PB + Jax

“No child should ever have to worry about their next meal.” That’s the mission driving Blessings in a Backpack — and the heart behind this conversation. Randall Thomas sits down with Sean Stenson, a dedicated board member of the nonprofit, to explore how a small act of kindness can ripple through an entire community. From classrooms to kitchens, Blessings in a Backpack is fighting childhood hunger...

Join Randall Thomas as he sits down with LonnieIIV, a dynamic content creator with a passion for community and connection. In this episode, Lonnie shares his journey from Jacksonville to Los Angeles, offering insights into the world of social media, the importance of persistence, and the power of starting with what you love. Discover how Lonnie navigates the challenges of content creation and his...

JTA - Part Two - A behind the scenes conversation with NAVI Program Manager Javier Coba. Our discussion takes place at the JTA Innovation Center, focusing on the innovative transportation solutions being developed, particularly the autonomous vehicles and the command center that monitors their operations. The speakers discuss the strategic location of the center, the technology behind the vehicles...

Last week, The PB & Jax Podcast sat down with Nat Ford , CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority . We were eager to understand the strategy and vision for autonomous vehicles in and around the city of Jax. As of June 30, Jacksonville can lay claim to being the first, and only city to posses a fully autonomous public transportation service the U.S. We’re right against the 90-day mark since...

In this conversation, Dr. Tim Conway discusses the mission and services of the Morris Center in Jacksonville, which specializes in treating neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly dyslexia. He emphasizes the importance of early intervention and literacy, introducing the LipLetterLand app designed to help children develop reading skills. Dr. Conway also addresses the prevalence of reading diffic...

In this episode of PB & Jax, Randall interviews Della Sellers, the founder of Girls of Virtue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young women through vocational training and mentorship. Della shares her personal journey, the challenges she faced in establishing the organization, and the four pillars that guide her mission: spiritual, mental, physical, and financial empowerment. S...

In this engaging conversation, Tony Draper, owner of the Pour Tap Room in downtown Jacksonville, shares his journey of creating a community-focused craft beer establishment. He discusses the importance of local representation, the innovative self-pour experience, and the vision for revitalizing downtown Jacksonville. Draper emphasizes the significance of community, the challenges of entrepreneursh...

Randall sits down with Raj Gupta, Jacksonville City Council hopeful, to discuss an array of items. Raj tells us why it was important for him to run, the values he holds, his entrepreneurial journey, and his plans for a better Jacksonville. Please enjoy the conversation.

In this episode of PB and Jax, Randall Thomas interviews Annie DeStefano, who shares her journey from a successful career in finance to launching her own advisory firm. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the vibrant FinTech ecosystem in Jacksonville, and the upcoming entrepreneurship awards aimed at celebrating local innovators. Annie emphasizes the need for community collaboration and the...

In a meaningful partnership with 100 Men Who Care Jacksonville, PB & JAX is interviewing and spotlighting the nonprofits who will be pitching in the upcoming 100M event on July 9, 2025. This episode is in conjunction with that partnership and we are excited to shine light on amazing people doing amazing things. Please enjoy. In this conversation, Randall Thomas interviews Rick Cartlidge, the E...

In a meaningful partnership with 100 Men Who Care Jacksonville, PB & JAX is interviewing and spotlighting the nonprofits who will be pitching in the upcoming 100M event on July 9, 2025. This episode is in conjunction with that partnership and we are excited to shine light on amazing people doing amazing things. Please enjoy. In this special episode, Randall Thomas interviews Tommy Ferretti, fo...

In a meaningful partnership with 100 Men Who Care Jacksonville, PB & JAX is interviewing and spotlighting the nonprofits who will be pitching in the upcoming 100M event on July 9, 2025. This episode is in conjunction with that partnership and we are excited to shine light on amazing people doing amazing things. Please enjoy. In this special episode, Randall Thomas interviews Kim Bogart, who sh...

In this compelling episode, Randall Thomas sits down with Florian Vlad , a Romanian-born entrepreneur and founder of twinsAPP and Doc.ai , to explore the intersection of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and the power of resilient innovation. Florian shares his journey from running an advertising agency in Romania to launching multiple tech ventures in the U.S., including groundbreaking work in...

Host Randall Thomas sits down with Bryan Croft , CEO of HC Brands , to explore the transformation of a legacy rubber stamp business into a thriving e-commerce powerhouse. With roots dating back to 1954, HC Brands has grown into a portfolio of nine niche e-commerce sites, driven by a culture of innovation, resilience, and purpose. Bryan shares his journey of modernizing a family business, implement...

In this episode of Frontline Visionaries , host Randall Thomas sits down with Jodie Bielman , Clinic Director at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone , to unpack the critical work being done to support the mental health of veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Jodie shares how the clinic is revolutionizing access to care— eliminating wait times , removing...

In this inspiring episode, host Randall Thomas sits down with Michele McManaman , co-founder of Operation New Uniform (ONU) —a trailblazing nonprofit that’s helped over 650 veterans successfully transition into thriving civilian careers over the past 11 years. Michele shares the heartfelt origin story of ONU, born from a desire to bridge the gap between military service and meaningful employment....

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Daniel Bean , CEO of K9s for Warriors , to explore his multifaceted journey—from serving in the U.S. Navy to leading one of the nation’s most impactful veteran support organizations. With a background in law and a deep commitment to civic service, Daniel shares how his experiences have shaped his leadership philosophy and fueled his passion for improving...

Our first episode from the Think Bold Festival and Conference is with Rahman Johnson, City Councilman and Representative of District 14 here in Jacksonville, FL. Councilman and I agree that Jacksonville is shedding its moniker as a 'city of potential'. With increased money commitments to Jacksonville's Small and Emerging Businesses, the citywide projects that are being greenlit, the cr...

In this compelling episode, host Randall Thomas sits down with Nick Padlo , founder of Sophros Recovery , an innovative outpatient addiction and mental health treatment center based in Jacksonville, Florida . Nick shares his deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and transformation—experiences that inspired him to reimagine what accessible, effective mental health care could look lik...

Randall Thomas sits down with Kari Bates and Lacey Rumberger from Arc Jacksonville , a trailblazing nonprofit committed to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the organization celebrates its 60th anniversary , the conversation takes a deep dive into its enduring mission, pioneering programs, and the power of community-based support. Listeners wil...

In this episode of PB and Jax, Colonel Chris Budihas shares his journey from military service to becoming a community leader in Jacksonville. This includes his upbringing, military career, and the lessons learned that shaped his leadership style. Chris emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community, the potential of Jacksonville, and the need for collaboration among local businesses and...

"If you're on the journey to mastery, you're going to look terrible in the beginning." -She may have been speaking about golf, but this advice is for anyone looking to do anything new. The barrier of entry in learning something new is looking cringey in the early stages. PB + Jacksonville Episode 22: Jillian Johnson of Ladies Executive Golf Society . Jillian Johnson is the founder of LEGS, the gre...

New Podcast Episode with Ike Sherlock of Air Van Inc. In this episode, Randall Thomas interviews Ike Sherlock, CEO of Air Van Inc., discussing the logistics industry, including Air Van's operations in Jacksonville. They explore the significance of third-party logistics (3PL), the impact of the pandemic on supply chains, and the evolving role of technology in the industry. Ike shares insights on th...

Epilepsy Alliance Florida is a nonprofit agency here in the Sunshine State who are committed to providing unwavering support to individuals and families living with epilepsy. As a leading epilepsy support organization in Florida, Epilepsy Alliance understand the complexities and challenges of living with seizures and are here to help. Epilepsy Alliance Florida offers resources, support, and hope t...

PB + Jacksonville Episode 19: Red Lips for the Ladies Red Lips For the Ladies is a semi-new nonprofit organization here in Jacksonville, founded by a quartet of ladies, including Indie B. Bollman, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR and Joanna Sisler - who are the guests of this week's podcast. Red Lips for the Ladies came to due to unforeseen employment change, something we're all too familiar with these past th...