At the Frontier

Have you noticed our culture tends to treat cynicism as though it's the price of being right? But cynicism is a contagion infecting our society—creeping into every corner of our lives, corroding our connections and obscuring our hope for a brighter tomorrow.

That's according to Stanford Psychologist and Director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, Dr. Jamil Zaki.

Dr. Zaki is the author of a new book, "Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness."

He says cynicism is an understandable response to a world full of injustice and inequality. But in many cases, cynicism is misplaced.

His research sheds light on something surprising: people are kinder, more generous, and more open-minded than we often think. And by embracing what he calls 'hopeful skepticism,' the realization that people are often better than we expect, we can think critically about people and problems while simultaneously acknowledging our power.

Far from being naïve, he says hopeful skepticism is a more precise way of understanding others and paying closer attention.

And Dr. Zaki is here today to share an excerpt from his new book, "Hope for Cynics."

So, if you're ready to explore a new way of seeing the world—one that acknowledges the problems we face while staying open to human potential—this episode is for you.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

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Today we're focusing on a topic that hits close to home for many families across the country: food insecurity.

With rising prices, the struggle to put food on the table has become a reality for more and more people in recent years.

And many people are turning to charitable food resources to make ends meet.

That's where organizations like The Salvation Army come in. In the western U.S. alone, The Salvation Army provided over 9 million meals last year. And in some areas, is partnering with local schools to fight hunger.

In Yakima, Washington, for example, The Salvation Army has partnered with 16 local schools to provide food assistance.

Kandie Spaet is a volunteer who came to The Salvation Army through a community job placement program. For months, she worked 20 hours a week at the Yakima Corps helping pack backpacks and in the food pantry.

And now, she comes back to volunteer.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

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I'm always paying attention to what's going on in the lives of our listeners—you—and I guess I've spotted this idea because I am you.

A lot of people with hope for a better world let it end there.

Why is that?

You're here so I know you're one of the hopefuls, someone who knows where there's movement there's hope—and you're willing to do something. You want to see your community, your family, your kids be resilient and good.

To you, it's not a pipe dream to want a world that works better for everyone—but it can feel daunting. Impossible even.

Just look at the stories of impact: the billboard-worthy personal transformation. The lifetime of service. The gift that comes with building naming rights. Surely, they knew or possessed something you don't. Right? Maybe you feel a gap between your vision and your daily reality. Because your days? They're filled to the brim with laundry-loads, meetings, shuttling kids between activities and squeezing in a little "time for you" too, whatever that means.

How do you actually move from believing something with all your heart—let's call it your "why"—to actually doing something about it?

How do you turn hope into action?

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series.

JOIN THE HOPEFULS. Get inside the group.

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DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

Last week, we celebrated a major milestone—our 200th episode! We replayed the very first episode, an interview with our good friends, now retired Commissioners Dave and Sharron Hudson. And yes, I interjected my thoughts about what's changed and what's stayed the same in the years since.

We've shared so many powerful stories and meaningful conversations with you, and today, we're looking back at some of your favorite episodes and reliving some of the most impactful lessons we've learned together.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series.

JOIN THE HOPEFULS. Get inside the group.

WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz.

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DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

Welcome to the 200th episode of The Do Gooders Podcast.

It feels wild to say that.

Over some five years, I have interviewed hundreds of authors, academics, experts, people doing the work and people whose lives have been transformed by it.

They've brought so many good ideas and new ways to think about this goal of ours to keep on doing good.

I wanted this episode, number 200, to be a special one. To look around and reflect on where we've been and where we're going.

So today, I want to invite you to reflect with me as we try something different. We are going to listen to the very first episode of The Do Gooders Podcast together. Think of it as a listening party, if you will.

I'm going to drop in throughout the episode and share what I'm thinking and feeling as I'm listening with you. And together, we'll unpack what has changed and what has stayed the same through the years.

So to set the stage, I recorded this episode in mid-2019 with Commissioners Dave and Sharron Hudson. At the time, the pair were national leaders of The Salvation Army.

Whether you are hearing episode number one for the first time ever, or this is the first time in a long time, just imagine me sitting next to you listening too.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series.

JOIN THE HOPEFULS. Get inside the group.

WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz.

BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram.

DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

The Do Gooders Podcast is back with a fresh batch of inspirational stories just for you. Tune in on September 30.

ABOUT THE 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.

We're back with our final highlight episode from the 2024 Testify Congress.

Yes, last month, in Pasadena, California, The Salvation Army from around the Western Territory joined for an event focused on teaching, training and motivating Salvationists to tell the story of Jesus more often and to more people.

And The Salvation Army's international leaders, General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, traveled from London to be part of it all.

You've heard the General speak from this event a couple times now—in Episode 193 and 197.

Today, we bring you his final appearance of the Congress before some 3,000 attendees at the Pasadena Convention Center Civic Auditorium. This is his public charge to the new lieutenants.

Over the weekend, the Defenders of Justice Session of cadets were commissioned as Salvation Army officers, or pastors, and in this meeting were given their very first ministry assignment. In fact, they don't find out the location until they are standing on stage!

And this is the battle cry, if you will, for each one of them from The Salvation Army's international leader.

Listen in and be encouraged in your eagerness to serve, too.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series.

WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz.

STUDY SCRIPTURE. Get inside the collection.

BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram.

FIGHT FOR GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

We're back with more highlights from the 2024 Testify Congress.

Last month, in Pasadena, California, The Salvation Army from around the Western Territory joined for an event focused on teaching, training and motivating Salvationists to tell the story of Jesus more often and to more people.

And the sessions featured, you guessed it, testimonies from programs and ministries of The Salvation Army across the West.

Today, we're sharing two:

First, you'll hear from Monte Mansfield, a one-time professional athlete whose life was forever altered by substance abuse. Eventually, he found The Salvation Army through the Adult Rehabilitation Center program.

Then, Sthephania Mihilii, who moved to the U.S. from Mexico in second grade when her single mom married. She rebelled in her teenage years and then became a lifeguard at a Salvation Army Kroc Center.

So allow me to introduce to you today, Monte Mansfield and Sthephania Mihilii—who each took to the stage live after the screening of their video testimony.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series.

WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz.

STUDY SCRIPTURE. Get inside the collection.

BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram.

FIGHT FOR GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

We're back with more highlights from the 2024 Testify Congress.

Last month, in Pasadena, California, The Salvation Army from around the Western Territory joined for an event focused on teaching, training and motivating Salvationists to tell the story of Jesus more often and to more people.

And The Salvation Army's international leaders, General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, traveled from London to be part of it all.

You may remember the General from episode 178, where we chatted about why your testimony matters (and how to use it for good). And in Episode 193, we shared his message from the first main session of the Congress with some 3,000 attendees at the Pasadena Convention Center Civic Auditorium.

Today, we bring you his preaching from the third main session, focused on holy living.

Listen in and be encouraged to embrace your identity in Christ.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series.

WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz.

STUDY SCRIPTURE. Get inside the collection.

BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram.

FIGHT FOR GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.

We're back with more highlights from the 2024 Testify Congress.

Last month, in Pasadena, California, The Salvation Army from around the Western Territory joined for an event focused on teaching, training and motivating Salvationists to tell the story of Jesus more often and to more people.

And the sessions featured, you guessed it, testimonies from programs and ministries of The Salvation Army across the West.

Today, we're sharing two:

First, you'll hear from Envoy Kevin Nagasaki. If that name sounds familiar, it is! Envoy Kevin was on the show in Episode 190 talking about living and serving through the Maui fire disaster. This is his testimony.

Then, Dalton Low and his mom, Angela. Dalton was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a young age. He found a place of belonging at The Salvation Army, and helps lead worship today.

So allow me to introduce to you today, Envoy Kevin Nagasaki and Dalton Low—who each took to the stage live after the screening of their video testimony.

EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more.

BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series.

WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz.

STUDY SCRIPTURE. Get inside the collection.

BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram.

FIGHT FOR GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.