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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 93 Chandler | Bottle & Bean | Personal Growth, Community Banking, & Advocacy

    MTN 93 Chandler | Bottle & Bean | Personal Growth, Community Banking, & Advocacy
    Jun 17 2026
    This week on Move the Needle, we’re talking personal growth, entrepreneurship, community leadership, advocacy, and the people creating lasting impact across Arizona. Thank you to our partners of this episode: Amy Richardson - Savvy Realty Group: https://www.savvyrealtyaz.com/ Brooklyn V’s Pizza: https://brooklynvspizza.com/ Coulter Infiniti: https://www.coulterinfiniti.com/ Duenas Eden Cravatta: https://www.duenasedenlaw.com/ Tutor Doctor Chandler Gilbert Ahwatukee: https://www.tutordoctor.com/chandler-... Von Hansons Meats & Spirits: https://vonhansonsmeats.net/ First, we sit down with Daniel Diaz, founder of Peak Life Now, to discuss personal growth, mindset, and sustainable success. Daniel shares how overcoming years of chronic pain transformed his life, why identity matters more than habits, and how entrepreneurs and business owners can create fulfillment beyond achievement. Learn more HERE: https://www.iamdanieldiaz.com/ Next, we’re joined by David Scott, Market President of First Western Bank. David shares insights on community banking, small business growth, and the importance of building strong relationships. He also discusses access to capital and how local banks help entrepreneurs and nonprofits thrive. Learn more HERE: https://www.firstwestern.bank/arizona/ Finally, we sit down with Victoria Vredevoogd, Miss Chandler 2026, bestselling author, law student, and founder of The Gender Violence Project. Victoria shares her journey to the Miss Arizona stage, her work advocating for survivors of gender-based violence, and how personal adversity shaped her commitment to service and leadership. Follow Victoria HERE: https://www.instagram.com/victoriavre... 00:07 Intro 02:10 Daniel Diaz – Founder of Peak Life Now 19:54 David Scott – Market President, First Western Bank 39:54 Victoria Vredevoogd – Miss Chandler 2026, Author & Founder, The Gender Violence Project #MoveTheNeedle #MTNPodcast #ArizonaPodcast #ArizonaBusiness #Entrepreneurship #PersonalDevelopment #Leadership #CommunityLeadership #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #CommunityBanking #Advocacy #WomenInLeadership #PhoenixAZ #ChandlerAZ #MissArizona #Podcast #LocalLeaders
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    1 hr
  • MTN 92 Ahwatukee | Foothills Golf Club | The Dancing Nurse, School Culture, & Transforming Education

    MTN 92 Ahwatukee | Foothills Golf Club | The Dancing Nurse, School Culture, & Transforming Education
    Jun 10 2026
    This week on Move the Needle, we’re talking education, mentorship, movement, leadership, school culture, community, and the people shaping the next generation in Arizona! Thank you to our partners of this episode: Amy Richardson - Savvy Realty Group: https://www.savvyrealtyaz.com/ Foothills Golf Club: https://www.thefoothillsgc.com/ Vero Chicago Pizza: https://www.verochicagopizza.com/rest... Coulter Infiniti: https://www.coulterinfiniti.com/ Contemporary Dental Concepts: https://cosmeticdentistryaz.com/ Duenas Eden Cravatta: https://www.duenasedenlaw.com/ Tutor Doctor Chandler Gilbert Ahwatukee: https://www.tutordoctor.com/chandler-... Brewer’s Air Conditioning & Heating: https://www.brewersac.com/ First, we’re joined by Jessica Symmes, also known as “The Dancing Nurse,” to discuss her journey blending healthcare, dance, education, mentorship, and public speaking. Jessica shares how starting her nursing career during COVID shaped her perspective, how movement can support healing, and why students should not feel forced to choose between creativity and practicality. She also talks about teaching and mentoring future nurses at GCU, working in family practice, and the importance of helping people feel seen, heard, and valued. Next, we sit down with Brady Wald, educator, author, and principal at Summit School. Brady shares what keeps him passionate after more than 25 years in education, why school culture matters, and how Summit is creating a strong sense of community for students and families. He also discusses his book, The Principal Diaries, the personal story behind writing it, and why education needs to evolve with today’s students. Find Brady’s book on Amazon: The Principal Diaries Finally, we sit down with Shetal Walters, founder of Desert Garden Montessori, to talk about building a school from her living room and growing it into a lasting community. Sheetal shares her perspective on purpose-driven education, partnership with families, student independence, creativity, and preparing children for a rapidly changing future. She also discusses what makes Desert Garden Montessori unique and her vision for what’s next. Learn more HERE: https://desertgardenmontessori.org/ 00:07 Intro 02:51 Jessica Symmes – Family Nurse Practitioner & Educator 20:17 Brady Wald– Author & Principal at Summit School 37:41 Shetal Walters – Founder & Executive Director- Desert Garden Montessori #MoveTheNeedle #MTNPodcast #ArizonaPodcast #PhoenixAZ #Ahwatukee #Education #ArizonaEducation #Leadership #Mentorship #Nursing #Dance #HealthcareLeadership #GCU #GrandCanyonUniversity #FamilyPractice #SummitSchool #ThePrincipalDiaries #SchoolCulture #CommunityLeadership #DesertGardenMontessori #MontessoriEducation #PurposeDriven #StudentLeadership #Podcast #LocalLeaders
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    53 mins
  • MTN 91 Scottsdale | Craft 64 | Financial Freedom, Innovative Restaurants, & Youth Leadership

    MTN 91 Scottsdale | Craft 64 | Financial Freedom, Innovative Restaurants, & Youth Leadership
    Jun 3 2026
    This week on Move the Needle, we’re talking restaurants, community, youth philanthropy, design, resilience, financial freedom, and creating impact through purpose-driven work! Special thanks to our partners for this episode: PlumbSmart: https://itsjustplumbsmart.com/ Amy Richardson, Savvy Realty Group: https://www.savvyrealtyaz.com/ Duenas Eden Cravatta: https://www.duenasedenlaw.com/ First, we’re joined by John Banquil, CEO of Ling & Louie’s, to discuss his journey through the restaurant industry, from starting as a host at 16 years old to leading one of Arizona’s most recognizable restaurant brands. John shares lessons on hospitality, leadership, company culture, innovation, and how community support helped his business navigate the challenges of 2020. He also discusses what makes great restaurants memorable, the importance of taking care of employees, and plans for future growth. Learn more about Ling & Louie’s HERE: https://lingandlouiesrestaurants.com/ Next, we sit down with Atllas Hopkins, Architectural Designer and Founder of SEED (Students Engaged for the Nation). Atllas shares how he launched a nonprofit organization at just 19 years old to connect young people with opportunities to serve their communities. He discusses leadership, architecture, urban design, philanthropy, and why young people shouldn't wait until they have wealth, influence, or status to start making a meaningful impact. Learn more about Atllas HERE: https://phxarch.com/blog/special-sect... Finally, we sit down with Catherine Bell, CEO of The Titan Group, for a powerful conversation about resilience, financial literacy, investing, foster care, adoption, entrepreneurship, and building wealth with purpose. Catherine shares her incredible journey from growing up in foster care and being adopted at 16, to building successful businesses, overcoming devastating setbacks, and helping families create financial freedom through education and passive income strategies. She also discusses her passion for supporting foster youth and creating lasting impact beyond financial success. Connect with Catherine HERE: / catherinebell10 00:07 Intro 01:20 John Banquil – CEO, Ling & Louie’s 21:17 Atllas Hopkins – Founder, SEED Philanthropy 32:33 Catherine Bell – CEO, The Titan Group #MoveTheNeedle #MTNPodcast #ArizonaPodcast #PhoenixAZ #ScottsdaleAZ #CatherineBell #TitanGroup #FinancialFreedom #FinancialLiteracy #PassiveIncome #FosterCare #Adoption #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #LingAndLouies #Hospitality #RestaurantLeadership #CommunityImpact #SEEDPhilanthropy #YouthLeadership #Architecture #UrbanDesign #PurposeDriven #BusinessLeadership #Podcast #ArizonaBusiness #CommunityLeadership
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    48 mins
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