Hart & Hustle Podcast

David Ozmore from the Harrisburg area YMCA shares how he transformed his organization into a thriving community hub, achieving remarkable growth post-COVID.

This is the story of mission-driven leadership and resilience — and what Visionary Executives can learn from it.

In this conversation, you'll learn:
✅ How to create a culture of gratitude and service that boosts team morale.
✅ The leadership strategies that helped David grow to $22 million in annual sales.
✅ The importance of community partnerships in enhancing program reach and impact.

This episode is for Visionary Executives who aspire to lead organizations that thrive in challenging times.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Welcome to the Hart & Hustle Podcast
0:35 – Introduction to David Ozmore and his journey at the YMCA
2:01 – The pivotal moment that led David to a lifelong career in community service
4:50 – Insights on leadership and building an effective team
6:30 – Strategies for maintaining growth and engagement post-COVID
8:45 – The impact of community and family support on leadership success
10:25 – Key mentors who shaped David’s leadership philosophy

📊 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• David emphasizes that vocation should feel joyful, not just an occupation.
• He discusses the importance of clarity and vision for organizational success.
• The role of mentorship in leadership development is paramount.
• Community engagement is crucial for nonprofit growth and sustainability.
• David’s journey reflects the significance of adaptability in leadership.

👤 ABOUT DAVID OZMORE:
David is the CEO of the Harrisburg area YMCA, known for steering the organization through significant growth and community impact. With over 33 years in YMCA work, he has dedicated his career to fostering healthy communities and transformative programs.

🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ozmore-b873a2220/
🔗 Organization Website: ymcaharrisburg.org

🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:
Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.

Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:

• FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #CommunityEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment

David Liss from Nixa Public Schools reveals how a shift in mindset can transform educational leadership.

This is the story of finding pathways to success — and what visionary executives can learn from it.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

✅ The importance of asking the right questions instead of saying "no" to challenges.

✅ How technology can personalize education for every student's needs.

✅ Strategies to adapt to the changing landscape of public education and maintain program reach.

This episode is for visionary executives who seek innovative solutions to enhance educational outcomes and drive participant retention.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – David Liss introduces his unique role in K-12 education.

3:00 – The impact of declining student enrollment on school districts.

5:30 – Navigating the challenges of public vs. private education.

10:00 – How technology is changing the teaching landscape.

12:30 – The significance of individualized education in modern classrooms.

15:00 – David’s insights on future trends in education.

📊 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- Asking the right questions leads to innovative solutions in educational settings.

- Technology must be utilized intentionally to meet diverse student needs.

- Understanding the economic factors affecting public education is crucial for strategic planning.

- The shift towards personalized learning is reshaping educational frameworks.

- Schools must adapt to maintain competitiveness amid declining enrollments.

👤 ABOUT DAVID LISS:

David Liss is the Chief Strategy and Information Officer at Nixa Public Schools, dedicated to integrating technology with education to enhance student learning experiences.

🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdave48/

🔗 Organization Website: https://www.nixapublicschools.net/

🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:

Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.

Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:

- FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #EducationInnovation #MissionDriven

Colonel Bill Davis from the Young Marines reveals how a transformative approach to youth development is reshaping lives across the nation.
This is the story of resilience and empowerment — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it.

In this conversation, you'll learn:
✅ How the Young Marines program builds leadership skills and citizenship through community service.
✅ The importance of exposing youth to diverse career paths and opportunities for growth.
✅ Strategies for fostering a sense of belonging and teamwork among young participants.

This episode is for mission-driven leaders who seek to inspire and elevate youth in their communities.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – The power of service and transformation
0:27 – Colonel Davis shares his journey from the Marine Corps to youth development
1:00 – The impact of high-performing teams on youth
2:00 – Building a charter high school in New Orleans
3:30 – How the Young Marines program helps kids graduate high school
5:10 – The rite of passage in the military and its effects on youth
6:50 – The role of community service in youth development
8:10 – Addressing the challenges of youth eligibility for military service
9:30 – The broader implications of youth leadership programs
10:45 – Encouraging diverse career paths beyond the military
12:00 – The history and evolution of the Young Marines program

📊 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• High-performing teams foster growth and resilience in youth.
• The Young Marines program is a national initiative with a profound impact on over 5,000 kids.
• Youth development through service creates leaders in various fields, not just the military.
• The importance of mentorship and support in helping youth achieve academic success.
• Understanding the diverse career paths available to young people today.

👤 ABOUT COLONEL BILL DAVIS:
Bill Davis is the CEO of the Young Marines program, leading national initiatives that empower youth through service and leadership. With over 24 years of experience in the Marine Corps, he is dedicated to helping young people thrive.

🔗 Guest LinkedIn: [Link not provided]
🔗 Organization Website: https://youngmarines.com

🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:
Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.

Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:

• FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #YouthDevelopment #LeadershipTraining

Heather Salazar from Pink Ribbon Good shares how a cancer crisis, a heartbreaking adoption story, and pure grit turned into a life-changing support network for families in the middle of treatment.This is the story of building purpose through trauma - and what mission-driven leaders, overwhelmed operators, and people champs can learn from it.Heather opens up about the moment she met Alexis, a 23-year-old mother facing stage four breast cancer and searching for a better life for her baby, and how that encounter changed everything. From there, she explains how Pink Ribbon Good grew from a simple idea into a real lifeline for families who need more than encouragement - they need meals, rides, cleaning essentials, and someone to show up.

This episode is for leaders who are carrying too much, questioning whether they can keep going, and need proof that purpose can be built through hard seasons.Heather also shares the deeply personal aftermath of her own breast cancer diagnosis, why she initially feared the pink ribbon, and how she eventually turned pain into a model of support that now serves people across multiple states. Along the way, Efrain brings his own story of adoption, trauma, and leadership pressure, making this a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, and why representation matters. You’ll hear how Pink Ribbon Good serves families with up to 60 rides to treatment, why 40% of patients would have no way to get there without help, and how a chance airport conversation connected Heather to investors who helped scale the mission. If you’re building anything that matters, this episode is a reminder that the hardest stories can become the strongest source of hope.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Heather’s story and the heart behind Pink Ribbon Good 6:38 - The adoption story that changed everything 12:08 - Heather’s breast cancer diagnosis and the fear behind the pink ribbon 14:00 - Writing the grant that launched real support 15:47 - Scaling rides to treatment and reaching more families 17:22 - The airport conversation that opened unexpected doors 21:03 - Fighting through trauma, purpose, and hard seasons 33:39 - What Pink Ribbon Good offers families in treatment 35:09 - Where Pink Ribbon Good serves and how to connect

👤 ABOUT HEATHER SALAZAR:

Heather Salazar is the founder of Pink Ribbon Good, a nonprofit that supports families facing breast and gynecological cancers with meals, rides, cleaning essentials, and peer support. Her work has helped build a community of pink trucks, volunteers, and partners across multiple states.

🔗 Organization Website: https://pinkribbongood.org

🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:

Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:

• FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership #HealthcareSupport

This is the story of turning burnout, limited capacity, and a "small but mighty" staff into real community impact — and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it.

Ashley DeLatour opens up about leaving photography behind in favor of a purpose-driven role that helps students navigate what comes after high school, from FAFSA and scholarships to college applications, apprenticeships, and local career pathways. She also shares how a personal move, a lack of social capital, and the realities of raising a family pushed her to rebuild her career around helping people access opportunity.

This episode is for mission-driven leaders, overwhelmed operators, and people champions who want practical ways to expand program reach without losing the human touch.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Plant-filled background, books, and the story behind Ashley's setup
1:37 - How one prayer plant sparked a lifelong love of plants
3:40 - What Futures Northwest does and who it serves
5:35 - Ashley's winding path from photography to human services
8:49 - From admin liaison to executive director of programs
10:17 - Turning a bare-bones website into a real resource hub
11:56 - Serving nearly 2,000 people a year with a small team
13:30 - How partnerships and community experts multiply impact
15:36 - Training volunteers to help families complete financial aid
17:58 - A student who found purpose through a phlebotomy simulation
22:19 - A day in Ashley's work supporting students and families
23:17 - Accessibility support, disabilities, and practical college accommodations
24:11 - Why financial aid is never intuitive without a guide
28:06 - Transferable skills, problem-solving, and learning from failure
31:28 - Where to find Futures Northwest resources online

ABOUT ASHLEY DELATOUR:
Ashley DeLatour is the Executive Director of Programs at Futures Northwest, where she helps students in Whatcom and Skagit Counties navigate financial aid, career exploration, and post high-school pathways. She brings an unusual mix of visual storytelling, systems thinking, and community-based leadership to a mission that supports underrepresented students across Northwest Washington.

Organization Website: https://futuresnw.org

ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:
Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.

Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

CONNECT WITH US:
FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #EducationAccess #MissionDrivenLeadership

What happens when the person leading a homeless services organization has walked the same road as the people they serve?

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Jennifer Hutchinson, Chief Program Officer at Hope Ministries in Des Moines, Iowa — the largest homeless service provider in the city. Jenn opens up about surviving abuse, becoming a mother through trauma, and the moment she realized the domestic violence curriculum she was teaching to residents was actually describing her own life.

We talk about:

🔹 Hope Ministries' full continuum of care — from a no-commitment drop-in center and 365-day community cafe to shelter, a year-long life recovery program, and supportive housing
🔹 Why relational poverty, not just financial poverty, is one of the biggest drivers of homelessness
🔹 The moment Jenn had to share an active crisis — not a resolved testimony — with the same population she was serving, and how it changed everything
🔹 Why Hope Ministries operates 100% on individual donations and zero government funding, by choice
🔹 The volunteer program (M25s) that treats community members like staff — because relationships, not just services, are what help people stay changed
🔹 A story about a 13-year-old Jenn mentored who's now 26, married, a father, and calls her "more of a mom" than his own

Jenn's story is a reminder that healing isn't linear, credentials aren't the same as lived experience, and sometimes the people who've been hurt the most become the ones best equipped to help others heal.

Learn more or get involved: https://www.hopeiowa.org

🎙️ Hart & Hustle is a podcast for mission-driven leaders building organizations that change lives. New episodes weekly.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations with nonprofit and mission-based leaders doing the work.

#HopeMinistries #DesMoines #Nonprofit #HomelessServices #FaithBasedNonprofit #MissionDrivenLeadership #HartAndHustle #NonprofitLeadership #CommunityImpact

Tina Alicea of Safe Harbor Medical shares how to build a mission-driven organization that actually scales - without losing quality, trust, or community impact.This is the story of turning a struggling health center into a growing model for care, and what vision-driven leaders can learn from it.If you lead a nonprofit, healthcare org, school, or community program, this conversation will change how you think about growth. You’ll hear how Tina went from Pentagon weapons analysis to Nevada healthcare leadership, why she believes “places that help poor people should not look poor,” and how a business-first mindset helped her expand Safe Harbor Medical from 350 patients to 5,000 with 15 providers.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Vegas, walking bridges, and Tina’s take on dry heat
3:29 - The hidden side of Tina: faith, introversion, and public leadership
6:22 - Building Safe Harbor Medical and redefining what community care should look like
9:58 - From Pentagon analyst to healthcare strategist in Nevada
11:24 - Why Nevada ranks last in FQHC access and why that matters
13:13 - Tina’s strength, her weakness, and why she has zero tolerance for shadiness
14:06 - The mindset from her mother that shaped everything she does
19:43 - Why curiosity drops in school and how AI could change learning
20:43 - Are schools blocking AI too soon?
22:54 - Data, evidence, and why AI should help cut through noise
24:50 - Turning 60, finishing her PhD, and setting a new personal finish line
26:36 - Blue zones, healthy habits, and why movement matters more than extremes
27:46 - Why leaders should only take grant money they can sustain
30:12 - Retail, missed bonuses, and the cost of not listening to frontline insight
34:30 - Growing Safe Harbor from 350 patients to 5,000
35:23 - Tina’s vision for daycare inside elementary schools
36:58 - How her model could help working parents, reduce homelessness, and support local economies
39:25 - Catching dyslexia early and giving kids the right support sooner
40:29 - Teaching resilience, plants, and healthy habits to children
43:53 - How to connect with Safe Harbor Medical

👤 ABOUT TINA ALICEA:

Tina Alicea is the CEO and founder of Safe Harbor Medical, a federally qualified nonprofit community health center in Las Vegas. She has spent the last 15 years helping expand FQHC access in Nevada, improving care delivery, and building systems that serve both vulnerable communities and people who have choices.

🔗 Organization Website: https://safeharbormedlv.org

🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:

Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:

• FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #HealthcareLeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership

Dan from Palmer College of Chiropractic shares how he is using AI to transform education, streamline operations, and protect the human side of leadership. This is the story of a long-time academic leader who went from skeptical to all-in on AI - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from that shift. If you're a visionary executive, mission-driven leader, or overwhelmed operator trying to do more with less, this conversation shows you how to use AI without losing your people, your standards, or your mission. Dan explains why the real risk isn't adopting AI - it's ignoring it. He breaks down how a small, focused college can use tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Higgsfield to cut hours of manual work, generate better learning content, and free up staff to focus on student experience instead of backroom busywork.

Dan also shares how Palmer College, the founding college of chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, has spent more than 125 years shaping the profession while investing in campus renewal, hands-on learning, and student life. From black-and-gold basement design to science-backed health habits like preserving muscle mass, this episode blends leadership humility, practical innovation, and a refreshing challenge to outdated thinking.Essential listening if you lead a mission-driven organization and want a clear, grounded look at how AI can create efficiency, deepen service, and help your team focus on what actually matters.

Timestamps

0:00 - Basement design, trust, and the leadership lesson behind saying yes
1:08 - Humility, asking for help, and admitting what you don't know
3:08 - Dan's role at Palmer College and his winding path into chiropractic education
5:17 - Why education matters and how great teachers shape leaders
6:45 - Teaching biochemistry, making complex ideas simple, and health education
9:28 - Palmer College philosophy, chiropractic, and why the cause matters
13:11 - Muscle mass, quick fixes, and the truth about long-term health
17:23 - Dan's AI workflow: ChatGPT, Gemini, Higgsfield, and video creation
21:12 - Why AI improves student experience and reduces transactional work
28:51 - Palmer College campuses, facilities, housing, and 30 years of growth
32:30 - Using AI to create better content, notes, videos, and learning tools
36:06 - Why the risk is not adopting AI and how institutions can start safely
41:21 - Prompting, article summarization, and reducing hallucinations with structure
44:38 - Palmer College website, campus visits, and where to connect

About Dan

Dan serves as provost at Palmer College of Chiropractic, where he oversees academics, clinics, and student affairs. He has spent three decades at the college and has moved through roles as clinician, educator, and academic leader while championing innovation in higher education.

About Hart & Hustle

Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operators, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.

Connect with us
FRANSiS Website: https://fransis.ai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitLeadership

#AIinEducation #MissionDrivenLeadership

Dr. Johnola Morales from Osceola Council on Aging shares how she turns a small but mighty team into a lifeline for more than 60,000 people a year. This is the story of what happens when mission, crisis response, and radical dignity come together - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from a social service organization that refuses to let older adults get left behind.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:
✅ How Osceola Council on Aging delivers 38 wraparound programs with a lean team and strong leadership
✅ Why word-of-mouth referrals from officers, nurses, firemen, and the community matter more than flashy marketing
✅ How Dr. Morales is bridging the technology gap by pairing youth with seniors to fight scams, isolation, and digital exclusion

This episode is for mission-driven leaders, community operators, and people champions who want to expand program reach, improve participant support, and build services that meet people where they are. Dr. Morales shares how the organization steps into emergency response as a special needs shelter during hurricane season, while also helping older adults with home care, meals, rental support, adult daycare, and case management for high-risk individuals. She breaks down why wraparound services matter, how a “hidden gem” becomes a trusted community resource, and what it looks like to stabilize people so they can remain safe in their homes.

Timestamps

0:00 - Welcome to Heart and Hustle with Dr. Johnola Morales
0:23 - Leadership roles at Osceola Council on Aging
0:55 - Why she became a social worker
2:04 - From foster care and child protective work to aging services
4:59 - Hurricane season and special needs shelter response
5:27 - Meals, home care, rental help, and caregiver support
7:14 - How people find Osceola Council on Aging
8:44 - Serving 60,000 to 70,000 people across 38 programs
9:29 - Wraparound services and high-risk case management
11:05 - Racism, dignity, and a life-changing client story
16:11 - 9/11 as a survivor and its lasting impact
20:56 - Why she cares so deeply about people
25:08 - How technology is leaving older adults behind
28:10 - Empowering youth, foster care, and future partnerships
30:54 - How to volunteer, visit, and get involved
31:46 - Is Kissimmee Little Puerto Rico?

About Dr. Johnola Morales

Dr. Johnola Morales is the Senior VP of Home Care and Case Management and Chief of Staff at Osceola Council on Aging. She leads programs that support older adults, caregivers, and families across Osceola County, with a focus on stability, wraparound care, and community connection.

Organization website: https://osceolacouncilonaging.com

About Hart & Hustle

Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

Connect with us

• FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #AgingServices #CommunityImpact

Miss Collins from Lotus House and the National Women's Shelter Network reveals how one encounter on a Miami street sparked a national movement to reimagine homelessness support. This is the story of how safe shelter, trauma-informed care, and relentless advocacy can change lives - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. Homelessness is not a personal failure; it's a systems failure. Collins breaks down why women are often the most invisible people on the street, how domestic violence, trauma, lack of health care, and under-resourced shelters keep families trapped, and why the solution starts with treating shelter as essential infrastructure, not charity.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why women experiencing homelessness often survive by becoming invisible
• How a career in real estate, finance, and law became the foundation for launching a women's shelter
• What it takes to build a shelter model with embedded mental health care, job support, education, and dignity
• How Collins grew one shelter into a national network of 612 shelters across all 50 states and three U.S. territories
• Why corporate partners, in-kind donations, and public awareness campaigns are critical to ending homelessness

This episode is for mission-driven leaders, nonprofit operators, and community advocates who want to create real change without waiting for the system to catch up.Collins shares how she went from commercial real estate and corporate law to opening Lotus House Women's Shelter in Overtown, Miami, after meeting a woman living on the street who had nowhere safe to go. She explains why short-term shelter alone is not enough, and how housing support must be paired with trauma care, health care access, education, and long-term stability.She also unpacks the National Women's Shelter Network model, including the grassroots effort to connect shelters through research, training, webinars, and shared best practices. You'll hear how the network delivers over 19 million shelter bed nights and more than 30 million free meals each year, and why the fight to end homelessness depends on public pressure, community investment, and better-resourced safety nets.If you're leading a nonprofit, building a service organization, or simply trying to understand how to help in a meaningful way, this episode is a wake-up call. The message is clear: homelessness can happen to anyone, shelters save lives, and every community has a role to play.Perfect for anyone who wants to turn empathy into action and build systems that actually help people rebuild.

ABOUT MISS COLLINS:

Collins is the founder of Lotus House Women's Shelter in Miami and a driving force behind the National Women's Shelter Network. She built the nation's largest women's homeless shelter and has spent more than two decades advancing trauma-informed, community-centered solutions for women, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.

CONNECT WITH US:

• FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

#NonprofitLeadership #Homelessness #MissionDrivenLeadership