Heromakers Podcast
95 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsLively conversations about important topics to inspire all of us to change the world, one act, one word, one dream at a time.
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Episodes
Nelli Kim on How Cancer Clarifies a Call + The Intersection of Fashion & Making Our World Better
March 23, 2022 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBIn this episode, Laurie is flying solo and talks with the amazing Nelli Kim, Founder & CEO at RĒDEN, which makes radically comfortable shoes with a purpose, and Founding Board Member of RAISEfashion, a network of fashion industry leaders, providing pro bono consulting to Black-owned brands and individuals, with a mission to advance the equity of Black talent. She is also Co-founder of Embers International, which works to fight the injustice of human trafficking. Nelli talks about how she go...
Nelli Kim on How Cancer Clarifies a Call + The Intersection of Fashion & Making Our World Better
March 23, 2022 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBIn this episode, Laurie is flying solo and talks with the amazing Nelli Kim, Founder & CEO at RĒDEN, which makes radically comfortable shoes with a purpose, and Founding Board Member of RAISEfashion, a network of fashion industry leaders, providing pro bono consulting to Black-owned brands and individuals, with a mission to advance the equity of Black talent. She is also Co-founder of Embers International, which works to fight the injustice of human trafficking. Nelli talks about how she go...
Mannie Thomas on Changing False Narratives, Reversing Toxic Masculinity, and Lessons Learned After Incarceration
March 16, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Mannie Thomas, co-executive director and director of programming at Success Stories, which "provides an alternative to prisons that builds safer communities by delivering feminist programming to people who have caused harm." Here, Mannie shares his own journey of growing up with false narratives about himself and what it meant to be a man--and which led him down a destructive road to prison. There, Mannie began to see himself, others, and the future ...
Changing False Narratives, Reversing Toxic Masculinity, and Lessons Learned After Incarceration
March 16, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Mannie Thomas, co-executive director and director of programming at Success Stories, which "provides an alternative to prisons that builds safer communities by delivering feminist programming to people who have caused harm." Here, Mannie shares his own journey of growing up with false narratives about himself and what it meant to be a man--and which led him down a destructive road to prison. There, Mannie began to see himself, others, and the future ...
Mannie Thomas on Changing False Narratives, Reversing Toxic Masculinity, and Lessons Learned After Incarceration
March 16, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Mannie Thomas, co-executive director and director of programming at Success Stories, which "provides an alternative to prisons that builds safer communities by delivering feminist programming to people who have caused harm." Here, Mannie shares his own journey of growing up with false narratives about himself and what it meant to be a man--and which led him down a destructive road to prison. There, Mannie began to see himself, others, and the future ...
Latanya DeVaughn on Pursuing Dreams, Launching the Only Mobile Bookstore in the Bronx, and Developing a Love of Reading
March 01, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Latanya DeVaughn, founder of Bronx Bound Books, the only mobile bookstore in the Bronx (and only the second bookstore in that area!), an area of over 1.5 million people. For years, Latanya didn't think it was possible to own her own bookstore, but when her son's recently-retired teacher opened one, something changed in her. Tapping into her savings, Latanya purchased a shuttle bus and began traveling from place to place to bring books to those who wo...
Hope England on The Intersection of Laughter & Trauma and What Covid-19-induced Paralysis Taught Her About Her Calling
February 22, 2022 10:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Hope England, a brilliant and funny psychotherapist and comedian who founded Humor for Hope, an organization that prevents and heals trauma by using comedy and improvisation. Hope and her team formed an alternative inpatient therapy for trauma survivors and chronically and terminally ill children and patients. Hope holds a degree in writing and producing for television and sitcoms, has studied education and theater, and is a graduate and former empl...
Charles Lerner on Growing Up in the Foster Care System, Unconditional Acceptance, and the Lifelong Journey of Love
February 08, 2022 10:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Charles Lerner, Executive Director of At The Crossroads, which reaches out to homeless youth and young adults at their point of need, and works with them to build healthy and fulfilling lives. Charles shares about his own experience in the foster system and then dealing with acute homelessness and how it shaped the person he is today. We talk about the false narratives we tell ourselves and how unconditional love can change everything for kids aging ...
Charles Lerner on Growing Up in the Foster Care System, Unconditional Acceptance, and the Lifelong Journey of Love
February 08, 2022 10:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Charles Lerner, Executive Director of At The Crossroads, which reaches out to homeless youth and young adults at their point of need, and works with them to build healthy and fulfilling lives. Charles shares about his own experience in the foster system and then dealing with acute homelessness and how it shaped the person he is today. We talk about the false narratives we tell ourselves and how unconditional love can change everything for kids aging ...
Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger on Tradition, Dialoguing Across Differences, and What He Learned from Elie Wiesel
February 01, 2022 10:00 - 45 minutes - 30.9 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Rev. Dr. Ariel Burger, founding director and senior scholar of The Witness Institute, whose mission is to empower emerging leaders, inspired by the life and legacy of Elie Wiesel. A orthodox-trained rabbi, Ariel is also an author, teacher, and artist whose work integrates spirituality, the arts, and strategies for social change. He is author of Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom. Ariel shares about his own journey in discovering meaning i...
Cole Arthur Riley on Finding Rest and Discovering Yourself in Difficult Times + "This Here Flesh" - Her Upcoming Book
January 25, 2022 10:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Cole Arthur Riley, a writer and liturgist who founded Black Liturgies, a project seeking to integrate concepts of dignity, lament, rage, justice, rest, and liberation with the practice of written prayer. In this episode we talk with Cole about her family and upbringing (including her heromaker Dad) and why she was prompted to start Black Liturgies in the summer/fall of 2020. We talk about wrestling with pain and trauma, and why rest and rediscovery m...
Kevin McDowell on Beating Cancer, Becoming an Olympic Medalist, and Why Our Suffering Can Inspire Others
January 18, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Kevin McDowell, a triathlete who just won a silver medal in the mixed relay triathlon and placed sixth overall in the individual men's triathlon. He was one of the first American men to win an Olympic medal in the triathlon. Kevin talks about not only his journey to the Olympics and his pursuit of sports, but also his journey through being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 18 and how that changed his life and how he sees the world. We...
Kevin McDowell on Beating Cancer, Becoming an Olympic Medalist, and Why Our Suffering Can Inspire Others
January 18, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Kevin McDowell, a triathlete who just won a silver medal in the mixed relay triathlon and placed sixth overall in the individual men's triathlon. He was one of the first American men to win an Olympic medal in the triathlon. Kevin talks about not only his journey to the Olympics and his pursuit of sports, but also his journey through being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 18 and how that changed his life and how he sees the world. We...
Mike Thirtle on "Doing a Little More," Smart and Good People, and Honoring Those Who Serve
January 11, 2022 10:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Mike Thirtle, CEO of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which "serves our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need." We talk with Mike about his 20 years of service in the Air Force, his roles in both the non-profit and for-profit sector, and of course, about Forrest Gump and the life-altering lessons we learn from Lieutenant Dan Taylor (played by Sinise) regarding seeing the value in others. We talk a...
Lauren McCann on Creating a Positive Difference, Following Your Own Dreams, and Sobriety with Others
January 03, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Lauren McCann, founder of Calliope Advisors, a "mission-driven consulting firm and innovation partner for philanthropists, companies, and nonprofits who want to pilot new concepts and models to solve pressing and urgent societal problems." Lauren shares her own journey into making our world better through her work and what friendship and community has taught her about the world. The three talk proximity and what it means to slow down long enough to b...
Lauren McCann on Creating a Positive Difference, Following Your Own Dreams, and Sobriety with Others
January 03, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBIn this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Lauren McCann, founder of Calliope Advisors, a "mission-driven consulting firm and innovation partner for philanthropists, companies, and nonprofits who want to pilot new concepts and models to solve pressing and urgent societal problems." Lauren shares her own journey into making our world better through her work and what friendship and community has taught her about the world. The three talk proximity and what it means to slow down long enough to b...
Laurie and Ann on The Year Behind, Kindness Creativity, Making Space for Us, Rubik Cubes, Harvesting Apples, and Heromaking in 2022
December 27, 2021 16:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBAfter too long of a hiatus, we are back for Season Three of the Heromakers Podcast! Here, Laurie and Ann talk about some things they learned and noticed in 2021, how kindness creativity is flourishing in some areas, and why friendship and networking are so important. Laurie also talks about the role of self-discovery and fun in heromaking and the two share a few analogies for all of us to consider as we enter 2022. Special invitation: Laurie will be hosting a writer's retreat in May 2022 i...
Julie Anne Kelly on Kicking Cancer in the ___ Through Community, Love, and a Whole Lot of Boxing
May 11, 2021 08:00 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Julie Anne Kelly, cancer survivor and co-founder of Haymakers for Hope, which gives everyday men and women the chance to fight back against cancer by training for and competing in charity boxing events to raise money and awareness. Here, we talk about Julie's own journey with a cancer diagnosis at age 22, how boxing was part of her healing journey, and how she merged the two. Building a community of "ass-kicking do-gooders," Julie and t...
Nicholas Kristock on Fleece, Thank You, Empathy, Compassion, Confidence, and Many Things in Between
April 28, 2021 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Nicholas Kristock, founder of Fleece & Thank You, a non-profit focused on connecting people who want to make blankets for children in the hospital with the heroes who receive them. A former soccer player, Nicholas sought out different volunteer opportunities while not on the field and when his twin sister told him there weren't enough blankets for the children in the hospital where she served, he knew he had found his calling. In this...
Nicholas Kristock on Fleece, Thank You, Empathy, Compassion, Confidence, and Many Things in Between
April 28, 2021 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Nicholas Kristock, founder of Fleece & Thank You, a non-profit focused on connecting people who want to make blankets for children in the hospital with the heroes who receive them. A former soccer player, Nicholas sought out different volunteer opportunities while not on the field and when his twin sister told him there weren't enough blankets for the children in the hospital where she served, he knew he had found his calling. In this...
Ian Hockley on Lessons of Loss from Sandy Hook and Building Communities of Heromakers
April 20, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Ian Hockey, co-founder and executive director of Dylan's Wings of Change and the Wingman program. In December 2012, Ian's life changed forever when he lost his son, Dylan, in the Sandy Hook shooting. Here, Ian shares about those early moments, the butterfly effect, and why grief is powerful but love more so. Grief, Ian says, is love with nowhere to go. In this episode, we dive into some of the hero traits like authenticity, courage, a...
Ian Hockley on Lessons of Loss from Sandy Hook and Building Communities of Heromakers
April 20, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Ian Hockey, co-founder and executive director of Dylan's Wings of Change and the Wingman program. In December 2012, Ian's life changed forever when he lost his son, Dylan, in the Sandy Hook shooting. Here, Ian shares about those early moments, the butterfly effect, and why grief is powerful but love more so. Grief, Ian says, is love with nowhere to go. In this episode, we dive into some of the hero traits like authenticity, courage, a...
Katie Spotz on Endurance Sports and Pushing Yourself to Do the Impossible to Raise Awareness of Those in Need
April 13, 2021 08:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Katie Spotz, endurance athlete and clean water advocate. Katie has completed a number of significant physical fitness challenges--being the youngest person to row across the Atlantic Ocean (70 days, over 1 million strokes), biking across America, and being the first person to swim the Allegheny River to name just a few feats. She is currently working on a bike down the coast of Maine for H2O for Life. And if that's not eno...
Katie Spotz on Endurance Sports and Pushing Yourself to Do the Impossible to Raise Awareness of Those in Need
April 13, 2021 08:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Katie Spotz, endurance athlete and clean water advocate. Katie has completed a number of significant physical fitness challenges--being the youngest person to row across the Atlantic Ocean (70 days, over 1 million strokes), biking across America, and being the first person to swim the Allegheny River to name just a few feats. She is currently working on a bike down the coast of Maine for H2O for Life. And if that's not eno...
Dorris Walker-Taylor on Finding Joy After More Than Two Decades of Pain, and Why a Place Called Thistle Farms Is So Amazing
April 06, 2021 07:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Dorris Walker-Taylor, Senior Ambassador of Thistle Farms. Here, she opens up about the painful incident of seeing her father murdered and how that led to a lifestyle of drugs and selling herself on the streets of Nashville. Dorris shares openly about her decades of feeling lost and alone and how the prayers of her mother and the love of a friend finally led her to safety. In her 50s, she finally found freedom, and with it,...
Darcy Olsen on Using Every Available Means to Give Voice to the Children Unheard and Unseen in the Foster Care System
March 16, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Darcy Olsen, founder and CEO of Gen Justice, which "works to mend the child protection system and bring a permanent end to innocent children enduring violence." A foster parent to 10 and now having adopted 4 children, as a single mom Darcy has thrown herself into caring for kids who are sometimes forgotten on both a micro and a macro scale. Gen Justice is committed to changing federal and state laws and allowing children to ...
Darcy Olsen on Using Every Available Means to Give Voice to the Children Unheard and Unseen in the Foster Care System
March 16, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Darcy Olsen, founder and CEO of Gen Justice, which "works to mend the child protection system and bring a permanent end to innocent children enduring violence." A foster parent to 10 and now having adopted 4 children, as a single mom Darcy has thrown herself into caring for kids who are sometimes forgotten on both a micro and a macro scale. Gen Justice is committed to changing federal and state laws and allowing children to ...
Dion Dawson on Dreaming Big for His Englewood Community and How One Person Can Put Hopes into Motion
March 09, 2021 08:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Dion Dawson, founder and visionary of Dion's Chicago Dream. Growing up in Englewood on the south side of Chicago, Dion later spent time in the Navy, serving as a journalist and communications specialist. When his time of service was up, Dion returned to his neighborhood in the hopes of helping the people there. In this episode, we talk about Dion's path to launching his Chicago dream (which was not at all easy) and about t...
Dion Dawson on Dreaming Big for His Englewood Community and How One Person Can Put Hopes into Motion
March 09, 2021 08:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Dion Dawson, founder and visionary of Dion's Chicago Dream. Growing up in Englewood on the south side of Chicago, Dion later spent time in the Navy, serving as a journalist and communications specialist. When his time of service was up, Dion returned to his neighborhood in the hopes of helping the people there. In this episode, we talk about Dion's path to launching his Chicago dream (which was not at all easy) and about t...
Samantha Tan on Racing Fast Cars and Trailblazing as a Young Female in a Male-dominated Sport
March 02, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Samantha Tan, a 23-year-old phenom who is setting the stage for a new generation of women in race car driving. At the age of 14, with the encouragement of her father, Samantha began her love for driving fast. Today, she owns her own race car team (ST Racing) and just won her first 24-hour race in Dubai. Here we talk about racing cars, what got her to where she is, and the obstacles she has faced along the way. Her encourag...
Samantha Tan on Racing Fast Cars and Trailblazing as a Young Female in a Male-dominated Sport
March 02, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Samantha Tan, a 23-year-old phenom who is setting the stage for a new generation of women in race car driving. At the age of 14, with the encouragement of her father, Samantha began her love for driving fast. Today, she owns her own race car team (ST Racing) and just won her first 24-hour race in Dubai. Here we talk about racing cars, what got her to where she is, and the obstacles she has faced along the way. Her encourag...
Mark White on "Home", Physical Proximity, and Gratitude as Values That Build a Joyful Life
February 23, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Mark White, founder of Run Grateful and Your Town, about the power of community and why we all need physical proximity even as we continue to communicate virtually. Mark shares his own journey of recovery and how those around him stood with him as he took his life back. We talk about fatherhood, finding your calling, and how to make time for gratitude in your daily routine. You can find Mark on IG @MarkWhite_0602 and Run...
Chris Fields on Three Decades of Being a Firefighter, the Iconic Oklahoma City Bombing Photo, and Why Trauma Doesn't Have to Have the Final Word
February 16, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with retired Oklahoma City firefighter Chris Fields. Best known around the world for his role in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, where he was featured in the iconic photo carrying 1-year-old Baylee Almon, Chris served for 31 years before retiring to now be a mentor and guide for other first responders dealing with trauma. In this conversation, we talk about what it takes to be a firefighter and the (sometimes silent) toll it c...
Chris Fields on Three Decades of Being a Firefighter, the Iconic Oklahoma City Bombing Photo, and Why Trauma Doesn't Have to Have the Final Word
February 16, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with retired Oklahoma City firefighter Chris Fields. Best known around the world for his role in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, where he was featured in the iconic photo carrying 1-year-old Baylee Almon, Chris served for 31 years before retiring to now be a mentor and guide for other first responders dealing with trauma. In this conversation, we talk about what it takes to be a firefighter and the (sometimes silent) toll it c...
Kellie Haddock on Hope After Tragedy, the Power of Music, and a Thank You Project 10 Years in the Making
February 09, 2021 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Kellie Haddock, a Christian singer-songwriter who has an incredible story of hope. Losing her husband in a car accident while also having her baby's life saved, Kellie has lived through tragedy and found hope and joy on the other side. Through that horrific event, however, Kellie has learned much about hope and life, and 10 years after the accident, Kellie's story was documented in The Thank You Project, a short film in wh...
Kellie Haddock on Hope After Tragedy, the Power of Music, and a Thank You Project 10 Years in the Making
February 09, 2021 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Kellie Haddock, a Christian singer-songwriter who has an incredible story of hope. Losing her husband in a car accident while also having her baby's life saved, Kellie has lived through tragedy and found hope and joy on the other side. Through that horrific event, however, Kellie has learned much about hope and life, and 10 years after the accident, Kellie's story was documented in The Thank You Project, a short film in wh...
Teresa Goines on Building Heromakers in Vulnerable Populations, Her Vision Behind Old Skool Cafe, and the Power of Community
February 02, 2021 09:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Teresa Goines, the founder of Old Skool Cafe, a faith-based, violence prevention program that provides job training, employment, and a second chance by way of a 1920’s speakeasy, jazz restaurant run by at-risk, formerly incarcerated, and foster care youth. As a youth, Teresa grew up taking care of her father and learning how to be a caretaker and notice those on the margins of society. As a juvenile detention officer, she d...
Ali Llewellyn and Nick Skytland on Looking at What Comes Next & Innovating at NASA and in Life
January 26, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Nick Skytland and Ali Llewellyn about working at NASA, finding your calling, helping others to dream big, and of course, their new book, What Comes Next?: Shaping the Future in an Ever-Changing World - A Guide for Christian Leaders. Nick is an author, consultant, technologist, innovator, and triathlete. He is cofounder, along with Ali, of Quite Uncommon, a strategy and consulting firm that helps ministry leaders navigate t...
Aalia Lanius on Authentically Being You, Overcoming Obstacles, and the Power of Loving Yourself
January 19, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Aalia Lanius, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Unsugercoated Media, which seeks to help survivors of trauma through media and works of art that address the critical issues facing society today. As a survivor of homelessness, domestic violence, and cancer, Aalia shares openly about what got her through those times and how the power of self love can have a tremendous impact on our lives and those around us. Here we discu...
Aalia Lanius on Authentically Being You, Overcoming Obstacles, and the Power of Loving Yourself
January 19, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Aalia Lanius, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Unsugercoated Media, which seeks to help survivors of trauma through media and works of art that address the critical issues facing society today. As a survivor of homelessness, domestic violence, and cancer, Aalia shares openly about what got her through those times and how the power of self love can have a tremendous impact on our lives and those around us. Here we discu...
Gurdeep Pandher on The Joy of Bhangra Dance and How to Truly Love Those of Other Cultures and Backgrounds
January 12, 2021 09:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann kick off Season 2 with a fun and engaging conversation about joy, diversity, dance, and it's like to live way up in the Yukon, the land of the midnight sun. Gurdeep Pandher travels the world (and now via Zoom) to teach the lively and joyful dance called Bhangra, which was developed by rural Sikh farmers in India. We talk about his journey from India to becoming a Canadian citizen and the lessons he's learned about people and cultures...
Gurdeep Pandher on The Joy of Bhangra Dance and How to Truly Love Those of Other Cultures and Backgrounds
January 12, 2021 09:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann kick off Season 2 with a fun and engaging conversation about joy, diversity, dance, and it's like to live way up in the Yukon, the land of the midnight sun. Gurdeep Pandher travels the world (and now via Zoom) to teach the lively and joyful dance called Bhangra, which was developed by rural Sikh farmers in India. We talk about his journey from India to becoming a Canadian citizen and the lessons he's learned about people and cultures...
Col. Jim McDonough on Lessons on Humility, Vulnerability, and Selfless Leadership Learned from 26 Years in the Military
December 30, 2020 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann wrap up Season 1 of the Heromakers Podcast with an incredible conversation with Col. Jim McDonough (USA, Ret.), Executive Director of Headstrong, an organization dedicated to healing the hidden wounds of war among our active duty military, veterans, and their families. Jim shares lessons he learned from his 26 years of active duty along with other positions he has held in civilian and non-profit sectors. Jim was previously Director of...
Col. Jim McDonough on Lessons on Humility, Vulnerability, and Selfless Leadership Learned from 26 Years in the Military
December 30, 2020 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann wrap up Season 1 of the Heromakers Podcast with an incredible conversation with Col. Jim McDonough (USA, Ret.), Executive Director of Headstrong, an organization dedicated to healing the hidden wounds of war among our active duty military, veterans, and their families. Jim shares lessons he learned from his 26 years of active duty along with other positions he has held in civilian and non-profit sectors. Jim was previously Director of...
Laurie & Ann Reflect on the First 26 Episodes
December 24, 2020 09:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBWow! We made it to 27 episodes--and have had a great time doing so. Nearly four months into the launch of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann discuss memorable moments and walk through each heromaking trait and share which episode highlighted each so well. We want to thank all of our listeners for making the first months of the podcast so fun, and for all of our guests, who shared with vulnerability and authenticity their own stories so that others could be encouraged and moved to open...
Darrion Cockrell on Finding a Forever Family, Normalizing "Above and Beyond," and Being Named Missouri Educator of the Year
December 21, 2020 09:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann have a lively conversation with Darrion Cockrell, a PE teacher from the St. Louis area who recently was named "Missouri Educator of the Year." The three talk about Darrion growing up bouncing from foster home to foster home until he found a couple of people who went above and beyond to care for him. Darrion credits his middle school coach (and surrogate "dad") to allowing him to believe in himself and to dream big. Darrion shares ho...
Jay Shifman on Overcoming Substance Misuse, The Power of Family, and Choosing Life and Hope
December 16, 2020 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Jay Shifman, author, speaker, podcast host, and founder of Choose Your Struggle. As we bear down on 10 months of Covid-19 shaking up our lives, Jay talks about his own struggle with depression and anxiety and attempted suicide. We discuss the all-too-common problem of substance misuse and how good things can go bad quickly. Jay has been sharing his story for years in an effort to educate others on how to care for and advocat...
Khristi Adams on Parable of a Brown Girl & Seeing and Listening to the Next Generation of Girls
December 11, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Khristi Lauren Adams, a speaker, author, youth advocate, and minister who authored the Parable of the Brown Girl, which highlights the cultural and spiritual truths that emerge from the lives of young black girls. She works as the Firestone Endowment Chaplain and an Instructor of Religious Studies and Philosophy at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania and as Interim Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the Hill...
Megs Yunn on Celebrating Birthdays, Building Joy, and Speaking Dignity to Children
December 07, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Megan (Megs) Yunn, founder of the Pittsburgh-based organization Beverly's Birthdays, which provides birthday cheer and critical baby care items for children experiencing homelessness and families in need. Each year they make sure over 30,000 children who may not be celebrated on their birthday get the love and attention they deserve. Megs talks about how Beverly's Birthdays got started, why joy is not a luxury, and how one ...
Jeff Sparr and Matt Kaplan on Finding Peace & Love Through Creative Expression
December 01, 2020 09:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBIn this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, Laurie and Ann talk with Jeff Sparr and Matt Kaplan, co-founders of PeaceLove, a movement that encourages creativity, self expression, community, and storytelling via the arts. After struggling himself with debilitating OCD, Jeff was encouraged to engage in the arts and it changed his life. He was soon visiting hospitals and encouraging and training others to use the arts to build mental health and deal with difficult situations. The movement has ...