Small Changes Big Shifts

Dr. Michelle Robin

The Small Changes Big Shifts podcast is your weekly dose of wellness encouragement. It's the small changes that stick and ultimately compound to create big shifts in our holistic well-being. Dr. Michelle Robin and her renowned guests will share wisdom, knowledge, real life stories and practical tips to inspire and inform you as you move forward on your journey to a life of wellness.

  1. 21h ago

    Uncovering the Keys to Wellbeing and Longevity: A Deep Dive with Dr. Roizen Part 1

    Our daily choices can shape not only how long we live, but how well we live. Dr. Michael Roizen challenges us to rethink aging by exploring how nutrition, movement, prevention, and personal motivation can influence our health trajectory.  Drawing from decades of medical experience and longevity research, Dr. Roizen shares why finding your personal "why" is essential to lasting change and how wellness can benefit individuals, families, and communities. His message is hopeful and empowering: we can take meaningful steps today to live younger, longer, and with greater purpose.  Key Takeaways:   Our daily choices around nutrition, movement, tobacco, stress, and other lifestyle factors can significantly influence our health trajectory and quality of life.   Finding your personal motivator is essential because lasting behavior change becomes more meaningful when it connects to something you genuinely care about.   Staying well is not only a personal responsibility but can also contribute to healthier families, stronger communities, and a more sustainable healthcare system.   Wellness programs can create meaningful change when organizations make healthy choices easier and support people in building sustainable habits.   Longevity science is rapidly evolving, giving us new opportunities to extend not just lifespan but the number of years we can live with strength, independence, and purpose.    We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Dr. Michael Roizen:  Dr. Roizen served as Cleveland Clinic's first Chief Wellness Officer from 2007 to 2019 & founding Chair of its Wellness Institute. The Clinic's Wellness Programs helped the clinic not spend over 1.250 billion dollars for its 101,000 employees & dependents over 11 years compared with national averages and help over 43.6% of participants achieve 6 normals+2 ® for health. This reduced their rate of aging and time of disability equivalent to 12.5 years over an 80 year lifespan.   Dr Roizen is a recipient of an Emmy, an Elle, the Paul Rogers best medical communicator award from the National Library of Medicine, & the Bennett Family Award from GlobalWellnesSummit. He initiated & developed the RealAge concept to motivate behavior change. That started the concept that 60 could be the new 40. He believes that soon 90 will be the new 40—how you can prepare for it is described in his recently released book and app-newsletter, The Great Age Reboot and 4 YOUngevity.com Ai coaching program & free newsletter.   He has authored over 195 peer reviewed scientific publications (he really is a science nerd), four New York Times #1 best sellers, 9 overall top 10 bestsellers including his initial #1 Bestseller in 5 countries, "RealAge: Are You As Young As You Can Be?", "AgeProof—Living Longer without breaking a hip or running out of money" and his book that displaced Harry Potter from #1 on Amazon for 177 days, YOU: On A Diet, The Owner's Manual for Waist Management. He served 16 years on FDA advisory committees, including chairing one for two years. His books have been translated into 44 languages and been number 1 in 5 countries in addition to the USA. He helped start 14 companies including his current Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Company, Lifespan-Edge.com, , co-invented a drug approved by the FDA, co-invented the Cloud (US Patent # 2004/0205055A1 ; his coinventor –who took it from him—was just awarded 673 million dollars from Amazon)and has a weekly podcast now in its 1268th+ week; he and Dr Oz coauthored a daily column syndicated to over 68 newspapers that translates current scientific reports into actionable steps for lay audiences. When Dr Oz declared his candidacy for public office, Dr Roizen has continued the column alone, but have recently started writing it together again, but he has restarted alone as Dr Oz is now USA's CMS Director-Administrator.   He is a recipient of The United Way of Cleveland Humanitarian of the Year Award. He has won over 75 trophies in class A squash competition. His wife is a developmental pediatrician also listed in the Best Doctors in America. The Roizens have two children: Jenny, a PhD organic chemist working for the US Energy Department, and Jeffrey, an MD/PhD faculty member in pediatric endocrinology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Roizen is devoted to helping people live younger. He consults with patients in Cleveland Clinic's Executive Health and Wellness Programs. He teaches them the 80% likelihood that they can be 40 at calendar age 90, and how to prepare for that.  Connect with Dr. Michael Roizen at:  https://4youngevity.com/    https://lifespan-edge.com/   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

  2. Sep 6

    A Purposeful Mission: Celebrating a Decade in Recovery and Community Care with Rob and Anissa Elsey

    What began as one family's search for a safe place for their daughter to recover became a mission to help hundreds of others find stability, accountability, and hope. Rob and Anissa Elsey share the personal story behind In the Name of Grace and how their daughter's struggle with substance use disorder inspired them to expand recovery housing across Missouri. Their journey is a powerful reminder of how personal challenges can become a greater purpose when we choose to help others.  Rob and Anissa also explore why recovery doesn't end when treatment does, highlighting the importance of community, peer support, structure, and accountability. From breaking generational cycles to challenging the stigma around addiction and mental health, they share why becoming "balcony people"—those who lift others up—can create lasting change. Their story shows that recovery is not something we navigate alone, and that compassion and community can help transform lives.  Key Takeaways:   Recovery continues beyond treatment and requires ongoing support.   The right people and environment can strengthen long-term recovery.   Addiction should be met with compassion, not judgment or stigma.   Breaking generational cycles starts with awareness and honest conversations.   Community, kindness, and accountability can create lasting change.    We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  Connect with Rob and Anissa Elsey at:  https://www.facebook.com/IntheNameofGrace/  https://inthenameofgrace.org/giving-grace/  Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

  3. Aug 30

    Beyond the Building: How Intentional Design and Deep Faith Shape the Future of Your Wellness Connection

    What happens when the place you built to help others heal becomes part of your own story of becoming? As Dr. Michelle Robin approaches 60, she reflects on her journey from starting a small chiropractic practice to creating Your Wellness Connection—a space intentionally designed around healing, connection, and whole-person wellness.  In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Michelle shares why she is embracing a new chapter with faith, curiosity, and alignment, including the transition of the current YWC building. She explores the importance of knowing your why, protecting your energy, and trusting what comes next, reminding us that our purpose and impact are never confined to four walls.  Key Takeaways:   Intentionality can transform a space into a place of healing, connection, and belonging.   Transitions become more meaningful when we approach them with curiosity, faith, and trust instead of fear.   Knowing your why can help you protect your energy and stay focused on the people and purpose that matter most.   Becoming is a lifelong process of discovering who you are, what brings you joy, and what feels aligned in each season of life.   Your impact is not confined to a building because the culture, connection, and love you create can travel with you wherever you go. We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

  4. Aug 23

    Navigating Thyroid Health: Holistic Approaches and Solutions with Dr. Alicia Johnson

    Your thyroid may be small, but it plays a major role in your energy, metabolism, hormones, mood, and overall health. In this conversation, Dr. Michelle Robin and Bayleigh Soza sit down with Dr. Alicia Johnson to discuss common thyroid conditions, why symptoms can occur even when labs appear normal, and the importance of looking beyond surface-level answers.  Together, they explore how stress, nutrition, blood sugar, hormones, vitamin D, and environmental factors can impact thyroid function. Dr. Johnson shares practical strategies for supporting thyroid health and explains how small, proactive steps can help prevent bigger health challenges in the future.   Key Takeaways:   Your thyroid influences every cell in your body, impacting energy, metabolism, mood, hormones, digestion, and overall health.   Thyroid symptoms can occur even when standard thyroid lab results appear normal, making comprehensive testing important.   Stress, blood sugar imbalances, environmental toxins, hormone fluctuations, and nutrient deficiencies can all affect thyroid function.   Prevention matters—tracking health markers early can help identify issues before they become major health challenges.   Simple lifestyle habits such as eating whole foods, maintaining healthy vitamin D levels, managing stress, and supporting key nutrients can improve thyroid and endocrine health.    We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Dr. Alicia Johnson:  Alicia Johnson is a licensed Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Her areas of expertise include medical weight loss, hormone balance, fatigue, anti-aging, and mood disorders.  Dr. Johnson has a passion for getting to know her patients and working together as a team to address even the most complicated health concerns.  Dr. Johnson utilizes natural, non-invasive therapies to treat many common conditions such as menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, depression, anxiety, obesity, infertility, low testosterone, fatigue, digestive problems, and many other chronic conditions.  Dr. Johnson is a graduate from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ. She received her acupuncture training from the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. Prior to medical school, she received her Bachelors of Science in Life Sciences with a secondary degree in Gerontology, the study of aging. Dr. Johnson's patients are treated individually with a combination of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement recommendations, acupuncture, nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine, dietary counseling, homeopathy, and lifestyle counseling. This unique, individualized approach is effective for improving the outcome of almost any chronic health condition because many chronic diseases simply do not respond well to simple pharmaceutical treatment.  Connect with Dr. Alicia Johnson at:  https://aspirehealthkc.com/ Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

  5. Aug 16

    Journey to Wholeness: Exploring How Thyroid Health Influences Our Overall Wellbeing and Vitality

    Sometimes the symptoms we experience are not the real problem. They are messages from the body asking us to pay attention. In this reflective episode, Dr. Michelle Robin and Bayleigh Soza unpack the powerful lessons from their recent series on self-violation, trauma, stress, and finding your voice. Together, they explore how chronic stress, suppressed emotions, unresolved experiences, and daily habits can influence physical health, particularly thyroid function. Through personal stories and practical examples, they challenge listeners to become more curious about what their bodies may be trying to communicate.  The conversation highlights the importance of viewing health through the lens of the Four Quadrants of Wellbeing: mechanical, chemical, energetical, and psycho-spiritual. From gut health and nervous system regulation to emotional honesty and self-awareness, Dr. Robin shares how seemingly unrelated symptoms may be connected to deeper patterns in our lives. This episode serves as an invitation to slow down, listen to your body, speak your truth, and embrace a whole-person approach to healing and long-term wellbeing.  Key Takeaways:   Your body is constantly communicating through symptoms, and curiosity is often the first step toward healing.   Chronic stress, unresolved emotions, and lifestyle habits can influence thyroid health and overall wellbeing.   Looking at health through the Four Quadrants of Wellbeing helps uncover root causes instead of only treating symptoms.   Speaking your truth and becoming honest with yourself can be an important part of emotional and physical healing.   Small daily habits like quality sleep, movement, blood sugar balance, and nervous system regulation can significantly impact long-term health.    We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

  6. Aug 9

    The Courage to Be Whole: Inner Healing Through Somatic Work with Brooke Seiz

    Peace begins by listening to what your body has been trying to tell you all along. Dr. Michelle Robin and Bayleigh Soza are joined by somatic therapist Brooke Seiz to explore how stress, trauma, and the nervous system shape our physical and emotional well-being. Brooke shares how reconnecting with the body through curiosity, awareness, and self-compassion can help us move beyond simply managing symptoms toward lasting healing.  Together, they discuss practical ways to slow down, regulate the nervous system, support children through emotional awareness, and embrace every part of our story with grace. This conversation is a reminder that healing doesn't require perfection. It begins with small moments of awareness that create more peace, resilience, and connection in everyday life.  Key Takeaways:   Your body often communicates stress, trauma, and emotional needs before your mind fully recognizes them, making body awareness an essential part of healing.   Practicing curiosity instead of self-criticism creates space for self-compassion and helps you respond to challenges with greater clarity and peace.   Slowing down, taking intentional pauses, and listening to your nervous system are powerful habits that support emotional resilience and overall well-being.   Parents can better support their children by first learning to recognize and regulate their own emotions, creating a healthier foundation for connection.   Every part of your story has served a purpose, and acknowledging those parts with grace can help you heal, find your voice, and move forward with confidence.    We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Brooke Seiz:  Brooke Seiz, LCPC, SEP, NTP, IFMCP is a somatic and relationship therapist and functional nutrition provider. She works with both individuals and couples, and specializes in developmental trauma, chronic pain, as well as overall nervous system regulation. As a certified functional medicine practitioner, Brooke helps women get to the root cause for their fatigue, gut issues, and hormone imbalance, addressing these root causes with somatic therapy, holistic nutrition, and counseling. She especially enjoys working with perimenopause. Brooke takes an integrative approach to help folks come into greater alignment with themselves so they can show up with more presence and fulfillment in their lives. Brooke is also trained in Touch Trauma skills and utilizes table and touch work in her practice.   As a former musical theatre performer, Brooke loves how music, theatre, and dance bring connection to self and community. She enjoys helping folks integrate play into their lives and work! Brooke teaches workshops and continuing education trainings to empower folks with strategies and choice around their health and wellness. Brooke finds purpose and great joy in supporting folks in finding embodied connection to self and community!  Connect with Brooke Seiz at:  www.evolvewellnesskc.com    https://www.facebook.com/evolvewellnessandcounseling    https://www.instagram.com/brookeseiz     www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-seiz   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

  7. Aug 2

    Facing the Frontlines: Karla Perez-Solorzano on Transforming Trauma into Empowerment

    Behind every emergency is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and unseen challenges. Karla Perez Solorzano, Executive Director of Healing Heroic Healers, shares her journey from 25 years as a frontline healthcare professional to creating a mission focused on supporting first responders through trauma, burnout, and healing.   Through an honest conversation with Dr. Michelle Robin and Bayleigh Soza, Karla explores the importance of whole-person care, building resilience, and creating communities that support the people who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Her story is a powerful reminder that even heroes need care, compassion, and space to heal.  Key Takeaways:   First responders carry invisible wounds, and prioritizing their mental, emotional, and physical well-being is essential to sustaining the people who care for our communities.   Whole-person healing extends beyond traditional healthcare by addressing emotional resilience, supportive relationships, and access to restorative resources.   Building resilience before adversity strikes creates a stronger foundation to navigate trauma, stress, and life's unexpected challenges.   Offering grace, compassion, and understanding to healthcare professionals acknowledges that caregivers are human and often carry burdens we cannot see.   Communities become healthier when individuals, organizations, and healthcare providers work together to support both those receiving care and those delivering it.    We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Karla Perez-Solorzano:  Karla V. Pérez-Solórzano is the founder of Healing Heroic Healers, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting frontline healthcare workers and first responders by giving them direct access to natural and holistic resources that help them refresh, refuel, and rebalance. Inspired by her own experiences with personal loss, caregiving, trauma, and service in healthcare, Karla is passionate about creating opportunities for frontline workers to restore balance, care for themselves, build deeper reservoirs of resilience and well-being, and access the support they need to thrive.  Connect with Karla Perez-Solorzano at:  https://heroichealers.org/ https://www.facebook.com/healingheroichealers/  https://www.instagram.com/healingheroichealers/  https://www.youtube.com/@HealingHeroicHealers/streams  Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

  8. Jul 26

    Finding Purpose Beyond Violence: Danny Ramos' Path to Redemption and Community Impact

    One conversation can change the way you see violence, healing, and hope. Danny Ramos shares his extraordinary journey from gang life and a life sentence to becoming a leader helping create safer communities through compassion, connection, and second chances. Inspired by his mother's unwavering love and belief in him, Danny transformed his life and discovered a purpose far greater than his past.  Now serving with Uncornered, Danny explains why lasting change begins with trust, belonging, and opportunity. This powerful conversation explores breaking cycles of violence, the impact of mentorship and community, and the reminder that no one is beyond hope when someone chooses to believe in them.  Key Takeaways:   Healing begins when someone believes in your potential, even when you cannot see it for yourself.   Violence is often rooted in a lack of love, connection, and purpose, making community an essential part of lasting change.   Real transformation happens through trust, mentorship, and opportunities that empower people to rewrite their story.   Compassion and curiosity can break cycles of violence more effectively than judgment or isolation.   Every person has the power to create meaningful change by choosing empathy, building relationships, and believing that no life is beyond redemption.    We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Daniel Armando Ramos:  As External Relations Manager, Danny Ramos bridges the gap between the two distinct groups at Uncornered essential to transforming communities: active gang members and the partners who have the power to invest in them. After being involved in street violence from a young age, Danny went to prison for murder at just 16 years old. Through the 22-year sentence that he served, he discovered firsthand that the ability to be vulnerable about his past and his actions was his true turning point. By embracing this vulnerability, he realized that being a gang leader was not the only leader that he could be. Today, he models this new standard of leadership for Uncornered, leveraging his deeply rooted relationships to help others see that the skills used to lead on the streets can be entirely redirected to peace-building. He believes that lasting public safety begins with investing in people, and that relationships, not programs, are the foundation of meaningful change.   Danny's path to leadership is a powerful testament to personal transformation and unwavering commitment. Born and raised in the Kansas City area, his 22 years of incarceration became the landscape for a profound shift, with the painful loss of his mother and the grounding presence of his faith serving as the ultimate catalysts for his change. During this time, Danny committed himself to higher education, recently graduating from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). He often reflects on a quote that defined his trajectory: "The accomplishment of our goals pales in comparison to the person that we become in pursuit of them." While his initial goal was simply trying to get out of prison, his deep commitment to that pursuit entirely reshaped him, allowing him to emerge as a completely different leader and person. Today, Danny has been with Uncornered for three years and lives in the Kansas City area, where he is a devoted husband to his beautiful wife, Ana, and a proud father to twin boys.  Connect with Danny Ramos at:  https://uncornered.org/  https://www.youtube.com/  https://www.instagram.com/uncorneredus/   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

5
out of 5
147 Ratings

About

The Small Changes Big Shifts podcast is your weekly dose of wellness encouragement. It's the small changes that stick and ultimately compound to create big shifts in our holistic well-being. Dr. Michelle Robin and her renowned guests will share wisdom, knowledge, real life stories and practical tips to inspire and inform you as you move forward on your journey to a life of wellness.