The Blueprint Strategy Podcast.

This is the inaugural Blueprint Strategy Podcast episode and features Cathe Dykstra, CEO of Family Scholar House. Todd’s discussion with Cathe highlights her unique leadership philosophy, the remarkable growth and impact of Family Scholar House, and their innovative approach to addressing generational poverty. Central to their success are a commitment to data-driven outcomes, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deeply empathetic, family-centered model that fosters belonging and self-sufficiency.

In today’s episode, host Todd Schmiedeler interviews Jason Squires, CEO of LeadingAge Kentucky, a Louisville-based, nonprofit member association. It serves approximately 70 nonprofit long-term care members across the state.  They’ll discuss major industry changes and challenges, AI’s impact, and strategies to improve quality of care and funding.

Todd Schmiedeler interviews Parker Bartholomew about his path from business owner to board leader at Angelic Ministries in Knoxville. Parker describes Angelic’s origins, its growth to serving thousands of families each year, and its core programs, Families in Crisis, recovery support, and homeless outreach, focused on restoring dignity by letting people choose what they need. He explains how donations and partnerships (from local families to retailers and the University of Tennessee) fuel their work.  He details an innovative push into modular tiny homes as a scalable, affordable housing solution. The conversation emphasizes faith, resilience, collaboration, and leadership that balances passion with accountability to create lasting community impact.

This podcast episode features Sarah Brady, President of FSH Works, discussing her journey from starting work at age 16 to leading a statewide and multi-state organization focused on helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency. FSH Works, an upstream initiative of Family Scholar House, provides comprehensive wraparound services including academic and career coaching, with a particular focus on non-traditional students and entry-level workers. Sarah highlights the organization's data-driven approach, utilizing a custom database to track longitudinal impact and demonstrate return on investment for partners and funders. She also offers advice for aspiring leaders, stressing the value of building relationships and "being in the rooms", ultimately revealing in interesting surprise for Todd, at the end of the episode.