One Woman's Response to Homelessness: Karen Olson (Episode 185)

One Woman's Response to Homelessness: Karen Olson (Episode 185)

Author: Marcylle Combs September 3, 2025 Duration: 36:43

In this conversation, Karen Olson discusses her experiences that led to the founding of Family Promise, an organization dedicated to helping homeless families. Karen emphasizes the importance of community involvement, understanding the root causes of homelessness, and the need for advocacy and public policy changes. She encourages listeners to take action, get involved, and make a difference in their communities.

Karen Olson, the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise has dedicated her life to transforming thepresent 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, theorganization 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 amanager 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 includePresident 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 PublicService 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 continuesto be involved.

Get In Touch With Karen:

⁠WEBSITE⁠⁠FB⁠, ⁠LN⁠, ⁠IG⁠

Karen's book: Meant for More

4 recommendations

1. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

2. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

3. The Tools by Barry Michels and Phil Stutz

4. The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

 


Hosted by Marcylle Combs, 50% with Marcylle Combs is built on the belief that women's voices and leadership are essential to every conversation. This podcast moves beyond surface-level interviews to explore the full spectrum of a leader's life. In each episode, Marcylle sits down with a woman who is actively shaping her field and community, delving into the real texture of her journey. You'll hear about the pivotal moments that defined her path, the obstacles that reshaped her direction, and the hard-won insights gathered along the way. These are not just success stories; they are honest accounts of professional and personal evolution, offering tangible advice for anyone looking to lead. By focusing on this depth, the podcast creates a platform where the diverse and inspiring narratives of women from various backgrounds, industries, and sectors take center stage. Tuning into this podcast means gaining access to a repository of experience, a source of solidarity, and a clearer understanding of what it means to build a meaningful career and life. It’s where ambition meets reflection, and where listening feels like joining a candid, necessary dialogue about progress and purpose.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

50% with Marcylle Combs
Podcast Episodes
Connecting and Networking for Success: Lisa Nichols [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
Lisa Nichols is the CEO and co-founder of Technology Partners (TPI), a Women-Business Enterprise and provider of premier IT staffing, solutions, and IT leadership development. Named among the Most Influential Business Wo…
Transforming Leadership in Ireland: Joanne Hession [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
Joanne Hession shares her inspiring journey from her early entrepreneurial endeavors in Ireland to her impactful work in leadership development. She discusses her experiences in the charity sector, the importance of educ…
Unlocking the Power of AI in Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
Nicole Hilgenkamp is an AI Business Growth Strategist passionate about empowering businesses to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovative technologies. We dis…
Agriculture, Resilience and Clarity of Thought: Ali Cox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:04
Ali Cox, a fifth generation farmer, is an agriculture and food ingredient marketing visionary and founder of Noble West, an award-winning marketing consultancy that specializes in the entire agricultural ecosystem. In th…
Personal Experiences Shape Professional Resilience: Margaret Graziano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:21
In this conversation, Marcylle Combs interviews Margaret, or "Magi," Graziano, who shares her journey from recruiting to consulting, focusing on organizational change and personal development. Magi discusses the importan…
Hurdles In Securing Venture Capital: Lori Mazan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:29
In this conversation, Lori Mazan shares her journey from a limited childhood in Virginia to becoming a successful entrepreneur and executive coach in California. She discusses the challenges women face in the startup wor…
The Story of Village of Hope: Cindy Cunningham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
In this conversation, Cindy shares her transformative journey from a childhood marked by trauma to becoming the founder of Village of Hope, a ministry dedicated to helping orphans in Africa. She discusses the importance…
New Beginnings and Exciting Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:23
Marcylle and Deantha reflect on the New Year, discuss the impact of Taylor Swift's generosity, and explore essential skills for 2025, including communication and emotional intelligence. They also delve into the role of A…
Faith, Christmas, and the Spirit of Giving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:03
This episode explores giving, love languages, holiday preparations, and the significance of faith during the Christmas season. In this heartfelt conversation, Deantha and Marcylle explore the significance of memories, th…
Navigating Grief and Wellness: Dr. Parul Dua Makkar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
In this conversation, Marcylle Combs and Dr. Parul Dua Makkar discuss the profound impact of sibling loss, the importance of oral health, and the journey of advocacy in the face of grief. Dr. Makkar shares her personal s…