Connect Kindness Podcast

In this episode we interview Derrick Stinson of Kickstart Kids. Derrick is a Regional Director with Kickstart Kids and has been with the organization for 26 years... 7 years as a student and 19 as an employee. Kickstart Kids was founded in 1990 by martial artist, actor, and philanthropist Chuck Norris. The organization created a character development program that uses karate to teach life-changing values to middle school and high school students.

Derrick shares with us how the organization teaches so much more than karate, instilling their value curriculum in all of their students. Derrick opens up about how Kickstart kids has shaped his life and has made him the leader and man he is today. Kickstart kids is currently operating in Texas and it is their goal to grow into other states and have even more of an impact.

In this episode we interview Regina Anderson, the Executive Director of Food Recovery Network. Have you ever been to an event or a restaurant that had plenty of food left over at the end of the night, and wondered "what happens to all of this food"? Food Recovery Network is answering that question.

In this interview Regina shares her passion for Food Recovery Network and we learn about how the idea for the organization came to be. How Food Recovery Network went from starting at the University of Maryland in 2011 to now having over 190 chapters in 44 states. Regina details the process in which they recover and distribute the food, making a huge impact in the surrounding communities.

In today's episode we interview Brianna Fowler of Save a Child's Heart. The name of the organization is pretty self explanatory, but they have saved over 5000 children with heart conditions at no cost to the child or their family.

Brianna shares with us how and why the organization was founded. We learn about the unique process for helping children in need. Brianna opens up about how she got involved with the organization and shares a personal story that is near and dear to her heart. Save a Child's Heart is mending hearts regardless of religion, gender or nationality.

In this episode we interview Genevieve Frederick of Pets of the Homeless. Pets of the Homeless is the only national animal organization completely focused on feeding and providing emergency veterinary care for pets of the homeless. Genevive shares with us how her passion for animals and helping people were the driving factors for her starting the organization. She goes into detail on how pets of the homeless operates, as well as ways that listeners can get involved and make a deference in their community. Genevieve has a passion for what she does and you can clearly hear that in this interview.

In this episode we interview Justin Wren aka "The Big Pygmy", who is the founder of Fight for the Forgotten. Their mission is to empower those who don’t have a voice. From the forgotten people around the world affected by the water crisis, to kids bullied in our own neighborhoods and schools, Fight for the Forgotten wants to be their voice.

In this interview Justin opens up about how being bullied as a child has shaped the man he is today. He also shares how he went from being bullied and overcoming depression, to becoming a world renowned mixed martial artist and founder of his nonprofit, fight for the forgotten.

In this episode we interview Aviram Rozin of Sadhana Forest. Aviram shares why he started Sadahana Forest and how it was originally meant to be a home for him and his family, but grew into a movement. We learn about how Sadhana Forest grew from a single volunteer into 3 locations in three different countries. Sadhana Forest is not only an environmental restoration organization, but Aviram has created an organization centered around helping people be the best version of themselves through veganism and selflessness.

In this episode we interview Kris Stubbs of Hair without Borders. Their mission is to create opportunities for hairdressers to get involved within their communities as well as communities around the world through education and service.

In this episode we interview Kris Stubbs of Hair without Borders. Their mission is to create opportunities for hairdressers to get involved within their communities as well as communities around the world through education and service.

In this episode we interview Lisa Wolling, who is the Executive Director of Friends of Texas Wildlife. Lisa and the entire organization focuses on rehabilitating abandoned animals in the Texas community. Friends of Texas Wildlife is celebrating 25 years of saving animals & we get to hear all about it in this amazing podcast.

In this episode we interview Sam Adams of Second Effort Foundation. Sam is passionate about helping children in need, so she started the foundation to collect and donate soccer equipment to children around the world so that they can safely play the beautiful game that she loves.