Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
What if the secret to greaterimpact isn't doing things
faster, but making space formore people to get involved?
Today's guest, Luke Mickelson,believes in inefficiency by
design as the founder of Sleepand Heavenly Peace, he's built a
global organization where theprocess matters just as much as
(00:23):
the outcome because it's throughthe process that people find
purpose.
What started as a simple projectin his garage to help a local
child has grown into over 400chapters in four countries.
All working to ensure that nokid sleeps on the floor in their
town.
(00:44):
Along the way, Luke's humanshelping humans philosophy has
earned him national attention.
Being named a CNN Top 10 Heroand featured on Good Morning
America, NBC Nightly News withLester Holt TEDx.
Returning the favor with MikeRowe.
And even on a Lays potato chipbag.
(01:05):
In this episode, we talk aboutwhat it really means to lead
through service, how to designexperiences that create
ownership, and why sometimesdoing less efficiently can
actually lead to moretransformation for everyone
involved.
It was an inspiring conversationthat I'm excited to share with
(01:25):
you, so let's get into it.
I am Terry Schmidt, executiveand leadership coach at Strong
Leaders Serve, where we workwith caring driven leaders to
transform potential intoperformance.
And this is the Strong LeadersServe podcast.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (02:38):
Welcome
Luke to the Strong Leaders Serve
Podcast.
It is a great honor to have youon today.
As I mentioned before we hitrecord, I got exposed to sleep
in heavenly peace.
The wonderful organization thatyou founded and run several
years ago, and I'm reallyexcited to learn more about you
as well as learn more about, youknow, some of the strategies
(02:59):
that you use that I think can bevery applicable to leaders in
corporate as well.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (03:04):
Great.
Yeah.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (03:04):
thank
you for being here.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (03:05):
you
for having me on.
I'm excited.
This is it's always good toshare, you know, your story.
My.
as well as connect with otherpeople, like-minded people that,
you know, have run nonprofitsand, and, and have run
businesses, right?
And know the, the struggles thatgo from entrepreneurship,
startups to, long-term longtime,businesses and, and, nonprofits.
So anyways, lo, love the
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (03:26):
Yeah.
Great.
Well, I'd love for you to startoff by telling us a little bit
about the origin and mission ofSleep and Heavenly Peace for
those who aren't familiar.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (03:37):
You
bet.
You know, let me start, I'llstart a little bit further back
just so people understand who.
Who they're listening to rightnow.
You know, I, I grew up in a verysmall town, Kimberly, Idaho,
right next to Twin Falls.
You know, the town was 4,000people, and I was one of those
guys.
Of course, all you small townpeople out there understand what
I'm saying, you know, if youcould pick a ball up and throw
it in the right directionsomewhat accurately, or could
(04:00):
run.
Somewhat fast.
You know, you had to play sportsand, and it was great.
You know, I played every sport.
I tell, I tell people, I, youknow, I was, there was two weeks
of the year, prob pretty much mywhole high school, even junior
high school, two weeks of theyear, I didn't have practice or
a game and that was it.
Right.
You know, you just, you just hadto play.
Which, which was great becausethe, the pros as well as the
(04:22):
cons of being in a small townis.
You knew everybody and they knewyou.
Right?
And so, so there's, there'sbenefits there.
But, but I loved growing a smalltown and you, because you get to
know everybody.
You know, you enjoy theopportunity to learn and grow
and, with people.
And to be able to serve'em.
You know, my mom, single momgrew up in a single home really
funny.
She was the elementary.
(04:44):
Principals, secretary, rightwhen I went And then the minute
I moved to high school, yeah,she moved and was now the
secretary to the, superintendentwho's, you know, we're small
high school.
So I, I couldn't, I couldn'tskip school.
I was, you know, I was one ofthose four
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (04:59):
right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (05:00):
you
know, Hey, was, is Luke sick
today?
You know, and anyways, it was, Iwas one of, but I, I had, I was
raised by my mom.
I had an older brother who, hewas the oldest, and so he was
kind of outta the house.
But I had two older sisters, ayounger sister, and my mom.
So there was, I was raised byfour women.
I was the best dressed kid inthe town.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_144 (05:20):
I
bet.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (05:21):
times?
My sister's like, really?
You're, you're gonna wear that?
Apparently not.
No.
So, and, and, and growing up Ijust learned the value of
connection and the value ofserving.
And, and I enjoyed it, you know,through, once I was out of high
school, you know, I served amission for my church and, the
opportunity just to meet peoplewas fun.
(05:43):
You know, we walk up and downthe streets and people would mow
their lawn and.
I jump out there and see if, youknow, suit and tie.
I'm out there to see if I canhelp'em mow the lawn.
I just love connecting withpeople and, and I think I get
that from, from my mom.
You know, she, five kids growingup.
Single mom is not, an easy, aneasy task.
You know, she had three jobs andI remember many times after
basketball games or whatnot inhigh school, you know, we still
(06:05):
had, I, we'd go home, get offthe bus, jump in the car, and
we'd have to go, you know, cleansome offices.
That's how we learned, you know,and so.
And I remember my missionpresident, gave me some great
advice.
He said, you know, Luke, if youlook at whatever you end up in
your career wise, if you look atit as a way of serving people
and not just taking a paycheck,it'll be so much more pleasant.
And, and he was, you know, hesure was right.
(06:27):
And I, I really took that toheart.
And, and even in later on inyears when I, I got hired on, by
a, a local water treatmentcompany and I served there for
about 20 years.
I enjoyed it.
I always looked forward to waysthat my customers, they'd rely
on me, you know, something.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (06:42):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (06:42):
broke
down or whatnot.
And these are big
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (06:44):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14 (06:45):
hundreds
and hundreds of thousands of
dollars going down the drain.
Every minute they're down.
You know, it was fun to be theguy that, that you could go in
there and solve the, theproblem.
'cause I felt like they haveservice.
And so I just enjoyed thatgrowing up.
But I always tell people about2012, you know, I was 35 years
old.
I had a couple of kids.
I was a couple of three kids,one brand new, one boy and a
girl.
(07:05):
And a boy.
And then I coached, you know,coached kids in high school
football and, and whatnot.
And then in my church service, Iwas what was called a young
men's president.
And
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (07:16):
Hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-1 (07:16):
basically
youth ministers sometimes is
what it's called.
But really I was over thespiritual growth and then the
activity, the Wednesday nightactivities for, for the young
men's program, ages 12 to 18.
And in through this whole.
of life.
Right.
I, I, you know, I tell people, Ikind of felt like I was going
through what maybe people wouldcall a midlife crisis.
(07:39):
You know, you're
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (07:39):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (07:40):
you've
been in your career for a while.
I had a, got a good job.
I actually said I had a greatjob.
I loved what I did.
I.
I, but I just felt like therewas something in my life.
I just, I felt like there wasmore I could offer and, and
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (07:52):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (07:52):
wasn't
being super fulfilled by it.
And I, I know I, I was measuringsuccess incorrectly.
So all these things culminatedin this, this small hole that
started developing in my
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (08:03):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (08:22):
we,
you know, we'd be, we'd have
these meetings once, once ortwice a month, and we'd talk
about things that are going onin the church and in the, in the
community and the, the peoplethat we were helping, you know,
and one, one family inparticular, we were helping, it
was a mom.
She was a school bus driver atour local school.
And then the dad, I know hesuffered from some mental health
issues, couldn't hold a job, sothey were, you know, they, they
(08:42):
actually lived in an apartmentcomplex I didn't even know
existed in my town.
That's how small and remote thiswas.
And and so they were goingthrough the things that they
were helping with, you know,rent and, and rides to school
and food, and the kids didn'thave any beds and bubble.
And I was like, wait a minute.
Did you just say the kids didn'thave any beds?
(09:02):
Like, they're like sleeping onthe floor.
one of the leaders says, yeah,and it, it, that just Terry, it
hit me like a ton of bricks.
I
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (09:10):
Hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (09:10):
like,
you know, I start thinking about
my own kids.
I start thinking about my BoyScouts.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (09:14):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (09:14):
I
said, you know, like literally
every day, like certainlythey've got a mattress and No,
no, no, just blankets.
And I just thought, wow, that isnot, not good.
You know, in
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (09:25):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (09:26):
And
the, I thought about my Boy
Scouts going, here's a greatopportunity that I could get.
Xbox controller outta theirhands.
Get'em out behind a screen,right?
And we'll
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (09:36):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (09:36):
good
skill.
We'll build, we'll build a bedfor it.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (09:39):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (09:39):
it
wasn't like I was a sh, you
know, a total stranger to tools.
I'm not a carpenter and never
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (09:43):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (09:44):
In
fact, I tell people I had a, I
kind of had to use my wife'stools.
I didn't have all the, she hadthis framing business anyways.
and so I took the Boy Scoutsand, and I, I patterned this
bunk bed a a little bit afterwhat my d my daughter had a bunk
bed she was sleeping on, and,and we built this bunk bed and I
was worried that the boysweren't gonna have a good time.
(10:07):
Right.
Because It.
And, and, but I was happilydisappointed.
Did I say that right?
Maybe vice versa.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (10:15):
right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (10:15):
They
actually loved it.
They had a great time, you know,and I, and I know it was because
they knew of the cause it wasgoing to, to help.
You know, some kids, they wereyounger kids, you know, six and
seven.
And and, and, and the, the, thefunny story, sad story is I
didn't, I wasn't able to go onthe delivery.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (10:31):
Hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (10:32):
the
boys and their parents and the
other leaders went, this was inmy garage.
So I was, you know, backcleaning my garage.
'cause it
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (10:39):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (10:39):
a,
start a winter as big first part
of December and it was cold andI wanted to park inside.
Anyways, the next day I heardhow amazing it was.
Was Right.
You know, the, the, the emotionsthat the kids showed and the
parents showed and, and, andthe, and the boys themselves.
Right.
You know, they got up and sharedtheir, their testimony of the
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (10:57):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (10:58):
and,
man, I felt happy and also felt
really, really sad'cause,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (11:03):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (11:03):
reap
some of the reward that came
from that.
And so that mixed in with thiskind of midlife.
Crisis.
You know, identity, faith,faith, cross crisis.
I was going through, I wassitting on the couch with my
kids, we were watching, I dunno,probably Big Bang.
We loved watching Big Bangtogether.
(11:24):
And a commercial came on and itwas a commercial about you
either know their Xbox or Xboxgame, I don't remember, but I
remember, and every parent knowsthis right before Christmas,
these kids and they see thesecommercials and you know, you're
not gonna get'em that, and theyknow that, but they're gonna
turn around and ask you anyways.
Right?
And
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_14 (11:41):
Of
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (11:42):
of
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (11:42):
course.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (11:42):
right,
and, and, and it just hit me.
I'm like, gosh dang it.
ask for another Xbox.
You got a bed.
We just built a bed for, forsomeone that didn't have one.
A kid, a kid your age didn'thave one.
And you know, it just hit me.
And I, I remember I was sittingon the couch and I was about
three inches off the ground.
I remember thinking I could, Icould tell my kids what, what
(12:06):
happened.
I can tell'em, you know, howthey should be appreciative of
what they have.
I.
Or I could just drop my feet onthe ground, get off the couch,
and get in the garage and, andteach'em just like I did the boy
scouts.
so that's what I did.
I jumped off, off the, off thecouch, walked out in the, in the
garage.
I mean, they're like, dad,where, where are you going?
And I said, another bunk bed.
(12:29):
And gosh dang it, you're comingwith me.
And and we had a great time, mylittle
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (12:34):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14 (12:34):
daughter
and her tutu was, was drilling
and.
My son was pounding wood and,and we just had fun figuring it
out, you know?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (12:42):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (12:43):
and,
and really that's, that was kind
of the start of it.
It was more about, you know,getting my kids to appreciate
the things they had as well asin, in, you know, find the same
joy I had in
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (12:52):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (12:53):
and
giving back and, and.
Being the person that, thatpeople can rely on.
You know, I
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (12:58):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14- (12:59):
really,
really young, being single,
single mom and five kids.
We had one Christmas, we weren'tgonna have Christmas.
I mean, just didn't have themoney.
And my mom walked in to get
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (13:08):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (13:08):
one
time and she had$1,500 in her,
in her hand, you know, from somestranger out there.
And
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (13:14):
Hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (13:14):
of
course we knew who it was, but
you
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (13:16):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (13:17):
super,
super neat.
And I remember thinking, Terry,I wanna be that guy.
I wanna be that person thathelps.
Right.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (13:23):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (13:24):
Now
I wanted my kids to have that
feeling.
And so we built this bed,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (13:29):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (13:29):
no
idea what to do with it.
I mean, we didn't knowchildlessness was a, was a real
thing.
I mean, I just knew about thisone family'cause I happened to
be in a meeting
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (13:38):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (13:39):
and
so what do you do?
What do you do with this bed?
And, and, and I, someonerecommended, Hey, why don't you
throw it on one of these buy,sell trade Facebook groups?
And I was like, you want me toput a free bed?
Okay, that's probably not a goodidea.
But,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (13:53):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (13:54):
You
know, we did it and I was, I was
expecting every Tom, Dick andHarry that wants a free bed.
And although we got, we got alittle bit of that, what we did
get was the stories of realsituations and real kids that
are sleeping on pallets andsleeping on couches, sleeping
with mom and dad and on thefloor.
And it was, it was.
Awestruck, I was awestruck onjust the number and the
(14:16):
situation of what, what we werereading.
And I remember I, I wanted thisbed that my family and I built
to go to a child is reallyneeded.
And, and and sure enough, afriend of mine who's a social
worker at the time, she says, Igot this family just, just got
outta homelessness.
And they got into a house.
And I said, perfect.
And so this is when I met LittleHaley.
(14:38):
So I walked into Haley's home.
And I had seen poverty before.
I'd seen, you know dealt with itin my services before, but I'd
never seen it through the iseyes of a 6-year-old.
You know?
And when you, when you know thatthat's why you're there and you
see these kids, I.
Man, it is.
It tore me up.
(14:59):
And this house, I mean, therewas, there was nothing in it.
It was a hot plate sitting on amilk carton, you know, one of
those little milk cartons thathad a
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (15:06):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (15:07):
on
it.
That was it.
That was the only thing in thehouse.
But Little
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (15:09):
Hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (15:10):
was
so excited,'cause guess what?
She had a room, she'd
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (15:14):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (15:14):
in
the backseat of her mom's car
since she was born.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (15:17):
Hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (15:17):
we
go back in this room and, I
mean, you can imagine what itlooks like, right?
It whole.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (15:21):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (15:22):
and
then the wallpaper and all that.
But what struck me the most,Terry was in the corner, was
this pile of clothes.
It was a little nest, and that'spretty obvious.
That's where she slept.
And
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (15:34):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (15:34):
from
school, take her school clothes
off, put her PJs on sleep, onher school clothes, and then I.
Put'em on in the morning and,you know, it just broke my
heart.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (15:43):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (15:43):
and,
and so we were pretty excited.
Me, Jordan, Allen, my buddy, andmy, my wife at the time, we, we
brought in these pieces of bedand you could watch Haley try to
figure out what we're doing, youknow, and I think it was when I
brought the mattress in, she'slike.
Oh my gosh, this is a bed andshe just, she just blew up.
I mean, it was awesome.
She came over and hugged us.
She came, she hugged the bed.
(16:04):
She even kissed the bed.
I'd never seen that before.
So exciting.
I mean, my gosh, I tear up
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (16:09):
Yeah.
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (16:10):
heart,
you know?
And then to, if that wasn'tenough to just to rip your heart
out,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (16:15):
Huh.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (16:16):
here's
mom.
Six years of just tears.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (16:21):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14- (16:22):
Pouring
down her face, you know, and I
was like, I know every one ofthose tears.
I've
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (16:25):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (16:26):
with
my own mom.
It just, I mean, talk abouthitting me right between the
eyes and you know, we had abouta 30 minute drive home from this
house and.
We didn't say hardly anything toeach other.
I mean,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (16:39):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (16:40):
it
was just so emotional.
And I remember when I, Iremember thinking, you know, I'm
a farm kid from Idaho.
I, I love hunting and fishing.
I love college football andsports.
Saturdays were filled with that.
like that, none of it matteredanymore.
Like.
Few hours every night that wedid to build that bed to solve a
(17:01):
problem like that.
Now,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (17:03):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (17:03):
well
worth my time, and I felt like
the Grinch, you know, I feltlike my heart just swelled three
times, you know?
And that hole that was, was, wasbeing developed in my heart,
just filled instantly.
And, and I remember when wefinally got home, I looked at
my, my buddy and I said, Jordan,no kids can sleep on the floor
in my town if I have anything todo with it.
You And, and I didn't know howbig of a statement that
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (17:24):
mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (17:24):
Or
what the challenge was.
But we, we, we ended updeciding, you know what, we're
gonna build as many beds withour Christmas fund as we can.
And we ended up building 21 bedsall together,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (17:36):
Wow.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (17:37):
11
bunk beds,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (17:38):
Uhhuh,
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (17:38):
one
single all before Santa showed
up.
You know,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (17:41):
huh?
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (17:42):
it
was just, it was the greatest
experience.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (17:45):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Wow.
What a, what a story.
And you know, what I'm hearingin that is, you know, you, you
mentioned that kind of whole.
In your heart that was, wasdeveloping and and instead of
letting that grow, you were ableto, to take action.
And then the involvement, youknow, starting with your family
(18:08):
and then with others, bringingthem into, you know, I'm not
just gonna tell you about this.
You're, you're coming here to dothis with me, and no kid's gonna
sleep on the floor in our town.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (18:21):
know,
I, I found is and I actually do
a lot of public speaking
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (18:24):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (18:25):
my
speech covers what I call the
TBF framework stands for two byfour, which is kind of fun, but
really
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (18:31):
yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (18:31):
an
acronym for Transform, build and
Flourish.
And, and what I found was, is.
We all have a desire, you know,most people, I should say,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (18:41):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (18:42):
they
to transform something, whether
it's, I, I I wanna be a betterdad, or I wanna be a better
employee or employer, or I wannabe better at my job.
You know?
We all want transformation inour lives.
And and, and so did I, I mean,I, I didn't know it at the time.
I felt something off.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (19:00):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (19:01):
and,
you know, looking back now, yes,
I needed to transform.
I wanted to, sometimes we focusso much on the wanting to
transform, knowing sometimes weneed to transform, right?
Maybe we're addicted to, we havesome, some addictions and things
of that nature we need totransform out of or do something
different.
But what we miss is we focus toomuch on that and sleep and
(19:23):
heaven.
Me sleep and heavenly peacetaught me that the second step,
which is the build or a k, aaction, that is the most
important part of the step,right?
I,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (19:33):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (19:34):
if
we don't have action behind our
transformation, then it juststays a dream.
And I,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (19:39):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (19:39):
coach
people on, listen, it's good to
have a dream.
You need to have that, you needto have some direction, but you
need to spend more time.
Developing the desire to act onand, and to build off of that
dream.
And that's where transformationbegins, right?
That's
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (19:56):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (19:56):
we
really start seeing things
happen.
And then after that, once you,once you go through those steps,
that's when you flourish andsleeping
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (20:03):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (20:03):
You
know, we went from 21 beds that
first.
For that first year and, andjust one, one little family
Christmas project,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (20:11):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (20:12):
And
now we have over 400 chapters in
four countries.
We've
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (20:17):
Wow.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (20:18):
beds.
You know,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_14 (20:19):
Mm
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (20:20):
bed
building charity in the world,
mostly because there's not a lotof, charities out there that do
that.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (20:26):
sure.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (20:27):
it
comes from always continue the
process and framework of theTBF, you know, transform, be
ready to transform.
and work on building and thenlet flourishing and flourishing
is not like an end point, right?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (20:42):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14- (20:42):
ongoing
thing and, and that's what the
piece has taught me.
And, and that's why I like toshare with people is, you know,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (20:49):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (20:49):
it's,
it doesn't have to be
nonprofits, whether, whetherit's just a personal, know,
trait that you wanna learn or,or overcome or become better at.
You know, the TDF method teacheshow TE taught me anyways, how to
really focus energy and priorityI.
On, on things that areimportant.
And, you know, I learned in, inthe growth of a company that
(21:10):
started, or, or a project thatstarted in a garage to now the
largest in the world.
Some of those steps are verykey.
And the emphasis you have on'emare key, right?
You
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (21:21):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (21:21):
spend
a lot of time dreaming, which is
great.
We need to have that, but you,we need to spend more time on
the desire to act than it
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (21:31):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (21:31):
on
the, the dream to.
To come to fruition.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (21:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I love that.
And I, I think it's so, well, Iknow it's so applicable to
leaders and, and corporationstoo.
You know, how, how you get yourteam to be successful is
thinking about what.
Your, those desiredtransformations are as a team,
but also the leader, finding outwhat they are for each
(21:58):
individual.
You know, what are, what arethose dreams?
What are those desiredtransformations?
And how can we create anenvironment where people can
act, want to act, it's safe toact on those so that they can
all flourish.
And so,
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (22:11):
I
learned very quickly,
childlessness not a real word,but a
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (22:17):
hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (22:17):
I.
Needs to be solved by thecommunity.
It's not gonna be solved by somefarm kid from Idaho.
Right.
He's, he's meaningless when it
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (22:25):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (22:26):
the
kids in your community right
now.
And people don't realize, youknow, when I, when I tell people
what I do, right?
two, you know, I bill beds forkids that don't have any,
there's two answers usually,typically two answers.
The first one is, well, it's notthat there's not that many kids,
right?
And I'm like, oh, you have noidea.
It's greater than 3%.
And those are statistics.
(22:46):
That we came up with becausethere's no statistics anywhere
about childlessness'cause it's
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (22:51):
Wow.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (22:51):
word.
Right.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (22:52):
Right,
right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (22:54):
we've
come up with that after 13 years
now of, of studying and, andworking in this field, realizing
that greater than 3% of the kidsin your town, a hundred thousand
people in your town, there's3000 kids right now tonight that
are gonna sleep on the floor, onair
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (23:09):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (23:10):
crates
on.
closed.
I mean, literally that's thecase.
And the second thing is, well, Ilive in a nice area.
There's there, we don't havethat here.
I promise you.
Childlessness knows no
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (23:25):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (23:26):
It
knows no geo geography.
It, it knows hardships.
It knows single moms or dads.
It knows
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (23:34):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14- (23:35):
issues.
It knows foster care.
It, it, it, it, it knows peoplethat just lost their job or, or
fi you know, all these, allthese things that can happen to
otherwise, you know, workingAmericans.
And and to provide a solutionfor that needed to be a
community effort.
It
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (23:52):
Yeah.
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (23:53):
in
on the community.
And, and so we quickly, I, Irealized that.
we want this to grow and wetruly wanna follow our mission,
which our mission statement is,no kid sleeps on the floor in
our town.
We just want our town to beeverybody's town, you know?
And
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (24:09):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (24:10):
to
com, in order to achieve that,
we had to produce a platformthat allows, you know, farm kids
from Idaho like me that allowthem to ex execute successfully,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (24:24):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (24:24):
the
solving of the problem
childlessness.
And so that's what we.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (24:28):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And yeah, I mean it's it's sopowerful because they can not
only own that mission, but thenthey have the support needed to
take that action,
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (24:39):
Yeah.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_1 (24:39):
To,
toward that mission.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (24:41):
In
2018, I was a CNN hero.
And the funny story about thatis the, the next day after they
did this big broadcast, I didn'teven know what a
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (24:48):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (24:48):
was
at the time, by the way.
Anyways, they they talked aboutour mission statement.
There's 10 of us,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (24:53):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (24:53):
And
they went around the room and
talked about each one as missionstatement, because a mission
statement's important,especially in a nonprofit, well,
probably, probably any company's
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (25:02):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (25:02):
right?
And usually a mission statementis the organization telling the
public.
This is what we do.
Or maybe even this is how we doit and this is the why, right?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (25:13):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (25:13):
and
whys.
When they came to, to my missionstatement, it was kind of a, it
was not a heated situation youknow, but it was really funny.
They're like, oh, Luke, we needto work on your mission
statement.
I'm like, why is that?
Well, it's just no kid sleeps onthe floor in our town.
You don't say what it is.
You don't say, you're nottelling anybody.
I said, listen guys, missionstatement is not meant.
(25:36):
For the organization to tell thepublic
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (25:38):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (25:38):
what
we're doing.
It's meant for the completeopposite.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (25:41):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14- (25:42):
public,
we want the, the community that
lives there to say that.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (25:47):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (25:48):
I
remember when I said it it was
almost like, I mean, I was, Iwas almost upset, like
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_1 (25:53):
Mm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (25:53):
that
fire going,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (25:55):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (25:55):
You
walk into a room.
The 6-year-old girl has neverhad a bed before, never had a
bed, and and you see herreaction.
You can't help but get pissedoff.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (26:09):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (26:09):
mean,
I was, I was, was floored.
And,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (26:14):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (26:14):
and
it just burned in me.
It burned such a strong passionthat.
That you know, I say those wordswith extreme force, extreme
passionate, and we want peopleto do the same.
And so
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (26:25):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-1 (26:26):
statement
is, is designed for the
community to get involved.
'cause that's, that's how we'regonna make real change here, is
together and, and providing waysfor, for people, common folk to,
to be able to execute.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (26:40):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So, so powerful.
And, and, and please don'tapologize for the emotion at
all.
It, it, it shows how importantthis.
Yeah, no, that, that space tothe power and, and that power
(27:00):
that you've, you've distributedamong everyone to, to have a
hand in doing something to solvethat problem instead of just
getting upset about it, toactually do something about it.
And I know, you know, I've heardyou have a unique leadership
philosophy in a sense,inefficiency.
By design instead of, you know,where everyone's trying to get
(27:22):
more and more efficient.
In fact, just this, you know,just recently on a podcast we
had a conversation about thedrive for efficiency and, and
the tension between that andresilience and,
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (27:33):
Yeah.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_14 (27:33):
so
I'm just curious how that has
come to play in yourorganization.
And first maybe, you know, what,what does that mean to you in
efficiency by design?
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (27:42):
a
a, absolutely.
And don't get me wrong, I mean,I think you, you, you, you want
to be efficient.
I mean, especially in yourbusiness, right?
There's certain aspects ofbusiness that technology that,
that make your, your yourprofits, make your, just your
overall organization work, workbetter when it's more efficient,
when it comes to sleep andheavenly peace.
(28:03):
And I will say any.
is important.
Any nonprofits out there and Ido nonprofit coaching,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (28:09):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (28:09):
I've
seen it a million times when you
eliminate because you becomemore efficient in your process
or in your, in your you knowwhat, whatever, whatever mission
you're doing, right?
In our case, we build bids,right?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (28:21):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-1 (28:22):
efficient
we made that bed build process,
the less volunteers.
Were were included.
And
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (28:30):
Hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (28:30):
we
found out, and I have a, a kind
of a quick story.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (28:33):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (28:34):
story.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (28:35):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (28:35):
when
I, when I first did my very
first public build where itwasn't my, just my family and
friends, I
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (28:41):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (28:41):
I
put it in the newspaper, Hey,
we're gonna do this, this build.
Keep in mind, this is Idaho, 1stof December, not like it's
really warm outside.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (28:50):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (28:50):
We're
in this warehouse.
No air, no air condition, noheat, whatever.
Post out there, Hey, Saturdaymorning, come down and freeze
your butt off and you know,build beds with kids or four
kids.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (29:01):
yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (29:01):
here
walks in.
Hank Hank's, this 70 plus yearold guy, you know, he is kind of
walking with that old man lip,right?
But the cool thing about Hank ishe's like handing out these
little cards that say, thankyou, thank you, or thank you for
your service, I believe is whatit said.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (29:15):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (29:15):
Hank
had served before.
Right?
And the fact
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (29:18):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (29:18):
there
goes to show you a little bit
about Hank.
And, and he, he came up to meand I, you know, first of all,
I'm like, oh my gosh.
You know, building beds is not,I mean, we were four hours
straight.
This is not easy work.
Is this guy gonna die on me?
I mean, I was a little worried.
And I'm like says, Hey, I'm hereto help.
I'm like, okay, Hank, what?
You know, what, what, what areyou comfortable with?
You
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (29:37):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (29:38):
I
was a carpenter for 40 plus
years.
I'm like, ah.
I'm gotta put you on cuttingbecause, you know, you can't
stretch boards when it's cutwrong.
So, so I, I threw'em on thereand, and you know, remember when
you build 20, 30, 40 beds,there's hundreds, if not
thousands of cuts that
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (29:53):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (29:54):
Well,
I put'em on there and like every
chapter president you talk to,you're busy helping out 30, 40
other non or other volunteersthat learn how to use the tools.
And what do I do?
Well, I
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (30:05):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (30:05):
forgot
about Hank here.
It's four hours later and itdawns on me.
I'm like, oh my gosh.
Is my, is my little old man overthere.
Okay.
And I look over there and he,you know, he looks at me and.
I mean, his clothes are just aswide as his hair, right?
Just
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (30:19):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (30:21):
And
I went over there and I'm like
how you doing?
And he's like, Luke, he's like,I have volunteered at millions
of times.
He says, but I have never showedup to an event and was put on an
activity within five minutes andnever left.
Like I.
He, I mean, he, he justemphasized, he is like,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (30:40):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (30:40):
didn't
stop, and I kind of went Sorry
about that.
And he's like, no.
He said thank you, and rightthen I learned that the happiest
volunteer are the Sweatiest andthe Dustiest because.
They want to feel like they gave
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (30:56):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (30:58):
we're
all the same, right?
If you're gonna spend time on aSaturday morning, especially if
you're gonna freeze your buttoff,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (31:03):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (31:03):
wanna
feel like you, you did
something.
You know, sweeping a broom orpushing a button is isn't that
satisfying?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (31:08):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (31:09):
And
so we knew that that experience
for the volunteer
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (31:13):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (31:14):
even
be just as important as the bed
we deliver a child to.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (31:18):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (31:18):
And
nonprofits out there, you need
to realize.
The more people that you cangive meaningful service to, you
know exactly what I'm talking
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (31:26):
Yeah.
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (31:27):
The,
the, the, the more value you
give them.
Right.
And so we, yes, we make thebuild process.
We use the word inefficient.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (31:36):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (31:37):
just
make it.
more volunteer centered, which
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (31:42):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (31:42):
there
are processes that, that are
very inefficient.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (31:45):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (31:46):
Not
a lot of people know that, that
you've, you've talked to somepeople, gosh.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_144 (31:50):
I
have the inside scoop, do my
research.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (31:53):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And so, you know, inefficiencywhen it comes to volunteer
experience
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (31:57):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05- (31:58):
important.
And, and because, you know, wehave a lot of chapter presence.
They're like, oh, we could builda beds like this and we could do
this.
I mean, engineers that come and
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (32:05):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (32:05):
us,
they walk away just scratching
their heads going, why are youdoing it like that?
Let's do it like
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (32:09):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (32:09):
they
don't, they don't understand
that, look, it's, I don't wantto eliminate volunteers.
I want to create more jobs, youknow, and
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (32:15):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (32:16):
why
we can take, we can take
volunteers, 10 or 200 and allput them to, to work.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (32:23):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And you know what I hear in thatis like you were talking about
helping out nonprofits, it's.
It's not just about the outcomefor those that you're serving.
Yes, that's criticallyimportant.
Yes, that's your mission.
Yes, you want as many beds aspossible, but it's also about
that outcome for the people thatare doing the serving, for the
(32:43):
volunteers.
And, and keeping that in mind isjust as important because
without them, you're not gettingthat other outcome.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (32:53):
Again,
the, and I I, I coach
nonprofits, the experience thatyour volunteers have
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (32:58):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (32:59):
to
be, maybe not equal, but pretty
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (33:02):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (33:02):
to
the mission that you provide,
because without them, you'regonna end up doing it yourself,
and I guarantee it, it, it won'tgrow like you want it.
And eventually you'll be burnedout.
Right?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (33:13):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14 (33:13):
whatever
it is, and some nonprofits,
they're difficult to
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (33:16):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05 (33:17):
volunteers,
try to find meaningful service
for people.
But if you can, and secondly tothat, if you can make your
mission, your fundraiser.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (33:27):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14- (33:28):
writing
a book.
I haven't finished it.
Well, I'm not a writer.
Let's be real.
But if you can make your missionand the, and the process of your
mission, your fundraiser, thenyou
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (33:41):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (33:42):
so
further ahead.
You know, I, I actually, when Icoach people, I'm like, look,
don't fundraise.
And,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (33:47):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (33:48):
of
like telling a nonprofit, it's
actually, it's actually tellinga fisherman, don't take, don't
fish with a fishing pole.
Right.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (33:54):
Right,
right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (33:55):
But,
but the fact of the matter is,
is you know, you like, you'reyour nonprofit for service and
fitness with families mine withbuilding beds.
does that have anything to dowith doing a gala or,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (34:06):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (34:07):
feed
or a silent auction?
No one likes to do those.
They're
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (34:11):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (34:11):
work.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (34:12):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (34:13):
And
I'm not saying you don't do'em,
if you can, if you can make acertain percentage of your
donation income from yourmission,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (34:23):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (34:23):
us,
we don't build beds until we
have money to build beds,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (34:28):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (34:29):
Our,
we, we have a build day, and
that's our fundraiser.
Three, you know,$300 per bed.
And that takes care of mattresssheets, pillows, the bed
delivery of the
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (34:40):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (34:40):
the
financing of the whole
organization, right?
So we, we rely on.
The, the mission and the, the,the activity of the mission
itself to be our fundraiser, you
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (34:52):
Yeah.
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14 (34:53):
involves
volunteers.
So the more people you getinvolved, the more mouthpieces
that you have for your, for yourmission and raising
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (35:00):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (35:01):
the
more spread it happens.
It, it's, it's, it's all good.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (35:05):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Makes, makes so much sense.
And, you know, I think has somany parallels in all
leadership, envi, you know,environments whether people are
leading in a workplace orleading in a nonprofit.
You know, how do you care asmuch about the outcome that your
organization was created toproduce?
(35:27):
As much as you care about theoutcome of the people who are,
are creating.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (35:32):
Yeah.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_1 (35:33):
And
it, you know, it reminds me of
we had an author to tomorrowMiles on the podcast talking
about her specialty ismeaningful work.
And she has a new book she'scoming back on with her
co-author, Wes Adams, but theytalk about the three Cs of
challenge, community andcontribution.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (35:50):
Hmm.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (35:50):
hear
that all through, you know, how
Sleep and Heavenly Peace is, isset up as well because you're
creating this community thatbelieves.
They don't want anyone in theirtown sleeping on the floor.
Any kids you're giving themchallenging, challenging jobs,
you know, or at least that are,that are challenging and
engaging to them.
(36:11):
And they know exactly what thecontribution is because that is
a mission that they are owningbecause they can own it, just
because of the way that it'sworded.
Even they can own that mission.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (36:23):
and,
and, and that's really it.
Even management style for me isownership.
Right.
You
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (36:26):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (36:29):
Yeah.
you're trying to seek talent ina nonprofit world, that's very
difficult.
A,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (36:33):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (36:34):
'em
very well, even if you can't pay
'em at all.
You know, a lot of the time,especially starting out.
So
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (36:38):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14 (36:38):
passion,
right?
And I, and I always told people,look, if you have a passion for
what we do, then we then, thenwe can give you an assignment
and lets you run with it,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (36:47):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14- (36:48):
creates
a lot of creativity
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (36:50):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (36:50):
of
drive, right?
So you're gonna get a lot moreout of people when they're
passionate about something.
So, so when, when you're, whenyou're looking for those, those,
those significant people in, inyour organization especially
starting out, and I would saythis is good for, for,
for-profits as well.
Passion, passion needs to begiven quite a bit of emphasis,
(37:11):
right?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (37:12):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (37:13):
of
course.
Right.
But, but we found a lot ofsuccess and our growth has come
from passionate people that,that have time and give and give
dedication to.
they do and when they feel likethey have ownership in it, when
they feel
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (37:27):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (37:28):
you
know, I'd give an assignment, go
do it.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (37:30):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (37:31):
do
the best.
Your ability, you're gonna screwup.
That's okay.
We, I mean, we, we were flyingthis plane while we build it.
Let's, let's be real.
Right?
I didn't know anything about anonprofit nor nor an executive
director or anything like
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (37:41):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (37:42):
Farm
kid from Idaho.
Right.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (37:45):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (38:03):
we're
talking$250,000 that people
didn't have access to, you know.
just, we just gave our donationsto some kid in Idaho and now we
don't have access to this.
It was a lot of sleeplessnights, lemme tell you,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_144 (38:14):
I
can imagine.
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (38:16):
know,
but, but very patient and,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (38:17):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (38:18):
when
you, and we've developed it,
sleeping on the piece, a familyfeel, right?
Because
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (38:23):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (38:23):
this
together and
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (38:24):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (38:25):
we're
in this together, right?
We, we tell people.
if you want to be, if this issomething that pulls at your
heartstrings, you know,providing beds for kids, go to
our, our website, hp beds.org,sleep on the east beds.org, hp
beds org.
And you're gonna, there's acouple of ways.
First of all, I just beg allyour listeners, please raise
awareness.
That's the
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (38:45):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (38:47):
is
so unknown.
I bet you most of your listenershave no idea that this is a real
problem.
And I promise you, I know youdon't know me from Adam.
I'm some dude from Idaho, but Ipromise you it is in your, in
your communities.
It might be across the streetfrom you and you don't even know
it.
So help raise awareness.
Help us
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (39:04):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (39:05):
kids.
Help us find those passionatepeople that want to help.
And if you're one of those.
to our website, find
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (39:10):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (39:11):
that's
close to you.
Help us build, help us deliver,help us fundraise, help us do
social media.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (39:16):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (39:16):
a
lot of areas and, and
opportunities to help on kind ofa core
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (39:20):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (39:21):
basis.
If there's not a chapter closeby, you can start one, right?
We, we made this process supereasy for people.
We put on about 50 or 60chapters a year.
And our goal, our wholemanagement team, is to help our
number one client, which is ourchapter presidents,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (39:38):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (39:39):
our
core teams be successful.
Right.
So we've developed a very, veryrobust training and continuous
training program as well as putkey people in places to make it
successful,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (39:49):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (39:49):
you
know?
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (39:49):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2 (39:50):
thing,
if, if, if you feel like we're
nonprofit, we need donations, ifyou feel like you want to donate
the beauty, Terry, this isimportant to me.
The beauty is.
You can select a chapter thatyou can donate to any.
You can live in Miami, you candonate to someone in
Teri Schmidt (40:04):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (40:05):
if
you want to find a chapter that
you wanna donate to, 90% of thatdonation goes there.
The reason why 10%, we gottafinance this somehow,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_14 (40:15):
Of
course.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-20 (40:16):
Bills
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_ (40:16):
Yep.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (40:25):
the
beds that get created, stay in
that community.
Right.
The only time if we, if wehappen to do a build where we
don't have a chapter we have a,what we call the National Build
team that can build anywhere inthe country.
We distribute those beds to theclosest chapters
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (40:38):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (40:39):
I,
when I, when I.
Decided to be a nonprofit.
concern I had was, is I didn'twant to be one of these, you
know, big pie in the skynonprofits.
You donate a dollar, you have noidea where it goes to, you
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (40:50):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (40:51):
you
know, all this stuff.
I wanted people to know, like Iwanted to know.
When I donate a dollar, I know,I want to know where that dollar
ends up.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (41:00):
Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (41:00):
some
of it's gonna go to management
because
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-202 (41:02):
Right.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_1 (41:03):
a
company, we're, the only
difference between us and afor-profit is we don't pay
taxes.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2 (41:07):
Exactly.
Exactly.
And you want quality people tobe in those roles and Yeah.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025_ (41:13):
So
so that's, that's just the way
we, we, we wanna operate.
It's the way we
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (41:17):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-1 (41:17):
audiences
and,
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (41:19):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (41:19):
and
family to learn that child
lessness is a real thing.
There is a solution and you canbe a part of it in your own
hometown.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (41:28):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, well thank you for that.
You, you answered my lastquestion before I was even able
to ask it, but I, I soappreciate that because I know
there are people that arelistening that are going to want
to get involved.
We didn't even get into the, youknow, impacts of a, a child not
having a bed and, and how itaffects.
So much of the rest of theirlife for, for so long.
(41:51):
And, and the impact that you arehaving and your organization is
having by stopping that andmaking sure that they can at
least have a good night's sleepbecause they're sleeping in a
bed.
That,
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (42:03):
the
only thing I'll say,'cause I
think it is important it's nothard to imagine the
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (42:09):
mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (42:10):
that
comes from a child having a good
night's sleep.
I.
people don't may have.
What I didn't
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (42:15):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (42:16):
when
I did this was the impact it has
on the family.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (42:19):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (42:20):
you
got kids sleeping with their
parents, they don't get a goodnight's sleep.
You got kids sleeping with otherkids, they can't even have a
sleepover.
I had a, I had a friend of minecome up to me and he's like, you
know, it's interesting you callit SHP, he kind of, him and his
sister grew up in a kind of arough H house.
He says, we had our secrethiding place.
It was their bed.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025_1 (42:36):
Mm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (42:37):
and,
and you, you miss on that
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (42:39):
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14 (42:40):
realize,
I mean, US adults, I don't know
about you, but when it's a hardday at work, the first thing I
think about is crawling up in my
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-20 (42:45):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-2025 (42:47):
You
didn't have one.
You're gonna crawl up into yourclothes, you're gonna crawl up
on the floor.
I mean, these are things thatwhen you stop and really think
about it, which it's not hard torealize.
about yourself without a bed.
Think about what that means, andthen put your, put, put your
kids there.
And the impact's not hard to,hard to imagine.
So.
teri-schmidt_1_05-14-2025 (43:06):
Yeah,
it definitely is not.
Well, thank you so much for yourtime today, Luke.
Thank you for all that you dofor all of us in in the work day
in and day out.
I've really enjoyed ourconversation and, and look
forward to having a lot of ourlisteners get involved in the
way that makes most sense forthem.
So thank you.
luke-mickelson_1_05-14-202 (43:26):
We'd
love to have him and thank you
for having me on.
As Luke reminds us, real changedoesn't come from dreaming.
It comes from building.
So whether you're leading ateam, a project, or a mission,
ask yourself, are you designingyour processes for efficiency or
for impact?
(43:48):
I hope you enjoyed thisconversation, and I encourage
you this week look for oneopportunity to slow down just
enough to bring someone else in.
Not because it's faster, butbecause it's better, because
when people feel like they'repart of the mission, that's when
transformation really begins.