Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference ... With Jess Todtfeld

Game Changers with Jess Todtfeld | Water Is the Next Oil
What if the most important resource shaping the future of the world is not oil, lithium, or rare earth minerals… but water?
In this episode of Game Changers, Jess Todtfeld sits down with water policy expert and Salty Water Podcast host Eric Jankel to explore why water could become the next global power struggle. As climate pressures grow, infrastructure ages, and populations increase, access to clean water is quickly becoming one of the most important strategic issues facing governments, industries, and communities worldwide.
Eric Jankel has spent decades working in the global water sector, including helping launch the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Muscat, Oman, a historic effort designed to bring Arab and Israeli scientists together to collaborate on water technology. Today he advises companies and organizations across the water and infrastructure space and hosts the Salty Water Podcast, where he interviews global leaders shaping the future of desalination, reuse, and water security.
During this conversation, Jess and Eric explore why water is increasingly becoming a geopolitical issue, why many people misunderstand the economics of desalination, and why innovations happening right now could dramatically reshape how the world produces and manages fresh water.
One surprising insight: the common belief that desalination is too expensive may no longer be true. When compared to building new reservoirs, well fields, and massive pipeline systems, desalination can sometimes be just as cost effective, especially for coastal regions.
They also discuss why water reuse may be one of the biggest untapped opportunities in the United States, particularly in industrial settings where enormous amounts of water are used in manufacturing processes.
The conversation also dives into the global race to advance water technology. Through a partnership between the government of Abu Dhabi and the XPRIZE Foundation, more than $100 million is being offered to accelerate breakthroughs in desalination technology. The goal is to dramatically reduce the cost and energy required to produce fresh water from the ocean.
Along the way, Eric explains why water conflicts are already emerging around the world. Major rivers like the Nile, the Tigris and Euphrates, and the Indus are becoming focal points of international tension as countries compete for limited resources.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this episode is that most people rarely think about water infrastructure because it is largely invisible. It runs underground in pipes and treatment systems that quietly support modern civilization. But as climate change increases both drought cycles and extreme storms, the need to invest in resilient water systems is becoming more urgent than ever.
Water is essential for agriculture, manufacturing, public health, and even the future of AI data centers. In many ways, the next generation of economic growth and geopolitical stability may depend on how wisely we manage this precious natural resource.
If you have ever wondered how water policy, desalination technology, infrastructure investment, and global politics are connected, this episode offers a fascinating look inside the industry shaping the future of water.
Timestamps
00:00 Why water may be the next global game changer00:55 The biggest misconception about desalination02:10 Water reuse and why the U.S. should be doing more03:30 Why we take water infrastructure for granted05:00 Climate change, droughts, and stronger storms06:20 Why water is becoming a geopolitical issue07:45 The global water conflicts already happening09:05 The $100M XPRIZE for desalination innovation10:40 The surprising 7,500 year history of desalination12:00 Eric’s path into the global water sector13:20 Using water cooperation to promote peace14:20 Lessons from leaders working in water
About the Guest
Eric Jankel has worked in global water policy and infrastructure for decades. His career includes leadership in major water initiatives, including the launch of the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Muscat, Oman. He now advises companies across the water and infrastructure sector and hosts the Salty Water Podcast, where he interviews global leaders working to solve the world’s most pressing water challenges.
About the Host
Hosted by Jess Todtfeld, media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours. Jess is the founder of Media Ambassadors and helps experts turn visibility into real business results.

What happens when success isn’t enough?
Dr. Sonya Bhole had the credentials. The career. The drive. She comes from a long line of doctors and entered medical school at 17. The path was clear. The expectations were high. Failure was never an option.
But burnout was.
In this episode of Game Changers with Jess Todtfeld, Dr. Bhole opens up about the moment everything shifted. After years of relentless forward motion through pre-med, medical school, and residency, she was forced to stop. Ten weeks of bed rest during preterm labor with her twins gave her something she had never had before: time to think.
That pause changed everything.
We talk about:• Fear of failure vs fear of stagnation• Why high achievers rarely stop to ask what makes them happy• The hidden burnout cycle in medicine and leadership• “Optionality is the key to burnout”• Reinventing yourself at 41• Launching the podcast You’re a Doctor, Right?• What she learned interviewing top medical experts
This conversation goes beyond medicine. It’s about identity, ambition, and what drives high performers when the external validation fades.
If you’re ambitious but restless… successful but unsatisfied… this episode will resonate.
Timestamps:
00:00 – The fear that drove her from the beginning01:00 – Growing up in a family of doctors02:00 – The nonstop pre-med to residency treadmill03:00 – The 10 weeks that changed everything04:00 – Fear of failure vs fear of stagnation05:00 – “Optionality is the key to burnout”06:00 – Launching a podcast despite tech frustration07:00 – Lessons from interviewing medical experts09:00 – Behind-the-scenes insights from the anesthesia episode10:00 – Why self-deprecation and reinvention matter
About the Show
Game Changers with Jess Todtfeld spotlights leaders who share the one thing that changed the trajectory of their career, mindset, or mission.
Hosted by Jess Todtfeld — media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours — this show explores the turning points behind success.
New episodes release the first and third Monday of each month.
Connect
Follow Dr. Sonya Bhole and check out her podcast You’re a Doctor, Right? for practical medical insights explained in plain language.
Subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are redefining what success looks like.
Keywords (for indexing)
burnout recoverydoctor burnoutfear of failurefear of stagnationhigh achiever mindsetreinventing yourself at 40women in medicinemedical leadershipcareer pivot storypodcast host journeyGame Changers podcast

What if the key to leading with strength isn’t a skill or strategy — but authenticity?
In this episode of Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference, host Jess Todtfeld interviews Liz Roberts, CEO of Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest nonprofit victim services organization. Liz has led with courage, compassion, and clarity for over four decades, supporting survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, and trauma.
She shares why authenticity is the one leadership quality that has shaped her career — and how it can transform the way you lead your business, your team, and your life.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode
Why authenticity is the one thing that changes everything in leadership
How vulnerability builds stronger, more resilient teams
The power of listening deeply — in business and in service
How mindfulness and meditation ground leaders in difficult times
A deeply personal story of Liz’s journey from childhood trauma to healing
The challenges nonprofits face in 2025, and how leaders can respond
An inspiring story of a survivor who transformed her life through art
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction: Authenticity as a superpower02:12 Liz Roberts’ path to Safe Horizon05:45 Defining authenticity in leadership09:10 Creating space through vulnerability13:30 Why listening is the ultimate leadership skill18:25 Liz’s personal story of resilience and healing23:42 Zen practice, meditation, and grounded leadership28:18 Safe Horizon’s impact across NYC33:10 The unique challenges nonprofits face in 202537:22 A survivor’s story of healing through art42:50 Final reflections on authenticity and leadership
About Game Changers
Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference is a business podcast hosted by Jess Todtfeld, media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours. Each episode dives into the single most powerful decision, mindset, or strategy that leaders credit with changing the game in their industry.
The Game Changers Business Podcast explores leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation — giving you insights you can apply to your own journey.
Connect & Take Action
Website: https://MeetTheGameChangers.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesstodtfeld/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jess.todtfeld.2025More on Jess’s work: https://www.mediaambassadors.com/
🎯 Want to suggest a topic or ask a question? DM us or leave a comment below!
Keywords & Search Terms
Game Changers podcast, Jess Todtfeld, Liz Roberts, Safe Horizon, authentic leadership, business podcast, entrepreneurship 2025, leadership podcast, trauma recovery, nonprofit leadership, leadership growth, meditation for leaders, business storytelling, vulnerability in leadership, building trust in business, leading with values, team trust, podcasting for business growth.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, legal, or therapeutic advice.

Mission isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the backbone of transformational leadership.In this episode of Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference, host Jess Todtfeld interviews Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, President & CEO of Family & Children’s Association (FCA) — a 140-year-old nonprofit serving 35,000+ people annually.
Jeffrey reveals the one thing that keeps him focused, no matter the chaos: a relentless obsession with mission. From surviving two cancers to guiding programs on mental health, addiction recovery, homelessness, and trafficking, his leadership is a blueprint for those who want to lead with purpose and leave a legacy.
If you’re a business leader, nonprofit founder, or entrepreneur, this episode of Game Changers will challenge and inspire you to re-center your work around what truly matters.
🔑 What You’ll Learn
Why your mission must drive every decision
How FCA turned a 140-year legacy into modern-day impact
The ROI of hiring people with lived experience
Tracking outcomes that actually matter
Building legacy through service — one life at a time
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Why Mission-Driven Leadership Matters01:45 – FCA’s 140-Year Evolution03:10 – The One Thing: Obsess Over the Mission05:50 – 60+ Programs, 35K Lives, 1 Clear Vision07:30 – Metrics That Matter: Tracking True Transformation09:40 – Jeffrey’s Story: From CPS to CEO12:00 – The Courage to Ask for Help14:15 – Addiction Recovery: Heroin to Hope18:45 – Supporting Trafficking Survivors22:00 – Redesigning a Dream: Financial Empowerment24:30 – Lived Experience as a Superpower27:10 – Life After Cancer x2: Renewed Purpose30:05 – Your Personal Mission vs. Career Grind33:00 – Ripple Effects: Families, Communities, Legacy35:50 – Final Takeaways: Focus, Impact, Give
📌 Connect & Follow
Host – Jess Todtfeld🎙 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesstodtfeld/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jess.todtfeld.2025🌐 Website: https://MeetTheGameChangers.comMore info: https://www.mediaambassadors.com/
Featured Guest – Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjeffreyreynolds🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-l-reynolds-ph-d-2835124📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.reynolds.73
Family & Children’s Association (FCA)📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fca_daily📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyandChildrensAssociation🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-&-children's-association🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wearefca
🎯 Want to suggest a guest or ask a question?DM us or leave a comment on social.

What if one belief could change the entire direction of your business... and your life?
In this episode of Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference, host Jess Todtfeld interviews Jen Groover — serial entrepreneur, author, inventor of the Butler Bag, and mindset expert. Jen shares the exact belief shift that helped her overcome fear of failure, launch a multimillion-dollar product, and build a life filled with time freedom, financial success, and purpose.
If you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or anyone trying to break through a plateau, this episode will give you a powerful reframe — and actionable insight to get unstuck fast.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
Why belief always precedes success
How Jen rewired her brain — and rewrote her life
The moment a dishwasher inspired a $10M handbag idea
Why most people sabotage their business by skipping this one step
The surprising emotional skill that separates thriving entrepreneurs from struggling ones
How Jen uses belief alignment to help businesses grow faster
Leadership without fear — and how to command respect instead of demand it
A real-life story of manifestation involving an Olympic coach and her daughters
⏱ Timestamps
0:00 – One mindset shift that changes everything2:42 – Scarcity vs abundance: the origin of beliefs4:56 – Why habits fail when beliefs don’t change7:48 – Turning fear of failure into fear of regret10:32 – The Butler Bag: origin story14:12 – Building a multimillion-dollar brand pre-social media15:45 – Helping companies grow through emotional and tactical alignment17:30 – Emotional intelligence in leadership20:44 – Reacting vs responding in business23:10 – Respect vs fear in leadership27:16 – A powerful story of manifesting an Olympic coach30:50 – Jen’s dream life: what alignment really looks like
🔗 Resources & Links
Guest Website: https://JenGroover.com
Host Website: https://MeetTheGameChangers.com
Podcasting & Media Services: https://www.mediaambassadors.com
📌 Follow Jess & Game ChangersInstagram: @jesstodtfeldFacebook: facebook.com/jess.todtfeld.2025Website: https://MeetTheGameChangers.com
🎧 About Game ChangersGame Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference is a business podcast hosted by media strategist and Guinness World Record holder Jess Todtfeld. Each episode features a top entrepreneur, executive, or innovator sharing the pivotal belief, mindset, or strategy that helped them unlock extraordinary results.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and everywhere you get your podcasts.
📢 Want to be a guest or suggest a topic?DM us or visit https://MeetTheGameChangers.com
🎧 Tags:#GameChangersPodcast #JenGroover #Entrepreneurship #StartupAdvice #MindsetShift #ButlerBag #WomenInLeadership #BeliefSystems #LeadershipTraining #ScalingBusinesses #EmotionalIntelligence #PodcastingForGrowth #JessTodtfeld #Manifestation #BusinessPodcast

Jennifer “JJ” Johnson, founder of PVI (Project Velocity in Action), rebuilt her life and business around one radical truth: “I deserve more.”
After unimaginable personal loss, JJ didn’t just recover — she redefined leadership. In this episode of Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference, she shares how that single belief became the foundation for a thriving biotech consultancy and a new way of showing up as a CEO.
Through her company PVI, JJ leads complex, mission-critical projects for biotech and pharma companies at pivot points: new indications, product launches, M&A transitions, and executive shake-ups. But what makes PVI different isn’t just the results — it’s the culture. JJ built a company where people come first, where vulnerability is respected, and where purpose drives performance.
🎙 In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Why “I deserve more” was more than a mantra — it became a movement
How JJ transformed grief into clarity, courage, and business transformation
What human-centered leadership looks like in high-stakes industries
How her team structure creates redundancy, flexibility, and resilience
The cultural practices that led to 100% satisfaction in their Great Place to Work survey
How leaders can bring empathy and excellence into the same room
Why the “no fear” model powers PVI’s growth and innovation
Tips for professionals stuck in misaligned work cultures
⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – JJ’s game-changing moment: “I deserve more”02:10 – Creating PVI with a people-first model05:30 – Personal tragedy and the power of rebuilding09:00 – Grief, resilience, and leadership transformation13:10 – Systems that support people and productivity17:20 – Empowering experienced talent through flexibility21:00 – The ROI of a supportive culture26:15 – PVI’s growth and loyal consultant network33:00 – Coaching women leaders in biotech36:00 – Advice for anyone ready to take the first step
🌟 About Jennifer “JJ” Johnson & PVI:Jennifer Johnson is the founder and CEO of PVI (Project Velocity in Action), a boutique consulting firm that serves biotech and pharmaceutical companies during critical transitions. In just 3 years, her team has delivered over 130 successful projects — all while maintaining a values-first, people-first company culture. PVI is a fast-growth firm proving that kindness, flexibility, and accountability can live side by side in business.
🔗 Learn more: https://projectvelocity.com
🎧 About Game Changers:Game Changers: The One Thing That Made the Difference is a business leadership podcast hosted by Jess Todtfeld, media strategist, author, and Guinness World Record holder. In each episode, Jess talks with innovators and decision-makers about the single most important idea, shift, or strategy that changed everything in their journey. Expect candid insights, big ideas, and a behind-the-scenes look at how game changers think.
📅 New episodes every 1st and 3rd Monday🌐 Full archive: https://MeetTheGameChangers.com
📌 Connect with Jess:Instagram → @jesstodtfeldFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/jess.todtfeld.2025Services → https://www.mediaambassadors.com
🎯 Looking for a new kind of leadership? This episode is your blueprint.

What if your spouse was the missing system in your business strategy?
Dr. Travis Parry, author of Marry and Grow Rich, has interviewed 1,600+ business owners—and discovered a truth most entrepreneurs miss: personal development isn't enough. The real ROI comes from “couple development.” In this episode, Travis shares how business leaders can create wealth, balance, and long-term success by aligning with their partner at home.
👇 Dive in to hear…
📍 Episode Highlights + Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + Why “Couple Development” beats solo growth02:41 – “I got into business for my family... and nearly lost them”05:09 – The moment Travis realized he was a workaholic06:45 – Why personal development fails without partnership08:32 – Spouse accountability: the surprising system that works10:51 – Money stress, marriage fights, and financial alignment13:18 – The #1 thing couples fight about—and how to fix it16:40 – Are you a Type 1 or Type 2 entrepreneur? (And why it matters)19:27 – “Check your psychological relationship with money”21:45 – How to shift from scarcity to abundance as a team24:20 – Thought leadership: the only way to scale without burning out26:02 – Why SOPs and systems are freedom tools—not control tools27:45 – Raising 8 kids while scaling a business? Travis explains30:33 – The family system is the most important one you’ll ever lead32:15 – Final takeaways: Time freedom, team alignment, and shared legacy
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Entrepreneurs don’t plan to be workaholics—but end up stuck in it
Involving your spouse creates accountability and real time freedom
Financial misalignment at home destroys growth at work
Most business owners either overwork and burn out, or undergrow and fear scale
Couple development improves productivity, clarity, and resilience
Thought leadership is the exit ramp from working in your business
💥 Whether you’re scaling, struggling, or just trying to “balance it all,” this episode gives you real tools for aligning your life, marriage, and mission.
🧠 “The most important system I’ve found in the world... is the family system.” — Travis Parry
📚 More from Travis: https://www.travisparry.com
🎧 Hosted by Jess Todtfeld — media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours. Founder of Media Ambassadors, helping experts turn visibility into real business results.
#BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMarriage #CoupleDevelopment #TimeFreedom #ThoughtLeadership #MoneyMindset #WorkLifeBalance #MarryAndGrowRich #TravisParry #GameChangersPodcast

What if everything you want is on the other side of fear?
At age 59, Dr. Mimi Secor transformed her body, her confidence, and her career — not by faking it, but by stepping into her power. In this episode of Game Changers, Jess Todtfeld dives deep with the nationally recognized nurse practitioner, author, and speaker to uncover the mindset shift that helped her conquer fear, earn a doctoral degree, compete in bodybuilding, and overcome cancer.
🎯 This conversation is about real confidence — the kind you don’t fake.
💡 What you’ll learn:
Why “Fake it till you make it” is damaging — and what to do instead
How life coaching helped Mimi unlock confidence she already had inside
The story behind her bikini competition at nearly 60 years old
What nurse practitioners uniquely bring to healthcare (and why it matters)
How to stop playing small — even if you’re already successful
Confidence strategies that work in relationships, media, and leadership
A powerful shift: Act it. Become it.
👤 About Dr. Mimi Secor
Dr. Mimi is a nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and international speaker who helps professionals take charge of their health and mindset. She’s the author of Debut a New You and Health and Fit at Any Age — and a passionate advocate for authentic transformation, no matter your age or stage.
👉 This episode is for you if: ✔️ You feel confident on the outside but uncertain inside✔️ You’ve been waiting for the “right time” to make a change✔️ You want to own your story and stop second-guessing yourself✔️ You’re ready to act — and become who you were meant to be
🎧 Subscribe to Game Changers for weekly conversations with leaders who are rewriting the rules and reshaping what’s possible.🌐 Full episodes + bonus content: MeetTheGameChangers.com📺 Video version: YouTube.com/@GameChangersPodcast🎙️ Host Info: https://www.JessTodtfeld.com/
#MimiSecor #Confidence #FakeItTillYouMakeIt #LifeCoaching #PersonalGrowth #GameChangersPodcast #TransformationStory #BodybuildingOver50 #MindsetShift #JessTodtfeld

What if you could go from unknown to in-demand — without spending years trying to prove yourself?
In this episode of Game Changers, Jess Todtfeld sits down with Trevor Crane — bestselling author, business strategist, and host of Greatness Quest — to break down exactly how to position yourself as the go-to expert in your space… fast.
✅ Whether you're a coach, consultant, doctor, lawyer, or entrepreneur — this episode will show you how to use your story, expertise, and message to command attention and authority.
💡 Inside this episode:
How Trevor went from broke to 7-figure business owner
The fastest way to build trust with your audience
Why your story is the most powerful marketing asset you have
The book publishing strategy that turns clients into celebrities in their niche
How to stop sounding like everyone else — and stand out in any crowded market
A better way to get featured, followed, and PAID
👤 About Trevor Crane
Trevor is the founder of Epic Author Publishing, a business mentor, and the host of the Greatness Quest podcast. He’s helped hundreds of entrepreneurs write bestselling books, launch signature programs, and elevate their message to dominate their industries.
👉 Ready to step into your authority?
🎧 Subscribe to Game Changers for more conversations with leaders who are rewriting the rules.🌐 Full episodes and bonus content: MeetTheGameChangers.com🎙️ Learn more about Jess: https://www.JessTodtfeld.com/
#TrevorCrane #AuthorityBuilding #BusinessStrategy #Storytelling #GameChangersPodcast #Branding #ExpertPositioning #PublishABook #JessTodtfeld #EntrepreneurMindset

Game Changers with Jess Todtfeld is the show where we spotlight the one move, mindset, or strategy that has made the biggest difference in our guests’ lives and businesses.
Hosted by Jess Todtfeld — media strategist, bestselling author, and Guinness World Record holder for most media interviews in 24 hours — this podcast delivers high-impact conversations in short, powerful episodes.
Whether it’s a breakthrough approach in business, a life-altering realization, or an innovation reshaping an industry, each episode features a “game changer” worth sharing.
Some episodes feature interviews with top professionals in fields like healthcare, law, finance, and entrepreneurship. Other times, Jess shares solo insights on trends, tools, and ideas that can help you become a true game changer in your field.
New episodes drop on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.
If you're looking to sharpen your edge, grow your influence, and make a bigger impact—this is the podcast for you.