In this special end-of-year episode of Find Your SPARK Podcast, Chad sits down with the SPARK team to honor Mari, who is leaving after nearly four amazing years to return to her hometown of Chicago. Together, they reflect on cherished memories, share heartfelt appreciation for Mari as both a teammate and a true friend, and celebrate the lasting impact she has made on SPARK and everyone around her.

Chad guides the conversation with reflective questions for the team and hopeful questions for Mari, creating a warm, meaningful dialogue filled with gratitude, love, and connection. As the year comes to a close, this episode serves as a joyful and heartfelt send-off, celebrating Mari’s incredible contributions, the bonds of friendship, and the bright possibilities that lie ahead.

In this special episode, Brooke is joined by former co-host, and decade-long team member, Ashley Hunt to celebrate her 10 incredible years at SPARK. Together, they look back on Ashley’s journey, from her very first days on the team to the countless moments that have shaped her both professionally and personally.

Ashley opens up about how working at SPARK far exceeded anything she expected when she started. What she thought would be “just a job” that involved working with kids became a transformative experience—one that changed the way she sees herself, others, and the world. With honesty, humor, and her signature spark, Ashley reflects on the personal growth, meaningful relationships, and unforgettable impact she’s discovered along the way.

Tune in for stories, laughs, and heartfelt reflections as we honor a decade of Ashley’s light, leadership, and legacy at SPARK!

In this Giving Tuesday special, Chad takes the mic to talk about why this day of global generosity means so much to us at SPARK. He shares the powerful impact he’s witnessed first-hand in SPARK classrooms, including our current initiative reaching 780 local middle school students with life-changing lessons on resilience, wellbeing, and understanding the mind.

Chad also gives listeners an inside look at our newest fundraiser: the SPARK Step Challenge. Born from our team’s shift to a work-from-home model, this challenge is a fun and energizing way for us to prioritize our own mental and physical health while inviting our community to support the youth we serve. From now through December 19th, donors can cheer on their favorite SPARK team member as we track our steps and work together to raise funds. Every dollar goes directly back into supporting students through SPARK Mentoring Programs.

Tune in to hear stories, inspiration, and how you can help us keep the momentum going this Giving Tuesday and beyond and support our work at the link below.

https://givebutter.com/SPARKstepchallenge

In this special episode, Brooke is joined by Ashley Hunt, Makayla Wheeldon, and Jena Travise to reflect on their incredible experience traveling to San Francisco for Dreamforce. Together, they share moments of gratitude for the opportunity to represent a small nonprofit like SPARK at one of the world’s biggest innovation conferences — and the inspiration that came from it.

The conversation dives into key takeaways around the future of AI and automation, exploring how these tools can help SPARK expand its reach, streamline operations, and deepen human connection in the work we do. From awe-inspiring sessions to late-night brainstorms, the team reflects on how Dreamforce reminded them to stay curious, courageous, and thankful for every opportunity to grow.

Tune in as we celebrate a season of gratitude, innovation, and the dreams that continue to fuel SPARK’s mission.

In honor of Veterans Day, Brooke and Chad take a moment to reflect on the powerful influence of role models — both those who have served and those who embody the same spirit of courage, sacrifice, and leadership. Veterans remind us daily of what it means to give selflessly for a greater purpose, and this episode explores how that same strength shows up in our own lives and communities.

As SPARK mentors, we’re often viewed as role models ourselves, guiding others toward recognizing their own potential and innate resilience. This conversation holds special meaning for us at SPARK, as we also work closely with veterans in our local jail — witnessing firsthand their growth, wisdom, and the strength it takes to rebuild.

Join Brooke and Chad as they unpack the connection between veterans, role models, and the deeper understanding of human potential that unites them all.

In this episode, Brooke shares her deeply personal journey of adopting her three children, offering an honest and heartfelt look at the joys, challenges, and profound connections that come with building an adoptive family. She reflects on how her adoption story has inspired much of the work we do at SPARK, fostering programs and approaches that focus on human potential, resilience, and connection. Brooke also shares how her experiences at SPARK influenced her decision to adopt, creating a beautiful intersection between personal choice and professional passion.  

With November being National Adoption Month, this episode emphasizes the importance of raising awareness around adoption, the foster care system, and the many steps involved in creating a family through adoption. Listeners will gain insight into both the emotional and practical aspects of adoption, and how love, choice, and intentional connection shape families in transformative ways. Tune in for a moving conversation that celebrates the courage, compassion, and commitment behind adoption.

As Brooke and Chad settle into their new roles as co-hosts, they take time to share important updates from The SPARK Initiative and dive into the heart of nonprofit work. This episode explores what it really means to be a not-for-profit organization, why this work matters, and how donations directly fuel life-changing impact in schools, communities, and beyond. With honesty and gratitude, Brooke and Chad highlight the ripple effect of generosity—reminding us how much of a difference support makes for those who benefit from SPARK programs.

Now it’s Brooke’s turn to ask the questions—and this time, co-host Chad Hudson is in the spotlight. As Operations Coordinator and mentor at The SPARK Initiative, Chad shares openly about his journey, the work that drives him, and the experiences that shaped who he is today. Just like Brooke, he didn’t know what was coming, so expect a mix of lighthearted fun and meaningful insights. Get to know Chad in a whole new way as he brings his story, humor, and heart to the conversation.

In this episode, Chad flips the script and puts co-host Brooke Wheeldon-Reece in the hot seat! Without knowing the questions ahead of time, Brooke, President & CEO of The SPARK Initiative, fields a mix of fun, lighthearted questions and deeper, work-related ones. From laughter and personal stories to thoughtful reflections on leadership and impact, listeners get an inside look at Brooke beyond her role as host. Tune in for a candid, engaging conversation that helps you get to know the person behind the mic.

We’re kicking off a new chapter of the Find Your SPARK podcast! In this episode, hosts Brooke Wheeldon-Reece and Chad Hudson sit down to reintroduce themselves and share what you can expect from this revamped format. From their personal journeys with SPARK to their vision for where this podcast is headed, Brooke and Chad give you a behind-the-scenes look at why they’re excited to bring you weekly conversations that highlight resilience, mental wellbeing, and the potential within us all.

The original four founding team members of The SPARK Initiative are back together to celebrate Jena’s 9-year workiversary! In this special episode of the Find Your SPARK podcast, Brooke, Ashley, and Nicole ask Jena a mix of fun, personal, and work-related questions, highlighting her incredible growth and contributions over the past nine years. Tune in for laughs, stories, and a true celebration of dedication and impact!

Plus: Don’t miss next week’s episode, where we’re launching a whole new structure for the Find Your SPARK podcast—new hosts, fresh stories, and even more ways to unleash your potential!