An Army of Normal Folks - How To Find Light in Life’s Darkest Corners (Pt 2)

Episode Date: April 14, 2026

Most people don’t find purpose after losing a child—Joe Herr did. After his 4 year-old son died from complications of having cerebral palsy, he started Logan’s Heart and Smiles, a nonprofit that’s helped 450 other families with disabilities by building wheelchair ramps and home modifications —and showing us how service can bring light to the darkest corners of our lives (and the lives of others).Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody, it's Bill Courtney with an army of normal folks, and we continue now with part two of our conversation with Joe Hurr right after these brief messages from our generous sponsors. You know the famous author, Roald Doll. He thought up Willie Wonka and the BFG. But did you know he was a spy? Neither did I. You can hear all about his wildlife story in the podcast, The Secret World of Roll Doll. All episodes are out now.

Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been. What? Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you. The guy was a spy. Binge all 10 episodes of The Secret World of Roll Dahl. Now on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

When you listen to podcasts about AI and tech and the future of humanity, the hosts always act like they know what they're talking about and they are experts at everything. Here, the Nick Dick and Poll Show, we're not afraid to make mistakes. What Coogler did that I think was so unique He's the writer-director Who do you think he is? I don't know You meet the president? You think Canada has a president

You think China has a president The Law Crosette God I love that thing I use it all the time I wrap it in a blanket And sing to it at night It's like the old Polish saying Not my monkeys, not my circus

It was a good one I like that saying It's an actual Polish saying It is an actual poll thing. Better version of Play Stupid Games, win stupid prizes. Yes. Which, by the way, wasn't Taylor Swift,

who said that for the first time. I actually thought it was. I got that wrong. Listen to the Nick, Dick, and Poll show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Kristen Davis, host of the podcast,

Are You a Charlotte? In 1998, my life was forever changed when I took on the role of Charlotte York on a new show called Sex and the City. Now I get to sit down. with some of my favorite people and relive all of the incredible moments this show brought us on and off the screen.

Like when Sarah Jessica Parker shared that she forgot we filmed the pilot episode. You forgot about it? I completely forgot about it. And when the show was picked up, I panicked. And Cynthia Nixon reveals if she's a Miranda. We both feel confident about our brains. But that's kind of where it ends.

Plus, Sex and the City superfan, Megan B. Stelion doesn't hold back on her opinions of the show. Carrie will literally go sit New York on fire and then come back and type about it at the end of the day. Like half of it wasn't her fault. Listen to Are You a Charlotte on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, folks. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes here. And we know there is a lot of news coming at you these days from the war with Iran to the ongoing Epstein fallout, government shutdowns, high-profile trials, and what the hell is that Blake lively thing about anyway?

We are on it every day, all day. Follow us, Amy and TJ for news updates throughout the day. Listen to Amy and TJ on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Okay, so here's the thing. How does this, your son dies, you're walking down the ramp, you think other families need this. I have the ability to do this. I'm going to start over five. All right.

So how do three Rams turn in? to a full-fledged statewide operation. How'd that happen? Well, it happened over 24 years of incredible hard work by literally hundreds of people. Our executive director, Angela Wallace, who's going to be pissed at I said her name, but I don't care, has literally took our organization from just a guy with some of his friends into a full-fledged professional organization. Tell me what that looks like. So we are fortunate and blessed. We just, after, so for 20 years, we had no paid staff, as I said. Which is just you and a bunch of

volunteers finding people, families that had children or family members in need and fixing their houses for them. And it's more from ramps into bathrooms and inside space. Talk about the whole thing. So we started with ramps, primarily and then somebody was like well would you go do a fence? I'm like sure why not which whatever it was a little bit more than undertaking by myself

and I used to be a big brother, big sister my little my little helped me on that one and it was whatever that wasn't but so the point it was a bunch of people just kept raising her hand coming and helping and as Lydia said yesterday

if it's not fun nobody wants to do it Obviously, it has to be impactful because that's like going to a restaurant and expecting to get food. That's a given. But if people aren't having fun while they're making a difference, they don't want to come back, especially since there's so many opportunities. So I'd like to think we make it fun. You get to learn stuff. I've had multiple people over the years tell me, you know, thank you for opening my eyes to a world that they didn't know existed right in front of their face.

And then we do bathroom remodels, as you said. We make specialty beds for autistic kids. We install therapy swings. Quite candidly, we also come up with the unknown projects that they're struggling. And we've come up with unique situations like sliding gates or, I'm trying to think of it. Like jacuzzis and the... No, we don't do jacuzzis. That was at my personal house.

But still, the point is, you understand what these families are going through, so you will come up with creative solutions for their issues. Correct. We never say no without at least trying to find a new and unthought of solution, with like therapy rooms and some of the things we've done, and or Angela will go through and look forward. for resources. Because if you're not helping them with at least a potential solution,

all it is is another no for a family that hears no at least 20 times a day. How many families have you done stuff for? About 450 now. That's unbelievable. It's all in the Madison area. No, no, throughout the state of Wisconsin. So we help families 21 and under throughout the state of Wisconsin. You also started, because you have such unique perspective on the toll it takes on the caretakers and the parents,

you've also started a way to give them a break. Yep. So that's called the Beyond the Build program. And that was organic from day one. So our annual fundraiser, which is in May, it's going to be our 24th. The parents and caregivers are our VIPs and guest of honor. They get to race either Bucky Badger or dance with him or the brewer's sausages or whatever kind of opportunity every year is a little bit different because of date conflicts. We give them free chair massages.

They get medals. We had a mom one time come up to me and say, good crying, thanking me. I'm like, for what? She goes, I never thought my son would get a medal. How powerful is that? our brand ambassador Noah Betzinger golfs every year as with some others he's a young man who's 26 with cerebral palsy

has more energy and life in him than most of the people in our society and you know what Noah teaches you so it's hard to understand Noah when he talks but if you put 100% of your attention into Noah and listen to him with thinking of nothing else you can understand him and he has a lot of insight and great things to share. The problem is you have to focus on him and him only.

Well, shouldn't we all be doing that when we're talking to people, Bill? But we don't. And, hey, I'm a hypocrite here. I'm not acting like a mother, Teresa, because I can't concentrate on anything for 30 seconds. What is, so what is the beyond the build, it's not just the fun. The beyond the build thing is you, give families time off.

Yes. Well, we're not a rest, but so to me, beyond the build is a mindset. And to me, beyond the build is for everybody in our society. Because we're all supposed to, and I have stickers, I don't know if I gave you one yesterday, we can all make a difference one smile at a time. And beyond the build can incorporate a senior citizen who's making cards with our kiddo. Beyond the build is a volunteer helping at our project and getting to meet the families and having

lunch with them. Beyond the build is also, you could hire a contractor to come in and build something, but we try to include the siblings or volunteers kids or the kid itself depending on their abilities, learning to read a tape measure, learning what square means. depending on their ability, if they use a saw. Usually we don't do that, but they use a screw gun to put screws in. I've had a little, whatever, I don't want to go too much on it.

But also beyond the build is having taken these kids for pontoon boat rides. And beyond the build is letting them be in the St. Patrick's Day parade and having the empowerment of throwing candy out and deciding who gets that. I don't know if you've heard of the movie, Wicked. Yeah. Okay, well, the young woman who plays now. Nessa Rose is the first truly disabled person in a major in motion picture. She's from Maiso-Many, Wisconsin, about 35 miles outside of Madison.

Who do you think built her a ramp 14 years ago? No kidding. No kidding. So beyond the build is having a renting a private movie screen so the kids and their families and their siblings can go to that movie. So like when Ben, they're not, if they, nobody, one, nobody's going to stare. And two, if they do, we don't care. and the sounds a little bit lighter or down and the lights are up a little bit more for comfort for all of them. So beyond the build is a daily interaction where I challenge all of us to see the light and energy

and the different abilities that we all have because if we all take that, that ripple effect will continue each day. The other day I went through McDonald's and got a coffee and I could just tell just whoever was serving was just if things weren't going good in her world I gave her one of our stickers and she thanked me and you could it was overcome with emotion that's beyond the bill it's not just interaction with one of our kids per se it's an interaction with recognizing and appreciating the gift in light and energy we all possess in each of our souls

So at some point, this, Logan's Heart and Smiles became more than just you and a bunch of volunteers. And it's now a full-time foundation or organization, right? So tell me about that. So we have our executive director, Angela Wallace, as I mentioned. She became our first paid employee. Then I came on staff two years ago. and we hired our first carpenter, Michael Gilhouse, six months ago, whatever it is.

Because between being 61 years old, transplant recipient, two or whatever, mom broken, my body just can't. And I was never the biggest and best builder to begin with. So we're setting the stages into the future. We're going to be celebrating 25 years next year. and that is a milestone for any organization. And I'm hopeful in some time,

just like the Kennedy's changed special needs through the Special Olympics, and that mindset, that Logan's Heart and Smiles and Beyond the Build will change the way people interact and see somebody with different abilities. And we learn to appreciate and respect them. You might not understand them,

but at least you'll respect them. before we go on further, I think now I've got to know, I'm so happy you're remarried. I see your wedding ring on your hand. Did you meet your wife when she was giving you a kidney? No. How'd that work? So you talk about divine intervention. My whole life is nothing but divine intervention.

And how everybody says all the time, they wonder how I'm still on the planet. So I met my wife. on Match.com and I had a friend help write my profile because, let's just say, not only am I not organized spelling and back then there wasn't spell check and all that other.

So whatever. I had a friend write my profile for me. She wasn't, because she's in English, she got her degree in English and whatever. So we met on Match.com 17 years ago. She's a widower herself. I know she won't want me to share her details, but then I've been blessed with her son who lost his dad and a whole bunch of stuff.

When he was five, I lost Logan. And this is all coincidental. So we're dating about, I don't know, three years. And we were married then. We just got married. We were married about a year. And I knew my kidney, I had polycystic kidney disease, was nearing its end of my life. span of my kidney. My mom had a transplant. My sister had a transplant. My brother had one too.

Unfortunately, he passed away as well. And so she gave me a kidney about a year after we were married. That's above a wedding present. Yeah. Well, actually, my kidney took kaput's on our honeymoon. We went on a Mediterranean cruise night. I, uh... Your life is crazy. Yeah. Well, I ate some bad fish or something, got food poisoning, and that was the final straw, all she wrote. And then I luckily, but I was, I mean, most people don't go through dialysis knowing that they have a transplant been lined up. So it's, and then a bunch of my buddies came over and we watched Monday night football

shortly before the transplant. They help him do my dialysis. And my wife's like, I got to get out of here. You guys, she didn't come in the bedroom. I even had clients that wanted to see me before my transplant, because I don't know. I thought I was going to die or something and helped me do my dialysis. I did peritoneal dialysis call. That is a crazy story.

You marry a woman a year later she gives you a kidney. All right. Well, I give her heartache now ever since. Yeah, well, I mean, does she ever get mad at you and say, I want my kidney back? You're on my nerves? She flat out says if we get divorced, it's joint marital property. She's taken it back. All the time, she teased me.

We'll be right back. You know the famous author, Roald Dahl. He thought up Willie Wonka and the BFG. But did you know he was a spy? Neither did I. You can hear all about his wildlife story in the podcast, The Secret World of Roald Dahl. All episodes are out now.

Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been. What? Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you. I was a spy. Binge all 10 episodes of The Secret World of Roll Dahl. Now on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast.

podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. When you listen to podcasts about AI and tech and the future of humanity, the hosts always act like they know what they're talking about and they are experts at everything. Here, the Nick Dick and Poll Show, we're not afraid to make mistakes. What Coogler did that I think was so unique. He's the writer-director. Who do you think he is? I don't know.

You mean the like the president? You think Canada has a president. You think China has a president. the La Croixette. God, I love that thing. I use it all the time. I wrap it in a blanket and sing to it at night. It's like the old Polish saying,

not my monkeys, not my circus. It was a good one. It is an actual Polish saying. It is an actual Polish saying. Better version of Play Stupid Games, win stupid prizes. Yes. Which, by the way, wasn't Taylor Swift,

who said that for the first time. I actually thought it was. I got that wrong. Listen to the Nick Dick and Paul show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Kristen Davis, host of the podcast, Are You a Charlotte? In 1998, my life was forever changed when I took on the role of Charlotte York

on a new show called Sex and the City. Now I get to sit down with some of my favorite people and relive all of the incredible moments this show brought us on and off the screen. Like when Sarah Jessica Parker shared that she forgot we filmed the pilot episode. You forgot about it? I completely forgot about it. I completely forgot about it. They took to pick us up.

And when the show was picked up, I panicked. And Cynthia Nixon reveals if she's a Miranda. We both feel confident about our brains. But that's kind of where it ends. Plus, Sex and the City super fan, Megan V. Stelion, doesn't hold back on her opinions of the show. Carrie will literally go sit New York on fire and then come back and type about it at the end of the day. Like half of it wasn't her fault. Listen to Are You a Charlotte on the I Heart Radio app?

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, folks. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes here. And we know there is a lot of news coming at you these days from the war with Iran to the ongoing Epstein fallout, government shutdowns, high-profile trials, and what the hell is that Blake lively thing about anyway? We are on it every day, all day. Follow us, Amy and T.J. for news updates throughout the day. Listen to Amy and T.J. on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. All right. So for those you listen to this thing and can't see you that are just

listening, you're wearing a really interesting vest and a boatah. So I want to tell me what the vest. I saw the vest for the first time last night. First of all, when you walked in, I saw you last night and I was like, okay, this dude is really cool and interesting. And then you walked up and say, hey, we're beat. I'm like, hold of your job. You're just. You're. You're. You're. You're. You know, so, yeah, so I noticed your vest last night. I noticed your bow tell last night. I noticed your whole aura last night before I even met you. And then when I talked to you for the brief time, we got to talk, I started giggling.

But I think it's really important for people to understand what you're wearing and why. All right. So first of all, I got to give a shout out to my Aunt Lolita. She made this bow tie for me. Okay. And the reason I start wearing a bow tie. After our grand opening last year, in April, I wear a bowtie now every day to remind myself and others that you can make a difference one smile at a time. I like the colorful fun ones because it's just a great way.

It puts a smile on 99% of the people's face. For everybody listening, he's in a white long-sleeve shirt, white vest. with all kind of colorful dots all over it and a white bow tie with the same colorful dots all around it. And it's, you can't help but look at them and smile. But the vest actually has specific the colors and the dots and the stuff on it is actually really. Yes.

So the vest are different thumbprints from either the kids that we've held, I don't know which one is which, or volunteers on a build. Then the handprint on the back is Logan's actual handprint that my neighbor made a stamp for me from one of, you know, how when you're a kid you make all those whatever things in our class. So that's his handprint. And then this thumbprint is from my neighbor's son, who we built the ramp for, who he unfortunately passed. his name's Colin.

And so it represents a little boy who didn't have a voice and couldn't walk, can make a difference. What can you do? And it just shows one small effort at a time. And then this represents, so we call all of the kids that we've helped, there's probably 10-ish, I'd have to count them up.

Unfortunately, who have passed over the 24 years, we call them Logan's Angels. So this is a representation. of Logan's angels are still with us and the grief and the sorrow that these families face. So that's the purpose of this vest. And I typically only wear it once so I don't mess it up. In fact, I spoke coke on it yesterday. But it's to represent the power within all of us.

Okay, well, then that on top of the fact that you have, I think, semi-died red hair and a red beard. My wife hates the beard. And you look literally just like a leprechaun. So the leprechaun is, again, divine intervention. By the way, did you have lucky charms for breakfast? I did not. I've done it on the news before, but I have not.

Well, they're magically delicious. They are magically delicious. Unfortunately, they're magically fattening, too. All right, so go ahead. Why in the... Do you look like a leprechaun job? So I started to be Madison's level. Leprecon 22 years ago.

Madison's Leprogan? Google it. Everybody Google Madison's Leprocon Joe Hare. There's another freak like this in there? Yeah. I'm the only German lepercon that I'm aware of. So what's the deal? So the deal is it was a Halloween costume that went wild.

For real. So I was the first year after Logan died, good friends of mine had an employee appreciation and customer appreciation party. Instead of doing a Christmas thing, they would do Halloween. So I was a pirate. I wanted to be a Viking the next year, glued deer horns on a hard hat. But they're like, Joey, you're going to hurt somebody. That's not a good idea. So I became a leprechaun, one first

prize. Another friend of mine dared me to go to a microbrewer in the area for a six-month hoolly, which is Christmas in July. And they asked if I'd be their leprechaun. And I don't know. I don't know. got to do? Drink and have fun. Well, I can manage to do that. So literally, if I thought to myself, if I'm going to do this, I wanted to be a reason for it.

So Logan both died and was born at the same hospital. So I asked, can I, I know what it's like to be in the Nick unit. I know what it's like to have your kid in the hospital. Can I come to the hospital and do it? So they said yes. So I've been going there. I go to Children's Hospital. I go to multiple schools.

Do you have an actually green outfit with a green pointy hat, leprechaun outfit? Yeah, I texted. Oh, my God. We have to put that on the website. Well, you got to see it because this will be funny for you to see. That is. Well, yeah. Do you think this is amateur hour, Bill?

Come on. That is. I can't spell, but I can be a leopard. Wait until you see that smell. You're going to die. Oh, shit. Oh. Oh, my gosh, you've got the knee-hass socks, the tails, the whole...

It's like swinging on a rope. And you're sweet... Yeah, I was at a school, and the kids said that they... Whatever. The teacher wouldn't let them go on the rope. I said, well, leprechauns can. That is absolutely hysterical. I go to senior centers.

Last year I went to a senior center where my dad... dad was. And we're, I go to their happy hour and they're a max, they can have a two drink maximum. And we're getting tattoos and we, but we, you know, the glue on tattoos. I've started our own Harley gang. And, but Southern Logan's friends came with me. So there's a perfect example of beyond the build. Why did you get on a plane at O'Hare?

Can't you just wiggle your nose or something and show up? We fly in magic clouds, Bill, because I am cousins of Santa's elf. I tell the kids that. But unfortunately, it only works between March 16th and 17th. So if I was here a little bit earlier, it would work. St. Patty's Day. Correct. I see.

Okay, then that leads me to another question. If you're running a little short on your bills, can you just go to the pot of gold? Absolutely. Can you only do that on the 16th? Oh, it's only on the 17th. Yeah. The 17. I said, well, do you get like extra to last year the rest of the year?

Well, I do, but then unfortunately, I don't have proper money management skills. So I spend it all usually on the 17th. The plight of a leprechaun. The plight of a leprechaun. Oh, my God, Joe, you are hysterical. But you know what else is also the fight? Have you ever built a ramp as a leprechaun? No.

There's a new idea. That is an idea. I love it. Well, but the problem is, actually, I could, because I could do it. Yes, we could and should. We could and should. I love the way you think. That's actually, why not?

I understand you're also going to go speak at one of our Army and normal folk clubs inaugural meeting. Where's that? In Ozaki County, it's going to be in Port Washington, Wisconsin next Sunday, the 8th. Are you going like a leprechaun to that? I could. You should. You should. All right, I can.

It's not a big deal. I forget I'm even wearing it. I'll be getting gas or something, and I'm like, oh, that's right. The next time in Wisconsin, I'm going to drink beer with you. Yeah. Actually, you should wear your vest, though, because it relates to this story. No, no, no, it's a leprick one. I don't want this to get dirty.

I'm going to probably make another one. I'm having somebody make a green sequent vest for me. Of course, why we're not? Why wouldn't you? So we haven't said it, but John Norman is who introduced us to Joe. That's why he's going to be at the Zaki Club. Got it's John Norman handling that club first year. Yeah.

Yeah. Got it. Well, a lot of these people, I know you said this, they're probably going to, I bet for the first couple of years, at least. Yeah, I want a piece of fries with his first two or three, and then hopefully mix up leadership. But yeah, yeah. So I do have to give a shout out because so John saw,

because he has a twin brother who I've kept in touch with for, I've known John for 40 plus years. And I was on a story called When Stories, and that's where John saw it. And then I have to give a good shout out to my dear friend, Erica Sweeney, who has her own podcast called My Fit Tribe. She's an amazing, interesting person, and without her, I wouldn't be with you today. She's the one who started and got that rolling and going.

How would you recommend people begin to see beyond the obvious? And the question is, your father, who lost his son at four and a half, after enduring four and a half years of dealing with a nonverbal child who couldn't even set up who had cerebral palsy. And somehow you've gone on a quarter century path of trying to make people in the same situation that you were in with their children's life just a little bit easier as a result of your understanding of that. And in the meantime, decided to continue to try to bring light to the world, quote, beyond

the build, and are willing to do that. by even forming yourself as a leprechaun just to bring smiles. A human being like you, I think, can find light in the darkest corners. So how would you challenge our listeners to see beyond the obvious and to find the light? Well, that's another part of it, is see the unseen and hear the unheard. And these families deal with it every day. and you being a football coach and the remarkable things you've done, these families work just as hard as any of your players ever did.

And I agree with you 100% with, you know, you never kicked a field goal, you never threw a touch dump pass, all those things. It was the kids you coached and your coaches. Same with me. Yes, have I built stuff, of course. But it's our team that make this happen now and are going to make it happen in the future.

And so where I'm going with it is these parents have that same challenges, frustration, heartaches, and sacrifice that athletes or anybody who becomes successful in business, music, whatever your discipline is. But they get no rewards. They get no glory. They get nothing but heartache, loneliness, and emptiness. And guess what? We're all a phone call away from our life changing in. instantly. So if you can see that light and that energy and that person, and when I say the light and energy like with your brother-in-law, Ben, but also your in-laws and what they've done and the

sacrifices they've made, just for a moment and acknowledge their it, it makes your life more richer and fuller. I've had multiple people who are in the trades, who have helped us over the years, tell me they've gotten more satisfaction and more feeling of accomplishment building something for and with us than they have on any major construction project. And I'm talking fellows that have built multiple story buildings, you know, 10, 12, 15 story buildings throughout the country. And they've said they've gotten more satisfaction from that. Because not one element that we build is constructive. that challenging.

It's the how we do it, why we do it, and the incorporation. Because when you're at a family's home for a few hours or a few days or a week, depending on the size of the project, and you get to intimately know the family, use their bathroom and see all the medical supplies and whatnot in their bathroom, you have food, you know, you have a meal with them, lunch or whatever. You see them interacting, changing their diapers, doing whatever. it truly changes your perspective on life. And I'd like to think it makes you appreciate the normal things we take for granted.

So Bob, John's brother, twin brother helped us up in Ozaki County on a ramp a few years ago. And the grandfather, the mom lived at her parents' house. He was a retired ad executive. His wife was a retired school teacher. Their daughter's a school teacher. Their granddaughter, I forget what affliction she had. It don't matter, but she's nonverbal in a wheelchair and all the stuff, very similar to Logan. Mom is living in the basement because dad skipped town, just couldn't handle it and all that.

And the granddaughter is living in his living room in a medical bed. So, like he said, none of his retirement planning anywhere in the equation did it call for his severely disabled granddaughter living in his living room. So those are things that were all a phone call away that you never plan on. When this organization started, I never thought a million years would be helping grandparents. We have helped approximately nine or ten grandparents over the years who have full-time custody of their severely disabled grandchildren. And that's a societal thing.

We all know that there's more grandparents raising their children. kids. It's not uncommon, and, you know, many of your players had had that. But very few times, is it ever thought about that? A grandparents are doing that for a disabled child, or a child with special and unique gifts? Sure brings a twist to the golden years, doesn't it? It does. It does. And so Noah, our ambassador, he is so proud, he's been a team manager when he was in high school for both football and basketball. And a lot of these kids, almost all of them, especially if they have more physical issues, through high school, which is 21, at least in Wisconsin.

I think that's pretty common everywhere. Once they become an adult, their world collapses because they have no social network. School is where it is for most kids, right? So that's the other thing with Beyond the Build. We have kids coming out and interacting and doing things with us. I'm going to be at a local grocery store up in the Madison area, giving out carnations with some of our kids, and they're going to be coloring and doing stuff.

And the best way for acceptance is to have, quote, able-bodied kids interacting with some of Logan's friends. As I said, we call them all Logan's friends. Because what's the best way to accept and understand each other at a young age where you don't see any differences? And the kids that were in the preschool and daycare with Logan, certainly feel and understand that way. So it's just, and it's so cool.

Our marketing director, Megan Norton, is a volunteer who first started helping us when she was like six. And literally, I remember showing her how to read a tape measure and this and that. And now she does all this fancy internet stuff that I have no idea. I can't even get on the thing. It makes us look professional. We'll be right back. You know the famous author, Roald Dahl.

He thought up Willie Wonka. and the BFG. But did you know he was a spy? Neither did I. You can hear all about his wildlife story in the podcast, The Secret World of Roll Doll. All episodes are out now. Was this before he wrote his stories?

It must have been. What? Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you. The guy was a spy. Binge all 10 episodes of The Secret World of Roll Doll. Now on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

When you listen to podcasts about AI and tech and the few, future of humanity. The hosts always act like they know what they're talking about and they are experts at everything. Here, the Nick Dick and Poll Show, we're not afraid to make mistakes. What Kugler did that I think was so unique. He's the writer-director. Who do you think he is? I don't know. You mean it to like the president? You think it goes to the president. Canada has a president. You think China has a president. Those law crusette. God, I love that thing. I use it all the time. What color is your... I wrap it in a blanket and sing to it at night. It's like the old Polish saying, not my monkeys, not my circus.

Yep. It was a good one. I like that snake. It is an actual Polish saying. Yeah. It is an actual Polish saying. Better version of Play Stupid Games, win stupid prizes. Yes.

Which, by the way, wasn't Taylor Swift, who said that for the first time. I actually, I thought it was. I got that wrong. Listen to the Nick, Dick, and Poll show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Kristen Davis. host of the podcast, Are You a Charlotte? In 1998, my life was forever changed when I took on the role of Charlotte York on a new show called Sex and the City.

Now I get to sit down with some of my favorite people and relive all of the incredible moments this show brought us on and off the screen. Like when Sarah Jessica Parker shared that she forgot we filmed the pilot episode. You forgot about it? I completely forgot about it. And when the show was picked up, I panicked. and Cynthia Nixon reveals if she's a Miranda. We both feel confident about our brains.

But that's kind of where it ends. Plus, Sex and the City superfan, Megan B. Stelion, doesn't hold back on her opinions of the show. Carrie will literally go set New York on fire and then come back and type about it at the end of the day. Like half of it wasn't her fault. Listen to Are You a Charlotte on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is Amy Roboc alongside T.J. Holmes from the Amy and T.J. podcast. And there is so much news, information, commentary coming at you all day and from all over the place. What's fact, what's fake, and sometimes what the F. So let's cut the crap, okay? Follow the Amy and T.J. podcast, a one-stop news and pop culture shop to get you caught up and on with your day. And listen to Amy and T.J. on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcast. How do people find out about Logan's Heart and Smiles website? Yep, logan's heart and smiles.org.

We're on Facebook. We're on Instagram. People want to find you? Then they find you through there? Yeah, yeah, through Logan's Heart and Smiles. Can they email you directly, Joe? Yeah, my email is J-H-H-H-R. Oh, it's H-E-R-R, not H-I-R.

Yeah, J-O-E-R-R. Yeah, German. German, 100%. Go to a German restaurant, and the bathroom says Heron. Yeah, there you go. Right, right. Okay, Joe Hare. Yep. At logan's heart and smiles.org.

I got a couple of cards. I can give you a business card. Well, I just can't imagine people not hearing this, especially up in the Upper Midwest area. And maybe you'll get some calls about people whose Logan Heart and Smiles can help serve up in that area. I'd like to think we're, or I know we're doing something unique and special,

just like you are with Army of Normal folks. And it's cool, the synergies. When I first heard about you guys and I watched your one video with the woman that did the running with the homeless shelter. And Malam. It made me think you legitimized and validated my crazy ideas. I literally, Bill, have probably a hundred ideas right now that I know can change our community and our society's lives. I know they can. through Logan's Heart and Smiles,

but for the greater good of our community. Because at the end of the day, isn't the goal for all of us to be successful and happy and productive and support each other in our communities, regardless of any of our abilities, race, religion, politics, all that stuff? And to me, one smile at a time, we can because it doesn't have to be a specific,

go to a park and clean it up or whatever. It can be literally a smile that just makes that person feel appreciated in that moment. Logan's heart and spiles. How many families are you going to help this year? Well, right now we have in the queue probably 30-ish, but there's different processes. But it's also only March. So last year we helped 90 families.

the year before, 81. So we've steadily grown. That's two a week. Yeah. Yeah. That's phenomenal. Can you believe that this is... I can't, but all I think about is the family that's struggling next.

And that's one of my problems. I don't... If I stand back and think about it, in fact, I was going through some pictures the other day for our... Start as we're getting ready for our 25th next year. And I'm like, how did I do that? I don't even know how I did. physically don't, but it's almost like something you read in a book. No different than some of the seasons you coached.

When you stop and think back about it, but are you thinking about past seasons, or are you thinking about the season coming up? Yeah. It's the same thing. It's the same thing. And that's why if we're always thinking about what we can do and how it can help, I just, I know, I know in my heart we can make a difference.

What's your wife's name? Lauren. Lauren. Yeah, and my son's name is Brian. Hey, before you wrap, I got two things. Hold it. Brian? Brian, yeah. Lauren and Brian, God bless you.

Okay, what you got, what you got, Alex? Expansion. Have you thought about else around the country if people approached you about doing this model in other states? Yes, they have. Yes, I'd like to baby see that happen. Right now we've got enough to handle with a staff. But if somebody likes this and has a similar experience,

you'd be happy to walk them through it. 100%. Because ultimately, That's what, yes, to answer your question, ultimately it would be very cool. And we've been asked to go to different states multiple times. I bet you have. There's got to be an enormous need for this and not many people do it. Well, and it's also, again, you can hire a contractor to build what we build.

But so when, let's say you hire a contractor and they say, we want this. Well, when we come in, we'll say, okay, little Susie's six right now. Have you thought about when she's going to be 16? have you thought about this and that? So we look at different options because frankly... You've lived it. I lived it. So I know intuitively almost always what will work.

Or I shouldn't say that always. On my way home thinking about it or in the middle of the night when I'm supposed to be sleeping, I'll think about it. And we have come up with multiple times where ideas that nobody else thought about. And I don't mean it like this. I mean it is I'm grateful. that we have a team that has allowed this to happen. And or just able to understand the families.

All right, I want to take the freakiness level to its ultimate conclusion. Oh, boy. Can you play some music, Joe? Yeah. Well, whose birthday is it today? What do you mean? Play some music? Is this a fancy?

Oh, my God. I kind of feel like he should be in a leprechaun outfit if he's going to play music. music. I almost had him kick off last night's event with this, but I forgot. A harmonica. That's pretty cool. I play happy birthday for people probably, I don't know, 1,300, 1,300 times a year. Do you really? Yeah. Because what is the best way to make a smile and appreciate the gift of somebody's friendship? You tell me a better way to call him live and play happy birthday for him.

Well, I guess that's probably true. He's just like our Whistler. It's just like our whistler. So we have a dad. Let's see if he answers the phone. Oh, boy. Oh, we're calling somebody? Yeah.

Okay, why not? It's like a live radio. Local radio. Phone scam time. You're calling it. I'll leave him a message. He's a loser. But he's, so he's a dad.

Oh, actually, I got a friend who's birthday's today. All right, let's call him. Okay, good. I hope this is a good friend because they're going to be weirded out by this. No, they're not. they're going to want to get called again. I've literally got my birthday book. I'm going to get all of your birthdays.

Who is? Blake, are you met? Hey, happy birthday, Blake. Unbelievable. I appreciate it. Hey, Blake, this is Bill Courtney. You just got serenaded on a harmonica by leprecha. So, happy birthday.

Honest to God, that's true. And there's no gold today, because it's not March 17. So, but happy birthday, Blake. Man, I appreciate it. And by the way, you're live on the podcast with this, so everybody will hear this. Just be great seeing your guests on, and I appreciate what you guys are doing. Well, that was a guest, Joe Hare from Madison, Wisconsin, who's the founder and director of Logan's Heart and Smiles, who dresses as a leprechaun and serenades people with harmonica on their birthday as a side gig. in addition to the organization who runs and Alex said it was your birthday so he just did it for you so happy birthday blake

and I appreciate it to me he's the normal one we're the crazy yeah no thank you blake trust me this dude's an army of one of the abnormal folks but he's a blast all of them he's great so all right take it easy bud we got to wrap this show up you're you're holding up progress we got to go back. He's calling me. That's hilarious. Is that good? Okay. For those of you who are listening, Blake Cannon is in Oxford and a friend of Alex's,

and I've met him and has been supportive of the show when we first started it up. It just happened to be his birthday today. Just happened to be his birthday. So you made his date. Actually, you made mine. I've actually felt like hadn't felt well all weekend, and you brought a smile to my face, so it all works. So there you have it.

What are you doing? Are you adding it? This is my birthday. Of course. He has a calendar of birthdays for people to call with her harmonica. Unbelievable. Cassius, what's your birthday? January 24th, you got to put Cassius down in there for next year.

I'm actually on the Whistler's calendar. I'm going to call him. Cassius, the 24th? Yeah. January 20th. It's January 24th, right? Yeah. Okay.

I already know bills. August 24th. You can't miss mine. August 24th. Oh, my. So, oh, would you put down September 18th? Yeah, of course. Lisa, my wife.

Yes. Actually, I love to hear Molly surprised by it. Yeah, I'll give you the phone number after we'll get offline. All right. Everybody, Joe Hare, Logan's Heart and Smiles, founder and program director, the work they're doing is phenomenal. And his approach to life is absolutely uplifting and inspirational. Joe, thanks for coming to Memphis, spending time with us. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed just getting to meet you.

You are a blessing to the world, my friend. Well, thank you. Thank you, because I don't think I am. All I see is the stupid I do. Well, be careful. Don't fall off your carpet on the way home. Yeah. Well, thank you again.

And thank you for joining us this week. If Joe Hurr has inspired you in general, or better yet, to take action by finding light in the darkest corners of your life, helping families with disabilities, getting involved with a nonprofit like Joe's in your own community, starting one, donating to Logan's Heart and Smiles, or being a leprechaun, or something else entirely. Just let me know. I'd love to hear about it. You can write me anytime at bill at normalfokes.us, and I will respond. If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with friends,

share it on social, subscribe to the podcast, rate it, review it, join the army at normalfokes. Us, any and all of these things that will help us grow. An army of normal folks. I'm Bill Courtney. Until next time, do what you can. You know the famous author Roald Doll. He thought up Willie Wonka and the BFG. But did you know he was a spy?

Neither did I. You can hear all about his wildlife story in the podcast. The secret world of Roald Dahl. All episodes are out now. Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been. What? Okay, I don't think that's true.

I'm telling you. I was a spy. Binge all 10 episodes of The Secret World of Roll Dahl. Now on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On paper, the three hosts of the Nick Dick and Poll show are geniuses. We can explain how AI works, data centers, but there are certain things that we don't necessarily understand. Better version of play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Yes. Which, by the way, wasn't Taylor Swift who said that for the first time.

I actually, I thought it was. I got that wrong. But hey, no one's perfect. We're pretty close, though. Listen to the Nick, Dick, and Paul show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Saturday, May 2nd, country's biggest stars will be in Austin, Texas. At our 2026 IHeart Country Festival presented by Capital One. Tickets are on sale now. Get yours before they sell out at ticketmaster.com. That's ticketmaster.com. This is Amy Roboc alongside T.J. Holmes from the Amy and T.J. podcast. And there is so much news, information, commentary coming at you all day and from all over the place. What's fact? What's fake? And sometimes what the F. So let's cut the crap, okay?

Follow the Amy and T.J. podcast, a one-stop news and pop culture shop to get you caught up and on with your day. And listen to Amy and T.J. on the IHeart radio app. Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.