The Crossman Conversation

Mike Gilland, a well-known radio personality, has been John's listener and commentator since launching The Crossman Conversation 18 months ago as a platform for leaders and activists who are making an impact in communities across the nation. John and Mike discuss the tools they have gleaned along the way to make an impact in their community. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review or rating?

True Health has been serving low-income, uninsured, and underserved populations in Central Florida since 1977 with nine service locations in Orange and Seminole Counties. Dunn is in the process of expanding True Health to include additional locations to meet the needs of Central Florida. John and Janelle Dunn discuss how True Health works and how it is serving the community. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review or rating!

Tanya Thompson joins John on the show to share about the upcoming event her church is hosting, "A21's Walk for Freedom." A21 is working to abolish slavery everywhere and eradicate human trafficking through awareness, intervention, and aftercare. The walk will take place on Saturday, October 14. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review or rating?

J.C. Derrick is an experienced writer and publisher, working for Marc Media Group and leading the Mainstreet Daily News, serving Gainesville, FL. J.C. has literal "world-class" experience, having worked for World Magazine for several years before signing onto MDN. He discusses journalism in the current age, and why he feels so strongly about this industry.

Pastor Kenneth Clark, after serving as a pastor for five years, realized his passion lie in helping at-risk youth. He started Vibrant Families (VFAM), a nonprofit that brings community leaders together to mentor to at-risk and fatherless youth. John and Pastor Clark discuss his background and how someone who didn't think they would live past 18, would start a lifelong ministry for other youth. Pastor Clark works with Seminole County Public Schools to mentor middle school and elementary students. He and his groups of mentors take the youth on fatherly excursions such as fishing, bowling, or a to a nice restaurant. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review or rating!

Sammie Smith was one of those rare athletes that excelled at the top level in multiple sports. A career in the NFL, playing for the likes of the Miami Dolphins, Sammie made some unfortunate choices that landed him in serious trouble. But clearly, God had big plans for Sammie that went beyond those bad decisions, and Sammie became a force for the Gospel. He is now in Lake County, and is working with the FCA.

Kristi Nowrouzi, a mortgage loan expert and a certified credit counselor, joins John on The Crossman Conversation to discuss her new book, "Finish Financially Free." Kristi's mission is to help people make the biggest purchase in their life, a home. Oftentimes, she finds many people struggled with debt and maxed out credit cards before taking out a mortgage. Kristi's book aims to help people finish financially free, and to make enough money to dream big when before they felt like they were drowning.

Dr. Joel C. Hunter served as the senior pastor at Northland Church for 32 years. He has worked with non-profits throughout the community, and each week his devotionals are heard worldwide on Z88 radio. On the show, Dr. Hunter talks about his current project, Dave's House, which provides stable homes for individuals with mental health problems. He also talks about leadership and how oftentimes, it is a sacrifice to serve others in the role of a leader.

John invites Mike Gilland to sit down to have a heartfelt conversation about his own life, and what the values he holds dear. John's philosophy has always been to make money and then use it to make an impact on the community. John and Mike talk about vulnerability and passion, and how that perspective is often not taken by CEOs. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

A successful career in engineering, and also in business as a VP at AVCON, INC, Rick Baldocchi has a great love and passion for mission work. This has resulted in a new outreach, a company he founded called Agua Viva Serves, which provides wells that bring clean water to many areas in Costa Rica. It was a mission trip to this region about 16 years ago that exposed such a great need for clean, safe water. Rick was compelled to do something, and he shares that story on this podcast.

John invites his friend and mentor, John Martinez, onto the show for a deep discussion on faith, mental health, and healing. John Martinez is a teacher and advisor but he is also extremely wise. On this episode, he delves into the importance of family, physical touch, emotions, and even crying. Men often have a hard time portraying emotions. Both Johns talks about the importance about honesty when it comes to answering the simple question, "how are you?" and taking steps towards healing your relationship with emotion. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

Vice Admiral "Dean" Lee served for nearly 36 years as a U.S. Coast Guard. He worked on assignments on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. Now, Vice Admiral Lee serves as an Honorary Professor of Military Science at Joint Forces Staff College. He is also a private consultant and motivational speaker who volunteers with the Heroin Addiction Recovery Program in the Chesterfield County, VA jail. On The Crossman Conversation, Vice Admiral Lee discusses stories from his career in the military and his approach to leadership from his Coast Guard background. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

John is joined by FAMU alumni and the Founder of Watch Me Excel, Lenetra King. Lenetra is a first-generation college graduate, who rose through the ranks throughout her career. Now, she's offering resources and tips through her leadership development firm, Watch Me Excel. Her book, "Unwritten Insights" was inspired by her want to help set the next generation up for success. The book provides a career playbook for leaders of color and helps them develop their personal brand while navigating corporate politics. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

Brittany serves as a Board Member for the Pace Center for Girls of Orange County, FL. Pace is a female-focused program providing guidance and direction to young women around the country. The center in Winter Park, FL serves girls from Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. Brittany talks with John about about the services Pace provides to girls in need, and how they believe in changing the trajectory of their lives. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

In a country where 3% or less of citizens have a connection to a veteran or military heritage, it's now more important than ever to show respect and reverence to those who served for our freedom. For Independence Day, John invited Army veteran Ray Watson and Navy veteran Bill "Roto" Reuter. Ray and Bill speak on the experience of being a veteran and how to treat a veteran. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

George Yancey is a Professor of Sociology at Baylor University that believes in investing in social problems because where the culture goes...the country follows. He joins John as they discuss how to have conversations about race. George shares about his work in churches and high schools where he is allowing people to express themselves while still listening to others, and how important listening not so you can argue, but so you can comprehend and explain is integral to understanding one another. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

She's been through a lot of adversity and now she wants to share her life's story with others through her book, "The Mango-Licious Life." Tanya Wilson, a friend of Crossman's through the professional world, joins him on The Crossman Conversation to talk about how professionals can get through times of trial. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

Pete Gamble retired at age 52 from an engineering career at Lockheed Martin and now serves as a trustee for Bethune-Cookman University. John Crossman discusses leadership with Pete Gamble, stories from Lockheed Martin and his time running the Daytona Beach Housing Authority. Enjoy the show? Please consider leaving a review!

He spent many years on warships, earning the rank of Vice Admiral for the US Navy. At retirement, David Brewer became the Superintendent for the Los Angeles Public School System, then ultimately becoming a Trustee at Bethune-Cookman. As one would imagine, the Vice Admiral has many stories from his years aboard military vessels, but what he thinks to be the biggest threat to a naval ship just may surprise you. David Brewer lets us in on some of his experiences.

Tom Sittema has more than 3 decades of experience in both private markets and finance industries. He is currently partner and the executive chairman of StepStone Private Wealth. Even while running businesses, Tom co-founded and served as the chairman of Lift Orlando for more than ten years. Lift Orlando partners with families to build better lives through education, health, wellness, and economic development. Tom addresses today's need to equip our children to better handle finances.