cityCURRENT Radio Show

In this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, we’re honored to welcome Beven Byrnes, Executive Director of Bridges Middle School. As a mom, wife, and advocate, Beven shares her personal journey and why she believes education must be designed to meet students where they are.

We explore what neurodivergence really means, how Bridges supports academic growth alongside confidence, emotional regulation, and executive functioning, and why middle school is such a critical season for these learners. This conversation offers hope for parents, educators, and community members—and shows what’s possible when students are understood, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Learn more: https://www.bridgesms.org/

In this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta is joined by Matthew Lee, Chief Leadership Officer and Executive Coach at ABR Firm LLC. Matthew shares his perspective on leadership development, executive coaching, and why investing in people is essential to building strong organizations and healthy communities.

We discuss ABR Firm’s training philosophy, the importance of community engagement, and how leaders can move from intention to action. Whether you’re an executive, manager, or emerging leader, this conversation offers practical insight into developing leadership that creates impact beyond the workplace.

Learn more: https://abrfirmmemphis.com/

In this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Denise McElhaney, owner of Denise’s Happy Hounds and founder of the Happy Hounds Pet Pantry. Denise shares how her love for dogs and her faith led her to create a grooming experience centered on comfort, trust, and care—and how that mission expanded into a community resource helping keep pets out of shelters. 

We explore the inspiration behind the Pet Pantry, how it operates as a 24/7 blessing box, and the role fundraisers, sponsors, and volunteers play in sustaining the mission. This conversation is a powerful reminder of how small businesses can become lifelines for their communities—and how compassion can create lasting impact for pets and the people who love them. 

Learn more: https://www.deniseshappyhounds.com/

In this deeply honest and hope-filled episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Bailee Harris, founder of Light After Labor, to talk about one of the most profound—and often unspoken—seasons of life: the postpartum journey.

Bailee courageously shares her personal experience with severe postpartum anxiety and depression, including panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, and the stigma that keeps so many moms suffering in silence. Despite having a strong support system and access to resources, Bailee’s story is a powerful reminder that postpartum mental health challenges can affect anyone.

Together, the conversation explores:

Why postpartum mood disorders affect as many as 1 in 5 women—and likely more

The difference between baby blues and when it’s time to seek help

How shame and fear prevent moms from speaking up

Why postpartum depression can affect adoptive parents and fathers, too

The critical role of community, faith, and connection in healing

Bailee also shares how Light After Labor is turning pain into purpose by spreading awareness, offering peer support, launching a postpartum community blessing box, and advocating for better resources and systemic change for new families.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, partners, healthcare providers, faith leaders, and anyone who wants to better support moms in the vulnerable season after birth. Above all, it carries a powerful reminder: motherhood was never meant to be endured alone.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Brittney Brown, Director of Mission Advancement for The Store, a nonprofit grocery store founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams Paisley in 2020. The store operates on a choice-based model, allowing individuals and families struggling with food insecurity to shop for groceries with dignity, rather than receiving pre-selected boxes. Through partnerships with over 50 local nonprofits, The Store serves approximately 1,000 families annually, with plans to double that capacity with their new Centennial location. It costs approximately $1,000 per year to feed one family and the organization sources 90% of its food through purchases from various suppliers including Gordon Food Service and Kroger. The Store relies heavily on volunteers and financial contributions, with volunteer opportunities including scanning, bagging, and assisting shoppers, while financial support can be provided through monthly giving programs starting at $45 per month. The Store hosts several major events throughout the year, including a comedy night, back-to-school supply store, and Nashville's Got Talent, with all proceeds supporting their mission of providing nutritious food and community support to those in need.

Jeremy C. Park interviews Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Scott Mann, former U.S. Army Green Beret, Founder and President of Rooftop Leadership, bestselling author, and speaker, who discusses his 23-year military career and his transition into developing "rooftop leadership" concepts focused on building trust and human connections. Scott highlights his work as a writer, including his New York Times bestseller, "Nobody is Coming to Save You," and his upcoming book "The Generosity of Scars," which releases on May 12, 2026, and explores storytelling and vulnerability in leadership. The conversation concludes with a discussion of Scott's one-person show "11 Days" based on his best-selling book, which tells the story of the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation and demonstrates the powerful impact of storytelling in processing shared experiences and fostering connection.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children's Foundation, who shares the organization's 25-year history and mission to support children of first responders, including their national expansion of programs and services. She discusses her background transitioning from serving on the board to actively leading the foundation and highlights their key initiatives, including scholarships, emergency hardship grants, mental health programs, and community engagement activities. Jillian emphasizes the importance of supporting first responder families and encourages viewers to get involved through donations, volunteering, and following the foundation's activities on social media platforms.

In this episode of The cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Denise Silas, Founder and Empowerment Coach of Empowered by DS, for a powerful conversation about helping women grow with clarity, confidence, and community—right in the season of life they’re in.

Denise shares how her journey from decades of leadership experience led her to create spaces where women no longer feel stuck, isolated, or overwhelmed. Together, they explore why honoring life’s seasons matters, how asking the right questions leads to clarity, and why community is essential for moving from survival to thriving.

The conversation dives into:
• Why so many women feel overwhelmed—and how clarity brings relief
• The importance of community and not doing life alone
• How coaching helps women uncover capacity, confidence, and direction
• Why vision, reflection, and celebration matter at every stage
• Creating spaces where commitment turns into action and growth

If you’re a woman navigating change, leadership, motherhood, caregiving, or simply feeling “stuck,” this conversation will remind you: you’re not alone—and you’re not finished yet.

Learn more: https://empoweredbyds.com/

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Caroline Norris, Chief Volunteer at Volunteer Odyssey, who discusses how her nonprofit organization serves as Memphis's volunteer center by matching individuals and corporations with hundreds of nonprofits across diverse causes, from housing and hunger to arts and environment, while providing capacity-building support to smaller organizations that lack staff to manage volunteers. She emphasizes that Volunteer Odyssey is partnering with United Way of the Mid-South and Leadership Memphis for MLK Days of Service from January 16-19, 2026, offering 15-16 service opportunities that honor Dr. King's legacy by asking "what are you doing for others." Caroline encourages people to use MLK weekend as a launching pad for year-round volunteerism, noting that the organization's website at volunteerOdyssey.com makes it easy to find opportunities that match individual schedules and passions while tracking volunteer hours and impact across the community.

Find your pathway to purpose and learn more about MLK Days of Service by visiting https://volunteerodyssey.com.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with cityCURRENT Nashville Market President, Kelly Meyers, who highlights cityCURRENT and the organization's mission and efforts to connect businesses with the community to power the GOOD through events, media, and philanthropy.

During the interview, Kelly talks about the partners and programs in Nashville, discussing their approach to relationship building and community engagement to help businesses both grow and make a difference. Kelly shares insights on the importance of building trust through community involvement and philanthropy, emphasizing that giving back creates valuable opportunities to create purpose-driven relationships and trust, enhance leadership skills, build a culture of teamwork and caring, and more.

She highlights some meaningful events from 2025, including presentations by Tom Koulopoulos on AI and Juan Bendaña on confidence. Looking ahead to 2026, Kelly outlines upcoming events such as the signature speaker series event in Nashville on February 6, hosted by KCS, and featuring Brink Fidler, founder of Defend Systems and former law enforcement veterans, who will be sharing security measures and practical techniques to save lives. Kelly also highlights the annual Kids Dental Day with Delta Dental of Tennessee and the Nashville Sounds, along with a shoe distribution at a local school later this year.

Kelly wraps up by encouraging business and community leaders to get engaged with cityCURRENT by attending upcoming events, being a guest on the positive media, or participating in volunteer experiences, like the shoe distributions.

Visit www.cityCURRENT.com to learn more and get involved.