Tangential Inspiration

It has been a crazy week, so we are getting out this episode much later than we intended.  But it is worth the wait!  In this episode we will cover a round the world bike trip, a company using Arctic ice to cool the planet, and a follow up on Christina Tosi and her incredible attitude.  Put those earphones in and take some time to refill your cup of inspiration.   #BeKind #WeStandWithUkraine We wo...

Summer is upon us.  FInd a shady spot and cool off while getting inspired.  We have some truly inspirational stories this week.  We deep dive on the amazing advocacy of Erin Brockovich, who is still going strong.  We also have a few more stories about celebrities speaking candidly about mental health and also things ordinary people are doing to help save endangered species.  There is something for...

You will love this episode, so much inspiration to be found.  Teresa shares about a young girl who started changing the world when she was only four years old, the hard rocking metal band Metallica who has been a charity juggernaut for decades, and a retired school teacher who is quietly changing lives through bicycles.   This episode is sure to refill your inspiration reserves and put a smile on...

Episode 229 is full of inspiration.  We have the story of Sara Chapman and the Match Girl Strike which changed the world for workers.  Then we have a smattering of celebs who are using their platforms to promote mental health and help eliminate the stigma of seeking help from mental health conditions.  Finally, the bittersweet story of a mom who keeps running in memory of her daughter and is helpi...

Welcome to episode 228!  We have some great inspiration for you in this episode.  We are still working out some sound issues, and hope to have that dialed in soon.  This episode is filled with kids.  We talk about some foster family success stories, a young man who started speaking out against bullying at the age of eight and is still going more than 15 years later, and the Masaka Kids Africana, a...

Oh this is a good one.  We have stories of people overcoming tragic backgrounds, an underdog Olympian who stunned the world, and the fascinating work of Robert Putnam and how joining a group can help improve your happiness, health, and even democracy.  There is a lot of inspiration crammed into this episode. #BeKind #WeStandWithUkraine We would love to hear from you. Send us your comments or even...

Welcome to Episode 226!  There is a lot to be inspired by in this episode.  We have people doing amazing things to revive and protect coral reefs.  We have the story of a woman's three decade long search for her missing son.  Finally we have the story of Cupcake Brown (yes that is her name) who despite an incredibly hard life made something out of herself and now inspires others to do the same.  ...

Sorry for the delay, we had some technical problems, which have impacted sound quality a little.  Hopefully it is not to noticeable, because this episode has so much powerful inspiration.  We are going to cover a life changing book and the story of a Black man who is dismantling the KKK one member at a time, then a bit about neurodivergence and how it can help change the world, and finally, the st...

Need some inspiration?  Come listen to this episode.  You will find inspiration.  We talk about a cookbook that celebrates the stories of imigrants told through food, then we talk about the Artemis 2 NASA program and the brave astronauts who are returning to the moon, and finally, we talk about actress Viola Davis whose harsh childhood memories have fueled her work as an activist against hunger. ...

Episode 223 is full of inspiration.  We have a young woman feeding thousands of school kids in Africa, several incredible civilian heroes of Ukraine, and a double amputee triathlete who is a champion on and off the course.  There is something here that will inspire everyone.  Have a listen and get a heavy dose of inspiration.   #BeKind #WeStandWithUkraine We would love to hear from you. Send us yo...

Welcome to Episode 222.   So much inspiration in this episode, plus otters!  Who doesn't love an otter.  We also have the hilarious Holderness Family, and the tragic but inspiring story of Viola Liuzzo.  Its tough out there, come find a moment of peace and inspiration to recharge your batteries.   #BeKind #WeStandWithUkraine We would love to hear from you. Send us your comments or even your own in...

So much inspiration is contained in this podcast.  We have a marine biologist who is helping people understand the importance of sharks, four incredible Paralympian athletes from the 2026 Winter Games, and a landfill that is helping solve food scarcity in a truly unique way.  There is a lot to cover, so come have a listen!   #BeKind #WeStandWithUkraine We would love to hear from you. Send us your...

Welcome to Episode 220 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast.  We have three stories that are sure to help fill you with inspiration.  Teresa talks about a jungle guardian in Equador who is on a mission to save endangered plants.  Then there is the story of Pauli Murray, a brilliant legal mind who worked behind the scenes to fight racism and sexism.  And finally, there is the heartwarming story of...

Welcome to Episode 219 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast.  We celebrate Black History Month with our story about the quiet educator, Septima Poinsette Clark, who helped power the Civil Rights Movement.  We also share the story of 5 Time Olympian, Elena Meyers Taylor, who is a hero on and off the bobsled track, and Teresa shares the stories behind two books you do not want to miss, The Many Liv...

Welcome to Episode 218!  This episode is dripping with some serious girl powered inspiration.  We have a young woman who is changing how mental health cared for and viewed in Laos.  Then there is Lina AbiRafeh who has a different and powerful approach to feminism.  And to finish up, Teresa talks about two women who recently died, but left a powerful legacy behind.  So much inspiration to be found...

Welcome to Episode 217!  There is a lot of inspiration paced into 35 minutes.  We have a family that made a radical lifestyle change to help others.  There is the story about one of the most important Civil Rights activists you probably never heard of, and then there is the story about a woman from Mexico who is using the tradition of her people to win ultra marathons around the world.  Come have...

Here we are with Episode 216 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast.  There is so much inspiration in this episode.  Teresa tells a few quick stories from her home state of Oregon, talks about an incredible new book written by Malala Yousafzai, tells the story of the courageous helicopter pilot and hero Hugh Thompson, Jr., and finally talks about two young brothers who are making a difference for t...

Welcome to Episode 215, our first episode in 2026.  Happy New Year to our longtime and new listeners alike.  This episode is full of inspiration to kick of 2026.  We have the amazing story of how St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded; the incredible story of American astronaut and Senator, Mark Kelly; some monks who are trying to send a message by walking cross country; and finally, a...

Welcome to Episode 214 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast. We will take a short break over the holidays and be back with new inspirational stories. This week we have three great stories for you. First we will talk about a book that is your guide to finding joy, then we talk about the incredible life of composer Irving Berlin, and finally, a story about ways animal shelters are finding forever h...

This is Episode 213 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast. This episode is all about kindess and we are going to focus on three remarkable people who have something to share about kindness. We start off with world record traveller, Renee Bruns, who travels the world on her own, in a wheelchair. Then we will talk about the legendary Shaquille O'Neal, and not about his prowess on the courts, but his...

This is Episode 212 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast. It is filled to the brim with inspiration. We start off with some advice from some famous coaches, that is not just for winning games, but winning in life. Then we talk about some young people who are making a huge difference in the world. Finally, we talk about Minnie Spotted Wolf, the first indigenous woman to join the U.S. Marines. Ther...

This episode is full of inspiration and encouragement to let that little light of yours shine. We have a furniture maker in India who has taught more than 10,000 people to swim, some young people in the slums of Kenya who are finding ways to bring hope to themselves and others, and a World War II spy, who risked her life to bring the Allies valuable information that was used to help plan D-Day. Th...

Welcome to Episode 210 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast. There is a truckload of inspiration in this episode. First we talk about some amazing ways people are recycling old fishing nets and turning them into products we can use everyday. Then we talk about Nelson Mandela, an activist that spent 27 years in prison, before becoming President of South Africa and a symbol of peace to the world. W...

Welcome to Episode 209! Lots of inspiration lurking about this episode. The kind response to the SNAP crisis, young girls building confidence on a mountain bike, and a man who's mission is to save the dogs of Thailand. Have a listen, you will walk away inspired.   #BeKind #WeStandWithUkraine We would love to hear from you. Send us your comments or even your own inspirational stories at tangentiali...

Welcome to Episode 208 of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast. Sorry for the delay, but Teresa has been recovering from surgery. During her down time she has read lots of books that will show up in future episodes. This episode is bursting with inspiration. Teresa starts off with a book called Not That Wheel, Jesus that talks about regaining faith after being betrayed by your church. Then Teresa ta...