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The aftermath of disaster often reveals the most profound aspects of humanity—our capacity for resilience, generosity, and connection. In this deeply moving conversation, disaster relief volunteer Jeremy Barker opens his heart about the transformative journey that began when he abandoned his fishing plans and $70,000 in savings to help rebuild a storm-ravaged community in Barnardsville, North Carolina.
Jeremy's story unfolds with raw honesty as he describes how what started as building emergency sheds has evolved into creating a community retreat center—a place for healing, connection, and renewal. "This place is more than just where we build sheds," he reflects. "This is a retreat and a place where we've built infrastructure to serve the community."
The challenges are immense—from coordinating volunteers from across the country to installing proper septic systems, managing Airbnb properties for displaced homeowners, and preparing fields for regrowth. Yet through these obstacles, Jeremy finds unexpected rewards. He shares vulnerable insights about the difficulty of taking days off: "Your brain will not let you take a day off. The only thing to fix it is to get out there and deliver a couple sheds, hug somebody—it recharges you."
Perhaps most powerful is Jeremy's reflection on the relationships formed through disaster response: "The biggest reward in this whole thing is the relationships I've built." From local community members to fellow volunteers and the remarkable response from the shed industry nationwide, these connections have become the beating heart of recovery efforts.
Looking ahead, Jeremy sees this experience not as an endpoint but as preparation: "This is a training field. We're just being set up for the next thing we're going to have to deliver and help." His perspective transforms disaster response from a temporary intervention into part of a longer journey of service.
Want to support disaster recovery efforts or connect with these remarkable volunteers? Reach out directly and discover how your skills, resources, or simply your presence might become part of someone's journey from devastation to hope.

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This episodes Sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Union Grove Lumber
Cardinal Manufacturing

Cardinal Leasing

Shed Challenger