Hometown Jax

The Art of Reinvention: Dance, Business, and Survival in Jacksonville

Hometown Jax, hosted by Aaron Bacus, is all about spotlighting the bold, resilient entrepreneurs who make Jacksonville thrive. Each episode dives into the real stories behind local business owners—the risks they’ve taken, the setbacks they’ve faced, and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. From humble beginnings to hard-earned success, Hometown Jax gives you an inside look at the people shaping our city’s culture and economy. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Chris Thomas of The Chris Thomas Project to unpack a journey that spans competitive ballroom dance, multi-studio ownership, economic collapse, personal loss, and an unexpected rise into the music world—including performing internationally in London. Chris opens up about losing college basketball opportunities in a single moment, building four dance studios from the ground up, surviving the 2007 crash, navigating devastating loss within his entrepreneurial circle, and reinventing himself through music. From Arthur Murray to world championships, from near financial ruin to leading a big band, this conversation is about resilience, reinvention, and the power of staying “green” and always working on the next project. If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or anyone facing a pivot in life, this episode will hit home.

Robert Brown of WJXT on Journalism and Telling Stories That Matter

Hometown Jax is a podcast that highlights the people who help shape Jacksonville through business, media, and community leadership. Hosted by Aaron Bacus, each episode features honest conversations with local professionals about their careers, challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way—both personally and professionally. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Robert Brown, News Director at WJXT, to discuss his career in local news and the responsibility that comes with telling a city’s stories. Robert reflects on how journalism has evolved, what it means to build trust with an audience, and the role local news plays in keeping communities informed. From covering major moments in Jacksonville to navigating the pressures of modern media, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at life in broadcast journalism and why local reporting still matters.

From West Point to Wealth Management: Keola Elobt’s Journey of Discipline

Welcome back to Hometown Jax, the podcast where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler dive into the stories, challenges, and breakthroughs of Jacksonville’s business owners and community leaders. Each episode uncovers the real paths behind local success — the resilience, the pivots, and the lessons that shape Northeast Florida’s most driven entrepreneurs. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Keola Elobt of MAI Capital Management for a conversation that blends military mindset with financial strategy. Keola opens up about his time at West Point, sharing how the academy’s intense discipline, leadership training, and values shaped the way he now guides clients through wealth building and long-term planning. He discusses the pressure of performing under high stakes, what West Point taught him about managing stress and complexity, and how those same principles apply directly to investing. From navigating emotional financial decisions to helping families build security with confidence, Keola offers a grounded, deeply human perspective on money. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to understand the connection between mindset, discipline, and financial success.

Faith, Resilience, and Redemption: Pastor Trevor Hersey’s Journey to Founding Champion Church

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with Jacksonville’s business owners, leaders, and changemakers to uncover their stories, challenges, and the lessons that shape their impact on the local community. Each episode highlights the perseverance, creativity, and heart behind the people building Northeast Florida’s future — one story at a time. In this powerful episode, Aaron sits down with Pastor Trevor Hersey, founder of Champion Church in St. Augustine. Trevor opens up about his path from a turbulent adolescence and family hardship to finding faith, overcoming depression, and launching a ministry focused on helping others “win in life.” He shares the struggles of starting a church from scratch, his mission to serve local families and even prison inmates through outreach programs, and the real emotional toll of leadership. Trevor’s honesty about mental health, purpose, and persistence offers a message of hope that will resonate far beyond the pulpit.

Unlocking the Brain: Deana Smith on How LearningRx is Changing Lives in Jacksonville

Welcome to Hometown Jax, the podcast where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with local business owners and community leaders to uncover their journeys, challenges, and impact on Northeast Florida. Each week, we highlight the people behind Jacksonville’s growing economy — the innovators, dreamers, and everyday workers who make this city thrive. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Deana Smith, Executive Director and Operating Partner of LearningRx Jacksonville Beach, to explore how brain training is revolutionizing how we think about learning and mental performance. Deana dives into neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to change — and how her center helps children and adults strengthen their cognitive skills, overcome ADHD, dyslexia, and memory challenges, and unlock their true potential. From the science behind brain function to her own personal journey as a mother and educator, this conversation reveals how a new approach to brain health can create lasting change for students, families, and even seniors.