In this inspiring episode of the Move the Ball podcast, host Jen Garrett sits down with Marty Postlethwait, founder of the Shadow Buddies Foundation. Celebrating 30 years of making a difference, Marty shares the heartfelt story behind the organization’s creation, its global impact on children and families facing medical challenges, and the power of perseverance in building a mission-driven nonprofit. Listeners will hear about the foundation’s signature programs, the role of athlete ambassadors, and advice for anyone looking to start their own impactful journey.

 

Episode Highlights:
The Origin of Shadow Buddies [14:30]
Marty shares the emotional story of how her son’s medical journey inspired the creation of Shadow Buddies, and how the first buddy was made to help children feel less alone.
30 Years of Impact & Milestones [3:00]
Marty and Jen discuss the foundation’s growth from four condition-specific buddies to over 40, distributing millions worldwide, and what the 30th anniversary means to Marty.
Athlete Partnerships and Community Support [14:41]
Marty highlights the pivotal role of professional athletes like Tony Gonzalez in championing the cause, expanding the foundation’s reach, and creating memorable experiences for children.
Signature Events and Programs [21:00]
Marty describes unique programs like the Birdies, Bogey, and Buddies golf tournament, Pink Parties, and the Magical Flight to the North Pole, illustrating the foundation’s creative approach to bringing joy to children and families.

 

The Shadow Buddies Foundation, founded in 1995 by Marty Postlethwait, is a nonprofit dedicated to providing emotional support, comfort, and education to children and adults facing illness, disability, or medical treatment. At the heart of the foundation are condition-specific “Buddy” dolls—over 40 designs that give patients a friend “just like me” to ease fear and promote resilience. With more than 2.5 million Buddies distributed across 50 states and 21 countries, the foundation has touched countless lives through programs like Pink Parties, Superhero Buddies, Summer Backpacks, and the Magical Flight to the North Pole. 

 

Professional athletes including NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, Super Bowl champion Ryan Succop, and Indianapolis Colts cornerback T.J. Carrie have been champions of the mission, helping expand its reach and impact. Guided by the values of hope, courage, and joy, Shadow Buddies continues to inspire and uplift children and families worldwide, one Buddy at a time.

 

Connect with Shadow Buddies:

Website: https://www.shadowbuddies.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadowbuddies/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshadowbuddiesfoundation

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shadow-buddies-foundation/

 

IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP WITH CONFIDENCE, MAKE AN IMPACT, AND MOVE THE BALL:

🔗 Sign Up for Jen's The Executive Edge Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.thenextfirstdown.com

📖 Unlock Exclusive Career & Branding Resources with The Executive Edge Pro Playbook: http://www.executiveedgeplaybook.com

🔗 Learn more about Jen's services and how she can help you move the ball: https://www.getinsidethehuddle.com

🔗 Connect with Jen on LinkedIn for exclusive content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/movetheball

📸 Follow the movement on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetheball/

🎧 Listen to a Sample of Dominate the Game Audiobook: https://bit.ly/playtodominate

If you’re ready to take your brand, career, or leadership to the next level, reach out to Jen at info@jenniferagarrett.com to see how she can help you make it happen.

In this inspiring episode of the Move the Ball podcast, host Jen Garrett sits down with Marty Postlethwait, founder of the Shadow Buddies Foundation. Celebrating 30 years of making a difference, Marty shares the heartfelt story behind the organization&rsquo;s creation, its global impact on children and families facing medical challenges, and the power of perseverance in building a mission-driven nonprofit. Listeners will hear about the foundation&rsquo;s signature programs, the role of athlete ambassadors, and advice for anyone looking to start their own impactful journey.
&nbsp;
Episode Highlights:
<ol>
<li>The Origin of Shadow Buddies [14:30] Marty shares the emotional story of how her son&rsquo;s medical journey inspired the creation of Shadow Buddies, and how the first buddy was made to help children feel less alone.</li>
<li>30 Years of Impact &amp; Milestones [3:00] Marty and Jen discuss the foundation&rsquo;s growth from four condition-specific buddies to over 40, distributing millions worldwide, and what the 30th anniversary means to Marty.</li>
<li>Athlete Partnerships and Community Support [14:41] Marty highlights the pivotal role of professional athletes like Tony Gonzalez in championing the cause, expanding the foundation&rsquo;s reach, and creating memorable experiences for children.</li>
<li>Signature Events and Programs [21:00] Marty describes unique programs like the Birdies, Bogey, and Buddies golf tournament, Pink Parties, and the Magical Flight to the North Pole, illustrating the foundation&rsquo;s creative approach to bringing joy to children and families.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
The Shadow Buddies Foundation, founded in 1995 by Marty Postlethwait, is a nonprofit dedicated to providing emotional support, comfort, and education to children and adults facing illness, disability, or medical treatment. At the heart of the foundation are condition-specific &ldquo;Buddy&rdquo; dolls&mdash;over 40 designs that give patients a friend &ldquo;just like me&rdquo; to ease fear and promote resilience. With more than 2.5 million Buddies distributed across 50 states and 21 countries, the foundation has touched countless lives through programs like Pink Parties, Superhero Buddies, Summer Backpacks, and the Magical Flight to the North Pole. 
&nbsp;
Professional athletes including NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, Super Bowl champion Ryan Succop, and Indianapolis Colts cornerback T.J. Carrie have been champions of the mission, helping expand its reach and impact. Guided by the values of hope, courage, and joy, Shadow Buddies continues to inspire and uplift children and families worldwide, one Buddy at a time.
&nbsp;
Connect with Shadow Buddies:
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shadowbuddies.org/">https://www.shadowbuddies.org/</a>
Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shadowbuddies/">https://www.instagram.com/shadowbuddies/</a>
Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/theshadowbuddiesfoundation">https://www.facebook.com/theshadowbuddiesfoundation</a>
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shadow-buddies-foundation/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shadow-buddies-foundation/</a>
&nbsp;
IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP WITH CONFIDENCE, MAKE AN IMPACT, AND MOVE THE BALL:
🔗&nbsp;Sign Up for Jen's&nbsp;The Executive Edge&nbsp;Newsletter on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thenextfirstdown.com/">https://www.thenextfirstdown.com</a>
📖&nbsp;Unlock Exclusive Career &amp; Branding Resources with&nbsp;The Executive Edge Pro Playbook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.executiveedgeplaybook.com/">http://www.executiveedgeplaybook.com</a>
🔗&nbsp;Learn more about Jen's services and how she can help you move the ball:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.getinsidethehuddle.com/">https://www.getinsidethehuddle.com</a>
🔗&nbsp;Connect with Jen on LinkedIn for exclusive content:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/movetheball">https://www.linkedin.com/in/movetheball</a>
📸&nbsp;Follow the movement on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/movetheball/">https://www.instagram.com/movetheball/</a>
🎧&nbsp;Listen to a Sample of&nbsp;Dominate the Game&nbsp;Audiobook:&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/playtodominate">https://bit.ly/playtodominate</a>
If you&rsquo;re ready to take your brand, career, or leadership to the next level, reach out to Jen at&nbsp;info@jenniferagarrett.com&nbsp;to see how she can help you make it happen.

This podcast is your go-to source for elite strategies to elevate your performance, fast-track your growth, and dominate in business and life. Renowned brand architect, business growth expert, best-selling author, and trusted real estate connector, Jennifer A. Garrett, takes you inside the minds of champion athletes, influential executives, and powerhouse entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of winning. Learn from their experiences, gain exclusive insights, and apply their high-performance tactics to stay ahead of the competition. Whether you're an athlete, business professional, or ambitious entrepreneur, this podcast equips you with the tools, mindset, and inspiration to lead with confidence, advance your career, and achieve elite success.

It’s time for you to move like an athlete and win like a CEO. Suit up, show up, and move the ball.

This podcast is your go-to source for elite strategies to elevate your performance, fast-track your growth, and dominate in business and life. Renowned brand architect, business growth expert, best-selling author, and trusted real estate connector, Jennifer A. Garrett, takes you inside the minds of champion athletes, influential executives, and powerhouse entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of winning. Learn from their experiences, gain exclusive insights, and apply their high-performance tactics to stay ahead of the competition. Whether you're an athlete, business professional, or ambitious entrepreneur, this podcast equips you with the tools, mindset, and inspiration to lead with confidence, advance your career, and achieve elite success.
It&rsquo;s time for you to move like an athlete and win like a CEO. Suit up, show up, and move the ball.