Catalysts for Change
Catalysts for Change is a podcast about leaders who drive meaningful impact by balancing strategy, purpose, and action. Hosted by Adam Lister, each episode dives into the pivotal moments, values, and lessons that shape how change really happens in business, government, education, and beyond.
Episodes
10 episodes
Leading with Community: Lessons from Sam Davidson
In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with Sam Davidson, CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, to explore what it means to choose purpose over comfort. Twice in his career, Sam walked away from stability; first from...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:01:33
Leading with Heart and Data: Tara Scarlett on Education, Equity, and Opportunity
In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with Tara Scarlett, President & CEO of the Scarlett Family Foundation. Tara shares how becoming a Big Sister through Big Brothe...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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43:06
Lifting as You Climb: Lessons from Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid
From growing up in one of Memphis’s most under-resourced neighborhoods to leading a statewide network of change-makers, Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and leadership. In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Alfr...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:00:10
From Grief to Action: The Birth of Voices for a Safer Tennessee | Part 2
In Part Two of our conversation with Katie Dieckhaus and Todd Cruse, we turn toward the future of Voices for a Safer Tennessee. Building on the emotional origins shared in the first part of this conversation, Katy and Todd discuss how the organ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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48:04
From Grief to Action: The Birth of Voices for a Safer Tennessee | Part 1
In this powerful episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister talks with Katy Dieckhaus—mother of nine-year-old Evelyn, one of the six victims of the Covenant School shooting—and Todd Cruse, board chair of Voices for a Safer Tenne...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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1:00:40
From Grit to Grace: Sunny Bray on Purpose, Loss, and Leading Out Loud
In this episode, Adam Lister sits down with Sunny Bray, founder of Catalyst Collective and a champion for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, from her early days in corporate sales to launching a community-first consultancy, Sunny shar...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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47:40
Leading with Purpose: Harry Allen on Banking, Belmont, and Building Trust
In this episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister welcomes Harry Allen—sixth-generation Nashvillian, co-founder of Studio Bank, and now Chief Financial Officer at Belmont University. Known for his values-based leadership and belief in b...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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46:31
Leading Through Change: Ralph Schulz on Building a Better Nashville
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Catalysts For Change, host Adam Lister sits down with longtime Nashville civic leader Ralph Schulz, former CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. With decades of experience navigating growth,...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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49:56
Building a Movement: David Mansouri on Education, Leadership, and Long-Term Change
In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with David Mansouri, President and CEO of SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education), to talk about the leadership lessons, policy wins, and long-view strategy behi...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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55:32
Relentless Vision: Randy Boyd on Entrepreneurship, Public Service, and Building for the Future
In this powerful kickoff episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister sits down with Randy Boyd — entrepreneur, education leader, and relentless change-maker — to unpack a career built on hustle, heart, and an unshakable mission to make th...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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50:17