What do Ford, Disney, and Family Promise have in common? If volunteers counted as employees, Family Promise would rank as one of the largest “employers” in the U.S.—proving that compassion can scale. In this episode, we dive into how Family Promise has become the nation’s leading nonprofit addressing family homelessness.…
What if the greatest gift we could give someone is simply the freedom to be fully themselves—without fear, without judgment? In this powerful episode, we reflect on one of the most moving messages from our guest’s book: how a life—like her mother’s—might have been different if met with kindness, understanding,…
What would you choose—keeping your beloved pet or getting your family into shelter? In this heart-touching episode, we explore the heartbreaking decisions families experiencing homelessness often face—like whether to give up a cherished pet just to find a safe place to sleep. When one family in Phoenix had to choose…
What happens when you walk into a room where you know you might not be welcome—but you show up anyway? In this powerful episode, we explore the courage it takes to face social exclusion and emotional pain with resilience. Our guest reflects on a time when she chose strength over…
What started as a personal mission has grown into a statewide organization with a worldwide impact. In this episode, we explore how Pathfinders for Autism became one of Maryland’s most trusted autism resource networks—helping families not just locally, but across the globe through their robust, searchable database. From tools tailored…
What happens when the house suddenly goes quiet? When the roles that defined you for decades shift beneath your feet? In this heartfelt conversation with award-winning journalist and author Rita Lussier, we explore the profound journey of rediscovering yourself after the nest empties. Rita shares the raw emotional reality of…
"Please don’t judge me in the middle of my act." In this deeply human and hope-filled episode, we explore what it means to hold space for ourselves—and others—in the messy, unfinished parts of life. Our guest shares the reminder that where we are today is not the whole story. Some…
What if we could be overcome by laughter just as powerfully as we’re overcome by grief? In this uplifting and refreshingly honest episode, we explore how finding humor in life’s chaos can become one of our most powerful survival tools. Rather than staying stuck in pain, our guest talks about…
What happens when helping someone else becomes the lifeline that gets you through your own storm? In this inspiring episode, we hear how one woman, facing the uncertainty of whether she’d ever walk again, found unexpected strength by shifting her focus from herself to helping a child in need—Madison. That…
What if one chair could hold every hard truth, every pent-up feeling, every injustice a child needed to speak out loud—without fear? In this heartfelt episode, we explore the story of a father who created an unexpected safe space for his children, right in the middle of their home. When…
What do you do when well-meaning words fall painfully short? In this raw and honest episode, we dive into the complex intersection of faith and suffering—where grief doesn't always tie up neatly with a Bible verse, and pain doesn’t vanish just because we "give it to God." One powerful story…
What happens when a tragedy no one talks about becomes the quiet engine behind a life of purpose? In this deeply moving episode, Karen Olson shares the pain of losing her mother to suicide at a time when mental health wasn’t discussed—when grief was swept under the rug and families…
What if helping others is the very thing that helps heal you? In this inspiring episode, we explore the powerful message woven throughout Karen Olson’s life and her book, Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose. While her work with Family Promise has impacted thousands of families…
What if your greatest pain could become your greatest purpose? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Karen Olson—author of Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose and founder of the nationwide nonprofit Family Promise. Karen’s journey began with a simple act of kindness—a ham and…
What does homelessness really look like through the eyes of a child? In this moving episode, we explore a story that redefines perception and compassion. A mother brings her 6-year-old daughter to volunteer at a church shelter, telling her they’re going to “see the homeless.” But after an afternoon of…
humanity? In this touching episode, we hear the story of a 6-year-old girl who expected to witness something “other” at a church volunteering event—only to discover that the homeless looked just like her: kids playing with kids. This beautiful moment reveals the power of connection, perception, and how simple acts…
Those words—spoken by her mother—echoed through one of the most challenging moments of her life. In this reflective and empowering episode, we explore what it means to face adversity with intention, to pause and ask: Is this situation going to get the best of me? Is self-pity worth wasting my…
“Sit down, God. I’m angry.” That was the title of her father’s book, written after the devastating loss of her brother, Forrest. And in this powerful episode, we explore what it means to bring our full, unfiltered selves to our relationship with God—including the grief, the rage, and the raw,…
“I’ve been in a relationship with God for as long as I can remember—but not always on speaking terms.” In this honest and soul-stirring episode, we explore what it really means to walk through life with faith that’s real, raw, and sometimes rocky. Our guest shares her deeply personal spiritual…
What if being stuck didn’t have to mean being stuck? In this uplifting episode, we explore the idea of shifting perspective—from feeling trapped to finding joy, even in unexpected detours. Our guest shares a heartwarming memory of a surprise snowstorm that grounded travel plans and left her and her daughter…
After a spinal cord injury left her with no feeling from the neck down, she faced a life-altering reality—but not with defeat, with determination. In this powerful episode, our guest shares her journey of recovery, from emergency surgery to learning how to walk again with the help of robotic technology…
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear…” In this deeply moving episode, we explore what it means to love without judgment and truly see the humanity in those society often overlooks. Our guest shares her powerful philosophy: that mental illness…
In this heart-opening episode of Real Talk with Tina and Ann, we sit down with Karen Olson, founder of Family Promise, to explore the deeper meaning of community, compassion, and connection. From the bustling streets of New York City to her own Thanksgiving table, Karen shares the unforgettable story of…
What happens when you open your home—and your heart—to people society often overlooks? In this moving and unforgettable episode, we share the story of one woman who invited her friends from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, many of whom were experiencing homelessness, to her house for Thanksgiving dinner. With zero…
