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Frank Blake sits down with Goodwill Industries CEO Steve Preston and truck driver Michael West to discuss the organization's "second chance" mission. From running adult high schools in prisons to providing career paths for those overcoming addiction and incarceration, this is the story of how a 125-year-old mission is still changing lives today. In this episode, we discuss: The surprising scale of Goodwill: 650 job centers and 50 adult high schools. Michael West's personal journey from addiction and incarceration to homeownership. Why Steve Preston left the C-suite and the Cabinet to lead a "difficult-to-hire" mission. The "Edgar Helms" philosophy: Turning charity into a chance. How employers can unlock a massive, untapped labor pool. Chapters: [01:38] The Personal Mission: Steve Preston on transitioning from HUD Secretary to Goodwill CEO. [06:02] A Missionary in Boston: The 125-year history of Edgar Helms and the birth of Goodwill. [12:22] From Processor to Driver: Michael West shares his path from community service to a career in trucking. [16:55] A Goodwill Wedding: The community and family culture within the organization. [21:33] The Untapped Labor Pool: Why employers should look "beyond the label" of past incarceration. [26:52] The Future of Work: How AI and tech-skills training are reaching low-wage workers. [31:33] The "Internet Trash" Problem: Steve addresses the common false narratives about the organization. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you! 

Crazy Good Turns received more than 500 nominations from listeners like you seeking to recognize organizations that are helping others. In this show, we reveal five winners selected to receive a $10,000 grant.  They are: The Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation: Founded by a man who was wrongly imprisoned for sixteen years. Since being exonerated, he's used his own money to free others who've been falsely accused.  Locker #505: A student clothing bank serving disadvantaged kids in Albuquerque in a special way.  Gotta Have Sole: The amazing story of a 5-year-old boy who visited a homeless shelter, wanted to help, and went on to launch a nonprofit that gives children brand new shoes.  Bridge of Hearts: A group of retired North Carolina teachers came up with a creative way to serve the needs of schoolchildren.  Golden String: An Ohio organization that provides residential care, life skills, and other support to hundreds of people with disabilities.  Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you! 

Grey Bull Rescue helps innocent Americans who are stranded, imprisoned, or otherwise trapped in dangerous situations around the globe.  BRYAN STERN founded Grey Bull in August 2021, during the fall of Afghanistan. Since that time, Grey Bull has helped rescue more than 8,000 Americans in 800 different missions.  Stern's own story begins decades earlier. As a young Army intelligence officer, he was at Ground Zero on the day of 9/11, and narrowly avoided being trapped by the collapsing towers. He went on to serve a full and highly decorated military career.  In this episode, Stern discusses his path from the World Trade Center to today, and the missions he and his team of brave volunteers conduct around the globe today.  Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!   

It's a story about the best of the internet. A place 100 million people visit every year and post 1,600 positive messages every hour. It's CaringBridge. And the support and connection it makes possible can be truly life-saving. "Definitely I wouldn't be here without it, I think," says Jill Olecki, one survivor who's used the platform for years. We speak with Jill, her husband, Dave, and CaringBridge CEO Tia Newcomer to bring you the story behind 27-year history of positivity, connection and support. We encourage you to check out CaringBridge at caringbridge.org. And we invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!  

Brock Holt is a World Series winner and former Red Sox player. Caitlin Fink is the VP of the team's official charity, the Jimmy Fund. They join us to share how the longest-running partnership between a sports team and a charity has improved the lives of cancer patients around the globe. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!  

Ken's Krew creates opportunity and hope for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities by helping them find fulfilling jobs — usually inside of a Home Depot store. In this episode, also you'll hear from Executive Director Suzy Goldberger, who shares how the organization has helped nearly 1,000 people across its 25-year history. You'll also hear from Crystal Hanlon, one of the top leaders at Home Depot, who saw firsthand what a powerful difference Krewmembers make. But to really help you understand what it's like, we bring you the story of Krewmember Matthew O'Neill and his mother, Margy. They share the story of how they discovered Ken's Krew and what happened after Matthew got started. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you! 

Derek Sivers is one of the most interesting thinkers of our time. He's been a professional touring musician, a circus performer, and a successful entrepreneur who sold his company for millions – and then gave away his proceeds from the sale. Since selling the company, Derek has become a speaker, writer and author of five books including his latest release, "Useful Not True."  During our show, we discuss how to overcome self-limiting beliefs, why we over-value our instincts (and what to do instead), and a new (and more useful) approach to setting goals. Derek also shares the one thing that all of his heroes have in common, and his thoughts on what the best thing is that you can pursue in your life. You can learn more about Derek by visiting his website sive.rs. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!   

Hal Donaldson has a goal to feed a million children every day. And his organization, Convoy of Hope, is on pace to make it happen. In this episode, Hal joins us to discuss how he overcame tragedy early in life to found one of the world's biggest charities. He'll share what it's like to come face-to-face with Mother Teresa, and the powerful advice she gave him. And he'll explain the "secret sauce" behind Convoy of Hope and the good work they do around the globe. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you! 

Just 5 years ago, Oklahoma State University and the Cherokee Nation launched a first-of-its-kind medical school.  The College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation is the first and only medical college to be founded on tribal land and linked to a native tribe. The school made history when its first graduating class of doctors received their degrees in May 2024.  Drs. Natasha Bray and Douglas Nolan are the Dean and Associate Dean of the school. They join us from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where they are helping a new generation of doctors learn to provide critical care — especially in rural and tribal areas, which are facing a dire shortage of doctors.  During the show you'll also hear from Megan Tramel. She's a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a student at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tahlequah. This month, in May 2025, she'll receive her degree and start the next phase of her journey as a doctor.  We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you! 

Each year, thousands of women give birth while in jail or prison. What happens to them, and their babies?  Amy Ard had been working as a doula (a caregiver for labor and delivery) for decades when she saw a prisoner who was in the hospital to give birth. Amy also saw a set of handcuffs hanging from a gurney, which said so much about the start of that prisoner's journey. That image led her to drop everything and take up the cause of helping incarcerated mothers and mothers-to-be.  Amy moved home, switched careers, and founded a nonprofit called Motherhood Beyond Bars. Today Amy's organization assists almost every infant born in the Georgia prison system.  Motherhood Beyond Bars provides support for those children, preparing them – and their mothers – for an eventual reunification and life together. We hope you'll enjoy our conversation with Amy. Stay connected to what she and her organization are doing by visiting motherhoodbeyondbars.org.  We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you! 

Alle Amoroso is the founder of ROSE Women's Foundation, which helps impoverished women in Kenya learn how to launch and run small businesses. To date, the organization has launched more than 3,500 businesses — and lifted thousands of people out of poverty.  Allie shares:  The awakening that led her to quit her dream life of venture capital and startups  What toxic charity is, and what people can do instead  The incredible story of Grace, who went from house help to ROSE Women's Foundation operations manager  The life-changing business curriculum Allie is spreading through Kenya What Allie wishes she had known to prepare for explosive growth  Stay current on all of the great work Allie and ROSE are doing at https://rosewomensfoundation.org/ Let us know what you think of today's show on social. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!   

Tom is the spokesperson behind Motel 6's TV and radio spots and their famous tagline: "We'll leave the light on for you." His latest idea, HatchSpace, might be exactly what our world needs right now.  After all, Tom is more than a great baritone. He's lived a fascinating life — and now he's giving back in an excellent way.  In today's episode, Tom shares how he moved west from his Michigan hometown to become a carpenter in Alaska. Along the way - almost by accident - he became a radio personality and writer.   After relocating again to Brattleboro, Vermont, Tom launched HatchSpace. His work there is bringing people together and teaching them a powerful lesson: That making things together matters.  During our show, Tom shares:  Two human qualities that Tom believes set us apart from beasts in the woods How woodworking helps heal brain trauma, including addictions – and how it helped heal Tom What changes Tom has seen in his own community after creating HatchSpace The book that opened Tom's eyes to the importance of making things with his hands The Crazy Good Turn that saved his life   Stay current on all of the great work Tom and HatchSpace are doing at hatchspace.org.  Let us know what you think of today's show on social. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you! 

Leung is an award-winning business columnist and associate editor of the Boston Globe, as well as host of a Globe Opinion podcast called "Say More."  She's also a working mom who struggled to keep up with work and home-schooling her kids during the pandemic. Her motivation and abilities suffered until she finally acknowledged the problem and asked for help.  After she regained her stride, Shirley dedicated herself to helping audiences understand burnout better. During our show, Shirley will discuss:  What burnout really is (it's not just being tired) Shirley's personal experience and how she recovered Practical tips to prevent or bounce back from burnout Surprising insights on multitasking (and why it may not help you) Heartwarming stories from her Boston Globe colleagues, including how they rallied for her during a health crisis. Let us know what you think of today's show on social @crazygoodturns. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on Apple Podcasts so you can stay up to date on the good news, including future shows and book giveaways. If you already subscribe, please leave us a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes with anyone you think will enjoy. Thank you!  

Crazy Good Turns listeners like you sent in more than 120 nominations of organizations that are helping others. In this show, we profile four of those organizations who were selected to receive a $10,000 grant. They are: Heart of Mary House, a hospice in the Nashville area that specifically serves patients who have nowhere else to go. Volunteer Rebecca Grunkemeyer nominated the group. You'll hear from her and organization founder Kim Derrick. Teens4Teens Help, a platform for teenagers who are suffering from mental or emotional health challenges. This nonprofit was founded by two parents, Jeff and Kathy Long, who created the help they wished they had when their daughter went through a tough time. They share the story. Joshua's Heart Foundation, a Miami Beach nonprofit doing two crazy good turns: fighting food insecurity and helping young people develop job skills and life skills. Founder Joshua Williams, who started the organization when he was just 4 years old, joins us. Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center, a ministry located on the Pine Ridge Native Reservation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Located in South Dakota in the poorest county in the nation, the center is the only place many residents can go for basic needs. Pastor Dan Johnson explains. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on Apple Podcasts so you can stay up to date on the good news, including future shows and book giveaways. If you already subscribe, please leave us a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes with anyone you think will enjoy. Thank you! 

When Luther's daughter, Jane Lockwood, was just 5 years old, she was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of muscular dystrophy.  Luther and his family resolved to do something about it. During the two decades since, they founded the McColl-Lockwood Laboratory and dedicated enormous resources to creating more effective treatments for the disease to help not only Jane, but thousands of others like her.  In this episode, Luther and Jane share their experience. Jane describes what it's been like to live with the disease – and how it hasn't stopped her from achieving her dream of enrolling in law school. Meanwhile, Luther gives insight to their global search for the best minds researching muscular dystrophy, and how that may be leading to new and effective treatments.  We're joined in this conversation by Frank's friend Larry Powell. Larry has been an inspiration for and informal advisor to our podcast for a long time. He suggested that we feature Luther and Jane's story, and we liked the idea so much we asked him to be a part of it.  Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on Apple Podcasts so you can stay up to date on the good news, including future shows and book giveaways. If you already subscribe, please leave us a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes with anyone you think will enjoy. Thank you!