Move the Needle

MTN 10 - Gilbert - Three Valley heros, BIG impact

We’re live today from an unbelievable new workspace called Kiln—33,000 square feet of awesomeness. Speaking of awesome, today, we learn about three resources serving the Valley.
We kick things off with Annette Sellers from A New Leaf, which is dedicated to helping end homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and other community challenges in Arizona. We encourage you to visit their site to learn more.
Next, we welcome Shelby Pedersen with an “EN.” This local legend is the CEO of ICAN
ICAN is a free, family-centered youth service in the East Valley. It provides a full complement of programs proven effective in equipping youth to achieve personal and academic success by tackling substance abuse, gang involvement, and juvenile delinquency.
Specifically, 8 out of 10 young people in the areas we serve are living in extreme poverty. Four of those children will go to bed hungry at night, and eight will be using drugs or alcohol to cope with the harsh realities they face. Joining gangs becomes a more viable choice than graduating in the community we serve. This is not an option for ICAN. We exist to combat these issues and build strong futures for them and our community.
Finally, we sit with executive director Tracy Lenord-Warner from Ryan House today. Ryan House enriches the quality of life and creates cherished memories for children and their families, providing a much-needed break from 24/7 caregiving as they navigate life-limiting or end-of-life journeys.
 
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

MTN 9 - Gilbert - Brooklyn V’s “He did what only .016% people have done”

This week, birthday boy Steve Petz and Mathew Blades were “forced” to try the homemade strawberry cheesecake because…who cares? It’s cheesecake. 
 
The podcast was recorded at Brooklyn V’s in Gilbert, and today, we sat down to settle a bet. Does this cheesecake recipe belong to the owner, Vito, or is it a family recipe passed down?
 
In this episode, we tackle these and other “hard-hitting” issues. We also met up with Randy Duren about his new dog-friendly coffee, wine, and beer bar in Gilbert, Hair of the Dog. 
His “crappy” Halloween story is one we hope only a few have ever experienced, haha.
 
Finally, we sat down for an important interview with our local legend, Jerome Daniels. This former NFL tackle played for Miami, Baltimore, and Arizona. He told us about the hardest-hitting guy in the NFL, the hardest stadiums to play in, and most importantly, his new financial literacy program for kids. Jerome is doing important things and is actively looking for partners to walk alongside him. You will look up to this guy - literally, he’s like 6’7
Check out Be a Mushroom here
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

MTN 8 - Chandler - Craft 64 "Olympian Fry makes the boys cry happy tears"

In today’s episode, recorded live at Craft 64 in Downtown Chandler, we get a lesson in networking. From there, we learn of an incredible organization for first responders called Compassion Alliance, and then we get the most incredible story from USA Olympian Lyndsey Fry. How she told her family she’d been selected to the team brought a happy tear to our eyes. 
 
Now, the links:
Connect with Boston Dave here
Connect with Tony and Compassion Alliance here
Connect with Lyndsey and learn more about Shott’s Tott’s here
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen. 

MTN 7 Ahwatukee - The Living Room “Small business mistakes to avoid”

The following episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience at The Living Room in Ahwatukee.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Tom Dougherty, Jennifer Armer, and Sarah Kumar, our local legend and owner of Water and Ice.
In this episode, you’ll learn how much Sarah Kumar and her family love the kids who come to her business. Mathew thought it was a nuisance, but she quickly corrected him and even said she’d let some kids get behind the counter to learn what it takes to work at a place like Water and Ice. She loves our Ahwatukee community, and the story behind how they bought the place is so good.
Then, we sat down with Jennifer Armer of the Armer Foundation for Kids.  This foundation is dedicated to easing the financial burdens of families battling extreme medical or life-altering conditions. That means co-pays, flights out of state for surgeries, and more. To raise money for this important cause, they have an event called Dancing with the Stars coming up.  You can purchase tickets HERE.
Finally our SPARK interview was with executive coach Tom Dougherty.  With so many people starting their businesses after the pandemic, most of us must invest in a coach, or we’ll face the shocking statistic that 90% or more will ultimately fail. Tom’s got some great tips from the interview, and we feel strongly that your business will improve after listening to this interview.
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

MTN 6 - Scottsdale - TV Anchor Kaley O"Kelley on the best part of parenting"

MTN
This episode was recorded live in front of a studio audience at the Protein House in Scottsdale. We sat down with the franchise owner/operator of ProteinHouse, Eric Greenwald, Communications Manager, Public & Media Relations at Vitalant, Sue Thew.
And our broadcasting local legend, Kaley O’Kelley.
Eric talked about his love of healthy food and supporting schools to eat better. 
Sue helped us understand the power of blood donations and shared a powerful story about a young girl alive today because of those transfusions. 
Finally, we sat down with Kaley O'Kelley, a six-time Emmy-Award-winning journalist and self-professed weather fanatic. We talked about how she handles politics as a news anchor and the best part of parenting.
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

MTN 5 - Chandler - Bottle and Bean

This week's episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience at the Bottle and Bean in Ocotillo.
 
On this episode, we sit down with brothers Jovanni and Danny, the East Valley Dream Center creators, to talk about their foundation, which started with sandwiches and chips and grew to a staff of 40 plus. This group is dedicated to helping the homeless and houseless community, among other things, and these two have big dreams of what it could do. Check out our interview with them to see how you can get involved. 
 
Then we caught up with Spike Lawrence, partner of coffee and wine shop Bottle and Bean. If you don’t know him by name, you know him by his projects. Living Room, CHoP Chandler, The Waters at Ocotillo, and their latest endeavor, New Square Chandler. We discussed his vision for Octitillo and what brings him the most pleasure with these concepts. 
 
Finally, we caught up with the Mayor of Chandler, Kevin Hartke. Mayor Hartke has been married for 42 years and lived in Chandler since 1985. He served as Lead Pastor at Trinity Christian Fellowship in Chandler, where he worked from 1985-2018.  Mayor Kevin Hartke began his second term in January 2023, and in our chat with him, we talked about his city winning the Battle of Burbs, his secret to a long marriage, and, of course, his vision for the future. He’s a sweet man with a pure heart, and we hope you enjoy our chat.  
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.
 

MTN 4 - Chandler "Saving second base and our Veterans"

We’re back with another episode recorded live at the D’Vine Gourmet in Chandler. 
Today, we sit down with Executive Director of Elementary Education Heather Anguiano from Chandler Unified Schools, LaShay Marks, Co-Founder of Operation Thrive, and realtor of the year Darwin Wall.
First, we sit down with Lashay Marks, a philanthropist in the Veteran's space. His organization is doing everything it can to support Veterans with Operation Thrive. Lashay talks about healing through movement and how he supports that with yoga, kayaking, mountain biking, and his signature event, Operation Thrive 5k. 
📅 Date: November 9th, 2024
⏰ Time: 7:30 AM
📍 Location: AJ Chandler Park
 
Register now and be part of the change! Let’s run, thrive, and support our heroes. 
Next, we sit down with Heather to discuss the state of Chandler Unified schools and how much has changed since the pandemic. We discuss policy, budget cuts, and how schools are now so much more than academics. It’s an eye-opening interview about the challenges our educators face.  
Finally, we sat down with Darwin Wall to talk about youth hockey, real estate, and his family's history in Chandler, which started years ago with his grandfather's clothing store. His signature event to raise money for breast cancer is coming up, and you can learn more about that right here.
WHEN: Saturday, October 19th, 2024
CHECK IN SATURDAY – The Perch Brewery at noon – Located at 232 S Wall St, Chandler, AZ 85225
 
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.
 

Ep. 3 - Ahwatukee: Kim Tarnopolski, Michele Thorne, Kay Wright, Amy Richardson, John Gambadoro

Welcome to the third episode of the Move the Needle podcast! This week, we're coming to you from Foothills Golf Club in Ahwatukee with some fantastic guests.
First, we welcome Kim Tarnopolski of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun. She explains their giving circles and how they're able to give $10K to local charities four times a year.
Then we sit down with two of the women whose charities were direct beneficiaries of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun:
1) Michele Thorne - Co-Founder and CEO of Care 4 the Caregivers
2) Kay Wright - Co-Founder and President of Women4Women Tempe
Next we talk about the biggest story in real estate with Amy Richardson of Savvy Real Estate. We also cover: 
How much real estate has changed since Covid
What home owners want in 2024
Why people are getting dropped from insurance because of their roof
We finish our podcast with local legend John Gambadoro from Arizona Sports. We hashed out:
How much money he made at his first job
His favorite sports moment
What he'll do when he walks away one day
Meet the Hosts
The Move The Needle podcast is hosted by former radio personality Mathew Blades and community catalyst Steve Petz. They spotlight extraordinary individuals dedicated to positive community impact. 

Move the Needle Extra - Foothills Golf Club Opening

Today we sat down with Jeremy Strauss, the General Manager of the Foothills Golf Club which will be opening back up October 18th. Since it was taken over by Troon it's been closed for renovations. We talk about the work they have done to every single hole on the course as well as the updated practice facility. 
To watch our podcasts, visit our YouTube channel.

Ep 2: Chandler - Shea Hillenbrand, Mike and Tami Butcher, Denise McCreery

Mathew and Steve sit down with two former Major League Baseball players, Shea Hillenbrand and Mike Butcher. Their new adventure, The Pizza Butcher, is a real home run. Plus, they chat with Off 87 owner Tami Butcher and D'vine Gourmet founder Denise McCreery.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Shea’s rise to the top of the MLB ranks and the rock bottom moment that changed his life forever. It’s one of our favorite interviews so far and left us speechless. The conversation with Off 87 owner Tami Butcher was incredible as we learned she is a kidney donor. The story does not disappoint.
We’re heading to D'vine Gourmet to record our next episode, so it was great to meet up with its founder and owner, Denise McCreery. Twenty years ago, PHX Magazine named her “One to Watch.” What she’s done with jelly and wine since then is pretty awesome.
Please settle in for our second episode of Move the Needle with your hosts, Mathew Blades and Steve Petz.