Charity Matters

Some stories ask you to listen. Others ask you to feel. And then there are the rare ones, like this one, that ask you to walk alongside them. This episode introduces listeners to Robb Pollard, a husband, father, entrepreneur, and now the founder of Walk With Me Brother, who is about to do something extraordinary. On Monday, Robb began a 2,500-mile run across America.....not because he’s a runner, not because it’s easy, but because he knows what it feels like to be at the very bottom and wonders if his journey might help someone else choose to stay. This isn’t about miles. It’s about meaning. It’s about one man’s decision to turn pain into purpose and to remind us all that asking for help might be the bravest step we ever take. Tune in!

In this inspiring episode, Diane and Scott Strand, founders of JDS Creative Academy, share how a simple “what if?” turned their creative careers into a nonprofit that is transforming lives through the arts. Using filmmaking, acting, and digital media, they help youth and adults, including individuals with developmental disabilities, build confidence, communication skills, and pathways to independence.

Diane and Scott reflect on the personal experiences that shaped their mission, the challenges of growing a nonprofit, and the powerful moments that remind them why their work matters. Their story is a reminder that real impact often begins by saying yes to one opportunity and helping one person at a time.

In this powerful episode, Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, shares the unforgettable moment that opened his eyes to the hidden crisis of child bedlessness and the little girl named Haley whose first bed changed the trajectory of his life. What began as a small Christmas project in his garage with a few teenage boys and a power drill has grown into a global movement dedicated to making sure no child sleeps on the floor. From one bunk bed to more than 425,000 beds delivered to children around the world, Luke’s story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the simplest acts of kindness create the biggest ripple effects. This conversation will inspire you to look at the world a little differently and maybe even pick up a hammer and help change a child’s life.

For our 100th episode of the Charity Matters Podcast, we are celebrating in the most meaningful way possible....by spotlighting a true innovator, a quiet disruptor, and a modern-day hero who dared to ask a simple but world-changing question: What if no parent ever had to say, “I have no one to call?” When psychologist Dave Anderson saw firsthand the devastating ripple effects of child abuse and foster care, he didn’t just shake his head at a broken system, he built something different. He shares how his bricklayer father’s words, “If I don’t help them, who will?” became the blueprint for Safe Families for Children, a revolutionary approach that mobilizes communities to step in before a crisis becomes a catastrophe. This episode is about courage, radical hospitality, and the extraordinary impact of ordinary people choosing to care.

Nonprofit founders are some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs on the planet. They see a problem and create a solution. Today's guest, Drew Long is no exception. Her first entrepreneurial journey was to create a shopping cart for her disabled daughter, Caroline. Drew is an Alabama mom with a big heart, a thick skin, and the kind of determination that changes systems. After solving that problem for millions of families she went on to solve another. Drew founded Caroline’s Cause, a scholarship nonprofit created for the typical siblings of children with special needs. In the middle of caregiving, life, and all the messy real-world logistics, Drew looked at those overlooked siblings and said, “We see you.” That simple sentence becomes a force in this incredible conversation.

Dana DiPrima didn’t know that a simple “yes” to backyard chickens would quietly change everything. She soon realized that farmers, the people feeding us every day, whose work is nothing short of miraculous, yet largely invisible, were not being valued. For Farmers Movement, a bold, grassroots effort is built on small actions with big impact. Since 2022, Dana has helped distribute hundreds of grants to farmers across nearly every state, proving that even $1, when multiplied by community, can change lives. Her story will forever change the way you think about the food on your table and the people who make it possible.

Wendy Strauss’s story began with a slip of paper discovered in her late mother’s tidy little office. It was a simple note titled “Mom’s Christmas Stocking,” asking her children to keep filling a stocking for Mom by giving it to a woman who needed “a shot of love.” That tender request became a calling. What started as one timid lunch-hour drop-off blossomed into an annual community tradition that now fills hundreds of beautifully curated stockings for women in shelters, prisons, and recovery programs across New York City, each one a love letter, a reminder that someone sees you and you matter. In this episode, Wendy shares how she transformed her grief into grace, how a single note became a nationwide movement (Mom’s Christmas Stocking), and how giving on any scale can be profoundly healing.

Some stories meet you in the deepest places and still lift you higher. This week, you’ll meet Kate Doerge....wife, mother, builder of community......who turned the unthinkable loss of her daughter, Penny, into a living legacy called Penny’s Flight. What began in a cocoon of love and butterflies has become a national movement of students, families, and friends spreading wings for those living with neurofibromatosis. Kate’s pillars; finding beauty in imperfection, choosing positivity in the face of challenge, and having faith over fear.....these aren’t just slogans; they’re the way she gets up, puts both feet on the floor, and kee\ps going. You can feel Penny’s light in every word.

John Snyder’s story begins on a first date with his wife, Nikki, when the two of them decided to do something radically simple: instead of sending candy to their toner customers, they’d use that money to feed people experiencing homelessness. That small act became Project Pop Drop. A monthly movement that rallies “givefluencers” to bring meals, new socks and clothing, and joy-filled experiences to shelters across Los Angeles. Today, Pop Drop is more than a delivery....it’s Easter bunnies and race cars for kids, partners who show up with food and gift cards, and even tiny homes that help families move from encampments into dignity and safety. This week’s episode is a shot of hope and action, packed with contagious energy, hard-won wisdom, and tangible ways to help!

Drawing from Hayden’s love of hockey, Rob used the term “Shoulder Check” not just as a sports reference but as the cornerstone for a movement. What began as a nod to the game has become a beautiful legacy of connection and care. Shoulder Check is about more than hockey.....it’s a mission and a movement about reaching out, checking in, and making contact with those around us. Rob’s story is one of resilience, love, and the reminder that even in the deepest grief, we can create something profoundly good. Take a listen and you will want to be a part of this...

This week on the Season Nine Premiere  we sit down with Mindy Richenstein, the founder of Supplies for Success, a nonprofit that has been equipping children with dignity and the tools they need to learn for more than twenty-four years. What began as a small effort to help 68 students has now touched the lives of over 300,000 children. In our conversation, Mindy shares her powerful journey of resilience, the heartbreaking loss that deepened her mission, and the joy of turning pain into purpose. Her story is a reminder that something as simple as a backpack can carry more than supplies......it can carry confidence, opportunity, and hope.

In our 90th episode of Charity Matters, Terry Grahl shares how her childhood struggles and her mother’s resilience inspired her to create Enchanted Makeovers. Her national nonprofit, Enchanted Makeovers, transforms shelters into beautiful, healing spaces for women and children escaping violence and trafficking. Guided by faith and a promise she made to women living in despair, Terry’s journey is one of grit, grace, and listening to a quiet calling. Her story reminds us that even one simple act of love can ripple out to change countless lives. Tune in to be inspired by how hope, creativity, and human connection can restore hearts and homes alike.

I am so excited to introduce you today to an amazing man, Elliot Kallen. He is a passionate entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, and father who has transformed personal tragedy into a mission of hope. As the CEO of multiple companies and the founder of A Brighter Day, Elliot brings both business acumen and deep empathy to his work. After losing his 19-year-old son, Jake, to suicide, Elliot committed himself to supporting teens struggling with depression and anxietywith his nonprofit, A Brighter Day.

Did you know that 350 million people worldwide live with a rare disease? That’s 1 in 15 families globally who are navigating these caregiving challenges. In this episode, you’ll be introduced to Cristol Barrett O'Loughlin and hear her incredible journey of service with her nonprofit, RareGivers Global—a worldwide network that provides emotional support to caregivers of those with rare, chronic, and complex diseases. Cristol’s story is ultimately a love story—for her brothers, whom she lost to a rare disease—and how she now uses her story to help countless others.

During this season of renewal, there is no greater renewal story than today's guest, Susan Shaw. In 2019, Susie and her husband lost their nine-year-old son William in an accident. In the years that followed, they have taken that pain and turned it into purpose for other grieving families by creating William’s Be Yourself Challenge. The grief support allows people to embrace being their authentic self, foster meaningful connections, and navigate their healing journey. Join us today for a powerful conversation about love, loss, and renewal. Susie's journey is one of inspiration and hope that there is always love.

Did you know that students miss 53 million hours of school each year due to oral disease? I did not but thanks to our amazing guest today I have learned so much about what our underserved communities around the country are facing with a lack of proper dental care. I am so excited to introduce you to the amazing Dr. Nicole McGrath Barnes. A full time dentist, a mother and a nonprofit founder on a mission to change that fact with the KinderSmile Foundation. You won’t want to miss this incredible conversation!

The people who inspire me the most are people who have lost children and take that unbelievable grief and pain and recycle it into good. It is the ultimate recycling of pain to purpose and today's guest, Mary Fagnano, is one of those remarkable humans.When her young son Nick was struck by lightning on a summer day at the beach, her life and her husband's life were forever changed. His life and legacy of service lives on through the beautiful foundation his parents created called the Thrive In Joy, Nick Fagnano Foundation. Join us today for an inspirational conversation that you won't want to miss!

Dynamic educator and nonprofit founder, Kirk Spahn shares his inspirational story on this week’s episode of the Charity Matter’s Podcast. Kirk combined his passions of sports, his friends, education and a deep civic duty to create what is now the twenty year old ICL Foundation. Learn how one 23 year old set out to help in a small way, and today, is transforming education by teaching thousands of students how to learn and lead. One person can make a difference and Kirk's story and passion are proof.

This week’s guest on the Charity Matter’s Podcast, Joan Hornig, “paves the way” for aspiring difference-makers. Through her for profit business, Pave The Way, Joan provides one hundred percent of her profits to nonprofits by selling beautifully designed jewelry. In efforts to make a difference, Joan’s foundation, built on a social enterprise, adds value to her jewelry, knowing that each piece represents a donation to the purchaser’s choice of charity. Get ready for a heartwarming conversation beginning when Joan left her corporate life behind to kickstart her philanthropic journey.

Welcome to Season Eight of the Charity Matters Podcast Premiere! We have some fantastic people lined up this season that I am thrilled to introduce you to. For today's episode, I am doing my second solo podcast. In our very first episode I spoke about what we hoped to achieve with our Charity Matters Podcast. Looking back it is amazing to see the change and growth in the rearview mirror. We are in the top 5% of podcasts in our category which has some pretty impressive people. Join us today for a shorter episode as we talk about the book and all things Change for Good.

Welcome to the final episode of Season Seven of the Charity Matters Podcast! I am thrilled to share Siobhan and her husband, John's, incredible story in the creation of their nonprofit, Growing to Give. They have grown and given over 100,000 pounds of produce to local food banks in order to free people from hunger around the world. Their story is a beautiful full circle reminder of following your heart, your roots, and always thinking of ways to serve others.

Many of us grew up with the childhood slogan of, "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me." Hundreds of years later we now know that they actually can.  As nonprofit founder, Jessica Bondy, shares an inspirational conversation about the power of our words, we learn that words can cause long lasting scars on our children. Join us for an enlightening discussion from across the pond about this amazing new nonprofit, Words Matter.

Did you know that there are over 13 million children in the United States who live with hunger? One in five children does not know where or if their next meal will come. However, it is the rare person or people who actually act when hearing those numbers. Today's guests, Tina Kramer and Shawnee Knight, have acted to create a nonprofit called Filling In Blanks to help those with food insecurity. Join us for inspirational conversations about two next door neighbors who are changing lives in the face of hunger!

Sofie Lindberg started a podcast at age 17 to help her deal with challenges she was facing in her life. What she didn't expect was young women beginning to reach out for more and more support. As a result, she turned her popular podcast, Claim Your Potential, into a nonprofit. Join us today for a fun conversation about what one inspired young woman has done to use her challenges to help serve others.

I can't wait for you to meet the incredible Marcie Gilbert. Marcie's beautiful work is very similar to mine, working with youth leaders who, in turn, mentor other leaders. So join us today for an inspirational conversation to learn about her incredible work as the co-founder of ⁠Calibrate⁠. She will absolutely leave you feeling warm and inspired!

This week, we welcome the founder of 4Girls: Claudia Copely. Join us for an empowering conversation about her amazing work helping young girls to identify themselves as authentic, confident and resilient, preparing them for real life success. We know you will love this episode and the inspiring mantra as much as we do!

On Monday, we celebrated leaders who served our country. Today, I am thrilled to say we are doing the same by celebrating Heroes Voices Media Foundation: an amazing organization that serves those who have served, our military. Donald Dunn was a veteran suffering from PTSD when he and a fellow veteran began a podcast to talk about whatever was on their mind. Donald joins us today to talk more about his experience!

We are happy to welcome the founder of Praline’s Backyard Foundation to season 7 of the Charity Matter’s podcast! You will learn about the 10 million+ survivors of domestic abuse in the United States and how one in three households of those survivors have a pet with whom they share together. Join us today for an inspiring conversation about how Orazie Cook came up with a solution to help both our furry friends as well as survivors of domestic abuse heal with her nonprofit.

Welcome to Season Seven of the Charity Matters podcast! We are SO excited for all of the amazing conversations we have scheduled for you this season. In this episode, we will introduce to you the amazing Debbie Bial, who for the past thirty plus years, has been passionate in building her national organization, Posse Foundation. Her foundation places gifted young people who might be missed by elite schools in supportive multicultural groups of ten students or posses. These students are mentored, prepared and positioned for success; After listening to Debbie's passion, you will understand why.

What does a private equity firm, a role in President Jimmy Carter's White House, and philanthropy have in common? The answer is today's guest. Larry Gilson had an exciting career; instead of retiring, he founded a nonprofit, Focusing Philanthropy.  His organization is taking his skills of investing in people and businesses to the nonprofit world and changing the way we look at philanthropy.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and a terrific Giving Tuesday! I'm so grateful to have today's guest to remind us why we call this the season of giving. Join us as Cindy Witteman shares her journey from fleeing domestic violence, becoming a single parent then a nonprofit founder, author and tv show host of The Little Give. Cindy is a bright light, a survivor and someone who will inspire you with her purpose for giving back and the incredible story of her nonprofit, Driving Single Parents.

Join us today for an inspirational conversation with Katie Trowbridge, the founder of Curiosity 2 Create. A nonprofit that is on a mission to help our teachers and ultimately our students. Their mission is to equip K-12 educators with the skills needed to embrace their innate curiosity and encourage critical thinking by providing leading edge resources for our teachers.  Like Charity Matters, Katie is on a mission to help the helpers. If you have a student, know a teacher or care about education in our country you are not going to want to miss this conversation.

A few months ago when I was in DC, a friend introduced me to a terrific philanthropist. He in turn introduced me to today's guest, Angela Patton. Friends connecting friends is simply THE best! Angela Patton is a remarkable human who wanted to help her community, more specifically the girls in her community. What began as giving two weeks of her vacation to start a camp for girls is now twenty years later a movement with her nonprofit Girls for A Change.

Join us today, for a motivational and inspiring conversation about passion, resilience and what happens when we lift others up. Angela is sunshine in a bottle and making the world better one girl at a time. This is the perfect episode for a summer day and the best way for us to wrap up Season Five of our podcast, so enjoy!

Today's guest, Nicole Smith is the founder of the Dignity Defense Institute, a nonprofit that is setting out to educate humanity on human value. Their mission is to become an amplifying force for the defense of human dignity.  Join as Nicole shares her story about working on the PR side of human crisis and how that work and the birth of her daughter inspired her to use her voice to help create change.

While immigration has been a hot political topic these days, regardless of your stance, there are still people coming to our country who need help. That is where today's guest, Rachel Rutter comes in. Rachel is the founder of Project Libertad, an organization that helps immigrant youth in a multitude of ways. Join us for an inspirational conversation about some of the challenges these children are facing and how she and Project Libertad and making a difference.

Kurt Kandler's story is one of resilience, passion, and dedication to improving the lives of those less fortunate. His organization, 410 Bridge, has faced numerous challenges in its mission to provide aid and support to communities in Africa. But despite these obstacles, Kurt's unwavering commitment to the cause has led to tangible changes and a glimmer of hope in the lives of those who have been forgotten by society.

Have you ever walked by litter or a pile of trash on a city sidewalk? Most of us have and keep walking, thinking it may smell or what a mess. How many of us would stop and try to figure out how to clean up their neighborhood? I haven't but today's guest Ann Cutbill Lenane did just that. She not only saw a growing problem but she rolled up her sleeves to do something about it. She is a very successful residential realtor in the Upper West Side of New York City and is the founder of One Block UWS.  Join us today for an inspirational conversation about one woman's journey to clean up her neighborhood, employee people in need of jobs and revive a community One Block at a time.