What if the detour is the assignment?
In this episode of Hope Mississippi, Dawn visits with Van Jones to trace a winding path—from the Mississippi Delta to Southern Miss basketball, through a career-ending injury, and into a calling that stretches from classrooms to church pews, from an ice-cream counter to a lakeside retreat. The throughline is simple but demanding: excellence, service, and unity.

Van opens up about growing up cramped but deeply loved, chasing the wrong heroes until basketball introduced structure, accountability, and mentorship. After collegiate success, a freak ankle injury erased professional dreams and ushered in a season of depression—until a coaching opportunity changed everything. From there, Van poured discipline and care into rebuilding high-school programs and mentoring students who still call him years later. Alongside his wife, Nicole, he launched the After School Academics and Arts Program, blending tutoring, daily devotions, and character education for more than a thousand students and hundreds of staff members.

That same heart for people carried into entrepreneurship as ministry. In Purvis, their ice-cream and sandwich shop exists to build unity through food, fun, and fellowship—a true third space where people feel seen and encouraged. Just down the road, Blue Hollow Lake Retreat offers canoes, trails, and quiet cabins for couples, churches, and nonprofits seeking rest, reflection, and restoration. Van also shares how early public-speaking training, pastoral mentorship, and a memorable first sermon—washing his wife’s feet—shaped his approach to preaching: simple, visual, and actionable.

We close with a charge rooted in Mississippi but meant for anywhere: unity and diversity aren’t just ideals—they’re the new economy. When churches, businesses, and neighbors adopt schools, collaborate across lines, and put service first, hope scales fast.

If this story moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the message. Then tell us: what “what if” will you act on this week?

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

Big goals don’t require every skill—just the courage to start and the wisdom to ask for help. That’s the heartbeat of our year: we moved from an idea to two living, breathing podcasts by teaming up with people who knew what we didn’t, and the result unlocked stories that changed how we see Mississippi and each other.

We share the unlikely chain of events that took us from a conference hallway to a working show, highlighting how tech guidance and brave marketing made the difference. Hillary’s production savvy and Amanda’s fearless approach to promoting Stephen's books gave us a blueprint for consistent publishing and thoughtful outreach. Along the way, we learned that collaboration isn’t a shortcut; it’s the engine. If you’re dreaming up a project—a book, a clinic, a neighborhood event—there’s someone out there who loves the part you dread.

The stories themselves re-centered our purpose. A priest with Irish farm roots mirrored the rhythms of Southern life. A man who journeyed from prison to a governor’s stage showed that redemption can ripple for decades. Lorie's path through addiction, homelessness, and drug court reminded us that recovery often starts when one person believes in you at the right moment. These conversations exposed the quiet power of ordinary kindness: a text sent on a hard day, a blanket handed off in winter, a clinic appointment that keeps a family steady. We reflect on a hometown park turned amphitheater, on adoptions finalized years ago, and on the simple practice of asking better questions in everyday places.

If you need a nudge, take this one: begin with what you have, invite others to bring what you don’t, and let small acts stack up. Subscribe to the show, share this episode with a friend who could use a lift, and leave a review so more people can find these stories of hope and possibility.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

The numbers are stark—one in four kids in poverty, one in five facing food insecurity—but statistics don’t tell you how hope returns. Lorie’s story does. Meet a former nurse who lost custody of her daughter, lived unsheltered for years, and spiraled into meth‑induced delusion. When hope seemed lost, an auto burglary charge became the unlikely doorway to drug court, where structure, compassion, and accountability helped her reclaim stability, voice, and purpose.

We walk through each step with Lorie: growing up as the eldest in a single‑parent home, an untreated ADHD diagnosis that came too late, and a teen eating disorder that morphed into alcoholism. When background checks stalled her nursing license, stress and shame compounded. She turned to meth to outrun alcohol, then to the streets where danger and access fed the cycle.

A compassionate judge paused before shipping her off to prison and asked: Would you try drug court? That invitation changed everything. Housing support, clear expectations, regular testing, and a bench that listened turned punishment into a pathway. Lorie even faced a relapse with honesty, and the court responded with consequences and continued care rather than abandonment.

We talk candidly about CPS', “reasonable efforts,” and how trauma‑informed courts can protect children while preserving a parent’s humanity. Lorie names what works: judges who see people, programs that treat addiction as a disease, and communities that stay close enough to hold you accountable and cheer you on.

Today Lorie is working in private care, appealing for nursing license restoration, and advocating for others to get the help she once lacked. If you care about addiction recovery, drug court, child welfare, and second chances in Mississippi, this conversation offers practical insight and a real reason to believe.

If this moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review telling us what hope looks like in your community. Your voice helps more stories like Lorie’s be heard.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

At the 2025 Mississippi Bar Convention, former State Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam sat down with more than twenty leaders in law, policy, and public service—capturing three days of extraordinary conversations for a special seven-part series of her Hope Mississippi podcast. This is Part Seven, the final installment in this series until 2026. Meet us in Biloxi!

What does hope look like inside a justice system? It looks like a judge protecting a child’s settlement. It looks like a high school student arguing a case from memory with confidence and grace. It looks like a prosecutor praying with a family before trial and still fighting for accountability. In this episode, we sit down with attorney Kye C. Handy and prosecutor Ian Baker to explore the moments that turn curiosity into a calling—and a calling into service.

Kye C. Handy invites us into her path from Jackson to private practice, guided by female judges who modeled excellence and care. She pulls back the curtain on the Young Lawyers Division: HBCU outreach, statewide mock trial, and pro bono efforts that meet real needs. If you’ve ever wondered how to spark the next generation of advocates, you’ll hear a practical blueprint: show up in classrooms, bring students into courtrooms, and say yes to the small invitations that lead to big changes.

Ian Baker shares how faith informs his work without softening his resolve. Accountability and compassion can coexist when victims’ voices are honored and defendants are treated as people. He reflects on career pivots, a family rooted in public service, and why Mississippi offers space for anyone to lead boldly. Together we confront an urgent challenge—the rural lawyer shortage—and outline collaborative fixes so wills, guardianships, and small business needs don’t require a long drive and a longer wait.

If you care about justice, youth opportunities, or community leadership, this episode offers a grounded and hopeful roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s considering law school or small-town practice, and leave a review to help more Mississippians find their path to serve.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

At the 2025 Mississippi Bar Convention, former State Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam sat down with more than twenty leaders in law, policy, and public service—capturing three days of extraordinary conversations for a special seven-part series of her Hope Mississippi podcast. This is Part Six of Seven.

What does it really take to keep kids safe and families whole when poverty, addiction, and untreated mental illness pull them apart? In this episode, we begin with Judge Walt Brown of Adams County, then move into candid, heart-level discussions with family law attorney Jeremy McNinch and former Mississippi Bar President Blake Teller. Together, they trace a line from the youth court bench to private practice, showing how hope isn’t abstract—it’s built daily through practical tools, patient relationships, and courageous choices.

Judge Brown opens the curtain on youth court’s real center of gravity—neglect, not delinquency—and exposes the everyday obstacles most people never see: no car to reach court, no childcare for class, no path out of generational poverty. He shares how a local coalition extends treatment beyond a thirty-day stopgap and why peer-support specialists transform outcomes by walking alongside families between hearings, answering late-night texts, and speaking truth as people who’ve lived it. He also faces the most challenging question head-on: when does a child’s stability require severing parental rights—and who will step forward to love, and then let go?

With Jeremy McNinch, the lens shifts to family law's emotional and spiritual weight. He reveals why listening can be as powerful as litigating, how faith steadies families in crisis, and why leaving the door open to resolution often heals more than courtroom brinkmanship ever could.

Finally, Blake Teller widens the view to the profession—the Mississippi Bar’s renewed focus on civility, mentorship, and closing rural justice deserts through law-school outreach and internships that lead young lawyers into small-town practice. Expect grounded wisdom and actionable hope: fund a treatment program, mentor a struggling parent, consider foster care, or—if you’re a lawyer or student—bring your skills to a Mississippi community that needs you most.

Subscribe, share this conversation with a friend who cares about kids and communities, and leave a review with one action you’ll take to spread hope where you live.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

At the 2025 Mississippi State Bar Convention, former State Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam interviewed over 20 people in 3 days to bring you a special 7-part series of her Hope Mississippi podcast. This is part five of seven.

Hope isn’t a slogan here; it’s a practice you can feel in the room. We sit down with Judge David McCarty of the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Mississippi Gaming Commission Executive Director Jay McDaniel, and family-law veteran Richard Roberts to explore how justice, integrity, and everyday mentorship create real pathways forward—especially when the stakes are personal and the margin for error is thin.

Judge McCarty takes us behind the robe to the human pressure of getting cases right: the late nights, the worry, and the relief that the Court of Appeals exists to share the load and honor every appeal with careful review. He makes a compelling case for diversity on the bench, not as a buzzword, but as a practical safeguard against blind spots. When colleagues with different life experiences challenge each other, reason improves and public trust grows. He also shares a simple habit: a nightly gratitude journal, which helps him maintain perspective amid Mississippi’s beauty and its inequities.

Jay McDaniel connects legal training to real-world regulation, explaining how analytical thinking and ethics guide hard calls in gaming: enforcing rules, addressing gray areas, and balancing tourism, tax revenue, and problem gambling resources. His reflection on Katrina-era leadership demonstrates how adaptive law and clear priorities helped casinos and thousands of families rebuild stronger on the Coast. For students and mid‑career professionals, his message is energizing: your background is a springboard, not a barrier.

Richard C. Roberts III then opens the door to family law, where counsel often means cooling the room before you heat up the record. He explains why reputation and professionalism are non‑negotiable in a small legal community and how wise decisions in the most emotional moments can save years of pain. When clients can’t see past the storm, a steady lawyer helps them find the path, and sometimes, to their surprise, the light returns.

If you believe your word is your bond, if you care about fair courts, and if you’ve ever needed someone to open a door for you, this conversation will meet you where you are and nudge you a step forward. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review with one word that gives you hope today.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

At the 2025 Mississippi State Bar Convention, former State Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam interviewed over 20 people in 3 days to bring you a special 7-part series of her Hope Mississippi podcast. This is part four.

Mississippi's legal community is built on faith, service, and mentorship, values that shine through in conversations with three remarkable legal professionals at the Mississippi Bar Convention.

Amanda Green Alexander shares her remarkable journey from Kokomo, Mississippi to becoming a groundbreaking defense attorney. As a Black woman operating a defense firm for 20 years, she's carved a unique path guided by biblical principles: "Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly." Alexander challenges misconceptions about defense work, emphasizing that ethical advocacy means acknowledging legitimate claims and finding fair resolutions. Her story demonstrates how attorneys can maintain integrity while zealously representing clients.

Dean Fred Slabach of Ole Miss Law School brings critical perspective on legal education and rural access to justice. Describing law degrees as teaching "analytical thinking and problem-solving" applicable across professions, Slabach also addresses the growing crisis of "legal deserts," rural communities without attorneys. He details innovative programs designed to encourage young lawyers to serve these areas, including internships and financial incentives that have proven successful in other states.

Circuit Judge Michelle D. Easterling offers powerful reflections on mentorship and hope within the justice system. Crediting numerous female role models who shaped her career, she now makes it her mission to mentor others. Perhaps most movingly, Judge Easterling describes keeping a folder of thank-you notes from defendants she treated firmly but fairly, who later found recovery and stability—tangible evidence that "everyone deserves a second chance."

Throughout these conversations, a vision emerges of legal practice that balances justice with mercy, and professionalism with compassion. For those considering legal careers, these leaders emphasize that success comes not just from technical skill but from reliability, integrity, and willingness to serve communities where one attorney can make an enormous difference.

How might your legal career bring hope to Mississippi? Listen now to be inspired by these servant leaders who are transforming communities through the law.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

At the 2025 Mississippi State Bar Convention, former State Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam interviewed over 20 people in 3 days to bring you a special 7-part series of her Hope Mississippi podcast. This is part three.

What happens when dedicated individuals refuse to accept a broken system? In this powerful episode, we journey across Mississippi to witness extraordinary transformations born from crisis. We explore Mississippi's commitment to its youth, a lawyer/CPA who runs a summer program for kids in an abandoned YMCA building, and a bank's blind acts of faith in humanity after Katrina.

Attorney and Youth Court Judge Renee Porter takes us inside Marion County's remarkable youth court revolution. After three preventable child deaths revealed critical gaps in the system, Porter and her colleagues implemented new protocols that evaluate every child abuse hotline call. The results speak volumes—children in state custody reduced from 350 to just 20 through prevention plans, family reunification, and community partnerships. "It's not a shame to be poor," Porter emphasizes, "but we cannot afford to lose another child when solutions exist."

The inspiration continues with James L. Henley Jr., who transformed an abandoned 27-acre YMCA into Fresh Start Christian Church, now a vibrant youth center serving the inner-city community of Jackson. For 18 years, his programs have provided structure, education, and opportunity to children with nowhere else to go during school breaks. Henley shares touching success stories, including a former participant who, now a Walmart manager, donated hundreds of food items because "they kept me out of trouble when I was young."

Finally, Joy Phillips recounts the extraordinary innovations that emerged during Hurricane Katrina while she served as general counsel for Hancock Whitney Bank. When disaster wiped out infrastructure, the bank established makeshift branches within 48 hours, even literally "laundering" contaminated cash to meet community needs. Their compassionate approach to emergency loans and cash advances resulted in minimal losses and the acquisition of thousands of new customers.

These stories highlight Mississippi's greatest resource: its resilient and creative people, who refuse to surrender to circumstances.

What challenges in your community could be transformed through similar collaboration and determination?

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.