Front Door to Restoring Hope with Guest Angela Bullard & Co-Host Whitley Lemon

What does it mean to be the “front door” of Restoring Hope?

For more than 10 years, Angela Bullard has been part of the Restoring Hope team, and today she serves as our receptionist — often becoming the first voice someone hears when they call and the first person they meet when they walk through our Business Office doors.

In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, co-host Whitley Lemon sits down with Angela to talk about the responsibility she feels in making sure people feel welcomed, heard and cared for from their very first interaction with Restoring Hope.

Angela reflects on the tremendous growth and change she has witnessed during her time with the organization, from paper files and handwritten timesheets to new technology, new locations and a growing statewide presence. Through all of that change, she shares why she hopes Restoring Hope never loses the family-oriented culture and personal relationships at the heart of its work.

We also get to know another side of Angela. Before returning home to the West Plains area, she pursued acting in Chicago, taught at Second City and even appeared in an episode of NBC’s Chicago Fire. She shares how her background in performance, teaching and art has shaped the way she communicates, connects with others and approaches her role today.

And, of course, Angela and Whitley share a few laughs about the callers who have mistaken Angela’s famously deep voice for a man named “Angelo” — or, somehow, “David.”

🎭 UPDATE SINCE RECORDING: Angela also shares during the episode that she planned to audition for Mrs. Peacock in West Plains Playhouse’s upcoming production of Clue: On Stage. We’re excited to share that she got the role!

Angela will appear as Mrs. Peacock when Clue: On Stage comes to the West Plains Civic Center October 23–November 1, 2026. Congratulations, Angela! 🦚

It’s a conversation about growth, creativity, communication, finding the right role for your gifts and remembering the people behind the work.

Listen to this episode of The HOPEful Connection and get to know the welcoming voice behind so many first connections with Restoring Hope.

Restoring Hope one relationship at a time.