Be The Good

In this episode of the Be The Good Podcast, Christy sits down with Eli Moraru, the visionary founder of The Community Grocer, to explore how one neighborhood’s struggle with food access sparked a nationwide conversation on equity, policy, and community care. Eli shares how the idea emerged during the pandemic when he witnessed firsthand how broken the food system was, especially for people living in areas without full grocery stores and relying heavily on SNAP benefits. What started with delivering food quickly revealed deeper systemic problems: food deserts, ultra-processed corner-store dependence, and federal policies that make it nearly impossible for families to access hot, healthy meals.

Eli breaks down the complexities of SNAP’s “no hot food” rule, the history behind it, and why it no longer serves communities the way it was intended. He introduces the innovative “two premises” model that The Community Grocer uses to legally provide hot meals to SNAP recipients, bridging a gap that has existed for decades. Eli also highlights the voices of residents who made it clear that they wanted fresh options and culturally relevant foods, not more processed items that contribute to long-term health issues.

The episode goes deeper into the realities of funding, real estate barriers, and the skepticism that nonprofits often face when trying to build grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods. Eli walks us through the challenges with lenders and how his team eventually found their home in Southwest Philadelphia, earning the trust of residents and sparking national attention. From meetings with USDA leaders to partnerships with his local Congressman, the story captures how persistence, community involvement, and policy innovation came together to build a first-of-its-kind model. 

Eli Moraru:

Website: thecommunitygrocer.org

Timestamps 

0:00 – Intro and welcome

1:06 – Where It All Began: Community Expertise & Environmental Justice

1:50 – Supporting the Community Through the Pandemic

4:18 – Corner Stores & SNAP Realities

5:25 – The Spark: Why Skittles Are Eligible, but Scrambled Eggs Aren’t

6:06 – Understanding the SNAP Policy Gap

10:51 – Introducing the Community Grocer Model

12:55 – How the Two-Unit Model Works

14:15 – The Chipotle-Style Meal Pickup

18:15 – The Viral Inquirer Article

24:03 – Entering the Food-as-Medicine Space

25:27 – Community Advisory Board, Ages 12–89, Shaping Research Questions

31:05 – Daily Hurdles, Faith, Federal Policies, Workforce Systems & Vision

31:36 – Discovery of the Hidden Bible in the Wall, Jeremiah 29:11

34:53 – Food Insecurity, Poverty & Systemic Inequality

37:35 – Civic Engagement & Rebuilding Hope Through Community Space

43:43 – Step-By-Step Vision: Open → Strengthen → Expand → Replicate

44:30 – How to reach Eli Moraru

46:01 – Episode Summary

In this episode of the Be The Good, Christy sits down with  Michael Butler, Philadelphia Site Director of the Fountain Fund, a national nonprofit expanding economic opportunity for people returning home from incarceration through low-interest loans, financial coaching, and reentry support. The organization has distributed over $1 million to help more than 120 citizens in the Philadelphia area transition back into society.

Michael shares inspiring stories and the mission behind the organization, discusses the impact of its work, his personal journey, and the importance of community and compassion in successful reintegration. 

Discover how the Fountain Fund is breaking down barriers and giving people a second chance to thrive, not just survive.

Where to find the Fountain Fund. 

Website: www.fountainfund.org

Instagram: @fountainfund_philly or @thefountainfund

Facebook: The Fountain Fund Philadelphia or The Fountain Fund 

Time stamps:

0:00 - Introduction to Be the Good Podcast

1:15 - The Mission of the Fountain Fund

2:50 - Michael's Personal Journey and Passion

4:35 - How the Fountain Fund Supports Reentry

8:48 - Challenges Faced by Returning Citizens

13:24 - Success Stories: Transforming Lives

18:32 - The Ripple Effect of Economic Opportunity

24:00 - Future Vision for the Fountain Fund

25:56 - How to Support the Fountain Fund

27:30 - Conclusion and final thoughts

In this episode of the Be The Good Podcast, host Christy McCaffrey sits down with Sarah Todd, co-founder of Well Rooted, to explore the deeply human realities inside the foster care and reunification system. Sarah shares how her friendship with co-founder Katie evolved into a shared mission after they both became foster parents during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What began as a desire to support vulnerable children quickly revealed the overwhelming gaps facing not only foster families but also biological families working toward reunification and young adults aging out of the system. Through raw and honest storytelling, Sarah walks us through early placements that opened her eyes to trauma, instability, and the challenges families face when they are doing everything they can with very limited support.

As Sarah explains, their firsthand experiences exposed a heartbreaking truth: many families are desperately trying to rebuild, yet lack access to basics like meals, transportation, safe housing, and meaningful community. She shares transformative moments, such as witnessing a young adult aging out of care when she arrived at his apartment with almost nothing but the clothes on his back, and how the community rallied to furnish his entire home overnight. Stories like these helped shape the core mission of Well Rooted: to wrap practical and relational support around foster children, reunifying parents, and young adults who are stepping into adulthood without the safety net most people take for granted.

Throughout the conversation, Sarah highlights how Well Rooted now provides mentorship, essential resources, monthly support groups for caregivers, and “wish list experiences” that give young people opportunities to thrive beyond survival. She also speaks candidly about the emotional weight placed on foster parents, the appointments, court dates, trauma responses, and ripple effects felt by biological children and extended families. At its heart, this episode is a testament to the power of community, reminding listeners that while fostering and supporting vulnerable youth can be hard, it is profoundly good, and there are countless ways to get involved even if you’re not able to foster yourself.

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro and welcome

1:15 – How Sarah & Katie’s Friendship Evolved into a Mission

2:20 – Beginning the Foster Journey (2019–2020)

3:10 – COVID Disruptions & First Foster Experiences

7:20 – Realizing the Gaps in Support for Foster Families

10:00 – Challenges Reunifying Families Face

11:05 – Supporting Young Adults Aging Out of the System

15:10 – Launching the One-Year Mentorship Program

16:05 – Why Well Rooted Was Created

17:10 – Understanding the Realities of Foster-Care Trauma

22:05 – Meeting Immediate Needs: Food, Transit, Phones, Rent

26:10 – Understanding the Demands on Foster Parents

28:10 – The Emotional & Environmental Shift Inside the Home

29:05 – The “Hard” vs “Good” of Fostering for Families

34:00 – Changing Futures Through Relationship, Not Resources Alone

35:10 – Misconceptions About Foster Children

36:00 – Misconceptions About Foster Parents

37:00 – Ways to Help Without Fostering

38:00 – Episode summary

In this episode of the Be The Good Podcast, Christy sits down with Kenny Holdsman, the co-founder and CEO of Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB). Kenny shares PYB’s origin story, rooted in the belief that young people, especially those from under-resourced communities, need spaces that support their self determination, academic growth, emotional well-being, and leadership potential.

He explains how PYB leverages the universal, culturally powerful game of basketball as an entry point, opening the door to a full ecosystem of wraparound supports including mentoring, meditation, civic dialogue, financial literacy, and academic assistance. 

Kenny highlights the unique combination of accessible sport, transformative off court programming, and deeply relatable mentors, many of whom come from the same neighborhoods as the young people they serve. He shares powerful real world stories and discusses the challenges of running a large scale nonprofit and offers insight into PYB’s forward-thinking expansion: The Generator, a new career development hub focused on trades, entrepreneurship, STEM/STEAM, and healthcare.

Kenny paints an ambitious vision for PYB’s next two decades, one centered on economic mobility, social capital, and equitable access to meaningful career pathways for youth and young adults ages 18–29. 

PYB's website:

www.phillyyouthbasketball.org 

Time stamps

0:00 - Introduction and welcome

0:44 - Where it all began
0:56 - What Inspired PYB’s Creation
1:57 - Why Basketball & the Gap in Social Impact Sports Programs
3:52 - Using Basketball as a Gateway to Life Skills
5:50 - What Makes PYB’s Model Unique
8:38 - A Powerful Story: Zaire’s Journey
11:29 - Challenges of Running a Nonprofit Youth Sports Organization
13:41 - Philadelphia’s Economic Mobility Crisis
15:30 - The Power of Social Capital & Mentorship
19:27 - Real Examples of Work-Based Learning
23:22 - How to Support PYB: Time, Talent, Treasure & Ties
26:19 - Why Community-Led Support Matters

27:26 - Episode Summary

Be The Good Media strives to elevate the GOOD—amplifying compassion-driven stories and encouraging the support of people and organizations focused on creating a lasting and positive impact. Christy McCaffrey is the owner, producer, and host of the podcast. She focuses on a theme of compassion, highlighting a diverse group of guests, each working in their own unique way to make a difference in their communities and society. 

In this episode of Be The Good Podcast, we’re joined by powerhouse business leader and sports advocate Alex Sykes, whose career spans international sports marketing, corporate leadership, and community-driven impact. From her early days with the Women’s Tennis Association and French Basketball Federation to scaling a company from $30M to $700M, Alex brings a wealth of experience and vision.

Now based in Philadelphia, she founded The Philadelphia Sisters™, a movement to bring the first professional women’s sports team—starting with a WNBA franchise—to the city. Alex shares how she’s using her platform to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and the empowerment of women and girls through sport and leadership.

Tune in as we explore Alex’s inspiring mission to celebrate the game, create change, and build something bold in Philadelphia.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

0:58 - Podcast Start

1:13 - How did Alex's undergraduate experience lead her to Philadelphia?

8:50 - How did Alex's early career opportunities lead her to sports strategy?

15:55 - What motivated Alex to push for a WNBA team in Philadelphia?

23:55 - Why is bringing a WNBA team to Philadelphia so important?

26:40 - How did being in sports nurture Alex's confidence?

31:40 - How does Alex envision the team staying true to Philly?

36:20 - Having the conversation about women empowerment

38:22 - How important is it to empower your community?

42:20 - What is Alex's definition of compassion?

45:10 - How can people follow or support Alex's mission?

Backlinks:

LinkedIn: Alexandra Niedbalski-Sykes

Instagram: @iamalexsykes

Be The Good Media strives to elevate the GOOD—amplifying compassion-driven stories and encouraging the support of people and organizations focused on creating a lasting and positive impact. Christy McCaffrey is the owner, producer, and host of the podcast. She focuses on a theme of compassion, highlighting a diverse group of guests, each working in their own unique way to make a difference in their communities and society. 

Steve Ziegler is the Director of Advancement and Operations at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating economic opportunities and providing essential social services for the people of Philadelphia. A proud South Philly native and LaSalle University graduate, Steve has spent 16 years in the nonprofit world, working to uplift his community. Beyond his professional impact, he’s also a passionate writer, music enthusiast, and former stand-up comedy promoter. His work is available on Spotify and Patreon.

In this Be the Good Podcast episode, we sit down with Steve Ziegler, a true champion for Philadelphia’s communities. As the Director of Advancement and Operations at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, Steve shares how the organization makes a tangible difference in Philadelphians' lives—creating pathways to economic stability, offering essential social services, and fostering a sense of belonging.

Tune in as we explore the inspiring work happening at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries and uncover the heart behind its mission!

Timestamps:

0:55 - Podcast Start

1:03 - About Steve and his journey to Mercy Neighborhood Ministries

2:00 - About the Tioga-Nicetown community and how did this mission begin?

7:40 - What different programs does Mercy offer and how do they aid the community?

17:10 Which of these programs help break the cycle of poverty in Philadelphia?

20:58 - Which strategies are essential for achieving long-term success in Mercy's mission?

22:45 - How does Mercy engage their community to better understand their needs?

26:00 - What are some key partners that have aided Mercy?

27:50 - What are some examples of family success stories?

31:40 - What is Steve's idea of compassion, and how does that align with Mercy's work?

33:09 - What is the most important reason this community support is vital?

35:23 - How can people find or get involved with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries?

Backlinks:

Website: https://mercyneighbors.org/donate/

Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @MercyNeighbors

Be The Good Media strives to elevate the GOOD—amplifying compassion-driven stories and encouraging the support of people and organizations focused on creating a lasting and positive impact. Christy McCaffrey is the owner, producer, and host of the podcast. She focuses on a theme of compassion, highlighting a diverse group of guests, each working in their own unique way to make a difference in their communities and society.

Dr. Kimberly McGlonn is an award-winning social entrepreneur and thought leader working at the intersections of social justice & environmentalism. Her work has been featured by Fast Company, Inc Magazine, Essence, and has been funded by Beyonce’s BeyGood Foundation. In 2022 she was a recipient of the Visa’s “She’s Next in Fashion Award” and the Black Enterprise “Business Disruptor of the Year” award. In 2023 & 2024 she was named “150 Most Influential Philadelphians” by Philadelphia Magazine. Within the fashion industry she serves as an inspiration for aspiring creative entrepreneurs who seek to align their visions with social and environmental consciousness. Her superpower is inspiring diverse audiences to optimism and agency.

Kimberly is here to share more about all the impact driven work she is committed to and to tell us about her new book “Build it Boldy”. Let’s take a listen!

Timestamps:

1:35 - When did Kimberly begin to focus on impact-driven work?

5:55 - What inspired Kimberly to start Grant Blvd?

8:10 - Being the first black-owned B-Corp in North America in the fashion industry

9:25 - What is Black Ivy & its mission?

13:30 - Sourcing for Black Ivy

18:15 - Why it's so important for Kimberly to educate, advocate, and create positive change?

23:20 - Kimberly's book and where she drew inspiration

26:30 - What does compassion mean to Kimberly?

31:50: Where can people find Kimberly's work and projects?

Backlinks:

Personal social media: @kimberlymcglonn

Brand Account: @build.it.boldly

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/builditboldly

Build it Boldly - https://www.amazon.com/Build-Boldly-Business-Leaders-Influence/dp/B0DKMWVKN5/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0#detailBullets_feature_div

Be The Good Media strives to elevate the GOOD—amplifying compassion-driven stories and encouraging the support of people and organizations focused on creating a lasting and positive impact. Christy McCaffrey is the owner, producer, and host of the podcast. She focuses on a theme of compassion, highlighting a diverse group of guests, each working in their own unique way to make a difference in their communities and society. 

For over 20 years, Mary FitzGerald has been a dedicated nonprofit executive in Philadelphia, championing youth and vulnerable communities through a focus on physical and mental wellness. With a strong background in both business and nonprofit leadership, she brings expertise in strategic planning, capacity building, and organizational transformation. Since 2015, she has served as CEO of Eluna—formerly The Moyer Foundation—an organization founded by former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer to support children and families navigating grief or addiction. Before her nonprofit career, Mary worked in professional sports with FOX, the NFL, and as COO of Pop Warner Football, gaining valuable experience in leadership, community engagement, and youth development.

Today, Mary joins us to share the impactful, compassion-driven work Eluna is doing to support children and families in need.

Timestamps:

1:30 - How did the Moyer Foundation come about?

2:25 - What was the goal of the very first Camp Erin?

6:50 - What caused the rebrand to Eluna, and what meaning does that have?

9:25 - What is the greatest impact of Eluna?

15:25 - How does Eluna partner with brands nationally to bring their programs to local communities?

21:05 - What is JAG and how does it help Eluna?

24:45 - What does compassion mean to Mary and how does it align with Eluna?

31:06 - How can people looking for support connect with Eluna?

Backlinks:

Website: https://elunanetwork.org/

Social tags (FB/IG/Li/TT): @elunanetwork

Be The Good Media strives to elevate the GOOD—amplifying compassion-driven stories and encouraging the support of people and organizations focused on creating a lasting and positive impact. Christy McCaffrey is the owner, producer, and host of the podcast. She focuses on a theme of compassion, highlighting a diverse group of guests, each working in their own unique way to make a difference in their communities and society. 

Beth Devine is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative. With experience in nonprofit management, sports-based youth development programs, and the development of cross-sector partnerships, Beth works to increase equitable access for all of Philadelphia’s children to quality sports-based youth development programs.

Today, Beth is here to share with Christy how she became the first executive director at PYSC upon the organization’s launch and all that she and her team are doing to help support the children of Philadelphia.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
1:06 - Podcast start
1:33 - How did Beth land in her position at PYSC?
9:10 - What is sports-based youth development?
12:50 - What training do PSYC coaches receive?
18:55 - How does PYSC work to support their organizations and the people they serve?
26:24 - How does PYSC facilitate collaborations to support community needs?
30:55 - What is the Philly Youth Sport Fund?
37:45 - What is Beth’s idea of compassion?
42:44 - Why is community so important to the youth of Philadelphia?

Backlinks:
Website: https://pysc.org/
Philly Youth Sport Fund: https://pysc.org/fund/
PYSC Member List: https://pysc.org/community-of-practice/
Instagram: @philayouthsports
Facebook: Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative
Twitter/X: @PhillaYouthSport
TikTok: @pyscollab

Be The Good Media strives to elevate the GOOD—amplifying compassion-driven stories and encouraging the support of people and organizations focused on creating a lasting and positive impact. Christy McCaffrey is the owner, producer, and host of the podcast. She focuses on a theme of compassion, highlighting a diverse group of guests, each working in their own unique way to make a difference in their communities and society. 

Flo Byarms is the director of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine community wellness initiative. Flo works to build and strengthen community relationships by implementing and managing wellness programs and devising new opportunities to develop and enhance community wellness initiatives at PCOM’s three locations.

Flo joins the show to talk about how these programs help support and sustain the physical, mental, nutritional, and environmental wellness of the individuals in the college’s surrounding communities.

Timestamps:
0:48 - Podcast Start
1:02 - About Flo and her journey to PCOM
2:55 - What is the Community Wellness Initiative?
4:13 - How does PCOM bring critical activities to the community?
5:23 How does PCOM help fund and drive research?
6:48 - What is PCOM, and who is involved in it?
8:56 - What is the value for students who get involved?
11:00 - What is the importance of health equity?
14:54 - What is the greatest impact Flo has seen from their Initiative?
18:04 - What’s the importance of building community relationships?
21:50 - What is Flo’s definition of compassion, and how it relates to her work?
28:05 - How can people get involved with CWI and PCOM?

Backlinks:

Website: https://www.pcom.edu/

Email : [email protected]

[email protected]

Instagram: @pcomeducation