Moments that Mattered – The Best of Add Passion and Stir 2025
In this special year‑end edition of Add Passion and Stir, hosts Billy and Debbie Shore look back at the bigges...
About This Episode
In this special year‑end edition of Add Passion and Stir, hosts Billy and Debbie Shore look back at the biggest child hunger stories of 2025—from state momentum for universal school meals in the U.S. to climate‑driven hunger crises around the world. Guests Phoebe Boyer (Children’s Aid), Bruce Lesley (First Focus on Children), Tim Costello, Navyn Salem (Edesia), and former Senator Debbie Stabenow reflect on what changed for kids this year, what’s at risk, and what it will take to build a future where no child is too hungry to learn, grow, or dream.Resources and Mentions:
Debbie Stabenow
U.S. Senator (Retired)
"Made in Michigan" through and through, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow has blazed trails, transformed public policy and made history as the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from the State of Michigan. She is widely respected for her unrivaled work ethic, ability to build bipartisan coalitions to get things done and commitment to public service. Her work is deeply rooted in her love for the State of Michigan. Whether protecting our Great Lakes, transforming mental health services, or ensuring Michigan can continue to make things and grow things to be competitive in our world economy, her accomplishments have improved the lives of people across our country and created a strong foundation for a healthy and prosperous future for Michigan. After 50 years of public service as a County Commissioner, State Legislator, Congresswoman, and U.S. Senator, Senator Stabenow proudly passed the torch in 2025 to a new generation of leaders, beginning a new chapter in her life that includes serving the State of Michigan outside of elected office.
Rev. Tim Costello
Executive Director
Reverend Tim Costello is one of Australia’s most respected community leaders and a sought after voice on social justice issues, leadership and ethics. He is currently Executive Director of Micah Australia and formerly Chief Executive of World Vision Australia.
Navyn Salem
Founder and CEO
Navyn Salem is a social entrepreneur helping to end the crisis of global malnutrition. She founded Edesia, a U.S. non-profit, social enterprise, with a mission to treat and prevent malnutrition in developing countries in 2009 and has so far reached over 25 million children in 65 countries, including Somalia, Venezuela, Yemen and Syria.
Phoebe Boyer
president and CEO
Phoebe Boyer is president and CEO of Children’s Aid, a nonprofit that provides comprehensive supports to children, youth, and their families in high-needs New York City neighborhoods.
Bruce Lesley
president
Bruce Lesley is president of First Focus on Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families the priority in federal policy and budget decisions, and its partner organization First Focus Campaign for Children.
Micah Australia
Micah Australia empowers Australian Christians to advocate for global justice.
Edesia
Named after the Roman goddess of food, Edesia is on a mission to end malnutrition. They have the team, the factory, and the life-saving foods to make that a reality. To date, they have produced ready-to-use foods for 25 million children and mothers in 65 countries. They they pledge not to stop until malnutrition is a condition covered in the history books, not the nightly news.
Children’s Aid
Children's Aid helps children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children, youth, and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. They believe all kids have limitless potential. But for those growing up surrounded by poverty, family instability, and physical or emotional stress, life is too often about survival, not possibility. It’s unacceptable that in New York, a city of historic opportunity, so many of our children face serious barriers to realizing their own promise. Children’s Aid is a professional powerhouse of solutions for young people. They are teachers and social workers, coaches and health care providers. They know what it takes to ensure children grow up strong and healthy, and ready to thrive in school and life: excellent education and health care, social-emotional support, and strong, stable families.
First Focus
https://firstfocus.org/First Focus is a nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. First Focus leads a comprehensive advocacy strategy, with its hands-on experience with federal policymaking and a commitment to seeking policy solutions. First Focus’s comprehensive advocacy strategy works at each of the four stages of the policy change process: raise awareness, develop policy solutions, build will and take action.
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