The Truman Charities Podcast

What if you had to choose between food, utilities, or urgent home repairs? This is the reality for many Montgomery County families barely scraping by, living in homes that are falling apart faster than they can fix them.  In this episode, Chloe Bernardi of Rebuilding Together Montgomery County talks about this overlooked crisis and the volunteers who help them make homes safe and livable again. Sh...

Most people aren't prepared to care for aging family members. From finding quality caregivers to navigating insurance, deciding on the best care for loved ones is overwhelming, confusing, and often lonely.  Steve Lorberbaum learned the hard way just how difficult those challenges are and now works to help families approach senior care with more support and less stress. His agency, Assisting H...

Suffering from anxiety, weight gain, or brain fog? Poor sleep could be causing your biggest health issues — and your kids are just as vulnerable.  In this episode, Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, board-certified sleep physician and author of Beyond Tired: A Sleep Physician’s Guide to Solving Your Child’s Sleep Problems for Good , explains how sleep impacts our mood, hormones and long-term health. From un...

Truman Charities, a 100% volunteer-based organization founded in 2010, has raised over $2 million through three annual charity events. Our upcoming Family Fun event on September 7th will benefit "Just TRYAN It," a local organization supporting families with children undergoing pediatric cancer treatment. My 9-year-old son, Dominic, has even created a team to involve his friends in the tr...

 Diet, medications, environmental toxins... what’s really harming our kids?  Beth Lambert of Documenting Hope joins host Jamie Truman to unpack the rise of chronic conditions in children and what conventional medicine misses when it comes to the health of our kids. She explains what she calls “the total load of modern living,” a cultural shift where kids are increasingly exposed to more processed...

The difference between youth sports today and what we grew up with?   In this episode, Coach Jonathan Scribner helps us unpack why youth sports has changed and how year-round training, early specialization, and over-scheduling are affecting our kids. We discuss the decline of pickup games, rising competition, and the risks of burnout and injury.  Plus, Jonathan has great advice for parents — inclu...

Re-airing our most downloaded episode from our Vanishing Father's Series “To be a father was my way of breaking a cycle and starting over.” In this one sentence, today’s guest, Peter Gronvall, insightfully reflects on his journey to fatherhood after growing up in a cult. - During his conversation with host Jamie Truman, Peter discusses his experience living in two distinct worlds: One world w...

Celebrating Fathers and the Impact of Fatherhood In this special Father's Day episode of the Truman Charities podcast, host Jamie Truman celebrates fathers, particularly her husband Jerry Truman, co-founder of Truman Charities. Jamie outlines how Truman Charities started with Jerry's initiative to raise funds for Leukemia research and has since grown, raising over $2 million.  She discus...

You cover outlets, block stairs, baby-proof the cabinets — but did you miss the biggest risk in your home? Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4, but most parents don’t realize how crucial water safety really is until it’s too late.  After losing her son, Andrea Montoya turned her grief into action, founding the Sylas Project to raise awareness, provide swim sc...

Memorial Day is a holiday to most, but a day of remembrance and mourning for others. In this episode, you’ll hear how TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) supports families through every stage of grief — meeting them with compassion, honoring every story, and making sure no one has to grieve alone.  Vice President of Development Audrey B. shares how one phone call to TAPS became the fir...

We raised $48,000 for Interfaith Works at our Derby Party, with every dollar going directly to their job placement program.  As a 100% volunteer-based organization since 2010, Truman Charities has raised over $2 million through three annual events supporting different causes each year. -  Listen to Learn About.... Interfaith Works Job Placement program  Our generous sponsors Annual sponsorship opp...

The Face of America Cycling Challenge is a 110-mile, two-day ride that brings together adaptive and able-bodied athletes, veterans, and allies. After six years of riding, Mike Beezley has raised over $100,000 for World T.E.A.M., the nonprofit behind the ride that empowers athletes of all abilities through inclusive events like this one. In this episode, Mike shares how the event supports people of...

Invisible toxins linked to cancer and chronic disease could be hiding in your water, your food, and even your bloodstream. In this gripping episode, we look into how “forever chemicals” have polluted our world and created a global health crisis with Robert Bilott, the attorney whose decades-long battle against DuPont exposed one of the worst corporate cover-ups in history. From the lies that kept...

There’s no one solution to poverty, but Interfaith Works has built a comprehensive network of services to help thousands of residents rebuild their lives. In this episode, CEO Courtney Hall shares real success stories and the programs that make them possible — from emergency housing and financial assistance to a food pantry and paid job training. We also explore how community involvement, includin...

You’ve eaten them, but do you know what oysters do for our waterways? These unassuming shellfish play a vital role in cleaning and protecting our waterways, but decades of overharvesting and destruction of their homes nearly wiped them out. Now, a major restoration movement is rebuilding oyster populations throughout the Chesapeake Bay.  In this episode, Paul Schurick of the Oyster Recovery Partne...

Ready to learn the truth about the food you consume every day? Not all farms are created equal, so what’s on your plate may surprise you. In this eye-opening conversation, Nick Bailey of Grand View Farm explains the shocking differences between local farms and industrial agriculture — and why it matters for your health. We discuss the benefits of sustainable and regenerative farming practices, why...

 A disease with no cure, unpredictable symptoms, and millions affected — let’s talk Parkinson’s disease. With more people than ever being diagnosed with this life-altering disease, awareness, advocacy and research are key to making a real difference in the fight against Parkinson’s. Dr. George Ackerman, founder of Together For Sharon, shares his experience as a caretaker and grieving son turned pa...

The school lunch system is broken, but one mom is trying to fix it. Hilary Boynton founded School of Lunch to bring real, nutrient-dense food to kids, proving that healthy meals can be both accessible and life-changing.  She’s on the show today to discuss how poor nutrition affects children’s learning and behavior, why processed school lunches are failing them, and the difference whole, locally so...

Structure, safety, and support – these are key factors in shaping a child’s future. But how can we help promising students living in Baltimore's most disadvantaged, low-income neighborhoods overcome the obstacles standing in their way? In this episode, host Jamie Truman welcomes Arlene Hackbarth to share how Boys Hope Girls Hope Baltimore is transforming lives through stability, education and...

Could the growing rate of depression and anxiety in children and teens be linked to technology? From gaming to smartphones and social media, screens are now a major part of everyday life—but their hidden impact on young minds is a growing concern. This episode with Melanie Hempe of Screen Strong explores the science of screen addiction and its effects on the brain. • Melanie’s story about her son...

Truman Charities reflects on its significant accomplishments in 2024 while laying out exciting plans for the new year. The episode discusses major fundraising successes, new sponsorship opportunities, and the significance of maintaining personal connections through resolutions. • Celebrating $187,500 raised for charity in 2024  • Our Upcoming Events and Bethesda Best Happy Hour Dates  • Introducti...

Emotional well-being starts with a hug! To bring comfort where it’s needed most, For the Cubs created Percy, a weighted bear designed to mimic the sensation of a nurturing embrace. Founder Amy Vale shares how her experience as a foster mom of 10 children inspired her to create calming products that help children feel safe and supported. - In this episode, Amy sheds light on the beauty and challeng...

The holiday season is a great time to give back, so we’re highlighting a wonderful organization that needs your help! From school supplies to winter coats, the Giving Foundation for Women & Children has evolved to address all the needs of women and children in their community. - In this episode, Shawn Yancy shares her charitable journey to founding the 100% volunteer based organization and the...

Join me, Jamie Truman, as we explore this question on a special Giving Tuesday edition of the Truman Charities Podcast. We promise you'll gain insights into making your charitable contributions count, we go over some of our favorite interviews from 2024 so you can find the charity that resonates with you! - I'm also filled with gratitude for our loyal listeners who continue to support us...

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the world. While the condition is easily treatable, many children lack access to the care they desperately need — that’s where Save a Child’s Heart steps in. This episode highlights the incredible work of this Israel-based global organization, which has saved over 7,000 children from 70 countries. - Jamie speaks with Executive Director R...