Crazy Good Turns

Joyful Noise Productions
  • 4.8 (11)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

We tell inspiring stories about people who do amazing things for others.

  1. FEB 5

    Walter Martin Radio: Learn To Love Music More (and Confuse the Algorithms

    Walter Martin spent decades making and playing music, most famously with the indie rock bands Jonathan Fire*Eater and The Walkmen. Recently, he's started a new crazy good turn,  helping people like you and me rediscover the joy of music through his Walter Martin Radio Hour show and Substack. In this episode, we discuss: How a single instrument (like the organ) can change how you hear a song. Why Walter chooses positivity over rock criticism. Moving past the "judgmental" years to love bands you once dismissed. The "Crazy Good Turn" of human-to-human music discovery. Chapters & Timed Links: [05:07] The Austin Kleon Connection: How two creators found each other through "the magic of the internet." [07:29] From NYC to Upstate: The origin of The Walter Martin Radio Hour. [10:16] The Classical Club: Why Walter is diving deep into Strauss and Stravinsky. [12:07] The Organ Episode: Learning to hear the difference between a Hammond and a Farfisa. [21:43] Breaking the "Teenage Rules": How Walter learned to love the Grateful Dead and Neil Young. [23:52] Walter's Favorite new musician right now.  [28:57] Walter's Songs: Discussing "The Rat" and the autobiographical beauty of "The Soldier." [31:33] Who's done a Crazy Good Turn for Walter?

    36 min
  2. Goodwill CEO Steve Preston: Giving Goods – and People – a Second Chance

    JAN 8

    Goodwill CEO Steve Preston: Giving Goods – and People – a Second Chance

    Frank Blake sits down with Goodwill Industries CEO Steve Preston and truck driver Michael West to discuss the organization's "second chance" mission. From running adult high schools in prisons to providing career paths for those overcoming addiction and incarceration, this is the story of how a 125-year-old mission is still changing lives today. In this episode, we discuss: The surprising scale of Goodwill: 650 job centers and 50 adult high schools. Michael West's personal journey from addiction and incarceration to homeownership. Why Steve Preston left the C-suite and the Cabinet to lead a "difficult-to-hire" mission. The "Edgar Helms" philosophy: Turning charity into a chance. How employers can unlock a massive, untapped labor pool. Chapters: [01:38] The Personal Mission: Steve Preston on transitioning from HUD Secretary to Goodwill CEO. [06:02] A Missionary in Boston: The 125-year history of Edgar Helms and the birth of Goodwill. [12:22] From Processor to Driver: Michael West shares his path from community service to a career in trucking. [16:55] A Goodwill Wedding: The community and family culture within the organization. [21:33] The Untapped Labor Pool: Why employers should look "beyond the label" of past incarceration. [26:52] The Future of Work: How AI and tech-skills training are reaching low-wage workers. [31:33] The "Internet Trash" Problem: Steve addresses the common false narratives about the organization. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!

    38 min
  3. Inspired Generosity Awards 2025: The Winners Are…

    2025-12-04

    Inspired Generosity Awards 2025: The Winners Are…

    Crazy Good Turns received more than 500 nominations from listeners like you seeking to recognize organizations that are helping others. In this show, we reveal five winners selected to receive a $10,000 grant.  They are: The Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation: Founded by a man who was wrongly imprisoned for sixteen years. Since being exonerated, he's used his own money to free others who've been falsely accused.  Locker #505: A student clothing bank serving disadvantaged kids in Albuquerque in a special way.  Gotta Have Sole: The amazing story of a 5-year-old boy who visited a homeless shelter, wanted to help, and went on to launch a nonprofit that gives children brand new shoes.  Bridge of Hearts: A group of retired North Carolina teachers came up with a creative way to serve the needs of schoolchildren.  Golden String: An Ohio organization that provides residential care, life skills, and other support to hundreds of people with disabilities.  Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!

    47 min
  4. Hostage Rescues! Daring Jailbreaks! Bryan Stern of Grey Bull Rescue

    2025-11-07

    Hostage Rescues! Daring Jailbreaks! Bryan Stern of Grey Bull Rescue

    Grey Bull Rescue helps innocent Americans who are stranded, imprisoned, or otherwise trapped in dangerous situations around the globe.  BRYAN STERN founded Grey Bull in August 2021, during the fall of Afghanistan. Since that time, Grey Bull has helped rescue more than 8,000 Americans in 800 different missions.  Stern's own story begins decades earlier. As a young Army intelligence officer, he was at Ground Zero on the day of 9/11, and narrowly avoided being trapped by the collapsing towers. He went on to serve a full and highly decorated military career.  In this episode, Stern discusses his path from the World Trade Center to today, and the missions he and his team of brave volunteers conduct around the globe today.  Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!

    55 min
  5. CaringBridge: The Website That Saves Lives

    2025-10-09

    CaringBridge: The Website That Saves Lives

    It's a story about the best of the internet. A place 100 million people visit every year and post 1,600 positive messages every hour. It's CaringBridge. And the support and connection it makes possible can be truly life-saving. "Definitely I wouldn't be here without it, I think," says Jill Olecki, one survivor who's used the platform for years. We speak with Jill, her husband, Dave, and CaringBridge CEO Tia Newcomer to bring you the story behind 27-year history of positivity, connection and support. We encourage you to check out CaringBridge at caringbridge.org. And we invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!

    53 min
  6. Brock Holt and Caitlin Fink: How the Jimmy Fund and the Boston Red Sox Hit a Home Run for Fighting Cancer

    2025-09-05

    Brock Holt and Caitlin Fink: How the Jimmy Fund and the Boston Red Sox Hit a Home Run for Fighting Cancer

    Brock Holt is a World Series winner and former Red Sox player. Caitlin Fink is the VP of the team's official charity, the Jimmy Fund. They join us to share how the longest-running partnership between a sports team and a charity has improved the lives of cancer patients around the globe. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!

    34 min
  7. Ken's Krew: 'The Perfect Thing' for Neurodiverse Young Adults Needing A Job

    2025-08-05

    Ken's Krew: 'The Perfect Thing' for Neurodiverse Young Adults Needing A Job

    Ken's Krew creates opportunity and hope for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities by helping them find fulfilling jobs — usually inside of a Home Depot store. In this episode, also you'll hear from Executive Director Suzy Goldberger, who shares how the organization has helped nearly 1,000 people across its 25-year history. You'll also hear from Crystal Hanlon, one of the top leaders at Home Depot, who saw firsthand what a powerful difference Krewmembers make. But to really help you understand what it's like, we bring you the story of Krewmember Matthew O'Neill and his mother, Margy. They share the story of how they discovered Ken's Krew and what happened after Matthew got started. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate your listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!

    41 min
  8. Derek Sivers: Lessons from Making (and Giving Away) a Fortune

    2025-07-07

    Derek Sivers: Lessons from Making (and Giving Away) a Fortune

    Derek Sivers is one of the most interesting thinkers of our time. He's been a professional touring musician, a circus performer, and a successful entrepreneur who sold his company for millions – and then gave away his proceeds from the sale. Since selling the company, Derek has become a speaker, writer and author of five books including his latest release, "Useful Not True."  During our show, we discuss how to overcome self-limiting beliefs, why we over-value our instincts (and what to do instead), and a new (and more useful) approach to setting goals. Derek also shares the one thing that all of his heroes have in common, and his thoughts on what the best thing is that you can pursue in your life. You can learn more about Derek by visiting his website sive.rs. We invite you to share your feedback about this show with us on social media. We're @crazygoodturns on all of the platforms. Don't forget to subscribe or follow us on the podcast service of your choice. If you already subscribe, we'd really appreciate a 5-star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crazy-good-turns/id1137217687 We appreciate you listening and sharing our episodes. Thank you!

    54 min
See All (140)

4.8
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

We tell inspiring stories about people who do amazing things for others.

Information

  • Creator
    Joyful Noise Productions
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Crazy Good Turns

You Might Also Like