Shining Stars: Voices of Service, Hope & Change spotlights nonprofits and changemakers transforming communities across the nation. Each episode shares stories of service, resilience, and impact, amplifying the voices advancing opportunity, strengthening families, and creating lasting change. Discover the organizations and individuals turning compassion into action and making a meaningful difference every day.
Latest episodes
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27 min
Fenner Nature Center, Pt. 2: A Different Kind of Urban Environment
Daedalian continues his conversation with Sam, Tina, and Abigail in two-part episode of Shining Stars. This time, the group dives a little further into their personal connections t…
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24 min
Fenner Nature Center, Pt. 1: A Classroom for All Ages
On this episode of Shining Stars, Daedalian sits down with three team members from Fenner Nature Center. They talk about the many ways Fenner connects people with nature, from its…
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31 min
The Diminutive Ukulele's Big Impact: Mighty Uke Day 16
After a bit of a hiatus from Shining Stars, I'm thrilled to resume the podcast with a focused on the transformative power of music. On this episode, I (Daedalian) had the opportuni…
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16 min
Transforming Communities Through Art: A Spotlight on MICA
This episode shines a spotlight on the Michigan Institute for Contemporary Arts (MICA), exploring its vital role as a catalyst for community transformation through quality arts pro…
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21 min
Big Event for Small Talk CAC With Claire Redmer
Claire Redmer, Development Director for Small Talk Children's Advocacy Center, stops by Shining Stars to tell listeners about their extraordinary work in our community and the deta…
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20 min
One Center, One Community With Joe Garcia
For over 50 years, Cristo Rey Community Center (CRCC) has been a provider of basic needs to members of our community with an emphasis on access to medical care, mental health servi…
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28 min
Experience Builds Knowledge With Yanice Jackson
The guest on this episode of Shining Stars is a prime example of the expression, experience builds knowledge. The life difficulties that she experienced were provided her the knowl…
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31 min
Finding Happiness With Rev. Mary Mitchell
Happiness. What is it and how do we get some of that stuff? Is it an elusive concept or is it closer than we think? I (Daedalian) connect with Dr. Rev. Mary Mitchell who is a publi…
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20 min
Making Strides With the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness
For some, homelessness can be temporary, while for others it can last for months or years. In Michigan, we see families lose their homes due to foreclosure or evictions, individual…
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19 min
Selling Spoof for Shoes - Lansing Old Newsboys
The image of a young kid standing on a street corner, holding up a newspaper and calling out “Extra! Extra! read all about it!” has become an iconic image in classic movies and mus…
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27 min
Youth Solutions - Raising the Voice of Young Michigan
With the intention to inspire the future leaders of Michigan to achieve their fullest potential in education and employment, Youth Solutions has grown from roots in Benton Harbor t…
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23 min
MPHI Works to End Gun Violence in Lansing
Like many U.S. cities, since the beginning of the pandemic, Lansing experienced a surge in violence. During 2020 and 2021, the Capital City witnessed a record number of homicides.…
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30 min
Auggie Martinez has the 311 - Your One Call to City Hall
Augustine "Auggie" Martinez and I (Daedalian) have run in the same circles for years. He is often the sound engineer at live music events around Lansing and many know him as the si…
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22 min
The Fledge: Radically Inclusive, Pt. 2
Part 2 of an interview with Jerry Norris, Founder and CEO of The Fledge of Lansing, an incredible resource in our community that fuels that fosters engagement, development, and opp…
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27 min
The Fledge: Radically Inclusive, Pt. 1
The Fledge is a unique resource in Lansing that fosters engagement, development, and opportunity within our community. With the goal of creating "a zero barrier to entry", The Fled…
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17 min
Ronald McDonald House, a Home Away From Home
Ronald McDonald House Charities is an organization that on the national level, has been creating a home away from home for families with sick children since the mid 70s. Carolyn Hu…
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29 min
Paul Schwartz on Cybersecurity & Being the Man with the Plan
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary cites 1991 as the first known use of the word “cybercrime”. Now, just over three decades later, technology has developed to the point where most of t…
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17 min
Umoja House Creates an Environment of Comfort & Fellowship
A home is something many of us take for granted, but what happens when you find yourself in a situation where you’re displaced and no longer have a place to call ‘home’? This is a…
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25 min
Alan Fox Explains the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MHAF)
The impact of the pandemic on our economy is clear, from soaring gas prices to overwhelming inflation and while it isn’t the sole factor to our economic woes, it has definitely bee…
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30 min
Mental Health Association in Michigan
Mental health is a subject that has been largely overlooked in the U.S. and probably most of the world as well. However, as the pandemic became a part everyone’s day-to-day lives,…