This is a troubled time in our world. But each person has some personal power, some ability to help, even in the smallest of ways. Sometimes that is all we can do, and it is more than enough.

How do we help impassioned young people to believe in themselves and take action to help the world?

Meet Michaella Gallina and Elise Strong, two inspiring women, one a previous winner of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, and the other, a mother of a previous winner.

Michaella shares with us just how she started the Exceptional Rodeo for disabled children at the age of ten years old. Elise shares her journey of encouraging and empowering her son Josiah, founder of the non-profit Save the Nautilus.

Don’t miss that pivotal moment when you are called to action.

And don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

About Michaella Gallina: 

Michaella Gallina is the Vice President of Investor Relations and ESG for H&R Block. Previously, she held many corporate finance roles including Chief of Staff, head of investor relations and corporate communications, and corporate development for several publicly traded companies. Before that, she worked as an investment analyst and in investment banking. Ms. Gallina graduated summa cum laude from the University of Denver with a bachelors and masters degree in finance and was a Boettcher Scholar and Coca-Cola Scholar.

Beginning at the age of 8, Michaella led the Exceptional Rodeo, a rodeo for physically and mentally disabled children in her hometown, which is carried on today at the National Western Stock Show. She was an inaugural Barron Prize winner in 2001.

Michaella is a national champion equestrian and resides in Denver, Colorado.

Learn about the Exceptional Rodeo.

About Elise Strong:

Elise is the mother of Lucas and Josiah Utsch ( Winner of 2012 Barron Prize). She lives in Bozeman MT with her husband Adrian & Golden Retriever Molly. Elise has worked as a sailor, teacher, and landscaper, and also helped run her mother’s family business. She is an active supporter of numerous environmental and community service projects and serves on the boards of several local non-profit organizations. She spends her time caring for her family, working to protect the natural world and expanding support for underprivileged teens in Montana.

Learn more about how Save the Nautilus is making an impact.

Check out the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

Magic & Mountains is hosted by T. A. Barron, beloved author of 32 books and counting. Carolyn Hunter is co-host.

Magic & Mountains Theme Song by Julian Peterson.