Behind The Mission: The Champions Center en Copyright © 2026 Anderson University | All rights reserved Behind the Mission: The Champions Center introduces listeners to NaToya Cartledge, the Executive Director of The Champions Center, as she shares her heart, leadership, and vision for the organization alongside a variety of guests. Episodes feature conversations with board members, staff, supporters, and families, offering an inside look at the people who make the mission possible. The podcast goes beyond the mission statement to highlight the heart of The Champions Center, exploring its past, present, and future while inviting the community to engage, support, and help advance inclusive early childhood care. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/81ca7b76-2879-11f1-ae0d-bb15ed4fc0da/image/16a3256d3e1d9f123bf9b95b7d32454b.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Behind The Mission: The Champions Center episodic Brooke Sherman Behind the Mission: The Champions Center introduces listeners to NaToya Cartledge, the Executive Director of The Champions Center, as she shares her heart, leadership, and vision for the organization alongside a variety of guests. Episodes feature conversations with board members, staff, supporters, and families, offering an inside look at the people who make the mission possible. The podcast goes beyond the mission statement to highlight the heart of The Champions Center, exploring its past, present, and future while inviting the community to engage, support, and help advance inclusive early childhood care. Behind the Mission: The Champions Center introduces listeners to NaToya Cartledge, the Executive Director of The Champions Center, as she shares her heart, leadership, and vision for the organization alongside a variety of guests. Episodes feature conversations with board members, staff, supporters, and families, offering an inside look at the people who make the mission possible. The podcast goes beyond the mission statement to highlight the heart of The Champions Center, exploring its past, present, and future while inviting the community to engage, support, and help advance inclusive early childhood care.


]]> Brooke Sherman b.sherman2@andersonuniversity.edu Looking Forward: The Future of The Champions Center In the final episode of our six-part series, NaToya Cartledge and Laura Capell join Brooke to talk about the future of The Champions Center for Special Children. NaToya and Laura begin by discussing why the center’s mission is so important today, then dive into why continued growth is vital to expanding its impact. They also reflect on what legacy means to them and to The Champions Center as a whole. This episode explores what it takes to grow the organization and how donors and community partners can play a key role in supporting that future.  Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:30:00 -0000 full Brooke Sherman In the final episode of our six-part series, NaToya Cartledge and Laura Capell join Brooke to talk about the future of The Champions Center for Special Children. NaToya and Laura begin by discussing why the center’s mission is so important today, then dive into why continued growth is vital to expanding its impact. They also reflect on what legacy means to them and to The Champions Center as a whole. This episode explores what it takes to grow the organization and how donors and community partners can play a key role in supporting that future.  In the final episode of our six-part series, NaToya Cartledge and Laura Capell join Brooke to talk about the future of The Champions Center for Special Children.

NaToya and Laura begin by discussing why the center’s mission is so important today, then dive into why continued growth is vital to expanding its impact. They also reflect on what legacy means to them and to The Champions Center as a whole.

This episode explores what it takes to grow the organization and how donors and community partners can play a key role in supporting that future. 

]]> 1122 no A Parent’s Perspective: How The Champions Center Changed Our Child’s Life In this episode, Melissa Rhodes-Barnes joins Brooke to share her family’s journey with The Champions Center for Special Children. Melissa opens up about her son, Houston, and how The Champions Center has made a meaningful impact on his life. This episode highlights the powerful role the center plays in supporting both children and their families, with honest and heartfelt moments woven throughout the conversation. Toward the end, Melissa shares her heart and encourages donors to continue supporting such a vital organization. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:30:00 -0000 full Brooke Sherman In this episode, Melissa Rhodes-Barnes joins Brooke to share her family’s journey with The Champions Center for Special Children. Melissa opens up about her son, Houston, and how The Champions Center has made a meaningful impact on his life. This episode highlights the powerful role the center plays in supporting both children and their families, with honest and heartfelt moments woven throughout the conversation. Toward the end, Melissa shares her heart and encourages donors to continue supporting such a vital organization. In this episode, Melissa Rhodes-Barnes joins Brooke to share her family’s journey with The Champions Center for Special Children. Melissa opens up about her son, Houston, and how The Champions Center has made a meaningful impact on his life.

This episode highlights the powerful role the center plays in supporting both children and their families, with honest and heartfelt moments woven throughout the conversation. Toward the end, Melissa shares her heart and encourages donors to continue supporting such a vital organization.

]]> 997 no Board Perspectives: Bobby Rettew Shares the Board’s Vision for The Champions Center In today’s episode, Bobby Rettew, Vice Chair of the board at The Champions Center for Special Children, joins Brooke for a special episode titled “Board Perspectives.” Bobby introduces himself and shares his journey to joining the board, offering insight into how that experience has shaped his passion for the center’s mission. He also explains the role of a board and how it operates at The Champions Center, giving listeners a better understanding of the leadership behind the scenes. The episode concludes with Bobby sharing his heart for the center, offering meaningful insight that leaves listeners inspired and impacted. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:30:00 -0000 full Brooke Sherman In today’s episode, Bobby Rettew, Vice Chair of the board at The Champions Center for Special Children, joins Brooke for a special episode titled “Board Perspectives.” Bobby introduces himself and shares his journey to joining the board, offering insight into how that experience has shaped his passion for the center’s mission. He also explains the role of a board and how it operates at The Champions Center, giving listeners a better understanding of the leadership behind the scenes. The episode concludes with Bobby sharing his heart for the center, offering meaningful insight that leaves listeners inspired and impacted. In today’s episode, Bobby Rettew, Vice Chair of the board at The Champions Center for Special Children, joins Brooke for a special episode titled “Board Perspectives.” Bobby introduces himself and shares his journey to joining the board, offering insight into how that experience has shaped his passion for the center’s mission.

He also explains the role of a board and how it operates at The Champions Center, giving listeners a better understanding of the leadership behind the scenes. The episode concludes with Bobby sharing his heart for the center, offering meaningful insight that leaves listeners inspired and impacted.

]]> 1055 no Through the Years: Exploring The Champions Center In this episode, Brooke and NaToya Cartledge are joined by Liz Baysden, Program Director at The Champions Center for Special Children. Liz introduces herself and shares her journey to The Champions Center, offering a unique perspective shaped by her years of experience. This episode explores the history and founding of The Champions Center, highlighting how it has grown and evolved over time. NaToya reflects on this history and shares how it influences her leadership approach and vision for the future. The resilience and integrity of The Champions Center are at the heart of this meaningful and can’t-miss episode. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:30:00 -0000 full Brooke Sherman In this episode, Brooke and NaToya Cartledge are joined by Liz Baysden, Program Director at The Champions Center for Special Children. Liz introduces herself and shares her journey to The Champions Center, offering a unique perspective shaped by her years of experience. This episode explores the history and founding of The Champions Center, highlighting how it has grown and evolved over time. NaToya reflects on this history and shares how it influences her leadership approach and vision for the future. The resilience and integrity of The Champions Center are at the heart of this meaningful and can’t-miss episode. In this episode, Brooke and NaToya Cartledge are joined by Liz Baysden, Program Director at The Champions Center for Special Children. Liz introduces herself and shares her journey to The Champions Center, offering a unique perspective shaped by her years of experience.

This episode explores the history and founding of The Champions Center, highlighting how it has grown and evolved over time. NaToya reflects on this history and shares how it influences her leadership approach and vision for the future.

The resilience and integrity of The Champions Center are at the heart of this meaningful and can’t-miss episode.

]]> 1069 no Inside Look: Operations and Impact at The Champions Center In today’s episode, we take a deeper look behind the scenes of The Champions Center for Special Children. Director of Development, Laura Capell, joins Brooke and NaToya Cartledge to discuss what goes on each and every day at the center. Laura and NaToya share what their day-to-day responsibilities look like and offer insight into the work that keeps the center running and growing. They also reflect on personal stories of children who have attended the center and how those experiences shape the way they lead and serve. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants a closer look at what life is really like inside The Champions Center. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:30:00 -0000 full Brooke Sherman In today’s episode, we take a deeper look behind the scenes of The Champions Center for Special Children. Director of Development, Laura Capell, joins Brooke and NaToya Cartledge to discuss what goes on each and every day at the center. Laura and NaToya share what their day-to-day responsibilities look like and offer insight into the work that keeps the center running and growing. They also reflect on personal stories of children who have attended the center and how those experiences shape the way they lead and serve. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants a closer look at what life is really like inside The Champions Center. In today’s episode, we take a deeper look behind the scenes of The Champions Center for Special Children. Director of Development, Laura Capell, joins Brooke and NaToya Cartledge to discuss what goes on each and every day at the center.

Laura and NaToya share what their day-to-day responsibilities look like and offer insight into the work that keeps the center running and growing. They also reflect on personal stories of children who have attended the center and how those experiences shape the way they lead and serve.

This episode is perfect for anyone who wants a closer look at what life is really like inside The Champions Center.

]]> 1155 no Introducing Our Executive Director: NaToya Cartledge In today’s episode, listeners are introduced to our new Executive Director, NaToya Cartledge. We take a deeper look into NaToya’s journey, exploring her path to leadership, the challenges and fears she faced stepping into such an important role, and what ultimately led her to The Champions Center for Special Children. NaToya shares how her life has changed since becoming Executive Director and how her heart and passion align with the mission of the center. She also offers encouragement to donors, families, and supporters to continue investing in the work happening at The Champions Center. From a pitbull named Coco to the simple but powerful impact of stickers, this episode is one you won’t want to miss! Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:46:00 -0000 full Brooke Sherman In today’s episode, listeners are introduced to our new Executive Director, NaToya Cartledge. We take a deeper look into NaToya’s journey, exploring her path to leadership, the challenges and fears she faced stepping into such an important role, and what ultimately led her to The Champions Center for Special Children. NaToya shares how her life has changed since becoming Executive Director and how her heart and passion align with the mission of the center. She also offers encouragement to donors, families, and supporters to continue investing in the work happening at The Champions Center. From a pitbull named Coco to the simple but powerful impact of stickers, this episode is one you won’t want to miss! In today’s episode, listeners are introduced to our new Executive Director, NaToya Cartledge. We take a deeper look into NaToya’s journey, exploring her path to leadership, the challenges and fears she faced stepping into such an important role, and what ultimately led her to The Champions Center for Special Children.

NaToya shares how her life has changed since becoming Executive Director and how her heart and passion align with the mission of the center. She also offers encouragement to donors, families, and supporters to continue investing in the work happening at The Champions Center.

From a pitbull named Coco to the simple but powerful impact of stickers, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!

]]> 954 no