In the wake of September’s ribbon cutting for the Children’s Village, I sit down with its visionary founder, Constance Collins, who also founded Lotus House nearly two decades ago. What began as a single building in Overtown has grown into Lotus Village—the nation’s largest women’s shelter—and that now includes the newly opened Children’s Village, a separate but neighboring facility designed to support children and families with comprehensive care. Constance shares the deeply personal story of how one encounter with a woman experiencing homelessness changed the course of her life, moving her from a career in real estate to full-time advocacy. Together, we reflect on what it means to see the Children’s Village doors finally open, the community partnerships that made it possible, and the hope it brings to children and families across Miami. From hydroponic gardens to wraparound therapeutic services, Constance paints a powerful picture of how investing in families can break cycles of poverty and create spaces where dreams take root.

As September marks the start of a new NFL season, we sit down with two rising stars—Tutu Atwell of the Los Angeles Rams and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. of the Tennessee Titans—for an inspiring conversation about resilience, faith, giving back, and staying grounded. Both Miami natives share how their roots, inner strength, and commitment to community continue to shape their journey—on and off the field. They open up about their goals for the season ahead, what they enjoy outside of football, and how they're working to inspire the next generation. Oh—and if you’ve ever wondered who can sit in a cold plunge/ice bath for 20 minutes on purpose, Jarvis has you covered.

As we reach the middle of hurricane season, it is more important than ever to ensure our neighborhoods are safe, prepared, and resilient. That is why I am thrilled to welcome our next guest, Trelana Haines, MPA, Interim Code Compliance Director for the City of Miami. Known in the community as “Boots on the Ground,” Trelana is always on the move, responding to issues in real time and working closely with residents to make a real impact. In this episode, she shares how code compliance is not only about enforcement, but about education, partnership, and prevention. From addressing graffiti and noise complaints to helping residents in crisis, her department works hand-in-hand with other city teams and community members. They do this through after-hours hotlines, opportunities to resolve violations without fines, and outreach to neighborhood associations, all to keep our neighborhoods safe, clean, and vibrant.