Control What You Can Control | A Conversation with Garry Gilliam (Part 2)

About the Episode

In part two of this two-part conversation, Julia Healey continues her discussion with Garry Gilliam as he shares the next phase of his journey from an outstanding Pro Day performance at Penn State to going undrafted and navigating the realities of entering the NFL as a free agent.

Garry walks through the emotional weight of Draft Day, the mindset shift required to focus on opportunity rather than disappointment, and his decision to sign with the Super Bowl–defending Seattle Seahawks. He reflects candidly on early struggles at training camp, experiencing imposter syndrome, and the importance of asking for help, stacking incremental improvement, and controlling what he could control each day

Garry explains how his experiences living and playing in Seattle and San Francisco exposed him to deep systemic challenges around housing, food security, and access to opportunity. Drawing on lessons from the Milton Hershey School and his background in business and sustainability, he outlines the vision behind The Bridge Eco Village — a mixed-use, community-based model designed to help people work, eat, live, learn, and play, supported by education and pathways to self-sufficiency

Connect with Garry: https://www.garrygilliamjr.com/

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Control What You Can Control | A Conversation with Gary Gilliam (Part 1)

About the Episode

In Part One of this two-part conversation, Julia Healey sits down with Gary Gilliam — former NFL player, Penn State graduate, and founder of The Bridge Eco Village — to explore how adversity, structure, and belief shaped his path from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to national impact.

Gary reflects on growing up in generational poverty, being sent at eight years old to the Milton Hershey School, and the difficult mindset shift required to move from survival to opportunity. He shares how a “whole child” approach — focused on mind, body, spirit, and community — helped him redefine what was possible when resources and stability were finally in place.

The conversation also dives into Gary’s devastating college injuries, the mental battle of being told he had just a 10% chance of returning to form, and the discipline of focusing on effort, character, and the next right step when everything else felt out of control. Throughout, Julia and Gary unpack bigger questions about education, transition, and why preparing people for success must include preparing them for what comes next.

This episode sets the foundation for Part Two, where Gary’s NFL journey and the vision behind The Bridge take center stage.

Connect with Garry: https://www.garrygilliamjr.com/

Join our community of Inspired Changemakers!

The Inspired Changemakers Podcast spotlights people turning purpose into action. Each episode features a new guest sharing their journey, insights, and projects making a difference in their communities and beyond. Listen in, learn, and get inspired to take your next step!

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Beyond the Checkbook | A Conversation with Rick Peck

🎧 About the Episode:

In this episode, Julia sits down with Rick Peck, an independent philanthropic advisor and founder of The Philanthropy Guy, to talk about what really moves giving from good intentions to meaningful impact. Growing up in a service-minded family and later working in fundraising, healthcare, and community foundations, Rick shares how those experiences shaped his belief that every great gift starts with a clear sense of values, purpose, and the change you want to see in the world.

Julia and Rick dive into how nonprofits can sharpen their case for support, make it easier (and less intimidating) for donors to say “yes,” and why most organizations are leaving money on the table by not asking for non-cash gifts like appreciated stock, real estate, or business interests. They explore how donor-advised funds fit into the picture, what professional advisors wish nonprofits understood, and practical ways families can use their giving, through DAFs, foundations, and everyday generosity, to teach the next generation about stewardship and service. If you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or advisor who wants to deepen donor relationships and think beyond the checkbook, this conversation offers a roadmap.

Show your support for Rick and this work by liking, sharing, and leaving a comment below.

🔗 Connect with Rick:

Rick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-peck/
The Philanthropy Guy: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com/

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Start Small, Do Something | A Conversation with Corinne Grimaldi

🎧 About the Episode:

In this episode, Julia welcomes Corinne Grimaldi, Manager at Evans, Inc., where she leads corporate social responsibility (CSR) alongside organizational development, change management, and strategic planning. Raised with a service-first mindset, Corinne shares how those early experiences shaped a practical, people-centered approach to giving at work.

Julia and Corinne dig into living your values loudly, building psychological safety so employees feel free to “care out loud,” and simple systems that make participation easy—like crowdsourcing causes, a “March Charity Madness” bracket, multi-option volunteer drives, and even textile recycling led by employee interest. You’ll hear why small actions compound (especially in small businesses), how to avoid “perfect impact” paralysis, and why board service is an accessible on-ramp for deeper community leadership. If you’ve wanted to start, or strengthen, your company’s giving, this conversation shows how to start where you are and build momentum.

Show your support for Corinne and this work by liking, sharing, and leaving a comment below.

🔗 Connect with Corinne:

Corinne’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinne-grimaldi-m-s/

🎙️ Join our community of Inspired Changemakers!

The Inspired Changemakers Podcast spotlights people turning purpose into action. Each episode features a new guest sharing their journey, insights, and projects making a difference in their communities and beyond. Listen in, learn, and get inspired to take your next step!

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🎧 About the Episode:

Rodney McLeod Jr. is a recently retired NFL safety, Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, and 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominee. After going undrafted in 2012, Rodney built a 13-year career across four teams, earning recognition not only for his play but for his community service, including the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award. With his wife Erica, he co-founded the Change Our Future Foundation to empower youth through mentorship, education, and exposure.

In this episode, Rodney reflects on his journey from overlooked athlete to respected leader and how adversity, including multiple injuries and setbacks, shaped his resilience, discipline, and faith mindset.

He shares the story behind launching Change Our Future during 2020’s national reckoning, why programs like Next Man Up and the Youth Leadership Summit are transforming young men into leaders, and how exposure to STEM and higher education opens new doors for underserved youth

Alongside host Julia Healey, this conversation explores the power of mentorship, the courage to pivot when strategies aren’t working, and the role of faith and community in creating long-term change. Rodney also reveals how donors make a direct difference—from funding HBCU trips to equipping students with essential resources—and why he believes legacy is about being a symbol of hope and possibility.

Whether you’re an athlete, philanthropist, or changemaker, this episode offers a playbook for turning personal challenges into community impact.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the Inspired Changemakers Podcast! Your support helps us continue bringing stories of leaders like Rodney McLeod, who are shaping the future through service, resilience, and hope.

🔗 Connect with Rodney:
Change Our Future Foundation: https://www.changeourfuture.org

🎙️ Join our community of Inspired Changemakers!
The Inspired Changemakers Podcast spotlights individuals who are making a difference in the world. Each episode features their journey, insights, and projects aimed at creating positive change in their communities and beyond. Tune in to be inspired—and to learn how you, too, can create impact where it matters most.

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🎧 About the Episode:

Dr. Natasha T. Brison, JD, PhD, is a tenured associate professor in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management at the University of South Carolina, an accomplished attorney, and a leading voice in sport and entertainment law. With professional experience in contracts, licensing, copyrights, trademarks, and sponsorship agreements, Natasha expanded her practice to focus on athlete branding and the legal aspects of marketing—bridging creativity and compliance to create opportunity.

In this episode, Natasha shares her journey from law to academia, and why she embraces being “comfortable being uncomfortable." She offers insights into athlete branding and why purpose and philanthropy should be embedded in every brand strategy. Natasha also reflects on her leadership in professional associations and the impact of her first textbook, Legal Liability in Recreation, Events, and Hospitality: A Risk Management Approach.

Alongside host Julia Healey, this conversation explores the power of “both/and” careers, resilience through rejection, and creating meaningful options for athletes, students, and changemakers alike. Whether you’re an athlete, educator, or purpose-driven professional, this episode will challenge you to see branding as more than image—it’s about creating options, impact, and legacy.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the Inspired Changemakers Podcast! Your support helps us continue sharing the stories of individuals like Dr. Natasha Brison who are shaping the future of sports, education, and philanthropy.

🔗 Connect with Natasha:

Natasha's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-brison-jd-phd

Natasha's University of South Carolina Faculty Page: https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/hrsm/faculty-staff/brison_natasha.php

🎙️ Join our community of Inspired Changemakers!
The Inspired Changemakers Podcast is a platform that showcases inspiring individuals who are making a difference in the world. Each episode features a new guest, sharing their journey, insights, and projects aimed at creating positive change in their communities and beyond. Join us as we learn from these changemakers and get inspired to take action in our own lives!

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Stories That Spark Action: A Conversation With Jill Kubit

Don't forget to subscribe to the Inspired Changemakers Podcast to stay updated with the latest stories of visionaries transforming lives and shaping a better future. Your support helps us continue sharing inspiring stories like Jill’s!

About the Episode

Jill Kubit is a social entrepreneur, climate communicator, and the visionary behind DearTomorrow — a 10-year storytelling project that invites people to write letters to their loved ones about climate change and the future they hope to create. With over 7,000 letters submitted from over 50 countries, Jill’s work weaves together the personal and the political, using narrative to ignite global engagement and climate action.

In this episode, Jill shares how storytelling became her most powerful tool for building movements, shaping public discourse, and inspiring change. From her early days as a teacher in D.C. to speaking at the United Nations and partnering with the Museum of Modern Art, Jill reflects on the winding path that led her to climate leadership. She also opens up about burnout, resilience, and the importance of nurturing the next generation of changemakers.

Connect with DearTomorrow:

Website: www.deartomorrow.org
Instagram: @deartomorrow
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/deartomorrow

Join our community of Inspired Changemakers!
The Inspired Changemakers Podcast is a platform that showcases inspiring individuals who are making a difference in the world. Each episode features a new guest, sharing their journey, insights, and projects aimed at creating positive change in their communities and beyond. Join us as we learn from these changemakers and get inspired to take action in our own lives!

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About the Episode
Sophia Chang is a screenwriter, author, and music industry legend who has managed icons like RZA, GZA, and D’Angelo—and now she’s building something even bigger. As the founder of Unlock Her Potential, a mentorship program for women of color, Sophia is creating the kind of support system she never had.

In this episode, Sophia sits down with United Charitable CEO Julia Healey to share her journey from the hip hop clubs of 1980s New York to launching a charitable initiative. She opens up about navigating racism and sexism, being embraced by Wu-Tang Clan, and the power of being her authentic self in every room she enters.

Sophia also reflects on motherhood, reinvention at 50, and how building community means showing up—for yourself and for others. Whether you’re an artist, activist, or changemaker in the making, Sophia’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to unlock your potential—and help someone else do the same.

Connect with Unlock Her Potential:
Website: www.unlockherpotential.com
Instagram: @unlockherpotential
LinkedIn: Unlock Her Potential

Join our community of Inspired Changemakers!
The Inspired Changemakers Podcast is a platform that showcases inspiring individuals who are making a difference in the world. Each episode features a new guest, sharing their journey, insights, and projects aimed at creating positive change in their communities and beyond. Join us as we learn from these changemakers and get inspired to take action in our own lives!

You can find us on:
Facebook

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LinkedIn

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BuzzSprout

Support the show