Phoenix Pod: Recent Episodes
Phoenix Club of Nashville
Official podcast of The Phoenix Club of Nashville.
www.phoenixclubofnashville.org
Music Credit: Chill Circles by Brent Hunter
In this episode of The Phoenix Pod, host Jovica Djurdjevic talks with John Boots, founder of Expedition Group and legacy member of the Phoenix Club; Greg Skloot, President-Elect and managing partner at Bridge Crest Partners; and Rohit Padmanabhan, president of Phoenix Club and founder of Lotus Asset Management.
John, Greg, and Rohit discuss their unique entrepreneurial journeys, sharing the motivations that led them to start their businesses and the challenges they've faced along the way. They delve into their specific industries, from real estate development and tech startups to wealth management, highlighting the diverse paths one can take in entrepreneurship.
Learn about the importance of self-belief, passion, and adaptability in building a successful business. The panelists also share their insights on managing financial risks, maintaining focus, and the significance of understanding one's goals.
The conversation provides a wealth of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs and offers a realistic look at the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey. Tune in to gain valuable insights and be inspired by these leaders who are making a difference in their respective fields.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
In this episode of The Phoenix Pod, host Jovica Djurdjevic talks with Phillip Ellenburg, President and CEO, and Sherry Mast, COO, of Faith Family Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Phillip and Sherry discuss the center's mission to provide sliding scale primary care to the working uninsured. They share the center’s origins, its holistic approach to healthcare, and the welcoming environment they’ve created for patients. Learn about their innovative services, including multilingual support, a learning garden, a fitness center, and comprehensive health programs.
The also highlight the challenges their patients face, such as economic barriers and lack of transportation, and how Faith Family addresses these issues with flexible scheduling and community health workers. They also share personal stories about the fulfillment they find in their roles and the strong sense of family within the organization.
Support Faith Family Medical Center by spreading the word, participating in fundraising events, or making a donation.
Tune in to hear how Faith Family Medical Center is making a difference in the Nashville community.
https://faithmedical.org/
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Marcus E. Meneese is the Founder and Executive Director of Stronger Than My Father, Inc., a Christian 501(c)(3) organization created in 2013. The organization’s mission is to educate, inspire and transform today’s youth to fulfill their God-given purpose.
For the past 20 years, Marcus has actively worked as a youth mentor. He believes his purpose is to coach and develop youth to become responsible adults and good parents, preparing them to become ‘Stronger Than Their Fathers.
In 2016, Marcus launched the Hope Leadership Academy, which is the flagship program of Stronger Than My Father. The Hope Leadership Academy (HLA) is a Christian afterschool program preparing pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students to succeed in life by providing academic assistance, access to technology, character development and spiritual enrichment through critical formative years. HLA provides afterschool services to a diverse group of over 70 students who attend school and reside in the local Antioch, TN community.
In the summer of 2022, Marcus re-launched his Stronger Sons mentoring program. Stronger Sons mentor program will focus on personal responsibility, dream building, and the importance of nutrition and physical fitness. In addition, the young men in this program are surrounded by male role models who are outstanding leaders in the community.
Marcus is a Nashville native, who graduated from Tennessee State University with a BS Degree in Psychology and holds a Masters degree in organizational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University. Marcus and his lovely wife LaToya are the proud parents of two sons.
https://strongerthanmyfather.org/
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Chip Howorth is a former President of Phoenix Club and a former Member of the Year. He currently serves as the Managing Partner at Adapt Development Company here in Nashville, TN.
Chip's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chip-howorth-1981851b
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business.
Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Greg Skloot is Managing Partner at Bridge Crest Partners, a buy-side M&A search firm based in Nashville. Previously, he was co-founder and CEO of Crystal, an AI software startup backed by Salesforce Ventures. He is also co-author of Predicting Personality, a book published by Wiley about using AI to understand people and win more business.
Prior, Greg was VP Growth at Netpulse (70 employees, $40M funding) where he led sales, customer success, marketing and operations. It was acquired in 2018 by eGym. Earlier, he was CEO and co-founder of Attend.com (30 employees, $3M funding).
Greg was recognized by Forbes as 30 Under 30 in enterprise technology and is the President-Elect of the Phoenix Club of Nashville.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Larry Kloess is a native Nashvillian with family roots going all the way back to the founding of Fort Nashborough by his ancestors, the Donelsons. After growing up in the suburbs of Nashville (Brentwood, Franklin, and Hendersonville) he spent several years away from Music City attending Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and working in Colorado and California for brief stints. After the May 2010 Nashville flood, he returned home and subsequently founded a pop-up concert curation and production business called Cause A Scene that he ran for nearly six years. Over the past 7+ years, he has served his community as a Realtor, amassing sales over $70 Million and primarily working with clients in the Metro core and surrounding counties.
Outside of work, he is an avid runner, a passion he discovered for the first time during Covid 2020, and is currently training to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2025.
Larry joined Phoenix Club in January 2022 and is currently in his second year on the Board, serving as the VP of Leadership Development where he programs the organization’s Lunches With Leaders and PCON Academy events for members and is actively building a mentorship model for active members to help each individual become the best version of themselves. His fellow members voted him the 2023 Phoenician of the Year and the 2022 New Phoenician of the Year, acknowledging his contributions to the club as a servant leader.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Larry can be reached at Larry.kloess@gmail.com or 615.306.5128
On this episode we address the issue of human trafficking with Mary Trapnell and LeAnn Walters, members of the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition (NHTC). They share personal experiences and journeys to this critical work. LeAnn, a survivor, now supports victims through NHTC, while Mary discusses her awakening to the prevalence of trafficking.
We explore traffickers' tactics and mindset, shedding light on this often-hidden crime. NHTC provides essential resources and community to survivors, making a life-changing impact. Join us for an insightful episode that raises awareness and encourages action against trafficking and in support of its victims.
Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking is a Christ centered team of intervention specialists who rescue and restore women from the bondage of human trafficking.
https://www.nahtcoalition.org/
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Scott Hearon is a native Nashvillian who grew up playing youth sports in the gyms and fields all over Middle Tennessee. A remarkably average athlete, Scott did not make a big impact in the high school stat columns, but he found his niche as a gifted leader and communicator among his teammates and coaches. Scott attended Baylor University and earned a degree in Communications and a minor in Business. While at Baylor, he met new football coach, Art Briles, during football tryouts when Coach Briles informed him that his 5.0 second 40 yard dash time was not quite good enough to be a slot receiver for the Bears.
After returning from Texas, Scott took a ministry job working with high school students and their families and coaching in his spare time. He found a lot of success in his day job, but repeatedly watched his worst self come out on the playing field. One afternoon after a particularly detrimental exchange with a player, Scott came to the realization that his paradigm for athletics flowed from his own fear, shame, and performance based identity that was passed on from many of the coaches he played for. With a clear desire for something more for himself and the young people he led, Scott set out on a recovery journey to become a full-hearted leader and to develop opportunities to help other coaches come along and do the same. Scott co-found the Nashville Coaching Coalition in 2015 and begin as the Executive Director full-time in 2016 with the goal of creating a growth and support community where Middle Tennessee’s most important youth influencers, athletic coaches, can become the very best version of themselves.
Scott’s most rewarding and challenging roles in his life are being a husband to Allison, father to his son, Fisher, and daughter, Hart. In his spare time, Scott loves to sweat, read, or be outside learning something new…usually with his black lab, Ranger.
https://nccnashville.com/
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Micah is the President of Anchor Investments and founder of Mission Hotels, a unique hotel brand that donates a majority of its profits to underserved communities. With a background in real estate investment and development, Micah has been involved in nearly $300 million worth of transactions over the past seventeen years, including the acquisition and development of 3 million square feet of commercial real estate. Committed to his community, he has held board and volunteer roles with various Nashville organizations, including founding Team Chad, a non-profit supporting leukemia charities that has raised over $1.5 million since 2007. Micah graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Finance degree from the University of Tennessee. Above all, he cherishes his role as husband to Brit and father to their three children.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
The Aloe Family is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to provide opportunities for education, well-being, self-sufficiency and healing to resilient communities and individuals facing challenges of poverty and lack of family support.
https://www.thealoefamily.com/
Social Media: @thealoefamily
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
PCON Mayoral Candidate Forum
We are excited to bring you an exclusive audio of the PCON Mayoral Candidate Forum, which took place on Monday, May 22, 2023, at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
The discussion was moderated by Steve Cavendish, president and editor of the Nashville Banner, along with Demetria Kalodimos, executive producer of the same organization. The Nashville Banner is a locally owned and community-supported civic news organization committed to providing impartial journalism and empowering citizens to make informed decisions.
Tune in to hear the candidates' insights, proposals, and plans for Nashville's future. Join us as we delve into the heart of the city's most pressing issues and gain a deeper understanding of the candidates' visions.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, played a pivotal role in hosting this event. Their mission is twofold: to support underserved youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop community and business leaders.
Demetrius B. Short, CEO & Founder of Transformation Life Center. Over a decade has passed, since he walked across the stage as the first in his immediate family to complete the process of obtaining a college degree. To this day, Transformation Life Center CEO, Demetrius Short reflects on how his real-world experience did not come without struggles and obstacles stemming from his matriculation in the early 90’s.
While pursuing his undergraduate degree from Fisk University, Demetrius witnessed first-hand the barriers that led to an increase in college student dropout rates. He didn’t have a scholarship or transportation, and occasionally found himself with little food -- sleeping between the dorm director’s office and the couch of a friend. Despite reaching one of the lowest points in his life, Demetrius refused to quit and become a dropout statistic. He secured internships and walked from campus to downtown Nashville in a business suit carrying a briefcase.
Years later, Demetrius returned to campus to nostalgically walk the same route he no longer had to travel. While walking, he had a divine intervention with God. Reflecting with tears in his eyes, he asked God, “Why did I have to go through this pain and struggle?” God responded to him and said, “Every step you took was a step toward your success.” It was at that moment, he conceptualized a God-sized dream, hunger and responsibility to help students overcome their own barriers in life and reach success. With a vow to run a 3.1-mile 5K in a full suit and sneakers to commemorate his struggle, Steps of Success 5K was born along with a personal and professional development program named Pathway to Success Initiative (P2SI).
After serving a number of years as a Board Member, Fisk University Young Alumni Association President/CEO of Steps of Success 5K, and witnessing the triumph of his ideas, he has tapped into a broader concept of becoming a worldwide success expert. With his reimagined understanding, Demetrius is igniting both collegiate students and individuals to have a positive impact on their community.
This overview is not only an accurate depiction of Demetrius’ heart for the community but also, his quest to engage partners who are interested in investing into the success of students and individuals seeking positive outlets for change. This new entity is pursuing forward-thinking professionals, businesses and organizations, that will join a mission to IGNITE purpose, INSPIRE success and TRANSFORM lives. If that is you, welcome to Transformation Life Center.
Connect with Demetrius and Transformation Life Center
https://transformationlifecenter.org/
info@transformationlifecenter.org
Phone - 615.997.6841
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Rohit Padmanabhan is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Lotus Asset Management, a boutique financial advisory company that works with young professionals across the country. Rohit graduated from Rice University with a focus on Math and Economics and worked at several major banks, managing assets for ultra-high-net-worth clients for nearly a decade before deciding that he wanted to take his experience of working with the country’s wealthiest families and translate that to younger clients who often don’t get access to high quality, affordable advice. In 2015 he started Lotus, which focuses on holistic, unbiased financial advice including tax strategy, financial planning, investing, and guidance on all other financial matters.
As a strong proponent of financial literacy, Rohit makes an effort to educate not only his own clients, but also younger generations to help them avoid the pitfalls of financial mismanagement. Rohit gives frequent talks to high school & college students and recent college graduates, particularly in underserved situations, so that they can help their families to make better financial decisions.
In addition to his work at Lotus, Rohit is President-Elect of the Phoenix Club of Nashville, serves on the board of Purpose Preparatory Academy, is the President of the Nashville Association of Rice Alumni, was a founding Advisory Council member of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, is an advisor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, and is a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Nashville.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-padmanabhan-cfa-6434b56
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Rodger Dinwiddie has been the CEO of STARS-Nashville, an evidenced-based Student Assistance Program, since 1986. Prior to joining STARS, he served as the Executive Director of another nonprofit organization working with the juvenile court for five years and was a classroom teacher in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools for 7 years.
Rodger is an Olweus Technical Assistance Consultant for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and Safe Dates Program, and he serves as the Tennessee State Olweus Coordinator in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education and Clemson University. He currently provides consultation in the areas of best practices in bullying prevention and intervention, school climate improvement, bullying in the workplace, improving workplace relationships and culture, substance misuse, as well as the development of social emotional competencies. Rodger is also a national trainer for the Hazelden/Betty Ford Center. He is a Past-President of the International Bullying Prevention Association and former president of the National Student Assistance Association.
Rodger is a native Nashvillian, where he is involved in numerous community organizations, including the Nashville Rotary Club. He and former CEO of Oasis Center, Hal Cato, were named Nashvillians of the Year by the Nashville Scene for their work in the collaboration and development of the Youth Opportunity Center, a partnership between Oasis Center and STARS. Rodger is an alumnus of Leadership Nashville, 2008, and most recently recognized as one Nashville’s Most Admired CEOs by the Nashville Business Journal, 2019. STARS has been recognized by the Nashville Tennessean as a member of the Best Places to Work, Hall of Fame.
He received his BS from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and his M.Ed. from Middle Tennessee State University. He is married to Suzanne, has two adult children, Joe and Anna, and two grandchildren, Benjamin and Corinne.
https://starsnashville.org/
https://www.facebook.com/STARSNash
https://www.instagram.com/starsnashville/
https://twitter.com/starsnash
https://www.youtube.com/user/starsnashville
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
https://phoenixclubofnashville.org
https://https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-phoenix-club-of-nashville/
IG: @phoenixclub_nashville
Patrick Baird is an entrepreneur, management consultant, and investor. He has founded or been a co-founder of ventures in disparate industries including fashion, government IT services, and real estate. As an Engagement Manager with Lodestone Advisory Group, Patrick works with mid-market companies on international expansion and strategy, as well as county/local governments on economic development projects. Patrick is a Partner at Lodestone Ventures, an early stage VC fund investing at the intersection of technology and legacy industries.
Outside of work, Patrick is passionate about civic engagement, improving the Nashville community, and Tiger Woods. He has served as President of the Phoenix Club of Nashville, Founding President of the Babson College Alumni Club of Tennessee, and Chair of the Babson College Alumni Association. Patrick is a self-described political junkie and lives in East Nashville with his wife, Ali, and their dog, Willie. He is an alumnus of Babson College (2011) and The Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt (2018).
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
Cory Cain has called Nashville home since 2015. He has a background in marketing and sales, working for companies such as Mars, Nielsen and Amazon. Cory is a husband, father of two boys, an active community member and avid reader. He joined the Phoenix Club in 2019 and served various board roles until elected as the 2023 Club President.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
Brian C. Adams is the President and founder of Excelsior Capital, where he spearheads the investor relations and capital markets arms of the firm. He has 10 years of experience in real estate private equity. Prior to forming Excelsior Capital, Brian co-founded Priam Properties (an institutional real estate private equity sponsor) in 2010 and provided leadership and direction for the firm in connection with capital markets, investment management and investor relations.
He has served on the Board of Sirrom Partners, LP, a single-family office investing across private and public asset classes since May of 2008. Since May of 2017 he has served on the Investment Committee for Solidus LP, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investment opportunities in Healthcare and Technology. From January of 2016 to January of 2018, Brian served as a member of the Board of Next Gen Advisory Faculty for the Institute of Private Investors / Campden, a program designed to support next generation family members in preparing the following generation for the responsibility of being a steward of family wealth. He has also served on the Advisory Committee for the Southeastern Family Office Forum since December of 2016. Brian is a former practicing attorney, earning his J.D. from Suffolk University and his B.A. from Wesleyan University with Honors.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
Brian Nock is a program manager for Google based from their Nashville office. Outside of work, he is community focused and serves on the boards of directors of Phoenix Club of Nashville and Trimble Action Group, the neighborhood association for Chestnut Hill. He enjoys learning new things, working outside, cycling, and sharing conversation over food.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.
John Boots is a Nashville-based private equity and real estate professional with a passion for philanthropy and helping the underserved. His company, Expedition Group, consults real estate developers on optimizing profitability through strategic engagement.
He serves on the boards of directors of Phoenix Club of Nashville and BeWell in School, both of which are nonprofist who help underserved youth. He and his partner, Chantal, and their two children, Brooklyn and Xavier, reside in Sylvan Heights. He is an avid traveler, tennis player, foodie, and wannabe golfer.
The Phoenix Club of Nashville is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization of young men with a dual mission to benefit under-served youth in Middle Tennessee and to develop our members into leaders in their community and in business. Members of the Phoenix Club are actively looking for ways to make a positive and permanent impact on the lives of under-served youth and their community.