In this episode, we sit down with Papa Joe Bradford, founder of Elijah’s Heart, to hear his incredible story of transformation and service. From a promising career in computer programming to serving time in prison, Papa Joe’s life took a dramatic turn when he and his wife moved into one of Nashville's most impoverished neighborhoods. There, they began supporting children in need, which led to the creation of the Walk of Love program. Papa Joe shares how his passion for helping others has evolved into a national movement, his fight against poverty, and the impact of the Hollywood film Unconditional, which is based on his life. This powerful episode highlights Papa Joe’s journey from hardship to hope and his mission to spread love and change lives.

House Representative Gino Bulso knew as a teenager that something didn’t sit right with him about the United States’ rising national debt. From writing a letter to then-President Jimmy Carter in the 1970s to now pushing for the Supreme Court to revisit a case about the powers of the Federal Government, Bulso is laser-focused on lowering the national debt.

A "Double Dore," Judge Sheila Calloway earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Vanderbilt University before rising through the ranks as a public defender to become Nashville’s Juvenile Court Judge. She now hears over 1,000 cases annually. In this episode, Spencer, Carli, and Judge Sheila discuss factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency, family dynamics, and strategies for preventing misconduct.

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 challenges in adoption.

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 campus outreach efforts.

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 their economic participation through business and entrepreneurship. Providing education, tools and networking, Corner to Corner has helped over a thousands of entrepreneurs since its creation.

Steven Gentile is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and 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 college, the benefits of choosing a technical degree, financial aid and grants, and THEC's future plans.

Jennifer Turner joined TPAC in 2019, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit arts experience to the role of President and 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.

Diana Beach Batarseh is an accomplished educator, trainer, and presenter with extensive experience working with students from preschool to high school. Currently, she serves as the Head of School at King's Academy, where she champions a Christ-centered classical education in line with the academy's values. In this episode, Diana discusses the essence of King's Academy, highlighting its diversity, financial assistance, and strategies for fostering the growth of both the school and its community.

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 $3.5 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 the arts, upcoming productions, and how Nashville is uniquely positioned to produce cutting-edge work.

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 middle ground in a polarized climate. Together they dive into the importance of entrepreneurship, the significance of Nashville's key HBCU, and complicated conversations on gun rights.

Sondra Noble, co-founder of Hip Hues, a custom swag bar event activation based in Nashville, goes way back with Spencer and Carli Patton to their college days at Vanderbilt. The trio go deep on what it takes to be an entrepreneur, the sacrifices involved and the ways the next generation can get a leg up as they forge their own path.

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.

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.

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’s leading role in providing top-notch strategies for Tennesseans.

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 inspiring success stories, Jim sheds light on a nationwide issue that demands our attention.

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 places like the zoo in helping us disconnect from screens, engage with nature, and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.

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 institutions, and aims for a better-educated Tennessee.

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.