2017 gave rise to the People Helping People Podcast – a project born out of a travel blog, as my own curiosity grew around how to make a social impact. I love the idea of making a positive impact in the world but realized I didn’t know how. So I set out to interview cool people doing cool things… and it has been a fascinating ride.
The podcast kicked off with Mikela Thomas, the diversity liaison at her elementary school who built up a cultural fair.
Soon after, I interviewed Matt Reese, who runs his photography business as a social enterprise.
And Rose Buoni, who gave insight into building a freelancing career.
I even interviewed my dad about how he started his business.
And Danielle DePompei, about her experiences in yoga.
And explored transformation through Astanga Yoga.
But then I started to get an inkling that there was much more going on in Columbus.
I volunteered on a project with the CSCA for the Serious Fun camp Flying Horse Farms.
Which led me to interview Alexa Donner, who explained how Flying Horse Farms helps provide camp to kids with serious illnesses.
I spoke to Don Strasser about the homeless in Columbus.
And Harley Blakeman about building a career with a criminal record.
Which takes some true grit. You’re punished a second time for going to prison. It’s so difficult that over 75% return to prison within 5 years.
I spoke to Lily Vail from Kiva, about how people get loans to start their own businesses.
And to Ethan Martin who started a non-profit to teach kids how to read.
And even to my long-time mentor, Prof. Srikumar Rao of the Creativity & Personal Mastery program on how to create social change effectively.
What I’m learning, is that there is so much happening. After 26 interesting podcasts, I’m looking forward to an exciting 2018!