Keys of Compassion
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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 — a small, innovative nonprofit that decided not to wait for a perfect solution, and instead built one from...
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OctoMind
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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 called the octopus’s “bad PR.” This episode of Impactually dives into the story of —the world’s largest octopus...
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Sweetie
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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,...
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Vanishing Voices
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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 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...
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Underdog: The Sato Project
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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, Samuel Prieto Pulido & Natalia Rivera - Beach Rescue Coordinators Dr. Nell Gridley, DVM - NYC Veterinarian Major Topics / Highlights: The...
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Lessons From the Mat
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Discover how wrestling is transforming lives beyond the gym in this inspiring episode about . 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...
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Swift Intervention
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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 ...
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Rooftop Revolution
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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.
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Target
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For one man during COVID, his local park offered a virus-safe place to share time and camaraderie with others where few places existed. Armed with a frisbee and a few new friends, he found a calling to serve his diverse community in need of good clean (and green) fun. It’s called Target and our story starts here.
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Change Agent
Impactually
We want our kids (and ourselves for that matter) to emulate positive role models - people who inspire us to be better humans. Their influence affects the way we view the world around us and ultimately impacts decisions we make on how we conduct ourselves and live our lives. For one man growing up in the rural ghetto, he was drawn into a world of crime, quick cash, addiction, and incarceration. It’s a story about hard knocks, about finding unlikely role models in unlikely places, and about second chance
info_outlineChampale 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Support or volunteer with local hunger relief programs, food pantries, and school-based meal efforts in your community.
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Donate to national and local organizations working on food justice and child nutrition, or start a grassroots fundraiser of your own.
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Look up Champ’s Teardrops online and support Champale’s work if you are able.
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Contact local and state officials to champion policies that expand access to healthy, affordable food and strengthen school meal programs.
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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
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Champale Anderson, founder of Champ’s Teardrops and the heart behind Sweetie in north St. Louis
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Dr. Amanda Jacobs, adolescent pediatrician, for her medical insight on hunger, health, and adolescent development
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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.
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