Ian Hockley on Lessons of Loss from Sandy Hook and Building Communities of Heromakers
Ian Hockley on Lessons of Loss from Sandy Hook and Building Communities of Heromakers Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|4/20/2021 In this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Ian Hockey, co-founder and executive director of Dylan’s Wings of Change and the Wingman program. In December 2012, Ian’s life changed forever when he lost his son, Dylan, in the Sandy Hook shooting. Here, Ian shares about those early moments, the butterfly effect, and why grief is powerful but love more so. Grief, Ian says, is love with nowhere to go. In this episode, we dive into some of the hero traits like authenticity, courage, and empathy, and talk about the incredible initiative Ian is leading to empower a generation and communities to embrace change and love and goodness for the sake of others. We invite you to support what Ian and his team are doing and to keep fighting for empathy and courage as we navigate these difficult times we are in. You can find Dylan’s Wings of Change on IG @thewingmanprogram and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Dylanswingsofchange. Their website is: https://www.dylanswingsofchange.org. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. We are also on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. We are now on PATREON and we would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement.
Nicholas Kristock on Fleece, Thank You, Empathy, Compassion, Confidence, and Many Things in Between
Nicholas Kristock on Fleece, Thank You, Empathy, Compassion, Confidence, and Many Things in Between Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|4/28/2021 In this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Nicholas Kristock, founder of Fleece & Thank You, a non-profit focused on connecting people who want to make blankets for children in the hospital with the heroes who receive them. A former soccer player, Nicholas sought out different volunteer opportunities while not on the field and when his twin sister told him there weren’t enough blankets for the children in the hospital where she served, he knew he had found his calling. We also talk about boxing–how to train for a match, and what to do if you freeze in competition. You can find Haymakers for Hope on IG @Haymakers4Hope and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/haymakers4hope. Their website is: http://haymakersforhope.org. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. We are also on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. We are on PATREON and we would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement.
Julie Anne Kelly on Kicking Cancer in the ___ Through Community, Love, and a Whole Lot of Boxing
Julie Anne Kelly on Kicking Cancer in the ___ Through Community, Love, and a Whole Lot of Boxing Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|5/11/2021 In this episode of the Heromakers Podcast, we talk with Julie Anne Kelly, cancer survivor and co-founder of Haymakers for Hope, which gives everyday men and women the chance to fight back against cancer by training for and competing in charity boxing events to raise money and awareness. Here, we talk about Julie’s own journey with a cancer diagnosis at age 22, how boxing was part of her healing journey, and how she merged the two. Building a community of “ass-kicking do-gooders,” Julie and the team have helped trained hundreds of everyday people to pick up their boxing gloves for the sake of those they love who are suffering. We also talk about boxing–how to train for a match, and what to do if you freeze in competition. You can find Haymakers for Hope on IG @Haymakers4Hope and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/haymakers4hope. Their website is: http://haymakersforhope.org. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. We are also on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. We are on PATREON and we would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement.
Laurie and Ann on The Year Behind, Kindness Creativity, Making Space for Us, Rubik Cubes, Harvesting Apples, and Heromaking in 2022
Laurie and Ann on The Year Behind, Kindness Creativity, Making Space for Us, Rubik Cubes, Harvesting Apples, and Heromaking in 2022 Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|12/27/2021 After too long of a hiatus, we are back for Season Three of the Heromakers Podcast! Here, Laurie and Ann talk about some things they learned and noticed in 2021, how kindness creativity is flourishing in some areas, and why friendship and networking are so important. Laurie also talks about the role of self-discovery and fun in heromaking and the two share a few analogies for all of us to consider as we enter 2022. Special invitation: Laurie will be hosting a writer’s retreat in May 2022 in the Midwest region of the U.S. More details to come later in January. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. Want to support this work we do?? We are on PATREON and would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement. #heroes#heromakers#making the world better#Calliope advisors#how to be a hero#humanitarian
Lauren McCann on Creating a Positive Difference, Following Your Own Dreams, and Sobriety with Others
Lauren McCann on Creating a Positive Difference, Following Your Own Dreams, and Sobriety with Others Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|1/3/2022 In this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Lauren McCann, founder of Calliope Advisors, a “mission-driven consulting firm and innovation partner for philanthropists, companies, and nonprofits who want to pilot new concepts and models to solve pressing and urgent societal problems.” Lauren shares her own journey into making our world better through her work and what friendship and community has taught her about the world. The three talk proximity and what it means to slow down long enough to be intentional about our choices. Lauren also shares about her latest fundraising goal and what her road to sobriety has taught her about living in the moment and making healthy choices for her, her family, and those she works with and among. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. Lauren can be found at LinkedIn or at the Calliope Advisors website. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. Check out: Dorris Walker-Taylor on Finding Joy After More Than Two Decades of Pain, and Why a Place Called Thistle Farms Is So Amazing Want to support this work we do?? We are on PATREON and would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement. #heroes#heromakers#making the world better#Calliope advisors#how to be a hero#humanitarian
Mike Thirtle on “Doing a Little More,” Smart and Good People, and Honoring Those Who Serve
Mike Thirtle on “Doing a Little More,” Smart and Good People, and Honoring Those Who Serve Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|1/11/2022 In this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Mike Thirtle, CEO of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which “serves our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.” We talk with Mike about his 20 years of service in the Air Force, his roles in both the non-profit and for-profit sector, and of course, about Forrest Gump and the life-altering lessons we learn from Lieutenant Dan Taylor (played by Sinise) regarding seeing the value in others. We talk about service and good leadership (hint: smart, good people are the best kinds) and about the power of love. And of course we go into a bit of the good work the team at the Gary Sinise Foundation are doing through their five pillars. In this episode we reference: Darcy Olsen: Using Every Available Means to Give Voice to the Children Unheard and Unseen in the Foster Care System Chris Fields on Three Decades of Being a Firefighter, the Iconic Oklahoma City Bombing Photo, and Why Trauma Doesn’t Have to Have the Final Word Col. Jim McDonough on Lessons on Humility, Vulnerability, and Selfless Leadership Learned from 26 Years in the Military Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. Mike can be found at LinkedIn or at the Gary Sinise Foundation website. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. Want to support this work we do?? We are on PATREON and would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement. #veterans#military#service members#Gary Sinise#heroes#heromakers#doing good#be the change#changing our world
Kevin McDowell on Beating Cancer, Becoming an Olympic Medalist, and Why Our Suffering Can Inspire Others
Kevin McDowell on Beating Cancer, Becoming an Olympic Medalist, and Why Our Suffering Can Inspire Others Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|1/18/2022 In this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Kevin McDowell, a triathlete who just won a silver medal in the mixed relay triathlon and placed sixth overall in the individual men’s triathlon. He was one of the first American men to win an Olympic medal in the triathlon. Kevin talks about not only his journey to the Olympics and his pursuit of sports, but also his journey through being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 18 and how that changed his life and how he sees the world. We talk about organizations fighting childhood cancer and about the unfortunate statistic that only four cents on every dollar given to cancer research goes to pediatric research. We talk about Kevin’s desire to inspire kids with cancer and why his journey through cancer, his close-knit community, and his pursuit of a dream have fueled him over the years. In this episode we reference: Cal’s AngelsSt. Judes Children’s Research HospitalLurie Children’s Hospital of ChicagoRonald McDonald House Charities Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. Kevin can be found on Instagram at www.instagram.com/kevinmcdowell1. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. Want to support this work we do?? We are on PATREON and would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement. #triathlon#Olympics#2021 Olympics#TokyOlympics#Kevin McDowell#heroes#heromakers#do good#be the change
Cole Arthur Riley on Finding Rest and Discovering Yourself in Difficult Times + “This Here Flesh” – Her Upcoming Book
Cole Arthur Riley on Finding Rest and Discovering Yourself in Difficult Times + “This Here Flesh” – Her Upcoming Book Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|1/25/2022 In this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Cole Arthur Riley, a writer and liturgist who founded Black Liturgies, a project seeking to integrate concepts of dignity, lament, rage, justice, rest, and liberation with the practice of written prayer. In this episode we talk with Cole about her family and upbringing (including her heromaker Dad) and why she was prompted to start Black Liturgies in the summer/fall of 2020. We talk about wrestling with pain and trauma, and why rest and rediscovery may be the answer to our losses and wounds. Cole is honest about the growth of her platform and being authentic to herself, and of course we talk about her upcoming book by Convergent Books – it’s a must-read to understand black history and roundedness and to rediscover some missing elements that make for a fuller and richer life. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. Cole can be found on Instagram at www.instagram.com/blackliturgies. She is also at https://colearthurriley.com.Her latest book, This Here Flesh – a FANTASTIC READ, can be pre-ordered here. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. Want to support this work we do?? We are on PATREON and would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement. #black history#race#black liturgies#black liturgy#sacraments#sacred#prayer#spirituality#storytelling#heroes#heromakers#do good#be the change
Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger on Tradition, Dialoguing Across Differences, and What He Learned from Elie Wiesel
Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger on Tradition, Dialoguing Across Differences, and What He Learned from Elie Wiesel Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|2/1/2022 In this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Rev. Dr. Ariel Burger, founding director and senior scholar of The Witness Institute, whose mission is to empower emerging leaders, inspired by the life and legacy of Elie Wiesel. A orthodox-trained rabbi, Ariel is also an author, teacher, and artist whose work integrates spirituality, the arts, and strategies for social change. He is author of Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom. Ariel shares about his own journey in discovering meaning in life and relationships and how his searches led him to a lifelong commitment to dialoguing across differences for the sake of each other. The three talk about the link between learning and doing and the hard work of pressing into conflict and brokenheartedness so that we can learn more about ourselves and others. Ariel talks about the continuing legacy of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Elie Wiesel, who served as his mentor and teacher. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. Ariel can be found here: arielburger.com.Learn about The Witness Institute here: witnessinstitute.org. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. Want to support this work we do?? We are on PATREON and would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement. #Ariel Burger#Elie Wiesel#Holocaust#relationships#conflict#do good#be the change#heromaker#heroes#making our world better
Charles Lerner on Growing Up in the Foster Care System, Unconditional Acceptance, and the Lifelong Journey of Love
Charles Lerner on Growing Up in the Foster Care System, Unconditional Acceptance, and the Lifelong Journey of Love Heromakers Podcast Laurie Nichols & Ann Chow|2/8/2022 In this episode, Laurie and Ann talk with Charles Lerner, Executive Director of At The Crossroads, which reaches out to homeless youth and young adults at their point of need, and works with them to build healthy and fulfilling lives. Charles shares about his own experience in the foster system and then dealing with acute homelessness and how it shaped the person he is today. We talk about the false narratives we tell ourselves and how unconditional love can change everything for kids aging out of the foster system. This episode is an invitation to remember what it looks like to try to rewind in order to understand what formed a person into who they are today. Charles’s story is one of both pain and redemption–and a clear reminder to us all that we can be part of the healing journey of anyone we meet. Heromakers can be found on IG @heromakersmovement and on FB @heromakersmovement. You can also visit our website at: https://www.heromakersmovement.com. At The Cross can be found here: atthecrossroads.org and on Instagram here. You can watch this and other episodes of the podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVDFP8jEcv5bdhr8VLzXjA. Like us and follow us today! And share this episode with your friends. Want to support this work we do?? We are on PATREON and would love if you would join our growing community! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/heromakersmovement. #Charles Lerner#do good#be the change,#make the world better#live better#heroes#heromakers