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I had a powerful conversation on A Shot of Inspiration podcast with host Greg Stephens and guest Dr. Stacy Friedman about something many people avoid, but deeply need to understand: intimacy. Dr. Stacy brought clarity, honesty, and practical wisdom around communication, connection, and breaking through the silence that holds relationships back. This wasn’t just about sex, it was about understanding each other, showing up daily, and creating real connection that lasts.

Key Takeaways

• Intimacy is built daily through small actions like communication, touch, and intentional connection
• Most relationship struggles come from lack of education and honest conversation, not lack of desire
• Reframing intimacy from performance to connection changes everything in a relationship

About Dr. Stacy:

Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist with a deep passion for helping individuals build more connected, confident, and satisfying intimate lives—whether on their own or with a partner (or partners).

She holds a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and a Master’s degree in Clinical Sexology and is a Certified Sex Coach. Dr. Friedman is an active member of both the World Association of Sex Coaching (WASC) and the American College of Sexologists (ACS), organizations that uphold the highest standards of training and ethics in the field. With a B.A. in Psychology and more than 21 years of experience as a Registered Diagnostic Medical and Vascular Sonographer, she brings a strong medical foundation to her work, offering a unique perspective on the connection between physical health, emotional well-being, and sexual function.

Since 2006, Dr. Friedman has been educating and empowering individuals through open, engaging, and judgment-free conversations about love, intimacy, and human sexuality. Her workshops and events are designed to normalize these topics while encouraging confidence, curiosity, and playfulness at every stage of life.

Her coaching practice is inclusive, welcoming women, men, and individuals across the full spectrum of gender and sexuality. She helps clients explore their desires, overcome challenges, and develop deeper levels of connection and expression. Known for her relatable, straightforward, and supportive approach, Dr. Friedman combines professional expertise with real-life insight to guide people toward greater clarity, confidence, and fulfillment in their intimate lives.

Resources:

Website: drstacyfriedman.com

Social Media: @drstacyfriedman

LinkedIn: @drstacy

Podcast: Purple Passion Project: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-purple-passion-project-281280229/about

Book: Confessions & Lessons of a Sexpert: The Ultimate Guide to Intimacy and Better Sex: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Lessons-Sexpert-Ultimate-Intimacy-ebook/dp/B07C5RJTSM

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On A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sit down with Kyle Mitri as he shares his powerful journey from depression and disconnection to purpose, healing, and brotherhood. We talk about the importance of safe spaces for men, real conversations, and what it takes to step into strength, presence, and authenticity.

Key Takeaways

1. Healing begins when men feel safe enough to open up.
2. Consistent daily practices can transform even the darkest seasons.
3. Brotherhood creates strength, accountability, and real growth.

About Kyle:

Kyle Mitri is a men’s coach and co-founder of the Resilient Men Project. His work was born out of his own battle with depression, suicidal thoughts, and years of feeling disconnected from himself and the world. Through raw honesty, brotherhood, and proven practices, Kyle helps men break free from the weight holding them down so they can rise as leaders in their own lives — living with purpose, power, and presence.

Resources:

Website: https://resilientmenproject.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle.mitri/

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On the A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sit down with Rich Barton to talk about leadership, faith, and the unexpected paths that shape our lives. Rich shares how injuries ended his basketball dreams but opened the door to a life of service, mentorship, and developing leaders across the country. His story is a powerful reminder that adversity can redirect us toward our true purpose.

Key Takeaways

1. True leadership is about empowering others to grow.
2. Adversity often reveals the path we were meant to walk.
3. Service lifts both the person giving it and the person receiving it.

About Rich:

Serving a mission and pausing my college basketball career to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I came back and was a much better player. As the 3rd leading scorer in the country my Junior year I tore my ACL in a game where I had 42 pts with 7 minutes to play. Through another ACL tear and 2 additional medical procedures I trusted God's plan and was a top 20 scorer in the nation my Senior year. I prayerfully sought inspiration of whether or not to play professionally or take a teaching/coaching job in my wife's hometown. I gave up a lot of basketball $ to take the teaching/coaching job. Six months into the job my wife had a stroke. We were grateful that we weren't in a foreign country. Her parents being near by allowed me to be able to continue to go to work. Through much prayer and God's healing she experienced a miracle recovery.

Resources:

rbarton@niaaa.org

X: @RichfieldRich

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In this episode, I talk with Jackie Swayze about how she turned her love of travel into a full-time business while helping others realize that adventure does not have to wait for someday. Jackie shares how stepping outside her comfort zone, facing fear, and learning to maximize time and travel rewards helped her create a life filled with incredible experiences around the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Fear does not have to control your decisions.
2. Small steps outside your comfort zone can open big opportunities.
3. With the right strategies, travel can fit into a normal life.

About Jackie:

Jackie Swayze is the content creator behind Maximizing My PTO, where she helps people travel more often, more luxuriously, and for less money—without quitting their full-time jobs. Through practical tips, travel strategies, and personal stories, she shows how meaningful travel can fit into a “normal” life.

Known as a “little bit of everything traveler,” Jackie enjoys everything from Michelin-starred dining and historic city tours to rugged mountain adventures and remote expeditions. Her travels have taken her to 40 countries and all 7 continents, including experiences like sleeping in a glass pod on a cliffside in Peru and bungee jumping in New Zealand.

After five years in Chicago, Jackie recently moved to London with her husband, where they’re making the most of new European adventures together.

Resources:

https://maximizingmypto.com/

https://www.instagram.com/maximizingmypto/

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On this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast with host Greg Stephens and guest Jessper Maquindang, I sit down with Jessper to talk about perseverance, leadership, and the power of clear communication. Jessper shares how he overcame severe asthma to run 16 marathons and how that same mindset applies to leadership—taking consistent steps, building strong teams, and replacing assumptions with clear agreements that strengthen organizations.

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership growth happens through small, consistent steps.
2. Clear agreements prevent confusion and strengthen teams.
3. Mental wellbeing is essential for resilient leadership.

About Jessper:

Jessper Maquindang is a Certified Executive Coach and Mentor (CECM), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and leadership strategist who helps entrepreneurs and executives build high-performing, self-sustaining teams. With an Executive Master’s Degree in Leadership from the University of Southern California, he combines academic insight with hands-on experience in HR, organizational development, and executive leadership. Jessper works with business leaders to avoid costly hiring mistakes, move beyond micromanagement, and scale their organizations with confidence.

An endurance athlete and marathon runner, he encourages leaders to approach business with resilience, purpose, and long-term vision. His mission is to help leaders build strong teams so they can focus on strategy, grow their impact, and create a meaningful legacy.

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaquindang

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamiLEADManagementConsulting

Website: https://www.famileadconsulting.com

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In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sit down with Craig Barlow, a former Royal Navy veteran turned performance and leadership coach. Craig shares how joining the Navy at 16 shaped his mindset, resilience, and approach to leadership. We talk about surviving a sinking ship, the power of preparation under pressure, and why true leadership begins with mastering yourself. Craig explains how he now helps high achievers build mental toughness through adventure-based experiences like Arctic expeditions and mountain crossings. This conversation is a powerful reminder that simplicity, discipline, and courage are built long before crisis ever hits.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is forged through preparation and disciplined practice.
• Physical challenges expose blind spots and build real confidence.
• Self-leadership is the foundation for leading others well.

About Craig:

Craig Barlow is a former Royal Navy leader who spent 13 years operating in war zones and extreme environments before building a private practice training high-performing men. He runs The Edge Operating System, a reset and leadership upgrade installed through off-grid expeditions in places like the Arctic and Spain’s Sierra Nevada. His clients are founders, investors, and family-office heirs who want sharper decision-making, clarity under pressure, and a proven structure that doesn’t collapse when life and business heat up.

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-barlow-115345110/

Website: https://www.thecraigbarlow.com/

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I’m Greg Stephens, and on A Shot of Inspiration podcast I sat down with Brian Bogert, who turned a devastating childhood accident into a lifelong mission to reduce suffering and help people live with clarity and courage. Finley made a quick cameo too.

Key Takeaways

• Share your story
• Ask and receive
• Live congruently

About Brian:

Brian Bogert is a strategic voice amplifier and emotionally intelligent force multiplier who helps leaders scale with clarity without sacrificing their humanity.

He works with entrepreneurs, elite performers, and visionary creators to unlock alignment through human behavior, message precision, and scalable connection. Brian compresses time, cuts through noise, and transforms chaos into focused, decisive action.

With over 100 million video views and one of the most compelling comeback stories in the space, he brings raw authenticity, sharp insight, and undeniable energy to every stage, podcast, and training.

Brian believes technology should amplify truth and humanity…not replace it. Always human first.

“When you eliminate waste, you can operate at speed without the need to hurry.” - Brian Bogert

Resources:

Personal Website, https://brianbogert.com/

Flipping the Lid Podcast, https://flippingthelid.com/

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bogertbrian

Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/bogertbrian/

LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbogert/

YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhaMgY8q-tMMCj0rpGg7iw

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I’m Greg Stephens, host of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, and in this episode I sit down with Dr. Ben Maddox for a powerful conversation on leadership, growth, and what it really takes to turn a job into a meaningful career. We talk about learning as the true measure of progress, building endurance through discomfort, leading with curiosity and emotional intelligence, and staying authentically yourself in environments that may not always understand you.

3 Key Takeaways:

• Pair skill with mission and measure growth by learning.
• Lead with curiosity, emotional intelligence, and clear decisions.
• Build authentic leadership by working on yourself and creating belonging.

About Ben:

As Cornell University's Chief Information Officer, Ben works across Cornell's locations in Ithaca, New York State, and Cornell Tech in New York City to guide technology services, security, and strategy. Ben has held a variety of leadership roles in higher education including as the Chief Information Officer of NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU's Chief Academic Technology Officer guiding Research, Teaching, and Learning technology across NYU globally. Ben holds a Bachelor's Degree from Baylor University, a Master's and Advanced Certificate degree from the Steinhardt School at NYU, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ben’s academic work focuses on intersections of systems: people, organizations, and technology. Ben explores how technology, innovation, leadership, and learning fuel change. Ben is a member of a number of non-profit boards and community organizations.

Resources:

ben.Maddox@cornell.edu