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Charity Matters

by Heidi Johnson

The Charity Matters Podcast shares the stories of innovators, entrepreneurs and inspiring modern-day heroes who set out to solve the problems of humanity with their incredible journeys of service. Join us each week for a front-row seat to the best of humanity.

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Episodes

  1. Episode 110: What Season 10 Taught Me About Showing Up

    Season 10 of the Charity Matters Podcast turned out to be about much more than the inspiring people I interviewed. It became a season of unexpected personal lessons about asking for help, taking one step at a time, walking beside others, navigating grief, and discovering that service is simply…

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  2. Episode 109: Pacer Nation

    Sometimes making a difference begins with something as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. More than three decades ago, chiropractor Steve Smith invited a group of patients to meet him at the Rose Bowl. His goal was simply to help people feel better through movement. However,...

  3. Episode 108: The Acceleration Project

    In this inspiring conversation, Jane Veron shares how a successful corporate career, a decade spent raising her children, and a passion for solving problems led her to build a national movement, The Acceleration Project (TAP), that has already helped thousands of entrepreneurs thrive. Along the...

  4. Episode 107: Southeast Community Foundation

    In this episode of the Charity Matters Podcast, we sit down with Julie Coyne, Founder of the Southeast Community Foundation, to explore how a childhood battle with polio and the kindness of others shaped her lifelong commitment to serving children. Julie shares why helping students build…

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  5. Episode 106: Bags of Fun

    In this heartfelt episode of the Charity Matters Podcast, we explore the powerful story behind Bags of Fun......an organization built on the belief that every child deserves joy, even in the midst of life’s hardest battles. This is a story about showing up, about seeing a need others might...

  6. Episode 105: Ripple Effects Artist

    What if art wasn’t just something we experienced but something that moved us to act? This week’s Charity Matters episode introduces you to Jessie Fahay, a true “Ripple Effects Artist” who is transforming the way we think about theater, storytelling, and service. Jessie doesn’t just create…

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  7. Episode 104: The Power of Sight

    What if the moment that changed your life… became the reason you changed someone else’s? In this week’s Charity Matters Podcast, Episode 104: The Power of Sight, we meet Gianny Cardenas, founder of Power of Sight, a mobile nonprofit bringing vision care directly to underserved communities. But…

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  8. Episode 103: Walk With Me Brother

    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…

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  9. Episode 102: JDS Creative

    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...

  10. Episode 101: Sleep in Heavenly Peace

    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…

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  11. Episode 100: Safe Families for Children

    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...

  12. Episode 99: Looking Back

    Episode 99 is a pause. A breath. A moment to look back at the people who showed us what courage, compassion, community, and faith really look like. These are the stories that didn’t just inspire us....they changed us. So this moment, before we step off into a new season, seemed like that moment…

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  13. Episode 98: Caroline’s Cause

    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...

  14. Episode 97: For Farmers Movement

    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...

  15. Episode 96: Mom’s Christmas Stocking

    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...

  16. Episode 95: Uprising Yoga

    Join this week’s conversation between Charity Matters founder, Heidi Johnson, and founder of Uprising Yoga, Jill Weiss Ippolito. Jill’s journey is a full-circle story; From an angry, hurting teenager to a joyful healer bringing trauma-informed yoga and life skills to youth in juvenile halls. She...

  17. Episode 94: Penny’s Flight

    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…

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  18. Episode 93: Pop Drop

    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...

  19. Episode 92: Shoulder Check

    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...

  20. Episode 91: Supplies for Success

    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…

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  21. Episode 90: Enchanted Makeovers

    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…

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  22. Episode 89: Once Upon a School

    As schools are getting ready to close for the summer, today we are talking about what it takes to start a school. What started as a simple realization....a moment of wondering how a mother experiencing homelessness could possibly make it through the day....sparked a movement that’s changing lives...

  23. Episode 88: A Brighter Day

    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…

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  24. Episode 87: RareGivers Global

    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...

  25. Episode 86: William’s Be Yourself Challenge

    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...

  26. Episode 85: KinderSmile Foundation

    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...

  27. Episode 84: Thrive in Joy

    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…

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  28. Episode 83: Robin Cancer Trust

    Since cancer knows no boundaries and affects so many regardless of where you live, I wanted to share this amazing organization and family with you this week. Toby Freeman's family was living a lovely life until his oldest brother Robin was given a shocking diagnosis of cancer at the young age of...

  29. Episode 82: ICL Foundation

    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...

  30. Episode 81: Pave The Way

    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,...

  31. Episode 80: Change for Good

    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...

  32. Episode 79: Growing to Give

    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...

  33. Episode 78: Words Matter

    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...

  34. Episode 77: Filling In the Blanks

    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...

  35. Episode 76: Claim Your Potential

    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...

  36. Episode 75: Calibrate

    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...

  37. Episode 74: 4Girls

    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...

  38. Episode 73: Heroes Voices Media Foundation

    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...

  39. Episode 72: Praline’s Backyard Foundation

    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...

  40. Episode 71: Posse Foundation

    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...

  41. Episode 70: Focusing Philanthropy

    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…

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  42. Episode 69: GlamourGals

    Today's guest, Rachel Doyle, started her nonprofit in high school and twenty years later has over ninety chapters nationwide connecting teens and senior citizens through GlamourGals. Join us for an inspirational conversation about what we can do for our seniors, ourselves, the power of connection...

  43. Episode 68: Driving Single Parents

    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…

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  44. Episode 67: When We Walk By

    Join us today to hear what Kevin is doing every day through his beautiful work with Miracle Messages. Take a moment to hear about his incredible new book, When We Walk By, which comes out today . I have been reading it and can not say enough about how Kevin's personal story, work and journey to...

  45. Episode 66: You, Me Neurodiversity

    Episode 66: You, Me Neurodiversity Today, Alyssa is joining us to share about her latest work with Autism and her new project called You, Me, Neurodiverstiy. Join us as Alyssa shares her inspiring journey from big sister, college student and nonprofit founder.

  46. Episode 65: Curiosity 2 Create 

    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...

  47. Episode 64: Riley’s Way

    Please join us for an inspirational conversation from our guest Ian Sandler. Learn as Ian shares the heartbreaking story behind the creation of Riley's Way and the beautiful lasting legacy he has created to honor his beloved daughter.

  48. Episode 63: Girls For A Change

    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...

  49. Episode 62: Mitchell Thorp Foundation

    It is always challenging talking to parents who have lost a child. Beth and her family have taken their loss and turned it into incredible support for families whose children suffer from life threatening illness with their organization the Mitchell Thorp Foundation. Join us today for an…

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  50. Episode 61: Dignity Defense Institute

    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...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Charity Matters Podcast shares the stories of innovators, entrepreneurs and inspiring modern-day heroes who set out to solve the problems of humanity with their incredible journeys of service. Join us each week for a front-row seat to the best of humanity.

HOSTED BY

Heidi Johnson

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Charity Matters have?

Charity Matters currently has 110 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Charity Matters about?

The Charity Matters Podcast shares the stories of innovators, entrepreneurs and inspiring modern-day heroes who set out to solve the problems of humanity with their incredible journeys of service. Join us each week for a front-row seat to the best of humanity.

How often does Charity Matters release new episodes?

Charity Matters publishes regularly with 110 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Charity Matters?

You can listen to Charity Matters on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Charity Matters?

Charity Matters is created and hosted by Heidi Johnson.
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