purpose – Greek University

Debra Stangl & Richard Kepple: Why Do College Relationships Fail

By admin on August 6, 2026

Debra Stangl spent 20 years as a divorce attorney before founding Sedona Soul Adventures in 2002. What she noticed in those courtrooms was telling: most people didn’t actually want divorce. They wanted the disconnection, resentment, and emotional reactivity to stop. She watched clients cycle through second and third relationships repeating the exact same painful dynamics. That observation shaped everything she now teaches about emotional safety, nervous system patterns, and what she calls “the gunk” beneath recurring conflict, topics that translate directly into how college students navigate consent, communication, and campus relationship culture. Her forthcoming July 2026 book “High-Vibe Relationship” brings it all into focus. Love usually isn’t the problem. The unhealed pain between people is.

Richard Kepple built a successful Silicon Valley career before surviving a life-altering stroke that profoundly transformed his understanding of healing, vulnerability, purpose, love, and what truly matters in life. After his stroke, Richard wanted to give back and started teaching at the university level. After marrying Debra in 2017, he became her partner in Sedona Soul Adventures, bringing a rare combination of analytical thinking, emotional insight, neuroscience, spirituality, and transformational relationship work into the evolution of Sedona Soul Adventures, which led to the creation of the High-Vibe System™.

In episode 695 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Debra felt people wanted relief from emotional pain but not actually want a divorce, how Richard’s experience as a stroke survivor reshaped his understanding of vulnerability and connection, what inspired them to write “High-Vibe Relationship”, what unhealthy patterns they see starting during college that often continue into adulthood, why college relationships fail, why people repeat the same patterns in relationships, why communication is not the root issue, how to have difficult conversations, and how to be emotionally safe for your friends and partners. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmiBrTXGcTQ

Fraternity/Sorority

Tom Hicks: Difficulty With Failure While in College

By admin on March 9, 2026

Tom Hicks is the founder and CJO (Chief Juggling Officer) of Throw & Catch Consulting based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He provides practical and fun leadership development experiences that blend storytelling, reflection, and active learning to create deeper connections while playing with a purpose for individuals, teams, and organizations. Tom has worked at all levels in higher education for the past 20+ years and has adapted several of his most popular campus-based workshops for organizations of all types. When he’s not on campus or conducting workshops, Tom enjoys cycling and traveling with his wife Megan and cheering on their daughter Emily in all of her activities.

In episode 649 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Tom chose Hiram College for his undergraduate experience, how he developed his signature juggling keynote program, how the keynote helps people rethink how they approach challenges in life, how his 20 years in higher education influences his approach to speaking and coaching, why students struggle with failure today, what leadership challenges he sees most often in Greek life, how chapters can use the 4 p’s (Patience, Persistence, Purposeful Practice, and Purpose) in recruitment, academics, or chapter management, why trust and collaboration are so difficult to build but easy to lose, what students tell him about college life in his role as Student Support Coordinator, and how he developed the mantra “Be Competent, Curious, & Kind.” Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNpg_6I_soA

Fraternity/Sorority

Nick Stevens: Deep Conversations with Grandparents

By admin on November 5, 2025

Deep conversations with grandparents are critical for so many reasons. God used an avalanche that took Nick Stevens’ daughter in 2008 to put him on a path to help dads and granddads fulfill their unique roles for their family. Building heritage is a God-given responsibility and opportunity. Nick is the author of a book coming out in early 2026 called “The Power of Granddad’s Voice: Seven Blessings Your Family Needs from You.”

In episode 616 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out how his experience of loneliness on campus shaped his life’s work, why loneliness is so pervasive in this generation, why he focuses on the relationship between grandfathers and grandchildren, what are some questions for deep conversations with grandparents, why young adults need these conversations, how reflecting on family heritage help them find direction during those uncertain times, what lessons from climbing mountains apply to college life and leadership, how fraternity and sorority members can apply these ideas about intergenerational wisdom within their own organizations, and how students can use the upcoming book as a tool for deeper connection in their own families.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEbdbSrEN58

Fraternity/Sorority

Norma Hollis: How can students improve communication in their student organization?

By admin on December 20, 2023

Having spent over 25 years in business, Dr. Norma Hollis intimately understands the struggles and challenges that entrepreneurs face. She has weathered the storm and emerged stronger, armed with a wealth of wisdom and experience to share. Norma is a beacon of guidance, teaching leaders and others how to navigate stress, overcome obstacles, prepare for growth, and savor the fruits of their labor. Her insights and practical advice are invaluable resources for those on the entrepreneurial path, as she encourages them to stay focused, persevere, and bring their dreams to fruition. With her relatable storytelling and down-to-earth demeanor, Norma captivates as she imparts invaluable knowledge, helping leaders find the resilience and determination needed to succeed.

In episode 414 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Norma decided on Michigan State for her undergraduate experience, how she was able to impact the professional speaking industry for Black speakers, how students can embrace their authenticity and live with purpose, how students can discover team strengths and gaps in order to align their team, how students can navigate all the stress in their lives, how students can overcome obstacles in their life, Norma’s advice for people who want to develop their public speaking skills, how students can improve communication in their student organization, and how students can attract more diverse members.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn-FGkLrSDs

Fraternity/Sorority

Shameeka Baptist: What are some things college students can do to find their strength within?

By admin on August 21, 2023

Our next guest is Shameeka Baptist. She is the author and inspirational speaker behind “The Strength Within”. She is a young woman that grew up in the foster care system who defied the odds. Today, she shares her journey of resilience with others. Her hope is that it provides others the courage and strength to keep fighting and to persevere, because The Strength Within is what will carry you through. Shameeka believes that your past does not define your present or your future, and that God has a purpose for you.

In episode 387 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out more about Shameeka’s childhood as she grew up in the foster care system, how college students can figure out what their purpose and destiny in life actually is, ways college students can find their strength within, what is cognitive reframing to shift your mindset, how we can build more confidence in ourselves, examples of positive affirmations and how it can help us, what role religion plays in Shameeka’s life, advice for other foster care children that might be struggling, and what Shameeka plans to work on next. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fV-FJrwC3U

Fraternity/Sorority

Maria Mantoudakis: What should we do when we experience fear or negative thinking?

By admin on April 3, 2023

Maria Mantoudakis is an international best-selling author of Tsunami to Greatness, award-winning motivational speaker, transformational leader, and personal development coach of more than 20 years. Maria is the Founder and CEO of Recreate Success Now, LLC. Maria combines her knowledge and experience to empower her clients to reclaim and transform their life in their life journey to success and greatness.

In episode 339 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Maria chose Rutgers University, why she decided to write the book “Tsunami to Greatness”, what we should do when we experience fear or negative thinking, what you should do when others put you down, why Maria’s father was talking about pretty shoes, how we can rebuild relationships after the pandemic, and how students can connect with their purpose in life. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3F2ZR9EoUI

Fraternity/Sorority

Genevieve Piturro: How can college students find their purpose?

By admin on August 17, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/24078258/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our next guest is Genevieve Piturro! Instead of just dreaming about doing something great, she founded Pajama Program, which is changing the lives of children, but also impacting so many of their supporters’ lives too. Learning to listen to the voice in her heart changed her life forever and helped her become the person – and leader – she always wanted to be. And in the middle of it all, she found herself being interviewed by Oprah! She has learned that everything begins when we find purpose in our lives. So many of us are re-evaluating our paths because we want more fulfillment. We want the work we do and the people we do it with to make a difference in this world. This kind of thinking can transform how you do your job, how office teams work together, and how leaders at every level lead.

In episode 287 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Genevieve decided to attend Fordham, why she decided to jump off the corporate ladder, how she found herself being interviewed by Oprah, how college students can find their purpose, how we can find a shared vision between employees and their company, what college students can do to get a good job at graduation, how college students can gather their human connections and organize them properly for action, why a vision board is so helpful, and what college students should do if they realize they made a wrong turn with their career plan. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSof1Q_W0o

Fraternity/Sorority

It’s About Time

By admin on August 8, 2022

Blog post written by Edson O’Neale, speaker at Greek University. For more information on Edson’s programs for your students, visit www.greekuniversity.org/edson

It has been over two years since the pandemic ravaged our country, it’s been over two years since the Black Lives Matter Movements came out in full support of bringing awareness of the wrongful shootings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, and it’s been over two years that the world has not really felt normal. Within these past two years have things changed? Ummmm, honestly it might depend on who you talk to. Some individuals might say things have changed, some will say things have changed a little bit, and some might say that nothing has changed at all. Think about it, we have seen more mass shooting occur more than ever, we have a famous WNBA player (Brittney Griner) being wrongfully detained in Russia, then afterwards decided to invade Ukraine, there has been a huge rise in gas prices and it seems like everything is more expensive, and it just seems like people are losing hope in our society every day. Trust me. I get it, there are days that I wonder and I ask myself how do I live in this crazy world that we live in? Is this real? This cannot be the world I live in? Am I in a different universe? I am pretty sure you all who are reading this have asked yourselves these same questions and even more. I do not have all the answers, but what I can say is that if there is ever a time to reflect, reminisce, meditate, speculate, and even think this is the time which is exactly what I have been doing. These moments in my life had me asking myself a ton of questions about the world, the people that I have associated myself with, and my purpose. After feeling stuck at times, I decided to submerge myself into this and to take a really deep dive within the last few months. I did not think I would find myself back at the surface again, but I eventually did.

I started wondering about my accomplishments and what I am really meant for, but what really got me thinking is the people in my life. I thought I had so many people in my life but I have realized that all of the people that I thought would be there for me are not there anymore. I started to ask myself is it me? Am I doing something wrong? Am I giving too much? Am I not giving enough? Am I not a good person? I met up with some friends for dinner one night and I asked them is there something wrong with me? Why don’t people care about me as much as I care about them? Am I doing something wrong? Do I just suck at life? I can write a book about our conversation but to sum it up, they told me that it was not me, and that people just do not care as much as I do. They told me that I give so much to people and that is who I am, but with that being said there will be people who will not care as much as I do and I have to live with that. They said that it sucks that people are like that, but I should not lose who I am as a person and stay true to myself. They reaffirmed how much of a great person I am and how grateful they were to have me in their lives. You have no idea how inspiring and great that conversation was. I was so glad I had it with them. Then I attended a retreat with my speaking agency a few months later and they reaffirmed some of these feelings for me. It was something someone said on the team that was very inspiring. That individual said, “The two best day of your life: the day you were born, and the day you realize your purpose.” I was mind blown and the light bulb came on.

I realized that most people are put in your life for a reason, but that does not mean that they will be there long term. I know that now, I actually knew that was the case years ago but I kept dwelling on it. Now I can honestly say that I truly believe that people are only meant to be part of your life for a certain time in your life. Yes it will be great to continue and hold on to these relationships but as hard as it is to say some relationships are just not worth holding on to. Those relationships that do matter hold on to them, fight for them. I am saying this because in the crazy world we live you can get lost in sauce and I am here to tell you to stay away from that. There are good people out there, there are good things out there for you and you have to go out and get it. What is your purpose, what do you want to accomplish, want to do you want to do in life? Sit down and figure it out. When you figure it out everything will be so clear. You are in control of your life. If you are in a place where you are not happy, you have the ability and the control to change it. Believe in yourself, get out of your own way and own it!

When I had that moment, I felt so inspired which is prompting me to write this blog. Honestly I have so much say and if I just go on this will be like 10 pages, but I do not want this blog to be that long. Maybe I will write a book who knows. I can do it and so can you. I am moving on from so many people but I will say that there might be some people who I have hurt, done something wrong to them, or never followed through with something. To those individuals I am sorry and I would like to make amends. Now I am not apologizing for everything and to everybody. There are just certain things in which lines were crossed with me and I put my foot down. So if they want to be mad at me for putting my foot down and not owning their insecurities then that that’s their problem. You see what I did there – I took control. I took the power back. Never let anyone dictate your happiness and who you are in this world. Definitely do not let the craziness dictate who you are either. I know it can be blurry but just keep pushing and things will be clear again. Tell the people in your life you love them, apologize, make amends do whatever you want to because life is too short and you know what, “It’s About Time.” Hence my title for the blog, it’s about time that I realize that who I am and what is my purpose, now it’s time to take over the world. Who is with me?

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Carl Barnes: How can you turn pain into purpose?

By admin on July 8, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/23683763/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our next guest is Dr. Carl Barnes. His mission is to educate, motivate and inspire individuals who have experienced rejection, denial and defeat, and who feel hopeless. He’s an expert on this because has spent the last 35 years serving his country in the United States Navy, including many years as a Chaplain. Dr. Barnes has experienced firsthand countless setbacks and challenges and know what it means. Based on his decades of ‘in the trenches’ experience, he has created lessons which will provide tools to help you overcome, and navigate the stormy seas in your life. He helps through his book titled: Resilient Sailing: 10 Lessons to Persevere in Life’s Stormy Seas, as well as his workshops, coaching and on-line courses. Learning from Dr. Barnes will help you be better equipped to face your rejections, as well as help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

In episode number 261 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out about Dr. Barnes’ childhood with a fearful teenage mother, why he chose Southern Illinois University – Carbondale for his undergraduate experience, how he got over disappointments, rejection, and defeat over the years and successfully climbed the ranks in the military, why developing the skill of listening is so important, why you should never give up on your dreams, why being a lifelong learner is so important, how to turn pain into purpose, the right way to ask for help if you’re struggling right now, and what he does for self-care.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-BkAWQyp_8

Fraternity/Sorority

Britt Tucker: How can students find their purpose and start to live their best life?

By admin on October 22, 2021

Britt Tucker lives in Nashville, eat Chick-fil-A like it’s her last meal and is the biggest nerd with a lot of freakin’ energy. She’s the All-American girl who grew up checking society’s boxes…only to find herself unfulfilled. Even after all the awards and praise from others as she attained the cookie cutter lifestyle, she found herself with a deep yearning and realization that there had to be more. So, she quit her corporate job (gasp), traveled the world (12+ islands), read tons of books and began her journey of self development. In the process, she uncovered the voice and light that God had given her but she was too busy following a “checklist” to discover them. She is still on the path of fully stepping into the woman she was created to be, but she is enjoying every step of the way!

In episode number 179 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Britt chose Auburn over University of Georgia, what it was like being a cheerleader at Auburn, what she learned once she began a journey of self development, how people can find their purpose and start to live their best life, how students can decrease stress, how college students can engage in goal setting and action lists now to help them achieve their career goals, how Britt was able to overcome her fears as an entrepreneur, and what her new book to be released in 2022 is all about. We even learn her favorite restaurants in Nashville. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zlSv1f-jy4