The Hope People

Daybreak Arts Founder Nicole Brandt Minyard shares how a simple service-learning project at Belmont University grew into a powerful creative movement that empowers artists experiencing homelessness. Nicole reflects on the early moments that shaped her calling, the role of faith and community in building Daybreak, and the transformative stories of artists who have reclaimed their identity, confidence and hope through art. From challenging stereotypes to creating economic opportunities, she reveals how creativity can be a bridge — healing wounds, restoring dignity and illuminating what's possible when we truly see one another.

Philanthropist and innovator Noah McMahon shares why he believes we are stepping into the golden age of giving — a moment defined by imagination, humility and bold ideas. From launching global initiatives and collaborating with world changers to mentoring the next generation of donors, Noah reveals how generosity becomes most powerful when it's rooted in purpose, hospitality and hope. This conversation unpacks the mindset shifts reshaping modern philanthropy, the joy found in meaningful service and why young leaders should see generosity not as a burden, but as a remarkable opportunity to design a better world. Hope isn't passive — it's a call to action, and each of us has a place at the table.  

Musician and storyteller Dave Barnes shares how humor, faith and authenticity have shaped his journey through success, fatherhood and creativity. From Grammy nominations and hit songs like God Gave Me You to the joys of parenting and hosting his podcast Dadville, Dave reflects on the discipline of hope and the power of joy as a tool against darkness. Grounded in faith, he encourages young artists to be themselves on purpose and trust God to open doors, reminding us that true success comes from living authentically, integrating our gifts and choosing joy even in life's hardest seasons.  

Entrepreneur and author Mignon Francois, founder of The Cupcake Collection, shares how she transformed her last $5 into a multimillion-dollar business through faith, perseverance and obedience. With warmth and wisdom, Mignon reflects on turning failure into favor, building a company grounded in prayer and using her story to inspire others to "make hope obvious." From navigating hardship to mentoring the next generation, her journey is a powerful reminder that every seed of faith — when planted with trust — can grow into something extraordinary.

Veronica Berti Bocelli–wife, manager and co-founder of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation–shares how faith, compassion and purpose guide her life and leadership. Veronica reflects on the responsibility of using one's gifts for good and the sacred power of music to heal and unite. She speaks candidly about service as a moral calling, the importance of giving time as the greatest act of love and her hope that all people learn to live with gratitude, kindness and joy, treasuring each moment and each person as a gift.  

Physician, conservationist and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Senator Bill Frist shares his remarkable journey of hope and leadership. From pioneering life-saving medical procedures to breaking barriers in the Senate as the only physician in the chamber in 65 years, Frist reveals how a foundation of compassion, resilience and science guided his path from the operating room to policymaking. In this episode, he discusses how evidence-based decision-making, deep collaboration and a steadfast commitment to global health have shaped major initiatives—from crisis response to international healthcare reforms—leaving an enduring legacy of service and transformative change.  

Humanitarian and founder of Maison Shalom, Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse, shares her extraordinary story of resilience, faith and the transformative power of love during this live conversation at the 2024 Hope Summit. After witnessing unimaginable violence during the Burundian Civil War, Maggy chose to fight hatred with hope, rescuing children from the Hutu and Tutsi factions and creating a community built on love and reconciliation. In this episode, she shares how faith sustained her, how she rebuilt lives despite exile and why she believes love remains the most powerful strategy for change.

Former Major League Baseball player R.A. Dickey shares his triumphant story of resilience and faith during this live conversation at the 2024 Hope Summit. From overcoming childhood trauma to becoming the first knuckleball pitcher to win the Cy Young Award, R.A.'s journey is a testament to the powers of authenticity and hope. In this episode, he shares his transition from a conventional fastball pitcher to a knuckleballer, a shift he believes mirrors his personal transformation. He also offers a look at the importance of faith, mentors and relationships in helping him thrive and embrace his calling as an agent of hope.

Barbara Jenkins shares her inspiring journey of resilience, faith and hope. Her incredible story, spanning her humble beginnings in the Ozarks, her famous three-year, 3,000-mile walk across America and her life's highs and lows offers invaluable lessons for anyone seeking hope and purpose.

Chancellor I'Ashea Myles made history as the first African-American female civil trial court judge elected in Nashville, Tennessee. Though her academic journey began with a focus on vocal performance, she pivoted her career toward law, relying on her faith, family and the guidance of mentors to chart her path to the bench. Her remarkable journey, marked by resilience and determination, inspires hope in young people as she encourages them to pursue their dreams. Myles uses her position to advocate for mentorship and sponsorship across the legal profession, empowering the next generation of lawyers to succeed.

Former MLB player Ben Zobrist is committed to building strong emotional intelligence and mental health in young athletes. Reflecting on his own challenges after achieving his World Series dream, Ben stresses the importance of learning how to navigate the emotions, setbacks and fame that accompany sports success. As founder of Champion Forward, a nonprofit that helps athletes, parents and coaches improve their mental health and confidence, Ben advocates for a team-first mindset, building healthy connections and embracing one's unique qualities, believing that integrating heart, soul and mind is the key to true fulfillment in both sports and in life.

Cody Fry, Belmont alumnus and accomplished musician, blends joy, hope and creativity into his craft, making orchestral music accessible and inspiring for younger audiences. Influenced by a musical upbringing and supportive mentors, Cody shares how he's crafted a unique style that fuses classical and contemporary elements, epitomized by his viral hit I Hear a Symphony. While navigating challenges like anxiety and the pressures of success, Cody has remained grounded through live performances, focusing on his family life and building meaningful connections. His advice to aspiring musicians emphasizes authenticity, community and the importance of staying true to one's artistic voice, reminding us all of the transformative power of music.

Entrepreneur and leader, James Archer, built a successful business based on dedication to values-based leadership and aligning his core values with those of his employees. James shares his intention to lead with a collaborative mindset, utilizing hope to execute his business ventures to inspire others to fulfill their dreams. His involvement with Belmont's Archer Presidential Scholars program and support for the College of Medicine, highlights his commitment to investing in the future generations. Archer's story exemplifies the power of pouring into the passions of others.

A true Agent of Hope and CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, Rusty Gaston has uncovered the equation he lives by. In this episode, Rusty emphasizes the importance of relationships believing that love and fun are key components to finding success. An ambitious Belmont student who went on to become a prominent leader in the music industry, Gaston's passion for music and his belief in the power of songs to change the world drives his work and leadership style. Gaston dreams of Nashville becoming a creative hub for all genres of music and other industries, with Belmont playing a crucial role in inspiring students to chase their dreams.

Former NBA star, philanthropist and businessman David Robinson shares powerful insights from his journey transitioning from the basketball court to the boardroom, highlighting the critical roles of leadership, hope and education. David also offers a look at some of the challenges he had to overcome changing careers, the faith he's maintained as a guide throughout and explains how he hopes to leave a legacy as an athlete and a humanitarian.

Will Acuff, founder of Corner To Corner, and Executive Director Shana Berkeley, share their inspiring journey to create economic opportunities for marginalized communities through entrepreneurship. Will's experience in Nairobi sparked a realization of the importance of neighborly relationships, while Shana, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, emphasizes the value of community engagement and individualized support in their programs. The duo's God-sized dream of launching 10,000 Black-owned businesses in Nashville reflects their commitment to meaningful impact and highlights the importance of self-awareness, mentorship and strategic planning in achieving entrepreneurial goals.

In a world that feels more chaotic than ever, with conflicts and uncertainty at every turn, hope remains the force that drives us forward, uniting us as a community to strive for more and to do better together. Now in its second season, Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones returns with more powerful interviews that continue to highlight those who demonstrate what it means to rise above adversity. This season, The Hope People dives even deeper into the stories of entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, business executives, and community influencers who, despite the growing turmoil, lean into hope and the lessons they've gathered along the way. These conversations reveal how embracing hope not only gives life greater purpose but can inspire all of us to become Agents of Hope in our own right.

Social entrepreneur Dr. Kim Tan joined Dr. Greg Jones to discuss his approach toward addressing environmental and societal needs in a way that accommodates human needs. Dr. Tan also emphasizes the importance of collaboration in problem-solving.

As Chief of the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Nahuel Arenas García spends most of his day responding to conflict. As he shared with Dr. Greg Jones, in spite of the chaos, it is the power of human resilience that unites us all and provides hope for future generations. Nahuel discusses the vitality of understanding risk through a lens of inclusivity and highlights how empathy is the key to aiding vulnerable communities.

In this special episode, Founder and Executive Director of Porter's Call, Al Andrews, and prominent gospel artist and Porter herself, Janice Gaines, sat down with Dr. Greg Jones for a live recording at this year's Hope Summit. The duo illustrated how God's presence led them to their true callings and demonstrated the power of connection through meaningful conversations. They reaffirm it's only through nurturing empathy and authentic relationships that we gain the perspective and understanding needed to make a meaningful impact on those around us.

Cece Winans, award-winning Gospel singer, entrepreneur and champion of faith, joined Dr. Greg Jones to expound on her lifelong commitment to God and how utilizing her gifts for His glory contribute to her achievements and confidence in herself. CeCe shares how her faith has helped her maintain hope throughout her career, and why her desire to please God has led to her abundant success.

Dean of Belmont's Thomas Frist Jr. College of Medicine Dr. Anderson Spickard joins Dr. Greg Jones to share how he finds hope through life's challenges. Anderson shares how the support he receives from others inspires him to train the next generation of medical professionals with empathy and authenticity. He urges professionals to remain focused, stay centered and know themselves, leading to their ability to help others.

Cordia Harrington, founder and CEO of Crown Bakeries, joins Dr. Greg Jones to share how her willingness to take risks led to her success as the "Bun Lady," landing her a spot on Forbes list of Top 100 Self-Made Women for 2023. Cordia explains her journey from real estate to running a multi-million dollar enterprise and encourages young entrepreneurs to give back to others in order to achieve their dreams.

Betty Wiseman, a trailblazer for women's athletics in the Southeast and founder of Belmont's women's basketball team, and Rick Byrd, former long-time Belmont men's basketball head coach and College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, joined Dr. Greg Jones to share how the love they have received from God and their community has enabled them to pour into their students and model hope. The famed athletics leaders praised the people and experiences that have motivated them to coach and mentor others with love, nourishing their character and leading to sustained success.   

Marcus Whitney, venture capitalist, entrepreneur and author of Create and Orchestrate, demonstrates the importance of finding one's purpose in their work and how taking control of his own narrative has given him freedom he believes contributes to his many successes. As an Agent of Hope, Marcus shares his remarkable journey as a founding partner of Jumpstart Health Investors and Jumpstart Nova, and how he's maintaining hope through adversity to focus on his true purpose of helping others.

Best-selling author, speaker and podcaster, Annie F. Downs, and Kelli Haywood, owner of KCH Entertainment and co-partner of the "That Sounds Fun" podcast network, illustrate their philosophies of fostering trust in others and holding faith in God to cultivate hope and change the world for the better. As collaborators and close friends, these two Agents of Hope share the individual and shared journeys that inspired the creation of their business, as well as their plans to persevere through life's trials.

Former Tennessee Governors Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen join host Dr. Greg Jones to reveal their methods of achieving common ground and accessing hope through empathetic and ethical leadership. These two unlikely friends from opposite sides of the aisle expand on the ideas and motivations behind You Might Be Right, their podcast dedicated to discussing both sides of difficult topics in an effort to understand and connect with others.

In a world facing significant challenges, with conflicts around every corner, it is hope that fuels us as individuals and unites us as a community to do more – to do better –together. Hosted by Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones, The Hope People highlights the incredible efforts by those who demonstrate what it means to overcome adversity and lean into the lessons they've picked up along the way. These are candid conversations with entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, business executives, community influencers and more who, despite life's hurdles, embrace hope to highlight a higher purpose and meaning in their lives. We hope it will inspire you to become an Agent of Hope, as well. Accesible Transcript.