Spreading Good

Melissa Lutz is the co-owner of Generous Coffee Shop, a for-profit, for-purpose venture dedicated to using a portion of profits to create opportunities in communities that need it most- ranging from healthcare clinics to education facilities and beyond. Melissa moved across the country to pursue a dream and took an unconventional route to making it a reality (cue leaving notes on potential partners doorsteps..BOLD!) All of her efforts point towards her determination to create a better world where her level of joy is measured by the joy she can give others. In this episode we talk about: The for-profit, for-purpose business model Channeling our creativity for a higher purpose Starting with the resources in front of you The sustainable solution she came up with to help fund her aunt's nonprofit, Serve With Love Taking a chance on ourselves Why being patient is part of the dreaming process Why asking for help is an indicator of passion Leaning on and learning from mentors The reality of running a coffee shop during COVID Lessons learned from perceived “losses” Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Melissa & Generous Coffee Shop: Melissa's Instagram Generous Coffee Shop's Instagram Generous Coffee

Ben Higgins is an author, host and co-founder of Generous Coffee, a for-profit, for-purpose company dedicated to contributing profits to social issues around the world. Best known for his appearance on ABC's hit series, The Bachelor, Ben now uses his platform to share what he is most passionate about- his faith, his hope for humanity, and now combating loneliness through his new book, Alone in Plain Sight. In this episode we talk about: How “angered inspiration” can move us to take action and create change How to navigate career ruts and pivot into purpose How his life changed (quickly) after appearing on ABC's hit series, The Bachelor Pivoting from being a “wallflower” in life to stepping into and owning our stories The mission behind his for-profit, for-purpose company, Generous Coffee How to navigate the unknowns that come with chasing our dreams Why he chooses to lead with stories How to cultivate curiosity All about his new book, Alone in Plain Sight (releasing February 2, 2021!) Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Ben: Preorder his new book, Alone in Plain Sight Instagram: @higgins.ben Generous Coffee IGTV Series: Hope Still Wins

Emily Kim and Heather Hodge are co-founders of The Pastry Project, a social enterprise dedicated to making pastry education and jobs more accessible to those that need it. The idea for The Pastry Project sparked while leading the hiring process at Molly Moon's Ice Cream when they realized it was hard to place individuals in the fast-paced kitchen jobs and there were barriers to entry for many. Tune to hear how these inspiring leaders have channeled their creativity to create real change in the culinary industry, one cinnamon roll at a time! In this episode we talk about: How standing up for what you believe in can impact another Fighting for fair wages in the culinary industry How our frustrations may be leaving clues (or pastry crumbs) as to where we are meant to make a difference What a social enterprise is and how The Pastry Project utilizes it to fund free programs to individuals with barriers The power of education when it comes to empowering others Benefits and challenges when it comes to co-founding a business and what they believe is the key to cultivating a healthy relationship Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with The Pastry Project: Instagram @thepastryproject Website

Jenny Barber, host of Spreading Good reflects and expands on her takeaways from season 1's empowering leaders. She's serving up perspectives for the new year because she believes it's going to be oh-so-GOOD! In this episode Jenny talks about: The opportunity to heal when we connect with others who have been through a similar battle/season Pivoting into a purpose-filled life Choosing our setbacks as opportunities to serve others Trusting ourselves How to get close to the communities we serve The power of starting with what you have Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com! Connect with Jenny: Good on the 'Gram: @spreadinggoodpodcast Join our world-changing community: spreadinggoodpodcast.com Personal Instagram: @jennynbarber Personal website: jennynbarber.com

Adam Kunes is an entrepreneur, outdoor enthusiast and founder of Have Fun Do Good- a travel company on a mission to bring boutique experiences to solo travelers, friends and couples that combine the fun of travel with the good of volunteering. Adam hopes his and the HFDG team's efforts will allow others to realize the opportunities to volunteer are endless and that service can be fun! In this episode we talk about: How volunteering overseas at a orphanage sparked a passion to create experiences for others to give back How he navigated “working for the man” while bringing his dreams to life How a cross country road trip in an RV birthed the idea for his current company, Have Fun Do Good How starting with the resources you have is more than enough Building a brand by re-presenting what it means to volunteer How leaning into the things you love (like snowboarding in Adam's case) can create opportunities to give back. IT. IS. POSSIBLE!! What he believes the future looks like for the travel industry, post Covid Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Adam & HFDG: Adam's Instagram: @adamkunes Have Fun Do Good Have Fun Do Good Instagram: @havefundogood

Ally Browning is a leader, a community-builder and the Senior Director of Engagement & Fundraising at Humanity and Hope United- a nonprofit working to assist underserved villages in remote parts of Honduras. H&H partner with the people within each village to achieve sustainable change because they believe that when they invest their talents in making others' lives better, hope will spread. Ally's heart is a gift to this world and her story is powerful. She shares the defining choices she's had to make in order to align and realign herself with a life driven by purpose. In this episode we talk about: How it takes courage to get close to the communities you choose to serve and why it's worth it Why she believes creating opportunities is the key to creating sustainable change The importance of LISTENING when building communities both domestic and internationally Her journey following God and the ripple effect of being obedient to his call How she believes being single for 5 years set her up and prepared her for the work she does today Why she believes each of our timelines are unique and a GIFT to embrace How the H&H communities in Honduras responded after being hit by two tropical storms earlier this year Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Ally: Ally's Instagram: @albrowning85 Humanity and Hope United Humanity and Hope United Instagram: @humanityandhope DONATE to the H&H Hurricane Eta and Hurricane Iota relief fund

Jenny Gaither is a body-positivity advocate who has dedicated the last 10-years to bringing movement-based curriculum to young women across the US. What started as a personal struggle as a dancer in college, led to becoming one of the first Soul Cycle instructors in New York City and eventually (due to her BOLDNESS) brought her to creating Movemeant Foundation - an internationally recognized 501c3 dedicated to helping girls and women build self-worth and confidence through movement. In addition, Jenny is a Confidence-Life Coach where she helps women rewire their mindset so they feel they are worthy of having a seat at the table. In this episode we talk about: How being vulnerable with our pains and struggles can actually be the starting point that leads us into opportunities that can change the world How being BOLD and expressing our dreams to our community can be the catalyst to creation The power of trusting ourselves in the journey.. (this is a BIG one y'all) And Jenny also reveals what she believes is the “secret sauce” to becoming fully you..which we agreed is exactly what this world needs more of right now Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Jenny Gaither: Jenny's Instagram: @jennygaither Movemeant Foundation Jenny's personal website Brave Babe Coaching & Community Instagram: @bravebabeco Connect with the host: Jenny's Instagram: @jennynbarber Personal website

Jordan Angeli is a former professional soccer player who suffered three ACL injuries throughout her career. What seemed to be the end (all three times) may have truly been the beginning. Jordan's story of stripping down her athlete identity to first heal herself and then build a community-centered company, THE ACL CLUB, to help others through the recovery process is fuel for the heart and fire for anyone looking to use life's trials for GOOD. In this episode we talk about: What it took both emotionally and physically to come back from what seemed to be a career-ending ACL injury (three times!) The importance of forgiving and embracing the process when it comes recovering How her relationship with God grew most during the time of her recovery How choosing to see her injuries as gifts ultimately led her to creating a community-centered company to serve others How persistence was the key for landing her current role as a TV analyst for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Jordan: Jordan's Instagram: @jordanangeli The ACL Club website The ACL Club Instagram: @theaclclub Show Your Scars Podcast

Zack Follett is a former NFL player turned coffee company founder and community-builder based in Central California. Zack has a way of communicating and expressing his faith in a way that leaves you with chills and shouting "AMEN!" It's the decision to walk away from a life-long dream, in order to pursue a bigger dream he recognized while traveling in London, that is changing his small California town one delicious cup at a time. In this episode we talk about: The role our ego plays in chasing dreams Zack's not-so-ideal experience in the NFL Pivoting into a purpose-filled life Power of remaining connected to God throughout the journey The impact we can make when we focus on serving one person at a time How Zack builds community through coffee Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Zack and Kuppa Joy: Kuppa Joy Instagram: @kuppajoycoffee

Mackenzie McGrath is the Director of Programs at First Descents, a nonprofit dedicated to creating outdoor adventures (think rock climbing, ice climbing and kayaking) for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Mackenzie's story is a result of living life intentionally and proof that it can lead you to unexpected adventures when you continue to trust the subtle tugs and passions in your heart. In this episode we talk about: The power of choice Trusting the journey Humanitarian work overseas The process of healing after loss Healing through connecting with others who have gone through a similar life experience First Descents' life-changing work for communities impacted by cancer and other serious illnesses Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com and join the Instagram fam @spreadinggoodpodcast! Connect with Mackenzie and First Descents: Mackenzie's Instagram: @mackamcgrath Mackenzie's story in video: Life For My Family First Descents: a nonprofit dedicated to creating life-changing adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions CNN's story on First Descent's Hero Recharge Program

Jenny Barber, host of Spreading Good sits down to tell her story of how life's twists and turns led her from culinary school to chemotherapy appointments with her mom and how this experience changed the trajectory of her life. She shares how her journey led her to discovering the power of community in the mountains of Colorado and setting the table for world-changers to be heard on her brand new show, Spreading Good! Jenny also talks about: Her passion for using our gifts and stories to serve another Utilizing communal impact to create sustainable good How following your gut can lead to some of life's greatest adventures Why she works with First Descents and how the organization revealed to her the power of healing through outdoor adventures Find more Good at spreadinggoodpodcast.com! Connect with Jenny: Good on the 'Gram: @spreadinggoodpodcast Join our world-changing community: spreadinggoodpodcast.com Personal Instagram: @jennynbarber Personal website: jennynbarber.com

Welcome to Spreading Good, where host Jenny Barber has conversations with heart-centered leaders behind the global brands, organizations, and movements intentionally created to spread good. As a trained chef and an overly-spirited advocate for communal impact, Jenny is partnering with these inspiring leaders to serve up the raw, real, and oh-so-tasty details of what they have done to make their dreams a world-changing reality. Why? Because she believes you can, too.