Voices That Inspire Extended Interview
Voices that Inspire is where Tallahassee’s movers, shakers, and trailblazers share what fuels their passion. Hosted by retired WFSU Director of Content and Community Partnerships, Kim Kelling, this uplifting podcast takes you in the minds of local leaders, creatives, and change-makers across the Big Bend. Each guest reveals what inspires them—whether it’s a bold idea, a personal journey, or the community itself. Get ready for stories that spark creativity, ignite innovation, and remind us all why North Florida is such a special place.
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Tallahassee native and Senior VP of Government Affairs for the Florida Bankers Association, Kenneth Pratt, has seen a shift of no voices representing his home neighborhoods on the south side of Tallahassee, to now where there are more voices talking about the issues affecting all different regions of the community. He sees people working together, which he believes benefits the Tallahassee community as a whole. Kenneth shares the importance of the support system that his parents surrounded him with - people who had his best intentions in mind. -
Amanda Karioth Thompson is an Assistant Director for the Council On Culture and Arts and manages arts education and public art programming. She shares that artists share their identity through their work, making them vulnerable. By this action, she is inspired. She advocates for art as an expression and healing tool, which can help especially through our current trying times. -
Principal of R. Frank Nims Middle School, Dr. Benny L. Bolden, Jr., shares his inspiration for managing the school in Tallahassee, FL. He wants his students and the community to know that his school is run in the vein of care, hope, and love. He tells his students that if they would have known him in his youth, they would be shocked that he was their principal today. He sees himself in his students and makes it his assignment to give them his care, hope, and love. -
Kate Kile is a local leader of 'Moms Demand Action (Tallahassee).' June is gun violence awareness month and the group is asking people to raise awareness with #TallyWearsOrange. Their goal is to keep kids and families informed regarding gun safety. For example, Kate says it is important to talk about gun violence with kids and safe storage with friends. She draws inspiration from her faith and it is what moves her to work on this initiative. -
Mary Marx is President and CEO of The Pace Center for Girls. In this interview she discusses how the current pandemic would affect the girls that the center focuses on helping. She explains the amazing ability the girls have to overcome obstacles. She is inspired by her team and their commitment to the success of their girls. -
Founder of She Academy, Inc., Shaqualyn Shedrick, visited us in the studio to talk about here work with young women and girls in the community. She… -
Amber Tynan, Executive Director of United Partners for Human Services, thinks often about hunger and housing in regards to human needs within our… -
Todd Sperry is vice president and CFO of OliverSperry Renovation in Tallahassee Florida. He believes that you have to have disappointment and failure to… -
VP of Student Affairs at Florida State University, Amy Hecht, speaks about her observations of the FSU experience. She is proud to facilitate student… -
Lester Hutt of Diverse Computing explains how he became connected in the Tallahassee community after moving here more than 15 years ago. His point of… -
Royce Lovett is a singer/songwriter. His parents raised him to be very purpose-driven. Royce knew exactly what to pursue when he started hearing music.… -
Vincent T. Edwards is an inspirational and motivational speaker. Mr. Edwards used to be focused on what other people wanted him to do instead of focusing…
