Be The Connection

American Public Square works to create civil, impactful conversations around issues where we find ourselves disagreeing and even fighting – and tries to empower progress and growth. Executive Director Claire Bishop joins us for a conversation about that work and how we can apply those same ideas to our daily lives to have a positive influence.

Carlin Isles started life in foster care and facing challenges, but has authored an amazing story as he's become a U.S. Rugby star, NFL player, mentor and community leader for kids in his hometown. Hear how he's using his story as a way to help troubled kids look beyond their present hardships, fight for a better future and develop good relationships.

Reenita has seen families and relationships torn apart in her home country of India based simply on who a person chooses to love and has turned those realities into a novel that's part historical, part personal. She joins us to talk about all of it, along with her support of women entrepreneurs and what happens when they don't have access to the opportunities to pursue their dreams.

Connections are the lifeblood of minor league baseball – and in ways you might not even realize. Akron RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander checks in to talk about the community aspect of MiLB, the bonds between team and community and how players can make a lasting impact with fans both on and off the field. Let's play ball!

Once a high-powered political official and power player, addiction derailed Jeff Breedlove's life – but connecting with a famous college football coach in the same situation has renewed his sense of purpose and given him a new mission in life. Hear his story and how connections and community have lifted him to a powerful calling.

AARA website: https://eliminatethewhisper.com/

AARA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endthewhisper/?igsh=MXdrOGlqNGdsMGQ0Zg%3D%3D#

AARA FB: https://www.facebook.com/endthewhisper

AARA X: https://x.com/endthewhisper

Refreshing our memories on the wisdom and amazing stories of our awesome guests from the last eight episodes so we don't forget their life-changing thoughts. We want to internalize that goodness to help us apply it better, so let's dive into episodes 18-26!

Mental health and addiction issues impact us all, inspiring Running 2B well to bring people together in a community that moves, connects, supports and lifts one another up. Founder Keith Johnston dives into how the group began, the effect giving a pair of shoes to someone can have and how connection is hard-wired into our well-being.

R2BW website: https://www.running2bwell.org/

R2BW on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/running2bwell/

R2BW on IG: https://www.instagram.com/running2bwell/

With 35 years spent mentoring, investing in and connecting with students during their college careers and in life past graduation, professor Doug Hausknecht has an amazing perspective to share. He dishes on life-changing stories with students he mentored, those who invested in him and how those bonds continue even into retirement.

Scott has told epic true stories of heroes in the battle for racial equality in sports, the Tulsa Race Riots, the Civl War and more and he checks in with us to discuss how those stories can connect us and what we can learn about times of great division that can help in today's fractured America.

Scott's literary catalog on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=scott+ellsworth+books&crid=X9472SSFK6TO&sprefix=scott+ells%2Caps%2C106&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_10

More than a meal. Meals on Wheels America provides not just regular meals for seniors in need, but a wealth of support and connection that benefits these older Americans in life-changing ways for both them and the volunteers who serve them. Chief of Staff Jenny Young joins us to share in-depth about the organization's mission and stories of those it helps on a daily basis across the country.