ChangeMakers

In this episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Jee Vahn Knight , CEO of Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time, to explore the intersection of creativity, hospitality, business strategy, and bold civic vision. Jee shares her remarkable journey — from being adopted from Korea and raised in rural California, to working in science, historic preservation, constru...

Ethical Entrepreneurship and Rural Roots Jeremy interviews Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made, about his upbringing in rural Minnesota in a Scandinavian Lutheran household. Erik shares his experiences growing up in the church, his family traditions, and favorite memories, including road trips across the United States. He discusses how his upbringing instilled a sense of community, morality, and a des...

What if a single meal could nourish more than just a body—but also a soul? In this powerful episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Courtney Johnson , the heart and visionary behind Culinary Care , a nonprofit delivering restaurant-prepared meals and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. Courtney’s story begins with heartbreak: losing her fathe...

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Shelby Mounts , who reflects on his 25 years of service with the US Navy and highlights the leadership lessons learned and his journey to becoming Executive Director of NextOp Veterans , a nonprofit organization focused on connecting veterans and military members to career opportunities. NextOp recruits, develops, and places military members and veterans into industr...

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Mike Pohlman , who has been a driving force at Pickering Firm, Inc. for more than 45 years, shaping the company's growth, culture and leadership. After graduating from Christian Brothers College (now Christian Brothers University) in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he joined Pickering and quickly established himself as a leader. From his early days as a...

This episode of the ChangeMakers podcast, produced by CityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services , features an insightful conversation with Kathy Mull, the Executive Director of The Cocoon , a comprehensive domestic and sexual violence agency located in Wood County, Ohio. Hosted by Jeremy C. Park , the episode delves into the critical issues of domestic and intimate p...

During the interview, Monnie talks about how growing up in Dayton, Ohio, and spending summers working on a family farm in Kentucky, picking tobacco and baling hay, helped form a work ethic that continues to drive success today. He talks about father's service and his family's legacy of service and how that led him to serve in the US Marine Corps, then seek to serve locally as a police officer. Aft...

In this episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Dr. Stewart Burgess , CEO of the Children's Museum of Memphis (CMOM) . With over 25 years dedicated to childhood development, Dr. Burgess shares his fascinating journey—from early inspirations in childhood to groundbreaking research in emotional and cognitive processes—and how it all culminates in his leadership at...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast , host Jeremy C. Park sits down with Taylor and Carter English , co-founders of The Rise School of San Antonio , to explore the transformative power of faith, family, and purpose-driven action. Their journey begins with personal challenges—the birth of their daughter Isabelle , who was diagnosed with Down syndrome—and evolves into...

This 100th ChangeMakers Podcast episode honors the legacy, career, and calling of Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson, who has been intertwining medicine and ministry for decades to transform lives and communities. Join host Jeremy C. Park as he talks with Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., who announced his retirement in June 2024, after serving as President and CEO of United Way of the Mid-South for more than...

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with ChangeMaker, Gabrielle Thompson , President and CEO of IDEAS (International Development and Educational Associates) , who shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting how stepping into hard moments and saying "yes" can transform the world. During the interview, Gabrielle talks about growing up in a family of creatives and how lessons learned from her pa...

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Chris Powers , Founder and Executive Chairman of Fort Capital and host of The Fort Podcast , who shares his personal and professional journey and highlights the intersection of mentorship and business growth.  During the interview, Chris talks about growing up in El Paso and Lubbock, Texas, and how he started getting into real estate after seeking mentorship from ano...

On this episode, we have the pleasure of diving into the world of community transformation with Dr. Chris Lambert, a visionary who's redefining nonprofit success and neighborhood revitalization.   Dr. Chris Lambert is the founder and CEO of Life Remodeled, an award-winning author of "Next Level Nonprofit," and founder of the Next Level Nonprofit organizational operating system. His journey began f...

Welcome to this inspiring episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, where we dive into the importance and power of community colleges, civic engagement, and mentorship with one of host Jeremy C. Park's closest friends from grade school in Weatherford, Texas, Dr. Molly M. Harris, Vice President of Community Engagement at Grayson College. Dr. Harris has been a beacon in higher education for over 21 years...

During the interview, Jerry talks about growing up in Northern California and going through traumatic experiences with his family. He shares how he was able to move forward in college and work with a friend to launch a durable medical equipment business, and how his frustration of working with attorneys caused him to go to law school to help his company. Jerry's pursuit of learning and practical a...

Host: Jeremy C. Park Guest: Leigh Mansberg, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South Episode Overview: In this enlightening conversation, host Jeremy C. Park sits down with Leigh Mansberg, a notable leader in nonprofit education. As the helm of Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, Leigh shares her inspiring journey from a classroom teacher to a leading advoc...

Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, host Jeremy C. Park sits down with Alma Lee Alexander McLemore, Executive Director of the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County. A native of Franklin, Tennessee, Alma shares her journey from growing up in a community at the cusp of integration to becoming a cornerstone in preserving African American history in...

ChangeMakers podcast host Jeremy C. Park talks with Tammy Alvarez, CEO and founder of Career Winners Circle, professional keynote speaker, and author of "Escaping the Career Trap: Transform Your Apathy into Ambition and Never Hate Mondays Again," who shares some of her personal story and how she formed her spirited "Break All the Rules" approach.  During her twenty-year corporate career, Tammy bec...

During this episode of our ChangeMakers Podcast, host Jeremy C. Park talks with Zach Montroy , who is a People, Team, and Organizational Strategist and the Founder and CEO of The Intention Collective , which is based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. During the interview, Zach shares some of his personal story and why, after more than 20 years of experience in executive roles, he started focusing...

In this episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, hosted by Jeremy C. Park and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services , the spotlight is on Mike Berry , President of Hillwood , the developer of AllianceTexas . With over four decades of experience, Berry discusses his passion for Fort Worth, Texas, how he got his start in the industry, and the journey from the groundbreaking of Allianc...

In a reversal of roles, normal ChangeMakers podcast host and producer, Jeremy C. Park , is the guest on this special episode, which is hosted by Dr. Sarah Petschonek , Founder and CEO of Volunteer Odyssey .  Jeremy C. Park is the CEO of cityCURRENT , a shareholder in Higginbotham , author of two books, contributor to Forbes and The Business Journals , producer and host of television and radio show...

Host Jeremy C. Park catches up with Dr. Sarah Petschonek, Founder and CEO of Volunteer Odyssey, who was one of the original ChangeMakers podcast interviews (episode 5) back in 2016.  During the interview, Sarah shares how Volunteer Odyssey has grown over the last seven years to work with more than 28,000 volunteers who have given over 460,000 hours of service just to the Memphis community. Volunte...

During the interview, Traci talks about growing up in Florida and some of the lessons she learned from her family and watching her father, who was en electrician. She discusses being the first in her family to go to college and how mentorship paved the way for many future opportunities, how the door was opened for her to join the team at what would become HGTV, some of the lessons learned and favo...

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Marcus Walker, Executive Director of Daily Bread Ministries, who shares his personal story of growing up in Texas and being called into ministry, serving overseas and meeting his wife from Switzerland, starting their family and moving back home to San Antonio to serve with the nonprofit organization that works with over 100 ministry partners who help distribute over...

In this episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, Jeremy C. Park sits down with Matt Kripke , CEO of Kripke Enterprises, Inc ., Mid South Aluminum .  From humble beginnings in Toledo, Ohio, to becoming a majority shareholder and recognized expert in aluminum and hedging, Matt shares his journey of hard work, passion, and resilience. Having held significant positions in influential organizations such as...