Hart & Hustle Podcast

From 40 years of nursing to leading 800+ healthcare workers, Tory Starr shares how curiosity-driven leadership transforms rural healthcare. Learn why the best CEOs focus on unleashing potential, not managing people.

How a 6-week hospital stay transformed Tracy Madden-McMahon from a broadcast journalist to a healthcare foundation CEO, leading millions in donor funding. Learn how a personal crisis became the catalyst for revolutionary patient care.

When a corporate layoff forced Kreisler Ng to reconsider his 20-year software development career, caring for his dying mother-in-law showed him his true calling. In this episode, Efrain sits down with Kreisler Ng, Owner & President of Right at Home Long Beach, to discuss his transformation from "corporate slave" to purpose-driven entrepreneur serving elderly caregivers.

Kelly Fischer from AdvisaCare reveals how hospice care can transform end-of-life experiences from medical procedures into meaningful celebrations of life. Learn how virtual reality and AI are revolutionizing comfort care.

McKinley CEO Anil Vadaparty and Board Member Peter Shin reveal how compassionate leadership transforms entire communities. Learn the powerful strategies behind leading a 125-year-old nonprofit through modern challenges.

From watching her mother cry over $5 too much income to running a $50 million nonprofit, Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm from Step Forward reveals how childhood trauma became her superpower in serving working poor families. Learn why leadership is stewardship, not titles.

From frontline physician to hospital president - Dr. Paari Gopalakrishnan from Kent Hospital reveals how "going to the dark side" allowed him to multiply his impact on patient care. Learn how AI is transforming healthcare without replacing the human touch.

Fractional CTO Tom Auger reveals how he's using AI to revolutionize home care while grappling with the ethical implications of coding with artificial intelligence. In this episode, Efrain discovers how Tom transitioned from corporate marketing to mission-driven healthcare technology.

Tahra Cessna, Executive Vice President at Bierman Autism Centers, shares how she built a national autism care organization that started in a garage and now serves families across seven states. Discover how early intervention transforms lives and why AI is becoming a powerful tool in autism therapy.

Army veteran turned healthcare disruptor Golfran Rivera reveals how he's revolutionizing primary care with his $85/month direct pay model at TrueCare DPC. In this episode, Efrain explores how military experience, entrepreneurial resilience, and faith-driven purpose led to building a practice that serves 241 patients without insurance billing.

"In a world that is chasing AI, Garrett doubled down on humans, and he built a system that doctors actually love." In this episode, Efrain discusses the future of healthcare technology with Garrett Olin, Chief Information Officer at Shasta Community Health Center. Learn how they've used human scribes for 12+ years and are now navigating the transition to AI while keeping humanity at the center.

"This work isn't just about home care, it's about honor." In this episode, Efrain discusses transforming end-of-life care through dignity and innovation with Parker Wells, Principal Owner of Care to Stay Home. Learn how a 92-year-old's bowl of ice cream changed everything about respecting senior autonomy while pioneering AI solutions for caregivers.

"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.