The Good Road

There are so many heroes in the world of philanthropy and The Good Road crew learns so much from these heroes. In this episode, Earl Bridges and Craig Martin meet two such heroes in the eastern part of Uganda. Their journey to find them begins in a Matatu that takes them through the Ugandan countryside to a series of geographic gems like the "source of the Nile". But after a long journey they arrive at their true destination- the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Once there, they meet up with an amazing couple, Kathy Bourgoine and Adam Hewitt-Smith, and their daughters Eseld and Lowenna.

This episode finds Earl and Craig back on the road in Southeast Asia in the former capital of one of the most politically controversial countries in the region, Myanmar. War, genocide, and conflict have raged in this country dominated by ethnic struggle for decades. But beyond the headlines there are powerful stories of unexpected heroes like Burmese punk rocker Kyaw Thu Win or Kyaw Kyaw (pronounced Joe Joe). Based out of Yangon, Kyaw Kyaw fronts a punk rock band called The Rebel Riot.

Earl Bridges and Craig Martin are introduced as co-hosts of The Good Road. They invite viewers, they call "do-gooders," to explore change-makers in the world of philanthropy. Returning to their "hometown" of Bangkok, the show starts with nostalgia and noodles as they recall their childhood in the city. Next, Craig and Earl take a train to Ayutthaya, exploring Thai history, and the importance of the Chao Phraya river. They then visit an illegal community along the river called Klong Toey, and discover many good things happening amidst the poverty that abounds.

Earl and Craig embark on an adventure that starts in Nairobi, Kenya and ends at a wildlife ranger base in a remote region of the Chyulu Hills. The Good Road team joins a convoy of land rovers and motorcycles helmed by TED Fellow Erik Hersman and his fellow BRCK co-founders on this grand expedition. BRCK is a for-profit tech company based in Nairobi with the mission to provide free internet access across the continent of Africa. BRCK is attempting to solve all kinds of different problems and create new opportunities for anyone in remote areas ignored by big internet service providers.

Earl Bridges and Craig Martin travel to Alabama Village, a small community only a few miles outside of Mobile, but seemingly worlds apart. It is an impoverished and often violent community largely ignored by the world around it. But not by everyone... while there, Craig and Earl meet John and Dolores (D-Lo) Eads. John and D-Lo have a community center and church called ​Light of the Village. In their 15 years serving the people of Alabama Village and the surrounding communities they have buried more than 30 of the young people who have been through their program due to gun violence.