The PM Podcast: Episode Summary Title: The Most Basic Cure for Everything: A Conversation with Heidi Johnson
Host: Jay Frost
Release Date: January 25, 2025

1. Introduction and Heidi Johnson’s Background

In this episode of The PM Podcast, host Jay Frost engages in a profound conversation with Heidi Johnson, a renowned nonprofit founder and storyteller. Heidi is celebrated for creating Charity Matters, a platform dedicated to highlighting everyday heroes who enhance the world through service. Her journey began in 2002, following a personal tragedy that led her to establish the Spiritual Care Guild at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, now a national model for pediatric chaplaincy. Heidi's work revolves around sharing stories of purpose, resilience, and the transformative power of giving.

2. Surviving Wildfires: Personal Experience and Resilience

Heidi opens the discussion by recounting her harrowing experience during a recent wildfire. On the day of the wildfire, she and her family were initially evacuated but chose to return to protect their home.

• Protecting Her Home:
  Heidi Johnson [04:11]: "There was really nothing but making sure that we had our papers, we had our photo albums... and that we were safe."

Despite the chaos, Heidi remained calm, attributing her composure to past experiences with natural disasters. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing what truly matters during crises, such as family safety over material possessions.

• Understanding Priorities:
  Heidi Johnson [10:15]: "I think it's the beauty of aging, right? The gifts we get with age."

She reflects on her first evacuation in 1993, where she lost part of her community but gained invaluable insights into resilience and the non-attachment to material things.

3. Founding the Spiritual Care Guild at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Heidi narrates the moment that inspired her to bridge her personal grief with a mission to help others. A year after her parents' tragic accident, she was approached by a Catholic priest needing assistance with chaplaincy services at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

• Discovering Her Calling:
  Heidi Johnson [21:45]: "I knew I was doing, going to be starting a nonprofit to provide more chaplains, which Father John wanted at Children's Hospital Los Angeles."

With a team of ten women, Heidi founded the Spiritual Care Guild, dramatically expanding chaplaincy services from one chaplain to over thirty, establishing a $10 million interfaith center, and setting a national template followed by hospitals across the country.

4. The Crucial Role of Chaplaincy in Healthcare

The conversation delves into the significance of chaplaincy within the medical field. Heidi explains that chaplains are trained listeners who provide emotional and spiritual support without imposing religious beliefs.

• Chaplains as Listeners:
  Heidi Johnson [25:55]: "They are trained listeners. They are not preachers."

She highlights the versatility of chaplains in supporting patients from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that emotional lifelines are available for those undergoing medical and personal crises.

5. Transition to Charity Matters and Documenting Nonprofit Founders

After successfully establishing the Spiritual Care Guild, Heidi transitioned her focus to Charity Matters, where she interviews nonprofit founders to uncover their motivations and journeys. This transition was fueled by her desire to understand the broader landscape of philanthropy and to share inspiring stories of others who create positive change.

• Inspiration Behind Charity Matters:
  Heidi Johnson [34:26]: "I felt like an archeologist. I just kept uncovering the most beautiful human stories every single day."

She shares anecdotes from her interviews, such as the story of Operation Gratitude, founded by a woman motivated by personal loss and a desire to support the military, illustrating the diverse motivations behind nonprofit initiatives.

6. Family’s Philanthropic Legacy and Influence

Heidi discusses how her experiences and values have deeply influenced her family, with her children actively engaging in philanthropic efforts. Each of her sons has founded or co-founded nonprofits focused on community service and support, reflecting the altruistic values instilled in them.

• Children’s Involvement in Philanthropy:
  Heidi Johnson [44:54]: "It is the most basic cure for connection, for empathy, for joy, for purpose, for physical health, for mental health."

Heidi takes pride in her sons’ dedication, from volunteering in underserved communities to initiating programs that support children undergoing medical treatments, demonstrating the ripple effect of her philanthropic endeavors.

7. Fundamental Lessons: Helping Others as the Basic Cure

Throughout the conversation, Heidi emphasizes a simple yet profound truth: helping others is the most fundamental cure for numerous aspects of human well-being. She believes that acts of kindness and support foster connection, empathy, joy, purpose, and overall mental and physical health.

• The Power of Helping Others:
  Heidi Johnson [48:11]: "The most basic cure for everything is helping another person. It is just so simple. It's right in front of us and yet no one sees it."

Heidi advocates for sustained support systems beyond immediate crisis interventions, comparing short-term assistance like casserole brigades to the long-term, consistent support offered by chaplaincy and ongoing community engagement.

8. Conclusion: The Contagious Nature of Philanthropy

Heidi concludes by highlighting the contagious impact of philanthropy within a supportive environment. She credits her husband and family for their unwavering support and underscores the importance of surrounded by like-minded individuals who inspire continuous giving and community service.

• Philanthropy as a Contagious Act:
  Heidi Johnson [49:58]: "It's contagious. And if you're around it enough, you can catch it. And my kids have caught it."

Her closing remarks encapsulate her belief in the simple yet powerful act of helping others as a cornerstone for personal and communal healing and growth.

Key Takeaways

• Resilience in Crisis: Heidi's experiences with wildfires and personal loss have shaped her ability to remain calm and prioritize what truly matters during emergencies.

• Importance of Chaplaincy: Trained chaplains play a crucial role in providing emotional and spiritual support in healthcare settings without imposing religious beliefs.

• Nonprofit Leadership: Heidi's transition from founding the Spiritual Care Guild to Charity Matters illustrates the diverse pathways and motivations behind nonprofit initiatives.

• Family Influence: A strong philanthropic legacy can inspire future generations to engage in meaningful community service and support.

• Simplicity of Helping Others: The fundamental act of assisting others serves as a powerful remedy for various personal and societal challenges.

Notable Quotes

• Heidi Johnson [10:15]: "I think it's the beauty of aging, right? The gifts we get with age."

• Heidi Johnson [21:45]: "I knew I was doing, going to be starting a nonprofit to provide more chaplains, which Father John wanted at Children's Hospital Los Angeles."

• Heidi Johnson [25:55]: "They are trained listeners. They are not preachers."

• Heidi Johnson [34:26]: "I felt like an archeologist. I just kept uncovering the most beautiful human stories every single day."

• Heidi Johnson [44:54]: "It is the most basic cure for connection, for empathy, for joy, for purpose, for physical health, for mental health."

• Heidi Johnson [48:11]: "The most basic cure for everything is helping another person. It is just so simple. It's right in front of us and yet no one sees it."

• Heidi Johnson [49:58]: "It's contagious. And if you're around it enough, you can catch it. And my kids have caught it."

This episode offers a compelling exploration of resilience, the importance of emotional support systems in healthcare, the journey of nonprofit leadership, and the profound impact of fostering a philanthropic spirit within the family and community. Heidi Johnson's insights provide valuable lessons on turning personal adversity into opportunities for healing and service.