PODCAST · business
The Do Gooders Podcast
by Christin Thieme
If you care about making an impact for good then the Do Gooders Podcast from The Salvation Army's Caring Magazine is the show for you. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Christin Thieme, listen in for real-life inspiration, expert insight, evidence of transformation happening in communities across the U.S. through The Salvation Army, and ideas from change-makers so you can join in right where you are and be the reason somebody believes in goodness.
Episodes
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Introducing At the Frontier
The best ideas often begin with a conversation. At the Frontier is a podcast bringing you into conversations with people thinking, serving, building and asking what comes next for the mission of The Salvation Army.
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262: Volunteers share why showing up changes everything
What if joy isn't just something you feel—but something you do? In this episode, you'll hear from volunteers across The Salvation Army who are showing up in simple, powerful ways—distributing food, helping families in crisis and offering presence when it matters most. Their stories reveal that…
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261: When help becomes hope and ripples outward
Lately, we've been exploring a simple but powerful idea: Joy is meant to be shared. We've heard how stories shape us. How stability restores dignity. How gifts, when given away, multiply. And again and again, we've seen the same pattern: Someone receives help. Hope takes root. And that hope…
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260: Knowing you are fully beloved with Timothy Jones
Are you loved—or just tolerated? In this episode, Pastor Timothy Jones explores the question at the heart of his book "Fully Beloved": Am I loved? In a culture shaped by comparison, loneliness and performance, many of us quietly strive to prove we're enough. Pastor Jones invites us to discover a...
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259: Receiving help plants lifelong compassion with Councilmember Mai Vang
What does it mean to grow up receiving help—and then spend your life giving it? In this episode, Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang shares her story as the daughter of Hmong refugees who once stood in line at The Salvation Army for Christmas gifts, winter coats and a safe place to belong. Mai...
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258: Jesus the storyteller with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine
Why did Jesus choose stories instead of sermons? In this episode, New Testament scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine explores how Jesus' parables don't simply explain God's kingdom—they invite us into it. Rooted deeply in Jewish storytelling tradition, the parables aren't tidy moral lessons. They don't...
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257: Music, mentorship and the joy of sharing what you've been given with Rhys Jones
When does a talent become a calling? In this episode, Rhys Jones, Divisional Music Director for The Salvation Army's Cascade Division, shares how music shaped his life—from childhood band camps to mentoring the next generation of young musicians. Rhys reflects on the discipline it takes to grow…
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256: Transforming Love with Commissioner James Betts
Of course, you will remember meeting Commissioner James Betts in our first episode of the year, in which we introduced him as the new Territorial Commander in the West. Today, we're sharing a message from him, delivered just recently during the Welcome and Installation service held February 14 at...
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255: From housing insecurity to helping others find home with Lt. Nick Carrillo
When everything feels uncertain—where you'll live, how you'll provide, what comes next—stability can change everything. In this episode, Lt. Nick Carrillo shares his journey through housing insecurity, recovery and faith—and how receiving help became the turning point that reshaped his future.…
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254: Why stories move us to care with Dr. Paul Zak
What if sharing a story could actually change the brain? In this episode of The Do Gooders Podcast, behavioral neuroscientist Dr. Paul Zak explains why stories move us so deeply—and how they spark empathy, generosity and joy at a biological level. You'll learn what happens in the brain when we…
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253: Why joy is meant to be shared
Sharing joy isn't just a phrase. It's not a slogan. It's a lived experience. It's what happens when someone who once received help becomes someone who helps. It's what happens when hope doesn't stop at relief—but continues through healing, takes root, and then moves outward. Help. Healing. Hope....
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252: A new year, a new chapter with Commissioners James and Sue Betts
As we begin a new year, we're sharing the joy of a new chapter in the Western Territory. Commissioners James and Sue Betts have stepped into leadership as the new Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women's Ministries for The Salvation Army's USA Western Territory. After nearly…
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251: The extraordinary gift of Christmas with Commissioner Douglas Riley
Today, we're closing out our Give With Joy series with a special Christmas message from our Territorial Commander, Commissioner Douglas Riley. As we celebrate the season together, Commissioner Riley invites us to pause amid the noise and remember the heart of Christmas—the miracle of God's love...
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250: Olympia's Roaring Motorcycle Toy Run with Captain Amelia Mott
Every December in Olympia, Washington, the sound of Christmas isn't just bells ringing—it's engines revving. For one incredible day, thousands of bikers fill the streets, each with toys strapped to their motorcycles—dolls, skateboards, games, stuffed animals—all destined for children who might...
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249: Inside The Salvation Army's Angel Tree with Marlene Klotz-Collins
There's nothing quite like the joy on a child's face when they open a Christmas gift chosen just for them. It's the kind of joy that lingers long after the wrapping paper is gone—the joy of being remembered, seen and loved. For more than 40 years, The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program has made...
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248: Christmas began with a promise with Amanda Bible Williams
Christmas isn't only about the manger in Bethlehem. It's about the bigger story—one that stretches from Genesis to Revelation. The story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. And at its center, the good news, as we read in John 1:14, is the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among…
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247: Behind the Red Kettle
Today, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most familiar sights and sounds of Christmas: the Red Kettle. You've probably walked past one outside your grocery store or shopping center—the bell ringing, the volunteers bundled up in scarves and mittens, and that iconic kettle inviting you…
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246: Your brain on altruism with Nicole Karlis
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that "God loves a cheerful giver." And we've seen that throughout this series—giving changes lives, both for those who receive and for those who give. But here's something interesting: science agrees. Research shows that helping others doesn't just...
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245: Profiles in joyful giving
Alright, let's cut right to it today: the people behind the gifts—the donors, kids, families and partners who show us what it means to give with joy. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion…
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244: 6 ways to Give With Joy this Christmas
Both science and Scripture agree on something powerful: generosity is good for you. The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley found that generosity leads to better health, longer life, stronger relationships and yes, greater happiness. And long before researchers confirmed it, Paul wrote in…
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243 Slowing Down: Come away and rest with Alyson Pryor
In a world that glorifies busyness, what if rest is actually the most faithful thing you can do? In this final episode of our Slowing Down series on The Do Gooders Podcast, Christin Thieme talks with Alyson Pryor—marriage and family therapist, spiritual director and author of the forthcoming book...
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242 Slowing Down: A gentle invitation to exhale with Jodi Grubbs
What if slowing down isn't lazy, but holy? Hear Jodi Grubbs—author of "Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale"—share why our bodies and souls weren't designed for hustle culture, and how embracing slower rhythms can help us live with presence, peace and purpose. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.…
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241 Slowing Down: Discovering the goodness of limits with Ashley Hales
What if the good life isn't about having it all, but about embracing our limits? Dr. Ashley Hales, author of "A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits," invites us to rethink freedom, not as endless choice, but as life within God's loving boundaries. EPISODE SHOWNOTES:...
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240 Slowing Down: Releasing the stress you were never meant to carry with Tracie Braylock
What if slowing down wasn't selfish—but essential? In this episode, holistic nurse educator and author Tracie Braylock talks about her new book "Radical Relaxation: Releasing the Stress You Were Never Meant to Carry." Drawing from her background as a surgical nurse and over 15 years in holistic...
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239 Slowing Down: Living at the pace of love with Alan Fadling
Do you ever feel like busyness is running your life? What if slowing down could actually make you more effective in doing good? Author and spiritual director Alan Fadling talks about living unhurried—not as laziness, but as faithful discipleship. Learn why presence matters more than productivity,...
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238: The state of the corps—and the future of ministry—with Jim Sparks
What's the real state of the Church today—and how is The Salvation Army positioned within it? Jim Sparks, Western Territorial Mission Strategist, joins Christin Thieme to unpack surprising new data about spiritual commitment in America, why Gen Z and Millennials are leading a revival, and how…
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237: Building a legacy of care with Maria Rodriguez
For more than 30 years, Maria Rodriguez has been the heart of The Salvation Army Los Angeles Day Care Center—supporting children and families in LA's fashion, produce and flower districts. In this episode, Christin Thieme talks with Maria about how she went from high school volunteer to director,...
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236 The Big Five: How Understanding Personality Transforms Relationships with Dr. Jack Anderson
Discover how the Big Five personality traits shape the way you see the world—and your relationships. Dr. Jack Anderson joins Christin Thieme to share practical ways to bridge differences, build trust and bring out the best in others. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words...
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235: Beyond the statistics on homelessness
Today, we're covering one of America's most pressing challenges: homelessness. But this isn't an episode drowning you in statistics. Instead, we're going to explore real solutions happening right now across the western United States—ways The Salvation Army is helping to truly change lives, one...
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234: How Hope Markets transform food assistance with Stacy Bleuel
Lately, here on this show, we're exploring what happens when hope moves from feeling to doing, from possibility to practice. And today, we're continuing our journey inside one of The Salvation Army's recent transformations: Hope Markets. As we covered in our recent "Hope in Action" issue of the...
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233: Summer at the Long Beach Red Shield with Captain Jared Arnold
Today, we're heading to Long Beach, California, to talk to someone with a unique perspective on youth programming. Captain Jared Arnold runs The Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center, and he recently caught my attention when he said, "Summer is our Christmas." Now, when most of us think…
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232: The volunteer rebound with Hillary Jackson and Adriana Thiele
Want to hear some encouraging news that's emerging from communities across America? After years of declining volunteer participation—a trend that accelerated during the pandemic—researchers are documenting what they're calling a "volunteer rebound." The numbers are striking. Nearly 30 percent of...
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231: Uniquely caring for veterans with Chaplain Nate Lyons
It won't come as a surprise to you that hundreds of thousands of veterans across America are affected by trauma—some from their time in military service, though not all—and yet, their needs remain deeply misunderstood by many of us who haven't served. Not all veterans experience post-traumatic...
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230: Hope through the generations with Commissioners Doug and Colleen Riley
We're exploring not just what hope is, but how it's built, sustained and passed from person to person, community to community. Today, I'm welcoming two leaders whose lives embody this multi-generational understanding of hope: Commissioners Doug and Colleen Riley, territorial leaders of The...
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229: The science of hope with Dr. Chan Hellman
We're exploring what it means to put Hope in Action. And today, I'm excited to welcome a guest who has dedicated his career to understanding hope not just as a feeling, but as a measurable, teachable strength that transforms lives and communities. Dr. Chan Hellman is recognized as one of the...
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228: This is 'Hope in Action'
Hope isn't something that happens to you. It's something you create. It's what happens when possibility meets action. Today we're beginning a journey—one that will explore not just what hope is, but how we build it, nurture it and put it into action. Here's the key: Hope isn't just something…
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227 Walking With Jesus: The Resurrection with Dr. Major Terry Masango
In part four of our series, Walking With Jesus: A Journey to the Cross with Major Dr. Terry Masango, we stand before the empty tomb—the defining moment that separates Christianity from every other faith tradition in the world. The resurrection isn't just an epilogue to the crucifixion—it's the...
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226 Walking With Jesus: The Thief on the Cross with Dr. Major Terry Masango
In part three of our series, Walking With Jesus: A Journey to the Cross with Major Dr. Terry Masango, we explore three simple words: "Jesus, remember me." Spoken by a dying criminal, these words contain within them the essence of our faith journey. As we near Holy Week, Major Masango invites us…
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225 Walking With Jesus: The Good Samaritan with Dr. Major Terry Masango
In part two of our series, Walking With Jesus: A Journey to the Cross with Major Dr. Terry Masango, we turn to one of Jesus' most profound and challenging parables: The Good Samaritan. This story isn't just about helping others—it completely redefines what it means to be a neighbor and challenges...
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224 Walking With Jesus: The Lost Sheep with Dr. Major Terry Masango
Welcome to a new series—Walking With Jesus: A Journey to the Cross. Over the next four weeks, we'll be guided by Major Dr. Terry Masango through a thoughtful exploration of Scripture and its meaning in our everyday lives. In this series, he invites us to walk alongside those who encountered Jesus...
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223: Sheltering hope in The Salvation Army
Today, we're closing our Warm Hearts, Warm Homes series with perhaps the most critical need of all: shelter. Recent government data shows homelessness has soared to the highest level on record, with more than 770,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United States—an 18 percent increase…
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222: When food is just the beginning with Jenny Hartung
We're back again today with our Warm Hearts, Warm Homes series, and this time, exploring how food assistance helps create warm, stable homes for our neighbors in need. Food insecurity is a big problem in the United States, as 47 million people—including 14 million children—do not have enough to…
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221: Keeping the heat on with Captain Jon Tollerud
Continuing our Warm Hearts, Warm Homes series, today we're tackling a challenge that affects countless families during these coldest weeks of the year—keeping the heat on. For many of our neighbors, the choice between staying warm and affording other essentials is a harsh reality. Did you know...
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220: Filling a need for warm coats with Suzanne Pickering
On this show, we like to share stories of everyday people turning hope into action in small, real-life ways right where they are—people like Suzanne Pickering. As a representative of Banner Health, Suzanne started a winter coat and blanket drive in partnership with The Salvation Army in Tucson,...
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219: When hearts and homes need warming
In disasters, we often see something remarkable: how communities come together, how neighbors help neighbors, and how hope persists even in the darkest moments. And notably, it's up to each of us and the little choices we make to keep that spirit of community alive, not just in times of crisis…
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218: Love Your Nervous System with Dr. Jon Kole
One of the most powerful tools available to us is our own mindfulness. Dr. Jon Kole is the Medical Director and Senior Director of Psychiatry at Headspace, which calls itself "the mental health app for every moment." From guided meditations to one-on-one coaching, the Headspace team of clinical...
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217: A Practical Guide to Family Emergency Planning
What would you take if you had to evacuate your home? Are you prepared? A study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) found less than half of American households had discussed or developed an emergency plan. After hearing the stories of many families I know having to evacuate with...
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216: Recognizing collective trauma after disaster with Dr. David Eisenman
In our recent episodes, we've explored what it means to lose home—from the immediate chaos of evacuation to the grief of loss, to the challenging work of supporting a community in crisis. Today, we're examining the deeper psychological impact of disaster on communities. Dr. David Eisenman has…
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215: Helping Others While Also Experiencing Uncertainty with Captains Nick and Becky Helms
Help us love beyond disaster at salarmy.us/socalfire. Last week, we explored what home means—those mental souvenirs we collect, the everyday moments that make a space our own, and the devastating impact when that sanctuary is suddenly gone. We heard about The Salvation Army's immediate response…
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214 More Than a House: With Love from Southern California
Help us love beyond disaster at salarmy.us/socalfire. As wildfires burn across Southern California, The Salvation Army is there. We're there before, during and after disasters strike and are committed to serving the whole person—physically, emotionally and spiritually. With thousands of…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
If you care about making an impact for good then the Do Gooders Podcast from The Salvation Army's Caring Magazine is the show for you. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Christin Thieme, listen in for real-life inspiration, expert insight, evidence of transformation happening in communities across the U.S. through The Salvation Army, and ideas from change-makers so you can join in right where you are and be the reason somebody believes in goodness.
HOSTED BY
Christin Thieme
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Do Gooders Podcast have?
The Do Gooders Podcast currently has 281 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Do Gooders Podcast about?
If you care about making an impact for good then the Do Gooders Podcast from The Salvation Army's Caring Magazine is the show for you. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Christin Thieme, listen in for real-life inspiration, expert insight, evidence of transformation happening in communities across the U.S....
How often does The Do Gooders Podcast release new episodes?
The Do Gooders Podcast publishes regularly with 281 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Do Gooders Podcast?
You can listen to The Do Gooders Podcast 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 The Do Gooders Podcast?
The Do Gooders Podcast is created and hosted by Christin Thieme.
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