Action 2 Impact Podcast with Gwen Jones
Since 2019, host Gwen Jones — a proud Rotarian — has been sharing powerful stories of extraordinary people who turn bold ideas into meaningful impact. While many guests are Rotarians making a difference through service, the heart of the Action 2 Impact Podcast goes far beyond any one organization. Each episode spotlights inspiring individuals from around the world who took a single step to make life better for others — and ended up changing communities, and sometimes the world.
Listeners will discover uplifting stories, practical inspiration, and proof that real change doesn’t require perfection or permission — just action. Because impact isn’t reserved for a select few. It starts with one person, one idea, and one step.
Listen, subscribe, and get inspired to turn your own actions into impact.
Episodes
312 episodes
Peace Building Through Football (Soccer)
Soccer becomes a practical pathway to peace when we pair skills training with family-focused lessons on respect, safety, and belonging. Ron and Marcos share how a “Soccer Plus” model that began in 1994 now scales through Rotary to serve kids fr...
From Delinquents To Dream Team With Less Moose Hats NEPELS PT2
We meet four first-time district governors stepping into leadership across the Northeast and hear what they want clubs to feel when the year is done. Then we check back in with the outgoing “delinquents” to learn what their big swing for change...
Voices From Rotary President-Elect Training Part 1
We hit the road to Northeast PELS and hand the mic to presidents-elect, district leaders, and longtime Rotarians who are stepping into big roles. The stories range from hilarious name-tag moments to serious talk on membership, global service, a...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.6 Why Community Arts Matter And How To Support Them
We get honest about why the arts feel easier to ignore than roads or schools and why that choice costs us empathy, creativity, and shared community life. Brian Rodolfo, president and CEO of The Cabot, explains how a historic theater stays open ...
ENCORE SHOW!! I'm A Rotarian Podcast Season 8 EP.15 PE Gordon McInally
Encore Presentation — MarchJoin us for a special encore: an intimate conversation with Past RI President Gordon McInally, recorded before his term. Hear his vision to spotlight mental health and inspire global hope. Listen to Gordo...
Food Security Starts In The Soil
We talk with Eduardo Tavar Lopez from the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Beverly about how new farmers get trained and why sustainable farming depends on real systems like land access, education, and distribution. We also connect the ...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP. 3 The Peace Pole Project
We talk with Larry Strober about why Peace Poles still matter in a world full of conflict and how Rotary can turn a simple public marker into real peacebuilding momentum. We trace the movement back to Hiroshima in 1955, then follow its evolutio...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.2 When Women Lead, Rotary Grows with Celia Cruz De Giay
We sit down with Celia Cruz de Shi to trace a life of service shaped by family, faith in community, and bold leadership, from a childhood moment of empathy to steering Rotary’s first global virtual convention. Two new books capture three decade...
ENCORE SHOW: I'm A Rotarian Podcast Season 8 EP.10 POA Champions of Inclusion Award Winner, Anderson Zerwes
THIS MONTHS ENCORE SHOW : Out of 1.4 million Rotarians six were chosen by RI as "People of Actions, Champions of Inclusion" and one of those six Rotary members is our friend Anderson Zerwes. join us as I talk to Anderson ab...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.2 Time to learn about "Bedlessness" with Sleep in Heavenly Peace founder Luke Miklenson
Time to learn about "Bedlessness" maybe a made up word, but it's not a made up problem, kids with no beds, or safe places to sleep. Luke joins me to tell of how a simple project in his garage turned into a program that made more then 90,0...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 2 EP.1 Catching up with Stephanie Urchick!
Welcome to Season Two of the Action 2 Impact podcast and round two for 2024/25 RI President Stephanie Urchick. She's BACK!Stephanie is back to talk about her life as RI President, what Impacted her life the most, and where she is going f...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 24 Rotary is Growing in Africa...WHY?
Rotary is Growing in Africa...WHY? Well let's head to Nigeria to talk to my friend and Rotary Foundation Trustee Pearl Okoro. Pearl has some real straight forward talk about why Rotary is growing in her country, and slipping i...
GREAT ANCORE SHOW TIME FOR SOME ROTARY HISTORY: Season 9 EP.18 The Paul & Jean Harris Home Foundation Chair Cheryl McIntyre
Get your Rotary history geek on as we talk to the Chair of the Paul & Jean Harris Home Foundation Cheryl McIntyre. We talk about the restoration of the Harris's house, how you and your club can be a part of this amazing project, and even ho...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 23 Meet Russian Rotarian Anna Tumanova
Rotary has Rotary clubs and Rotarians in Russia? Yes,Yes we do! And they are doing great work all over the world.Today meet Anna Tumanova, as she tells me about all thge wonderful work being done by Russian Rotarians.
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 22 A Polio Drop Adventure with Nancy Barbee and Mary Shackelton
Have you ever wondered what it's like to go on a Polio drop trip? I mean how do you get there, where do you eat, sleep, wash up? Is it safe? Does it cost alot of money? Face it was always hear the amazing stories, but never the details. Well th...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 21 Meet Fedele, A Rotarian bringing human dignity to the people of Uganda
Time to meet Fedele, A Rotarian bringing human dignity to the people of Uganda.I talk to Fedele from a refugee camp somewhere in Uganda. Everyday this young Rotarian is bringing food, water, skills, and human dignity and maybe hope for t...
HOLIDAY SHOW SO GOOD WE HAD TO BRING IT BACK THIS YEAR! Fighting Bed-less-ness this Holiday season with Rotary and Sleep in Heavenly Peace
HOLIDAY SHOW SO GOOD WE HAD TO BRING IT BACK THIS YEAR: Join me for my first Holiday show where I introduce you to 7870 DG Bill Stevens and Sleep in Heavenly Peace member David Sodders. We talk about the sad fact of ...
AMAZING ENCORE SHOW: I'm A Rotarian Podcast Season 9 EP.8 Dr Nischal Pandey
AMAZING ENCORE SHOW : Dr Nischal Pandey is one of the most inspirational Rotarians I have ever met. Join us as we talk about his wonderful work with children all over India and around the world.
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 20 RI Director for Zones 28&32 Chris Etienne
Chris Etienne may be known for her trademark black glasses, but she is much more then that. Join me as i talk to Chris about her Zone job, and as she wraps up her position, what is next.
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 19 Past RI Vic-President and Truly Amazing Rotarian Dean Rohrs
Some times you get to interview a Rotarian who's adventures in Rotary are simply a cut above the rest, and this week we have that Rotarian. Join me as I talk to the one and only Dean Rohrs.
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 18 Rotary E-Club of World Peace founding member Rudy Westervelt
Time for "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Man"...and Woman.lolWho better to see how Peace in the World is doing then to talk to Rotary E-Club of World Peace Founding Member Rudy Westervelt. Rudy and I talk about the good news out there ab...
ENCORE SHOW: I'm A Rotarian Season 4 Ep.1 For The Love Of Rotary Pins
THIS WEEK WE GO WAY, WAY BACK TO TALK ABOUT THE JOY OF A GREAT ROTARY PIN!This week is all about the history, the trading, the controversy, and the love of Rotary pins.With return guest Ed Book of the Rotary Pin Fello...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 17 Catching up with the Rotary WASH E-Club,with Bob Chagrasulis
Bob Chagrasulis joins me to catch me up on all the wonderful goings on in the world with clean water and sanitation. We also chat about the drastic cut in aide world wide by the US government and how Rotary needs to help fill in the gaps. Join ...
Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP. 16 Humberto Silva and the Rotary HEP Project
We are so close to ending Polio but then what's next? What will Rotary's next big project be? What if it's the silent killer Hepatitis? My new friend Humberto Silva is here to talk about what he would like Rotary's next big world project to be....