In this episode of The cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Kurt Avery, the visionary founder of Sawyer, to explore the extraordinary journey of a company that’s turning innovation into global transformation.

What started with a snakebite extractor evolved into life-saving water filtration technology now used by over 140 charities across more than 90 countries, providing clean water to millions of people. From disaster relief in the U.S. to Uganda, Kurt shares how Sawyer is solving one of the world’s biggest problems—for just 10 cents per person for 10 years of clean water.

You’ll hear how faith, purpose, and relentless problem-solving drive their mission, why tech and behavior change are critical to impact, and how any business—no matter the size—can disrupt markets and make a difference. Kurt also offers lessons from his book “Sawyer Think: How a Small Company Disrupts Markets and Changes the World”, a blueprint for leaders who want to build legacy through impact.

Whether you’re a humanitarian, entrepreneur, or just someone who believes in doing good—this episode will inspire, challenge, and move you.

🛒 Learn more and shop: www.Sawyer.com

In this inspiring episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Abbi Nichols, founder and owner of Abbikadabbi’s Baking Co., to talk about her journey from teen baker to award-winning entrepreneur.

Abbi shares how she turned a childhood passion for baking into a thriving business, the story behind her whimsical brand name, and what it took to open her first storefront in Snowden Grove’s Top of the Sip development in 2024. As the 2024 SBA Mississippi Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Abbi talks candidly about the challenges of launching and scaling a business, staying true to her mission of combining delicious taste with eye-catching design, and how she’s creating meaningful connections through sweet treats.

Topics covered in this episode:
• Abbi’s origin story and how she started selling cookies at 15
• Winning pitch competitions at Ole Miss and securing startup capital
• Building a brand and growing a loyal customer base through social media
• The process of opening her storefront bakery and lessons learned
• Being a young entrepreneur and navigating work-life balance
• Tips for aspiring business owners and creatives
• Why taste, creativity, and community matter in business

📍 Whether you’re a small business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just love a good cookie success story, Abbi’s journey will inspire you to follow your dreams and build something sweet from the ground up.

🎧 Listen now and support Abbikadabbi’s Baking Co.:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/abbikadabbisbakingco

On this episode of The CityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta welcomes Dr. Tracy Brower, sociologist, VP of Workplace Insights at Steelcase and author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work. Together, they explore the evolving nature of work culture, how organizations can foster more meaningful employee experiences, and why pursuing happiness isn’t the same as creating the conditions for it.

Dr. Brower shares her “Big 5” conditions for workplace happiness—purpose, connection, growth, performance, and gratitude—and emphasizes that happiness is most sustainable when we’re contributing to something larger than ourselves. She challenges traditional notions of work-life balance, favoring a more integrated and navigational approach to work-life harmony.

The conversation also covers how community-based office design can combat workplace loneliness, the role of assessments like the Predictive Index, and how leaders can inspire cultural transformation through intentional structure and support. From the impact of volunteering to design strategies that foster collaboration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in improving the workplace.

Learn more: https://tracybrower.com/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with cityCURRENT Nashville partners, Nadian Zak, CEO and Founder of Zak Human Solutions, LLC, along with Kacie Scott, COO and Co-Founder, who both highlight their woman-owned, award-winning outsourced HR firm that provides end-to-end solutions that streamline HR operations. The company specializes in recruiting, employee relations, compliance, learning and development, and strategic planning.

During the interview, Nadian and Kacie discuss their extensive backgrounds in HR, their partnership with small to medium-sized businesses, the importance of understanding a company's culture and core values, and the need for clear communication and alignment with company values in recruitment and retention strategies. Nadian adds that regular one-on-one check-ins and business updates can foster a sense of connection and growth among employees. The conversation also touches on the competitive job market and the importance of understanding what drives top talent. Nadian and Kacie then discuss the integration of AI in the industry and in their business, emphasizing the importance of change management and gaining buy-in from employees. They highlight the role of AI in empowering employees and making them more efficient, rather than replacing them. Kacie shares their experience with AI in recruiting, where it helps pre-screen and schedule candidates, freeing up time for meaningful interactions. Kacie also shares some tips for job seekers to stand out, including using the correct keywords in their resumes to match job descriptions and job titles. Nadian discusses some of their business goals and shares their expansion to multi-state and international clients, with a focus on impacting businesses nationally and internationally. Then, Nadian and Kacie wrap up with advice for other entrepreneurs.

Visit https://zakhumansolutions.com to learn more and connect with Zak Human Solutions.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Holly Roselle, CEO and Co-Founder of ForceField Protection, along with her husband, Charles Roselle, COO and Co-Founder, who both discuss their backgrounds with extensive experience in security and performance psychology and the technology they created that protects and connects lone workers, particularly those in home health care. Charles Roselle served as a United States Secret Service Agent for 16 years and Dr. Holly Roselle was a human performance specialist with military special operations. Charles devoted his career to protecting others and Holly worked with military service members on techniques to stay motivated, productive, and enjoy performing at their best. More personally, they both experienced the underlying fear and anxiety of going into unknown homes and environments during their work. Together, with a team of top developers, they have used their experiences to create an app that helps protect and connect lone workers so they are safer and more productive.

During the interview, Holly and Charles highlight the vulnerability of lone workers and the need for protection, touching on the high crime rates and assault rates faced by these workers. They discuss the technology and app, which allows users to check in and out of locations, with automatic notifications sent to emergency contacts. A unique feature of the app is its "touchless distress" feature, which signals distress without the user needing to call or text. This feature is patented and differentiates their product from others in the market. They talk about some of the many ROI benefits of the app, including enhanced productivity, employee engagement, accountability, and safety with employees feeling more valued and protected.

The conversation concludes talking about next steps as Holly explains that businesses can email them for a 30-day free trial, which allows them to upload a certain number of employees and test the system. Charles and Holly also mentioned that they have a consumer app available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple Store, which is perfect for individuals and families, runners, and others who want to access the apps features to keep loved ones informed of their activities and whereabouts. Holly and Charles also offer demos and assistance with employee onboarding for businesses interested in the app.

Visit https://forcefieldnow.com to learn more about ForceField Protection and their ForceField Protection Personal Safety App.
info@forcefieldnow.com
888-LONEAPP

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Ryan Lampa, Founder and CEO of People Loving Nashville, a nonprofit organization serving the unhoused and most vulnerable of Nashville, Tennessee. During the interview, Ryan shares the history of the organization, which started 17 years ago, and discusses how it has evolved and grown into three programs, a staff of 15 and an army of volunteers serving about 400 people each week. The organization also now includes a social enterprise with a coffee roaster and coffee shop downtown, Paradeisos Coffee Company, that provides job opportunities for those going through the program. Ryan details their three programs, Monday Night Street Outreach, Homefullness, and Restoration Program, and discusses how they are centered on the pillars of Relief, Community, Connection, and Restoration.

He talks about some of the many sides, complexities and situations that lead to homelessness and how it impacts individuals and families, and emphasizes the importance of building relationships with dignity, grace and understanding. Ryan shares a success story of a couple who were once homeless and now in their restoration program, and he shares some lessons and advice for other organizations and cities looking to serve their unhoused communities, noting the importance of presence and margin in serving others. Ryan discusses the power of community engagement and the need for volunteers to help serve the unhoused community, and how the time spent and relationships formed will transform the lives of volunteers, as well. He wraps up encouraging the community to get involved by volunteering, buying coffee from their coffee shop, or attending their events, including their "Smoke on the Water" event taking place May 19, 2025.

Visit https://www.peoplelovingnashville.com to learn more and get involved with People Loving Nashville.
https://www.facebook.com/Peoplelovingnashville/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/peoplelovingnashville/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Carrie Yoder, Executive Director of Project Transformation Tennessee, who highlights the nonprofit organization's mission and efforts to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships. Based on a model founded in 1998 in Dallas, Texas, Project Transformation Tennessee launched its first summer program in 2012. The program model is designed to address three unique challenges with one program: 1) how to meet the academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs of children, 2) how to provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to explore ministry opportunities and develop as young principled leaders for the church and the world; and 3) how to help churches connect with their communities.

During the interview, Carrie discusses the unique and intentional model that serves children, college students, and communities. She talks about their summer camps for children that focus on literacy and social-emotional health, while also providing college students with work experience and vocational guidance. Camp is offered for rising 1st grade - rising 8th grade youth and located in Madison, Antioch, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Memphis. Local churches and community members are involved as volunteers, fostering relationships within neighborhoods. The summer camps operate for eight weeks, offering daily activities including reading, arts, and movement. College students are recruited to work at the camps, receiving training, housing, and stipends. Carrie shares positive feedback from parents, college students, and community members about the program's impact and invites the community to get involved by enrolling children, referring college students for the paid internships, volunteering to read with children or mentor young adults, and supporting the organization through donations or providing supplies from their wish list.

Visit https://projecttransformation.org/ten... to learn more and get involved with Project Transformation Tennessee.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Karon Uzzell-Baggett, Certified Occupational Therapist and Owner of Specialized Occupational Therapy Services, LLC (SpOTs), who discusses the role of occupational therapy in improving quality of life and independence, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and personalized approaches.

During the interview, Dr. Uzzell-Baggett shares some of her journey serving in the US Air Force and how those leadership experiences and her desire to continue serving others led to her career transition into occupational therapy. She explains that occupational therapy helps people live their best lives by focusing on daily activities and routines, adapting them to individual needs, including after injuries or illnesses. She talks about working with seniors and how she is able to assess clients' homes for potential hazards and provide recommendations for aging in place. Then, Dr. Uzzell-Baggett highlights her work with organizations, offering stress reduction techniques, trauma management, health education, and other mindfulness services. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and personalized approaches in occupational therapy, whether working with individuals or corporations. She wraps up discussing how individuals and organizations can start the conversation and process of working with Specialized Occupational Therapy Services.

Visit https://www.spots4u.org to learn more and connect with Dr. Karon Uzzell-Baggett.