Acts of Impact

On September 11th, 2001, a group of Al Qaeda terrorists hijack four passenger airplanes and carry out suicide attacks against major U. S. targets, including the World Trade Center in New York City. What followed was one of the largest search-and-rescue missions in history, as FEMA teams and first-responders descended on ground zero in search of survivors. Many heroes would arrive on scene to help, with one unique group arriving on four legs instead of two - The FEMA Canine Search-and-Rescue dogs. On today's episode, we'll speak with canine handlers Bob Deeds, Sarah Atlas, and Cindy Ehlers, as well as veterinarian Dr. Cindy Otto. We'll discuss what it was like that day at ground zero, the challenges these dogs faced on the ground, the long-term health effects of the rescue operation, and the emotional impact of the event. I hope you enjoy today's episode. If you'd like to get involved with canine search-and-rescue, there are many ways to do so. You can reach out to the following organizations for more information:Penn Vet Working Dog Center - https://bit.ly/4aHS8eYHope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response - https://www.hopeaacr.org/Deeds Canine Connection - https://www.deedscanineconnection.com/Search and Rescue Dog Foundation - https://bit.ly/3RKDVW2To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to our guests for their time and insight. Music by Alex Grohls.

When the Alaska Ranger sent a distress call to Communications Station Kodiak in the early hours of March 23, 2008, it set in motion a daring and dangerous rescue mission.  Amidst daunting sea and wind conditions, the Coast Guard Cutter Munro coordinated helicopter and plane crews, good samaritan ships, and more in a race against time to save 47 lives. On today's episode, we'll explore the events leading up to the sinking, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard's incredible rescue operation in the frigid, unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea.For this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing three individuals who participated in the rescue operations first-hand, including Flight Commander for the Jayhawk helicopter Brian Mclaughlin, flight mechanic for the Dolphin helicopter Al Musgrave, and communications station watchstander David Seidl. I also had the privilege of interviewing author Kalee Thompson, who literally wrote the book on the rescue operation. Their stories bring to life the intense challenges and split-second decisions faced on this trying night.I hope you enjoy today's episode. For more information on this historic rescue, I highly recommend Kalee's book 'Deadliest Sea: The Untold Story Behind the Greatest Rescue in Coast Guard History'. You can find it on Amazon below:https://www.amazon.com/Deadliest-Sea-Untold-Greatest-History/dp/0061766305Also available on Audible at:https://www.audible.com/pd/Deadliest-Sea-Audiobook/B083ZHTGVMTo learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to our guests for their time and insight. Music by Alex Grohls.

On today's episode, we'll explore the  story of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, an obstetrician from the 19th century who discovered the importance of hand-washing for preventing Childbed Fever and started a campaign to change the behavior of the entire medical industry. In so doing, he would be ostracized, villainized, ignored, and committed to an insane asylym where he would be beaten and ultimately die as this preventable disease continued to kill thousands of mothers. For this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing:Dr. Leslie S. Leighton, Medical Historian and Instructor for the Department of History at Georgia State UniversityDr. Elif Vatanoğlu-Lutz, Professor of Ethics and History of Medicine at Yeditepe University Medical FacultyDr. Justin Lessler, Professor for the Department of Epidemiology at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Public HealthI hope you enjoy today's episode. For more information about the story of Ignaz Semmelweis, I hope you'll consider the book ‘Genius Belabored’ by Theodore G. Obenchain, which you can find at bit.ly/45RJ04WTo learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comVoiceover work by Peter SzocsMusic by Alex Grohls.

On today's episode, we'll explore the incredible story of Jesus Garcia, a Mexican Railroad Engineer credited with saving the entire town of Nacozari, Sonora in 1907 when he sacrificed himself to drive a train of dynamite away from the town before it exploded. For this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Ernesto Ibarra, president of the Nacozari de Garcia Historical Association. We'll discuss the history of Nacozari, Jesus's rise to Engineer, the events of the day leading up to the explosion, and the aftermath of Jesus's incredible decision. I hope you enjoy today's episode. To purchase Ernesto's book (Spanish language) visit:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nacozari-de-garc-a-ernesto-ibarra/1123703107To learn more about the Nacozari de Garcia Historical Association, visit:https://historiadenacozari.org/To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to Ernesto for his time and insight. Music by Alex Grohls.

On today's episode, we'll explore the incredible story of Swansea Jack, a Welsh rescuer credited with saving the lives of 27 people and 2 dogs from the North Docks of Swansea in the 1930s. For this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Berni Hellier, author of 'The True Tail of Swansea Jack', and Gayle Simmonds, illustrator of the book and long-time friend of Berni's. We'll discuss Jack's 7-year career which included charity work, festivals, and more, the attempts to discredit his work as a hoax, and the legacy he leaves behind in Swansea. I hope you enjoy today's episode. To purchase 'The True Tail of Swansea Jack', visit:https://swanseajack.co.uk/shop/To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to Berni and Gayle for their time and insight. Music by Alex Grohls.

On today's episode, we'll explore the incredible story of Jack Foley, a film-maker whose inventive style of creating sound effects for movies revolutionized Hollywood. We'll discuss the unique history of how sound effects came to the movies, how Jack's inventive techniques led to some of today's most creative sounds, and how Foley Artists use everyday objects to sensationalize the stories we see on screen.I hope you enjoy today's episode. To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comVoiceover acting by Art Brown.  Music by Alex Grohls.

On today's episode, we'll explore the incredible story of Alice Harris, a Victorian missionary whose chilling photographs and relentless advocacy work took down the king of the Congo, King Leopold II. For this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Judy Smith, Author of 'Don't Call Me Lady: The Journey of Lady Alice Seeley Harris'.  We'll discuss the horrific ways King Leopold extorted labor from the Congolese people, how Alice's photos turned the hearts of even King Leopold's appointed friends, and ultimately how Alice left a legacy of reform and cultural understanding. I hope you enjoy today's episode. To purchase 'Don't Call Me Lady: The Journey of Lady Alice Seeley Harris', visit:https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Call-Me-Lady-Journey/dp/1458212890To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to Jack for his time and insight. Voiceover acting by Mattie.  Music by Alex Grohls.

On today's episode, we'll explore the incredible story of Irena Sendler, the Polish social worker who risked everything to save 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust. She worked with secret organizations, rose to the top of the Gestapo's most wanted list, and even withstood torture at the infamous Pawiak prison. Her story was buried for 60 years, until three Kansas teens uncovered her legacy in 2004. For this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Jack Mayer, Author of 'Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project'.  We'll discuss how Jack learned of Irena and became involved, the powerful stories Jack encountered during his interviews with her and the children she rescued, and the importance of Irena's story to changing the national conversation in Poland.Throughout today's narration, you'll also hear eyewitness accounts from Holocaust survivors that have been given in interviews since the tragedy. I hope you enjoy today's episode. To purchase 'Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project', visit:https://bit.ly/3J9SQoCTo learn more about the 'Life in a Jar' play and foundation, visit:https://irenasendler.org/To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to Jack for his time and insight. Voiceover acting by Quentin Vo.Music by Alex Grohls.

This year, 2023, marks the 25th Anniversary of one of the most awarded movies of all time, James Cameron's 'Titanic'. On today's episode, we'll explore the life and legacy of Titanic survivor and Fifth Officer Harold Lowe, and the positive impact his actions had on those under his command during the tragedy. Commander Lowe, as he would later be known, took quick and decisive action during the sinking of the Titanic that would save countless lives. He was also the only person to return to the Titanic to look for survivors, and many survivors credit Lowe with their life.  For this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Inger Sheil, Author of 'Titanic Valour: The Life of Fifth Officer Harold Lowe'. We'll discuss Harold's early life and remarkable career rise that led to the Titanic, his actions during the sinking, his return and rescue, and the legacy he leaves behind. Throughout today's narration, you'll also hear eyewitness accounts from Titanic survivors that have been given in interviews since the tragedy. I hope you enjoy this very special episode. To purchase 'Titanic Valour: The Life of Fifth Officer Harold Lowe' visit:https://amzn.to/3iO4IDGTo learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to Inger for her time and insight. Music by Alex Grohls.

On today's episode, we dive into a unique story involving the rescue of a struggling scuba diver by three... mermaids? Along the way, we’ll learn all about the world of professional mermaiding with our guest, Elaina Marie Garcia. Elaina is owner of Catalina Island Mermaids and a scuba instructor for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) who tells us all about it. To learn more about mermaiding and see some really great pictures and videos, you can view Elaina's Instagram page here:https://www.instagram.com/catalinaislandmermaids/To learn more about the services offered by Catalina Island Mermaids, visit their website at:https://catalina-island-mermaids.com/Special thanks to Elaina for her time. Music by Alex Grohls.