The Art of Volunteering

Hosted by Stormy Bell

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Connecting volunteers worldwide through conversations with individuals, leaders, and organizations that have volunteering as a core value.

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60 recent

September 3, 2026Episode 1126 min

Julia Kasper, Girls Spark

Joining us on this episode is Julia Kasper founder of Girls Spark, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering teen girls through leadership, connection, service, and meaningful conversations around the issues impacting their lives. Julia founded Girls Spark while still in high school and has remained involved in the organization’s growth, annual Summit, special projects, and strategic direction. With a background in public relations, marketing, communications, and program development, Julia now serves as Program Manager for Leadership Stark County, where she leads the Youth Leadership Academy and helps create leadership experiences for people across Stark County, Ohio. Her work is centered on helping young people find their voice, build confidence, connect with their communities, and see themselves as leaders. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Girls Spark's Website - https://www.girlsspark.org Girls Spark's Facbook - https://www.facebook.com/AllGirlsSpark Girls Spark's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/girls.spark Girls Spark's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/girls-spark Julia Kasper's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-rose-kasper Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

August 19, 2026Episode 1032 min

Erin Berard, Lasell University Empty Bowls Club

Joining us today is Erin Berard! Erin is from Haverhill, MA, and is attending Lasell University for her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She is currently in her third year at Lasell and has been a part of Empty Bowls for all three years. In her time, she has held the roles of treasurer, vice president, and now president on the club's executive board. Erin's volunteering centers on the work she does to fight food insecurity. The Empty Bowls Club raises money for Centre Street Food Pantry in Newton, MA. She started a sponsorship program in the Fall 2025 semester, which has allowed the club to raise greater amounts faster. Erin is working to find new and creative ways to raise more money through the Empty Bowls Club to benefit the Centre Street Food Pantry and the greater Newton area! Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Lasell University Empty Bowls Club's website - https://laserinvolvement.lasell.edu/organization/lasell-college-empty-bowls-club Lasell University Empty Bowls Club's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lasellemptybowls1 Lasell University Empty Bowls Club's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lasellemptybowls Erin Berard's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-berard-3272a12b2 Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

August 5, 2026Episode 934 min

Angela Williamson, Volunteer Engagement Accelerator

Please join us in welcoming Angela Williamson back to the podcast! Angela is a consultant and has 20 years experience as a volunteer engagement leader. Her volunteering journey began early in life picking up trash at the state fair in order to earn concert tickets along with numerous other volunteer roles. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

July 15, 2026Episode 829 min

Houston Goodwin, Better Impact

Today we welcome Houston Goodwin to the conversation. Houston is the CEO of Better Impact, a volunteer management platform serving organizations that engage volunteers worldwide. He has spent his career operating software companies that make an impact in local communities. Outside of working with nonprofits with Better Impact, Houston is involved with several organizations locally in Winston Salem, North Carolina where he lives with his wife and son. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Six ways people show up to serve. Which one is yours? - https://www.myimpactstyle.com Better Impact's Website - https://www.betterimpact.com Better Impact's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-impact-inc- Houston Goodwin's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/houstongoodwin Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

July 1, 2026Episode 741 min

Faiza Venzant, CVA

Joining the conversation is Faiza Venzant, CVA. Faiza is the Executive Director of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration. With over 25 years of leadership experience in volunteer engagement, she continues this work with a goal of centering community amongst the profession, improving equity and access to volunteerism and increasing diversity amongst professional leaders of volunteers. Faiza's work has been recognized with multiple awards for outstanding achievement and innovation in volunteer leadership most recently being awarded a Gold Anthem Award for her work on the Is Everything Welcome? toolkit. In 2018, Faiza published her first children’s book entitled, My Mamma Wants to Eat Me Up! As a mother of two young boys, she has not actually eaten any of her children. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Is Everyone Welcome? Toolkit - https://www.idealist.org/en/orgs/is-everyone-welcome-toolkit Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration's Website - https://www.cvacert.org Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cvacert Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cvacert Faiza Venzant's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/faizavenzant Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

June 17, 2026Episode 652 min

Dr. Eric Zillmer, The Happiness Lab

Today we are joined by Dr. Eric Zillmer the Carl R. Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology at Drexel University and Director of The Happiness Lab, a think tank that studies the psychological science behind happiness and well-being. Eric and his students investigate what contributes to joy in daily life. Through teaching, research, and public engagement, Dr. Zillmer uses evidence-based positive psychology to help individuals and communities understand and cultivate conditions that support a fulfilling life. Additionally, Eric serves as President of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society, a nonprofit that organizes classical music events and music education in Philadelphia. He is on the board of US Squash, a national nonprofit governing body for the sport of squash in the United States. Dr. Zillmer also serves as a board member of the German Society of Pennsylvania, the nation’s oldest German-American cultural nonprofit based in Philadelphia. He has been involved in the Society’s Stiftungsfest celebration and leadership activities, including participating in committees that help advance its cultural and community programs. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Engineering Happiness into our Daily Lives - https://whyy.org/episodes/engineering-happiness-into-our-daily-lives Turn Happy Places and Memories into a Happy New Year - https://www.drexel.edu/news/archive/2025/December/turn-happy-places-and-memories-into-a-happy-new-year Dr. Eric Zillmer's Drexel University - https://drexel.edu/coas/faculty-research/faculty-directory/psychology/zillmer-eric Dr. Eric Zillmer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-zillmer-364ab543/ Dr. Eric Zillmer's X - https://www.x.com/GoDragonsAD Dr. Eric Zillmer's website - https://www.ericzillmer.com Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

June 3, 2026Episode 543 min

Dan O'Brien, Bentley Systems

Joining our conversation today is Dan O'Brien, Director of Philanthropy and Impact at Bentley Systems. Dan has spent the past twenty-five years working across corporate, government and non-profit sectors, both domestically and internationally, specializing in building coalitions, finding solutions to challenges, and removing obstacles. His last two decades have been highlighted by managing a youth center in the Middle East at the height of the Iraq War as a Peace Corps volunteer, resettling and building communities for refugees and survivors of torture and trauma, building capacity in neighborhoods with high gun violence and ensuring food access in Kensington during the Covid pandemic. In his current role, Dan manages philanthropy and volunteering efforts for Bentley Systems focusing on four mission driven efforts: STEM programming, infrastructure, natural disaster relief, and community. As a frequent volunteer, combined with experience creating and managing volunteer projects (with the City of Philadelphia and now with Bentley Systems), to making it his full-time job for more than two years as a Peace Corps volunteer, Dan has participated and celebrated all aspects of the volunteer cycle. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Bentley Systems' website - https://www.bentley.com CreateAccess' website - https://createaccess.org New Leash on Life's website - https://www.newleashonlife.org Dan O'Brien's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielobrienphl Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

May 13, 2026Episode 445 min

Jennifer Schoener & Mohammed Rahman, Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation

On today's episode, Stormy is joined by Jennifer Schoener and Mohammed Rahman. Jennifer Schoener is a nonprofit leader, arts advocate, and community builder dedicated to expanding access to inclusive arts and education. She serves in a leadership role with the Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation, where she helps guide programs that empower young people through music, creativity, and innovative learning experiences. Mohammed Rahman is a freshman in Villanova University majoring in Electrical Engineering. Fueled by his passion for volunteering, Mohammed has joined and initiated a multitude of volunteering programs/clubs/services and efforts stemming from early on in his life. As a volunteer, he ensures the task at hand is executed efficiently with joy and passion. As a leader, Mohammed organizes volunteer meetings and opportunities, and lead/regulate services. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation's website - https://www.udfoundation.org Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UpperDarbyArtsEducationFoundation Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/udaef Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/upper-darby-arts-education-foundation Jennifer Schoener's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferschoener Mohammed Rahman's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-rahman-469287395 Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

April 29, 2026Episode 337 min

Heather Reiffer, America250

Joining us today is Heather Reiffer, Community Engagement Officer for America250 PA Chester County. Heather has spent most of her career in historic site administration and nonprofit management in Chester County. She's served as Executive Director at The Mill at Anselma National Historical Landmark in Chester Springs and Historic Sugartown in Malvern. More recently, she has consulted on the development of Chester County's Heritage Tourism Plan and other regional interpretation and preservation planning projects. Currently, Heather serves as one of Chester County Community Foundation's Community Engagement Officers to coordinate planning across Chester County for America's 250th celebration. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Chester County Community Foundation's website - https://www.chescocf.org America250 PA Chester Country's website - https://www.america250chesco.org Dare to Declare: Declaration of Independence - https://www.cccf250.org/daretodeclare Wish Walls - https://www.cccf250.org/wish-walls Public Events Calendar for 250: Chester County - https://america250chesco.org/Events.cfm Chester County Community Foundation's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChesCoCF Chester County Community Foundation's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chescocf Chester County Community Foundation's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/chester-county-community-foundation Heather Reiffer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-reiffer-ba906a3b Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24

April 15, 2026Episode 26 min

The State of Volunteering

The world’s most meaningful impact isn’t organized or counted, it’s ordinary people showing up in simple, profound ways. In today's episode Stormy shares how small acts of kindness are the true threads holding our communities together. Links for today's episode: Angela Williamson's Volunteer Engagement Accelerator - https://www.angelawilliamsoncva.com Angela Williamson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelawilliamsoncva Join the Mailing List: https://www.stormy-bell.kit.com/55c5d52e24