Jonathan Reckford: Home is the Foundation.

Building Connection is a podcast from ⁠Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis⁠ hosted by Memphis Habitat President & CEO Dwayne Spencer. This podcast seeks to highlight the connections between housing and issues that we all care about -- health, wealth, safety, and more. Healthy communities, intergenerational wealth, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on what matters most -- it all starts with a home. Building Connection will explore that.In this episode:Jonathan T.M. Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, joins Dwayne to talk about Habitat’s work in the U.S. and around the world. They discuss and dispel a few common myths about Habitat, explore advocacy and Habitat’s role in the global conversation around affordable housing, and look ahead to Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary in 2026. Dwayne and Jonathan also reflect on Habitat’s history with President Jimmy Carter and the legacy that lives on through the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. And, as always, the episode closes with our recurring “bring it back to home” segment.Connect with Memphis Habitat!Like and subscribe to Building Connection or leave us a review!Ideas for future guests or topics? Email [email protected] to Memphis Habitat news.Follow Memphis Habitat on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.Connect with Habitat for Humanity InternationalVisit Habitat.org to learn more about Habitat's work in the U.S. and around the world.Read more about Habitat for Humanity's approach to advocacy.Learn more about Habitat's MicroBuild Fund.See how a street in NYC was renamed Jimmy Carter Way for 2025 World Habitat Day.Podcast Credits:Guest: Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity InternationalHost: Dwayne Spencer, MPA, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisExecutive Producer: Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisProduction Partner: Forever Ready ProductionsAbout Jonathan ReckfordJonathan T.M. Reckford is the chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International, a global Christian housing organization that has helped more than 62 million people access safe housing.Since he joined Habitat in 2005, Habitat affiliates in all 50 states and in more than 60 countries have grown from serving more than 125,000 individuals annually to helping more than 3 million people in 2024.Jonathan is the chair of Leadership 18, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Global Future Council on the Future of Cities for the World Economic Forum.Named the most influential nonprofit leader in America in 2017 by The NonProfit Times, Jonathan is the author of Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World.About Dwayne SpencerDwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30 years. Since joining Memphis Habitat in 2001, he has grown the organization from a 9-member staff to more than 70 employees; from a $1 million budget to $25 million; and from building 15 homes per year to building 30+ new homes and serving 250+ Aging In Place repair clients annually. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks fifth in total families served among more than 900 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the U.S. Dwayne holds a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Memphis and currently serves on Habitat International’s Advocacy Committee as well as other boards and advisory committees. In 2024, Dwayne was among the four Memphis-area leaders named ⁠⁠CEO of the Year⁠⁠ by Memphis Magazine.