In this episode of DEMDACO’s Lift the Spirit podcast, Jonathan Jones and Aaron Heim welcome Beth Rich, award-winning owner of Mix It Up Gift and Mix It Up Home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Beth shares her unexpected journey into retail and explains how storytelling, visual merchandising and human connection create memorable customer experiences. She introduces “giftology,” the relationship connecting retailers, gift-givers and recipients. Through customer stories, Beth reveals why meaningful gifts matter during celebration, grief and healing.

Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones are joined by Monic House, the COO of Harvesters a Food Bank in Kansas City. Monic talks about her journey, the work of Harvesters, and how the face of hunger is all of us.

Click on the link to learn more about Harvesters, and ways you can get involved.

https://www.harvesters.org

Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones were joined by Patty Iba, the artist behind our Emo the Octopus, Yet the Yeti, and How to BEE. 

We had a great time hearing about her life as an artist, and how she got connected with DEMDACO.

A follow up conversation with Rayanna Byers, owner of Messenger Gifts in Baton Rouge, LA.

This is the fifth year for her Giving Bear Giveaway that brings comfort, love, and joy to children and families in the greater Baton Rouge area.

Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones are joined by Father Justin Mathews with Reconciliation Services in Kansas City.

Hear what RS is doing to address the root causes and symptoms of poverty and trauma in Kansas City. Hear about Thelma's Kitchen, their Pay It Forward restaurant, and the licensed therapy they offer to the community.

Visit them at https://www.rs3101.org/mission

Join co-hosts Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones to hear from Alyssa Tucker and Greg Dunbar, the creators of Live From Snack Time.

Live From Snack Time is an amazing and hilarious collection of children's quotes that capture the honesty, humor, and randomness of how kids see the world. 

Here their story and how LFST has grown to over 800,000 followers on Instagram.

www.livefromsnacktime.com

Aaron and Jonathan are joined by Jenny Kutz and Michelle Lawrence with KVC Health Systems to talk about their work with childhood mental health and foster care.

KVC Health Systems is a family of private, nonprofit organizations that strengthen families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and help people achieve mental health wellness. Through our broad continuum of care, we are proud to be a national leader in mental health and child welfare.

https://www.kvc.org

SevenDays founder Mindy Corporon joins the Lift the Spirit podcast to talk about the power of kindness, and how she turned a devastating tragedy into a transformative movement.

Find more about SevenDays at www.sevendays.org

Broadway actor Ben Jeffrey joins Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones to talk about the magic of theater, and how he found himself starring as Pumbaa in Lion King only four months after arriving in New York.

Grammy winning guest Charlie Peacock joins Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones to talk about the power of music, its role in our lives, and his 50+ year career in the music industry.

Find out more about Charlie Peacock here: https://www.charliepeacock.com