ENCORE: From Grit to Grace: Sunny Bray on Purpose, Loss, and Leading Out Loud

More Than A Moment - From Miracle to Mission with Kevin Dyson

What happens when the moment you're most remembered for becomes only a small part of your story? In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with former Tennessee Titans wide receiver, educator, and school founder Kevin Dyson for a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the leadership lessons that emerge long after the spotlight fades. For many fans, Kevin will forever be associated with two iconic NFL moments: the Music City Miracle and the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV, when the Titans came just one yard short of a championship. But this conversation goes far beyond football. Kevin reflects on the highs and lows of professional sports, the pressure of public success and failure, and how those experiences shaped his transition into education and community leadership. Together, they explore the influence of Kevin's mother, the lessons sports teach about accountability and teamwork, and why he believes student engagement is one of the greatest challenges facing education today. Kevin also shares the vision behind Music City Academy, a new charter school designed to connect academics with the life-changing lessons found through athletics and competition. From navigating disappointment and grief to leading through COVID, conversations about race, and the responsibility of shaping young lives, this episode offers a powerful perspective on what it means to lead with purpose and build a legacy that extends far beyond personal achievement. What You'll Learn in This Episode: * Why some of life's greatest leadership lessons come from moments of failure, not success. * Why resilience, accountability, and teamwork remain essential skills for success in any field. * How sports can serve as a powerful vehicle for education, engagement, and character development. * What leaders can learn about navigating adversity, public criticism, and personal setbacks. * Why the most important chapter of your story is often what comes after the moment everyone remembers. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470405/fan_mail/new] Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies [https://www.one12strategies.com/podcast], brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

Driving Change When Trust is Rare with Erin Hafkenschiel

What does it take to create meaningful change in a world where people increasingly distrust institutions, information, and one another? In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with Erin Hafkenschiel, President of ThinkTennessee, to explore the leadership lessons she has learned while working across philanthropy, city government, higher education, transportation policy, and statewide civic leadership. Erin traces her passion for public policy back to a childhood lesson about how communities make decisions and why people often view the same issue through very different lenses. From studying urban development in China as a Fulbright Scholar to helping shape Nashville's transportation future, she shares how those experiences shaped her understanding of leadership, human behavior, and systems change. The conversation dives deeply into Nashville's failed 2018 transit referendum and the lessons that emerged from one of the city's most visible public policy defeats. Erin reflects on the importance of humility, coalition building, and trust, and explains why every policy leader should experience a loss that challenges their assumptions. What You'll Learn In This Episode:  * The surprising leadership lessons hidden inside major public failures * How Nashville's 2018 transit referendum defeat shaped future policy successes  *  Why people are often social actors rather than rational decision-makers  *  How effective leaders build coalitions without demanding complete agreement  *  Why implementation is often harder than passing the policy itself  *  The role social capital plays in strengthening communities and democracy  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470405/fan_mail/new] Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies [https://www.one12strategies.com/podcast], brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

Leading with Hope: Greg Jones on Character, Culture, and the Future We Build Together

What does it take to lead through uncertainty without losing sight of purpose? In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with Dr. Greg Jones, President of Belmont University, to explore the intersection of leadership, faith, innovation, and institutional transformation. Drawing from a career that has spanned theology, higher education, and organizational leadership, Greg shares how the loss of his father shaped his understanding of character, why "moral imagination" may be one of the most important leadership skills of our time, and what it means to build institutions that prepare people not just for careers, but for lives of meaning and impact. Together, they discuss the challenges facing higher education, the importance of balancing tradition and innovation, leading through cultural polarization, and why the best leaders focus on creating environments where others can flourish. Greg also offers practical insights on sustaining leadership over the long term, the role of rest and play in avoiding burnout, and the books and ideas that continue to shape his thinking. Whether you lead a university, a business, a nonprofit, or simply want to create positive change in your community, this conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership is ultimately about formation, hope, and helping others imagine a better future. What You'll Learn in This Episode: * Why character formation matters more than information acquisition * How leaders can balance tradition and innovation without losing their core purpose * What "moral imagination" is and why it matters for solving complex problems * How to lead through disagreement while building a culture of trust * Why rest, play, and Sabbath are essential leadership disciplines * What gives Greg hope about the next generation of leaders Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470405/fan_mail/new] Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies [https://www.one12strategies.com/podcast], brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

Generosity, Influence, and the Power of Proximity with Hal Cato

What does it take to create lasting change in a community? In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with Hal Cato, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, for a conversation about leadership, philanthropy, and the power of staying close to the people you serve. Hal shares the experiences that shaped his leadership journey, from feeling like an underdog as a child to founding Hands On Nashville and eventually leading one of Tennessee’s most influential philanthropic organizations. Along the way, he reflects on the lessons he's learned from working alongside both billionaires and families struggling to pay their utility bills, and why proximity to people and problems remains one of the most powerful forces for meaningful change. This conversation explores what effective philanthropy really looks like, why trust is a leader’s most valuable asset, and how organizations can balance urgent needs with long-term impact. Hal also offers a candid look at leading through some of Middle Tennessee’s most difficult moments, including natural disasters, community crises, and decisions that drew both praise and criticism. From collaboration and influence to burnout and legacy, this episode is packed with wisdom for nonprofit leaders, business executives, public servants, and anyone seeking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. What You'll Learn in This Episode: * Why proximity to people and problems creates better leaders. * How effective philanthropy is about purpose and relationships, not just dollars. * The role trust plays in leadership, especially during moments of crisis. * Why the biggest community challenges require collaboration, not competition. * How to navigate difficult decisions while staying true to your mission and values. * What nonprofit leaders can do to avoid burnout and sustain their impact over the long term. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470405/fan_mail/new] Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies [https://www.one12strategies.com/podcast], brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

Pipelines, People, and Leading Under Pressure with Meagan Flippin

In this episode, Adam Lister sits down with Meagan Flippin, CEO of Nashville's Center for Nonprofit Excellence, whose career spans the United Way network, the Musicians Hall of Fame, and 20 years of watching organizations say they develop leaders — and mostly fall short. With refreshing honesty, Meagan reflects on what she got wrong early, what actually builds a leadership pipeline, and why the best thing you can do for a high performer is prepare them to leave you better than they arrived.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  * Why Meagan would rather have a "10 for two years than a two for ten" — and what that means for how you invest in your team.  * How to lead through a crisis without passing your panic to the people around you. * What a healthy leadership pipeline actually looks like inside a nonprofit — and the one sign that tells you an organization is getting it wrong. * Why change management is as much about pacing and sequencing as it is about the change itself. * How to own your professional development when no one's handing you a roadmap. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470405/fan_mail/new] Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies [https://www.one12strategies.com/podcast], brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative