Acts of Impact

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Acts of Impact

Nicholas Hill

44 episodes

8 months ago

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-R...

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Personal Journals

Society & Culture,

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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-R...

Show more...

Personal Journals

Society & Culture,

Episodes (20/44)

Acts of Impact

Paws On Ground Zero: The Rescue Dogs Of 9/11

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-R...

1 year ago

49 minutes

Acts of Impact

Always Ready: The U.S. Coast Guard Rescue of the FCA Alaska Ranger

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 operati...

1 year ago

1 hour 44 minutes

Acts of Impact

Ignaz Semmelweis, Savior of Mothers

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 ep...

2 years ago

1 hour 37 minutes

Acts of Impact

Jesus Garcia and the Train of Dynamite

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...

2 years ago

36 minutes

Acts of Impact

Swansea Jack and the North Dock Rescues

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 h...

2 years ago

49 minutes

Acts of Impact

Jack Foley and the Sound of Cinema

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 tra...

2 years ago

21 minutes

Acts of Impact

Alice Harris and the King of the Congo

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...

2 years ago

51 minutes

Acts of Impact

Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Holocaust

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...

2 years ago

1 hour 24 minutes

Acts of Impact

Harold Lowe and the Sinking of RMS Titanic

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 ...

2 years ago

1 hour 3 minutes

Acts of Impact

Stories of Impact - Elaina Garcia And The Great Mermaid Rescue

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 Inst...

2 years ago

23 minutes

Acts of Impact

Stories of Impact - Dave Jordan and the Case of The Missing Police Medal

On today's episode, we dive into a unique story involving a retired police officer, a magnet fisherman, and a missing retirement medal. Along the way, we'll learn about magnet fishing and the importance of improving the environment around us. Our guest today is Dave Sonik Jordan, a magnet fisherman, YouTube creator, and environmentalist who tells us all about it. To learn more about magnet fishing, support Dave's channel, and see some really great videos, check out his channel h...

2 years ago

18 minutes

Acts of Impact

How 'Unbound' Empowers Those Living in Poverty By Connecting Them With Direct Financial Sponsors

Today we interview Tara Hefner. Tara is Market Development Director for Unbound, a non-profit organization that partners with families living in poverty, providing direct cash sponsorship and special funding programs. We’ll talk about the benefits of direct sponsorship, the wonderful relationships that form between sponsors and sponsees, and some of the great successes Unbound has witnessed as a result of their programs. To support Unbound, become a sponsor, or discover more ways to he...

2 years ago

39 minutes

Acts of Impact

How 'Wolf Park' Supports the Research, Education, and Conservation of Wolves

Today we interview Karah Rawlings. Karah is the Executive Director of Wolf Park, a non-profit organization dedicated to the research, education, and conservation of wolves. We’ll learn about the value wolves provide to our environment, discuss a concept called re-wilding, and talk about how you, or even your dog, could help with conservation efforts. To support Wolf Park and discover more ways to help, visit: https://wolfpark.org/ To learn more about the show, view transcripts, ...

2 years ago

32 minutes

Acts of Impact

How 'Project Safe' Works to End Domestic Violence Through Intervention, Education, and Support

Today we interview Joan Prittie. Joan is Executive Director of Project Safe, a non-profit organization that is working to end domestic violence. Project Safe believes that everyone deserves to be safe in their homes and in their relationships, and that love shouldn’t come at a cost of abuse or control. To support Project Safe and discover more ways to help, visit: https://www.project-safe.org/ To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit: https://www.actsofimpact.com...

3 years ago

38 minutes

Acts of Impact

How 'Silent No Longer Tennessee' Empowers Survivors of Sexual Violence Through Creative Expression

Today we interview Greta McClain. Greta is Executive Director of Silent No Longer Tennessee, a non-profit organization empowering survivors of sexual assault to share their story in creative and powerful ways. We’ll talk about the challenges faced by these survivors, the support that Silent No Longer Tennessee provides, and how the entire community is involved in the effort to end sexual violence. To support Silent No Longer Tennessee and discover more ways to help, visit: https...

3 years ago

24 minutes

Acts of Impact

How 1,200+ Men’s Sheds Across Australia Provide Social Support, Camaraderie, and Improved Health for Men

Today we interview David Helmers. David is Executive Officer for the Australian Men’s Shed Association, a non-profit organization that supports the men’s shed movement across Australia. We’ll talk about the challenges men face when it comes to finding social support and camaraderie, how these sheds support men’s mental and physical well-being , and how David and the Australian Men’s Shed Association are helping out. To support the Australian Men's Shed Association and discover more way...

3 years ago

27 minutes

Acts of Impact

How 'EduBall' Uses Soccer to Keep Ugandan Children in School

Today we interview Kenneth Oroma. Ken is an alumnus of the Teach For Uganda Fellowship and co-founder of EduBall, a community-based organization that uses the game of Soccer to improve educational outcomes for children in Uganda. We’ll talk about the challenges Ugandan children face when it comes to literacy and staying in school, how Soccer teaches crucial skills for success, and how Eduball has brought together students, parents, and the communities at large. To support EduBall and d...

3 years ago

23 minutes

Acts of Impact

How Sangyu Xi's New Dyson-Award-Winning Scoliosis Brace Grows With Its Wearer

Today we interview Sangyu Xi. Sangyu is a designer and programmer who has just received a national Dyson award for her design of an adjustable scoliosis brace named Airy. Airy is the first scoliosis brace to grow with the patient, allowing teenagers to wear it comfortably and confidently. We’ll talk about the challenges of traditional scoliosis braces, how Sangyu approached this problem from a design perspective, and ultimately the improvements that Airy provides. To learn more about A...

3 years ago

28 minutes

Acts of Impact

How the 'TU/ecomotive' Student Team Created a Car That Cleans The Air While Driving

Today we interview Nikki Okkels. Nikki is an industrial design student of the Eindhoven University of Technology and member of the TU/ecomotive student team, which has just created ZEM, a new car that cleans the air while driving. We’ll talk about why this technology is an important step for our environment, the filter they’ve created to remove carbon from the air, and the challenges they faced in creating this exciting new car. To learn more about the TU/ecomotive team, visit: https:/...

3 years ago

20 minutes

Acts of Impact

How Mike Young And His Volunteer Crews Have Flown Over 8,000 Puppies to Permanent Homes

Today we interview Mike Young. Mike is a dog rescue pilot who has flown over 8000 puppies by private plane from rescues and shelters in the rural south to large urban areas to be put up for adoption. We’ll talk about why these flights are needed, how the puppies are kept safe throughout the flight, and how volunteer crews and pilots are coordinated to bring these puppies to their forever homes. To see videos and learn more about Mike's operations, visit: https://vimeo.com/showcase/2205...

3 years ago

36 minutes