Hart & Hustle Podcast

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...

In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, Debbie Simmons, CEO of Anchor Point, shares how unimaginable loss became the catalyst for a $1.4M nonprofit transforming thousands of lives. From losing quadruplets to adopting nine children and launching a trauma-informed ministry, Debbie opens up about resilience, leadership, and building legacy. She unpacks how Anchor Point helps families break cycles...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with David Wollman, a former corporate executive who left it all behind to launch a thriving senior care agency. David shares how caregiving filled the void left by corporate success, why mission-driven leadership matters, and what sets his low-turnover agency apart in a high-burnout industry. We dive into challenges with staffing, integrating AI i...

In this powerful episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Cindy Odom, CEO of New City Kids, to explore how she went from pre-med dreams to purpose-driven nonprofit leadership. Cindy shares how New City Kids transforms youth through teen employment, music, mentorship, and leadership development. We talk about confidence-building, authentic leadership, using AI in nonprofits, and t...

What happens when a casino exec becomes a small-town mayor and then redefines how a Chamber of Commerce serves its people? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Bruce Flax, President of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and former Mayor of Groton, Connecticut. From leading 24/7 operations at Foxwoods to launching the viral “Five Things in Mystic” series, Bruce sha...

In this heartfelt episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Korrie Mae Wiszniak, CEO of Kids at Churchill Park, to explore what it really takes to raise resilient, emotionally intelligent kids in today’s chaotic world. Korrie shares powerful insights on redefining childcare as early education, shifting nonprofit mindsets, honoring parental roles, and building values-driven teams....

Join us for an inspiring Hart & Hustle episode with Brad Kinkema, CEO of the YMCA of Martinsville-Henry County, as he redefines what it means to lead a nonprofit with heart and strategy. From coaching swim teams to championing a $28M community center build, Brad shares how he’s transforming the “gym and swim” perception of the YMCA into a hub for mental health, mentorship, and connection. Disc...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Tiffany Hamilton, CEO of YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester, shares her journey from teen motherhood and tech to nonprofit leadership. Discover how she turned adversity into advocacy, the power of saying “yes” to purpose, and how she navigates DEI challenges in today’s climate. Tiffany dives deep into leading with faith, authenti...

What happens when a leader refuses to play it safe? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Danielle Sanders, CEO of Good Samaritan Home, an 83-year-old nonprofit, shares how she turned burnout, near-homelessness, and a multiple sclerosis diagnosis into fuel for impact. Learn how Danielle rebuilt a crumbling organization, ditched government funding, leveraged AI for grant writing, and re...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Angela Calzone, CEO of Inroads to Opportunities, shares her journey from the corporate world to leading one of New Jersey’s most innovative nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities. Angela dives into redefining impact, scaling nonprofit operations with business discipline, embracing neurodiversity, and building emotionally intelligent teams. Discover h...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Lisa Tepper Bates, CEO of United Way of Connecticut, to explore her incredible journey from U.S. diplomat to nonprofit leader. Lisa shares what it means to lead with empathy, scale crisis response using AI, and support the “invisible majority” struggling to stay afloat. From mental health hotlines to AI-powered training and bold public policy...

What happens when a volunteer crisis counselor becomes the $15M CEO of one of Maryland’s most vital nonprofits? In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, Tim Jansen, CEO of Community Crisis Services, shares his 30-year journey from hotline nights to leading life-saving programs across shelters, suicide prevention, and trauma response. Tim opens up about leadership, LGBTQ+ advocacy, growing throu...

What happens when a Broadway-trained performer leads a rural tech revolution? Meet Keralee Clay, CEO of the Amarillo Area Foundation, who’s redefining nonprofit leadership in the Texas Panhandle. In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we dive into donor myths, AI-powered equity, disaster resilience, and the real cost of doing good in overlooked communities. From fighting broadband deserts to leveragi...