In this conversation, Dr. Tim Conway discusses the mission and services of the Morris Center in Jacksonville, which specializes in treating neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly dyslexia. He emphasizes the importance of early intervention and literacy, introducing the LipLetterLand app designed to help children develop reading skills. Dr. Conway also addresses the prevalence of reading difficulties among children, the role of EdTech in improving literacy, and insights from recent research, including a Harvard study on reading struggles. He concludes by encouraging families to seek scientifically-backed resources for literacy improvement.

In this episode of PB & Jax, Randall interviews Della Sellers, the founder of Girls of Virtue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young women through vocational training and mentorship. Della shares her personal journey, the challenges she faced in establishing the organization, and the four pillars that guide her mission: spiritual, mental, physical, and financial empowerment. She discusses the growth of Girls of Virtue over the past five years, the importance of community partnerships, and her faith-driven approach to leadership. Della emphasizes the need for community involvement and support to continue making a positive impact on the lives of young women in Jacksonville.

In this engaging conversation, Tony Draper, owner of the Pour Tap Room in downtown Jacksonville, shares his journey of creating a community-focused craft beer establishment. He discusses the importance of local representation, the innovative self-pour experience, and the vision for revitalizing downtown Jacksonville. Draper emphasizes the significance of community, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the excitement surrounding the city's growth and opportunities.

Randall sits down with Raj Gupta, Jacksonville City Council hopeful, to discuss an array of items.Raj tells us why it was important for him to run, the values he holds, his entrepreneurial journey, and his plans for a better Jacksonville.Please enjoy the conversation.

In this episode of PB and Jax, Randall Thomas interviews Annie DeStefano, who shares her journey from a successful career in finance to launching her own advisory firm. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the vibrant FinTech ecosystem in Jacksonville, and the upcoming entrepreneurship awards aimed at celebrating local innovators. Annie emphasizes the need for community collaboration and the realities of entrepreneurship, including the challenges and rewards of building a business. The conversation highlights the potential for growth in Jacksonville and the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs.

In a meaningful partnership with 100 Men Who Care Jacksonville, PB & JAX is interviewing and spotlighting the nonprofits who will be pitching in the upcoming 100M event on July 9, 2025. This episode is in conjunction with that partnership and we are excited to shine light on amazing people doing amazing things. Please enjoy.In this conversation, Randall Thomas interviews Rick Cartlidge, the Executive Director of Sanctuary on 8th, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth through after school and summer camp programs. Rick shares his journey to the organization, its history, mission, and the impact it has on the community. The discussion covers the importance of building relationships with children, the challenges they face, funding sources, community partnerships, and success stories that highlight the organization's positive influence on the lives of young people.

In a meaningful partnership with 100 Men Who Care Jacksonville, PB & JAX is interviewing and spotlighting the nonprofits who will be pitching in the upcoming 100M event on July 9, 2025. This episode is in conjunction with that partnership and we are excited to shine light on amazing people doing amazing things. Please enjoy.In this special episode, Randall Thomas interviews Tommy Ferretti, founder of Foundations of Freedom, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals struggling with addiction. Tommy shares his personal journey through addiction, his path to recovery, and the establishment of his nonprofit, which combines secular and faith-based approaches to support those in need. The conversation highlights the success of the program, the importance of community support, and the impact on families and individuals. Tommy also discusses the funding and growth of the organization, emphasizing the positive changes in the lives of those they serve.

In a meaningful partnership with 100 Men Who Care Jacksonville, PB & JAX is interviewing and spotlighting the nonprofits who will be pitching in the upcoming 100M event on July 9, 2025. This episode is in conjunction with that partnership and we are excited to shine light on amazing people doing amazing things. Please enjoy.In this special episode, Randall Thomas interviews Kim Bogart, who shares her journey of founding Kim's Open Door, a nonprofit dedicated to serving underserved children in Jacksonville. With over 40 years of experience in education and community service, Kim discusses the organization's evolution, its four pillars of support, and the importance of community partnerships and funding. She emphasizes the transformative impact of their programs on children's lives and invites the community to get involved.

In this compelling episode, Randall Thomas sits down with Florian Vlad, a Romanian-born entrepreneur and founder of twinsAPP and Doc.ai, to explore the intersection of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and the power of resilient innovation.Florian shares his journey from running an advertising agency in Romania to launching multiple tech ventures in the U.S., including groundbreaking work in AI-powered diagnostics. He offers a firsthand look at how Doc.ai is reshaping telehealth through a digital stethoscope and a smart, scalable diagnostic platform aimed at improving accuracy for physicians and access for patients.The conversation dives deep into the entrepreneurial landscape in Jacksonville, Florida, revealing the challenges and opportunities of building a startup ecosystem in a mid-sized city. Florian discusses the growing importance of community, mentorship, and infrastructure in helping founders thrive, and why he believes Jacksonville could become the next Austin or Nashville—if it invests in supporting early-stage founders.This episode is packed with insights on:Transitioning from creative services to software developmentUsing AI to tackle real healthcare challengesBuilding relationships with physicians and securing fundingThe need for visibility, capital access, and community support in regional tech scenesHow founders can scale without a technical backgroundThe mindset required to thrive as a mission-driven entrepreneurWhether you're a startup founder, investor, or just curious about the future of digital health, Florian’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when vision meets execution.

Host Randall Thomas sits down with Bryan Croft, CEO of HC Brands, to explore the transformation of a legacy rubber stamp business into a thriving e-commerce powerhouse. With roots dating back to 1954, HC Brands has grown into a portfolio of nine niche e-commerce sites, driven by a culture of innovation, resilience, and purpose.Bryan shares his journey of modernizing a family business, implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and embracing AI and digital transformation to fuel sustainable growth. The conversation also delves into Jacksonville’s rise as a dynamic business hub, where entrepreneurial spirit meets community impact.Bryan unpacks the power of leadership development, the importance of peer networks, and the grit required to stay the course. From his involvement in shaping local landmarks like Atlantic Beach Country Club to revitalizing neighborhoods such as San Marco East, Bryan exemplifies how business success and community building go hand in hand.