This Toast Is for You

Join us as we toast Chris, owner of Pizza Man in Columbia Heights, who has quietly become a community cornerstone through radical transparency, relentless compassion, and yes—cheesy, delicious pizza. In this episode of This Toast Is for You, Chris shares how a leap from mental health work to pizza delivery turned into a mission to strengthen the social fabric of his neighborhood. From offering low-cost meals during school lunch shortages to sharing behind-the-scenes data about the shop’s financials, Chris lives out the Social Determinants of Health—specifically food access, social support, and economic stability—in real-time. You'll hear heartwarming stories, including a smiley sticker campaign sparked by a loyal customer and a family's touching visit after tragedy. This episode is a dopamine hit that just might restore your faith in humanity, one pizza box, and one smiley-faced sticker at a time.

Pizza Man Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaHeightsPizzaMan

Photos of stickers and Jaci: https://www.thistoastisforyou.com

Jes, who recommended Chris as a guest:

Lasagna Love: No Barriers, No Judgement with Jess: https://pod.fo/e/2b70d4

Episode Summary:

Join us as we toast Charles Weed, the driving force behind Minneapolis Community Clay Courts, in this inspiring episode of This Toast Is for You. Charles shares how his passion for tennis led him to create accessible, health-friendly, environmentally friendly clay courts for active aging, injury prevention, and social connection. Discover how these courts, designed to be easier on joints, promote lifelong activity, foster social connections, and bridge economic disparities—key factors in the Social Determinants of Health. His work not only restores faith in humanity but also delivers a dopamine hit as we hear about the joy, resilience, and friendships sparked on these courts. Tune in and get inspired to build something meaningful in your own community.

Music Title: Playtime with Herbie

Links:

Bocce Episode Referenced: https://pod.fo/e/2705d4

Minneapolis Community Clay Courts: https://www.letsplayclay.org/

United States Tennis Association: https://www.usta.com/

Minikahda Club: https://www.minikahdaclub.org/

Inner City Tennis: https://innercitytennis.org/

WCCO news coverage: https://youtu.be/7lZ_kz2gxWM

KARE news coverage: https://youtu.be/HwNzKyBpJOY

Join us as we toast Reverend Dr. Frank Bennett, a former venture capitalist turned United Church of Christ minister and PhD nurse specializing in end-of-life care. In this deeply moving episode, Frank shares his unexpected journey into hospice work, the powerful lessons he’s learned from thousands of patients, and the importance of presence in our final moments. Through personal stories, he highlights the role of Social Determinants of Health—especially the impact of social connection in quality health care—in shaping our experiences at life’s end. This episode will restore your faith in humanity and give you a dopamine hit as we celebrate the beauty of compassionate care and the profound impact of simply being there. 🎙️✨

Music Title: I’ll Walk You

Join us as we toast Wendy, a dedicated parent liaison at Model Elementary School in Goshen, Indiana, whose work embodies the Social Determinants of Health. Wendy tirelessly supports marginalized families—helping with everything from school engagement to securing essential resources like food, healthcare, and job applications. Through community events and personal outreach, she’s not only making education more accessible but also restoring faith in humanity, one family at a time. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will give you a well-deserved dopamine hit as you hear how one person’s passion can transform an entire community.

Links:

Center for Healing Hope: https://chhclinics.org/

Lacasa: https://lacasainc.net/

Kids Care – a division of the Boys and Girls Club: https://www.greatfutures.club/kidscare/

The Window: https://www.thewindowofgoshen.com/

Katie’s Kitchen: https://www.thewindowofgoshen.com/katieskitchen

Music Title: Daydream

Join us as we toast Colette, a dedicated member of the Minneapolis Hockey Association board, who’s transforming her local hockey community by breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity. In this episode of This Toast Is for You, we explore how Colette’s relentless efforts to provide equipment and scholarships are addressing the Social Determinants of Health, like financial stability and neighborhood resources, to make hockey accessible for all kids. Her work not only brings more diversity to the rink but also restores faith in humanity with every child she empowers to skate. If you need a dopamine hit, this heartwarming story of community spirit is your next listen.

Music Title: Sportscenter

Links:

Minneapolis Hockey Association: https://www.mplshockey.com/

Professional Women’s Hockey Team (PWHL): https://www.thepwhl.com/en/

Minneapolis Girls High School Hockey: https://www.mplsgirlshockey.org/

Join us as we toast Kelly, a beacon of community spirit in Ennis, whose volunteer work with the Greater Federation of Women is making waves in her town and beyond. In this heartwarming episode of This Toast Is for You, we dive into how Kelly and her fellow volunteers address the Social Determinants of Health through initiatives like free little libraries, birthday boxes for food banks, and scholarships for local students and professionals. From skunk pelts to fiddler’s camp and horseshoes to thrift stores, their tireless efforts not only enhance local education and social cohesion but also restore your faith in humanity. If you need a hit of dopamine, this episode is a must-listen.

Links:

General Federation of Women’s Clubs: https://www.gfwc.org/

Nearly New: https://www.nearlynewshoppe.com/

Music Title: Too Good

Join us as we toast Mary Beth, the Executive Director of Trust Incorporated, in this heartwarming episode of This Toast Is for You. Mary Beth shares how her organization strengthens community ties with older adults through essential services like Meals on Wheels, transportation, and home maintenance, empowering people to live independently and thrive in their neighborhoods. We explore how these programs address the Social Determinants of Health, fostering well-being through social connection and stability. If you need a hit of dopamine or a reminder of humanity’s goodness, this episode is for you. Listen as Mary Beth’s stories of resilience, relationships, and shared memories inspire hope and highlight the profound impact of caring for one another.

Link

https://trustinc.org/

Music Title: Old Soul

Join us as we toast Alicia, the founder of I Am My Sister's Bra. Inspired by her sister’s battle with stage four metastatic breast cancer, Alicia supports breast cancer patients as they fight cancer. Through fundraising events like the For Laura with Love walk and the Jazzy Pink Affair fashion show, Alicia demonstrates the power of community and compassion and ensures no one in Upstate South Carolina fights breast cancer alone. Her work directly addresses Social Determinants of Health by covering bills, providing transportation, and offering emotional support during treatments. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of human resilience and will leave listeners with a much-needed dopamine hit.

Links:

I Am My Sister’s Bra Website https://www.mysistersbra.com/

I Am My Sister’s Bra Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IAmMySistersBra

My Sister’s Bra Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iammysistersbra/

Music Title: “Light The Way”

Join us as we toast Amy, Assistant Principal at Southwest High School, for her incredible work in creating the Laker Locker. This episode celebrates her initiative to reduce barriers to student success by providing essential resources such as coats, school supplies, and hygiene products. Amy’s work not only supports students facing homelessness or mobility challenges but also helps all students in need, promoting equal access to education. Her story of giving back highlights the importance of community and addresses critical Social Determinants of Health, including access to resources, education, and social support. This episode will restore your faith in humanity and leave you with a hit of dopamine, proving how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Links:

Southwest High School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mps.southwest/?img_index=1

Music Title: “End of the School Year”

Restore your faith in humanity as we learn about and toast Jess, a local leader for Lasagna Love, an incredible nonprofit that connects volunteer chefs with individuals in need of a comforting meal. In this heartfelt episode of This Toast Is for You, Jess shares how the organization has touched lives, from supporting single parents to providing meals to the unhoused, all while tackling the Social Determinants of Health. Discover how her efforts improve the well-being of those in her community by fostering connection and providing nourishment with no barriers, no judgment. This episode is a true celebration of kindness and the power of a home-cooked meal to heal.

Links:

Lasagna Love https://lasagnalove.org/

Video of 50 lasagnas made in a day:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_7MdvDMMMg/?igsh=OW5mZ25hdnlxdWll

Music Title: “Special Sauce”