“World of Wishes” Helps Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Shares Its Considerable Impact with Online Audiences
September 21, 2016 – The stories are powerful and the storytellers emotional, a testament to the life-changing impact a wish fulfilled for a critically-ill child can have. It’s also a large reason for the appeal of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida’s “World of Wishes,” which has become the longest-running and most successful podcast hosted by a Make-A-Wish chapter in the U.S.
The program, which has presented more than 60 long-form conversations with those who have received or helped deliver wish experiences, offers an insider’s perspective on the impact of the Make-A-Wish mission. Hosted by Richard Kelly, chief operating officer of the Southern Florida chapter, “World of Wishes” features not only wish kids and parents, but also the volunteers, healthcare professionals, donors and community partners that help the nonprofit make a positive difference in the lives of every medically-eligible child that resides in or travels to its territory for their wish.
“Our goal is to present stories that resonate with listeners, whether they already know us intimately or just have a general sense of what we do,” said Kelly, who launched the podcast in 2023. “Hope, resilience, leadership, and the impact of community are common themes, but each guest brings a unique perspective on how they’ve been personally affected.”
Those conversations – which can be heard on Apple podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio and other major podcast platforms – have helped “World of Wishes” rank among the top 15% most downloaded podcasts. Among others in its nonprofit space, it’s estimated to be among the top 10%. “We feel it’s important that listeners understand how the impact of a wish extends far beyond the individual families that receive them and that our work is not just nice but necessary. Storytelling helps us do that,” said Kelly.
One recent episode featured Linda Pauling, the mother of Chris Grecius, a seven-year-old with cancer whose desire to be a police officer inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish in 1980.
“Chris was the happiest I’ve ever seen him, he came alive again, transforming into a child full of hope and joy,” said Pauling about her son’s experience with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “Because of this, I continue to remember Chris’ wish more than I remember his illness.”
Documenting those stories is a labor of love for Kelly and his Brand Advancement team, which started “World of Wishes” to give a voice to those impacted by the Make-A-Wish mission. It’s resulted in a deep connection with a growing audience that has been inspired to volunteer, donate and become more involved in their own communities in the effort to provide life-changing experiences to critically-ill children and families.
To learn more or listen to any podcast episode, visit www.worldofwishespodcast.org.
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida (www.wish.org/sfla) has granted more than 15,000 life-changing wishes since 1983 for critically-ill children. It aims to grant a wish for every medically-eligible child in its territory and understands wishes aren’t just nice, they’re necessary for kids and families at some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Wish kids most often ‘wish to be’ (something), ‘wish to meet’ (someone), ‘wish to go’ (somewhere), ‘wish to have’ (something), or ‘wish to give’ (to a cause) and the nonprofit organization makes this happen for the child and his/her entire family at no cost or obligation.
The Southern Florida chapter’s territory includes 22 counties/four regions: southeast and southwest Florda, the Suncoast, and Tampa Bay. It also includes the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Follow and engage with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
