Shows
Find Your Spark234: Awareness Uncovered - Training ReflectionsIn this week’s episode, Makayla reflects on the past week’s SPARK & IWB Implementation Training and the unexpected lessons it brought about awareness and presence. Coming into the training after a whirlwind July, Makayla was already navigating a busy state of mind. But just hours into the first day, life intervened — a gut-wrenching phone call from her mom revealed that her dog, Tank, was immobile and in severe pain.In the past, Makayla might have pushed through her scheduled training session, ignoring how deeply shaken she felt. This time, awareness stepped in. She recognized that her abilit...
2025-08-0518 min
Find Your Spark229: Living in the MomentIn this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla opens up about her personal journey as a forward thinker—someone who’s always looking ahead, planning, and preparing for what’s next. While this mindset has its strengths, Makayla shares how it can also pull us away from fully experiencing the moments right in front of us. She invites listeners to pause, let go of worries about the past or future, and embrace the beauty of the present day. Tune in for an honest, heartfelt reminder about the power of being here, now.
2025-06-2408 min
Find Your Spark219: Reflections on One Year at SPARKIn this episode, Makayla reflects on the past year at SPARK. With her 1-Year "workiversary" approaching, Makayla discusses how her life looks completely different than it did the year prior and emphasizes how much can change in just a year's time. Listen as Makayla celebrates the opportunities and contentment that her role at SPARK has brought her and then wraps up with a hopeful message about her future.
2025-04-0112 min
Find Your Spark214: It's Just ThoughtIn this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla sits down to reflect on what she’s learned so far during her time at SPARK. Through this intimate discussion, Makayla shares her understanding of thought through personal experiences and a story that puts into perspective how one thought can shift your entire experience.
2025-02-0414 min
Find Your Spark213: The Best is Yet to Come in 2025In this episode, the entire SPARK team sits down together to reflect on 2024 and uncover what they are hopeful for in 2025.The rarity in which the team gets to be together in person is not lost on us during this episode as the laughs exchanged and genuine happiness in experiencing togetherness blossoms through the reflective conversation had. 2024 brought many highs and many lows while truly proving to all of us at SPARK that the universe has a plan that’s greater than our own. We’re optimistic for 2025 to bring with it exactly what we need...
2025-01-2835 min
Find Your Spark206: All of the Things to be Thankful forIn this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla is joined by special guest, Gabriella Reece.In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the season of thankfulness, Makayla and Gabriella discuss all of the things they are thankful for within their own lives. The pair also dive into the tendency we have to spiral into a state of mind where thankfulness seems out of reach.Listen as their conversation unfolds into a beautiful realization that even the worst of times often hold something to b...
2024-11-2620 min
Find Your Spark201: Oh but Darling, What if you Fly?In this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla references a famous quote by Erin Hanson that reads, "What if I fall? Oh but darling, what if you fly?" In this self-reflective episode, Makayla details personal narratives that illustrate the ways in which this quote has helped her state of mind. Listen as Makayla details a more optimistic approach to life, and the unhelpfulness of pessimistic thought.
2024-09-0317 min
Find Your Spark200: Celebrating 200 Episodes!During this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, the entire SPARK team sits in to celebrate 200 episodes. Veering off our typical style of podcast, Makayla hosts an interview-style session with the Spark team. Throughout the episode, team members reflect on the changes they've observed since their beginning at SPARK, key takeaways from our teachings, and what they hope to see SPARK become over the next 200 episodes.Listen to this hopeful and reflective episode of the Find Your Spark Podcast to learn just how far we've come, and that we aren't stopping an...
2024-08-2735 min
Find Your Spark196: Supporting Public EducationDuring this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla is joined by a very special guest - her mom.Makayla and Jocelyn had the privilege of teaching together during Makayla's time in the classroom.Listen as they reflect on that special time in both of their lives.The pair also speak to the role of educators, how teaching has changed, and the importance of programs like SPARK in every classroom.This episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast premieres on National Support Public Education Day. To every...
2024-07-3020 min
Find Your Spark194: Breaking the Thought Chain in Caesars PalaceDuring this episode of the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Brooke and Makayla sit down in the infamous Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to discuss an insight that Makayla recently shared with the SPARK team.Makayla, someone who has struggled with OCD for most of her life, shares how a lesson from the SPARK curriculum changed her approach to one of her toughest battles.Brooke, who is also Makayla's aunt, shares a unique perspective having watched Makayla grow up.The pair discuss the profound impact that such a simple understanding can have on anyone...
2024-07-1618 min
Find Your Spark190: Combating the Stigma Surrounding Men's Mental HealthThis week on the Find Your SPARK Podcast, Makayla and Chad choose to highlight that June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. Men's Mental Health is a topic that is not typically in the spotlight; however, at SPARK we believe that everyone's mental health is equally important. Join Makayla and Chad as they share stories regarding the stigma surrounding men's mental health in their own lives. As they shed light on the topic, they help to combat the stigma and open doors to important conversations.
2024-06-1815 min
Find Your Spark187: The Tools Every Teacher Needs - A Guide Beyond the ClassroomIn this episode, Ashley introduces a new team member, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Makayla Wheeldon. Makayla, a former elementary school teacher, is now learning and embracing the beautiful insight that every human has a Spark inside of them that can't be broken.Join Ashley and Makayla as they shine light on Mental Health Awareness Month, specifically teacher mental health. In a profession that burnout is experienced often, and teachers are exiting the classroom in large numbers, Makayla speaks to the factors that contribute to that while reflecting on resources that she wished s...
2024-05-2824 min