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.
-
L.Michelle Salvant is CEO of LMichelleMedia and a ministry leader with Higher Dimension Church Tallahassee. As a digital life coach, she uses media to empower the youth in her community. -
Author Susan Cerulean is an advocate for the Earth, and close to home, the Apalachicola. She is looking for a sense of interdependence among us. She believes it is a novel time for humans because of the events our world is experiencing. Love will fuel us in finding our opportunity for survival.
-
FSU Student Body President Jonathan Levin shares his journey from being denied entry into the United States Air Force Academy through his tenure in student leadership at Florida State. He couldn't see his alternate future but only had a hope things would work out. After finding his way through plan B at FSU, Jonathan shares his biggest takeaway from student leadership is taking time to build relationships.
-
Cat dad, artist, and IT consultant, Dan Taylor has experienced artistic expression since childhood. The way he works with art has changed since the pandemic began. He finds inspiration in what is going on around him, while trying to express his feelings through what goes on the canvas. He hopes that his art can inspire people to be a part of bigger conversations happening around them.
-
Tracy Andrews, Chipley’s mayor, shares her story about overcoming fear about who she was and who she wanted to become. She encourages you not to let fear impede one’s opportunity to excel or take that next step in life. She feels that anyone can have an impact on their community.
-
Billy Francis is the Director of Florida State University’s Student Veterans Center. He speaks on the importance of hope. Billy also discusses the power of embracing adversity. He feels that the way we handle adversity and setbacks can shape a person’s outlook on life and ability to succeed.
-
Civic activist and educator, Byron Greene, lives in Tallahassee, Florida. Byron grew up in Tallahassee, believes in the city, has seen it grow, and considers it a good place. He shares info about the Tallahassee Community Remembrance Project, created to honor people and families, and helping to fill in the blanks of the city's history. Byron is inspired by hope in our community.
-
As Executive Director of Ladies Learning to Lead, Samantha Vance is an eager and inspired community advocate. The organization is a non-profit that serves over 3000 young women and promotes mentorship relationships. She believes that great mentors have great mentors and feels blessed to have so many great mentors herself. -
Niki Kelly is Executive Director for Girls Inc. of Bay County. She stays inspired by the girls her organization works with as well as the young women who work within the organization. For her, it's a real source of hope for our collective future. They focus on "She Votes," a program where they teach about the importance of voting and the role of women in elected office. -
Donna Legare, retired co-founder of Native Nurseries and current president of Apalachee Audubon Society, is inspired by nature. She is inspired to protect plants, the animals that use them, and their habitat. She has great faith in our younger generations but believes older people need to mentor and educate. -
Novelist and teacher Ravi Howard knew early on that he was interested in writing. He explains that he uses writing as a time-modifying escape to connect to ideas that are meaningful. He acknowledges the challenges right now for those who want to create and consume art, but finds comfort in the endurance of the medium. -
Lequita Sharrock is the CEO of Sharrock Media Group, and Rory Sharrock is president and COO of Sharrock Media Group. They believe that embracing diversity and celebrating our differences is important, because everyone can learn from one another. Love should be the foundation of everything you do, and if it's not then you have the wrong agenda.
