Hometown Jax is where host Aaron Bacus sits down with Jacksonville’s most impactful entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders to uncover the real stories behind their success. Each episode dives into the challenges, setbacks, and defining moments that shaped their journeys—highlighting the resilience and grit that fuel our local community.

In this episode, Aaron welcomes Deborah McDuffie—known in the industry as “The Jingle Queen.” From growing up in Queens, New York, to becoming one of the first Black female music producers in advertising, Deborah shares how a college assignment launched her into a historic career at McCann Erickson, where she helped shape iconic campaigns like Coca-Cola’s “Buy the World a Coke.” She opens up about producing legends such as Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, Al Green, Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson, B.B. King, and even performing on Saturday Night Live during its original cast era. Deborah reveals what it really takes to spot talent, stand firm in your creative vision, and succeed as a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry. This is more than a music story—it’s a masterclass in courage, conviction, and creativity.

Hometown Jax, hosted by Aaron Bacus, is all about spotlighting the bold, resilient entrepreneurs who make Jacksonville thrive. Each episode dives into the real stories behind local business owners—the risks they’ve taken, the setbacks they’ve faced, and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. From humble beginnings to hard-earned success, Hometown Jax gives you an inside look at the people shaping our city’s culture and economy.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Chris Thomas of The Chris Thomas Project to unpack a journey that spans competitive ballroom dance, multi-studio ownership, economic collapse, personal loss, and an unexpected rise into the music world—including performing internationally in London. Chris opens up about losing college basketball opportunities in a single moment, building four dance studios from the ground up, surviving the 2007 crash, navigating devastating loss within his entrepreneurial circle, and reinventing himself through music. From Arthur Murray to world championships, from near financial ruin to leading a big band, this conversation is about resilience, reinvention, and the power of staying “green” and always working on the next project. If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or anyone facing a pivot in life, this episode will hit home.

Hometown Jax is a podcast that highlights the people who help shape Jacksonville through business, media, and community leadership. Hosted by Aaron Bacus, each episode features honest conversations with local professionals about their careers, challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way—both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Robert Brown, News Director at WJXT, to discuss his career in local news and the responsibility that comes with telling a city’s stories. Robert reflects on how journalism has evolved, what it means to build trust with an audience, and the role local news plays in keeping communities informed. From covering major moments in Jacksonville to navigating the pressures of modern media, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at life in broadcast journalism and why local reporting still matters.