As an attorney, Anne Bader-Martin has practiced juvenile and family law in Massachusetts since 1995. Frustrated by the lack of resources available to help the underserved children and families she worked with, she conceived of the concept that would become One Can Help (OCH). As Executive Director, she has been heavily involved in creating and overseeing OCH since that time. By providing urgently needed individualized resources, OCH tackles an enormous societal issue and helps level the playing field at the same time. Through a unique and innovative partnership with the juvenile court appointed attorneys, social workers and advocates who know exactly what their clients need to succeed right now, OCH is able to ensure that critical resources responsibly achieve their targeted goal. Let’s find out about Anne’s inspiring story.

In this inspiring episode of the North Star Podcast, host Jim Eskin welcomes a true guiding light in the nonprofit world, Steve Lerman. As a super lawyer with an illustrious five-decade career in communications and entertainment law, Steve shares his journey from personal tragedy to professional success to impactful philanthropy.

Key Takeaways:

• Overcoming Personal Tragedy: Steve opens up about losing father figures early in life and how it shaped his self-reliance and leadership skills.

• Insider View of Radio Industry: With vast experience in the radio industry, Steve discusses its evolution from high profitability to current challenges due to digital competition.

• Future of Radio: He candidly offers his perspective on radio's struggle against modern media platforms and hints at its uncertain future.

• Active Minds Advocacy: As chairman of Active Minds, he emphasizes mental health support for young adults through peer-to-peer interaction—a cause close to his heart after witnessing its life-saving impact firsthand.

• Scholarship Mentoring Program Success: Reflecting on personal challenges during youth inspires him to lead a scholarship mentoring program with a perfect college graduation rate among participants—defying statistics even within affluent communities like Newton, Massachusetts.

• Memoir Insights: Writing "The Enchanted Path" helped organize his life into three distinct phases: education, work/professional success, and giving back/philanthropy.

• Celebrity Encounters & Anecdotes: Sharing entertaining stories about famous clients such as Howard Stern and Don Imus and others that showcases another facet of his dynamic career.

Final Thoughts: Steve's commitment shines through every topic discussed—from legal expertise to passionate advocacy for education and mental health. His story is one that reminds us all that despite setbacks or losses we face; we can choose paths leading toward positive impacts on others' lives. A beacon for many nonprofits today, he truly embodies what it means to be a Non-Profit North Star.

Learn More about Active Minds at Active Minds.org

Dr. Alice Christie, Founder and CEO of Tynkertopia has been an educator for the last 56 years. She taught in the K-12 arena for 20 years, was a professor of education at Arizona State University for 20+ years and spent 9 years traveling to 37 states to provide STEM education workshops to over 5000 PK-12 teachers. In 2017, she founded and self-funded Tynkertopia, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in Flagstaff, AZ.

Dr. Christie received her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy and Educational Technology in 1995. She served first as assistant professor, then as associate professor at Arizona State University. She retired in 2008 as ASU President’s Professor Emerita. This designation is one of Arizona State University’s most prestigious faculty honors. It is designed to reward enthusiasm and innovation in teaching, the ability to inspire original and creative work by students, mastery of subject matter and scholarly contributions. Only 36 professors at ASU hold this title.

Tynkertopia, Inc. is a non-profit community center in Flagstaff, AZ. We focus on creativity, inquiry, and STEAM knowledge and skills. Flagstaff is America’s First STEM Community, and Tynkertopia is Flagstaff’s STEAM Community Center. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) + A for the Arts = STEAM.

Tynkertopia is a place filled with opportunities to play, invent and launch imaginations into overdrive! Designed for kids, parents, teachers, and community members, Tynkertopia builds STEAM skills and encourages independent thinking, questioning, inquiring, designing, building, exploring and tinkering!