cityCURRENT Radio Show

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Daniel Liu, who recently was honored with the Youth Volunteer Award at the 2025 Strobel Volunteer Awards hosted by Hands On Nashville powered by United Way of Greater Nashville. Daniel Liu, a pre-med student at Vanderbilt, founded the Peace of Mind program to address the shortage of volunteers for home hospice care in Nashville. He recognized that while many students wanted to volunteer, transportation was a significant barrier, particularly for reaching the 90% of cases requiring in-home visits. Drawing inspiration from his middle school experience with free bus rides to nursing homes, Daniel developed a solution by coordinating free transportation for Vanderbilt students to volunteer in home hospice care, providing them with valuable patient experience while meeting a critical community need.Volunteer Uber Voucher PipelineDaniel created a simple pipeline that allows volunteers to apply for Uber vouchers to visit patient sites, considering factors like distance, time, and cost. Since its inception, 35 classmates have been trained to administer Hospice care, volunteering at patient homes and contributing to over 600 hours of service across nearly 200 patient cases. Daniel has personally volunteered for about 350 hours over two years, visiting around 20 patients, and finds the Uber voucher program to be one of the most impactful ways he has contributed to his community.Volunteering Shapes Leadership JourneyDaniel reflects on how his volunteer experience has shaped him as a leader, emphasizing that it taught him the importance of taking the first step in community involvement. He explains that he now understands the process of initiating change, from writing grants to securing funding, which gives him confidence in future endeavors. Daniel also describes the unique nature of hospice volunteering, highlighting that each patient interaction is different and tailored to individual needs, ranging from playing piano to discussing art.Vanderbilt Peace of Mind InitiativesDaniel discusses his work with Vanderbilt Peace of Mind, which involves meeting people, understanding their experiences, and conducting educational training sessions with experts in hospice care. He expresses his vision to lead interventions in communities and emphasized the importance of finding partners, communicating effectively, and identifying community needs to create impactful solutions. Daniel was recognized as the Youth Volunteer Award winner at the 2025 Strobel Volunteer Awards, which he considers a significant honor. He encourages others, especially college students, to take leadership roles and create movements for community betterment. Daniel also shares his email address for those interested in partnering with or supporting his efforts with Vanderbilt Peace of Mind.Email Daniel Liu at daniel.x.liu@vanderbilt.edu to learn more and get involved with Vanderbilt Peace of Mind.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Ed Doyle, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of the Hatchie River Region, who highlights the Covington, Tennessee-based nonprofit and their efforts to transform the lives and outcomes of youth. During the interview, Ed discusses his background in the automotive industry and how running a street ministry as an ordained minister with his wife led to his current role at the Boys & Girls Club of the Hatchie River Region. He talks about their summer camp serving 176 children and year-round programming for children and young adults, aged 5-18, which offers much more than just after-school care, including STEM programs, robotics, coding, and a recording studio. Ed also highlights the unique challenges faced by Covington's youth due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent tornado, which has created significant academic gaps for the children in the area.Ed outlines three key programs including a Reading Success Academy to address the academic gaps, along with mental health support, and workforce development initiatives, highlighting the club's partnerships with local employers and educational institutions. The Reading Success Academy, launching in August, will employ two reading specialists to assess children, design custom curricula, and provide one-on-one and small group instruction to improve reading skills. The mental health initiative, called "Healthy Minds Equal Great Futures," will have two licensed mental health professionals available at the club to support children dealing with trauma or other mental health issues. Ed describes the Boys & Girls Club's partnerships with local employers like Unilever and Ford, which provide tours and exposure to career opportunities for the children. The Club also collaborates with TCAT for dual enrollment opportunities in high school. Ed emphasizes the importance of these experiences in changing outcomes for the children, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. He highlights the impact of their programs, including STEM activities and the Ford-sponsored Reading Success Academy, on the children's learning and aspirations.Ed discusses how the Boys & Girls Club's programs are tied to core areas of growth for youth, which include character development, leadership, personal responsibility, community service, and exploration and fun with activities like robotics and drones. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement, sharing a heartwarming story about a child's interaction with a local business owner during a Club event. Ed outlines three ways to support the club: praying for the kids, spending time with them, and providing financial support, mentioning a matching grant opportunity. He also provides contact information, including social media handles, website, and his personal phone number for those interested in learning more or getting involved.Visit https://www.bgchrr.com to learn more or call 901-800-6186 to reach Ed Doyle and get involved with Boys & Girls Club of the Hatchie River Region.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Joshua Conley, Executive Director of Foster Village Memphis, who highlights the nonprofit organization's mission, efforts, and impact. Foster Village Memphis, established in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2019, aims to support foster families and caregivers and those who want to help by meeting practical needs and providing resources and holistic support beyond the system. Joshua explains that the organization works to address the gap between children in need of foster care and the available homes, offering support to families and creating opportunities for community involvement. He highlights the organization's expansion across multiple counties and its initiatives, including support groups, Welcome Packs, meal deliveries, and advocacy events. Joshua also shares statistics on the number of children in foster care and the current home deficit, emphasizing the need for more foster and kinship families in the region.Joshua discusses the challenges and rewards of foster care. He shares personal experiences as a foster and adoptive parent, emphasizing the reciprocal benefits and the importance of supporting both foster children and their biological families. He introduces a campaign called "2025 Growing the Village is Sweet" and talks about the role of lemonade in this context, symbolizing turning lemons (difficult situations) into something positive through resilience and support. The campaign launched in June and runs until August 23rd, with proceeds supporting foster and adoptive families. He explains that the campaign aims to involve children in meaningful service activities, with various ways for individuals and organizations to get involved year-round, including drives for back-to-school items, Christmas events, mentoring, and packing Welcome Packs for families. Joshua encourages listeners to visit the website fostervillagememphis.org, follow them on social media, and sign up for their newsletter to learn more and get involved.Visit https://www.fostervillagememphis.org to learn more and to get involved with Foster Village Memphis.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Matt Lloyd, CEO and Co-Founder of Magic Apple Technology, who highlights the cityCURRENT Nashville partner company focused on providing internet telephone services with an emphasis on phone systems and customer service for businesses. Matt explains their commitment to excellent service and strong company culture through their core values, while also detailing their national geographic reach and technical capabilities.Matt discusses the importance of phone systems for businesses, emphasizing that phone communication remains crucial, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises. He highlights the benefits of cloud-based phone systems, including redundancy, enhanced integration with AI and other technologies, and improved accessibility. Matt notes that businesses are sometimes hesitant to transition their phone systems to the cloud due to a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, but he emphasizes the advantages of cloud systems, such as reliability during power outages or natural disasters.Matt discusses Magic Apple Technology's commitment to providing excellent service and maintaining strong company culture. He outlines five core values that guide the company, including John Wayne integrity, love for what they do, awesomeness, and not pointing fingers. Matt emphasizes that these values are ingrained in the company's DNA and are taken seriously, with new employees required to sign a core value oath.Matt explains that his company provides comprehensive IT support, handling both hardware and telecommunications issues. He describes their geographic reach, noting that while 75% of their business is centered in Middle Tennessee, they can serve customers nationwide through remote support and pre-tested equipment. Matt highlights two key industry trends: the use of AI to automate routine tasks and improve backend operations, and the deployment of AI agents for customer service interactions.Matt shares his experience as a CEO, highlighting the importance of implementing a structured business process using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and ensuring cultural alignment when onboarding new team members. He emphasizes the value of running a 100% remote operation to promote work-life balance and talks about being selective when adopting new trends, especially in the phone industry. Matt also recommends conducting annual business reviews with customers to explore underutilized phone system features and regularly reviewing phone contracts every 2-3 years to optimize costs and benefits.Matt wraps up discussing the importance of community engagement for Magic Apple Technology, highlighting their partnerships with nonprofits and their partnership in cityCURRENT to facilitate community involvement. Matt explains that Magic Apple Technology, a small team of 12, focuses on providing low-cost solutions and maintains a strong commitment to community service. He encourages viewers to visit their website, magicapple.com, for more information about their products, services, and team.Visit https://magicapple.com to learn more about Magic Apple Technology.https://www.facebook.com/magicappletech/https://www.linkedin.com/company/magic-apple-technology/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Graham Honeycutt, Executive Director of Tucker's House, who highlights the Middle Tennessee-based nonprofit organization and their efforts to provide home modifications for families of children and young adults with disabilities. The organization provides financial assistance, construction management, and functional home modifications, which include making bathrooms accessible, adding adaptive equipment, adding solid flooring, adding ramps and widening entry doors.During the interview, Graham shares some of the history for the organization and how he and his family were introduced to Tucker's House and were blessed by the organization's efforts; and how he now has that same opportunity to help other families, after assuming the role of Executive Director five years ago, after Founder, Sunny Rosanbalm's retirement. Graham describes their process and discusses the importance of pairing licensed therapists with architectural designers who understand inclusive design to ensure that the modifications made to a home will serve the children and families throughout their lifetime and assist them every day. They start with an assessment to create an individualized plan that accounts for a child's current and future needs, considering factors like prognosis and long-term accessibility. The pre-construction phase can take 3-6 months to coordinate all necessary parties, and the process involves details like installing solid flooring, widening doorways, and adding accessibility equipment like stair lifts.Graham discusses bathroom modifications for disabled individuals, including accessible showers, sinks, and towel racks, emphasizing independence and dignity. He explains that these projects involve collaboration with various community partners, and talks about their House to Home video series on their website and YouTube channel, which showcases transformations of selected families' homes. Graham describes some of their current projects, highlighting a ramp installation for a Spanish-speaking family in Murfreesboro and another project in Spring Hill, with filming underway for the next House to Home episode.Graham explains the organization's funding needs, including their "Thrive in 25" campaign to serve 25% more families, and emphasizes the importance of financial contributions and partnerships with construction professionals. Graham shares heartwarming feedback from families about the life-changing transformations their homes undergo, and provides various ways for the community to support their efforts, including visiting tuckershouse.org, watching their award-winning video series, and contacting them via phone or social media.Visit https://tuckershouse.org to learn more and get involved. 

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Brink Fidler, Founder and President of Defend Systems, along with Tom Herring, Operator of Herring Technology, who both highlight the importance of taking proactive measures with comprehensive security solutions, including training, consulting, and technical support and equipment to save lives and protect people and property.During the interview, Brink shares his extensive background in law enforcement, particularly in narcotics and tactical operations, which informed the development of Defense Systems' training curriculum focused on active shooter response and rapid medical intervention. The company offers various training programs, including active shooter drills, law enforcement training, and medical courses for both professionals and civilians, emphasizing the goal of equipping individuals with the skills to protect themselves during emergencies.Tom explains how his company, Herring Technology, evolved from a data cabling business to offering a holistic approach to security systems, partnering with Defense Systems and conducting comprehensive assessments to then provide the technology and service needed to protect an organization and its people and property. Herring Technology focuses on proactive measures, including training and proper use of technology, to prevent security incidents rather than just reacting to them.Brink emphasizes the critical importance of training staff to respond effectively during emergencies, highlighting that over 80% of school attacks involve current or former students/staff, and proper training could significantly reduce casualties. Brink explains that their training program, which lasts 4.5 hours including a lunch break, is customizable and includes a walkthrough of the facility to identify potential issues. He also notes that the training provides valuable life skills, such as medical pre-hospital trauma care, which participants have used outside of work, including in car crashes.Tom discusses leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance security measures proactively. He emphasizes the importance of creating a deterrent environment without making buildings look like prisons and highlighted the use of AI for perimeter security and virtual guard systems. He also discusses testing new security technologies to ensure effectiveness, stating their company's commitment to finding reliable solutions regardless of brand.Brink emphasizes the importance of identifying multiple exits in public places and pre-planning escape routes during emergencies. Tom highlights the need to utilize security equipment effectively, integrating it into daily routines for better monitoring and proactive management. Both stress the value of technology and collaboration in enhancing security and customer service.Visit https://www.defendsystems.com to learn more about Defend Systems. Visit https://herringtechnology.com to learn more about Herring Technology.

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Zack Orsborn, founder of Like Really Creative, to explore the intersection of mental health, creativity, and community. Zack opens up about growing up in a small Mississippi town where creativity was stifled, navigating mental illness, and the long road to rediscovering his artistic identity.He shares the powerful story behind his framework—The Four Codes of Creative Energy—and how it's helping creatives overcome fear, reconnect with their passion, and build intentional, expressive lives. From Collage Parties to MUSE gatherings, Like Really Creative is more than a business—it's a movement for every artist who's ever felt like they didn't belong.Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone who feels stuck, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and inspired to create from a place of authenticity and courage.Learn more: https://likereallycreative.com/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Beth Wilson, Founder and CEO of Wilson Public Relations, who highlights her woman-owned, award-winning, integrated communications firm based in Memphis, Tennessee, and then discusses PR trends and offers tips to help organizations be more impactful with their efforts. During the interview, Beth shares her journey, which began with a major in public relations and various communications roles in Memphis. She credits her time at Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals, the Executive MBA program at The University of Memphis, and Epicenter Memphis for her decision to start her own agency. Despite facing challenges, including the pandemic and personal loss, Beth expresses gratitude for the support she received from the Memphis community and her desire to use Wilson Public Relations as a vehicle to give back.Beth discusses Wilson PR's focus on three areas of media: earned, owned, and shared. For earned media, they handle announcements, pitch clients as expert resources, and engage in community partnerships. Owned media involves website content, thought leadership, and sales collateral. Shared media uses social platforms to amplify stories. Beth emphasizes the importance of repurposing content across multiple channels and describes their onboarding process, which includes developing messaging guides and audience engagement maps. She also highlights the value of traditional media relations and the ethical use of AI in their work, as she talks about some of the important trends taking place in PR and then shares some tips for how organizations can start to create more stories and then repurpose and leverage them across multiple platforms to be more impactful with their efforts.Visit https://wilsonpublicrelations.com to learn more and connect with Wilson Public Relations.

In this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, we dive into a transformative conversation with Leonard Cochran, Chief Engagement Officer of UpWords Unlimited and author of Relational Leadership: An Introduction and The Four Constants of Success. With decades of experience helping individuals and organizations elevate their leadership impact, Leonard brings a fresh, people-first perspective to the table.We explore how traditional leadership models are being challenged by today's rapidly evolving workplace and why relational leadership is the key to unlocking deeper engagement, stronger teams, and more sustainable success. Leonard shares personal insights, research-backed strategies, and the core "constants" every leader needs to thrive in today's dynamic environment.Whether you're leading a company, a nonprofit, or your own personal growth journey, this episode is packed with wisdom, practical takeaways, and a powerful call to lead with intention, empathy, and consistency.Tune in to discover why leadership for the next generation starts with building relationships that matter.Learn more and purchase his books: https://upwordsunlimited.com/

In this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, we sit down with Brandon Tendler, the innovative founder of Bactose®, a groundbreaking probiotic that's changing the game for anyone who struggles with lactose intolerance.Brandon shares the personal story and scientific journey behind Bactose®—a supplement that introduces a specialized super strain of lactobacillus acidophilus, which produces lactase enzymes directly in your gut. Just 7 days of use each month trains your gut to digest dairy with ease—no more daily pills, no more discomfort, just the freedom to enjoy the foods you love.We explore how Bactose® taps into the power of the microbiome, what makes it different from anything else on the market, and how it's helping people live healthier, more unrestricted lives. Whether you're curious about gut health, lactose intolerance, or entrepreneurship in the wellness space, this episode is packed with inspiration and science-backed insights.Learn how a dad, husband, and visionary created a solution that empowers people to enjoy real food without compromise.Learn more at https://bactose.com and get ready to experience dairy differently.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Marcie Smeck Bryant, who recently was honored with the Social Justice Impact Award at the 2025 Strobel Volunteer Awards hosted by Hands On Nashville powered by United Way of Greater Nashville. Marcie Smeck Bryant is a retired strategic communications professional, who has been actively involved with The Nashville Food Project for over a decade, helping to establish and manage a weekly community meal program at Trinity Community Commons that focuses on food security and community building.Through her work with The Nashville Food Project, Trinity Community Commons, and Feedback Nashville, Marcie has been instrumental in addressing food deserts, waste reduction, and supporting urban farming initiatives while emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and community engagement.During the interview, Marcie shares her story and passion for serving others. She describes The Nashville Food Project's mission to grow, cook, and share food, focusing on community building and hunger relief. She highlights their three main components: providing 7,000 meals weekly, recovering and collecting donated food from various sources, and supporting urban farming initiatives. Marcie also details the partnership with Trinity Community Commons, which offers free meals, wraparound services, and neighborhood support through a community garden and upcoming supportive housing development.Marcie then talks about serving on the board with The Nashville Food Project and their engagement in Feedback Nashville, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and addressing food deserts and waste in the city. She shares her personal experiences and insights gained through volunteering, emphasizing the power of taking action. Marcie wraps up talking about the significance of the 2025 Strobel Volunteer Awards' Social Justice Impact Award, and encourages others to find their passion and get involved in community organizations like The Nashville Food Project and Trinity Community Commons.Visit https://www.thenashvillefoodproject.org to learn more about the Nashville Food Project. Visit https://www.trinitycommunitycommons.org to learn more about Trinity Community Commons.

On this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Keisha Walker, Community Affairs Manager for Vitalant, to explore how one of the nation's leading nonprofit blood providers is turning compassion into action—and giving students an opportunity to save lives and earn scholarships.Keisha shares Vitalant's mission to maintain a steady, lifesaving blood supply for patients in need and sheds light on the challenges in cities like Memphis, where only one in four blood units needed by hospitals is donated locally. With stories that highlight the real-world impact of donation—from trauma care to sickle cell treatment—Keisha emphasizes the critical role every donor plays in the healthcare system.The conversation dives deep into Vitalant's 2025 Student Leader Scholarship Program, a summer initiative (June 1–August 31) that empowers students across the region to host virtual blood drives and earn up to $1,000 in scholarship funds. Keisha explains how easy it is for students to get involved, the leadership skills they gain, and how they can build a legacy of generosity starting now.Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or simply someone looking to give back, this episode will inspire you to take action, get involved, and recognize the power in just one donation.Learn more and sign up: https://vitalant.org/scholarship

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Ben Utecht, Super Bowl XLI Champion, bestselling author, and entrepreneur, who discusses his journey from sports to business leadership and philanthropy. Ben is the founder of SoleCareRx and Chief Culture Officer for True North Private Equity, where he oversees a family of companies spanning multiple industries. He was the keynote speaker at the cityCURRENT signature speaker series event in Nashville on May 15, 2025 and will be speaking in Memphis in August.During the interview, Ben talks about his experience playing for the Indianapolis Colts under Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy, which inspired his second book "The Champion's Creed" and his work as a chief culture officer. Ben highlights his book "The Champions Creed: Build Your Culture on the Power of Belief," which offers a blueprint for organizations ready to transform their culture from the inside out. He explains how the Indianapolis Colts, under Coach Tony Dungy, integrated beliefs and values and intentionally designed, built, and practiced their winning culture, both on and off the field. Ben emphasizes that culture should be treated as a strategic priority in businesses, and shares practical examples of how to create objective protocols that can be measured and reviewed. He encourages readers to see culture as a revenue driver and provides the website benutechspeaks.com for more information and book purchases.Ben also discusses the development and recent launch of Shower Sock, an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal disposable shower sock to protect feet in private and public showers. As the founder of SoleCareRx, he shares how the product idea started when he experienced a foot infection after taking a shower in flip flops while playing in the NFL. He talks about the product's exciting potential, noting its affordability and applications in preventing foot infections globally. Ben also highlights the philanthropic aspect of Shower Sock, partnering with Samaritan's Feet, a nonprofit organization distributing shoes to under-resourced communities around the world to help prevent skin infections. Ben is donating part of his cityCURRENT speaking honorariums to support Samaritan's Feet shoe distributions in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee.To learn more about Shower Sock, visit https://showersock.com/. To learn more about Ben Utecht, his speaking and his book, "The Champion's Creed: Build Your Culture on the Power of Belief," visit https://benutechtspeaks.com.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with JR Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder of JustMy, who discusses how their platform helps organizations share and distribute content through digital business cards and an InfoHUB in order to better connect and engage with the community. During the interview, JR explains how JustMy started in 2019 to give nonprofits a voice and has since expanded to create digital magazines, a newsstand, a virtual studio service, and now digital business cards and their InfoHUB. He discusses the InfoHUB's ability to consolidate content for expanded reach, with examples including a custom application for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office that provides incident cards for accident victims and traffic violations.JR discusses the mission of JustMy, emphasizing its focus on community service and affordable, educational tools to help individuals and businesses share their stories. He highlights the platform's unique feature of allowing users to control their content and branding, unlike other platforms like Facebook. JR also introduces the slogan, "All Eyes on You," which he believes reflects the inherent greatness in everyone and encourages individuals to showcase their best selves. He plans to further develop this concept and its narrative as part of a larger effort and movement with JustMy.JR then introduces "JustMyGrants," a program offering full-service marketing support to businesses and nonprofits for 12 months, covering up to $14,000 in in-kind services. The program includes monthly check-ins, planning sessions, and support for events, with a focus on helping nonprofits prepare for events and create engaging content. JR explains that the goal is to distribute 6,000 grants, providing $84 million in in-kind services, and emphasizes that the program is available nationwide due to advancements in technology.JR encourages listeners to learn more and take the next steps by visiting justmy.com or the local Memphis and Nashville websites, and JR highlights the availability of a free "myCARD X" to get started.Visit www.JustMy.com to learn more.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Drü Collie, Co-Founder and Director of Philanthropy for Sole Hope, who highlights the nonprofit organization and their efforts to provide shoes and medical care and to restore dignity and hope for children in Uganda. The organization's mission is to "equip the vulnerable to walk in freedom from life-threatening diseases and exploitation through education, empowerment, and medical relief." During the interview, Drü shares how Sole Hope was founded after he and his wife discovered the devastating impact of jiggers, a parasitic infection impacting children in Uganda, through a YouTube video. The organization focuses on combating this neglected tropical disease in Uganda, where it is often stigmatized as witchcraft. Drü and his family moved to Uganda for six years to establish the organization, and the organization is now based in Nashville, Tennessee, with a team of employees working directly in Uganda.Drü explains the process of Sole Hope's work in Uganda, which involves weekly village visits to wash children's feet, remove jiggers, provide education, and distribute shoes. The organization employs 48 Ugandans, including tailors and shoemakers, who create shoes from recycled denim sent from America. Drü emphasizes the importance of providing shoes, as it helps keep children in school, protects them from parasites and injuries, and addresses the stigma associated with jiggers. The organization has distributed over 370,000 pairs of shoes and operates a residential facility for severe cases.Drü discusses Sole Hope's expansion into mental health and addiction treatment, as they've found that many of their patients in Uganda face non-physical challenges due to poverty. He explains various ways the community can support their efforts, including a $10 monthly donation program and participating in shoe-cutting parties, which are being relaunched as team-building events for businesses. Drü emphasizes the importance of taking action when seeing a problem and shares how this journey has transformed his family's perspective on life and making a difference.Drü shares the story of Joy, a 10-year-old girl who was severely affected by jiggers, a parasitic infection. Joy was initially nicknamed "Little Duck" due to her abnormal walk caused by over 720 jiggers in her body. After receiving treatment at the Hope Center, Joy's physical and mental condition improved dramatically within a week. Her transformation not only changed her life but also impacted her village's perception of the jiggers problem, demonstrating the effectiveness of their intervention in combating this treatable disease.Drü wraps up highlighting the ways the community can support their efforts through financial contributions, Shoe Cutting Parties, Team Building Experiences, or visiting Uganda to see the impact firsthand.Visit https://www.solehope.org to learn more and get involved with Sole Hope.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Melody Webber, Manager of Enrollment and Community Engagement at Freedom Preparatory Academy, who highlights the mission and efforts of the tuition-free charter school network in Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama, that prepares all students in grades Pre-K through 12 to excel in college and in life.During the interview, Melody shares how Freedom Preparatory Academy was founded by Roblin Webb in 2009, and how it has grown from a single 6th-grade class to now serving over 2,000 students across five schools in Memphis, Tennessee (2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school) and 1 elementary school in Birmingham, Alabama in the heart of the Titusville community. Freedom Preparatory Academy's Memphis schools are in the Westwood/Whitehaven area. Melody talks about the school's expansion into Birmingham in 2024, their focus on educating the whole student, and some of their unique characteristics, including flexibility with setting start and end times to help parents with children at each of their schools, professional development for staff each Wednesday, and a requirement for high school students to complete 100 hours of community service. Melody also highlights some of the school's academic achievements, partnerships with organizations like Wellchild and UT Health Science Center for student and family support, and its commitment to character development and leadership opportunities for students.Melody explains the enrollment process for Freedom Prep charter schools, where returning families complete enrollment first, followed by new applications processed within 24-48 hours. She outlines how seats are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis and how families receive email notifications about acceptance or waitlist status with parent meetings being required before the first day. Melody, who previously taught 7th-8th grade math and later high school, shared her perspective on the school's strengths and her experience watching students progress from 7th to 11th grade, then graduation.Melody discusses the importance of building relationships with families and providing support through parent-led workshops and community engagement at their schools. They emphasized the need to treat students as individuals rather than numbers, offering opportunities for academic, psychological, and extracurricular growth. She highlights the ripple effect of Freedom Prep's impact on the community, preparing students to become future leaders in various fields.Melody wraps up discussing Freedom Prep's community engagement initiatives, including open houses, tours, registration help nights, workshops, literacy and math nights at their campuses. She explains that the school seeks partnerships to offer additional family-focused programs like first-time homebuyer and budgeting classes. Weber provides multiple ways for interested parties to learn more and get involved, including visiting their website freedomprep.org, following them on social media, or contacting her directly at (901) 538-9500 ext. 60276 or (901) 498-1849.Visit https://freedomprep.org to learn more about Freedom Preparatory Academy.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Karen Briscoe, Executive Program Director with PLAY NICE, who highlights the nonprofit organization focused on "providing a holistic youth development experience that prepares students for life beyond the classroom - equipping them with real-world skills, entrepreneurial mindsets, workforce readiness, and the confidence to lead with purpose, engage in their communities, and build meaningful futures through hands-on learning and mentorship."During the interview, Karen shares how the nonprofit organization started in 2019 by Tye Coleman and Kenny Cohen as an anti-bullying program, "Imagine It's You and Do Something," with the Police Athletic League (PAL) in New Jersey and Florida, and then how PLAY NICE was brought to Nashville when Tye Coleman moved back home to Tennessee. Karen highlights how PLAY NICE has grown in Nashville through partnerships, including Boys & Girls Clubs, Kid Power, YMCA, and Metro Nashville Schools, and how their programs still focus on anti-bullying, but have evolved to provide a holistic youth development experience with character education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The organization's initiatives include building self-esteem, workforce development, and entrepreneurship through mentorship programs, along with year-round activities like summer camps and after-school programs. Karen discusses the positive impact of their programs and talks about the importance of their volunteers, called "Champions for Change." Karen highlights the positive impact on participants, noting increased confidence and improved behavior, and encouraged community support through donations and volunteer opportunities, emphasizing that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success with the right support.Visit https://www.nbztv.com/ to learn more about PLAY NICE and how to get involved, or you can call Karen Briscoe at 615-755-9718. PLAY NICE is located at The Forge, 217 Willow Street in Nashville, Tennessee.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with keynote speaker, Angela Gargano, a 6x American Ninja Warrior, former Miss Fitness America, 3x Cover Girl and biochemist turned fitness trainer, who shares some of her personal journey and how her background in biochemistry led to helping colleagues with fitness and nutrition, eventually leading her to open a gym and pursue Ninja Warrior competitions. She highlights the importance of community in her success, noting how a videographer encouraged her to try out for the show and how the Ninja Warrior community provided support and motivation. Angela emphasizes that community plays a crucial role in personal growth and achieving goals, offering encouragement and hope to individuals striving to overcome obstacles.Angela shares her experience of recovering from an ACL tear that happened on the last obstacle while competing on American Ninja Warrior, and highlights how focusing on small, foundational elements like core strength and basic movements was crucial for her rehabilitation. She ties the experience back to some of the points she makes in her keynotes emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation through simple practices, including proper sleep, nutrition, and mental fitness, which is essential for overall success and resilience. Angela discusses how incorporating small, consistent actions into one's routine, even for short periods, could lead to significant improvements without sacrificing time for larger goals.Angela then shares the basis of her RIGHT Method framework for handling adversity, which involves acknowledging emotions, identifying controllable factors, and developing a game plan. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and adaptability, and encourages taking small steps towards goals despite uncertainty. Angela also discusses her approach to overcoming self-doubt and negative thinking patterns, highlighting the power of positive visualization. The conversation concludes with information on how to follow Angela and book her for speaking engagements, including her website and customized talks for various audiences.Visit https://www.angela-gargano.com to learn more about Angela Gargano.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Lori Birckhead, Co-Founder of the 97-acre By Faith Farm and their nonprofit organization, Fed by Faith, along with Erika Terhaar, Director of Development, who both highlight the power and importance of engaging the community to grow food and then donate the produce to local organizations in order to help those in need feed their families nourishing food. The mission of Fed by Faith is "to grow fresh, nutrient-dense food in a way that involves the local community and contributes healthy food sources to the most disadvantaged around us." The organization distributes their fresh produce through local hunger relief agencies such as Second Harvest, which picks up the food grown at By Faith Farm.During the interview, Lori shares how By Faith Farm started as a dream in 2008 to buy land, grow food, and give it away. She shares some of the journey, the growth from donating 2,000 pounds of food in its first year to 25,000 pounds currently, and the evolution of creating the nonprofit, Fed by Faith, in order to continue meeting the need in the community on a larger scale. Erika shares her story of serving as a "Farm Angel" volunteer and falling in love with the mission to now serving as part of the team, and she talks about some of the many ways the community can support their efforts through upcoming events, like their You Pick Flower days where you can bring family and friends to the farm to spend time in the flower gardens selecting the perfect blooms to create a wonderful bouquet for your home or loved one. Lori and Erika talk about the importance of volunteerism and community engagement, the vision and plans for the future, and some of the heartwarming stories of impact.Visit https://www.byfaithfarm.com to learn more about By Faith Farm, and their nonprofit, Fed By Faith, along with the many ways to get involved and support their efforts.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Patrick McGuire, Nashville Chapter Coordinator with Guitars for Vets, who highlights the nonprofit organization focused on sharing the healing power of music with our Veterans. Guitars for Vets (G4V) serves at-risk United States Veterans impacted by PTSD and other service-related trauma. Through their unique, 10-week structured guitar instruction program, G4V puts the healing power of music in the hands of our nation's heroes, helping to foster renewal, connection and community.During the interview, Patrick shares how the organization was founded in 2007 by guitar instructor, Patrick Nettesheim, and his student, Vietnam era Marine, Dan Van Buskirk, after realizing the guitar and lessons were a catalyst for positive human interaction and joy where it had once been lost. Patrick discusses the model and how guitars and lessons are provided at no cost to US Military Veterans who are referred by their doctor or a case/social worker at The Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Ten private lessons are taught using practice guitars donated by the local community. Upon completion, the Veteran/student is awarded a new acoustic guitar and accessories. Patrick emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of learning guitar, citing its ability to help Veterans rewire their brains and find joy, while also highlighting the importance of volunteer instructors who possess patience, acceptance, gratitude, and empathy. The organization, which has about 170 chapters nationwide, relies on word-of-mouth and volunteer efforts to expand its reach and impact.Patrick wraps up explaining the need for financial contributions, donated guitars, and volunteer instructors to support the mission and continued growth of the organization. He emphasizes the importance of financial transparency and encourages listeners to visit the website for more information and to contact local chapter coordinators to get involved.Visit https://guitars4vets.org to learn more and to get involved with Guitars for Vets.https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsForVets/https://www.tiktok.com/@guitars_for_vetshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1zjBS5JiYhOeVLprWb8q_A

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Alissa Rosebrough, Executive Director of Arise Africa, who highlights the nonprofit organization empowering Zambia's next generation through education, shelter, and love. Arise Africa is committed to helping children live a life that God desires for all mankind by serving the children of Zambia who are suffering from economic, physical, and spiritual poverty through a Christ-centered approach involving full-time care, education, discipleship, and feeding programs.During the interview, Alissa shares how her career as a photographer led her to Zambia and how life-changing experiences in the country led her and her friend, John Rosacker, to form the nonprofit organization in 2010. Alissa shares the story of how the organization's efforts have grown over the last 15 years to serve around 700 kids and details the model where their American teams serve as outside support, helping to create an environment where the local Zambian team can survive and thrive embracing the rich legacy of their culture. Alissa shares some of the many success stories of youth growing up in their homes and schools to escape poverty, enroll in international universities, and become successful professionals who return home to help lead and create positive transformation in the community. She talks about the rich culture of Zambia and their happiness and sense of community where everyone takes care of each other, yet the poverty that permeates the area where Arise Africa serves. She talks about the many ways the community can support their efforts through financial donations, sponsorships, partnerships, and mission trips. She uses Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services as an example of how companies can come alongside Arise Africa and partner to serve locally, financially support their programs, and send teams on mission trips to Zambia to experience the magic of building relationships with the kids and staff while helping to build facilities that will impact the community for years to come.Visit https://www.ariseafrica.org to learn more and get involved with Arise Africa.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Laura Hickman, Co-Founder and Director of Strategic Growth at Flint Global Partners, who highlights the nonprofit organization that is based in Middle Tennessee and working locally and in different countries around the world with the mission "to see great humans break cycles of extreme poverty and dependence, creating flourishing families and communities that make the world a brighter place."During the interview, Laura shares her background, which includes seeing how her mother was able to make a strategic difference in the community through nonprofit work and and her own experiences teaching children with emotional and behavioral disorders. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships and how using specific tools to help the children believe in their future made positive changes, and how those results helped inspire her to do more. Laura also discusses her previous work with at-risk youth in other countries, helping them transition out of orphan homes and government care systems, which helped pave the way for establishing Flint Global Partners.Laura discusses the founding of Flint Global Partners, a nonprofit organization that offers training and coaching organization aimed to help people move out of poverty through entrepreneurship, education and skills development, and access to resources and opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of local leaders in problem-solving and the need for a mindset shift before implementing other tools and skills. Laura elaborates on the process and how it works, to which she explains the three main areas they address: mindset, skills, and access. Laura also mentions their work in Nashville, helping at-risk youth build life skills and connect to businesses, and their plans to expand into entrepreneurship for ground-level entrepreneurs.Laura discusses the company's global presence, with operations in 12 countries. Laura emphasizes the importance of local leadership in customizing their tools and practices to meet the specific needs of each region. She also highlights the role of team members with international experience in bridging cultural gaps.Laura discusses the partnership with Harvest Hands, a community development center, to provide employment opportunities for their students in Nashville, Tennessee. The program has been successful, with students finding jobs and gaining life skills. Laura also mentioned a new partnership with JDEC (Judge Dinkins Education Center), a program for kids involved in the justice system, which focuses on construction skills and job readiness. The program has seen positive results, with most graduates finding employment or pursuing further education.Laura discusses various ways the community can support Flint Global Partners, including donations, spreading the word, and connecting with entrepreneurs. She highlights the organization's focus on providing entrepreneurship opportunities and training to women in Kenya, and encouraged attendees to shop their jewelry and also participate in Flint Global Partners' spring and fall events. She expresses her willingness to engage with anyone interested in the organization's mission.Visit https://flintglobal.org to learn more and get involved with Flint Global Partners.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Brandi Jack, Chief Operating Officer with Nashville Diaper Connection, who highlights the nonprofit organization that provides diapers to families in need through a distribution network of community partners who work directly with the families.During the interview, Brandi shares how the organization was started in 2013 and how it has since grown to distribute 4.5 million diapers in 2024, serving about 7,000 babies monthly. She emphasizes the importance of providing diapers for families, especially as family expenses continue to rise and families are forced to choose between food and diapers; and she also discusses how diapers play an important role in the health and development of babies. Brandi then discusses the organization's model, which involves purchasing or accepting donations of diapers, having volunteers sort and wrap them in packages of 25, supplying the diapers to their distribution network of community partners, having those community partners provide the diapers to the families in need. She also details two of their more creative initiatives with Clinic Connections and Diapers for Diplomas, and discusses how focusing on healthcare and higher education are helping to address additional challenges in the community and helping parents complete their education to increase their earning potential. The conversation concludes with Brandi talking about the many ways the community can support their efforts through monetary and diaper donations, volunteerism, and their upcoming Corporate Wrap Off event on September 16, 2025.Visit https://www.nashvillediaperconnection... to learn more and get involved with Nashville Diaper Connection.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Domonique Townsend, CEO of We Optimize Work, who shares how she transitioned her years of experience as an Industrial Engineer and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt to launch We Optimize Work and specialize in helping organizations align strategy with people to lead change with confidence without burning out teams or losing momentum.During the interview, Domonique introduces their WOW Framework, which equips organizations to lead with clarity, gain stakeholder buy-in, and activate high-performing, engaged teams. She discusses the importance of challenging assumptions and finding misalignments and bottlenecks, tapping into the skills and experiences of employees for ideas and solutions, and adapting to different generations in the workplace and leveraging their wisdom. Domonique shares tips and recommendations for how to regain momentum in initiatives at work and for owning our role to make work feel good. She emphasizes the importance of having a personal purpose statement and showing employees how their roles make an impact. She also discusses positive trends in open conversations among leaders and the return to office, but also highlights the need to improve the culture being fostered. Domonique wraps up talking about her book, "Inspired to Innovate," and her philanthropic efforts and focus on education and advocacy for youth, serving on the board of Purpose Preparatory Academy and mentoring aspiring engineers from underrepresented backgrounds to help provide access to opportunities for success.Visit https://www.weoptimizework.com/ to learn more about We Optimize Work and Domonique Townsend's book, "Inspired to Innovate."https://www.linkedin.com/company/weoptimizework/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with John Carroll, founder and CEO of City Leadership, who reflects on the nonprofit organization's 15-year journey and discusses how their various campaigns have become catalysts for citywide change. City Leadership is the nonprofit behind some of Memphis' most impactful and recognizable community campaigns, including Choose901, Teach901, Serve901, Give901, and Choose901 Alumni. The organization has helped recruit hundreds of educators, empowered young professionals to serve and lead, driven civic pride, and funneled millions of dollars and volunteer hours into high-impact organizations across Memphis and the Mid-South.During the interview, John explains how City Leadership was initially established to help nonprofits become more efficient and effective by providing proactive consulting services. He shares the story of launching Teach901, which helps recruit and retain educators in Memphis, and how inspiration struck will traveling to create a collaborative marketing campaign that would benefit multiple schools in the community versus one. John also shares the origin of Choose901, an initiative that started as a way to attract college graduates to Memphis for various programs but evolved into a popular platform for positive news and information about the city. He reflects on the lessons learned from Choose901's success, including the importance of persevering through initial criticism and adapting to unexpected growth and complexity.John highlights the various campaigns under City Leadership, including Serve901, Choose901, Teach901, Give901, and Choose901 Alumni. He explains that Serve901 recruits college students to serve in Memphis, while also promoting the city as a place to live and work. The Choose901 Alumni program aims to retain educated young adults in Memphis, helping to address issues of poverty and talent loss. Give901 is designed to guide individuals and companies on how to give back to the community. John emphasizes the need for community involvement, mentioning opportunities such as volunteering with students, providing internships, and maximizing college scholarships. He encourages people to contact him directly to get involved with their team and make a difference in Memphis.John discusses the importance of spreading positivity and optimism in one's community. He emphasizes that optimism is contagious and can lead to positive change. John then reflects on his personal journey, explaining how he transitioned from pursuing wealth to finding fulfillment in solving complex problems that benefit the community. He now views his role as creating an ecosystem that allows his teammates and community members to use their talents to serve others, finding this work more challenging and rewarding.John then discusses his intentional efforts as a husband and father, and his family's deep involvement in Memphis life. He and his wife are passionate about the city and attend various events because they genuinely enjoy being part of the community. John talks about exposing his children to Memphis culture through service, clean-up activities, and attending local events. He expresses gratitude for his family's support of his community involvement and how much his family is a motivating force for his efforts and impact.John wraps up discussing ways to support and engage with City Leadership. He recommends visiting their website to sign up for emails and view a new 15-year anniversary video. John encourages feedback from subscribers and invites people to contribute content. He also mentions the financial challenges that all nonprofits face and asks for financial support, promising a good ROG (Return on Generosity).This 15-year milestone and interview is a powerful reminder that Memphis is full of people working every day (often behind the scenes) to make it better, and City Leadership has played a major role in bringing those people together.Visit https://cityleadership.org to learn more and get involved with City Leadership and their various campaigns. Visit https://cityleadership.org/blog/thank... to view the 15-year anniversary video John references in the interview.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Cam F. Awesome, the champion boxer, motivational speaker, and author, who is the winningest boxer in USA Boxing history and has won more championships in his weight class than anyone in USA Boxing history. Cam recently spoke in Memphis, Tennessee as part of the cityCURRENT signature speaker series. Hosted by ProTech Services Group, Inc., the event was held Friday, May 2, 2025.During the interview, Jeremy and Cam discuss Cam's background and how he frames his story. Cam emphasizes the importance of self-talk and the power of mindset, using his boxing career as an example. He also shares his approach to learning and growth, which involves questioning with curiosity and seeking different perspectives. Cam's keynote presentation is highlighted, with Jeremy noting the powerful takeaways from his story.Cam shares his positive experience as a keynote speaker at the Memphis event, highlighting the supportive and collaborative atmosphere centered on the mission to power the GOOD. He also mentions a memorable interaction with an attendee, who he had met earlier at an event in Las Vegas and gifted him barbecue sauce and a dry rub at the event in Memphis. Cam emphasizes the importance of small gestures of appreciation, like the thoughtful gift, in building strong relationships.Jeremy and Cam next discuss Cam's transition from youth to corporate speaking, emphasizing the use of humor and storytelling to engage and educate audiences. Cam shares his experiences as a stand-up comedian and his work with nonprofits, highlighting the effectiveness of comedy in raising funds for good causes. They also touch on Cam's role as a cultural ambassador, having traveled extensively with USA Boxing and learning about different cultures and communication styles. Cam emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances in the workplace to avoid misunderstandings and improve communication.Cam then discusses the sport of boxing, emphasizing that being tough doesn't necessarily make one a great boxer. He highlights the importance of discipline, resilience, and confidence in boxing, and how these qualities can translate to other areas of life. Cam also shares his personal mission of helping people uncover their potential and believe in themselves.Visit https://www.camfawesome.com to learn more and connect with Cam F. Awesome.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Susan Deason, Executive Director, and Carl Davis, Managing Director of Operations with Memphis Allies, who both discuss the mission and efforts of Memphis Allies, a partnership of nonprofit organizations working together to reduce gun violence in Memphis and Shelby County. During the interview, Susan shares how Memphis Allies was launched in 2021 by the Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit, Youth Villages, in response to the significant increase in gun violence in Memphis during that time. Susan and Carl discuss their evidence-informed model, which focuses on community violence intervention and serves individuals at highest risk for involvement in gun violence ages 12 to 35. The model, called SWITCH - Support With Intention To Create Hope - involves a team of individuals, including outreach specialists, life coaches, case managers, and clinical specialists, who work collaboratively to help participants switch their mindset and achieve their goals. The program is typically 12 to 18 months long and has shown early indicators of success, with 90% of participants not receiving an additional gun charge while in service. The organization has over 200 staff members, most of whom have lived experiences that uniquely position them to help change someone's mindset.Susan and Carl emphasize the importance of community partnerships, support, and collaboration both locally and nationally. They discuss the importance of their work in the community and highlight the complexity of the issues faced, along with the need for empathy and understanding. Susan and Carl talk about the need for volunteers and how volunteers can help identify and engage with the individuals being supported. Carl highlights the daily changes he sees in participants and the importance of relentless effort in this work. They wrap up with how this work is saving lives and how the community can get involved and support their efforts.Visit https://memphisallies.org or call (901) 252-7900 to learn more and get involved with Memphis Allies.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Shelly Robertson Birdsong, Owner and Publisher, along with Anna Robertson Ham, Managing Publisher, with YOUR Community Media and YOUR Williamson Magazine, who both highlight their company dedicated to celebrating and strengthening community through impactful events, custom marketing solutions and YOUR Williamson Magazine that drive local engagement and philanthropy. During the interview, Shelly and Anna talk about their company's evolution into a creative services and event company that helps small businesses and produces revenue-based events with a charitable component. The conversation then shifts to their magazine, YOUR Williamson, which has been in publication for 14 years. Shelly highlights the magazine's focus on social events, charitable causes, and community stories, and talks about how print media is still a very powerful and important marketing tool, especially for local businesses. Anna expresses her love for the magazine's role in telling stories and raising awareness for organizations in need. Shelly also discusses the magazine's online presence and its global reach.Shelly and Anna then transition to highlight their second annual Ladies of Distinction - Iconic Women of Williamson event being held Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. The elegant event will feature a marketplace offering shopping from women-owned businesses, a silent auction, a luncheon, a fashion show and the main event, honoring the 2025 Iconic Women of Williamson. The event also recognizes women in Williamson County's history and raises funds for the Williamson Health Foundation, Capital Campaign with designation to the Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center. Through this event, two scholarships will also be provided to female high school seniors who attend school in Williamson County to be used towards their higher education. Tickets are available for purchase, with individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities available.Visit https://www.yourcommunity.media to learn more about YOUR Community Media and https://www.yourwilliamson.com to learn more about YOUR Williamson.Visit https://www.yourwilliamson.com/ladies... to learn more about the second annual Ladies of Distinction - Iconic Women of Williamson on May 13, 2025.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Terry Blue, President and CEO of Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority, who discusses the history and ongoing modernization efforts at Memphis International Airport (MEM) as part of "MEM on the Move." During the interview, Terry shares some historical perspective with Memphis International Airport's dedication in 1929 and the original terminal dedication in 1963. He talks about what the Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority does and how it operates three airports, including Memphis International Airport, and maintains the facilities, runways, and grounds. He compares it to managing a shopping mall overseeing the facilities, but not the individual stores, with the different partnerships like the airlines, TSA, FAA, and food vendors each being in control of their own operations.Terry talks about how the airport has experienced year-over-year growth in passenger numbers and is the busiest cargo airport in North America. Terry then highlights the concourse modernization that was completed in 2022, reinventing the Memphis traveling experience, and how that now carries into more updates and modernization projects to further enhance passenger convenience and future-proof the facilities for continued growth. The projects, which are part of the MEM on the Move initiative, includes a parking guidance system, a new parking management system, and improvements to the rental car facilities. It also includes the Airport Terminal Modernization and Seismic Program, which is a 6-year, $700 million project to modernize the 1963 terminal building. The project involves seismic enhancements, life safety features, and architectural updates while maintaining the building's historic elements. The airport will remain operational during the construction. This portion of the project is expected to begin in 2027. Completion is expected in 2030.Visit https://flymemphis.com to learn more about Memphis International Airport or visit https://flymemphis.com/mem-on-the-move/ to learn more about MEM on the Move.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with George Nixon, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, who highlights the organization's mission and efforts to provide Help and Hope to neighbors in need. Founded in 1971, Catholic Charities of West Tennessee has been serving West Tennessee for over 50 years, providing services to those most in need in the community, with special emphasis in the areas of homelessness, veteran's services, and emergency services. Following the teachings of Jesus Christ, the organization provides help to those in need and brings hope by supporting them on the path from poverty to self-sufficiency. The organization offers Emergency Services, Homeless Services, and Community Support Services for those in need regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.During the interview, George discusses the history and current activities of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee. George explains that the organization has been in operation for over 50 years, and is now primarily focused on assisting those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The organization operates from a historic building that was originally a Catholic school, reflecting the theme of self-improvement and self-sufficiency. George emphasizes the importance of providing basic needs like food and clothing to establish relationships and help individuals improve their lives.George discusses the importance of building trust and rapport with homeless individuals to help them find services. He describes the front porch initiative, which provides a safe and friendly atmosphere for community building and sharing meals. This leads to conversations about needs and services, eventually leading to intake for housing and support services. Jeremy highlights the strategic small details that make a big difference, such as access to bathrooms and water. George then talks about their shower ministry and the clothing closet, emphasizing the importance of dignity and choice in providing clothing. Jeremy encourages listeners and viewers to consider volunteering in various ways, including meal preparation, clothing donations, and diaper donations.George then discusses other unique aspects of their work, focusing on their mobile pantry program. They provide food boxes to families struggling to pay rent or utilities, aiming to offset expenses and ensure they can eat and pay their rent. George shares that they serve about 2,200 families a month, distributing 100 to 150 boxes daily. He also mentions their annual survey, which revealed that many families had to go hungry in the past month due to lack of food.George then discusses the need for a holistic approach to help individuals transition from homelessness to having a home. He talks about the importance and power of collaboration with other agencies to provide the next steps for those they assist. George also talks about their dream of having all services under one roof, with partners providing optometry, mental health, clinical supports, financial education, and job training. This vision, called Hope Heights, is now being set in motion. He emphasizes the importance of community support, including volunteerism, in-kind donations, and financial contributions to bring their Hope Heights project to life. George encourages everyone to find a place where they could contribute and offers contact information for further engagement.Visit https://ccwtn.org to learn more and get involved with Catholic Charities of West Tennessee.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Tosha Price, Business Development Manager with Ascend Federal Credit Union, who leads their financial education efforts across Middle Tennessee and highlights both the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and their mission to serve by offering financial literacy education and giving back to the community in a variety of ways. With more than 250,000 members and more than $4.4 billion in assets, Ascend Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest federally chartered credit unions in the United States. Based in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the member-owned financial institution offers banking, loan, retirement, and investment services from its 28 branches, more than 55,000 free ATMs worldwide, digital banking portal, and mobile app.During the interview, Tosha discusses the importance of providing financial literacy education in the community. She explains the difference between a bank and a credit union, emphasizing that credit unions are not-for-profit and focus on people helping people. She highlights the financial literacy programming offered by Ascend Federal Credit Union, including online modules, calculators, and workshops. Tosha also mentions their initiative, Bonsai, which provides financial education to K-12 students. She emphasizes the importance of budgeting, building a credit score, and using credit cards wisely.Tosha discusses the importance of using credit cards responsibly, emphasizing that they are loans and not personal funds. She highlights the average interest rate on credit cards is 20%, and advises to always pay the balance off to avoid extra interest charges. She also mentions the availability of college student credit cards with lower interest rates. When it comes to tips for improving credit scores, Tosha suggests paying off debts and diversifying credit types, rather than accumulating multiple credit cards. She also warns against the misconception that paying regular bills like rent or utilities improves credit scores, as only loan payments are reported positively.Tosha emphasizes the importance of prioritizing savings by paying oneself first and starting small. She suggests having a separate savings account to avoid easy access to funds. She also highlights the benefits of credit unions, such as higher dividends, rewards checking accounts, and more lenient lending practices.Visit https://ascend.org to learn more about Ascend Federal Credit Union.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Gwendolyn Woods, CEO of The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, who discusses her transition into the role of CEO and highlights the nonprofit organization's mission and efforts to provide a safe and engaging environment for children aged 6 to 18 focused on helping them develop good character, healthy lifestyles, academic success, and career readiness.Founded in 1962, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis works to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The organization has evolved from one club serving 162 members to 19 clubs, one technical training center and one summer residence camp meeting the needs of more than 7,800 members. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis provides after-school care for children ages 6 to 18 with programs in education and leadership, character development, healthy life choices, career awareness, athletics and the arts.During the interview, Gwendolyn discusses her career and her leadership growth with different positions at The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, ultimately preparing her to transition into the role of CEO. Prior to her being named CEO, Woods served as the VP of Operations and COO for the organization, and as director and training liaison at the Ira Samelson Jr. Boys and Girls Clubs site. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the different roles within the organization and the unique perspective it affords her with her team, along with the youth and families served. Gwendolyn next highlights the after-school programs, technical training, and a range of activities that provide youth with positive opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. She shares feedback from youth and parents, talks about what a typical afternoon and day at summer camp is like, and the importance of tracking data to ensure the effectiveness of their programs.She wraps up discussing the various ways the community can support their efforts, including volunteering, financial contributions, visits to see their programs firsthand, and attending upcoming events, like the 54th Annual Steak N' Burger event featuring Isaac Bruce on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.Visit https://bgcm.org to learn more and get involved with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Joel Zeff, International Keynote Speaker, Work Culture Expert, Humorist, and Author of "Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work," who highlights his new book and discusses the power of improv to teach valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. During the interview, Joel shares his career transformation from journalism and advertising to becoming an international keynote speaker and author, highlighting how his journey into stand-up and improvisational comedy led to his current speaking career. He discusses the power of improv and fun in workplace presentations, emphasizing how it engages audiences and teaches valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. Joel also shares insights about his book, which reflects on his speaking experiences and favorite stories, while emphasizing the universal principles of improv that can lead to success and fulfillment in any field.From Journalism to Keynote SpeakerJoel Zeff shares his journey from journalism and advertising to becoming an international keynote speaker and author. He explains how losing his job at a newspaper led him to explore stand-up and improvisation comedy, which eventually led to speaking opportunities. Joel's career as a speaker began when a client from his agency job asked him to perform improv comedy at an executive retreat.Improv for Engaging Workplace PresentationsJoel discusses the power of improv and fun in workplace presentations, emphasizing how it engages audiences and teaches valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. He explains that improv creates opportunities for people to showcase hidden talents and fosters positive support, which leads to increased engagement and openness to the message. Joel also describes his approach as a speaker and conductor, adjusting his involvement based on the audience volunteers' performance to create ownership and passion. He highlights that improv is a tool to convey important messages about leadership, communication, and innovation in a visual and engaging manner.Embracing Change in Improv and LifeJoel discusses his book, which is a love letter to his speaking engagements and improv experiences. He shares a favorite story about an introduction mix-up that turned into a memorable moment, illustrating the importance of embracing change and staying in the game. Joel emphasizes that the principles of improv, such as being open to change and staying present, are universal and applicable to success in any field. He hopes readers will be inspired by the book to find passion and fulfillment in their work.Book Writing and Motivation InsightsJoel discusses the process of writing his book, which he found energizing and inspiring. He explains that reflecting on his stories and their impact on audiences fuels his motivation to continue helping people. Joel emphasizes the importance of having a full "tank" of positive support to drive success and overcome challenges. He mentions that the book-writing process was particularly motivating after the disruption caused by Covid-19. Joel provides information on where to purchase his book and how to connect with him, offering a free chapter to those who reach out through his website and who mention "cityCURRENT."Visit https://www.joelzeff.com to connect with Joel Zeff and to learn more about his book and speaking.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Joseph A. Michelli, an internationally sought-after speaker, bestselling author, and organizational consultant who highlights his new book, "All Business Is Personal: One Medical's Human-Centered, Technology-Powered Approach to Customer Engagement." The book currently is available for pre-purchase with a release date of May 13, 2025 by BenBella Books.Dr. Michelli is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Nielson BookScan, and New York Times #1 bestselling author. Some of his other books include "Stronger Through Adversity: World-Class Leaders Share Pandemic-Tested Lessons on ThrivingDuring the Toughest Challenges," "The Airbnb Way: 5 Leadership Lessons for Igniting Growth through Loyalty, Community, and Belonging," "Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience the Mercedes-Benz Way," "Leading The Starbucks Way: 5 Principles for Connecting with Your Customer, Your Products, and Your People," and "The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company." During the interview, Dr. Michelli shares his background as a consultant, focusing on delivering greater experiences for team members and customers, and how his work with One Medical led to the book. He discusses the evolution of healthcare technology, highlighting the role of Dr. Tom Lee, founder of One Medical, in developing a technology that enabled same-day appointments and improved patient experience. He emphasizes the importance of balancing technology with human interaction to enhance customer experience and drive efficiencies, and shares some examples from the book that have broad applications for all businesses and industries. Joseph emphasizes the need for technology to empower humans and not replace them, and carries that into some of the key takeaways for readers. He concludes by stressing the importance of safeguarding the soul of a brand amidst technological advancements.Visit https://www.josephmichelli.com to follow Dr. Joseph Michelli and order "All Business Is Personal: One Medical's Human-Centered, Technology-Powered Approach to Customer Engagement" on Amazon or your preferred online or local bookstore.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Machelle Pugh, CEO and Founder of Christopher A. Pugh II Center, along with Odie Tolbert, Fashion Stylist/Image Consultant and Owner of I Am Pr-O Styling, who both highlight the Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering men of all backgrounds through technology-focused workforce development and career preparation with tailored support services to promote purpose, growth, and positive change. The discussion highlights the center's upcoming "Bow Ties and Blazers" fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, June 14th at the Guest House at Graceland.During the interview, Machelle shares the background of the Center, which was established after her son was killed in a shooting in 2019. The Christopher A. Pugh II Center aims to provide support and resources to young men and adults through life-changing programs focused on mentorship, education, life skills, and vocational training. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Corrections, the Center also delivers a 150-hour Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Program (CBIP) across nine facilities, reaching over 885 participants in four years - empowering individuals to break cycles of incarceration and build brighter futures. Machelle talks about their different programs ranging from HVAC and culinary arts to film production, financial literacy and software development. She shares a recent success story with a former participant who used his culinary arts training to secure a part-time job while in college and received a fully furnished dormitory room, highlighting their commitment to empowering individuals through comprehensive support.Odie shares his personal connection to gun violence through a classmate's tragic death, which motivated him to support the Center's mission of helping men find purpose. He describes his background in fitness and fashion and shares how he uses his experience to help others build confidence through appearance with the goal of empowering young men to feel good and look good.Machelle and Odie then highlight the upcoming fundraising event, “BowTies and Blazers” featuring “The Distinguished Divine 9,” taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m, at the Guest House at Graceland, located at 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116. Guests will be immersed in a world of glamour and fashion excellence, indulging their senses in a fusion of textures, colors, and silhouettes designed to inspire and impress. Models will take the runway in exquisite couture creations, blending artistry, innovation, and style. Odie and Machelle highlight the event's focus on fashion, entertainment, and raising awareness about the Center's mission to change the lives of young men. Tickets are $125, and sponsorships are available at platinum, gold, and silver levels. Tickets can be purchased online, through the Center's social media or in person at their location. Machelle wraps up discussing how the Center seeks volunteers and mentors for their young men's program, as well as assistance with clothing donations and daily operations.Visit https://www.christopherpughcenter.org to learn more about the Center and their upcoming event. Tickets for the event can be purchased here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing.... You can also purchase tickets through the Center's social media pages or at their office located at 757 Walnut Knoll LN, Cordova, TN 38018.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Phil Ellenburg, President and CEO of Faith Family Medical Center, who highlights the Nashville, Tennessee-based nonprofit organization's mission and efforts to provide hope and healing to their hardworking neighbors in need with affordable, quality primary medical care. During the interview, Phil discusses the organization's near 25-year history of providing primary care to the working uninsured and underinsured in Middle Tennessee, and their ambitious growth plan to increase patient capacity by 85% over the next five years. The clinic operates on a sliding scale fee system and provides comprehensive primary care services with a holistic approach, including behavioral health, wellness programs, and medication management. The center has grown from serving no patients on its first day to now serving over 3,300 individual patients with about 12,500 visits annually. Phil explains that they primarily serve hourly employees in industries such as construction, music, hospitality, and the gig economy who lack health benefits, aiming to help those who make Nashville great.Sliding Scale Clinic Services Overview The clinic operates on a sliding scale fee system based on income and dependents, with patients paying between $25 to $65 per visit, averaging $40. The clinic provides comprehensive primary care services with a holistic approach, including behavioral health, wellness programs, and medication management. They offer longer appointment times, a full-time behavioral health nurse practitioner, and a partnership with Lipscomb University's College of Pharmacy to help patients access free or reduced-cost medications. The clinic also features a wellness center with a demonstration garden, kitchen, and fitness classes to teach patients about healthy lifestyles and disease management.Holistic Patient Care and Community Impact Jeremy expresses appreciation for their personal and holistic approach to patient care, highlighting how it addresses barriers and creates generational transformation. He notes that teaching parents about healthier meals can positively impact their children, creating a ripple effect in the community. Jeremy then asks Phil to discuss the vision for the future, mentioning plans to help even more people.Clinic Expansion and Community Support Phil discusses the expansion of their clinic space and their mission to serve uninsured and underinsured Middle Tennesseans. He outlines their ambitious growth plan to increase patient capacity by 85% over the next five years, emphasizing that this growth is missional to help the growing number of individuals and families who are working uninsured or underinsured. He also highlights the various ways the community can support their efforts, including spreading awareness, volunteering, and financial contributions. He mentions upcoming fundraising events and encourages interested individuals to visit the clinic for a tour, directing them to the Faith Family Medical Center website and social media platforms for more information.Visit https://faithmedical.org to learn more about Faith Family Medical Center.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Candace Warner, a corporate sociologist and the Founder and CEO of people3, who highlights her Nashville, Tennessee-based consulting firm that partners with companies around the world to provide customized organizational culture strategies and people-centered solutions.During the interview, Candace shares some of her background starting in higher education, where she led global education programs and helped shape the next generation of leaders, and how consulting work within corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, was the catalyst to launch people3 to empower organizations to cultivate exceptional workplace cultures where all people thrive. Candace discusses her company's work in organizational culture, consulting, training, and research. She emphasizes the importance of understanding each client's industry and goals, focusing on what employees want, and aligning recommendations with organizational values. Candace then shares a number of tips, highlighting the need to recognize commonalities across generations in the workplace while acknowledging individual differences. She touches on the challenges of building culture in hybrid work environments and the positive potential of AI in organizational development. Candace also discusses the importance of corporate and individual purpose and providing pathways for employees to be engaged in the community, along with some of the other trends and opportunities where companies can differentiate and gain a competitive edge by building people-centered workplace cultures.Visit https://people3.co to connect with and learn more about people3.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Melissa Dabi, Executive Director of Airpower Foundation, who highlights the Fort Worth, Texas based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military service members and veterans, and their families. During the interview, Melissa discusses the organization's 25-year history and details some of their various programs and initiatives that focus on offering emotional support and mental health counseling, financial aid, educational opportunities, and community engagement to help alleviate the unique challenges faced by military families. Melissa talks about the importance of collaboration and partnerships, like with service dog training and working with military bases to provide food banks and other support services. Melissa then talks about how the community can support their efforts and highlights recent and upcoming events. Airpower Foundation recently held a Celebrate the Brave event at the National Medal of Honor Museum, featuring Medal of Honor recipients sharing their stories.Melissa talks about the powerful experience and spotlights the museum that serves as both a memorial and educational institution that brings to life the stories of remarkable courage, sacrifice, and heroism that have shaped our nation's history. Upcoming Airpower Foundation events include a Suicide Awareness Walk in June, where participants are encouraged to walk 23 miles throughout the month and share stories of those affected. The Patriot Roundup on July 31st will focus on Native Americans' roles in our Armed Forces, featuring cultural dances and songs. The event will be held at the historic Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Skyball, their main gala, will celebrate the 250th birthday of the Army, Navy, and Marines at Globe Field in Arlington.Visit https://airpowerfoundation.org to learn more and get involved with Airpower Foundation.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Katherine Parker, Founder of the Boundless Kids, and Andy Bailey, CEO and Founder of Boundless, who both highlight the growth and development of Boundless Kids, a nonprofit organization teaching children the power of setting and achieving personal goals, having a growth mindset, personal accountability, staying true to the commitments they make to themselves and others, and being proactive rather than reactive to achieve more than they ever thought possible. During the interview, Andy shares how Boundless Kids was an outgrowth of their work with Boundless, which takes high performing adults to new levels of performance through a structured program designed to convert dreams into action. As they helped more adults and couples grow their abilities and live a more purposeful, results-driven Boundless Life, parents asked if they could offer a similar program for their kids. So, Boundless Kids takes their proven Boundless model and a similar approach to help children and change their perspectives. They use a structured program with online elements and one-on-one coaching sessions with a certified Boundless coach. Kids identify their passions, strengths, and interests and set seasonal goals with mid-season check-ins to assess progress and offer guidance to stay on track.Katherine and Andy discuss the Boundless Kids model and share some success stories. They talk about working with underserved communities and their desire to help open access to more children through scholarships, emphasizing the importance of teaching children to take ownership of their lives and careers, setting them up for success in the future. They talk about some of the different ways the community can support their efforts, such as connecting them to local youth serving nonprofits and providing financial contributions to underwrite scholarships for more children to access their services.Katherine and Andy also discuss their new venture, the Boundless Farm, a retreat facility in West Tennessee for learning, growth, and connection. Boundless Farm is a stunning 111-acre property with 10 acres of fully stocked lakes, 40 acres of manicured grounds, and 30 acres of agricultural fields, offering a unique space for leaders, teams, and guests seeking an optimal environment for reflection, collaboration, and rejuvenation. They have already hosted several groups since its opening in December, and they plan to expand their services to include local community connections and nonprofits, and to offer retreats for both adults and children.Visit https://boundlesskids.org to learn more about Boundless Kids. Visit https://boundless.me to learn more about Boundless. Visit https://boundlessfarm.com to learn more about the Boundless Farm.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Kevin Love, Senior Manager of Programs and Development with Nashville Business Incubation Center (NBIC), who highlights the business development resource center and their mission and efforts to help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow sustainable companies, ultimately creating jobs, wealth and impact in the community.During the interview, Kevin discusses their various programs, including Foundations, Framework, Groundwork and Mighty Oak, and talks about how the process starts with the Biz Quiz. He details the impact of their programs on the community, highlighting the creation of over 300 new jobs and over $70 million in economic growth. He emphasizes the importance of their work in supporting entrepreneurs at various levels, from business ideas to established companies, and touches on the power of collaboration and partnerships with various organizations and professionals, who serve as mentors, coaches and guides. Kevin also shares his excitement about the future, mentioning a grant that will allow them to serve over 1,400 small businesses in Middle Tennessee. He emphasizes the flexibility of their programs, accommodating different schedules and preferences. Finally, Kevin expresses his joy in seeing people transform and overcome challenges through their programs, and shares some of the many ways the community can support and benefit from their efforts.Visit https://nbichub.org to learn more about Nashville Business Incubation Center.

In this inspiring episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta chats with Dawn Pfingsten, military veteran, hobby farm owner, and founder of  @JustDoingMyBest , a vibrant online community empowering women over 50 to feel confident, stylish, and beautiful.Dawn shares how her personal journey—from serving in the military to building a life on a Tennessee farm—led her to create content that resonates with women navigating aging with grace and joy. With over 100,000 followers, Dawn is a go-to voice for affordable beauty solutions, realistic skincare tips, and positive lifestyle advice that speaks directly to mature women.Together, Andrew and Dawn dive into:The most common beauty myths for women over 50How to build confidence and embrace your personal styleSkincare tips for aging skinFarm life surprisesAdvice for women looking to start creating content onlineAnd what's next for Just Doing My Best Whether you're looking for practical beauty hacks or a dose of encouragement, this conversation will leave you uplifted and ready to embrace your best self—at any age.

In this episode of The cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Kurt Avery, the visionary founder of Sawyer, to explore the extraordinary journey of a company that's turning innovation into global transformation.What started with a snakebite extractor evolved into life-saving water filtration technology now used by over 140 charities across more than 90 countries, providing clean water to millions of people. From disaster relief in the U.S. to Uganda, Kurt shares how Sawyer is solving one of the world's biggest problems—for just 10 cents per person for 10 years of clean water.You'll hear how faith, purpose, and relentless problem-solving drive their mission, why tech and behavior change are critical to impact, and how any business—no matter the size—can disrupt markets and make a difference. Kurt also offers lessons from his book “Sawyer Think: How a Small Company Disrupts Markets and Changes the World”, a blueprint for leaders who want to build legacy through impact.Whether you're a humanitarian, entrepreneur, or just someone who believes in doing good—this episode will inspire, challenge, and move you.

In this inspiring episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Abbi Nichols, founder and owner of Abbikadabbi's Baking Co., to talk about her journey from teen baker to award-winning entrepreneur.Abbi shares how she turned a childhood passion for baking into a thriving business, the story behind her whimsical brand name, and what it took to open her first storefront in Snowden Grove's Top of the Sip development in 2024. As the 2024 SBA Mississippi Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Abbi talks candidly about the challenges of launching and scaling a business, staying true to her mission of combining delicious taste with eye-catching design, and how she's creating meaningful connections through sweet treats.Topics covered in this episode:• Abbi's origin story and how she started selling cookies at 15• Winning pitch competitions at Ole Miss and securing startup capital• Building a brand and growing a loyal customer base through social media• The process of opening her storefront bakery and lessons learned• Being a young entrepreneur and navigating work-life balance• Tips for aspiring business owners and creatives• Why taste, creativity, and community matter in business

On this episode of The CityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta welcomes Dr. Tracy Brower, sociologist, VP of Workplace Insights at Steelcase and author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work. Together, they explore the evolving nature of work culture, how organizations can foster more meaningful employee experiences, and why pursuing happiness isn't the same as creating the conditions for it.Dr. Brower shares her “Big 5” conditions for workplace happiness—purpose, connection, growth, performance, and gratitude—and emphasizes that happiness is most sustainable when we're contributing to something larger than ourselves. She challenges traditional notions of work-life balance, favoring a more integrated and navigational approach to work-life harmony.The conversation also covers how community-based office design can combat workplace loneliness, the role of assessments like the Predictive Index, and how leaders can inspire cultural transformation through intentional structure and support. From the impact of volunteering to design strategies that foster collaboration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in improving the workplace.Learn more: https://tracybrower.com/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with cityCURRENT Nashville partners, Nadian Zak, CEO and Founder of Zak Human Solutions, LLC, along with Kacie Scott, COO and Co-Founder, who both highlight their woman-owned, award-winning outsourced HR firm that provides end-to-end solutions that streamline HR operations. The company specializes in recruiting, employee relations, compliance, learning and development, and strategic planning.During the interview, Nadian and Kacie discuss their extensive backgrounds in HR, their partnership with small to medium-sized businesses, the importance of understanding a company's culture and core values, and the need for clear communication and alignment with company values in recruitment and retention strategies. Nadian adds that regular one-on-one check-ins and business updates can foster a sense of connection and growth among employees. The conversation also touches on the competitive job market and the importance of understanding what drives top talent. Nadian and Kacie then discuss the integration of AI in the industry and in their business, emphasizing the importance of change management and gaining buy-in from employees. They highlight the role of AI in empowering employees and making them more efficient, rather than replacing them. Kacie shares their experience with AI in recruiting, where it helps pre-screen and schedule candidates, freeing up time for meaningful interactions. Kacie also shares some tips for job seekers to stand out, including using the correct keywords in their resumes to match job descriptions and job titles. Nadian discusses some of their business goals and shares their expansion to multi-state and international clients, with a focus on impacting businesses nationally and internationally. Then, Nadian and Kacie wrap up with advice for other entrepreneurs.Visit https://zakhumansolutions.com to learn more and connect with Zak Human Solutions.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Holly Roselle, CEO and Co-Founder of ForceField Protection, along with her husband, Charles Roselle, COO and Co-Founder, who both discuss their backgrounds with extensive experience in security and performance psychology and the technology they created that protects and connects lone workers, particularly those in home health care. Charles Roselle served as a United States Secret Service Agent for 16 years and Dr. Holly Roselle was a human performance specialist with military special operations. Charles devoted his career to protecting others and Holly worked with military service members on techniques to stay motivated, productive, and enjoy performing at their best. More personally, they both experienced the underlying fear and anxiety of going into unknown homes and environments during their work. Together, with a team of top developers, they have used their experiences to create an app that helps protect and connect lone workers so they are safer and more productive.During the interview, Holly and Charles highlight the vulnerability of lone workers and the need for protection, touching on the high crime rates and assault rates faced by these workers. They discuss the technology and app, which allows users to check in and out of locations, with automatic notifications sent to emergency contacts. A unique feature of the app is its "touchless distress" feature, which signals distress without the user needing to call or text. This feature is patented and differentiates their product from others in the market. They talk about some of the many ROI benefits of the app, including enhanced productivity, employee engagement, accountability, and safety with employees feeling more valued and protected.The conversation concludes talking about next steps as Holly explains that businesses can email them for a 30-day free trial, which allows them to upload a certain number of employees and test the system. Charles and Holly also mentioned that they have a consumer app available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple Store, which is perfect for individuals and families, runners, and others who want to access the apps features to keep loved ones informed of their activities and whereabouts. Holly and Charles also offer demos and assistance with employee onboarding for businesses interested in the app.Visit https://forcefieldnow.com to learn more about ForceField Protection and their ForceField Protection Personal Safety App.info@forcefieldnow.com888-LONEAPP

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Ryan Lampa, Founder and CEO of People Loving Nashville, a nonprofit organization serving the unhoused and most vulnerable of Nashville, Tennessee. During the interview, Ryan shares the history of the organization, which started 17 years ago, and discusses how it has evolved and grown into three programs, a staff of 15 and an army of volunteers serving about 400 people each week. The organization also now includes a social enterprise with a coffee roaster and coffee shop downtown, Paradeisos Coffee Company, that provides job opportunities for those going through the program. Ryan details their three programs, Monday Night Street Outreach, Homefullness, and Restoration Program, and discusses how they are centered on the pillars of Relief, Community, Connection, and Restoration.He talks about some of the many sides, complexities and situations that lead to homelessness and how it impacts individuals and families, and emphasizes the importance of building relationships with dignity, grace and understanding. Ryan shares a success story of a couple who were once homeless and now in their restoration program, and he shares some lessons and advice for other organizations and cities looking to serve their unhoused communities, noting the importance of presence and margin in serving others. Ryan discusses the power of community engagement and the need for volunteers to help serve the unhoused community, and how the time spent and relationships formed will transform the lives of volunteers, as well. He wraps up encouraging the community to get involved by volunteering, buying coffee from their coffee shop, or attending their events, including their "Smoke on the Water" event taking place May 19, 2025.Visit https://www.peoplelovingnashville.com to learn more and get involved with People Loving Nashville.https://www.facebook.com/Peoplelovingnashville/https://www.linkedin.com/company/peoplelovingnashville/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Karon Uzzell-Baggett, Certified Occupational Therapist and Owner of Specialized Occupational Therapy Services, LLC (SpOTs), who discusses the role of occupational therapy in improving quality of life and independence, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and personalized approaches.During the interview, Dr. Uzzell-Baggett shares some of her journey serving in the US Air Force and how those leadership experiences and her desire to continue serving others led to her career transition into occupational therapy. She explains that occupational therapy helps people live their best lives by focusing on daily activities and routines, adapting them to individual needs, including after injuries or illnesses. She talks about working with seniors and how she is able to assess clients' homes for potential hazards and provide recommendations for aging in place. Then, Dr. Uzzell-Baggett highlights her work with organizations, offering stress reduction techniques, trauma management, health education, and other mindfulness services. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and personalized approaches in occupational therapy, whether working with individuals or corporations. She wraps up discussing how individuals and organizations can start the conversation and process of working with Specialized Occupational Therapy Services.Visit https://www.spots4u.org to learn more and connect with Dr. Karon Uzzell-Baggett.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Carrie Yoder, Executive Director of Project Transformation Tennessee, who highlights the nonprofit organization's mission and efforts to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships. Based on a model founded in 1998 in Dallas, Texas, Project Transformation Tennessee launched its first summer program in 2012. The program model is designed to address three unique challenges with one program: 1) how to meet the academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs of children, 2) how to provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to explore ministry opportunities and develop as young principled leaders for the church and the world; and 3) how to help churches connect with their communities.During the interview, Carrie discusses the unique and intentional model that serves children, college students, and communities. She talks about their summer camps for children that focus on literacy and social-emotional health, while also providing college students with work experience and vocational guidance. Camp is offered for rising 1st grade - rising 8th grade youth and located in Madison, Antioch, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Memphis. Local churches and community members are involved as volunteers, fostering relationships within neighborhoods. The summer camps operate for eight weeks, offering daily activities including reading, arts, and movement. College students are recruited to work at the camps, receiving training, housing, and stipends. Carrie shares positive feedback from parents, college students, and community members about the program's impact and invites the community to get involved by enrolling children, referring college students for the paid internships, volunteering to read with children or mentor young adults, and supporting the organization through donations or providing supplies from their wish list.Visit https://projecttransformation.org/ten... to learn more and get involved with Project Transformation Tennessee.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Jared Barnett, President and CEO of Slingshot Memphis, along with John Dunavant, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Development, who both highlight their organization's work in evaluating and improving nonprofit effectiveness through data-driven analysis, and then share a recap of their recent MPACT Awards.During the interview, Jared and John discuss how Slingshot Memphis is working in partnership with nonprofits to transform poverty-fighting efforts using their “Poverty-Fighting Feedback Loop” methodology to measure poverty-fighting effectiveness. By providing previously unavailable insights about poverty-fighting outcomes, Slingshot Memphis is empowering decision makers to allocate financial and other resources toward solutions that produce effective outcomes for those experiencing poverty.Slingshot Memphis conducts annual impact studies for nonprofits to evaluate their benefits, programming, data usage, and collaboration. At their Second Annual MPACT Awards, they highlighted organizations demonstrating high-quality poverty-fighting effectiveness and those showing improvement. Slingshot Memphis also presented over $650,000 in funding to effective organizations through their Accelerate Impact Fund. Jared and John highlight the MPROVE Award recipients and the MPACT Award recipients and share examples of how the organizations were able to make adjustments to improve outcomes and impact. They wrap up talking about how the community can get involved to support these high-impact nonprofit organizations through strategic volunteerism and financial donations through the Accelerate Impact Fund.Visit https://www.slingshotmemphis.org to learn more about Slingshot Memphis, their methodology, MPACT Awards and how you can support their efforts.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Tom Wills, Chief Administrative Officer with the Baptist Heart Institute at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis, who highlights the Baptist Heart Institute's cardiac care services, operations, and community engagement efforts, and emphasizes the importance of preventative health and self-care. During the interview, Tom talks about the Institute's organizational philosophy, emphasizing its partnership with surgeons, cardiologists, and referring physicians. He highlights the Institute's role as a referral center, particularly in high-risk surgeries. Tom further details the heart transplant program, which has been in operation for 40 years, and the use of mechanical circulatory support. Tom shares his experience with the recent heart transplant reunion event, which was well-attended and emotionally impactful. He also mentions the Institute's holistic approach to patient care, including disease management and the use of AI technology, including how AI is being used to identify incidental aortic valve calcium.Tom discusses the Baptist Heart Institute's community engagement and patient education efforts, emphasizing the importance of preventative health and self-care. He talks about how Baptist continues to conduct community outreach programs, including hands-only CPR training and participation in health fairs. Tom highlights the institute's various accreditations and awards, and encouraged community members to take advantage of health fairs and patient assistance programs. Tom then shares warning signs for heart-related issues and stresses the importance of open communication between patients and healthcare providers. He concludes by sharing some of his goals for the future and expressing the institute's continued goal of saving one more life at a time.Visit https://www.baptistonline.org to learn more about the Baptist Heart Institute, Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis, and Baptist Memorial Health Care.