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When eight-year-old Marcus Smith II experienced his first anxiety attack, no one knew what to name it. This untreated childhood anxiety would shadow him through his meteoric rise as a first-round NFL draft pick and eventually bring him to the brink of suicide—twice. But from these darkest moments emerged a powerful mission that's transforming youth mental health across the nation.

"Football was my band-aid," Marcus reveals in our deeply moving conversation. This temporary covering masked his underlying struggles until the intense pressure of professional sports stripped it away. Without proper mental health tools or support, Marcus found himself paralyzed by anxiety on the field—"almost like a vegetable"—despite his extraordinary physical abilities and years of training.

The turning point came in 2018 when Marcus finally spoke those transformative words: "I need help." The overwhelming support from his Seattle Seahawks teammates showed him the power of vulnerability and sparked the creation of Circle of M, his groundbreaking nonprofit. Unlike traditional youth programs focused solely on physical development, Circle of M pioneers a holistic approach where mental wellness precedes physical training. "We do everything backwards," Marcus explains. "It should always be mental first and then physical, because the brain itself controls the rest of your body."

Through innovative techniques like "feelings wheels" that help youth identify and articulate emotions, Marcus is building a generation equipped with tools he never had. His powerful message for future healthcare professionals—"Be where your feet are"—offers wisdom for anyone navigating challenging careers. As a husband, father, and man of faith, Marcus embodies authentic leadership that meets people exactly where they are.

Ready to join this mental health revolution? Follow Marcus's journey and learn more about Circle of M's transformative work by visiting thecircleofm.com or connecting on Instagram @thecircleofm. Together, we can ensure no child faces their mental health battles alone.

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Christina Shapiro's journey from Mexico City to Chief Strategy Officer at UNICEF USA exemplifies how financial innovation can transform humanitarian aid. Witnessing inequality firsthand and inspired by her father's medical service to all income levels, Christina developed a deep commitment to creating economic opportunity for vulnerable populations.

After building crucial skills at firms like L'Oréal and Goldman Sachs, Christina now leads UNICEF USA's innovative finance initiatives, including the groundbreaking Bridge Fund. This revolutionary financing mechanism solves a critical timing problem in humanitarian response by providing immediate capital when emergencies strike, before donor funds arrive. Since 2011, it has fast-tracked nearly $700 million in impact, supporting emergency responses from Afghanistan to Ukraine.

One powerful success story demonstrates the fund's life-saving potential: during the Ukraine war's global wheat shortage, the Bridge Fund facilitated advance financing to manufacturers of ready-to-use therapeutic food, enabling treatment for 6.5 million severely malnourished children at just $66 per child.

Christina is also pioneering "Child Lens Investing," challenging the financial sector to recognize children as key stakeholders in investment decisions. This approach provides investors with frameworks to reduce harm and maximize positive impacts for children across various asset classes and investment strategies.

As UNICEF USA's Chief Strategy Officer, Christina focuses on mobilizing Americans to improve outcomes for vulnerable children worldwide, despite the "poly-crisis" of funding cuts, climate events, and global instability. Her approach leverages innovative financing tools like sovereign debt refinancing and forward financing solutions to complement traditional philanthropy.

Join this movement to support the world's most vulnerable children. As Christina powerfully states, "Children are one-third of our world, but they're 100% of our future." Visit unicefusa.org to learn how you can help create financial solutions that save lives.

#catalyzeimpact #ideagen #UNICEF

Learn more about UNICEF here: www.unicefusa.org

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Phyllis Farrell takes us on an extraordinary journey through her pioneering career in Alzheimer's research and her passionate commitment to transforming how we approach brain health. From her unexpected path starting with an economics degree to eventually leading late-stage Alzheimer's drug development teams at Eli Lilly, Farrell demonstrates how diverse perspectives strengthen our approach to healthcare's most challenging problems.

What makes this conversation truly special is Farrell's ability to balance sobering reality with genuine optimism. She doesn't shy away from the devastating impacts of Alzheimer's—both on patients and the predominantly female caregivers who support them—yet her message is fundamentally hopeful. The groundbreaking revelation that over 40% of dementias are preventable through lifestyle changes shifts our understanding from inevitability to opportunity.

Most powerfully, Farrell dismantles the harmful misconception that cognitive decline is simply part of normal aging. Instead, she offers practical, science-backed strategies anyone can implement today: Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, blood pressure management, limited alcohol, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation. Her introduction of NeuroQuest, an innovative brain health assessment tool, provides a personalized approach to brain health that resonated deeply with HOSA's Future Health Professionals.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, student, or simply someone concerned about brain health for yourself or loved ones, this episode delivers actionable insights alongside a profound message: we can change the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease if we start caring for our brains decades before symptoms appear. As Farrell reminds us, the next generation of healthcare professionals has "the creativity, the grit, and the values" to revolutionize how we approach this challenge—and the time to start is now, not when something goes wrong.

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Big news! The inaugural episode of the HOSA Podcast – The Future of Health is here! Hosted by George Sifakis, CEO of Ideagen Global and Director of the HOSA Washington Office, this podcast dives into the future of healthcare and leadership in the industry.

In this first episode, we’re joined by Dr. Charles Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Global Medical Services at Lockheed Martin Corporation, for an insightful discussion on innovation, medical leadership, and the evolving healthcare landscape.

Tune in now and be part of the conversation!
https://www.youtube.com/@IdeagenGlobal/videos

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Geographic destiny shouldn't determine your health destiny, yet your zip code remains one of the strongest predictors of how long and how well you'll live. Dr. Jean Accius, President and CEO of Creating Healthier Communities (CHC), brings this stark reality to light in our compelling conversation about health equity and cross-sector solutions.

Drawing from his unique career spanning private, public, and nonprofit leadership roles, Dr. Accius shares wisdom that crosses boundaries: "No organization can solve these issues in isolation." This multi-sectorial approach forms the backbone of his strategy at CHC, where partnerships between companies, government agencies, and nonprofits tackle barriers affecting health and longevity across communities.

The discussion takes on personal dimensions when Dr. Accius reveals the influence of his 101-year-old grandmother, who despite dementia, continues to provide wisdom with her consistent reminder to "be strong." This mantra anchors his leadership during challenging times, reflecting the resilience needed to address America's most pressing health challenges—particularly the crisis in aging care, where nursing home costs exceed $120,000 annually and family caregivers provide an estimated $660 billion in uncompensated care.

Perhaps most powerful is Dr. Accius framework for creating healthier communities through what he calls the "three P's": Personal responsibility for individual health choices, Public responsibility through government programs like Medicaid, and Private responsibility from businesses to create healthier workforces and communities. As technology and AI transform healthcare delivery, Dr. Accius emphasizes that we must ensure these advancements reach all communities equitably.

Ready to break down barriers to health in your community? Visit chcimpact.org to learn how you can partner with CHC in their mission to ensure every person, regardless of zip code, has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.

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Sarah Hoit radiates urgency and hope as she shares her moonshot mission to transform brain health and longevity worldwide. After losing her grandmother and husband to 10-year battles with dementia, Hoit has funneled her personal grief into a global movement through Social Impact Partners, a nonprofit bringing together corporations, youth innovators, and policymakers to tackle what she calls "the largest global health crisis the world has ever known."

The conversation reveals how Hoit's diverse background—from launching AmeriCorps at the White House to founding tech companies—shaped her collaborative approach to solving complex problems. "One plus one is eleven if we try to do it together," she explains, emphasizing how breaking down silos accelerates progress. This philosophy drives the Brain Health Innovation Olympics, where students from 14 countries partner with global corporations to develop actionable solutions for neurodegenerative diseases and mental health challenges.

Most compelling is Hoit's focus on food as medicine. Through partnerships like one with Sodexo (reaching 100 million people daily across 40 countries), she's helping implement a groundbreaking neuroprotective diet developed with Harvard researchers. The revelation that 80% of health outcomes are determined by lifestyle choices—food, exercise, sleep, socialization—offers profound hope. "In families like mine with a familial trail of disease, to understand that literally from in utero through what we do every day completely impacts our outcome... we have far more control than not."

Hoit's work extends beyond nutrition into technology and policy. Her company Vitality IP has developed an AI "digital dietician" personalizing nutrition recommendations, while her advocacy work focuses on bipartisan support for food security and research funding. Whether you're concerned about your own brain health, caring for a loved one with dementia, or interested in joining a movement changing how we approach aging, Hoit's message is clear: through collaboration, innovation, and everyday choices, we have unprecedented power to protect our most vital organ—our brain.

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What does it take to lead at the cutting edge of engineering and technology? From a farm kid dismantling equipment to understanding how things work, to a leader shaping the future of aerospace innovation, Sheri Hashemi's journey exemplifies how curiosity drives technological advancement.

Our conversation explores the transformative potential of AI and machine learning, which Hashemi describes as creating an "internet plus" environment - not just access to information, but enhanced ability to utilize it effectively. Unlike previous technological revolutions, these tools are democratically accessible, allowing broader participation and contribution. "The more that we put into the system," she notes, "the more that we're going to end up getting out."

At the heart of Hashemi's leadership philosophy lies trust - giving teams "space and grace for their own learning" while connecting them to personal inspiration. This approach builds resilience through stability and consistency, especially critical in high-stakes engineering environments. Digital capabilities have fundamentally changed risk management in engineering, allowing teams to test boundaries more extensively in virtual environments before physical implementation.

Hashemi emphasizes that diversity of thought accelerates problem-solving, distinguishing between mentorship (providing guidance) and sponsorship (advocating when someone isn't in the room). Her call to action resonates beyond engineering: "Create more seats at the table. Create space, bring folks with different perspectives. It's how we're going to solve these challenging problems."

Looking forward, Hashemi sees power consumption, materials science, and space technology as frontiers for breakthrough innovation, where engineers will partner with visionaries to transform the impossible into reality. Listen now to gain insights into building resilient teams, managing technological change, and creating inclusive environments that foster groundbreaking innovation.

#Catalyzeimpact #ideagen

View Sheri's LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-hashemi/

Watch more episodes of The Catalyze Impact Podcast Series here: https://www.ideagenradio.com/

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Discover the remarkable journey of Sharon Price-John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, as she guides us through the company's transformation during some of the most challenging times in retail history. What does it take to steer a beloved brand through the "mall apocalypse" and a global pandemic while staying true to its core mission? Sharon shares her insights, revealing how Build-A-Bear evolved into a globally recognized brand with nearly 600 locations and a diversified intellectual property portfolio, making it more resilient than ever. Get an exclusive look at the upcoming 30th-anniversary celebration and find out how the company plans to continue spreading joy across the globe.

Join us as we unpack Sharon's essential leadership lessons, offering a masterclass in authenticity and trust. Her career is a testament to the power of decisive action, even when faced with uncertainty. Discover how her leadership style fosters emotional connections and maintains the timeless appeal of teddy bears, ensuring Build-A-Bear remains relevant across generations. Whether you're a business enthusiast or simply a fan of the cuddly companions that have captured hearts worldwide, this episode promises a wealth of inspiration and actionable insights.

#Build-A-Bear #ideagen #GLS2025

View Sharon's LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-price-john-26239820/

View more from Build-A-Bear here: https://www.buildabear.com/ https://www.ideagenglobal.com/2025globalleadershipsummit

Watch the entire 2025 Global Leadership Summit here: https://www.ideagenglobal.com/2025globalleadershipsummit