EPISODE · May 5, 2020 · 26 MIN
The Uncommon Thread
What difference can two people make in a global pandemic?To date, COVID-19 has infected more than 1 million people and claimed over 230,000 lives. The pandemic has disrupted economies, ordered people to stay indoors, and forced restaurants, gyms, hair salons, schools, and nonessential services to shutter their doors. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and filed for unemployment. These uncertain times are asking us to define what the New Normal will be, and what we can do right now to rise above the crisis.In this episode, host Bruce Bracken talks with Ken Smith and Brenda Jallits about their efforts in helping first responders battle the COVID-19 crisis by producing and distributing safety masks. Ken is a software developer at Microsoft with deep experience in laser cutting technologies, and Brenda is a costume designer in the film industry with vast experience in clothing design and sewing. From his workshop and her living room, Ken and Brenda have taken a break from life as they knew it to team up and produce facial masks to keep people safe and healthy, with distributions ranging from local homes and hospitals to global front lines and government agencies.Listen in as these beacons of hope tell you about their journey.Connect with Ken Smith FacebookConnect with Brenda Jallits FacebookResources PPE Mask Laser Cutting YouTube Video by Ken SmithBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
What difference can two people make in a global pandemic?To date, COVID-19 has infected more than 1 million people and claimed over 230,000 lives. The pandemic has disrupted economies, ordered people to stay indoors, and forced restaurants, gyms, hair salons, schools, and nonessential services to shutter their doors. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and filed for unemployment. These uncertain times are asking us to define what the New Normal will be, and what we can do right now to rise above the crisis.In this episode, host Bruce Bracken talks with Ken Smith and Brenda Jallits about their efforts in helping first responders battle the COVID-19 crisis by producing and distributing safety masks. Ken is a software developer at Microsoft with deep experience in laser cutting technologies, and Brenda is a costume designer in the film industry with vast experience in clothing design and sewing. From his workshop and her living room, Ken and Brenda have taken a break from life as they knew it to team up and produce facial masks to keep people safe and healthy, with distributions ranging from local homes and hospitals to global front lines and government agencies.Listen in as these beacons of hope tell you about their journey.Connect with Ken Smith FacebookConnect with Brenda Jallits FacebookResources PPE Mask Laser Cutting YouTube Video by Ken SmithBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
NOW PLAYING
The Uncommon Thread
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m