Giving Back Podcast

Latest Episodes:

235: Giving Back Insights #81 — Resilience, aka GRIT with Rob Lowe Jul 05, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 81st 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 Resilience, aka GRIT. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Today's cover, you are seeing is a great illustration. It's all about the "Success".

What people think success is? And how you get there?

So it's a great way to look from a different perspective/ retrospect.

According to Angela Duckworth, a researcher, a MacArthur Fellowship winner and with a TEDtalk with over 8 million views, grit is "perseverance and passion for long-term goals."

My son Tyler mentioned this Henry Ford quote, "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Mindset is a key factor to success.

Failure is not a state, it is a definition

Craig Noonan: was 500+ lbs, really changed his whole life. He asked me for some examples of resilient individuals for the podcast he's planning on resilience.

It is really inspiring, that he is sharing his own story and telling people it was not easy. There were many major setbacks.

David Dachinger & Tamara Green of Loving Meditations, - Cancer is a love story.

Lindsay Johnson of Anchor 180 - How does someone grow such Resilience!

Jacquie Johnston-Lynch of Tom Harrison House - The power to lift others, overcoming her own pain, recovery and healing and coming back into society.

Tamara & Martha from Chemo Buddies 4 Life - Overcoming some incredible adversity.

So many people don't have a growth environment. Just remember it's not a failure, it's lesson.

I love America. Happy Independence day!

Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness.

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Facebook Live for today's show:

https://www.facebook.com/givingbackpodcast/videos/vb.251634948541557/608900142815034

Mentioned in This Episode:

234: You Are a Partner in Your Community — Kevin Adler and Nancy Erhard with Miracle Messages Jul 02, 2018

Show notes

Kevin Alder is the Founder and CEO of Miracle Messages, an award-winning non-profit organization that reunites the homeless with their loved ones through short video and audio messages, social media, and local volunteers. Nancy Erhard also joins us on the show to share her experience as a volunteer for Miracle Messages and the impact the organization has had on her. Find out more about Miracle Messages, its mission, and what it means to truly build a community.

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] Who is Kevin and why did he create Miracle Messages?

[8:35] Who is Nancy and why did she join Miracle Messages?

[13:25] How do Kevin, Nancy, and their team find families of the people who have become homeless?

[15:25] Nancy found her birth father when he was 73 years old.

[20:15] What does it look like to build a 'social home'? What does it look like to build a neighborhood?

[26:05] When you serve the poor, you learn about yourself.

[28:05] Rob shares his personal experience of what it's like to volunteer for Miracle Messages.

[32:15] What's like it for Kevin to have such passionate and dedicated volunteers?

[40:25] How can people get involved with Miracle Messages?

[48:05] Kevin shares a personal message to the volunteer team.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Miracle Messages

Miracle Messages on Facebook

#StreetWalks (by Miracle Messages) Facebook Group

233: Giving Back Insights #80 — Family values with Rob Lowe Jun 28, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 80th 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 Family values. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Dykes on Bikes kick us off Solemn: remember Pulse nightclub Flamboyant: calendars and high walkers Risque: Bears and furries (go Rochester!) Solidarity: churches, unions Corporate: Apple, Kaiser, Uber Political: Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, mayor-elect London Breed, my man Gavin! Progress: SFPD, Sheriff's Dept and SFFD

A few days ago I had a conversation with Vivien Hoexster from H2 Growth Strategies. We were talking about the book she wrote with her partner Linda C. Hartley, "Big Impact: Insights & Stories From America's Non-‐Profit Leaders" and we got into a deep conversation about how the Freedom to Marry movement evolved. For years, this has been a family event for us. I want them to see what's happening in our community and celebrate progress. Most of all I want them to see love and support.

My friend Pastor Steve Stone from Heartsong church in Tennessee shared with me a letter he wrote in response to an email from "Beth" wanting to know if Steve and Heartsong had an open and affirming atmosphere to people of all walks of life. His reply was accepted as the stance of Heartsong Church on Monday, January 20, 2003 and included this passage:

"We would rather stand before the Lord someday and hear him say, 'You were a bit too liberal about the homosexual thing', than to hear him say, 'Your attitude about homosexuality really hurt some of my children and actually kept them from coming to know me and spend life with me.'"

I decided that I could live my life with that philosophy, and go to my Creator open to the outcome.

Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness.

Love & Gratitude, Rob

Facebook Live for today's show:

https://www.facebook.com/givingbackpodcast/videos/vb.251634948541557/605156716522710/

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

232: Eat Healthier and Eat More Consistently — Maria Rose Belding with MEANS Database Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

Maria Rose Belding is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the MEANS Database, a food pantry communication system that connects food suppliers and users together. This year alone, MEANS Database has delivered over 1.7 million pounds of food to those who truly, truly needed it. By supplying centers, shelters, and other non-profit agencies with food, MEANS Database allows these places to use more of their budget to help, and focus on, those in need. Learn more about Maria and her story on today's show!

Key Takeaways:

[4:05] Nobody wants food to go to waste. So why does it? Maria set out to change that with MEANS Database.

[4:40] How did MEANS get started?

[10:00] Maria and her interns made 10,000 phone calls from a list that was supposed to be food pantries. Well, more than 20% of those numbers were disconnected. They were only able to reach about less than 10% of those 10,000 numbers.

[14:00] The crazy thing is that the United States has the food. We are not in a humanitarian disaster. But for some reason, we are unable to supply unused food to the people who need it the most.

[15:10] In April of 2018, Maria and her volunteers have moved 1.7 million pounds of food throughout 49 states and territories.

[15:55] What was the first year at the MEANS Database like?

[17:35] How does MEANS Database work?

[23:05] What kind of impact does this kind of work have on the food pantry volunteers, Maria's food partners, and her volunteer team?

[30:20] Maria feels so blessed and grateful that she gets to work with so many people on this project and make a difference.

[37:15] Who are the people who supply the food?

[37:50] What's next for Maria?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

MEANS Database.org

Email: Hello@Meansdatabase.org

Means Database on Twitter

Maria Rose Belding on LinkedIn

231: Giving Back Insights #79 — Happy Father's Day - making progress! with Rob Lowe Jun 21, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 79th 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 making progress. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Father's Day is a great day to reflect on my progress. I started off the morning with a workout then coffee with my good friend George. If you're familiar with Tony Robbins, he said that the one word that he thinks of if you ask, "What does it take to be happy?" is progress.

EOFire.com #1272 To listen to Tony Robbins' interview on EOFire with John Lee Dumas: http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/3/e/5/3e550092bfa6906a/Tony_Robbins_2.mp3?c_id=11421270&expiration=1466263626&hwt=36dac4ae4aa1b44a32fc0370ba7b0e7a

(22.35 is the start of an incredible minute that I transcribed, it was so powerful)

22.35: "If you ask me 'What does it take to be happy?', it's one word: progress. Progress equals happiness. If you're not even where you want to be but you're making progress in your business, you're making progress in your body, you're making progress in your relationship, you're going to feel alive."

I believe in evolution. I am of the school that it's not a clean and gradual line but of sudden bursts of change. My progress is the same.

The power of unconditional love Father Greg Boyle, of Homeboy Industries: https://crazygoodturns.org/episodes/homeboy-industries/

Celeste Fremone, the author of "G-Dog and the Homeboys", wrote "Greg's job was never to save them. It was to love them."

***That's my job, and I love it!

Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness.

Love & Gratitude, Rob

Facebook Live for today's show: https://www.facebook.com/givingbackpodcast/videos/vb.251634948541557/595608987477483/

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Master The Game

www.eofire.com

https://crazygoodturns.org

230: Building Unbreakable Relationships through Tiaras — Rene Martinez and Michelle Hall with Miss Shining Star Jun 18, 2018

Show notes

Rene Martinez and Michelle Hall are the co-founders of Miss Shining Star. Rene's daughter, Sofia, has special needs and she was having trouble attending pageants that could cater to her. Thus, Miss Shining Star and a community of loving parents and individuals was born. Miss Shining Star is the only pageant in Washington state to celebrate young girls and teens with special needs. On the show, Rene and Michelle share their story of how they got started, their fears of it being a very negative 'Toddlers & Tiaras' event, and so much more.

Key Takeaways:

[5:30] Rene and Michelle share how many volunteers their pageant has.

[10:00] Miss Shining Star is the first pageant of its kind to start in Washington state. Rene and Michelle would take Sofia to Oregon and California to participate in a pageant for special needs children.

[10:40] The great thing about Miss Shining Star is that parents don't have to commit to just a day. They can be as involved as they want to be.

[14:15] Both Rene and Michelle were afraid that their pageant would turn into a Toddlers & Tiaras kind of event.

[18:10] The event is incredibly supportive, and the pageant has formed a community of positive and encouraging people.

[23:20] Why are young teenage girls volunteering for this event?

[28:50] At the end of the day, it's about breaking down barriers to inclusion.

[32:10] This year, 1,200 pajamas were collected by volunteers to donate to the hospital, women's shelters, and Ronald McDonald House.

[35:10] Come join Rene and Michelle next year and see the pageant for yourself!

[40:00] Rene and Michelle discuss what kind of outfits and dresses are at the pageant.

[46:45] What kind of impact has this pageant had on the volunteers?

[51:25] Local businesses have been incredibly supportive towards the pageant and generous with the donations.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Washington Shining Star Pageant

Miss Amazing

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)

United Good Neighbors of Jefferson County

229: Giving Back Insights #78 — First glimpse of my own superpower with Rob Lowe Jun 14, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 78th 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 about my own superpower. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Elvis. Megadeth. Bill Clinton. Dalai Lama. Roller Derby. Ringling Brothers Circus.

These are a few appearances at the Henry J Kaiser Auditorium, pictured on today's cover. It's a beautiful Beaux Arts building with an amazing corkscrew walkway.

I went to a fundraiser recently for Meals on Wheels Alameda County at the Oakland Museum. On top of terrific food and tasty wine, there was a fabulous hum of good energy and a sense of fun. We were guests of our friends Richard & Soreya.

The Henry J, as we used to call it, is right next door. Closed since 2006, it's been purchased and will go from an events center to mixed commercial. Walking past it with my wife Ursula and Soreya, I remembered a Grateful Dead concert I attended way back in high school. There were 8 or 10 of us and it was my best friend's birthday.

Someone in our group said, "wouldn't it be cool if we could get everyone to sing Happy Birthday?" and that's where the magic began. Like most teenagers, getting up in front of thousands of people and asking them to sing was WAY outside my comfort zone. What would people think? What would they say? They might think I was stupid, and boo me or tell me to sit down and shut up. But I knew I wanted to give this to him, and I knew that the only way to make that happen was to get up and invite EVERYONE.

So I stood up and shouted, "This is my friend Austin and today is his birthday. Please join us in singing a few rounds of Happy Birthday!" I repeated that to all four directions, getting louder and waving more wildly each time. And it started like a baby deer taking its first steps, hesitantly, wobbly, then gaining strength and finally running and jumping. The energy was like a tsunami, with THOUSANDS of people singing and cheering like crazy at the end.

The look on his face was priceless and my heart was filled with joy and delight at what had happened. And that I had made it happen. That was the first glimpse of my own superpower, to use my energy and love with reckless abandon and pull others into "the tent."

However, you want to make a difference in people's lives, whatever your own superpower is, the world needs you. Go out there and make some magic!

Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness.

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Facebook Live for today's show:

https://www.facebook.com/rob.lowe.50999405/videos/360945194309501

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

228: Policing for Profit Hurts the Community — Michael-John Voss with ArchCity Defenders Jun 11, 2018

Show notes

Michael-John Voss is the Co-Founder, Special Projects Director and Senior Litigator for ArchCity Defenders. Michael-John shares his story as a civil defense lawyer, why a non-profit law firm like his is so needed around the country and shares a sad story of how the justice system can really kick you when you're down and make you lose everything. You should not be able to punish people and throw them in jail for being poor.

Key Takeaways:

[4:35] Who is Michael-John, and what does he do for ArchCity Defenders?

[9:30] Michael-John created this organization to represent the poor because it did not exist in St. Louis.

[1355] Remember, at one point in US history, it was legal to own slaves and to prohibit women from voting. That doesn't mean it was right or just.

[15:20] Why did Michael-John pick St. Louis?

[20:55] Policing for profit hurts the community, including the poor community.

[25:40] You cannot punish people for not having enough money.

[30:15] Unfortunately, there are large factors at play when it comes to how justice gets funded.

[36:15] Michael-John shares a very sad story of what our justice system does to the impoverished.

[45:45] As a lawyer, you can keep people in cages or you can set them free.

[47:55] How does the work Michael-John does impact him and his team?

[52:15] How does Michael-John celebrate the wins?

[55:00] Michael-John shares why he believes we're experiencing a second coming with the civil rights movement.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

ArchCity Defenders

The Bronx Defenders

227: Giving Back Insights #77 — Leaves on a pool with Rob Lowe Jun 07, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 77th 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 our problems and solutions. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

My good friend Ron Klabunde runs Generosity Feeds. He was a pastor for over 20 years and now his ministry is feeding kids. He was a guest, he's stayed at my house and I've stayed at his. Wonderful family. His father-in-law is an immigrant from Germany who worked his tail off and rose to a high level as a sales executive. He traveled a lot and he has a unique perspective on America that Ron shared with me. He said problems in America are like leaves on a pool. That's deep. And practical. And instructive. On so many levels. That we even have a pool. That our problems are obvious. And easy to sweep up. And also that if we let them sit, they'll fall and become harder to get, and if we leave them long enough, they'll muck up the system. And that brings me to the covergirl for today's show. That's Mel Robbins, she of 5 Second Rule fame. That's counting down, out loud, from 5 to 1 then getting off your ass and doing whatever it is you need to do to get what you want. Fabulous in its simplicity, and a perfect pairing for Ron's father in-law's philosophy. Her quote, "If you have a problem that can be solved by action, you don't have a problem" is an awesome reframing of any barriers, any challenges. This is the quote she'll be known for. It raises the question, identifies solutions, and moves toward action. I see this in our guests all the time and it's inspiring. They're facing the BIG problems and taking action. A little girl outraged that a little girl doesn't have crayons. A pastor who creates a special environment for the homeless to have dinner. A student who pitches in to help veterans, disabled, elderly and single moms with their lawns. A hairdresser who offers a cut and a bit of conversation. It all counts. It's all beautiful. It's all service and building community.

Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness. Love & Gratitude, Rob Facebook Live for today's show:

https://www.facebook.com/givingbackpodcast/videos/587953978242984

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Generosity Feeds Website

226: Every Little Bit Counts! — Danny Rosin with Band Together NC Jun 04, 2018

Show notes

Danny Rosin is the co-owner of Brand Fuel, Inc., a nationally recognized promotional products agency and co-founder of Band Together, a community that leverages live music as a platform for social change. On today's show, Danny shares how he combines his business with his community, why anybody can pursue a social change project and discusses ways you can completely transform your work environment to a more positive and fun atmosphere.

Key Takeaways:

[2:55] What is Danny's business, Brand Fuel, about?

[6:30] Danny has had zero turnover in his company in the last year.

[7:45] During 9/11, Danny and his friends decided to host a benefit concert. He had never hosted one before, but that's how Band Together NC started.

[9:00] Every year, Danny highlights a different, but special cause to allow people to tell their story.

[9:25] Brand Fuel has become the largest non-profit live music festival in the Southeast, US.

[14:15] At work, we're missing the mark when it comes to the importance of living.

[19:15] Danny was very conflicted in combining Brand Fuel's mission and purpose with Band Together. He didn't want people to think he was trying to make a profit off of his charity.

[26:00] What's making you upset in the world right now? What can you do to fix it? Every little bit counts!

[28:50] What are you doing with what you have been given?

[37:35] Why not make community service fun? Fun is contagious and it's what engages people!

[44:55] Customers are expecting people to be authentic and human.

[47:05] What does partnership philanthropy mean?

[50:55] If you want to go far, you have to go together.

[53:45] How can nonprofits make their events more successful?

[54:55] Experience is the new luxury good.

[58:15] In many corporate environments, we leave generosity at the door. How can we change that?

[1:01:20] Hot off the press! The next Band Together event is June 23rd with American Aquarium and Walk the Moon to support Triangle Family Services.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast