For Memorial Day 2025, we honor all service members that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, also including CIA and other agencies.

During this episode, we share some powerful final words and letters from those that have died while serving. These include:

• Nathan Hale (Revolutionary War), 1776
• Sargeant James Henry Gooding (Civil War), 1863
• Major Sullivan Ballou (Civil War), 1861
• Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Neil C. Roberts (War on Terror), 2002
• Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Marc Alan Lee (War on Terror), 2006

Their final words and letters will always live on, as will they. May we always carry their names and legacies forward.

Never Forgotten.

Visit www.BuildUponTheGood.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

Thanks to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain" Please visit www.TheSamples.com and support them.

Part 1 of the interview with Michael Thatcher, CEO/President of Charity Navigator (rating over 225,000 charities), which helps millions of donors to align their passions and values to a charity.

Michael shares how Charity Navigator leads the effort to make impactful philanthropy easier for everyone. He also discusses how his path forward, filled with a variety of experiences (whether at Microsoft, composing music and dancing as the co-founder/director of Dance Music Light, or years at sea conducting oceanographic research), ultimately led him to Charity Navigator.

If you're thinking of giving to a charity/not-for-profit, please visit www.CharityNavigator.org to research the organization, including their cost-effectiveness and overall health/stability and sustainability. Charity Navigator is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Michael's part 2 episode, where we dive more into his personal experiences and story, will be released soon (ep 43).

This episode is brought to you by Good Capital, a registered investment advisor focused on families, organizations and businesses that also want to plant seeds for future generations with a charitable component to them. Simplicity, a foundational wealth plan and investing for decades and generations, not days or quarters. Good People. Good Strategies. Good Capital. Visit www.GoodCapital.pro , if this appeals to you.

Follow us at www.BuildUponTheGood.com and on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

*Special thanks for Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain." Please support them at www.TheSamples.com

We always hear about Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments while he was alive, but his bet on America in his Final Will and Testament truly left a legacy.

Author Michael Meyer joins us and shares this story and more from his book "Benjamin Franklin's Last Bet: The Favorite Founder's Divisive Death, Enduring Afterlife and Blueprint for American Prosperity."

Michael Meyer is the author of multiple critically acclaimed books, as well as articles in the New York Times and other outlets. A Fulbright scholar, Guggenheim, NEH, Cullman Center and MacDowell fellow, and the recipient of the Whiting Writers Award, Meyer is a Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh, where he teaches nonfiction writing. He lives with his family in Pittsburgh.

This episode is sponsored by Good Capital, a registered investment advisor focused on families, organizations and businesses that also want to plant seeds for future generations. Simplicity, a foundational wealth plan and investing for decades and generations, not days or quarters. Good People. Good Strategies. Good Capital. Visit www.GoodCapital.pro , if this appeals to you.

Follow us at www.BuildUponTheGood.com and on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

*Special thanks to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain." Please support them at www.TheSamples.com

The American Revolution was fought on more than just the battlefield and it couldn't have been won without the use of female spies... especially the mysterious Agent 355.

Aly Riley, historian and author, discusses her book "She Spies: Women of the American Revolution, Their Heroic Missions and Agent 355 Revealed." This is the fascinating true story of America's female espionage ring and the crucial role it played in the fight for American independence.

Who is Agent 355? To this day, we still don't know for certain, but Aly makes a strong case for who she believes it is.

She Spies can be bought on Amazon: BUY ON AMAZON

www.BuildUponTheGood.com Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky

*Special thanks to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain" Visit www.TheSamples.com to support them too.*

Soccer is the biggest sport in the world, but we never talk about the origin of the soccer ball or where they're made. Justin Lea, Founder of Hayworth Athletic, went on a quest to find out and it landed him in northern Pakistan, where over 70% of the world's soccer balls were made (3 million balls per month!).

After witnessing the terrible conditions of the workers, Justin set out to create an amazing soccer ball and bring good to the world by helping the people that make them. Hayworth Athletic was born. This is his Build Upon The Good story.

Hayworth Athletic, headquartered in Austin, TX, designs soccer balls with a good cause behind them. Hayworth soccer balls are worksop-made in the ancient Andean village of Mongui, Columbia, a community with a century long tradition of ballmaking.

Justin's story isn't just interesting, it's inspiring. He seeks to uplift others and bring dignity to the those that make them and their "craft."

We need more people and businesses like Justin and Hayworth Athletic, which seek to also better the world. We also give a shout out to our good friend JP, who connected us.

Please follow Hayworth Athletic at www.HayworthAthletic.com, follow them on social media and definitely buy their soccer balls!

www.BuildUponTheGood.com and on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

*Special thanks to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain." Please follow them at www.TheSamples.com

What's it like to die 14 times?

That's the real life story that Chris Guiry shares and how his "widow maker" event changed his life. Join us as we share a beer at Northern Barrell (Voorheesville, NY) and discuss: the experience of life and death, how his wife Shelia's presence at a baseball game saved his life, the amazing first responders being there at the right time, did he experience God, dealing with survivor's guilt and how good people come together in a moment of crisis.

I'm fortunate to call Chris a friend and I'm honored he shares his story with us. I also want to give a shout out to all the first responders and medical professionals out there. Thank you.

Thank you to The Northern Barrell! Great food, amazing drinks & an awesome selection of craft beers! See you soon! Maybe you'll be on the show... www.NorthernBarrell.com

www.BuildUponTheGood.com Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Bluesky

*Thank you to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain" www.TheSamples.com*

Without question, the most powerful episode of Build Upon The Good. We must never forget the evil of the holocaust and never let it happen again. We'll help carry forward the stories of those that survived.

Holocaust survivor and co-author of "Four Perfect Pebbles", Marion Blumenthal Lazan shares her emotional and detailed story about the darkest of days.

Following Hitler's rise to power, the Blumenthal Family (father, mother, Marion and her brother) were trapped in Nazi Germany. They eventually fled to Holland, only for the Nazis to occupy that as well. For the next six and a half years, the Blumenthal's were forced to live in refugee, transit and prison camps. Their story is one of horror and hardship, yet also extreme courage, hope and the will to survive.

The world must never forget the holocaust and the evil involved. We must also never forget the lives that were lost and survived.

Marion is a beautiful soul and I'm honored to have her on Build Upon The Good.

We will never forget.

Please visit www.fourperfectpebbles.com , follow Marion on social media and read the book.

Visit www.BuildUponTheGood.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter/X.

*Special thank you to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain" during the podcast. Visit them at www.TheSamples.com *

Foye Belyea shares his story of going from US Marine to a Man of Faith. Often, our journey into a deep faith starts from the darkest of moments. Foye's journey is no different, yet his ability to help others on their journey is truly unique. Kean is grateful to know Foye on a personal level and also considers him a mentor.

Follow/connect with Foye on Facebook and I encourage you to seek his one on one mentorship as you continue on your own journey.

Follow Build Upon The Good on IG & Facebook, as well as www.BuildUponTheGood.com.

Special thanks to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain." Visit and support them at www.TheSamples.com.

(Note: Any transcript of the show is not official or provided by the show. There could be errors.)