Shows
Innovat3 Podcast#39: Reimagining Reentry | Terah Lawyer on Breaking the Cycle of IncarcerationIn this powerful episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Terah Lawyer, President of CROP Organization (Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs), a nonprofit founded by formerly incarcerated leaders that is transforming how we think about reentry.Every year, 35,000 people come home from prison in California, and over 54% return, at a cost of more than $133,800 per person, per year. But Terah and her team at CROP are proving there’s a better way.From personal leadership development to job training, housing and mentorship, CROP’s holistic mode...
2025-09-0341 min
Innovat3 Podcast#38: Fighting Human Trafficking at Home | Mitzi’s Mission with Love Never FailsIn this urgent episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Mitzi, Education & Empowerment Coordinator at Love Never Fails, an organization on the frontlines of fighting human trafficking in the Bay Area and beyond.Human trafficking isn’t just happening overseas or in movies, it’s happening here, in California, in our neighborhoods and in our communities. With 100,000–300,000 people trafficked in the U.S., Mitzi sheds light on the realities that most people never see.Through powerful analogies and real-life stories, Mitzi explains why victims often can’t...
2025-08-2616 min
Innovat3 Podcast#37: From Prison to Purpose | Danny’s Story of Responsibility, Trauma & Second ChancesIn this raw and powerful episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Danny, a tech entrepreneur whose journey from crime and incarceration to building solutions for reentry is nothing short of transformative.Danny opens up about the moment that changed everything, a confrontation that spiraled out of control, leading to tragedy and five years behind bars. He reflects on the weight of responsibility, the consequences of unaddressed trauma and the sobering reality of carrying another man’s death.But this is also a story of gr...
2025-08-1940 min
Innovat3 Podcast#36: From Prison to Purpose | Danny’s Journey of Re-Entry and RedemptionWhat happens when surviving prison becomes the easy part and re-entry is the real challenge?In this powerful episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Danny, a man whose story spans incarceration, survival and the lifelong journey of rebuilding after prison.From growing up in an unstable home to navigating a justice system that offered more punishment than rehabilitation, Danny shares raw insights into the realities of incarceration and the even steeper climb to re-enter society. His journey reveals the courage it takes not only...
2025-08-1243 min
Innovat3 Podcast#35: Living Among the Homeless | Evan’s Vision for Revival in San FranciscoIn this moving episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs continues his conversation with Evan, a pastor whose life’s work has been rooted in the streets of San Francisco, not from a pulpit, but from buses converted into homes, Bible studies and community hubs run by the homeless themselves.From embracing a life among the unhoused to creating the Grace Healing Home, Evan shares powerful stories of transformation, people once written off as “throwaways” becoming leaders, singers and ministers in their own right. He reflects on moments of supernatural protection, the spiritual histor...
2025-08-0540 min
Innovat3 Podcast#34: Fighting Human Trafficking Through Empowerment | Diana MaoWhat if the fight against human trafficking started with one woman saying “yes” to the hardest mission of her life?In this inspiring episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Diana Mao, the co-founder and president of Nomi Network, a global organization that fights human trafficking by creating economic opportunities for survivors and vulnerable women.Diana shares how witnessing extreme poverty and exploitation firsthand transformed her life and mission. From confronting generational cycles of abuse to building programs that train women to earn 300 times more than...
2025-07-291h 04
Innovat3 Podcast#33: From Counterculture to Calling | Evan Prosser - Part 1Can a former hippie and Harvard grad turn addiction and disillusionment into a life of radical faith and street-level impact?In this unforgettable episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Evan Prosser, the founder of The Homeless Church, a Bay Area congregation led by and for people experiencing homelessness.Long before leading spiritual movements, Evan was living in communes, dodging careers and buying weed for $28 a kilo. But when the lifestyle collapsed under the weight of emptiness, Evan found himself crying out for something more...
2025-07-2347 min
Innovat3 Podcast#32: From Gangs to Gospel | Dr. Linda Lara on Restoring Families and Reaching the ForgottenWhat happens when gang leaders become pastors and dropout teens become rocket scientists?In this unforgettable episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Dr. Linda Lara, a former gang leader whose transformation led her to become a pastor, community builder and co-founder of Firehouse, a gang intervention and youth development organization in San Jose.With decades of experience reaching the overlooked, Dr. Lara shares how love, consistency and radical faith helped her and her husband Sonny shift from prison time and street life to family...
2025-07-151h 08
Innovat3 Podcast#31: Legal Aid, Hunger Strikes and Housing Justice in San Francisco | Adrian TirtanadiWhat happens when one of San Francisco’s most effective homelessness interventions is cut despite having the data to prove it works?In this episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs speaks with Adrian Tirtanadi, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Open Door Legal, who helped cut homelessness in Bayview-Hunters Point by 50% through universal access to legal aid.But instead of expanding the program citywide, local leadership tried to defund it.So Adrian went on a hunger strike.This is...
2025-07-0835 min
Innovat3 Podcast#30: Faith Leadership In The Bay Area | Gary GaddiniCan the Bay Area’s faith community become a catalyst for healing, unity and real transformation?In this inspiring episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Gary Gaddini, longtime pastor, faith-based leader and Executive Director of Transforming the Bay with Christ (TBC) — a coalition of churches and nonprofits working to rebuild the Bay through unity, proximity and purpose.From the collapse of traditional church influence to the challenges of competing KPIs, Gary opens up about the moment he realized his ministry model had to shift.
2025-07-011h 10
Innovat3 Podcast#29: Addiction Recovery, Faith, and Homeless Outreach in California | David BalchWhat if your greatest moment of loss became the doorway to your life’s deepest purpose?In this moving episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with David Bolch, a former attorney whose picture-perfect life collapsed under the weight of hidden addiction and devastating grief.After the tragic death of his four-and-a-half-year-old son, killed by a drunk driver, David’s private battle with alcoholism collided with an unbearable spiritual crisis. That pain didn’t destroy him. It transformed him.Today, David leads...
2025-06-241h 16
Innovat3 Podcast#28: Can a San Quentin basketball program transform lives and reduce recidivism?In this powerful episode of The INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Rahsaan Thomas, a writer, filmmaker and justice reform advocate whose journey began with a life sentence and found new meaning behind bars.From level 4 prison yards to New York Times bylines, Rahsaan shares how faith, film and a basketball team inside San Quentin turned his incarceration into leadership and legacy.He opens up about:The power of words and why language like “inmate” causes real harm. Ho...
2025-06-1136 min
Innovat3 Podcast#27: Can Redemption Start in a Prison Cell?What if the prison that nearly destroyed you became the place you returned to help others heal?In this powerful episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Brian Gonsoulin, a man who served 26 years of an 83-to-life sentence and is now voluntarily going back into prison, not as an inmate but as a mentor and healer.Together, they unpack a story of addiction, incarceration, sexual harm, trauma and redemption and why radical accountability is the foundation for real transformation.This...
2025-06-0356 min
Innovat3 Podcast#26: Addiction, Politics & the Data No One Talks About - Tom WolfWhat if the lowest moment of your life became the start of your life’s mission?In this episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Tom Wolf, a voice from San Francisco who’s rebuilding the very systems that once left him behind.After six cycles through jail and homelessness, Tom made a choice - real recovery over survival. Today, he’s using his story to challenge the status quo from harm reduction policies to the criminal justice system itself.This conversation is about more than recovery - it’s about...
2025-05-271h 01
Innovat3 Podcast#25: She’s Coding a New Future for Vallejo - Cassandra JamesCassandra James is a woman of first, first Black woman to represent Vallejo’s District 1, a grassroots leader who outwalked and outworked a political machine, and a mother raising the next generation while caring for the last.In this episode, host Ted Hahs sits down with Cassandra to talk about how Vallejo went from bankruptcy to becoming one of the most diverse and resilient cities in California and what it looks like to reclaim the future from the inside out.This isn’t just politics. It’s personal.From mobilizing $5 donors to confronting human trafficking, Cassandra brings her lived experi...
2025-05-2051 min
Innovat3 Podcast#24: He Was a Kingdom Asset Before He Knew It - Kareem HickmanWhat happens when someone sees something in you, before you see it in yourself?In this powerful episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, Ted Hahs sits down with Kareem Hickman, a South Side Chicago native, pastor, and community builder whose journey from near-incarceration to neighborhood transformation is anything but ordinary.Kareem shares how a bus from a local church pulled up to his block and changed his life. From probation to preaching, from football to faith, his story is a testament to what happens when the church steps outside its...
2025-05-1325 min
Innovat3 Podcast#23: When Pastors Step Into the Fire - Kareem HickmanWhat happens when a pastor stops preaching from the pulpit and starts showing up in city halls, prisons, and on the frontlines of crisis?In this episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, Pastor Kareem Hickman sits down with host Ted Hahs to share fueled works hardest-hit communities.From street-level prayer walks to facing down systems of addiction, trafficking, and poverty, Kareem brings leadership that doesn’t wait for permission. Together, they unpack what it takes to build coalitions between churches, nonprofits, and city officials and why faith without strategy isn’t en...
2025-05-071h 02
Innovat3 Podcast#22: From Stanford to the Frontlines of Injustice - Betty Ann Hagenau’s Fight for FreedomWhat would make someone leave behind comfort, credentials, and career to walk into prisons and confront human trafficking at its roots?In this powerful episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, we sit down with Betty Ann Hagenau, the founder of Freedom Insight. Her unexpected journey took her from Stanford classrooms and corporate meetings to the frontlines of one of the world’s most complex justice issues.Betty shares the quiet conviction that pulled her out of a predictable life and into direct action, educating incarcerated men about trafficking, working with survivors, and starting ha...
2025-04-291h 00
Innovat3 Podcast#21: Fear, Recovery, and Reform: A Second Conversation with Tom WolfWhat happens after you go viral for the wrong reasons—and decide to own it?In Part 2 of his gripping journey, Tom Wolf returns to the Innovat3 Podcast to share the aftermath of addiction, the long road to rebuilding trust with his family, and how one viral tweet flipped the narrative from shame to redemption.He opens up about the realities of recovery, the emotional cost of being a father and husband after 15 months of absence, and why living with fear is the most dangerous kind of relapse....
2025-04-2235 min
Innovat3 Podcast#20: She Fights Traffickers with Faith and Fire. - Vanessa Russell Returns.She’s not waiting for the system to fix itself. She’s building something better.In this powerful follow-up conversation, Vanessa Russell returns to the INNOVAT3 Podcast with renewed urgency and unwavering purpose. As the founder of Love Never Fails, Vanessa is not only advocating for survivors of human trafficking, she’s building a model for restoration, leadership, and long-term change.This episode dives deep into the realities of grassroots work, what it means to lead with faith and conviction, and how Vanessa continues to challenge institutions, uplift...
2025-04-0821 min
Innovat3 Podcast#19: The System Failed Him. Now He’s Fixing It - Tom WolfTom Wolf was addicted to heroin and fentanyl, taking 560mg of oxycodone daily just to function. He was homeless on the streets of San Francisco, battling sepsis, denial, and the collapse of everything he once had.But Tom didn’t just survive, he rebuilt. Today, he’s a respected recovery advocate and public policy voice, working to reform systems around addiction, homelessness, and incarceration using his lived experience as fuel for change.In this episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Tom for a brutally hone...
2025-04-0243 min
Innovat3 Podcast#18: Human Trafficking Survivor Shares Her Untold Story - Alicia BakerWhat happens when a child is left behind and the world offers no safety net? In this powerful and profoundly moving episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Alicia Baker, a survivor of abandonment, abuse, trafficking, and incarceration who has since transformed her life to become a case manager for Maranatha Christian Center in San Jose and advocate with Love Never Fails.Alicia opens up about the traumatic events that shaped her youth: her mother’s sudden disappearance, early sexual abuse, and the spiral into parties, arrests, and exploitation. By th...
2025-03-2650 min
Innovat3 Podcast#17: DAOs are the Future of Governance by Puncar BrezinaWhat if cities, businesses, and economies were run without CEOs, politicians, or central authorities? What if power wasn’t held by a select few, but distributed transparently to the people?In this episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, we sit down with Puncar, a Web3 visionary and DAO advocate, to explore the potential of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and how they could revolutionize governance, finance, and ownership.In this episode, we discuss:🔹 Could a city operate as a DAO?🔹 How can DAOs prevent corporat...
2025-03-1853 min
Innovat3 Podcast#16: Is Our Financial System Rigged? Scott Morris ExplainsIs Our Financial System Designed to Keep Us Struggling?In this episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, Scott Morris, a community currency expert and economist, joins Ted Hahs to break down how our financial system works and why it’s failing so many people.We’re told that wealth comes from hard work, but what if the real problem is how money is structured? Scott shares his insights on:Why traditional economies concentrate wealth at the topHow alternative currencies can empower local communitiesWhat we can learn from cryp...
2025-03-1133 min
Innovat3 Podcast#15: The Dark Truth of Human Trafficking by Terryal BellIn this powerful Season 2 premiere of the Innovat3 Podcast, Terryal Bell shares her harrowing journey through human trafficking, the manipulation and control that kept her trapped, and how she finally found freedom.This is more than just a survivor’s story. It’s an eye-opening look into the hidden realities of trafficking, the systems that enable it, and the fight to help others break free. Terryal’s story exposes how exploitation happens in plain sight, why so many victims feel unable to escape, and how faith, resilience, and the right support system can lead to tru...
2025-03-0544 min
Innovat3 Podcast#14: Powerful Stories, Big Lessons & What’s Next! Season Finale!The journey of Season 1 has been nothing short of transformational. After 13 episodes packed with bold conversations, powerful stories, and groundbreaking ideas, the Innovat3 Podcast brings you the ultimate Season 1 Recap.This finale isn’t just a look back, it’s a reflection on the stories that made us rethink social impact, innovation, and what it truly means to serve those around us.In this special episode, we revisit: • The real reasons behind poverty, homelessness, and incarceration • How fatherlessness fuels generational cycles of struggle • The import...
2025-02-2028 min
Innovat3 Podcast#13: Loss, Love, and the Voice That Changed Everything- Nancy HardenIn Episode 13 of the Innovat3 Podcast, Dr. Nancy Harden opens up about a deeply personal moment that changed her life forever.After the sudden loss of her husband, she was met not just with grief, but with an unexpected encounter—a voice she had always known, gently whispering, “Today, you have a new title… Widow. But with a husband. I am your husband.”This episode is more than a story of loss. It’s a reflection on how faith holds us when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. Dr. H...
2025-02-1145 min
Innovat3 Podcast#12: From Immigrant to Changemaker: Bruno Freitas’ MissionIn this powerful episode of Innovat3, host Ted Hahs sits down with Bruno Freitas, a pastor, entrepreneur, and immigrant with an extraordinary journey. Bruno shares his incredible story—from his daring migration to the U.S. as a teenager to building a successful business and dedicating his life to serving the homeless in San Francisco.Together, they explore how faith, innovation, and action can create lasting change in our communities. In Silicon Valley—the hub of tech innovation—why are we still leading in human trafficking, homelessness, and poverty? How can we apply the same p...
2025-02-0434 min
Innovat3 Podcast#11: Fatherhood is the missing link to transformation - Stewart PerrilliatFatherlessness isn’t just a personal struggle, it’s a societal crisis affecting families, communities, and future generations. In this part 2 episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, Dr. Stewart Perrilliat, founder of Man to Man Urban Youth Advocate, shares his incredible work in addressing the root cause of countless social issues: the absence of fathers.From building life-changing programs in San Quentin Prison to creating a one-stop social services hub in East Oakland, Dr. Perrilliat discusses how he’s transforming fatherhood into a cornerstone of community healing. He highlights the critic...
2025-01-2723 min
Innovat3 Podcast#10: What’s the Power of Generational Wisdom? - Nancy HardenAt nearly 93 years old, Dr. Nancy Harden has dedicated her life to faith, leadership, and empowering communities. A true embodiment of resilience and grace, Nancy has spent decades guiding others through life’s challenges, offering mentorship, and inspiring hope in every corner she touches.In this episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, Dr. Harden opens up about her incredible life journey, from navigating hardships in her early years to becoming a trusted leader in mentorship and community transformation. She shares deeply personal reflections on how faith has been the foundation of her strength and her pa...
2025-01-2046 min
Innovat3 Podcast#9: Restoring Fatherhood, A Path to Community Transformation by Stewart PerilliattIn our latest episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Stewart Perrilliat, founder of Man to Man Urban Youth Advocate, to explore the deep and lasting impact of fatherlessness on society. From his own experiences growing up during the tumultuous 1980s in East Oakland to his transformative work today, Dr. Perrilliat sheds light on how the absence of fathers creates cycles of trauma, poverty, and instability that ripple across generations.Dr. Perrilliat believes that fatherhood is the foundation of strong families and thriving communities. His work focuses on rebuilding father-son relationships...
2025-01-0624 min
Innovat3 Podcast#8: Empowering Survivors, Ending Trafficking - Vanessa RussellIn this deeply impactful episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs welcomes Vanessa Russell, founder of Love Never Fails Us, to share her inspiring mission to combat human trafficking and create pathways to hope, healing, and empowerment for survivors.Vanessa’s work addresses a crisis that affects over 100,000 individuals annually in the U.S., often hidden in plain sight. She reveals the realities of this pervasive issue, particularly in hotspots like the Bay Area, and the challenges survivors face in escaping cycles of exploitation, homelessness, and poverty.Through he...
2024-12-1825 min
Innovat3 Podcast#7: Building a Better Future: Yaniv Tal on Web3 & Social ImpactIn this compelling episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Yaniv Tal, the visionary founder of The Graph, to explore how cutting-edge Web3 technology is reshaping the way we address global challenges. From decentralization to organizing knowledge at scale, Yaniv shares insights into how technological innovation can foster collaboration, transparency, and real solutions for pressing issues like homelessness and inequality.Through his work with The Graph—a revolutionary indexing protocol powering blockchain ecosystems—and Geo, Yaniv demonstrates how decentralized tools are empowering communities to build systems that solve complex problems more...
2024-12-1142 min
Innovat3 Podcast#6: Vanessa Russell on Fighting Human Trafficking with Love and ActionIn this week’s episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, we have incredible Vanessa Russell, founder of Love Never Fails. Vanessa shares her journey of turning heartbreak into hope, creating an organization that fights human trafficking and restores dignity to survivors.Love Never Fails is a beacon of hope for those impacted by exploitation. Their programs focus on: • Safe Housing: Providing survivors with stable homes where they can heal and rebuild. • Mentorship & Counseling: Offering emotional support and guidance to help survivors reclaim their lives. • Vocational Training: Empowering survivors with skills f...
2024-12-0426 min
Innovat3 Podcast#5: Kathy Chao Rothberg on Building Hope, One Community at a TimeThis week, Ted Hahs sits down with Kathy Chao Rothberg, a visionary leader in community development and the CEO of Lao Family Community Development. Kathy’s inspiring work has transformed countless lives, addressing critical issues like homelessness, poverty, and workforce inequities while empowering underserved communities to thrive. Through her leadership, Kathy has spearheaded programs in affordable housing, job training, and financial literacy, providing culturally responsive services that truly meet communities where they are. Her belief in community-driven solutions and her unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for all make her a trailblazer in social impact.I...
2024-11-2541 min
Innovat3 Podcast#4: A journey of Recovery from Isolation to Inspiration with Christian HuangIn this heartfelt episode, host Ted Hahs sits down with Christian Huang, the founder of Mobilize Love, to explore his incredible journey from personal struggles to becoming a force for good in underserved communities. Christian opens up about his early experiences growing up in a nonprofit world, how those formative years shaped his worldview and the pivotal moments that led him to create Mobilize Love.Discover how Christian overcame challenges, including battling personal lows, to launch an innovative mobile outreach program. Mobilize Love uses outreach trucks to deliver essential services, after-school programs, and hope...
2024-11-1835 min
Innovat3 Podcast#3: Journey Through Sobriety & Innovation by Nikita mehtaIn this next episode, Nikita opens up about the frustrations and realities of navigating the current recovery landscape. When faced with countless obstacles—such as limited access to affordable treatment options—many find themselves searching not just for services but for a genuine support system. Nikita explores the vital difference between receiving comfort and experiencing true accountability in recovery. She shares her journey of seeking a community that doesn’t just offer temporary relief but fosters resilience, self-responsibility, and growth.This conversation takes a bold look at how we can better support individuals by moving beyond traditional methods. Nikita...
2024-11-1129 min
Innovat3 Podcast#2: The Untold Truths of Addiction Recovery by Nikita MehtaIn the latest episode of Innovat3, host Ted Hahs welcomes Nikita Mehta, sobriety coach and leader of Recovery DAO, for a conversation that confronts the stark realities of recovery. Nikita shares her journey through addiction and exposes a system stuck in outdated methods of rehab offering the same “solutions” they did 20 years ago.But the problem is bigger than that. Nikita unveils how addiction extends beyond drugs and alcohol to less obvious dependencies on work, technology, and even food. She argues that real change requires fresh thinking, innovation, and most importantly, removing shame from the recovery process.Let's look at t...
2024-10-3127 min
Innovat3 Podcast#1: How Open Door Legal is Changing the System by Adrian TirtanadiIn this episode, Ted Hahs is in conversation with Adrian Tirtanadi, co-founder of Open Door Legal, to discuss the journey behind creating America’s first universal civil legal aid model. Adrian shares his vision to make legal aid accessible to everyone, regardless of income, and the impact of Open Door Legal’s work in underserved San Francisco communities. From housing and employment issues to family law, Adrian reveals how providing legal support not only resolves cases but breaks poverty cycles and empowers communities. Discover how Open Door Legal is transforming access to justice in this inspiring conversation.
2024-10-2720 min
INNOV-8 Presents: Entrepreneurs in TechHow Blockchain Can Solve Homelessness and Human Trafficking | Ted Hahs InterviewJoin us as Ted Hahs, Co-Founder and CEO of INNOVAT3, dives into the power of technology and innovation to address social challenges like homelessness, human trafficking, and food insecurity. Discover the groundbreaking work of Geo, a blockchain tech company, and their mission to create a transparent knowledge graph. Learn about ATTN.LIVE, a platform for live audio and visual content that gets minted on the blockchain. Ted shares insights on the future of technology, the power of human potential, and the transformative impact of innovative programs. Explore the convergence of tech, sports, and social entrepreneurship, and get inspired by...
2024-07-2946 min
Honey I’m HomeHigh Functioning Anxiety with Shain MachelThis episode is meant to bring awareness to a type of anxiety that affects high achievers and people who push themselves beyond their limits.
High-functioning anxiety is not considered a mental health diagnosis because those who experience it are able to function reasonably well in life. Join us as we speak about our experiences. Engage with Shain on social media on : Instagram.com/iamshainmachel and twitter.com/iamshainmachel. For any website related work, email shain@innovat3group.co.za and instagram.com/innovat3_group
2021-06-0717 min