# 11: Radically Improving the lives of Struggling Families

EP 12: A New Direction for Ivy League Trucker

We are making a change with the podcast. Getting back to the core of Ivy League Trucker, which is the observations of an Ivy League educated guy with broad corporate and small company experience - living the life of a big rig over the road trucker. Future episodes will cover everything from self-driving trucks to the immigrant experience in trucking to truck safety, crashes and the history of trucking. We will speak with people involved in all this along the way. Resources: Why most trucker Owner-Operators Fail. https://www.truckclub.com/trucking-news/owner-operator-failure-prevention-guide Please remember to "like" the show and press "Follow" in your pod player to get each episode.

# 11: Radically Improving the lives of Struggling Families

Can a single white woman really help struggling single moms of color break generational cycles of poverty? Yes, it's possilbe! Jill Page Goss of Every Good Gift tells a story of personal bridge building and connection that is really making a difference for moms and their children. Resources: Every Good Gift [https://www.everygoodgift.org/]. Jill's non-profit ministry to single mothers in crisis, through job training and personal interaction, giving them job and life skills to break the cycles of poverty. Follow the link to learn and also support this 501c3 non-profit [https://www.everygoodgift.org/]. [https://www.everygoodgift.org/] Christ Kitchen: Loving Women Out of Poverty [https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Kitchen-Jan-Martinez/dp/1937756920/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GF0BDZNS8B90&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VrA0OrnbRhXgQFnYnZQCfA.2nS2g2I_kynEaZTzkyQJ4r_FEbAVGHA3CcfMPQf2yS0&dib_tag=se&keywords=jan+martinez+christ+kitchen&qid=1773759780&s=books&sprefix=jan+martinez+christ+kitchen%2Cstripbooks%2C141&sr=1-1]; by Jan Martinez. This book is about the ministry that inspired Jill to start Every Good Gift Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities [https://www.amazon.com/Bridges-Out-Poverty-Professional-Communities/dp/1934583359/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1GUWOGKU6MOPA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.F62PNFNrS96yDYrvJtSSNvy-WOw9DREF0UtrMkyoWn_e-70AbP-T36JXac6IDKCKdlRx5tuNk16OtCi4e6VkY_dtYcrOfqD3nN6nI_3I-Tmm3bJ8qbAlWWyEQsd6lY8WMzQ50SG0DHWRH9v3zCuONL_goRGdimRhxbmyJK8UkJgxEjMs9DQ4NPsmgKUxFzx8Ul7QPQ5rKQRyuu9IkFtlHljiM44-nLGRy1CiovDD2Ts.4oZudL4M0taVt76dSGIN5qv4Y0wkS1Fn-M7ebjsXxdM&dib_tag=se&keywords=bridges+out+of+poverty+book&qid=1773762269&sprefix=bridges+out+of+p%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-2]. by Terri D. Smith, Ruby K. Payne, Philip E.. DeVol. The book jill referred to that helps us help the poor without hurting.

#10 The Power of Vulnerability plus Curiosity in making Connections

We have all heard it before. Be 'more vulnerable' with people to better connect with them. But man, it's hard and not what we want to do! A friend shares how this has actually been a connection game changer for him - - And a pathway to really seeing other people. 10 episodes in . . . so what do you want to see more or less of?? Check out our poll below - we need to hear from you! Be sure to like the show and give a podcast player review. This makes the show easier for others to find - - and share the show with your peeps! Thx! - Clint Resources: In the TED talk that made her famous, Brene' Brown discusses The Power of Vulnerability (TED Talk; 2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

#9 A Family Man lives a Life of Connection and Care

Clint has some musings about life and human flourishing - and we have a great interview with Josh Chapman, a friend who was shaped for relationship in his family of origin and is intentionally building a relational family with his wife. He also serves as a deacon in our church, which is where the practical needs of our folks are met with love and care. Lastly, some good stuff on the negative effects of social media and phones on kids and how Josh and his wife are effectlvely managing it. Good Stuff! Please continue to share the pod and give a rating to help others find it. Thx!! Resources: Link to Article: "Finding the Good Life in an Age of Designer Babies and High Achievers" (Dispatch Faith; Feb 15, 2026). https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/designer-babies-down-syndrome-christianity/ [https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/designer-babies-down-syndrome-christianity/] What are Deacons?: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=99ae616f7fa66d58&q=Presbyterian+deacons&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKqre7jIWTAxVQC3kGHeTTBI4Q1QJ6BAhIEAE&biw=1280&bih=678&dpr=2 Josh referenced this book about helping people: Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road; by Tim Keller https://a.co/d/066itWon EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK! THE ANXIOUS GENERATION: HOW THE GREAT REWIRING OF CHILDHOOD IS CAUSING AN EPIDEMIC OF MENTAL ILLNESS; BY JONATHAN HAIDT https://a.co/d/06lCodIr Details of Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg testifying in the Feb 2026 California trial about Facebook targeting youth with potentially very addictive social media - and harms to children - a landmark legal case: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/18/tech/meta-mark-zuckerberg-testifies-social-media-addiction-trial

#8 A young Pastor Shares How She makes connections through Service

I think you will really enjoy this interview with Addie, a young female pastor in the Anglican Church. She combines her heart for people and innate curiosity to serve people in and out of her congregation. A young mother of 2, she is fully engaged in life at work and at home. Themes of compassion, respect and empathy undergird her ability to make connections without judgment. Don’t forget to follow the show to get the latest! And share with anyone who would like this stuff - thanks - - Clint :) Resources: What is an Anglican Church?? https://anglicanchurch.net/anglicanism/ How are pastors different than 'regular' (lay) folks? https://learn.ligonier.org/qas/are-preachers-and-pastors-more-important-than-other-christians Jargon decoder: The word 'ordain' means "to set aside for special use". An ordination ceremony is where this is applied to a person in a formal, publicly recognized way. What is driving this national housing shortage that is affecting Millenials and Gen Z so much? (or, it's not your father's Housing market) https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/low-inventory-housing-shortage/ [https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/low-inventory-housing-shortage/] https://www.npr.org/2024/12/11/nx-s1-5223561/the-u-s-is-facing-a-severe-housing-shortage-will-trumps-proposals-help [https://www.npr.org/2024/12/11/nx-s1-5223561/the-u-s-is-facing-a-severe-housing-shortage-will-trumps-proposals-help] ttps://www.npr.org/2024/12/11/nx-s1-5223561/the-u-s-is-facing-a-severe-h Feedback please in your pod player comments or directly to me at: ivyleaguetrucker@gmail.com