The INNOVAT3 Podcast

What would make someone leave behind comfort, credentials, and career to walk into prisons and confront human trafficking at its roots? In this powerful episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, we sit down with Betty Ann Hagenau, the founder of Freedom Insight. Her unexpected journey took her from Stanford classrooms and corporate meetings to the frontlines of one of the world’s most complex justice issue...

What happens after you go viral for the wrong reasons—and decide to own it? In Part 2 of his gripping journey, Tom Wolf returns to the Innovat3 Podcast to share the aftermath of addiction, the long road to rebuilding trust with his family, and how one viral tweet flipped the narrative from shame to redemption. He opens up about the realities of recovery, the emotional cost of being a father and hu...

She’s not waiting for the system to fix itself. She’s building something better. In this powerful follow-up conversation, Vanessa Russell returns to the INNOVAT3 Podcast with renewed urgency and unwavering purpose. As the founder of Love Never Fails , Vanessa is not only advocating for survivors of human trafficking, she’s building a model for restoration, leadership, and long-term change. This ep...

Tom Wolf was addicted to heroin and fentanyl, taking 560mg of oxycodone daily just to function. He was homeless on the streets of San Francisco, battling sepsis, denial, and the collapse of everything he once had. But Tom didn’t just survive, he rebuilt. Today, he’s a respected recovery advocate and public policy voice , working to reform systems around addiction, homelessness, and incarceration u...

What happens when a child is left behind and the world offers no safety net? In this powerful and profoundly moving episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast , host Ted Hahs sits down with Alicia Baker , a survivor of abandonment, abuse, trafficking, and incarceration who has since transformed her life to become a case manager for Maranatha Christian Center in San Jose and advocate with Love Never Fails . A...

What if cities, businesses, and economies were run without CEOs, politicians, or central authorities? What if power wasn’t held by a select few, but distributed transparently to the people ? In this episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast , we sit down with Puncar , a Web3 visionary and DAO advocate, to explore the potential of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and how they could revolutionize...

Is Our Financial System Designed to Keep Us Struggling? In this episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, Scott Morris, a community currency expert and economist, joins Ted Hahs to break down how our financial system works and why it’s failing so many people. We’re told that wealth comes from hard work, but what if the real problem is how money is structured? Scott shares his insights on: Why traditional e...

In this powerful Season 2 premiere of the Innovat3 Podcast , Terryal Bell shares her harrowing journey through human trafficking, the manipulation and control that kept her trapped, and how she finally found freedom. This is more than just a survivor’s story. It’s an eye-opening look into the hidden realities of trafficking , the systems that enable it, and the fight to help others break free. Ter...

The journey of Season 1 has been nothing short of transformational. After 13 episodes packed with bold conversations, powerful stories, and groundbreaking ideas, the Innovat3 Podcast brings you the ultimate Season 1 Recap. This finale isn’t just a look back, it’s a reflection on the stories that made us rethink social impact, innovation, and what it truly means to serve those around us. In this sp...

In Episode 13 of the Innovat3 Podcast, Dr. Nancy Harden opens up about a deeply personal moment that changed her life forever. After the sudden loss of her husband, she was met not just with grief, but with an unexpected encounter—a voice she had always known, gently whispering, “Today, you have a new title… Widow. But with a husband. I am your husband.” This episode is more than a story of loss....

In this powerful episode of Innovat3, host Ted Hahs sits down with Bruno Freitas, a pastor, entrepreneur, and immigrant with an extraordinary journey. Bruno shares his incredible story—from his daring migration to the U.S. as a teenager to building a successful business and dedicating his life to serving the homeless in San Francisco. Together, they explore how faith, innovation, and action can cr...

Fatherlessness isn’t just a personal struggle, it’s a societal crisis affecting families, communities, and future generations. In this part 2 episode of the Innovat3 Podcast , Dr. Stewart Perrilliat, founder of Man to Man Urban Youth Advocate , shares his incredible work in addressing the root cause of countless social issues: the absence of fathers. From building life-changing programs in San Que...

At nearly 93 years old, Dr. Nancy Harden has dedicated her life to faith, leadership, and empowering communities. A true embodiment of resilience and grace, Nancy has spent decades guiding others through life’s challenges, offering mentorship, and inspiring hope in every corner she touches. In this episode of the Innovat3 Podcast , Dr. Harden opens up about her incredible life journey, from naviga...

In our latest episode of the Innovat3 Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Stewart Perrilliat , founder of Man to Man Urban Youth Advocate , to explore the deep and lasting impact of fatherlessness on society. From his own experiences growing up during the tumultuous 1980s in East Oakland to his transformative work today, Dr. Perrilliat sheds light on how the absence of fathers creates cycles of trauma,...

In this deeply impactful episode of the Innovat3 Podcast , host Ted Hahs welcomes Vanessa Russell , founder of Love Never Fails Us , to share her inspiring mission to combat human trafficking and create pathways to hope, healing, and empowerment for survivors. Vanessa’s work addresses a crisis that affects over 100,000 individuals annually in the U.S. , often hidden in plain sight. She reveals the...

In this compelling episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Yaniv Tal , the visionary founder of The Graph, to explore how cutting-edge Web3 technology is reshaping the way we address global challenges. From decentralization to organizing knowledge at scale, Yaniv shares insights into how technological innovation can foster collaboration, transparency, and real solutions for p...

In this week’s episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, we have incredible Vanessa Russell, founder of Love Never Fails. Vanessa shares her journey of turning heartbreak into hope, creating an organization that fights human trafficking and restores dignity to survivors. Love Never Fails is a beacon of hope for those impacted by exploitation. Their programs focus on: • Safe Housing : Providing survivors wi...

This week, Ted Hahs sits down with  Kathy Chao Rothberg , a visionary leader in community development and the CEO of Lao Family Community Development. Kathy’s inspiring work has transformed countless lives, addressing critical issues like homelessness, poverty, and workforce inequities while empowering underserved communities to thrive. Through her leadership, Kathy has spearheaded programs in aff...

In this heartfelt episode, host Ted Hahs sits down with Christian Huang, the founder of Mobilize Love, to explore his incredible journey from personal struggles to becoming a force for good in underserved communities. Christian opens up about his early experiences growing up in a nonprofit world, how those formative years shaped his worldview and the pivotal moments that led him to create Mobilize...

In this next episode, Nikita opens up about the frustrations and realities of navigating the current recovery landscape. When faced with countless obstacles—such as limited access to affordable treatment options—many find themselves searching not just for services but for a genuine support system. Nikita explores the vital difference between receiving comfort and experiencing true accountability i...

In the latest episode of Innovat3, host Ted Hahs welcomes Nikita Mehta, sobriety coach and leader of Recovery DAO, for a conversation that confronts the stark realities of recovery. Nikita shares her journey through addiction and exposes a system stuck in outdated methods of rehab offering the same “solutions” they did 20 years ago. But the problem is bigger than that. Nikita unveils how addiction...

In this episode, Ted Hahs is in conversation with Adrian Tirtanadi , co-founder of Open Door Legal , to discuss the journey behind creating America’s first universal civil legal aid model. Adrian shares his vision to make legal aid accessible to everyone, regardless of income, and the impact of Open Door Legal’s work in underserved San Francisco communities. From housing and employment issues to f...