On the How Can I Help Podcast, Boston Marathon bombing survivor Roseann Sdoia Materia shares her powerful journey of resilience, mindset, and turning tragedy into purpose.

Roseann explains how positivity is a conscious choice. She encourages listeners to reframe setbacks as “bad moments” rather than “bad days,” shifting perspective, and redirecting energy toward good.

She vividly recounts the day that changed everything: April 15, 2013. After leaving a Red Sox game, she headed to Boylston Street near the Boston Marathon finish line to cheer on friends. Moments later, the first bomb detonated—followed seconds later by the second explosion at her feet, which took her right leg.

In the chaos, a 19-year-old bystander carried her to safety. She was rushed to MA General Hospital, where overwhelmed medical teams fought to save her life. Roseann opens up about life as an above-knee amputee, the power of survivor community and inclusion, and her deep commitment to helping other amputees.

She also discusses her book Perfect Strangers, and the remarkable full-circle moment of meeting—and eventually marrying—the firefighter who helped transport her on that fateful day.

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On this episode of the How Can I Help Podcast, Chris talks with longtime friend Jamel Hardtman about slowing down, living in the moment and not taking people and experiences for granted. They share stories how setbacks can become inflection points that lead to purposeful giving. They discuss the power of the How Can I Help movement in new ways to remove our self-focused blinders and actively seek ways to help others. They emphasize kindness as a muscle, encourage sharing positive feedback and other practical ways to be the light for others.

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On the How Can I Help Podcast, host Chris talks with longtime friends Jennifer Capracotta and Jennifer Fantozzi about founding Plates with Purpose, created after their how can I help moment to help a friend during the pandemic. Inspired by holiday giving and a struggling restaurant owner friend, they used donations to support local restaurants while those restaurants prepared and distributed quality meals to people facing food insecurity . The model quickly expanded to about a dozen restaurants and relied on relationship-building with schools, towns, and agencies, plus social media to attract donors. They encourage listeners to “just do it” and contribute using their skills, time, and energy for a better community.

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