Luminaries in the Dark

“COVID-19 gave me the opportunity to live out my beliefs. What a blessing it is to get a call from a hospital that says, ‘Our nurses and our doctors, they're taking risks that are just not okay’. Could a man ever have a better blessing in life than to know that he got to live out his belief, which is, ‘Hey, we're going to try to love our neighbors?’“ – Jeff KaasIt is not too often that we hear of a for-profit business putting their employee growth and community contribution as their mission statement. Luckily, not only do these companies exist, but they are shining a light towards a pathway for hope and healing amidst a pandemic.In this week’s episode of Luminaries in the Dark, host Bruce Bracken is joined by Jeff Kaas, owner and consultant for Kaas Tailored, a furniture manufacturer and consulting group in Mukilteo, Washington. With a strong set of beliefs centered around loving his neighbors, Jeff tells us how he made the temporary switch from furniture manufacturing and consulting, to using his factory to produce PPEs to meet the 100 Million Mask Challenge. By putting his business aside, Jeff collaborated with his partners and competitors to create an international response to fighting coronavirus.Listen in and be comforted to know that putting people first can reap amazing results.ResourcesJeff Kaas - LinkedInKaas Tailored100 Million Mask Challenge - WebsiteSeattle Times - ArticleBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

"Mental health has been an issue in our communities for a long, long time. If you look at any youth health survey results from communities around Snohomish County, depression, anxiety, kids vaping, drug use, all of that has been on the rise even before COVID." -Patsy CudabackChildren are our future. They will be responsible for building and leading our communities and helping us, as humans, progress to achieve a more just and caring world. It’s a fact that children are largely molded by their environment, and with the advent of COVID, children everywhere are facing the consequences of shelter-in-place orders. Suddenly, the things that are vital to a child’s development, such as school, community activities, and even friendships, are put on hold.The YMCA, a not-for-profit that has been around for more than 120 years, is ready to meet the challenge to support and care for children in our communities. This week, host Bruce Bracken speaks to Patsy Cudaback, Senior Vice President for the YMCA of Snohomish County, who is fearlessly answering the call to provide mental health support to our youth. By hiring mental health counselors and incorporating them into the day camps at the YMCA, Patsy provides children with a listening ear and skills for coping with the changes around them.ResourcesPatsy Cudaback - LinkedInSnohomish County YMCA - https://ymca-snoco.org/YMCA and BGCSC Summer Camp Partnership - KOMO newsBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” – Henry David ThoreauFor some, thinking of summer conjures up youthful memories of hiking with friends, canoeing down a river, fishing from a lakeshore, or late-night campfire stories. But this year, with travel and group gatherings curtailed, many of us face the challenge of finding ways to continue those summertime outdoor adventures.Luckily, this hasn’t stopped organizations from inventing unique ways for people to enjoy the season’s beautiful weather. Avid4 Adventure is one such organization that has pivoted its programs to accommodate safety and social distancing concerns while providing summer fun. With its mission to empower kids of all ages and skill levels and encourage them to choose active, outdoor lifestyles, Avid4 Adventure offers safe summer activities through their Camp at Home and Small Group Adventures programs.Paul Dreyer, CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of Avid4 Adventure, joins host Bruce Bracken for this week’s episode and discusses the importance of providing an outlet for children to improve their concepts of self-development and teach the importance of community through an evolution of summer camp and activities.Listen in and be inspired to rethink your summer adventure plans!Resources Paul Dreyer - LinkedInAvid4 Adventure: https://avid4.com/Avid4 Adventure - Camp At Home: https://avid4.com/camp-at-homeAvid4 Adventure - Small Group Adventures: https://avid4.com/small-group-adventuresBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

"I can't imagine being more fortunate than to have a business that blends passion for a product with giving back and with helping others." -Teresa Spellman GambleMany businesses are struggling to stay financially afloat while successfully serving their customers amidst social distancing rules. But for other businesses the question they are struggling with is – what else more can we do to help our community?Tinte Cellars is one of those very special businesses, founded on a philanthropic model that seeks to support the community. Host Bruce Bracken talks with co-owner Teresa Spellman Gamble, who started a campaign aimed at brightening the day of so many elderly people who are affected by COVID-19.Drawing from her unique upbringing and her devotion to her community, Teresa encouraged those around her to create thoughtful handwritten letters or cards, that would then be distributed by Northshore Senior Center, the second largest senior center in the United States. In a short time, Teresa’s Love Letters to the Elderly campaign quickly grew in popularity in Washington State, inspiring others everywhere to do the same.It’s heartening to realize the power that a few meaningful words on paper can have to brighten and bring hope to someone’s day.Resources:Teresa Spellman-Gamble – LinkedIn  Tinte Cellars – Love Letters to the ElderlyNorthshore Senior Center – WebsiteSeattle Times - ArticleWoodinville Weekly - ArticleSeattle PI - ArticleTinte Cellars Website: www.tintecellars.comReservations: https://tintecellars.com/tasting-experiences/Contact: info@tintecellars.comBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

"Whatever our New Normal will be, we will be there for our families." - Carrie SlavinMost of us have had to significantly readjust our lives due to stay-at-home and social distancing mandates, that has given many of us increased opportunities to spend time with our families - eating meals together, playing board games, and otherwise getting to know each other better. But for families that are struggling due to the economic downturn, buying food and household supplies is a major concern during these times. These families have had to make sacrifices, sometimes being forced to choose between buying much needed food and buying cleaning and disinfectant supplies to stay healthy.This week host Bruce Bracken talks to Theresa Roberts and Carrie Slavin, President and Former President of The Assistance League of Seattle. After seeing that families needed supplies other than food and clothing, Theresa and Carrie set out a program to assist families to receive basic hygiene and cleaning supplies. By engaging other families in their local community, The Assistance League of Seattle was able to create 325 family-to-family care packages.Join us in the next episode to as we listen in on how families are helping families in the Seattle area.ResourcesWebsite for The Assistance League of SeattleSeattle Times ArticleBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

"Loneliness, as a concept, is going to be the next epidemic." – Noah FriedmanWe have all seen the signs and heard the instructions - stay 6 feet away from each other. When followed, this rule has kept the COVID-19 infection count low in some areas and is vital to helping states re-open stores and public places. But when was the last time any of us gave another person a hug? Or even a handshake or a pat on the back? Chances are, for most of us, its been about 5 months since we have interacted with another person this way, and it begs the question; how has being apart from others affecting our need, as humans, to be connected?In this next episode of Luminaries in the Dark, host Bruce Bracken is joined by two people who are hoping to keep us connected during these troubling times. Noah Friedman and Sahil Bhaiwala are co-founders of 6FtCloser, an online platform designed to send short videos of appreciation to essential workers. Users can, in a short time, show their gratitude by either making a video, or nominating an essential worker to receive a video. All messages are exchanged anonymously, and users are encouraged to speak from the heart.While this platform doesn’t replace the comfort of a hug, or an in-person communication, it can remind us of the power of gratitude. Resources6FtCloser - WebsiteNoah Friedman - LinkedInSahil Bhaiwala - LinkedInBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, once said, “No man steps in the same river twice.”This quote, first spoken around 515 BC, rings true today as we evolve into our New Normal, and while we cannot go back to exactly how we lived before the global pandemic, people all around the world are influencing the evolution of the New Normal by stepping up to answer the needs of hospitals, front line personnel, and at-risk individuals in communities everywhere.In this episode, host Bruce Bracken learns about the power of connection and togetherness as he speaks with Mitch Wittenberg, the regional lead for Masks for Docs in Seattle, a not-for-profit social impact company that connects doctors and hospitals with local PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) resources. With 45 chapters across the United States, and in Canada, Colombia, Mexico, and India, Masks for Docs is enabling suppliers to fill the ever increasing demand for face shields, sewn masks, cleaning supplies, ventilators, protective eye-wear, and more. Much needed supplies are provided with no strings attached to front line workers.Join us in the episode as we learn how average people are joining the fight against a deadly virus, while bringing hope to others.Resources:Mitch Wittenberg - LinkedInMasks For Docs - WebsiteBruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

"I like to call it comic relief. Especially now when there is so much stress and so much anxiety in everyone's life. It is a moment of comic relief for people that they get to escape … when they just get to sit and watch a show for 45 minutes to an hour and let everything else go." - Chad JacobsMany of us have had to reinvent ourselves and how we work to continue to provide services and maintain our livelihoods during this unique and challenging time. Entertainers and artists, who rely heavily on in-person physical communication, have had to rethink the way they perform and communicate their artistry in this new world.In this episode, host Bruce Bracken introduces you to Chad Jacobs, also known as Chef Bananas. As a family entertainer, Chad delights in using magic tricks, songs, and funny props like a huge banana phone to bring laughter and joy to the hearts of young children. Like many performers, artists, and small business owners, Chad evolved his business model in light of social distancing guidelines. Within just a short time, Chad tackled the technological learning curve and transformed his in-person show into a virtual one and rewrote his performance to keep viewers engaged, all while performing in the small basement of his home.Join us as we learn how one family entertainer took his show to a virtual platform, almost overnight, to continue bringing joy and laughter to young children and families everywhere.Resources: Website: https://www.chefbananas.com/Bruce Bracken - LinkedInDiscover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts