Nicole Griffin is a mom, wife, entrepreneur, coach, mentor and NINJA. That’s right, Nicole is a veteran American Ninja Warrior competitor, competing on seasons 7, 9, 10 & 11. If she’s not at the gym, you’ll catch her somewhere outside, probably mountain biking, rock climbing, or spending time with her husband, Chris, her baby boy, Emmett, and her dogs, Archer and Jack.

Tenacity Training

Kevin Owens is giving gifts while honoring his brother’s memory. During the holiday season, he collects donations and then gives money and gift cards to transplant patients and their families spending Christmas in the hospital. He personally knows how much this means to those in this position, and he shares with us what it feels like to give to others, even if it’s something small.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ridintheorgantrail

It’s season 3 of The Good Around Us podcast. This will be a short one as we finish up the year, but it is packed with great guests doing beautiful work for others. We are calling it Gifts of the Season, a time of giving and gratitude.

Links: https://www.thetoychest.org

In wrapping up Season 2 of The Good Around Us podcast, I reflect on the care exhibited from our guests and the lessons learned. We learn a lot from listening to another's story. We give a lot by listening, too! As Fred Rogers stated, "More and more I’ve come to understand that listening is one of the most important things we can do for one another..."

As we look ahead to Season 3, we will focus on the gifts of the season. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for listening...

Erin Skinner Smith wants everyone to make friends with mindfulness, eat real food, move their bodies, and hit the pillow a little earlier for a more purposeful existence. She is a published writer, newspaper columnist, yoga teacher, and mindfulness coach. When she’s not standing on her head or typing on her trusty laptop, you’ll find her reading, playing guitar, enjoying a glass of bourbon or snuggling on the couch with her people. 

Send her a digital high five at [email protected]

Greg Pavett is a man of great faith. In the midst of a successful career, Greg answered a calling and founded The Humanity Alliance.

Jessica Schreiber uncovered a problem with commercial textile waste and sought out to rethink how we address it.

Jody Greenlee began her career as a nurse in pediatric hematology and neonatal intensive care. In 2000, Jody retired from nursing to foster two medically fragile Guatemalan children. She served as Board President of Children of the Americas (an international medical relief nonprofit) from 2001 - 2009. For the past 20 years, Jody travels twice a year to provide medical and humanitarian services in the rural mountains of Guatemala. In 2009, she founded Finding Freedom through Friendship to provide services to impoverished women and children in emerging countries. Jody is a true servant leader, both in her local community and abroad. 

Links from the episode:

Kevin Hoffman had a childhood defined by race. He grew up in Detroit just after the 1967 riots, as a black man in a white adoptive family. And despite the struggles, he describes his childhood as a good one. Now he shares messages of compassion and cultural intelligence with others.

Website: growingupblackinwhite.com

Instagram: @kevinclusion

Joel Wegener bought an ice cream truck in 2021 and runs it with his two special needs children, Mary Kate and Josh. Named Special Neat Treats, the ice cream truck business has become something much bigger than just selling ice cream. It is a bright light for the community and has gone viral for all the good they are spreading. Listen in for Joel's beautiful stories of hope and love.

To connect with Special Neat Treats on Facebook, click here.