Dr. Melanie Lashlee Adams, Executive Director and Principal Consultant, Executive Education at Belmont University, discusses the institution's comprehensive Executive Education programs that equip learners with the tools they need to grow their careers and lead their organizations toward impactful outcomes. The conversation explores fundamental leadership concepts, emphasizing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the importance of building trust and team collaboration. Dr. Lashlee Adams highlights different certificate programs, along with their executive coaching and custom solutions for individuals and organizations in Middle Tennessee, as well as across the state and nation. She talks about some of the trends and highlights Belmont's shift toward whole-person leadership, and she encourages listeners to explore their Executive Education programs, which include options both in-person and online.

Summary

Belmont University and Belmont University Executive Education - Dr. Melanie Lashlee Adams, Executive Director and Principal Consultant, Executive Education at Belmont University, discusses the institution's diverse offerings, including in-person and online graduate programs, a strong music business program, and a new college of medicine. She highlights Belmont's vibrant campus community and its role as a leading educational institution in Nashville, Tennessee, and beyond. Dr. Lashlee Adams then describes Belmont University Executive Education as the professional development arm that provides customized leadership and organizational development curriculum, consulting, executive coaching, certificate programs, and public workshops to support organizations and individuals in Middle Tennessee and across the country. She and her team assess organizational culture and leadership needs through questions about talent development, current challenges, and long-term goals, tailoring solutions to each client's unique requirements.

Leadership Fundamentals and Emotional Intelligence - Dr. Lashlee Adams discusses the fundamentals of leadership, emphasizing that it is not solely about a position of authority but involves inspiring and engaging others effectively. She highlights the importance of self-awareness, including understanding one's communication style, stress reactions, and unproductive behaviors, as a foundation for leadership growth and impact. She also mentions the role of emotional intelligence in adapting to the needs of others and building trust, which are crucial for team collaboration and achieving leadership goals.

Servant Leadership Development Programs - Dr. Lashlee Adams and Jeremy discuss the importance of leadership skills in developing a healthy team culture and their transferability to personal relationships. They explore how servant leadership can positively impact the community beyond the workplace. Dr. Lashlee Adams explains their range of leadership development programs, including certificate courses, short workshops, and industry-specific training, available both in-person and online.

Whole-Person Leadership and Employee Well-being - Dr. Melanie Lashlee Adams then talks about current trends, discussing the shift towards whole-person leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving employees' holistic needs beyond job descriptions. She highlights the focus on creating safe, inclusive, and meaningful work experiences, which requires building trust and psychological safety within teams. Dr. Lashlee Adams encourages listeners to visit Belmont University's Executive Education website for more information on leadership programs, executive coaching, and upcoming workshops.

Visit https://www.belmont.edu/executive-edu... to learn more and connect with Belmont University Executive Education.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Ann Jarvis, Executive Director of USO Fort Campbell/Nashville, to discuss the organization's extensive reach across three states and their mission to support service members and their families through various programs and initiatives. Ann explains the USO's history, core mission, and diverse offerings including care packages, family events, and community engagement activities, while emphasizing the importance of volunteer support and community involvement. The discussion highlights the USO's efforts to connect service members and their families with the broader community, with Ann encouraging listeners to learn more about volunteering and supporting the organization through their website, https://fortcampbell.uso.org.

Summary

USO's Regional Impact and Operations - Ann Jarvis, Executive Director of USO Fort Campbell/Nashville, highlights the organization's reach across three states. Ann explains that despite their name, USO Fort Campbell/Nashville covers Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas, with Fort Campbell being their largest center and the second largest USO in the world. The organization relies heavily on volunteers and has three locations, with a small staff of five people.

USO's Community Support Initiatives - Ann discusses the USO's mission to support service members and their families and connect them with the broader community through various programs. She explains the history of the USO and details initiatives like Coffee Connections for military spouses, a Canine Program featuring therapy dogs, and care package programs for deploying and returning service members. Ann emphasizes the importance of community support, including volunteer involvement and donations, to sustain their centers and programs, noting significant foot traffic at their facilities.

Military Care Package Logistics Planning - Ann and Jeremy discuss the logistics of care package donations, with Ann suggesting a typical range of 200 to 500 packs per donation, adaptable to donor preferences and organizational needs. They also explore family-focused initiatives, including upcoming events, highlighting the importance of supporting military families through activities such as art shows, gaming, and storytelling.

USO Family Connection Initiatives - The discussion focuses on USO's efforts to connect service members and their families with the community, emphasizing building relationships and providing support. Ann highlights the importance of involving community organizations in events and showcasing available resources to both service members and their families. She also describes initiatives like Warrior Summer events, which partner with local businesses to offer fun activities, and shares personal experiences as a transplant to highlight the importance of adapting and building connections in new environments. The conversation also touches on the resilience of military children, comparing them to dandelions for their ability to thrive in different settings.

USO Volunteerism and Support Mission - Ann discusses the importance of volunteerism in achieving their goals. She explains that volunteers are crucial for keeping USO centers open seven days a week and providing assistance to service members and their families. Ann encouraged listeners to visit their website to learn more about volunteering and other ways to support the USO.

Visit https://fortcampbell.uso.org to learn more and get involved with USO Fort Campbell/Nashville.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Graham Thomas, Chief Community and Government Affairs Officer for tnAchieves, a nonprofit organization focused on building Tennessee's future workforce, one student at a time. The organization has a range of programs to help students, especially first-generation college students, succeed in their post-secondary education and take first steps in their career through structured supports and mentoring. During the interview, Graham discusses the organization's mentorship programs and their impact on increasing graduation rates and workforce development. The conversation concludes with details about their new workforce mentorship program aimed at connecting students with mentors to prepare them for employment by early 2026. The organization is seeking adult mentors in various professions across Tennessee to spend a small amount of time with students to help open their eyes to new career possibilities.

Summary

tnAchieves: College Success Initiative - Graham Thomas, Chief Community and Government Affairs Officer at tnAchieves, discusses the organization's mission and impact. Graham explains how tnAchieves, which predates the Tennessee Promise program, focuses on helping students enroll in and succeed in post-secondary education, particularly for first-generation college students. He highlights the organization's traditional access mentorship program, which has been running for 17 years, and the program's success in increasing graduation rates from 5-6% to 41% for vulnerable populations and notes that 53,000 alumni have graduated, with 84.7% choosing to stay in Tennessee. The discussion emphasizes the economic benefits and workforce development implications of tnAchieves' work, as well as the organization's role in breaking generational cycles of educational disadvantage.

tnAchieves Community Service Impact - Graham talks about the importance of community service with tnAchieves, highlighting its community service requirement where students provide 8 hours of service per semester, resulting in over 600,000 hours of community service completed by scholarship recipients since the program's inception 17 years ago. The program, which began as a privately funded initiative, now is known to be the largest community service organization in the state.

Enhancing Student Career Pathways - Graham discusses their efforts to address the gap between students who want to transfer after earning their two-year degree and those who enter the workforce. He explains that while the transfer rate has improved from 15% to 50% with their transfer program, they are now focusing on supporting students who choose to enter the workforce. Graham highlights the success of job shadowing opportunities at various companies, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Eastman, and announces the launch of a new workforce mentorship program to provide personalized guidance to students as they approach graduation.

Rural-Urban Mentorship Program Initiative - The workforce mentorship program aims to connect students, including those in rural Tennessee, with adult mentors working in their careers of interest to offer basic guidance and support. Graham explains that while geographical proximity is not the primary focus, the program will prioritize subject matter expertise and career fields to provide valuable mentorship opportunities.

Mentorship Initiative for Student Success - Graham and Jeremy discuss the need for 5,000 mentors, with over 700 needed in Memphis alone, to support local students. Graham emphasizes the importance of life advice and mentorship, promising comprehensive training and support for mentors. Jeremy highlights the value of exposing students to various career paths and the opportunity for businesses to recruit young professionals through mentorship. Graham stresses the significance of mentorship in guiding students and the availability of the staff for ongoing support. Jeremy adds that volunteering in such programs often brings unexpected personal benefits to mentors, too.

tnAchieves Workforce Mentorship Initiative - Graham discusses the program's goal of pairing 5,000 students with mentors by early December 2025 so the mentorship can begin in early 2026. He provides the website (http://www.tnachieves.org) and phone number (615-604-1306) for interested participants to sign up and learn more. The program aims to prepare students for college or employment by early 2026, with the next steps involving training and matching students with mentors to help them achieve their educational and career goals.

Visit https://www.tnachieves.org or call 615-604-1306 to learn more and become a mentor.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Kris Kelso, Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker and Author of "Overcoming the Imposter: Silence Your Inner Critic and Lead with Confidence," who shares his background as an entrepreneur and leadership coach, discussing how his experience with imposter syndrome led him to study and share insights on the topic through writing and speaking engagements. He emphasizes his opposition to the "fake it till you make it" mindset and advocates for an authentic approach to learning and growth, which he refers to as "humble confidence." Kris shares a recap with some of the takeaways from his recent keynote presentation at the cityCURRENT signature speaker series event in Nashville. The conversation concludes with Kris discussing his current projects, including learning stand-up comedy to enhance his professional speaking, while Jeremy expresses gratitude for Kris's contributions to cityCURRENT.

Summary

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as Entrepreneurs - Kris Kelso shares his background as an entrepreneur and leadership coach, highlighting his journey from running IT and healthcare technology companies to focusing on executive coaching and professional speaking. He explains how his experience with imposter syndrome, which began during his first business venture, led him to study and understand the phenomenon. Kris discovered that imposter syndrome is more prevalent among high achievers and found that his insights and techniques for addressing it were valuable to others, leading to a viral article and eventually a book and keynote speech on the topic.

Humble Confidence in Learning - Kris discusses his opposition to the "fake it till you make it" mindset, advocating instead for an authentic approach to learning and growth, which he refers to as "humble confidence." He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging when one doesn't know something and using that as an opportunity to seek help and learn, rather than pretending to be an expert. Jeremy agrees with Kris's perspective, highlighting the role of authenticity and relationships in personal and professional development. Kris shares a habit to foster humble confidence: acknowledging when one doesn't know something and offering to find solutions or gather expertise, which helps maintain authenticity and invites support.

Coaching for Client Self-Discovery - Kris shares his experience as an entrepreneur and coach, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and suspending judgment to help clients explore and grow. He highlights that coaching involves guiding clients to find their own answers rather than providing them directly, and this approach has been valuable in his business life. Kris stresses the importance of acknowledging that there is always more to learn and new perspectives to consider, which keeps him in an "explorer mode."

Enhancing Teamwork and Personal Growth - Jeremy and Kris discuss the importance of surrounding oneself with knowledgeable people to enhance teamwork and organizational success. Kris shares his approach to writing, emphasizing that his latest book was a compelled project rather than a planned one, and he expresses a willingness to write another book only when he has a unique perspective to offer. Kris also mentions his current goal of improving his humor in speeches and content, which he has been working on with a professional stand-up comedian.

Kris's Keynote Insights - Kris discusses his experience with stand-up comedy and his newfound respect for professional comedians. He mentions his popular keynotes on imposter syndrome and humble confidence, which he has adapted from a TEDx talk into a full-length presentation. Kris also shares that he offers workshops on topics such as delegation and building trust in the workplace.

Book Details and Contact Exchange - Kris shares his contact information and book details with Jeremy, noting that his book "Overcoming the Imposter" can be found at major bookstores and online platforms. He highlights that the book's website offers a free sample chapter, specifically Chapter 7, which discusses the explorer mentality and contrasts it with the tour guide mindset. Jeremy expresses gratitude for Kris's contributions to cityCURRENT and the recent signature speaker series event in Nashville.

Visit https://www.kriskelso.com to learn more and connect with Kris Kelso.

Jeremy C. Park interviews Chris Whitney, Founder and CEO of One Generation Away, a nonprofit organization that has grown significantly over the last ten years to become a major provider of food assistance and disaster relief across multiple states. The organization's signature mobile food pantry events on Saturday mornings serve hundreds of families through volunteer efforts, combining food distribution with prayer support in a family-friendly environment. Chris discusses the organization's response to the government shutdown, including plans for providing food boxes to furloughed workers and SNAP recipients, while emphasizing the importance of community involvement and financial contributions to address the urgent hunger needs.

Summary

Nonprofit's Growth and Mission Impact - Chris Whitney, Founder and CEO of One Generation Away, shares how the nonprofit organization began in 2013 with a mission to provide food and dignity to those in need. Whitney explains how the organization has grown from a $1 million operation to a $33 million enterprise over ten years, serving multiple states and providing food assistance and disaster relief. He emphasizes the importance of volunteerism and agility in their operations, with a vision to feed and pray with a million people on a Saturday morning.

Mobile Food Pantry Volunteer Program - Chris explains how the organization conducts mobile food pantries on Saturday mornings, where a semi-truck delivers 20,000-30,000 pounds of food, which volunteers then bag and distribute to up to 300 families in a 3-4 hour window. The process includes offering prayer support to recipients without proselytizing, and the events are designed to be family-friendly. Chris emphasizes that the organization relies on volunteers and describes how the experience is life-changing for both recipients and volunteers alike.

Government Shutdown Impact and Support - Jeremy and Chris Whitney discuss the impact of the government shutdown on federal workers and SNAP recipients. Chris explains that his organization is providing food boxes for furloughed workers and preparing to support families affected by the cutoff of SNAP benefits. He emphasizes the personal impact of the situation, highlighting how it affects individuals and families he knows personally. Both Jeremy and Chris stress the importance of community involvement and support in addressing this crisis.

Addressing Hunger Amid Cuts - Chris explains that his organization, which relies on individual donors and corporations rather than federal grants, needs to use its reserves to respond to immediate hunger needs due to SNAP benefit cuts and furloughed workers. He emphasizes the urgency of the situation, comparing it to natural disasters, and committing the organization to helping feed people in 10 counties. Chris encourages the community to get involved in addressing hunger, promising recognition for those who contribute.

Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution Plans - Chris discusses One Generation Away's plans for Thanksgiving, including giving away 3,000 turkeys, a decrease from last year's 6,000 due to budget constraints and increased turkey costs. He notes that there likely will be greater need due to reduced SNAP benefits, but expressed confidence that God would provide a way to make it work. He highlights the importance of volunteerism and financial contributions, and provides information on how to get involved through OneGenAway.com, including volunteering, donating, and reaching out for assistance or replication in other communities.

Financial Impact and Food Distribution - Chris Whitney discusses the impact of financial contributions, explaining that a dollar can provide five meals and highlighting their efficient use of funds, with 96 cents going directly to their operations. He mentions their ability to purchase large quantities of food at wholesale prices, such as a 30,000-pound load for $22,000, and their focus on providing both fresh produce and dry goods to SNAP recipients and furloughed workers. Jeremy expresses appreciation for Chris's efforts and the work of his team in supporting the community.

Visit https://onegenaway.com to learn more and get involved with One Generation Away.

Jeremy C. Park interviews Ashley King, Education Director at Hope Clinic for Women, who discusses the clinic's mission and comprehensive support and healthcare services for women and families, particularly focusing on their Bridge Parenting Program. Hope Clinic for Women has been serving women, men, and families in Nashville, Tennessee since 1983. The organization's mission is to provide compassionate, professional care for unplanned pregnancies, women's health, counseling, and relationship education. Ashley explains that Hope Clinic is a faith-based organization that provides safe and confidential support for families from pregnancy through the child's second year.

During the interview, Ashley shares insights about Project Impact, a comprehensive 9-month study that gathered client feedback to improve services and outcomes. Ashley describes the process that involved conducting 26 client interviews and an intentional survey to gather detailed feedback on client experiences and behavior changes. The team at Hope Clinic used this data to identify common themes, challenges, and potential future impacts, aiming to better understand client needs and improve their services. Ashley discusses the challenges faced by families with multiple children, highlighting the need for reliable childcare services and transportation to enable parents to participate in programs and activities. She emphasizes the importance of addressing these barriers to help parents feel more confident and supported in their parenting journey.

The study also revealed that participants highly valued community and staff relationships. Based on this feedback, the team is working on enhancing their services and resources to better meet the needs of their clients and to better focus on addressing challenges faced by families with multiple children. The program will focus on creating spaces for connection and education across different parenting stages. The program will offer flexible scheduling with various time slots on Saturdays, weekdays, and evenings to accommodate working and stay-at-home parents.

Ashley discusses the current state of their program, noting that they serve between 80 to 100 families, with some participating in virtual classes, counseling, or in-person classes. They plan to make the program more cohesive and anticipate a slight decrease in the number of families served initially. However, they aim to expand the program's impact in the Nashville area, providing a safe environment for children to grow and thrive.

Ashley describes the impact of their program through testimonials from families who receive support through a Baby Boutique store. The program provides essential items like diapers, formula, and clothing to expecting parents, allowing them to celebrate their journey with community support. The highlight for families is the opportunity to receive these gifts and celebrate with their community, which helps them start their family on a positive footing.

The discussion concludes with details about upcoming changes to the program, including new Care Coach initiatives and plans to expand community connections through a new model launching in January 2026. Hope Clinic for Women is focusing on recruiting Care Coaches to provide monthly check-ins for clients addressing their physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual needs. She emphasizes the importance of financial contributions to support operations and restock the store with new items for showers, while also encouraging community members to donate gently used items like car seats and strollers.

Ashley expresses excitement about providing more opportunities for families to connect and support each other, and seeing these connections develop, as they have been piloting similar ideas for the past six months. Jeremy highlights the ripple effect of these connections, building both internal community and external relationships in Middle Tennessee and beyond.

Visit https://hopeclinicforwomen.org to learn more about Hope Clinic for Women.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Leighanne Soden, President of West Cancer Foundation, who highlights the nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the fight against cancer by providing patient resources to improve treatment and recovery, early detection and education to reduce critical cancer outcomes, and community-based research to improve health inequities. The Memphis-based nonprofit was founded in 2020 and is committed to developing collaborative partnerships and innovative patient-centered initiatives that remove barriers to cancer care.

During the interview, Leighanne talks about the growth of the organization and their expanded programming and impact. She provides an update on one of their original programs, providing free transportation for cancer-related appointments and treatments,, and then spotlights the Sweet Wig Beauty Boutique, which is located within West Cancer Foundation’s offices and provides a private, salon-like setting where those being treated for cancer can select a wig at no charge. Since its founding in 2020, the foundation has provided free wigs but decided to create a dedicated space to accommodate the growing number of wig requests it’s receiving. The free wigs and other head coverings (hats, scarves, etc.) offered at the Sweet Wig Beauty Boutique are available to any cancer patients regardless of their hospital or treatment provider.

Leighanne talks about the importance of providing wigs and how individuals can set up an appointment. She also discusses how they are working to raise more awareness in the community and increase access to screenings, provide grants and funding for research, and launch programs around providing mental health support for those impacted by cancer and their caregivers. She wraps up talking about ways to get involved and support their efforts, including their 12th Annual West Fight On, taking place Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Shelby Farms Park.

Visit www.westcancerfoundation.org to learn more and get involved.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Paul Young, bestselling author of "The Shack," "Cross Roads," "Eve," and "Lies We Believe About God," who shares his personal journey of healing and writing, discussing his upbringing as a missionary child, struggles with abuse and addiction, and eventual recovery through therapy and writing. He explains how "The Shack" began as a story for his children but became a widely popular book with a sequel scheduled for release in October 2026, emphasizing themes of healing and identity in God. Paul talks about his work and relationships with death row inmates in Tennessee, and how they have impacted him greatly. He shares his philosophy on living a spirit-induced life in the present moment, expressing gratitude for his ability to serve others and spread kindness.

Summary

Paul Young's Healing Journey and Ministry - Paul Young, author of "The Shack" and other bestselling books, shares his personal journey of healing and writing, emphasizing how his experiences shaped his work. He discusses his upbringing as a missionary child, struggles with abuse and addiction, and eventual recovery through therapy and writing. Young explains that "The Shack" was initially written for his children but gained widespread popularity, leading to a sequel scheduled for release in October 2026. He highlights the book's themes of healing and the transformative power of understanding one's identity in God. Young also described his work with inmates on death row, noting their profound faith and resilience, and the community they've built through reconciliation efforts.

Living Spirit-Induced, Moment-by-Moment - Paul shares his philosophy on living a moment-by-moment, spirit-induced life rather than pursuing a purpose-driven existence. He emphasizes the importance of participating in the present moment and being responsive to God's indwelling presence. Paul expresses gratitude for the opportunities that come with his platform, viewing them as "unrighteous wealth" that can be used to serve others and penetrate the world with kindness. He highlights the significance of every person as a "burning bush," inviting participation in the hands and voice of Jesus.

Faith, Love, and Present Living - Paul shares his thoughts on faith, love, and living in the present moment, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's goodness and treating others with love and respect. He encourages listeners to learn about their true identity as children of God and to relax by staying present rather than being consumed by fear and control. Paul also mentions his upcoming projects, including a sequel to "The Shack" releasing in October 2026, potential adaptations into other languages, and a musical stage production planned for 2028.

Visit https://wmpaulyoung.com to learn more about Paul Young.