Inspiring Good

Hosted by Community Foundation of Elkhart County

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County seeks to inspire good in Elkhart County, Indiana. This podcast, hosted by Kevin Deary and Marshall King, will talk to nonprofit leaders and others in the county, where generous donors support a strong network of nonprofits. This community produces many recreational vehicles in the United States and is also where Alka-Seltzer was invented and many band instruments were made. The Community Foundation has assets of nearly $500 million and works to inspire generosity. This podcast is a look at how nonprofits operate in this unique place and improve the community.

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36 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 3637 min

Jim Conklin On How Cultivate Turns Food Waste Into Free Meals

We talk with Jim Conklin of Cultivate Food Rescue about why hunger keeps showing up even when our food system produces massive excess. We trace how a local, logistics-first model rescues perishable food, turns it into real meals, and helps communities aim for near zero hunger. • Cultivate’s pivot from culinary school roots to perishable food rescue • How food waste and food insecurity intersect across the supply chain • Transportation as the biggest barrier to getting food to people • Hunger Ends Here as a collaboration model for funders, distributors, and pantries • Rural vs urban food insecurity and why logistics differ by place • The difference between a food bank and a food pantry • How rescued food becomes frozen backpack meals for kids • Why chef-made meals and better nutrition change long-term outcomes • Hypergrowth challenges in a nonprofit without a clear template • Leadership advice about thinking beyond constraints and building strong teams Sign up online. It’s really easy to do. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Send us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

May 19, 2026Episode 3535 min

Maggie Okponobi on Owls Club And The Loneliness Fix

We sit down with Maggie Okponobi of Owls Club and get specific about how a senior community can fight loneliness with daily connection, learning, and a place to belong. We also trace Maggie’s path from teaching to Peace Corps service to nonprofit leadership, and why she believes our community is stronger when we truly notice older adults. • Owls Club’s mission for adults 55+ and why “active” matters • Loneliness after retirement and the loss of identity and routine • How the monthly calendar works and why “stay and linger” builds friends • Lifelong learning led by members and the value of curiosity • The founding story at Trinity and what fueled rapid growth • No membership fee model and how diversified nonprofit funding supports it • Volunteer power at scale and why it keeps costs low • Peace Corps service in Gambia and the long view of resilience • Senior barriers like grief, fear of showing up, and losing peer groups • Owls Connect, tech support, and reaching shut-ins with care You can go to Owls Club's website at owlsclub.org. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Send us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

April 28, 2026Episode 3436 min

Jane Allen On How Healing Starts for Kids

We sit down with retired educator Jane Allen to trace how Stable Grounds grows from a school mental health shortage into a trusted place where kids find calm with miniature horses and donkeys. We talk through the moment the community could not ignore, the fundraising miracles that followed, and what it takes to keep a youth mental health nonprofit sustainable. • early warning signs in schools and why traditional services could not absorb the need • the auditorium question about suicide and why it became a tipping point • what groundwork equine-assisted therapy is and why Stable Grounds does not do riding • the story of a miniature horse choosing connection • how Stable Grounds gets land, a building, and community buy-in • the school partnership that keeps the budget manageable • current needs like feed, hay, veterinary care, and maintenance • interest from other communities and what makes the model unique • Jane’s path through teaching, coaching, leadership, and relationship-building • what we hope kids learn about resilience beyond the screen • the child Jane remembers most and the adults who stepped in Send us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

April 14, 2026Episode 3336 min

Scott Griffey On Building A Food Bank

We talk with Scott Griffey about how a small weekend backpack effort for hungry students grows into Gymtown Food Bank, Elkhart County’s newest and only food bank. We trace the real mechanics of fighting food insecurity, from door-to-door deliveries during COVID to countywide partnerships that move food faster and with more dignity. • teachers spotting hunger first and asking for help • backpack meals evolving into doorstep food boxes • growth pains that force nonprofit structure and a board • what “food desert” means in daily life and tough trade-offs • Hunger Ends Here building trust and sharing resources • the difference between a food pantry and a food bank • transportation as a linchpin including shared cargo vans • Scott’s leadership roots, mentors, and the power of saying yes • what gives hope that no neighbor goes hungry in Elkhart County Send us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

February 5, 2026Episode 3235 min

Andy Murray on Why Calling, Not Career Ladders, Drives Real Change

We talk with Andy Murray, Chief Strategy Officer at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, about aligning business discipline with community care to boost kindergarten readiness, expand trail connections, and coordinate hunger relief. A story-driven look at convening partners, funding systems, and building momentum that lasts.The episode includes:• role of a chief strategy officer as convener and funder• career shift from RV industry to purpose-driven work• translating business skills to nonprofit capacity• kindergarten readiness as a keystone metric• Countdown to Kindergarten summer camp and scaling plan• childcare affordability and provider sustainability• Pumpkinvine Trails vision, funding, and maintenance• connections as a better metric than miles for trails• forming a county food bank and coordinating 50 pantries• leveraging scale for bulk purchasing and logistics• what gives hope about Elkhart County’s cultureLearn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedInSend us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

January 13, 2026Episode 3140 min

Darrell Peterson and David Gaona on Passing The Torch At Lifeline

What does it take to carry a legacy without getting stuck in the past? We sit down with outgoing executive director Darrell Peterson and incoming leader David Gaona to explore how Lifeline Youth Ministries, a long-standing youth organization in Elkhart, turned a devastating fire into a season of growth, forged a culture built on intentional relationships, and executed a rare, joyful leadership transition.This conversation offers a blueprint for nonprofit leadership, youth development, and community partnership: keep the mission anchored, adapt the methods, and invest deeply in people. If this story resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who cares about youth and community, and leave a review with the moment that inspired you most.You can learn more about Lifeline at https://www.elkhartlifeline.com/Send us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

December 16, 2025Episode 3033 min

Vince Turner on retirement, community involvement, and the next chapter in Fairhope

Life and Legacy: Vince Turner's Transformative JourneyIn this episode of the Inspiring Good Podcast, hosts Marshall King and Kevin Dearie sit down with Vince Turner, a communications expert from Goshen, Indiana, known for his prolific career in broadcasting, sports writing, and community service. Vince shares his journey from being a foster kid at Indiana State University to becoming a celebrated broadcaster, journalist, and dedicated community volunteer. The conversation touches on his impactful roles at the Boys and Girls Club, his broadcasting accolades, and his significant contributions to the nonprofit sector, particularly at Bashor Children's Home. Vince reflects on the unique and supportive nature of the Elkhart County community, the influential figures that shaped his path, and his upcoming move to Fairhope, Alabama. The episode concludes with a heartfelt thanks and an expression of hope rooted in faith and the community's resilience.00:00 Introduction to the Inspiring Good Podcast00:26 Meet Vince Turner: A Community Icon02:30 A Journey in Journalism and Broadcasting05:33 Memorable Interviews and Broadcasting Highlights08:13 Choosing Elkhart County: A Personal Decision16:36 Transition to Nonprofit Work23:22 Banking and Beyond29:25 Final Reflections and FarewellSend us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

November 17, 2025Episode 2914 min

Dave Weaver on How Philanthropy Lights the Way Forward

Board Chair Dave Weaver shares his remarks from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s 2025 Annual Meeting. In this special episode, Dave reflects on growth, stewardship, bold ideas, and the power of working together to strengthen the place we call home. His message highlights how generosity, collaboration, and thoughtful risk-taking are lighting the way forward for Elkhart County.Send us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

October 13, 2025Episode 2836 min

Kris Weimer on Education and Entrepreneurship

Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: Kris Weimer's Journey with Startup MoxieIn this episode of the Inspiring Good Podcast, hosts Marshall King and Kevin Deary interview Kris Weimer, the dynamic leader of Startup Moxie Elkhart County. Kris shares her journey from a music teacher and school principal to directing a transformative entrepreneurial program aimed at high school students. Startup Moxie focuses on immersing students in real-world business experiences, helping them develop soft skills, and fostering their potential as future innovators. Kris speaks about the diverse student backgrounds, the challenges and successes of their business ideas, and the invaluable community support that drives the program. She also highlights the importance of adaptive learning, including the integration of AI in education, and her vision for the program's growth.00:00 Introduction to the Inspiring Good Podcast00:26 Meet Kris Weimer: Leader of Startup Moxie Elkhart County00:50 Impressions from the Classroom02:35 Overview of Startup Moxie Program04:10 Kris Weimer's Journey to Startup Moxie06:15 Student Success Stories and Impact09:18 Challenges and Support in Entrepreneurship11:08 Diversity and Inclusivity in Startup Moxie13:17 Navigating Nonprofit Leadership18:17 Student Projects and Business Ideas25:47 Future Vision for Startup Moxie27:50 How to Get Involved and Support30:13 The Role of AI in Entrepreneurship32:01 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.

September 17, 2025Episode 2729 min

Mark Mikel’s Journey in Nonprofit Service

In the Inspiring Good Podcast, hosts Marshall King and Kevin Deary engage Mark Mikel, the retiring executive director of the Center in Nappanee. Mark shares his decades-long journey of service, highlighting the Center’s wide-ranging support services like food pantries, rent assistance, free baby immunizations, and more. Mark recounts the transformative Vision 2020 project, a collaborative community effort that raised over $5 million for multiple initiatives, including a new Boys and Girls Club, park, and senior housing. He discusses the importance of authenticity and transparency in nonprofit leadership and reflects on his experiences with the donor network. Mark also speaks candidly about his family, particularly his daughter Kelsey’s legacy as an organ donor, and his ongoing commitment to coaching at NorthWood High School. Send us Fan MailThis show is a production of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. It is powered by equipment from Sweetwater and recorded in The Riverbend building in Elkhart's River District. Editing is done by the award-winning communication students at Goshen College, home of one of the best college radio stations in the nation. Listen to Globe Radio at 91.1 FM. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County at inspiringgood.org You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Music is provided by Sensational Sounds. Thanks for listening. We hope you are inspired and inspire good and your community.