Doing Good – Details, episodes & analysis

WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

Support Doing Good: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

For anyone who's ever felt their technical skills weren't "professional enough" to make a difference, Paul Wayne Jackson Jr. — Head IT Instructor with Tech 4 All Tennessee — proves that expertise paired with compassion bridges the digital divide in powerful ways. We explore how basic technology education transforms lives for veterans, disabled individuals, and underserved communities, discover why teaching internet safety alongside computer skills creates life-changing impact, and learn how volunteering can build confidence while serving those who need it most.

Featured Guest: Paul Wayne Jackson Jr. — Head IT Instructor with Tech 4 All Tennessee

What You'll Learn:

✅ Why technology education goes beyond keystrokes—including internet safety and financial literacy that's helped students save hundreds monthly

✅ How Tech 4 All Tennessee serves veterans, disabled individuals, and people who've never touched a computer by meeting them at their level

✅ How volunteering in your professional field builds confidence and compassion while providing resume experience and community impact

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul Jackson Jr.

02:14 Transition to Tech For All Tennessee

04:05 Teaching and Curriculum Development

05:11 Understanding Digital Literacy

06:15 Bridging the Digital Divide

07:37 The Importance of Cybersecurity

08:10 Personal Growth Through Volunteering

09:29 Advice for Aspiring Volunteers

10:35 Future Aspirations for Tech For All Tennessee

11:05 Empowering Communities Through Technology Education

11:15 Transforming Barriers into Opportunities

Resources & Mentions: ⁠

Tech 4 All Tennessee
Learn Free (Formerly GCF Global)
TechGoesHome

Support Doing Good:

Website: ⁠Doing Good⁠
Social Media: ⁠All Links⁠
Blog: ⁠Featured Volunteers⁠
Support the show: ⁠Donate Here⁠

Credits:

Produced by Azilee Maetke
Music by Hartzmann
Edited by Jordan Rillera
Additional Editing by Jay Wilson

WE HIGHLIGHT NEW ORGANIZATIONS EVERY MONTH ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS

Support Doing Good: ⁠⁠⁠Donate Here⁠⁠⁠

For college students navigating financial aid deadlines, mental health challenges, and feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, Dakota — Student Ambassador & Persist Nashville Client shares how personalized coaching transformed her university experience. Dakota demonstrates why one-on-one support creates lasting success for first-generation and underrepresented college students, exploring how trained coaches provide both academic resources and life guidance that traditional counseling doesn't offer.

Featured Guest: Dakota — Student Ambassador & Current Client, Persist Nashville

What You'll Learn:

✅ How Persist Nashville's coaching differs from academic counseling providing holistic life support without always redirecting to school

✅ Dakota's transformation from isolated student to student ambassador representing the entire student body

✅ Why authentic coach relationships matter from FAFSA navigation to preventing burnout through campus involvement

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Persist Nashville

03:03 The Role of Coaches in Student Development

05:09 Dakota's Experience as a Student Ambassador

05:53 The Importance of Student Voices in Decision Making

14:10 Doing Good Outro

Resources & Mentions: ⁠

Persist Nashville⁠ ⁠
Apply as a Student (Open to All College Students - Not Just Nashville Residents)⁠

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠Doing Good⁠
Social Media: ⁠All Links⁠
Blog: ⁠Featured Volunteers⁠
Support the show: ⁠Donate Here⁠

Credits:

Produced by Azilee Maetke
Music by Hartzmann
Edited by Jordan Rillera
Additional Editing by Jay Wilson

So, for five weeks, I am humbled to offer a short series on volunteering so our podcast editor volunteers can enjoy a well-deserved break.

Even though Katie has terminal cancer, she volunteers at Little Pink Houses of Hope and is living her new normal.

Music from Uppbeat

"Clarity" by Zoo

License code: ULKLLZSLSU8XCRCS

Daisuke was never taught in a way that worked well for him, so he is volunteering with Class Act Detroit to help make education better for the next generation of students.

Music: Uppbeat

License code: ULKLLZSLSU8XCRCS

Jimmy Pitts shares how he and his wife enjoy volunteering with their church, through their work, and with the Boys and Girls Club.

Homelessness affects the LGBTQ+ community more than any other segment of our population. HG Stovall shares his experiences in helping ease that challenge in his city.

Music: Uppbeat

License code: ULKLLZSLSU8XCRCS

Denise Stewart shares the realities of living with mental illness. She talks about her volunteerism as a teacher and coordinator with a mental health non-profit.

Jordan experienced a tragedy at a young age. After beginning a career he realized that he needed to make a shift to volunteering.

Michele Nicholson is a survivor of human trafficking. She talks about how she volunteers with women despite the mental wounds she has from her experience.