Army of Normal Folks

Cheri used to be gripped by meth and alcohol. Even during her own struggles with addiction, she helped formerly incarcerated Americans get jobs. Today, Cheri’s been sober for 4.5 years and her second chance staffing agency Cornbread Hustle hired more than 1,000 returning citizens last year.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheri used to be gripped by meth and alcohol. Even during her own struggles with addiction, she helped formerly incarcerated Americans get jobs. Today, Cheri’s been sober for 4.5 years and her second chance staffing agency Cornbread Hustle hired more than 1,000 returning citizens last year.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chavis Daniels played football for Coach Bill Courtney and was one of the accidental stars of the Oscar-winning film  Undefeated . But that’s not why he’s a member of the Army. Chavis went on to found The North Memphis Steelers, a mentoring and athletics nonprofit that helps at-risk kids in the same challenging neighborhood where he grew up.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See...

Chavis Daniels played football for Coach Bill Courtney and was one of the accidental stars of the Oscar-winning film Undefeated. But that’s not why he’s a member of the Army. Chavis went on to found The North Memphis Steelers, a mentoring and athletics nonprofit that helps at-risk kids in the same challenging neighborhood where he grew up.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See om...

Our episode with Erin Smith and Thomas already inspired one listener to become a volunteer with CASA! But what if the Army could pay off Thomas’ college debt? After a childhood of physical and sexual abuse, this foster youth deserves to be free from a burden that the state forced upon him. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas is a foster child who’s been physically and sexually abused. He never had an adult advocate until Erin Smith stepped in. Erin is the founder of the North Mississippi CASA program – a program which nationwide has 85,000 volunteers who advocate for 260,000 foster kids in the legal system and in life. But there are still 140,000 kids who need the Army's help. Support the show: https://www.norm...

Thomas is a foster child who’s been physically and sexually abused. He never had an adult advocate until Erin Smith stepped in. Erin is the founder of the North Mississippi CASA program – a program which nationwide has 85,000 volunteers who advocate for 260,000 foster kids in the legal system and in life. But there are still 140,000 kids who need the Army's help. Support the show: https://www.norm...

After 26 years of crime, Jon ironically found hope in prison and committed his life to helping other returning citizens live at levels that they had never dreamed about. His Hope for Prisoners has had over 4,700 clients and boasts a recidivism rate of only 8%, which is over 8 times better than the national average. Most extraordinary is that they've recruited 135 Las Vegas law enforcement officers...

After 26 years of crime, Jon ironically found hope in prison and committed his life to helping other returning citizens live at levels that they had never dreamed about. His Hope for Prisoners has had over 4,700 clients and boasts a recidivism rate of only 8%, which is over 8 times better than the national average. Most extraordinary is that they've recruited 135 Las Vegas law enforcement officers...

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.

At 26 years old, Anne was working through a lot of pain and running was her "cheap therapy". After running by a homeless shelter hundreds of times, one day she had the radical idea of inviting the homeless to run with her. Starting with 9 guys in 1 city, her nonprofit Back on My Feet has since helped over 7,500 former homeless Americans get jobs and independent housing in 15 cities. And they shoul...

Anne dives into how she didn't save any homeless Americans. They transformed their own identity through running. And then transformed their lives.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tommy is the most famous police officer in America, with 2 million followers on Facebook and 1 million on Instagram. His radical and yet simple love for his community accidentally made him famous. However, that's not what motivates him and he's committed to staying in his same beat in North Little Rock, AR. Whatever your calling, his love will inspire you.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolk...

In Part 2, we dive deep into community policing. And just wait until you hear Tommy's version of it.   Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 3, Tommy shares a devastating loss that's all-too-close to home. In spite of his pain, he continues to keep serving his community.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our country’s problems will never be solved by a bunch of fancy people in nice suits talking big words on CNN and Fox, but by An Army of Normal Folks just deciding “hey, I can help.” Hosted by Coach Bill Courtney from the Oscar-winning Undefeated, this podcast is building the Army and celebrating its extraordinary members. Starting on June 6th, new episodes are released every Tuesday. Support the...