Welcome back to Hometown Jax, the podcast where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler dive into the stories, challenges, and breakthroughs of Jacksonville’s business owners and community leaders. Each episode uncovers the real paths behind local success — the resilience, the pivots, and the lessons that shape Northeast Florida’s most driven entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Keola Elobt of MAI Capital Management for a conversation that blends military mindset with financial strategy. Keola opens up about his time at West Point, sharing how the academy’s intense discipline, leadership training, and values shaped the way he now guides clients through wealth building and long-term planning. He discusses the pressure of performing under high stakes, what West Point taught him about managing stress and complexity, and how those same principles apply directly to investing. From navigating emotional financial decisions to helping families build security with confidence, Keola offers a grounded, deeply human perspective on money. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to understand the connection between mindset, discipline, and financial success.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with Jacksonville’s business owners, leaders, and changemakers to uncover their stories, challenges, and the lessons that shape their impact on the local community. Each episode highlights the perseverance, creativity, and heart behind the people building Northeast Florida’s future — one story at a time.

In this powerful episode, Aaron sits down with Pastor Trevor Hersey, founder of Champion Church in St. Augustine. Trevor opens up about his path from a turbulent adolescence and family hardship to finding faith, overcoming depression, and launching a ministry focused on helping others “win in life.” He shares the struggles of starting a church from scratch, his mission to serve local families and even prison inmates through outreach programs, and the real emotional toll of leadership. Trevor’s honesty about mental health, purpose, and persistence offers a message of hope that will resonate far beyond the pulpit.

Welcome to Hometown Jax, the podcast where hosts Aaron Bacus and Jason Kindler sit down with local business owners and community leaders to uncover their journeys, challenges, and impact on Northeast Florida. Each week, we highlight the people behind Jacksonville’s growing economy — the innovators, dreamers, and everyday workers who make this city thrive.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Deana Smith, Executive Director and Operating Partner of LearningRx Jacksonville Beach, to explore how brain training is revolutionizing how we think about learning and mental performance. Deana dives into neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to change — and how her center helps children and adults strengthen their cognitive skills, overcome ADHD, dyslexia, and memory challenges, and unlock their true potential. From the science behind brain function to her own personal journey as a mother and educator, this conversation reveals how a new approach to brain health can create lasting change for students, families, and even seniors.