The Hope Matrix

In this episode of The Hope Matrix, host Kathryn Goetzke sits down with Christina Vela,  Chief Executive Director of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, to explore the power of hope in transforming the lives of children and young people from hard places. Christina shares her personal story of overcoming adversity, finding resilience, and achieving her goals despite early challenges. She and Kathryn discuss the importance of creating saf...

In this episode of The Hope Matrix, host Kathryn Goetzke welcomes back Elad Talmor for a powerful follow-up conversation on supporting teenagers in Israel through times of crisis. Elad shares insights from his work with youth facing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and the challenges of growing up amid uncertainty. 

Together, they explore the role of purpose, gratitude, compassion, and self-care in fostering resilience. Through inspiring ...

In this episode of The Hope Matrix, host Kathryn Goetzke sits down with Michelle Cooper to explore her powerful journey from engineering to coaching, navigating profound grief, and finding Hope in adversity. Michelle opens up about the loss of her husband, the challenges of self-advocacy in healthcare, and how she transformed personal hardships into a mission to empower others. She shares strategies for managing stress, embracing r...

In this powerful episode of The Hope Matrix, Kathryn Goetzke speaks with Adam Meyers, a police captain and mental health advocate, about his journey through trauma and Shine Hope Story. Adam opens up about his childhood dream of becoming a police officer, the challenges he faced with learning disabilities, and his eventual success in law enforcement.

He shares his deeply personal experience of a critical incident where he was forced...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Podcast Host Kathryn sits down with Rayne Clarkson to explore personal experiences with mental health, hope, and overcoming life’s challenges. Rayne, a commodity manager in the semiconductor industry and avid athlete, shares her journey of navigating hopelessness, finding resilience, and prioritizing connection.

The conversation highlights Rayne’s “RayneChats” project, where she connects with...

In this powerful episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, Kathryn Goetzke sits down with Lawanda Jackson, an entertainer, advocate, and coach, to discuss her remarkable journey of overcoming childhood abuse, homelessness, and a stroke diagnosis. Lawanda shares deeply personal experiences, including her navigation of the entertainment industry as a drag performer, the dangers of substance abuse, and her resilience through life-altering h...

In this inspiring episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, Kathryn Goetzke sits down with Christopher Hodges, a faith coordinator and special events employee for the Mayor of Chicago. Christopher shares his powerful journey of overcoming adversity—including surviving a life-changing car accident, battling depression, and losing over 300 pounds—all while maintaining an unwavering belief in hope.

Together, Kathryn and Christopher discuss t...

In this episode, Podcast Host Kathryn sits down with Dr. Angela Lorbeck, an expert in integrative medicine with over two decades of experience. Together, they delve into the healing power of acupuncture, the challenges and rewards of a career in integrative oncology, and the importance of fostering hope in patient care. Dr. Lorbeck shares how integrative practices like acupuncture can reduce stress, boost the immune system, and com...

In this heartfelt episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, Kathryn Goetzke talks with Dr. Christy Oaks, Clinic Director of the Community Counseling Clinic (CCC) and Clinical Instructor in the Counseling Program at the Department of Counseling & Human Services. Christy shares her inspiring journey of resilience, from navigating a severe bleeding disorder, experiencing a medical bankruptcy, and overcoming other life struggles.

This epi...

In this enlightening episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, Kathryn Goetzke sits down with Diane Dreher, Ph.D., a positive psychology coach, researcher, and author, to explore the transformative power of hope. Diane shares her groundbreaking research on hope interventions, her personal journey of overcoming challenges, and the practical tools she uses to help others cultivate resilience and purpose.

Together, they discuss the teachabil...

In this inspiring episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, host Kathryn Goetzke talks with Michelle Moffitt, MA LMHC, about her journey of overcoming trauma and building resilience. Michelle shares her experiences of leaving a toxic environment, starting over, and finding strength through community and self-awareness.

They discuss the power of naming emotions, the role of hope in healing, and practical steps for navigating life's ch...

In this inspiring episode of The Hope Matrix, Kathryn Goetzke sits down with Travis Davis, a passionate advocate for disability awareness and host of the podcast "Off the Crutch." Born with cerebral palsy, Travis shares his personal journey of overcoming numerous medical challenges and the pivotal role that hope has played in his life. He emphasizes the importance of positive thinking, mental health awareness, and the sup...

In this powerful episode of The Hope Matrix, Kathryn Goetzke talks with Robert Chelsea, the first African-American full face transplant recipient. Robert shares his journey of recovery after a life-threatening accident, emphasizing the importance of faith, trust in God’s plan, and letting go of anger. With deep insights on resilience, forgiveness, and the power of surrender, Robert’s story offers inspiration and hope to anyone faci...

In this episode of The Hope Matrix, Kathryn Goetzke is joined by Ciara Byrne, co-founder of Green Our Planet and a resilient breast cancer survivor. Together, they discuss the power of hope in the face of personal and global challenges. Ciara shares her inspiring journey of overcoming stage 2 breast cancer, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset, self-care, and community support. She opens up about her work with Green Our...

Join us for an inspiring episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast featuring MaCherie Dunbar, Air Force Veteran, Advocate, and Entrepreneur.

In this episode, MaCherie reflects on her experiences transitioning from military service, navigating post-deployment challenges, and advocating for vital support services for veterans. She sheds light on the profound challenges faced by veterans entering civilian life, particularly concerning mental ...

Join us in this episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast as we delve into the inspiring journey of Erwin Valencia, founder of Gratitude Gang, and Former Physical Therapist and Assistant Athletic Trainer of New York Knicks. From his humble beginnings to becoming a leader in mental health advocacy, Erwin shares his story of hope and the power of gratitude.

As the founder of Gratitude Gang, a mental health foundation focused on su...

In this episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, Host Kathryn Goetzke had an inspiring conversation with Marissa Hamamoto, the Founder, CEO, and Artistic Director of Infinite Flow, an inclusive dance company. Marissa shares her journey of overcoming challenges, including a spinal cord infarction that changed her life and career. 

Marissa emphasizes the power of movement, particularly dance, in promoting emotional positivity and...

In this episode, podcast host Kathryn Goetzke engages in an inspiring conversation with Bradly Johnson, the Chief Community Officer at Build Inc. They discuss Bradly's personal journey from overcoming bullying and suppressing emotions to becoming a teacher and community leader. Bradly shares insights on self-awareness, empathy, and maintaining a hopeful mindset. He also discusses his vision for empowering young people through ...

In this episode, host Kathryn Goetzke talks with Dr. Matthew Gallagher, a clinical psychology professor at the University of Houston, about his research on hope and its impact on mental health.

The conversation covers how hope is measured using the Hope Scale, highlighting that it is effective across different groups and can predict mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety. Looking ahead, Dr. Gallagher discusses the future...