cityCURRENT Radio Show

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Marissa Chaney, Executive Director of Speedway Children's Charities – Texas Chapter, who discusses the organization's efforts to support children in need through collaborative partnerships and strategic grant funding, sharing that they have distributed $12.6 million since 1997 in the North Texas area. Marissa explains their grant application process, which includes thorough review by trustees and site visits to selected organizations. She highlights several upcoming events including the NASCAR Tripleheader Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway in May, Laps for Charity in June, a new Hearts in High Gear benefit concert in July, and a December grant ceremony. The interview covers their support of nonprofits serving children with the most critical needs, their partnership with corporate sponsors like Premier Truck Group and GoVision, as well as the impact of volunteer support on their mission.

Visit https://www.speedwaycharities.org to learn more and to get involved with Speedway Children's Charities and the Texas Chapter.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Jerry Rosa, Operations Director for Nashville Diaper Connection, who discusses the organization's efforts and mission "to connect families with diapers because every baby deserves a healthy start." Jerry explains how Nashville Diaper Connection began in 2013 when founder Doug Adair identified diaper need as a critical unmet community requirement, growing from distributing 18,000 diapers in a garage to now providing 4.5 million diapers annually across 28 counties, serving approximately 7,000 babies monthly. The organization operates through three main programs: community partnerships with 50 organizations, health connections providing diapers as incentives for medical visits, and Diapers for Diploma offering 200 diapers monthly to 25 campus students. Jerry shares personal stories from deliveries demonstrating the significant impact of their work, including a scene where families waited over an hour for diaper distribution. The organization's core values focus on dignity, equity, and strong community partnerships, with volunteers contributing 9,000 hours annually to help package diapers for distribution.

Nashville Diaper Connection Initiatives - Jerry provides information about Nashville Diaper Connection, including contact details ([email protected] and nashvillediaperconnection.org) and current initiatives like the World's Largest Diaper Drive and a potential "Putts for Butts" putting competition in June. He mentions their potty training initiative aimed at reducing diaper costs for families, particularly those needing daycare services, as well.

Visit https://www.nashvillediaperconnection... to learn more and get involved with Nashville Diaper Connection.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Dr. Amber Adams, Clinical Research Coordinator II for the Southern Environmental Health Study (SEHS) with Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Cancer & Chronic Disease Epidemiology, who discusses the research project focused on examining environmental exposures and their impact on cancer and chronic disease risk in people aged 30-70 across 17 southern states and the District of Columbia. She highlights the disproportionately high cancer and chronic disease rates, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, respiratory illness, and cardiovascular disease, in the U.S. South compared to other regions.

Dr. Adams explains that the health study began in 2021 with a 6-year enrollment period ending in 2027. The study targets participants aged 30-70 in southern states, requiring them to complete a 30-60 minute health questionnaire covering lifestyle, medical history, and environmental exposures. Participants receive a silicone wristband to wear for seven days to measure up to 1,400 chemical exposures, with optional compensation for additional biospecimen donations including saliva, blood, and urine samples. The study aims to investigate how environmental factors like water contamination, air pollution, forever chemicals, and microplastics contribute to health outcomes, particularly addressing the high incidence and death rates of cancer and chronic diseases in the southern region.

Dr. Adams explains the importance and urgency of their study examining chemical exposure and its effects on cancer and chronic diseases, highlighting a gap in existing research. The study aims to investigate how chemicals interact with each other and how individuals may respond differently to the same exposures. Dr. Adams shares how the work has increased her awareness of environmental health impacts, including the importance of considering what she consumes and breathes daily. She mentions specific actions she's taking, such as composting and recycling, to address these concerns for both her health and the environment.

Dr. Adams invites people aged 30-70 living in southern states to participate. She shared contact details including the website www.sehsstudy.org and a toll-free hotline (855-710-9489), and offered her personal email for further inquiries.

Visit https://www.sehstudy.org to learn more about the Southern Environmental Health Study.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Doris Dunn, founder and owner of DunnWise Consulting, who discusses her background in leadership coaching, consulting, keynote speaking and hosting a podcast. During the interview, Doris talks about her 35-year career in the insurance industry, including her role as VP of Marketing and Training, before launching her coaching business in August 2023. She describes her coaching services, including one-on-one coaching, group coaching, mastermind sessions, and workshops focused on clarity, mindset, and resilience. She mentions her newly launched podcast, which interviews people who have overcome challenges and discusses the role of mindset in resilience. Doris explains her coaching approach, which begins with helping clients envision their future 3-5 years out and then creating strategic plans to achieve those goals. She discusses the importance of shifting from a fixed to growth mindset and reframing goals using "I am" statements rather than "I want to be" statements to help clients adopt a growth mindset and reach their goals more effectively.

Doris discusses the importance of active listening, emphasizing the need to be fully present and focused on the speaker rather than planning one's response. She shares her long-standing commitment to community service, particularly with the Red Cross, where she has volunteered since age 17 and currently serves on the Nashville Red Cross board. Doris also mentions her involvement in the Tiffany Circle, a women's philanthropy group, and then discusses how volunteerism, particularly with the Red Cross, has helped her develop leadership skills from a young age. She explains that starting volunteer work early provides opportunities to lead, teach, and develop empathy, which are valuable for both personal growth and professional leadership roles. Doris encourages listeners to visit her website at dunnwise.com, follow her podcast "DunnWise Perspectives," and connect with her on LinkedIn to learn more about her consulting services and speaking engagements.

Visit https://www.dunnwise.com to learn more about DunnWise Consulting.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Gene Garcia, Outreach Director for Heartland Adult & Teen Challenge Murfreesboro, who discusses the organization's mission and plans for expansion in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Gene shares his personal journey from opioid addiction to recovery through Adult & Teen Challenge, which led to his current role helping operate multiple locations including Memphis, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro. The discussion focuses on their plans to establish a residential facility in Murfreesboro, requiring at least 3,000 square feet with spaces for a chapel, cafeteria, kitchen, offices, bedrooms, and recreational areas. Gene explains their holistic approach to addiction recovery, which includes biblical counseling, life skills training, and practical exit planning, emphasizing that residents must genuinely want help rather than being forced into the program. The interview concludes with information about how community members can support their efforts through donations, building contributions, or by connecting them with potential program participants.

To learn more and connect with Adult & Teen Challenge visit their website ATCTN.org and or call Gene at 615-624-7878.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Tad Kinchla, bassist and vocalist of Blues Traveler, who highlights their upcoming performances on May 5 at the Graceland Soundstage in Memphis and June 12 at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee. Tad shares how his older brother and guitarist, Chan Kinchla, was one of the original members of the band in high school, and how he grew up with the band and was a fan before having the opportunity to join them full-time in 2000. He shares his circuitous route to joining the band, including attending college, playing lacrosse, and playing in different bands, before joining Blues Traveler after the tragic loss of original bass player Bobby Sheehan. Tad shares how he initially learned to play the electric bass without an amp, then transitioned to the upright bass before switching back to the electric bass for convenience with shows. Tad shares his experience playing with his brother and what it was like stepping in to perform with Blues Traveler for the first time since Bobby's passing, describing it as surreal and emotionally charged. He reveals that he was one of five bass players auditioned for the position, and mentions that Oteil Burbridge, who was also considered for the role, ultimately joined Allman Brothers Band, which kicked off his 15-year tenure with that band.

Tad describes the welcoming environment where he was immediately encouraged to contribute songs, with one of his compositions becoming their first single on his debut album with Blues Traveler. He explains his approach to fitting into the band's sound by positioning himself with the drums and apart from the mid-range frequency space between other instruments like guitar, keyboard, and harmonica. He discusses Blues Traveler's musical style and the live performance experience. Tad explains how his approach has evolved from filling notes to playing with more restraint, describing his favorite aspect of playing live as interacting with the audience, particularly at outdoor venues.

Tad wraps up discussing the VIP experience and information about upcoming shows at Graceland Soundstage in Memphis on May 5th and at Bonnaroo on June 12th.

Visit https://bluestraveler.com to learn more about Blues Traveler.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Zach Hartman, founder of Forever Field Day, who highlights his Nashville, Tennessee-based business that brings creative activations and nostalgic field day games to groups and gatherings of all ages for corporate events, team building, and personal celebrations. Zach explains how the concept originated from playing flag football with friends and realizing adults miss the impact-driven games from childhood that build community, communication, and teamwork skills. He describes the business's flexibility to scale from 10 to 3,000 people, with services including custom game creation, referees, DJs, and setup for events within a 3-4 hour radius of Nashville. Zach shares a moving story about a recent event with the nonprofit, From Your Father Foundation, where children without fathers experienced joy through activities like parachute games, and he emphasizes his company's approach of incorporating philanthropy into for-profit events. The interview concludes with examples of creative games like "Plunger Pass" and information about how to learn more about Forever Field Day through their social media channels and website, https://www.foreverfieldday.com.

Visit https://www.foreverfieldday.com to learn more and connect with Forever Field Day.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Bonnie Bowles, Associate Director of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), and Tierra Fuller, Senior Financial Counselor with the Financial Empowerment Center, who highlight and discuss their programs with United Way of Greater Nashville. Bonnie explains that VITA provides free tax preparation services to households making $84,000 or less from late January through April 15th, offering multiple options including online filing, traditional sites, and walk-in services, while Tierra describes how the Financial Empowerment Center has been serving Nashville since 2013 by helping clients with debt reduction, increasing credit scores, budgeting, and financial planning through one-on-one monthly sessions. The interview highlights how both programs work together to build community wealth, with VITA helping clients understand their tax refunds and connecting them to financial counseling services, and emphasizes that both programs are free and serve low-to-moderate income families across Middle Tennessee.

Learn more about volunteering for IRS certification training through unitedwayfilefree.org. Contact information was provided for both programs, with fec.nashville.gov for the FEC and unitedwaygreaternashville.org for United Way's main website.

So, visit https://www.unitedwaygreaternashville... to learn more about United Way of Greater Nashville and their Financial Empowerment Center and VITA programs.

In this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Jonathan Torres, Chair of C12 Memphis, to explore how faith and leadership intersect in the world of business.

C12 is the largest peer advisory network of Christian CEOs and business leaders, helping executives build stronger companies while staying grounded in purpose, values, and accountability. Through confidential forums, executive coaching, and faith-based leadership development, C12 equips leaders to navigate challenges, grow their businesses, and lead with integrity.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this episode offers insight into how surrounding yourself with the right people can transform your leadership, your business, and your impact.

To learn more about C12 Memphis, visit joinc12.com and connect with Jonathan Torres and the local leadership community.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Kirk House, a singer-songwriter and Americana artist, who discusses his musical background and support for veterans and first responders. Kirk shares his journey from growing up in church communities in Arkansas to performing in Abilene, Texas, and now based in Fort Worth, where he developed his unique "Texas Soul" music style blending country, Americana, gospel, blues, and R&B influences. The conversation highlights Kirk's personal connection to veterans through friends and family, his volunteer work with first responders, and his involvement with Airpower Foundation's Walk 22 event, where he has performed the national anthem and supported veterans' mental health awareness initiatives.

Visit https://www.kirkhousemusic.com to learn more and connect with Kirk House.