Shows / Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Stories That Matter, hosted by Kristina Cole, invites listeners into the intimate world of philanthropy and social impact. Through compelling narrative storytelling, each episode reveals how ordinary people are driving extraordinary change in their communities and beyond. This show delivers an emotional experience that connects you deeply with the human spirit behind every cause.
Explore diverse topics including nonprofit leadership, volunteer opportunities, charitable giving strategies, and…
Episodes
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Blood Drives in Barbershops: Healing Community Trust One Drop at a Time | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the innovative and deeply human strategy of hosting blood drives in barbershops to rebuild…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Blood Drives in Unexpected Places: Saving Lives Where We Least Expect It | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores a transformative approach to blood donation: moving beyond sterile hospital gyms and…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Strength of Mothers Running Single-Parent Shelters | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound resilience and quiet strength of mothers who run single-parent shelters. This…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Why Giving Feels So Hard: The Paradox of Choice in Philanthropy | Stories That Matter
In this episode of 'Stories That Matter,' host Kristina Cole explores the psychological phenomenon known as the paradox of choice and how it creates paralysis…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Heroism of Giving Blood During a Crisis | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound, often overlooked courage required to donate blood during times of crisis…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Heavy Silence: Carrying the Weight of Emergency Response | Stories That Matter
This episode of 'Stories That Matter' explores the invisible emotional burden carried by emergency responders, first responders, and humanitarian aid workers…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Heartbreak of Giving Away Your Favorite Childhood Toy | Stories That Matter
In this deeply moving episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound emotional complexity of letting go of our most cherished…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Healing Through Ink: How Creative Writing Saves At-Risk Youth | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound impact of creative writing as a therapeutic tool for at-risk youth. This…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Money Gap: Why Financial Literacy Saves Lives | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical intersection of financial literacy and social mobility, focusing on how a lack…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Why Small Charities Hide Their Books (And How You Can Help) | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the complex relationship between donors and small charities, addressing the common…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Why Small Charities Hide Their Books (And How You Can Help) | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the hidden crisis facing small charities: the tension between operational transparency and…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Healing Through Honey: How Urban Beekeeping Transforms At-Risk Youth | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of urban beekeeping as a tool for social impact and youth…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Redefining Play: Creating Inclusive Spaces for Neurodivergent Kids | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical need for inclusive play spaces designed specifically for neurodivergent…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Heart of the Food Drive: Respecting Faith & Diet | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical intersection of food insecurity and religious dietary laws, arguing that…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Healing Through Horses: The Quiet Power of Equine Therapy for Veterans | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound impact of equine therapy on veterans struggling with PTSD and trauma. This…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Guilt of Giving When You Have Less: A Gentle Permission Slip | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole addresses the pervasive and painful phenomenon known as 'giving guilt'—the shame that arises when…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Bridging the Divide: How to Talk When You Disagree | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical skill of bridging political and social divides through empathetic…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
From Concrete to Community: How Abandoned Lots Become Hope | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of turning abandoned city lots into vibrant community gardens…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
When the Storm Hits: The Quiet Power of Cooking for Neighbors | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound social impact of cooking for neighbors during crises. When power grids fail…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Playgrounds That Listen: Building for Neurodivergent Kids | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical importance of designing inclusive playgrounds for neurodivergent children…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Reading Between Bars: How Prison Libraries Heal Minds | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of prison libraries and how reading serves as a catalyst for…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
From Plate to Purpose: How Restaurant Surplus Feeds Communities | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of restaurant surplus food donation programs. This narrative is…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Power of Showing Up for Forgotten Children | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound and often unseen world of court-appointed advocates for neglected children in…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Gentle Art of Asking for Help Without Losing Yourself | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the psychological barriers that prevent us from asking for help and offers a compassionate…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Breaking the System: How to Advocate for Better Foster Care | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical issue of bureaucratic inefficiency within the foster care system and how it…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Courage of Adopting Special Needs Animals | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound emotional and psychological rewards of adopting special needs animals. This is…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Magic of Adoption Weekends: Why Your Saturday Matters | Stories That Matter
Discover the profound emotional impact of volunteering at animal shelters during Adoption Weekends in this heartfelt episode of Stories That Matter. Host…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Heavy Backpack: Carrying the Weight of Emergency Response | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the invisible emotional burden carried by emergency responders, first responders, and…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Safe Havens: Creating LGBTQ+ Youth Spaces in Small Towns | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical and often overlooked issue of creating safe havens for LGBTQ+ youth in small…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Invisible Children Waiting for a Champion: Court Advocates | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound impact of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA volunteers) who serve as…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Finding Purpose in Local Talent Showcases: Community Wins | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound social impact of local talent showcases as a powerful tool for community…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Beekeeping for Healing: Mentoring At-Risk Youth Through Urban Hives | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of urban beekeeping as a mentorship tool for at-risk youth. This…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Helping Without Hurting: How to Volunteer Responsibly in Disaster Zones | Stories That Matter
In this episode of 'Stories That Matter,' host Kristina Cole explores the critical topic of responsible volunteering in disaster zones, addressing the common…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
How Tiny Acts of Volunteering Transform Corporate Culture | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of micro-volunteering and its profound impact on corporate culture…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
When One Friend Gives It All Away: The Silent Strain on Friendship | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the complex and often unspoken emotional strain that occurs in friendships when one person…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Healing the Homeless Family: Why Mental Health Is The Missing Key | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical intersection of homelessness and mental health, arguing that housing alone is…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Hard Truths of Shelter Overpopulation: What Can We Actually Do? | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole tackles the overwhelming reality of shelter overpopulation and animal welfare, moving beyond the…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Sipping Clean Water: How One Filter Changes Everything | Stories That Matter
In this episode of 'Stories That Matter,' host Kristina Cole explores the profound, life-changing impact of providing simple, low-cost clean water filters to…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Heroism of Giving Blood: Finding Meaning in Anonymous Acts | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound, anonymous heroism of blood donation. This is not just a medical procedure; it…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
When Art Becomes a Weapon: Supporting Artists Fighting Injustice | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound intersection of art and social justice, arguing that when artists address…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Anonymous Organ Donation: Finding Peace in the Gift of Life | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound emotional landscape of anonymous organ donation. This conversation is designed…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Invisible Weight of Volunteer Scheduling: Finding Peace in Chaos | Stories That Matter
This episode of Stories That Matter addresses the hidden emotional toll of volunteer coordination, specifically targeting nonprofit leaders and team captains…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Scholarships for Undocumented Students: Unlocking Potential, One Dream at a Time | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical issue of scholarships for undocumented students, highlighting how financial…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Gift: Finding Peace in Anonymous Organ Donation | Stories That Matter
In this episode of 'Stories That Matter,' host Kristina Cole explores the profound and often overlooked world of anonymous organ donation, inviting listeners…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
How Answering Crisis Calls Transformed My Life | Stories That Matter
In this deeply moving episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole shares her transformative journey from a relief coordinator to a crisis hotline…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Gift of Anonymous Life: Finding Closure Through Organ Donation | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound emotional landscape of anonymous organ donation, a topic that sits at the…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Gentle Art of Asking for Help Without Shame | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the gentle art of asking for help without shame, challenging the cultural myth that…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Roots & Rights: How Strategic Giving Protects Indigenous Lands | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical intersection of philanthropy and Indigenous land rights, arguing that…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
From Track to Couch: Finding Hope in Greyhound Rescue | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound journey of retired greyhounds transitioning from high-speed racing tracks to…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Designing for All: How Accessible Tech Changes Lives | Stories That Matter
In this episode of 'Stories That Matter,' host Kristina Cole explores the critical intersection of technology, design, and human dignity through the lens of…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Quiet Burden: Carrying the Weight of Emergency Response | Stories That Matter
This episode of 'Stories That Matter' explores the hidden emotional toll of emergency response and social impact work, offering a compassionate guide to…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Weight of Asking: Ethical Dilemmas in Medical Crowdfunding | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the complex ethical dilemmas surrounding medical crowdfunding. This discussion is essential…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Reclaiming the Street: How Neighborhood Watch Builds Real Safety | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole redefines the concept of neighborhood watch programs by shifting the focus from suspicion and…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Empty Chair: Why Arts Funding Saves Lives in Poor Schools | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the critical importance of arts funding in under-resourced public schools. The discussion…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Freeing Minds, One Degree at a Time: Tuition for Kids of Incarcerated Parents | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound and often invisible challenges faced by children of incarcerated parents…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Mentorship Bridges: How Corporate Leaders Connect with Teens to Change Lives | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of mentorship bridges connecting corporate leaders with teenagers…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Weight of a Drop: How Clean Water Changes Everything | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound human cost of water scarcity and how clean water initiatives transform entire…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
The Hard Truth About Shelter Overpopulation: What We Can Actually Do | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the complex reality of animal shelter overpopulation, moving beyond the simple narrative…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
From Concrete to Community: How Empty Lots Become Hearts of Hope | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the transformative power of community gardens, illustrating how vacant urban lots can…
- Stories That Matter: People, Causes & the Power to Change Lives
Building Playgrounds in Inner Cities: More Than Just Swings and Slides | Stories That Matter
In this episode of Stories That Matter, host Kristina Cole explores the profound social impact of building playgrounds in inner cities, arguing that these…