Tinamarie Hernandez and Jim Elliott join Bridging Chicago in this two-part series to discuss Diveheart, a volunteer-driven organization providing individuals with disabilities the space and training to realize their ability to scuba dive and other related water activities. At Diveheart, the organization’s leaders and instructors all live by the same mentality—that underwater, everyone is equal. In part 1, we float questions to Tinamarie, the Executive Director, and Jim, the Founder and President, so that we can better understand their journey to become advocates for disabled peoples and their ties to the greater Chicagoland area. Tinamarie and Jim each spent their youth years exploring the Chicagoland area (while making it home by the time the lights came on—at least most times!). They share how these initial escapades lead to even greater expeditions, including careers that started in different states and different industries and eventually culminating with bringing Diveheart to life.

In part 2, we take a deep dive into the history and mission behind Diveheart’s initiative to help individuals “imagine the possibilities.” The idea to form Diveheart rose to the surface over time. Founder Jim took scuba diving in college on a whim, and his dives gave him what he now calls the “astronaut moment”—teaching him that when you remove external triggers and enter exploration in weightlessness, scuba diving provides the tools to pursue and tackle other challenges in life. Jim and Tinamarie discuss how Diveheart’s programs show disabled peoples or participants recovering from injury how broad the horizon really is by focusing on each participant’s abilities and creating connections through the diving support network. Years later, today Diveheart is at the forefront of providing safe scuba opportunities for disabled and injured peoples, and breathing life into new opportunities for the greater Chicagoland community.

Today for our “on the road” series, we get fiscal with Bernadette Joy, CEO and founder of Crush Your Money Goals, an academy she started to coach individuals at all stages of life how to become future millionaires. Bernadette crunched the numbers, crushed her own debt, and found the recipe for financial independence—we’re willing to wage a bet you haven’t heard some of these tips before! On this episode, Bernadette discusses her unique approach to achieving financial literacy (hint: you don’t need to be the richest or smartest person in the room to retire before age 65). To Bernadette, the equation can be simplified and personalized, as she shares how she made cents (pun intended) from the lessons she learned along her own journey to financial success. This is one episode you cannot risk missing!

Class is in session for this episode and Seth Hanford, Head of School of Elgin Academy in Illinois, joins the podcast to show and tell listeners about his experience as a leader of an independent school. Seth highlights the importance of being administrators responsive to student, family, and community needs, embracing inclusivity, and acting as facilitators for authentic relationship building. Don’t miss this grade A conversation!

To try and introduce Lou Sandoval is quite a task, given his wealth of experience and skill in many different areas. Lou is a fascinating personality and native of Chicago’s south-east side, who over time has been a professional in pharmaceuticals, an entrepreneur, a diversity coach and now an author! In this episode of the podcast, Lou shares about what it was like growing up in Chicago, being educated here, and what was most important to him as he started life as an adult in the city. An entrepreneur by nature, Lou gives some great thoughts for young entrepreneurs and how he was able to stick it out and create something that had value. Lou collected these thoughts and pieces of advice into his new book, Tenacity for Life: Lessons in Life, Business and the World. Lou’s experience (and failures) is absolutely a valuable resource for everyone, regardless of where you are at in life and your career.

Reading in Motion is a nonprofit organization that is leveling up reading in Chicago by creating exciting, creative methods to help students read at their level or a level higher! They know that students who are unable to read by third grade are unlikely to catch up, so they come alongside teachers to stand in the gap and enjoy reading on their own! Working in small groups to coach these kids drives the arts-infused mission of Reading in Motion to meet the kids where they’re at and how they learn. Thank you to Lauren, Avo and Brenda for joining us to share all about how Reading in Motion is acting as a partner in education to make reading fun!

Today Dr. Jordan Carqueville, President of the Chicago Dermatological Society joins the podcast to share about her work with the association and important health concerns for everyone as we dive into summer! Dr. Carqueville also shares about how she created the upcoming Art of Skin Gala and why it's helping spread the word about skin cancer. She notes that under the surface our skin is more similar than we realize and those similarities speak volumes to how we see each other and care for our skin.

Tomy Sanchez is a long-time veteran of Chicago personal care services. After gaining experience at a prominent salon on Michigan Avenue, Tomy struck out on her own with the goal of creating an unparalleled salon experience on Chicago’s south west side. These days, Tomy operates her nail salon, Simone’s Nail Lounge, and she runs it her way. With her deep Chicago roots, Tomy believes in supporting her community by offering other small businesses’ products in her Lounge and serving as a resource for other women business owners. Tune in to this episode to hear about Tomy’s entrepreneurial journey!

As a self-proclaimed “refugee” of the corporate world, Robert Finkel brings to the table decades of experience working in venture capitalism and private investment for his most recent undertaking—brew pubs. What started as a personal passion shared with colleagues to give them a taste of the craft beer experience, Robert has constructed into a successful grouping of botanical brew pubs, known as Forbidden Root, in which Robert’s team of alchemists join classic ingredients to create innovative flavors. Quench your thirst for imaginative entrepreneurism on this episode!

The attorneys and staff at SATC|Law and Bridging Chicago celebrates Mother's Day! Mother's are the backbone of so many families, and we know their work often goes unnoticed. We thank these and all moms for all you do and sacrifice for us. We remember moms who are no longer with us, and we respect those who wish they can be moms but have not yet been able. Happy Mother's Day!

This week’s guest, Megan Roudebush, is more than a networking expert. She is an entrepreneur who knows that the people you surround yourself with are essential to growing, leading, and creating change in the world around you. As young as 10 years old, Megan wanted to be a lawyer, and took the opportunity to interview some amazing leaders. This helped fuel her passion for connecting people, and led her to today, where she and her team have just launched the keepwith app. This networking app is a new way to connect with each other, built to create impactful, reciprocal relationships. Check out the keepwith app today!

Leslie Vickrey is the kind of person that not only leads by example, but brings others along with her to uplift and encourage them to reach for their highest potential. A native of the Midwest by Michigan, Leslie eventually moved to Chicago for a corporate position and saw her opportunity to create a different kind of marketing firm. ClearEdge Marketing was built on the value of inspiring loyalty and bringing the best people to work, regardless of where they lived. She also is the co-author of Together We Rise, a book that is the brainchild of The Lady Leaders Book Club. The book, now available on Amazon, shares the stories of 15 female leaders whose journey all led them to each other. We're sure you're going to be inspired by Leslie's journey and hope this helps to start a new chapter in your own story.

This week's episode was an amazing reminder of why we at Bridging Chicago decided to start a podcast. Chicago Cares and Teamwork Englewood is a partnership that is making a real difference in Chicago and the lives of individuals and families. Both these organizations are focused on providing resources to empower people in Chicago's south and west sides. Their partnership means that more people in Chicago will not only care for themselves and their families, but they will thrive in doing so.

In this episode you'll meet Victoria Cejka, one of SATC|Law's newest attorneys in our estate planning department. Victoria grew up in Arizona and moved to Chicago for law school. Despite being an Arizona transfer, the cold hasn't bothered Victoria, even after she survived the polar vortex in her first winter! Since coming to the firm, Victoria has proven herself to be a dedicated attorney who is continuing to learn while advising her clients. Visit satclaw.com to find out how to connect with Victoria.

Dr. Cynthia Tucker has spent her whole life and work in Chicago and has fond memories of growing up on the city’s south-side. Almost 17 years ago she began working with the AIDS Foundation Chicago and is continuing the work to help women navigate and get access to care, find housing that works for their families and give them access to important social services. Cynthia and her team are working to help resource black, transgender women who are seeing injustice and violence at an unbelievable rate. The AIDS Foundation Chicago has many programs that help a diverse population that is helping lift Chicagoan’s into a safer, more empowered and equal future.

Though Jessica Mlinaric isn't a Chicago native, her love for the city led her to writing books on Chicago that will help even natives learn more about our history. Reaching many different neighborhoods and landmarks, Jessica's book, Secret Chicago, will uncover some of the weird, wonderful and obscure locations that make Chicago truly unique. Her adventurous spirit and infectious energy makes her an amazing tour guide and author, painting a picture most of us never imagined. Her next book, Chicago Scavenger, is a treasure map that will take a deeper dive into the city and is now available for pre-order. You won't want to miss this adventurous episode!

For those debating about starting a small business, Stella Medina is here to say forget the fear and take a leap of faith—it just may be the best decision you can make! As the owner and founder of CardioBlast, a local fitness center devoted to providing fun and energetic workouts that fortify the body and the mind, Stella turned her dreams of providing lifestyle coaching into a reality as a successful side hustle. Stella shares how Zumba® helped her reverse her prior health problems and gave her the motivation to build a stronger, more energized, and centered version of herself. Now she’s calling everyone to the dance floor to see how movement can positively impact your wellness journey. Get in the groove with Stella on this week’s episode!

Medical student Dan Bergholz saw firsthand the gaps in health care available to un-housed individuals and decided to bring house calls streetside. Dan joins the podcast to share his journey from growing up in the Chicago suburbs to entering the street medicine movement to build Miami Street Medicine, a program with the goal of improving his community’s access to medical care. Tune in to hear how these doctors are filing the gaps to provide accessible care for their neighbors and put Miami on the mend. It’s just what the doctor ordered!

Let’s get physical! As a matriarch, personal trainer, nutrition coach, and best selling author, Donna Fatigato knows what it’s like to be on the move. On this episode, Donna describes her journey to become a leader in mindfulness education and her passion for helping others lead a lifestyle that incorporates self-love through nutrition and movement. Through her beloved children’s book characters, Bucky and Daisy, she’s even found the secret to helping kids develop healthy habits (and eat their vegetables) too!

From a career in the NFL as a professional athlete to starting his own company in the creative arts, directing and producing films with Chasing Greatness Productions, Kyle Prater is no stranger to big goals. In fact, Kyle is the embodiment of agility—exemplifying the notion that being multi-faceted is not a detriment to success, but rather, a key ingredient. In this episode, Kyle shares how he has made his passions the centerpiece of his different careers by creating high expectations for himself, adding the elbow grease, and leading with authenticity, vulnerability and intensity. It’s clear that Kyle’s drive motivates film-making that tells a compelling story and speaks to culture.

Nathan Ciulla of Bridging Chicago finishes his conversation with Alida Miranda-Wolff about empathy in the workplace and the concept of fairness.