What if the person you walk past every day on the street could change your life? In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Murphree, author of I Am Human Too — a Pulitzer-considered book that profiles 14 individuals experiencing homelessness and reveals the humor, resilience, and humanity behind their stories.

Sarah shares how growing up with a mother living with a mental health condition led her to a pivotal moment at UT Knoxville — one that changed her career path, her worldview, and ultimately produced one of the most important books about homelessness and humanity you'll ever read.

In this episode:

• Why approximately 30% of people experiencing homelessness are also living with mental illness — and what we get wrong about that number
• How shame and silence keep people (housed and unhoused alike) from getting the help they need
• The one simple, free action you can take TODAY to acknowledge someone who feels invisible
• Why I Am Human Too isn't about homelessness — it's about humanity
• How a portion of every book sale supports Feeding America

External Links:

• sarahmurphree.com/the-book
• nami.org
• feedingamerica.org
• thecontributor.org

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From a $500 investment and 100 rejected doors to building Williamson County's largest exterior cleaning company, Grant Burnside's story with Superior Exteriors proves that resilience, integrity, and giving back create extraordinary success.

In this powerful episode of our Nashville podcast, Grant shares his journey from homeless at 18—receiving life-changing help from GraceWorks Ministries—to becoming the entrepreneur who now donates a portion of every sale to that same local nonprofit. His transparent insights on door-to-door sales, contractor licensing requirements, and building a referral network provide practical wisdom for any business owner.

But what makes Grant's story truly inspiring is his unwavering commitment to community impact. Superior Exteriors doesn't just clean homes and buildings—they support High Hopes, The Well Outreach, Pregnancy Center of Columbia, and families throughout Middle Tennessee who need help but can't afford services.

Discover why Grant turned down a franchise opportunity to stay focused on Williamson County, how he built 456 five-star Google reviews through exceptional service, and his "burn the ships" mentality that turned a side hustle into a thriving business. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking motivation or someone who believes business can be a force for good, this episode delivers inspiration and actionable strategies.

Superior Exteriors: https://superiorexteriorstn.com

Superior Exteriors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperiorExteriorsNashville

GraceWorks Ministries: https://graceworkstn.org

Williamson Inc. Chamber: https://williamsonchamber.com

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🎬 WATCH THE VIDEO
Watch all episodes on our YouTube Channel
@YouMatterNashville

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What if a simple backpack drive could transform into a movement serving over 10,000 families? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jantrice Johnson, founder of We Give, a Nashville podcast story about turning compassion into action across Middle Tennessee.

Jantrice, a former teacher and Murfreesboro realtor, shares how she witnessed the gap between student needs and available resources in East Nashville classrooms. That experience sparked a vision that has grown into comprehensive support for families facing poverty and homelessness. From the innovative Warm Wishes store where 1,600 people shopped for free Christmas gifts and groceries, to a teacher store providing classroom supplies at no cost, We Give operates on a powerful principle: everyone deserves dignity.

In this episode, you'll hear incredible stories that will move you to tears and inspire you to action. Learn about the grandmother raising six grandchildren who never thought she could afford shoes for them all, and the mother of four boys who went through the event line twice just to give Jantrice a hug. Discover why this local nonprofit focuses on brand new items, not hand-me-downs, and how creating VIP shopping experiences changes not just circumstances but entire futures.

Jantrice opens up about balancing real estate, nonprofit leadership, motherhood, and the challenges of finding storage space for thousands of donated items. She shares her recent national recognition as a Top 10 Good Neighbor Award recipient and unveils exciting plans to transition We Give into a year-round shoe and essentials store serving Middle Tennessee communities.

This conversation reminds us that we're all one emergency away from needing help, and one kind deed away from changing someone's life forever.

Key Takeaways:

• How stable housing and material support dramatically improve children's academic outcomes
• Why treating families with dignity matters as much as meeting their physical needs
• The ripple effect of compassionate service on entire communities
• Practical ways you can volunteer or donate to support Middle Tennessee families

Links Mentioned:

• We Give: https://wegiveTN.org
• We Give Instagram: @wegiveTN

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🎬 WATCH THE VIDEO
Watch all episodes on our YouTube Channel
@YouMatterNashville

💡 NOMINATE A GUEST
Know someone making an impact in the Middle Tennessee area?
Nominate Them Here

🌐 FOLLOW US
Facebook: @youmatternashville
Instagram: @youmatternashville
TikTok: @youmatternashville