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July 6, 2018

When a Podcast Leads to an Amazing Book Find

15 Comments/ 37/ 1

Podcasts have become one of my favorite things to listen to when I am in the car.  I have quite a few I listen to regularly and I have highlighted a few of my favorites here on the blog at various times.  Some of my favorite ones are the story telling ones but I also love murder podcasts.  Mr. Diamond keeps checking for arsenic in his coffee…

While I do have varied interests when it comes to listening to podcasts I do love the ones that touch my heart and recently when listening to SouthBound by Tommy Tomlinson (look for it on any podcast directory) I heard a very inspiring interview that he had with Kathy Izard.

I had never heard of Kathy Izard before but let me tell you – I am now a huge fan.  Kathy, like many others in this world, listened to a small whisper and the rest is history.

Kathy grew up in a family where the motto was “Do Good. Love Well.”  Aren’t those wonderful words?  She took those to heart as an adult and started to regularly volunteer at the local soup kitchen in Charlotte, NC and made sure her family was right there with her as well.  As a successful graphic designer she had a busy life with family and job obligations galore but this was something that she felt led to do.  But even as she volunteered she managed to keep her distance from the “neighbors” as they were called.  She kept behind the serving counter and didn’t interact with them that much. 

Until the day she met the formerly homeless man Denver Moore who challenged her with one simple question upon touring the facility.  “Where are the beds?”

After a lot of soul searching and prayer Kathy made the decision to quit her job and build a home for the homeless population of Charlotte, NC.  What happened was nothing short of a miracle and today Charlotte boasts a very successful program to house the homeless of their city due largely to the efforts of one woman who listened to that whisper.

I won’t go into any more details about the book because I really would love you all to buy a copy of your own.  I read it in basically one day and immediately posted a review on Amazon raving about the story and the author.  As it would have it I was the first reviewer on Amazon of the book’s newest edition and Kathy contacted me to thank me and to tell me she wanted to send me a signed copy .  Of course that thrilled me and I can put the other copy in my Little Free Library so that the story and most importantly the message continue to get passed around.

The message to me was clear.  One person can make a difference.  Listen to those whispers and then go for it.  There is always a way to do good in this world while showing love at the same time.  Thank you, Kathy, for listening to that whisper and for changing the world for so many people.

I love the quotes that Kathy has selected to begin each chapter. They add to the richness of the story and are important quotes that she has purposefully included.

To buy a copy of Kathy’s book The Hundred Story Home: A Memoir About Finding Faith in Ourselves and Something Bigger  visit your local bookstore or check it out on Amazon by clicking here.

You can read my brief review by clicking here.

To listen to the podcast that led me to Kathy’s book feel free to click on the link below to listen.  Carve out an hour someplace in your day to listen – it may change your way of thinking about the homeless in our country and realize that there are still amazing people who truly do care and make a difference.

Don’t forget that YOU can make a difference by leaving a comment on this and every blog post on It’s Just Life.  For every comment left Chris and I will donate 50 cents to the Toiletry Drive to benefit children in the Columbus, Ohio area.  Thanks to my niece, Carla, for her initiative in doing this.  You can read more about Comments for a Cause by clicking here.

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books Charlotte Denver Moore homeless Kathy Izard NC podcast SouthBound podcast The Hundred Story Home: A Memoir About Finding Faith in Ourselves and Something Biggerg Tommy Tomlinson
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15 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Dianna
    July 06, 2018 at 06:55 am

    What a nice story! Kathy sounds like an amazing person.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      July 06, 2018 at 07:10 am

      The book is so inspiring and the podcast really made me stop and think about how often I ignore to heed when I hear that little whisper and nudging. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  2. jena c. henry
    July 06, 2018 at 07:22 am

    You have been reading! I read this post and your review post. Thanks for the nudge to buy the book and to think about my own life.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      July 06, 2018 at 07:24 am

      I loved this book. I often realize just how little I am actually doing to make this world a better place. I know we all do what we can but then i read stories like this about real people and it makes me realize that my work is definitely not done. Every little act of kindness matters and if we put all of our little acts of kindness together it can make a huge difference. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  3. susi_snaps
    July 06, 2018 at 10:06 am

    Going to read your review and put the book on my kindle for vacation reading!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      July 06, 2018 at 10:39 am

      It is just inspiring, you know? And every now and then I need inspiring!

      Reply
  4. Josh
    July 06, 2018 at 10:46 am

    Inspirational! It’s amazing what a difference one person can make!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      July 10, 2018 at 07:11 am

      Yes! Exactly what I think as well. One person can start something big if only they try.

      Reply
  5. Kathy Izard
    July 06, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    Thank you so much Beth Ann! I am so glad we are connected through this book by way of Tommy! Thank you for sharing with your readers–I hope they find the stories inspiring too!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      July 10, 2018 at 07:10 am

      Thank YOU for all that you have done for the homeless in Charlotte and for modeling what one person can do if they put their mind to it. Your story is so inspiring.

      Reply
  6. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    July 06, 2018 at 05:45 pm

    I love inspiration stories. This sounds right up my ally. Maybe in my future. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      July 10, 2018 at 07:10 am

      I would love to hear what you think if you read the book. It is so inspiring!

      Reply
  7. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
    July 08, 2018 at 05:00 pm

    What an amazing story! I’ll have to check it out 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      July 10, 2018 at 07:09 am

      It really is a great book and the podcast is so good as well. I think you would really enjoy the message.

      Reply
  8. priscillaking
    July 17, 2018 at 12:46 pm

    A Toiletry Drive is a good cause. People donate food (especially zucchini) and clothes (especially last season’s) but forget the grooming needs of shelter/mission guests.

    Reply

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