Action 2 Impact Podcast with Gwen Jones

Gwen Jones
  • 4.9 (10)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Since 2019, host Gwen Jones — a proud Rotarian — has been sharing powerful stories of extraordinary people who turn bold ideas into meaningful impact. While many guests are Rotarians making a difference through service, the heart of the Action 2 Impact Podcast goes far beyond any one organization. Each episode spotlights inspiring individuals from around the world who took a single step to make life better for others — and ended up changing communities, and sometimes the world. Listeners will discover uplifting stories, practical inspiration, and proof that real change doesn’t require perfection or permission — just action. Because impact isn’t reserved for a select few. It starts with one person, one idea, and one step. Listen, subscribe, and get inspired to turn your own actions into impact.

  1. 2D AGO

    Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.6 Why Community Arts Matter And How To Support Them

    Send us Fan Mail We get honest about why the arts feel easier to ignore than roads or schools and why that choice costs us empathy, creativity, and shared community life. Brian Rodolfo, president and CEO of The Cabot, explains how a historic theater stays open by blending commercial shows with mission-driven arts education, outreach, and affordable access.  • the arts as a tool for empathy, creativity, and collaboration across every field  • why arts funding gets politicized and how art “shines a light” on society  • when shocking art works and when it feels empty  • a practical definition of art as something that moves you and makes you think  • Brian’s career path from lighting design to programming to CEO  • The Cabot’s roots as a 1920 movie palace and vaudeville house  • curated movie nights and the power of a shared audience experience  • the economics of running a nonprofit community arts venue  • access programs including Vet Tix and Massachusetts EBT Card to Culture  • why big-name patronage looks quieter today and how smaller gifts add up  • arts and science connections including dementia, autism, and music therapy research  Check out the website. We’ve started a sponsorship program. It starts as easy as $3 a month, and it helps me get this show out there. If you’re interested in having the Action to Impact podcast and video cast come to your neck of the woods, be it your club, your assembly, your zone event, anything, Rotarianpod at gmail.com, message me. If you have somebody that you feel is turning their actions into impact, let me know. That same address, Rotarianpod at gmail.com. Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    48 min

  2. MAR 25

    ENCORE SHOW!! I'm A Rotarian Podcast Season 8 EP.15 PE Gordon McInally

    Send us Fan Mail  Encore Presentation — March Join us for a special encore: an intimate conversation with Past RI President Gordon McInally, recorded before his term. Hear his vision to spotlight mental health and inspire global hope. Listen to Gordon McInally today on the podcast. Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    48 min

  3. MAR 18

    Food Security Starts In The Soil

    Send a text We talk with Eduardo Tavar Lopez from the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Beverly about how new farmers get trained and why sustainable farming depends on real systems like land access, education, and distribution. We also connect the dots between organic standards, food literacy, and food security through New Entry’s incubator farm and Food Hub.  • New Entry’s origins through Tufts University and its evolution beyond refugee and immigrant farmer support  • Scholarships and training designed for new and beginning farmers  • How an incubator farm works and why a three-year runway matters  • What growers raise on the incubator plots and why vegetables dominate  • Hydroponics learning options through self-paced online courses  • What a food chemist does and how food science connects to farming  • Practical definitions of sustainable farming that include environmental and financial reality  • What organic certification means and why the transition period is costly  • How the Food Hub aggregates local produce for schools, senior centers, hospitals, and food pantries  • Mobile markets as a tool for food access and community reach  • Why farming is “surviving” and how land access limits the next generation  • Food literacy as a pathway to less waste and more respect for growers  Please support just by spreading the word that’s already enough.  Subscribe and tell a friend.  If you have a guest that I should know about rotarian.pod at gmail.com.  Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    46 min

  4. MAR 11

    Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP. 3 The Peace Pole Project

    Send us Fan Mail We talk with Larry Strober about why Peace Poles still matter in a world full of conflict and how Rotary can turn a simple public marker into real peacebuilding momentum. We trace the movement back to Hiroshima in 1955, then follow its evolution into the Oregon Peace Trail, the Peace Game, and a bold moonshot for peace by 2030. • the origin story of “May Peace Prevail On Earth” and why 1955 matters • how Rotary Peace Poles spread worldwide and why the project is bigger than Rotary • using QR codes to make Peace Poles interactive and teach Rotary’s Four-Way Test • why Peace Poles work as personal reminders and community gathering points • the Oregon Peace Trail plan and how peace projects can attract younger members • the Peace Game framework and the seven peace actions that build peacebuilders • the 2030 moonshot and the idea of peace zones anchored by Peace Poles • how Rotary leadership structure can slow peace work and how peace builder clubs help • why peace supports every other Rotary area of focus including polio eradication You can tell a friend about the podcast, okay? Have them subscribe. If you have a location that you'd like to see your podcast go to, shoot me in the email: Rotarianpodsymail.com. Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    41 min

  5. MAR 4

    Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.2 When Women Lead, Rotary Grows with Celia Cruz De Giay

    Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Celia Cruz de Shi to trace a life of service shaped by family, faith in community, and bold leadership, from a childhood moment of empathy to steering Rotary’s first global virtual convention. Two new books capture three decades of women’s impact and the path ahead to a more diverse, agile Rotary. • early service sparked by a simple act of compassion • partnership and family support during a Rotary presidency • converting Honolulu 2020 into a 67,000-person virtual convention • practical membership levers: invitation, image, access • youth pipelines through Interact and Rotaract • women’s leadership milestones and a 50% participation goal • two books: Voices That Inspire and Voices of Leadership • diversity as a driver of better projects and decisions • The Sun Never Sets in Rotary global celebration • why hybrid access should be part of Rotary’s future Subscribe on YouTube to watch the full conversation and please share with your club If you have a guest idea, email RotarianPod@gmail.com You can be a sponsor of the show—visit our sponsorship page to support this labor of love Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    51 min

  6. FEB 25

    ENCORE SHOW: I'm A Rotarian Podcast Season 8 EP.10 POA Champions of Inclusion Award Winner, Anderson Zerwes

    Send us Fan Mail THIS MONTHS ENCORE SHOW : Out of 1.4 million Rotarians six were chosen by RI as "People of Actions, Champions of Inclusion" and one of those six Rotary members is our friend Anderson Zerwes. join us as I talk to Anderson about how winning this award  has changed his life and how being a "Rotarian of inclusion" is something he truly is proud of. Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    44 min

  7. FEB 18

    Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.2 Time to learn about "Bedlessness" with Sleep in Heavenly Peace founder Luke Miklenson

    Send us Fan Mail Time to learn about "Bedlessness" maybe a made up word, but it's not a made up problem, kids with no beds, or safe places to sleep. Luke joins me to tell  of how a simple project in his garage turned into a program that made more then 90,000 beds just last year for kids. www.SHPbeds.org Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    52 min

  8. FEB 11

    Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.1 Catching up with Stephanie Urchick!

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season Two of the Action 2 Impact podcast and round two for 2024/25 RI President Stephanie Urchick. She's BACK! Stephanie is back to talk about her life as RI President, what Impacted her life the most, and where she is going from here. It's a wonderful chat with Stephanie and i'm so glad you could join us. Support the show Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

    51 min
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Since 2019, host Gwen Jones — a proud Rotarian — has been sharing powerful stories of extraordinary people who turn bold ideas into meaningful impact. While many guests are Rotarians making a difference through service, the heart of the Action 2 Impact Podcast goes far beyond any one organization. Each episode spotlights inspiring individuals from around the world who took a single step to make life better for others — and ended up changing communities, and sometimes the world. Listeners will discover uplifting stories, practical inspiration, and proof that real change doesn’t require perfection or permission — just action. Because impact isn’t reserved for a select few. It starts with one person, one idea, and one step. Listen, subscribe, and get inspired to turn your own actions into impact.

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