In a world where it seems like there’s so much wrong, it’s important we see the people who spend their lives doing and seeing the good. Here on the Doing Good podcast, we discuss the stories of every day people who change the world, in their own way.
For the last four years, Carmen has interviewed hundreds of guests about the small, simple ways they do good in the world. Now, a new phase begins! In this final episode, Carmen shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned after more than 150 life changing conversations.
“Everyone has a pile of things they’re sorting through. Nobody’s life is perfect.” Maureen Stowell takes us “behind the chair” with real talk on beauty, balance, learning how to be true to yourself, and building your self confidence as you find the joy in small, every day moments.
“Tell me wha you’re going to do wit this one wild and precious life?” What would you do if you found yourself surrounded by flames after a freak lightning strike on a hike? Stephanie Ingram shares how she navigated a near-death experience and the profound challenges and tender mercies each of us can find along the way.
You’re called to serve as a missionary, but how do you deal with the disappointment of a change to WHERE you’re serving? Carmen and Jeter discuss learning to adapt to life’s unexpected twists and turns, from the challenges of serving a mission in the middle of a pandemic, to the joy of introducing people to the gospel.
God wants to use our talents for good in more ways than we can even comprehend! Join Carmen as she talks with Mark Mabry, the creator of the popular photo-series, “Reflections of Christ” about how God’s work in our (and others) lives doesn’t always look like church, and how our “battle scars” and imperfections can actually help us perfect ourselves in Christ.
“We learn the most from people who are different from us”! But when you’re living away from everything you know, life can still be a challenge! Wendy Ulrich shares personal experiences that will help you help your teen successfully make the transition to full-time missionary life!
Your flaws are what allow you to connect. They will be your superpower! Social media strategist Michelle Gifford shares the inner strength and self-confidence you can gain as you find your voice and share your knowledge online.
Your Come Follow Me scripture study doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Cali Black - found of @ComeFollowMeStudy shares how to reduce scriptural overwhelm and make connecting with Heavenly Father through His word one of the simplest (and best) parts of your day.
"People don't necessarily believe when someone with a concussion shares what they’re experiencing. So just being there with them and believing them when they share with you can make a massive difference”. Concussion coach and occupational therapist Bethany Lewis shares the connection between concussions and other mental and emotional challenges and how you can treat and heal your symptoms one day at a time.
Social Media Influencer Tessa Romero discusses the power of seamless service in your family life - turning mundane tasks into opportunities for connection, joy, and fulfillment. Discover how you can to make an even more positive impact on your household through your “presence”!
Life does a great job of throwing curveballs in one way or another. So how do you more easily move through the painful and challenging emotions, trials, and experiences that you face? How do you take those hard experiences and use them to see yourself as a victor, not a victim? Life Coach Jody Moore talks with Carmen about how you can face your fears and replace resentment and guilt with genuine joy and gratitude.
How do you learn how to feel your emotions so you can process them, without taking out your emotions on others? Licensed marriage and family therapist Tony Overbay joins Carmen and talks about tools that will help you learn how to communicate with your spouse, how to work through trauma, and how to work through challenges when you or those you love are struggling.
Are you creating or waiting for your future? Katie Taggart shares how she transforms sea glass “trash” into beautiful pieces of art as well as the principles you can use to not only attract the life you want but also calm your mind and help you become who God wants you to become.
How do you navigate the flood of emotions of life when it feels like it is even too hard to come up for air? Beckie Hennessy talks with Carmen about therapy vs coaching, getting out of your head and into your body, and the power of recovering your identity as a Child of God in the path of healing.
Small gestures of kindness have the power to change lives! Carmen welcomes cousins Haley and Jenny and discusses their mission of spreading and joy through their nonprofit, Smile at the People, inspired by the legacy of their grandmother Geraldine.
After you receive a miracle you’ve been praying for, like a heart transplant, what happens next? Especially when the heart that gives you life, results in the death of someone else? How do you live up to the life-giving miracle you’ve received? Today Carmen talks with musician Paul Cardall about his heart transplant, the side effects of “miracles,” and how the pain you go through is what actually propels you to greater heights than you could ever achieve without it.
You don’t need a lot of followers online to make a positive impact in someone else’s life! Carmen talks with lifestyle and fashion content creator Mimi Bascom about social media, leading others with love, dealing with imposter syndrome, the blessings of garments, and not letting other’s negative opinions impact how you feel about yourself.
What if you could walk through the old streets of Jerusalem, explore the ancient tabernacle, or climb the stairs of the Kirtland Temple? Carmen talks with Daniel Smith about some of the amazing resources available you can use to help make the scripture stories of the Bible start to come alive in your life!
Kate Holbrook is a leading voice in the study of Latter-Day Saint women. Her extensive study has blessed us with a historical insight into the women who came before us and the decisions they made during the early days of the church. "When there is something that is difficult [for us to understand], it is an invitation for us to pray and fast and to see if there is anything you can do to make change."
You ever been annoyed when you’re frustrated or feeling down and someone tells you to just “think more positively?” Join Carmen and psychologist Dr. Paul Jenkins as they talk about how to build better relationships with your spouse, kids, friends, and even yourself by beginning to understand the way your brain works!
What are the best ways to see church history’s “bigger picture”, without necessarily getting stuck on issues we may not have enough data on? Today Carmen talks with Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, co-author of the Joseph Smith Papers about experiences in church history to help you find strength in your own testimony amidst trials and doubts.
Finding hope in God and in the Savior through life’s messy moments is not easy, especially when it feels like you’re not getting answers to your prayers! Emily Adams talks about exploring growth through your grief from losing a child, questions of faith, to navigating your reality when it doesn’t look like you expected it would, and learning to find God in the mess.
Are you in a “portal of pain”? Build your spiritual momentum with Jenedy Paige as she talks about the loss of a child, training for ninja warrior, building resilience through the overwhelming obstacles in life, and finding herself again as she went wading through life’s “stormy waters.”
We all have experiences in life that will not just define us, but also refine us. Join Carmen as she talks with Sister Michelle Craig from the recently released Young Women’s General Presidency about lessons learned from service, life, infertility, and acting on the personal revelation you receive from Heavenly Father.
When you follow small pricks of inspiration, they can lead to some incredible outcomes! Kristyn Morgan talks about building emotional resilience, navigating the challenges of social media and how to use it as a resource for good, and finding joy in serving others in simple ways.
When Monica Tanner’s parents divorced, her idea of a happy relationship shattered. Since then, she’s devoted her life to learning how to build healthy and happy relationships that allow you to live as your best self. If you want more love and passion in your marriage, you won’t want to miss this episode!
If you’re a parent who wants to “like the people you love” even more, this episode is for you! Christi Davis talks through some of the challenges of raising children in today’s world, learning to trust that miracles can happen as your children learn to uncover their potential.
Once you go through something hard, life is smooth sailing – right? Join Carmen as she talks with radio show host, comedienne, and spokeswoman Lisa Valentine Clark as they talk about breaking down the “ego,” watching others go through trials, and dealing with your own life’s ups and downs through loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, and life turning out much different than you thought it would.
"It never brings you up to bring other people down" Parenting is never an easy thing! Life Coach Kristen Goodman talks about the transformative power of compassion, acceptance, and embracing the challenges you (and your children) will face.
“Are you experiencing a test, a trial, or a trap”? Stephen Heumann talks about his work in the television industry and how how you can learn how to “ring the bell of success” and step into the spotlight of your own life!
How would your life be different if you had 13 siblings, and you grew up in a commune with “hippie parents”? Amber Pearce talks about the unlimited power of faith and how the guiding influence of the Spirit transformed her family’s life and set them on a path of hope, love, and redemption.
"Other people base our possibilities on THEIR limitations." Paralympian and silver medalist Jeff Griffin talks about going after your goals and dreams, believing in yourself especially when others don't, and creating the life you've always wanted for yourself.
"Your LIFE is a mission! We don't have to shroud others in shame. We just have to love them". Mary Alice Hatch talks with Carmen moving forward with faith, even when the way ahead is not clear and about supporting those you know and love who may struggle after returning home early from a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“All spiritual experiences are emotional, but not all emotional experiences are spiritual.” Carmen talks with author Jim Kasen about same sex attraction and what it means to “belong to the Savior.” Jim talks about growing up in a dual-religion house, converting from Catholicism to a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and how the power of music can transform your life for the better.
Jenn Zingmark specializes in helping men and women find hope, healing, and happiness after divorce. Jenn talks about how her own experience with her ex-husbands pornography addiction and affair led her to become a coach and divorce mentor. She shares her experience of seeking the Lord, living in faith, and finding the courage to make a major life change in spite of resistance. Her inspiring story shows how you can have your trauma transformed by God into a way to bless others’ lives!
What happens after you lose 100+ pounds on a weight loss show and “normal life” hits you with a ton of sugary cravings? Sarah talks about life after “reality tv”, how difficult it is to maintain your weight after the show, feeling like her body was “broken”, learning how to establish boundaries, accountability, and support in a way that can actually work for the long run, and the power of turning to the Lord in your hard times.
Carmen and Sarah’s interview continues with a glimpse into what happens behind the scenes of what was one of the most popular weight loss TV shows at the time. Discover what it’s like to looks an incredible amount of weight in an insanely short amount of time, dealing with the show’s production team, being isolated from loved ones, and more. Sarah shares lessons learned and how her experience on the show affected her in ways she never expected.
For years, Sarah successfully hid how she used food to cope with everything going in her life. But when she finally admitted she had a problem and got help, everything in her life started to change. In part 1, Sarah, a former contestant on “The Biggest Loser” talks about her battle with food addiction, dealing with the inner shame of her hidden habits, and finding the courage to finally seek help.
"It's not lost...it's just on pause." Discover the strength and resilience of the human spirit as you listen to Becky Graff's incredible journey through business, life, and losing two of her children in a flash flood. Her unwavering faith and determination will leave you feeling empowered and inspired to face each day with faith.
How do you find the strength to move forward when it feels like you're totally stuck? Lindsay Broschinsky talks about how finding strength in the Savior may look different than you initially think. But as you build your relationship with Him, you'll see the path to overcome the challenges in your path and discover who you truly are.
Imagine becoming a member of the church, and then finding out your whole life would change...just not in the ways you'd originally thought! After Alysha was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis she could let her diagnosis define her, or she could use it as a tool. Carmen and Alysha talk about accepting reality even when it's uncomforable, and using the hard things in life to do good for those around you.
You may struggle with mental health, addiction, or a number of other things. But it’s still a great day to go forth and create a good life! Therapist Marcia French talks about the small steps we can take every day to improve the relationship you have with yourself, with others, and ultimately with the Savior.
“Some say they have so many questions – that’s why they leave. But I’ve found so many answers…that’s WHY I’m staying!” Dr. Susan Easton Black shares insights from a wide-ranging career as a professor, author, and researcher of church history.
Is it possible to have real, effective scripture study in just one minute a day? Kristen Walker Smith talks about serving others, using your gifts to bless other’s lives, and how to turn short and simple moments into precious time you can build a relationship the Savior.
When you understand your past, you gain strength for your future! Shenley Puterbaugh talks with Carmen about the value of connecting to your roots, and the strength it can bring to you and your family as you learn from the stories of ancestors who have come before you.
What makes a house, a home? Camilla Packer shares insights on the value of doing "today's work" today, enjoying the present moment, and finding beautiful (sometimes hidden) treasures along the way.
You are a creator! Now it's time to make something beautiful! Artist Eva Timothy shares her story of living in, and eventually leaving a communist country, her love of freedom and artistic expression, and how each of us can create amazing things beyond our wildest dreams.
What would you do if you lost most everyone you knew and loved in a split second? Today Carmen talks with Jason Clawson who has transformed a horrible tragedy that took his family from him to an experience that now brings "hope" to thousands of people going through their own hard times, too.