Giving Back Podcast

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 Christmas joy! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: Merry Christmas! Those costumed mischief makers on today’s cover are part of the OakLuv crew, bringing Christmas joy to kids and families in the Fruitvale District of my hometown, Oakland, California. OakLuv Foundation was created by Knucklehead Santa (aka Alex Cox ), Chaz the Elf (aka Alan Smith) and Hot Toddy (aka Todd Marshburn) pretty much on a whim. With an initial intention of "Just having some fun by surprising people with stuff, they might need," the guys stumbled upon the incredible joy of giving. Now in their 10th year, OakLuv stepped up its game in 2018 with a 3 block Posada, a Christmas celebration in Mexico with an Oaktown twist. A block party with slid

Alex Gramling is a marketing executive and the founder of the Christmas Tree Santas, a non-profit organization that spreads hope and joy by giving Christmas trees to families in need during the holidays. With slightly over 8 years under his belt, Alex has seen the organization grow from just his local community into 18 cities. Find out more about how you can join in this holiday season and spread the gift of giving with a Christmas tree!     Key Takeaways: [2:35] What is Christmas Tree Santas all about? [4:45] Alex was inspired by a  family who needed a tree and that’s what lead to the creation of this charity. [10:50] Who else is involved with Christmas Tree Santas? [16:30] Christmas Tree Santas are currently in 18 cities!  [17:20] Alex shares an amazing story about one of his donors from Texas!  [21:20] Moving live Christmas trees is a very challenging thing to do logistically. [27:30] Volunteers love giving back in this way and will often say that these events are some of their favorite days of the year. 

Welcome to the 105th 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 Company We Keep! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with” Danny Rosin, Brand Fuel https://www.brandfuel.com/?team=danny-rosin-2 Danny’s favourite quote “I hopelessly fall in love with a lot of people I meet. The homeless man playing saxophone tirelessly in 96-degree heat for a few bucks. The checkout lady at Whole Foods who has purple hair, 14 nose rings and smells like 4 days ago who smiles invitingly and asks me to donate $1 to a local cause that seems to really matter to her. The friendly elder-gentleman who has swept the floors of The Berkeley for 29 years and takes the time to tell me about his upbringing. That his grandma, “Mimo,” taug

Keith McLane is the owner of KLM Auctions, an organization that houses some of the most dynamic benefit charity auctioneers in the industry. Their fundraising auctioneers are certified by the National Auctioneer Association and have extensive experience raising money for important charities all over the nation. Discover how auction charities work and what goes on behind the scenes to get it all done on this week’s episode!    Key Takeaways: [3:05] Keith explains what he does and how auctions are beneficial to charities. [8:40] What kind of results has Keith seen at event auctions? [14:00] The last thing you want is for someone to feel tricked or manipulated that they won something, even if it’s in the name of charity.  [18:00] How are these auction events typically structured?  [19:15] Before hosting an event, it’s very important to determine where the money will be going in the organization. [20:05] Keith shares a story about one of his favorite events, Women’s Empowerment in Sacramento. [21:55] Some people

Welcome to the 104th 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 Love Notes! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: There’s a single text from my brother Tom on today’s cover.  It says, “Hey BabyBro...The fog has rolled in up here so drive careful on your way up in the morning”  He sent that to me the night before I went to have breakfast with him When tule fog rolls in, visibility can be cut to yards and driving is hazardous. A great pleasure of getting older is observing what people say and do with a little more insight and context.  Someone else may not know it, but that’s a love note from him. Noticing something happening, thinking about the possible impact, and sharing that with me to keep me safe.   After being separated for over 20 years, his note carries a deeper meaning f

Adam Capes is the President and  Chief Idea Officer at Getaway2Give, an organization that helps charities raise money while giving their charity auction winners an experience of a lifetime. Adam shares how you can be more effective at raising money,  ways to really make a donor feel special, loved, and cared for, and so much more on today’s episode!    Key Takeaways: [3:15] What is Getaway2Give all about?   [7:55] Adam didn’t want to wait until he was in his 70s or 80s to try to make a lot of money.  [12:25] Families can combine their bids to give to charity and then go to an exotic place together because these getaway locations sometimes have 5+ bedrooms to stay in. [16:45] Adam gives a shout out to the Jack & Jill Foundation.  [23:00] We’re all terminal; we just don't know when yet. [26:00] What kind of charity auctions and events seem to get the most engagement?  [33:00] If non-profit organizations want to survive and thrive, it’s important to think more like businesses.  [34:50] Adam believes it’s imp

Welcome to the 103rd 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 Capacity to serve! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming.   Key Takeaways: When I started the Giving Back Podcast, I had no desire to start a nonprofit.  Every guest is doing amazing things and I had no desire to replicate their work or compete for funding.  Besides, it was too much fun talking to all these cool people to pick a single problem. Fast forward a couple of years, and I was thinking about how I could do some good.  I know that providing a platform for social impact leaders to share their mission is a step in the right direction, and I thought that I wanted to do more.  And I wanted to do something that would help the people who give so much and make such a big difference to others and their communities. Every guest, whe

Kathryn Guylay has spent more than 25 years in business and non-profit management. She founded Nurture more than 10 years ago and it has changed the food dynamics of families all over. This non-profit strives to provide health and wellness solutions as well as healthy eating choices for children and their families so that they avoid a whole host of illnesses (like diabetes). Find out more about Kathryn and her mission on today’s show.    Key Takeaways: [3:10] Who is Kathryn and why did she start Nurture?  [8:45] A lot of Nurture’s materials are in Spanish to help low-income populations. Does Kathryn speak Spanish? [11:15] Now that Nurture has been born, what is Nurture meant to do? What’s Nurture’s purpose? [12:50] When you’re in the middle of creating something amazing, write it down!!! [14:35] The universe truly provides when you speak out and declare your intentions. [17:05] However, obstacles will show up in your path from time to time because the universe truly wants to knows if you’re 100% committed. [1

Welcome to the 102nd 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 Purpose of Life! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: A few days ago I was talking with Winnie Huang, a teammate and friend.  She’s a hard worker, very smart, and a delightful personality. She is also a deeply spiritual person of the Christian faith, and when I shared my favorite passage from the bible, Matthew 25:34-40, our conversation veered to what it takes to transform to our best selves.   The central theme of that passage is living a life of service, which I am clearly interested in.  For my money, Matthew 25:34-40 is essentially the guiding principle to live a fulfilling life, whether you call our Creator “God”, “Jehovah”, “Allah”, “the Light”, or “the Universe”.  The question of transformation came up be

Christina Noel wanted to be doing more with her time, with her life, and find true meaning. A friend asked,  “What would you do with your life if you didn't have to worry about money?” This is what sparked the creation of Arc Benders, a place to inspire and equip people who are using their unique talents to change the world. Christina is also the co-founder of the NC B Corps, a group of business leaders dedicated to using business as a force for good. Find out how Christina works with other social entrepreneurs on today’s show!  Key Takeaways: [4:45] How did Arc Benders get started? [5:55] Seven years ago, Christina had her ‘ah-ha’ moment. [6:45] You can change the world in so many different ways.  [9:10] Christina was afraid that she would keep putting her dreams on hold. [10:55] Why did Christina decide to hit the road and interview these amazing social entrepreneurs face-to-face? [15:05] Christina is halfway through her goal of interviewing 100 people! [23:30] Real change and important work take time.  [29

Welcome to the 101st episode of Giving Back Insights!  Insights is 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 impact and importance of Thanks Giving day in our life! Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming. Key Takeaways: Happy Thanksgiving! I love Thanksgiving.  It’s my favorite holiday, a day to give thanks, to say thank you, to express gratitude.  What an awesome, optimistic idea. How do you get more American than that? Jon Carroll was a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle who retired a few years ago.  While he was not as well known as Herb Caen and his three-dot journalism, I enjoyed infrequently reading Jon’s funny, empathetic, and oftentimes insightful columns.  His very best writing was about his granddaughter Lauren, which was primarily about his own self-discovery. Every year Jon would reprint a slightly updated version of a

The 3 out of 4 Co-Founders of Good Street are on today’s show to explain their message and their vision for a better future. Ariel Sterman, Jeff Dobrinsky, and Joe Benun talk to Rob today about their organization, how you can move mountains with just one quarter a day, and how they make it easy and simple for the ‘broke college kids’ to give back!   Key Takeaways: [3:25] A quarter a day can go a long way in supporting your charity. [4:10] Shout out to the fourth Co-Founder, Joe Teplow.  [5:55] Who is Ariel and what does he do for Good Street? [7:25] Who is Jeff and what does he do for Good Street? [9:45] Who is Joe and what does he do for Good Street? [13:25] What are some of Good Street’s goals and how does it all work? [17:15] How do Jeff and Joe vet their charities?  [22:55] Don’t want to choose between the two charities of the day? You can roll over your quarter and donate 50 cents instead to tomorrow’s charity. [23:45] Can you give more than 25 cents a day if you really, really like a particular charity?

Welcome to the 100th episode of Giving Back Insights!  Insights is 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 Miracle Messages in San Francisco –  amazing work, amazing people!  Enjoy today’s episode and keep your comments and feedback coming.ent. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: To start off, thank you for being with me on Insights.  We always have great guests on our Monday shows, people who are doing amazing things for people in their communities.  The Giving Back Insights episodes are a way to share what I’m learning along the way in the hope of continuing the conversation about how you and I can make a difference in people’s lives.  Sometimes the Insights shows veer toward my own journey of creating a life of purpose and meaning, and I appreciate you hanging with me and the terrific comments I’ve received. Much mahalo to everyone. The impact of an emergency or terrible cir

Susan Jonas lost her mother, Connie,  to pancreatic cancer after battling it for 18 months. At the time, the survival rate was only 6%. It is both Susan and, her best friend, Haven Fletcher’s goal to increase that survival rate to 18% by the year 2020.  Find out how these two raise money, bring awareness, and honor Connie’s memory all at the same time on this week’s episode!   Key Takeaways: [3:35] Pancreatic cancer is the only cancer with a single digit survival rate of only 9% in the past five years. [5:45] How did Connie’s Crusaders first get started? [12:30] How did Haven know how, and when, to help Susan through the grief of losing her mom to pancreatic cancer?  [16:45] On PurpleStride, Susan and Haven’s organization has been the number one charity to raise the most money for this cancer two years in a row.  [20:50] How many people attended PurpleStride this year?  [25:20] It is Susan and Haven’s goal to get to an 18% survival rate by 2020. [25:55] What would Connie think of all of this?  [30:15] Haven t

Welcome to the 99th episode of Giving Back Insights, my Thursday solo show where I talk about how our guests and their charities serve others, to explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and to share. Today I’m discussing how to come out from Stuck.. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: A classic cartoon with Winnie the Pooh and here I am in his place --- Stuck! When someone is stuck himself, no matter how hard his friends try to get him out, he can’t come out.  It’s up to him. For myself and others, there are useful lessons. I have heard this consistently that there is one point to another in a journey there are barriers and obstacles. There are so much to do and so many opportunities, you may feel little overwhelmed. Jamie Moran: Helped a lot of people to be established and a lot of solid principles getting there, wherever there is. What to do next? What are the next logical steps? What is “Strong Communit

Taylor King is the Regional Development Representative for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The hospital was founded by entertainer and actor Danny Thomas and it was built on the motto that no family has to pay for the medical treatment their child is going through. Everything that is provided by St. Jude’s is through donations. Taylor dives into the history of St. Judes, how one man’s vision has impacted the lives of millions, and the important work she oversees at the hospital.    Key Takeaways: [3:35] What do listeners need to know about St. Jude?  [6:15] Families who use St. Jude’s facilities do not get billed. Everything is provided for  through donations.  [7:35] 70% of St. Jude’s income comes from individuals.  [9:45] How did Taylor get involved with St. Jude? [11:45] What kind of work does Taylor do for the hospital?  [15:00] How does Taylor build connections with individuals as well as other hospitals? [18:15] What inspires Taylor the most about Danny Thomas, the Founder of St. Jude? [21:20] Wa

Welcome to the 98th episode of Giving Back Insights, my Thursday solo show where I talk about how our guests and their charities serve others, to explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and to share. Today I’m discussing Catching up with Carol Newton - the three R’s. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: Carol Newton from www.BrightSmiles.org and her husband Lee grace today’s cover, taking a break from a great couples activity, riding their Harleys.  A wonderful aspect of Carol’s personality is that she is deeply appreciative of what she has, starting right at home.  The work she does helping kids stay healthy is incredibly important to her, a real labor of love that makes a difference to over 3,000 kids every year.  And almost every time we chat, Carol talks about her hard-working fella, and how it’s only been possible with Lee’s morale and financial support. I find her outlook refreshing, and a powerful re

Jess Ekstrom is the Founder and CEO of Headbands of Hope, a for-profit business with a social purpose. In the 6 years that Jess has been in business, she and her team have donated over 250,000 headbands to kids with cancer, and her headbands have reached every children's hospital in the United States as well as 15 other countries. Find out more about Jess and Headbands of Hope on today’s episode!    Key Takeaways: [3:35] Consumers are really putting pressure on businesses to give back.  [4:10] How did Headbands of Hope get started? [4:55] Headbands of Hope has donated to every children’s hospital in America and 15 other countries. [7:20] Headbands of Hope is a for-profit company, but they have social value at their core. [9:30] Jess was a junior in college when she started this company. She believes being a little naive was a benefit!  [11:10] The Wright Brothers had a printing press before they got into aeroplanes. They had optimism, not experience, on their side. [12:20] When Jess was getting started, she a

Welcome to the 97th episode of Giving Back Insights, my Thursday solo show where I talk about how our guests and their charities serve others, to explore actions each of can take to make a difference in people’s lives and to share. Today I’m discussing Catching up with Tim. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!  Key Takeaways: Tim Combs and a few of his hardworking teammates from Americans For Independent Living grace today’s cover.  They’re taking a quick break from restoring, renovating and rehabbing a house near Cedar Rapids, Iowa and making it a HOME for a disabled veteran.  Tim’s the older fella in a white t-shirt looking awfully young and refreshed considering the amount of blood, sweat, and tears he’s put into AFIL. That’s what living your purpose will do that for you! www.AFIL.org One of the great pleasures that has come into my life as a result of being surrounded by people doing amazing things for others is keeping in touch with them after the

Carol Newton is the owner of Professional Dental Hygiene Express. Carol has been running a program called Bright Smiles for the last 8 years to help children who are in rural and impoverished neighbourhoods with their oral care. Many of these children do not have the proper education it takes to care for their teeth, or even own a toothbrush! Here’s Carol’s story on how she plans to change that.