An Army of Normal Folks

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill weighs in on an Army member's suggestion.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins’ devastating injury left him as a quadriplegic, Sigma Nu approached him about starting a football game called The Charity Bowl that would raise money for those living with paralysis. Chucky enthusiastically endorsed it and since 1990 these fraternity brothers have raised over $3.5 million! We talk to current students Jagger Mooneyham and Julian Knott.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins’ devastating injury left him as a quadriplegic, Sigma Nu approached him about starting a football game called The Charity Bowl that would raise money for those living with paralysis. Chucky enthusiastically endorsed it and since 1990 these fraternity brothers have raised over $3.5 million! We talk to current students Jagger Mooneyham and Julian Knott.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill tells the story of a prison football team and their surprising fans.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach Bill Courtney shares one of the most important life lessons he's ever learned and it was from one of his 17-year-old football players. It's a powerful Thanksgiving reflection.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gilbert lost his 8-year-old daughter Samantha to cancer and then lost his 49-year-old wife Nicole. But instead of having a victim mindset about it, he’s honoring them with his dirt track racing car that he named “Nicole’s Dream”, which was to have a car that raises awareness for childhood cancer and funding to cure it. In less than 2 years, he’s raised $46k for St. Jude and other causes. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gilbert lost his 8-year-old daughter Samantha to cancer and then lost his 49-year-old wife Nicole. But instead of having a victim mindset about it, he’s honoring them with his dirt track racing car that he named “Nicole’s Dream”, which was to have a car that raises awareness for childhood cancer and funding to cure it. In less than 2 years, he’s raised $46k for St. Jude and other causes. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Shop Talk, Coach Bill responds to an Army member's question about how to heal and hopefully reconcile with his brother. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After accidentally moving next to the worst housing project in America, Bob Muzikowski dug in. He started a little league for its kids, then intentionally moved into the hood on Chicago’s West Side, and started the largest inner-city little league in the country there. Finally, when Bob sold part of his company, he donated 50% of his earnings to build a world-class school there called Chicago Hope Academy. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After accidentally moving next to the worst housing project in America, Bob Muzikowski dug in. He started a little league for its kids, then intentionally moved into the hood on Chicago’s West Side, and started the largest inner-city little league in the country there. Finally, when Bob sold part of his company, he donated 50% of his earnings to build a world-class school there called Chicago Hope Academy. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill responds to a listener's question about two challenges that nonprofits face: 1) A declining number of volunteers 2) When to transfer leadership to the next generation. And Bill somehow relates this to football. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd was the producer of Elf, writer of Sully, and is the producer, writer, and director of the upcoming film Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a normal pastor who had the courage to stand up to Hitler, rescued Jews, joined a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler, and was ultimately hanged for his defiance. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd was the producer of Elf, writer of Sully, and is the producer, writer, and director of the upcoming film Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a normal pastor who had the courage to stand up to Hitler, rescued Jews, joined a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler, and was ultimately hanged for his defiance. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Carsons had “The American Christian Dream” of a nice house and golfing at the country club. But then their son spent a weekend as a homeless person and everything changed. They have since sold their dental practice, founded the Memphis Dream Center, and have lived life with people who didn’t look just like them. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Carsons had “The American Christian Dream” of a nice house and golfing at the country club. But then their son spent a weekend as a homeless person and everything changed. They have since sold their dental practice, founded the Memphis Dream Center, and have lived life with people who didn’t look just like them. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill pontificates on labels, semantics, talking past each other, The Code of the West, and The Code of the Hood. It's more eclectic than ever. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For every single therapist, there are 350 people looking for that type of support. Dr. Trina and her team at Give An Hour realized that there will never be enough therapists to meet this need. And that the answer is us, their own Army of Normal Folks serving one another in peer support groups and as wellness ambassadors. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For every single therapist, there are 350 people looking for that type of support. Dr. Trina and her team at Give An Hour realized that there will never be enough therapists to meet this need. And that the answer is us, their own Army of Normal Folks serving one another in peer support groups and as wellness ambassadors. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our “Shop Talk” series, Coach Bill on the difference between opponents and enemies. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pedro Velasquez Jr was diagnosed with leukemia when was 5 years old. His dad Dr. Pedro Sr. pleaded to God that if St. Jude saved his life, he would dedicate his life to the Memphis community that was there for them. He founded Lifedoc Heath, which has helped 1,100 patients a week improve their health outcomes so much that their cost of care has plummeted by 27%! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pedro Velasquez Jr was diagnosed with leukemia when was 5 years old. His dad Dr. Pedro Sr. pleaded to God that if St. Jude saved his life, he would dedicate his life to the Memphis community that was there for them. He founded Lifedoc Heath, which has helped 1,100 patients a week improve their health outcomes so much that their cost of care has plummeted by 27%! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our latest "Shop Talk", Coach Bill reacts to an Army member seeking his advice about whether to lean into a difficult situation or to walk away entirely. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve’s 70 year-old dad told him that they should grab a couple buddies and respond to Hurricane Katrina. The next thing you know 6 guys turned into 684 volunteers, and 20 disasters later their 60,000 volunteers have rebuilt 7,000 homes! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve’s 70 year-old dad told him that they should grab a couple buddies and respond to Hurricane Katrina. The next thing you know 6 guys turned into 684 volunteers, and 20 disasters later their 60,000 volunteers have rebuilt 7,000 homes! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael has been inspired to volunteer with, donate to, and reach out to 9 different Army members featured on the podcast! Frankly, this normal dude inspires us and we cannot wait for you to meet him.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael has been inspired to volunteer with, donate to, and reach out to 9 different Army members featured on the podcast! Frankly, this normal dude inspires us and we cannot wait for you to meet him.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott is the ultimate patriot and renaissance man. He served in Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, co-founded Operation Pineapple Express (which rescued over 750 Afghan allies), wrote the play “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret,” and is the author of the new book “Nobody is Coming to Save You: A Green Beret’s Guide to Getting Big Sh*t Done”. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott is the ultimate patriot and renaissance man. He served in Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, co-founded Operation Pineapple Express (which rescued over 750 Afghan allies), wrote the play “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret,” and is the author of the new book “Nobody is Coming to Save You: A Green Beret’s Guide to Getting Big Sh*t Done”. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our latest "Shop Talk", Coach Bill on having to lay off 45% of his employees and the company's character that was their saving grace.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right after surviving a life and death battle with cancer, while pregnant, Gaby and her husband decided to adopt a baby that was experiencing withdrawal from opioids in their mother’s womb. Her story that’s chronicled in her new book “Wrinkles Welcome” is an extraordinary one of perseverance, love, and forgiveness. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right after surviving a life and death battle with cancer, while pregnant, Gaby and her husband decided to adopt a baby that was experiencing withdrawal from opioids in their mother’s womb. Her story that’s chronicled in her new book “Wrinkles Welcome” is an extraordinary one of perseverance, love, and forgiveness. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our latest "Shop Talk", Coach Bill talks about losing some of his players to the streets. And the necessity of accepting failure like this. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a teenager, Antong founded the Dallas Blood gang and ran the city’s roughest streets. This inevitably landed Antong in prison, where a man told him that if he could lead for evil, imagine what he could do for good. He now leads Urban Specialists, which has transformed the lives of 819 OGs like himself. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a teenager, Antong founded the Dallas Blood gang and ran the city’s roughest streets. This inevitably landed Antong in prison, where a man told him that if he could lead for evil, imagine what he could do for good. He now leads Urban Specialists, which has transformed the lives of 819 OGs like himself. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our latest "Shop Talk", Coach Bill pays tribute to Sunde Smith, a single woman who left Manhattan and did something really crazy. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, we re-run our episode with Sonia Agron. When the World Trade Center was struck, Sonia promised her husband, an NYPD officer who responded to the attack, that she wouldn’t go to the site to help. But she couldn’t keep that promise and volunteered as a recovery worker at Ground Zero on overnight shifts. In addition to grieving their losses, the Agrons soon began to deal with various illnesses brought on by exposure to Ground Zero’s toxic environment. In spite of this, Sonia has continued volunteering by leading tours at the 9/11 Tribute Museum and 9/11 Memorial. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, we re-run our episode with Sonia Agron. When the World Trade Center was struck, Sonia promised her husband, an NYPD officer who responded to the attack, that she wouldn’t go to the site to help. But she couldn’t keep that promise and volunteered as a recovery worker at Ground Zero on overnight shifts. In addition to grieving their losses, the Agrons soon began to deal with various illnesses brought on by exposure to Ground Zero’s toxic environment. In spite of this, Sonia has continued volunteering by leading tours at the 9/11 Tribute Museum and 9/11 Memorial. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bishop is the inspiration for Angel Studio’s latest film, Sound of Hope. And we hope his story will inspire an adoption revolution in America.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bishop is the inspiration for Angel Studio’s latest film, Sound of Hope. And we hope his story will inspire an adoption revolution in America.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our latest Shop Talk, what the founder of FedEx can teach all of us.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seth is a leading expert on fragile states across the world. And after a lot of people have asked him if America has become a fragile state, Seth dove into it. The result is his powerful book Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code At A Time. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seth is a leading expert on fragile states across the world. And after a lot of people have asked him if America has become a fragile state, Seth dove into it. The result is his powerful book Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code At A Time. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And the story of how it was revealed in the most beautiful way possible, while serving with Sleep in Heavenly Peace! This couple has led their Gadsden, Alabama chapter to delivering 1,656 beds to kids without them. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And the story of how it was revealed in the most beautiful way possible, while serving with Sleep in Heavenly Peace! This couple has led their Gadsden, Alabama chapter to delivering 1,656 beds to kids without them. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For "Shop Talk", Coach Bill pays tribute to his late friend Bill Prest, and it's 12 years after his death. Now that's a legacy which outlasts how much money he made. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florence “Flo” Brooks and Renardo Baker used to live the street life. Today with Memphis Allies, they’re on the frontlines of helping folks just like themselves to find a better way. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florence “Flo” Brooks and Renardo Baker used to live the street life. Today with Memphis Allies, they’re on the frontlines of helping folks just like themselves to find a better way. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the latest "Shop Talk", Coach Bill's tribute to his late friend Steve Davis, an Oklahoma quarterback and true servant leader.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belinda never dreamed of starting a birthday charity, until she was asked to provide a birthday party for a boy who wouldn’t otherwise have one. And only 5 years later, Celebrate Birthdays and their own Army of Normal Folks, have provided birthday celebrations to over 6,000 kids.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belinda never dreamed of starting a birthday charity, until she was asked to provide a birthday party for a boy who wouldn’t otherwise have one. And only 5 years later, Celebrate Birthdays and their own Army of Normal Folks, have provided birthday celebrations to over 6,000 kids.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.