Shows
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E12: CARE Because We Care: Empowering First Gen College Students, Dr. Deonte Brown, Florida State UniversityWhat if first-generation college students had a support system that started in kindergarten and stayed with them through graduation and beyond?In this episode of Think Bigger Voices, host Jennie Treby sits down with Dr. Deonte Brown, Director of the CARE Program at Florida State University (Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement), to explore how one of the country’s most comprehensive support systems is transforming outcomes for first-gen, low-income, and underserved students. From early intervention in rural elementary schools to mentorship, career prep, and financial aid navigation in college, CARE is redefining what it means to...2025-07-1638 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E11: 100% accepted to college, 100% corporate trained: Inside Cristo Rey’s Proven Model for Student Resiliency and Success (Dr. Patrick Liang, CEO and President of Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School)What if a high school education could include AP classes, extracurricular activities, and corporate work experience, starting at age 14? In this episode of Think Bigger Voices, host Jennie Treby sits down with Dr. Patrick Liang, President and CEO of Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School, an educational model transforming the future for low-income students by blending rigorous academics and real-world corporate work experience in a warm, family-centered community. With a 100% college acceptance rate, Cristo Rey equips first-generation students to break the cycle of poverty by giving them what few high schools offer: opportunity, structure, and c...2025-06-1836 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E10: You Belong Here: Helping First-Generation College Students Beyond Academics (Dean Michael Hartline, FSU)What if the key to student success wasn’t just academics—but believing you belong?Attending a large state university can be overwhelming for many students but imagine the extra challenges and pressures of being the first person in your family to attend college. Host Jennie Treby sits down with Michael Hartline, Dean of the Florida State University College of Business, to explore how FSU is transforming the college experience for first-generation students. With over 1,100 first-gen business majors and initiatives that include living-learning communities, etiquette dinners and professional development funding, FSU is leading the charge in stud...2025-04-2132 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E9: Ending the Opportunity Divide (Gary Flowers, Year Up United)When talent is everywhere but opportunity isn't, Year Up United becomes the bridge young professionals need.Join host Jennie Treby as she sits down with Gary Flowers, CIO, Transformation and Technology Services at Year Up United, to explore an innovative approach to workforce development that's transforming young lives. Discover how this national workforce development organization ending the Opportunity Divide for 18-29-year-old young adults, connecting untapped talent with leading corporations like Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Apple.In this episode, you will:Learn how the nation’s largest employers partner with Ye...2025-03-3133 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E8: Dignity's Power: Small Closet, Big Impact (Tracey Keim, Green Devil’s Pantry & Closet)For two decades, a tiny 6-by-9-foot closet in a high school has become a lifeline of dignity, transforming thousands of students' lives. In this episode, Jennie Treby sits down with Tracey Keim, an educator at St. Petersburg High School and the Founder of The Green Devil’s Pantry & Closet. With her unwavering belief in human dignity, Tracey is changing lives—one backpack, one essential supply, and one act of kindness at a time. What began as a simple mission to help students find prom dresses, tuxedos and professional attire has blossomed into a lifeline for t...2025-03-0730 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E7: Why Every Teen Deserves Access to the Arts (Dr. Alex Harris, Arts Conservatory for Teens)Music, education and community—Dr. Alex Harris has spent his career at the intersection of all three. As a renowned singer-songwriter, producer and philanthropist, he’s performed alongside legends like John Legend and Alicia Keys. But his biggest passion? Empowering the next generation through the Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT). In this episode of Think Bigger Voices, host Jennie Treby sits down with Dr. Harris to explore his journey from performing as a child with his siblings to founding ACT, an organization that provides arts education and career opportunities to underserved youth. Disc...2025-02-1938 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E6: Financial Aid 101: Your Guide to College Funding (Nadine Bailey, Ultimate Medical Academy)For economically disadvantaged and first-generation students, financial aid can be the key to unlocking higher education—but navigating the system is often overwhelming. How can we, as advocates and changemakers, help ensure these students get the support they need? In this episode, Nadine Bailey, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Ultimate Medical Academy, joins host Jennie Treby to explore the resources, policies, and programs designed to break down financial barriers. Together, we’ll discuss: - The latest FAFSA updates & what they mean for low-income students- Grants, scholarships & financial aid progra...2025-01-3125 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E5: The 40% Problem: An Insider's Guide to Escaping the Debt Trap (Thomas Feindt, Grow Financial)What if your bank could make a real difference in your community? With 40% of American families and young people struggling to make ends meet, Thomas Feindt, CEO of Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, shares how the not-for-profit banking model is focused on breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change. Drawing on 25 years of experience in the credit union industry, he explains how Grow Financial is meeting this critical need. Join host Jennie Treby in the latest Think Bigger Voices episode as she sits down with Feindt to explore how credit unions are transforming financial i...2025-01-1522 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E4: Fighting Hunger Beyond Food (Thomas Mantz, Feeding Tampa Bay)What if solving childhood hunger is about more than just food?Thomas Mantz, President and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay, joins host Jennie Treby to explore the deeper challenges of food insecurity and how it impacts our communities, especially children. In this episode, they discuss:The staggering reality of food insecurity in the U.S.Why prevention is key to breaking the cycle of hunger and transforming livesHow Feeding Tampa Bay connects families to critical resources beyond foodNew research that shows why Weekend Backpack programs are not effectiveTune in to discover how we...2024-12-0552 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E3: You know ALICE. (Jessica Muroff, United Way Suncoast)All of us know families who are considered ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed). But we don’t always know how to support them.In United Way Suncoast’s 5-county area, 2 in 5 residents are considered ALICE – and today, host Jennie Treby interviews CEO Jessica Muroff about solutions they’ve seen break the cycle. Listen in as they discuss: 3 strategic areas of focus (early learning, youth success, financial stability)How to turn $1 into $1.75What’s changed in the 100 years since United Way fundraisers rode on horseback through the streets of TampaHow the United Way is leveraging...2024-10-1532 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E2: Your Mouth Can Get You In Trouble or Do Some Good (Freddy Williams, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay and the Suncoast)Growing up, Freddy Williams was told his mouth was either going to get him in big trouble or do some good in the world. The Boys & Girls Club alumnus-turned-CEO joins host Jennie Treby to do some good in this podcast episode, discussing: How the iconic organization saved his lifeWhat strategic shifts are changing the approach they’ve taken for the last 20 years How prevention programs benefit communities and taxpayersWhat you may not know about Denzel Washington Freddy’s passion for helping the next generation shines through as he discusses the lo...2024-10-1532 min
Think Bigger VoicesS1 E1: Join the Movement to Break the Cycle of Poverty (Tony DiBenedetto, Think Big for Kids)Join us for the debut of Think Bigger Voices, hosted by Jennie Treby. Our inaugural guest is Tony DiBenedetto, founder and chair of Think Big for Kids and co-producer of Think Bigger Voices.Tony is a technology executive, entrepreneur and philanthropist with more than 35 years of experience in business innovation, high-impact growth and people leadership. This episode kickstarts a crucial dialogue on how we can all contribute to creating lasting change in our communities:Poverty myths and misconceptionsThe "why" behind Think Big for KidsThe ways poverty impacts all of us...2024-10-1523 min