You Matter Nashville

10/04/2025

We’re so excited to share our latest You Matter Nashville podcast episode: A to Z Learning Club with Robin Griffin!

Robin Griffin is doing powerful work in Nashville — transforming how children and families experience reading, confidence, and representation. What began as a small effort to support her twin boys has grown into a nonprofit reaching Middle Tennessee with culturally responsive books, literacy workshops, and community-based programs.

In this episode, we talk about:
• Robin’s personal journey through learning challenges and how it shaped her mission
• The root causes of literacy gaps in our region and how to address them
• Her three signature programs: Book Explorers, Imagination Station, and Family Workshops
• Unique outreach efforts, like placing books in barbershops
• Ways we can all get involved — from volunteering to donating books, or partnering with local businesses

👉 We hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen, share, and join us in supporting Robin’s mission. Together, we can uplift children through literacy, representation, and community.

We had the incredible privilege of sitting down with Robin Griffin, executive director of A to Z Learning Club, a Nashville nonprofit that's revolutionizing

09/19/2025

NEW EPISODE!

Meet Nathan Scarlett, an outreach specialist with People Loving Nashville who's on a mission to permanently house 503 people before he retires! 💪

Nathan's incredible journey started with something as simple as sharing McDonald's apple pies with unhoused individuals in downtown Nashville.

In this episode, Nathan shares:
✨ How People Loving Nashville serves 80-100 volunteers every Monday night
✨ The four pillars: Relief, Community, Connection & Restoration
✨ Why socks are the #1 most needed item for our homeless neighbors
✨ How faith and prayer bring hope to Nashville's most vulnerable

Listen now at youmatternashville.com/podcast 🎙️

Want to help? People Loving Nashville needs volunteers every Monday night! Visit peoplelovingnashville.com to get involved.

Discover how People Loving Nashville transforms lives through faith-based homeless services. Nathan Scarlett shares 12 years of street outreach experience.

08/29/2025

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

We had the privilege of sitting down with Tiffany Mann from Age Well Middle Tennessee, and wow - what an eye-opening conversation! 💕

Did you know there's been an organization quietly serving our Middle Tennessee community for 40 YEARS, providing resources that could change the trajectory of aging and caregiving journeys for thousands of families? 🤯

Here's what blew us away about AgeWell Middle Tennessee:
✨ FREE Elder Care Coaching with master's level social workers
✨ A comprehensive Directory of Services (27,000+ copies distributed!)
✨ RESET program for financial empowerment for adults 50+
✨ Scam prevention education (because our seniors need protection!)
✨ The incredible Sage Awards honoring community champions

The average caregiver is a 49-year-old working woman juggling SO much. If this is you, or if you know someone navigating the aging journey, this episode is a MUST listen!

Tiffany's heart for connecting families with resources they didn't even know existed is exactly why we do this podcast. Every story matters. Every person matters. And there's help available! 💙

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Tiffany Mann from AgeWell Middle Tennessee shares vital resources for caregivers and older adults, including elder care coaching and financial support.

08/21/2025

We just had one of the most eye-opening conversations with Mulder, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of America – Tennessee Chapter.

Did you know Tennessee sees 25,000 new brain injuries each year? From sports concussions and falls to strokes and military service, these injuries can impact anyone—and their effects often last long after physical wounds heal.

Stacey shared powerful insights about prevention (yes, helmets matter!), the importance of early medical attention, and the invisible struggles survivors face. We also learned about the incredible work her team does in outreach, education, advocacy, and fundraising—especially their fight to secure insurance coverage for cognitive therapy.

This episode left us inspired to protect our brains, support survivors, and get involved in building stronger awareness across our state. 💙

In this inspiring conversation with Stacey Mulder, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of America – Tennessee Chapter, we explore the realities

08/14/2025

🎙️ In our latest You Matter Nashville episode, we sit down with Graham Thomas, Chief Community & Government Affairs Officer for tnAchieves, to dive into the incredible story behind the Tennessee Promise program.

From its humble start as Knox Achieves to becoming the nation’s largest college access and success program, Graham shares how mentorship, community service, and breaking down both financial and non-financial barriers are helping thousands of Tennessee students achieve their dreams.

We cover:
✅ The “secret sauce” of the program’s success
✅ Why technical and career pathways matter as much as four-year degrees
✅ How YOU can make an impact as a mentor in just one hour a month

This episode is packed with inspiring stories, practical insights, and ways for all of us to get involved. 🎓💡

In this inspiring episode of You Matter Nashville, we sit down with Graham Thomas, Chief Community & Government Affairs Officer for Tennessee Achieves, to

08/07/2025

We just dropped a new episode of You Matter Nashville featuring Buddy Teaster, President & CEO of Soles4Souls—and friends, this one’s powerful.

Buddy shares how Soles4Souls went from a simple shoe donation nonprofit to a global force that’s distributed over 80 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing while helping launch small businesses in developing countries. He also opens up about leading the organization through financial crisis, rebuilding trust, and staying anchored in purpose.

This conversation is all about redemption, resilience, and the ripple effect of generosity—and we think it’ll inspire you like it did us.

In this episode of You Matter Nashville, we sit down with Buddy Teaster, President & CEO of Soles4Souls, to explore how shoes—and the people behind

07/25/2025

We are excited to share the latest episode of You Matter Nashville, featuring Evan & Jenny Owens—co‑founders of REBOOT Recovery. Together, they have poured years of passion into helping people heal from trauma through faith‑based, peer‑led community (serving over 30,000 across 7+ countries)

In this episode, they talk candidly about launching REBOOT Recovery from their home, blending Jenny’s clinical background in occupational therapy (with experience caring for active-duty military and first responders) with their shared vision for trauma recovery. They also discuss their book Healing What’s Hidden, offering practical steps to turn pain into purpose.

We hope this conversation inspires you as much as it moves us. Listen now and discover how recovery doesn’t just restore—we rebuild.

👉 Please like, share, and tag someone who needs to hear this message.

In this episode, we sat down with Evan and Jenny Owens to hear how Reboot Recovery is changing lives around the world. What started in their living room is

07/10/2025

We’re celebrating fresh starts! 🎙️✨ Today’s You Matter Nashville episode features Tash Weddle, Master Strength Coach and CEO of The New Beginnings Center, a women-only fitness nonprofit that empowers women—no matter their income—to discover their strength inside and out.💪

Tash shares how their social-enterprise model lets paying members subsidize training scholarships so every woman can access personalized coaching in fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. Twenty percent of every paid session is allocated directly to funding a sister’s health journey, and the ripple effect is truly remarkable.

Join us as we discuss breaking stereotypes, rebuilding confidence, and creating a Nashville where every woman can thrive.

In this episode of You Matter Nashville, we sat down with the incredible Tash Weddle, founder of The New Beginnings Center in Nashville. Tash is a master

06/12/2025

❤️ NEW EPISODE ALERT ❤️

We’re excited to share our latest You Matter Nashville podcast episode featuring Milton Bartley, CEO of ImageQuest! Together, we dive into how leaders can truly build a culture where people matter—sharing insights from Milton’s journey as a former Army combat leader and community champion in Franklin.

In this conversation, we explore:
✅ How to lead with empathy and purpose
✅ Why prioritizing people strengthens organizational resilience
✅ Real-life examples of Milton’s approach at ImageQuest and beyond

We believe this episode offers actionable inspiration for anyone in leadership, coaching, or community-driven work. Join us in celebrating the power of culture that values every person.

🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and let the conversation guide how you lead: share your biggest takeaway in the comments!

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Milton Bartley, CEO of ImageQuest, who shares his incredible story of service, leadership, and purpose. From his

05/31/2025

Who is someone in Middle Tennessee that you consider a local hero?

ANNNNND - If you're willing, share a little bit about how they’ve made a difference in your life or community.

05/29/2025

We're thrilled to share our latest You Matter Nashville podcast episode featuring Melissa Spradlin, Executive Director of Book'em! Melissa's passion for children's literacy shines as she discusses how Book'em is making a difference in Nashville by providing books to children in need and fostering a love for reading.

Join us in celebrating the incredible work being done to ensure every child has access to books and the joy they bring. Let's support this mission together!

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://youmatternashville.com/podcast/bookem-with-melissa-spradlin/

In this inspiring episode of You Matter Nashville, we sat down with Melissa Spradlin, executive director of Book’em, a nonprofit dedicated to boosting

05/09/2025

This week on the You Matter Nashville podcast, we sat down with Jenny Rustioni and Natalie Lemarbre of ELI's House—a beautiful nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe haven for women facing crisis pregnancies and homelessness. 💛

Their stories are powerful, their mission is life-changing, and the impact they’re making in Middle Tennessee is something we all need to hear.

🎧 Join us as we talk about hope, healing, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life.

➡️ Listen here: https://youmatternashville.com/podcast/elis-house-with-jenny-rustioni-and-natalie-lemarbre/

In this episode of You Matter Nashville, we sat down with Jenny Rustioni and Natalie Lemarbre of Eli’s House, a life-changing nonprofit based right here in