UNSTUCK with Tim Terrentine

UNSTUCK Podcast | Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community with Von Washington Jr. | Episode 003

50 min · 19 de mar de 2026
Portada del episodio UNSTUCK Podcast | Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community with Von Washington Jr. | Episode 003

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UNSTUCK Podcast | Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community with Von Washington Jr. | Episode 003 What happens when a community decides that every student deserves a pathway to opportunity? In this episode of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Von Washington Jr., CEO of the Kalamazoo Promise, to explore the transformational power of education, community trust, and leadership rooted in service. Von shares the story behind one of the most generous scholarship programs in the United States and the lessons learned from helping thousands of students pursue education beyond high school. From growing up in a military family and constantly starting over, to leading a national model for community investment in education, Von reflects on what it means to build opportunity that lasts for generations. Together, they unpack: • How constant change shaped Von’s leadership style• The real impact of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship• Why scholarships alone aren’t enough to change lives• The importance of community trust in education• The role relationships play in helping students succeed• How education can break cycles of generational poverty• What leaders must do to help people get unstuck This conversation is a powerful reminder that opportunity doesn’t happen in isolation.It happens when communities decide to invest in their people. Because when education, leadership, and community come together — transformation becomes possible. About the Guest Von Washington Jr. is the CEO of the Kalamazoo Promise, one of the nation’s most transformative scholarship programs. He leads efforts to expand access to post-secondary education while strengthening community partnerships that support student success. Learn more: * Kalamazoo Promise: https://kalamazoopromise.com/ [https://kalamazoopromise.com/] * Big in the Community Podcast: https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/big-in-the-community [https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/big-in-the-community] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/von-washington-jr-0046a226/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/von-washington-jr-0046a226/]  #UnstuckPodcast #Leadership #Education #CommunityDevelopment #Scholarships #Opportunity #KalamazooPromise #TimTerrentine

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7 episodios

episode UNSTUCK Podcast | Leadership That Moves People with Kevin Bryant | Episode 007 artwork

UNSTUCK Podcast | Leadership That Moves People with Kevin Bryant | Episode 007

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episode UNSTUCK Podcast | The Limits of Law & the Power of Service with James Liggins Jr. | Episode 006 artwork

UNSTUCK Podcast | The Limits of Law & the Power of Service with James Liggins Jr. | Episode 006

What if everything you think you know about the law… isn’t actually how it works? In this episode of Unstuck, Tim Terrentine sits down with attorney and community leader James Liggins Jr. for a powerful conversation about the gap between law and justice, the limits of our legal system, and the responsibility we carry as individuals within it. James breaks down what “guilty” and “not guilty” really mean—and why the legal system isn’t designed to determine truth, but responsibility. From civic education to systemic inequities, from courtroom realities to community service, this conversation challenges assumptions and reframes how we think about power, fairness, and leadership. You’ll hear: * Why the legal system is built on “reasonable doubt,” not absolute truth  * How laws change—and what that means for fairness across time  * The impact of economics and access on legal outcomes  * Why civic education may be the missing link in public discourse  * How service and community engagement shape real leadership  This isn’t just about law.It’s about how we show up—in systems, in community, and for each other. Subscribe for more conversations that move you forward. About the Guest: James Liggins Jr. is a Senior Counsel at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, focusing on real estate litigation, business disputes, and community-centered legal advocacy. Beyond his legal practice, James is a deeply engaged civic leader—serving on multiple boards and advancing equity, access, and representation across Michigan. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging profession and purpose.  #UnstuckPodcast #Leadership #Justice #CivicEngagement #Perspective

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episode UNSTUCK Podcast | Leadership, Perspective & Being “On the Agenda” with Darlene King Turner | Episode 005 artwork

UNSTUCK Podcast | Leadership, Perspective & Being “On the Agenda” with Darlene King Turner | Episode 005

What does it really take to lead in a time of constant change? In this episode of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Darlene King Turner—CEO and President of The Unity Collaborative—for a powerful conversation on leadership, perspective, and the responsibility we carry to others. Darlene shares her journey growing up in Detroit, where exposure to diversity created a lifelong foundation for understanding what she calls the “mosaic” of humanity—and how that perspective shapes effective leadership today. Together, they unpack: * Why leaders must choose to be “on the agenda, not on the menu” * How perspective—not position—is the real leadership advantage * The danger of leading in isolation instead of collaboration * Why the next generation is more collaborative than ever * How to lead through uncertainty without losing your values * The role of vulnerability, feedback, and reverse mentorship * What it means to truly build people—not just manage them One of the most powerful takeaways:Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about bringing the right voices to the table. Darlene also shares how she is developing future leaders through global youth programs connected to the United Nations—ensuring the next generation is prepared to lead beyond borders. This conversation is honest, strategic, and deeply human. Because getting unstuck isn’t just about movement—It’s about how you lead others forward. About the Guest:Darlene King Turner is CEO and President of The Unity Collaborative, bringing over 20 years of leadership in building inclusive communities, cross-sector partnerships, and global initiatives that drive systemic impact

1 de may de 202649 min
episode UNSTUCK Podcast | The People Problem No One Wants to Fix with Monique Gibson | Episode 004 artwork

UNSTUCK Podcast | The People Problem No One Wants to Fix with Monique Gibson | Episode 004

What happens when the biggest problem in your business… is people? In this episode of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Monique Gibson—U.S. Army veteran, attorney, and founder of JMCO Consulting—for a candid, unfiltered conversation about leadership, workplace dysfunction, and the realities of growing a business. Monique shares her journey from military service to corporate leadership to entrepreneurship—and how those experiences shaped her approach to solving one of the most overlooked challenges in organizations: people. Together, they unpack: * Why high performers often fail as leaders * The real reason workplace toxicity exists * How childhood experiences show up in the boardroom * Why founders struggle to scale beyond early success * The danger of hiring family and friends into key roles * What happens when leaders avoid hard conversations * Why “being the boss” isn’t what people expect * The cost of untrained managers on team performance * How to identify and fix organizational blind spots * Why growth requires both clarity and implementation One of the most powerful takeaways:You don’t fix people problems by avoiding them—you fix them by facing them. This conversation is direct, honest, and grounded in real-world experience. Monique brings both compassion and accountability to the table, challenging leaders to stop ignoring what’s broken and start building what works. Because getting unstuck isn’t about working harder.It’s about fixing what’s in the way. About the Guest:Monique Gibson, JD, MBA, is a U.S. Army veteran, attorney, and founder of JMCO Consulting LLC. She helps organizations solve complex operational and leadership challenges through strategic thinking, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.  Learn more: * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/moniquegibson1 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquegibson1] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmcoconsulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/jmcoconsulting/] * Email: monique@jmcoconsulting.com #UnstuckPodcast #Leadership #OrganizationalDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership #PeopleLeadership #Entrepreneurship #TimTerrentine

13 de abr de 202649 min
episode UNSTUCK Podcast | Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community with Von Washington Jr. | Episode 003 artwork

UNSTUCK Podcast | Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community with Von Washington Jr. | Episode 003

UNSTUCK Podcast | Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community with Von Washington Jr. | Episode 003 What happens when a community decides that every student deserves a pathway to opportunity? In this episode of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Von Washington Jr., CEO of the Kalamazoo Promise, to explore the transformational power of education, community trust, and leadership rooted in service. Von shares the story behind one of the most generous scholarship programs in the United States and the lessons learned from helping thousands of students pursue education beyond high school. From growing up in a military family and constantly starting over, to leading a national model for community investment in education, Von reflects on what it means to build opportunity that lasts for generations. Together, they unpack: • How constant change shaped Von’s leadership style• The real impact of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship• Why scholarships alone aren’t enough to change lives• The importance of community trust in education• The role relationships play in helping students succeed• How education can break cycles of generational poverty• What leaders must do to help people get unstuck This conversation is a powerful reminder that opportunity doesn’t happen in isolation.It happens when communities decide to invest in their people. Because when education, leadership, and community come together — transformation becomes possible. About the Guest Von Washington Jr. is the CEO of the Kalamazoo Promise, one of the nation’s most transformative scholarship programs. He leads efforts to expand access to post-secondary education while strengthening community partnerships that support student success. Learn more: * Kalamazoo Promise: https://kalamazoopromise.com/ [https://kalamazoopromise.com/] * Big in the Community Podcast: https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/big-in-the-community [https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/big-in-the-community] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/von-washington-jr-0046a226/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/von-washington-jr-0046a226/]  #UnstuckPodcast #Leadership #Education #CommunityDevelopment #Scholarships #Opportunity #KalamazooPromise #TimTerrentine

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