Lift the Spirit: a DEMDACO Podcast

Hosted by DEMDACO

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Sep 2026

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About the show

DEMDACO’s mission is to strive to Lift the Spirit in all that we do. Through real stories from our employees, community partners and the people our products have created meaningful moments for, this podcast explores how and why we choose to live our mission, each and every day. www.liftthespirit.com

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25 recent

September 8, 202632 min

Episode 25: A Conversation With Artist, Stephanie Burgess

Artist Stephanie Burgess joins Jonathan Jones and Aaron Heim on DEMDACO’s Lift the Spirit Podcast to share her journey from nurse to creator of Painted Peace. Discover how painting with her daughter sparked a new chapter, how creativity brought joy during breast cancer treatment, and how the Beatles inspired a special collaboration. Stephanie explores art’s power to honor loved ones, build connections, and celebrate life, finding inspiration in nature, family, and everyday moments of joy.

August 3, 202634 min

Episode 24: A Conversation With Beth Rich, Owner of Mix It Up Home and Mix It Up Gift in Coeur d'Alene, ID

In this episode of DEMDACO’s Lift the Spirit podcast, Jonathan Jones and Aaron Heim welcome Beth Rich, award-winning owner of Mix It Up Gift and Mix It Up Home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Beth shares her unexpected journey into retail and explains how storytelling, visual merchandising and human connection create memorable customer experiences. She introduces “giftology,” the relationship connecting retailers, gift-givers and recipients. Through customer stories, Beth reveals why meaningful gifts matter during celebration, grief and healing.

July 7, 2026Episode 2335 min

Episode 23: A Conversation With Monic Houpe, COO of Harvesters, a Food Bank in Kansas City

Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones are joined by Monic House, the COO of Harvesters a Food Bank in Kansas City. Monic talks about her journey, the work of Harvesters, and how the face of hunger is all of us. Click on the link to learn more about Harvesters, and ways you can get involved. https://www.harvesters.org

April 28, 202642 min

Episode 22: A Conversation With Artist Patty Iba

Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones were joined by Patty Iba, the artist behind our Emo the Octopus, Yet the Yeti, and How to BEE. We had a great time hearing about her life as an artist, and how she got connected with DEMDACO.

November 15, 202520 min

Episode 21: Messengers Gifts Giving Bear Giveaway

A follow up conversation with Rayanna Byers, owner of Messenger Gifts in Baton Rouge, LA. This is the fifth year for her Giving Bear Giveaway that brings comfort, love, and joy to children and families in the greater Baton Rouge area.

June 30, 202532 min

Episode 20: A Conversation with Father Justin Mathews with Reconciliation Services

Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones are joined by Father Justin Mathews with Reconciliation Services in Kansas City. Hear what RS is doing to address the root causes and symptoms of poverty and trauma in Kansas City. Hear about Thelma's Kitchen, their Pay It Forward restaurant, and the licensed therapy they offer to the community. Visit them at https://www.rs3101.org/mission

March 31, 202533 min

Episode 19: Live From Snack Time with Alyssa Tucker and Greg Dunbar.

Join co-hosts Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones to hear from Alyssa Tucker and Greg Dunbar, the creators of Live From Snack Time. Live From Snack Time is an amazing and hilarious collection of children's quotes that capture the honesty, humor, and randomness of how kids see the world. Here their story and how LFST has grown to over 800,000 followers on Instagram. www.livefromsnacktime.com

February 20, 202531 min

Episode 18: We All Need Connection: The Importance of a Child's Mental Health and Welfare

Aaron and Jonathan are joined by Jenny Kutz and Michelle Lawrence with KVC Health Systems to talk about their work with childhood mental health and foster care. KVC Health Systems is a family of private, nonprofit organizations that strengthen families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and help people achieve mental health wellness. Through our broad continuum of care, we are proud to be a national leader in mental health and child welfare. https://www.kvc.org

December 24, 202441 min

Episode 17: Make a Ripple, Change the World - The Power of Kindness with Mindy Corporon

SevenDays founder Mindy Corporon joins the Lift the Spirit podcast to talk about the power of kindness, and how she turned a devastating tragedy into a transformative movement. Find more about SevenDays at www.sevendays.org

November 29, 202452 min

Episode 16: The Magic of Theater - A Conversation with Broadway Star Ben Jeffrey

Broadway actor Ben Jeffrey joins Aaron Heim and Jonathan Jones to talk about the magic of theater, and how he found himself starring as Pumbaa in Lion King only four months after arriving in New York.