Legacy of Service: The Dowdell Brothers’ Story of Resilience, Duty, and Hope
Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
Release Date: 07/01/2025
Preserving the Legacy of the Marine Corps: A Conversation with Gen. Jim Lukeman
Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
On this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General James Lukeman, the current CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. With a distinguished 40-year military career that included deployments to the Persian Gulf, Germany, and Okinawa, as well as leadership roles ranging from Commanding General of the Second Marine Division to Deputy Director for Strategy and Plans at U.S. Africa Command, General Lukeman brings unparalleled insight into service, leadership, and resilience. In their conversation, General Lukeman reflects on what...
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From Championship Ice to Mental-Health Champion w/ Grace Shirley
Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
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Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
In this installment of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek sits down with Rob “Sleepwalker” Weisberg, a 9/11 firefighter who turned personal tragedy and decades of silent suffering into a path of healing. After grappling with PTSD and survivor’s guilt for over 20 years, Rob found unexpected hope and renewal on the Appalachian Trail. His memoir, From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel, chronicles a raw, courageous journey from darkness to light, offering inspiration to anyone facing their own battles. Rob Weisberg: Rob Weisberg’s memoir From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel: A 9/11...
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Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
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Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
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Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
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Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
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Courage After Tragedy: Kristen Breitweiser’s Fight for Justice In the Wake of 9/11
Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
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Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Veteran Mental Health with Dr. Ron Acierno
Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
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The Power of Coaching: Building Leaders Who Inspire and Transform w/ Dr. Dana Kirchman
Next Steps Forward with Dr. Chris Meek
What makes a good leader truly great? In this week’s episode of Next Steps Forward, host Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Dana Kirchman, leadership expert, executive coach, and trusted advisor, to explore that very question. With more than 25 years of experience working alongside leaders at the highest levels, Dr. Kirchman shares her insights on the habits, mindsets, and relational skills that drive authentic leadership transformation. From the role of compassion in high-stakes environments, to the impact of remote and hybrid work, to the essential differences between emotional intelligence and...
info_outlineIn this moving episode of Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek is joined by brothers Patrick and James Dowdell - two men whose lives were forever changed on September 11, 2001, when they lost their father, FDNY Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell. Patrick and James share how that moment of tragedy inspired lives of extraordinary service. Patrick went on to graduate from West Point, serve as a combat platoon leader in Iraq, and lead operations in Afghanistan as a captain. James, just 17 at the time of 9/11, later followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the FDNY and now serves as a lieutenant, continuing the legacy of bravery and public service.
Through heartfelt stories of loss, leadership, and resilience, the Dowdell brothers reflect on the values instilled in them by their parents, how their father's sacrifice continues to shape their path, and what it means to live a life of purpose in honor of those we've lost. Join them for an unforgettable conversation about courage, commitment, and the enduring power of family legacy.
About James and Patrick Dowdell: Brothers James and Patrick Dowdell grew up as the sons of a New York City firefighter and a public-school teacher, who instilled service and leadership as the core of their life missions. Following the tragic loss of their father, FDNY Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell, on September 11, 2001, Patrick and James joined the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. The following year, Patrick was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant when he graduated in 2006 and served a one-year deployment as a platoon leader in Iraq beginning in 2008 during combat operations in Baghdad. Promoted to captain, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, overseeing mission planning and combat operations in Farah Province. James Dowdell was a 17 year old high school senior when he participated in the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site. He began his formal FDNY career on Ladder 174 in Brooklyn. James was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in January on what would have been his father’s 70th birthday. James Dowdell is also a sought-after public speaker who draws upon the invaluable lessons he learned from his father’s legacy to inspire audiences with insights into service, resilience, and the enduring impact of family and duty.