Say Your Story with Dean Stephens

Don't ask how her son died, but ask how did he live his life. Kara Majewski started her nonprofit Do Good Be Good Never Quit following the death of her 15 year old son, Johnny. In this episode of Say Your Story, her words for parents who have lost a child, why she serves as an arbiter for the Solicitors Office and the legacy he leaves each and every day. #sayyourstory #podcasts #applepodcast #spotify #impulsivity #nonprofits #dogoodbegoodneverquit #parenting #socialmedia

She's chased the dream for 8 years, now Grace McNally can sit back and spin her own record (Full Circle) as station manager at Charleston SC's only non profit radio station #ohmradio963 On Say Your Story, what Grace had to work through to make the album, the worldly inspirations, the super cool vibe behind the notes and chords and why the heck is Dean talking about his Aunt Char !! All of that on Say Your Story Episode 36 #music #gracemcnally #fullcircle #gullahgeechee #recordstopchs #tedtalks #chsnews #chs #nonprofits #theripplefund #podcasts #applepodcast #spotifypodcast

She is a mother, a doctor, a one time Congressional candidate and now Dr. Annie Andrews is paving a new path to secure a safe and healthy future for our kids. Annie recently announced the formation of an advocacy group focused solely on building a brighter future for children but mobilizing resources and support for policies that put the needs of children first. #tfov #kidsfirst #theirfutureourvote #podcasts #applepodcast #spotifypodcast #safekids #childsafety #drannieandrews

It takes more than a green thumb to accomplish what The Green Heart Project has experienced the past 14 years. From one garden at Mitchell Elementary in Charleston, SC to more than a dozen around the area since 2009. Executive Director Jesse Blom joins Dean Stephens to share his lessons in leadership, stewardship and non profit work in this episode of Say Your Story. #simplecast #applepodcasts #spotifypodcasts #gardens #nonprofits #leadership #chs #chsnews #podcasts #itunes

Two-time grammy award winner with his band Ranky Tanky, Charlton Singleton joins Dean Stephens on Say Your Story. Charlton shares the amazing story that led to his recent Grammy, why his parents are his greatest influence and how he used ASAP Rocky to inspire kids at a local high school. #grammy #chs #chsnews #rankytanky #neworleansjazzfestival #asaprocky #parents

Coach John Kresse led the College of Charleston to unprecedented success as his Cougars had one of the strongest runs for a mid major program EVER. Big Dance tickets punched in 1994,1997,1998 and 1999, throw in NIT appearances in '95 and '96 and it was a decade of doing The Charleston. On Say Your Story, the soon to be 80 year old goes back in time with Dean Stephens. #Charleston #ncaatournament #JohnKresse #nonprofits #patkelsey #loucarnesecca #sayyourstorypodcast #cofcbasketball #cofcmbb

Life comes full circle on this edition of Say Your Story. Desmond Brown was one of the best High School Football players I had ever seen. Yes he was a 5'6" quarterback but you can't measure leadership. Now 25 years later he shares his story as he has helped bring Pickle Ball to Charleston and now he's putting Pickle Paddles into the hands of underserved kids in the lowcountry. His stories about mentorship, leadership, and believing in something greater than yourself are legendary. #pickleball #podcasts #nonprofits #chs #chsnews #rippleeffect #motherteresa

Who is the person in your life who believed in you when no one else did ? Who is that person that pushed you to be the person you are today ? Mentors are needed more than ever and it's why I get so energized when I hear from ReZsaun Lewis. He stayed true to his roots and now is a community leader in the very community that helped raise him. ReZsaun is the Executive Director of Lowcountry Youth Services and in this episode of Say Your Story you will soon understand what makes ReZsaun a true leader of both men and our youth. #mentors #leadership #faith #nonprofits #northcharleston #sayyourstorypodcast #podcast

July 1st, 2020, Charleston County Deputy Mike Costanzo was outside of his cruiser on top of the Don Holt Bridge assisting a motorist and his disabled vehicle. In a split second, everything changed. A truck rammed into the back of Costanzo's cruiser hitting Costanzo who suffered traumatic injuries. The incident also claimed the life of tow truck driver Will Ellis who was also on the scene to help. On this episode of Say Your Story, Mike Costanzo in his own words. #charlestoncounty #lawenforcement #chs #chscounty #chsnews

She was a victim of #humantrafficking, now a survivor and an advocate. Kat Wehunt founded The Formation Project which helps people out of the web of human trafficking to a new life. Kat was trafficked by a family member from the age of 14 years old to 17 years old. Her journey and her #nonprofit earned her the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting a Local Community #multiplyinggood #jeffersonaward #humantraffickingawareness #theformationproject

Faith over Fear. Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds takes us along his path as he battles cancer, the loss of a limb and the moment he said "I WANT TO LIVE"

Rescuing food for the greater good isn't new to parts of the country, but it is to the lowcountry. Chuck Smiley is the founder and ED of Cuisine Rescue. In this episode Chuck shares about his love for St. Louis Cardinal baseball, his path to service and how he found his calling by rescuing food and delivering it to other non profits and people in need.

He found his WHY at an early age. Belvin Olasov, a child of the coast has become of the leading climate activists in the lowcountrty. The insight from the South Carolina native is fresh, thought provoking and galvanizing. Learn more about the co-founder of the Charleston Climate Coalition on Say Your Story with Dean Stephens and a climate centered summit being held in Charleston on Friday December 9th.

I first met Emily Torchiana in 2016. A College of Charleston student saying her story to her college peers. A young lady who openly shared she tried to take her own life in high school after being bullied. She won a national Jefferson Award. 6 years later her journey to healing and creating awareness includes sexual assault. A Survivor, a Thriver and an Inspiration barely sums up Emily Torchiana as she Says Her Story AGAIN with Dean Stephens.

Marcus Hammond and Dean Stephens go back 15 years and a chance meeting when he was a College of Charleston basketball player at a local pizza joint. Now the ripple comes full circle as he works out of the non profit incubator The Ripple Fund where Dean serves as the executive director. Marcus shares about the Pop-Shot game at CiCi's pizza and his upcoming event, The Black Food Truck Festival on this week's episode of Say Your Story.

He walked into bond court to face the man who shot and killed his wife and 8 others following a bible study at Mother Emanuel in 2015. What came out of the mouth of the Reverend Anthony Thompson changed everything. Changed his life, changed the way the people in Charleston responded following the horrific hate crime and changed the lives of those who never met Reverend Thompson. Those three words ? I FORGIVE YOU. 7 years later the Reverend continues to bring people and churches together.

It only makes sense that Sabrina is leading the lowcountry charge for the non profit Real Champions Inc. She has been advocating for students and their families for years and now she's heading up the mentoring program in the Charleston area as she works to create generational change for young students who are just starting out in their educational journey.

This is one the most powerful episodes of Say Your Story. Keith Smalls serves as the violence intervention advocate for MUSC's Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program. What led Keith to MUSC and his non profit, My Community's Keeper was the loss of a son to gun violence just one year after serving 19 years in prison.

Her perspective is fresh and it is real. She's been in the classroom and now leads hundreds of mentors in dozens of schools in the lowcountry. Alex English is the Executive Director of Be A Mentor and shares her approach and her why on this episode of Say Your Story

Dave Williams pops by to give the Lowcountry the low down on the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Ian when it makes landfall along South Carolina coast. We also touch on when he knew he was a weather nerd, a little Guardian baseball and who doesn't love when "pressure gradient force" is used in a podcast.

He's walked the path of recovery for 25 years and now Wood Marchant paves the way for college students who choose the same way of living. CofC was the first college in the state to start a collegiate recovery program and could not have found a better person to bring it to life.

To understand and appreciate Stephanie's drive, dedication and commitment to her community is to simply know that she tested her own limits by fasting as a 3rd grader !! Stephanie's non profit MAD Park benefits every single child it touches. Stephanie lost her brother to gun violence and credits her mother and father for laying a path of service for her to follow. For more information check out www.madparkcommunity.org or stephanie@madparkcommunity.org

July 17, 2016. The death of a young man, a son, a brother, a grandson and a friend sent his mother on a journey that has impacted thousands upon thousands of people in South Carolina. Nanci Shipman and her family made a promise to Creighton that his overdose death would not be in vain. Nanci shares her vulnerability, her raw truth, her passion and compassion in this week's Say Your Story.

Take a minute. Take a breath. Take a journey with Leigh and learn how she is impacting local students in Charleston, SC through yoga and mindfulness. Her non profit is ready to take the next step by assisting teachers with a 200 hour training program. 1st class stuff and proud to call her one of our Ripple Family members.

Jared shares his story and the journey to the top of the mountain, a lesson in leadership and how he remains grounded, humble and just a really good dude !

How does a man find his why or find his purpose ? For Sam Clements, his path to being a doctor was rerouted after a life changing encounter. Now he inspires high school and middle school students to find their why in this episode of Say Your Story

A South Carolina high school football coach opens up his playbook with the hope of helping those who struggle with anxiety. The past 12 years have not been easy for Bobby Ruff and his family, but the young man who dominated on the football field has learned that strength can be found in being vulnerable. Now he wants to lead off the field by sharing his story.

Take a walk back in time with a woman whose mission is to educate young and old about the Gullah/Geechee heritage. Elder Carlie Towne is the Director of the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network, a nonprofit in Charleston that believes in preserving and promoting the culture by way of art.

A car tire came to rest on his head when he was just 11 months old. Sam's story is one of survival and overcoming the odds for the past 16 years. His story touched the Charleston SC community and beyond. Hear from Sam in this very personal episode of Say Your Story.

Say Hello to Emily Kerr. Emily is the founder of Charleston Hope and has an extremely powerful story that involves overcoming trauma, working through grief while serving students in high poverty schools through her non profit. This will be the most inspirational 20 minutes of your day. Thanks to Emily for being open and vulnerable so to allow her story to reach others.

Welcome to Say Your Story! Dean Stephens, SYS podcast host, shares his own story of addiction, recovery, family trauma, mental health, the end of a 34-year TV career, and the beginning of a new career helping those who assist their communities in need. Dean's oldest son, Jack, said "The first episode has GOT to be your story". And he was right. Before hosting others and asking them to share, Dean gets transparent about his own story./

Sharing stories of people and non profits in our community who have overcome adversity and now inspire and create change in the world.