It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Atlanta.
Nina Parker
The journey to ‘photographer’ began as a hobby: my sister was expecting her first child and I wanted ‘good’ photos of the baby. The years that followed were filled with taking pictures of babies, growing children, and our family, while honing my skills. Eventually, I began taking portraits for other families, and added wedding photography on weekends. Read more>>
Tamika Renee
Where to begin… over the past couple of years there has been the gift of growth. I’ll focus on what’s new. As I rebrand my podcast, I have been focusing on different ways I can promote my book while at the same time building community. One of the ways I did this was partnering and participating in adult book fairs. Read more>>
Liz Eversole
From a young age, I was the one who could not resist turning even the simplest get-together into something memorable — designing floor plans, creating centerpieces, making long to do lists, creating color palettes, organizing timelines and imagining how to make every moment feel special. I started my career in corporate America, where I worked across engineering, transportation, and events. Read more>>
sonja zelen
I have always enjoyed painting and when I had my first child I painted baby clothes and furniture for a local shop. That led to customers asking if I could paint other items and that led into some interior design and I became my own business. Read more>>
Suzet Alvo
My journey began when I moved to Israel from Turkey, leaving behind a corporate career in search of balance and fulfillment. That’s where I discovered yoga not just as a form of exercise, but as a way of life. Yoga became my compass, guiding me toward a more centered, peaceful, and purpose-driven path. Read more>>
Denise Jackson
I relocated from Elkhart, Indiana, to Georgia about seven years ago to expand my career and create new opportunities in the beauty industry. I’ve been a hairstylist and business owner for over 29 years, and throughout my journey, I’ve always been passionate about healthy hair, scalp care, and helping clients feel confident inside and out. Read more>>
Chris Seckinger
For a number of years I ran a Harry Potter themed summer camp at my home for a week each summer. Read more>>
Yulia Shevchenko
I’ve always had an eye for design. Even back in my real estate days, interiors were what truly caught my attention — the way a space could completely transform how someone feels in it. For years, I channeled that passion through helping clients see potential in homes, and through renovating my own properties. Still, I was afraid to take the leap into design full-time. Read more>>
Melissa Usatenko
Hops and Flow Beer Yoga is based right here in Atlanta, Georgia, and we bring together two of life’s simple joys — yoga and beer! Our goal is to create a fun, relaxed, and safe space where you can get your stretch on with a cold one by your side. Read more>>
Charity Marshall
Photography has always been a passion of mine, even before I had the proper equipment. Back home, I was known for taking everyone’s pictures on my cell phone. The images themselves weren’t perfect, but I quickly learned that creativity, perspective, and the right angles could make all the difference. After relocating to Miami, Florida, the pandemic brought unexpected challenges. Read more>>
Amanda ‘Charli’ Branche
Growing up I’ve always been spiritually attached to any dog I see. My parents introduced me and my siblings to dogs at a young age and taught us the responsibilities of owning and loving them. I was always in tune with dogs, but It wasn’t until my late 20’s when I decided to turn it into a career. Read more>>
Laura Moore
I am Laura Moore, Founder and CEO of Moore Injury Funding. Moore Injury Funding was founded after recognizing the financial struggles that many plaintiffs faced while waiting for their personal injury lawsuits to settle. I saw an opportunity to provide a solution by offering pre-settlement funding to help individuals cover their living expenses during the often lengthy legal process. Read more>>
Ginger Metz
In 2013, our oldest son got married, and that day was one of the best days we can remember. All of the family celebrated, regardless of the drama in the past, it was filled with joy and love. We wanted to be a part of that in our jobs. Ginger was a registered nurse and Paul had his own business in Cincinnati, Ohio. Read more>>
Justin Clark
I am a passionate educator and author dedicated to leaving a legacy of hope, inspiration, and boundless imagination for children. Fueled by the desire to bless young minds with the ability to dream beyond what they can see, I drew inspiration from my faith and the deep and lasting impact my parents left on me. Read more>>
schravel brooks
Hello! My name is Vel and I go by jadedmother or jm as my producer name. I am a beginner music producer and aspiring creative south of Atlanta. I am currently a full time student and working part time. I love everything about music and could not picture my life without it. Read more>>
Frederick Brown
My name is Frederick Brown, CEO founder of FredroStar Productions LLC I’m originally from Flint, Michigan, moved to Alabama where I graduated from Alabama A&M University. I have always been a visionary and an artsy person. While in college I had my parent’s Camcorder and film Camera that I walked around campus with filming and snapping images. Read more>>
Adam Beauchamp
I grew up in metro Atlanta and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2005 with double major in Genetics and Ecology. I was drawn to science through a curiosity for the inner workings of the natural world and a deep love of being in nature. While at UGA, I also developed an interest in craft beer. The variety was fun and exciting. Read more>>
Lisa Aman
I grew up in Stamford, CT, and received my B.A. in Economics from Yale University and my M.B.A. from Stanford University. I spent much of my professional career at Bain & Company, a global strategy consulting firm, and moved to Atlanta in 1996 to open Bain’s Atlanta office. Read more>>
Zell Gaymon
44 Media was established in 2024 in response to a growing demand for dynamic, high-quality content. Founder Zell Gaymon, after five years as a freelance videographer capturing everything from indie commercials to interviews and documentaries, recognized a pivotal need in the market. Read more>>
Tory Keit
Finding My Voice: My journey began as a spoken word artist, where I discovered the power of storytelling to connect and inspire. I remember the nervous energy and the rush of adrenaline the first time I stepped onto the stage. It was a moment of fear and excitement, a moment that would shape my future. Read more>>
James Kim
We’re James and Ming, two high school friends who decided to start a distillery in the Atlanta area. It all started as an idea and we sort of went down a rabbit hole. We had a thought about introducing a craft Korean alcohol without the artificial ingredients and sweeteners that the mass produced spirits often contain. Read more>>
LePrince (artist name) / Gino Doorson
Music is all about life and my life Is all about music. I’m an international hard dance artist. I was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and grew up in a musical family. At a young age I started singing in a choir. I loved making music and participated in different youth programs to make traditional Surinamese music. Read more>>
Jim Ferguson
Growing up in Florida in the 1970s, I thrived at lake swimming, fort building, and dominating my Montessori class. In the following decade, my family moved to Georgia, where I spent my days riding my bike all over Sandy Springs, excelling in fourth-grade theatrical productions, scouting, and swim meets. Read more>>
Angela Ingram
For as long as I could remember, I had been climbing the corporate ladder. Each rung promised more security, a bigger paycheck, and the illusion of success. On the outside, everything seemed perfect. I had the job, the title, and the salary to match—but internally, I was slowly suffocating. Read more>>
Helene Prokesch
In 1982, I was a special education teacher for Fulton County, a public school system in metro Atlanta. That year my nephew, Jeremy, who has Down syndrome, was born in Evanston, Illinois. As a toddler, he received speech, occupational and physical therapy. He also participated in programs at the Natonal Lekotek Center. Read more>>
Ensie Durin
My journey started with a personal struggle-finding stylish, well-fitting clothing as a tall woman has always been a challenge. Shopping felt frustrating, with most stores offering only a small, uninspired section for tall women or forcing us to shop online, where prices were high, and sizing was inconsistent. Read more>>
Brooke Hoffman
I’ve been a co-owner of Magnolia Media Group for almost two years, but it was a crazy journey to get here! MMG was founded in 2014 by Heather Loveridge. She was a rockstar solopreneur for years before that, but as her work gained traction, she brought me on board, and a few years later, Carlie joined the team. Read more>>
Rashad Harris
I believe God put me into postion to be a barber. Fresh out of high school I was kind of not sure in the direction I wanted to go. Read more>>
Jason Wiggam
I never set out to be a “tax lawyer” in the traditional sense. I didn’t know what type of law I wanted to practice when I started law school; I just knew that I wanted to help people resolve their problems. In law school, I worked as a student attorney at the Georgia State College of Law Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. Read more>>
Jessica Whitley
I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and for the past fifteen years I’ve called Athens home. I’m a mom of two amazing kids who keep life joyful and full of energy. My path to design wasn’t linear—I vacillated between pursuing art and design and choosing a steady business career. Read more>>
Jacob Smarkusky
In the year leading up to graduating high school, I worked a lot of blue-collar jobs—carpentry, renovation work, that kind of thing. I’d often have time before shifts started, so I’d browse thrift stores, find things that needed some TLC, fix them up, and sell them online for extra money. Read more>>
Lela Flanery
My roots as a therapist, creator, and author go all the way back to my childhood. I grew up in an unhealthy, chaotic home—lots of yelling, anger, and tension all the time. I was bullied heavily in school for being low-income, overweight, and wearing glasses. Read more>>
Shawnta Hooks
I started my career as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers, believing success meant perfection, performance, and productivity. That mindset carried me through 20 years in corporate America, where I eventually became a Vice President of Transformation at a Fortune 100 bank. Read more>>
Dr. Audrey Powell L.Ac, DACM
my story begins with a keen interest in eastern philosophy and culture. As a young adult I traveled India and was exposed to traditional forms of medicine. I learned and experienced different methods of medicine that included herbs, food therapy, massage, breathwork, yoga and later acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Read more>>
Paula Santos
My journey started long before I ever opened my studio. I came to the U.S. as a kid, and growing up as an immigrant taught me resilience, hard work, and how to create opportunity where it doesn’t already exist. I also became a mom young, and that experience shaped everything — it gave me purpose, strength, and a reason to dream bigger. Read more>>
Ebony Phinisee
My journey started from a place of love, faith, and purpose. I’m a mom raising a son on the autism spectrum, and like so many other moms, I know what it feels like to search for answers, balance emotions, and still show up with strength every single day. Read more>>
Britt Hunter
Hailing from the great state of Ohio (O-H-…!) I was once the #1 women’s basketball player in the country at the age of 17. Read more>>
Leonardo D.
Hello, my name is Leonardo/Lenny. I’m a photographer based in Atlanta. I first started doing this when I was 14 helping my dad record videos and even editing those videos cause I was taught myself. My camera slowly became my everything as I went homeless my senior year of HS. Read more>>
Penelope Road
Max, Koan, and James met in middle school and started playing live music together in high school through a rock band program. Charles and Max met at All-State chorus in high school, and we met Anthony in college through casual bands and local studio sessions. Read more>>
Kristina Green
I started out selling $5 jewelry, just trying to make people feel good about themselves without spending a lot. What began as a small idea grew faster than I could’ve imagined. I built my business through consistency, live shows, and connecting directly with women who loved affordable fashion as much as I did. Read more>>
Kayla Thompson
I started my news career in 2018 at a station in Tupelo, MS. Before graduation, I was a two-sport athlete at Jacksonville State University, playing soccer and track. During college, I began writing radio commercials and podcasting with my own show, which really helped cultivate my interview skills, editing, and more. Read more>>
Douglas (Doug) Reid
I began my career in broadcasting as an on air personality. I switched careers to return to Atlanta where I had gone to broadcast school to take a position as the chief of operations for a private investigator firm. While there started my own business on the side. I currently still own Venture Sports shows some 35 years later. Read more>>
Alexandria Hughes-Holsey
It all started with Microsoft Powerpoint. My Godbrother, Eric, installed a new version of the Microsoft Office suite on my computer so that I could do my homework for that school year. I started tinkering around with Powerpoint and I learned that slides could be saved as .png and .jpeg files. Read more>>
Crystal Johnson
I’m originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and I’ve always had a strong interest in science—particularly in healthcare. My curiosity about dentistry began in middle school after a visit to the orthodontist-it opened my eyes to a profession that perfectly blended science, creativity, and service. Read more>>
Anthony Crane
I’ve always been around music. My father was a singer / songwriter, and I remember him playing around the house, and writing as far back as I can recall. Dad was a big fan of southern classic rock and great songwriters…James Taylor, Bob Segar, CCR, The Allman Brothers, etc. Mom had a very eclectic taste in music. Read more>>
Paola Carroz
I started baking from my home kitchen with a simple dream — to share love through desserts. What began as a small family passion grew into Chiacakes, a bakery and brand built with dedication, creativity, and teamwork. Every challenge became a lesson, and every cake a story. Read more>>
Callie Spicer
My husband, Ryan, and I have both been DJing and coordinating events for about eight years. It started as something we did for fun and through work functions. When some friends asked us to coordinate and DJ their wedding, we couldn’t say no! Read more>>
Steve Stringham
Twenty five years ago Cornerstone Church Athens had a food pantry that was targeted toward widows in need, that included a few cans of corn, beans, tuna fish and small containers of peanut butter, located in a closet in the men’s restroom. Today, we serve upwards of 800 families a month with more than 65,000 lbs of food, with more than 120 volunteers serving. Read more>>
Maurice Runningman Maddox
My world crumbled in 2019 when I lost my mom to cancer. The pain was suffocating, and I found myself lost and homeless, struggling to find purpose. But in the darkness, I discovered a glimmer of hope. Through faith and perseverance, I began to rebuild my life, finding solace in the teachings of Christ. Read more>>
Lisa Lawley
I spent over 20 years in corporate event marketing with a Silicon Valley company before being laid off during a restructuring at the end of 2019. After that, I decided not to return to full-time corporate work. In 2022, I enrolled in yoga teacher training, initially just to deepen my own practice and understanding. Read more>>
Ione Smith
My name is Ione Smith, and I am a survivor of domestic violence. On August 30th, my life changed forever when my husband shot me five times. By the grace of God, I survived. I’ve undergone multiple surgeries and still carry some of the bullets inside me. Read more>>
Azael Bueno
I first discovered my love for film while living in New York City. One day, I accidentally stumbled onto a large film set without realizing where I was. Curious, I asked someone what was happening. They told me they were shooting a movie starring a well-known actor. A few days later, I began doing some research. Read more>>
Carla Pacheco
My journey really started just from wanting more for myself and the way I was living. I didn’t have a perfect plan — I just knew I wanted to grow into something better. Losing my brother and my father unexpectedly changed me a lot. It was a really hard time, and it made me look at life differently. Read more>>
Rachel Hartman
Growing up south of Atlanta, my Christian faith has always been central to my identity. When one of my siblings experienced a health crisis at a young age caused by a genetic condition, I experienced the caring response of our community through babysitting, prayer, and casseroles. Read more>>
Jessica Otieno
My journey really began when I was seven years old. I was in a serious accident that I miraculously survived: an experience that opened me to something far beyond what I could see or understand at the time. Though modern medicine saved my life, it didn’t truly heal me. That experience left me with two deep, lifelong questions: Why am I here? Read more>>
Donteil Bradley
From Brokenness to Becoming There were nights I slept under bridges, my body pressed against cold concrete, the sound of cars rushing overhead like reminders that life was still moving while I was stuck in the shadows. There were days when my clothes were so worn I thought the world could see straight through me. Read more>>
Syrketha Hale
We didn’t find Total Package Salon. It found us. We always knew that we were business owners. We prayed and asked God for a business and directions. And this opportunity came our way. We prayed. And we stepped out on faith and bought the business. We have a love for people and community. So we figured we would give it a shot! Read more>>
Khadija Cisse
It all started when I was 15 and my local dance studio in Hempstead NY needed help with their social media presence. I began helping the owner with her content and I stayed with them for four years until I moved to Atlanta for college. Read more>>
Zachary Whyte
I got my start in construction shortly after serving in the U.S. Navy, where I spent several years working on the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Read more>>
Nykiah Lee
I started my non-profit business called ‘My Mother’s Cake Organization’ from inspiration of witnessing women goin through troubled times in the city of Atlanta by meeting a homeless lady on the streets, You could not tell that she was homeless because she kept herself groomed well, and not looking so down and out, but she had good upbeat energy as well. Read more>>
Tiffany Biggins
I have been in real estate for over 20-plus years, starting in Contracts for HUD and REO Bank Owned Properties. Read more>>
Laletha Cunningham
December ninth two thousand and nine I lost my husband of nineteen years to colon cancer. Prior to him passing away, I had already enrolled in school at point university in east point at the time. My intentions was to get my bachelor degree. And pursue a career in social work. But that wasn’t what God wanted. Read more>>
Megan Rohall
My story. Wow. How’s that for an opening question? I’ll do my best here. My story has always been about connection and the importance I place on building it, protecting it, and finding my way back to it when life gets loud. And it gets loud a lot. I’ve always been able to best manage the volume of that noise with writing. Read more>>
Emilie Rose
My story really started with a deep love for expression — whether that was through music, cosplay, performance, or art. I began creating at a time when I was very young, but the process of writing, performing, and experimenting with sound and visuals helped me find my voice. Read more>>
Courtney Pack
I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, long before I had the language for it. I grew up inspired by the way food, culture, and community can shape identity, spark conversation, and bring people together. That curiosity followed me into adulthood, where I explored multiple creative paths before ultimately building a career at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and service. Read more>>
Renata Walsh
My degree was in broadcast journalism so I started with a dream of being a morning news anchor. However, I started as a radio host, on two different radio stations for Clear Channel. Then I was hired as a reporter for STL-TV for a few years. These were part-time jobs and during that time I was also working for a department store in fragrances. Read more>>
OGMarley Fox
Art is all I am and all I’ve been, Been on stages all my life from football to school and church plays, miming for the church, talent shows. So that was always my foundation. Raised in Chattanooga Tn The oldest of 5 Art was an escape, a release that I couldn’t control, I always wanted to create something. Read more>>
Aisha Robinson
Aisha D. Robinson is a country girl that was born in a small country town with big dreams and bigger personality, to two young people in love. Unfortunately for her a dark reality would set in as some of her dreams turned into nightmares starting at an early age in her life. Read more>>
Nancy Pierre
Hello, my name is Nancy Pierre and I’m a Licensed General Contractor. My CONSTRUCTION career started very heavily in 2022. A friend of mine who was a subcontractor on a project asked me to come and do some paperwork. I was just putting paperwork together, sign in sheets, etc. Read more>>
Anne – Marie Coleman
The Bunny Hive Roswell is a modern, welcoming space created to bring families together through connection, creativity, and community. Our mission is simple: to offer parents and little ones a space where they can learn, laugh, and grow — together. My name is Dr. Anne-Marie Coleman, and I became the owner of The Bunny Hive Roswell in May 2025. Read more>>
TD Willaims
My entrepreneurial journey began in the early 1980s while I was working for Eastern Airlines and pursuing my business and marketing degree at the University of Georgia. Identifying a unique market opportunity, I founded Atlanta’s first combined freestanding and mobile vehicle reconditioning enterprise, Classic Car Caterers, in 1989. Read more>>
Dale Duncan
My resume is very unusual. It’s sort of all over the map. I graduated with a masters degree in music. I sang and danced in theme parks during college. I sang on a cruise ship after my masters degree was complete. Then, I taught public school for 30 years and retired in 2022. Read more>>
Lynn Pennington
Even before Johns Creek became a city in 2006, the Johns Creek Community Association (JCCA) collaborated with community and state leaders to secure $100,000 in grants from the Fulton County Tree Fund, along with donations from local businesses, which allowed the city to secure additional, larger grants. Read more>>
Garry Pullen
Hi, my name is Gary Pullen. I am a Georgia I have been cutting here for 14 years. I am only 28 years old. Read more>>
LaRhonda Celestin
My journey in fashion started long before I had the title “stylist.” I’ve always been drawn to clothes and creativity — even as a kid, I loved thrifting and finding ways to express myself through style. That curiosity turned into a passion for storytelling, which led me to study Broadcast Journalism at Florida A&M University. Read more>>
Tamia F
It was after freshman year of college and I was broke, lost and had no idea what I was doing with my life. I talked to God and asked him “can you reveal what one of my purposes is? I feel as though I’m just living through life without a passion for anything”. He revealed it FAST. Read more>>
Courtney Tutt
Coleisure Apparel: My Story My name is Courtney Tate, and I’m the founder and owner of Coleisure Apparel, a brand I started in 2021 at the age of 27. Coleisure Apparel was created to provide affordable, high-quality leisure and activewear for everyday people—men, women, and children who want to look and feel good in what they wear. Read more>>
Johnna Roberson
I grew up in Cordele, Georgia, where community, hard work, and faith shaped who I am. From a young age, I knew I wanted to pour into others — especially young people — and help them see the best in themselves. That led me to pursue a career in education and eventually earn both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Health & Physical Education. Read more>>
Tunely Michere
I’ve always been deeply passionate about transformation — both in myself and others. My journey began long before Her Becoming was born. For years, I navigated womanhood while carrying unhealed parts of my girlhood, and at some point, I realized that so many of us were never really guided through that transition with care, love, or understanding. Read more>>
Alice Murphy
After 15 years of supporting my husband’s corporate events, I wanted to create something of my own. As a people person who loves celebrations, a mobile beverage trailer was the perfect fit. It is a business where I can provide unforgettable experiences, make guests feel like family and leave with lasting memories. Read more>>
Minor photography
Modeled for years in front of the lens and now working on content on both sides of the lens, currently more behind the lens. Read more>>
Sarah Wang
Raised among the red clay and garden rows of Georgia, Sarah Wang traces her passion for environmental storytelling to quiet afternoons spent beside her grandfather. What began as childhood curiosity has grown into climate education work, children’s literature, and classroom advocacy. Read more>>
Shateria Smith
My story is one of resilience, hard work and FUN! I have always been creative and always knew I would work for myself! I started with a graphic and web design marketing firm called Simply Shateria. I did this for years as a side hustle making supplemental income as I worked in corporate America. Read more>>
Shaztada Scoby
I was born in Georgia, but after losing my father at just two years old, my family relocated to Louisiana — where both of my parents are from. That experience taught me resilience early on. My mother was a model who chose to sacrifice her dreams to raise her children, and watching her do that with such grace and strength always stuck with me. Read more>>
Jonathan Giles
I started dancing swing and ballroom in college; I danced with the Ballroom Performance Group at the University of Georgia for one year. Eventually ballroom dancing led me into salsa and bachata. Read more>>
David Lanza
Midway Music is a collective of artists from the West Georgia Worship community that formed in 2016. The project began as an effort to write and create music that would be a voice for the local church. From that, a group of diverse artists with many different backgrounds, styles, and voices was formed. Read more>>
La Nihya Odom-Frank
I started my restaurant journey in 2022 after deciding to make a career change, but I’ve always had an eye for entrepreneurship. Being just 22, newly married, and learning how to grow and rebrand along the way came with challenges, but it’s been so rewarding. Read more>>
Meg Richichi
When I started my health journey, let’s just say I was a bit of a mess—dealing with a whirlwind of gut issues and navigating emotional trauma that felt so BIG. I realized I needed to be open to making some real changes. I decided to lean into this healing process—yeah, the road was bumpy! But I wanted to recover and rebuild a new relationship with food that was nourishing and compassionate. I started learning how to “sit with my feelings”—discerning between physical and emotional hunger. Read more>>
Ope Adebanjo
My story really came together when I started writing myself. My first book, The Food Lover’s Guide to Law, came out in fall 2023. My second book, The League of Style, came out in fall 2024. Prior to that, I had worked in legal roles—law firms, legal departments—and then found myself in a legal technology startup that did work with legal AI and contracts. I had a strong interest in tech as well. Read more>>
Dawn Dalangin Hawk
I started learning how to play the piano when I was eleven years old in Würzburg, Germany, when my parents won a keyboard from a bingo game. My mom bought how-to books from the thrift store, so I taught myself for a few months. I loved learning how to play and hearing the music was just so satisfying. Read more>>
Stefanie Green
My journey into esthetics started from a very personal place. Growing up, I struggled with my skin from the moment I hit my preteen years , painful acne and the dark spots that followed. I was the only one in my family who had skin issues, so no one really knew how to help. Read more>>
