Hart & Hustle Podcast
by Keenan Hart
Hart & Hustle delivers real conversations with nonprofit and healthcare leaders who are scaling mission-driven impact through strategic innovation. Hosted by Efrain Lozada, each 45-minute episode explores leadership, operations, technology adoption, and practical strategies for mission-based organizations. Learn from executives who've transformed accessibility, efficiency, and community engagement while staying true to their values. For nonprofit directors, operations leaders, and healthcare innovators who hustle with heart. New episodes weekly.
Episodes
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Why Traditional Education Fails Multilingual Learners—And What to Do About It
Patty Chavez and Anya Hurwitz from SEAL share how they transformed educational experiences for multilingual learners, unlocking the power of language and culture in classrooms. This is the story of redefining educational success — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this...
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Why You Should Slow Down and Enjoy Life’s Seasons
Linda Huntspon, CEO of the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, unveils the transformative journey of leading a nonprofit that serves often-overlooked communities. This episode is a masterclass for mission-driven leaders looking to create real impact. You'll discover: ✅ How to foster...
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How One Woman's Journey Transformed Her from Banker to Community Leader in Guatemala
Carolyn Daly from Nuya' shares how they empower indigenous women in Guatemala to transform their communities through health and education initiatives. This is the story of resilience and community impact — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅…
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5 Secrets to Building Lasting Relationships with University Alumni
Chris Natynski from the University of Alaska Southeast reveals how he transformed alumni engagement into a powerful tool for growth. This is the story of leveraging connections to enhance community impact—and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ The...
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The Hidden Skills Employers Want That Schools Still Miss
Heather Lee from Effective Leadership Academy shares how she transformed her career path from aspiring journalist to Chief Operating Officer of a nonprofit dedicated to empowering students with essential life skills. This is the story of discovering one's true passion amidst uncertainty— and what...
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5 Essential Lessons from a Lifetime of Service in NYC
Kevin Dahill-Fuchel from Counseling in Schools shares how he transformed his passion for service into a thriving nonprofit in New York City. This is the story of awakening possibilities for young people — and what visionary executives can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ The...
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Why AI Is Not the Enemy: Dan Stabb on Leveraging Technology in Workforce Development
Dan Stabb from Zip Code Wilmington shares how they are transforming lives through innovative workforce development in tech. This is the story of empowerment and opportunity — and what **mission-driven leaders** can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How Zip Code Wilmington is...
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How Harold Turner's Passion for Education Transformed His Career Journey
Harold Turner from Ivy Hill Prep shares how he transformed educational experiences for his students through innovative leadership. This is the story of building community and fostering individual growth — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How...
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From Volunteer Support to Lifesaving Services: The Evergreen Success Story
Karen Towery from Evergreen Life Services reveals how to effectively navigate the complexities of nonprofit leadership during challenging times. This is the story of resilience and innovation — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ The critical...
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Why Most People Misunderstand Their Calling in Life
Deborah Tepley from the Anglican Church in North America shares how she discovered her calling and transformed her career to lead faith-based organizations effectively. This is the story of a remarkable journey from teaching English in Russia to becoming an executive director — and what...
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The Surprising Truth About Nonprofit Success: Support Systems That Work
Glennda Testone from the Nonprofit Leadership Lab reveals how to navigate challenges in the nonprofit sector with confidence and innovation. This is the story of transforming panic into purpose — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How to build…
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Why Professional Athletes Make Great Nonprofit Leaders
Brock Yetso from the Ulman Foundation shares how he transformed personal grief into a mission to support young adults facing cancer. This is the story of resilience and community — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How Brock’s personal...
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The Unexpected Journey from Manufacturing to Ministry
In this episode, Newman from The Chapel reveals how his journey from a manufacturing career to becoming a missions and outreach pastor transformed not only his life but the lives of those he serves. This is the story of a man who embraced his calling, overcoming self-doubt and embracing the power...
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How One Nonprofit Transforms Lives: The Untold Stories Behind Cancer Support
Sonia Sifuentes from Bay Area Cancer Connections shares how they provide critical support to cancer patients and their families. This is the story of compassionate care during a challenging time — and what overwhelmed operators can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How Bay Area...
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The Surprising Journey of a YMCA CEO: From Sports Director to Community Leader
David Ozmore from the Harrisburg area YMCA shares how he transformed his organization into a thriving community hub, achieving remarkable growth post-COVID. This is the story of mission-driven leadership and resilience — and what Visionary Executives can learn from it. In this conversation…
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The Surprising Shift from No to Yes in Education
David Liss from Nixa Public Schools reveals how a shift in mindset can transform educational leadership. This is the story of finding pathways to success — and what visionary executives can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ The importance of asking the right questions instead…
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How Colonel Bill Davis Transformed His Life Through Service and Leadership
Colonel Bill Davis from the Young Marines reveals how a transformative approach to youth development is reshaping lives across the nation. This is the story of resilience and empowerment — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How the Young…
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The Conversation That Turned One Family's Pain Into a National Nonprofit
Heather Salazar from Pink Ribbon Good shares how a cancer crisis, a heartbreaking adoption story, and pure grit turned into a life-changing support network for families in the middle of treatment.This is the story of building purpose through trauma - and what mission-driven leaders, overwhelmed...
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How One Small Team Helps 2,000 Students Navigate What Nobody Teaches
This is the story of turning burnout, limited capacity, and a "small but mighty" staff into real community impact — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. Ashley DeLatour opens up about leaving photography behind in favor of a purpose-driven role that helps students navigate what…
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From Trauma to Transformation: How Hope Ministries Serves 400+ People Every Night | Jenn Hutchinson
What happens when the person leading a homeless services organization has walked the same road as the people they serve? In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Jennifer Hutchinson, Chief Program Officer at Hope Ministries in Des Moines, Iowa — the largest homeless service provider in...
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Why This Healthcare CEO Thinks Daycares Belong Inside Schools
Tina Alicea of Safe Harbor Medical shares how to build a mission-driven organization that actually scales - without losing quality, trust, or community impact.This is the story of turning a struggling health center into a growing model for care, and what vision-driven leaders can learn from it.If...
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Why the Risk of Ignoring AI Is Bigger Than Adopting It
Dan from Palmer College of Chiropractic shares how he is using AI to transform education, streamline operations, and protect the human side of leadership. This is the story of a long-time academic leader who went from skeptical to all-in on AI - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from that...
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The Hidden Network Helping 70,000 People Stay Safe at Home
Dr. Johnola Morales from Osceola Council on Aging shares how she turns a small but mighty team into a lifeline for more than 60,000 people a year. This is the story of what happens when mission, crisis response, and radical dignity come together - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from a...
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The Hidden Truth About Shelters Being Our Last Safety Net
Miss Collins from Lotus House and the National Women's Shelter Network reveals how one encounter on a Miami street sparked a national movement to reimagine homelessness support. This is the story of how safe shelter, trauma-informed care, and relentless advocacy can change lives - and what...
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Why parents with young kids fall through the cracks during cancer
This is the story of turning a terrifying personal diagnosis into a national resource - and what mission-driven leaders can learn about building programs people actually need.If you lead a nonprofit, support families, or have ever felt like people are falling through the cracks, this conversation...
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Who Are You Becoming? The Mentorship Question Every Leader Should Ask
Andrea Robinson from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Indiana shares how quality mentoring, not just more mentoring, changes lives. This is the story of a nonprofit leader rebuilding trust, protecting kids through intentional matching, and turning mentorship into a long-term strategy for...
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How a Boys and Girls Club Kid Rebuilt the Organization That Raised Him
Josh Nolan from the Boys and Girls Club shares how he rebuilt a broken organization during COVID, grew it to serve 1,300 kids, and learned how to lead with purpose in a small town where everybody knows your name. This is the story of stepping into a challenge most people would avoid - and what...
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Why This COO Says Your Ceiling Is Meant to Be Broken
Raymie Fernandez from Dream Charter School shares how a Harlem kid who survived poverty, homelessness, loss, and gang life became the COO helping serve more than 2,600 young people across East Harlem and the South Bronx. This is the story of turning pain into purpose - and what mission-driven...
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How an Online University Stays Human in an AI World
Raghu Krishnaiah from the University of Phoenix shares how he is using AI, analytics, and human connection to help working adults finish degrees on their own terms.This is the story of how a nearly 100% online university is meeting students where they are - and what mission-driven leaders can…
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Why Trust Beats Talent in Fundraising, Alumni Engagement, and Leadership
This is the story of rebuilding connection from the ground up - and what mission-driven leaders can learn about authentic communication, event strategy, and leading with confidence. Danielle also opens up about the surprising things that shape her leadership, from being a diehard horror reader to...
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The Tiny Home Solution Helping People Escape Homelessness
Kelly Matter from Avivo shares how a 65-year mission-driven organization keeps showing up, pivoting, and creating real pathways out of homelessness, unemployment, and crisis. This is the story of practical leadership under pressure, and what nonprofit leaders can learn from building trust,...
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The mistake that ended a political career became his life’s purpose
Mike Premo from Community Development for All People shares how he turned a political setback into a leadership role that serves more than 35,000 families. This is the story of accountability, community, and finding your place in mission-driven work - and what nonprofit leaders, ministry-minded...
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Why your career path does not have to be your calling
Rosie Chinea Shawver, president and executive director of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association, joins Efrain for a conversation about faith, leadership, mentorship, and the importance of finding purpose in work. She shares how the organization supports campus ministers across hundreds of...
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How One Man Turned Infertility Into a Mission to Fatherless Boys
Stephen Murray from Forerunner Mentoring shares how fatherhood, faith, and mentoring boys without father figures can change the future of a whole community. This is the story of turning fatherlessness into hope - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. For Efrain and Stephen, the...
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The Hidden Cost of Paralysis No One Talks About
Sarah Merrefield from the Thomas E. Smith Foundation shares how she is helping change what access, mobility, and dignity look like for people living with spinal cord injury and paralysis. This is the story of turning a deeply underfunded, often invisible issue into real-world impact - and what...
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AI Can Help You Think Better - But It Cannot Think for You
Ben Telesca from Sul Ross State University shares how empathetic leadership, smart adaptation, and practical career guidance can change the way students see higher ed. This is the story of how a student affairs leader navigates AI, campus conflict, and the real value of college - and what...
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The Dean Who Lives On Campus and Shows Up for Everything
This is the story of what happens when student support moves from policy to presence - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it.Holly is the kind of campus leader who turns engagement into trust. As Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Brenau University, she is everywhere...
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Don’t Panic - Pivot: The Real Estate Lesson Behind Lasting Success
DJ Hines shares how he built a life of legacy, leadership, and resilient entrepreneurship without losing sight of what matters most. DJ opens up about the moment he left a path toward medicine to help people in a different way, how he learned to lead inside a family-driven ministry and school...
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Why Accountability Is the Missing Piece for Men Who Want to Grow
Sean Prospect from FIU and South Florida After School All Stars shares how a track scholarship, a faith-driven pivot, and 22 years of service shaped a career focused on helping kids succeed in school and in life.This is the story of purpose, accountability, and building impact that lasts - and…
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Why church hurt drives people to ChatGPT instead of pastors
Pastor Laurel Bunker from Pulse Movement shares how to lead with truth, kindness, and spiritual clarity in a culture that often rewards noise over depth. This is a conversation about healing, courage, and staying grounded when the world feels fractured - and what mission-driven leaders can learn...
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Why Child Welfare Is Not What Most People Thin
Mimi Scheuermann from Denver Human Services shares how to keep serving people when the budget gets tighter, the rules change, and the need keeps growing. This is the story of what it takes to lead a safety-net system through uncertainty - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it.If you...
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The Hidden Reason One-Year Mentors Change Kids for Life
This is the story of building trust, keeping kids engaged, and turning everyday experiences into life-changing growth - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ Why mentorship has to be individualized, not one-size-fits-all ✅ How a one-year…
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How a Learning Disability Became His Greatest Strength
This is a story about turning struggle into service - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from someone who has spent more than 20 years helping students navigate uncertainty, pressure, and possibility.Efrain sits down with Lester Deanes, Associate Vice President for Students and Dean of...
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How a Bronx Nonprofit Is Replacing Punishment With Belonging
This is the story of how a Bronx-based leader turns lived experience, family support, and youth leadership into a practical alternative to punishment - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from that approach. Belinda Ramos, Executive Director of Community Connections for Youth, has spent…
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What It Really Takes to Build a Nonprofit Like a Business
Sherah Alaimo from Coach Across America shares how she builds a mission-driven organization like a real business without losing the human side.This is the story of going from burnout and disaster recovery work to leading a national coaching platform - and what mission-driven leaders can learn…
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How a Health Center Reaches Thousands by Meeting People Where They Are
Stacie Eastman from Eastern Iowa Health Center shares how she helps turn mission into real access, real trust, and real care. This episode is for mission-driven leaders, healthcare operators, and nonprofit teams who want to expand impact without losing the human side of the work. Stacie Eastman…
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The Y Is Not a Gym—It’s a Community Engine
Derryck Fletcher from the Y in Central Maryland shares how he helps scale a mission-driven organization without losing the human connection that makes it matter. This is the story of building community at scale, leading with people first, and turning data, talent, and trust into real impact, and...
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Unlocking Hidden Opportunities: How Nonprofits Can Help People Discover What They Don’t Know
Erin Snell from Charting Careers reveals how a wandering, exploratory approach to career and community work creates deeper, more meaningful connections - and why it's essential for leaders aiming to scale their impact. This is the story of resilience, relationship-building, and effective…
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The Unexpected Power of Community-Focused Fundraising That Drives Real Impact
Catherine Dempsey from a Denver community health center shares how strategic adaptation and unwavering focus on community impact created exponential growth despite external challenges. This is a story of resilience and purpose in action, showing mission-driven leaders how to build trust, expand...
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How a Passion for Literacy Reshaped a Former Entertainment Exec’s Life
Shannon Schmitt from First Draft Academy reveals how empowering middle schoolers with writing skills can unlock their potential—and how organizations can shape future-ready youth. This is the story of a mission-driven leader transforming youth education—showing nonprofit leaders and community...
About this show
Hart & Hustle delivers real conversations with nonprofit and healthcare leaders who are scaling mission-driven impact through strategic innovation. Hosted by Efrain Lozada, each 45-minute episode explores leadership, operations, technology adoption, and practical strategies for mission-based organizations. Learn from executives who've transformed accessibility, efficiency, and community engagement while staying true to their values. For nonprofit directors, operations leaders, and healthcare innovators who hustle with heart. New episodes weekly.
Hosted by
Keenan Hart
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