In this episode of Tommy’s Toolbox, Tommy Whitehead, CEO of TomCo Solutions and Building Success Productions, sits down with Johnny Farris, Mentorship and Outreach Coordinator at Safe and Sound Hillsborough, to unpack what’s really missing for at-risk youth and why mentorship isn’t optional… it’s everything.
Johnny spent 20 years in the military as a logistics planner, traveling the world from a young age. But it wasn’t until his mid-40s that he realized something most people never stop to think about…
He had something others didn’t.
A father who showed up.
Men who guided him.
A support system that never let him fall too far.
And now, he sees the absence of that every day.
“I can look at these boys and see they just didn’t have anybody to tell them they’re loved.”
This conversation pulls back the curtain on what many young people in our own communities are experiencing… and why exposure, mentorship, and consistency can completely change the trajectory of a life.
You’ll hear stories that are hard to ignore:
- Kids who have never left their neighborhood
- Young men who have never seen the ocean… living in Tampa Bay
- A perspective-shifting moment about representation that will stick with you
But beyond the stories, there’s something deeper here.
Johnny shares how his military experience shaped his sense of duty… not just to serve a country, but to serve a community. And why he believes we all carry that responsibility, whether we realize it or not.
In this episode, you’ll start to understand:
- What really happens when young people grow up without consistent guidance
- Why transitioning out of the military is harder than most people admit
- The moment Johnny realized he was dealing with PTSD… when he thought he wasn’t
- How Safe and Sound Hillsborough is creating real pathways through mentorship, workforce programs, and exposure
- Why giving back your time matters just as much as money
And maybe most importantly…
Where you fit into all of this.
Johnny’s mission is simple, but it hits hard:
“I have an obligation to my community.”
If you care about leadership, impact, and building something that actually changes lives, this is a conversation you don’t skip.
🔨 Follow Tommy’s Toolbox for more conversations with leaders, builders, and changemakers who are doing the work that matters.
👉 Learn more or get involved: SafeAndSoundHillsborough.org
About the Show:
Hosted by Tommy Whitehead, CEO of TomCo Solutions and Building Success Productions, Tommy’s Toolbox brings real conversations on business, leadership, and community impact. Each episode is designed to challenge your perspective, expand your thinking, and give you insights you can actually use.
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