Hart & Hustle Podcast

"At 50, she didn't pivot. She actually answered her calling." In this episode, Efrain discusses turning life's setbacks into purpose-driven success with Sheila Jones-Lilley, President & CEO of CareBuilders at Home. Learn how three layoffs led to building a thriving business that keeps over 150 seniors safe and independent.

"These young people could be your children, they could be your brother, they could be your cousin, your friend." In this episode, Efrain discusses transforming youth homelessness through data-driven compassion with Leslie McGuire, Chief Program Officer at Covenant House International. Learn how 8.5 years of quiet grit built a movement serving 57,000 young people across the Americas annually.

From Backup Dancer Dreams to Leading 1,300 Lives Daily - In this powerful episode, Efrain sits down with Sarah Quinn, Director of Program Services at Opportunity Village, who discovered her calling at just 15 years old. Learn how one summer camp experience transformed a dancing teenager into a leader serving thousands with disabilities across Las Vegas.

"This is what normal people feel like." In this episode, Efrain discusses transforming mental healthcare with AI-driven precision medicine with Brad Kittredge, Founder & CEO of Brightside. Learn how watching his father battle untreated depression for over a decade inspired a revolution in mental health treatment that now covers 150 million lives.

 "Blessings are not to be wasted." In this episode, Efrain discusses transforming lives through data-driven nonprofit leadership with Ralph Boyd, President & CEO of SOME (So Others Might Eat). Learn how a former federal prosecutor became the "Goldman Sachs of human services" and why he calls AI a "silent partner in justice."

"If we wait for funding to innovate, then we'll die waiting." In this episode, Efrain discusses transforming the nonprofit mindset and innovation with Dave Parker from Evergreen Life Services. Learn how to shift from scarcity thinking to abundance mentality while scaling mission-driven organizations.

"Don't wait for a life-altering moment to choose meaning." CHRIS 180 CEO Cati Stone shares how a cancer diagnosis led her to leave a lucrative law career to transform children's mental health across Metro Atlanta.

Technology isn't replacing caregivers—it's giving them back their evenings. Efrain discusses AI in hospice care with Sheri Strobel, CIO at Chapters Health System. Learn how human-centered technology is transforming end-of-life care while preserving the compassionate heart of hospice.

From organizing spices for refugees as a child to running programs that shelter 7,000 people annually, Anat Leonard-Wookey's journey proves authentic leadership transforms lives at scale.

Maley Hunt from LiveWell reveals how authentic leadership and strength-based care are revolutionizing dementia support. Learn how one organization is flipping the script on traditional memory care and why autonomy matters more than safety.

In this powerful episode, Efrain sits down with CJ Calderon, Chief of Staff & VP of Marketing at Goodwill of Orange County, who reveals the untold story behind one of the world's most recognized brands. From "crying her way home" from corporate to transforming workforce development with AI, CJ exposes the truth about nonprofit innovation.

Dr. Kathy Martin left 25 years in higher education to become President and CEO of Glenmeadow, a 140-year-old senior living community. In this powerful conversation with Efrain, she reveals how slowing down transformed her leadership and why cultivating joy became her life's mission.

From sleeping in a $200 Volkswagen at Berkeley to leading thousands of students toward college success - Robert Arellanes' journey from Boyle Heights to becoming CEO of L.E.A.R.N. proves that resilience transforms communities. In this episode, Efrain explores how one educator's commitment to equity is reshaping educational access across Eastern Los Angeles County.

From growing up in a tiny Queens home to leading Habitat for Humanity NYC, CEO Sabrina Lippman shares her powerful journey with Efrain. Discover how earned homeownership transforms entire communities and why AI is revolutionizing nonprofit operations while preserving human connection.

Childhelp COO Michael Medoro walked away from a high-paying surgery career to manage an orphanage in Guatemala for free. In this powerful conversation with Efrain, he reveals why chasing purpose over paychecks led to true success and shares the heartbreaking Mexico hospital story that reinforced his mission.

Christopher Newman went from fronting a rock band to leading a $1.2 billion healthcare system—all while raising two sets of twins. In this compelling conversation with Efrain Lozada, the President and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare shares how music shaped his leadership philosophy and why authenticity is his secret weapon in the boardroom.

In this powerful episode, Efrain sits down with Danielle Vizcaino, President and CEO of The Assistance Fund, who shares her incredible journey from walking away from her dreams of medical school to leading one of the country's most impactful healthcare nonprofits.

This leadership duo saved a childcare organization from bankruptcy - twice. In this episode, Efrain discusses how Jack Safer (President & CEO) and Toya Casper-Cornelious (Chief Operating Officer) transformed Brightside Academy into a thriving mission-driven business serving nearly 2,000 children across 32 locations.

Project Vida CEO Tim Davenport-Herbst just revealed how a pastor's calling transformed into leading one of the border's most impactful nonprofits.

Michael Olenick, President of Child Care Resource Center, shares his incredible journey from rock band musician to leading a $760 million nonprofit impacting 66,000 children. In this episode, Efrain explores how authentic leadership, strategic scaling, and community partnerships can transform mission-driven organizations.

Mental Health Partnerships CEO Jeannine Lisitski shares her incredible journey from being on her own at 15 to surviving end-stage cancer and leading one of the most impactful mental health organizations in the country. In this powerful conversation with Efrain, she reveals how trauma transformed into purpose, why "it's all of us, not them" when it comes to needing support, and how nonprofits can s...

Olusheyi Lawoyin, COO of Watts Healthcare Corporation, shares her remarkable journey from witnessing healthcare disparities in Nigeria to leading one of LA's oldest community health organizations. Learn how she transformed challenges into purpose-driven leadership.

From accountant to CEO without ever driving a car - Donald Mullin's 30-year journey at Arc of Rensselaer County proves that true leadership comes from heart, not convenience. Discover how this remarkable leader doubled staff salaries and transformed lives in the disability services sector.

Paul Robinson, CEO of Home of the Innocents, reveals how he walked away from 21 Papa John's franchises to answer a divine calling. In this powerful conversation with Efrain Lozada, discover the extraordinary journey from pizza entrepreneur to transforming vulnerable children's lives through a $75 million expansion.

From DUI at 19 to mental health revolutionary - Dr. Caroline Fenkel's journey from addiction to becoming Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Charlie Health proves that your lowest moments can become your greatest purpose. In this powerful conversation, Efrain explores how personal struggle transformed into a mission to make mental health accessible to struggling teens nationwide.