American Sunshine: Recent Episodes
Ryan Knowles
Hosted by Jay Lucas, American Sunshine is a podcast about the power of the human spirit, highlighting people across the United States making a positive in their communities and beyond.
When you look at the resume of NH Education Commisioner Frank Edelblut you probably wonder what he hasn't done. Married with 7 children, Frank started his career as a certified public accountant with a large international accounting firm. After that, he briefly worked as a chief financial officer for a public company and then took the “entrepreneurial plunge,” starting his own company, which was sold to a French firm in 2009. He currently serves on a number of boards, including as a trustee for the University System of New Hampshire, which includes the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College and Granite State College. In this episode of American Sunshine, we discuss family, life, and the need to close the equity gap in education.
Janet Stevens is seacoast residents, former comptetitve distance runner, a gubernatorial appointee, non-profit steward, small business owner, and municipal government leader who has served her community and New Hampshire residents for more than 28 years. She's been an incredible advocate for granite staters, most recently as District 3 Councilor, where throughout the pandemic, she has performed critical services to provide access to mental health care by enabling telehealth reimbursements, advocating for accelerated insurance credentialing, and streamlining the online process to identify available providers. She sits down with Jay in this episode of American Sunshine to discuss the importance of putting politics and rhetoric aside and serving the people.
He's an Army Veteran, a certified Russian linguist specialist, a former Regional Director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and most recently named Director of Veterans Affairs for Harbor Care, New Hampshire's largest provider of supports for veterans experiencing homelessness. It's fair to say David Tille has done a little bit of everything. With an extensive background creating sustainable housing and employment opportunities, Jay sits down with David in this episode of American Sunshine to discuss his goal of effectively ending veteran homelessness in New Hampshire.
After growing up on Long Island, NY, Alex Talcott moved to New Hampshire to study and Dartmouth and never looked back. The New Yorker turned Granite Stater has worked in both the private and public sector, most recently working with Governor Chris Sununu on a housing for all initiative. He sits down with Jay in this episode of American Sunshine to discuss how New Hampshire is helping lay the blueprints for other states to improve opportunities for middle class and lower middle class families and fight homelessness.
Originally from Defiance, Ohio, Jason Osborne's love for our state of New Hampshire runs deep. As the current House Majority Leader in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Jason is an incredible advocate of the New Hampshire advantage. In this episode of American Sunshine, Jason sits down with Jay to discuss the issues the state faces and his vision for the future of The Granite State.
Sue Polidura is the embodiment of engaged citizen. In this episode she shares her story of growing up in Puerto Rico and then making her way to the mainland United States. Feeling a duty to serve she enlisted in the Air Force and after being stationed at Pease Air Force Base, Sue ultimately made Portsmouth, and New Hampshire, her home. A recent candidate for the New Hampshire State Senate, Sue is an enthusiastic history buff – sharing fascinating insights on the role of Portsmouth citizens in the Revolutionary War and the founding of the Republic.
She was the first female Attorney General of the State of New Hampshire which led to a seat in the United States Senate. She's also a wife and mother of two. This week's guest, Kelly Ayotte has led an extraordinary life and is one of the biggest champion's for our great state. She sits down with Jay to discuss life, her career, and some of the important things we should be honoring in New Hampshire and across the country.
He's the former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and one of the most respected leaders in our state, but that's just the start of Justice John Broderick's incredible resume. Over the past decade, he has also become a true pioneer in the area of mental health. His work has helped to openly address the stigma surrounding an issue that plagues both young people and adults alike throughout our many communities in New Hampshire. We sit down with John to discuss the works he's done, the challenges he's faced, and why he's hopeful for how we understand and treat mental health issues in the future.
Kate Baker is the Executive Director of The Childrens Scholarship Fund of New Hampshire, an incredible charitable organization that provides sizeable grants to children who live in poverty to receive world class educations at some of the country's best private schools. Kate discusses the challenges of her role, but more importantly, the importance of leveling the playing field in education so that no matter their background, more children have a chance to receive high quality education.
From a challenging childhood in Atlanta to a highly respected public official in New Hampshire, my friend Eddie Edwards has done it all. He's a U.S. Navy veteran, graduate of the FBI Academy with a long career in law enforcement, and was even a candidate for Congress. A selfless volunteer and mentor, giving back and serving as inspirational role model to the next generation of youth, we speak with Eddie about his life and career and discuss the power of positive thinking.
Recently voted New Hampshire Businessperson of the Year, Northeast Delta Dental CEO Tom Raffio is one of New England's most charitable and giving business people. A friend of the Sunshine Initiative, Tom sits down with Jay to discuss his ongoing work across the region.
In this second episode of American Sunshine, we are joined by Howard Brodsky, Founder and CEO of CCA Global. Howard shares insights on how he grew CCA Global from one family owned carpet store in Manchester, NH to become a multi-billion dollar business and why he believes ‘doing good’ is good business. He also shares his enthusiasm for revitalizing small towns across America and the efforts of the Sunshine Initiative.
In this first episode, Host Jay Lucas and his guest Ryan Knowles introduce you to American Sunshine, a podcast about the power of the human spirit and which highlights people across America making a positive in their communities and beyond.