Richard Thurmond | A Story of Discovery - Ep. 100
On Life and Meaning
Richard Thurmond is a community and economic development executive for a place-making organization. In this episode we explore basketball, editing and publishing a city magazine, staying and leaving, and the values of curiosity and humility.
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Claude Alexander, Jr.| The Park Church - Ep. 99
On Life and Meaning
Claude Alexander, Jr. is bishop and senior pastor of a Baptist church. In this episode we explore the mission of the church, racism, misogyny and homophobia, segregation on Sunday mornings, the death of a brother, a crisis of faith, living with mystery, and the love of God.
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Jess George | Hope and Optimism - Ep. 98
On Life and Meaning
Jess George is a government and community affairs manager for a fiber optic company. In this episode we explore the digital divide, confronting bullies, being an ally to immigrants, and dropping keys to beautiful rowdy prisoners.
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Sonya Pfeiffer | A Life in Full - Ep. 97
On Life and Meaning
Sonya Pfeiffer is an art gallery owner and criminal defense attorney. In this episode we explore story-telling, standing up to the power of the state, unconventional paths, the Owl theory, the practice of Ahimsa, and the one chance we have in this life.
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Beatriz Friedmann | Conscious Evolution - Ep. 96
On Life and Meaning
Beatriz Friedmann is a school counselor and information technology consultant. In this episode we explore emigrating from Brazil to North America, a corporate career, a summer of loss and pain, finding new purpose, and becoming present one step at a time.
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Ken Lambla | Interdisciplinary Design - Ep. 95
On Life and Meaning
Ken Lambla is founding dean of a college of arts + architecture. In this episode we explore returning from Patagonia, merging fields of study, interdisciplinary design, stewardship, community, and how arts inform a life
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Clarence Armbrister | A Nurturing Place - Ep. 94
On Life and Meaning
Clarence ‘Clay’ Armbrister is president of a historically black college and university. In this episode we explore strategic goals, the benefits and challenges of HBCUs, a family story of defiance, the power of education, public service, and the value of relationships.
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Liz Clasen-Kelly | The Sacredness of Human Life - Ep. 93
On Life and Meaning
Liz Clasen-Kelly leads an agency serving men experiencing homelessness. In this episode we explore helping people needing shelter, working to end homelessness, abundant love, and encountering Christ in the in-between.
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Natalie Frazier Allen | Art Empowered - Ep. 92
On Life and Meaning
Natalie Frazier Allen leads an organization that connects youth to the arts. In this episode we explore adverse childhood experiences, the power of the arts to heal trauma, telling the truth, Spelman College, and reflections on career, family and faith.
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Tom Warshauer | Neighborhood Development - Ep. 91
On Life and Meaning
Tom Warshauer leads a municipal community engagement team. In this episode we explore neighborhood development, Wilmington and New Orleans, home restoration, planting ideas, and enjoying diverse and authentic lives.
info_outlineDonald K. Jonas, Ph.D. is executive director of Care Ring, which provides primary care to persons with modest means. He previously served as executive director of the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation and as Senior Vice-President of Community Philanthropy at Foundation For The Carolinas. Don has written extensively on public policy, including the aging of our labor force and the future of America's health care system. He is a 2005 recipient of the Charlotte Business Journal's "40 Under 40" award, he is a German Marshall Fund Fellow, and he serves on a number of boards in the Charlotte region, including UNC Charlotte’s Institute for Social Capital. Don received a bachelor of arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master of arts from Appalachian State University and a doctorate in political science from the University of Kentucky.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in community health, medicaid transformation, human capital and singing in a band.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Don describes Care Ring and its mission of providing health care to persons with limited resources.
- He identifies the number one issue facing the patients of Care Ring.
- He explains the Physician’s Reach Out and Nurse Family Partnership
- He answers how Care Ring is funded and whether Care Ring has the funds it needs.
- Don tells the story of Maribelle Connerat, the founder of Care Ring.
- He addresses medicaid transformation in North Carolina and how it might affect Care Ring’s unique model of care.
- He discusses social determinants of health and how it its leading Care Ring in new directions.
- He shares his excitement and concerns about One Charlotte Health Initiative and a collective response to community health.
- Don describes the community health he envisions and what would have to happen for it to materialize.
- He reveals the personal challenges of leading Care Ring and how he feels about his work.
- He talks about growing up in Charlotte and the influence of his parents.
- He answers whether he wanted to run for political office.
- Don describes his Ph.D. dissertation on telecommunications and the work he did on the book Workforce 2000 and Workforce 2020.
- He shares how his interest in human capital and health care
- He discusses why and how he joined the Foundation For The Carolinas as Vice President of Community Philanthropy.
- He reflects on the influence of Joe Martin, a community leader and executive at Bank of America.
- Don shares what he learned about himself as executive director of Presbyterian Hospital Association.
- He talks about being the lead singer of a band, what he wishes he had more time to do, and why his band is called The Fidgets.
- He reveals what the lyrics of his songs are all about.
- Don answers whether he senses time passing and what matters most to him.
plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Black Mirrors and Frumious Bandersnatches
To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning