“FIND YOUR SPARK” is a podcast that uncovers real-life stories about discovering and embracing your SPARK—even in the middle of a busy, messy life. Hosted weekly by Brooke Wheeldon-Reece, President & CEO of The SPARK Initiative, and Chad Hudson, this show brings a fresh and authentic perspective on life, growth, and impact. Each episode features heartfelt conversations as Brooke and Chad explore topics like family, mental health, personal development, running a nonprofit, and the transformative…
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In this episode, hosts Brooke and Chad sit down to talk about what mentorship really means to them and why it matters so much, both in life and in their work with SPARK. They dig into the different forms a mentor can take: a teacher, a boss, an older sibling, or someone who never fits neatly into any of those categories at all. Sometimes the most influential mentors show up in the most unlikely…
This week, we're doing something a little different and a lot more personal. Brooke and Nicole are celebrating their August birthdays in true Leo fashion. In this episode, the two co-hosts reflect on what it means to be born in the sign of the lion: natural leaders, fiercely loyal, endlessly passionate about the people they serve and an almost stubborn refusal to give up on those they believe in.…
In honor of National Non-Profit Day on August 17, Chad sits down with special guest Nicole Wilson, SPARK's Special Initiatives Manager, for a conversation about the heart behind nonprofit work. Nicole has been with SPARK for a decade, spending those years leading community initiatives and gaining a firsthand understanding of what it takes to serve others well. Together, Chad and Nicole dig into…
In this episode, Shawn hands over the mic for a rapid-fire Q&A with Carter Reece, one of Brooke's kiddos, age 14. Rather than the usual format, Shawn lets Carter take the floor, asking him about the issues he sees today, the struggles young people face, and opinions he doesn't often get asked to share. It's a rare chance to hear directly from a young voice on topics that shape his generation.…
In honor of International Day of Friendship, Brooke welcomes her work and real-life best friend Ashley Hunt to the podcast for a heartfelt celebration of the bond they share. Brooke arrives with a surprise she has been working on for an entire year: a gift called "30 Reasons Why You're My Bestie." Listen in as she reads excerpts aloud to Ashley for the very first time, and stay for the laughter,…
This week, Chad sits down with Afreen Gootee, a thought leader in trauma-informed care, retired educator, and founder of Thoughtful Minds Consulting. Afreen brings decades of experience in education and training to an honest conversation about what it truly means to see and support the people around us. Together, they explore her journey through the classroom, her work as a trainer, and the…
What if the worry you carry every day isn't actually protecting you? This week, Chad sits down with special guest Ashley Hunt to explore a powerful passage from Mavis Karn's book It's That Simple: A User's Manual for Human Beings. Together, they unpack how worried thinking so often becomes a habit, one we convince ourselves is keeping catastrophe at bay. In reality, that constant mental rehearsal…
This weekend, America turned 250. On this episode of Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad takes a moment to reflect on what that really means. The conversation starts where it should: freedom. Not just fireworks and cookouts, but the freedom to make our own choices, live our own lives, and decide who we want to become. What does freedom mean to you, personally? Chad celebrates the freedom we enjoy as…
Chad hits pause this week, and he's inviting you to do the same. In a lighthearted reflection on summer, he speaks directly to the students and educators SPARK serves and reminds us all that rest isn't something you earn, it's something you need. Summer is the perfect time to recharge, and this episode is your permission slip to do exactly that.
History gives us perspective. It reminds us that change is possible, that progress takes courage, and that the work is never truly finished. In this episode, Chad reflects on what Juneteenth means beyond the holiday itself. Freedom is at the heart of this day, but freedom looks different depending on who you are and where you come from. What does freedom mean to you? What does opportunity look…
In this episode, Chad sits down with SPARK's newest team member, Shawn Adkins, for a fun and candid conversation about all things Shawn. With a background in case management and a lifelong heart for working with youth, it's no surprise that SPARK felt like home from day one. Shawn shares what brought him to SPARK, what his role looks like, and the impact he's already witnessed from the curriculum…
