Rising Stars: Meet Joseph Dunham of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Dunham.

Hi Joseph, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
How The Good Service Podcast came to fruition… Our origin story, it all starts with God. I was living in Chicago at the time, George Floyd had been murdered, this event was a catalyst to my first bout with depression. I was at a crossroad both personally and professionally. I was in prayer during this time about what to do next both personally and professional amidst the civic unrest. It was during that time I was connecting with my childhood best friend, Asante Hill about life in Atlanta and his at his nonprofit Valor Academy, a transitional mentorship organization.

I had no intentions on leaving Chicago that summer of 2020 but as I prayed, heard God clearly say “Go serve” – I did just that. I spoke to Asante about the assistance in the org he needed and was set on serving under him. Over the next 3 weeks, he saw apartments for me and everything fell perfectly in place how God intended it too.

I led his partnerships, sponsorships and donor side of the nonprofit for about 2 years. Following completing this role and helping establish some process for him and the organization I stepped away. It was a moment of “job well done, servant” – I was back in prayer about what God has for me on assignment. I prayed hard and. boldly for God to align me to his Will for me and the gifts he had given me to serve.

I woke up that next morning with a very clear call to start The Good Service Podcast. A platform and podcast focused on uplifting our service based organizations (nonprofits, charities, fundraisers, foundations and even some for-profit companies focused on social/community impact). A wholesome, inspiring and positive space to share the good news of the amazing works & services happening around the world. We live in a society that feeds off of bad news, “bad news sales” – I know you’ve heard that before. Not here at TGSP! God is doing amazing things through these amazing organizations led by amazing people and we are here to share this with the world. To shift the narrative on gloom and doom.

Almost 4 years in, downloads in 60 countries, 537 cities, 30+ episodes and counting in and we are only getting started. This is phase 1 of The Good Service Podcast.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Great question, it has not been a smooth ride. There’s a lot of challenges and bumps in the road. From botched financial investments in “mentors” that sold and idea they can help take the platform to greater heights. To being an organization of 1 doing everything from finding the nonprofits, to building the show, to social media production / marketing, to editing and publishing the episodes.

It has been quite the journey of learning new skills I never imagined I’d need to produce a podcast. I wouldn’t change the road taken that led us here today. All of those lessons were necessary to build us up and help us understand who we are and where we are headed. If it was easy and frictionless then everyone would be doing it.

Fun fact, less than 3% of podcasts make it passed publishing 3 episodes. So we are grateful to be here, and are excited for the global impact and change we are having and will continue to have over time.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My background is in Sales (tech sales to be specific) so I’m a high level problem solver and collaborator. I enjoy sales, it is a team sport and a microcosm of life. tactically it is both an art & science but that’s not what I’d say I’m most proud of. That most definitely is The Good Service Podcast.

I never saw myself as a “creative” or a “creator” which is funny because the Creator (God) created us in His image and likeness.. Therefore the Creator created creators and we are meant to CREATE (a quick bar, that’s yours to use now).

What I love about what I do with The Good Service Podcast is use the gifts God has given me to serve this world and to make it a better place than I found it. To the bar dropped above, TGSP is a space created for good, for love, for compassion, for connection and for growth.

I’m grateful to be chosen to be a servant leader (both by example and by vocally), to be an encourager, a listener and a connector (relationship building & resource identifying for others). These are some of my spiritual gifts, they are the things that just come naturally. So when I think about “What do you specialize in?”, this would be my answer for certain.

What am I known for? LOL what am I not? I’ve live(d) a full life. How my family & friends would describe me would best answer this question… “The leader”, “the glue”, “the man”, “the light”, “the mayor” and “the hype man” – some of the titles I’ve been honored to be given by those that know me best and I love the most. I’d say I’m known for my infectious energy, compassion for life and service… a salt of the earth person.

What sets me a part? I’m real, I’m consistent in how I show up for myself, my family, my friends and my community. I’m a man of valor and integrity. We don’t play nothing less than that around here.I don’t do fake, I don’t do negativity, what you see is what you get, I genuinely love everybody because we are called to do so. There’s just no one like me.

I’m proud of a lot… 1st generation college graduate, University of Dayton… I’ve proven to myself who I am and knowing myself and staying true to that and not changing up for anyone is something I’m proud of. There aren’t accolades and awards that I’m “proud of” – I’m more proud of my heart, my faith and staying true to who I am called to be.

What does success mean to you?
My definition of success is doing what you said you’re going to do, and doing it. Putting your mind to something, doing it, becoming it and living it. That is success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thegoodservicepodcastwithjosephdunham.buzzsprout.com
• Instagram: @thegoodservicepodcast
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-good-service-podcast/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodservicepodcast
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/4cEJuZGzRWC13YtGjuuV33?si=f02f385dfb4b48a5

Image Credits
My brother William Jordan Patterson @thejordanstudios & @thewilliamjordan
My brother Taderal Reid @tr.tist