Army of Normal Folks

Is the American Dream real if you lack access to the Holy Trinity of mentors, education, and capital? The truth is that it's a distant dream for too many Americans. In this episode, Sky’s the Limit co-founder Bo Ghirardelli shares how he built the leading digital platform for connecting 100,000 underrepresented entrepreneurs to all three, including 10,000 mentors! And how the American Dream...

After being captured at the Battle of the Bulge, Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds unexpectedly became the commanding officer of 1,200 American POWs. The Nazis demanded that he present the Jewish American soldiers to them and his heroic response risked his own life—and ultimately saved over 200 Jewish lives! The newly announced Medal of Honor recipient will teach you what real moral courage loo...

After helping free his childhood friend who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Georgetown professor Marc Howard couldn’t return to his normal life. Instead, he built programs that have exonerated 13 innocent people, educated 250 incarcerated people, helped 150 people return to society, and have brought to normal folks into 30 prisons across the country. This powerfu...

After helping free his childhood friend who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Georgetown professor Marc Howard couldn’t return to his normal life. Instead, he built programs that have exonerated 13 innocent people, educated 250 incarcerated people, helped 150 people return to society, and have brought to normal folks into 30 prisons across the country. This powerfu...

An 18-year-old clocked into Burger King on his graduation night—not because he had to, but because his teammates needed him to. In this Shop Talk, we unpack how his quiet dedication sparked a viral ripple of generosity and what it can teach all of us about pride, purpose, and work.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people think success means getting out of the hood. Reverend Kevass Harding chose to stay—and is a highly unusual preacher who will have developed 50 affordable homes by the end of the year and generational change in the very Wichita neighborhood that raised him. In this episode, you’ll learn a practical blueprint for turning your own zip code into a place of opportunity inst...

Most people think success means getting out of the hood. Reverend Kevass Harding chose to stay—and is a highly unusual preacher who will have developed 50 affordable homes by the end of the year and generational change in the very Wichita neighborhood that raised him. In this episode, you’ll learn a practical blueprint for turning your own zip code into a place of opportunity instead o...

Before Helen Keller changed the world, someone saw her when others didn’t. This Shop Talk is a reminder that how normal people like us can quietly unlock extraordinary potential. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the thing that changed someone’s life wasn’t charity — but a purchase? In this episode, Lauren McCann shares the deeply personal story of her brother’s struggles with mental health, addiction, and homelessness — and the $10,000 art purchase that helped spark his transformation. That moment didn’t only restore his confidence, it also inspired Lauren to bu...

What if the thing that changed someone’s life wasn’t charity — but a purchase? In this episode, Lauren McCann shares the deeply personal story of her brother’s struggles with mental health, addiction, and homelessness — and the $10,000 art purchase that helped spark his transformation. That moment didn’t only restore his confidence, it also inspired Lauren to bu...

America wasn’t always this divided or isolated from one another. In this Shop Talk, Coach Bill unpacks Robert Putnam’s fascinating research on the historical forces that pulled us apart — and the simple, local actions normal folks can take right now to bring “we” back to their communities. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener...

What if the problem isn’t a lack of compassion—but a lack of expectation? Ruth Thompson was preparing for retirement when a literal dream led her to open Hugs Cafe, an incredible restaurant in McKinney, TX that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this episode, you’ll learn why lowering the bar hurts people, how raising it changes lives, and what ha...

What if the problem isn’t a lack of compassion—but a lack of expectation? Ruth Thompson was preparing for retirement when a literal dream led her to open Hugs Cafe, an incredible restaurant in McKinney, TX that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this episode, you’ll learn why lowering the bar hurts people, how raising it changes lives, and what ha...

For Shop Talk, we unpack Robert Putnam's monumental book "Bowling Alone" and the collapse of the civic habits that once held our communities together — from church groups to bowling leagues. And what we as Army members are going to do about it!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 19 years old, King Randall put aside his own self-interest and started taking care of other people’s kids in Albany, Georgia, which has the highest concentrated poverty rate in the state. His summer school program grew into The X School for Boys, a private school that is completely free to 25 families and has hundreds of kids on its waitlist. And King’s social media accounts have gr...

At 19 years old, King Randall put aside his own self-interest and started taking care of other people’s kids in Albany, Georgia, which has the highest concentrated poverty rate in the state. His summer school program grew into The X School for Boys, a private school that is completely free to 25 families and has hundreds of kids on its waitlist. And King’s social media accounts have gr...

For Shop Talk, we dive into the worst ice storm to ever hit the American South. And the Oxford, MS citizens who became a relentless Army of bloody do-gooders! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis has spent 14 years in the NFL as one of its most respected leaders on and off the field. We could have talked with him about how he’s a two-time Pro-Bowler and his team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, but instead we celebrated his own Army of Normal Folks who’ve supported his greatness— a single mom who...

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis has spent 14 years in the NFL as one of its most respected leaders on and off the field. We could have talked with him about how he’s a two-time Pro-Bowler and his team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, but instead we celebrated his own Army of Normal Folks who’ve supported his greatness— a single mom who...

A mail carrier trusted her gut, made one call, and saved a life. In this Shop Talk, we unpack why paying attention to the people around us is one of the simplest—and most powerful—ways normal folks can make a real difference. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After mixing antidepressants and alcohol, Christie Luther hit someone with her car and they died. She spent 4.5 years in prison, where she discovered her purpose to create Oklahoma’s first cosmetology school inside a woman’s correctional facility. The R.I.S.E. Program has had 286 students and only 1 of them has ended up back in prison, which is unheard of! And while Christie still live...

After mixing antidepressants and alcohol, Christie Luther hit someone with her car and they died. She spent 4.5 years in prison, where she discovered her purpose to create Oklahoma’s first cosmetology school inside a woman’s correctional facility. The R.I.S.E. Program has had 286 students and only 1 of them has ended up back in prison, which is unheard of! And while Christie still live...

For Shop Talk, we bring you Wilma Mankiller's powerful commencement address. No joke, this lady is Coach Bill's spirit animal! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 50 years old, Charlotte Dance had a 2 year old child placed in her lap. And instead of walking away, Charlotte not only legally adopted the child, she also informally adopted his broken family. She even says that they adopted her too! This episode will teach you about finding love in the most unexpected places like no other story.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omn...

At 50 years old, Charlotte Dance had a 2 year old child placed in her lap. And instead of walking away, Charlotte not only legally adopted the child, she also informally adopted his broken family. She even says that they adopted her too! This episode will teach you about finding love in the most unexpected places like no other story. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudi...