Gratitude Through Hard Times

"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.

"You’re going to be okay." These five simple words from a 98-year-old grandmother became the cornerstone of a leadership philosophy that has driven over $20 billion in revenue influence.
In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Shambra sits down with Sandy Hogan—a powerhouse revenue leader who has held the helm at tech giants like Cisco, Rackspace, VMware, and LivePerson. But this isn't a conversation about go-to-market strategies or revenue multiples. This is a deep dive into the "Graceful Disruption" of the self.
Sandy shares her incredibly raw journey from a childhood as the daughter of Yugoslavian immigrants to a mid-career health crisis that forced her to "bet on herself." We explore how resilience isn't just a buzzword, but a protective layer formed in the fires of hard work and immigrant sacrifice.
10 Memorable Quotes:
"It’s a protective layer, not a punitive layer that’s unfolding."
"You can get through anything your heart and mind determines you truly can."
"Progress is the touchdown."
"Work ethic and your attitude. Everything falls into place, never perfectly, but those two are everything."
"I didn't control the circumstances around me, but I choose every day what I do about it."
"Trust is a little overused and undervalued. It has to be earned."
"Mindset leads, always—as a leader, as a human."
"I need you [Younger Sandy] as a partner to walk with me on the rest of my journey."
"What this world needs are... more emotionally regulated adults that aren't running around like little babies."
"I can be in pain physically or emotionally... but boy, I get back up very, very quickly."
10 Key Takeaways:
Reframing the Past: What we often label as "childhood wounds" can be reframed as a "protective layer" that builds the resilience needed for future leadership.
The "Elder" Gap: The modern world lacks "maternal/paternal" figures who provide emotional regulation. We need leaders who can say, "You're going to be okay," to calm the collective chaos.
Immigrant Work Ethic: Success isn't just about the title; it’s about bringing your best self and knowing you aren't taking shortcuts.
Self-Gratitude: We often thank our mentors and families, but rarely think to thank our "younger selves" for the grit they showed during hard times.
Moving from Sacrifice to Self: There comes a moment where you must stop working solely to honor the sacrifices of others and start working in honor of yourself.
Mindset Over Reactivity: "Graceful Disruption" is the shift from letting change happen to you, to having an intentional impact on the change.
Trust via Friction: Meaningful trust isn't built on convenience; it is earned through "inconvenient" moments of friction and accountability.
The Power of Intent: In an era of instant gratification, the most powerful tool a leader has is the ability to pause and ask, "Why the heck am I doing this?"
Radical Agency: While we cannot control external turbulence (like health crises or market shifts), we have absolute power over our choice of response.
Momentum Through Movement: Perfection is the enemy of progress. The goal is "momentum through movement," not waiting for the perfect conditions.
About our Guest: Sandy Hogan
Founder & CEO, BozQ
Sandy Hogan is a passionate, seasoned transformation architect and award-winning executive, renowned for orchestrating strategic go-to-market transformations, delivering more than $20 billion in revenue influence. With more than two decades at the helm of industry powerhouses like Cisco, VMware, Rackspace, and LivePerson, plus agile engagements with high-growth startups, Sandy has earned a reputation for turning hype into measurable results; building Customer for Life revenue engines that deliver tangible, lasting outcomes.
Her track record is underscored by multiple industry recognitions, including CRN’s “Top 100 Executives” and “Power 100 Women of the Channel,” as well as accolades for channel leadership and ecosystem innovation. She is known for pioneering frameworks such as the Customer-for-Life GTM model, the Digital Outcomes Approach, and orchestrating multi-billion-dollar ecosystems—initiatives that have been adopted as benchmarks by both Fortune 100s and ambitious startups alike.
Sandy’s philosophy centers on "Graceful Disruption," blending operational rigor with empathy to confront hard truths and drive transformation that sticks. Whether leading high-stakes 100-day turnarounds under private equity pressure or steering multi-year industry pivots that redefine entire market landscapes, she brings authentic honesty about the political, emotional, and organizational realities beneath large-scale change.
Teams and audiences praise Sandy for her combination of strategic clarity, pragmatic real-world perspective, and the ability to demystify the complexities of transformation through stories that inspire meaningful change. Her workshop sessions are ideal for conferences and forums seeking candid insights into navigating market disruption, cultivating high-impact partner ecosystems, and scaling sustainable Customer-for-Live growth systems that deliver lasting impact.
Sandy inspires leaders to tackle transformation with courage, clarity, and the operational discipline to move from vision to execution—and she does it with a grace that makes even the most uncomfortable change possible.

In a special role-reversal episode, host Chris Schembra steps into the hot seat as the interviewee, with award-winning strategist and Culture Changers host Allison Hare leading the conversation. Reflecting on a decade of building human connection, Chris explores why we are entering a new cultural chapter—shifting from the Knowledge Era to the Wisdom Era.
The conversation explores the internal shifts required to lead in a world being reshaped by AI. Chris discusses the transition from maternal energy—focused on empathy and nurturing—to a paternal energy that emphasizes resilience, agility, and the strength to face uncertainty. This episode is a deep dive into the friction of human connection, revealing why presence and intimacy are the most valuable currencies we have in an automated world.
Chris also shares his personal journey with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), offering a raw look at how behavioral skills can help us “go first” into vulnerability. It is a powerful reminder that while technology can provide answers, only human wisdom can provide meaning.
Explore more: This conversation builds on three prior Culture Changers episodes where Allison Hare interviewed Chris Schembra on Gratitude, Intimacy & Trust (BDSM and the Boardroom), and Therapeutic Healing (Ketamine Therapy).
10 Key Takeaways
The Shift to the Wisdom Era
As AI takes over the Knowledge Economy, human value will be defined by wisdom—the ability to make sense of lived experiences and apply them to future outcomes.
Earned Connection
Real connection isn’t a given; it is earned through the three pillars of Presence, Coherence, and Intimacy.
The Power of “Going First”
Presence is inconvenient and often creates friction. Leadership requires the willingness to be the first to step into vulnerability.
Maternal vs. Paternal Energy
While maternal energy provides comfort, paternal energy provides the resilience and backbone needed to navigate high-stakes uncertainty.
DBT as a Leadership Tool
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy isn’t just for crisis; its skills in distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness are essential for modern leadership.
The Friction of Intimacy
We often avoid deep connection because it is inconvenient. Overcoming this internal resistance is the key to psychological safety.
Moving Beyond the Cult of Trauma
Constant focus on past injustice can weaken our willpower muscle. Growth requires agility and forward motion.
Coherence in Contradiction
Success in the new era demands a both/and mindset—the ability to hold opposing truths at once.
Social Health as a Priority
In an era of isolation, prioritizing human connection is a necessary act of cultural and organizational healing.
The Value of Inconvenience
The most human acts—showing up, listening deeply, being present—don’t scale, and that’s exactly why they matter.
10 Key Quotes
“The knowledge economy is dying… what human beings need next is the Wisdom Era.”
“Wisdom is the ability to make sense of things and apply experience to future outcomes.”
“Presence is inconvenient. It is the friction of the human experience.”
“We’ve focused so much on empathy that we’ve lost our agility.”
“Intimacy is the opposite of isolation, but it requires courage.”
“DBT taught me how to make things go right, not just analyze what went wrong.”
“Your answer matters less than your presence.”
“You can’t automate wisdom.”
“Social health is the great healing opportunity of our time.”
“Tomorrow can be better than yesterday if you do it the right way.”