re:Purpose with Buddy Teaster

Strategic advisor and former healthcare executive Meg Rivera joins Buddy Teaster to explore the tension between purpose and profit — and why the most effective leaders learn to navigate both. With 25 years in life sciences and a career spanning operations, growth, and now advisory work, Meg shares what it takes to move a mission from idea to market without losing sight of what matters most. From g...

Two of Nashville's most influential leaders — Hal Cato and Michael Burcham — join Buddy Teaster for an honest conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, nonprofit work, marriage, and the future of Nashville. From startup struggles and organizational turnarounds to belonging, purpose, and partnership, together they reflect on what they've learned building businesses, serving communities, and...

Yuly Fuentes , scientist, systems thinker and leader of the Footwear Collective, joins Buddy Teaster to share her unconventional journey from biochemistry and neuroscience to MIT and the global footwear industry. Along the way, she's redefining how innovation happens — by connecting science, economics, and design to rethink one of the most complex consumer products in the world. From growing up in...

Dane Groenveld — entrepreneur, CEO, and host of The Future of Teamwork podcast — explores how the way we work together is fundamentally changing. From growing up in constantly shifting communities to building global teams across 70 countries, Dane shares why "teaming," not hierarchy, is the new leadership skill. He reflects on burnout, belonging, AI-driven change, and how leaders can create health...

Sean Granahan, President and General Counsel of The Floating Hospital, joins Buddy Teaster to share the remarkable story of stepping into a 160-year-old institution on the brink of closure — and choosing stewardship over shutdown. Sean reflects on leadership in crisis, rebuilding trust with staff and board, redesigning care for homeless families, and why planning for succession is one of the most...

Bill Strathman — former CEO of Network for Good — shares his remarkable journey from childhood medical challenges to the collapse of Arthur Andersen to leading one of the most impactful digital fundraising platforms in the country. Bill opens up about purpose vs. profit, reinventing Network for Good as a B Corp, and the power of aligning mission with money. With candor and insight, he explains how...

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee CEO Hal Cato opens up about his winding path from real estate to launching Hands-On Nashville, transforming Oasis Center, revitalizing Thistle Farms alongside founder Becca Stevens, and ultimately stepping into one of Nashville's most influential civic roles. Hal shares the lessons he's learned about trust, belonging, and knowing when to stay — and when to...

Tim Brown , co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Allbirds, joins Buddy Teaster to explore how a professional athlete's mindset can shape a purpose-driven business. From New Zealand soccer fields to the global stage of sustainable design, Tim shares how curiosity, courage, and connection fueled his journey from footballer to founder. He opens up about the early challenges of launching Allbird...

Founder of the Haitian American Caucus, Sam Darguin joins Buddy Teaster to share how a moment of crisis reshaped his life, turning a one-week trip into a decade-long mission to rebuild Haiti through education, entrepreneurship, and resilience. What began as an email after Haiti's 2010 earthquake has grown into a movement that empowers women, educates children, and bridges divides across borders. S...

Jose Carrera is a purpose-driven business leader from Antigua, Guatemala. In this episode, Jose shares his entrepreneurial journey owning and managing cemeteries and funeral homes with his wife, as well as their founding CCI, a transformative program equipping at-risk youth with business skills and emotional intelligence to successfully navigate adulthood. Jose's story is rooted in continuous lear...

Andy Bailey , a serial entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Boundless.me, sits with Buddy Teaster to share his journey—from flunking out of college to building and selling multiple companies. His story is one defined by resilience, reinvention, and a deep desire to live with purpose. He shares how early business failures shaped his leadership, how he built Petra into a leading coaching organization...

Tamra Ryan , longtime CEO of the Women's Bean Project and a powerful advocate for employment-based social enterprise joins Buddy Teaster to discuss her thoughts on leadership, and her plans for what's next. Over two decades of transformative leadership, Tamra has helped thousands of women move from crisis to stability while guiding her organization through major growth and cultural evolution. As s...

David Wright , Chief Commercial Officer of the U.S. Soccer Federation, sits down with Buddy Teaster for a revealing conversation about leadership, resilience, and the unexpected parallels between athletics and business. Over his 20-year career in sports management, David has navigated everything from gender equity battles to career reinventions — lessons that have shaped his unique approach to bui...

In this heartfelt interview captured live, Rev. Becca Stevens , founder of Thistle Farms and President of the Center for Contemplative Justice, joins Buddy Teaster for a deep dive into the power of mission-driven business. She unpacks the ideas of a "love economy" and "justice enterprises," where purpose outweighs profit, and reflects on her journey from working directly with survivors to leading...

Adam Witty , founder and CEO of Forbes Books, joins Buddy Teaster to explore his remarkable 20-year journey from fledgling entrepreneur to publishing industry leader. Adam shares his journey of overcoming early missteps, embracing vulnerability in leadership, and creating a company culture rooted in transparency and purpose. What emerges is a candid portrait of a leader who transformed early stumb...

Michelle Poole, former President of Crocs and a seasoned global executive with over 30 years of experience in the footwear and apparel industry, joins Buddy Teaster for a candid reflection on her decision to step down after a decade of transformative leadership, sharing how she navigated the transition from a high-powered career to a more intentional, slower-paced life. She discusses the importanc...

Angela Harrell , Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity & Corporate Responsibility Officer at Voya Financial joins Buddy Teaster to share how her experiences have shaped her purpose-driven leadership. She reflects on the lessons learned through challenges, the power of inclusion, and how she balances corporate success with meaningful community engagement. Tune in as Angela opens up about buildi...

Buddy is joined by Heidi Zak, co-founder and CEO of ThirdLove, a revolutionary lingerie brand known for its inclusive sizing and body-positive messaging. Heidi shares her inspiring journey of building ThirdLove from the ground up, taking on industry giant Victoria's Secret, and creating a brand that supports and empowers women. But her flight to success was far from easy. Like many entrepreneurs,...

In the inaugural episode of re:Purpose, Buddy sits down with Matt Priest, President and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA). With nearly 16 years at the helm of FDRA, Matt has transformed the organization into a powerhouse in the footwear industry. But his journey wasn't always smooth sailing. In this episode, Matt shares how he navigated the challenges of taking over...

Join Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles for Souls, as he embarks on a brand new journey of transformation and resilience. This inspiring new show features candid conversations with influential leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who have faced challenges head-on, turning their setbacks into stepping stones and their tailspins into tailwinds. From moments of failure to ultimate success, these convers...