JD Burch

Quick Jumps

St. Jude's Fundraisers

Scouts

Podcasts

My Devices

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Fundraisers

Every September, Relay organizes a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This fundraiser raises an incredible amount of money each year. Their lifetime total is over $4 Million raised over the last six years!

In 2022, they opened the fundraiser up for individual community members to have their own sub-campaigns. I started a campaign, and in my campaign, for qualifying donations, I would mow their name into a lawn before cutting all the grass. I would dedicate that lawn to them and match a portion of their donation. My fundraiser raised $625. The link to the fundraiser is here.

During September 2023, I ran a similar campaign with Relay again. That year, my campaign raised $1,521.01, smashing my total from 2022 by nearly 3x. This link is here

In 2024, I continued fundraising, this time with different rewards, and raised $2,147.11, bringing my lifetime total raised from my September fundraisers to $4,293.12. I am honored to raise money for such a fantastic organization, and plan to continue this fundraiser in the future years.

In 2024, in my freshman year at the University of Michigan, I joined the board of the Friends for St. Jude club as Treasurer. I oversaw club finances and was heavily involved in planning and execution of the Friends for St. Jude's No More Cancer Rally in late April. This club-wide fundraiser raised $4049. In Fall 2025, I transitioned to the Vice President of Friends for St. Jude, where I am involved with the monthly meetings, fundraisers, and events.

Scouts - Adult

In 2024, I returned to Trail to Eagle as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Blue Troop, and a camp medical officer certified by the American Red Cross. I had a fantastic time, and will continue to return.


Scouts - Youth

Trail to Eagle - Blue Troop

In 2019, I joined Blue Troop at Trail to Eagle. Trail to Eagle is a very unique summer camp that takes place once a week. Scouts from across Michigan and the country are seperated into one of eight differnet troops named after a color. I was in Blue Troop for 5 years as a youth. In 2021, I was asked to be a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. I served as a JASM for two years. Trail to Eagle 2022 was one of the best weeks of my life! I earned over 25 merit badges over the 4 years I was at TTE!


Eagle Scout Project

In the summer of 2022, I completed my Eagle Scout Project. This patio was just under 100 square feet. It took months of planning and around 75 hours of personal service. I fundraised by organizing a can drive during the week of the Fourth of July on my grandma's street (she lives on a lake, so it was a great location). I also got funds from Thrivent Credit Union through a member of my church.


Stats

Merit Badges: 51

Eagle Palms: 6


Eagle Scout Rank: November 1, 2022

Life Rank: December 9, 2019

Star Rank: April 15, 2019

First Class Rank: November 12, 2018

Second Class Rank: May 21, 2018

Tenderfoot Rank: February 12, 2018

Scout Rank: July 20, 2017


Tech Podcasts

I listen to many podcasts by Relay FM. I am very active in the Relay FM Members discord, where I have met many friends over the past few years. Through the many tech podcasts I listen to, I have learned quite a bit about Apple and enjoy their products and business.

My Tech Podcasts

Connected: My favorite podcast, a weekly panel with hosts from across the globe (and lots of japes). Hosted by Myke Hurley, Federico Viticci, and Stephen Hackett. I subscribe to Connected Pro, which gives me access to the Relay FM Members Discord, where I have met many friends throughout the years!

Upgrade: A weekly tech podcast hosted by Jason Snell and Myke Hurley.

Cortex: This podcast isn't all tech, but doesn't really fit elsewhere. Hosted by CGP Grey and Myke Hurley, this podcast discusses their work lives and pretty much anything else they decide to talk about.

Downstream: This show is all about the Streaming Media industry, and is very interesting to me because I am very interested in business. Hosted by Jason Snell and guests.


Wondery Podcasts

I also listen to many Wondery shows, thanks to my Dad. We used to listen to them in the car on the way to school, and now I am hooked. I subscribe to Wondery+.

My Wondery Podcasts

Business Wars: This show has seasons of 4-6 epidodes detailing market battles between 2 companies. Hosted by David Brown.

Business Movers: This show is similar to Business Wars, except it details the story of just one company through their life. Hosted by Lindsay Graham.

American History Tellers: This show has 4-6 episode seasons detailing various aspects of American History. This show got me my 5 in APUSH.

American Scandal: This podcast is similar to American History Tellers, except it deals with the more uncomfey or bad aspects of American History.


Misc. Podcasts

I listen to quite a few podcasts on random topics, such as strange Wikipedia entries and defining obscure topics!

My Misc. Podcasts

Rebel Force Radio: This podcast, hosted by Jason Swank and Jimmy Mac, goes into extreme depth on all things Star Wars, which is perfect for a Star Wars nerd like me. They make 2hr+ podcast episodes after every single Star Wars episode drops, and they also have a weekly show with more broad Star Wars content.

Ungeniused: A short podcast that covers weird and wacky Wikipedia Topics, hosted by Myke Hurley and Stephen Hackett

Robot or Not: This show is a fun banter show where John Siracusa and Jason Snell debate if something is a robot or not, and has since expanded to deciding if X is Y or not, with various subjects.


Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program is a program at National Park Sites that grants kids more opportunities to participate and learn about their National Parks. You complete a series of activities about the park in a workbook, and then show the completed activities to a Park Ranger. From there, you earn a Junior Ranger Badge and are a Junior Ranger of that National Park Site. I am a Junior Ranger at over 250 NPS Sites across the nation.


My Devices

Computer: M2 MacBook Air 15"

Mobile Phone: iPhone 14 Pro with Torras MagSafe case and the Popwallet+ for MagSafe

Watch: Apple Watch Series 7 with the Sport Band

Tablet: M4 iPad Pro 13" with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard