A Conversation with Carlos A. Rodríguez on returning to Puerto Rico, founding the Happy Givers, and finding hope locally.

In this episode of Mend the World, hosts Cece Jones-Davis and Malika McKinley Cox sit down with Carlos A. Rodríguez, the founder of Happy NPO and The Happy Givers store, for a moving conversation on purpose, community, faith evolution, justice, and connection to the land.Carlos leads the Happy NPO, and 100% of its profits go to the nonprofit. They manage and assist home reconstruction programs and food security efforts in Puerto Rico, a children's home in Peru, and partner with organizations supporting migrants in Tijuana. Recently, Carlos has been building a campus in Puerto Rico that includes a community kitchen and a trade school serving the local community in need.Together, Cece, Malika, and Carlos explore how the rise of Christian Nationalism has, for many, become a catalyst toward a more genuine faith and authentic life's work. They ask what it really looks like to show up for our neighbors in a way that is embodied and rooted in solidarity. This is a timely and significant conversation about living authentically, showing up for family and neighbors, and making a difference in the world; all while staying true to who we are.What You'll Hear in This Episode:Carlos's work  in Puerto Rico with the Happy GiversCarlos's faith evolution, leaving pastoral ministry after the rise of Christian Nationalism in the run-up to the 2016 election, and returning to his roots in Puerto RicoLearn how you can participate in Carlos's work through donating, buying merchandise, or visiting Puerto Rico and the community kitchen.to stand for what is right while also not letting the fight become your identity. The story behind the community kitchenConnect with Carlos A. Rodríguez & The Happy Givers:Website / Shop: https://thehappygivers.comNonprofit: https://www.happynpo.comBooks by Carlos: Simply Sonship, Drop the Stones, and the upcoming Flip the TablesInstagram / @carloshappynpo About Mend the World:Mend the World is a podcast hosted by Cece Jones-Davis and Malika McKinley Cox, inviting you to reimagine a world that is just, equitable, and fosters planetary flourishing. Together, we face the truth of our world's pain with courage, hold space for lament, and listen deeply to the social repair practitioners healing our world.Support the show:We invite you to join us. Subscribe, follow our socials, like, share, and reach out. We are in this together. YouTube |    / ‪@TheMendtheWorldPodcast‬    Facebook |   /   / themendtheworldpodcast   Instagram |   /   / mendtheworldpodcast  TikTok |   /   / mend.the.world  X | https://x.com/MendingTheWorld/CeceJonesDavis https://cecejonesdavis.com/Instagram |   /   / cecejonesdavis  /Malika McKinley Cox https://www.malikamckinleycox.com/Substack https://substack.com/@rememberingedenInstagram |   /   / malikacox