Hart & Hustle Podcast

Dr. Marlon Gray grew up in "homicide Hollis" Queens during the crack epidemic and now uses AI to help kids heal. In this raw conversation, he shares how survivor's guilt shaped his mission and why representation matters in mental health.

Shauna Ejeh, Senior VP of Programs at Illinois Action for Children, reveals how mission-based organizations can transform their impact through strategic partnerships and sustainable funding models.

Most healthcare leaders hide behind corporate masks—Greg Rider chose radical authenticity instead. Learn how owning your truth becomes your greatest leadership superpower.

Patricia Hillis-Clark, VP of Programs at KenCrest, reveals how 120-year-old nonprofits are revolutionizing independence for individuals with disabilities through smart home technology and AI innovation.

Treat the end of life with the same sacredness as the day you were born. In this episode, Efrain discusses transforming hospice care with Beth Ballenger, Senior VP of Operations at Ascend Health. Learn how compassionate leadership and AI can revolutionize end-of-life care while preserving human connection.

🎯 From engineering dreams to CEO reality: Kristi Daeda reveals why 80-90% of US businesses are family-owned and how they're secretly outperforming their competitors. Learn the succession planning strategies that preserve legacy while driving innovation.

🎯 Manufacturing isn't just about products—it's about people. In this episode, Mike Catalano and Christen Smith from the Arc of Monroe reveal how their 85,000 sq ft facility employs 65-75 people with disabilities alongside 45 non-disabled staff, creating a thriving contract manufacturing business that's changing perceptions forever.

🎯 From site coordinator to CEO, Tasha Moore transformed her unexpected career path into a mission that changes lives. In this episode, she shares how Communities In Schools of North Texas serves over 1 million students nationwide by removing barriers that prevent academic success.

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Edward Hershey shares his powerful journey from Navy chef and restaurant owner to leading one of California’s largest disability organizations. Now CEO of Home of Guiding Hands, Edward breaks down what it means to lead with heart, why “no margin, no mission” is more than a slogan, and how AI and innovation are shaping the future of nonprofit care....

In this transformative episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, former judge Shaun R. Floerke shares why he left the courtroom to invest in people, not punishment. Now leading the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation (soon to be Boreal Waters Community Foundation), Shaun opens up about reframing leadership, building legacy through local investments, and how nature shaped his mindset. From ju...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Tiffany Rose Naputi Lacsado shares her journey from being a single mom in a Head Start program to becoming the Chief Program Officer of that very same organization. Tiffany unpacks how cultural identity, vulnerability, and lived experience shaped her leadership style and her impact at The Unity Council—a $60M nonprofit transforming lives...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Norton Rainey, CEO of ACE Scholarships, unpacks how his organization has awarded over 100,000 scholarships to underserved students across 12 states—and why that’s just the beginning. Norton shares powerful stories, personal motivation, and how ACE is leveraging AI and policy to expand educational access nationwide. From fighting through early polit...

In this powerful episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Mayor Marty Small shares how he went from playing basketball in Atlantic City to leading it as a two-term mayor. With a record of seven elections in two years, $3 million in scholarships, a $5.8M investment in citywide AI, and a relentless commitment to second chances, Mayor Small breaks down how grit, faith, and community-first leadership...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Megan Carlson shares how she’s transforming the nonprofit landscape through her work at Pair Team. From cancer care navigation to health tech innovation, Megan dives into how for-profit startups can drive real impact for underserved communities. Learn how Pair Team is using AI, local partnerships, and purpose-driven leadership to help nonprofits su...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Ketty Hsieh shares her courageous leap from corporate finance into mission-driven leadership as CEO of Kin On. Discover how she’s reshaping senior care by blending culturally rooted services, language accessibility, and AI-driven operations to serve Asian elders with dignity. Ketty unpacks the challenges of navigating regulated healthcare, what mak...

In this powerful Hart & Hustle Podcast episode, Dr. James Campbell shares his journey from East Oakland to executive leadership—trading paychecks for purpose. Discover how one question shifted his entire life trajectory, why he walked away from the restaurant industry, and how he's now building one of Massachusetts’ most impactful disability support nonprofits. Dr. Campbell dives into fatherho...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Jill Chuculate shares how walking away from a six-figure VP role led her to build Joyful Connections—a thriving caregiving agency with only 3% turnover in an industry known for burnout. Jill breaks down how radical leadership, grace over fear, and trusting her vision helped her reshape caregiver culture, implement AI, and drive unmatched loyalty. I...

In this powerful episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Ellen McGuirk shares how she turned a collapsing nonprofit into a thriving $50 million mission. From leading through the devastating loss of her husband to implementing AI and flipping traditional leadership models, Ellen reveals the mindset, faith, and operational strategies behind her growth. Discover how she blends heart, hustle, and in...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Topher Hansen, outgoing CEO of CenterPointe, to explore how he transformed a $3M nonprofit into an $18M powerhouse serving thousands through integrated mental health and substance use care. Topher shares the 5 life rules that shaped his leadership, the bold pivots that redefined his success, and a powerful story of redempti...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Rachel Hutchisson, President & CEO of Common Impact, to explore how professionals can create meaningful social impact—without leaving their 9-to-5. Rachel shares her 30+ year journey from the tech world to nonprofit leadership, the power of skills-based volunteerism, and how AI is reshaping nonprofit efficiency. She dives into...

In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Helen Johnson, CEO of Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center, to explore what it means to lead with purpose in rural healthcare. From getting lost on her way to math class and discovering nursing, to now championing innovation and AI in medicine—Helen’s journey is anything but ordinary. She opens up about balancing motherhood with l...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Shara Cohen, CEO of Carallel, to explore how family caregivers are the hidden engine of our healthcare system. Shara unpacks the massive disconnect between innovation and implementation in healthcare, why caregivers hold untapped power in patient outcomes, and how technology can enhance human connection—not replace it. From AI-powe...

In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Lindsay Gramlich, President & CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis. From growing up with two principals as parents to leading one of the most impactful youth organizations in Indiana, Lindsay shares her path from unpaid intern to nonprofit executive. We dive into leadership, scaling programs for thousands of girls, the power...

Dr. Vilicia Cade, CEO of Child Guidance Resource Centers, shares her powerful journey from foster care to boardroom leadership in this inspiring Hart & Hustle episode. She unpacks her love-driven leadership philosophy, the "flow, force, or float" framework, and how faith and resilience helped her overcome trauma and loss. Dr. Cade also discusses leading through mental health crises, innovating...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Marcus Johnson—Chief Innovation Officer at Children’s Home Society of Florida—shares how he transitioned from a 20-year military career to leading tech-driven impact for Florida’s most vulnerable children and families. Marcus opens up about integrating faith, AI, and leadership to serve over 80,000 lives annually. From building authentic relationsh...