We’ve spent the last three years at the Giving Back Podcast highlighting hometown heroes serving every need imaginable. Our guests for the final episode are true servant leaders in every sense, dedicated to building their community and lending a hand up to those in need. Thank you for tuning in, getting inspired, and taking action. The Giving Back Podcast has been a wonderful journey, a real blessing in my life. I look forward to the next chapter of bringing you stories about good people all around us doing amazing things to help others in need and making our world a better place.

Maggie Kane is the Founder and Executive Director of A Place at the Table, the first pay-what-you-can cafe in downtown Raleigh. Through her work with people on the streets, she realized the power of community, the importance of dignity, and the beauty in bringing people together over incredible food. A Place at the Table was birthed in February 2015 and in January 2018 opened, providing people with money and people without money a place where they can sit together, share in good conversation, and grow their village together. Where good food meets community, all are welcome at the table. Danny Rosin is the Co-Founder and Co-President of Brand Fuel a free-spirited, full-service merchandising agency that sits at the top 1% of the $23 billion promotional products industry. A tireless connector, community leader and entrepreneur, he is the active Co-Founder of Band Together, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that uses live music as a platform for social change. Band Together is the Southeast’s largest annual charitable music event and has donated over $9 million to a different cause each year since the twin towers came down on 9/11. Rob, Maggie, and Danny recall their recent memories of getting together at Raleigh, NC. How did A Place At The Table build a strong community? Danny shares a beautiful story of a person who was immediately inspired by the activity of A Place At The Table and become a volunteer and start donating. What is the magic works behind A Place At The Table build? How did Band Together get started? Why did Danny start Band Together? What led Danny from Band Together to join Maggie from A Place At The Table? According to Maggie, 99% of people want to help if they are invited and asked for help. Maggie Kane shares how she wants to see the changes in A Place At The Table in the coming years. Danny Rosin shares how he wants to see the changes in Band Together in the coming years. Danny shares his vision to spread the impact of Band together in multiple cities and both Rob and Maggie appreciate him. Just like brand ambassadors for brands, Rob wants to see community ambassadors for communities. Danny thinks most people don’t care about the cause rather they care they are working together. Because working together is fun. Rob talks about reframing of Giving Back Podcast. Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness Love & Gratitude, Rob

Giving Back Podcast

Band Together NC 

A Place At The Table 

The Green Chair Project 

 Angel Oak Creative

Rose Morris is the Founder of Abram’s Nation, a manufacturer of products that are designed specifically for the special needs community. Rose is also the Co-Founder of Fund It Forward, a nonprofit that helps families obtain special needs equipment that is not covered by insurance. Rose’s son, Abram, is an active and curious special needs child who would always find a way to get out of his crib. Because of this, Rose had many sleepless nights worrying that Abram would get hurt trying to escape until she created and developed the Safety Sleeper, a product that would help protect him. 

Key Takeaways:

[2:20] Who is Rose, and why did she start Abram’s Nation? 

[3:35] Rose shares why her son, Abram, was struggling with sleep.

[10:30] A whole weight came off of Rose’s shoulders when she and her friends were able to develop something that would keep curious Abram safe in bed. 

[13:45] Rose is grateful she had neighbors and a community that was familiar with autism and could provide support and resources for her family.

[15:35] How did people find out about The Safety Sleeper? 

[19:30] Rose hires special needs adults to help her with her business. 

[23:25] Rose shares why, and how, she started Fund It Forward.

[27:25] Fund It Forward needs a new Executive Director! 

[30:00] Rose shares the process of how Abram’s Nation went international.

[33:00] Rose doesn’t just work with autism. There’s a huge community of people in need and she’s open to learning about it. 

[35:55] What kind of feedback has Rose received so far?

[39:10] What advice does Rose have for other social entrepreneurs? 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Abram’s Nation

Fund It Forward

Rose Morris on LinkedIn

Jaya Manjunath is the Founder of Seniors With Skills, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the overall quality of life for seniors through social engagement. The organization originally started in Toronto, but has since moved to many different states in the US. On this week’s episode, Jaya shares how her organization helps seniors get out of isolation and find a new purpose as they reach a new stage in their life. 

Key Takeaways:

[3:25] Who is Jaya, and what is Seniors With Skills all about? 

[9:15] Why is it important for seniors to get active and volunteer? 

[12:30] Why is this cause so important for Jaya?

[15:15] When Jaya started working with seniors, what was the initial reaction to that? 

[21:20] Jaya explains how she and her team are growing her nonprofit and bringing it to other cities in the U.S..

[23:30] What types of activities can the seniors do?

[26:15] Seniors from all over want to volunteer because of the fun activities Seniors With Skills has for them. 

[28:00] Jaya shares a story about Barbara and the awesome work she’s doing. 

[32:00] If you want to start a volunteer project, just do it! Jaya started doing this work for years before it made sense to create a nonprofit. 

[35:35] Jaya talks about some of the seniors she’s worked with and how volunteer work  has made a difference in their lives. 

[43:00] Becoming a Seniors With Skills volunteer is life-changing! 

[46:00] What’s next for Jaya? 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Seniors With Skills

Email: [email protected]

Jaya Manjunath on LinkedIn

Michelle Pagtakhan is the Founder & Executive Director of You Run This Town Foundation (YRTTF). YRTTF provides enrichment programs to underserved youth, work-study internships, scholarships, and community partner engagement programs. Michelle is committed to developing the next generation of leaders,and actually first began her work five years prior to formally starting her organization in 2016. Find out more about Michelle and the fantastic work she’s doing in the greater Los Angeles area. 

Key Takeaways:

[3:15] Who is Michelle and what is YRTTF about? 

[7:50] Right after Michelle had her first child, she knew she wanted to do more for her community. 

[9:10] What is YRTTF’s mission? 

[13:35] Michelle explains the types of workshops and programs the kids can attend.

[16:45] How did Michelle first come up with the YRTTF name?

[21:15] Michelle has worked with a number of different non-profits and even been an advocate against human trafficking. How did she first get started in all of this? 

[25:20] How does the Foundation raise funds? 

[29:10] What’s the difference between the Community Engagement program and the Flower Empower program? 

[36:25] How many schools is the Flower Empower program in? 

[39:00] What kind of feedback has Michelle received so far? 

[45:35] Successful people hang out with successful people. 

[47:45] What’s next for the Foundation? 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

You Run This Town Foundation

Monisha Bajaj is the Founder of Ruam Chuay, a non-profit organization based in Thailand. Monisha and her team host workshops at local schools to discuss interpersonal violence, sexual consent, and so much more!  On today’s episode, Monisha shares how Ruam Chuay first got started, how their workshops create a dialogue among students, and the differences between U.S. and Thai culture. 

Key Takeaways:

[4:00] Who is Monisha and how did Ruam Chuay first get started? 

[8:55] Monisha compares the differences between the U.S. and Thailand when it comes to the conversation around sexual violence. 

[10:25] How does Monisha define interpersonal violence? 

[12:00] Monisha shares the types of workshops she hosts for the community.

[16:40] It took time for Thai culture to understand the importance of having these open talks about sexual harassment and interpersonal violence. 

[19:00] What kind of feedback has Monisha received from male students vs. female students? 

[24:20] Monisha wished she had had this type of education when she was in school. Knowing what she knows now, what difference would it have made in her life? 

[30:35] What is restorative justice about? 

[33:40] How does Monisha measure or track the metrics on her workshops?

[38:15] It’s important to give someone an ‘out’ when you ask them a question that could potentially lead to rejection.

[41:25] What kind of impact has this work had on Monisha? 

[43:15] When it comes to sexual expectations, how does the U.S. differ from Thailand? 

[49:55] What’s next for Ruam Chuay? 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Ruam Chuay

Monisha Bajaj

Monisha Bajaj on LinkedIn

Monisha Bajaj on Instagram

Chip Conley has disrupted the hospitality industry twice. First, at age 26 when he took an inner city motel and turned it into the second-largest boutique hotel brand in America, and second, when he joined Airbnb as a ‘Modern Elder’. Through his work at Airbnb, he noticed the increasing need to include more age diversity in the workforce. Modern Elders often feel less and less relevant, but there’s a lot of unique and untapped value their life experiences can bring to an organization. Find out more about Chip’s work and how he has incorporated social causes throughout his entire career.  

Key Takeaways:

[4:20] How did The Phoenix Hotel get started? 

[6:25] How did Chip become an ‘accidental intern’ at Airbnb? 

[10:45] Chip explains the backstory of how he has always incorporated giving back to local communities with each of his hotels. 

[15:20] What is Chip’s latest book, Wisdom at Work, all about?

[23:10] Chip believes it is important to have diversity, not just in gender or race, but in age as well. There’s a lot of value the younger and older generations can get from each other if they just mingled.

[28:55] What’s the Modern Elder Academy all about? 

[33:55] Modern Elder Academy gives over $1 million a year in scholarships to students.

[39:35] Chip shares his thoughts about Burning Man.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Chip Conley

Modern Elder Academy

Chip Conley on LinkedIn

Wisdom at Work, by Chip Conley

The Phoenix Hotel

Airbnb.com

David Shultz is a member of the Big Slick Organizers Community and is involved in everything from digital marketing to the weekend karaoke events. He is also involved with Promo Cares, an organization focused on helping distributors find suppliers with a purpose-driven mission. 

Mandi Rudd is the sister of one of the Big Slick’s hosts, Paul Rudd, and is a key member of the family of volunteers at Big Slick. She is also the Owner of Brand Energy Marketing, a firm that specializes in marketing strategies and promotional products.  

As Big Slick hits its tenth year as a charity event, they’ve raised $8.5 million dollars for the Pediatric Cancer Center at the Kansas City Children’s Mercy Hospital. Find out more about this special weekend event (coming to you this June 7th & 8th)! 

Key Takeaways:

[4:15] How did Big Slick first get started?

[9:45] How did David get involved with Big Slick?

[13:50] David and Mandi share why they feel so connected with the Kansas City Children’s Mercy Hospital. 

[18:20] What does a typical Big Slick schedule look like? 

[23:00] 100% of the proceeds go to the hospital. 

[31:15] What is the Promotion Products Association International (PPAI) all about and why is Promo Cares different? 

[34:45] The marketing/ promotional industry can get a bad rep. 

[38:15] As a distributor, Mandi shares what it’s like working with David and his products and being able to offer new services to her clients.

[40:05] Consumers would switch brands to a company that has some sort of giving back component in it. 

[43:25] Tickets for Big Slick are on sale now! 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Big Slick

David Shultz on LinkedIn

Mandi Rudd on LinkedIn

Brand Energy Marketing

Promo Cares

Promotion Products Association International (PPAI)

Douglas Tsoi is the Founder of School of Financial Freedom and the Founder of Portland Underground Grad School (PUGS). Douglas has a diverse background and achieved financial freedom at the age of 42 after living on $20,000 a year. As a lifelong learner and StartingBloc Fellow, Douglas believes it’s a human right to learn and to do so debt-free! Find out more about his amazing school in Portland! 

Key Takeaways:

[4:05] How did Rob and Douglas first meet?

[6:05] As a StartingBloc Fellow, what was Douglas’s experience like with StartingBloc? 

[8:55] What is PUGS all about? 

[11:35] PUGS has grown to 75 courses and teaches about 900 students a year. 

[17:25] How did Douglas manage to retire at age 42? What does financial freedom mean to him? 

[19:35] You expend your life energy for money and vice versa.

[27:45] Why did StartingBloc choose Douglas’s project? 

[37:25] Douglas shares a bit of his background and how he ended up at StartingBloc.

[44:20] Everyone deserves to learn. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Giving Back Podcast Episode 310: Developing Purposeful Leadership for Our Community — Kristine Sloan with StartingBloc

School of Financial Freedom

Portland Underground Grad School (PUGS)

Douglas Tsoi on LinkedIn

Greg Warner is the CEO and Founder of MarketSmart, a marketing software specifically catered to nonprofits seeking to raise more money for their charity. Greg takes a unique approach to how you can engage your donors in a meaningful and impactful way.  After feeling frustrated himself from giving to nonprofits and feeling like just a dollar sign, Greg created this software to help nonprofits really understand the best ways to make a connection. 

Key Takeaways:

[2:45] Who is Greg and why did he start MarketSmart?

[4:20] Greg has seen organizations get as much as 300 to 1 ROI. Greg and his team personally aim for 100 to 1 ROI.

[8:20] It’s important to create a collaborative atmosphere so that everyone can prosper. 

[15:55] The reason why we’re here is to try and live with purpose and intent.

[18:50] Greg explains his process and how he helps nonprofits.

[24:35] What’s Greg’s book, Engagement Fundraising, all about? [35:30] You will always need fundraisers/ facilitators to help walk donors through your process.

[42:55] How does a brand new charity work with Greg?

[46:15] Why is donor retention so low?

[52:55] The way you engage your donors sucks! There’s a much better way to do it. 

[58:00] Greg himself was a mistreated donor who was fed up about being mistreated, which is why he created his company - to show nonprofits how to do it right! 

[1:04:30] For every dollar amount Greg’s staff gives, Greg will match it. 

[1:11:25] You have to know what it’s like to personally be a donor at your own charity. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

MarketSmart

Greg Warner on LinkedIn

Engagement Fundraising, by Greg Warner

Fundraising Report Card

Tanesha Smelser is the Executive Director of The Forrest Initiative, an organization she started when her son, Forrest, was diagnosed with epilepsy. When she first tried CBD for her young child, she was amazed by its impact and became an advocate.  

Travis Mckenzie started TJ's Gardens in 2006 because his wife, Cham, was suffering from a very traumatic brain injury. They had exhausted all of their traditional options for healing when their doctor recommended cannabis as a last resort. They were amazed by its healing effects.

Dave Villalobos is the owner of SolRevolt and is one of the first marijuana growers to have an emphasis on helping children. His organization helps bridge the gap between philanthropy and sustainability. Dave has a personal story of watching his father go to prison due to him being in the illegal marijuana trade at the time. 

Together, these three individuals are seeking to normalize the cannabis industry and promote the health benefits it has for those with medical illnesses and conditions. Find out more on this week’s episode on how they help children! 

Key Takeaways:

[3:15] How did TJ's Gardens first get started? 

[10:35] How did SolRevolt get started? 

[18:55] Dave shares his thoughts on why he’s reaching out to faith-based leaders. 

[23:05] When did The Forrest Initiative get started? 

[30:00] What kind of surprising comments did Tanesha get when she started advocating for the use of cannabis for children with medical illnesses? 

[33:15] What kind of research is out there about the benefits of cannabis? 

[36:25] How do Dave and his team measure the right doses? 

[44:15] What types kind of feedback and stories have Tanesha, Travis and Dave gotten so far? 

[47:40] What’s next for these three organizations?

[59:45] This plant is not a magic pill that will cure all illnesses, but by combining it with a wellness approach, it has a lot to offer. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

TJ’s Gardens

The Forrest Initiative

SolRevolt

SolRevolt on LinkedIn