Best Buddy Teaster Podcasts (2026)

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Mission, Money, and the Middle Ground: How Bill Strathman Learned to Lead Between Two Worlds 47:05

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14d ago47:05

47:05

Bill Strathman — former CEO of Network for Good — shares his remarkable journey from childhood medical challenges to the collapse of Arthur Andersen to leading one of the most impactful digital fundraising platforms in the country. Bill opens up about purpose vs. profit, reinventing Network for Good as a B Corp, and the power of aligning mission wi…

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From Outsider to Community Builder: Hal Cato's Lifelong Mission to Strengthen Nashville 45:55

29d ago45:55

45:55

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee CEO Hal Cato opens up about his winding path from real estate to launching Hands-On Nashville, transforming Oasis Center, revitalizing Thistle Farms alongside founder Becca Stevens, and ultimately stepping into one of Nashville's most influential civic roles. Hal shares the lessons he's learned about trust, …

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From Field to Footwear: Tim Brown's Journey from Footballer to Founder 40:52

2M ago40:52

40:52

Tim Brown, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Allbirds, joins Buddy Teaster to explore how a professional athlete's mindset can shape a purpose-driven business. From New Zealand soccer fields to the global stage of sustainable design, Tim shares how curiosity, courage, and connection fueled his journey from footballer to founder. He opens u…

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From Earthquake to Empowerment: Sam Darguin's Fight for Haiti's Future 46:00

3M ago46:00

46:00

Founder of the Haitian American Caucus, Sam Darguin joins Buddy Teaster to share how a moment of crisis reshaped his life, turning a one-week trip into a decade-long mission to rebuild Haiti through education, entrepreneurship, and resilience. What began as an email after Haiti's 2010 earthquake has grown into a movement that empowers women, educat…

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From Connection to Transformation: Jose Carrera's Mission in Guatemala 41:01

5M ago41:01

41:01

Jose Carrera is a purpose-driven business leader from Antigua, Guatemala. In this episode, Jose shares his entrepreneurial journey owning and managing cemeteries and funeral homes with his wife, as well as their founding CCI, a transformative program equipping at-risk youth with business skills and emotional intelligence to successfully navigate ad…

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From Rejection to Reinvention: Andy Bailey's Entrepreneurial Evolution 33:25

5M ago33:25

33:25

Andy Bailey, a serial entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Boundless.me, sits with Buddy Teaster to share his journey—from flunking out of college to building and selling multiple companies. His story is one defined by resilience, reinvention, and a deep desire to live with purpose. He shares how early business failures shaped his leadership, how he…

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From Fear to Fulfillment: Tamra Ryan's Path to Courageous Leadership 42:05

5M ago42:05

42:05

Tamra Ryan, longtime CEO of the Women's Bean Project and a powerful advocate for employment-based social enterprise joins Buddy Teaster to discuss her thoughts on leadership, and her plans for what's next. Over two decades of transformative leadership, Tamra has helped thousands of women move from crisis to stability while guiding her organization …

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From Sidelines to Strategy: David Wright's Playbook for Authentic Leadership 32:58

6M ago32:58

32:58

David Wright, Chief Commercial Officer of the U.S. Soccer Federation, sits down with Buddy Teaster for a revealing conversation about leadership, resilience, and the unexpected parallels between athletics and business. Over his 20-year career in sports management, David has navigated everything from gender equity battles to career reinventions — le…

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From Relapse to Resilience: Becca Stevens' Blueprint for a Love Economy 26:32

6M ago26:32

26:32

In this heartfelt interview captured live, Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms and President of the Center for Contemplative Justice, joins Buddy Teaster for a deep dive into the power of mission-driven business. She unpacks the ideas of a "love economy" and "justice enterprises," where purpose outweighs profit, and reflects on her journey…

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From Crisis to Clarity: Adam Witty's Page-Turning Pivot 32:18

7M ago32:18

32:18

Adam Witty, founder and CEO of Forbes Books, joins Buddy Teaster to explore his remarkable 20-year journey from fledgling entrepreneur to publishing industry leader. Adam shares his journey of overcoming early missteps, embracing vulnerability in leadership, and creating a company culture rooted in transparency and purpose. What emerges is a candid…

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From Hustle to Harmony: Michelle Poole's Redefinition of Success 29:48

8M ago29:48

29:48

Michelle Poole, former President of Crocs and a seasoned global executive with over 30 years of experience in the footwear and apparel industry, joins Buddy Teaster for a candid reflection on her decision to step down after a decade of transformative leadership, sharing how she navigated the transition from a high-powered career to a more intention…

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From Barriers to Belonging: Angela Harrell's Mission for Inclusion 32:07

8M ago32:07

32:07

Angela Harrell, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity & Corporate Responsibility Officer at Voya Financial joins Buddy Teaster to share how her experiences have shaped her purpose-driven leadership. She reflects on the lessons learned through challenges, the power of inclusion, and how she balances corporate success with meaningful community en…

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From Embarrassment to Empowerment: Heidi Zak's Fight for Inclusivity 29:34

9M ago29:34

29:34

Buddy is joined by Heidi Zak, co-founder and CEO of ThirdLove, a revolutionary lingerie brand known for its inclusive sizing and body-positive messaging. Heidi shares her inspiring journey of building ThirdLove from the ground up, taking on industry giant Victoria's Secret, and creating a brand that supports and empowers women. But her flight to su…

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From Resilience to Relevance: Matt Priest Finds His Footing 30:07

9M ago30:07

30:07

In the inaugural episode of re:Purpose, Buddy sits down with Matt Priest, President and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA). With nearly 16 years at the helm of FDRA, Matt has transformed the organization into a powerhouse in the footwear industry. But his journey wasn't always smooth sailing. In this episode, Matt shar…

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Introducing re:Purpose with Buddy Teaster 3:19

10M ago3:19

3:19

Join Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles for Souls, as he embarks on a brand new journey of transformation and resilience. This inspiring new show features candid conversations with influential leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who have faced challenges head-on, turning their setbacks into stepping stones and their tailspins into tailwinds. From mom…

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Patagonia: Matt Heinly 30:42

6y ago30:42

30:42

Holding on to hourly retail talent is hard, but not for Matt Heinly. As Nashville Store Manager for Patagonia, and a lifelong enthusiast for outdoor recreation and conservation, Matt connects his team to the company's larger mission and built a store culture that's doing more than just making sales.