace rallies, has been recognized internationally. Adela is a legal fellow at the National Jewish Advocacy Center, handling cases to protect Jewish Civil Rights. Adela formerly cohosted the interfaith podcast, Americanish: Daughters of Diaspora, and currently hosts OpenDor Media's daily YouTube show, TodayUnpacked. Adela holds a J.D. from Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and B.A. from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, with a concentration in Middle Eastern Diaspora Structures.

    55 min
See All (266)

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.

Information

More From The VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network

You Might Also Like