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Because This Matters

Mark Poiesz 11 Episodes Sep 22, 2026

Because This Matters explores the values that shape us, stretch us, and sustain us. Hosted by leadership coach and musician Mark Poiesz, each episode features insightful conversations with thoughtful, authentic people about how their personal values guide them through complexity, growth, and change. Whether the stories are everyday or extraordinary, every conversation reveals the power of living with intention—because a life aligned with values is a fulfilled life. Sometimes it takes witnessing someone else’s clarity to rediscover our own. Join us to reflect, reconnect, and remember what matters most.

Episodes

Manisha Sharma: Finding Clarity in the Unknown Sep 22, 2026 00:59:22 Manisha Sharma has spent much of her life moving between countries, cultures, industries, and roles—and somewhere along the way, she became unusually comfortable with not knowing exactly what comes next.Over more than 20 years as an operator and executive, Manisha built teams, led transformation, and helped grow billion-dollar businesses. But after years of achievement, recognition, and measurable

Danielle Burkett: Unlikely Journeys and Recovery from Life Sep 8, 2026 00:57:06 Danielle Burkett’s story is not a straight line—and she doesn’t pretend that recovery is one either.Her life has included substance use, incarceration, trauma, family rupture and repair, and a life-altering stroke. Through all of it, she has continued to return to a few central values: spirituality, courage, family, and what she calls “recovery from life.”Today, Danielle is a recovery coach and th

Will Hensley: Riding for the Brand Aug 25, 2026 00:48:03 Will Hensley has built a life across some very different worlds.He worked as a cowboy on a cattle ranch in Texas, became a tour manager in the music industry, and eventually left Nashville with his family to help build a luxury guest ranch in Western Montana.Across those chapters, the same themes keep showing up: integrity, responsibility, intuition, family, service, and the willingness to act on

Kara Hawkins: Finding Belonging in a Life of Change Aug 11, 2026 00:53:45 Kara Hawkins has built a life around change.Born in Bethlehem and raised across different countries, Kara studied Arabic and international affairs, worked as a foreign policy analyst in the UAE, taught yoga, spent time on a remote Greek island and in India, and eventually returned to Australia, where she now works in coaching, strategy, and change management.Along the way, she has kept returning t

Solo Reflection: Nine Conversations, Three Threads Jul 7, 2026 00:26:02 Because This Matters set out to explore how values take shape—and become action—through the experiences that define our lives.Nine conversations later, recurring themes began to emerge.Across conversations with musicians, educators, military operators, nonprofit founders, advocates, and business leaders, three values surfaced again and again: compassion, humility, and relationships.In this first s

Chad Bernstein: Belonging, Mentorship and Growth Jun 23, 2026 00:54:21 A professional musician, educator, mentor, and co-founder of Guitars Over Guns, Chad has dedicated his career to helping young people discover possibilities beyond the circumstances they were born into. What began as a conversation between musicians and youth in a juvenile detention center grew into a nationally recognized organization serving thousands of students through music, mentorship, and c

Dr. Heather Baker: Vulnerability, Gratitude and Leadership Jun 9, 2026 00:59:02 Dr. Heather Baker knows how quickly life can change.After surviving sudden cardiac arrest, Heather found herself asking questions far deeper than emergency preparedness or public policy. What do we owe one another? How do we lead when we know life is fragile? And what matters enough to dedicate our lives to protecting?Today, Heather is an elementary school principal, researcher, educator, and nati

Alison Krebs: Humility, Achievement and Community May 26, 2026 00:50:52 Alison Krebs has lived many lives within one lifetime.She began her career in the high-pressure world of corporate leadership, helping build a Fortune 500 company. After entering recovery in 1999, her path took unexpected turns—through monastic formation, years running a dog grooming business, and eventually to the stage as the lead vocalist of Rok Ali and the Addiction, an internationally touring

Melissa: Kindness, Community and Giving Grace May 12, 2026 00:41:42 Melissa is a school psychologist, mother, and one of the most thoughtful people Mark knows.In this conversation, they explore the values that shape how we relate to others—and ourselves. Drawing from both her personal life and nearly two decades working with children and families, Melissa reflects on kindness, compassion, emotional intelligence, and the importance of community.She shares the early

Steve Rucker: Identity, Flexibility, and Life Beyond Labels Apr 28, 2026 00:57:35 What does it mean to live beyond the roles and titles we use to define ourselves?In this conversation, Mark sits down with one of his mentors, Steve Rucker—musician, educator, and longtime director of contemporary drum set studies at the University of Miami—to explore a life shaped not by rigid identity, but by openness, curiosity, and continual evolution.Steve reflects on the moments and influenc

Nancy Hajek: Openness, Curiosity, and Shared Humanity Apr 14, 2026 00:59:38 What does it mean to stay open in a world that often pulls us toward judgment, reaction, and division?In this conversation, Mark sits down with Nancy Hajek, hypnotherapist and founder of Dream Lodge Hypnotherapy, to explore a way of moving through life rooted in presence, curiosity, and a deeper sense of connection with others.Nancy shares how her life’s work has been shaped by a search to underst

Rich Redmond: Enthusiasm, Alignment, and Showing Up Every Day Mar 31, 2026 00:54:23 What does it mean to show up fully, day after day, with energy, consistency, and purpose?In this conversation, Mark sits down with Rich Redmond, drummer for Jason Aldean, speaker, author and actor, to explore the mindset and values behind a sustained, high-level career.Rich shares how enthusiasm has become a daily practice, not just a personality trait, and how showing up consistently while stayin

Nasim Lari, Ph.D.: Compassion, Integrity, and Work That Matters Mar 17, 2026 00:49:54 In this episode of Because This Matters, Mark Poiesz sits down with Nasim Lari, PhD., a Senior Health Analytics Manager working at the intersection of healthcare, advanced analytics, and AI.Together, they explore the values that shape how Nasim moves through both work and life—especially compassion, humility, and integrity. Nasim reflects on how family influences, personal growth, and professional

Joe Arias: Family, Compassion, and Life After Special Forces Mar 17, 2026 00:53:51 In this episode of Because This Matters, Mark Poiesz sits down with Joe Arias, a senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Special Forces, as he reflects on military service, major life transition, and the values shaping the next chapter of his life.Together, they explore Joe’s shift from achievement and identity-driven ambition toward a deeper focus on family, sustainability, and compassio

Because This Matters | Podcast Trailer Mar 10, 2026 00:00:52 Welcome to the trailer for Because This Matters, a podcast about leading from the inside out.In each conversation, Mark Poiesz explores how values take shape and become action—revealing the ground people stand on as they navigate work, leadership, family, and life.Listen to the trailer and subscribe!

Because This Matters

Episodes

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