EducationSelf-Improvement

How Can I Help?

Chris Whitten

Sharing stories of love, kindness and inspiration from everyday people whose simple acts of kindness have touched so many hearts and made a huge impact on their community. Join us in the How Can I Help? movement by adopting a mindset of intentional kindness and looking for opportunities in every aspect of your life to make a positive impact in the lives of others, whether through small gestures or larger acts of generosity.

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12 episodes
Avg 57 min
English

Episodes 12

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S1 · E12
Monday · 1 hr
Beyond the Ballpark: Life Lessons from Adoption and Community Engagement with Ben DeCastro
On this episode, host Chris and guest Ben DeCastro reflect on the phrase “sometimes the flowers arrange themselves,” connecting it to navigating COVID and a long foster-to-adoption journey. They discuss their shared radio background, Ben's work as stadium announcer for the PawSox/WooSox, the legendary 1981 33-inning game, and why deteriorating McCoy Stadium facilities helped drive the move to Worcester’s Polar Park, which many fans appreciate once they visit. The conversation emphasizes community engagement and charity, citing the Cardi family’s example and the idea of living with an “open hand.” Ben also describes Rhode Island’s “Anchor Weekend” foster-parent crash course, a difficult placement glitch that ultimately lead to adopting his daughter Callie. They highlight ways to support foster kids through respite care, donations, and Bags of Hope duffel bags, and end with the belief that energy—not time—is the most precious commodity. Follow Our Guest: Ben DeCastro - LinkedIn Ben DeCastro - Instagram Ben DeCastro - YouTube Ben DeCastro - Facebook Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠⁠
S1 · E11
August 24 · 52 min
Planting Seeds of Kindness: Aussie/Nashville Country Artist Brittany Elise's Journey of Kindness and Music
On this How Can I Help Podcast, host Chris chats with Australian-born country artist Brittany Elise about her journey from a small northeast-coast Australian town to Nashville. They discuss how early leadership programs, sport, and community laid down the pathway to kindness and inspiration. Brittany shares a decade working with youth as a teacher and coach, including the “R U OK?” movement to promote mental-health check-ins, and describes childhood fundraising “Golden Mile” projects with her mother. She recounts a rare, severe knee injury that lead her to pivot more fully into music. She discusses her early days, trips to Nashville, securing U.S. residency, buying a home, and the release of her brand new album, all while emphasizing patience, authenticity, kindness and “planting seeds” over time. Follow Our Guest: Brittany Elise - Website Brittany Elise - Instagram Brittany Elise - Facebook Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠⁠
S1 · E10
June 22 · 53 min
Rethink Recycling: How Small Acts Lead to Big Change
On this How Can I Help Podcast, Melissa Chaput about being kind to the planet through reducing, reusing, and recycling correctly. Using her “Don’t blow it. Good planets are hard to find” sign as a springboard, they explain how “wish-cycling” and contamination can cause entire recycling truckloads to be rejected and landfilled. Melissa outlines generic recycling guidelines for paper, glass, metal and plastic. They also discuss some of the other 5-R's, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair and Rot. Small acts can make the biggest of changes for our planet and our communities. Follow Our Guest: ⁠Melissa Chaput - Smithfield Trash & Recycling Website Melissa Chaput - LinkedIn Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠⁠
S1 · E9
June 1 · 1 hr 1 min
Surviving the Boston Marathon Bombing: Roseann Sdoia Materia’s Story of Survival, Strength, and Paying It Forward
On the How Can I Help Podcast, Boston Marathon bombing survivor Roseann Sdoia Materia shares her powerful journey of resilience, mindset, and turning tragedy into purpose. Roseann explains how positivity is a conscious choice. She encourages listeners to reframe setbacks as “bad moments” rather than “bad days,” shifting perspective, and redirecting energy toward good. She vividly recounts the day that changed everything: April 15, 2013. After leaving a Red Sox game, she headed to Boylston Street near the Boston Marathon finish line to cheer on friends. Moments later, the first bomb detonated—followed seconds later by the second explosion at her feet, which took her right leg. In the chaos, a 19-year-old bystander carried her to safety. She was rushed to MA General Hospital, where overwhelmed medical teams fought to save her life. Roseann opens up about life as an above-knee amputee, the power of survivor community and inclusion, and her deep commitment to helping other amputees. She also discusses her book Perfect Strangers, and the remarkable full-circle moment of meeting—and eventually marrying—the firefighter who helped transport her on that fateful day. Follow Our Guest: Roseann Sdoia Materia - Website⁠ Roseann Sdoia Materia - Instagram Roseann Sdoia Materia - Facebook Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠⁠
S1 · E8
May 25 · 53 min
Living and Giving in the Moment: Stories of Inspiration and Embracing the Human Element with Jamel Hardtman
On this episode of the How Can I Help Podcast, Chris talks with longtime friend Jamel Hardtman about slowing down, living in the moment and not taking people and experiences for granted. They share stories how setbacks can become inflection points that lead to purposeful giving. They discuss the power of the How Can I Help movement in new ways to remove our self-focused blinders and actively seek ways to help others. They emphasize kindness as a muscle, encourage sharing positive feedback and other practical ways to be the light for others. Follow Our Guest: Jamel Hardtman - Website Jamel Hardtman - LinkedIn Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠⁠
S1 · E7
May 18 · 49 min
Two Jennifers, One Mission: How a Small Act of Kindness Blossomed into a Heartfelt Fight for Food Insecurities
On the How Can I Help Podcast, host Chris talks with longtime friends Jennifer Capracotta and Jennifer Fantozzi about founding Plates with Purpose, created after their how can I help moment to help a friend during the pandemic. Inspired by holiday giving and a struggling restaurant owner friend, they used donations to support local restaurants while those restaurants prepared and distributed quality meals to people facing food insecurity . The model quickly expanded to about a dozen restaurants and relied on relationship-building with schools, towns, and agencies, plus social media to attract donors. They encourage listeners to “just do it” and contribute using their skills, time, and energy for a better community. Follow Our Guests: Plates with Purpose - Website⁠⁠ ⁠Plates with Purpose - Instagram⁠⁠ Plates with Purpose - Facebook⁠⁠ Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠⁠
S1 · E6
April 19 · 1 hr 5 min
Finding Purpose in Paws: How Julie Uthoff Transformed Grief into Passionate Animal Rescue
On the How Can I Help Podcast, Julie Uthoff shares her lifelong commitment to animal rescue and the founding of Pawfect Life Rescue after her mother’s passing. Julie describes how her How Can I Help? moment lead her on the path to rescuing over 2,500 dogs through honest, careful matching and building a loving community that feels more like family. She also gives a glimpse of her new “Seniors for Seniors” program pairing older dogs with older adopters to reduce loneliness and create purpose. Follow Our Guests: ⁠Pawfect Life Rescue - Website⁠ Pawfect Life Rescue - Instagram⁠ ⁠Pawfect Life Rescue - Facebook⁠ Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠
S1 · E5
March 28 · 56 min
Caring for our Planet: Zookeeper and Conservationist, Betsey Brewer, Shares her Heartfelt Journeys of Kindness, Conservation and Community.
On the How Can I Help Podcast, guest Betsey Brewer discusses a Native American quote about borrowing the earth from our children and links kindness, community, and conservation. She shares the origins of her family’s privately owned Southwick’s Zoo and explains modern zoo goals like species-typical behavior, health and breeding. She describes her focus on conservation and education, forming the nonprofit EARTH Ltd in 1999 and its mission to engage, educate, and inspire protection of biodiversity through hands-on experiences. The conversation emphasizes the importance of the How Can I Help? mindset with small collective actions like composting, conserving water, reusing materials and reducing plastics. Betsey also details white rhino poaching for horns, dehorning as a major deterrent, Southwick’s rhino encounters and support for projects that fund dehorning and educate local communities. Follow Our Guests: Southwick's Zoo - Website Southwick's Zoo - Instagram Southwick's Zoo - Facebook EARTH Ltd - Website EARTH Ltd - Instagram EARTH Ltd - Facebook Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠
S1 · E4
March 28 · 54 min
Brewing Kindness, Serving Acceptance: Holly Delrossi Shares her Story as a Mom with a Child on the Autism Spectrum and her Vision of Embracing Neurodiversity in her Community.
On the How Can I Help Podcast, Holly Delrossi talks about her son David, now 13, who was diagnosed with autism at 18 months after missed milestones and sensory challenges. Holly describes the fear and isolation of receiving the diagnosis, the value of early intervention, and supportive educators and speech therapists. After experiencing a lack of kindness and inclusion at a local playground, she became involved in a special education parent advisory committee and learned she’s not alone. Seeking future job skills for David, who loves the smell of coffee, she created NeuroBrews, a mobile coffee trailer “Brewing Kindness and Serving Acceptance,” to build life skills and spark conversations that promote understanding, acceptance, and intentional inclusion. Follow Our Guests: Neuro Brews - Website Neuro Brews - Instagram Neuro Brews - Facebook Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠
S1 · E3
March 28 · 1 hr 3 min
Turning Tragedy into Triumph: Michael ‘Mookie’ Wilson Shares How his Near Fatal Car Crash Led to Discovering the Superpower of Positivity.
On the How Can I Help? Podcast, guest Michael “Mookie” Wilson recounts his 2009 Mass Pike crash in heavy rain while speeding, which caused severe injuries including loss of upper front teeth and jawbone, a lost left ear, and a degloved right arm. If not for a good Samaritan’s How Can I Help? moment, he may have lost his life on the highway. He was treated at UMass Memorial and later rehabbed at Spaulding, where he was told he was a “walking miracle.” He chose a positive recovery path, endured many surgeries, regained hand function, and eventually played catch again. He founded the nonprofit Mookie’s Miracle to speak to youth, teaching “ABCs of Positivity”: Accept, Believe, Commit. Follow Our Guests: Mookie's Miracle - Website Mookie's Miracle - Instagram Mookie's Miracle - Facebook Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠
S1 · E2
March 28 · 1 hr 5 min
Complacency Kills: Transitioning From USCG Special Ops to Civilian Life, Ben Hendricks Shares the Power of Forward Motion Which Lead to Helping Fellow Veterans and First Responders.
On the How Can I Help? Podcast, guest Ben Hendricks discusses his daily mantra “Complacency kills,” a military-taught reminder to avoid stagnation in family, health, work, and community service. He recounts eight intense years in the US Coast Guard, including time on a counter-terrorism team, and highlights lessons of accountability, integrity, trust, selfless service, and using laughter to endure hardship. Ben left the US Coast Guard in 2015 to prioritize family, then faced major injuries, and surgeries that forced a difficult transition; with support from his wife, mentors, and veterans’ resources, he finished a criminology degree, entered Assumption University’s rehabilitation counseling master’s program, built a veteran lounge, and worked at the VA helping veterans with service-connected disabilities. He later co-founded the nonprofit The Garrison Speed Shop, a free, sponsorship-funded, 6,800-square-foot workshop for veterans and first responders to work on motorcycles, learn trades like welding, rebuild camaraderie, and access allied resources, emphasizing positive community, purposeful kindness, and small daily acts of help. Follow Our Guest: The Garrison Speed Shop - Website The Garrison Speed Shop - Instagram The Garrison Speed Shop - Facebook Join the How Can I Help Movement! Grab Your Stickers! ⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠ ⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠ ⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook
S1 · E1
March 28 · 54 min
Inspiring Change: How Two Teenage Sisters are Making A Difference Within Their Schools and Community Through Kindness.
On the How Can I Help Podcast, sisters Gwen Clavet (16) and Mallory Clavet (19) describe how Gwen, influenced by early participation in unified programs, noticed students with disabilities being excluded and a lack of school resources and, at the age of 13, pushed to start a nonprofit. With Mallory’s support and their parents’ encouragement, they founded the Ability Bridge Foundation to promote inclusion through education and community events. They highlight everyday kindness, seeing others’ perspectives, and acting out of your comfort zone for positive change. Follow Our Guests: The Ability Bridge - Facebook The Ability Bridge - Instagram Join the How Can I Help Movement! ⁠Grab Your Stickers!⁠ ⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How Can I Help Movement - Facebook⁠

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