The Heart of North Texas with Zoe Martin

Welcome to “Heart of North Texas”, a podcast that celebrates the work of nonprofit organizations in the region, hosted by Zoe Martin and supported by Buddy Broyles. In each episode, we will bring you stories of compassion, resilience, and dedication from the people who are making a difference in the lives of others. We'll talk to founders, volunteers, and beneficiaries to learn about the transformative work that these organizations are doing. Whether you're a long-time resident or a newcomer to the area, Heart of North Texas will open your eyes to the extraordinary work being done right in your backyard. Join us in celebrating the spirit of community, philanthropy, and compassion that unites us all. If you're looking to be inspired, informed, and moved to action, tune in to Heart of North Texas and become a part of this uplifting movement. Together, we can make a difference and build a brighter future for North Texas and beyond.

Jennifer DaSilva - Simply Grace 04/01/2025

Jennifer DaSilva - Simply Grace On this episode of The Heart of North Texas, Zoe Martin hosts Jennifer DaSilva, the executive director of Simply Grace. Jennifer DaSilva shared her inspiring journey of recovery and leadership in helping women overcome substance use disorder. Simply Grace operates five sober living homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and a thrift store that supports its mission. Jennifer, who has been in recovery since 2013, transitioned from sales to nonprofit work after witnessing her son's excitement for his job, which sparked her desire to find passion in her own work. She emphasized the high-accountability nature of their program, which supports women in their sobriety journey through structured housing, therapy, and movement-based psychotherapy. Simply Grace also offers volunteer opportunities and welcomes community involvement through donations, thrift store support, and fundraising events like "Recovery Has Got Talent." The organization serves as both a recovery resource and a community center, providing women with essential tools to rebuild their lives. The Heart of North Texas is in support of: Caring for Collin County Funding and support for The Heart of North Texas is provided by the following sponsors: Hire Energy Staffing - "Experience the Transformative Power of Customized Staffing and Recruitment, Scaled to Your Business Needs.” Ignite your Workforce and Fuel Your Future Website / Social links: , Hire Energy is a staffing agency specializing in providing tailored staffing and recruitment solutions across various industries including light industrial roles, oilfield services, warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare. Whether you're looking for people to support your day to day manufacturing and production operations, an executive assistant, or industry specialist, we take the guesswork out of hiring by handling the search, screening, and placement process for you. Our approach ensures that companies find the right fit the first time, saving them time, effort, and resources. We focus on building strong teams so businesses can focus on what they do best We offer a comprehensive range of staffing services, including direct hire, recruitment process outsourcing, temporary help, and temporary-to-hire placements and our commitment to aligning the right talent with the right opportunities is reflected in a personalized approach fostering lasting success for both clients and candidates. Hire Energy emphasizes integrity and excellence in its operations and has been recognized for its supportive work culture, with employees noting the agency's dedication to understanding individual work environments and fostering teamwork. For businesses seeking staffing solutions or individuals pursuing employment opportunities, Hire Energy offers a range of services designed to meet diverse needs, backed by a team of industry experts committed to shaping a positive future in the staffing industry. Podcast services provided by Blue Mic Studios. Blue Mic Studios is a full service Podcast Production facility which provides "Concept to Delivery" services for audio and video production to assist medium and small businesses with their marketing needs via podcasts. Blue Mic Studios is a division of Visual Learning Solutions, LLC, a video and audio based training content company. Find out more: Recorded at the Blue Mic Studios at the Caddo Offices Reimagined, Plano Mapleshade location: /episode/index/show/225a4a4f-cb0c-4e48-ad32-41bbbd14c422/id/35935190

TJ Wheat - Credit the Cause 12/24/2024

TJ Wheat - Credit the Cause In this episode of The Heart of North Texas, TJ Wheat, co-founder of Credit the Cause and owner of North Texas Payments, highlights his innovative approach to supporting nonprofit organizations. Credit the Cause enables businesses to donate 40% of their credit card processing fees to charities monthly, creating a reliable stream of passive income for nonprofits. Wheat emphasizes that the service not only saves businesses money but also simplifies payment processing, offering integration options for tools like QuickBooks and point-of-sale systems. With a background in banking and financial services, Wheat explains how his expertise and partnership with Jen Verma, an advocate for charitable initiatives, led to the creation of this impactful program, which welcomes participation from both 501(c)(3) organizations and other community-driven entities. Home of the INFINITE DONATION A payment processing company that donates 40% of gross revenue to a charity of the business's choosing, turning the cost of doing business into purposeful giving. The Heart of North Texas is in support of: Caring for Collin County Funding and support for The Heart of North Texas is provided by the following sponsors: Home of the INFINITE DONATION A payment processing company that donates 40% of gross revenue to a charity of the business's choosing, turning the cost of doing business into purposeful giving. Podcast services provided by Blue Mic Studios. Blue Mic Studios is a full service Podcast Production facility which provides "Concept to Delivery" services for audio and video production to assist medium and small businesses with their marketing needs via podcasts. Blue Mic Studios is a division of Visual Learning Solutions, LLC, a video and audio based training content company. This channel exists to showcase podcasts produced in our studio and with our partners. Find out more: Recorded at the Blue Mic Studios at the Caddo Offices Reimagined, Plano Mapleshade location: /episode/index/show/225a4a4f-cb0c-4e48-ad32-41bbbd14c422/id/34553245

Darrell Rodenbaugh, CEO of North Texas Performing Arts 12/17/2024

Darrell Rodenbaugh, CEO of North Texas Performing Arts In this episode of Heart of North Texas, guest Darrell Rodenbaugh, CEO of North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA), discusses his journey with the organization, which began as a volunteer and evolved into his full-time leadership role. Rodenbaugh highlights NTPA as the largest youth theater organization in the U.S., serving over 11,000 participants annually through 220 productions and 1,400 shows. The organization’s mission focuses on inclusivity, offering programs for youth, adults, individuals with disabilities, and even a Deaf Theater initiative. Darrell reflects on navigating NTPA through financial challenges, transforming it into a thriving nonprofit supported by an army of volunteers and a dedicated staff of 60. He also shares his passion for their signature production, Scrooge the Musical, which is now in its 14th year and embodies community theater at its best, featuring a cast of over 100. The Heart of North Texas is in support of: Caring for Collin County Funding and support for The Heart of North Texas is provided by the following sponsors: Home of the INFINITE DONATION A payment processing company that donates 40% of gross revenue to a charity of the business's choosing, turning the cost of doing business into purposeful giving. Podcast services provided by Blue Mic Studios. Blue Mic Studios is a full service Podcast Production facility which provides "Concept to Delivery" services for audio and video production to assist medium and small businesses with their marketing needs via podcasts. Blue Mic Studios is a division of Visual Learning Solutions, LLC, a video and audio based training content company. This channel exists to showcase podcasts produced in our studio and with our partners. Find out more: Recorded at the Blue Mic Studios at the Caddo Offices Reimagined, Plano Mapleshade location: /episode/index/show/225a4a4f-cb0c-4e48-ad32-41bbbd14c422/id/34467020

Kerri Steele - Little Hearts of Hope 12/10/2024

Kerri Steele - Little Hearts of Hope In this episode of Heart of North Texas with Zoe Martin, Kerrie Steele, founder and executive director of Little Hearts of Hope, shared the compelling story behind her nonprofit organization. Established in 2014 after the loss of her husband to cancer, Little Hearts of Hope provides creative coping resources to children aged 4 to 14 who have a parent or sibling battling cancer. These faith-based packages, mailed nationwide, include play, art, and creative writing activities that foster emotional resilience, communication, and family bonding. Kerrie highlighted impactful examples, such as "worry stones" and anger-releasing balloon activities, emphasizing the importance of addressing grief and emotions in accessible ways. She also discussed the organization’s creative writing program, art camps, and extensive volunteer opportunities. Kerrie’s dedication to meeting a unique and pressing need has helped countless families navigate cancer-related challenges while fostering hope and healing. The Heart of North Texas is in support of: Caring for Collin County Funding and support for The Heart of North Texas is provided by the following sponsors: Home of the INFINITE DONATION A payment processing company that donates 40% of gross revenue to a charity of the business's choosing, turning the cost of doing business into purposeful giving. Podcast services provided by Blue Mic Studios. Blue Mic Studios is a full service Podcast Production facility which provides "Concept to Delivery" services for audio and video production to assist medium and small businesses with their marketing needs via podcasts. Blue Mic Studios is a division of Visual Learning Solutions, LLC, a video and audio based training content company. This channel exists to showcase podcasts produced in our studio and with our partners. Find out more: Recorded at the Blue Mic Studios at the Caddo Offices Reimagined, Plano Mapleshade location: /episode/index/show/225a4a4f-cb0c-4e48-ad32-41bbbd14c422/id/34336210