We talk with Tennessee changemakers—business leaders, policy experts, educators, and residents—who champion the entrepreneurial spirit and transform once-small ideas into big impact.
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Honorable Sheila Calloway, Davidson County Juvenile Court | Signature Required
55:09
55:09
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Judge Sheila Calloway graduated from Vanderbilt University, where she earned both her undergraduate and law degrees. After law school, she served as a public defender in Nashville until 2004, when she transitioned into the role of Juvenile Court Magistrate. In 2014, she successfully ran for Nashville’s Juvenile Court Judge and was re-elected for an…
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JT Olson & Jared Delong, Both Hands | Signature Required
58:51
58:51
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JT Olson founded Both Hands in 2008 to support adoption funding through service projects for widows, having been orphaned as a child himself. The average project raises $22,000. helping over 1300 families nationwide. In this episode, JT Olson and Jared Delong (Executive Director) discuss Both Hands' successes, its business model, and the growing ch…
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Rachel Freeman, Sexual Assault Center | Signature Required
1:00:02
1:00:02
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Rachel Freeman is the President and CEO of Nashville’s Sexual Assault Center (SAC). She leads the SAC in creating a safe, compassionate environment for survivors to begin their healing journey. In this episode, Freeman discusses the SAC's role in the community, key sexual assault statistics, and preventive initiatives like the Safe Bar program and …
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Will Acuff, Corner to Corner | Signature Required
1:00:57
1:00:57
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Will Acuff is a born and raised pastor’s kid and has long had a servant’s heart. More than a decade ago while on a mission trip to Kenya, Will felt called to return home to Nashville and think critically about how to best love his neighbors. Will and his wife, Tiffany, founded Corner to Corner in 2011 to help underestimated Nashvillians increase th…
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Steven Gentile, TN Higher Education Commission | Signature Required
58:31
58:31
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Steven Gentile is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and also teaches education policy at Vanderbilt University. THEC plays a crucial role in advocating for an increase in the number of Tennesseans who obtain postsecondary credentials. In this episode, Stephen discusses the decision of whether to attend colle…
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Jennifer Turner, TPAC | Signature Required
1:00:37
1:00:37
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Jennifer Turner joined TPAC in 2019, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit arts experience to the role of CEO. In her five years, she's guided TPAC through the pandemic, an aging facility, and a business model re-evaluation. In this episode, she shares her journey to becoming CEO, TPAC's developments, outreach and upcoming touring broadway shows.…
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Diana Beach Batarseh, King's Academy | Signature Required
1:01:21
1:01:21
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Diana Beach Batarseh is an accomplished educator, trainer, and presenter with experience working with students from preschool to high school. Currently, she serves as the Head of School at King's Academy, which offers a Christ-centered classical education as part of its mission to develop a socio-economically and racially diverse school body. In th…
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John Hoomes, Nashville Opera | Signature Required
1:05:55
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John Hoomes is the CEO and Artistic Director of Nashville Opera. Since 1995, he has guided the organization from a budget of $340,000 to over $3.4 million annually in 2024. Under his leadership, Nashville Opera has staged more than 200 productions of opera and music theater. In this episode, Carli and Spencer talk with John about accessibility to t…
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Katie Marchetti, Community Foundation & Voices for a Safer TN | Signature Required
1:08:17
1:08:17
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Katie Marchetti connects people with resources with those in need. A deep believer that a rising tide should lift all ships, she's committed to nonprofit work in Middle Tennessee. She is also co-founder of Voices for a Safer Tennessee and a board member at Fisk University. In this episode, Spencer and Carli talk openly with Katie about finding a mi…
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Sondra Noble, Hip Hues | Signature Required
59:10
59:10
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Sondra Noble is a Nashville-based entrepreneur who co-founder Hip Hues, a custom event swag business with her sister. In this episode she talks with Carli and Spencer about building a business with a sibling, scaling a business as you grow your own family, and the importance of mentorship for women entrepreneurs.…
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Jason Dukes, Love Justice International | Signature Required
1:16:32
1:16:32
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1:16:32
Spencer and Annalee speak with futurist and nonprofit leader Jason Dukes. In his role at Love Justice International, Jason is at the forefront of using technology to combat the human trafficking crisis at its source. The conversation also covers cryptocurrency and its impact on and applications for nonprofits.…
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James Evans, Benchmark Ministries | Signature Required
58:48
58:48
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With Benchmark Adventure Ministries, James Evans offers those with military backgrounds a chance to reflect on their lives and future goals. In this episode, Evans discusses the genesis of Benchmark, its goals, and its transformative impact with Spencer and Annalee.By Spencer Patton
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John Staubitz, Director of Behavioral Analysis at Vanderbuilt, TRIAD | Signature Required
1:04:11
1:04:11
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John Staubitz, Director of Behavior Analysis at TRIAD, Vanderbilt University, has spent decades helping children with autism and behavior disorders. In a discussion with Spencer and Annalee, he explores how educators and parents can support autistic children to be happy and engaged at home and school. Discover the essentials and take pride in TRIAD…
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Jim Ward, Matthew 25 | Signature Required
1:12:36
1:12:36
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In this episode of Signature Required, Jim Ward shares insights from running the 49-bed homeless shelter in Nashville's Vine Hill area for the past four years. He discusses the challenges of helping veterans navigate poverty, addiction, PTSD, and mental health issues to rebuild their lives. From eye-opening statistics on homeless veterans to inspir…
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Jim Bartoo, Nashville Zoo | Signature Required
1:16:31
1:16:31
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Jim Bartoo, Marketing and Public Relations Director at the Nashville Zoo for the past 25 years, talks with Spencer and Annalee about the zoo's rich history. He shares insights on its founding, conservation efforts, and the sourcing of animals, along with the story behind the giant pumpkin at Boo At The Zoo. Bartoo emphasizes the importance of place…
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Dr. Maria Cronley, APSU | Signature Required
1:08:35
1:08:35
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Dr. Maria Cronley, Provost of Austin Peay State University, talks with Spencer and Annalee about higher education in America. She discusses the university's efforts to provide flexibility for students, particularly military-affiliated students. Dr. Cronley emphasizes the value of a college education, warns of the upcoming enrollment decline in US i…
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Tommy Rhodes, Barefoot Republic | Signature Required
1:29:57
1:29:57
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Tommy Rhodes, founder of Barefoot Republic summer camp, joins us to talk about his mission to build a summer camp population that reflects the diversity of heaven. This Christian camp aims to foster shared experiences among kids of diverse backgrounds, financial situations, races, and ethnicities.By Spencer Patton
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