In this episode of Waves of Awareness, we sit down with Trish Stiles, Immediate Past Chair of the Waves Board of Directors, to explore the impact of volunteering, nonprofit board service, and community involvement in Middle Tennessee.

Hosted by Staci Davis, Waves CEO, and Johnny “Sunshine”, you’ll hear:

• How Trish first got connected with Waves, Inc.
• Why she believes volunteering with local nonprofits changes lives
• Behind-the-scenes of what board members and volunteers do at Waves
• Tips for getting started with community service and leadership roles
• Personal stories and favorite memories from Trish’s time with Waves
• Johnny’s latest life updates

Whether you’re curious about how to join a nonprofit board, want ideas for getting involved in your community, or simply love hearing inspiring local stories, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and a peek into the heart of Waves, Inc.

📌 Subscribe to Waves of Awareness for more stories about inclusion, advocacy, and making a difference in Middle Tennessee.
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To learn more about Waves, go to: wavesinc.com

For volunteer opportunities with Waves, go to: https://wavesinc.com/volunteer/

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube, go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To purchase your ticket to our Brews & Grooves fundraising event, visit: https://wavesinc.com/events/

To learn about Spread The Positive, go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

Waves of Awareness is BACK for Season 11! Tony Honicutt, the owner of Games To Go Nashville and a devoted rotary member, helps us kick off this season. Staci Davis, Waves CEO, hosts episode one alongside three of our Waves adults, Matt "The Man" Moore, Johnny Sunshine, and "Chuck" Norris.

This season we're thrilled to welcome Matt Moore back to the mic after a break during Season 10 to work on his songwriting skills with Backlight Productions! The team learns all about Tony's background in the entertainment industry and what led him to creating Games To Go Nashville. The group dives into his involvement with the Downtown Franklin Rotary Club and why being involved in the community is of high importance to him.

Tony is a long-time supporter of Waves and WOA is thrilled to highlight his impact on the community and support of other amazing organizations. Don't miss this Season 11 kickoff -- tune in to hear about entrepreneurship, community involvement, sports, life updates from our Waves adults and everything in between!

P.S. Want to see Tony's Games To Go first hand? Tony will be bringing his games to Waves' Annual Brews & Grooves event on September 18 at Highwoods Park Place in Franklin, TN. Use the link below to snag your ticket and support Waves' mission of empowering children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.


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To learn more about Waves, go to: wavesinc.com

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube, go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To purchase your ticket to our Brews & Grooves fundraising event, visit: https://wavesinc.com/events/

To learn about Spread The Positive, go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

To learn more about Games To Go Nashville, visit: https://gamestogonashville.com/

To get involved with the Rotary Club of Downtown Franklin, go to: https://downtownfranklinrotary.com/

Welcome to the final episode of Season 10 of Waves of Awareness! We're wrapping up this season with a conversation with the Waves Early Learning leadership team: Gina, Jen and Katie. Our usual co-hosts for this episode are Waves CEO Staci Davis and Waves adult Johnny Sunshine.

Johnny shares a few life updates as well as what he's looking forward to this summer. The group then dives into all things Early Learning: why it matters, what referrals look like, some of the best practices they utilize, and a huge milestone Waves Early Learning just hit.

Waves considers it a privilege to be able to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilties (IDD) across all seasons of life, and we're excited to highlight the youngest ones this week! Tune in for important information about Early Intervention, some sweet stories from some of our Early Interventionists themselves, and lots of laughs.

Be sure to follow us on socials @waves_serves to keep up with the tips our Early Learning team shares every Tuesday! Stay tuned for updated on Season 11 and the amazing guests WOA will be hosting.
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To learn more about Waves go to: wavesinc.com

For volunteer opportunities with Waves go to: https://wavesinc.com/volunteer/

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To learn about Spread The Positive go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

To learn more about Waves Early Learning, visit: https://wavesinc.com/early-learning-program/

To view Waves Early Learning Tuesday Tips: https://wavesinc.com/early-learning-program/early-learning-tips/

Buckle up -- this week's episode of Waves of Awareness takes place at our Fairview Day Program! We are thrilled to welcome Patti Carroll, former Mayor of Fairview and current Economic Development Officer, to the mic. Our co-hosts this week are Waves CEO Staci Davis, Johnny Sunshine, Hannah Rose, Jimmy, and Vonda. The episode is packed, and it's all about Fairview -- a town many of our folks and staff call home!

Whether you've lived in Fariview your whole life, or you've never set foot in Fairview, you won't want to miss this episode. The group chats about Patti's role within the city of Fairview, some upcoming projects she's excited about, and some ways the city helps support its community in the midst of changes and growth.

Our adults pick Patti's brain on the aspects of her role she most enjoys as well as some hidden gems in Fairview she wants people to know about! Tune in now to hear more about Fairview from people who cherish it everyday.

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To learn more about Waves go to: wavesinc.com

For volunteer opportunities with Waves go to: https://wavesinc.com/volunteer/

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To learn about Spread The Positive go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

To learn more about the city of Fairview, visit: https://www.fairview-tn.org/

This week on WOA we are joined by the Executive Director of Autism TN, Jessica Moore. Co-hosting this episode are our usual hosts, Waves CEO Staci Davis and Johnny Sunshine. Johnny provides some life updates before diving into the conversation with Jessica about her background and work with Autism TN. She shares her full-circle experience of inquiring with Autism TN following Autism and ADHD diagnoses in her family to becoming the Executive Director of the organization. Tune in to hear about the important resources and support Autism TN provides for individuals and families across the Middle Tennessee area as well as some exciting events they have coming up. This episode also involves some humorous moments about "life in the 1900s" and some of Johnny's best movie recommendations. You won't want to miss it - we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!

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To learn more about Waves go to: wavesinc.com

For volunteer opportunities with Waves go to: https://wavesinc.com/volunteer/

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To learn about Spread The Positive go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

To learn more about Autism TN, visit: autismtn.org

To learn more about Nashville Sounds accessibility, visit: https://www.milb.com/nashville/ballpark/accessibility

If you or someone you know needs support related to Autism, consider reaching out through the Autism TN hotline: call 615-270-2077 or email Support@AutismTN.org

Waves of Awareness welcomes Megan Schwalm, the Executive Director and CEO of the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition, to the mic this week. Our co-hosts for this episode are Waves CEO Staci Davis, Johnny Sunshine, and Tripp. Johnny and Tripp share some short life updates before diving into Megan's background and her work with the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition. This organization provides respite for both independent caregivers and organizations serving individuals with disabilities, just like Waves. Megan shares her personal journey with caregiving as well as the important impact the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition has on caregivers across the state as a whole. She touches on the unique difficulties that nonprofits currently face as a result of federal spending cuts that have impacted the services individuals with disabilities have access to. This episode brings a balance of important discussion and lighthearted conversation, and we just know you'll leave feeling inspired. Tune in now to learn about the essential work being done to support caregivers across the state of Tennessee!
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To learn more about Waves go to: wavesinc.com

For volunteer opportunities with Waves go to: https://wavesinc.com/volunteer/

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To learn about Spread The Positive go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

To learn more about the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition, visit: https://tncaregiver.org/

To learn more about special events and was you can get involved with the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition, go to: https://tncaregiver.org/events/

You can find the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition on Facebook: @ Tennessee Caregiver Coalition & Instagram: @tncaregiverco

This week, Waves of Awareness welcomes Melissa Smith, the Executive Director of Backlight Productions and the author of the Friends of Franklin children's book series. Backlight Productions provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to receive education in the arts and perform lead roles in integrated productions. Staci and Johnny Sunshine co-host this episode alongside first-time co-host, Jeni, one of our Waves residents! Jeni has a leading role in one of Backlight's upcoming performances, The Spongebob Musical, that you can learn more about during this episode. Melissa shares about the journey that led her to create Backlight Productions, what she loves most about her role, and some of the ways she's seen the organization impact its students' lives. We also learn about Melissa's hopes for her Friends of Franklin book series -- that it will spark important conversations for families about disabilities and how to be a friend to all.The Great Changeup is available for purchase through Amazon (see below) and in-person at Backlight Productions events. Tune in to hear about all things Backlight Production, Friends of Franklin and how YOU can support Melissa and her endeavors. You won't want to miss this episode that features singing, laughing, and thoughtful reflection!
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To learn more about Waves go to: wavesinc.com

For volunteer opportunities with Waves go to: https://wavesinc.com/volunteer/

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To learn about Spread The Positive go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

To learn more about Backlight Productions go to: https://backlightproductions.org/

You can also find Backlight Productions on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube: @backlightproductions

To Learn More About the Friends of Franklin County book series visit: https://www.friendsoffranklincounty.com/

To purchase The Great Changeup, visit: https://a.co/d/d2RhCuQ

You can also find Friends of Franklin County on Instagram and Facebook: @fofcbooks

Waves of Awareness welcomes Lauren Morris, founder and executive director of MOVE Inclusive Dance, to the podcast this week. Listen in as Staci, Johnny Sunshine, and Christy co-host this episode to learn about the meaningful work MOVE Inclusive does with dancers of all abilities. Lauren shares her personal journey that led her to creating MOVE Inclusive and the important mission behind the organization. She also highlights how MOVE Inclusive has grown, some of the greatest benefits she's seen dance bring individuals with disabilities, and how MOVE Inclusive ensures an inclusive and accessible environment for all of their dancers. Lauren also shares MOVE Inclusive's newest class specifically for wheelchair users! The group also hears from Johnny Sunshine and Christy as they share their own life updates and what they're looking forward to this summer. Listen in to every story, update, and how YOU can follow along and get involved with MOVE Inclusive and Waves!
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To learn more about Waves go to: wavesinc.com

For volunteer opportunities with Waves go to: https://wavesinc.com/volunteer/

To watch Waves of Awareness on Youtube go to: https://www.youtube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness

To learn about Spread The Positive go to: https://spreadthepositive.net/

To learn more about MOVE Inclusive Dance go to: https://www.moveinclusivedance.com/

For more information about their upcoming Get MOVE'n 5K, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Nashville/GetMoven5k

You can also find MOVE Inclusive Dance on Instagram and Facebook: @moveinclusivedance