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A teenager can ace a math test at 10 a.m. and still have nowhere safe to sleep by 10 p.m. Our conversation with Hope 4 Youth’s associate director, Mark McNamer, pulls back the curtain on the hidden crisis of youth homelessness—and the clear, practical steps a community can take to solve it. We explore why 16–24 year-olds often fly under the radar, how couch surfing masks instability, and what it takes to turn basic needs into long-term stability without shame or red tape.

We walk through Hope 4 Youth’s two-part model: a low-barrier resource center offering food, clothing, hygiene, laundry, showers, and hot meals, and a 12-unit transitional housing program that gives up to two years of breathing room for education, employment, and mental health goals. Mark shares hard numbers from Minnesota—13,000 youth experiencing homelessness annually, up to 6,000 unstably housed on a given night—and what his team is seeing locally as demand rises year-round. Then we dive into outcomes that matter: gains in employment and education, stronger relationships, improved mental health, and significant reductions in justice system involvement and substance use. Along the way, you’ll hear how schools, coaches, shelters, and small businesses quietly collaborate to rebuild safety nets, and why parenting youth—30% of participants—are a critical focus for breaking intergenerational cycles.

What stands out is the culture: no shaming, clear respect, and youth-led goals. From partnering with landlords and covering deposits to work readiness jobs inside the center, the approach is practical, humane, and proven. If you’ve ever wondered how to help beyond headlines, this is an inside look at solutions that work, including their event in November, "Out of the Cold"—and the kindness that keeps them going.

If this moved you, share it with a friend, leave a quick review, and subscribe to our newsletter for future episodes and ways to get involved. Your voice helps bring more youth out of the cold and onto a path home.

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Trauma doesn't have to be the end of your story—it can become the foundation for profound healing and service to others.

Former firefighter Natalie Newgent takes us through her remarkable journey from a career-ending injury to creating specialized healing spaces for first responders. After 14 years of running toward emergencies while carrying her own silent battles with stress and PTSD, a single moment changed everything when a workplace accident left her with severe physical injuries and unable to continue the career that had become her entire identity.

What saved her wasn't a sophisticated treatment program (though that came later)—it was the simple, consistent presence of one colleague who checked in regularly, sat with her in non-judgmental silence, and offered that small thread of connection that kept her tethered to hope. This profound experience became the foundation for Rekindled Retreats, Natalie's innovative healing program for first responders, veterans, caregivers, and women in male-dominated fields.

The conversation reveals surprising insights about the reality of firefighting work (80% of calls are actually medical emergencies), the unique challenges women face in these environments, and the critical gap in recovery resources for those who dedicate their lives to saving others. Natalie shares how her retreats offer multiple therapeutic modalities condensed into four transformative days, teaching participants to develop a "dimmer switch" between high-adrenaline work environments and everyday life—something first responders typically struggle with.

Whether you're a first responder yourself, know someone in the field, or simply appreciate stories of resilience and reinvention, this episode offers powerful reminders about the healing potential of genuine connection and the possibility of transforming our deepest wounds into sources of compassion for others.

"This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

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What happens when strangers appear at our lowest moments, offering help with no expectation of anything in return? Kate Torode, author of "Chicken Nugget Girl and Other Midlife Traumas," joins us to share her extraordinary encounters with what she calls "Earth Angels" – mysterious helpers who materialized precisely when she needed them most.

Kate's journey begins with the story behind her quirky, heartfelt book about a character named Mallory who feels stuck in life – a feeling many of us can relate to. "I still have this dream, and I'm going to follow it," Kate explains about her decision to become an author later in life. "Whether it stays a dream or turns into a nightmare, I don't really care." Her philosophy echoes advice she once received: "You'll never regret what you do. You'll regret what you don't do."

Beyond her writing, Kate reveals her surprising passion for circus arts, including trapeze work and juggling, which provides not just physical exercise but connection to a unique community. This leads us to powerful discussions about finding kindness in unexpected places during difficult times. Kate shares two unforgettable stories – one about a shuttle driver named Bob who helped her when she was stranded as a teenager, and another about a mysterious 1950s "greaser" who appeared with "Johnny Angel" playing on his car radio to help fix her broken-down vehicle, only to vanish without a trace.

These remarkable encounters remind us that kindness exists all around us, often appearing when we least expect it. As Kate puts it, true Earth Angels are those who help "just because they can and for the sake of kindness." Her stories offer hope and inspiration in a world that sometimes feels increasingly divided.

Whether you're seeking motivation to pursue a long-held dream or simply need reassurance that goodness still exists in the world, this episode will leave you feeling uplifted and ready to notice – or perhaps become – an Earth Angel in someone else's story. Subscribe to our newsletter for more uplifting content, and remember: kindness matters, and so do you.

"This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com to learn more.

Enjoyed this episode? Stay connected with us! Follow our podcast community on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok for uplifting, inspirational, and feel-good stories. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and more content designed to brighten your day."

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What happens when kindness goes wrong? When James Francisco Bonilla was legally blind, well-meaning strangers pulled him into busy intersections, walked him into call boxes, and nearly guided him off cliffs – all while trying to "help." These harrowing yet illuminating experiences form just part of his remarkable journey from a visually impaired Puerto Rican child facing racial discrimination to becoming a nationally recognized social justice educator.

Born with congenital cataracts and losing most of his remaining vision after a racially motivated assault at age nine, Bonilla's world changed dramatically when groundbreaking ultrasonic surgery restored partial sight to his right eye at nineteen. This physical transformation paralleled his growing awareness of social injustice, propelling him into the early disability rights movement of the 1970s. Through sit-ins and advocacy work, he confronted systems that routinely marginalized people with disabilities – including a counselor who tried steering him toward running a newspaper kiosk rather than pursuing higher education.

"I was more disabled by my environment and social discrimination than by my physical blindness," Bonilla explains, challenging us to reconsider how society creates barriers beyond physical limitations. His powerful perspective emerges from navigating multiple identities: as a bilingual Puerto Rican child mistakenly placed in "slow classes" by nuns who viewed his accent as a speech impediment, as a legally blind person constantly underestimated, and as someone grappling with family mental illness.

Perhaps most transformative was Bonilla's discovery of healing through nature – encounters with great horned owls and coyotes gave him "a sense that I was not alone when I felt the most alone." This connection with the natural world ultimately guided him toward both personal healing and environmental advocacy.

Looking for an inspiring memoir that challenges conventional narratives about disability? Pre-order Bonilla's "An Eye for an I: Growing Up with Blindness, Bigotry and Family Mental Illness," releasing November 4th from University of Minnesota Press. As he powerfully states, "blindness didn't just happen to me, it happened for me" – a profound reframing that invites us all to reconsider our understanding of adversity, kindness, and true social justice.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com

to learn more.

Enjoyed this episode? Stay connected with us! Follow our podcast community on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok for uplifting, inspirational, and feel-good stories. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and more content designed to brighten your day.

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What if your biggest business mistakes could become your greatest marketing opportunities? What if teenagers could successfully run million-dollar operations? Dr. Mark Leonard, human performance expert and certified high-performance coach, challenges conventional wisdom about leadership, success, and the younger generation.

Having studied human psychology for over two decades, Dr. Leonard shares the fascinating insights that led him to develop a leadership approach based on coaching rather than dictating. He draws a powerful parallel between how we encourage toddlers learning to walk and how we should approach failures in business and life. "We're meant to struggle," he explains, "but what if you could be successful and happy? What if you could be successful and giving? What if, at the end of the day, you weren't exhausted but fulfilled?"

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Dr. Leonard reveals how he and his wife entrust teenagers to operate their Jeremiah's Italian Ice franchise locations. Rather than subscribing to negative stereotypes about younger workers, he's created a culture where these "toddlers in the workplace" flourish as leaders. His secret? Teaching them to ask questions, make decisions, and transform mistakes into opportunities.

Perhaps most revolutionary is his approach to errors: "I love when my employees make mistakes. I can make money off of mistakes." By encouraging employees to create "the prettiest mistake they've ever made," these imperfect products become donations to schools, food banks, and local businesses—building community relationships while simultaneously serving as innovative marketing.

Whether you're a business owner, manager, parent, or simply someone interested in human potential, this episode offers practical wisdom for creating environments where people thrive. Learn how kindness and empathy aren't just nice values—they're powerful tools for building successful businesses and meaningful relationships.

Connect with Dr. Leonard at thehappinessbreakthrough.com and discover how his coaching can transform your approach to leadership, success, and fulfillment.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network. If you have an idea for a podcast and need some production assistance or have a podcast and are looking for a supportive network to join, check out maydaymedianetwork.com.

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What happens when childhood trauma becomes the catalyst for profound healing? Heather Ann Ferri's journey from victim to healer offers a roadmap for anyone struggling with their past.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Heather endured severe abuse that left her with physical and emotional scars, including brain damage and deep-seated feelings of unworthiness. After years in show business where she "played other people" but couldn't connect with her authentic self, Heather embarked on a healing journey that would transform not only her life but the lives of countless others she now guides.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Heather reveals how understanding her family bloodlines—including the discovery of her grandmother's Black American Indian heritage—helped her contextualize generational patterns of trauma. "Maybe I'm the one in this bloodline to reverse it," she reflects, highlighting the power we all have to break cycles that may have persisted for generations.

What sets Heather apart as a healing coach is her commitment to empowerment rather than dependency. "I'm a guide," she explains, emphasizing how she equips clients with personalized toolkits for self-healing. From "downloading" (a form of intuitive channeling) to meditation practices, Heather teaches techniques that allow people to access their own inner wisdom. Her profound insight that "we'll see a kinder society the more people self-care and self-heal" reminds us that personal healing work is not selfish—it's essential for creating a more compassionate world.

Ready to break free from patterns holding you back? Visit HeatherAnnFerri.com to learn how you can begin your own healing journey with someone who truly understands the path from pain to purpose.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network. If you have an idea for a podcast and need some production assistance or have a podcast and are looking for a supportive network to join, check out maydaymedianetwork.com.

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What happens when a veteran ICU nurse combines her medical expertise with 30 years of dog training experience? Pauline Hoegler reveals the remarkable answer on this episode of Kindness Matters.

Pauline's organization, GOFIDog (Golden Opportunities for Independence), has developed innovative programs that harness the extraordinary capabilities of Golden Retrievers to serve communities in ways that transform lives daily. The stories she shares will leave you astonished at what these four-legged heroes accomplish.

Picture a police officer approaching a child in crisis—a situation that typically escalates to ambulance calls, emergency room visits, or even arrests. Now imagine that same scenario, but with a Golden Retriever by the officer's side. Pauline shares real examples where these Community Resource Dogs completely transformed outcomes, de-escalating volatile situations and creating connections where traditional approaches failed. "Within five minutes, he was back in class," she explains about one remarkable intervention with an autistic student.

Beyond community policing, Pauline's facility dogs support students from elementary school through college, while her service dogs assist people with disabilities, PTSD, and medical conditions like seizure disorders. The science behind these capabilities is fascinating—these dogs can literally smell biochemical changes that signal an oncoming seizure, allowing them to alert handlers before symptoms appear.

What makes Pauline's approach unique is her commitment to creating successful human-dog partnerships through comprehensive training that goes beyond basic commands. By focusing on problem-solving skills and building deep bonds, she's achieved success rates far beyond industry standards.

Want to experience some kindness in action? Listen now to discover how these golden-hearted heroes are changing communities one wet nose at a time. Then visit GOFIDog online to learn how you can support their mission through donations or their upcoming fundraising events.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network. If you have an idea for a podcast and need some production assistance or have a podcast and are looking for a supportive network to join, check out maydaymedianetwork.com.

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What if the most powerful act of kindness isn't fixing someone's problems, but simply being present with them? Pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care nurse Natalie Miller Binkley brings this revolutionary perspective to life in our conversation about healing, presence, and the unique challenges facing healthcare workers today.

Natalie takes us inside the specialized world of pediatric cardiac care, where tiny patients with congenital heart abnormalities undergo complex surgeries that literally reroute how blood flows through their bodies. She explains why some pediatric cardiac units now treat patients into adulthood - these unique anatomies require specialized knowledge that adult cardiologists simply don't have.

But our conversation goes much deeper when Natalie shares how her experiences during COVID transformed her approach to healing. Working in adult ICUs during the pandemic's darkest days, she witnessed profound isolation and suffering that no medical intervention could fix. This awakening led her to develop a holistic coaching practice centered on a radical idea: before we can heal, we need someone to witness our experience without judgment.

Unlike traditional coaching that focuses on giving advice and directions, Natalie's approach begins with creating space for people to process their experiences and regulate their nervous systems. She explains how many symptoms we attribute to conditions like ADHD or anxiety may actually stem from chronically dysregulated nervous systems - the result of constant overstimulation and pressure.

For nurses especially, the challenges are immense. Many work 12-16 hour shifts with minimal breaks, sometimes unable to drink water throughout their day or even use the bathroom. With unsafe patient ratios becoming the norm, nurses often spend entire shifts distributing medications with little time for the compassionate care that drew them to nursing.

Discover why true kindness isn't always about grand gestures or perfect advice, but creating a space where people feel safe enough to breathe, to be witnessed in their chaos, and to remember they're whole human beings experiencing normal responses to abnormal situations.

Have you experienced the healing power of simply being heard? Share your thoughts and connect with Natalie through the links in our show notes.

This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network. If you have an idea for a podcast and need some production assistance or have a podcast and are looking for a supportive network to join, check out maydaymedianetwork.com.

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