Service Before Strategy: How Roberta Swann Built Lasting Impact at the Table

Women carry a lot—and sometimes the weight builds quietly. In this episode of Inside Source, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Avani Patel returns to discuss the outside forces that can shape our mental health, from demanding careers and family responsibilities to social media, relationships, constant connectivity, and seasonal changes. Dr. Patel shares practical ways to recognize burnout, create healthier boundaries with technology, prioritize meaningful rest, and distinguish between the "winter blues" and seasonal affective disorder. She also explains why mental health care doesn't have to begin at a breaking point—and why investing in your mental fitness can be just as important as taking care of your physical health.  

What happens when a life-changing experience, an unexpected diagnosis, and one creative idea all collide at the right moment? On this episode of Inside Source, we sit down with Emily Henning, founder and owner of Upcountry Camp, to talk about the journey that led her from life in Kenya to building a one-of-a-kind glamping and event business in Mississippi. Along the way, she reflects on entrepreneurship, risk, relationships, resilience, and the power of creating experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways.

What if the very traits that make learning harder in a traditional classroom are the same traits that fuel creativity, innovation, and leadership? In this episode of Inside Source, Gina Englund, founder and director of Bright Academy, shares how her work with dyslexic learners is helping students rediscover confidence, build essential skills, and see themselves in a new light. This is a powerful conversation about advocacy, education, and the importance of creating environments where different kinds of learners can truly thrive.  

Amanda Fontaine, president of the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters and founder of She Gets Success, joins Inside Source to share how intentional planning, strong teams, meaningful networking, and effective time management have shaped her leadership journey. From choosing three daily priorities to redefining success beyond titles, Amanda offers practical encouragement for professional women who want to lead with confidence, protect their time, and make room for what matters most.

In this episode of Inside Source, Mary Straton Smith sits down with Toya Barnes-Teamer and Tia Teamer for a meaningful conversation about legacy, leadership, and working alongside family. From the roots of Teamer Strategy Group to the ways the next generation is helping shape its future, this episode explores what it means to lead with excellence, stay open to growth, and create a business culture that values both innovation and people. It's an inspiring look at how strong values can guide both a company and a family across generations.   

What does it look like to build a career that strengthens both people and place? On this episode of Inside Source, Mary Straton Smith talks with architect Belinda Stewart about the work of preserving history, serving communities, and leading with vision in a profession that shapes everyday life. From small-town roots to lasting impact across Mississippi, this conversation offers thoughtful insight on leadership, creativity, and the power of designing with purpose.

On this episode of Inside Source, Mary Straton Smith talks with Musee Bath founder Leisha Pickering about the journey from a small creative idea to a thriving international business. Leisha reflects on motherhood, leadership, personal adversity, and why creating opportunity for others has remained central to her company's mission.

What happens when trust, relationships, and opportunity come together? In this episode of Inside Source, host Mary Straton Smith sits down with Hartwell Furr and Brenley Rinuado, co-founders of the Hartwell Collective, to discuss how the seasonal Nanny Network evolved into a people-first staffing partner creating real career pathways for young women. From grassroots beginnings to long-term community building, this conversation highlights the power of relationships, integrity, and saying yes before you have it all figured out.  

In this episode of Inside Source, we sit down with historical fiction author Gabriella Saab to explore how untold women's stories shape the way we understand identity, resilience, and belonging. From her journey as a lifelong writer with a background in marketing to becoming a traditionally published author, Gabriella shares how curiosity, research, and creative discipline come together to bring forgotten moments of history back to life.   We talk about her process for balancing historical accuracy with imagination, how she chooses the pivotal moments in history she wants to explore, and why women's experiences—often overlooked in textbooks—deserve to be centered and remembered.

What does it take to bring scientists, business leaders, government officials, and communities together around a shared vision? In this episode, Roberta Swann of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program shares her unexpected journey from economics and community development into environmental leadership. She reflects on partnership-building, long-term thinking, conservation as quality-of-life strategy, and why listening, service, and faith have shaped the way she leads.