ChangeMakers
cityCURRENT, Jeremy C. Park, Andrew Bartolotta
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Top 10 ChangeMakers Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best ChangeMakers episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to ChangeMakers for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite ChangeMakers episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Taylor and Carter English - How Faith, Family, Football, and Insurance Led to Launching a School
ChangeMakers
12/12/24 • 71 min
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, host Jeremy C. Park sits down with Taylor and Carter English, co-founders of The Rise School of San Antonio, to explore the transformative power of faith, family, and purpose-driven action. Their journey begins with personal challenges—the birth of their daughter Isabelle, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome—and evolves into a mission to redefine inclusion and early intervention for children with special needs.
Through their story, listeners witness the couple's unwavering commitment to turning challenges into blessings. From Carter's transition from coaching and sports to insurance and leadership at Higginbotham, to Taylor’s poignant reflections on motherhood and resilience, their narrative highlights how purpose and community can fuel extraordinary impact.
The couple's creation of The Rise School of San Antonio emerges as a testament to their vision of a better world—not just for Isabelle, but for all children who deserve tailored care and education. They share moving moments of personal growth, the generosity of others, and the collective effort required to build something greater than themselves.
Key themes in this episode include:
• The importance of embracing unexpected challenges with faith and determination.
• How small, consistent steps create ripple effects that inspire broader change.
• The power of community and leadership in making dreams a reality.
• Celebrating progress, big and small, as life’s most meaningful milestones.
Listeners will leave inspired to look inward, find their own unique ways to make a difference, and embrace life’s unexpected turns as opportunities for growth.
This episode is a powerful reminder that, when fueled by purpose and love, even the hardest challenges can lead to the most profound transformations.
To learn more or donate, please visit the Rise School of San Antonio website at riseschoolsa.org.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
On this episode, we have the pleasure of diving into the world of community transformation with Dr. Chris Lambert, a visionary who's redefining nonprofit success and neighborhood revitalization.
Dr. Chris Lambert is the founder and CEO of Life Remodeled, an award-winning author of "Next Level Nonprofit," and founder of the Next Level Nonprofit organizational operating system. His journey began far from the nonprofit sphere, with aspirations of law school and dreams of a lucrative career in real estate development. However, during his junior year at Indiana University, a profound spiritual awakening redirected his path towards a more service-oriented life.
After earning his MDiv and a doctorate in preaching, Chris, along with his wife, moved to Liberia where they played a pivotal role in helping a village drill a well, acquire farm animals, and build their very first school. This transformative experience in Liberia set the stage for what would become his life's work. Upon returning to the U.S., Chris founded the church Ekklesia and shortly thereafter, in 2010, launched Life Remodeled. This impactful organization focuses on repurposing vacant school buildings into vibrant community centers and spearheading sustainable neighborhood revitalization projects. Dr. Lambert's work has not only earned him recognition on platforms like TEDx and accolades such as Crain’s 40 Under 40, but also the admiration of communities and leaders around the nation. Yet, for Chris, the true excitement lies in the journey ahead and the people who join him in making a lasting difference.
In today’s episode, Dr. Lambert shares invaluable insights into creating scalable, sustainable, and impactful nonprofit organizations. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of turning abandoned structures into thriving community hubs, the importance of community involvement in revitalization projects, and how other nonprofit leaders can apply the principles of his Next Level Nonprofit system to magnify their impact.
Join us as we explore the transformative power of dedication, community, and innovative thinking with Dr. Chris Lambert on ChangeMakers.
Visit https://liferemodeled.org/ to learn more about Life Remodeled or https://www.nlncoaching.org.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
Tammy Alvarez from Career Winners Circle - Love every Monday by becoming the CEO of your career
ChangeMakers
02/15/24 • 46 min
ChangeMakers podcast host Jeremy C. Park talks with Tammy Alvarez, CEO and founder of Career Winners Circle, professional keynote speaker, and author of "Escaping the Career Trap: Transform Your Apathy into Ambition and Never Hate Mondays Again," who shares some of her personal story and how she formed her spirited "Break All the Rules" approach.
During her twenty-year corporate career, Tammy became renowned as a business transformation and turnaround expert on Wall Street. Her roles included Managing Director at AIG, First Senior Vice President at Bank Leumi USA, Chief Operating Officer at Genesis10, and Senior Vice President at Bank of America. Her "Break All the Rules" approach blends the decades of C-Suite experience with a pragmatic, results-based coaching style that helps business professionals create a big impact and love every Monday again.
Her recent book, "Escaping The Career Trap: Transform Your Apathy into Ambition and Never Hate Mondays Again," is a self-leadership blueprint for high achievers who want to experience career fulfillment.
During the interview, Tammy talks about the importance of not being afraid to fail because failure is part of success, why it is important to slow down before moving faster, especially with larger organizations, and how you can start to take control and become the CEO of your career. She talks about writing her book and lessons from it, lessons from working on Wall Street and how she and her partner Steve have adopted an ex-pat lifestyle, currently residing in Mexico City, and traveling all around the globe to hike and scuba dive.
Learn more about Career Winners Circle by visiting www.careerwinnerscircle.com and learn more about her book by visiting www.escapingthecareertrap.com.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
09/25/23 • 51 min
During the interview, Traci talks about growing up in Florida and some of the lessons she learned from her family and watching her father, who was en electrician. She discusses being the first in her family to go to college and how mentorship paved the way for many future opportunities, how the door was opened for her to join the team at what would become HGTV, some of the lessons learned and favorite experiences, and why she decided to quit her executive job to go on a soul-searching journey, which led her to create the Strategic Life Map process. Traci highlights her book and how she and her husband are now coaching C-suite executives and business leaders to help them break free from living on autopilot and live significantly successful.
Visit https://www.tracischubertbarrett.com to learn more about Traci Schubert Barrett and visit https://www.navigatethejourney.com to learn more about Navigate the Journey.
About Traci Schubert Barrett:
Traci Schubert Barrett is a sought-after international speaker, best-selling author of What If There’s More? Finding Significance Beyond Success, and the founder of Navigate the Journey, a leading business consulting and leadership development firm. As one of the founders of the wildly popular national cable television network HGTV, she enjoyed the amazing ride of taking a fledgling idea and turning it into a billion-dollar media empire. But after over twenty years in the media industry, Traci began to wonder, what if there’s more to our vocational lives than success? In a leap of faith, she quit her executive job and went on a soul-searching journey, leading her to create the Strategic Life Map process. With a Master's in Professional Psychology and over 30 years of business experience, Traci specializes in coaching C-suite executives and business leaders, helping them break free from living on autopilot and discover purpose and clarity for the future chapters of their lives.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
01/14/23 • 51 min
Host Jeremy C. Park talks with ChangeMaker, Mark Melson, President and CEO of Gladney Center for Adoption, who shares some of his personal story in growing up in Euless, Texas, attending Texas A&M and the University of North Texas, moving to Louisiana and meeting his wife, and aligning his passions and purpose as both a "Gladney Dad" and leader of the nonprofit based in Fort Worth, Texas, that focuses on adoption and the belief that every child deserves a loving and caring family.
During the interview, Mark talks about the power and magic of adoption, how growing up with an adopted older brother helped pave the way for he and his wife to adopt their son out of foster care and add to their family, and how Gladney Center for Adoption continues to evolve in order to help children, parents and families thrive. He talks about some of the challenges and yet the blessings received, as well as how the community can support their efforts and support foster adopting families and youth in your local community to help make a difference.
Visit www.adoptionsbygladney.com to learn more.
This podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham. To learn more about Higginbotham, visit www.higginbotham.com.
About Mark Melson: After joining the Gladney Center for Adoption in 2008 as the Chief Development Officer, Mark was later was appointed to Chief Operating Officer before being named President and CEO in 2018. Gladney allowed him to focus his efforts on bettering the lives of children in need not only in Texas, but around the world through both domestic and international adoption programs. Mark earned a BBA and MBA from the University of North Texas and later worked in various leadership capacities in Louisiana and North Texas not-for-profit organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Home Society of America. Mark is an adoptive dad and resides in Texas with his wife and three children.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
02/09/23 • 48 min
Host Jeremy C. Park talks with ChangeMaker, Justin Levy, Executive Director of Conscious Alliance, who shares some of his powerful and inspirational story of managing through hardships, including Cerebral Palsy, enduring 14 surgeries, being in and out of wheelchairs, having to learn how to walk four times before graduating high school, and severe dyslexia, to seek out his purpose and become the Executive Director of a national nonprofit bringing healthy food into underserved communities and fusing music with opportunities to make a positive impact.
During the interview, Justin discusses some of his formative experiences in grade school and how a counselor and then a school trip changed the trajectory of his life, he talks about why and how he got involved in Conscious Alliance, how the nonprofit has grown to become a movement and the importance of their efforts and impact. He shares a number of ways individuals can awaken compassion to find their purpose and make a difference, as well, and highlights an easy way to join in the fight against hunger.
ENTER TO WIN: Join Conscious Alliance in the fight against hunger! Complete 3 actions to be entered for a chance to win 2 Tickets to any 2023 Live Nation show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (contest ends 3/31/23): https://consciousalliance.org/pages/take-action
Learn more about Justin Levy and Conscious Alliance by visiting https://consciousalliance.org.
About Justin Levy: Justin Levy has served as Executive Director of Conscious Alliance since 2012. His focus on expanding the organization's distribution capabilities resulted in the acquisition of a national distribution center and headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado in 2020, as well as the launch of new and innovative programs to accelerate delivery and impact. Levy has made food quality a priority, improving the health and nutrition standards of donated foods. Levy’s focus lies heavily on serving the Native American and youth communities through seeking donations, as well as implementing gardening programs that align with community culture. On a personal note, Levy’s story of overcoming a life of unique challenges is content-worthy all on its own. With Cerebral Palsy and severe dyslexia, Levy works with his limitations to bring a fierce spirit to support others. Levy has had 14 surgeries, has been in and out of wheelchairs, and has endured thousands of hours of painful physical therapy – and he had to learn how to walk four different times before finishing high school. Due to the hardships he has endured throughout his life, Levy is unable to read or drive. As a highly functioning Executive Director, where he lacks in creating spreadsheets and emails, he makes up for tenfold through inspiration, facilitating a powerful organizational culture, and cultivating meaningful partnerships through strong relationships. Levy holds a degree in Service-Learning Program Development from Warren Wilson College.
NOTEWORTHY AWARDS:
2021 Industry Leader & Community Champ Award by Naturally Boulder
Top 25 Influential Young Professionals in Colorado
Biz GenXYZ Awards 40 Under 40 by BizWest
Arthur M. Bannerman Memorial Leadership Award by Warren Wilson College
Frederick G. Ohler Service Award by Warren Wilson College
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
03/22/22 • 50 min
During the interview, Kris describes how she left her hometown in Wisconsin and became an entrepreneur at an early age, how the military helped prepare her for success, how she shattered glass ceilings and led a global luxury hotel company, some of the leadership lessons learned while leading the global company Rock Springs Retreat Center was founded by Kris Intress, a mother, entrepreneur, Army Reservist, and former CEO of a global luxury hotel company. Kris started working in her teens. By 17, she was already an entrepreneur, running a restaurant, teaching French, and working several jobs.
After a few years she followed the family tradition of military service. She joined the Army with the goal of getting into healthcare through the Army’s pharmacy program. She later met her son’s father in Scotland and together they opened several restaurants and nightclubs. When she returned to the United States to raise her son, she went back to school to complete her college degree, which led to an interest in theater. After her first play, she was spotted by a casting director who invited her to Los Angeles to audition for a movie. Los Angeles agreed with her, and she worked on a variety of film, television, and theater projects both in front of and behind the camera. In between projects, she started working for and running a medical company, which ultimately inspired her to get an MBA. With her MBA in hand, she worked as the Director of Sales and Marketing for a large international healthcare company. She then pivoted to hospitality when she saw an opportunity to invest in and turnaround hospitality software company.
Growing the organization from representing 700 properties in the US to 7000 properties internationally. After selling the company, she was asked to be the CEO of WorldHotels, a global luxury hotel company. As a corporate executive that struggled to find time for her own health, she realized her career was taking over the need to prioritize her wellbeing. She watched her parents struggle with obesity their entire lives. After Kris lost her mother, she decided to help people take control of and transform their lives.
When creating Fit Farm at Rock Springs, Kris was inspired by her husband’s family, generations of farmers. Farm life provided natural opportunities to eat fresh foods and be active. She created a place where everyone could experience eating well, being active and experiencing the natural beauty of eliminating the noise around us. On top of her already impressive career, Kris is a certified personal trainer and a former athlete. She has an MBA from the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
Dwania Kyles, Co-Founder of The Memphis 13 Foundation - Approaching Healing and Leading with Love
ChangeMakers
01/10/22 • 62 min
During the interview, Dwania talks about her parents, the important role her mother and women played in the Civil Rights Movement, seeing a cross burning in their yard, and how she approaches healing and leading with love to take the lessons of her past to become a spark for building community and connectedness through her efforts today with The Memphis 13 Foundation.
Visit https://thememphis13.com to learn more about The Memphis 13 Foundation and http://dwaniakyles.com to learn more about Dwania Kyles.
About Dwania Kyles:
Dwania Kyles, Civil Rights Advocate, Wellness Consultant and Breath Coach, is an alum of The Memphis 13, subject of the highly touted documentary by the same name chronicling the desegregation of Memphis City Public Schools in 1961 by thirteen, 5 and 6-year-old girls and boys, (dubbed “the smallest pioneers” of the Civil Rights Movement), in answer to the 1954 landmark decision by the U. S. Supreme Court on Brown v. Board of Education.
Ms. Kyles is also the eldest daughter of pioneer civil-rights activists, the late Gwendolyn Kyles and Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, subject of the ’09 Oscar & ’10 Emmy nominated documentary, The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306, that gives voice to her father’s memories, who on April 4, 1968, was the only other person on the balcony, with Dr. Martin Luther King when he was fatally shot, as she, her mother and siblings were prepared to receive Dr. King and the SCLC staff at their home for dinner.
An innocent participant of these two historical, yet traumatic events as a 5 and 12-year-old, it stands to reason why Ms. Kyles’ commitment to helping others connect or reconnect with their inner healer has been a lifelong passion. That same commitment paved the way on her personal journey to health and healing over the past 40 years.
As a wellness coach and educator, she seeks to inform on why the power of the breath, the belief system, laughter, and self-love are the first line of defense when on the path of true healing.
As a result of her coaching, programs, workshops, and speaking engagements, participants of all ages who stay in action are empowered with practical tools which allows them to connect with their inner healer, reverse illnesses, stress less, and experience healthier, happier lives with more peace of mind.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
10/26/21 • 51 min
During the interview, Heidi discusses her roots in Montana, moving to Texas and what inspired her to join The Cowtown Marathon. She talks about the business of hosting marathons, the mindset of event production and tips for success, starting a nonprofit to focus on helping youth and encouraging health and fitness, some of the secrets to their success and growth over the years, tips for fundraising and marketing, and much more.
About Heidi Swartz:
Heidi Swartz is Executive Director of The Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth, Texas. With Heidi’s direction the event has nearly tripled in size since 2004, with over 25,000 participants and seven races taking place the last weekend in February. In 2006, she created The Cowtown Marathon's associated non-profit organization, C.A.L.F. (Children's Activities for Life and Fitness), which in the past 12 years has provided over 40,000 pairs of running shoes to disadvantaged children along with greatly reduced entry fees for The Cowtown Kids 5K Run.
By bringing fitness awareness and running enthusiasm to local schools, Swartz – a runner, herself – is invested in making the City of Fort Worth a healthier place to live. Swartz was awarded the Great Women of Texas award in 2016. She served on the original committee that formed "FitWorth," the Mayor of Fort Worth's healthy living initiative, and remained on the board serving as secretary. She serves on the Marketing Advisory Board for Visit Fort Worth, the Board of Directors for the Fort Worth Sports Commission and serves on the board for the National Trade Organization, Running USA. Heidi Swartz is also a successful and in-demand speaker and consultant for other race events, acting as an expert in race management and producing multiple events throughout the year.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
Welcome to this inspiring episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, where we dive into the importance and power of community colleges, civic engagement, and mentorship with one of host Jeremy C. Park's closest friends from grade school in Weatherford, Texas, Dr. Molly M. Harris, Vice President of Community Engagement at Grayson College.
Dr. Harris has been a beacon in higher education for over 21 years, deeply committed to enriching lives and fostering community ties. Dr. Harris also is the one responsible for introducing Jeremy to his wife, Meredith, so this ChangeMakers episode offers a lot of fun, personal backstories between host and guest.
Dr. Harris's academic journey began with a spark of passion for drama at Weatherford College, leading her to earn an Associate of Arts. She expanded her horizon at Texas A&M-Commerce, where she claimed both a BS in Theatre and an MS in Higher Education Administration. Her pursuit of educational leadership peaked with a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Mississippi State University.
Today, Dr. Harris is the Vice President of Community Engagement at Grayson College, where she’s a major force behind initiatives that range from foundational work and strategic communications to overseeing grants and the South Campus. Her role is crucial in integrating the college’s resources with the community’s growth, bringing education and community service together.
Dr. Harris's dedication stretches into numerous community boards, from the Denison Area Chamber of Commerce to the United Way of Grayson County, showcasing her belief in the ripple effect of civic engagement.
Living in Denison with her husband, Mark, and their daughter, Parker, Dr. Harris is a proud community member, a Mississippi State athletics fan, and a devoted family woman.
In our conversation, Dr. Harris shares her personal and professional evolution, her pivotal role in shaping community college initiatives, and her insights on how mentorship and civic engagement can dramatically uplift careers. She believes community colleges are not just educational institutions but launchpads for societal contributions and personal growth.
Join us as Dr. Harris enlightens us on making significant impacts, both in our careers and communities, through the nurturing grounds of community colleges. It’s a journey of empowerment, engagement, and finding one's voice in the vast world of opportunities that community colleges provide.
Visit www.grayson.edu to learn more about Grayson College and email [email protected] to connect directly with Dr. Molly Harris.
The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.
Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does ChangeMakers have?
ChangeMakers currently has 100 episodes available.
What topics does ChangeMakers cover?
The podcast is about Purpose, Business Advice, Passion, Podcasts, Technology, Business, Careers and Government.
What is the most popular episode on ChangeMakers?
The episode title 'Leigh Mansberg, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South - Every Child. World Ready.' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on ChangeMakers?
The average episode length on ChangeMakers is 51 minutes.
How often are episodes of ChangeMakers released?
Episodes of ChangeMakers are typically released every 29 days, 1 hour.
When was the first episode of ChangeMakers?
The first episode of ChangeMakers was released on Feb 20, 2016.
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