About The Episode:

In this episode of Inspired Changemakers, Julia Healey sits down with Annoica Ingram, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of the Shenandoah Valley, to explore how confidence, resilience, and leadership are built in young girls through movement, mentorship, and community. What began as a simple volunteer opportunity turned into a lifelong passion for Annoica. One that now impacts hundreds of girls across a 13-county region.

Together, they dive into the power of combining physical activity with life skills, why addressing negative self-talk at an early age is critical, and how programs like Girls on the Run create safe spaces for girls to discover their voice and believe in their potential. Julia also shares a personal perspective as a parent watching the program’s impact firsthand, bringing the conversation to life in a deeply relatable way.

From the transformative moment of crossing the finish line to the full-circle stories of former participants returning as coaches, this episode highlights how small, consistent investments in young people can lead to lasting change for individuals, families, and entire communities.

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Beyond the Portfolio | A Conversation with Sarah Baker, CFP

🎧 About the Episode:

In this episode, host Julia Healey sits down with Sarah Baker, CFP®, Senior Financial Planner at Mason Investment Advisory Services, to explore how philanthropy becomes transformational when it’s fully integrated into financial planning. Sarah shares how her early exposure to service shaped her belief that wealth should align with values—and why she regularly asks clients, “Why do you have more than you need?”

Together, they discuss donor-advised funds as a powerful, flexible giving tool, how thoughtful planning before a business sale can fund both retirement and lifelong philanthropy, and why automation is the key to building sustainable generosity. Sarah also reflects on the pivotal moment that led her to focus on empowering women through major life transitions and ensuring both spouses are engaged in financial conversations. This episode is a practical and personal look at moving from fear to freedom through intentional giving.

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

🔗 Connect with Sarah:

Sarah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-baker-95046435/

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

About the Episode

In Part One of this two-part conversation, Julia Healey sits down with Garry 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.

Garry 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 Garry’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 Garry 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 Garry’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!

You can find us on:
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Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

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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!

You can find us on:
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LinkedIn

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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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