About Jody Hardwick:
Jody Hardwick has been working as a registered dental hygienist since 1985. Two grown sons and five grandchildren fill her time outside of work. International travel and the interest in different cultures began as an exchange student to Germany at the age of 14. Her family hosted many exchange students while growing up. Furthering that interest and love of people continued at age 20 with a year of international travel with Up With People, where she met her husband, Jim. “Africa has become my ‘heart place’ to serve, combining my love of cultures and dentistry for this next season in life!”
In this episode, Jim and Jody Hardwick discuss:
- The mission and mishaps of running two back-to-back dental camps in Kenya
- Transforming lives through emergency dental care in underserved communities
- Navigating power outages, language barriers, and hospital limitations
- Why emotional connection matters more than metrics in nonprofit work
- The launch of their upcoming permanent dental clinic in Samburu
Key Takeaways:
- Behind every number is a name, a face, and a story. Statistics may measure impact, but they can’t capture the tears, laughter, and healing that happen one patient at a time.
- Not every act of kindness comes in ideal conditions. When power fails or setups fall short, love, creativity, and community support carry the mission forward.
- A moment of compassion can change a life. Whether it’s a child’s smile restored or a mother choosing to name her baby after a caregiver, real connection creates lasting ripples.
- True leadership shows up in discomfort. From emotional extractions to logistical chaos, staying grounded in purpose allows teams to adapt, grow, and continue serving.
- Service is not about perfection—it’s about presence. What matters most is showing up, listening well, and treating every person with the dignity they deserve.
"I just want us each to look beyond the obvious, which might be the numbers, and see the hearts of the
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