Hometown Jax brings you honest, inspiring conversations with local leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are shaping the future of Jacksonville. Hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler highlight the personal journeys and powerful missions behind the businesses and organizations that are transforming our communities from the inside out.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Robin Pfalzgraf, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Community Land Trust. Robin shares her deeply personal journey from foster care advocacy and nonprofit leadership in the Midwest to leading the charge for attainable housing in Jacksonville. Her passion for dignified, community-based solutions radiates as she explains how the land trust model works, why permanent affordability matters, and what it truly means to give people—not just housing—but opportunity. Packed with heart, humor, and bold vision, Robin’s story will challenge your view of affordable housing and inspire action.

On Hometown Jax, hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with Jacksonville’s entrepreneurs, storytellers, and public figures to explore the paths they’ve taken and the impact they’ve made in the First Coast community. It’s a celebration of grit, growth, and the people who keep our city moving forward.

In this episode, Aaron chats with Sam Kouvaris, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, longtime Channel 4 sportscaster, and Hall of Fame media figure who helped shape Jacksonville’s sports and news culture over four decades. Sam shares stories from the golden age of local news—covering the Gators’ back-to-back championships, standing on NFL sidelines, and witnessing Jacksonville’s transformation from “the city that stinks” to a Super Bowl host. He opens up about his early days in Charleston, the evolution of journalism, what it takes to build community trust, and the moments that mattered most in his iconic career.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, the show where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with the business leaders, educators, and difference-makers shaping Jacksonville’s future. Every episode dives into the real stories of local entrepreneurs—what drives them, what they’ve learned, and how they’re helping our community grow stronger, smarter, and more connected.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Gregory Grant, a Jacksonville native, Army veteran, serial entrepreneur, and the appointed leader of the City of Jacksonville’s Equal Business Opportunity Division. Gregory shares his powerful story—from learning tile work as a teenager to building multiple companies, teaching entrepreneurship, and now creating access, equity, and education through the city’s JSB program. With a heart for local business and a deep understanding of policy, he’s helping small companies not just start—but scale and succeed. If you’ve ever wanted to understand how government, education, and grit come together to create real opportunity, this conversation is packed with insights, energy, and motivation.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with local leaders, entrepreneurs, and legends to explore their journeys, challenges, and the impact they make in Northeast Florida. Whether it’s sports, business, or personal transformation, this podcast highlights the stories that shape the people who shape Jacksonville.

In this episode, Aaron interviews Marc Edwards, a former Notre Dame standout and NFL fullback who now calls Jacksonville home. Marc shares his remarkable rise from small-town Ohio to college football stardom and a nine-year NFL career, including a Super Bowl win with the Patriots. He opens up about the recruiting chaos of the pre-cellphone era, learning from Lou Holtz, and the moment he unknowingly saved Drew Bledsoe’s life. Now an engaged father and businessman, Marc reflects on what he’s carried forward from football, what drives him today, and how he’s redefining life after the league.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with Jacksonville’s leaders, creators, and change-makers to explore the journeys that define our city. From entrepreneurship to personal transformation, each episode digs deep into the stories of those making a difference across Northeast Florida.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Nick Padlo, a Jacksonville native, West Point graduate, U.S. Army veteran, Stanford MBA, TEDx speaker, and founder of Sofros Recovery. Nick opens up about his deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the identity crisis many veterans face after service, and his personal journey through addiction, healing, and entrepreneurship. He shares how a life-altering experience in Cambodia and a passion for mental health led to launching Sofros Recovery right here in Jacksonville. Through real talk and hard-earned wisdom, Nick explains how his team is filling the gap between traditional treatment and lasting change—one person at a time.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with Jacksonville’s most compelling voices in business, leadership, and community impact. From first-time entrepreneurs to seasoned executives, this podcast uncovers the stories of grit, growth, and giving back that define the spirit of Northeast Florida.

In this episode, Jason interviews Clayton King, a Jacksonville-based financial advisor, real estate investor, and nonprofit board member whose journey started with buying his first home at just 18 years old. Clayton shares how growing up in a financially literate household shaped his mindset, the lessons he learned from living in his car during college while managing rental properties, and why he now devotes part of his time to affordable housing initiatives and local economic development. From balancing ambition with family to helping others secure financial freedom, Clayton’s story is full of hard-won wisdom and surprising turns.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler dive into the real stories behind Jacksonville’s most driven professionals. From the business world to local media and everything in between, we explore how homegrown talent overcomes challenges, seizes opportunity, and impacts Northeast Florida in a meaningful way.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Emily Turner, investigative anchor at Action News Jax, to unpack her career spanning coast to coast—from early days lugging her own gear as a one-woman crew to anchoring in major markets like San Francisco. Emily shares the behind-the-scenes grind of journalism, her time with CrossFit media, what it means to make real change through investigative reporting, and why she ultimately came back to Jacksonville to raise a family and make a difference. Packed with humor, insight, and some truly wild newsroom stories, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone curious about what it really takes to report the truth.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, the podcast where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with the boldest minds in business, leadership, and community building across Jacksonville. Each episode captures personal stories, professional journeys, and the wins—and losses—that shape the Northeast Florida business landscape.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Daniel Davis, President and CEO of the JAX Chamber, to unpack his remarkable journey from local politics to becoming one of Jacksonville’s most influential leaders. Daniel shares how his love for Jacksonville inspired a career rooted in service, economic development, and creating opportunity. From growing up on the city’s west side to championing international business relocation, launching a podcast of his own, and leading with a long-game mindset, Daniel’s story is a deep dive into what makes Jacksonville thrive—and where it’s going next.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler explore the inspiring stories of Jacksonville’s most interesting leaders, entrepreneurs, and personalities. Each episode dives into the personal journeys, challenges, and passions that drive the local legends shaping our community—whether they’re building businesses, leading movements, or redefining what it means to call Jacksonville home.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Curtis Dvorak, a name that might not ring a bell until you realize he spent 19 years as Jaxson de Ville, the iconic mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars. But that was just the beginning. Curtis shares how he went from college mascot to NFL performer, local TV host, entrepreneur, and now a passionate ambassador for the Jacksonville Zoo. Packed with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, powerful career pivots, and a surprising connection to Michael Jackson’s elephant, this episode is equal parts entertaining and inspiring.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with Jacksonville’s entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners to hear the real stories behind their journeys. From humble beginnings to big breakthroughs, every conversation dives into the passion, challenges, and persistence that define our local community.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Suzanne Hasz, founder of Hudson Trailer Company, to hear how a late-night idea grew into a nationally recognized brand. Susanne shares how she turned vintage trailers into customizable mobile businesses, the lessons she learned as a serial entrepreneur, and why she chose Jacksonville as her company’s home base. From overcoming self-doubt to leading a creative team and inspiring other dreamers, Suzanne’s story is a masterclass in grit, innovation, and building something truly one-of-a-kind.