ChangeMakers Podcast By cityCURRENT Jeremy C. Park Andrew Bartolotta cover art

ChangeMakers

ChangeMakers

By: cityCURRENT Jeremy C. Park Andrew Bartolotta
Listen for free

About this listen

 The ChangeMakers Podcast presented by cityCURRENT shares personal stories and insights from those who are giving back and making a difference so we can learn and do the same. We cover life lessons, business advice, passion, and purpose. Share the ways you're making a difference using #changemakers.e.g. Copyright 2018-2024: cityCURRENT Career Success Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Courtney Johnson Founder & CEO of Culinary Care on Serving Hope with Every Meal: Nourishing Cancer Patients Through Culinary Care

    Courtney Johnson Founder & CEO of Culinary Care on Serving Hope with Every Meal: Nourishing Cancer Patients Through Culinary Care
    Jun 3 2025

    What if a single meal could nourish more than just a body—but also a soul?

    In this powerful episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Courtney Johnson, the heart and visionary behind Culinary Care, a nonprofit delivering restaurant-prepared meals and emotional support to cancer patients and their families.

    Courtney’s story begins with heartbreak: losing her father to stage IV lung cancer while still in high school. Fueled by grief and love, she launched Culinary Care in her early 20s with one goal—to help others facing what her family endured.

    “We had meals at our doorstep almost every day during my dad’s treatment. Those were the bright moments we looked forward to.”

    What started with one meal and one handwritten flyer has become a transformative movement across Chicago and Dallas. Courtney explains how malnutrition causes 1 in 5 cancer deaths, and how a perceived sense of community can increase cancer survival rates by up to 25%.

    Listeners will learn about:

    The emotional and logistical challenges of launching a nonprofit

    How Culinary Care fills a vital gap in outpatient cancer care

    The importance of providing dignity, joy, and delicious meals

    How anyone—from monthly donors to companies—can help feed hope

    “We want to be the friend that never goes away… Even if the treatments stop, our care doesn’t.”

    Culinary Care’s work is a reminder that community is care—and that acts of kindness, no matter how small, have the power to change lives.

    🎧 Listen to the full episode
    🔗 Visit CulinaryCare.org to donate, volunteer, or get involved

    The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.

    Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Shelby Mounts on Building a Career After the Military—and Helping Others Do the Same with NextOp Veterans

    Shelby Mounts on Building a Career After the Military—and Helping Others Do the Same with NextOp Veterans
    May 9 2025
    Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Shelby Mounts, who reflects on his 25 years of service with the US Navy and highlights the leadership lessons learned and his journey to becoming Executive Director of NextOp Veterans, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting veterans and military members to career opportunities. NextOp recruits, develops, and places military members and veterans into industry careers. The organization works one-on-one with enlisted service members and veterans to help translate military training and experiences into valued qualifications in the business community, and the organization works with and supports companies to develop and execute their veteran hiring and retention strategies.During the interview, Shelby talks about growing up in a US Navy household and how stories of service inspired him in childhood. He shares how his family’s move from Texas to California and then changing schools in San Diego were challenging at the time, but shaped his future and his ability to adapt, learn and grow, and make friends quickly. Shelby talks about some of the childhood lessons he carries with him today, and then discusses his transition into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He shares how he was encouraged and selected to attend US Navy Flight School, something he had always dreamed of, and how he progressed as a pilot and officer to lead a helicopter squadron. He talks about some of training and missions, and lessons learned while deployed, and how those experiences have shaped his ability to support and empower his team.Shelby then talks about his process of transitioning out of the military, which started when he was on a special assignment as a Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow at Shell Oil in New Orleans, LA, and then on tours at the Pentagon, which allowed him to build and leverage his network of personal relationships that opened a door for a new corporate opportunity. He then talks about the important work that NextOp Veterans is doing to help military members and veterans, like himself, with that same transition into industry careers and opportunities. He shares some of this history and growth for the nonprofit organization, talks about some of their key strategies and recent successes, and how they are partnering with other organizations to create a system that benefits the veterans and military members, education institutions and training programs, companies, and our communities. He wraps up with how the community can help support their efforts, the power of hiring veterans and words of encouragement for companies looking to gain a competitive advantage with veterans on their team.Visit https://nextopvets.org to learn more about NextOp Veterans.About Shelby Mounts:Shelby Mounts brings more than 30 years of experience in Defense and Industry leadership roles to NextOp Veterans.His private industry roles include CEO of Riverside Consulting Services, LLC, a small, independent Government Consulting services company, Chief Commercial Officer and EVP of Sales for Vita Inclinata Technologies, and Director of Defense Aerospace and Maritime Business Development at Allegheny Technologies Inc (ATI). In each case, the focus was development of relationships, positive outcomes and growth.Shelby’s Government experience included service in the US Navy for 25 years, where he retired as a Captain. After graduating from Annapolis with a Bachelor of Science degree, Shelby served four years as a Surface Warfare Officer, including deployed time in South America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East, then was selected to attend US Navy Flight School.After earning his wings as a helicopter pilot, Shelby progressed as a pilot and officer, accumulating 2500 flight hours as an operator and two time instructor. This period included numerous deployments to the Middle East and Western Pacific Ocean supporting Navy and Marine Corps operations from San Diego,CA, Guam, and Japan, and a tour leading a helicopter squadron with 500 people and 19 helicopters in Norfolk, VA.His staff assignments included a joint assignment at US Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL, two tours at the Pentagon in a variety of Navy Staff resourcing and operations positions, and a special assignment as a Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow at Shell Oil in New Orleans, LA. Shelby also completed a Master of Science through the University of San Diego Business School. The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services. Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • Mike Pohlman of Pickering Firm, Inc. reflects on 45+ years of leadership and service in the community

    Mike Pohlman of Pickering Firm, Inc. reflects on 45+ years of leadership and service in the community
    Mar 28 2025

    Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Mike Pohlman, who has been a driving force at Pickering Firm, Inc. for more than 45 years, shaping the company's growth, culture and leadership. After graduating from Christian Brothers College (now Christian Brothers University) in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he joined Pickering and quickly established himself as a leader. From his early days as an energy engineer to his transition into project management, Mike developed a deep understanding of the industry and a leadership style rooted in collaboration, humility, and purpose. His influence helped guide Pickering through transformative milestones, including its transition to an employee-owned firm and a renewed commitment to the company’s core values of Service and Good Work.

    As CEO since 2002, Mike has led the firm through significant expansion and record-breaking growth while fostering an environment where employees and clients thrive. Known for his dedication to both the business and the people who make it possible, he has always viewed Pickering as more than just a company—it’s a second home. Outside the office, Mike enjoys golf, Memphis basketball, and spending time with his wife, Catherine, their four children, and six grandchildren. As he prepares for his retirement in June 2025, his legacy of leadership, integrity, and vision will continue to shape Pickering for years to come.

    During the interview, Mike talks about his family's move from Cincinnati, Ohio to Memphis, Tennessee in 1962 and how they've been deeply rooted in the Mid-South ever since. He shares some of the traditions and lessons learned growing up as one of seven boys, and talks about how those experiences have shaped and continue to shape him personally and professionally. Mike discusses how he got into engineering and why he chose to start his career with Pickering Firm right out of college. He talks about his early years at Pickering Firm and how the company has grown over the years, how his career evolved through different leadership roles and positions to eventually become President and CEO, and where the company now stands as he gets ready to transition into retirement. Mike shares a number of leadership lessons and talks about the importance of community engagement and giving back, and how that focus on making a difference will continue, as he continues to serve on a number of boards. It's an interview that touches on the importance of family, faith, community service and the rare experiences of building a 45+ year legacy of leadership at one company with a heart for coaching and serving people.

    To learn more about Pickering Firm, Inc. visit https://www.pickeringfirm.com.

    The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.

    Be inspired by more positive media by following cityCURRENT here: www.cityCURRENT.com
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup
No reviews yet