AIP 2433 - EXCLUSIVE - Lisa Soland, part 1

AIP 2433 - EXCLUSIVE - Lisa Soland, part 1

Lisa Soland's journey began in a bustling household where determination was born out of necessity. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in acting, she earned an apprenticeship at the Burt Reynolds Theater, where she relentlessly pursued her dream of becoming an actor, working with legendary mentors and honing her craft. Along the way, she discovered a new spark: a love for playwriting, which opened new doors and creative possibilities. Today, Lisa is not only an accomplished actor but also a celebrated playwright, author, and producer, and she now stars in her own one-woman play, "PAT: THE PLAY," chronicling the inspiring life of legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt.

AIP 2405 - Denise Dean, part 2

Denise Dean’s story is one of perseverance and purpose. From overcoming tough times and searching for meaning, to learning life’s lessons, whether through service at a Drug Rehab Center or her work at IBM, every step prepared her for something greater. Drawing on all she had learned, Denise founded East Tennessee Freedom Schools, where her passion for education and service empowers children and college students to discover their own purpose. Her journey shows how every experience can lead to creating something truly impactful for others.

AIP 2404 - Denise Dean, part 1

Growing up as the youngest of seven in segregated Boston, Denise Dean navigated explosive social changes and found opportunity at a Connecticut prep school, where she was exposed to races and cultures from around the world. It broadened her horizons. Inspired by her mother’s revolutionary spirit and her father’s drive to climb life’s ladder, Denise dared to dream bigger. Against the odds, she was accepted into Harvard—a place she had never even visited, despite living just across the river. There, seeing excellence reflected in faces like her own, Denise realized that no matter where you start, "Anything is Possible."

AIP 2403 - Vance Thompson, part 2

Vance Thompson, Director of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, devoted his life to mastering the trumpet and sharing his music with the world, only to have his ability to play taken by focal dystonia. Though he faced anger, grief, and uncertainty about his future, the loving support of his wife helped him recognize the richness of his life beyond the trumpet. By bravely letting go of what he could no longer control, he found renewed purpose and a deeper sense of fulfillment … in the Vibraphone, proving that even when life takes an unexpected turn, embracing change and being willing to pivot can unlock all new possibilities.

AIP 2402 - Vance Thompson, part 1

Raised in a loving, music-filled home in Maryville, Tennessee, Vance Thompson discovered his gift for the trumpet and nurtured it through dedication, study, and the support of inspiring mentors. His journey led him from local family gatherings to college, from Chicago’s vibrant Big Band Jazz scene back home to Knoxville, where he founded the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and now inspires the next generation as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Tennessee. Vance’s path proves that humble beginnings to extraordinary achievement is a Real Possibility.