Catalysts for Change

In this powerful episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister talks with Katy Dieckhaus—mother of nine-year-old Evelyn, one of the six victims of the Covenant School shooting—and Todd Cruse, board chair of Voices for a Safer Tennessee.

Katy shares moving stories of Evelyn’s life and the ways her daughter’s spirit continues to guide her advocacy. Todd, a Republican gun owner and neighbor, reflects on how data and personal loss drew him into the movement for bipartisan, common-sense firearm safety. Together, they reveal how grief became a catalyst for action, building a coalition of 30,000 Tennesseans determined to create a safer future.

This is Part 1 of their story—an honest conversation about loss, resilience, and the power of listening to create lasting change.

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Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

In this episode, Adam Lister sits down with Sunny Bray, founder of Catalyst Collective and a champion for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, from her early days in corporate sales to launching a community-first consultancy, Sunny shares how grief, grit, and bold purpose shaped her path. With honesty and insight, she reflects on building a business rooted in values, relationships, and the belief that nonprofit work deserves abundance, not scarcity. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• Why Sunny built a consultancy that puts nonprofit missions, not metrics, at the center of the work. 
• How grief, motherhood, and mentorship reshaped her approach to leadership and boundaries.
• Why nonprofits need trusted partners, not just service providers—and how to find the right support.
• How to lead authentically, say no with confidence, and prioritize what truly matters.

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Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

In this episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister welcomes Harry Allen—sixth-generation Nashvillian, co-founder of Studio Bank, and now Chief Financial Officer at Belmont University. Known for his values-based leadership and belief in building relationship capital, Harry shares how intentionality, service, and clarity of mission have guided every step of his unconventional journey. From launching a billion-dollar bank during a time of uncertainty to helping reimagine higher education, Harry opens up about risk, resilience, and the quiet power of staying true to your purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How relationship capital compounds like financial capital—and how to build it authentically
• The founding story of Studio Bank and what it taught Harry about risk, service, and purpose
• What leadership looks like when you prioritize impact over recognition

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Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

Episode Summary
In this episode of Catalysts For Change, host Adam Lister sits down with longtime Nashville civic leader Ralph Schulz, former CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. With decades of experience navigating growth, crisis, and transformation, Ralph shares what it takes to guide a city through massive change—without losing its soul. From economic development to situational leadership, Ralph reflects on the Nashville of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, offering practical wisdom and personal stories from his own journey.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How Ralph Schulz helped lead Nashville through booms, floods, and pandemics
• What “situational leadership” looks like in practice—and why empathy matters
• Why films like 12 Angry Men and Twelve O’Clock High are in his leadership toolkit
• The vision behind Nashville’s long-term economic transformation
• Why investing in people—not credit—is the key to lasting impact

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Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with David Mansouri, President and CEO of SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education), to talk about the leadership lessons, policy wins, and long-view strategy behind Tennessee’s transformation in public education. David shares how a passion for politics and a background in music led him to a career in education policy—and how sustained, bipartisan commitment has taken Tennessee from the bottom ranks to a national leader in student achievement. The conversation dives into SCORE’s approach to collaboration, navigating political shifts, and why real change requires patience, purpose, and people who are willing to do the hard work.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Tennessee climbed from 45th to 13th in national education rankings
• Why bipartisan, long-term policy alignment was key to sustained change
• How to lead through political transitions while staying mission-focused
• The role of collaboration and humility in effective leadership
• Why small, clear goals—like one more 3rd grader reading on grade level—can drive big systems change

Mentioned in This Episode: 

• TN SCORE
• Vanderbilt Study on Teacher Evaluations
• SCORE TN 2030 Report
• SCORE Policy Pillar Memo Series

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Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

In this powerful kickoff episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister sits down with Randy Boyd — entrepreneur, education leader, and relentless change-maker — to unpack a career built on hustle, heart, and an unshakable mission to make things better.

From starting college at 16 and launching a multi-million dollar business from the back of a van, to reshaping Tennessee’s higher education landscape with bold, people-first initiatives like Tennessee Promise and the Drive to 55, Randy’s story is a masterclass in vision-driven leadership. He shares hard-earned lessons on perseverance, the art of navigating challenges with grace, and why clear, candid conversations are the real catalyst for lasting impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why no one can make you quit — and how Randy internalized that truth
• How entrepreneurial grit translated into groundbreaking public service
• The behind-the-scenes story of turning a big, audacious education reform dream into reality
• How clarity, candor, and community-building fuel lasting leadership
• What Randy believes could make this the greatest decade in the University of Tennessee’s history

If you’re looking for real-world inspiration on building a life of impact, staying true to your values, and leading with purpose — this conversation will light the fire.

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Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative