On today’s episode, B the Change Georgia Executive Producer, Quentin Thomas, interviews Nathan Stuck about the 2025 BLD Southeast Conference, taking place September 9th through 12th in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In this episode, Nathan reflects on his experiences with BLD Southeast, the importance of community and collaboration, and how diversity and inclusion are key at BLD Southeast.

Stay tuned to hear why you should be at this year’s BLD Southeast, and be sure to register to join us in St. Petersburg in September. Until then, enjoy this episode.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://bldsoutheast.com/

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today you’ll have the opportunity to learn from Jennifer “Jaki” Johnson, Founder and CEO of WellMiss.
WellMiss is a virtual integrative trauma care clinic that privodes care from the impact trauma has on heart health, mental heatlh, physical health.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Jaki created WellMiss while on her own healing journey after the unexpected passing of her 15-year-old son, Christian, a loss so traumatic it led to broaken heart syndrome and traumatic grief, which was truly debilitating, not just emotionally but physically.

Jaki and Nathan discuss the importance of stakeholder alignment in building a business, the need for compassionate support and innovative approaches in therapy, as well as her journey to becoming a certified B Corp.

Tune in to hear a deeply personal journey of tragedy, healing, and using one’s own learned experiences to support others through traumatic experiences.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://www.hellowellmiss.com/
• Follow WellMiss on social media at:
• • https://www.instagram.com/hellowellmiss/
  • https://www.facebook.com/hellowellmiss/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/company/hellowellmiss/
• Follow Jaki on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjakijohnson/

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to build workplaces where justice and equity are non-negotiable, even when the tide turns against DEI?

In today’s episode, Nathan Stuck sits down with Ebony Adams, Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA) at Pariveda Solutions, a B Corp consulting firm. Nathan and Ebony unpack what she's doing to drive authentic, community-rooted DEI work at Pariveda Solutions, and why staying the course matters more than ever. A Black, queer, Gen X woman with a PhD in English, she brings deep expertise in DEI leadership, grassroots activism, and corporate change-making.

Nathan and Ebony explore how to move DEI work from performative to purposeful, why solidarity across different movements is essential, and what it takes to build cultures where action — not just theory — drives change. If you're ready to rethink your approach to DEI and leadership, this conversation will leave you inspired and challenged.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit Pariveda Solutions at https://www.parivedasolutions.com
• Follow Ebony on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ebonyadams01
• Learn more about B Local Georgia at https://www.blocalgeorgia.com

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Stuck sits down with Shavonn Richardson, Founder of Think and Ink Grant Consulting and a newly certified B Corp.

Shavonn brings a truly unique perspective to the world of grant writing, having sat on both sides of the table as a nonprofit leader and as a grant reviewer and funder.

On today’s episode, Shavonn shares the personal story of nonprofit leadership, her professional journey into the entrepreneurial world, the importance of strategy-first grant writing, and how to navigate today’s evolving funding landscape.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, struggling to find time to write grants, win grants, or simply passionate about creating positive change, you won’t want to miss this episode.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://www.thinkandinkgrants.com/
• Follow Shavonn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shavonnrichardson/
• Follow Think and Ink Grants on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkandinkgrants/
• Subscribe to Shavonn’s newsletter

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Gary Whitehurst, CEO and Co-Founder of Brighter Investing—an investment firm that helps its clients align their personal purpose and passion with the places they invest their money.

Gary brings a unique background to this work, leveraging his decades of experience in the investment and wealth management industry to build something different, a socially and environmentally geared impact investing firm.

In this episode, Gary shares what led him to launch Brighter Investing, how their approach differs from mainstream investment firms, and why redefining risk and value is essential to creating lasting impact. He demystify some of the impact investing buzzwords, defining what ESG is and isn't, and explaining how it is used to help investors make decisions in line with their own personal risk tolerance. And Gary even tells us about their newest endeavor, launching an investment fund focused on social justice.

Whether you're a seasoned investor, social entrepreneur, or just curious about what it means to invest with purpose, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://brighter-investing.com/
• Follow Brighter Investing on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/brighterinvesting/
• Follow Gary Whitehurst on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywhitehurst/

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Nathan Stuck sits down with Brandy Hall, Founder and CEO of Shades of Green Permaculture, an Atlanta-based company transforming landscapes—and lives—through regenerative design and ecological stewardship. With nearly two decades of experience, Brandy has built a values-driven company that not only restores land but also fosters meaningful jobs and long-term impact in her community.

In this conversation, Nathan and Brandy dig into her journey from solo entrepreneur to visionary leader of a thriving team, how she learned to build systems that support sustainability, and what it truly takes to grow a mission-aligned business in a profit-first world. Brandy shares vulnerable insights about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the realities of running a values-led company, and why she believes in progress over perfection.

Whether you’re a purpose-driven entrepreneur, business leader, or simply someone curious about how business can be a force for good, you’ll walk away inspired and energized.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://shadesofgreenpermaculture.com/
• Follow Shades of Green Permaculture on social media at:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shades-of-green-permaculture/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shades_of_green_permaculture/
• Sign up for the Shades of Green bi-weekly newsletter at https://shadesofgreenpermaculture.com/newsletter-sign-up

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, you’ll learn from Adria Marshall, Founder and CEO of EcoSlay—a Georgia-based, Black woman-owned haircare company with a dedicated fancbase and a clear commitment to doing good.

What started as a side hustle mixing natural ingredients in her kitchen while working as a software developer has grown into a thriving business with sustainability and social impact at its core.

In this episode, Adria shares her unexpected founder journey, how she defines success on her own terms, and the intentional choices that led EcoSlay to become a certified B Corporation.

For anyone building, supporting, or simply curious about values-aligned businesses, this episode is for you.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit www.ecoslay.com
• Follow Ecoslay on social media:
  • https://x.com/Ecoslay
  • https://www.facebook.com/ecoslay/
  • https://www.instagram.com/ecoslay/
• Follow Adria on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecoslay/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Nathan Stuck is joined by Lexie Newhouse, Program Director at Boomtown Innovation.

Lexie is a powerhouse in the entrepreneurship space, working to bridge the gap between startup concepts and small business success. With experience in policy advocacy, ecosystem building, and direct support for founders, she’s passionate about helping businesses thrive—not just by tracking outputs, but by measuring real-world outcomes.

In this conversation, Lexie and Nathan talk about the importance of innovation in small business, the barriers entrepreneurs face, and the policies shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an executive, or just a fan of small business and small business owners, you won’t want to miss this episode.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://btinnovation.com/
• Check out https://www.startupatlanta.com/
• Follow Lexie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexienewhouse/

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.