An Army of Normal Folks

When Brian Mavis and his wife learned there were hundreds of foster kids in Colorado that nobody was stepping up to adopt, they realized the problem wasn’t that people didn’t care — it’s that they’d never truly heard the kids’ stories. In this powerful conversation, the founder of America’s Kids Belong shares how recording video testimonies of foster children transformed his life, helped more than 2,400 kids find families, and revealed an upstream solution to some of America’s largest problems. You’ll walk away with practical ways to help foster kids in your own community — whether that means adopting, fostering, supporting foster families, mentoring a child, or simply becoming the kind of adult who refuses to look away. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Brian Mavis and his wife learned there were hundreds of foster kids in Colorado that nobody was stepping up to adopt, they realized the problem wasn’t that people didn’t care — it’s that they’d never truly heard the kids’ stories. In this powerful conversation, the founder of America’s Kids Belong shares how recording video testimonies of foster children transformed his life, helped more than 2,400 kids find families, and revealed an upstream solution to some of America’s largest problems. You’ll walk away with practical ways to help foster kids in your own community — whether that means adopting, fostering, supporting foster families, mentoring a child, or simply becoming the kind of adult who refuses to look away. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if many food pantries (and other types of nonprofits) are solving the wrong problem? This week on Shop Talk, Birch Community Services reveals a radically different model that helps families escape financial instability — and offers lessons that could reshape how you think about service, dignity, and what it actually takes to help people flourish. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unannounced, Robert Beeson's ex-wife abandoned him and their 3 young daughters one morning. In this important episode, he vulnerably shares why single parents suffer in silence and how there were almost no resources available to 14 million fellow Americans in his position. So Robert did what every member of Army of Normal Folks does—he saw a need and he’s filling it. Today, his nonprofit “Solo Parent” has support groups in 18 states, on Army bases, worldwide virtually, a podcast, and they’ve impacted 220,000 families so far! You will learn about an incredible resource that either you need, or someone you know needs. Because we all know Solo Parents. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unannounced, Robert Beeson's ex-wife abandoned him and their 3 young daughters one morning. In this important episode, he vulnerably shares why single parents suffer in silence and how there were almost no resources available to 14 million fellow Americans in his position. So Robert did what every member of Army of Normal Folks does—he saw a need and he’s filling it. Today, his nonprofit “Solo Parent” has support groups in 18 states, on Army bases, worldwide virtually, a podcast, and they’ve impacted 220,000 families so far! You will learn about an incredible resource that either you need, or someone you know needs. Because we all know Solo Parents. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a self-made millionaire realizes he’s losing everything that actually matters? This episode tells the unbelievable true story of Millard Fuller giving away $10 million (in today's dollars), intentionally making himself poor, and expectedly building one of the most well-known charities in America. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Within 3 years, 70% of foster families stop fostering—not because they don’t care, but often because they’re overwhelmed and unsupported. In this powerful conversation, Joshua Conley shares how Foster Village Memphis is helping keep foster families going through practical support, community, and relationships that change everything. Joshua will show you how your smalls act of support can make all the difference in the world! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Within 3 years, 70% of foster families stop fostering—not because they don’t care, but often because they’re overwhelmed and unsupported. In this powerful conversation, Joshua Conley shares how Foster Village Memphis is helping keep foster families going through practical support, community, and relationships that change everything. Joshua will show you how your smalls act of support can make all the difference in the world! Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Shop Talk, we unpack the unexpected plane ride conversation that transformed Steve Young from being stuck in victim mode into an NFL MVP — and why Stephen Covey’s challenge to “find out how good you can get” applies far beyond football. It’s a powerful story about ownership, mindset, and the moment you stop making excuses and start becoming who you’re capable of being. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you convince someone to walk away from a life they’d die for? In this episode, former gang member Beni Santibanez shares how “Hope 4 Da Hood” has helped over 1,000 people leave gang life by exposing their lie of loyalty and helping them discover their true identity & value. It’s a raw look at transformation and how you can help people break cycles that most never escape. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you convince someone to walk away from a life they’d die for? In this episode, former gang member Beni Santibanez shares how “Hope 4 Da Hood” has helped over 1,000 people leave gang life by exposing their lie of loyalty and helping them discover their true identity & value. It’s a raw look at transformation and how you can help people break cycles that most never escape. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Shop Talk gets into a hard truth: you don’t feel overwhelmed because your schedule is full—you feel overwhelmed because of expectations. We unpack why the very thing many are cutting—service and connection—might actually be the thing holding your life together. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If every part of a community doesn't have the opportunity to flourish, the community can't flourish. Violence will penetrate your safety and all of us will suffer. Greg Spillyards felt convicted to shift from transactional real estate that made him more money to projects focused on transforming Memphis' forgotten places. And his story will show you how to make a deeper impact without leaving your career. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If every part of a community doesn't have the opportunity to flourish, the community can't flourish. Violence will penetrate your safety and all of us will suffer. Greg Spillyards felt convicted to shift from transactional real estate that made him more money to projects focused on transforming Memphis' forgotten places. And his story will show you how to make a deeper impact without leaving your career. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 24-year-old man dies—and over 10,000 people show up to his funeral, revealing a hidden life of quietly showing up for others. This Shop Talk explores how Pier Giorgio Frassati built that kind of life—and how you can too. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2,977 people died on 9/11—but the tragedy didn’t end that day. Since then, over 3,000 people have died from Ground Zero-related illnesses, including 409 FDNY firefighters—more than died on the day itself. Niels Jorgensen was part of a whole Army of Normal Folks who put their own lives at risk by volunteering to clean up Ground Zero for 8 months and he contracted the rarest form of leukemia that nearly killed him. This episode reveals the part of 9/11 that most Americans have never been told: it’s still claiming lives. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2,977 people died on 9/11—but the tragedy didn’t end that day. Since then, over 3,000 people have died from Ground Zero-related illnesses, including 409 FDNY firefighters—more than died on the day itself. Niels Jorgensen was part of a whole Army of Normal Folks who put their own lives at risk by volunteering to clean up Ground Zero for 8 months and he contracted the rarest form of leukemia that nearly killed him. This episode reveals the part of 9/11 that most Americans have never been told: it’s still claiming lives. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Service didn’t disappear—it got outsourced. In this Shop Talk, we unpack the trend of nonprofits shifting from relying on volunteers to paid staff members, how it’s weakening our communities—and why reclaiming responsibility starts with normal folks like you choosing to show up. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people don’t find purpose after losing a child—Joe Herr did. After his 4 year-old son died from complications of having cerebral palsy, he started Logan’s Heart and Smiles, a nonprofit that’s helped 450 other families with disabilities by building wheelchair ramps and home modifications —and showing us how service can bring light to the darkest corners of our lives (and the lives of others). Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people don’t find purpose after losing a child—Joe Herr did. After his 4 year-old son died from complications of having cerebral palsy, he started Logan’s Heart and Smiles, a nonprofit that’s helped 450 other families with disabilities by building wheelchair ramps and home modifications —and showing us how service can bring light to the darkest corners of our lives (and the lives of others). Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.