Giving Back Podcast

Latest Episodes:

295: Giving Back Insights #111 — Changes with Rob Lowe Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

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 business side there are Steve Jobs, Bill Gates who are reinventing themselves by charity works.

I've seen a lot of changes here in Giving Back Podcast in the past few years. I am recently listening to a solocast of Jason Havey's Spinning Logic podcast where he was talking about changes and wanted to focus on fun for him.

I am thinking about service as always, how to serve better to people around me and people who I want to reach. There will be some changes to Giving back podcast. It's a little bit too early to talk about them specifically but I certainly think you are going to enjoy it. We will have a very cool 4 part series. "Courageous Communication: Seven Steps to Attracting the Donors of Your Dreams". Maryanne Dersch will be taking us through the workshop series. you can learn how to create the reality for your nonprofit. Maryanne Dersch will teach you to create a brand of attraction to connect with long-term, loyal donors and raise more money.

That will be a great show, I hope you'll tune in for that.

To get the most out of the series, listen to each one in order because the information builds each time. Maryanne is holding nothing back. She's sharing 20 plus years of incredible information to help you connect with like-minded donors and raise more money.

I also love to mention that I just had an amazing interview with John and Angie Busick about Down Syndrome Association North Bay.

They support new and expectant parents; expand parent support group activities; sponsor parent training; facilitate skill-building opportunities; provide medical outreach and advocacy information to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

It is amazing to see couples working together with the things they love.

You know I got changes. It's been almost 3 years.

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

dsanb.org

www.maryannedersch.com

jasonhavey.com

294: You Choose Your Path, You Choose How to Make a Difference — Rob Scheer with Comfort Cases (Part 2) Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

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 are unaware of what really goes on.

[34:30] Only 54% of foster children graduate from high school. 11% of those apply to college, and only 2% graduate from college.

[38:45] Rob is where he is today because of the people in his life, like his husband, his kids, and his team at Comfort Cases.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Comfort Cases

A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time by Rob Scheer

293: Giving Back Insights #110 — Bias towards abundance with Rob Lowe Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

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 norm or rationality in judgment.[1] Individuals create their own "subjective social reality" from their perception of the input. An individual's construction of social reality, not the objective input, may dictate their behaviour in the social world.[2] Thus, cognitive biases may sometimes lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation, or what is broadly called irrationality. Needless to say, I look for evidence that proves I'm on the right path about giving back and the cycle of abundance. Marc Freedman is the President and CEO of Encore.org, which pioneers innovative programs and sparked a growing movement in the United States and beyond to tap the talent and experience of people past midlife as a human resource for solving our most vexing social problems. I'm reading his most recent book, "How to Live Forever" Besides its provocative title, his book got me thinking on a variety of topics. One was some research on the outcomes of Big Brother/Big Sister. The impact over just a year is startling: a drop of 46% in drug use, absenteeism cut by 52%, and a reduction of 33% in violent behaviors. That's negative behaviors. On the plus side, academic measures were all up significantly over those who were not paired with a mentor. Maria Keller with Read Indeed: AZ projects its incarcerated population by 4th grade reading Marc raised an interesting point about these results that also resonated with me: 90% of mentors who came to hang out, to have fun, to listen, were still meeting 9 months later. Only 30% of mentors who came to "transform lives" were still in the program. The importance of being present, consistently and persistently, are so clear. Josh Coombes, DoSomethingForNothing Orange Sky: the most measure of our impact is the number of conversations we facilitate John Evoy, Men's Sheds: the most important tool in the shed is the tea kettle Mentoring also carried unexpected upside for the mentors: a sense of worth, lower use of pain meds, greater independence. Clearly giving is a two-way street. Giving as a "Centerpiece" of their lives (vs "Legacy") Which led me somehow to a conversation with Pastor Steve Stone on "anonymity", or giving anonymously, and the concept of "highest love" So, yeah, I seek the evidence of the cycle of abundance. The concept of receiving more than I give is uplifting, it's aspirational as well as inspirational. The people we surround ourselves with are the biggest influence on our behavior, attitudes, and results. I choose to create my world of abundance and fill it with all the evidence I need. In the words of motivational speaker Jim Rohn: "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with," Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness. Love & Gratitude, Rob Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/rob.lowe.50999405/videos/485889945148358/

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

292: You Choose Your Path, You Choose How to Make a Difference — Rob Scheer with Comfort Cases (Part 1) Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

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 money? There are other ways to support a child.

[28:35] Foster kids are 'bad' kids. Wrong!

[31:10] No matter how bad of a day you had today, tomorrow is a new day.

[32:45] Please check out Rob's new book, A Forever Family.

[34:25] What's Rob's favorite chapter?

[38:00] What's wrong with a trash bag? It's degrading to our children!

[40:35] Stay tuned for Part Two!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Comfort Cases

A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time by Rob Scheer

291: Giving Back Insights #109 — The burden of expectations with Rob Lowe Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

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 from the burden of those expectations and disappointments.

He looked at me and wrapped his arm around me at the counter in a big hug. When I asked him if I was close, he said I'd nailed it.

I told Tom something I shared with a friend recently:

When I let go of a thing, my hands are open to receive

When I let go of expectations, my head & my heart are open to receive

"How can I help?" is a well-meaning question that presumes that the other person needs anything. "How can I serve?" is a better question, IMO. Our job is not to save him. Our job is to love him. That's all he and each of us really needs and wants. We're family.

Remember that if any of us is going to offer anyone anything, then it's fully from the heart when we give without attachment to an outcome. Sharing without expectations to the response. And let go of everything that's holding you back, because then you'll be open to all the gifts and opportunities the Universe has to share with YOU.

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Facebook Live:

https://www.facebook.com/rob.lowe.50999405/videos/482308642173155

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

290: A Lifetime in the Making — Leslie Juvin-Acker with Home Start Inc. Jan 14, 2019

Show notes

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 shares a success story about one of the women who went through Home Start.

[31:40] Leslie's mother was a child prostitute in the Philippines. It was the only way for her to survive.

[38:45] We can have both financial and emotional debt in our lives.

[42:35] Leslie shares what it means to give back, especially to Home Start.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Leslie Inc.

Leslie Juvin-Acker on LinkedIn

Home Start Inc.

289: Giving Back Insights #108 — Colorful characters and reconciling doing well & doing good with Rob Lowe Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

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 rebuild communities across America. Our mission is to help nonprofits build their capacity to serve so they can do MORE amazing work in their communities.

To fund Strong Communities and invest in nonprofits we work with, we turn vacant and underperforming real estate into working capital for nonprofits to build a stronger organization. America has a nationwide inventory of vacant, abandoned, underperforming, and unwanted real estate. Strong Communities' 5-year goal is to transform $10 Billion in real estate towards solving problems in our communities.

This, ladies & gentlemen and is a BHAG --- a big, hairy, audacious goal. And not only is Chris a right person to make this happen, he's a great FIRST person, to make this happen.

I subscribe to this fun daily service called TUT, "The Universe Talks." Each day, I get a fun and uplifting quote from Mike Dooley and the TUT team about my place in the world around me. It's surprising how good I feel about these silly little emails, I do look forward to them like others eagerly anticipate a positive horoscope.

https://www.tut.com/

Anyway, I received one on December 20th that I kept and it went like this:

"The world is filled with many colorful characters, Rob, one or many of whom would be absolutely thrilled to play along in any drama you'd care to create - romantically, socially, financially, comically - any.

You just have to let me do the casting - have to.

Truly thrilled,

The Universe"

Chris is one of those colorful characters. It's not just his success in real estate, his ability to see the "big picture", or his desire to make a difference in people's lives that makes him a perfect fit. Nor is it Chris' sense of humor, his high energy, or his willingness to take a risk. There's this aspect of being in alignment between what he does and who he is that makes Chris special.

I really got a sense of that earlier today. Yesterday, we talked about Strong Communities and some of the work we each have to do and I was feeling super jazzed. He texted me this morning to discuss "a philosophical question"

The philosophical question was essentially this:

Rob, this is going to take off and we're gonna do a lot of real estate business. I know this is going to help a lot of people, but how do we explain ourselves making a lot of money on this work?

Isn't that beautiful? I mean, behind those dreamy eyes of his lies the soul of human kindness. To even think, let alone be a little troubled by how to reconcile doing good and doing well says a lot about Chris.

It just so happens that after Chris and I talked yesterday, I wrote in my journal about doing well and doing good. I told him about The Universe Talks, and I shared with him the TUT email I got on December 12th:

"The entire world will be a richer place, Rob, once you help millions of people every day and have your beautiful vacation home.

We knew this when we helped you pick your dreams.

So let's get cracking,

The Universe

I explained to him that the reason I picked a beautiful vacation home as a material goal along with my life's purpose of helping millions of people is that I'm so bleeping cheap, I'd have to have a LOT of money to buy a vacation home. And as long as my wealth comes from being of service to others, I can feel good about it. Literally, the more people we help with Strong Communities, the more money we make. So let's be proud and transparent about our business model, and know that it fits in perfectly with helping nonprofits develop their own sustainable revenue streams.

I hope 2019 has gotten off to a great start for each of you. If 2019 is still evolving, go out and find one of the colorful characters waiting to join you on your journey of progress and purpose.

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Facebook Live:

https://www.facebook.com/rob.lowe.50999405/videos/479149775822375/

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

https://www.tut.com/

https://epiclistingagent.com/about-me/

288: Building Valuable Connections without Losing Sight of the Mission — Maryanne Dersch with Courageous Communication Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

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 nonprofit.

[22:25] When you understand someone else's needs first, you're able to respond in an honest and authentic way.

[23:55] Maryanne shares two success stories of what 'Courageous Communication' looks like.

[32:55] We do not track time as seriously as money, and we should!

[42:40] No one wants to get 'sold' on why they should join your organization. There are so many better ways to approach relationships.

[48:00] Building relationships is a long-term approach.

[50:35] It all starts with a conversation! Feel free to reach out to Maryanne!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Maryanne Dersch

Maryanne Dersch on LinkedIn

Courageous Communications, by Maryanne Dersch

Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition

287: Giving Back Insights #107 — Happy New Year! with Rob Lowe Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

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 Ryan Lee and when she shared her project, it just left everyone speechless. She was with her own mother for 1,875 days, and when she reached that milestone for her oldest daughter, she made a commitment to be more expressive to the people she loves. She created these beautiful cards that say "You Are Wonderful" and not only can you hand them out, I found for me that they also sparked a thought of a person dear to me.

www.Project1875.com

#URWonderful

Swami Tirtha, the first call of the year!

"Leave everyone better than you found them."

Tim Combs, Carol Newton, Bennie Jean Muliere, Danny Rosin, Maggie Kane, DC Goliath, Nancy Erhard

I hope you had a wonderful new years eve and January 1st!

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Facebook Live:

https://www.facebook.com/rob.lowe.50999405/videos/477274919343194/

Mentioned in This Episode:

A Place At the Table Raleigh

Brand Fuel Marketing

Band Together NC

286: This Is about Families Helping Other Families — Jon Albert with Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

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!

[40:20] What is Share The Wow all about?

[47:35] Every family gets their own personalized photo book.

[48:50] Jon shows Rob their annual reports which are named 'The Smile Book'.

[50:55] It's so important to thank the supporters and donors. Jon spends a huge amount of time just saying 'thank you'.

[53:00] So many just need to slow down and celebrate family while everyone is still healthy.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation (JAJF)

Remember the families: https://jajf.org/families/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected