An Army of Normal Folks

Real change doesn’t start with convincing a majority of the public — it starts with a visible minority. In this Shop Talk, we unpack why movements tip when just 20–25% of people act consistently & visibly, and what that means for transforming our communities.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our Supporting Greatness series, two-time Emmy-nominated cartoonist Marshall Ramsey celebrates the Army of Normal Folks that shaped his life. And how we can be that Army for those around us. Plus, his fascinating stories about Peyton Manning, Barbara Bush, and his cousin Dave (yes, that Dave).Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our Supporting Greatness series, two-time Emmy-nominated cartoonist Marshall Ramsey celebrates the Army of Normal Folks that shaped his life. And how we can be that Army for those around us. Plus, his fascinating stories about Peyton Manning, Barbara Bush, and his cousin Dave (yes, that Dave).Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we reflect on a dead Greek poet's wisdom, how an alive Salvadoran immigrant is the perfect example of it, and what we need to do be the heroes we're meant to be. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever wrestle with how our country’s extraordinary wealth and problems co-exist? Or yearn for a deeper sense of community where we have each other’s backs? Then you’re going to cherish this episode with Jordan Schiele, the co-founder of a Catholic intentional community called Jerusalem Farm. These Catholic hippies, as their neighbors in Kansas City originally called them, live together without salaries and have completed over 300 home repair projects in the last 5 years alone!  Learn more: jerusalemfarm.orgSupport the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever wrestle with how our country’s extraordinary wealth and problems co-exist? Or yearn for a deeper sense of community where we have each other’s backs? Then you’re going to cherish this episode with Jordan Schiele, the co-founder of a Catholic intentional community called Jerusalem Farm. These Catholic hippies, as their neighbors in Kansas City originally called them, live together without salaries and have completed over 300 home repair projects in the last 5 years alone!  Learn more: jerusalemfarm.orgSupport the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, Coach Bill shares his 3 keys to a successful marriage! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Society tells us that self-care makes us happy, but Melissa O’Neil discovered that it doesn’t. She’s found happiness through building an identity of someone who serves. Sometimes that shows up in large ways like fostering two boys and other times in smaller, yet meaningful ways like helping a nonprofit write thank you notes. Melissa will show you how to find meaning in every season of life!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Society tells us that self-care makes us happy, but Melissa O’Neil discovered that it doesn’t. She’s found happiness through building an identity of someone who serves. Sometimes that shows up in large ways like fostering two boys and other times in smaller, yet meaningful ways like helping a nonprofit write thank you notes. Melissa will show you how to find meaning in every season of life! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, Coach Bill pontificates on the bad wrap that the lumber industry gets about chopping down trees. When the reality is that their work leads to more trees and so many other fascinating environmental benefits! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pat Hardison was a volunteer firefighter, dad, and small business owner when one call changed his life forever. After literally losing his face in a fire and enduring more than 70 surgeries, Pat took the risk of undergoing the most extensive face transplant in history. This episode will show you how to keep going when facing obstacles…. or in Pat’s case losing almost everything. Check out Pat’s new book Facing The Fire: https://lnk.to/FacingTheFireEP Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pat Hardison was a volunteer firefighter, dad, and small business owner when one call changed his life forever. After literally losing his face in a fire and enduring more than 70 surgeries, Pat took the risk of undergoing the most extensive face transplant in history. This episode will show you how to keep going when facing obstacles…. or in Pat’s case losing almost everything. Check out Pat’s new book Facing The Fire: https://lnk.to/FacingTheFireEP Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we dive into the origin story of a pencil and what lessons it has for An Army of Normal Folks. We bet you didn’t see that one coming!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James is the founder of Prison Yoga Project, which brings trauma-informed yoga to prisoners to help them heal and rehabilitate. And last year 57,000 prisoners attended their programming! This life-changing work is led by their own Army of Normal Folks who are facilitators.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James is the founder of Prison Yoga Project, which brings trauma-informed yoga to prisoners to help them heal and rehabilitate. And last year 57,000 prisoners attended their programming! This life-changing work is led by their own Army of Normal Folks who are facilitators.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we dive into the reality that only 33% of Americans are contributing in their community at the level they’d like. And what we plan to do about it.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lydia and Scott Rosencrants have 13 children, 11 of which are adopted and 8 of them have some form of intellectual or physical disability. They didn’t set out to adopt this many kids, but they clearly answered the call a lot of times. And Lydia is the President of our local chapter in Memphis that’s launching soon!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lydia and Scott Rosencrants have 13 children, 11 of which are adopted and 8 of them have some form of intellectual or physical disability. They didn’t set out to adopt this many kids, but they clearly answered the call a lot of times. And Lydia is the President of our local chapter in Memphis that’s launching soon!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, Coach Bill shares his outside-the-box take on the Lane Kiffin saga. Even if you're not a college football fan, there's life lessons for our own lives and for the Army in this story! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Gabrielle Clowdus is the founder of Settled, which helps churches build "Sacred Settlements", tiny home villages on their property where people experiencing homelessness and church members live in community. When she started this work of radical hospitality, she believed it was a homelessness ministry. Today, she believes that it's a ministry to all of us, as we all have some homelessness in us!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Gabrielle Clowdus is the founder of Settled, which helps churches build "Sacred Settlements", tiny home villages on their property where people experiencing homelessness and church members live in community. When she started this work of radical hospitality, she believed it was a homelessness ministry. Today, she believes that it's a ministry to all of us, as we all have some homelessness in us!  Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we explore why did human life expectancy stick around 30-40 years old for thousands of years and then suddenly increased by 4 decades in less than 200 years! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Steven is a former teen mom who went on to build the only home for teen moms in the entire state of Colorado. Their resource center serves over 280 teen moms per year with free empowerment programming and early childhood education. And now 3 other communities have adopted their model!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Steven is a former teen mom who went on to build the only home for teen moms in the entire state of Colorado. Their resource center serves over 280 teen moms per year with free empowerment programming and early childhood education. And now 3 other communities have adopted their model!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we bring you Army member Anita Marin's awesome recommendation to learn from Eddie Jaku, the Holocaust survivor who called himself the happiest man on earth! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Wanta is the co-founder of JUST, a nonprofit lender to 14,000 black and brown female entrepreneurs in Texas. And because they’ve built an unheard of system based on trust and community, they’re achieving unheard of results such as loaning money to 100% of applicants while also being repaid 99% of the time!   Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Wanta is the co-founder of JUST, a nonprofit lender to 14,000 black and brown female entrepreneurs in Texas. And because they’ve built an unheard of system based on trust and community, they’re achieving unheard of results such as loaning money to 100% of applicants while also being repaid 99% of the time! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we dive into Victor Frankl's monumental book, which he wrote in just 9 days after being liberated from a Nazi concentration camp! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transracial adoption is a term that we didn’t know, until we met the Taylors. The black couple adopted 2 white kids and 1 black kid. And we have a fascinating conversation about love, hate, stereotypes, and redemption! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transracial adoption is a term that we didn’t know, until we met the Taylors. The black couple adopted 2 white kids and 1 black kid. And we have a fascinating conversation about love, hate, stereotypes, and redemption! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we bring you fascinating data and wisdom from the righteous troublemakers known as Jonathan Haidt, Lenore Skenazy, and Zach Rausch. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Vanessa Elias saw a rise of incivility in her Connecticut town, she rallied citizens to host 40 neighborhood block parties that had 1,200 attendees, so that people can get to know their neighbors, realize that they don’t hate them, and even enjoy them. It got so much attention that she started Block Party USA to spread this simple solution across the country! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Vanessa Elias saw a rise of incivility in her Connecticut town, she rallied citizens to host 40 neighborhood block parties that had 1,200 attendees, so that people can get to know their neighbors, realize that they don’t hate them, and even enjoy them. It got so much attention that she started Block Party USA to spread this simple solution across the country! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we tell the extraordinary story of Madison Park. If freed slaves can figure out how to buy a plantation and build a self-sustaining community, what do you think An Army of Normal Folks in 2025 can achieve?! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time when 67% of students are not at grade level, Kellie Lauth is revolutionizing education in America. Her nonprofit MindSpark is spreading an innovative approach called problem-based learning like wildfire across the country. And it’s resulted in over 25 of their students owning patents, starting dozens of companies, and a 15% improvement in STEM and literacy achievement! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time when 67% of students are not at grade level, Kellie Lauth is revolutionizing education in America. Her nonprofit MindSpark is spreading an innovative approach called problem-based learning like wildfire across the country. And it’s resulted in over 25 of their students owning patents, starting dozens of companies, and a 15% improvement in STEM and literacy achievement! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll have to listen to this edition of Shop Talk to get the answer. Plus, some fascinating data on the impact of family meals on our well-being. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atticus LeBlanc is the founder of PadSplit, the largest co-living marketplace in America. It’s like the Airbnb for room rentals, which both saves renters an average of $366 a month and can make property owners 2x as much money. Say hello to the solution to our affordable housing crisis that’s hiding in plain sight! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atticus LeBlanc is the founder of PadSplit, the largest co-living marketplace in America. It’s like the Airbnb for room rentals, which both saves renters an average of $366 a month and can make property owners 2x as much money. Say hello to the solution to our affordable housing crisis that’s hiding in plain sight! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, when An Army of Normal Teenage Protestors inspired the adults to get back into the game. The little known story of The Children's Crusade! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Lupton moved into inner-city Atlanta, where he learned the hard lesson that most of his charitable work was toxic. This led him to radically change how he showed up. And to write the bestselling book Toxic Charity that rocked our world and likely will rock yours. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Lupton moved into inner-city Atlanta, where he learned the hard lesson that most of his charitable work was toxic. This led him to radically change how he showed up. And to write the bestselling book Toxic Charity that rocked our world and likely will rock yours. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we deep dive into 211, a nationwide helpline which fields over 16 million requests each year and how a brand-new solution is helping to close the loop on these calls. The story offers great lessons for Army members and a way that you might be able to help the 211 system. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrianne's home of Tulare County has the highest rate of chronically unsheltered homelessness in America, with over 2,500 people experiencing homelessness in a county of 484,000. Despite not wanting to take action, Adrianne felt convicted that she must and her nonprofit Salt + Light built The Neighborhood Village, a brand-new community of 50 housing units with onsite whole-person care. Community changes everything and teaches all of us to love each other better. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrianne's home of Tulare County has the highest rate of chronically unsheltered homelessness in America, with over 2,500 people experiencing homelessness in a county of 484,000. Despite not wanting to take action, Adrianne felt convicted that she must and her nonprofit Salt + Light built The Neighborhood Village, a brand-new community of 50 housing units with onsite whole-person care. Community changes everything and teaches all of us to love each other better. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the disturbing share of Americans who think such actions are justified, and what An Army of Normal Folks can do about it. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 80% of kids aren't reading on grade level in Oklahoma, Chris Brewster believes that they don't love kids in his state. His wife told him "Suck it up princess, get to work" and so Chris did. He founded Santa Fe South Schools, which has an inner-city population of 5,000 students that usually score in the bottom 5-10% in the state, but their elementary and early childhood students are in the top 5-10%! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 80% of kids aren't reading on grade level in Oklahoma, Chris Brewster believes that they don't love kids in his state. His wife told him "Suck it up princess, get to work" and so Chris did. He founded Santa Fe South Schools, which has an inner-city population of 5,000 students that usually score in the bottom 5-10% in the state, but their elementary and early childhood students are in the top 5-10%! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Shop Talk, we honor the story of Hody Childress, an Alabama farmer whose secret generosity came to light after his death. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sparky Reardon worked in student services for 36 years at Ole Miss, including his final 14 years as the Dean of Students. His stories span the hilarious to the tragic and he is a one-of-a-kind leader who thousands call a mentor and a friend, including Coach Bill Courtney.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.