An Army of Normal Folks

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill Courtney talks about Bill Clinton, standing on trophies, and life's true foundations.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard is a Marine veteran who was subject to 4 IED explosions and concussions in Iraq, his best friend being killed next to him, a traumatic brain injury, and post traumatic stress. He came home dealing with a lot and the arts ultimately saved his life. Richard felt called to bring this secret weapon of healing to his fellow veterans and this year alone his nonprofit CreatiVets will serve over 800 veterans!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard is a Marine veteran who was subject to 4 IED explosions and concussions in Iraq, his best friend being killed next to him, a traumatic brain injury, and post traumatic stress. He came home dealing with a lot and the arts ultimately saved his life. Richard felt called to bring this secret weapon of healing to his fellow veterans and this year alone his nonprofit CreatiVets will serve over 800 veterans!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill Courtney shares the story of Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson yanking his chain and teaching him an important life lesson. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The COVID pandemic led to two problems that strangely existed at the same time. Millions of Americans were going hungry and yet thousands of commercial farmers were literally dumping food when customers such as restaurants and schools shut down. This didn’t make any sense to Ben Collier, Owen Dubeck, and their ragtag group of college friends, so they decided to become the link between these two worlds. Today, The Farmlink Project has delivered over 200 million pounds of food to people who need it!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The COVID pandemic led to two problems that strangely existed at the same time. Millions of Americans were going hungry and yet thousands of commercial farmers were literally dumping food when customers such as restaurants and schools shut down. This didn’t make any sense to Ben Collier, Owen Dubeck, and their ragtag group of college friends, so they decided to become the link between these two worlds. Today, The Farmlink Project has delivered over 200 million pounds of food to people who need it!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a naked and bloody victim of gang violence ran into his Sunday service, Pastor Corey Brooks committed to staying on the rooftop of the motel that was the headquarters of this nonsense until he had enough money to buy it. 94 days later he succeeded and today his $38 million community center is being built there. The Pastor, along with his nonprofit Project Hood, has improved their neighborhood of Woodlawn from Chicago's 3rd most violent one to the 15th. And they're just getting started.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a naked and bloody victim of gang violence ran into his Sunday service, Pastor Corey Brooks committed to staying on the rooftop of the motel that was the headquarters of this nonsense until he had enough money to buy it. 94 days later he succeeded and today his $38 million community center is being built there. The Pastor, along with his nonprofit Project Hood, has improved their neighborhood of Woodlawn from Chicago's 3rd most violent one to the 15th. And they're just getting started.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill Courtney shares the behind-the-scenes story of the Oscar-winning documentary Undefeated. It’s on Amazon Prime and Esquire named it one of the top 20 sports films of all-time.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Al is our first 2-time guest! After our story about his Christmas charity, Secret Families, Al told us that he and a small army of normal folks also respond to natural disasters. They serve however normal folks like themselves can, but it just can't be fluffy.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Al is our first 2-time guest! After our story about his Christmas charity, Secret Families, Al told us that he and a small army of normal folks also respond to natural disasters. They serve however normal folks like themselves can, but it just can't be fluffy.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill Courtney pays tribute to his late employee Sam Quinn, who had an extraordinary redemption story.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Owens battled addiction in some of Memphis’ worst dope houses. When they left town to escape this life, Ben felt called to eventually come back to help those whom they left behind. Today, their nonprofit We Fight Monsters owns some of the very houses that they once used in, transforming them into hope houses for 75 people touched by recovery and sex trafficking.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Owens battled addiction in some of Memphis’ worst dope houses. When they left town to escape this life, Ben felt called to eventually come back to help those whom they left behind. Today, their nonprofit We Fight Monsters owns some of the very houses that they once used in, transforming them into hope houses for 75 people touched by recovery and sex trafficking.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran Richard McKinney hated Muslims and after returning from Iraq, he couldn't stand seeing "the enemy" in his community of Muncie, Indiana. He visited their mosque to justify his planned bombing of it, but their love for him completely transformed his heart. Ultimately, Richard converted to Islam and even served as the mosque’s President. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran Richard McKinney hated Muslims and after returning from Iraq, he couldn't stand seeing "the enemy" in his community of Muncie, Indiana. He visited their mosque to justify his planned bombing of it, but their love for him completely transformed his heart. Ultimately, Richard converted to Islam and even served as the mosque’s President. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our "Shop Talk" series, Coach Bill Courtney shares the story of an unlikely hero who inspired the largest collegiate philanthropy event in the country.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After struggling with addiction for almost 2 decades, Scott Strode found hope while ice climbing. The healing power of nature and community radically transformed his life. And Scott couldn’t not share his secret with the rest of the world too. The Phoenix was born and this year their sober movement is expected to serve more than 400,000 people!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After struggling with addiction for almost 2 decades, Scott Strode found hope while ice climbing. The healing power of nature and community radically transformed his life. And Scott couldn’t not share his secret with the rest of the world too. The Phoenix was born and this year their sober movement is expected to serve more than 400,000 people!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our “Shop Talk” series, Coach Bill Courtney shares one of the most vulnerable stories of his life.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After racking up 17 felonies, Trina finally had enough and had a vision for a resource center to help other women like herself. Today, her nonprofit Mending Hearts has grown into something far beyond her wildest imagination, owning 15 homes in Nashville that provide shelter, hope, and healing to women who are homeless due to addiction and mental health disorders. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After racking up 17 felonies, Trina finally had enough and had a vision for a resource center to help other women like herself. Today, her nonprofit Mending Hearts has grown into something far beyond her wildest imagination, owning 15 homes in Nashville that provide shelter, hope, and healing to women who are homeless due to addiction and mental health disorders. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach Bill Courtney answers this question from a premium member of An Army of Normal Folks.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are 677,000 volunteer firefighters across America and Ellen Yarborough joined their ranks at 45 years old. The history teacher then accidentally pioneered giving her students academic credit for their service as fire cadets, which they can do as young as 14 years old! Her model called “Schoolhouse to Firehouse” is inspiring the next generation of firefighters and community leaders. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are 677,000 volunteer firefighters across America and Ellen Yarborough joined their ranks at 45 years old. The history teacher then accidentally pioneered giving her students academic credit for their service as fire cadets, which they can do as young as 14 years old! Her model called “Schoolhouse to Firehouse” is inspiring the next generation of firefighters and community leaders. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Melvin’s family, you were either a drug dealer or a junkie. At 8 years old, he remembers choosing between these two options and joined his family’s cocaine ring that was arguably the largest in West Tennessee history. It led him to one of the most desperate situations you could imagine and making a deal with God to get out of it. He promised to save other inner-city Memphis kids just like him and that’s exactly what PURE Academy has done. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Melvin’s family, you were either a drug dealer or a junkie. At 8 years old, he remembers choosing between these two options and joined his family’s cocaine ring that was arguably the largest in West Tennessee history. It led him to one of the most desperate situations you could imagine and making a deal with God to get out of it. He promised to save other inner-city Memphis kids just like him and that’s exactly what PURE Academy has done. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 million books sold, a film starring Tim McGraw and Octavia Spencer, and tens of millions of lives touched. But the extraordinary impact of The Shack never would have happened if 3 different people didn't save the life of the author, William Paul Young. For our special "Supporting Greatness" series, Paul pays tribute to these unsung heroes. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 million books sold, a film starring Tim McGraw and Octavia Spencer, and tens of millions of lives touched. But the extraordinary impact of The Shack never would have happened if 3 different people didn't save the life of the author, William Paul Young. For our special "Supporting Greatness" series, Paul pays tribute to these unsung heroes. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While working as a fashion designer, Christina found herself being the only girl volunteering with an army of tradesmen to renovate buildings for nonprofits—and she loved it! The amazing work of Servant’s Heart Ministry has turned out to be her true calling that she never could have expected. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While working as a fashion designer, Christina found herself being the only girl volunteering with an army of tradesmen to renovate buildings for nonprofits—and she loved it! The amazing work of Servant’s Heart Ministry has turned out to be her true calling that she never could have expected. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After marrying her husband whose son Bradley has an intellectual & developmental disability (IDD), Jane heroically gave up her own job to try to help train him for one. In our broken culture where 66% of adults like Bradley are not employed, Jane’s nonprofit called The H.E.A.R.T. Program has broken the mold and helped more than 1,000 adults with IDDs operate 90 vending machines, concession stands at Rockets and Texans games, and achieve their full potential. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After marrying her husband whose son Bradley has an intellectual & developmental disability (IDD), Jane heroically gave up her own job to try to help train him for one. In our broken culture where 66% of adults like Bradley are not employed, Jane’s nonprofit called The H.E.A.R.T. Program has broken the mold and helped more than 1,000 adults with IDDs operate 90 vending machines, concession stands at Rockets and Texans games, and achieve their full potential. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After decades working as a traditional real estate developer, one day Tim Sittema was shocked by a study that ranked his city of Charlotte as dead last in upward mobility out of the top 50 cities and he couldn’t unsee this reality. Tim felt called to dedicate 50% of his time on a type of development that you would never do if your goal was to make money: affordable housing. He’s since built around 500 affordable housing units, with another 500 on the way! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After decades working as a traditional real estate developer, one day Tim Sittema was shocked by a study that ranked his city of Charlotte as dead last in upward mobility out of the top 50 cities and he couldn’t unsee this reality. Tim felt called to dedicate 50% of his time on a type of development that you would never do if your goal was to make money: affordable housing. He’s since built around 500 affordable housing units, with another 500 on the way! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1996, Alice decided to “bloom where you’re planted”—in prison. After receiving an unexpected life sentence, she got to work serving her fellow prisoners by helping them with vocational training, organizing plays, the very first Special Olympics events in a prison, and even loving some as they died as a hospice volunteer. And once she got pardoned, Alice’s service has only accelerated. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1996, Alice decided to “bloom where you’re planted”—in prison. After receiving an unexpected life sentence, she got to work serving her fellow prisoners by helping them with vocational training, organizing plays, the very first Special Olympics events in a prison, and even loving some as they died as a hospice volunteer. And once she got pardoned, Alice’s service has only accelerated. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica is a survivor of child molestation and human trafficking, who found her calling helping other survivors transform painful reminders of their past into symbols of hope. Her nonprofit Atlanta Redemption Ink, and their network of 80 tattoo shops across the country, have helped 673 people get tattoos removed and covered up that were from their sex traffickers, gangs, addiction, or self-harm.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica is a survivor of child molestation and human trafficking, who found her calling helping other survivors transform painful reminders of their past into symbols of hope. Her nonprofit Atlanta Redemption Ink, and their network of 80 tattoo shops across the country, have helped 673 people get tattoos removed and covered up that were from their sex traffickers, gangs, addiction, or self-harm.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al is the co-founder of Secret Families, which just over two weeks ago provided over 10,000 Christmas gifts to 2,000 kids whose families couldn’t afford them in their community of Muncie, Indiana. Their Army of 2,200 volunteers, more like elves in this case, make it all happen on a single Saturday in only 10 hours! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Rev. John Anderson heard our episode on Sleep in Heavenly Peace (who’s built 140k beds for kids without them), he decided to play it for his friend Andre Forges, who started crying. Andre, a former orphan who’s since created a Haitian orphanage called Place of Hope, decided at that moment that their orphans would build beds for Haitian kids without them! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pastor and businessman never expected to find himself in prison, and yet there he was. So he decided to dive in, serving the minds and souls of the men around him. When Lee got out, he started a re-entry program called Vital Signs, which has helped over 1,800 returning citizens, boasts a recidivism rate of only 2%, and our favorite part is that it’s self-sustaining!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pastor and businessman never expected to find himself in prison, and yet there he was. So he decided to dive in, serving the minds and souls of the men around him. When Lee got out, he started a re-entry program called Vital Signs, which has helped over 1,800 returning citizens, boasts a recidivism rate of only 2%, and our favorite part is that it’s self-sustaining!Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After suffering through a failed adoption, Troy and Erica put themselves through the process again. It’s a wild story with twists and turns that would have led many to give up, but not these two. Today, there’s around 117,000 kids waiting to be adopted. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After suffering through a failed adoption, Troy and Erica put themselves through the process again. It’s a wild story with twists and turns that would have led many to give up, but not these two. Today, there’s around 117,000 kids waiting to be adopted. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deb had just lost her own house to foreclosure when she decided to start Elli’s House, which builds relationships with women who are sexually trafficked in Detroit and offers them safe shelter for transitioning to a new life. Their army of volunteers are bringing light to one of the darkest places in our country.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deb had just lost her own house to foreclosure when she decided to start Elli’s House, which builds relationships with women who are sexually trafficked in Detroit and offers them safe shelter for transitioning to a new life. Their army of volunteers are bringing light to one of the darkest places in our country.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've launched a campaign called “Don’t Be A Turkey Person” to challenge all of us this Thanksgiving and holiday season, and it isn’t about not eating turkey. 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.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Realizing that his traditional therapy was failing kids with substance abuse and mental health challenges, Bob Zaccheo was tired of it and so one day he decided to do something wildly different. His Project LIFT now successfully trains over 1,000 troubled teens a year in 11 different trades, while they do therapy in these natural settings, such as "under the hood of a car". They're solving 4 of society's biggest challenges all at once (the skilled trades gap, poverty, mental health, addiction) and there should be a chapter in every region of America.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manu wasn’t planning to dedicate his life to preserving our democracy, but a riot broke out on his college campus and he accidentally became a unifying force for all sides. Today, he’s trying to unify the country as the CEO of BridgeUSA, whose chapters at 50 colleges and 24 high schools equip the next generation with the skills to navigate conflict and find solutions across differences. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.