Giving Back Podcast

Welcome to the 116th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about Ikigai (生き甲斐)! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: I had a conversation with a remarkable young lady named Monisha Bajaj who is committed to sparking conversations about healthy relationships in Thailand.  We touched on what our guests share, besides the experience of serving their community. Spiritual philosophy, life philosophy, perspective on the world and people in it. I told Monisha that sometimes I feel like people miss the best part of the show, where guests dive deeper because there’s great knowledge they’re sharing.  Finding purpose and meaning by making a difference in people’s lives. We’re wired to connect and engage, and by lifting others we lift ourselves. In fact, we’ve been wrestling about the meaning

This podcast is part two of a four-part workshop series with Maryanne Dersch. Over the next few weeks, you’ll be hearing Maryanne break down how you can grab the attention and attract long-term, loyal donors. Who is Maryanne? She is a non-profit speaker, author, and coach. She’s starting a revolution within human investment companies so that they are always filled with abundance, joy, and energy.  Let’s get started!    Key Takeaways: [1:25] Who is Maryanne? [2:30] Maryanne gives a brief summary of the first two steps they covered in part one.  [5:35] Step 3: Communication goals.  [9:40] Create a plan and use it as a roadmap. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Plans change! [11:40] Think big and get creative! Don’t worry about editing it (for now).  [17:00] In order to grow, you have to do things differently!  [18:10] Maryanne breaks down a vision exercise you can do to help see your future self.  [22:50] If you don’t meet this goal, what’s the worst that can happen?  [26:45] Maryanne shares an example of what ste

Welcome to the 115th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about Advice versus Insight! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: There is a very thin line between advice and insights. They both are well intentioned and the difference may be that insight is simply sharing where advice is pretty specific because there is a expectation or atleast hope that the person advice is given to will follow that. I am reading a lot now a days from Medium. So today I want to share "The Mind-Blowingly Simple And Positive Advice That Changed My Entire Life" By Nicolas Cole that I recently read on his medium blog. It's a kind of advice from himself to himself. The Mind-Blowingly Simple And Positive Advice That Changed My Entire Life By Nicolas Cole on Medium.com I was sitting in the middle of the fore

Welcome! This podcast is part one of a four-part workshop series with Maryanne Dersch. Over the next few weeks, you’ll be hearing Maryanne break down what you need to do to get the attention you need to attract long-term, loyal donors. Who is Maryanne? She is a non-profit speaker, author, and coach. She’s starting a revolution within human investment companies so that they are always filled with abundance, joy, and energy.  Let’s get started!    Key Takeaways: [1:30] Who is Maryanne? [2:35] Maryanne provides an overview of the 7 steps.  [4:50] What results can listeners expect by the end of the workshop? [6:15] Step 1: Create a vision. [11:20] Why did Maryanne develop Courageous Communication? [15:00] Do you feel isolated? It’s time to change your mindset. [16:15] Maryanne shares an example of what Courageous Communication can do for you.  [22:25] Your organization can’t afford not to communicate effectively.  [25:25] Step 2: Communications Assessment.  [28:50] What’s the value of your time in your nonprofit?

Welcome to the 114th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about Banter, timing, and serendipity! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: Kominsky Method: Sandy & Norman Two old curmudgeons and lifelong friends As a portrait of aging masculinity and friendship, it’s wonderful. The two leads are fantastic apart, reveling in intelligently written parts that give them plenty of laughs to play, in addition to well-earned emotional highs as flawed, believable, fully rounded human beings. Marvelous Mrs Maisel: Midge & Susie On the road with an abundance of sharpness. First time watching, saw only 15 minutes and I’m addicted! Susie is the best! When you are with the right person and you have the right attitude, it results pretty great. In the course of being snowed in and the road b

John and Angi Busick discovered their first son, Jack, was born with Down syndrome. After volunteering in local special needs groups and fundraising for them, John and Angi realized there was a bigger need than they thought. And so, the Down Syndrome Association North Bay was born. Every year, John and Angi throw a gala to raise funds and support their community. Find out more about John and Angi, why they’re so passionate about this cause, and the positive changes they’ve seen in the community since starting their nonprofit on this week’s episode!    Key Takeaways: [3:25] How did Down Syndrome Association North Bay (DSANB) first get started? [6:55] Today, perfection is the expectation in families and our kids. [8:45] How did John and Angi approach having a second child after Jack?  [12:00] Rob, as a father himself, had an OMG moment when he realized he was going to be a father soon. [15:00] John wanted to find a way to impact Jack’s life for the better. [20:15] How did the Local Employer of the Year award ge

Welcome to the 113th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about Halftime - moving from success to significance! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: I had two extraordinary conversations this week.  Two people, both retired, both doing the most important work of their lives.  Two authors, Bob Buford and Marc Freedman, both talk about “Halftime”, or the period after 50 and before decrepit.   Cathy Standiford, who you’ll hear from in an upcoming episode, is retired and a nonstop ball of energy working to empower women and girls with economic opportunity, particularly through education.  She is in her 30th year volunteering with Soroptomist, her 2nd year with WriteGirl, and shows no sign of slowing down. Bill and I started working together on ShelterBox USA’s PR committee.   My co

Roman is a young six-year-old boy with a dream and a mission to give shelter dogs new homes. On his fourth birthday, he wanted donations for his birthday so he could help a local dog shelter. Since then, it sparked something magical and he and his mom, Jennifer, started Project Freedom Ride, where they take dogs out of kill-shelters in Texas and place them in loving homes. Find out more about Roman and how it all got started on today’s episode!    Key Takeaways: [2:45] How did Roman and Jennifer get started with Project Freedom Ride? [6:40] Roman saved 31 dogs from a Texas kill-shelter in his first transport.  [8:45] How did Roman and Jennifer get into adopting and fostering dogs? [12:15] What’s the best part about being a part of Project Freedom Ride? [16:45] How are people finding out about Project Freedom Ride? [18:55] Roman shares two stories about two special dogs that got rescued. [23:25] How does Jennifer manage the logistics of transporting the dogs out of kill-shelters? [27:45] $1 dollar a month can

Welcome to the 112th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about The power of quotes! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming.   Key Takeaways: I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy --- Rabindranath Tagore Douglas Tsoi conversation Attention is the purest form of generosity --- Simone Weil Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling book-turned Reese Witherspoon-starring movie Wild hit home with millions of people. At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike

Achille Massoma is the Co-Founder of Kinshapes, a creative incubator that introduces coding and programming, 2D and 3D illustration, virtual reality, and so much more to children in underserved communities. Kinshapes started nearly two years ago and has had nearly 300 students go through both their introductory and/or cohort workshops. Find out more about Achille and his vision for Kinshapes on today’s show!    Key Takeaways: [3:00] What is Kinshapes all about? [6:45] Achille shares what makes Kinshapes so sustainable.  [11:30] How are the workshops at Kinshapes structured?  [18:10] The students develop a product by the end of the 6-8 week cohort workshop.  [19:45] How do the students know when a project is done?  [22:55] Kinshapes has a big interest in teaching children virtual reality. How did that first begin? [29:35] It’s important to move from being a consumer to being a producer. This way you can acquire skills that will help support you, your family, and your community. [30:45] What kind of products an

Welcome to the 111th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about the Changes! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: "Changes" by David Bowie was the last song he performed live on stage before his retirement from live performances at the end of 2006. The song ranked number 128 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and reminds me of how he adapted so brilliantly to the changes around him.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMQ0Ryy01yE We have more artist whether they are the singer, painter or artist in the scientific and mathematical field who are also adapted to changes and taking advantages and always moving forward and always doing something that reflects the best of themselves. There are so many examples, Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci besides on the busine

inspiring communities to bring dignity and hope to youth in foster care. In the second part of this interview, Rob shares some stories from his new book, A Forever Family. The book is raw, emotional, and, in some parts, difficult to read. Rob represents just one of several common foster cases, and we as a community need to do better for our future children.     Key Takeaways: [2:20] In his book, A Forever Family, Rob reveals a lot of very hard and difficult childhood experiences.  [5:25] Our system is not designed for the well-being of our children. [9:15] What’s inside a Comfort Case package?  [14:00] Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with them?” ask, “What happened to them?” [14:40] Rob shares the origin of his last name. [19:35] Who is Mr. Rogers? [23:35] Your life is about the choices you make.  [26:20] Despite being so raw and vulnerable in his book, Rob has no regrets. [28:10] You can go out there and do good work. You don’t need money to do. [30:20] We don’t talk enough about foster care. So many people

A bias is a tendency, inclination, or prejudice toward or against something or someone. Welcome to the 110th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about the bias towards abundance! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: Bias is disproportionate weight in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. People display this bias when they gather or remember information selectively, or when they interpret it in a biased way. The effect is stronger for emotionally charged issues and for deeply entrenched beliefs. A cognitive bias is a systematic pattern of deviation from

Rob Scheer is the Founder of Comfort Cases, a nonprofit dedicated towards inspiring communities to bring dignity and hope to youth in foster care. As a foster kid himself, Rob knows the difficult challenges children in the system face. He has recently released a new book, A Forever Family, detailing some of the horrible experiences he had as a child and how life on the other side really does get better! Find out more about Rob in this two-part interview.    Key Takeaways: [3:00] This is Rob’s second guest appearance on the show! [4:15] Despite being on Ellen, CNN, and the Today Show, Rob does not have any corporate sponsors. [6:00] Rob was talking to his 14-year-old daughter and the topic of seeing her birth mom came up.   [11:50] Rob’s kids are growing up fast!!  [19:45] No matter what their background is, people have common good in them.  [21:15] There’s a lot of science behind ‘doing good’ and helping out your fellow man. [26:40] What can you do to help the foster children in your area? [27:40] Don’t have

Welcome to the 109th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about the burden of expectations! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: Meeting with my brother Tom for our first breakfast of 2019, we talked about re-connecting and how to best move forward. On the ride home from Lodi after I connected him and Mom on Christmas, she asked me“Did Tom tell you why he left?” He and I have never discussed that. I wanted to sort through my opinions and I thought about the best way I could serve her before I answered.  This is what I told her: Before he left, even before our father died, I thought that he felt: Expectations and disappointment from himself Expectations and disappointment expressed by others Expectations and disappointment of others that he perceives I sensed he needed to get away

Leslie Juvin-Acker is a speaker, coach, and the author of the new book, The Money Formula. She is part of the Blue Ribbon Gala Committee for Home Start Inc., a nonprofit that provides community services for families in San Diego. On today’s episode, Leslie discusses the idea that we don’t just have financial debt, but we also have emotional debt in our lives (as well as self-limiting beliefs). The moment we can unblock these, then anything is possible!    Key Takeaways: [3:15] Who is Leslie and what does she do?  [7:25] Leslie’s clients are financially rich, but feel spiritually poor because they’ve neglected themselves.  [10:40] How did it all start for Leslie? [15:10] Who is typically defined as a ‘Work in Poverty’? [17:55] What kind of limiting beliefs did Leslie have and how did she break through that?  [20:15] There’s no amount of money in the world that can fix the way you feel.  [23:00] Leslie shares why she is so passionate about Home Start. [28:10] What does Leslie do for Home Start? [29:05] Leslie s

Welcome to the 108th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about Colorful characters and reconciling doing well & doing good! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: The handsome fella on today’s cover is Chris Stafford, a really nice guy AND one of the most successful real estate agents in the entire San Francisco Bay Area.  In addition to his own real estate activities, Chris also advises other agents to build their business. A cornerstone of his success is integrity, always working with his clients’ best interests at the forefront.  You can check him out at: https://epiclistingagent.com/about-me/ I have the honor and privilege of working with Chris on the non profit I founded in 2018, Strong Communities.  Strong Communities harnesses the power of real estate to strengthen and

Maryanne Dersch is the Founder of Courageous Communication and has over 30 years of advertising and communication experience. She is also the author of the new book, Courageous Communication! Maryanne helps nonprofits realize their true potential by showing them how to build meaningful relationships with their donors and how to show up in an authentic way.  Find out more about Maryanne and the work she does on today’s episode!    Key Takeaways: [3:05] Who is Maryanne and how did she first get involved with nonprofits? [4:35] What is Courageous Communication all about?  [10:30] Nonprofits often feel very dependent on their donors and they feel like they have to make choices to please these donors instead of doing what’s right for the organization.  [13:35] Your nonprofit is a leader, and so are your volunteers and donors. When you approach it this way, you end up having a more balanced relationship with everyone. [15:25] It’s important to think in terms of value when you’re working with others in your nonprofi

Welcome to the 106th episode of Giving Back Insights! Insights are our solo show to celebrate how our guests and their charities serve others, explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and connect. Today we’re talking about Celebrating Happy New Year! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: Happy, happy New Year!  I started 2019 out right with a little bit of ritual and a lot of optimism & gratitude. I was looking for some sage to smudge, which is burning the sage and waving the smoke over a space or your body.  It’s like taking an energetic shower or doing a deep metaphysical cleansing and it felt like a perfect way to start the New Year.  Poof! A bundle of sage from Barbara Wittman and Don Morse, my Vision Quest guides, arrived on the 30th. www.SageSeeker.org And just as I was thinking of the right tone to ring in 2019, the post office serves up cards from Project 1875.  I met Heather Swensen Kimber in LA at a Freedym Mastermind with

The Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation (JAJF) is an organization led by Jon Albert to help parents diagnosed with late-stage cancer to celebrate and build timeless family memories with their children and spouse. Every family walks away with an incredible experience and a photobook filled with smiles. Find out more about Jon’s non-profit on today’s show!   Key Takeaways: [3:15] What does Jon do for JAJF?  [5:20] Jon lost his wife, Jill, to cancer 12 years ago. [6:00] Jill faced three very strong emotions while battling cancer.  [11:25] It was amazing to see the different faces and ages of people who were in chemotherapy with Jill. [16:20] The real wish families have is not to see famous musicians or actors, but to have more time with their loved ones. [23:25] Jon believes in transparency, and you can view all of his numbers on his website. [30:20] It’s about making an impact on one person, one family, at a time. [37:15] Don’t just write a check. Include your children or grandchildren in the process!