The Legacy Project with Jim Copple

Law for the People: Frontline Justice CEO Nikole Nelson’s Mission to Close the Justice Gap In this episode of The Legacy Project, Jim sits down with Nikole Nelson, CEO of Frontline Justice who  shares her journey from growing up in the mining community of Magna, Utah, to leading a national movement in Alaska and beyond. We discuss the "Medical-Legal Partnership" model, how non-lawyers ar...

What does it mean to build a life around the radical idea of "not killing"? In this episode of The Legacy Project, Jim Copple sits down with Craig Keen, a retired professor of systematic theology whose life has been a journey to the intellectual heights of philosophical theology. Craig shares the "first theological act" that defined his life—becoming a pacifist during the Vietn...

What does it mean to "build" greatness in others? In this episode of The Legacy Project, host Jim sits down with Lisa Piantanida—public affairs expert, storyteller, and co-founder of the viral social media sensation Midlifers . Lisa shares her journey from working at the National Crime Prevention Council (the home of McGruff the Crime Dog) to navigating a cross-country move with $1000 an...

In this episode of the Legacy Project, Jim Copple speaks with Dennis Estes, an 8th-degree black belt and lifestyle architect. Dennis discusses his upbringing, his 60-year journey in martial arts, and why he founded the Live by Design Academy to help people escape the "assigned life." The Legacy Project is a series of conversations that focuses on legacy, the one we inherit and the one we...

What does it mean to live well and leave well ? In this heartfelt conversation, Jim sits down with longtime friend Randall Davey,  a former pastor, spiritual leader, and now a financial educator with Guide Advisors . From his humble beginnings in Ohio to helping families navigate money, meaning, and purpose, Randall shares wisdom earned through decades of life, work, and reflection. This episode g...

In this episode of The Legacy Project with Jim Copple , retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Beal joins us for a powerful and timely conversation. From serving five combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan to reflecting on leadership, civility, and the future of democracy, Andrew shares lessons learned on the battlefield and in life. We also explore one of the most pressing issues of our time:...

Roberto “Taz” Villaseñor: Faith, Policing, and the Power of Listening In this episode of The Legacy Project , host Jim Copple sits down with Roberto “Taz” Villaseñor, former Chief of the Tucson Police Department and a key member of President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Taz shares his journey—from growing up in a multi-generational immigrant family in Tucson, to finding faith as a...

Eric Mills, CEO of Thrive in Martin County, Kentucky, shares his remarkable journey of turning trauma into purpose, addiction into opportunity, and legacy into action. In this interview with Jim Copple, Eric unpacks what it means to "give it all you’ve got" — not just for your family, but for your entire community. From pioneering recovery-to-workforce programs to teaching his kids the p...

In this powerful episode of The Legacy Project, Jim Copple sits down with Jen Dyer, COO of The PHASE Alliance — a merger of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, Maloof Foundation, and Fight the New Drug. Jen shares about the deep legacy she’s inherited from two extraordinary women — one an Ivy League educator, the other a fierce, faith-filled mother-in-law. Her journey from international development wi...

Here in Utah I was able to interview in person Miyo Strong, who is the Smart Defense Program Director for the Elizabeth Smart and Malouf Foundation. Miyo is a remarkably talented person who is also a photographer and is just about to become a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. It was a great pleasure to talk with her about the legacy she is leaving behind through her work to end the victimization and exploi...

It was such a pleasure to sit down to interview the wonderfully talented Ashley Hess who’s a singer/songwriter and who you might remember from the 2019 version of American Idol.  In this interview Ashley talks to me about her journey as a musician as well as her values and the legacies she’s inherited and those she is seeking to leave behind. I hope you enjoy this conversation and are inspired. Pl...

Recently I was able to interview Chief Shon Barnes who is the Chief of Police in Madison, Wisconsin. I first met Chief Barnes when I was co-facilitating the Council on Policing Reforms and Race for the National Policing Institute. He is an impressive member of the next generation of leaders that are emerging in policing in America. Chief Barnes also is part of the 54th Mile Policing Project which...

It was a pleasure to be able to interview Kacie Malouf who is the co-founder of Malouf , a luxury bedding and furniture manufacturer as well as chair of the Malouf Foundation which works to confront sexual exploitation in children. Kacie talks about her family and background growing up and the legacy she’s is leaving behind. This podcast focuses on legacy, the one we inherit and the one we can cre...

I recently was able to interview Michele Worobiec who is the Director for the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) where she provides technical assistance in the drug treatment and prevention community as well as in law enforcement. It was a pleasure to hear about the legacy she inherited and the one she is leaving behind. This podcast focuses on legacy, the one we inherit and the...

I had the privilege to interview Chimes as She Walks who is part of the Cheyenne River Band of the Lakota Tribe. Chimes as She Walks is a third generation descendent of Crazy Horse. She has a very interesting story that intersects a lot with what has gone wrong with how the US Government has treated Indian country. She is an amazing person with an important voice.  This podcast focuses on legacy,...

In today’s podcast I spoke with my longtime friend Diane Riibe who shared with us her personal story about overcoming hardships in her life and how they shaped her family and her life’s work. Diane has been a great influence as a national advocate related to alcohol policy, underaged drinking, and drinking and driving issues.  This podcast focuses on legacy, the one we inherit and the one we can c...

Today I interview Darrel Stephens who is the former Executive Director of Major Cities Chiefs Association and currently is the Co-Director of Policing, Security Technology & Private Security Research and Policy Institute at Florida State University. He was a subject matter expert with the President’s Taskforce for 21st Century Policing where I got to know him well. His experience as a law enfo...

It was very interesting speaking with Marcelo Mainzer from Lakewood, Colorado. Marcelo is an imagineer and innovator. He has served in many different roles in his life. His big idea is to open a 21st century style village for veterans. I loved hearing about the legacy he inherited and now the legacy he is leaving. This podcast focuses on legacy, the one we inherit and the one we can create. It is...

Today I interview Howard Powers from his home in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Howard works as a Master Trainer for Blue Courage . It’s an organization that works to help capture the heart, mind and souls of people working in the criminal justice system. They focus on their health, wholeness and healing in their lives while working in an occupation that deals with a tremendous amount of stress. This podc...

Recently, I met with 10 women and 10 men who were in a pre-release from prison program. On average each of them were required to pay $20,000 in fines and fees before they could get their driver's license.  Fines and fees make being poor a crime. Lisa Foster who is the co-founder and co-director of The Fines & Fees Justice Center which is an organization that works to eliminate fees in the...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Legacy Project Podcast! In our first interview this year I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrea Dunne-Sosa who is the Regional Director for the Americas at Project Hope which is an organization that globally works in some difficult places. She is a global force in public health. I enjoyed hearing about her faith and the journey that took her to be a global citizen. Yo...

This interview has been one of my favorites so far. I was able to interview Josephine Powers, an Air Force Veteran and former Michigan State Trooper who spent a year and half in Afghanistan training Afghan women to become police officers. Her first assignment was teaching them to read, write, and to do simple math. She talked about the resilience, strength, passion and curiosity like she has never...

On the journey that is social reform, you meet people whose lives are lived in a commitment to a just cause that is unwavering and determined. Celeste Fitzgerald has taken on the issue of the death penalty and won numerous battles, especially in New Jersey. She now takes the fight to end state sponsored executions in Florida. She works for Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty . She is...

I had the honor and privilege to interview Connie Rice who is the co-founder of the Advancement Project . I met Connie when I facilitated the Presidential Taskforce for 21st Century Policing a few years back. Connie is one of America's leading civil rights activists and attorneys. In Los Angeles she has been at the forefront of criminal justice reform, police reform, education reform, just ab...

Laurie Robinson is the former Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice, a position she held during the Clinton and Obama Administrations. She was the co-chair of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. She just became the Emeritus Clarence J. Robinson Professor of Criminology, Law, and Society at the George Mason University. S...