Do Something More
This is a service-oriented podcast where we highlight the helpers who inspire us all to do something more. We 'highlight the helpers' and tell the inspiring stories of others (individuals, organizations, and nonprofits) who have found unique ways to give back to their communities. And we inspire listeners to 'do something more' with simple ideas on how you can serve, volunteer and make a difference. Weekly interview and solo episodes hosted by Melissa Draper. You can contact Melissa at dosomethingmore.podcast@gmail.com. Follow the podcast on Instagram @dosomethingmore.podcast
Episodes
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in meal prep and family plans—but this episode will inspire you to think about gratitude in action.
I sit down with Rob Adams, Founder of 'Thanksgiving Heroes', a nonprofit that rallies over a thousand volunteers and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations each year to deliver full Thanksgiving meals to more than 3,500 families facing food insecurit...
The holiday season can be busy and full—but it can also be deeply meaningful. In this solo episode I'm sharing why the holidays are the ideal time to build service into your family traditions, and how simple acts of kindness can bring more joy, connection, and purpose to this time of year.
You’ll learn realistic, doable ways to serve together as a family—whether you have toddlers, teens, or grown children. I also...
What if one program could transform an entire school’s culture—helping students with and without disabilities build real friendships, learn teamwork, and create a spirit of belonging?
That’s exactly what Unified Sports is doing. It’s a high school program run through the Special Olympics that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together to play in sports competitions—and it’s creating ripple effe...
Food pantries and food banks across the United States are seeing record levels of demand right now for so many reasons — if you’ve ever felt that tug to volunteer, donate, or somehow get involved, now truly is the time.
That’s why I’m resharing this meaningful episode that originally aired in February 2024 featuring 'Tabitha’s Way Food Pantry' and its Founder and Executive Director, Wendy Osborne. Wendy has s...
In this tender and moving episode, I revisit my conversation with Melanie Rodger from the nonprofit organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep—a group that provides the priceless gift of professional remembrance portraits to parents grieving the loss of a baby.
Melanie shares her own story of losing her infant son and how that heartbreaking experience inspired her to volunteer—and later work—with Now I Lay Me Down to Slee...
Have you ever stopped to think about the power behind a simple invitation?
In this episode I share why being an inviter—someone who reaches out, includes, and connects—matters more than ever in today’s lonely world.
You’ll hear how small, sincere invitations can change lives, what often holds us back from inviting, and three simple ways to make inviting and connecting a natural part of your everyday life.
Whether it’s lu...
Ben Lyne is a runner and for over 2 years he kept having the thought that he could use those regular runs to inspire and motivate others…by holding a sign while he ran that says ‘I Believe In You’. He finally got the courage to act on those thoughts a few years ago, and the reaction and feedback he’s received has been tremendous. He’s had many let him know that through this simple act of service he’s lifted them, enco...
Camille Hawkins is the Founder and Director of ‘The Wellness Farm’, a place that aims to provide tangible ways to support individuals walking through grief and trauma. This is Camille’s second nonprofit she’s started from the ground up, so she shares about the realities of working in the trenches of the nonprofit world. A trained therapist, Camillie also shares her own tender experiences with grief through infertility...
When it comes to service, the most important part is the doing! We have to be able to take the steps that actually lead to action and start serving and helping in the ways we feel called to do in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. In this episode I am giving you very actionable items: one you can do today, one you can do this week, and one you can do this month. I also give simple ideas for each one. I hope it...
On this episode I'm celebrating 100 Episodes of the 'Do Something More' podcast! At the end of each episode, I ask my guests to give general advice for how people can serve, volunteer, and give back to their communities. I took eight of those nuggets of wisdom and rolled them all together to mark this 100th episode. Come and be inspired and empowered and also get a reminder of the great caliber of guest...
'Big Brothers Big Sisters' began over 100 years ago as an alternative to the juvenile justice system when a group of adults realized they could help vulnerable kids by giving them connection and meaningful relationships. Now with over 230 chapters in the United States, they have many programs to help youth reach their full potential in a variety of ways.
On this episode I feature Jill Sundstrom, who is the Pr...
Kenra Keddington has been a Camp Director for Royal Family Kids Camp for 22 years. These are week-long summer camps for 7 to 11 year old foster kids. Kenra says their main goal every year is to pour love and connection into each participant and give them the chance to just be a kid again.
The camps are 100% volunteer run, with some of their volunteers being previous camp attendees who return as teenagers to help creat...
The story of Joe Tuia’ana’s nonprofit begins after he had the opportunity to help a man in a suicide crisis and literally love him off the ledge. After that experience, he learned that there weren’t any resources for men’s mental health and suicide prevention where he lived, so he decided to start creating them. Now he runs his nonprofit the ‘I Love You, Bro Project,’ where they sponsor support groups and hold worksho...
Deb Yokshas is a volunteer with Utah County Search and Rescue, who handle all outdoor search and rescue operations in the county. Not only is their team of rescuers 100% volunteer, but they also each pay thousands of dollars of their own money to be certified and have the right personal gear. These are people who are committed on a whole new level to helping and serving in their community.
Deb tells some great stories...
Training for and running a 5k can not only be a great goal to accomplish…but also a way to champion the causes you feel passionate about. Many nonprofits and other organizations use 5ks to create awareness and raise funds to support the work they do.
In this episode I’m giving tips and encouragement so that the next time you see a 5k for a cause that matters to you, you can go and participate with full confidence. Giv...
‘Choose Kindness PG’ is a nonprofit located in Pleasant Grove, Utah. It all started after some citizens felt there was division in their community. They went to the city council proposing a plan to promote a culture of kindness and service in their city. It began with organizing kindness clubs in the local schools, and spread from there to community events, and now they also celebrate a ‘Choose Kindness’ month in Febr...
'Fish for Garbage' is a nonprofit that was organized by a bunch of outdoor enthusiasts who noticed significant amounts of trash littering stream banks and lakeshores of popular fishing locations in Utah. They started by encouraging local anglers to collect garbage each time they went out fishing, and then began organizing official events inviting volunteers and locals to come help pick up trash.
Now they orga...
Looking for a very doable but also impactful way to serve someone around you today? Consider giving a genuine compliment, to a stranger or someone you know. It doesn’t need to feel forced either. Just take the good thoughts you’ve already had about somebody else, and have the courage to share them. You can do it through text, in person, or even write them a note.
I originally aired this episode in August of 2023, but I...
Trigger warning: this episode mentions suicide
Jen Spencer had spent 20 years as a meth addict and was living on the streets of Ogden, Utah during a particularly cold and bitter winter. She remembers the feeling of cold completely overwhelmed her, zapping her energy and even her will to live. During a particularly dark and broken moment, she decided to reach out to God in prayer. The answer she received during that pra...
Bryan Ware was out to dinner with his family one night when he wondered, could someone do something with all the restaurant crayons kids use and repurpose them? After pondering that question for a couple years and doing a little research, he finally started his nonprofit ‘The Crayon Initiative.’
Using his manufacturing background, he slowly figured out a way to collect recycled crayons, remake them into new crayons wit...
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