Champions of the Lost Causes

08/16/2025

Resharing this episode from a few years ago in honor of Unapologetic’s anniversary. It’s a conversation with founder James Dukes. Memphis is a better city with Unapologetic in it!

Champions of the Lost Causes · Episode

01/26/2025

When our Champions of the Lost Causes podcast roadtrip stopped in Pittsburgh, PA, host Marvin Stockwell talked to former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy about his long life of championing causes -- from his early days in the Peace Corps and as an activist, to his long career in politics, which most notably includes his time as the city's mayor. Many credit Tom for helping turn the city around and reinvent itself after years of decline.

Pittsburgh was our last stop before heading to Chicago to pick up our eldest from college in Chicago to come back to Memphis and intern on BVO - Baron Von Opperbean, Marvin's current project on Memphis' Mud Island.

Just starting to wrap our heads around what a summer 2025 podcast roadtrip might look like. If we do it, the working idea is that we focus on our own region -- the South -- as we make our way to see family in Florida. Suggestions are welcome. More to come in the coming months.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to our ioby campaign to help us cover the costs of the roadtrip! And to those who let us stay at their place, took us out for a meal, or showed us some other type of hospitality, we so appreciate your kindness! It corroborates what we know to be true -- the world is full of goodness, and regular people all over the world are giving of themselves to help others. Thank you!

12/18/2024

When our podcast summer road trip stopped in Northampton, MA, host Marvin Stockwell talked with Michael Lawrence-Riddle, Executive Director at Self-Evident Education, at his office.

The two discussed Michael's work with educators, students and communities to encourage people to think critically about the role of race and institutional racism throughout United States history. They also talk about their shared experience as musicians in addressing social justice issues.

Host Marvin Stockwell talks with Michael Lawrence-Riddle, Executive Director at Self-Evident Education, at his office in Northampton, MA. The two discuss Michael's work with educators, students and communities to encourage people to think critically about the role of race

11/24/2024

Update (Robert Stack voice): The effort to save the Pink House in Newbury, MA was the most backs-against-the-wall cause we documented on this past summer’s podcast road trip. It looked bleak, frankly, but this just in, courtesy of the The New York Times (see link below)…

A $1 million anonymous gift came forth to go toward saving it, and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy stepped in at the 11th hour to stop the planned demolition, calling for more discussion that might lead to a resolution. Pictured with me below is Rochelle Joseph, leader of the group fighting to save the Pink House.

It’s not over til it’s over, y’all! 🙂

After our interview, Rochelle encouraged us to make time to walk down to the beach… loaned us towels and everything. So glad for this reversal of fortune!

11/14/2024

New episode!! When our podcast summer road trip passed through Massachusetts, host Marvin Stockwell talked with Muck Rack Senior Director of Communications Linda Zebian at her home in Wilbraham.

The two discussed championing the cause of the free press in a polarized age of disinformation, and how, by developing relationships with journalists and PR pros alike, Muck Rack plays a unique role in fostering a dialogue between these increasingly connected and interdependent professions, and ensuring news outlets publish accurate information.

Host Marvin Stockwell talks with Muck Rack Senior Director of Communications Linda Zebian at her home in Wilbraham, MA.

10/08/2024

NEW EPISODE!! When our podcast summer road trip stopped in Salem, MA, host Marvin Stockwell talked to Christine Lutts, board chair of Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery- Salem MA, at her home.

Over the last 12 years, Christine and her board and volunteers have made steady progress in restoring Dickson Memorial Chapel & Conservatory, and Greenlawn Cemetery as places of peace and beauty in Salem.

This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and the Back to the Light YouTube channel.

Host Marvin Stockwell talks with Christine Lutts, board chair of Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery, at her home. Over the last twelve years, Christine and her organization have made steady progress in restoring Dickson Memorial Chapel & Conservatory and Greenlawn Cemetery as pl

09/25/2024

New episode! When our podcast summer road trip stopped in Providence, RI, host Marvin Stockwell talked to Alicia Lehrer, executive director of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council and her office.

In this episode, the two discuss the group's origins, how their work to clean up the Woonasquatucket River and surrounding land has progressed, and how it evolved into the collection of connected parks, bike paths, and greenspaces that improve the quality of life for thousands of residents in one of the poorest areas in Providence.

Host Marvin Stockwell talks to Alicia Lehrer, executive director of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council at her office in Providence, RI. The two discuss the group's origins, how their work to clean up the river and surrounding land has progressed, and more.

08/30/2024

The High Line, an elevated linear park created on a former New York Central Railroad spur, is an inspiring example of creative re-imagining of public infrastructure.

When our podcast summer road trip was in New York this summer, host Marvin Stockwell talked to Friends of The High Line's Chief Program and Engagement Officer Asima Jansveld. They talked about The High Line's earliest days, how they faced down demolition threats... worked through adversity, and... finally... persevered through the build-out phases and countless additions.

The two also talked about the new challenges that came from The High Line's success, plus The High Line Network, a learning cohort of people engaged in best-practices, infrastructure-reuse work.

08/14/2024

New episode!! When the Champions of the Lost Causes podcast summer road trip stopped in Newbury, MA, host Marvin Stockwell talked to Rochelle Joseph, board chair of Support The Pink House Inc, a group working to preserve the historic landmark, which has drawn countless photographers to capture its unique beauty. The Pink House has, in many ways, come to symbolize the Boston area.

The 10-year fight to save it has had many twists and turns and it's not over yet. The Pink House is once again under demolition threat!

Our ioby crowdfuding campaign to help cover our costs ends on Saturday, so if you've been planning to kick in, now's the time! :) Thanks in advance for any help, and special thanks to everyone who has contributed so far!

08/06/2024

NEW EPISODE!! And now available on Amazon Music and Audible!

Host Marvin Stockwell talks with ioby CEO Nupur Chaudhury at the Sheraton Hotel lounge in Brooklyn. The two discuss how ioby has grown and changed over the years to help fund neighborhood-level change all over the country, which include Marvin's own causes - saving and reopening the Mid-South Coliseum and the podcast summer road trips of the last two years!

Marvin and Nupur also talk about ioby's improved site functionality, and what the future may hold for peer-to-peer learning among ioby project leaders.

The road trip crew is back in Memphis (and the kids are back in school this week), but there are still 11 days left in our ioby campaign. All donations to help cover costs of travel and podcast post-production are greatly appreciated!

Host Marvin Stockwell talks with ioby CEO Nupur Chaudhury at the Sheraton Hotel lounge in Brooklyn. The two discuss how ioby has grown and changed over the years to help fund neighborhood-level change all over the country, which include Marvin's own causes - saving the Mid-South Coliseum and the sum

07/25/2024

The Champions of the Lost Causes podcast road trip crew is home!

We have enjoyed sleeping in our own beds and petting our own cats! As we readjust to the Memphis humidity, I'm proud to publish the conversations I had with people championing causes all along the east coast!

Kim Yim had grown fresh fruits and vegetables at Pleasant Village Community Gardens in East Harlem for years before becoming the organization's board president. It was seeing the value it added to her own life that made her step into that leadership role when the call came during the pandemic. Under her leadership, the garden has grown, become more sustainable, and has increased the capacity to compost food waste from the neighborhood.

Kim has grown and helped maintain the garden as a place for neighbors from different backgrounds to have community with each other, and eat frequent meals with each other with produce from their shared effort. We explore the garden's 1970s origin as a result of neighbors seed-bombing vacant lots to beautify their neighborhood, to the garden's current-day role as treasured civic asset and gathering spot for many.

Like we did last year, we partnered with our friends at ioby, a community-focused crowdfunding platform. Not only has ioby been our fundraising platform and fiscal agent, but they suggested ioby leaders who champion causes all along our travel route. To see Kim's work adding to the health and vibrancy of East Harlem was a joy and great encouragement!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our ioby crowdfunding campaign to help us cover our costs. There's still time! See link below.

Host Marvin Stockwell talks to Kim Yim, president of the Pleasant Village Community Garden in East Harlem. What began as people seed-bombing vacant lots in the early 1970s to beautify their neighborhood grew into a community garden that serves as a place to build community, grow food, share meals an

07/16/2024

NEW EPISODE! Host Marvin Stockwell talks to Feed More President and CEO Doug Pick at Feed More in Richmond. The two talk about the organization's efforts to collect, prepare and distribute food to people facing hunger across 34 Central Virginia cities and counties.

The two talk about Feed More's origins, how the effort grew and expanded, and explore why people champion causes and give of themselves to help others.

Host Marvin Stockwell talks to Feed More President and CEO Doug Pick about the organization's efforts to collect, prepare and distribute food to people facing hunger across 34 Central Virginia cities and counties.