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Move the Needle

Move the Needle

Written by: Move the Needle Network LLC
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 Hosted by former radio personality Mathew Blades and community catalyst Steve Petz, Move the Needle spotlights extraordinary individuals dedicated to positive community impact within Arizona. Our mission is to celebrate the unsung heroes and local legends who embody the spirit of community-driven change. Through engaging interviews and compelling profiles, we delve into the lives of those making a difference. Our content features in-depth conversations exploring their motivations, challenges, and successes. We also highlight initiatives and organizations that embody values of collaborative efforts, community events, and grassroots movements that contribute to positive change. Every week, we share stories of resilience, kindness, and empowerment to inspire and mobilize others. By focusing on transformative actions and collaborative efforts, we aim to foster a more compassionate and connected world.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Art Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • MTN 71 Chandler | Craft 64 Chandler | Food Fame, Content, & Herbs

    MTN 71 Chandler | Craft 64 Chandler | Food Fame, Content, & Herbs
    Jan 14 2026
    This week on Move The Needle: filmed on location at Craft 64 Chandler, featuring local business owners, creators, and wellness leaders making a real impact across the Valley. Special thanks to our partners: Brooklyn V’s Pizza: https://brooklynvspizza.com/ T utor Doctor Chandler Gilbert Ahwatukee: https://www.tutordoctor.com/chandler-... Von Hansons Meats & Spirits: https://vonhansonsmeats.net/ Coulter Infiniti: https://www.coulterinfiniti.com/ Amy Richardson - Savvy Realty Group: https://www.savvyrealtyaz.com/ Duenas Eden Cravatta: https://www.duenasedenlaw.com/ First, we spotlight Melissa Anaya of Eat Drink AZ. Born and raised in the Valley of the Sun, Melissa has built Eat Drink AZ into one of Arizona’s most recognized hospitality platforms, with over half a million followers. She also leads Eat Drink Creative Agency, where she and her team create strategic marketing campaigns for restaurants, bars, and hospitality brands across the Valley. Melissa shares insight into content creation, brand visibility, and what it takes to stand out in a competitive hospitality market. Find out more HERE: https://eatdrinkaz.com/ Next, we sit down with Sybil Imel of Content Ready Sessions. Sybil is a health solutions expert, content strategist, and personal branding coach helping women—especially those over 40—look, feel, and live their best while building profitable online brands. Through Content Ready Sessions, Sybil helps entrepreneurs capture high-quality, strategic content in a fun and efficient way, simplifying content creation and social media so business owners can grow their online presence with confidence. Find out more HERE: https://stan.store/ContentReadySessions Finally, we talk with Brittney Sounart of Desert Sage Herbs. Brittney’s journey into herbalism began over 25 years ago after struggling with her own health challenges. In 1999, she co-founded Desert Sage Herbs in Chandler, Arizona, and has since dedicated her career to holistic wellness. Specializing in custom herbal formulations and natural support for all stages of life, Brittney shares her powerful story and how herbal medicine continues to support individuals and families through natural healing. Learn more HERE: https://desertsageherbs.com/ 00:07 Intro 03:53 Melissa Anaya - Founder of Eat Drink AZ 27:36 Sybil Imel - Content Ready Sessions 50:52 Brittney Sounart - Owner of Desert Sage Herbs #movetheneedle #podcast #mtn #movingtheneedle #entrepreneur #community #az #azcommunity #chandleraz #herbs #eatdrinkaz #restaurants #contentcreator #contentmarketing #contenttips #womenownedbusiness #marketing #branding
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Episode 70- AHWATUKEE Cookies, Tutors and Foster Families

    Episode 70- AHWATUKEE Cookies, Tutors and Foster Families
    Jan 7 2026
    This week on Move The Needle — filmed on location at Vero Chicago Pizza, featuring local business owners, nonprofit leaders, and community change-makers making a real impact across the Valley. Special thanks to our partners: Savvy Realty Group – Amy Richardson: https://www.savvyrealtyaz.com/ Vero Chicago Pizza: https://www.verochicagopizza.com/rest... Belle Lacet Lingerie: https://bellelacetlingerie.com/ Coulter Infiniti: https://www.coulterinfiniti.com/ Tutor Doctor Chandler Gilbert Ahwatukee: https://www.tutordoctor.com/chandler-... Duenas Eden Cravatta: https://www.duenasedenlaw.com/ First, we spotlight Lookie, It’s a Cookie!, a local custom sugar cookie business offering beautifully decorated cookies, cookie cakes, and hands-on cookie classes—including the popular Cookie After Dark. From custom orders (2–5 dozen cookies) to 10” cookie cakes with royal icing details, Lookie, It’s a Cookie! brings creativity and sweetness to every celebration. Learn more and order here: https://lookie-its-a-cookie.square.site Instagram: @lookiecookieaz Next, we sit down with Kimberly Selchan, Business Growth Coach and Regional Owner of Tutor Doctor Chandler-Gilbert-Ahwatukee. With over 20 years as a people leader and more than six years growing her franchise to 90+ staff and nearly 2,000 clients, Kimberly shares insights on scaling service-based businesses and supporting today’s youth through one-to-one academic coaching and mentorship. Tutor Doctor provides personalized tutoring from Pre-K through college, including STEM, test prep, executive function coaching, special needs support, and ESL. Tutor Doctor is currently hiring tutors across the Phoenix area. Find out more about Tutor Doctor HERE: https://www.tutordoctor.com/chandler-... Finally, we talk with Kimberly Vehon, Founder and CEO of Foster Arizona and the Foster Arizona Housing Project. Kimberly shares her powerful mission to change the foster care system through education, connection, and action. Foster Arizona supports children currently in foster care and young adults ages 18–24 transitioning out of the system by providing resources, community, and safe housing—helping create stability, independence, and hope for the future. Find out more about Foster Arizona HERE: https://freeartsaz.org/ 00:07 Intro 03:14 Monica Gellman - Owner of Lookie, it's a Cookie 21:58 Kim Selchan - Owner of Tutor Doctor Chandler Gilbert Ahwatukee 42:13 Kim Vehon - Found & CEO of Foster Arizona For any inquiries, get in touch with us HERE: MOVETHENEEDLENETWORK@gmail.com Follow along on our other Platforms! Instagram: / mtn_podcast TikTok: / mtn_podcast Facebook: / mtnpodcast Learn More about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz: Mathew Blades: / mathewblades Steve Petz: / stevepetz Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen: Email: maxmuehlhausen@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • MTN 69 Scottsdale | Craft 64 Scottsdale | Snacks, Slapshots, & Saving Lives

    MTN 69 Scottsdale | Craft 64 Scottsdale | Snacks, Slapshots, & Saving Lives
    Dec 31 2025
    This week on Move The Needle — filmed on location at Craft 64 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Special thanks to our partners: • Savvy Realty Group – Amy Richardson: https://www.savvyrealtyaz.com/ • Duenas Eden Cravatta: https://www.duenasedenlaw.com/ First, we sit down with Taryn George, founder of Heart & Soul by Taryn. Taryn helps busy families simplify healthy eating through realistic grocery strategies, lunchbox inspiration, and easy food swaps that remove stress and guilt. Her mission is to make nourishing your family sustainable, approachable, and doable in everyday life. Learn more and download her free starter guide HERE: https://www.heartandsoulbytaryn.com/ Next, we speak with Emily Stratton from District Hockey HQ, a premier hockey training, retail, and performance facility in Scottsdale. District Hockey HQ offers pro stock gear, game-worn jerseys, interactive shooting lanes, synthetic ice training, and advanced tools like the RapidHands Machine. We also explore their professional equipment services, including skate baking, sharpening, and ozone-based gear cleaning that naturally eliminates odors and bacteria. Learn more about District Hockey HQ HERE: https://www.districthockeyhq.com/?srs... Finally, we talk with Lea Benson, co-founder of CeCe’s Hope Center. With over 30 years of experience in business management and marketing, Lea now focuses her work on helping young women survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives. CeCe’s Hope Center supports women ages 18–24 through education, career training, transitional housing, and individualized partner services—creating long-term healing, stability, and hope. Learn more about Cece's Hope Center HERE: https://cecescenter.org/ For any inquiries, get in touch with us HERE: MOVETHENEEDLENETWORK@gmail.com Follow along on our other Platforms! Instagram: / mtn_podcast TikTok: / mtn_podcast Facebook: / mtnpodcast Learn More about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz: Mathew Blades: / mathewblades Steve Petz: / stevepetz Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen: Email: maxmuehlhausen@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 8 mins
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