The Hope People

Daybreak Arts Founder Nicole Brandt Minyard shares how a simple service-learning project at Belmont University grew into a powerful creative movement that empowers artists experiencing homelessness. Nicole reflects on the early moments that shaped her calling, the role of faith and community in building Daybreak, and the transformative stories of artists who have reclaimed their identity, confiden...

Philanthropist and innovator Noah McMahon shares why he believes we are stepping into the golden age of giving — a moment defined by imagination, humility and bold ideas. From launching global initiatives and collaborating with world changers to mentoring the next generation of donors, Noah reveals how generosity becomes most powerful when it's rooted in purpose, hospitality and hope. This convers...

Musician and storyteller Dave Barnes shares how humor, faith and authenticity have shaped his journey through success, fatherhood and creativity. From Grammy nominations and hit songs like God Gave Me You to the joys of parenting and hosting his podcast Dadville , Dave reflects on the discipline of hope and the power of joy as a tool against darkness. Grounded in faith, he encourages young artists...

Entrepreneur and author Mignon Francois, founder of The Cupcake Collection, shares how she transformed her last $5 into a multimillion-dollar business through faith, perseverance and obedience. With warmth and wisdom, Mignon reflects on turning failure into favor, building a company grounded in prayer and using her story to inspire others to "make hope obvious." From navigating hardship to mentori...

Veronica Berti Bocelli –wife, manager and co-founder of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation–shares how faith, compassion and purpose guide her life and leadership. Veronica reflects on the responsibility of using one's gifts for good and the sacred power of music to heal and unite. She speaks candidly about service as a moral calling, the importance of giving time as the greatest act of love and her hop...

Physician, conservationist and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Senator Bill Frist shares his remarkable journey of hope and leadership. From pioneering life-saving medical procedures to breaking barriers in the Senate as the only physician in the chamber in 65 years, Frist reveals how a foundation of compassion, resilience and science guided his path from the operating room to policymaking. In...

Humanitarian and founder of Maison Shalom, Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse , shares her extraordinary story of resilience, faith and the transformative power of love during this live conversation at the 2024 Hope Summit. After witnessing unimaginable violence during the Burundian Civil War, Maggy chose to fight hatred with hope, rescuing children from the Hutu and Tutsi factions and creating a commu...

Former Major League Baseball player R.A. Dickey shares his triumphant story of resilience and faith during this live conversation at the 2024 Hope Summit. From overcoming childhood trauma to becoming the first knuckleball pitcher to win the Cy Young Award, R.A.'s journey is a testament to the powers of authenticity and hope. In this episode, he shares his transition from a conventional fastball pi...

Barbara Jenkins shares her inspiring journey of resilience, faith and hope. Her incredible story, spanning her humble beginnings in the Ozarks, her famous three-year, 3,000-mile walk across America and her life's highs and lows offers invaluable lessons for anyone seeking hope and purpose.

Chancellor I'Ashea Myles made history as the first African-American female civil trial court judge elected in Nashville, Tennessee. Though her academic journey began with a focus on vocal performance, she pivoted her career toward law, relying on her faith, family and the guidance of mentors to chart her path to the bench. Her remarkable journey, marked by resilience and determination, inspires ho...

Former MLB player Ben Zobrist is committed to building strong emotional intelligence and mental health in young athletes. Reflecting on his own challenges after achieving his World Series dream, Ben stresses the importance of learning how to navigate the emotions, setbacks and fame that accompany sports success. As founder of Champion Forward, a nonprofit that helps athletes, parents and coaches i...

Cody Fry , Belmont alumnus and accomplished musician, blends joy, hope and creativity into his craft, making orchestral music accessible and inspiring for younger audiences. Influenced by a musical upbringing and supportive mentors, Cody shares how he's crafted a unique style that fuses classical and contemporary elements, epitomized by his viral hit I Hear a Symphony . While navigating challenges...

Entrepreneur and leader, James Archer, built a successful business based on dedication to values-based leadership and aligning his core values with those of his employees. James shares his intention to lead with a collaborative mindset, utilizing hope to execute his business ventures to inspire others to fulfill their dreams. His involvement with Belmont's Archer Presidential Scholars program and...

A true Agent of Hope and CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, Rusty Gaston has uncovered the equation he lives by. In this episode, Rusty emphasizes the importance of relationships believing that love and fun are key components to finding success. An ambitious Belmont student who went on to become a prominent leader in the music industry, Gaston's passion for music and his belief in the power o...

Former NBA star, philanthropist and businessman David Robinson shares powerful insights from his journey transitioning from the basketball court to the boardroom, highlighting the critical roles of leadership, hope and education. David also offers a look at some of the challenges he had to overcome changing careers, the faith he's maintained as a guide throughout and explains how he hopes to leave...

Will Acuff , founder of Corner To Corner, and Executive Director Shana Berkeley , share their inspiring journey to create economic opportunities for marginalized communities through entrepreneurship. Will's experience in Nairobi sparked a realization of the importance of neighborly relationships, while Shana, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, emphasizes the value of community engagement and individual...

In a world that feels more chaotic than ever, with conflicts and uncertainty at every turn, hope remains the force that drives us forward, uniting us as a community to strive for more and to do better together. Now in its second season, Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones returns with more powerful interviews that continue to highlight those who demonstrate what it means to rise above adve...

Social entrepreneur Dr. Kim Tan joined Dr. Greg Jones to discuss his approach toward addressing environmental and societal needs in a way that accommodates human needs. Dr. Tan also emphasizes the importance of collaboration in problem-solving.

As Chief of the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction ,  Nahuel Arenas García spends most of his day responding to conflict. As he shared with Dr. Greg Jones, in spite of the chaos, it is the power of human resilience that unites us all and provides hope for future generations. Nahuel discusses the vitality of understanding risk...

In this special episode, Founder and Executive Director of Porter's Call, Al Andrews , and prominent gospel artist and Porter herself, Janice Gaines, sat down with Dr. Greg Jones for a live recording at this year's Hope Summit. The duo illustrated how God's presence led them to their true callings and demonstrated the power of connection through meaningful conversations. They reaffirm it's only th...

Cece Winans , award-winning Gospel singer, entrepreneur and champion of faith, joined Dr. Greg Jones to expound on her lifelong commitment to God and how utilizing her gifts for His glory contribute to her achievements and confidence in herself. CeCe shares how her faith has helped her maintain hope throughout her career, and why her desire to please God has led to her abundant success.

Dean of Belmont's Thomas Frist Jr. College of Medicine Dr. Anderson Spickard joins Dr. Greg Jones to share how he finds hope through life's challenges. Anderson shares how the support he receives from others inspires him to train the next generation of medical professionals with empathy and authenticity. He urges professionals to remain focused, stay centered and know themselves, leading to their...

Cordia Harrington , founder and CEO of Crown Bakeries, joins Dr. Greg Jones to share how her willingness to take risks led to her success as the "Bun Lady," landing her a spot on Forbes list of Top 100 Self-Made Women for 2023. Cordia explains her journey from real estate to running a multi-million dollar enterprise and encourages young entrepreneurs to give back to others in order to achieve thei...

Betty Wiseman , a trailblazer for women's athletics in the Southeast and founder of Belmont's women's basketball team, and Rick Byrd , former long-time Belmont men's basketball head coach and College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, joined Dr. Greg Jones to share how the love they have received from God and their community has enabled them to pour into their students and model hope. The famed ath...

Marcus Whitney , venture capitalist, entrepreneur and author of Create and Orchestrate , demonstrates the importance of finding one's purpose in their work and how taking control of his own narrative has given him freedom he believes contributes to his many successes. As an Agent of Hope, Marcus shares his remarkable journey as a founding partner of Jumpstart Health Investors and Jumpstart Nova, a...