Hart & Hustle Podcast

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity in today’s world? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Wendi Williams, President-Elect of the American Psychological Association, to unpack leadership beyond titles. From the power of relational leadership to the ethical complexities of AI in mental health, Dr. Williams shares real, unfiltered insights on owning y...

In this inspiring Hart & Hustle episode, we sit down with John Temple, CEO of Guideposts, to explore how he's blending faith, storytelling, and AI to scale hope across millions. From his career as a prosecutor to leading a nonprofit rooted in spiritual growth and emotional healing, John shares powerful personal stories—including a life-saving moment with his newborn—and how AI is transforming...

In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, Doug Tennant, CEO of UNITI, shares how a personal encounter with discrimination inspired a 30+ year mission to redefine inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. From leading a $20M nonprofit to pioneering inclusive housing models and pushing AI innovation in the sector, Doug breaks down what it takes to lead with purpose and values. Discover...

What makes a 26-year-old turn down Wall Street for the west side of Chicago? In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Ike Muzikowski—President and Principal of Chicago Hope Academy—to unpack why he walked away from Ivy League prestige to lead a faith-driven, community-centered high school. Ike shares powerful insights on education reform, building inclusive school culture, raising $5...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Christy Pietryga, CEO of Hearth, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit supporting mothers and children escaping homelessness and domestic violence. Christy shares how a middle school volunteer experience ignited her lifelong mission, her transition from COO to CEO, and the power of long-term healing over short-term shelter stays. We also di...

On this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Joel Paquette, CEO of Spark Lifecare, to explore how he's redefining healthcare through people-first leadership, operational innovation, and personal resilience. From his transition as an occupational therapist to leading a national healthcare brand, to battling cancer and embracing AI, Joel shares raw insights on integrity, impact...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Mike Moss, CEO of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), to explore how nonprofit leaders can thrive through systems thinking, ecosystem collaboration, and a mindset of abundance. Mike shares insights from 34 years in leadership, how AI is transforming operations at SCUP, and why curiosity should fuel every mission...

In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Jamie Hunt, CEO of TopKare Hospice, to uncover how she’s transforming end-of-life care through technology, compassion, and leadership. From integrating AI into medical documentation to launching a nonprofit that helps families navigate financial burdens, Jamie shares her journey from ICU nurse to tech-savvy founder. We explore common...

What’s really wrong with leadership today? In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with David Castro, founder of I-LEAD and author of The Inward Sun, to break down the decline of integrity, the myth of “born leaders,” and how real leadership is rooted in values—not power. From personal accountability to the role of vision in community change, this conversation is a must-watch for any profe...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart and Hustle podcast, we sit down with Sereka Barlow, CEO of YWCA El Paso, to explore her journey from military brat to healthcare executive to nonprofit powerhouse. Sereka opens up about leading through crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting from a poverty mindset to a business-driven nonprofit model, and why she chose purpose over profit. We discuss lea...

In this inspiring episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Chris Simonsen, CEO of Orangewood Foundation, who left a high-powered $3B corporate finance career to serve youth in the foster care system. Chris shares why he made the bold leap into nonprofit leadership, how Orangewood is innovating with AI, and what it truly takes to support young people overcoming trauma, homelessness, and traffic...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Hugh Evans, co-founder of Global Citizen, who’s helped mobilize $49 billion in global impact and transformed 1.3 billion lives. From his eye-opening experience in Manila’s slums to building one of the world’s most influential advocacy platforms, Hugh shares how bold leadership, creative activism, and relentless grit can move world leaders, cel...

In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with John Sneath, founder of Tribute Home Care, who scaled a mission-driven business to $30M in revenue. John opens up about overcoming failure, leading with love, and the spiritual and emotional journey that shaped his leadership. From building caregiver-first systems to the power of forgiveness and humility, this episode is a masterclas...

When the elder care system failed her parents, Frances Reaves turned heartbreak into hustle. In this inspiring episode of Hart and Hustle, Frances shares how she fought insurance giants, cared for loved ones with dementia, and built her advocacy business, Parent Your Parents. From legal battles to life lessons, she breaks down the realities of aging in America—and why even “the best” elder care is...

Foster care, mental health, and disability services are often seen as broken systems—but Renee Brown, CEO of DePaul Community Resources, is proving they can be transformed with the right leadership. In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, Renee shares how her unique blend of engineering logic and clinical compassion is driving change across social services. She opens up about imposter synd...

Adoption is beautiful—but it’s also layered with trauma, identity challenges, and untold complexity. In this heartfelt episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with adoption coach and adoptee Sharon Butler-Obazee, who shares her powerful journey from corporate life to leading healing work in the adoption triad. Sharon dives deep into the biggest misconceptions adoptive parents have, how...

In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Renee Allison-Riley, CEO and franchise owner of Senior Care Authority, who left an 18-year corporate career to revolutionize senior care. Renee shares the emotional and logistical challenges families face when navigating elder care—and how fragmented systems are failing them. From building a values-based business to using AI in healt...

In this powerful episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Heather Marie-Ogburn Stokes, Founder and CEO of Serenity Light Recovery. Heather shares her emotional journey from addiction to recovery, the moment that changed her life forever, and how she built a purpose-driven recovery center focused on healing, hope, and second chances. She opens up about breaking the stigma around add...

In this episode of the Hart and Hustle podcast, we sit down with Jill Evenocheck, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest. Jill shares what it really takes to lead a $7M nonprofit, how she blends heart and hustle, and why running a nonprofit is just like running a business. From volunteer strategy and AI innovation to board governance and fundraising creativity, Jill rev...

In this powerful episode of The Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Mindy Mintz, President & CEO of the Esophageal Cancer Action Network, to discuss the hidden dangers of acid reflux, esophageal cancer awareness, and how AI is transforming cancer prevention and treatment. Mindy shares her personal journey of loss, the challenges of raising awareness, and how her relentless advocacy has...

In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Russell Robinson, CEO of the Jewish National Fund, to uncover the business strategies that drive successful nonprofits. Russell shares how he transitioned from the private sector to nonprofit leadership, the challenges of scaling a global organization, and how AI and technology are reshaping philanthropy. Learn how nonprofits can ope...

In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Arturo Rosario, a tech leader turned senior care entrepreneur, to uncover the challenges and innovations shaping the future of home healthcare. As a CTO and franchise owner of A Place at Home, Arturo shares how AI, technology, and leadership are transforming the senior care industry. We dive into the growing aging population crisis, the role of...

In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Dr. Austin Chiang, a trailblazing physician, social media influencer, and Chief Medical Officer at Medtronic. Dr. Chiang shares his journey from gastroenterology to corporate leadership, the power of leveraging social media in healthcare, and how a viral TikTok video led to real-life medical impact. We also explore the future of AI in healthcare...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Rebecca Wallace-Segall, the founder of Writetopia Lab, to explore the power of storytelling, leadership, and nonprofit growth. Rebecca shares her journey from journalism to building a multi-million dollar nonprofit, the challenges of securing funding for creative education, and the impact of writing on confidence and success. We al...

In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Dr. Paul Dann, President & CEO of North American Family Institute, to explore the evolution of leadership, resilience, and trust in today’s workforce. With over 45 years of experience, Dr. Dann shares how he went from a caseworker to CEO, the power of anti-gravitational thinking, and how to lead through economic uncertainty. We also discuss...