Just Bluffin’

Marcus Cox with Welcome to Memphis

“You can have a long-term, sustainable career in the hospitality industry that supports you in every way that you need to be supported.”    On this episode of Just Bluffin, we talk to Marcus Cox,  Executive Director of Welcome to Memphis. He discusses the organization's mission to support and recognize hospitality workers in Memphis and Shelby County. He also tells us about his long and fascinating journey that led him to Welcome to Memphis. He tells us about initiatives like the Pick Awards and the "Meet Our People" blog, which celebrate and inspire hospitality professionals. Marcus also touches on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of accessible job opportunities. ----- Just Bluffin’ is a Campfire Collective [https://www.buildacampfire.com/] podcast co-hosted by Shannon Briggs [https://www.buildacampfire.com/shannon-briggs] and Cecilia Fay [https://www.buildacampfire.com/cecilia-fay]. It’s produced by Sophie Townsend [https://www.buildacampfire.com/sophie-townsend] and sponsored by Cecilia Fay Creative [https://www.ceciliafaycreative.com/], and a part of the WYXR Podcast Network [https://wyxr.org/wyxr-podcast-network/]. The podcast is recorded in-studio at the University of Memphis in partnership with the Meeman Department of Journalism and Strategic Media [https://www.memphis.edu/jrsm/]. Artwork by Elizabeth Berglund [https://elizabethberglund.com/graphic-design]. Music is by local Memphis musician and PR professional Jeff Hulett [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HJvHrHZOnWWKNAvTOTlKt] and audio editing is by Keep It 100 Productions [https://www.keepit100prod.com/]. Photos by Erica Haskett [https://www.ericahaskett.com/].

Danny Song & Jonathan Torres with Give Services & Frase Protection

“Looking at the city of Memphis, I started to fall more and more in love with every single corner that was sometimes under- resourced or outright neglected.”   On this week's episode of "Just Bluffin", we chat with Jonathan Torres and Danny Song. They share their insights on how successful business operations are driven by effective leadership, cultural impact, and empowerment. They tell us how they took their nonprofit and philanthropic experiences into their CEO roles at Frase Protection and Give Services. Later, Danny gives us amazing book recommendations and Torres tells us an amazing memory involving the Grizzlies. ----- Just Bluffin’ is a Campfire Collective [https://www.buildacampfire.com/] podcast co-hosted by Shannon Briggs [https://www.buildacampfire.com/shannon-briggs] and Cecilia Fay [https://www.buildacampfire.com/cecilia-fay]. It’s produced by Sophie Townsend [https://www.buildacampfire.com/sophie-townsend] and sponsored by Cecilia Fay Creative [https://www.ceciliafaycreative.com/], and a part of the WYXR Podcast Network [https://wyxr.org/wyxr-podcast-network/]. The podcast is recorded in-studio at the University of Memphis in partnership with the Meeman Department of Journalism and Strategic Media [https://www.memphis.edu/jrsm/]. Artwork by Elizabeth Berglund [https://elizabethberglund.com/graphic-design]. Music is by local Memphis musician and PR professional Jeff Hulett [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HJvHrHZOnWWKNAvTOTlKt] and audio editing is by Keep It 100 Productions [https://www.keepit100prod.com/]. Photos by Erica Haskett [https://www.ericahaskett.com/].

Adrian Smith with LITE Memphis

“We believe that entrepreneurship education is not something that should be exclusive to those that want to start a business."   In this episode, we chat with Adrian Smith from LITE Memphis, an entrepreneurial nonprofit for Memphis teens. He discusses the organization's youth entrepreneurship program and how much it has grown in the last decade. We also learn about a multiyear grant from the NBA Players Association. Adrian also shares how important it is to have alumni engagement at LITE Memphis and the various ways people can contribute to the program. ----- Just Bluffin’ is a Campfire Collective [https://www.buildacampfire.com/] podcast co-hosted by Shannon Briggs [https://www.buildacampfire.com/shannon-briggs] and Cecilia Fay [https://www.buildacampfire.com/cecilia-fay]. It’s produced by Sophie Townsend [https://www.buildacampfire.com/sophie-townsend] and sponsored by Cecilia Fay Creative [https://www.ceciliafaycreative.com/], and a part of the WYXR Podcast Network [https://wyxr.org/wyxr-podcast-network/]. The podcast is recorded in-studio at the University of Memphis in partnership with the Meeman Department of Journalism and Strategic Media [https://www.memphis.edu/jrsm/]. Artwork by Elizabeth Berglund [https://elizabethberglund.com/graphic-design]. Music is by local Memphis musician and PR professional Jeff Hulett [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HJvHrHZOnWWKNAvTOTlKt] and audio editing is by Keep It 100 Productions [https://www.keepit100prod.com/]. Photos by Erica Haskett [https://www.ericahaskett.com/].

Jared Barnett with Slingshot Memphis

“A lot of people who grow up in an disadvantaged environment don’t grow up thinking they can be whatever they want to be because they aren’t exposed to specific opportunities.”   This week’s episode of Just Bluffin features Jared Barnett from Slingshot Memphis, a local nonprofit. Slingshot Memphis’s mission is to ignite a movement that revolutionizes the way we fight poverty in Memphis. They help nonprofits enhance their poverty-fighting outcomes. He tells us about Memworks, a collaboration project with the Memphis Medical District and Slingshot. We also learn about his time in Ghana, where he worked in a tissue paper factory. Later, Jared tells us about his favorite memories with his children in his Memphis home. ----- Just Bluffin’ is a Campfire Collective [https://www.buildacampfire.com/] podcast co-hosted by Shannon Briggs [https://www.buildacampfire.com/shannon-briggs] and Cecilia Fay [https://www.buildacampfire.com/cecilia-fay]. It’s produced by Sophie Townsend [https://www.buildacampfire.com/sophie-townsend] and sponsored by Cecilia Fay Creative [https://www.ceciliafaycreative.com/], and a part of the WYXR Podcast Network [https://wyxr.org/wyxr-podcast-network/]. The podcast is recorded in-studio at the University of Memphis in partnership with the Meeman Department of Journalism and Strategic Media [https://www.memphis.edu/jrsm/]. Artwork by Elizabeth Berglund [https://elizabethberglund.com/graphic-design]. Music is by local Memphis musician and PR professional Jeff Hulett [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HJvHrHZOnWWKNAvTOTlKt] and audio editing is by Keep It 100 Productions [https://www.keepit100prod.com/]. Photos by Erica Haskett [https://www.ericahaskett.com/].

Cole Early with the Overton Park Shell

“There is hope through art.”   On this episode of Just Bluffin, Cole Early with Overton Park Shell Discusses the importance of music and how it has brought people together in times of strife and turmoil. He tells us about the brand new museum at The Shell and what his job is like as the archive manager. Lastly, we learn about the time that Cole was on stage himself at the historic venue ----- Just Bluffin’ is a Campfire Collective [https://www.buildacampfire.com/] podcast co-hosted by Shannon Briggs [https://www.buildacampfire.com/shannon-briggs] and Cecilia Fay [https://www.buildacampfire.com/cecilia-fay]. It’s produced by Sophie Townsend [https://www.buildacampfire.com/sophie-townsend] and sponsored by Cecilia Fay Creative [https://www.ceciliafaycreative.com/], and a part of the WYXR Podcast Network [https://wyxr.org/wyxr-podcast-network/]. The podcast is recorded in-studio at the University of Memphis in partnership with the Meeman Department of Journalism and Strategic Media [https://www.memphis.edu/jrsm/]. Artwork by Elizabeth Berglund [https://elizabethberglund.com/graphic-design]. Music is by local Memphis musician and PR professional Jeff Hulett [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HJvHrHZOnWWKNAvTOTlKt] and audio editing is by Keep It 100 Productions [https://www.keepit100prod.com/]. Photos by Erica Haskett [https://www.ericahaskett.com/].