Hart & Hustle Podcast

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we dive deep into the world of youth entrepreneurship with Nicole Cassier-Mason, CEO of Lemonade Day. Discover how early business skills, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset can transform a child's future. Nicole shares insights on why financial literacy and soft skills are crucial for success, how mentorship fills educational gaps, and the...

In this compelling episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Tosha Connors, CEO of My Sister's House, as she shares her unique journey through nonprofit leadership, community building, and finding balance between career and family. Tosha dives into the challenges of affordable housing, the importance of authentic connections, and her experiences moving from major cities to Charles...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we dive into a powerful conversation with Tami Greenberg, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. Tami shares her journey from social work to nonprofit leadership, providing valuable insights into decision fatigue, servant leadership, and the importance of building a resilient, purpose-driven culture. Discover how Tami balances empat...

In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, we welcome Christian Murphy, CEO of Wellspring Living, to discuss actionable ways business leaders and professionals can make a real impact in their communities. From combating human trafficking to guiding the next generation on digital safety, Christian shares invaluable insights on leading with empathy and purpose. She opens up about her journey, the r...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we dive into the power of purpose-driven leadership with Dr. Steve Buuck, CEO of Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School. Discover how Dr. Buuck fosters a thriving school culture with zero marketing spend, solely through word-of-mouth and authentic connections. From overcoming challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic to cultivating an environment of exce...

In this powerful episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Kelly Stuart, President and CEO of Collaborative Classroom, to explore the surprising challenges facing early education today. Kelly shares insights on the critical importance of nurturing creativity and curiosity in young learners, tackling literacy struggles, and supporting teachers through innovative methods, including AI-driven to...

In this insightful episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, Jill Bonthuis, CEO of Pioneer Resources Inc., shares powerful strategies on empowering employees to foster innovation within organizations. Jill dives into the importance of community-driven leadership, overcoming funding and staffing challenges in the nonprofit sector, and cultivating a culture of adaptability. Learn how Pioneer Resourc...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we dive into transformational leadership with Jon Morris, President & CEO of HopeTree Family Services. Jon shares the challenges and rewards of revitalizing a 130-year-old nonprofit, discussing how accountability, humility, and mission-driven values foster impactful change. Learn how to navigate resistance, build trust, and unite a team around a shared vis...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Williamson, Dean of Students at Neumann University, to explore the real cost of higher education and the critical role of leadership in shaping the future for first-generation and underrepresented students. Sarah discusses the challenges of student debt, the importance of mental health resources, and the evolving landscape of...

In this powerful episode of the *Hart & Hustle* podcast, we dive deep with Celeste Mergens, founder of an impactful nonprofit, to explore how she turned a single question into a global movement that has transformed the lives of over 3.6 million girls. Discover how Celeste tackled the stigma surrounding menstrual health, overcame initial skepticism, and developed sustainable solutions that empo...

In this compelling episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Rachel L. Castillo, President and CEO of Advocates for Children. Rachel shares her journey from growing up in a service-oriented family to leading an impactful nonprofit dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty and supporting at-risk youth. Discover the transformative power of authentic leadership, the challenges of growi...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Karen Carpenter, President and CEO of Vanderheyden Hall, Inc., to explore the journey of transforming a historic organization into a modern force for community impact. Karen shares insights into leading through crises, influencing policy, and building financial resilience. Discover her approach to "changing lives to save lives," th...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Kurt Ruffing, Principal of Elder High School, to explore the transformative power of education and leadership. Kurt shares valuable insights on building a culture of community, fostering resilience, and empowering young men to become future leaders. Discover how Elder High School’s focus on faith, service, and tradition has shaped thousands of...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Allison Traina, founder and CEO of Traina Behavioral, to discuss compassionate leadership, building a value-driven company culture, and the challenges of scaling a behavioral health business. Allison shares her journey in founding Traina Behavioral, emphasizing the importance of heart-based leadership, empowering employees, and maintaining cli...

In this powerful episode of Hart & Hustle, we’re joined by Steven Nisbet, a former Air Force Special Operations pararescueman, who shares his journey from the battlefield to building Shields & Stripes, a nonprofit dedicated to veteran and first responder wellness. Steven dives deep into his personal struggles with PTSD, the pivotal moments that inspired him to seek help, and his path to fo...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Zac Clark, the inspiring Founder & Executive Director of The HomeMore Project. At just 24, Zac is tackling homelessness through innovative solutions like the Makeshift Traveler backpack and plans to launch a tiny home transitional housing program. Discover how Zac turned down lucrative tech offers to pursue his passion for soci...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Carl Siciliano, founder of The Ali Forney Center, to discuss his powerful journey advocating for homeless LGBTQ youth in New York City. Carl shares the inspiring story behind the creation of the center, the challenges of providing safe spaces for marginalized communities, and the role of love, compassion, and spirituality in his ad...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Elana Frank, CEO & Founder of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, to explore the emotional and financial challenges surrounding fertility. Elana shares her personal journey with infertility, the importance of community support, and innovative fertility treatments. We also discuss how societal pressures are influencing family plann...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Geovanny Ragsdale, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, to discuss the critical role community organizations play in supporting youth development. Geovanny shares her personal leadership journey, from her immigrant roots to becoming a powerful advocate for youth empowerment. We dive into the challenges of work-life...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Jesus Gerena, CEO of UpTogether, to dive deep into the scarcity mindset, its impact on communities, and how business leaders can foster an abundance mindset for sustainable success. We explore systemic issues affecting economic mobility, the power of community investment, and how relationships drive both personal and organizational...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we dive deep into leadership, resilience, and scaling impact with Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. Kate shares her journey from leading a wilderness expedition to spearheading a billion-dollar giving movement. Discover how embracing challenges, staying grounded in purpose, and playing the "infinite game" have shaped her leadership approach....

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with David Adams, CEO of The Urban Assembly, to explore the future of education and leadership. David shares his insights on the critical role of social-emotional learning, the integration of AI in education, and how schools can better prepare students for an ever-evolving job market. We dive into problem-solving, resilience, and the im...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, Ema Roloff, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant of Roloff Consulting, shares valuable insights on digital literacy, the widening skills gap in the workforce, and the disconnect between schools and business technology needs. Ema dives into how companies can better prepare Gen Z for the digital workplace, the dangers of "shiny object syndrome," and t...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we dive into the future of education with Khalil Graham, CEO of Kairos Academies. Discover how innovative education models are driving $10 million in community growth and empowering students to make purposeful choices that transform their families and communities. Khalil shares insights on developing executive function skills, avoiding the "instant...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Azadeh Jebelli, Executive Director of the Institute for Behavioral Health, to explore her incredible journey from medical school to leading a 200+ person organization. Azadeh shares how she overcame personal and professional challenges to create a thriving company focused on mental health and autism services. We dive into leadershi...