Hart & Hustle Podcast

What happens when a successful businesswoman trades profit for purpose? In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Jennifer Mylenek, Executive Director of CASA in Southern Oregon, to explore her bold leap from corporate life to nonprofit leadership. Jennifer shares hard-earned lessons on fundraising, volunteer engagement, burnout prevention, and how she's using AI to scale impact—even af...

Lindsey Schiro went from pediatric nurse to powerhouse CEO of 51Vets.org, a nonprofit helping elite special operations veterans transition into high-impact careers. In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Lindsey opens up about imposter syndrome, scaling 51 Vets from 120 to over 500 members, navigating fundraising as a woman in a male-dominated space, and why she’s eyeing public office next. We talk...

What does it really take to break cycles of poverty, addiction, and homelessness? In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, we sit down with Dr. Julie Hayden, CEO of East County Transitional Living Center, to unpack her faith-driven journey building one of California’s most impactful nonprofits. From trauma-informed leadership to scaling with for-profit discipline, Dr. Hayden shares hard-won ins...

What happens when a top banking executive trades corner office success for a faith-driven mission? In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Rick Boxx shares how he left the corporate world to launch a nonprofit dedicated to bringing biblical wisdom into the workplace. From nearly going broke to building a global movement reaching over 1 million business leaders by 2027, Rick gets real about fear, obe...

What happens when you lead with mission, scale like a startup, and treat donors like investors? In this episode, Cathe Dykstra, CEO of Family Scholar House, shares how she turned a local nonprofit into a $20M nationwide force across 48 states. We explore how modular housing, AI-powered platforms, and a business-minded nonprofit model are reshaping generational poverty. From serving four clients to...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Joseph Tornello, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Staten Island. With over 40 years of community leadership, Joseph shares how he scaled a small nonprofit into a powerhouse operation serving thousands without a waiting list. We dive into lessons on sustainable growth, volunteer management, leadership mindset, and ho...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Jaime Klein, Founder and CEO of Inspire Human Resources. Jaime shares how she pioneered the concept of fractional HR before it became a mainstream strategy, building a flexible, mission-driven business around real-life challenges. We dive into the future of HR, how DEI, AI, and return-to-office trends are reshaping the workplace, a...

In this powerful episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Karen Rubel, CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice, to explore leadership, resilience, and the true meaning of purpose-driven business. Karen shares her inspiring journey from teacher to nonprofit leader, how she pivoted careers with courage, and why culture beats strategy every time. We also dive deep into the growing challenges of the hospice...

In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Erin Ryan, CEO of Shore Community Services, to explore leadership, innovation, and building community impact. Erin shares her journey from leading as the eldest of six siblings to reshaping a 75-year-old nonprofit to meet the evolving needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We dive into lessons on leading through uncert...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Kelley St Clair, CEO of Clarity ABA, to explore how leading with kindness, clarity, and purpose can transform businesses and communities. Kelley shares how she scaled Clarity ABA from her kitchen table to serving 18+ communities, all while staying true to compassionate, trauma-informed care. We dive into the future of ABA therapy, the emotiona...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we dive deep with Steve McFarland, CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Silicon Valley and Los Angeles. Steve shares lessons from fighting international fraud, leading teams with heart, and handling over 1,100 scam complaints daily. From saving lives as a teen to building a family-like work culture, Steve reveals how trust, leadership, and re...

What happens when purpose meets community? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Malana Maher, founder of Aging Connections, to explore how she transformed a simple networking circle into a 200+ member, multi-chapter nonprofit supporting seniors. From being raised by her grandparents to leaving healthcare during COVID, Malana shares her journey, leadership lessons, and...

What happens when you combine wilderness, mentorship, and mission-driven leadership? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Melissa Millward, President of Trails Youth Initiatives, shares how she scaled a life-changing nonprofit from $500K to $2.5M while preserving its heart-centered mission. We dive into emotional regulation, long-term youth development, unplugging from tech, and what...

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity in today’s world? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Wendi Williams, President-Elect of the American Psychological Association, to unpack leadership beyond titles. From the power of relational leadership to the ethical complexities of AI in mental health, Dr. Williams shares real, unfiltered insights on owning y...

In this inspiring Hart & Hustle episode, we sit down with John Temple, CEO of Guideposts, to explore how he's blending faith, storytelling, and AI to scale hope across millions. From his career as a prosecutor to leading a nonprofit rooted in spiritual growth and emotional healing, John shares powerful personal stories—including a life-saving moment with his newborn—and how AI is transforming...

In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, Doug Tennant, CEO of UNITI, shares how a personal encounter with discrimination inspired a 30+ year mission to redefine inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. From leading a $20M nonprofit to pioneering inclusive housing models and pushing AI innovation in the sector, Doug breaks down what it takes to lead with purpose and values. Discover...

What makes a 26-year-old turn down Wall Street for the west side of Chicago? In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Ike Muzikowski—President and Principal of Chicago Hope Academy—to unpack why he walked away from Ivy League prestige to lead a faith-driven, community-centered high school. Ike shares powerful insights on education reform, building inclusive school culture, raising $5...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Christy Pietryga, CEO of Hearth, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit supporting mothers and children escaping homelessness and domestic violence. Christy shares how a middle school volunteer experience ignited her lifelong mission, her transition from COO to CEO, and the power of long-term healing over short-term shelter stays. We also di...

On this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Joel Paquette, CEO of Spark Lifecare, to explore how he's redefining healthcare through people-first leadership, operational innovation, and personal resilience. From his transition as an occupational therapist to leading a national healthcare brand, to battling cancer and embracing AI, Joel shares raw insights on integrity, impact...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Mike Moss, CEO of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), to explore how nonprofit leaders can thrive through systems thinking, ecosystem collaboration, and a mindset of abundance. Mike shares insights from 34 years in leadership, how AI is transforming operations at SCUP, and why curiosity should fuel every mission...

In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Jamie Hunt, CEO of TopKare Hospice, to uncover how she’s transforming end-of-life care through technology, compassion, and leadership. From integrating AI into medical documentation to launching a nonprofit that helps families navigate financial burdens, Jamie shares her journey from ICU nurse to tech-savvy founder. We explore common...

What’s really wrong with leadership today? In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with David Castro, founder of I-LEAD and author of The Inward Sun, to break down the decline of integrity, the myth of “born leaders,” and how real leadership is rooted in values—not power. From personal accountability to the role of vision in community change, this conversation is a must-watch for any profe...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart and Hustle podcast, we sit down with Sereka Barlow, CEO of YWCA El Paso, to explore her journey from military brat to healthcare executive to nonprofit powerhouse. Sereka opens up about leading through crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting from a poverty mindset to a business-driven nonprofit model, and why she chose purpose over profit. We discuss lea...

In this inspiring episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Chris Simonsen, CEO of Orangewood Foundation, who left a high-powered $3B corporate finance career to serve youth in the foster care system. Chris shares why he made the bold leap into nonprofit leadership, how Orangewood is innovating with AI, and what it truly takes to support young people overcoming trauma, homelessness, and traffic...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Hugh Evans, co-founder of Global Citizen, who’s helped mobilize $49 billion in global impact and transformed 1.3 billion lives. From his eye-opening experience in Manila’s slums to building one of the world’s most influential advocacy platforms, Hugh shares how bold leadership, creative activism, and relentless grit can move world leaders, cel...