Get Off The Bench Podcast

Kat Rae is an Australian artist. Before pivoting to her new career, Kat served 20 years in the Australian Regular Army and was deployed to the Middle East three times. Her practice explores memory, loss and the complexities of war and its commemoration. Kat won the Australian War Memorial’s 2024 Napier Waller Art Prize for Deathmin, and her work is held by major Australian institutions. Sparks in the Dark, an exhibition she curated with Afghan Australian artist Mursal Azizi, runs at the Victorian Shrine of Remembrance until August 2027.Socials:Website: katrae.netInsta: Kathryn Rae  @kat_a_raeEnjoy the visual here on Youtube

Charlene Pell is the author of the award-winning memoir “In This Altered Body” and is also the founder and executive director of Facing Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with congenital or acquired facial or physical differences contend with staring, improve control of social interactions, and communicate confidently. Thirty years ago, Charlene survived a catastrophic plane crash that burned 64 percent of her body, severely injuring her face and hands. Before her accident, Charlene was vice president of communications for one of the most prominent design centers in the United States, the Design Center of the Americas.As a result of her disfigurement and the lack of psychosocial resources available to her during her recovery, Charlene researched and created programs and resources to help herself and others adjust to their changed appearance and circumstances. Since 1998, she’s shared her insights as a keynote speaker at conferences for burn survivors and healthcare professionals. She created a nationwide program titled “What to Do When People Stare: A Workshop to Teach Individuals with Disfiguring Conditions to Contend With Staring and Improve Control of Social Interactions.” Her work has been published in Skin, Psychology Today, the American Burn Association’s Journal of Burn Care & Research, and other periodicals.Socials:Website: charlenepell.comWebsite: facingforwardinc.orgBook: In This Altered Body (Amazon AU) Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Tom Finn is Founder & CEO of The Shift Effect Initiative. Global Keynote Speaker. Author, strategist for leaders.The Shift Effect Initiative seeks to spread the notion of small shifts throughout our society, where complexity can often stifle action. Tom’s discovery of the power of small shifts comes out of 30+ years of coaching business and government leaders. Two patterns stood out, particularly from 50 leaders featured in The Shift Effect book.1) Many of us get stuck and lose opportunity for business or personal results because we tend to think in extremes - either/or mindsets where we OVERDO or UNDERDO a behavior and2) Small shifts off those extremes generate options and big results, like implementing organization-wide systems and programs or collaborations, having strategic impact, and developing the ability to handle crushing workload.The Shift Effect Initiative is a framework and method that helps people, conflicts, and projects to get unstuck and thrive. We are bringing the Shift Effect method to a society where complexity and stagnation can be discouraging, and where small shifts can provide momentum and positive change for individuals, teams, or societal problems.Tom's clients include The Weather Channel, Verizon, numerous government agencies including the FDA and NRC in the USA, The Argentine Education Ministry, and NASCAR.His first book is Are You Clueless? 7 Clues to Profit, Productivity, and Partnership for Leaders in a Multicultural World.Socials:Website: https://tomfinnassociates.com/Book: The Shift Effect (Amazon AU)Amazon US Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Matthew Cicanese (He/Him) is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, corporate trainer, and consultant recognized for advancing Neurodiversity Inclusion and Accessible Technology across higher education, government, and industry. As a National Geographic Explorer and Canon photography educator, he combines global fieldwork with practical, evidence‑based approaches that help teams communicate more clearly, design accessible processes, and adopt AI responsibly. Matthew has trained 3,000+ employees in 16 industries and developed ethical AI solutions for higher education institutions, streamlining operations and improving service delivery.An award‑winning wildlife photography artist, his large‑format macro and wildlife images have been featured by National Geographic and exhibited internationally. Matthew's lived experience as a Deafblind and neurodivergent professional informs every engagement, translating perspective and research into tools any team can use.Social:Website: https://mattcicanese.com/Website: (Speaking/Consulting): https://cicanese.org/LinkedIn: Matthew CicanesePortfolio (Fine Art): https://cicanese.art/Turn Brain Clutter into Action (Youtube)Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Sahrit is a dance instructor, creative entrepreneur, and mom of three who helps women expand their lives through play, movement, and self-trust. With a background in Dance Theatre Education and workshops taught across Greece, Africa, and Hawaii, she blends art, adventure, and empowerment — from mermaid certification to gorilla trekking — to show women that confidence is built by living fully, not waiting to feel ready. Sahrit spent most of her life avoiding roller coasters — until she realized fear wasn’t the enemy, control was. She helps women go from Worry bunnies to Wonder bunnies. Socials:LinkedIn: Sahrit Weinstein Instagram: @sahritweinsteinOn Amazon: "The Girl Who Doesn't Go On Roller Coasters” (Book)Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Chris Avery is a Faith-First Performance Coach who walks men from the valley to the mountain—out of fear and into mission. He built the Run with Christ Blueprint, a Scripture-anchored system that cuts through the noise with group coaching, a real brotherhood, and practical tools to win the spiritual warfare of everyday life because anything meaningful, purpose-driven, and worthy of your dream life takes grit, time, and a team. The focus: emotional resiliency, unshakeable faith, and driven clarity.Chris spent years overthinking, stuck in fear and uncertainty until he went to work on his mind. After 10,000+ hours of audio books, he rebuilt how he spoke to himself and the world. He launched a coaching company, trained 10 coaches, and served thousands while testing his own edges: running a marathon without training, ran a weekend 50-miler during COVID with only his wife to crew, and 60,000 pushups + pull-ups in 90 days.Two truths forged all of it:1. The limiting beliefs we put on ourselves are just that. We are capable of far more than most of us give ourselves credit for.2. When you align with God and move in His power, you become truly unstoppable. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)On January 9th, 2022, Chris started a simple experiment—run one mile a day for a week. One week became 90 days, then 1,460+ consecutive days (nearly four years). Today he averages 17 miles daily.In 2027, his family will travel the perimeter of the United States while he runs 50k/day (~31 miles) for 365 days—the family-powered mission is known as Chris Runs America. His message is simple: it’s not about more hustle and grind; it’s about consistent obedience. Running became the forge where stress quieted, faith deepened, and leadership sharpened. Chris speaks on discipline, identity in Christ, fatherhood, and the power of daily miles to shape the man God is calling you to be.Socials:Website: https://chrisrunsamerica.com/LinkedIn: Chris Avery FB: Chris Avery Coaching Insta: @chrisaverycoaching Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Todd Bertsch is a keynote speaker, mental fitness coach, and creator of the SPARK Framework, a neuroscience- and behavioral psychology-based roadmap that helps leaders and organizations navigate change with clarity and confidence. He is the founder and CEO of Evolve Marketing, where, for more than 16 years, he has led teams through growth, uncertainty, and cultural transformation. Todd also hosts The BOLT Podcast, where he explores mindset, leadership, and personal growth with thought leaders. Through the SPARK Framework, including SPARK coaching, Positive Intelligence® coaching, and the Spark Quotient (SQ) assessment, Todd helps teams turn insight into action and ignite their SPARK.Website: https://www.toddbertsch.com/Podcast: The Bolt https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/Social Media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddbhttps://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddbEnjoy the visual here on Youtube

Leah Garcia is an award-winning media personality, former professional athlete, and the Founder and CEO of NULASTIN®, a science-backed beauty brand she launched in 2016. An EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ alumna, Leah built NULASTIN® after uncovering the untapped science of elastin and its critical role in healthy hair and skin. Partnering with leading biotech researchers, she pioneered first-to-market, biodesigned elastin solutions for hair, lashes, brows, and skin. Under her leadership, NULASTIN® holds 31 issued patents, 27 beauty awards, and a steadfast commitment to clinically proven, ethically sourced innovation. The brand is proudly female founded and women owned.Socials:Website: https://nulastin.com/Website: https://www.naturallycaffeinated.com/LinkedIn: Leah GarciaLinkedIn: NULASTIN FB: NULASTINInsta: NULASTIN® @nulastinYoutube: NULASTIN Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Jill Chalsty has devoted her life to the transformative power of education. As the founder of Overcoming Obstacles, the nonprofit she launched in 1992, Jill pioneered life skills instruction that has now reached more than 180 million students in over 200 countries. When grief shattered her world, Jill boarded the Queen Anne in 2025 on its maiden world voyage to find healing and purpose. Packets of Hope: A Journey of Healing and Rediscovery is a deeply personal memoir that follows Jill through twenty-six ports of call across the globe. With every stop—be it the spiritual resilience of Tonga, the harsh beauty of Namibia, or the hopeful faces of children in China—she weaves together intimate reflections, human connection, and her life’s mission to equip young people with essential life skills. Since its launch in October 2025, it has consistently been one of the top downloads for Amazon's free memoirs.Socials:Packets of Hope website: https://www.packetsofhope.com/Overcoming Obstacles website: https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/LinkedIn: Jill Siegal ChalstyFB: Packets of HopeInsta: Jill Chalsty @jillchalsty Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Dalene Allen is the Founder & CEO of Networking Naturally, where she helps professionals and entrepreneurs build stronger connections, communicate with confidence, and grow their businesses through authentic relationship-building. With more than 30 years of experience in leadership, sales, coaching, and business development — including her award-winning career with Mary Kay Canada — Dalene has trained thousands of people on networking, communication, and strategic growth. Her warm, practical style makes her a sought-after speaker, mentor, and community builder across Atlantic Canada.Socials:Website: https://networkingnaturally.ca/LinkedIn: Dalene Courneya AllenFB: Networking Naturally Insta: @networking.naturally Youtube: Networking Naturally Enjoy the visual here on Youtube