Send us a text

For our third episode of season two, we welcome Mayor Mike Mendenhall. He was born and raised in Palmyra and Spanish Fork, graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1998 and attended Utah Valley University in 1999 before serving an LDS mission in Minnesota. He has worked in finance for 16 years as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones Investments in Spanish Fork. Mike is married to Amber Geslison, and they have three children—Nash, Monroe, and Jagger—along with a bulldog named Mocha and a cat named Boomer.

He served as President of the Spanish Fork Area Chamber of Commerce in 2011 and has also been President of the Rotary Club and the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Mike has completed two four-year terms on the City Council and is currently serving his first term as Mayor. He also serves on multiple boards and committees, including the Fairgrounds Committee, Fire Retirement Board, Personnel Committee, Rodeo Committee, SUVPS, UMPA, Council of Governments (COG), and the APPA Policy Maker’s Council.

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this podcast episode, Hale shared his thoughts on leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, responsibility, and vision in guiding teams and communities toward success. He reflects on his own leadership journey—from navigating challenges in collegiate athletics to driving economic development in Utah—highlighting the crucial role of accountability in building strong relationships.

About Val

Throughout his career, Hale has been a driving force in community and institutional growth, serving as the Executive Director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), President and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Vice President at Utah Valley University.

His deep ties to Brigham Young University (BYU) mark one of the most defining chapters of his career. As BYU’s Athletic Director (1999–2004), he played a pivotal role in enhancing the university’s athletic infrastructure, overseeing major fundraising efforts that led to the construction of Miller Park, the Student Athlete Building, the Indoor Practice Facility, and stadium upgrades. His book, Out of the Blue, chronicles his experiences in BYU Athletics, offering insights into leadership, perseverance, and the evolving world of collegiate sports.

Beyond his professional achievements, Hale has been a committed advocate for Utah’s business, tourism, and film industries, championing initiatives that spurred economic growth across the state. Now retired, he continues to serve as a mentor, speaker, and supporter of meaningful projects like the Statue of Responsibility, believing in its power to unite and inspire future generations.

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show

Send us a text

Join us as we sit down with John Renouard, the visionary behind WHOlives and the groundbreaking Village Drill, which has provided clean water to over 12 million people in 40 countries. Since 2010, John has been on a mission to solve water scarcity, empower local entrepreneurs, and champion human rights—all while making personal sacrifices to create a lasting impact.

In this episode, we’ll explore:
💧 How the Village Drill is revolutionizing access to clean water
🌍 The fight against FGM and child marriages
💡 The power of self-reliance and sustainable solutions
🏆 John's journey from business success to global humanitarian leader

John’s work has earned international recognition, including the World Water Challenge Prize and the American Red Cross International Hero Award. Tune in to hear how one man’s determination changes the world, one well at a time.

Visit www.wholives.org to support them in their mission!

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show

Send us a text

Seantae Jackson visits us again with some very touching words that will inspire and uplift you!

Seantae and her family started the Sandal Blue Foundation years ago when she and her husband Trevor were on a backpacking trip with their 14-year-old twins, Cameron and Owen. Their trip was cut short when a head-on collision with another vehicle left all five with severe injuries. Despite facing long recoveries, they were grateful for the support they received and recognized a need for more resources and understanding. This inspired the creation of the Sandal Blue Foundation, founded just a year after their accident, to help others in similar situations.

In addition to her work with the foundation, Seantae Jackson offers public speaking services focused on helping others shift their perspectives to uncover new possibilities and embrace meaningful change. Her speaking topics include The Power of Perspective, Perspective after Trauma, Caregiving with Perspective, and Perspective in Community, all designed to help individuals and groups see challenges in a new light and navigate them with resilience and insight.

Visit Seantae Jackson's website at https://sandalbluefoundation.org/speaking and follow her instagram @SeantaeJacksonPerspectives

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show

Send us a text

This is an incredible episode with Dr. Connie Mariano, a Filipino American physician and retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, was the first Filipino American to reach this rank and served as Physician to the President under George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. After retiring in 2001, she founded the Center for Executive Medicine and authored The White House Doctor. She talks about being kind and respectful to each other even if we disagree.

Dr. David Gruder is an award-winning psychologist, advisor, and TEDx speaker who helps leaders integrate self-sovereignty, ethical profitability, and societal well-being. He has trained global leaders, authored influential books on integrity and ethical business, and earned numerous accolades for visionary leadership and culture creation. Dr. David Gruder has coined the term, "Freesponsibility" in his search for a word that represents the responsibility that is needed in order to truly be free.

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show

Send us a text

Abby Palmer Cox became Utah’s first lady on Jan. 4, 2021, when her husband, Spencer J. Cox, was sworn in as Utah's governor. Raised on a ranch in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, she values hard work and community involvement, reflected in her active participation in local groups and service projects. Abby is passionate about breaking down social barriers and promoting empathy through her “Show Up” initiative, which supports emotional resilience, service, foster care, and sports for children with intellectual disabilities.

Abby Cox and Spencer are high school sweethearts who both graduated from North Sanpete High, Snow College, and Utah State University, where Abby studied Special Education. Abby and Spencer have been married for 26 years. They have four children and remain connected to their rural roots in Fairview, Utah. Abby also enjoys outdoor activities, music, and reading.

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show

Send us a text

Steve Cohen and Jack Berkman discuss the importance of embracing strong values, choosing respect over judgment, and stepping up to take responsibility today. Join us in building a stronger, more united nation—starting now!

Our Healing the Nation campaign is underway, and this Wednesday’s podcast episode kicks off our series dedicated to sharing the messages we need most right now. Through podcasts, videos, and media, we’re focusing on fostering unity, responsibility, and compassion.

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show

Send us a text

Seantae Jackson
Seantae and her husband founded Sandal Blue Foundation and you'll be able to listen to her experiences that led them to start it and how they got the name, Sandal Blue.

Seantae is a survivor of a devastating car accident that affected not only her but also her husband, best friend, and oldest twins. Despite years of physical and emotional rehabilitation, Seantae and her husband confounded a nonprofit by channeling their experience into helping other motor vehicle accident survivors and their families. Seantae is also a dedicated public speaker with a powerful message of resilience, inspiring audiences from rural communities to medical professionals and students, sharing the strength of hope when faced with life-altering trauma.

Jeff Wedge
Jeff lives in Northern California and is a retired business executive. During his career, he dedicated much time to learning and self-development, and on that path, he met Gary Price. Jeff became enamored with the concept of the Statue of Responsibility and has been an advocate.

One of Jeff’s core beliefs is that “Responsibility is never given, it’s taken.” He believes that there are no handouts in life and that we each achieve and obtain what it is we work and strive for.

God and our constitution provide us with the liberty we enjoy. In reciprocation, we must take the responsibility from there.

When we are responsible, we respect others. When we act responsibly, we commit to the well-being of others. When we become part of the responsibility movement, we can change the world. Welcome to Responsibility Matters where responsibility + liberty = freedom. Here's your host Steve Cohen.

Thank you for joining us on Responsibility Matters. Produced by Rachael Lofgran and Doug Jardine and hosted by Stephen Cohen. Please join us next time on Responsibility Matters.

Support the show