Miranda Walton, Founder and Executive Director of Restorative Pathways Counseling in Zanesville, Ohio, shares her journey of building a behavioral health practice that prioritizes quality over quantity. She discusses navigating rural healthcare challenges, surviving difficult seasons as a business owner, and maintaining sustainable mental health services in an underserved Appalachian community.

Background & Journey into Behavioral Health

Business Model & Philosophy

Serving Rural Appalachia

Navigating Crisis & Growth

Key Insights

Miranda Walton Founder & Executive Director, Restorative Pathways Counseling

"We just think that behavioral health can be done differently than the way it's been done in the past, and that there's a lot of opportunity for change and shift there."

"What we're trying to emphasize is quality over quantity."

"I cannot say that there were not days that I just wanted to burn it all to ground... But it really challenged me to kind of get deeply rooted in what my vision is and why I am doing this."

"Our team is the smallest that it's been in five years, but it is one of the strongest teams that we've ever had."

"Be where your feet are... this is where we can make the most change, is where we're actually present."

[00:00:00] - Introduction and background
[00:01:00] - Why Miranda chose behavioral health over nursing
[00:03:00] - The entrepreneurial path to private practice
[00:05:00] - Quality vs. quantity in mental health care
[00:07:00] - Navigating insurance and business model challenges
[00:11:00] - Serving rural Appalachia and cultural barriers
[00:15:00] - The two-and-a-half-year crisis period begins
[00:16:00] - Adopting a medically complex child while running a business
[00:18:00] - Accreditation, billing challenges, and near burnout
[00:20:00] - The "pruning season" philosophy
[00:22:00] - Current team size and organizational stability
[00:24:00] - Business growth phases explained
[00:25:00] - Where to find Restorative Pathways Counseling
[00:26:00] - Final wisdom: "Be where your feet are"

The ALC ChangeMakers Podcast, hosted by Jennifer Sconyers, features conversations with social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and community change-makers who are creating positive impact. Each episode explores the real challenges and victories of building mission-driven organizations. Learn more about Abundance Leadership Consulting at jennifersconyers.com 

In this Thanksgiving special episode of the ALC Changemakers Podcast, host Jennifer Sconyers shares the personal journey of founding Abundance Leadership Consulting and how the organization is evolving to meet current challenges facing mission-driven leaders. From organizational change and leadership coaching to nonprofit mergers and acquisitions, discover how ALC is helping communities navigate tough conversations about race, equity, and belonging while taking meaningful action.

Listen to the full episode: https://www.jennifersconyers.com/podcasts/alc-changemakers-podcast

Jennifer Sconyers is the President and Founder of Abundance Leadership Consulting (ALC), an organizational consulting firm specializing in leadership development, equity work, and organizational change. With a passion for justice-centered leadership, Jennifer founded ALC after witnessing organizations struggle to move from rhetoric to action on creating real, lasting change.

Abundance Leadership Consulting works with mission-driven organizations across the nonprofit, public sector, educational, and small business spaces. ALC partners with organizations committed to improving their communities through:

[00:00:00] Introduction & Welcome - Jennifer introduces the ALC Changemakers Podcast and sets the stage for a personal conversation about her entrepreneurial journey and the founding of ALC.

[00:01:00] Why Jennifer Started ALC - Jennifer shares her motivation for starting Abundance Leadership Consulting—frustration with organizations that talk about change but lack the tools, systems, and courage to implement it. She explains ALC's mission to be a vehicle for change that combines justice, fairness, and belonging with strategy and action.

[00:02:00] Core Values & Client Work - Learn about ALC's foundational values of community, relationships, and people. Hear about the diverse range of mission-driven organizations ALC serves—including environmental groups, legal service organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and advocacy coalitions.

[00:03:00] Leadership During Movement Moments - Jennifer discusses how ALC evolved during a period of heightened social and racial justice conversations. She explains the shift from talk to action and introduces ALC's coaching and intervention services for leaders navigating uncomfortable topics.

[00:04:00] Human-Centered Organizational Work - Discover how ALC approaches conflict not as something to avoid, but as an opportunity for clarity and healing. Jennifer emphasizes the combination of courage and compassion that guides organizational transformation.

[00:05:00] Current Challenges for Mission-Driven Organizations - Jennifer addresses the pressing challenges facing nonprofits and community organizations today—budget cuts, government shutdowns, and the pressure to do more with less while maintaining core values.

[00:06:00] ALC Changemakers Membership Program - Learn about the new ALC Changemakers Membership Program, designed for leaders who want ongoing support, training, and community connection. Membership starts at $47/month for inaugural members and includes access to community conversations, training, and networking opportunities.

[00:07:00] Nonprofit Mergers & Acquisitions - Through the Fabric Framework Jennifer introduces ALC's strategic move into mission continuity and organizational transitions. She explains the Fabric Framework—a trademark approach to guiding nonprofit mergers and acquisitions through a lens of fairness, accountability, relationships, and inclusion.

[00:08:00] Closing & Call to Action - Jennifer wraps up with a reminder of ALC's core mission and invites listeners to learn more about ALC's services, membership program, and organizational transition work.

Podcast: ALC ChangeMakers Podcast

Join host Jennifer Sconyers for an inspiring conversation with Ayanna Jordan, Assistant Program Director at New Directions Career Center in Columbus, Ohio. This episode explores women's career development, workplace inclusion, and innovative career coaching strategies that support women of color in today's challenging job market. Learn about holistic career services, inclusive leadership practices, and practical career transition advice from a leading career development expert.

What You'll Learn About Women's Career Development Career

Development Strategies:

Workplace Inclusion and Belonging:

Women's Employment Challenges:

Guest Expert: Ayanna Jordan

Ayanna Jordan serves as Assistant Programs Director at New Directions Career Center, a comprehensive career services organization in Columbus, Ohio. With extensive experience in women's empowerment, workshop facilitation, and professional development, Ayanna specializes in creating inclusive career development programs that meet women where they are in their professional journey.

Ayanna's Expertise:

Key Topics Covered in This Episode

1. Holistic Career Development Approach

2. Workplace Inclusion and Belonging

3. Adapting Career Services for Modern Challenges

4. Practical Career Development Programs

Featured Programs and Services

New Directions Career Center Programs:

Actionable Career Development Tips

From Ayanna Jordan:

Career Development Resources

Upcoming Events:

 Guest Quote Highlights

"Belonging is everything. It creates community, it creates connection. It allows for us to be very conscious about our role and what we do for our clients and for each other." - Ayanna Jordan

"We want to meet you where you are. There is no judgment. It is a safe space for you to learn, grow, to really tap into what you want personally and professionally." - Ayanna Jordan

"Be patient with yourself. Doing things in increments of time with self-compassion, patience, and increments of time—that's always helpful to your pathway to anything that you want to achieve." - Ayanna Jordan

Connect with Ayanna!  

About ALC ChangeMakers Podcast

The ALC ChangeMakers Podcast features conversations with leaders, innovators, and change agents who are making a difference in their communities and industries. Hosted by Jennifer Sconyers, each episode explores leadership development, professional growth, and social impact through engaging interviews with experts and practitioners.

Subscribe and Connect: Listen to more episodes about leadership development, women's empowerment, career development, and social change. Available on Spotify.

Episode Timestamps 

Episode Description:

Discover why there's no such thing as "not using AI" in 2025 and learn how nonprofits can adopt artificial intelligence ethically and responsibly. Cheryl Contee, co-author of "AI for Nonprofits" and co-founder of Change Agent AI, shares practical strategies for mission-driven organizations navigating the AI revolution.

Key Topics Covered:

🤖 AI Reality Check

🌍 Environmental Considerations

📚 AI for Nonprofits Book Insights

🛠️ Types of AI for Nonprofits

⚡ Practical AI Tools Mentioned

💡 Best Practices for Ethical AI Adoption

Guest Bio:

Cheryl Contee is a technology leader and social impact advocate with a unique background combining ethics, politics, economics (Yale University) and hands-on tech experience. As co-author of "AI for Nonprofits" and co-founder of Change Agent AI, she helps mission-driven organizations adopt AI responsibly while maintaining their values and environmental consciousness.

Resources Mentioned:

Key Quotes:

"AI's not gonna take your job, but someone who knows how to use AI well is gonna take your job."

"There's no not using AI. AI's using you, so why not get into the driver's seat?"

"AI is like a really smart intern—it can do a lot of things, but it doesn't have the experience, sophistication, context, meaning, and passion that you have."

Episode Timestamps:

Connect with Cheryl Contee:

Connect with Jennifer Sconyers and Abundance Leadership Consulting, LLC:

#AIForNonprofits #EthicalAI #NonprofitTechnology #DigitalTransformation #SocialImpact #EnvironmentalAI #ResponsibleTech #MissionDriven #ChangeAgent #TechForGood

About Amanda Kern

Amanda Kern is the founder and CEO of Emerald Creative Content, a marketing agency that specializes in search engine optimization (SEO) for small to mid-size businesses.

Starting as a copywriter, Amanda discovered her passion for SEO when working with keyword briefs from SEO agencies. She was mentored by a woman-owned SEO agency and combined her creative content skills with technical SEO knowledge to create a unique approach to digital marketing.

Key Topics Discussed

Practical SEO Tips for Beginners

Business Evolution and Market Changes

Actionable Takeaways

Timeline for SEO Results

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Amanda Kern

Connect with Jennifer Sconyers and Abundance Leadership Consulting

Website: https://www.jennifersconyers.com/

Jennifer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sconyers-0776955/

Abundance Leadership Consulting’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abundance-leadership-consulting-llc

About the Host

Jennifer Sconyers hosts the ALC Changemakers Podcast, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders. Both Jennifer and Amanda participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and are members of the Haven Collective coworking space in Columbus, Ohio. This episode is perfect for small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs looking to understand how SEO and AI can work together to grow their online presence and reach their target audiences more effectively.

Nonprofit Leadership Burnout Recovery: Strategic Resistance with Tauna Batiste | ALC ChangeMakers

Guest: Tauna Batiste Founder & CEO, Drew Alexander Consulting

Tauna Batiste is a leadership consultant who supports brilliant leaders in turning their bold ideas into strategic action. With extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, including executive roles at rare disease organizations, Tauna brings what she calls "big auntie energy" to her consulting work - holding clients accountable while encouraging their dreams and protecting their well-being.

Key Topics Discussed:

Notable Quotes:

"I am first in my priorities" - Tauna's transformational affirmation

"Strategy is resistance" - Her philosophy on empowerment through planning

"Every dollar is not a good dollar. Every dollar is not worth your time."

"Working with me is like working with your auntie."

Resources Mentioned:

Drew Alexander Consulting services:

Strategic advising, leadership development, operational excellence training

Connect with Tauna Batiste:

LinkedIn: Tauna Batiste

Company: Drew Alexander Consulting

Connect with Host Jennifer Sconyers & Abundance Leadership Consulting:

Website: jennifersconyers.com

Podcast: ALC ChangeMakers Podcast

About This Episode: This conversation explores the evolution of leadership through personal transformation, the importance of setting boundaries, and how strategic planning can serve as resistance during challenging times. Tauna shares her journey from nonprofit burnout to building a consulting practice that centers on authentic leadership and community care.

In this inspiring episode, Jennifer Sconyers sits down with Carol Kauffman, Executive Director of the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), to discuss her unique leadership journey, from international humanitarian work to leading one of Ohio's most influential environmental advocacy organizations. Carol shares how her early doubts about leadership were transformed through the lens of servant leadership, and how her commitment to equity and public health eventually led her to the environmental movement.

Listeners will gain insight into:

Key Takeaways:

Call to Action:

👉 Learn more and become a member at theOEC.org

👉 Follow the Ohio Environmental Council on social media on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

👉 Take your first step: vote, subscribe to a newsletter, or attend a local meeting

Stay Connected:

Learn more about Abundance Leadership Consulting at jennifersconyers.com

Follow us on LinkedIn @Abundance Leadership Consulting

In this rich and reflective episode, Jennifer Sconyers sits down with Cedar Landsman and Lucien Demaris, the visionary co-founders of Relational Uprising, to explore how relational culture can transform organizations from the inside out. Together, they unpack the limitations of individualism in U.S. culture and make a compelling case for centering relationships—within teams, communities, and movements—as a radical and necessary act of change leadership.

Relational Uprising supports mission-driven organizations in building deep connection, mutual understanding, and sustainable team cultures. Their approach is a powerful counter to the transactional norms embedded in dominant systems, and one that honors embodiment, belonging, and collective resilience.

🧭 What You’ll Learn

🧠 Wisdom & Insights

💡 Highlights

📆 Upcoming Opportunities

Join the interest list at relationaluprising.org to be notified when a new intro workshop is scheduled. They’re also hosting a leadership convening focused on the unique challenges in progressive and social justice organizations.

🔗 Connect with Relational Uprising

🌐 Website: www.relationaluprising.org

🎧 Subscribe & Follow Want more stories of bold leadership and culture change? Subscribe to the ALC ChangeMakers Podcast on Spotify and follow us at jennifersconyers.com

In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, Jennifer Sconyers sits down with Chelsea Elliott, a powerhouse entrepreneur and emotional wellness advocate. Chelsea is the founder and CEO of Sōmōcom Lab (Social Emotional Communication Lab), where she helps individuals and organizations create emotionally safe environments across all areas of life—from home and school to the workplace.

Jennifer and Chelsea first met in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort in Columbus, Ohio, and their connection sparked a shared commitment to transformational leadership rooted in emotional intelligence.

In this episode, Chelsea shares:

Key Takeaways:

Resources & Links:

Connect with ALC:

LinkedIn: Jennifer Sconyers

Website: Abundance Leadership Consulting

🎧 Tune in now to hear why Chelsea’s approach to emotional intelligence is changing the game for leaders, educators, caregivers, and community builders.

#ALCChangeMakers #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalHealthAdvocacy #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunityCare #EQKidsCrew #SomocomLab #AbundanceLeadershipConsulting #StorytellingForChange #WellnessInLeadership

In this inspiring episode of the ALC ChangeMakers Podcast, host Jennifer Sconyers sits down with Mary Hoffman, CEO and majority owner of Faucet Head Creative, a Columbus-area branding and marketing strategy agency.

Mary shares her powerful leadership journey—transitioning from a retail executive to co-owner of a creative agency during the upheaval of 2020—and how she’s intentionally realigning her business to meet the moment.

Mary talks candidly about the realities of pivoting in a volatile market, the role of storytelling in branding, the evolution of her company’s values, and her commitment to uplifting women and underserved communities through both her business and mentorship.

Episode Highlights

About Our Guest

Mary Hoffman is the CEO and majority owner of Faucet Head Creative, a branding and marketing firm based in Delaware, Ohio. A Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program graduate, Mary brings decades of leadership in retail and now channels her expertise into supporting local entrepreneurs, especially women, with intentional, values-based marketing. She is also the creator of Signal Tower Microsites, a new division offering affordable, professional one-page websites for small and scrappy business owners. Beyond her agency, Mary actively mentors incarcerated women in partnership with the Ohio Prison Entrepreneurship Program and is a vocal advocate for community-based impact.

Connect with Mary:

Website: faucethead.com

Signal Tower Microsites: signal-tower.com

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-h-a57544354/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/faucethead

IG: 

https://www.instagram.com/faucetheadcreative/

https://www.instagram.com/the.museseries/

📚ALC Programs Mentioned

Mary shares her experience as a participant in two ALC programs:

Learn more or enroll your team at: https://www.jennifersconyers.com/store

About Abundance Leadership Consulting

Abundance Leadership Consulting supports mission-driven organizations and leaders through coaching, courses, and community-centered leadership development. Whether you’re navigating professional relationships or rethinking your organizational strategy, ALC is here to help you lead with clarity and care.

More from ALC:

Podcast: ALC ChangeMakers on Spotify

Website: jennifersconyers.com

LinkedIn: Abundance Leadership Consulting

💬 Like What You Heard? Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and share this episode with anyone navigating a leadership transition or looking for purpose-driven marketing support. #ALCChangeMakers #WomenInLeadership #CommunityMarketing #RestorativeLeadership #SmallBusinessSupport