Gratitude Through Hard Times

"Success shouldn't come at the cost of your soul—or your health." In an industry built on high-stakes pressure, Sophia Mullins is proving that peak performance and sustainable well-being aren't mutually exclusive; they are deeply interdependent.

In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Schembra sits down with Sophia Mullins, Founder and CEO of Wall Street Wellness. Recorded live at a UBS conference, this conversation strips away the corporate veneer to explore the "reactive" journey of entrepreneurship. Sophia opens up about the stress-induced autoimmune diagnosis that forced her to pivot from a decade in investment banking and venture capital toward a mission of service.

Together, Chris and Sophia dismantle the myth that you have to choose between a lucrative career and a vibrant life, arguing that the greatest bet you can ever make is the one you take on yourself.

10 Memorable Quotes:

"My life path was to use the things that brought me pain as a purpose of serving others."

"I really backed into the fact that I wanted to be an entrepreneur."

"Success is taking a bet on yourself."

"You have to choose the mission every day."

"My life would not be nearly as vibrant or fun or fulfilling without my support system."

"I want to distill my experiences into something helpful for other people."

"Balance the desire to serve with the practical nature of running a lucrative business."

"I came to the realization of my mission at age 30."

"It’s your world. Go explore."

"If the only thing holding you back is taking the bet on yourself, take the bet."

10 Key Takeaways:

The Reactive Entrepreneur: Understanding how personal crises—like a health diagnosis—can serve as the ultimate catalyst for a professional pivot.

The Daily Choice: Why mission-driven work isn't a "one-and-done" decision, but a commitment you must renew every morning.

Pain as a Compass: How the most difficult seasons of your career often contain the blueprint for your greatest service to others.

The "Bet on Yourself" Philosophy: Overcoming the fear of leaving a traditional "safe" path to build something authentic.

Vibrant Success: Redefining "high performance" to include physical health, emotional vibrancy, and genuine joy.

The Power of Support: Sophia’s tribute to her partner as the "rock" that makes her professional output possible.

Service vs. Scale: The delicate art of balancing a heart for service with the necessity of running a profitable consultancy.

The 30s Realization: Highlighting that finding your true calling and pivoting your career path at age 30 is right on time.

Science-Backed Resilience: How Sophia uses her finance background to create wellness frameworks that speak the language of high-performers.

The Human Heart in Business: A reminder that even in high-pressure financial environments, the most impactful work happens when we lead with humanity.

About our Guest:

Sophia Mullins is the Founder and CEO of Wall Street Wellness, a consultancy and community that empowers high performers to live healthy, vibrant lives. With nearly a decade of experience in investment banking, private equity, and venture capital, Sophia bridges the gap between fast-paced career demands and science-backed well-being. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and PopSugar.

Connect with Sophia:

Website & Substack: Wall Street Wellness

Instagram: @wallstreetwellness

LinkedIn: Sophia Mullins

"Do unto others as you want to do unto you." This simple principle, fueled by a "tambourine shake" of high energy, serves as the heartbeat for a life dedicated to high-performance joy. In a world optimized for digital efficiency and "frictionless" isolation, the true currency of a meaningful life remains the "unscalable" power of gathering people together.

In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Schembra sits down with Christine Angles, a powerhouse Allstate agency owner and community builder from Gainesville, Virginia. While Christine is a leader in the insurance world, this conversation strips away the professional accolades to explore the raw, essential need for fun, wit, and "inconvenient" kindness.

Christine shares a vulnerable and celebratory look at her journey—from the legacy of her mother, Linda, to the intentional "grace" required to navigate a 12-year career gap. Together, Chris and Christine dismantle the myth that technology can replace presence, arguing that the "Business by Party" philosophy and the act of welcoming others into your sacred space are the only real antidotes to our modern epidemic of disconnection.

10 Memorable Quotes:

"I want work to be fun."

"I really do believe that self-care is a form of giving."

"Don’t be a wallflower. Make sure you participate."

"Life's not an 'or,' it’s an 'and.'"

"Business by party."

"You can do a boring job like insurance in a fun way."

"Give yourself some grace."

"I like you because I love you in spite of."

"Find extraordinary in the ordinary."

"If you’ve changed one person’s whole world, you've done enough."

10 Key Takeaways:

The Legacy of Linda: How a single mother working full-time on a school board provided the blueprint for a life of service and visibility.

Business by Party: Why integrating personal joy into professional networking creates deeper, more resilient business bonds.

The ROI of Community Deposits: Reflecting on how a lifetime of showing up for neighbors creates a safety net of support during personal health crises.

The Power of the 12-Year Gap: Validating the choice to prioritize family and proving that "success" doesn't have to happen all at once.

The Connection Venn Diagram: A breakdown of the three pillars of a great life: Fun (energy), Funny (wit), and Nice (kindness).

The "Inconvenient" Host: Why the effort of cleaning your house and buying food to invite people in is the most sacred act of connection.

The 3-Hour Pity Party: A practical lesson in emotional regulation—allowing yourself time to feel disappointment before choosing to celebrate others.

The Intentional "No": Learning to set boundaries so that when you say "yes" to a community project, you can be 100% present.

Anti-Optimization: Why we must trade "frictionless" digital interactions for the meaningful, sometimes messy friction of physical presence.

The "Good Person" Affirmation: Using simple visual cues to combat imposter syndrome and remember your inherent value.

About our Guest: Christine Angles is a dedicated entrepreneur and leader who runs a top-performing Allstate agency in Northern Virginia. Built on the "Business by Party" philosophy, her work proves that excellence is achieved through genuine human connection. A committed volunteer and "connector," Christine advocates for the power of "earned connection" and the vital necessity of leading with kindness and wit in the modern workplace.

"Whatever it is you want most in the world right now is what you need to give." This simple but profound realization, sparked during a silent meditation retreat, serves as the heartbeat for a movement dedicated to reclaiming our shared humanity. In a world optimized for digital efficiency, the true currency of a meaningful life remains the "un-scalable" power of human connection.

In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Schembra sits down with Aaron Hurst, the visionary CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and founder of the Taproot Foundation. While Aaron is a titan of the pro bono world, having catalyzed billions of dollars in social impact, this conversation strips away the professional accolades to explore the raw, essential need for friendship and community.

Aaron shares a vulnerable look at his own journey—from the "epiphany of 50" to navigating the profound grief of losing his mother, Bonnie. Together, Chris and Aaron dismantle the myth that technology can replace presence, arguing that the "low barrier to laughter" and the intentional act of welcoming others are the only real antidotes to our modern epidemic of isolation.

10 Memorable Quotes:

"Whatever it is you want most in the world right now is what you need to give."

"Humanity is what binds us. It's what we create together."

"I focus on connection, not conversion."

"The act of welcoming is a fundamental human right."

"Friendship isn't a luxury; it's the infrastructure of a healthy society."

"We have traded meaningful friction for frictionless isolation."

"You can’t scale belonging without shrinking the room."

"My mother had a 'low barrier to laughter,' and that was her greatest gift to the world."

"The modern world is designed for capital, not for people."

10 Key Takeaways:

The Reciprocity of Need: Aaron’s breakthrough realization that if you lack friendship, you must become a friend; if you lack grace, you must extend it.

The 1099 Connection Challenge: Much like the real estate world, building community in a "gig" economy requires creating environments where people choose to belong.

The "Epiphany of 50": A deep dive into Aaron’s personal turning point and how hitting a milestone age forced a re-evaluation of what "success" actually looks like.

Legacy of Service: Exploring Aaron’s family roots—from his grandfather’s blueprint for the Peace Corps to his mother’s spirit of care—and how legacy shapes our mission.

Diffusion of Innovation in Social Change: Why focusing on the "initiators" (the 15-20% who naturally build community) is more effective than trying to convert the cynical.

Low Barrier to Laughter (LBL): The importance of humor and play as tools for resilience, inspired by the life and memory of Bonnie Hurst.

Welcoming as a Design Principle: The philosophy behind the US Chamber of Connection—making "welcoming" a measurable and intentional act in every organization.

The Myth of Digital Community: Why a Zoom call can never replace the "meaningful friction" of physical presence and shared meals.

The Grief of Losing a North Star: Aaron reflects on the "hard time" of losing his mother and how her values continue to guide his work today.

Human-Centric Infrastructure: A call to action for leaders to prioritize social health over mere capital accumulation to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.

About our Guest: Aaron Hurst, CEO & Founder Aaron Hurst is a social entrepreneur, author, and the visionary leader behind the US Chamber of Connection. As the founder of the Taproot Foundation, he is credited with creating the $15 billion pro bono service market, engaging tens of thousands of skilled volunteers to help nonprofits thrive. Aaron’s work is deeply influenced by his family’s legacy in the Peace Corps and the Aspen Institute, driving his lifelong commitment to civic infrastructure.

A sought-after speaker and executive coach, Aaron is the author of The Purpose Economy. He resides in a world where he continues to advocate for the power of "earned connection" and the vital necessity of prioritizing humanity in the modern workplace. He is a devoted advocate for the "initiators" of the world, helping them build the bridges that keep us all connected.

"Culture is defined by how we treat each other when nobody’s watching." This philosophy, forged in the fires of firefighting and high-stakes football, has driven the growth of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most successful independent luxury real estate firms.
In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Schembra sits down with Nick Schleckaway, the CEO and founder of Amherst Madison. While Nick is a titan of the real estate industry, this isn't a conversation about market trends or interest rates. This is a visceral exploration of "Earned Connection"—the intentional effort required to build a sense of belonging in a world that has traded physical presence for digital convenience.
Nick shares a vulnerable look at his own "hard week," discussing the weight of leadership when key team members move on and how he leans on the "lifeboat" of his family to stay afloat. Together, Chris and Nick dismantle the myth of hybrid culture, arguing that true innovation isn't found in a Zoom call, but in the friction of being together.
10 Memorable Quotes:
"Culture is how we treat each other when nobody's watching."
"My family is my lifeboat; when the professional waters get choppy, they keep me from sinking."
"Hybrid is not where you work. It’s how you work."
"Convenience is the enemy of connection."
"Culture doesn't happen in a recorded town hall; it happens in the unscripted moments."
"You can’t lead a 1099 workforce with a W2 mindset."
"The office isn't just a place to work; it’s where trust is traded."
"Leadership is defined by what you are willing to put up with."
"We are trading meaningful friction for frictionless isolation."
"If you want to scale belonging, you have to shrink the room."
10 Key Takeaways:
The 1099 Culture Challenge: Building culture for independent contractors is fundamentally different from employees; it requires creating an environment people choose to enter rather than one they are paid to stay in.
The Performance Gap: There is a direct correlation between physical office presence and professional success; agents who show up in person consistently outperform those who stay remote.
Convenience vs. Connection: Companies often mistake "easy" interactions (like virtual happy hours) for real culture. True belonging requires "earned connection," which often involves the effort of physical proximity.
The "Lifeboat" Strategy: During professional trials, leaders must identify their personal anchors—for Nick, it is his wife Megan and children Charlotte and Beau—to maintain perspective.
The Myth of Hybrid: Hybrid work should not be viewed as a location, but as a methodology. Without intentionality, hybrid often defaults to total disengagement.
Friction as a Tool: Meaningful relationships require "friction"—the effort of travel, the risk of face-to-face conversation, and the lack of a "mute" button—to develop depth.
Scaling via Intimacy: To impact a large organization, leaders should focus on frequent, intimate, small-group gatherings rather than infrequent, massive corporate events.
Trust as Currency: In high-stakes industries like real estate, trust is the primary currency. That trust is built faster through non-verbal cues and "hallway talk" than through digital screens.
Leading by Example: A leader's primary job in culture-building is modeling the behavior they want to see, especially when it comes to showing up and being present.
Human-Centric Real Estate: Despite the rise of AI and digital platforms, real estate remains a deeply human, referral-based business that relies on local community ties.
About our Guest: Nick Schleckaway Founder & CEO, Amherst Madison
Nick Schleckaway is an entrepreneur, executive coach, and the visionary leader behind Amherst Madison, Idaho’s top luxury real estate brokerage. A former firefighter and captain of the Boise State University football team, Nick brings a unique blend of "grit and grace" to the corporate world. Under his leadership, Amherst Madison has become one of the fastest-growing independent firms in the United States, known for its high standards and unique culture.
Nick’s perspective on resilience is shaped by his background in emergency services and his upcoming book on company culture. He is a devoted father and husband, residing in Boise, Idaho, where he continues to advocate for the power of physical presence and authentic human connection in the modern workplace.

Stats drive scores, but stories stir souls." This philosophy, born in the radio booths of Singapore and driven by a transition from comfort to total disruption, has delivered over $2 billion in transformational impact for global executives.
In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Shambra sits down with Jay Kiew, a world-renowned keynote speaker, author, and change strategist who has navigated the halls of power at firms like Deloitte and TELUS. But this isn't a conversation about corporate efficiency or digital roadmaps. This is a deep dive into "Change Fluency"—the adaptive capacity to translate life’s most difficult disruptions into our greatest opportunities.
Jay shares his raw and inspiring journey as a half-blind cancer survivor who "lost it all" before finding his true calling. We explore how change isn't something that happens to you, but something that can happen through you when you move from a mindset of survival to one of co-creation and possibility
10 Memorable Quotes:
"Stats drive scores, but stories stir souls."
"Change fluency is the individual's adaptive capacity to translate challenges into opportunities."
"Our greatest innovation isn't what we create, but how we create together."
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." 
"The goal isn't to control change but to sit in it with fluidity."
"Transformation doesn't have to be scary or happen to you, but instead it can happen through you."
"The language of change is the only language that will matter in an era of AI."
"He held space for me when I couldn't hold space for myself."
"Shift your focus from what is present to what is possible."
"The world is going through a hard time, but you can write the playbook to get through it." 
10 Key Takeaways:
Defining Change Fluency: It is the "language of change" required as we head into the space of artificial intelligence.
The Four Change Mindsets: Your reaction to disruption depends on whether you view change as a threat or opportunity, and whether you are proactive or stuck.
Active Presence: True leadership requires leaning in to observe non-verbal cues and naming emotions rather than just being a passive observer.
The Power of Co-Creation: Based on the concept of Ubuntu, the episode explores why working together yields superior, more sustainable results despite the time and emotional complexity involved.
Strategic Foresight: To discover what is possible, leaders must combine scenario planning with "futurist thinking" to see threats and opportunities from different vantage points.
Strategy as Sacrifice: Design thinking requires the courage to say "no" and cut off current business units or emotional attachments to focus on one North Star.
The "What If?" Framework: Innovation begins with the ability to ask hypothetical questions that challenge current constraints, a skill Jay learned from his father during difficult times.
Relational Gratitude: Jay highlights the importance of individuals like Brian Chang, who provide empathetic space during "dark moments" without being deflective.
Sitting in the Tension: Change Fluency isn't about control, but the capacity to sit in complexity and uncertainty with fluidity.
Human-Centric Innovation: Digital disruption is a people opportunity; leaders must bridge the gap by helping team members find personal attachment to their mission.
About our Guest: Jay Kiew
Founder & CEO, Change Fluent
Jay Kiew is a multifaceted entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, and expert in organizational and behavioral change. With 15 years of experience in organizational transformation and innovation strategy, he has driven over $2 billion in transformational impact across hundreds of organizations and top executives. He is the author of Change Fluency: Nine Principles to Navigate Uncertainty and Drive Innovation, which serves as the framework for his global consulting and keynote engagements.
Jay’s perspective on resilience and change is deeply rooted in his personal journey as a half-blind cancer survivor; diagnosed with retinoblastoma as an infant, he underwent the removal of his left eye. After immigrating to Canada from Asia and growing up in Vancouver, he became the world's youngest Distinguished Toastmaster at the age of 19. Today, he is a father of two daughters and lives in Brooklyn with his Shiba Inu, Brooklyn. Jay is renowned for his ability to help leaders move from a mindset of certainty to one of curiosity, teaching them to "speak the language of change" in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.