The Inspired Stories Podcast

How can mental health leaders innovate while maintaining compassionate care?  Dr. Ryan Drzewiecki shares his journey from English major to Chief Clinical Officer at Sierra Tucson, following his path through special education and behavioral health. He traces his evolution from early leadership roles to developing trauma-informed approaches that meet clients where they are.  The conversation explore...

How can senior living communities evolve to meet changing expectations while maintaining exceptional care?  Heather Tussing traces her journey from small-town Ohio to President of Aspenwood Company, managing 20 luxury senior living communities across the Southeast. She discusses transforming senior care through technology integration, personalized experiences, and a culture focused on empowering b...

How can senior care combine kindness and innovation to enrich lives?  Andy Buiciuc traces his journey from Romanian refugee to CEO of VillaCare Senior Living, sharing how his family's escape from communism instilled values of hard work and purpose.  The conversation explores his transition from successful digital marketing entrepreneur to senior care, starting as a hands-on caregiver before buildi...

How can businesses leverage global talent and technology to transform their back-office operations?  David Schnitt traces his journey from Deloitte consultant to co-founding Resources Global Professionals, which grew from scratch to $150M in revenue in just four years before a successful IPO. He then founded IQ BackOffice in 2002, pioneering finance and accounting outsourcing when the concept was...

How can specialized education transform lives while staying true to quality over quantity? Abby David and Erin Nealy trace their journey from therapists to co-founders of Bridgeway Academy and Bridgeway Therapy Center, providing comprehensive educational and therapeutic services for people with autism in central Ohio. They discuss evolving from a small preschool program to serving hundreds through...

How can mental health leaders innovate while maintaining compassionate care?  Ryan Carruthers shares his journey from mathematics major to Chief Clinical Officer at CenterPoint, following his own recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. He traces his evolution from private practice to developing harm-reduction approaches that meet clients where they are.  The conversation explores Cen...

How can car dealerships innovate while maintaining customer trust?  Cliff Cummings shares his journey from college golfer to owning multiple Toyota and Subaru dealerships across California. He traces his path from selling cars in Virginia to transforming underperforming dealerships into high-volume operations.  The conversation explores how Cliff's dealerships differentiate themselves through long...

How can tech leaders build innovative services while maintaining rapid growth? Adam Morgan shares his journey from Microsoft and Sitecore to founding Elevate Digital, where he's transforming technical staffing through flexible delivery models and a strong company culture. The conversation explores Elevate's approach to technical talent solutions, emphasizing customer experience and team developmen...

How can recruiting leaders innovate while maintaining quality service?  Jason Blonstein shares his journey from Army officer to Managing Director at ECA Partners, where he's transforming executive search through process innovation and global team integration. The conversation explores ECA's unique approach to recruiting, emphasizing rapid response times and quality control. Jason details how his m...

How can staffing agencies innovate while maintaining a heart-centered approach?  Carrie Charles shares her journey from Marine Corps veteran to founding Broadstaff, now a leading staffing firm in telecommunications and technology. She traces her path from joining the Marines on a dare to building a faith-based company that's made the Inc. 5000 list five times.  The conversation explores how Broads...

How can healthcare staffing agencies evolve while maintaining service excellence? Terri Lawson-Adams shares her journey from political consultant to founding Ellsworth Healthcare Staffing, a specialized agency focused on contract and direct hire placements for healthcare professionals. She traces her path from early PRN staffing challenges through COVID-19 adaptation to developing a sustainable co...

How can nursing agencies adapt to changing healthcare staffing needs while maintaining quality care?  Mark Savoie shares his journey from radio announcer to founding Nurses Direct, now operating in seven states with over 1,000 employees. He traces his path from financial hardship and a failed children's clothing store to building a successful healthcare staffing company.  The conversation explores...

How can educational approaches better serve children with developmental needs?  Sharon Lowery shares her journey from ABA therapist to founding Smart Start Developmental Learning Center, a full-inclusion school pioneering relationship-based education. She traces her evolution from strict behavioral methods to embracing DIR Floortime's developmental approach under Dr. Stanley Greenspan's mentorship...

How can organizations effectively support and empower individuals with vision loss?  Dina Rosenbaum shares her 40-year journey at the Carroll Center for the Blind, from launching their computer training program to becoming Chief Program Officer. She traces the organization's evolution from its 1936 founding as the Catholic Guild for the Blind to today's comprehensive vision rehabilitation center. ...

How can finance leaders drive profitability while building collaborative teams?  Robert Benn shares his journey to becoming the CFO of STG Auto Group, where he transforms businesses through innovative compensation structures and data-driven decision-making. The conversation explores his unique approach to compensation plans that encourage teamwork over competition. Robert details how aligning ince...

How can educators reimagine out-of-school learning while supporting student engagement?  Daniel Santangelo shares his journey from after-school program worker to Director of Extended Day programs, where he's transforming how schools approach before and after-school education. The conversation explores innovative approaches to student engagement, emphasizing project-based learning and community inv...

How can business leaders transition into early childhood education while making meaningful impact?  Sanjay Gehani shares his journey from semiconductor executive to CFO of Building Kids Worldwide, where he's helping touch the lives of one million children through innovative early education programs. The conversation explores Building Kids' unique approach to early education, emphasizing performing...

How can small businesses navigate HR complexities while staying compliant?  Mindy Flanigan shares her journey from corporate HR to CIO of Inspiring HR, providing simplified human resources solutions for small businesses. After having her first child, she transformed her career path to create a business model focused on making HR accessible and understandable. The conversation explores Inspiring HR...

How can staffing leaders create compassionate businesses while driving sustainable growth? Jolene Tate shares her journey from facing personal bankruptcy during the 2008 financial crisis to building a multi-state staffing enterprise focused on second chances and employee development. The conversation explores HQ Direct's comprehensive approach to staffing, emphasizing personal connections and supp...

How can tech executives successfully transition into early childhood education while maintaining innovation? Sima Shah shares her journey from Silicon Valley tech leader to owning multiple Primrose Schools. After struggling to find quality childcare for her own daughter, Sima discovered Primrose Schools and their balanced learning philosophy, eventually becoming one of their first California franc...

How can early childhood educators create high-quality learning environments while supporting diverse student needs? Adrienne Anzelmo shares her journey from college student to founding Be Curious Children's Learning Center, now a leading early education facility in Billerica, Massachusetts. Adrienne traces her path from working at her first preschool to developing Be Curious's innovative approach...

How can staffing firms evolve while staying true to their mission? James Hornick shares his journey from struggling tech sales rep to staffing industry leader at HireWell. The conversation explores HireWell's expansion into custom recruiting solutions across executive, tech, marketing, sales, finance, HR, and operations roles. James emphasizes the importance of actively selling candidates and prov...

How can staffing leaders leverage technology while maintaining personal relationships? Scott Fiore shares his journey from financial services to leading TriStarr Staffing, now transforming through technology while maintaining high-touch service. Scott traces his path through partnership with Joan Paxton, ultimately developing TriStar's vision to become a tech company that does recruiting. He discu...

How can staffing leaders evolve their services while maintaining their mission? Maria O'Connell shares her journey from corporate leadership to founding Express Employment Professionals Chester County, now helping both employers and job seekers through innovative staffing solutions. Maria traces her path through multiple industries, ultimately developing Express's comprehensive approach combining...

How can staffing leaders create social impact while building successful businesses? Kellie Brownlow shares her journey from government relations to First Step Staffing, now helping thousands of disenfranchised individuals access employment opportunities across nine U.S. markets. Kellie traces her path through workforce development, ultimately developing First Step's unique model combining traditio...