Driven By with Sam Coates

In this episode, I sit down with Jared from The Hospitality Hub in Memphis to talk about redesigning how they serve people experiencing homelessness. He shares what it takes to build real solutions, from private studios to trauma-informed care, and why preserving dignity should be the starting point.

Episode Highlights:

• Why People Really Become Homeless: Jared breaks down the data and busts myths.
• Redesigning the Model: A shelter built on hospitality, not compliance.
• Stories That Stay With You: Transformation, celebration, and the power of being seen.
• Fighting Broken Systems: How The Hub builds new models when the old ones fail.
• The Emotional Cost of the Work: Burnout, grief, and why his team keeps going.
• What’s Next—and What Needs to Change: The blueprint for scaling real impact.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Reginald Coopwood, CEO of Regional One Health, to talk about how he and his team led one of the most significant healthcare turnarounds in Memphis history. He shares what it took to step into a hospital losing $20 million a year and rebuild it—without ever losing faith in the people who showed up every day to serve. From personal tragedy to civic vision, Dr. Coopwood offers a powerful look at leading with purpose.

Episode Highlights

• A Hospital in Crisis: What Dr. Coopwood walked into in 2010—and the staff resilience that surprised him.
• Culture Over Cuts: Why he refused to slash his way to survival and focused on mission-aligned leadership.
• Turning the Tide: How Regional One reduced its uninsured rate and redefined what public health could be.
• The Personal Side: Losing his first wife, raising three sons, and how his faith guided every decision.
• A Vision for Memphis: Why the city needs a new hospital—and what’s at stake if we don’t act.

In this episode, I sit down with Field Norris, co-founder of Chene Gear, to talk about how a frustration in the duck blind turned into a premium outdoor brand. He shares the story of what it takes to build something from the ground up, and how he and his team have scaled without losing sight of their values. From early challenges to staying customer-first, Field offers an honest look at building a brand with purpose.

Episode Highlights

• Origin Story: How a leaky pair of waders on a duck hunting trip sparked Chene Gear.
• From Problem to Brand: Solving a need for their community before realizing they had something bigger.
• People First: Building relationships through handwritten notes, in-house repairs, and grassroots loyalty.
• Growing Without Losing Purpose: Hiring smart, learning from mistakes, and staying mission-focused.
• Field’s Mindset: “We had plenty of reasons to quit, but we just kept asking, ‘Why not?’”

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Goodfellow — a man who’s lived life at full speed and with no filter. We cover from the trailer park in West Memphis to the car lots and the flash people in the city know him for today. Along the way, he talks about gambling, second chances, hard lessons, and big swings. This isn’t a polished story — It’s a conversation about the price of ambition, the impact of choices, and the search for meaning after the dust settles.

Episode Highlights

• Early Days: Growing up in a trailer, dreaming of a different life, and leaving home at 18.
• Confidence Since Youth: Calling himself "Mark Rockefeller."
• The Gamble: A life built on risk — Childhood bets, dog tracks.
• Starting Small: Launching a car business with four cars, two of which didn’t even run.
• Legacy and Regret: Honoring his mother, wrestling with selfishness, and figuring out what matters now.
• Memphis Moments: Viral commercials, front-row Grizzlies seats, and more.

In this episode, I sit down with Dana Evans—missionary, adoptive mother, and advocate—to discuss her journey of faith, calling, and resilience. She shares what led her to Russia, the challenges of adoption, and the lessons she’s learned about trust, fear, and perseverance.

Episode Highlights

• When a Calling Won’t Let Go: From childhood dreams to a leap of faith that changed her life.
• Life in Russia as a Missionary: Navigating culture shock, language barriers, and church planting. 
• An Adoption That Changed Everything: How caring for two orphans turned into a lifelong commitment.
• The Challenge of Fear and Isolation: Pushing through exhaustion and finding strength in faith.
• A New Path for Orphan Care: Helping shift Russia’s orphan care from institutions to family placements.
• Expanding the Mission Abroad: Bringing her work to Turkey, Ghana, and Kenya to help children find families.

In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Shannon—entrepreneur, investor, and family office operator—to discuss his journey across private equity, real estate, and capital management. We explore the principles behind his investment strategy, the challenges of building credibility, and the hard lessons he’s learned about leadership, trust, and execution.

Episode Highlights

• From Memphis to Texas: Navigating different markets, building networks, and embracing Texas’ economic advantages.
• A Career in Capital: Starting on Wall Street, managing family office investments, and launching his own company.
• Principles of Smart Investing: Prioritizing execution, avoiding over-engineered deals, and learning from failures.
• A Costly Business Lesson: Overcoming a failed business deal early on, a dishonest operator, and what it taught him about due diligence.
• The Secret to Strong Teams: Hiring based on strengths, trusting your team, and building a business culture from the ground up.
• How to Find Work-Life Balance: Staying grounded in faith, prioritizing family, and redefining long-term success.

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Torres, former CEO of Memphis Athletic Ministries and Frase Protection, and Danny Song, founder of Believe Memphis Academy and CEO of Give Services, to discuss everything nonprofit leadership. With years of experience serving communities in need, they share their journeys, the realities of leading nonprofit organizations, and moving to the for-profit world.

Episode Highlights

• The Reality of Nonprofit Leadership: Navigating the demands of fundraising, organizational politics, and daily operations.
• The Weight of the Work: The personal sacrifices, emotional toll, and pressure to balance mission-driven work with sustainability.
• Fighting Barriers: How poverty, geography, and access to resources shape opportunities—and the battles nonprofit leaders face.
• Leaving Nonprofits: Why Torres and Danny transitioned to the business world, the emotions tied to that, and their ongoing journey.
• Lessons in Leadership: Insights for nonprofit leaders, donors, and advocates on what it takes to drive real, lasting change.

In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Shumate, CEO of Campbell Clinic, to discuss delivering patient-centered care in a country with the most expensive healthcare in the world. We explore the challenges patients face and the bold decisions that need to be made.

Episode Highlights:

• Staying Independent: Maintaining autonomy in a landscape dominated by large hospital systems.
• Achieving Better Outcomes: Connecting the right specialist with the right patient to improve care and outcomes.
• Pioneering Treatments: Transforming recovery with outpatient joint replacements and minimally invasive spine procedures.
• Leading Patient-Centered Care: Balancing values and operational challenges while staying true to the mission.
• Battling Bureaucracy: Refusing to let profit margins compromise the quality of patient care.
• Building a Legacy: Fostering a 100+ year reputation and global recognition for advancing orthopaedic care.

Hear my conversation with Elizabeth Rouse, the President and CEO of Arts Memphis, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the arts in Memphis, Tennessee. With over 60 years of impact, Arts Memphis has played a pivotal role in fostering creativity and connection in the Memphis, TN community.

Episode Highlights

• Historical Context: Learn how Arts Memphis evolved from the Memphis Arts Council to a cornerstone for the local arts community.
• Economic Impact: Discover how over $100 million in grants have fueled growth, created jobs, and boost the economy.
• Key Programs: Explore how unrestricted funding and pandemic emergency support have empowered arts organizations and artists.
• Challenges: Arts Memphis balances limited resources while expanding its community impact.
• Future Vision: Hear about plans to strengthen arts infrastructure, and collaborate with city initiatives to enhance development.

Hear my conversation with Randall Swaney, the entrepreneur behind Marshall Steakhouse, named the #1 Steakhouse in Mississippi by the Food Network. Located in rural Mississippi, Randall turned what was supposed to be a feed store into a bustling restaurant.

Episode Highlights

• From Feed Store to Steakhouse: How Randall’s idea turned into a steakhouse serving 4,000 people a week.
• Against All Odds: Why everyone told him he was crazy, and how Randall proved them wrong.
• The Power of Location: 50,000 cars pass daily, driving Marshall Steakhouse’s success.
• Expanding the Dream: Randall’s wish to open 10 new locations across the Southeast.