Weekend Shows

This week's show featured Band of the Strong co-founder Zach Schafer telling his personal story that led to creating this organization that helps grieving people find purpose and peace using creative experiences that allow them to tell their stories.

This week's show featured Lorie Lewis with DEAR Diabetes and Toby Rees with Kountze Commons promoting their joint bowling fundraiser to strike out diabetes and hunger, Legacy Schools founders Kelly Pedersen and Buffy Baca talking integrating charitable giving into an educational setting, and 26.2 Step Mini Marathon founder Denise Ibsen Cole discussing her event to promote awareness of high risk genetic mutations that can lead to cancer.

This week's show featured Omaha Street School executive director Linda Reimer discussing their approach to getting students at risk of dropping out back on track towards a high school diploma.  Then, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha development officer for corporate giving Hailee Turner invited the community to their “Brew Haha” fundraising event.

This week's show featured Connected Roots Care Center chief strategy and development officer Dr. Mark Adler inviting the public to their “Big Dreams” family festival, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands marketing and outreach director Emma Beebe answering questions about how one can change the life of an at-risk youth in our area, Max I. Walker marketing director Steph Dorland promoting their coat drive fundraiser for Project Intentional, and Creighton med student Jocelyn Tran providing details about their annual Magis Health Fair free clinic for families-in-need.

This week's show featured RADIUS Omaha President and CEO Nick Juliano talking about their mission of assisting at-risk youth in empowering them and rebuilding relationships with their families and community.  Then, Northwest Battle Buddies CEO Shannon Walker discussed issues facing veterans returning to the workplace after military service.

This week's show featured Omaha Home for Boys senior director of brand strategy RaeAnn Knoell encouraging the public to assist with donating school supplies during their annual Back to School campaign for the youth at the school, Omaha Police Department officers Dashawn Haynes and Jose Falcon promoting the latest opportunity to join OPD and assist in their mission of serving and protecting the community, and Carol Joy Holling executive director Jason Gerdes inviting the public to their quilt auction to fund the mission of their various summer camps for area children.

This week's show featured Joel Kassera sharing his story of going from ascending rock-and-roll stardom to a life that found him in jail, a homeless shelter, and -- finally -- redemption and purpose with the Open Door Mission.

This week's show featured Hayes and Associates president Frank Hayes sharing his life story about growing up in less-than-ideal circumstances, dealing with racism while pursuing his career interests, and making nonprofit work a high priority in his life and business model.

This week's show featured First Responders Foundation board member Shawna McClure discussing their mission to enhance public safety while serving and honoring first responders, veterans, and their families.  Then, Sunflower Grant Writers founder Katie LeDoux promoted their Scholar School to teach nonprofit leaders how to confidently pursue grant funding.

This week's show featured Outy Obsession veteran events coordinator Gerry Palmer talking about this organization that uses hunting and the outdoors to engage veterans and youth to build discipline, confidence, and purpose.  Then Scouting America's Chris Mehaffey and former Omaha mayor Hal Daub promoted the scouts' fundraiser to restore a mini State of Liberty in Turner Park.  Finally, the 50 Mile March Foundation's Kim Kavulak and Heartland Kayak Angers' James Leggett promoted their “Casting for a Cause” fundraiser for homeless vets.

This week's show features Luann Rabe with the Garden Walk, Theresa Cassaday and Jessie Stallings with Heartland Family Services, Chelsey Brooks with Truck Center Companies, and Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.

This week's show featured retired Nebraska National Guard Captain Brandon Burton discussing his life in the miliary and how it has helped him see life differently, as detailed in his book Authority Without Control: A Memoir on Conflict, Restraint, and Leadership. Then, Patriotic Productions co-founder Bill Williams invited the public to free community events to honor Memorial Day on Sunday night in Lincoln and Monday morning in Omaha.  Finally, CRE Summit co-chair Chris Mensinger promoted their annual event designed to “Build Value and Create Solutions” in our city.

This week's show featured Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg discussing what his office does to assist with first-time homebuying, college savings, and tracking down unclaimed property and financial assets.  Then, West Omaha Chamber executive director Trevor Hudson inviting the community to their weekend-long Elkhorn Days celebration.

This week's show featured Lauren Foster and Dennis Bryers inviting the community to a free event commemorating the USS Omaha submarine and memorial, Front Porch Investments executive director Jody Holston discussing affordable housing ahead of the annual Reignite2Unite conference, and Outlook Enrichment executive director Nina Rongisch promoting their golf fundraiser for their mission of providing jobs and resources for the blind and visually impaired.

This week's show featured RITMO Music Fest event organizer Marcos Mora inviting the public to this inaugural festival celebrating Latin culture, music, and food.  Then, Make-a-Wish Foundation's Dr. James Fahner discussed what this group does to help families of children with critical illnesses.  Finally, National Environmental Education Foundation CEO Sara Espinoza talked about the work her group does in the wake of Earth Day to continue the movement.

This week's show featured Miss Nebraska USA Samantha Washington and Miss Nebraska Teen USA Kaitlyn Halvorsen discussing how they have been empowered in competing in pageants, and how they're using their platforms to educate other young women in a variety of ways.  Then, Dr. Elysabeth Nguyen invited the public to a free screening of her documentary film, “Our Lady at the Center,” about faith and healing as told through the history of Vietnamese Catholics.

This week's show featured The Cleaning Authority owner Daniel Schultz talking about going from serving in the military to re-entering private life, SHARE Omaha executive director Teresa Mardesen promoting the annual “Do Good Days” volunteer drive for local nonprofits, and Truck Center Companies marketing director Chelsey Brooks inviting the public to their fundraiser for Make-a-Wish Foundation.

This week's show featured Scouting America's Chris Mehaffey and United Way's Matt Wallen giving the area a head's up about their upcoming “Scouting for Food” drive, ServeNebraska executive director Cathleen Plager detailing the nominating process for their annual “Step Forward Awards” for volunteerism, and the Florentine Players' Derek Kowal and Eric Green inviting the public to this local, nonprofit community theater group's latest production.

This week's show featured Omaha Public Library marketing manager Courtni Kopietz inviting the public to the grand opening of the new central library, Omaha Burke PTA volunteer Melanie Epps promoting their Burke Bash fundraiser, and Omaha Czech-Slovak Cultural Club's Vicky Sedlacek detailing the annual Czech-Slovak Cultural Festival.

This week's show featured Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chapter chair Justin Bostic discussing their mission of conserving big game across America, Nebraska Community Blood Bank's Rachel Scott responding to the ongoing need for blood donations, and Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts providing details on the panhandle wildfires and relief efforts.

This week's show featured The Josh Place founder Shari Strong on her mission to create residential homes for those who don't need round-the-clock care in mental illness situations, Omaha Performing Arts senior vice president Gennean Scott Gray inviting the public to the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement open house, and Tangier Shrine's Tim Bernet promoting their annual St. Patick's themed fundraiser to benefit sick kids and their families.

This week's show featured Bike Walk Nebraska associate director Cait Dumas-Hein providing tips for all of us when it comes to increased safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.  Then, Business Ethics Alliance executive director Dr. AnnMarie Marlier discussed the current landscape for business ethics and invited the public to their annual EthicSpace event.

This week's show featured Omaha Fire Captain Nicholas Lemek promoting recruiting opportunities for the department, ICAN's vice president of strategic partnerships Julie Burrell Lillig discussing their annual women's leadership conference, and Sports for Kids' Al Vacanti inviting the public to their annual fundraiser for children and families in-need.

This week's show featured Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 executive director and founder Tom Everson discussing the history of this organization that exists to remind drivers to be safe, particularly in residential neighborhoods.