Army of Normal Folks

Inga Arvin felt called to move to the challenging Louisville neighborhood of Portland, but her husband Shawn didn’t want to because he used to buy drugs there. Their obedience strangely led them to get a house for free if they bought a community center, which of course led them reinvigorating it with over 200 kids playing basketball, a 400 person fish fry, a school, and a thrift store. Welco...

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill dives into the paradox of An Army of Normal Folks doing abnormal things. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 friends paid off their college debt, 7 families helped them buy a house, and they joined in on buying cars for 4-5 people. Branden and Ashley are members of an extraordinary Army of Generous Folks and show us what living in community can look like! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 friends paid off their college debt, 7 families helped them buy a house, and they joined in on buying cars for 4-5 people. Branden and Ashley are members of an extraordinary Army of Generous Folks and show us what living in community can look like! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill reflects on an Army member's email about cell phones and young kids.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America is one of the most generous countries in the world and yet many of our worst problems aren't getting any better. One of the greatest reasons why is the lack of return on investment analysis that is expected in the business world, but is pervasively absent in philanthropy. Slingshot has conducted this analysis for 55 Memphis nonprofits, which empowers givers to fuel the most effective nonpr...

America is one of the most generous countries in the world and yet many of our worst problems aren't getting any better. One of the greatest reasons why is the lack of return on investment analysis that is expected in the business world, but is pervasively absent in philanthropy. Slingshot has conducted this analysis for 55 Memphis nonprofits, which empowers givers to fuel the most effective nonpr...

For our series "An Army of Normal Dead Folks", Larry Reed tells the story of Fanny Crosby, who became blind and yet still holds the records for the most number of songs written & most number of Presidents met.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For "Shop Talk", we share Army member Ken Morris' reflection that he is in fact a Turkey Person. And what he's going to do about it.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buddy was a Golden Gloves boxer who bit his opponent's ear, a union organizer who landed in prison, and ultimately the founder of The Rock Ministries. In the Philadelphia neighborhood of Kensington, The Rock started by serving inner-city boys with boxing and the Gospel, and it’s grown to serving over 11,000 kids through sports, arts, music, and mentoring. And all of this is taking place amid...

Buddy was a Golden Gloves boxer who bit his opponent's ear, a union organizer who landed in prison, and ultimately the founder of The Rock Ministries. In the Philadelphia neighborhood of Kensington, The Rock started by serving inner-city boys with boxing and the Gospel, and it’s grown to serving over 11,000 kids through sports, arts, music, and mentoring. And all of this is taking place amid...

For “An Army of Normal Dead Folks”, we celebrate Harriet Tubman, the runaway slave who rescued over 100 slaves on the Underground Railroad. And Real Heroes Larry Reed reveals fascinating stories about her that we had never heard before!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill's hot take on fake vs. real Christmas trees and somehow he relates this to our legacies.   Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This title doesn't make much sense, unless you listen to the episode. JT is the founder of Both Hands, whose own Army of nearly 145k normal folks in 45 states has raised $21 million to adopt 1,648 kids by serving 1,632 widows!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This title doesn't make much sense, unless you listen to the episode. JT is the founder of Both Hands, whose own Army of nearly 145k normal folks in 45 states has raised $21 million to adopt 1,648 kids by serving 1,632 widows!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Prudence Crandall admitted a black student into her school in 1832, townspeople from Canterbury, CT twice set their building on fire, poisoned their well, and 3 lawsuits were filed to stop her. But Prudence persevered, which is why we're celebrating her on our special series "An Army of Normal Dead Folks".  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/l...

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill gives a fascinating (and devastating) look at the trade war's unintended effects on the hardwood lumber industry and what it can teach us about our work serving others.  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dakota celebrates his own Army of Normal Folks who’ve supported his greatness: Big Mike, Sergeant Major Hector Soto-Rodriguez, Tana Rattliff, Tim Kennedy, his daughter Sailor, and so many more. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dakota celebrates his own Army of Normal Folks who’ve supported his greatness: Big Mike, Sergeant Major Hector Soto-Rodriguez, Tana Rattliff, Tim Kennedy, his daughter Sailor, and so many more. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off a new special series called “An Army of Normal Dead Folks”, where we celebrate normal folks from history who did what they could to serve their fellow man. With our friend Larry Reed, our first episode features abolitionist Thomas Clarkson!   Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill weighs in on an Army member's suggestion. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins’ devastating injury left him as a quadriplegic, Sigma Nu approached him about starting a football game called The Charity Bowl that would raise money for those living with paralysis. Chucky enthusiastically endorsed it and since 1990 these fraternity brothers have raised over $3.5 million! We talk to current students Jagger Mooneyham and Julian Knott....

After Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins’ devastating injury left him as a quadriplegic, Sigma Nu approached him about starting a football game called The Charity Bowl that would raise money for those living with paralysis. Chucky enthusiastically endorsed it and since 1990 these fraternity brothers have raised over $3.5 million! We talk to current students Jagger Mooneyham and Julian Knott....

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill tells the story of a prison football team and their surprising fans. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach Bill Courtney shares one of the most important life lessons he's ever learned and it was from one of his 17-year-old football players. It's a powerful Thanksgiving reflection. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.