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 also discuss the role of AI in writing, overcoming nonprofit hurdles, and the future of literacy in ed...
Mar 07, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 147
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 the future of AI in behavioral health, creating a mission-driven company culture, and why trust is t...
Mar 05, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 146
In this powerful episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Laura Cooper, CEO of the Lee County Youth Development Center, to discuss the growing crisis of disconnection in families and communities. Laura shares her insights on the impact of social media, the epidemic of loneliness, and why struggle is essential for personal growth. She also reveals how leaders can foster real human connection in an increasingly digital world. Tune in for a conversation packed with wisdom, leadershi...
Mar 03, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 145
In this powerful episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Seth Barnes, founder and CEO of Adventures in Missions, to uncover how he has spent over 36 years empowering young leaders through faith-driven missions worldwide. From launching his organization in a garage after being fired to navigating COVID setbacks, Seth shares hard-earned leadership lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and the power of failure. Learn how he’s using technology to scale mentorship, why young people n...
Feb 28, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 144
In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Shyanne Anthony, CEO of Perimeter Behavioral of Missouri, to discuss mental health advocacy, leadership challenges, and breaking cycles of trauma. Shyanne shares her powerful journey from overcoming personal struggles to leading a mission-driven organization, tackling the stigma of mental health, and fighting for better care for foster youth and at-risk teens. She dives into the biggest misconceptions about young leadership, the im...
Feb 21, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 143
In this powerful episode of the Hart and Hustle podcast, we sit down with Courtney Bugler, CEO of Zero Prostate Cancer, to tackle the stigma, challenges, and misconceptions surrounding men’s health. We discuss why prostate cancer awareness lags behind other health movements, the importance of community-driven support, and how leadership can drive real change in nonprofit organizations. Courtney shares her bold vision, the struggles of disrupting the status quo, and how transparency fuels impact....
Feb 17, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 142
In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Janelle Duray, CEO of JAG, to discuss the power of leadership, agency, and scaling impact in today's fast-changing world. Janelle shares her journey from a small town in Minnesota to leading a national organization, the challenges of succeeding a 43-year founder, and why listening is the most underrated leadership skill in 2025. We also dive into scaling organizations, embracing AI, and fostering youth leadership. If you’re a busin...
Feb 14, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 141
In this episode of The Hart and Hustle Podcast , we sit down with Scott Walker , CEO of Lifewise St. Louis, to discuss what real impact looks like in the nonprofit world. Scott shares how he transitioned from the corporate sector to leading a mission-driven organization, why traditional nonprofit models fail, and how data-driven strategies can create long-term change. If you're a business leader, nonprofit professional, or entrepreneur looking to scale impact, this episode is for you!...
Feb 10, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 140
In this episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Michael Hull, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Michigan, to uncover his incredible journey from a 14-year-old fundraiser to a leader transforming lives. Michael shares the power of small acts of kindness, fostering hope, and creating a human-first workplace culture. Learn how Make-A-Wish is innovating to reach underserved communities, empower teams, and deliver life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses. If you'...
Jan 30, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 139
In this inspiring episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Natalie Davis, CEO of United States of Care, to explore the groundbreaking work of making healthcare more affordable, dependable, and patient-centric. With over 25,000 interviews and 5,000 hours of research, Natalie shares how her team is revolutionizing healthcare through human-centered design, policy innovation, and trust-building. Learn about her entrepreneurial journey from aspiring museum curator to nonprofit leader,...
Jan 23, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 138
In this episode of The Hart & Hustle Podcast, Bill Dwyer, President and CEO of Helping Hand, shares his inspiring journey from therapist to nonprofit leader. Bill reveals how stability unlocks innovation, why risk-taking is essential for growth, and how he builds trust-centered leadership in his organization. Discover how to balance financial stability with bold ideas, create lasting community impact, and empower teams to innovate. Bill’s personal story, leadership insights, and passion for ...
Dec 19, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 137
In this episode of The Hart & Hustle Podcast, Andrew Kitson, President of GDC Inc., shares his unconventional journey from art school to leading a $100 million company. Learn how to pivot during adversity, build resilient teams, and foster trust in challenging times. Andrew dives into how he turned failures into lessons, rebuilt company culture, and navigated massive industry challenges like the semiconductor shortage and the pandemic. Discover leadership strategies, the power of adaptabilit...
Dec 18, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 136
In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, host Keenan Hart dives into the untapped opportunity of aging-in-place solutions with Sean Fitzgerald, President of TrueBlue Home Service Ally. Discover how TrueBlue is solving home maintenance challenges for seniors, protecting their most valuable assets—family and home. Sean shares his personal journey, the importance of fall prevention, and how TrueBlue’s mission-driven model is redefining the senior care space. Tune in to learn about the $100...
Dec 17, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 135
In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, Keenan Hart sits down with Brian Urban, Head of Population Health and Commercial Strategy at Best Buy Health, to discuss the transformative future of healthcare. From leveraging data and AI to enhancing population health to reimagining care at home, Brian shares bold insights on innovation, leadership, and breaking the barriers of traditional healthcare models. Discover how technology, consumer behavior, and food-as-medicine programs are reshapin...
Dec 15, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 134
In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Keenan Hart sits down with Jennie Shulkin, co-founder of Override Health, to discuss her journey from high-powered lawyer to healthcare innovator. They dive into navigating imposter syndrome, building a business without prior industry experience, and scaling a patient-focused model for chronic pain care. Jennie shares lessons on embracing vulnerability, the power of delegation, and balancing personal identity with professional growth. Packed with actionable ...
Dec 14, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 133
In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Jay Lucas, President of Reputable Recruiting, to explore the art of balancing success with significance. Jay shares his powerful philosophy of "The Perfect Try," a mindset that champions progress over perfection. From scaling a business sustainably to redefining what it means to lead, Jay’s insights are packed with actionable advice. Tune in as we dive into resilience, leadership, and how truth, like a fine whiskey, is an acquire...
Dec 13, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 132
In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Joe McClung, President and COO of Floodgate Medical, to explore the art of leadership, building culture, and embracing innovation. Joe shares his journey from med device sales to leading a groundbreaking recruiting firm, offering insights on empowering teams, adopting AI in business, and navigating today’s hybrid workplace. Learn how to trust your team, fail high, and scale your business without sacrificing core values. Packed wi...
Dec 12, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 131
In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Kelly Alston, Market President of Mills Auto Group, to uncover his journey from a part-time college salesperson to a top industry leader. Kelly shares pivotal moments that shaped his leadership style, including embracing humility, adapting to generational changes, and leading transformative innovations like the early adoption of internet car sales. We also dive into the future of the automotive industry, the challenges of EV adop...
Dec 11, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 130
In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Brett Clancy, owner and franchisee of Christian Brothers Automotive, to discuss his journey from military discipline to entrepreneurial success. Brett shares insights into overcoming financial challenges, building a thriving business culture, and adapting to rapid industry changes like EVs and AI. Learn how Brett’s faith-driven leadership and focus on relationships have helped him transform his organization while staying ahead in...
Dec 09, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 129
In this powerful episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Lori Ross, the inspiring CEO of Foster Adopt Connect. Lori shares her incredible 25-year journey, from becoming a foster parent at 20 to founding an organization that serves thousands of children and families annually. We dive into the root causes of child welfare challenges, like substance abuse and poverty, and discuss how Lori’s innovative solutions are transforming the system. Don’t miss her insights on leadership, r...
Dec 08, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Dive into this heartfelt episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast featuring Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, President & CEO of the Family and Children's Association. Discover his inspiring journey as a two-time cancer survivor and leader of a 140-year-old nonprofit serving over 35,000 people annually. We explore the challenges of nonprofit leadership, balancing personal and professional lives, and fostering authentic connections in today's world. Learn about innovative approaches to social services, i...
Dec 07, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 127
In this episode of the Hart and Hustle podcast, Keenan Hart sits with Samantha Roe, the CEO of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA). The IECA is a non-profit, member organization that provides education, resource information, and business opportunities for professionals in the erosion and sediment control industry including consultants, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and regulators.
Dec 07, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 126
In this episode of the Hart and Hustle podcast, Keenan Hart sits down with Rachael Gazdick, the CEO of New York Edge, the largest provider of comprehensive afterschool programming in New York City, making a transformative impact in all five boroughs and Long Island. With programs in 129 schools and 19 dedicated community school locations, Rachael is proud to support over 25,000 students annually.
Dec 06, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 125
On this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, Gary Z. Linnen, CEO of PeerForward, shares his inspiring journey from Spanish Harlem to becoming a transformational leader. Gary discusses the power of social responsibility, fostering accountability in leadership, and helping the next generation thrive through education and empowerment. Learn how to leverage community, embrace challenges, and rethink success for lasting impact. If you're a business leader or professional seeking actionable insig...
Dec 03, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 124
In this episode of Hart & Hustle , we’re joined by Maria Barrera, CEO & Co-Founder of Clayful , to explore how her mission-driven company is tackling the youth mental health crisis. Maria shares how Clayful provides on-demand coaching to schools, empowering students with emotional regulation and executive functioning skills. Learn about the challenges of selling innovation in education, how data-driven solutions like improved attendance prove impact, and the personal lessons Maria has le...
Dec 02, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Discover the incredible journey of Phyllis Wilson, President of the Military Women’s Memorial Foundation, in this impactful episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast. Learn how Phyllis’s 37-year military career shaped her leadership, resilience, and mission to preserve the stories of over 3 million women who have served in the U.S. military. From overcoming biases to leading with purpose, Phyllis shares insights on creating a legacy of service, inspiring the next generation, and honoring untold s...
Dec 01, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 126
In this powerful episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, Rebecca Parkes, Regional President, North at USO, shares her journey from competitive sports to nonprofit leadership. Discover the critical lessons she learned about building high-performing, mission-driven teams, fostering trust in remote work, and embracing the power of listening. Rebecca dives into her passion for purpose-driven leadership, bridging the civilian-military divide, and the art of leading with authenticity. Whether you're...
Nov 30, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 125
In this insightful episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, Arun Prabhakaran, President of the Urban Affairs Coalition, dives deep into the challenges and opportunities facing the nonprofit sector. Discover how fiscal sponsorship is transforming community impact, the role of AI in nonprofit innovation, and strategies for addressing burnout among leaders. Arun also shares his personal journey, lessons from his upbringing, and his vision for building sustainable solutions for systemic issues like...
Nov 28, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Are you leading or just surviving? In this thought-provoking episode of Hart & Hustle, Jemia Cunningham, CEO of North Lawndale College Prep High School, shares powerful lessons on leadership, self-care, and building communities through education. Learn how her "Together We Rise" philosophy is transforming lives and neighborhoods in Chicago, and discover practical strategies for navigating post-pandemic challenges, fostering resilience, and inspiring the next generation. Whether you're a busi...
Nov 27, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 122
In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Kristi Snuggs, President of Early Years, to discuss the critical role of early childhood education and the challenges facing the field today. From systemic underfunding and educator wages to the lasting impact of high-quality care on families and society, Kristi shares her passion and solutions for systemic change. Learn how her journey from med school rejection to policy innovator shaped her mission to advocate for educators and families al...
Nov 25, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 121
