Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray podcast

33:58

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being "qualified" in the workplace, examining who gets labeled as such, who doesn't, and the underlying reasons. We explore "competency checking"—the practice of scrutinizing individuals' abilities—and how it disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, often going unnoticed or unchallenged. Our discussion aims to redefine qualifications in a fair, equitable, and actionable manner. Our guest, Shari Dunn , is an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, university professor, and sought-after speaker. She has been recognized as Executive of the Year and a Woman of Influence, with her work appearing in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, and more. Her new book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work , unpacks what it truly means to be deserving and capable—and why systemic barriers, not personal deficits, are often the real problem. Her insights challenge the narratives that hold so many of us back and offer practical solutions for building a more equitable future. Together, we can build workplaces and communities that don’t just reflect the world we live in, but the one we want to create. A world where being qualified is about recognizing the talent and potential that’s been overlooked for far too long. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table—it’s about building an entirely new table, one designed with space for all of us. Connect with Our Guest Shari Dunn Website& Book - Qualified: https://thesharidunn.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/sharidunn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesharidunn Related Podcast Episodes: How To Build Emotionally Mature Leaders with Dr. Christie Smith | 272 Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

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Showcases a wide range of industries and fields, featuring guests from entrepreneurship, entertainment, sports, arts, science, and more. The podcast bridges the gap between personal and professional experiences, allowing listeners to connect with the guests on a deeper level and draw inspiration from their diverse journeys. With each episode, listeners are not only inspired by the guests' stories of triumph but also gain practical lessons and strategies that can be applied to their own lives. The podcast serves as a reminder that failure is not the end but a stepping stone on the path to success, and that breakthroughs can emerge from the darkest moments of our lives.

11 episodes

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

updated about a year ago

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11 episodes

All episodes

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

1
Deadpool Writer Rhett Reese joins TV voice of the Phoenix Suns Kevin Ray to discuss his rise through Hollywood, Arizona sports fandom & the perfection of Ryan Reynolds. 39:46

21 weeks ago39:46

39:46

He's now part of a massively successful movie Franchise with the Success of Deadpool, but Arizona native Rhett Reese shares just how close they were to never getting the movie off the launch pad. He's an example of resilience and believing in your dreams and the things you love. From that moment he thought it might be time to look into another form of employment, to his creative talents finally being recognized along with his friend and writing partner Paul Wernick, Reese recounts a Hollywood journey that delivered a great ending! But he's nowhere close to putting a wrap on his dream job anytime soon. He's also a huge Phoenix Suns fan that shares his memories of the late Al McCoy and his thoughts on the current roster.…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

1
State 48 Founder Michael Spangenberg Gets Real About Local Business Success 45:40

29 weeks ago45:40

45:40

You've seen their uniquely designed TShirts along with other apparel and merchandise around the State and in some instances the globe for a decade now. But do you know who is behind the launch and growth of one of Arizona's many local business success stories? Michael Spangenberg was like so many other Entrepreneurs who had a dream and vision. Along with the help and inspiration of 2 friends State-Forty-Eight has become more than just a T-shirt company. Their story is like so many other's who have jumped into the entrepreneurial waters. It's not for the faint of heart or those who are risk averse, but if your vision and passion remain constant and true good things usually follow. I encourage you to listen and watch as Michael chronicles the wild and crazy ride that he and his partners and employees have been on and how he's intent on inspiring and growing young entrepreneurs like himself here in Arizona. He's hyper focused on the companies continued growth, but more importantly keeping their core values all about Community and the amazing diverse cultures of this wonderful place he calls home.…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

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She's overseen Super Bowl's & NCAA Championships, One Of The Most Influential Members Of The Arizona Sports Community, Jay Parry talks big games and a career filled with big moments 48:39

30 weeks ago48:39

48:39

In the latest installment of Breakthrough Chronicles I caught up with one of the busiest women in Sports! What does it take to pull off successful Super Bowl's and a Men's Final 4? Jay Parry has had a front row seat as the CEO and Executive who has been tasked with making them spectacular not only for Arizona but for the world to see! From WNBA Championships and now in her current role, once you come in contact with her you understand why people love working with her. The authentic, effervescent energy you immediately feel is a reflection of her drive, in addition to her Team and has positioned Arizona as a mecca for Big Events! And oh, by the way up next is the Women's Final 4. No rest for the successful!…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

1
Cheryl Miller is the true definition of a basketball legend, Hall of Famer and numerous other accolades! Inside her story, she touches on who inspired her, how her family played a massive role in… 55:10

33 weeks ago55:10

55:10

She dominated the game long before Social Media and live broadcasts of women's basketball. Can you imagine the attention and social media explosion that would occur if a player scored 105 points in a game today?! She did that! She's long been considered the better Miller of the hooping Millers. You might know her brother Reggie? Knee injuries cut her career short , but that didn't prevent her from achieving 2 National Championships, Olympic Gold and inductions in multiple Hall of Fames. A coaching career and then an incredibly successful TV career that allowed her larger than life personality to shine on the national stage. But it was the lessons learned in a family of 5 siblings and the tough love of her parents that really laid the foundation for all of those amazing accomplishments in her life. Listen in and soak up the energy and positivity that only Cheryl Miller can deliver.…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

1
JJake Plummer-Valley football legend-Business owner-drawing up plays for a better quality of life 1:09:00

36 weeks ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Jake Plummer stopped by on our latest Episode of Breakthrough Chronicles. He has always marched to his own beat. From his days at ASU to the NFL, Plummers path in life has and will always be on his terms. He never wanted to be defined by just football and now his purpose is built around trying to provide a better quality of life by educating the masses about the Queendom of fungi. Medicinal and functional mushrooms are at the core of his new venture Umbo. We talk about young Jake, Leadership, loyalty & always wanting to learn more.…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

1
Award winning, Legendary Investigative Journalist Mike Watkiss has always been chasing a story-we catch up with him 57:31

1 year ago57:31

57:31

On the newest episode of Breakthrough Chronicles with Kevin Ray, he sits down with long-time, award-winning journalist Mike Watkiss to discuss his career, acting, family and covering some of the most infamous trials in American history.

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

1
Rex Chapman Unfiltered-A raw, emotional & powerful conversation with the man known as King Rex 1:13:37

1 year ago1:13:37

1:13:37

He was seemingly born to have a basketball in his hand. As the only son born in Bowling Green, Kentucky to Laura and Wayne Chapman, young Rex would feel the pull of that orange sphere at an early age to no ones surprise considering his father Wayne played professionally. It wasn't quite that simple however. Few knew of his love for the Pool and his strong abilities as a swimmer. Ultimately, the desire to follow his father's footsteps was too strong and his Basketball odyssey began. He takes us thru those early struggles as an awkward young player to a growth spurt that suddenly vaulted him onto a whole new level. A high school career that eventually landed him at the hotbed of college hoops at the University of Kentucky where he would earn great acclaim for his high flying skills and ability to score in waves. Those feats helped him become a first round NBA selection. While he achieved success during his 13 year NBA career, injuries would rob him of being able to fully realize a number of his goals. Those same injuries and the pain meds prescribed to alleviate the pain sent his life into a tailspin post NBA career that would take him down a path that he and his friends and family couldn't fathom. Rex shares those painful, powerful moments that took him to rock bottom. But the same man who fought so hard to succeed at every level of basketball took that same approach in defeating the demons that had nearly destroyed him and those around him. That 10,000 watt smile is back and the joy for life and all it has to offer is visible in every step he takes and the words and wisdom he shares with us and those he comes in contact with everyday. He's truly another amazing example of what Breakthrough Chronicles is all about.…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

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Unstoppable- How Anthony Robles-Born with 1 leg became a 3X All American Wrestler-In his own words 56:02

1 year ago56:02

56:02

Anthony Robles was born with one leg to a mother who was only 16 years old. You wanna talk about the odds being stacked against you?! But the fierce, loving, nurturing spirit and attitude of his mother Judy would be instilled in him seemingly the moment he took his first breath. What others saw as a disability, Anthony's mother saw and chose to teach and ingrain a unique ability. An ability to adapt, to look past and thru all the obstacles that lay in wait for both of them and their family. The drive and desire to live not only a full life, but compete at the highest level and everything he did consumed him and ultimately pushed to incredible heights. He became a 3X Wrestling All-American at Arizona State University and he's since been inducted in multiple Halls of Fame for wrestling and additionally won ESPY Awards for his courageous accomplishments and message to others. His poem should be read and remembered by all of us. "I don't care what's probable, thru blood, sweat and tears I am Unstoppable".…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

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3 Strokes couldn't stop her-Health setbacks became catalyst to Pen Bestseller-Coach Dar on Bouncing Back 52:14

2 years ago52:14

52:14

She's coached world class athletes, CEO's, world leaders, and artists. A 3rd Stroke took her skills, attributes and talents and required her to relearn every day tasks. In the process she realized she needed to heed some of her own coaching to start her journey back. The end result is a Best selling book that chronicles her path back and lays out simple, yet critical principles we can all use daily, weekly, monthly to move thru and past our own setbacks. Coach Dar, a licensed and board certified occupational therapist as well as motivational speaker takes us through her path back from an unimaginable health setback. In her new Book, The Art of Bouncing: Find your Flow to Thrive at work and in Life-Anytime your off your game, she provides simple effective tools that can help in guiding you through those moments we all experience at one time or another in our lives.…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

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A LIFETIME OF FIRSTS-HOW A HALL OF FAME HOOPER BECAME AN ALL WORLD HURDLER 56:06

2 years ago56:06

56:06

She grew up the 6th of 11 children where competition started early in her life. As a quiet, shy girl little did she know that 5 decades later she'd be in multiple Halls of Fame, a multi time Champion as an Executive as well as an Emmy Winning Broadcaster. Yet, none of those feats came without numerous obstacles being thrown at her. Her greatest accomplishment though is being a mother to 3 young children when she was widowed as a young wife. Her spirit, enthusiasm, competitiveness and the support of an extended family has helped lift her thru the hard times as she continues to add more chapters to her inspiring and captivating life.…

Breakthrough Chronicles-with Kevin Ray

1
Eddie Johnson-Lessons from the Streets of Chicago, a Mother's Love and learning to Dream early 1:07:06

2 years ago1:07:06