What if a meal could be more than food on a plate? What if it could be a symbol of hope, comfort, and dignity during life’s hardest moments?

That’s the vision Courtney Johnson brings to life every day as the founder of Culinary Care, a nonprofit delivering made-to-order meals to cancer patients during treatment. In this episode of What’s Your Shine? The Happy Podcast, Courtney sits down with Dr. Shine to share how her personal story of loss became a mission to nourish others—body, heart, and soul.

A Mission Born from Loss

Courtney’s journey started from a place of grief. When she was in high school, her father was diagnosed with cancer. Like many families facing the overwhelming reality of treatment, Courtney and her loved ones struggled to juggle doctor’s appointments, medications, and the emotional toll of the illness.

“One of the things I remember most was how hard it was to manage meals,” she shares. “Between chemotherapy, recovery, and just trying to keep life going—it often fell to the bottom of the list. But food is so essential, especially during treatment.”

After her father’s passing, Courtney carried that memory with her. As she grew into adulthood, that memory evolved into a question: What if no cancer patient had to face treatment on an empty stomach?

The idea behind Culinary Care was simple—but powerful. Provide nourishing, made-to-order meals to patients actively undergoing cancer treatment. Make it easy. Make it personal. Make it feel like a gift, not charity.

And most importantly: use food as a way to remind people they are seen, supported, and never alone.

Food as a Bridge to Community

For Courtney, Culinary Care is about far more than meal delivery. It’s about connection.

“We’re a community organization—and the way we bring community to people is through food,” she explains. Each meal is designed not just to feed, but to lift spirits. Patients get to choose what they’d like, and local restaurant partners prepare the orders. Volunteers deliver the meals with care, often becoming a bright spot in the patient’s day.

It’s these small, human moments that make the biggest impact.

“When you’re going through cancer treatment, so much feels out of your control,” Courtney says. “Being able to choose a meal, to have it brought to you with kindness—it restores a sense of dignity. It reminds people they matter.”

The Ripple Effect of Small Acts

Throughout the conversation, Courtney reflects on the profound impact of seemingly small gestures. A meal, a smile, a choice—these aren’t grand gestures, but they have the power to change someone’s day, or even their outlook.

She shares stories of patients who tell her that receiving a meal gave them something to look forward to on a treatment day. Others say it reminded them that people care.

“It’s not just about the food,” Courtney says. “It’s about what the food represents: comfort, compassion, connection.”

Building a Community of Care

Culinary Care’s success is a testament to the power of partnership. From local restaurants and chefs to volunteers and donors, it’s a network built on generosity and heart.

Courtney speaks about the importance of involving the broader community in the mission. By creating opportunities for people to contribute—whether through sponsoring meals, volunteering time, or sharing the organization’s story—Culinary Care turns empathy into action.

And that action creates a ripple effect. Not only do patients feel supported, but their families, caregivers, and even medical teams are uplifted by knowing someone is looking out for their patients in this unique way.

Leadership Rooted in Purpose

Courtney’s path to nonprofit leadership wasn’t traditional. In fact, she describes herself as someone who never set out to run an organization. But what she lacked in formal business training, she made up for with vision, determination, and a deep well of empathy.

“I just kept asking: what do people need, and how can I help meet that need?” she reflects. That question continues to guide her as Culinary Care grows and evolves.

She speaks candidly about the challenges of entrepreneurship—especially in the nonprofit world. Balancing passion with sustainability, scaling thoughtfully, and staying anchored to the mission are ongoing lessons. But through it all, her core belief remains unchanged: every person deserves to feel cared for.

Finding Purpose Through Service

Courtney’s story is ultimately one of turning personal pain into collective purpose. She took the heartbreak of losing her father and transformed it into hope for thousands of families facing similar struggles.

At House of Shine, we often say that our greatest shine comes when we use our gifts and experiences to serve others. Courtney is a beautiful example of this truth. By combining her love of hospitality, her creative spirit, and her personal experience, she’s built an organization that feeds both the body and the soul.

A Call to Action

As the episode wraps, Courtney invites listeners to consider how they might contribute—whether by supporting Culinary Care, helping a neighbor in need, or simply being present for someone facing a hard season.

“We can all do something,” she says. “And when we do, we create community. We create hope.”

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Final Thoughts

Courtney Johnson’s work through Culinary Care is a reminder that purpose often begins with one simple question: How can I help? And when we answer that question with our time, talents, and hearts, we become part of something much bigger than ourselves.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Courtney Johnson now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Your favorite podcast network

🌟 Learn more about Culinary Care at www.culinarycare.org
💛 Consider sponsoring a meal or volunteering—because no one should face cancer alone.