
218 - Making a Difference in Other People's Lives with Karen Olson
- E218
- 28:20
- September 22nd 2026
Karen Olson, the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise has dedicated her life to transforming the present and futures of homeless and low-income families. Karen has rallied more than a million volunteers nationwide, fostering an extensive network of support for the vulnerable. Also, because of all the efforts of the volunteers, the organization has been able to assist over a million people experiencing homelessness. Before her remarkable transition into the realm of social advocacy, Karen demonstrated her leadership prowess as a manager at Warner-Lambert. However, her leap into the world of nonprofits truly underscored her compassionate spirit and steadfast determination. Karen's efforts have been duly recognized, and she has received numerous awards. Some of them include President George H.W. Bush honoring her with the prestigious Annual Points of Light Award, and the New Jersey Governor's Pride Award recognizing Karen's remarkable social-service contributions. The American Institute of Public Service also bestowed upon her the Jefferson Award, acknowledging her tireless public-service efforts. In 2019, Karen experienced a freak accident that left her in a wheelchair. While it has changed her life, Karen continues to be involved.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen.olson.author/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.olson.author
Website: https://www.karenolsonauthor.com/
Book: Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose
Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota
Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota is a podcast about people who've turned their emotional shit into fertilizer for success. It's about seeing our darkest moments as opportunities for learning, growth and transformation. We'll cover topics like addiction and mental health, isolation, and loneliness, narcissism versus self-care and difficult family and work relationships. For more, visit http://marciasirotamd.com/.
Dr. Marcia Sirota is a board-certified psychiatrist practicing in Toronto, Canada. She has more than 25 years of experience and specializes in health and wellness, healing trauma, unblocking creativity and empowering people to be their best self. She is the author of 5 books and an instructor of Udemy online courses. In her spare time, she enjoys screenwriting, yoga and working out.