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

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. 

Robyn is the Vice President of Development in the Philadelphia region at Emancipet. Emancipet is a nonprofit organization that operates low-cost veterinary clinics in neighborhoods nationwide to ensure that all pet families in need have access to affordable veterinary care.

Robyn joins the show this week to share Emancipet's fantastic work and how this organization is working to provide affordable and accessible veterinary care for every pet owner in need.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
0:40 - Podcast start and about Robyn Colajezzi
3:28 - How does Emancipet offer high-quality, affordable veterinary care?
8:33 - What services do Emancipet offer?
9:53 - What is the process for using Emancipet’s services?
11:44 - How have pets become more a part of our families than ever?
14:17 - More about the new dental and surgical clinic EMANCIPET is opening
15:59 - What kind of events do EMANCIPET host?
20:40 - How to volunteer at EMANCIPET?
22:55 - What is Robyn’s idea of compassion?
27:1 5 - Some of Robyn’s thoughts on animal compassion
31:13 - What does community mean to Robyn?
32:37 - Where can people go to discover more about EMANCIPET?

Backlinks:

Website: https://emancipet.org/clinics/adams-avenue/

Documentary: https://emancipet.org/documentary/

Events: https://emancipet.org/events/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancipet/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emancipet

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emancipet

Robyn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyncolajezzi/

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. 

Felicia is the Executive Director of the GreenLight Fund Philadelphia, with over a decade of experience leading and expanding grassroots community engagement efforts across the Philadelphia metro area. Felicia firmly believes that the most sustainable and innovative solutions to social challenges are established through collaborating with community partners and centering the voices of those most underserved.

Felicia joins the podcast to discuss how the GreenLight Fund partners with the community to break down barriers to inclusive prosperity by launching and scaling proven programs that meet community-identified needs.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Podcast start and Felicia journey to the GreenLight Fund
8:10 - What is the GreenLight Fund?
11:46 - How does the support GreenLight provides benefit the community?
16:42 - How does the GreenLight Fund work to tackle community barriers?
18:52 - What are Felicia’s favorite aspects and memories of her work?
22:51 - What is the importance of community to GreenLight?
26:22 - What is Felicia’s idea of compassion, and how does it relate to her work?
30:07 - How can someone support or invest in the GreenLight Fund?
33:07 - How can people follow GreenLight Fund’s mission?

Backlinks:

Website: https://greenlightfund.org/sites/philadelphia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenLightFund

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenlight-fund/

Felicia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-rinier-66386658/

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. 

Corinne is the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia; she drives the strategic vision of HfH PHL, working towards a city where everyone has a decent place to live. She brings over two decades of experience in nonprofits specializing in housing and homelessness to her role for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. She is a 2017 awardee of the Valentine Leadership Fund, which recognizes and enhances female leadership in nonprofits. Most recently, the Philadelphia Business Journal honored Corinne as one of the top 25 most admired CEOs of 2019, which recognizes established leaders throughout all industries with a strong record of innovation in their field, outstanding financial performance, commitment to quality, a strong vision, commitment to diversity in the workplace, and contributions to Greater Philadelphia.

Corinne is here to discuss the fantastic work Habitat for Humanity is doing not only locally in Philadelphia but globally as well and how, together, with compassion and kindness, we can all make change.

Timestamps:

1:20 - Corinne’s start and how she became CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philly

3:07 - What are the core values and overall mission of Habitat for Humanity?

6:52 - What are the benefits of how Habitat for Humanity operates?

9:48 - How can people get involved in volunteering at Habitat for Humanity?

10:55 - How has the Habitat for Humanity support for volunteerism grown?

12:06 - What is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore?

14:50 - What are the current initiatives in place at Habitat for Humanity?

16:50: How does Habitat for Humanity encourage advocacy?

20:53 - What are some events Habitat for Humanity Philly will be hosting?

27:08 - What is Corinne’s idea of compassion?

34:45 - What does community mean to Corinne and Habitat for Humanity?

42:48 - How can people help Habitat for Humanity and follow their mission?

Backlinks:

Website: https://www.habitatphiladelphia.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/habitatphiladelphia/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/habitatphilly/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/habitat-for-humanity-philadelphia-inc-/