Army of Normal Folks

After losing his mom to cancer, Yuri was depressed and strangely enough found hope when he created an Instagram account. Posts from Army members Officer Tommy Norman and Rodney Smith lifted his spirits, and he even badgered Rodney to join one of his 50 state tours. Next thing you know these guys have gone on 5 Christmas tours together, with Yuri dressed up as a superhero bringing presents to kids...

67% of America's students aren't reading at grade level. What is An Army of Normal Folks going to do about it? Coach Bill's latest Shop Talk. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the loss of his wife, Daron spiraled out of control and into brawls & cocaine. He found redemption in rehab and eventually dedicated his life to helping others write their redemption stories. Today, Bonton Farms is one of the largest urban farms in the country, but produce is far from its most important fruit.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listene...

After the loss of his wife, Daron spiraled out of control and into brawls & cocaine. He found redemption in rehab and eventually dedicated his life to helping others write their redemption stories. Today, Bonton Farms is one of the largest urban farms in the country, but produce is far from its most important fruit.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listene...

Like normal people. So said Coach Bill's daughter... and just wait until you hear his response on the latest Shop Talk.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan knew almost nothing about foster care. And when the blinders came off at 27 years old, her whole life completely changed. She started what is now National Angels, whose 19 chapters have volunteers doing life with 3,000 kids experiencing foster care and their foster parents!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan knew almost nothing about foster care. And when the blinders came off at 27 years old, her whole life completely changed. She started what is now National Angels, whose 19 chapters have volunteers doing life with 3,000 kids experiencing foster care and their foster parents!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our latest Shop Talk, Coach Bill shares a fascinating perspective about these "ragged kids" coming up. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And his goal is 1 million kids. But none of this would’ve happened if a high school teacher didn’t make the effort to teach Orrin chess and show him a better path than his gang life. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And his goal is 1 million kids. But none of this would’ve happened if a high school teacher didn’t make the effort to teach Orrin chess and show him a better path than his gang life. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time when only 38% of Americans are extremely proud of being American, Mike Rowe tells us about the patriotic tour de force that is his new film "Something To Stand For", which is in theaters everywhere. Coach Bill also surprises Mike with the impact that he's had on one of our Army members. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

When Jim and Melinda brought presents to a low-income family, they felt off and weird that the relationship would stop there. So they kept coming back to their largely immigrant mobile home park and families asked them to help their kids with homework. Today, their accidental nonprofit Path United operates community centers in 7 mobile home parks and serves 600 kids every week! Support the show: h...

When Jim and Melinda brought presents to a low-income family, they felt off and weird that the relationship would stop there. So they kept coming back to their largely immigrant mobile home park and families asked them to help their kids with homework. Today, their accidental nonprofit Path United operates community centers in 7 mobile home parks and serves 600 kids every week! Support the show: h...

For our latest “Shop Talk”, Coach Bill responds to a listener who is interested in working in government and disheartened by our tagline that our country's problems won't be solved by fancy people in DC. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Rhonda has assigned listening to and reflecting on our podcast to over 400 of her college students. And just wait until you hear her story that led to an extraordinary life of purpose. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Rhonda has assigned listening to and reflecting on our podcast to over 400 of her college students. And just wait until you hear her story that led to an extraordinary life of purpose. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our host brings us a special short episode on his difficult and yet redemptive experience with Father’s Day. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our latest “Shop Talk”, Coach Bill pays tribute to Ole Miss’ former Dean of Students who changed his life and countless others. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don is on the frontlines of challenging our broken 20th century education system with 21st century innovations. As a teacher, he brought unheard of things like “Genius Time” and “open-source learning” to his classroom. And his latest innovation is the StartedUp Foundation, which has helped Indiana teachers engage over 6,000 students with the most elite entrepreneurship pitch competition! Support t...

Don is on the frontlines of challenging our broken 20th century education system with 21st century innovations. As a teacher, he brought unheard of things like “Genius Time” and “open-source learning” to his classroom. And his latest innovation is the StartedUp Foundation, which has helped Indiana teachers engage over 6,000 students with the most elite entrepreneurship pitch competition! Support t...

She taught me a whole lot about grace. For our latest “Shop Talk”, Coach Bill pays tribute to his Gram. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carly has experienced molestation, prostitution, sex trafficking, addiction, loss, homelessness on Skid Row, and almost every trauma that you could imagine. Her escape and recovery have fueled her radical empathy for the least among us, starting with welcoming the homeless gentleman who appeared in her garden one day. Today, Miss Carly's has fed thousands out of her own home, and most importantly...

Carly has experienced molestation, prostitution, sex trafficking, addiction, loss, homelessness on Skid Row, and almost every trauma that you could imagine. Her escape and recovery have fueled her radical empathy for the least among us, starting with welcoming the homeless gentleman who appeared in her garden one day. Today, Miss Carly's has fed thousands out of her own home, and most importantly...

Not well enough at least. For "Shop Talk," Coach Bill Courtney gets vulnerable.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Ronda Paulson found out that kids entering foster care slept in government offices while they waited to be placed, she got mad at God and heard ‘These are my children, what are you going to do?’ What Ronda did is build a beautiful home to welcome them into and there's now 22 of these Isaiah 117 Houses around the country. And they've loved on over 5,000 kids on what is often the worst day of t...