World Gone Good podcast

Marisa Mender-Franklin wanted to start a garden, specifically to grow flowers for her upcoming wedding. She had just one tiny problem: No land to plant on. So she posted a note on Buy Nothing app asking if any of her neighbors would be interested in donating space on their property and almost immediately she got a whole bunch of 'Yes please come build your dream garden on our front lawn!' Six gardens later, she's now the co-owner and founder of Midtown Bramble & Bloom—an urban micro flower farm and florist in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee. Her goal? To make Memphis a happier, healthier, and more equitable place through flowers. In this episode, Marisa repeatedly calls this endeavor, this leap of faith, her pipe dream. But this is one pipe dream that has actually come true. When listening, ask yourself what YOUR pipe dream is. And know that, just like for Marisa, ANY dream can become reality.

Dean Pohlman is the founder and CEO of Man Flow Yoga, an online platform dedicated to bringing the functional fitness benefits of yoga to men—and yes, women too are of course welcome. He hosts his own podcast, the Better Man Podcast, and has written two best-selling books, Yoga Fitness for Men and Yoga for Athletes. Dean is on a mission to help people with mobility, flexibility, and in the process the spirituality that can come from connecting with—and listening to—our bodies. And with over 300 million people worldwide practicing yoga, he is definitely on to something good.

TJ Day's passion for books and stories was instilled within her by her grandmother. She, along with her sisters, has taken this passion next level with the Seas the Day Mobile Library. Their mission: To bridge the educational opportunity gap by bringing engaging and accessible literacy—and stem education programs—to low-income students in her area. TJ’s journey is inspirational on so many levels. She’s creating community through education and knowledge. And she's also proving her life-long belief that we each have within ourselves the ability to make change happen. Our good conversation includes everything from the first book she ever read to how she taught herself to drive a school bus. For every person listening who has an idea you are passionate about, TJ is living proof to GO FOR IT.

What's YOUR Big Ask? We explored this in our first episode of Season 7 with good guests Paul Quinn, Mari Weiss & Jane Lynch, in here in your first good bonus of the new season comes host Steve Silverman, sharing his Big Ask. Enjoy this cutting room floor moment and again, ask yourself, "What's MY Big Ask? And when am I going to take and make it happen?"

Season 7 premieres with a new book that begs the questions: What do you want? And what will it take for you to ask for it? In The Big Ask: Unlock the Possibilities in Your Work, Life & Dreams with Courageous Requests, author Paul Quinn shares powerful lessons and true stories that reveal how learning to ask—boldly and wisely—can unlock extraordinary opportunities. More than a book, The Big Ask is a personal guide to stepping into your courage and asking for the life you really want. Paul joins us along with two of his friends since college, Mari Weiss and Jane Lynch who together produced the audiobook version. You may remember Mari from her previous visits to our show as well as being a voice-over artist, actor and teacher and Jane for being the Emmy-winning actor and gameshow host from projects including Murders in the Building, Best In Show and Glee. This super-sized episode kicks off our 7th season of bringing you everyday people making good happen each and every day and it may just inspire you to make your own big ask.

Here's your sneak peek at our upcoming slate of good guests for Season 7! From gardening to yoga, books to mobile libraries, we've got you covered beginning with our season premiere episode on Wednesday, October 7th. Enjoy your Season 7 preview and let's get the good times flowing again, yes? YES!

Joe Beech is not—we repeat NOT—an entrepreneur (per him). He also doesn't like titles and—until recently—wasn't even that fond of his own company's name. What Joe IS is someone who has learned the art of staying open to possibility and embracing a good pivot when it comes his way. He's taking his own experiences and sharing them with college and uni students about to make the leap into their own careers, which technically makes him a mentor—another word he's not that fond of. If you're ready to make a change and take your own leap, this good guest's upfront and truthful thoughts may be just the inspiration you need. And don't forget our 2026 theme: SAY YES. Joe Beech is saying yes.

Sandra Griffiths is a retired nurse turned poet and she's putting herself out there with her first book, Becoming Me. In it, she opens her heart with a powerful collection of poems that trace her journey as a mother, daughter and woman finding her voice through life’s storms. Becoming Me is a tender, soulful reminder that even through pain and change, we are always becoming - stronger, softer and more ourselves. We talk about finding and sharing our voice, putting the personal up front, and how it's never too late to go for your dreams (especially when you have your kids behind you helping and cheering you on). Special thanks to Sarah Cleaver for connecting us with Sandra.

Rhys Payne sees himself more as a reviewer than a critic. In fact, he sees himself more as a supporter of the arts, theatre specifically, than someone there to point out what he likes and doesn't like. And he's been supporting artists of all kinds and types for a long time through his site Rhys Reviews. We talk the good of not being too hard on ourselves, the importance of sharing—and hearing—other people's stories, and why if it's not fun, we not doin' it no more (that's my American English, not his proper British English). There's a place for everyone in and at the theatre and Rhys is here to prove it. This episode is Part 2 of 3 in a series.