Do Something More
Melissa Draper
This is a service-oriented podcast where we highlight the helpers who inspire us all to do something more. We 'highlight the helpers' and tell the inspiring stories of others (individuals, organizations, and nonprofits) who have found unique ways to give back to their communities. And we inspire listeners to 'do something more' with simple ideas on how you can serve, volunteer and make a difference. Weekly interview and solo episodes hosted by Melissa Draper. You can contact Melissa at dosomethingmore.podcast@gmail.com. Follow the podcast on Instagram @dosomethingmore.podcast
91. ‘Turtle Shelter Project’ and Bringing Warmth and Hope to Homeless Individuals with Handmade and High Tech Vests (with Founder and Executive Director, Jen Spencer)
Send us a textTrigger warning: this episode mentions suicideJen Spencer had spent 20 years as a meth addict and was living on the streets of Ogden, Utah during a particularly cold and bitter winter. She remembers the feeling of cold completely overwhelmed her, zapping her energy and even her will to live. During a particularly dark and broken moment, she decided to reach out to God in prayer. The answer she received during that prayer helped her to check herself into a rehab facility. Only three
Mar 26, • 33:24
90. ‘The Crayon Initiative’ and Recycling Old Crayons into New Ones for Kids at Children’s Hospitals (with Founder and President, Bryan Ware)
Send us a textBryan Ware was out to dinner with his family one night when he wondered, could someone do something with all the restaurant crayons kids use and repurpose them? After pondering that question for a couple years and doing a little research, he finally started his nonprofit ‘The Crayon Initiative.’Using his manufacturing background, he slowly figured out a way to collect recycled crayons, remake them into new crayons with a unique design, and donate those new boxes to children’s hospi
Mar 19, • 26:31
89. How to Make Donating a Regular Part of Your Life (Even When You Feel Like You Don’t Have Much to Give)
Send us a textGiving of our time and volunteering is important and a great way to serve in our communities, but in this episode I’m switching my focus just a little bit and talking about how important it is to donate money and physical goods as well…especially to the nonprofits in our community. Donations, large and small, are their lifeblood and they are truly appreciative of any amount someone can give.I’m sharing a few tips on how anyone can make donating a regular part of their life by learn
Mar 12, • 16:06
88. ‘Birthday Box Foundation’ and Making it Possible for Every Child to Celebrate Their Birthday (with Founder and Executive Director, Emily Buss)
Send us a textWhile navigating her husband’s sudden job loss, Emily Buss wanted to still be able to provide a fun birthday for her daughters…but after looking around for community resources didn’t know how she could do it. A friend ended up anonymously sharing a list with the community, and packages started arriving on Emily’s doorstep…even down to the cute cat napkins her daughter had requested. From there Emily realized there was a real need in the community to provide birthday supplies to oth
Mar 5, • 28:33
87. ‘Kindness Through Letters’ and Spreading Love and Encouragement Through Thousands of Letters (with Allison Bond)
Send us a textAllison Bond is 28 years old, has cerebral palsy, and lives in Lincoln, Arkansas. During the COVID pandemic she decided she wanted to do something to make a difference and started writing letters to various people. Several years and almost 6,000 letters later…she’s touched a lot of people and lives. She writes to individuals in many different situations…people in prison or serving in the military to people affected by natural disasters or even people in her own community. This cand
Feb 26, • 19:11
86. Phrases You Can Use When You Want to Help Someone
Send us a textI think many of us have found ourselves in a moment where we felt like we wanted to offer our service, or help, or assistance to someone…but we weren’t quite sure what to say or do. This is a topic I have pondered and studied for the last 7-8 years. I’ve even kept pages in notebooks where I’ve written down phrases and questions I have heard others use when they were trying to offer service or help to someone. So this episode is my attempt to share a small piece of that wisdom and a
Feb 19, • 22:35
85. ‘Joyful Welcome’ and Supplying Essential Baby Items to Newborns and their Mothers (with Chair, Brenda Sanford)
Send us a text‘Joyful Welcome’ started after the founder saw a father leaving the hospital with his new baby wrapped in his coat. She decided to start making welcome kits with essential baby items for newborns and their families and distributing them to her local hospital. My guest, Brenda Sanford, is now the chair of ‘Joyful Welcome’. She learned about what they do at a local church meeting, and felt inspired to start volunteering. It was a short time later when the founder thought she might ha
Feb 12, • 23:01
84. ‘My Story Matters’ and Promoting Healing and Inspiring Hope Through the Recording of Personal Stories (with Founder and Executive Director, Amy Chandler)
Send us a textOne of Amy Chandler’s missions with her nonprofit is to be a catapult for lasting transformation. She is the Founder and Executive Director of 'My Story Matters' and they’ve developed courses to help people take ownership of their story and have the tools they need to live with intention and create real change in their lives.Amy emphasizes that their curriculum is really for anyone, but she’s had the opportunity to lead these courses in many places, including the prison system. Amy
Feb 5, • 31:44
83. Using the Power of Community to Serve
Send us a textService is a great tool for building a sense of community…and we can also use our communities to serve in big ways. In this episode I’m sharing some ideas I’ve seen from different organizations and people and how they use the power of gathering people together to serve and lift in many beautiful ways. I also give my thoughts on why using this power of community to serve with our families is a good idea too. Listen and you might hear an idea that could help you, your family, or you
Jan 29, • 13:53
82. 'Let Grow' and Helping Parents and Communities Foster Independence In Kids (with Co-Founder, Lenore Skenazy)
Send us a textShe’s been in media outlets all over the U.S. championing the ‘free range kids’ movement, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to feature Lenore Skenazy on this episode of the podcast.Lenore shares how she became the standard bearer for this idea of helping parents foster growth in their kids by allowing them to have independent experiences. We also talk about the nonprofit she co-founded called ‘Let Grow.’ Its goal is to make it easy, normal and legal to give kids the indepe
Jan 15, • 37:25
81. 'Be A Little Too Kind' and Providing Homeless Individuals Hot Meals Each Week (with Founder, Jessica Lowe)
Send us a textAs a culinary student at a school in downtown Salt Lake City, Jessica Lowe realized that instead of throwing out the food they prepared each week, she and her classmates could share it with the homeless people they often saw on their way to and from class. And that’s exactly what she started to do and continued to do for several weeks. After the class was finished, Jessica realized she wanted to keep serving food and meals, and her nonprofit 'A Little Too Kind' was born.Now each Th
Jan 8, • 32:25
80. Cindy Trussel with 'Lighthouse Charities' and Assisting and Empowering Refugee and Immigrant Families
Send us a textCindy Trussel describes herself as a ‘doer’ and a hard worker. She likes to solve problems and has used that tenacity in many ways to serve and lift those around her. She came to the United States from Australia with her family as a young girl and knows what it’s like to navigate a new country and culture. After raising five biological children and then adopting three more, she felt pulled to the nonprofit world. She was involved in different ways and eventually found her life’s ca
Dec 17, 2024 • 40:05
79. 'Light the World' Through Simple Acts of Kindness and Service
Send us a textIt's the Christmas season and many of us are busy with to do lists and hoping to make this time a fun and magical one for our families and those around us. But today I am going to be sharing simple ideas on how you can 'Light the World' with simple acts of kindness and service. This isn't meant to be another burden or thing to add to your to do list. This is meant to be a resource and a source of inspiration and joy as we all do our best to lift those around us this Christmas seaso
Dec 11, 2024 • 16:11
78. Chauncy and Kelli Johnson with ‘Snow Angel Foundation’ and Preventing Ski and Snowboard Collisions So Everyone Can Ride Another Day
Send us a textChauncy and Kelli Johnson experienced tragedy on Christmas Eve in 2010 after a snowboarder collided with Kelli and their five-year-old daughter, Elise, while they were skiing. Elise and the snowboarder both ended up passing away, and Kelli spent several months recovering from a traumatic brain injury. It was because of these experiences and the passion they have had for skiing their whole lives that they decided to start their 'Snow Angel Foundation'. With this foundation they bega
Nov 26, 2024 • 36:57
77. A Simple Way to Serve Others By Expressing Gratitude
Send us a textEveryone needs to feel at times like they matter or that what they do matters. Expressing gratitude to those around us for the ways they have helped us and inspired us can be a beautiful way of helping others feel seen and loved…but it can also be a simple and profound way to serve. Listen to this episode to hear my thoughts on how you can craft a sincere ‘thank you’ that can truly make a difference in someone else’s life.Follow the podcast on social media:Do Something More Instagr
Nov 19, 2024 • 18:39
76. Jacquelynn Sokol and Emily Larsen with the Springville Museum of Art and Fostering Beauty and Contemplation Through Life-Affirming Art and Experience
Send us a textThis week is unique for the podcast because I’m featuring a museum for the first time…the Springville Museum of Art. My guests Jacquelynn Sokol and Emily Larsen both work for the museum and they share some great thoughts about the power of art and the museum’s mission to make art accessible to everyone in their community. They share about the many programs the museum does, and also about some of the unique and long-running exhibits they do each year. I especially loved the message
Nov 5, 2024 • 30:21
75. Holly Christensen with 'The Magic Yarn Project' and Making Fun Character Wigs for Children Experiencing Hair Loss from Cancer Treatments
Send us a textHolly Christensen is a wife and homeschooling mom of three children, running her nonprofit ‘The Magic Yarn Project’ from her home. It all started several years ago when she decided to make a soft Rapunzel wig for a friend’s little girl who had been diagnosed with cancer. The wig was a hit…and Holly then started making more wigs for her local hospital, and from there her nonprofit took off. They’ve now delivered over 60,000 wigs to all 50 states and 52 countries around the world.I l
Oct 29, 2024 • 34:34
74. If You Want to Help After a Natural Disaster
Send us a textWith Hurricanes Helene and Milton that have recently hit the United States, the topic of how to help after a natural disaster is at the forefront of many people’s minds. In this episode I’m sharing just a few ideas of ways you can serve and support communities that have experienced a natural disaster. Many of us have good intentions and truly want to offer help where it’s needed, so one thing I stress in this episode is making sure you offer your service in a coordinated way throug
Oct 23, 2024 • 15:25
73. Mckell Draper and Being a Service Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Send us a textThis week on the podcast I am featuring my niece, Mckell Draper. Mckell is currently serving as a service missionary for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a service missionary, she is dedicating 18 months to full time service at a variety of church and community organizations. Mckell takes us through what a typical day and week look like for her, she shares about some of the service sites she gets to work at, and she tells some really touching stories
Oct 15, 2024 • 33:17
72. Ashlee Taylor with ‘The Refuge Utah’ and Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Send us a textAshlee Taylor has worked with nonprofits for her entire career and she now serves as the Executive Director of The Refuge Utah, a center that assists victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. This can be a sensitive topic to cover, but I think an essential one as well. I really appreciated the ways Ashlee shared about the variety of services they offer, the real needs their center is actively fulfilling in their community, and even the stories of some of the pe
Oct 8, 2024 • 33:21
71. Ideas for Serving in Our Schools and Why It Matters
Send us a textIt’s that time of year when many families are finally getting settled into their school routine and schedule. Life can be busy! Running kids around, balancing many responsibilities in and outside our homes, and keeping up with all that life has to offer. So with this episode I wanted to take a minute to give the reminder that volunteering in our children’s schools is a great way for parents…and even grandparents…to serve and make a difference! I share my personal reasons for why th
Sep 25, 2024 • 30:45
70. Danielle Simko with 'Lead with Light' and Teaching Others to Become Effective Leaders Through Service
Send us a textDanielle Simko graduated from high school this last May and along with everything else that you can imagine a busy senior doing, she also competed in her local city’s pageant with the Miss America organization. On this episode Danielle shares about the community service initiative she started called ‘Lead with Light’. Her goal with it is to teach different areas of leadership to children and youth, giving an especial focus on service and helping those around you. I love how we were
Sep 18, 2024 • 26:24
69. Anadine Marshall with 'Charity Vision' and Restoring Curable Sight Impairment Worldwide
Send us a textAnadine Marshall has done work with many nonprofits in a variety of ways…and right now she’s serving as the Programs Director with the nonprofit Charity Vision. I was so inspired by this nonprofit and the work they do to not only restore curable sight impairment worldwide…but also the goal they have of empowering the communities they work with to be self-sustaining and giving them the tools they need to facilitate their own solutions for the work of giving vision care.Anadine talks
Sep 11, 2024 • 34:37
68. Participating in the National Day of Service on September 11
Send us a textIn the United States, September 11 has been officially recognized and established under federal law as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Organizations all over the nation…including nonprofits, employers, faith and religious groups, cities and schools…organize projects and use this day to encourage the people of our nation to serve and reach out to others. On today’s episode I’m giving you just a little background on this day and also some ideas for how you can participate.
Sep 4, 2024 • 14:57
67. Rebroadcast: Amy Francis with 'Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs' and Providing Health, Hope, and Healing to the Community with Therapy Dogs
Send us a textAmy Francis is the Founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs. They are a non-profit that offers training and certification of dogs, as well as connecting dog handlers with service opportunities in the community. Therapy dogs are a little different than service animals. While they are working dogs, instead of providing a service to one individual, they are used to serve and provide therapy in a myriad of different ways to many different people. That is one of the things I loved
Aug 28, 2024 • 36:10
66. Rebroadcast: Camber Hess, Using Service to Cope with Grief and Her 'Infant Loss Stories' Project
Send us a textThis podcast episode is a sweet and tender interview with my husband’s cousin, Camber Hess. Camber lost one of her daughters as an infant several years ago, and has also experienced infertility and miscarriage. In this episode she talks about those experiences, and shares how receiving heartfelt service from others helped her cope with her grief. I really appreciate how she also gave genuine and simple ideas anyone can use to help them serve and be a support to those they might kno
Aug 21, 2024 • 40:56
65. Why You Might Want to Consider Doing an Act of Service When You're Having a Rough Day
Hello! I'm back after a little summer break. I'm so happy to be back here...we've got a lot of great episodes coming up on the podcast. But today, I'm sharing some thoughts with you on why doing a small act of service might be just what you need on a bad day. I also talk about how I love sharing doable ideas on this podcast so ANYONE can make service a beautiful and meaningful part of their own life, even in the simplest of ways.Thank you so much for being here!Follow the podcast on social media
Jul 31, 2024 • 9:00
64. Rebroadcast: Shauna Brown with 'Project Read' and Changing Lives Through Literacy
Shauna Brown has been with Project Read for over 20 years…she started out as a volunteer herself, and is now the Executive Director. Project Read is an adult literacy program where they help individuals gain the skills they need in reading, writing, math, and even digital skills. One thing I especially love about this episode is all the great stories Shauna shares. She really gives a good picture of the work they’re doing through these stories and experiences she had herself as a tutor, and now
Jun 19, 2024 • 36:23
63. Rebroadcast: Lori Muir with 'Ironman Q Foundation' and Supporting Cancer Families
After a 5 year battle with cancer, Quinton Muir passed away in 2017 at the age of 16. Now his parents, Jeff and Lori Muir are running a foundation called the Ironman Q Foundation to honor his memory and to help other families who find themselves navigating a cancer diagnosis.This of course was a tender interview as Lori shared her memories of Quinton and some of the reasons they felt motivated in different ways to begin this foundation and help other people in honor of Quinton. She shares how th
Jun 12, 2024 • 29:49
62. Rebroadcast: Vaughn Kimball and Being a Volunteer Coach for Kids Sports Teams
Vaughn Kimball is my older brother…but he’s also had a lot of experience working with youth through work and also a variety of volunteer roles and opportunities. For this episode I asked him if he could talk about being a volunteer coach for kids sports teams. He shares a lot of good advice and encouragement for anyone that’s ever thought about wanting to be a coach for their kid’s teams. I also love the ‘why’ he shares at the end. That yes, it’s fun competing and learning a new sport, but most
Jun 5, 2024 • 31:03
61. Why Doing Service While On Vacation is a Great Idea and Simple Tips to Make it Happen
Summertime for many of us also means vacation time! In this episode I’m sharing some of my own reasons for why service on vacation is a great idea. I also have some simple tips for how you can make service happen: some of them you can do with little to no planning, and some take just a little planning. I hope after this episode you can see how easy and fun it can be to incorporate service in your travel plans.Links mentioned in episode:Just ServeFollow the podcast on social media:Do Something Mo
May 29, 2024 • 27:46
60. Meg Busing with 'Midwest You Can Foundation' and Creating Empowerment and Community for Individuals Navigating Epilepsy
When she was a freshman in high school, Meg Busing was in a tragic car accident with some of her friends. She ended up with a traumatic brain injury and as a teenager had to learn how to navigate life with a distinct set of new challenges. She was able to successfully graduate high school, but a few years later in college, she had her first seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy. She managed to achieve her dream of graduating with her degree in nursing, but then a few years later during a pregn
May 22, 2024 • 37:39
59. Jen Simonic and Masey Kaplan with 'Loose Ends' and Matching Crafters with Projects People Have Left Unfinished Due to Death or Disability
Jen Simonic and Masey Kaplan are both crafters at heart and have been friends for over 30 years. After having their own experiences with finishing crafting projects for other friends and loved ones who had passed away, they started tossing around the idea of a nonprofit where they could create a community of crafters who would be available to finish projects families and individuals would like finished that their loved ones had started.Now their nonprofit, Loose Ends, has a community that spans
May 15, 2024 • 35:45
58. Celebrating Mothers and the Good Work They Do
It’s Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday here in the United States…so this episode is dedicated to all the good women out there and the good service they do with their own families and those around them. First, I'm sharing some pretty personal thoughts about a conversation I had years ago that gave me a shift on my motherhood and navigating the challenges of life. And I’m also sharing a fun poem I wrote a few years ago that highlights all the good daily work Mother’s do. My goal is that when you
May 8, 2024 • 11:00
57. Melanie Rodger with 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep' and Providing Remembrance Portraits to Parents Experiencing the Death of a Baby
Melanie Rodger lost her first son just 32 hours after his birth when she was 20 years old. That loss prompted her to want to seek community and not feel alone as she navigated the grieving process. During that time, she learned about 'Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep', a nonprofit that provides remembrance portraits to parents experiencing the death of a baby. Melanie had known she wanted to be a part of other families' stories in a way that others had been there for her, and when she was ready she st
May 1, 2024 • 40:38
56. Krysti Wright with 'Stitching Hearts Worldwide' and Providing Service Opportunities to Create Handmade Items for People in Need
Several years ago Krysti Wright felt nudged to more intentionally start using her gifts and talents to make a difference in the world. She had always loved doing long-arm quilting and decided that was where she could make her contribution. She started off with a small group of women who worked together making and donating quilts to different causes. But then she started having other groups reach out to her who wanted to help or needed service projects to do, and that’s when she realized what her
Apr 24, 2024 • 29:39
55. 5 Tips to Help You Make Time for Service and Volunteering
Time! We all wish we had more of it! Especially when it comes to serving and helping others, many of us feel we wish we had time to do more of those good things we’ve felt inspired or nudged to do. In this episode I’m sharing some of my thoughts on time and submitting the idea that we are more in control than we think. I talk about the famous ‘Good Samaritan’ study done back in the 70s that looked at this concept of serving others and time, and I’m sharing 5 tips to help inspire you on how to m
Apr 16, 2024 • 40:14
54. Janelle Christensen with 'Family Haven' and Working to Prevent and Treat Child Abuse by Providing Support and Healing to Families
Janelle Christensen has been involved with Family Haven in a myriad of ways for almost 15 years and right now she serves as the Director. On this episode of the podcast she shares how Family Haven fulfills its primary purpose of preventing and treating child abuse.What impressed me in this interview is Family Haven truly believes in coming at this sensitive issue from all sides. First by empowering families and giving them the tools they need to be healthy and succeed, through things like parent
Apr 9, 2024 • 38:06
53. Brady and Andrea Murray with 'Rods Heroes' and Inspiring Families to Answer the Call to Adopt Children in Unique Circumstances
Brady and Andrea Murray are the parents of 11 children, 7 of them they adopted into their family. Their journey with adoption and their passion for advocating for children began after their first son was born with Down syndrome. Soon after that, they became aware of the fate that many children born with Down syndrome around the world face of being abandoned or left in orphanages.That fueled their idea to create a nonprofit to help many of those children find families and homes. The mission of th
Apr 2, 2024 • 31:00
52. Happy Birthday to the 'Do Something More' Podcast
This week the podcast is celebrating one year! I am so proud of putting out an episode each week for one whole year. I also am so, so grateful for every guest that graciously gives of their time to come on the show, and each person that downloads, follows, or shares.This episode is a fun one celebrating the podcast...I'm sharing some fun stats, talking about some favorite episodes, and answering some of the questions I regularly get about the podcast.Give it a listen to learn a little more about
Mar 26, 2024 • 14:54
51. Kristen Carr with 'People Helping People' and Teaching Low-Income Women How to Gain Good Employment
‘People Helping People’ is a non-profit organization that likes to say they are often in the business of building confidence. They help primarily women and single mothers gain and keep good employment so they can provide for themselves and their families. My guest on the podcast this week Kristen Carr is the Community Outreach Coordinator, and she shared that many of the women and single mothers that come into their program have gone through hard and traumatic experiences. But through the mentor
Mar 19, 2024 • 31:42
50. Tallia Feltis with 'The Neighborhood Art Center' and Providing an Engaging Space for Kids to Create Art
Tallia Feltis was raising her young kids in Provo, Utah when she realized they needed an accessible and affordable place they could go to create, explore, learn and try new things. She decided to be the one to create that community space, and the Neighborhood Art Center was born. Tallia’s taken her passions from visiting other Children’s Museums around the country and seeing what her own kids enjoyed doing, and she’s put all of those ideas together into one engaging space for children and famili
Mar 12, 2024 • 28:59
49. Using Service to Help You Manage Your Mental Health
Anxiety and depression have been a reality for me like they are for many others. In this episode I share what I’ve learned about the nature of managing my own mental health, and one way of doing it is to find regular things I put in my daily life and routines that help me navigate those challenges and keep moving forward. I share why I truly believe service can be a great thing to incorporate when someone is wanting to improve their mental health. I also give some concrete ideas anyone can use t
Mar 6, 2024 • 32:27
48. Wendy Osborne with 'Tabitha's Way' Food Pantry and Helping People Through Tough Times by Providing Temporary Food Assistance
Wendy Osborne was working in a corporate career when she found herself on a spiritual journey and felt inspiration come that she needed to open a local food pantry in her community. She decided to name the pantry ‘Tabitha’s Way’ after a story from the Bible about a woman who provided food and clothing to the needy. That was in 2010, and now their pantry operates out of three different locations in Utah County, serving thousands of people each month. I learned a lot in this interview! It was fasc
Feb 27, 2024 • 32:18
47. Ivan Gonzalez with 'Best Seat in the House' and Providing Joy and Fun for Children Experiencing Difficult Times
Several years ago, Ivan Gonzalez wanted to throw himself a birthday party. But it was a little different than your typical party. At this party he wanted to invite children and families going through hard times, whether it be because of poverty and finances, or because of a medical diagnosis, or special needs. After having a great time watching these kids be able to experience true joy for the evening, Ivan decided to plan another event and then another, and that’s how his non-profit ‘Best Seat
Feb 20, 2024 • 28:20
46. 3 Ways You Can Use Service to Improve Your Relationship With Your Spouse
On this episode I'm sharing 3 simple ways anyone can use service to strengthen, boost, or improve their relationship with their spouse or significant other. And of course, I share a few stories about me and my husband!At its core, service is an act of love. It naturally brings good feelings with it and helps us feel connected to those around us, whether we are givers or receivers of that service. And in my opinion, there's no better way than to use all those benefits that come with service to st
Feb 13, 2024 • 20:09
45. Dorthy Haskell and Helping Children and Teenagers Navigate Emotions with Equine Therapy
Dorthy Haskell has loved horses all her life. After receiving some training and working with adults as a certified clinical hypnotherapist, she decided to combine her lifelong love of horses with her skills and training, and now serves children and teenagers with her equine therapy practice.I loved this episode because like any good therapist, Dorthy left me feeling enlightened and encouraged with reminders on how anyone can navigate the challenges of life and emotions that come with them. She t
Feb 6, 2024 • 34:17
44. Brent Crane with the 'Food and Care Coalition' and Serving the Homeless Population
Brent Crane has been with the Food and Care Coalition for 35 years, so he has a lot of experience and expertise to share when it comes to serving and helping the homeless and those in poverty. On this episode he starts off explaining how the Food and Care Coalition began as a truly grassroots movement, the ways they collaborate with other organizations to help meet their clients needs, and of course he shares some great stories that truly illustrate the good their organization is doing, as well
Jan 30, 2024 • 42:53
43. Embarrassing Moments Can Be An Opportunity to Speak Up and Serve Someone
We've all had that moment when we've come home from work or a party or other social function...and realized we had something in our teeth, or our fly was down, or there was some food dribbled on our shirt...or whatever it might be! In that moment we wonder how long we walked around like that and maybe might have even wished someone would have spoken up and let us know. On this episode I'm sharing my opinion that being courageous enough to be that someone to speak up in the middle of another pers
Jan 24, 2024 • 10:46
42. Brice Julian with 'Hardhats of Hope' and Helping with Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Blue-Collar Careers
The statistics surrounding suicide in construction and other blue-collar careers are alarming. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that they have some of the highest rates of suicide among all other occupations. My guest on the podcast this week, Brice Julian, has seen some of the effects of working in these professions first-hand in his own career, and is now committed to providing mental health resources and support to the many men and women who work in blue-collar jobs.On the episode
Jan 16, 2024 • 25:53
41. Tiffany Larson with 'Days for Girls' and Working to Create a World Where Periods Are Never a Problem
'Days for Girls' is an organization that is working to improve the livelihood for women and girls all over the world, through education and by providing the resources necessary to eliminate the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation. My guest on the podcast this week, Tiffany Larson, is the CEO of 'Days for Girls' and she highlights so well all the many ways their organization is impacting communities and cultures throughout the world.She shares the moving story of how 'Days for Gir
Jan 9, 2024 • 40:09
40. How a Simple Act of Service on Christmas Day Lifted Me During a Hard Time and Helped Me See My Worth
Listen to the podcast this week to hear a special Christmas story that happened to me several years ago. I was struggling as a young mother with depression and anxiety, and this simple opportunity I had to help someone else on Christmas day helped me feel God's love and gave me something to hold on to during a difficult time. It's a simple story, but it has meant something to me and stuck with me all these years.And also...the podcast will be taking a break for a couple of weeks! But don't worry
Dec 19, 2023 • 14:03
39. Ben Lyne from @runnerguywithasign and Spreading Encouragement and Inspiration through Motivational Running
Ben Lyne is a runner and for over 2 years he kept having the thought that he could use those regular runs to inspire and motivate others…by holding a sign while he ran that says ‘I Believe In You’. He finally got the courage to act on those thoughts a couple of years ago, and the reaction and feedback he’s received has been tremendous. He’s had many let him know that through this simple act of service he’s lifted them, encouraged them, and even saved their life. Ben’s story is an inspiring remin
Dec 12, 2023 • 36:21
38. Katie Bunnell with 'Live Your Dream Foundation' and Helping Single Mothers with Their Education
For the podcast this week I had the opportunity to talk with Katie Bunnell, co-founder and President of the Live Your Dream Foundation. The foundation awards scholarships to single mothers in Utah to help them complete their education so they can better provide for their families. Their scholarships can be used at any university, college, or technical school.In this episode, Katie shares her own story of becoming a single mother and the perseverance it took for her to be able to finish her colle
Dec 5, 2023 • 32:18
37. Why Leaving a Review Can Be an Act of Service
It’s the holiday season! Many of us are shopping for family members and buying gifts for others, so I wanted to share a few thoughts on the podcast this week about leaving reviews.I share a story at the beginning that really illustrates this idea, and I also give three ideas on ways you can leave a review and why it might matter.Leaving a review is simple, it usually only takes a few minutes, but it truly can be an act of service in many different ways. Listen to the podcast to learn more!Follow
Nov 28, 2023 • 13:12
36. Remembering that Service to Your Family is Important Service with Catherine Cheshire
This week for the podcast I am featuring my sister, Catherine Cheshire. Catherine is the mother of 8 children and has so much wisdom to share on serving your family and finding meaning, purpose, and joy in that service. She sprinkled so many good nuggets of wisdom throughout this whole interview. Catherine shared her thoughts on why remembering that service to your family is important, ways you can find joy in that service, and also simple ideas you can use to build a culture of service and grat
Nov 21, 2023 • 36:47
35. Amy Francis with 'Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs' and Providing Health, Hope, and Healing to the Community with Therapy Dogs
My guest on the podcast this week is Amy Francis, the Founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs. They are a non-profit that offers training and certification of dogs, as well as connecting dog handlers with service opportunities in the community. Therapy dogs are a little different than service animals. While they are working dogs, instead of providing a service to one individual, they are used to serve and provide therapy in a myriad of different ways to many different people. That is one
Nov 14, 2023 • 35:10
34. Choosing an Abundance Mindset and Expressing Gratitude
Today for the podcast I'm sharing a few thoughts on choosing an abundance mindset and the benefits of establishing a regular ritual for expressing gratitude. And of course, I talk about how that's all connected to service and giving back! Listen to the episode to get some inspiration on how you can start having more of an abundance mindset in your life.Follow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
Nov 7, 2023 • 13:03
33. Brianna Call with the 'Revolving Closet' and Helping Families Clothe their Kids
The 'Revolving Closet' is a community supported idea, where anyone can come to find children's clothes for their kids for free, and donate clothes as well. They are locally managed and overseen by individuals who run them out of their homes and do it all on a completely volunteer basis.Brianna Call has been running a 'Revolving Closet' in Payson, Utah for several years after seeing a need in her own community and deciding to say 'yes.' She does it by appointment and holds all the clothes in her
Oct 31, 2023 • 30:38
32. Building Connection in Your Family by Creating a Culture of Service with Michelle Cox
I loved my conversation with Michelle Cox for this episode! Michelle helps parents find joy in parenting through building connection with their children and finding confidence in themselves. She offers classes and coaching through her company 'Build Family Connection,' and I'm so grateful she was willing to come on the podcast and share so many of her good insights and ideas. In this episode, Michelle talks about building a culture of service in your family from so many different perspectives. S
Oct 24, 2023 • 32:13
31. How to Practice Being a Better Receiver
I spend a lot of time on this podcast talking about serving and giving in unique ways, but for today's episode I'm flipping it around and giving advice on how to be a better receiver. Admittedly, this is something I have struggled with myself in the past, but it's also something I've recognized I need to work on...because serving and receiving go hand in hand. Graciously receiving is just as important as serving. And we actually learn how to be better at serving and lifting others, when we pract
Oct 17, 2023 • 19:13
30. Best Bagalwa with the 'Bagalwa Foundation' and Restoring Hope for People Living in the war-torn Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
It started as a tradition Best Bagalwa and her husband did with their children. During the holidays and at other times, instead of giving presents or other things they would gather donations or buy necessities to send to communities in Africa. But after a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and visiting some of the communities there, Best decided she wanted to start a foundation to address many of the tremendous needs she saw. She is now the CEO of the Bagalwa Foundation and they have
Oct 10, 2023 • 32:37
29. Camber Hess, Using Service to Cope with Grief and Her 'Infant Loss Stories' Project
This was such a sweet and tender interview with my husband’s cousin, Camber Hess. Camber lost one of her daughters as an infant several years ago, and has also experienced infertility and miscarriage. In this episode she talks about those experiences, and shares how receiving heartfelt service from others helped her cope with her grief. Camber also relates how reaching out and giving service to others has been another way to help her navigate those losses. At the end of the episode she shares ab
Oct 3, 2023 • 40:22
28. "Never Suppress a Generous Thought" --Camilla Kimball
I shared the quote in today's podcast title a couple weeks ago on a solo episode...and today I'm sharing the sweet story behind it! Listen to the podcast to hear it and also get a gentle reminder that acting on the simple, good thoughts we have can truly make a difference.Devotional talk mentioned in the podcast:BYU Devotional February 2007Follow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
Sep 26, 2023 • 7:44
27. Tanya Macdonald with 'Embrace You' and Helping Teenage Girls and Women with Positive Body Image
While working as a health coach at a local university, Tanya Macdonald met many women who struggled with body image issues and realized a lot of them carried those from their youth and teenage years. She wanted to find a unique way to reach teen girls before they started developing things like physical insecurities or body shame. She organized her 'Embrace You' event to give a place for teenagers to have meaningful discussions and uplifting experiences about positive body image.I was so impresse
Sep 19, 2023 • 29:45
26. Jessica Farnsworth with '100 Women Who Care' and Combining Charitable Gifts to Make a Meaningful Impact
This week for the podcast I interviewed Jessica Farnsworth who helps run the Utah Valley chapter of '100 Women Who Care'. This organization takes crowd funding to a whole new awesome level! Members meet quarterly to choose non-profits in their local community to give their combined donations to. Each member commits to giving $100 each quarter, so their efforts together really do make a huge impact for these organizations and the people they serve.Listen to the show to learn more about how this o
Sep 12, 2023 • 32:00
25. Have I Done Any Good?: Making Service a (Guilt Free!) Part of Your Life
One of the goals of this podcast is to encourage listeners with ideas on how to make service a regular part of your life...so the topic I'm addressing this week is actually talked about on the podcast all the time! But I wanted to put some of these ideas together in one episode.Give it a listen to hear some simple tips that I hope will inspire you and also remind you that when it comes to reaching out and helping others, it doesn't have to ever be filled with guilt and truly can be a positive an
Sep 5, 2023 • 34:13
24. Stephanie DeCremer and Volunteering as a Family at Your Local Humane Society
It started with Stephanie DeCremer's animal-loving daughter finding simple ways to raise money for their local Humane Society, and has now turned into over five years of Stephanie and her children volunteering together there every week. They have done everything from walking dogs and cleaning kennels, to helping with special fundraising events. Listen to the podcast to hear all the many different ideas she shares for how to be involved at your local animal shelter. You can also hear tips on how
Aug 29, 2023 • 23:32
23. Shauna Brown with 'Project Read' and Changing Lives Through Literacy
Shauna Brown is the Executive Director of Project Read, a program that helps adults with literacy through one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction. On this episode she shares inspiring stories on how this organization truly is changing lives by helping adults acquire the skills they need in reading, writing, digital literacy, and math.I especially loved this interview because I volunteered as a tutor with Project Read many years ago when I was a college student. The experience impacted me
Aug 22, 2023 • 35:39
22. The Power of a Compliment
Several years ago I had a neat experience that impacted me and taught me the true power a compliment can have, even with a stranger. Listen to the episode to hear my story (I promise it's pretty cool!) and why I think complimenting others can be a great act of service.
Aug 15, 2023 • 16:37
21. Melissa Christensen with 'Utah Kids Foundation' and Supporting Families and Individuals with Special Needs
Melissa Christensen is the mother of three children, two with special needs. She knows what it's like to learn how to advocate for and support a special needs child, all while navigating the medical needs and different unique challenges that come up along the way. She has used that experience and knowledge to assist other families for many years through her work with the Utah Kids Foundation and now serves as president. Listen to the podcast to learn about the many unique ways this foundation i
Aug 8, 2023 • 38:17
20. Cari Bartholomew and Performing Historical Reenactments for Children
Cari Bartholomew is passionate about education, advocating for children, and empowering others through information. She has been spending a lot of time this summer at different camps for children, performing and reenacting the role of Harriet Tubman. I loved not only learning more about Harriet and her story in this interview, but also feeling Cari's passion for storytelling and history. Give it a listen to hear the inspiring reasons behind why she loves volunteering in this way.Links mentioned
Aug 1, 2023 • 27:49
019. Tips on How to Avoid Donating to Scams
After listening to a popular podcast that went live this summer called 'Scamanda', I thought it would be great to share a few tips on how to avoid scams to help anyone that is thinking of donating some money to a worthy cause. Of course, scams are unfortunately always going to exist and there isn't any absolute fail-proof way to always know when you're donating to one. But there are certainly lots of things we can do to make it a lot less likely.Listen to the podcast to hear my five tips! Links
Jul 25, 2023 • 13:02
018. Abby Whiting and Organizing her 'Physical Health for Mental Health' Run
Abby Whiting is going to be a senior in high school next year, she's the first teenager I've had on the show! After personal experiences with people she loved and cared about, she had a desire to do something to raise awareness and normalize conversations around mental health. So last spring she decided to organize a run she called 'Physical Health for Mental Health.' Hear about her experiences putting the run together, and also what motivated her to do it. I was so impressed with the passion th
Jul 18, 2023 • 22:58
017. Lincoln Bailey and Serving the Elderly with 'Letters from Lincoln'
Lincoln Bailey was working as an aid at a nursing home when he realized how he could make a difference for the residents who lived there. What started as him doing simple things like taking them to lunch, sitting and talking with them, or even making fun videos has now turned into his non-profit called 'Letters from Lincoln.' Listen to the podcast to hear some of his experiences with starting his non-profit and to hear more about the good things he's doing to serve the elderly in his community.
Jul 11, 2023 • 23:28
016. Why You Should Thank an Elected Official
I thought this topic was a good one to drop on the 4th of July! In our world today, with social media and the constant news media cycle, badmouthing, criticizing, and demeaning elected officials, or really anyone that doesn't agree with our view point, is what sells. It's what popular and easy for people to do. Taking the time to thank someone who represents us in any way (all the way from our US Senators down to our local HOA president) and being specific about what we appreciate they are doing
Jul 4, 2023 • 11:49
015. Sarah Egbert and Putting Service in Your Travel Plans
I loved this interview and I know you will too! My well-traveled friend, Sarah Egbert, shares a plethora of ideas anyone can use if you've ever thought about making service part of your travel plans. I think there are some pretty awesome ideas for anyone staying home too. :) Sarah also shares some neat experiences her family has had while traveling and serving abroad.Give it a listen or share it with one of your traveling friends!Links mentioned in the podcast:Sarah's list of simple service idea
Jun 27, 2023 • 41:30
014. Jodi West with 'Help Me Grow' and Connecting Families to Community Resources
This episode is all about the organization, Help Me Grow. They serve families with young children by offering free screenings and connecting parents to the resources they need to help support their children's growth.Listen to the podcast to hear my guest, Jodi West, share some stories about the families they've been able to help. You will also learn about some great and simple service projects you can do with Help Me Grow as a family or a group!Links mentioned in the show:Help Me Grow-UtahHelp M
Jun 20, 2023 • 28:01
013. Ideas for Getting Kids Engaged In Service
Summertime is a great time to help kids learn the benefits of serving those around them or with other organizations in their community. On this episode I share five of my own ideas anyone can use (and that I've used myself!) to help engage your kids in service. Give it a listen to hear doable ways any family can try this summer to teach their kids about the benefits of giving back.A great website I mention on the podcast to search for service opportunities in your community:JustServeFollow the
Jun 13, 2023 • 24:30
012. Kelly Richey and Being a Caregiver
This episode is an open and tender interview with my sister-in-law, Kelly Richey. She was a caregiver for her in-laws for many years, they have now both since passed away. She shares the honest feelings that come with being a caregiver, as well as some good advice and encouragement for anyone else in that situation.Caregiving is truly a selfless and loving act, but can also bring a wide range of emotions. I'm so thankful to Kelly for being willing to come on the podcast and share some of her exp
Jun 6, 2023 • 27:08
011. Carrie Alba and Serving the Community Through Theater Arts
As a lover of theater, I really enjoyed my conversation in this episode with my guest Carrie Alba, about the service she gives through community theater. Carrie has been involved with theater since she was a young girl. She has a bachelor's degree in theater arts and has played a myriad of roles in many shows and also been a director. She currently serves on the board for her local community theater and shares so many great insights for anyone wanting to be involved and serve in the theatrical a
May 30, 2023 • 23:22
010. Thank You to the Teachers
There are lots of kids and students finishing up the school year, so this episode is dedicated as a 'thank you' to the teachers. I share an experience I observed several years ago that helped me feel appreciation for all the small, unnoticed things that teachers do.Listen to hear the story and feel free to share it with a teacher you know.Follow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
May 23, 2023 • 16:37
009. Lori Muir with 'Ironman Q Foundation' and Supporting Cancer Families
This episode was so tender and special. I talked with my friend Lori Muir about the foundation her family runs in honor of her son, Quinton. He passed away from cancer in 2017 and it's so inspiring to hear the things his family continues to do to support other families on a similar cancer journey.Give it a listen to learn more about Quinton and all the great things the Ironman Q Foundation is doing.Visit or donate to the Ironman Q Foundation:ironmanq.comFacebook InstagramFollow the podcast on so
May 16, 2023 • 29:53
008. Vaughn Kimball and Being a Volunteer Coach for Your Children's Sports Teams
This episode is an interview with my older brother, Vaughn Kimball. He has experience working with youth in many different capacities, and for this episode he's giving advice on being a volunteer coach for your kid's sports teams.I am thankful for the good people who have coached my own children and I love what Vaughn has to share for anyone giving their time to help kids learn and grow in a sport.Follow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
May 9, 2023 • 33:19
007. If You Want to Do Something Nice For a Mother You Know
In honor of Mother's Day coming up this month in the United States, show host Melissa Draper is sharing some great advice for anyone who wants to do something nice for a mother you know.Give it a listen to also hear the great story behind it!Follow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
May 2, 2023 • 12:14
006. Carol Kimball and Finding Meaningful Ways to Serve While Raising a Family
Today's episode is extra special...because I interviewed my Mom! I love my Mother and she is where I often go for advice and encouragement, especially with my own mothering journey. She's lived a full life and has been a great example to me of finding ways to serve, advocate, and be an integral part of her community, while also raising a large family. Give this episode a listen to hear her tell some great stories (I think I got my love of storytelling from my Mom). She also shares lots of nougat
Apr 25, 2023 • 37:47
005. Amanda Webb and Volunteering in Your Child's School
Amanda Webb has regularly volunteered at her children's elementary school for several years. She's helped in a myriad of ways including serving as PTA President, to being a Room Mom, to organizing the Book Fair. She has great advice and insights to share on the 'whys' for giving time in the schools as a parent and community member, and also some ideas for how anyone can be involved in their children's school.Follow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
Apr 18, 2023 • 24:25
004. Using a 'Thank You' to Engage In Service
For this week's solo episode, I address the 'elephant in the room' and remind everyone that my end goal for anyone listening to this podcast is to feel uplifted and inspired. I also talk about how utilizing a genuine 'Thank You' can be a great way to stay engaged with service or in your community when you don't have as much time or resources to give.Follow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
Apr 11, 2023 • 19:41
003. Ellen-Anita Olson and 'Little Free Libraries'
Ellen-Anita Olson is an avid reader and lover of good books. She has used that passion to serve others for the past 9 years through Little Free Libraries. Hear about her experiences and how she's been able to act on her goal of making books more available to children and families in the communities she serves.Learn more about Little Free Libraries here:Little Free LibraryFollow the podcast on social media:InstagramFacebook
Apr 4, 2023 • 19:35
002. Judy Draper and 'Quilts for Comfort'
Judy Draper has been sewing with the organization 'Quilts for Comfort' for the last 15 years. Hear all about how she's turned her love of sewing into serving the people and organizations in her community. If you've ever wanted to serve through sewing, she has tips for you as well.A great website Judy mentions to find sewing projects and also other opportunities to serve in your community:JustServe.orgFollow the podcast on Social Media:InstagramFacebook
Mar 28, 2023 • 27:51