This podcast is centered on the pulse of what makes Toledo and Northwest Ohio great, its people! Take a deep dive into the lives, businesses and experiences of these many awe-inspiring individuals. Have Questions? Email Us with any questions you may have. We're here to help!
Reading the feed…
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Precious Tate is a certified etiquette consultant and higher education professional. As the founder of Prestige School of Protocol, she has spent the past five years empowering women, students, and emerging professionals through training in etiquette, professional presence, personal branding, and leadership development, serving clients across the United States and internationally. Through her leadership and service, Precious embodies a new generation of Toledo leadership, polished, authentic, and committed to elevating others while honoring her roots.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Ryan Ramsey, professionally known as Lxgik Jxhnsxn, is a recording artist, songwriter, performer, and audio engineer with nearly two decades of experience in music production, live performance, and artist development. A graduate of Start High School who later attended the University of Toledo, he achieved a major career milestone in 2007 when he signed as Head Engineer with Soul Chemistry Projects, the label founded by Shawn Stockman of the world famous vocal group Boys II Men, working with a diverse roster of artists in engineering and production. As a member
Mike and Jackie Moore are lifelong Toledoans who turned a personal tragedy into a mission of hope and support for brain injury survivors throughout Northwest Ohio and beyond. Jackie, a graduate of Waite High School, and Mike, who attended St. Francis de Sales School, met in 2006 and married in 2007. Their lives changed in 2011 when Jackie suffered a traumatic brain injury in a multi-vehicle accident, leading the couple to seek treatment, participate in clinical research through the National Institutes of Health and the University of Oregon, and discover the lack of long-term support available
Maria Molina is a proud Hispanic-American professional with over two decades of experience in non-profit event administration and logistics. She has contributed her expertise to organizations such as the American Heart Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A lover of music, Molina has been instrumental in coordinating Mexican and Tejano dance events in the Toledo area. After leaving the workforce, she founded the home-based business De La Luz Marketing, allowing her to care for her daughter with special needs while leveraging her skills in web design and graphic arts. She is also
Jeanette Hrovatich is the Director of Planned Giving for Lutheran Ministries of Mercy and its affiliates, where she cultivates relationships with donors, churches, and financial professionals across Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan. Beginning her career as a classroom teacher, Jeanette has spent over 40 years in nonprofit leadership, helping raise more than $30 million through events, planned giving, and grants to support community programs. She has served numerous organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House of Toledo and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northwest Ohio.
Somica Alexander, also known as Coach Milli, is a transformational author, speaker, financial educator, and certified trauma-informed life coach. As author of Beating The Odds: The Blueprint to Becoming, and the creator of the B.A.M. Method™ (Being Authentically Me) she empowers individuals to rediscover their authentic selves, align with their purpose, and live with intention. Combining storytelling, financial literacy, and healing-centered conversations, Coach Milli helps people overcome limiting beliefs, rewrite their narratives, and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
Brandon Robert Johnson, a beloved entrepreneur and philanthropist from Deshler, Ohio, passed away on December 5, 2024. At just 44, Brandon left behind a lasting legacy through his many successful ventures, including Team Johnson Limo and Charter, Team Johnson Trucking, and several other businesses he founded and nurtured. Known for his generosity and boundless spirit, he dedicated his life to helping others, from organizing annual holiday gift programs to supporting his employees and community. His mother, Becky Johnson, his sister, Bobby Jo Raftery, and his son, Landon Johnson, gather in the
Toi Creel is a multi-hyphenate creative originally from Michigan. She spent a significant chapter of her career in Toledo, Ohio, where she began as an entertainment reporter for NBC24. Her journey then took her to California, where, as a red carpet interviewer, she had the opportunity to connect with Oscar-winning stars like Regina King. Throughout her career and entrepreneurial ventures, Creel has remained deeply committed to the art of communication and believes strongly in the power of storytelling.
Sonia Flunder-McNair is the founder of SONIA Organics Products LLC, a USDA-registered urban farm in Lucas County, Ohio. She integrates food production, youth workforce development, and herbal product formulation to create economic opportunities in underserved communities. Sonia also developed the Urban Agriculture and Herbalism Curriculum and founded Urban Wholistics to expand agricultural education in Toledo. She has testified before the Ohio Senate on SB 134 and SB 120, advocating for non-traditional farming systems and youth agricultural workforce pathways.
Anna Toney is a Toledo native and the Executive Director of Leadership Toledo, a position she embraced after first participating in the organization's Signature program. Her passion for the nonprofit sector and the Northwest Ohio community led her to join the team and ultimately take on a leadership role. Anna holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Indiana University and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University. She is deeply committed to community engagement, serving on the board of the Valentine Theatre and as President of the Beverly Elementary PTO, in addition to previou
Angela Lucas is an entrepreneur, community builder, and the co-founder of TolHouse, a private social club, and Earth Coffeehouse, a cafe and collaborative workspace in Toledo’s Historic Vistula District. A 2025 graduate of the University of Toledo, Lucas completed her degree while building multiple businesses. Her professional journey spans public service roles, including serving as executive assistant to the Mayor of Toledo and co-managing the City’s Human Relations Commission. Alongside her husband, she is also a real estate developer, revitalizing Toledo’s waterfront properties to create sp
Jason Young is a Toledo-based creative, designer, and community builder known for blending the arts with fashion and cultural experiences. A graduate of the University of Toledo, he first gained recognition through his immersive art exhibition, Rossi, which fused contemporary art, music, and community engagement. In 2020, he pivoted to founding his footwear brand Donny, showcasing his skills in brand development and creative direction. Committed to community wellness, he founded the BRB Running Club in 2025, inspired by his own personal wellness journey. Tune in to learn more about how Jason c
Isabella Weik is an entrepreneur and the CEO of the Toledo Mindfulness Institute, a growing wellness company focused on yoga, mindfulness, and on-site corporate and school wellness programs. A proud graduate of the Toledo School for the Arts and the University of Toledo, Isabella has been recognized as a "20 Under 40" recipient in 2021 and named one of Toledo's "Visionary Leaders" in 2025. A musician, songwriter, and poet, she seamlessly blends wellness, creativity, and community building to help people reconnect with themselves and with Toledo, guided by her personal motto: “slow, steady, int
Autumn Gineen is a self-taught couture designer whose childhood sewing lessons with her mother planted the seeds for her career by blending tradition and personal expression. Gineen's philosophy in her designs emphasizes individuality, embracing what others might see as “flaws" as unique characteristics that become features rather than drawbacks. Beyond making clothes, Autumn channels her passion into education, utilizing her atelier, House of Ginnie, to teach people of all ages to create for themselves. Learn how Autumn empowers those around her by encouraging individuals to craft their own s
Dr. Shanda Gore is a #1 International Bestselling author, President of Mays and Associates, Ltd., host of the PinLeader™ Podcast, and a consultant featured on the Big10 Network. Dr. Gore is recognized for her work with major collegiate athletic conferences, and her latest book, The PinLeader Path, became a #1 Amazon Bestseller in HR and Personnel Management in March 2025. Tune in to find out more about Dr. Gore and her perspectives on organizational leadership.
LaShawnda Kinnebrew is an advocate whose life’s work centers on empowerment, healing, and community transformation. Kinnebrew is a proud mother, and grandmother who channels her strength and empathy into creating opportunities for others to grow and thrive. Following the tragic loss of her son, Christopher Kinnebrew, to gun violence, LaShawnda founded Angel's Haven to honor his memory and uses its proceeds to support families affected by similar loss and to raise awareness about gun violence. Guided by her belief in the transformative power of compassion and opportunity, LaShawnda continues to
John Alvitre, is a proud Mexican-American and physician assistant, whose life journey embodies resilience, service, and transformation. From his early years growing up in the heart of Los Angeles to a 25-year career in the U.S. Armed Forces, Alvitre’s story is one of perseverance against the odds. After retiring from the military, he found purpose in education, mentoring the next generation of physician assistants at the University of Washington. Traumatic circumstances caused life to shift dramatically for Alvitre, but his strength, and courage helped him to adapt, so that he could rebuild hi
Dr. Valerie Simmons-Walston and Jim Snodgrass bring a powerful blend of leadership, strategy, and community-focused vision to their business partnership. Dr. Walston, CEO of Next Chapter Enterprises and VP of Public Relations at Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, is a seasoned higher education executive with over 30 years of experience driving strategic partnerships and community engagement. Her career in academia, nonprofit leadership, and public service, focuses strongly on empowerment, wellness, and transformational leadership. Jim Snodgrass complements this partnership with over 15 years o
With an entrepreneurial spirit that started in junior high school, Christian is no stranger to getting it out of the mud. From planning events and icebreakers as a freshman at the University of Toledo, to graduating with a Bachelor's in Business & Marketing, Christian and his identical twin brother Christopher are the proud owners of a prominent nightclub in downtown Toledo. Hear how growing up in Glass City helped to shape his career and his ideas for the future.
Saundra Irvine, is the current Director of The Inspiration Kitchen at Lott Industries. Spending the majority of her career in the food and beverage industry, Irvine has done impactful work in workforce development and community engagement. An experienced chef, consultant, and lecturer, she has developed and led multiple programs aimed at helping individuals with employment barriers achieve self-sufficiency, including The Opportunity Kitchen at Catholic Charities and the CENARE program at The Sophia Quintero Art & Cultural Center.
Born in Toledo, surrounded by a supportive family and raised in diverse communities, Lance Self recalls fond memories of growing up in the Glass City. After college, Self helped to found a non-profit called the YNOTT? Foundation, which helps educate pediatric transplant patients. Self is also 20 Under 40 Award recipient, and one of the co-founders of the Strictly R&B Park Jam, which has become one of Toledo's largest R&B Music Festivals. Tune in as Lance shares with us what he loves about the Glass City, and how he plans on continuing to impact its growth.
Many find their purpose later in life, but Audrey Johnson always knew that her world was rooted in the arts and community services. A native of Canton, Ohio, Johnson made Toledo her home after graduating from Bowling Green State University. An artist, mother, and entrepreneur, Johnson founded the Unbounded Artists Development Community (UADC), is the Development and Communications Coordinator for Toledo Fair Housing, and a local coordinator for American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES).
Brittany Shaw is a wife, mother, businesswoman, and social media influencer born, raised, and has lived all her life in the Glass City. As a strong woman who contributes a lot to her city, she shares with us how she wouldn't have been as accomplished as she is today, if it weren't for the love and teachings of her father. Tune is as we discuss our love for her dad, who, even though he has passed away years ago, his legacy still lives and continues with her.
Michigan native, Kim Buehler, chose to make Toledo her permanent home after pursuing a music career in the Glass City following graduation from high school. Kim has maintained a wholesome career rooted in music ever since; landing a job at TSA in 2000, (where she taught voice lessons), to becoming the Executive Director of the Toledo Jazz Society for many years, Kim holds a Bachelor's in Education and a Master of Music degree from the University of Toledo. Tune in to learn more about music educator, and Jazz singer Kim Buehler.
We all know that our youth are our future. Zara Sediqe is a senior Ottawa Hills High School, who is proud to be an example of what our city's next generation of leaders look like. Sediqe is an advocate for her peers and a spokesperson for youth who seek to get into the modeling industry. Landing her own TEDx before the age of sixteen, Zara will be sharing with us what she loves most about being in the fashion business and how having a mentor has inspired her journey.
