And his goal is 1 million kids. But none of this would’ve happened if a high school teacher didn’t make the effort to teach Orrin chess and show him a better path than his gang life.

And his goal is 1 million kids. But none of this would’ve happened if a high school teacher didn’t make the effort to teach Orrin chess and show him a better path than his gang life.

Our country’s problems will never be solved by a bunch of fancy people in nice suits talking big words on CNN and Fox, but by An Army of Normal Folks just deciding “hey, I can help.” Hosted by Coach Bill Courtney from the Oscar-winning Undefeated, this podcast is building the Army and celebrating its extraordinary members. New episodes are released every Tuesday. 

Our country’s problems will never be solved by a bunch of fancy people in nice suits talking big words on CNN and Fox, but by An Army of Normal Folks just deciding “hey, I can help.” Hosted by Coach Bill Courtney from the Oscar-winning Undefeated, this podcast is building the Army and celebrating its extraordinary members. New episodes are released every Tuesday.

An Army of Normal Folks

Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson: Teaching 100,000 Kids Chess (Pt 1)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5ef6f80e-7514-4553-b516-b1a10000b654/transcript

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.

2,977 people died on 9/11&mdash;but the tragedy didn&rsquo;t end that day. Since then, over 3,000 people have died from Ground Zero-related illnesses, including 409 FDNY firefighters&mdash;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&rsquo;s still claiming lives.

9/11 Isn’t History. It’s Still Happening (Pt 2)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f70f64b9-215c-4082-a371-b43300247927/transcript

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.

Service didn&rsquo;t disappear&mdash;it got outsourced. In this Shop Talk, we unpack the trend of nonprofits shifting from relying on volunteers to paid staff&nbsp;members, how it&rsquo;s&nbsp;weakening our communities&mdash;and why reclaiming responsibility starts with normal folks like you choosing to show up.

How Service Became Someone Else’s Job

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/30f392aa-7b5d-4f00-a670-b42f001df98e/transcript

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).

Most people don&rsquo;t find purpose after losing a child&mdash;Joe Herr did. After his 4 year-old son died from complications of having cerebral palsy, he started Logan&rsquo;s Heart and Smiles, a nonprofit that&rsquo;s helped 450 other families with disabilities by building wheelchair ramps and home modifications &mdash;and showing us how service can bring light to the darkest corners of our lives (and the lives of others).

How To Find Light in Life’s Darkest Corners (Pt 1)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5d9a6d6-1ce3-40be-9f34-b42c001190f2/transcript

Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson: Teaching 100,000 Kids Chess (Pt 1)

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