John Knauer | If Not Now - When?

📢Your voice matters more than ever. Take 2 minutes and tell your lawmakers that AmeriCorps is essential to your community. 📢📢📢 USE THIS LINK 🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝 In this episode of the AmeriCorps Connections podcast, host Nicki Fiocco interviews John Knauer about his transformative experiences in AmeriCorps and Peace Corps. John shares insights from his service years, emphasizing the importance of seeing individuals behind the numbers and harnessing the power of connection and community impact. He recounts his start with AmeriCorps through a program recommended by his brother, progressing to his roles in New Orleans and Madagascar, and how these experiences influenced his perspective on personal growth, adaptability, and impact. The episode highlights the shifts in John's service mindset, the adaptation and resilience gained through his service experiences, and the joy of fostering community through intentional connections. John also discusses the exciting changes at Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, reflecting ongoing growth and transformation in the national service landscape. The conversation underscores the themes of empathy, intentionality, and the transformative power of open-mindedness and curiosity in service. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Impact of Service 00:47 Meet John Knauer 03:18 John's AmeriCorps Journey Begins 07:26 The Importance of Site Supervisors 08:35 Personal Growth and Second Year of Service 20:41 Transition to Peace Corps 30:05 Cultural Immersion in Madagascar 31:06 Language Barriers and Misunderstandings 32:38 Comparing Dialects: Puerto Rico and Beyond 35:14 Peace Corps Projects and Achievements 39:37 Community and Happiness in Madagascar 45:20 Reflections on Service and Personal Growth 56:44 The Future of Notre Dame Mission Volunteers 59:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝 Alumni Connections AmeriCorps Alums LinkedIn Group AmeriCorps Opportunities Schools of National Service - Find an institute that will match/ honor or offer other incentives toward your Segal Education Award - Employers of National Service - Find employers who prioritize AmeriCorps Alumni service in their hiring 🤠Shout outs! 🌟🌟Podcast Production and Marketing support provided by Do Good, Be Good - they provide training for AmeriCorps programs and are staffed by AmeriCorps alumni. 🌟🌟Hosting and podcast consultation provided by Producer Dan Metivier of Time or Money Production. Thank you, Dan! (p.s., he's an NCCC AmeriCorps Alumni) {supporters} ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★