Episode Description

In Kitsap County, Washington — home to one of the largest veteran populations in America — nearly one in five adults has worn a uniform. Yet veterans make up roughly 12 percent of the county's homeless population, caught between rising housing costs and incomes that simply can't keep pace. In a place where a studio apartment can cost more than an entire month of Social Security, the math doesn't add up. This episode of Impactually tells the story of Kitsap Homes of Compassion — a small, innovative nonprofit that decided not to wait for a perfect solution, and instead built one from what already existed: ordinary houses, ordinary neighborhoods, and an extraordinary commitment to human dignity.

Key Takeaways

• Founded in 2017 by retired engineer Joel Adamson, KHOC created a deceptively simple model: master-lease existing homes from local homeowners, furnish them completely, and sublet private rooms to people experiencing homelessness for $775 a month — roughly 45% below the average one-bedroom rent in Kitsap County

• The model serves three distinct populations — low-wage workers using housing as a launching pad to stability, people in structured recovery, and seniors including veterans living on fixed incomes — recognizing that homelessness is not a single problem with a single solution

• KHOC's impact extends far beyond its residents: housing stability reduces ER utilization, decreases law enforcement calls for minor poverty-related incidents, and reconnects people to the basic infrastructure of civic life — a mailing address, a state ID, a primary care doctor — that most of us take for granted

• With just 17 employees supporting nearly 500 individuals a year across 22 homes, KHOC proves that a small, scrappy nonprofit operating on thin margins can move faster and reach further than large institutional systems — if it is willing to meet people exactly where they are

• Richard Cyber, a Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Maddox during the Vietnam War, found himself days away from homelessness when his landlord's home went into foreclosure in 2020; today he pays his own rent, shares a home with fellow veterans, and lives with the quiet dignity that comes from stability earned, not given

Calls to Action

• Visit Kitsap Homes of Compassion to learn how you can support a household, furnish a bedroom, or help keep a home open for the next veteran or neighbor who needs one

• Donate to a veteran-focused or general housing nonprofit in your own community — organizations like KHOC depend on the gap between what residents can afford and what housing actually costs being filled by people like you

• Volunteer — most housing nonprofits need hands-on help with everything from home setup and furniture donation to peer support, meal delivery, and neighborhood outreach

• Learn more about the national landscape of veteran homelessness and shared housing models through the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Veterans programs

• Share this episode with someone who believes homelessness is a personal failure rather than a systemic one — Richard's story is a quiet, powerful counter-argument to that assumption

We'd like to extend our sincerest thanks to our guests

Richard Cyber, U.S. Navy veteran, torpedoman aboard the USS Maddox, and resident of Kitsap Homes of Compassion — whose straightforward, dignified account of his own housing journey is the moral center of this episode

Madison Tuttle, former Director of Operations at Kitsap Homes of Compassion, whose operational clarity and compassion for residents shaped how we understood what this model actually takes to run

Scott Willard, Executive Director of Kitsap Homes of Compassion, whose 30+ years in community-based work — from substance use counseling to county mental health leadership — infuses every aspect of how KHOC serves its residents

Featured Musical Artist

Johnny in the Box — "Build No Walls — Song for the Homeless" off the Runaways LP. Written and arranged by Ian Gomersall; performed by Jonathan Louth; produced by Johnny & the Box. Available on all major streaming platforms.

Support Our Work

This episode of Impactually is made possible by the generous support of The Detchev Family, April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neil, JLB Images, and Humm Productions donors and listeners like you.

Connect with Us

Website: www.hummproductions.org Facebook: Humm Productions Instagram: @hummproductions

Episode Description

When seven-year-old Warren Carlyle slipped away from his classmates on a field trip and locked eyes with an octopus, he had no idea that moment would change his life—or the way thousands of people see the ocean. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism, Warren grew up chasing information about octopuses, only to find almost nothing written about them. Years later, he realized he could use everything he'd learned about media and marketing to fix what writer Sy Montgomery called the octopus's "bad PR." This episode of Impactually dives into the story of OctoNation—the world's largest octopus fan club—and explores how one person's curiosity, and persistence helped transform a so‑called "sea monster" into a global ambassador for wonder, science literacy, and ocean action.​

Key Takeaways

• Warren's childhood encounter with an octopus shaped a lifelong obsession with understanding this animal beyond fear and folklore.​

• Inspired by Sy Montgomery's book The Soul of an Octopus, Warren founded OctoNation in 2015, starting as a small online fan club and growing into a global community that makes octopus science accessible, playful, and visually irresistible.​

• OctoNation's strategy is to lead with wonder, education, and nuance rather than doom‑scroll horror; by helping people fall in love with octopuses first, they're more likely to care about policy fights like octopus farming and ocean protection later.​

• The octopus's decentralized nervous system, problem‑solving abilities, and clear curiosity toward humans challenge our assumptions about intelligence and who "belongs" in our circle of moral concern.​

• Warren's journey shows how a niche passion, amplified through smart storytelling and community‑building, can move people from passive interest to signing petitions, pushing for better laws, and rethinking how nonprofits communicate about the natural world.​

Calls to Action

• Follow and support OctoNation's work online to deepen your own ocean literacy and share accurate, awe‑filled octopus stories with your community.​

• Read Sy Montgomery's The Soul of an Octopus or similar books to explore how encounters with wild animals can reshape our ideas about consciousness, kinship, and care.​

• Experiment with leading with wonder and education in your own advocacy, classrooms, or organizations.​

• Stay informed about emerging issues like commercial octopus farming and add your voice to petitions, campaigns, or policy efforts that align with your values.​

• Share this episode with someone who thinks their "weird niche obsession" doesn't matter; Warren's path is a reminder that specialized passions can become powerful movements when paired with storytelling and strategy.​

We'd like to extend our sincerest thanks to our guests

• Warren Carlyle, founder of OctoNation, community‑builder, and octopus super‑fan turning curiosity into global ocean storytelling.

• Sy Montgomery, naturalist and author of The Soul of an Octopus, whose writing helped reintroduce the octopus to the world as a thinking, feeling being instead of a monster.

• Dr. Chelsea Bennice, for her expertise on octopus biology, intelligence, and conservation.

Featured Musical Artist

• The Lonely Parrots (https://www.lonelyparrots.com) (Songwriting Credits: Max Embers, Rachel Siegel. It was produced By: Max Embers, and mixed By: Jaime Estalella) – "The Ghost I Called" (available on major streaming platforms).​

Support Our Work:

This episode of Impactually is made possible by the generous support of April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neil, JLB Images, and Humm Productions donors and listeners like you.​

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.hummproductions.org

• Facebook: Humm Productions​

• Instagram: @hummproductions​

Champale Green-Anderson wasn't raised with wealth, but she remembers goodness all around her in north St. Louis. Today, through her grassroots effort called Sweetie and her organization Champ's Teardrops, she's become a vital neighbor and champion for the children of Penrose who face hunger and poverty. This encore episode of Impactually revisits one of our most-loved stories about how one woman's front-porch snack bags grew into a community lifeline during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Champale Anderson started Champ's Teardrops with just 7 dollars, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and snack bags for neighborhood kids who were coming home from school hungry.

• Her operation grew from 15 snack bags on day one to hundreds of snack and meal bags a day, especially during the Covid-19 school closures, serving children and unhoused neighbors.

• Food insecurity in the U.S. is deeply tied to poverty and shows up in children's health, school performance, and long-term opportunities, even when programs like the National School Lunch Program exist.

• Champale's "no paperwork, no questions" model centers dignity, trust, and open-door access for any child or adult who needs food or a place to check in.

• Her dream is to grow Sweetie into a rec center and safe space where kids can learn, play, and build memories beyond survival, from field trips to science adventures.

Calls to Action

• Support or volunteer with local hunger relief programs, food pantries, and school-based meal efforts in your community.

• Donate to national and local organizations working on food justice and child nutrition, or start a grassroots fundraiser of your own.

• Look up Champ's Teardrops online and support Champale's work if you are able.

• Contact local and state officials to champion policies that expand access to healthy, affordable food and strengthen school meal programs.

• Share this episode and talk with friends, family, and neighbors about hidden hunger in your own community.

We'd like to extend our sincerest thanks to our guests

• Champale Anderson, founder of Champ's Teardrops and the heart behind Sweetie in north St. Louis

• Dr. Amanda Jacobs, adolescent pediatrician, for her medical insight on hunger, health, and adolescent development

• All the children and families in the Penrose neighborhood who inspire this story

Featured Musical Artist

Hannah Rose and the GravesTones – "Are You Out There" Their music is available on all major streaming platforms. You can also find more information about Hannah Rose's on her Facebook page.

Support Our Work

This episode is made possible by the generous support of JLB Images, April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neill, and Humm Productions donors and listeners like you.

Connect with Us: www.hummproductions.org Facebook: Humm Productions Instagram: Humm Productions

What happens when a language is on the brink of extinction, and a group of high school students decides to do something about it? In this episode of Impactually, we follow teacher Mark Eastburn and his students as they build a robot designed to help preserve the endangered Mam language for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. Their innovation opens the door to a global conversation about vulnerable languages, cultural identity, and what the world loses when a language disappears forever. With insight from linguistics expert Dr. Judith Maxwell, we explore why languages vanish, why they matter, and how educators and young people can shape the future of language revitalization.

Key Take-Aways

• Why language preservation matters for global cultural survival
• How languages become vulnerable or endangered
• The importance of Indigenous languages to cultural identity
• The ingenuity of young people working to solve complex social challenges
• Living Tongues and its role in documenting and protecting endangered languages

Call to Action

• Check out the Living Tongues website and pick one endangered language project to learn about, then share a word or phrase from it on your social media or with a friend.​
• Find vanishing languages near you: Google "endangered languages near me" or visit UNESCO's online Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger to see which languages are at risk where you live, then talk about one of them in your next class, meeting, or family gathering.​
• Support community-led projects: Choose one grassroots organization working with Indigenous or Mayan languages—such as a Mayan language preservation or digitization project—and sign up for their newsletter, follow them, or make a small donation if you're able.​
• Learn and use a few words: Learn three greetings or everyday phrases in an endangered or minority language (for example, from online talking dictionaries or community-made videos) and commit to using them this week in texts, posts, or conversations.​

We'd like to extend our sincerest thanks to our guests

• Mark Eastburn, Princeton High School Teacher and Science Educator
• Dr. Judith Maxwell, Professor of Linguistics at Tulane University and expert on Indigenous Languages of the Americas

Featured Musical Artist

A very special thanks to our featured musician, Sonican, for providing their single "Latin World".

Support Our Work

This episode is made possible by the generous support of JLB Images, April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neill, and Humm Productions donors and listeners like you.

Connect with Us: www.hummproductions.org

Facebook: Humm Productions

Instagram: Humm Productions

Puerto Rico's beaches hold both breathtaking beauty and heartbreaking reality. With an estimated 650,000 stray dogs struggling to survive, The Sato Project has become a beacon of hope. In this episode of Impactually, we share the powerful story of a grassroots movement born on "Dead Dog Beach" and how it grew into a national model for sustainable animal rescue and community care.

Our Guests:

• Chrissy Beckles - Founder & President, The Sato Project

• Samuel Prieto Pulido & Natalia Rivera - Beach Rescue Coordinators

• Dr. Nell Gridley, DVM - NYC Veterinarian

Major Topics / Highlights:

• The stray dog crisis in Puerto Rico: scale, context, and history

• Dead Dog Beach and the early days of The Sato Project

• Community outreach, Freedom Flights

• OperationSato: spay/neuter initiatives

• Disaster relief and long-term sustainable change

• How this model can inspire animal welfare efforts

Want to Take Action?

• Give: The Sato Project — Official Website

• Learn:

  • Wings of Rescue

  • Pulitzer Center Feature: No Dogs Left Behind

  • People.com Rescue Flight Article

Featured Music: A very special thanks to the Kadencia Orchestra for sharing their songs "Puerto Rico Te Extrano" and "Diaspora Puertorriquena" off their LP 'En Otro Barrio'. We have a link to their website and social media in our show notes, and their music is available on all major streaming platforms.

Support This Work: This episode is made possible by the generous support of Humm Productions donors and listeners like you. Join our community and donate.

Connect with Us: 🌐 www.hummproductions.org 📘 Facebook: Humm Productions 📸 Instagram: Humm Productions

Tags: #TheSatoProject #AnimalRescue #Impactually #StoriesForGood #StrayDogs #PuertoRico #SocialImpact #Sustainability #DeadDogBeach #WingsOfRescue #DogAdoption #OperationSato

Discover how wrestling is transforming lives beyond the gym in this inspiring episode about Beat the Streets Chicago. Through the discipline, grit, and mentorship found on the mat, this nonprofit is empowering Chicago's youth to become Life Champions on and off the mat. Join us as we explore how wrestling is being used as a powerful tool for character-building, education, and community resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Growth: Through Wrestling: Learn how wrestling instills accountability, perseverance, and integrity—skills that carry far beyond competition.

• Educational Impact: Explore Beat the Streets' academic enrichment programs and how they bridge the gap between athletics and classroom success.

• Mentorship and Mental Health: Hear how caring coaches and mentors create safe spaces for young people to build confidence, discipline, and emotional strength.

• Community Leadership: Discover how the organization is training the next generation of leaders within Chicago's neighborhoods through inclusive programs for both boys and girls.

• Legacy and Future: Examine how Beat the Streets is revitalizing Chicago's historic wrestling culture and building a sustainable ecosystem for youth development.

Guests:

Beat the Streets Chicago

Mike Powell: Executive Director, Beat The Streets Chicago

Sammi Barientos: Head Women's Wrestling Coach, Beat the Streets Chicago

Adam Lemke-Bell: Assistant Enrichment Coordinator, Beat the Streets Chicago

James "Taki" Miller: Wrestling Coach, Beat The Streets Chicago

Mia Vazquez: Female Wrestler, Beat the Streets Chicago

Call(s) to Action: Share this episode and spread the word about the amazing work that Beat the Streets Chicago is doing!

Support the mission of Beat the Streets Chicago by exploring ways to volunteer, coach, or donate. Your involvement helps provide transformative opportunities for youth to step confidently into the ring—and into life. Visit Beat the Streets Chicago to learn more.

Donate to Humm Productions so we can continue telling impactful stories like this!

Additional Resources: Beat the Streets Chicago Annual Report – Impact and Programs Overview

Thank You to Our Financial Sponsors: We would like to thank April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neil, JLB Images, and listeners like you.

Connect with Us: www.hummproductions.org

Facebook: Humm Productions

Instagram: Humm Productions

Episode Summary:

A storm hits harder than expected. You reach higher ground, but safety is fleeting. Then comes the sound that changes everything.

The story follows the Ground Force Humanitarian Aid Organization—a volunteer-powered, data-driven response team born from the chaos of Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey. With speed and precision, Ground Force mobilizes nationwide to rescue and support the most vulnerable communities in the wake of natural disasters. Their story begins where the storm leaves off.

Special Thanks to our guests:

• Rob Gaudet, Founder and Executive Director of the Ground Force Humanitarian Aid
• Bruce Ling, musician (co-founder along with his wife Becca of the Hawks and Owls string band) for his featured song "Diamonds in the Rough".
• Special mention to Gordon Ramsey's National Geographic series "Uncharted" for sparking the idea for this show.

Want to Take Action?

• Support citizen-led disaster relief: Ground Force Humanitarian Aid

• Learn how Ground Force delivers $12 of aid per $1 raised

• Explore tech-powered humanitarian response

• Ready to volunteer your time or skills? Join Ground Force today

Sponsors:

This episode of Impactually is brought to you by the generous financial support of April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neil, JLB Images. And listeners like you! Thank you!

Join our community and donate

Connect with Us!

www.hummproductions.org

Facebook: Humm Productions

IG: Humm Productions

Discover the transformative power of green roofs as we explore their environmental, social, and economic impact on urban landscapes. Join us as we interview Tonya Gayle, Executive Director of Green City Force, and Amy Falder, Co-founder of New York Green Roofs, to learn about their innovative strategies and the inspiring stories behind this movement.

Key Takeaways:

• Environmental Impact: Green roofs contribute to air purification, stormwater management, energy conservation, and biodiversity.

• Social Impact: Green roofs create community spaces, improve mental health, and contribute to social equity.

• Economic Impact: Green roofs can generate revenue through food production, tourism, and property value increases.

• Technological Innovation: Explore different types of green roofs and their potential for integration with other sustainable technologies.

• Policy and Advocacy: Learn about the role of government, nonprofits, and businesses in promoting green roofs.

Guest Bios:

Tonya Gayle: Executive Director of Green City Force

Amy Falder: Co-founder of New York Green Roofs

Call to Action:

Discover the potential of green roofs to enhance your community. Explore sustainable initiatives by supporting organizations like Green City Force and New York Green Roofs, and delve into green roof design and installation.

Additional Resources:

Sina Razzaghi Asl study - Rooftops for Whom? Some Environmental Justice Issues in Urban Green Roof Policies of Three North American Cities

Thank You to Our Financial Sponsors: We would like to thank April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neil, Julie Ambrose, JLB Images, and listeners like you.

Connect with Us:

www.hummproductions.org

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Target explores the unexpected world of disc golf and its positive impact on a beloved Chicago community. We meet Tommy Ingles, the founder of Hyde Park Disc Golf, who discovered a passion for the sport during the pandemic and used it to revitalize Jackson Park, an historically rich and local green space.

Key Takeaways:

• Disc golf is a fun, accessible, and environmentally friendly activity for all ages and skill levels.
• Public parks offer numerous benefits but can be underutilized. Initiatives like Hyde Park Disc Golf demonstrate how communities can revitalize public spaces and foster social connection.
• We can all play a role in keeping parks safe and accessible by donating to relevant causes, joining advocacy groups, or participating in clean-up days.

Call to Action:

• Want to try disc golf? Visit UPlayDiscGolf.org to learn more and find a course near you.
• Need discs? Discmania.net offers a wide selection for beginners and experts. Use code "Humm20" for 20% off your order.
• Inspired by Tommy's story? Learn more about Hyde Park Disc Golf at hydeparkgolf.org and see how you can support their work.

Special Thanks:

We extend our sincerest gratitude to our guests: Tommy Ingles, Founder and Executive Director of Hyde Park Disc Golf; Louise McCurry, President of the Jackson Park Advisory Council Board; Dana Vicich, Sales Manager at Disc Mania and former pro disc golfer; and Dustin Leatherman, Executive Director of The Paul McBeth Foundation. A very special thanks to our featured musician, Sean Miller, for providing his single "Midwest States". His music is available on all streaming platforms.

Sponsors:

This episode of Impactually is brought to you by the generous financial support of April Collins Potterfield, David Johnson and Christine O'Neil, JLB Images. And listeners like you! Thank you!

Join our community and donate:

www.hummproductions.org

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IG: Humm Productions | Impactually

Description:

This episode explores the challenges and opportunities faced by formerly incarcerated individuals re-entering society. We meet Philip Cooper, a force for good who is changing the reentry landscape through his organization, Operation Gateway.

Key Takeaways:

• Second Chances Matter: Philip's story highlights the importance of providing opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Barriers to Reentry: Returning citizens face numerous obstacles, including lack of housing, employment opportunities, and access to public services.
• The Power of Mentorship: Philip's experience with mentors in prison demonstrates the positive impact of peer support during recovery.
• Breaking the Cycle: Operation Gateway helps equip individuals with the resources and support needed to successfully re-enter their communities.
• We Can All Be Change Agents: This episode encourages us to shift our perspectives on reentry and advocate for change within the system.

Call to Action:

• Learn More: Follow Operation Gateway on social media
• Support Resources: Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) or NAMI (text "HELPLINE" to 62640) for confidential support.
• Shift the Conversation: Talk about reentry and addiction with empathy and openness.

Special Thanks:

Special thanks to Ben Berry from Mtn Craft for nominating Operation Gateway and Philip Cooper for the show. We are grateful to Philip Cooper for sharing his powerful story and insights, and to Andrea Morris for her valuable perspective on addiction and recovery. We appreciate the musical contributions of GangstaGrass whose song "You Can Never Go Home Again" perfectly captured the essence of the episode.

Sponsors:

This episode of Impactually is brought to you by the generous financial support of April Collins Potterfield, JLB Images. And listeners like you! Thank you!

Join our community and donate:

www.hummproductions.org

Facebook: Humm Productions | Impactually

IG: Humm Productions | Impactually

For one woman in Illinois watching the horrors of 9/11 on her television sparked her own personal call to action. Surely, she thought, New York City hospitals would be in great demand for blood donations and as a young, physically active mother of four – donating blood was the least she felt she could do. But an unexpected low-grade fever turned into something much worse, changing her life and bolstering her promise to help others in need. It's called "Crēdo" and our story starts here.