ChangeMakers

Experiential Storytelling Through Immersive Experiences with Jee Vahn Knight, CEO of BVO

In this episode of the ChangeMakers Podcast, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Jee Vahn Knight, CEO of Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time, to explore the intersection of creativity, hospitality, business strategy, and bold civic vision.Jee shares her remarkable journey — from being adopted from Korea and raised in rural California, to working in science, historic preservation, construction project management, and eventually immersive entertainment with Meow Wolf. Along the way, she reveals how fear became a compass, why service and hospitality are foundational to any great experience, and how creativity flourishes within constraints.The conversation dives deep into what immersive entertainment truly is (and isn’t), why adults need wonder just as much as children, and how experiences like Baron Von Opperbean can spark joy, connection, and economic transformation. Jee also explains why she and her family chose Memphis before the job — and why the city’s creative undercurrent, cultural legacy, and future potential make it the perfect home for a next-generation attraction.Listeners get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the vision, timeline, and strategy leading up to the March opening on Mud Island, along with insight into leadership, legacy, parenting, and what it means to build something that serves both people and place.This episode is a powerful reminder that cities don’t need saving — they need believers, builders, and bold collaborators willing to power the good.Learn more and purchase your tickets here: https://www.bvoexp.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

How Business Can Be a Catalyst for Global Change with Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made

Ethical Entrepreneurship and Rural RootsJeremy interviews Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made, about his upbringing in rural Minnesota in a Scandinavian Lutheran household. Erik shares his experiences growing up in the church, his family traditions, and favorite memories, including road trips across the United States. He discusses how his upbringing instilled a sense of community, morality, and a desire to help others, which has influenced his career in ethical entrepreneurship and global impact.From Business to Global ImpactErik shares his journey from pursuing a business degree to serving in Iraq after college, where he gained valuable leadership experience. He then co-founded Dignity Made, working with his father-in-law to help communities in the Philippines through various initiatives including an orphanage, high school, technical school, and water filtration system.Fair Marketplace for Coconut FarmersErik described the dire situation of coconut farmers in the Philippines, highlighting extreme poverty, exploitation, and debt traps that lead to human trafficking. He explains that Dignity Coconuts was established to address these issues by creating a fair marketplace for farmers, offering them better prices and alternative economic opportunities. Erik emphasized the importance of education in helping farmers understand the value of these opportunities and the dangers of predatory loans and false promises.Water Filtration and Coconut InnovationErik shares his experience teaching about water filtration in developing countries, using a cake demonstration to illustrate the invisible presence of contaminants. He describes Dignity Made’s journey in developing a superior raw virgin coconut oil product through research and innovation, which led to winning a superior taste award and establishing fair trade practices. The company’s products, including lip balm and other coconut oil derivatives, have gained popularity for their health benefits and ethical sourcing, with Erik noting that new customer acquisition and repeat purchases help expand their farmer network.Transforming Lives Through ProximityErik shares his journey from serving in churches to leading a business that transforms lives of farmers and their families, emphasizing the importance of care, hard work, and innovation. He highlights how his company’s unique product and proximity to farmers have fostered strong relationships and economic growth, including the development of local businesses. Erik stresses the value of listening and being proximate to the community, as well as the lessons he’s learned from Filipino culture about hospitality, resourcefulness, and the joy of giving.Dignity Made: Empowering FarmersErik shares his journey with Dignity Made, highlighting how the company started with resourceful problem-solving and has grown to empower farmers and provide dignity to workers through their coconut oil business. He discusses how the company’s success has transformed the lives of workers in the Philippines, giving them a sense of pride and purpose. Erik also shares his personal faith journey and how the church has played a significant role in his life, providing guidance and support. The conversation concludes with a lightning round of personal questions, revealing Erik’s love for ultimate Frisbee, his favorite show “Severance,” and his hope for Dignity Made to inspire 2,000 business leaders to use their influence for good.Visit https://dignitymade.com to learn more about Dignity Made. 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

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

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 nonprofitHow Culinary Care fills a vital gap in outpatient cancer careThe importance of providing dignity, joy, and delicious mealsHow 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

Shelby Mounts on Building a Career After the Military—and Helping Others Do the Same with NextOp Veterans

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

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

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