From Immigrant to National Service Movement | Rodney Smith Jr

Описание: In this episode of The Infernal Machine Podcast, Megan sits down with Rodney Smith Jr., an immigrant from Barbados who turned a lawn mower into a global movement.

Rodney is the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free lawn care to veterans, the elderly, and people with disabilities. What started as one man mowing lawns in Alabama has grown into an international service movement spanning all 50 U.S. states — multiple times over — and inspiring volunteers across the world.

Rodney shares his journey from growing up in Barbados to navigating culture shock, immigration, and citizenship in the United States. He reflects on how faith compelled him to act when he saw unmet needs, and how simple, consistent service can restore dignity in ways policy alone cannot.

Throughout the conversation, Rodney breaks down what life on the road really looks like, the financial realities of running a nonprofit, and the patterns he’s observed while serving veterans and vulnerable communities. He speaks candidly about America as he sees it — its generosity, its gaps, and the difference between talking about helping and actually doing it.

This episode isn’t just about lawn care. It’s about faith, responsibility, humility, and what happens when ordinary people decide to step up without waiting for permission.

By the end, Rodney offers a clear blueprint for anyone who wants to start helping their own community, no platform or viral moment required.

00:45 – Rodney's background and his org
00:55 – Rodney in DC
01:37 – How Rodney went from Bermuda to Alabama
02:39 – What was Bermuda like and Rodney's childhood there
03:15 – How Rodney starting mowing lawns and starting his foundation
06:14 – How Rodney's faith told him to help others
08:30 – Expanding out of the Hunstville area
10:48 – What a typical day on the road for Rodney looks like
12:00 – Helping those in need
13:26 – Rodney's most memorable lawns he's mowed
15:49 – Why is it important to share their stories?
18:41 – Culture shock from Bermuda to the US
21:04 – Navigating citizenship and the green card process
22:18 – Challenges Rodney has had to face driving around for his foundation
24:32 – How Rodney's foundation funds their lawn mowers
27:10 – Why do local citizens have to step up to help people in need?
31:41 – What Rodney wishes policy makers could see
36:00 – Patterns that Rodney has seen while helping veterans
37:28 – What America is in Rodney's eyes
42:02 – What you can learn from helping people
43:14 – Rodney in DC
48:00 – Who Rodney helps and where does he typically go?
49:38 – How has Rodney's work changed him
53:20 – How going viral enabled Rodney to be where he is today
55:10 – North Alabama
55:39 – Society valuing talking over action
01:00:53 – How to start helping your community like Rodney
01:03:08 – How to get your local community to step up
01:05:49 – What else is Rodney passionate about?
01:06:35 – Who does Rodney look up to?
01:07:31 – One guarantee that Rodney would want for Raising Men
01:09:27 – One piece of advice