WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

Support Doing Good: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

For anyone who's ever felt their technical skills weren't "professional enough" to make a difference, Paul Wayne Jackson Jr. — Head IT Instructor with Tech 4 All Tennessee — proves that expertise paired with compassion bridges the digital divide in powerful ways. We explore how basic technology education transforms lives for veterans, disabled individuals, and underserved communities, discover why teaching internet safety alongside computer skills creates life-changing impact, and learn how volunteering can build confidence while serving those who need it most.

Featured Guest: Paul Wayne Jackson Jr. — Head IT Instructor with Tech 4 All Tennessee

What You'll Learn:

✅ Why technology education goes beyond keystrokes—including internet safety and financial literacy that's helped students save hundreds monthly

✅ How Tech 4 All Tennessee serves veterans, disabled individuals, and people who've never touched a computer by meeting them at their level

✅ How volunteering in your professional field builds confidence and compassion while providing resume experience and community impact

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul Jackson Jr.

02:14 Transition to Tech For All Tennessee

04:05 Teaching and Curriculum Development

05:11 Understanding Digital Literacy

06:15 Bridging the Digital Divide

07:37 The Importance of Cybersecurity

08:10 Personal Growth Through Volunteering

09:29 Advice for Aspiring Volunteers

10:35 Future Aspirations for Tech For All Tennessee

11:05 Empowering Communities Through Technology Education

11:15 Transforming Barriers into Opportunities

Resources & Mentions: ⁠

Tech 4 All Tennessee
Learn Free (Formerly GCF Global)
TechGoesHome

Support Doing Good:

Website: ⁠Doing Good⁠
Social Media: ⁠All Links⁠
Blog: ⁠Featured Volunteers⁠
Support the show: ⁠Donate Here⁠

Credits:

Produced by Azilee Maetke
Music by Hartzmann
Edited by Jordan Rillera
Additional Editing by Jay Wilson

WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

Support Doing Good: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

For college students navigating financial aid deadlines, mental health challenges, and feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, Dakota — Student Ambassador & Persist Nashville Client shares how personalized coaching transformed her university experience. Dakota demonstrates why one-on-one support creates lasting success for first-generation and underrepresented college students, exploring how trained coaches provide both academic resources and life guidance that traditional counseling doesn't offer.

Featured Guest: Dakota — Student Ambassador & Current Client, Persist Nashville

What You'll Learn:

✅ How Persist Nashville's coaching differs from academic counseling providing holistic life support without always redirecting to school

✅ Dakota's transformation from isolated student to student ambassador representing the entire student body

✅ Why authentic coach relationships matter from FAFSA navigation to preventing burnout through campus involvement

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Persist Nashville

03:03 The Role of Coaches in Student Development

05:09 Dakota's Experience as a Student Ambassador

05:53 The Importance of Student Voices in Decision Making

14:10 Doing Good Outro

Resources & Mentions: ⁠

Persist Nashville⁠ ⁠
Apply as a Student (Open to All College Students - Not Just Nashville Residents)⁠

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠Doing Good⁠
Social Media: ⁠All Links⁠
Blog: ⁠Featured Volunteers⁠
Support the show: ⁠Donate Here⁠

Credits:

Produced by Azilee Maetke
Music by Hartzmann
Edited by Jordan Rillera
Additional Editing by Jay Wilson

WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

Support Doing Good: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

For anyone wondering how volunteer work can reconnect you to your purpose while transforming students' lives, Laurie Brown, CEO of Intrepid College Prep and Board Chair of Persist Nashville, shares why first-generation college students need more than just admission letters to succeed. We explore the critical gap between college access and college completion, discover how professional coaching changes outcomes for MNPS graduates, and learn practical ways busy professionals can find volunteer opportunities that fill their cup.

Featured Guest: Laurie Brown — CEO of Intrepid College Prep & Board Chair of Persist Nashville

What You'll Learn:

✅ Why the first two years of college are make-or-break for first-generation students and how coaching helps them persist

✅ How Persist Nashville's data-driven approach partners with MNPS schools to track student outcomes from senior year through college

✅ How to reframe volunteerism as a two-way investment that fills your cup while serving your community

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lori Brown and Her Journey

03:14 The Importance of Advocacy in Education

06:06 Persist Nashville: Supporting College Access and Persistence

09:00 The Role of a Board Chair in Nonprofit Organizations

12:00 Success Stories and Impact of Volunteerism

14:34 The Value of Micro Moments in Volunteer Work

17:21 Future Aspirations in Volunteerism and Advocacy

30:29 Introduction to Heart Work and Community Impact

30:56 Doing Good Outro 26-Video-Only-V3.mp4

Resources & Mentions: ⁠

Persist Nashville⁠ ⁠
Intrepid College Prep⁠ ⁠
Teach for America Nashville⁠

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠Doing Good⁠
Social Media: ⁠All Links⁠
Blog: ⁠Featured Volunteers⁠
Support the show: ⁠Donate Here⁠

Credits:

Produced by Azilee Maetke
Music by Hartzmann
Edited by Jordan Rillera
Additional Editing by Jay Wilson

WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

To Support Doing Good: Donate Here

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This is the second part of our two-part series highlighting Nashville Rescue Mission. Joy Flores (Vice President of Ministries) and Krystle Knight (Operations Coordinator) join Megan to discuss the transformative power of holistic care and what happens when an organization truly sees the whole person.

What You'll Learn:

✅ Why treating homelessness requires addressing the whole person, not just housing
✅ How work therapy, mentorship, and community create pathways to lasting stability
✅ The power of hiring program graduates to mentor those walking the same journey

Resources & Mentions:

Nashville Rescue Mission

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Doing Good⁠⁠⁠
Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠All Links⁠⁠⁠
Blog: ⁠⁠⁠Featured Organization⁠⁠⁠
Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Hosted by Megan McInnis
Produced by Jay Wilson
Edited by Jay Wilson
Music by Hartzmann

WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

To Support Doing Good: Donate Here

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In this episode, author and adventurer Heidi Siefkas joins Megan to discuss the transformative power of volunteering, resilience, and the "Look Up" mantra born from a near-death experience.

What You'll Learn:

✅ How volunteering shifts perspective and builds resilience as a "muscle to be flexed."
✅ Why homelessness can happen to anyone and the importance of community lifelines
✅ The power of treating volunteer service as an all-consuming adventure

Resources & Mentions:

Nashville Rescue Mission
Heidi Siefkas

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Doing Good⁠⁠⁠
Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠All Links⁠⁠⁠
Blog: ⁠⁠⁠Featured Organization⁠⁠⁠
Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Hosted by Megan McInnis
Produced by Jay Wilson
Music by Hartzmann

WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

To Support Doing Good: https://bit.ly/DoingGoodDonate

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, Kayla Torti (Program Director at Tucker's House) and Adeline (Tucker's House recipient) join Megan McInnis to discuss the profound impact of accessible home modifications on families living with disabilities. We explore Kayla's journey as both a special needs mom and advocate, hear Addie's transformative story of moving from a converted garage to independent living, and discover how Tucker's House creates dignity and hope through thoughtful accessibility solutions.

What You'll Learn:

✅ How inaccessibility literally makes people more disabled and affects their health
✅ The comprehensive planning required for successful home modifications
✅ Why advocacy and understanding matter as much as the physical changes

Resources & Mentions:

Tucker's House

Apply for services: Click the "Apply" button at tuckershouse.org (located in the top right corner). To volunteer or donate: Contact through the website

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Doing Good⁠⁠⁠
Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠All Links⁠⁠⁠
Blog: ⁠⁠⁠Featured Organization⁠⁠⁠
Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Hosted by Megan McInnis
Produced by Jay Wilson
Music by Hartzmann
Edited by Jordan Rillera

Now, everyone’s heard the phrase “everyone can make a difference.” But, do they really mean it? I say yes. I’m breaking it down to age groups to show you, or remind you, how you can make a difference.

So, for five weeks, I am humbled to offer a short series on volunteering so our podcast editor volunteers can enjoy a well-deserved break.