36. The Final Episode: Karen Olson and the Legacy of Doing Good
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Episode 36
In the final episode of Community Good, Karen Olson shares how one moment of compassion sparked a national movement—and why doing good in your community starts with simply paying attention.
About the Episode:
In this final episode of Community Good, Marney is joined by Karen Olson, founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise. This national organization has helped over one million people experiencing homelessness. Karen shares how a single act of noticing—a moment of connection with a woman on the street—sparked a lifetime of advocacy, leadership, and impact.
Together, Marney and Karen explore how values-driven work shapes not only our legacy but also how we navigate each season of life. They discuss the evolution of Family Promise, the challenges of nonprofit leadership, and what it looks like to stay grounded in compassion in a world that often pulls us away from it.
As the closing chapter of Community Good, this episode serves as a powerful reminder of how doing good in your community begins with paying attention, following through, and trusting that one small act can truly change everything.
More about Karen Olson:
Karen Olson is the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, a nonprofit organization that began with a single local initiative and evolved into a national movement to support families experiencing homelessness. Under her leadership, the organization expanded to over 200 affiliates nationwide, mobilizing more than 200,000 volunteers annually.
Karen is also a writer, speaker, and lifelong advocate whose reflections on faith, community, and service have helped inspire people to lead with purpose and compassion. Her work has earned her numerous national awards and recognition, but she remains grounded in the belief that real change always begins with small, intentional acts.
Today, she continues to write and speak on topics of leadership, personal transformation, and aligning your actions with your deepest values.
Facebook: Karen Olson Author
Instagram: @karen.olson.author
Connect with Marney:
Insta: @shelives.intentionally