Hart & Hustle Podcast

From Sunday school questions to boardroom solutions. Angela Hood, Chief of Staff at Detroit Parent Network, shares how growing up in Flint, Michigan shaped her commitment to amplifying parent voices in education. Discover why degrees don't define expertise, how to challenge systems without getting shut out, and the real meaning of "no money, no mission."

Dr. Karen DeCocker, Vice President of Clinical Services at Stella Mental Health, shares how she transformed from delivering babies to revolutionizing trauma treatment through innovative mental health care. Learn about the stellate ganglion block, a two-minute procedure with an 80% success rate in resetting the nervous system's trauma response.

Katie Welsh from the Women's Center for Advancement reveals the harsh reality most attorneys won't tell you about domestic violence cases. In this episode, Efrain discusses how legal advocacy becomes the bridge between crisis and self-sufficiency for survivors who can't afford traditional representation.

How does a 63-year-old nonprofit stay innovative while serving those who need care most? In this episode, Efrain sits down with Justin Harland, CEO of Kansas Christian Home, to explore the intersection of elderly care, technology, and mission-driven leadership.

Ken Huey, CEO of The Hope Group, shares how childhood trauma shapes mental health—and what it takes to break the cycle. In this powerful conversation, Efrain explores specialized trauma care for adoptees and foster youth, the groundbreaking ACEs research, and why understanding trauma at its root changes everything.

Most mental health advice treats symptoms—Michael Gershenzon is treating the brain like the organ it is. In this episode, Efrain sits down with the CEO of Stellar Mental Health to discuss how interventional psychiatry is revolutionizing treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD without relying solely on traditional therapy or medication.

Dr. Raymond Garcia, Chief Medical Officer at Rosecrance, reveals how psychiatry transformed from pure science into the art of storytelling and human connection. In this conversation, Efrain explores how augmented intelligence is revolutionizing behavioral health while keeping humanity at the center of care.

Brandi Pretlow, VP of Community Initiatives at Active Minds, shares how one college student's grief transformed into a national movement mobilizing youth to change mental health culture on campuses nationwide.

Kristin Lamendola, Vice President of Business Development at Partnership to End Addiction, shares how personal tragedy transformed her career path and why delaying youth substance use by even one year dramatically reduces addiction risk. In this conversation, Efrain discusses the critical shift from corporate sales to mission-driven work, the truth about prevention versus scare tactics, and how fa...

AnnMarie Churchill from Stepped Care Solutions shares how technology can transform mental health access without replacing human connection. Efrain explores the balance between AI-powered support and authentic therapeutic relationships.

Steve Page walked away from investment banking to build psychiatric hospitals where none existed. Now, SUN Behavioral Health operates multiple facilities serving thousands of patients whom others had given up on.

Jill Nosach, CEO of SOS Children's Villages USA, reveals how one trusted adult can rewire a child's brain and break generational trauma cycles. In this powerful conversation, Efrain discusses the neuroscience of healing, the critical gap in foster care systems, and why keeping siblings together changes everything.

Angie Manson went from facing 10 years in prison to building one of California's most innovative addiction treatment centers. In this raw conversation, the CEO of Elevate Addiction Services shares how personal struggle became her greatest leadership asset.

Four exam failures. Three young kids. One marriage falling apart. Rachel Watson's path to VP wasn't what anyone expected. In this episode, Efrain discusses how failure redirected Rachel into autism services leadership and why Interactive Kids is building community instead of just treating clients.

Marjorie Kreppel, Owner and Director of The Counseling Center Group, shares how she transformed from marketing executive to mental health entrepreneur—building a 7-state therapy practice that prioritizes patient outcomes over profit. Learn how she's fighting private equity's takeover of mental healthcare while scaling evidence-based treatment.

From top real estate producer to nonprofit founder, Megan Schomer shares how her son's rare brain malformation led her to create Rays for Rare—an organization now serving over 220 families with medically fragile children across Idaho. Learn how she challenged healthcare systems, revolutionized pediatric palliative care, and built a tech-startup approach to nonprofit work that's changing lives.

From answering a newspaper ad to leading 80 locations serving thousands, Jessica Smart's journey into nonprofit leadership proves that passion beats planning. In this episode, Efrain discusses compassion-driven leadership and mission sustainability with Jessica Smart, CEO of Clearbrook. Learn how one leader is transforming care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities acros...

What happens when a healthcare CEO prioritizes culture over everything else? Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH Healthcare System, reveals the unconventional strategies that are transforming healthcare in Southwest Florida.

Most nonprofit leaders believe scaling means sacrificing culture. Rina Barak, CEO of SLEA Therapies, proved them wrong by growing from 150 to 300 employees while earning multiple Best Places to Work awards.

Caroline Whistler, CEO of Third Sector, shares how nonprofits can stop chasing crumbs and start reshaping the trillion-dollar government funding system. Learn why outcomes matter more than outputs and how to become a thought partner instead of just another grantee.

Why do kids from the same neighborhood end up on completely different paths? Colleen Morris Lorber, Founder and CEO of Wraparound Experts, discovered the answer wasn't just about resources—it was about mindset, systems, and having one person who believes in you.

Darren Washausen walked away from a high-paying engineering career to adopt a child—a decision that transformed his life and launched a ministry serving hundreds of vulnerable children across Kentucky. In this episode, Efrain sits down with the President of the Board at Orphan Care Alliance to explore how personal adoption led to systemic change in foster care.

Building a mission-driven business from scratch isn't just about passion—it's about sustainable systems that serve real people. In this episode, Efrain sits down with James Marshall and Ronald Rockwell, co-founders of Inspire Greatness Within, who transformed from frontline social workers into leaders of a thriving organization serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across...

From HIV/AIDS care to pain management to owning her own ABA therapy center—Tamakio Patterson's journey proves that passion and purpose always find a way. In this episode, Efrain sits down with the CEO of Jewel ABA Therapy to discuss building a mission-driven business from scratch, overcoming financial setbacks, and why she opened her home to serve families when everything fell apart.

 From retail CEO to autism care revolutionary—Mike Cairnes built a 14-clinic empire after his son's diagnosis changed everything. In this powerful conversation, the former Michaels President and Kirkland's CEO shares how a personal crisis became purpose, revealing the hidden systems keeping families from critical care and the radical model making therapy accessible. Discover why he walked away fro...