The Do Gooders Podcast

How did you spend your last $20? Did it make you happy?   You might be interested to know that science shows money really can buy happiness. And it's not about amassing greater wealth. Dr. Michael Norton, a member of Harvard University's Behavioral Insights Group, says money can bring us increased happiness if we shift our focus from earning more to spending differently. His research shows we find...

Each year from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, you'll spot The Salvation Army's red kettles outside of grocery stores and shopping malls just about everywhere you go. The kettle debuted in San Francisco in 1891 in the midst of a depression that had thrown many out of work. A Salvation Army officer put out a crab pot on the ferry landing to collect donations to feed those who were hungry on Christma...

So each of the 25,000 individuals who stand by a red kettle each year and ring a silver bell have an important role to play. But what exactly does it take—and who can ring the bell? Listen in this week to hear from four bell ringers. #DoGoodersPodcast Did you know one of the two songwriters of the classic carol, "Silver Bells," said they were inspired by none other than The Salvation Army bell rin...

We've long extolled the virtue of gratitude. Some have even called it the "social glue" that fortifies relationships and serves as the backbone of human society. But what is gratitude? Where does it come from? And how can we foster it?   Dr. Robert Emmons is perhaps the world's leading scientific expert on gratitude. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at UC Davis, the editor-in-chie...

What is it about music that connects to something deep within us? And how does someone who writes songs set out to share work that is so personal? That's what Lt. Erin Wikle is sharing on this episode of the Do Gooders Podcast. As a Salvation Army officer, or pastor, currently serving in Santa Monica, California, her ministry faces the effects of addiction, the reality of homelessness and more.  ...

It's human nature to believe in something other than one's self, and doing so can give life meaning. That according to Dr. Diane Winston, who has made understanding, analyzing and writing about religion in America her career. Now as the Knight Chair in Media and Religion at the University of Southern California, Diane is a national authority on religion and the media as both a journalist and schol...

Right now across the U.S. there are 442,000 children living in the U.S. foster care system. Nearly a third of them are eligible for adoption. As Proverbs 24:12 reads: "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act." And that's exactly what led Brandlayn Musial from a career in...

Auditions, set prep, rehearsals, tech week, curtain call…show time. You'll find that rundown at The Salvation Army in Casa Grande, Arizona, where the corps—the church—there hosts a monthly community production. Everything from "Godspell," to "A Christmas Carol" or "Sleepy Hollow." And in each role he has played, Captain Mark Davey said he goes in knowing his character has a story and a message to...

It's no secret that the role of guns in violence and what should be done about it are subjects of intense debate in the U.S. And it's an important one as some 100 people die by firearm every day in our country. It's an issue Dr. Daniel Webster has studied throughout his career, including now as a Professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public H...

Did you know: The Salvation Army is more than red kettles and thrift stores? Yet, if there's one thing we hear time and time again it's this: "I thought The Salvation Army was just kettles and thrift stores!" Which is generally followed by: "I wish more people knew about all The Salvation Army does." The Army's extensive range of services are available in more than 130 countries worldwide and in e...

It's not polite to talk politics.   I'm sure you've heard the sentiment. Especially in any kind of mixed crowd where people might disagree on the issue at hand.   We live, worship and work in diverse communities, but with politics becoming so tribal in nature, many of us simply avoid the subject. And that does a disservice to us all.   Yet we can get comfortable with being uncomfortable and do it...

The Salvation Army is actively involved in fighting hunger, homelessness and more across the country. In fact, the organization serves some 23 million people a year in the U.S. But you may not know that The Salvation Army is also engaged in nonprofit advocacy with the federal government. Sabrina Kiser serves as Assistant Director of Social Services and Public Policy Coordinator at The Salvation Ar...

Our salvation in Christ begins personally—it's a decision and commitment made individually. But it does not end there. A genuine personal relationship with God flows into all of our relationships. After all, Jesus gave us two commands: love God and love others. In this episode, Commissioner Jolene Hodder shares more about her own experience of faith, how she knows God is real and where she finds h...

You've probably heard of The Salvation Army's Thanksgiving dinners, food pantries or the provision of meals during a natural disaster. But you might not know that TSA in communities across the country fills backpacks or other bags with food to send home from school with kids for the weekend. That's to make sure kids who receive free or low-cost breakfasts and lunches at school don't go hungry at h...

What are your core values? Do you know? Can you put four or five specific words to them and explain the way those values show up in your life? As Krysta Masciale says, any brand is the promise of an experience. On a personal level, is that experience consistent? Will anyone who interacts with you say the same thing about who you are? Krysta is the CMO of LumaForge, a technology company in Los Ange...

Did you know: The Salvation Army is a big supporter of fun with 44 summer or day camps in the United States devoted to children? Last year, more than 260,000 kids attended camp with The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army's Summer Residential Camping Program at Camp Redwood Glen near Santa Cruz, California, encourages at-risk and under-privileged kids to learn new skills and self-reliance through s...

Building well being in a person is like building a strong house—it requires certain materials, resources and opportunities.   When these materials are not available, we may have a hard time surviving the storms.   For so many kids around the world, The Salvation Army is a key part of their building materials.   Did you know The Salvation Army operates more than 2,700 schools—including schools for...

A network of Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers across the U.S. have a common goal: to help people discover and develop their passions in their own neighborhood.   The 26 centers were created thanks in large part to Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, who entrusted The Salvation Army with $1.5 billion to build a space for arts, education and athletics in underserved communities....

What is peace—and how do we build it?   How can we create a shared future where everybody belongs .   In this episode, Monica Curca talks about peace and why it involves all of us...Why we're all responsible to solve violence. And why power is found in relationship.   Monica founded Activate Labs, a nonprofit organization that builds a creative force for peace and justice. Her projects bring toget...

What's 18 square miles with a riverfront promenade and legendary food scene?    You guessed it—Napa.   This central California town is considered a world-class destination with plenty of culinary star power.    And Chef Paul Fields is at the heart of it all, having worked for the Pebble Beach Company, Silverado Country Club and several local Napa wineries. He honed his culinary skills at Oenotri,...

It's no secret that sports teach character.   Both wellness and life lessons come with being part of a team.   Jose Moreno gets to take those benefits to the next level.   As the Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations for the Fiesta Bowl, Jose leads charitable giving and philanthropic efforts across Arizona.   Through events like the Fiesta Bowl—a college football bowl game held annua...

Did you know: One in seven Americans will be affected by addiction? And the disease is even more prevalent in members of the armed forces, particularly with tobacco, alcohol and prescription drug abuse.   Unsurprisingly, the problems created by addiction are many.   As veteran Edwyn Hector says, addiction takes you from you.   For 18 years, Ed has helped more than 3,000 people work through addicti...

Do you want to know the Bible better but aren't sure where to start?   Do you open your Bible to begin reading and feel a little lost?   You're not alone. Those are the two most common barriers to the study of Scripture.   And with those in mind, Pastor Mark Moore wrote "Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year."   As a former New Testament professor at Ozark Christia...

When Guy Fieri was just 10 years old, he sold soft pretzels from a three-wheel bicycle cart that he built with his father.   Through the years, Guy has opened more than 60 restaurants around the world, starred in seven TV series and executive produced a number of others, inducted into the BBQ Hall of Fame, and authored six best-selling cookbooks. Recently, he became the third chef ever to receive...

When Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder returned to the U.S. after 11 years living abroad, he said he was taken aback by the number of people he saw living on the streets—in tents, below freeway underpasses, and at the base of our cities' skyscrapers.   He returned to the West coast to lead The Salvation Army here and knew The Salvation Army had to act.   The organization began in London in 1865 as Wi...