Doing Good – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Megan sits down with John Witherspoon, retired Special Forces veteran and president of Beacon Rescue. From building shelters in Papua New Guinea to leading rapid disaster deployments in Tennessee, John shares his lifelong journey of service—and how his nonprofit is empowering veterans, families, and communities to respond with compassion in moments of crisis. Tune in to hear how training, teamwork, and a willingness to act can turn ordinary people into lifelines when disaster strikes.

Connect with John and find out more about Beacon Rescue:

Website: Beacon Rescue

Social: Facebook | Instagram

Read John’s blog post at ⁠www.doinggood.tv/blog⁠.

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit.

To support the efforts of Doing Good and more:

Website: Doing Good

Linktree: All Links

Donate: Click here to donate.

Social: Instagram | YouTube

In this heartfelt episode, we explore with Kelli R. Brooks and Gregory Prioleau from Roberta’s House, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit family grief support center in Baltimore, Maryland, the transformative work of this organization dedicated to helping children, families, and communities heal from loss and trauma. Founded in memory of a beloved matriarch, Roberta’s House provides free, culturally responsive programs that offer emotional support, education, and a safe space for healing. Join us as we hear about Kelly and Greg’s experiences with grief and support, as well as how this organization is restoring hope through peer-led support groups, trauma-informed care, and a deep commitment to community resilience. Whether you’re grieving, supporting someone in grief, or simply seeking stories of strength and compassion, this episode will remind you that healing is possible—and no one has to walk through grief alone.

Connect with Roberta's House:

Website: https://robertashouse.org/

Doing Good, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, brings this podcast to you.

Support Doing Good:

Website: doinggood.tv

Blog: doinggood.tv/blog.

Debbie Hartman recently moved cross-country to live closer to her grandchild. Listen to this adventurous matriarch share how and why she uses volunteering to meet new friends and learn about her new community. Her volunteering experiences include the Girl Scouts of the USA, DECA, Home of Guiding Hands, Rady’s Children’s Hospital of San Diego, Kiwanis International, Ronald McDonald House, the Salvation Army, and currently The Store, a Nashville, Tennessee nonprofit started by country music singer Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doinggood.tv     

Read Debbie’s blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog.

Bill Crump is a career pilot, veteran, and now a retiree and volunteer. In this podcast episode, Bill shares meaningful and memorable stories from his lifetime of service. He began as a soldier in the United States Navy stationed in San Diego, California, where he volunteered for Wounded Warrior Project and Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego to serve children. Today, he continues his brotherhood with veterans through Operation Stand Down Tennessee and keeps his local park safe and beautiful through Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms of Nashville, Tennessee.

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doinggood.tv     

Read Bill’s blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog.

In this installment of the podcast, we’ll talk to Dr. Tom Seals. He is a retired professor, husband, veteran, and, of course, volunteer who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Although many people take their well-earned rest at the age of eighty-five, he is busy helping veterans find a sense of hope.

Dr. Seals served in the Marines when he was young, and he has spent a lot of time since then working with veterans in various capacities. Two years ago, he helped found God’s Word for Warriors. This nonprofit works to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life through various programs and classes.

“We all need help,” Dr. Seals says, adding that “We all have our issues.” He also shares, “One of the biggest problems Veterans face is coming home and acclimating back in society,” and God’s Word for Warriors is helping them to accomplish this.

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doingggood.tv. 

Read Tom's blog post at 

www.doinggood.tv/blog.

Learn More About God’s Word for Warriors:

https://www.godswordforwarriors.com/

This week we’ll meet Pastor Luis Sura. This Franklin, Tennessee pastor says that he has been volunteering since before he knew what the word meant, and now he does so in an official capacity. While he holds a part-time job as an assistant pastor, he also runs the nonprofit Better Options TN, which was founded in 2016.

Better Options TN has several initiatives, including mentoring and ESL classes, but its main focus is helping people find housing, filling a big need in the community. Pastor Sura explains that there are many places to get help with clothes or food, but this is one of the few organizations that offers assistance with rent and finding housing. 

Although it is a huge time commitment, Pastor Sura loves his volunteer work. He says that it is essential for people to volunteer with something they love doing.

“When you love what you do,” he says, “even when they don't pay you, you enjoy it.”

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doingggood.tv. 

Read Pastor Sura's blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog.

Learn more about Better Options TN at https://betteroptionstn.com.

In this episode of the Doing Good Podcast, we meet Julie Ridenour from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Julie is a longtime volunteer with multiple organizations, a mother of grown children, and most recently, a puppy raiser for Freedom Service Dogs in Colorado.

Raising a future service dog has been a lifelong dream for Julie. About two months ago, she received her puppy, Salem, and will foster her until she’s around 18 months old. During this time, Julie will focus on socializing Salem, teaching her basic obedience, and preparing her for her future role as a service dog for someone with a disability. Afterward, Salem will return to Freedom Service Dogs to begin her training and start her new life.

Julie highlights the excellent training and support Freedom Service Dogs provides to puppy raisers—an important factor to consider for anyone interested in this type of volunteer work. She also shares the emotional bond she’s formed with Salem, knowing she is just one step in the dog’s journey. “Everyone asks if it will be hard to give her up. My response is maybe, but I know she has an important job ahead of her.”

This episode is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at www.doinggood.tv, and read Julie’s blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog. To find out more about Freedom Service Dogs, visit freedomservicedogs.org.

This week, we’re shaking things up by introducing a newcomer to volunteering: Jack Valentino. Jack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where he attends Belmont University. As a passionate musician, he naturally gravitated towards volunteering by sharing his love for music with others.

Just a few months ago, Jack began his volunteer journey with Love Learning Music, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the developmental needs of children through adaptive music education. Currently, Jack teaches piano to one of these children, helping instill a love of classical music. Although he’s new to this role, Jack is committed to continuing his work.

When asked for advice for prospective volunteers, Jack says, 'I’d suggest volunteering in an area you’re passionate about.'

You can learn more about Love Learning Music at: https://www.lovelearningmusic.org/

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doinggood.tv. Read Jack's blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog

In this episode of the Doing Good podcast, we talk with Jill Pratt. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Jill is a wife, mom, and the head of The Jiselle Lauren Foundation. This organization provides grants for care not traditionally covered by insurance to families of children with disabilities and aims to “help kiddos with disabilities experience joy.”

This cause is very close to Jill’s heart as her oldest daughter, Jiselle, has a rare disorder. Following Jiselle’s diagnosis, Jill began volunteering and eventually founded The Jiselle Lauren Foundation to help others “who weren’t as lucky as we were” along their journey.

“Part of it is sharing our story,” she says. “You hope you can be a person of light to somebody going through a tough time,” adding they “want to inspire joy and happiness.”

Learn more about this family’s journey through The Jiselle Lauren Foundation and check out the Rett Syndrome Research Trust.

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doinggood.tv. Read Jill’s blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog.

During today’s episode, the new Doing Good Podcast Co-Host, Emily Green, talks with La Toya Murdock. Originally from California, La Toya is long-time a Franklin, TN resident with a passion for volunteering.

La Toya’s Mom sparked her inspiration for giving - to provide young people a good time - almost a temporary escape - “a moment to forget…” certain trials and tribulations in life. Today, La Toya gives back by serving on the board for three local nonprofits.

In the podcast interview, she shares the impact of volunteering on herself and others through Daughters of the King. the Ray of Light Foundation, Athletes & Entertainers for Kids, and more. “Don’t take what you currently have for granted,” she says. “The volunteerism, it humbles you, . . . because in the blink of an eye, that could be me on the receiving end.” 

Check out some of the organizations discussed in this podcast:

Ray of Light: https://www.rayoflighttn.com

Daughters of the King on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daughtersofthekingfranklintn/

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doinggood.tv.

Read La Toya’s blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog.