This week on The cityCURRENT Show our theme is Transforming Lives in Nashville Through Compassion and Care.
In this moving segment, host Jeremy C. Park sits down with Trina Frierson, the resilient CEO and Founder of Mending Hearts. Trina opens up about her own journey from battling addiction and homelessness to establishing Mending Hearts in 2004. This nonprofit offers a sanctuary for women facing addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Mending Hearts operates a therapeutic community in West Nashville that currently supports 110 women, providing them with long-term treatment and a path to recovery, irrespective of their financial situation. Trina discusses the transformative effects of their program, the importance of empowering women to rebuild their lives, and the positive ripple effects this has on the wider community. She also highlights how revitalizing the neighborhood has further fostered community engagement and how listeners can contribute to their mission.
Next, Jeremy converses with Dr. Drake Dudley, Founder and CEO of Nashville Smiles Up Dentistry and a 2024 Torch Award Winner. Dr. Dudley shares his inspiring story from aspiring to be a dentist to creating a dental practice that exceeds traditional boundaries. Nashville Smiles Up Dentistry is not just a clinic; it’s a mission-driven business that provides comprehensive, high-quality dental care during non-traditional hours and weekends, ensuring accessibility for those with demanding schedules. Dr. Dudley discusses the importance of oral health in overall well-being, community engagement, and his team’s charitable initiatives, such as distributing 20,000 toothbrushes and collaborating with local nonprofits. The segment wraps up with Dr. Dudley reflecting on what the Torch Award signifies for his team and how other organizations can partner to spread even more smiles in Nashville.
This episode highlights two Nashville leaders whose life-changing organizations exemplify how personal struggles and professional excellence can lead to community betterment and individual transformations. Through their stories, Jeremy showcases the deep connection between personal healing, ethical leadership, and community health, inspiring listeners to think about how they too can contribute to making Nashville a better place for all its residents.
Learn more about Mending Hearts here: https://mendingheartsinc.org/
Learn more about Nashville Smile Up Dentistry here: https://nashvillesmilesup.com/
