Giving Back Podcast

Latest Episodes:

265: Giving Back Insights #96 — Facebook Community Leadership Program with Rob Lowe Oct 18, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 96th 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 Facebook Community Leadership Program. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

A few months ago, my friend and great coach Kate Schell sent me an application for the Facebook Community Leadership Program. Awarding $50,000 for Fellows and $1 Million for Residents, the Facebook Community Leadership Program (FCLP) addresses the needs identified by community leaders. This global initiative gives over 100 participants from around the world the support, tools, funding and the belief in themselves that they need to best lead their communities.

With the help of my friend Jamie Moran, we brainstormed over dim sum and put together my application.

Here are the Fellows and Residents:

https://communities.fb.com/program-participants/

Representing 46 countries from around the world, each participant of the 2018 Facebook Community Leadership Program is an aspiring leader building meaningful communities and connections, both online and offline. As part of the program, these leaders will receive training, support and funding to advance further positive social impact.

This is an AMAZING group of people doing truly incredible work throughout our world. Each them and so many more people deserve support.

Javonté Francis Youth Fellow with BEYOND DIFFERENCES. Inclusion starting at middle school

A previous guest on the show, Laura Talmus, https://www.beyonddifferences.org/

Ryan Lee, Freedym: Turn your ideas & passion into dependable, monthly income

Ron Klabunde, Generosity Feeds: Fighting Hunger Together: Uniting Communities, Creating Healthy Meals, Ending Child Hunger

Mark Jala, Happy Marriage Coaching: Identify The Real Issues Secretly Hurting Your Marriage

Heidi Ham, Spectrum Fusion: making the world a better place for individuals on the autism spectrum

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/givingbackpodcast/videos/289586468542284/

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

264: The World Gets Bigger When You Give Back! — CJ McClanahan with the Two Rule Foundation Oct 15, 2018

Show notes

CJ McClanahan is a Business Keynote Speaker and Sales and Leadership Coach with more than 25 years of executive leadership experience. He helps organizations achieve their financial goals as well as connect them with a bigger purpose - giving back. Find out more about CJ and his mission to serve others and support amazing charities along the way on this week's show!

Key Takeaways:

[3:05] What is the Two Rule Foundation about?

[5:35] No matter the amount of money CJ's coaching clients made or goals they had achieved, they still found themselves unhappy and unsatisfied.

[7:15] What is our purpose in life? It's always to give back!

[9:45] How is it possible that humans were able to survive all these years? It's because we banded and worked together in tribes.

[14:10] Let's be clear, we're all a little bit selfish, but giving back to make yourself (and others) happy, that's the good kind of selfish.

[16:00] On the fence about giving back? Try it yourself and see how it goes.

[16:40] How does CJ help high-achievers become more 'selfish'?

[21:30] 89% of consumers will switch to an alternative brand if they're doing something good.

[28:10] CJ talks about a local Indianapolis charity that's close to his heart.

[28:45] Imagine what would happen if all children, in all communities, had a level playing field.

[29:15] CJ participated in a Make-A-Wish and it charged his life forever.

[35:35] Who wants to live in an 'either/or' life? We've convinced ourselves that this is okay, but it can change.

[36:05] Did you know that Big Brothers/ Big Sisters has thousands of kids on their waiting list?

[40:10] CJ's organization doesn't tell people where to give their money. He wants people to give their money directly to the organization they support.

[40:45] Two Rule Foundation has a pledge coming up as well as other events.

[44:25] Please sign up for Two Rule's newsletter for more information!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Two Rule Foundation

CJ McClanahan

CJ McClanahan on LinkedIn

Shepherd Community Center

Make-A-Wish Foundation

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America on Wikipedia

College Mentors for Kids

263: Giving Back Insights #95 — Acts of Courage with Rob Lowe Oct 11, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 95th 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 Acts of Courage. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Dr. Brene Brown's TedxHouston Talk "The Power of Vulnerability" has been viewed over 36 million times. She talks about connection and struggles and discovering what people who have a strong sense of worthiness have in common. What she found is that people who have a strong sense of love and belonging, who believe they're worthy of love and belonging, embrace their vulnerability. They have the courage to do something when there are no guarantees.

Dr. Brene Brown's TedxHouston Talk "The Power of Vulnerability"

https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en

Reflecting his own fears, failures, and missed opportunities. Helping him with a scholarship application for his grandson, I reminded him that this was not a formula or a box-checking exercise; they wanted to know what he felt about his grandson. He took a leap of faith and got real.

He did something really special for his grandson, and it took a lot of courage. He did it for his grandson, where he would not do it for himself. Sometimes, we will do more for others than we will do for ourselves.

Father G and his work with gang members in LA's Boyle Heights. Our deepest, most profound need as humans is to know that we are capable of loving others and that we are worthy of being loved.

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/rob.lowe.50999405/videos/440972516306768/

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

262: Be Proactive Instead of Reactive with Your Resources — Joey Powell with Me Fine Foundation Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

Joey Powell is the Executive Director at Me Fine Foundation, a foundation that provides assistance and resources to families with children facing life-threatening illnesses. Seeing firsthand how much an unexpected illness can take an entire family by surprise, Joey is incredibly passionate to be serving his community and providing families with peace of mind while parents care for their children. Find out more about Joey and the work he does today!

Key Takeaways:

[4:45] How does the Me Fine Foundation help children?

[7:50] There are a lot of 'little' pieces that happen when you're dealing with a sick family member that you don't think about until you're in the throes of it all.

[8:35] Money gets tight when a parent has to give up a job to care for their child.

[11:35] Me Fine also helps parents pay for funerals. Often times, parents simply can't afford it after they've spent so much treating their child.

[12:50] How did the Me Fine Foundation get started?

[20:35] How did Joey get started in Me Fine?

[27:55] When Joey joined Me Fine, what kind of vision did he have for the foundation?

[38:15] Joey is most proud of his team and the things they do for the organization.

[43:20] By being proactive instead of reactive with their resources, Joey and his team were able to double their output and help 150 families in one year, just by improving their processes.

[45:40] What has working with the Me Fine Foundation done for Joey?

[50:55] All of the problems in our community can be solved by people in the community!

[52:35] What's next for Me Fine?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Mefinefoundation.org

Joey Powell on LinkedIn

261: Giving Back Insights #94 — A Glimpse Of My Future with Rob Lowe Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 94th 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 A Glimpse Of My Future. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Hello, it's great to be back! I hope you enjoyed Tony and Jia's talks, I found their stories to be touching and insightful and hope you found something both useful and joyful in their presentations. A picture of my beautiful wife in Saint Maarten is on the cover of today's show. We had a wonderful vacation in the Southern Caribbean and I found that the time in a different environment was helpful for me to see things from a different perspective. Opening up or seeing things with fresh eyes are probably better descriptions. For one, seeing the difference between lifestyles from the US to the islands. Wow. It's not just about material abundance or lack of resources, it's also about accepting a lifestyle dramatically different from my own as being absolutely normal. A second eye-opening situation is to see the effects of Hurricane Maria. Flying into San Juan, Puerto Rico, we went over miles of shanty towns. September 18th was the 1 year anniversary and we were on the island of Dominica. Beautiful, resilient people; bent but unbroken, proud of their islands and ready to reclaim a bright future. A third piece of wonder comes back to the people I met. I'm a traveler and an obvious tourist. I wander where the winds of my interest or recommendations take me, and I often encountered all eyes in a room on me, sometimes unsmiling. It was intimidating on more than one occasion and I found that when I stopped focusing on the uncertainty in my head and focused on speaking a single point of truth that I believed we shared, it made a huge difference. What I said that worked in EVERY situation was simple: You have a beautiful island. Mostly, this trip was about reconnecting. After all, this will be our lives as empty nesters. Conversation, laughter, awkward pauses and all --- what a great time with a wonderful partner she is. Learning to embrace her plans, however different from mine, and get so much joy in sharing a totally different experience than I would have chosen. In the end, just as the saying goes, travel changes us. I think travel allows us, in the best of circumstances, to stop thinking about ourselves and focus on the world and people around us. To count our blessings and enjoy the presence of our companions as well as revel in the joy of discovery. Reframing Ursula: how can I better listen to her? Carson, Tyler and Rachel: how I can best support each of them? Mom: treasure our time together in ways that are meaningful to her Tom: remember that my role is to love him, not save him Guest insight coming up: George Madiou, Business 4 Vets Bob Burg, "The Go-Giver" Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness. Love & Gratitude, Rob

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/givingbackpodcast/videos/410161902852277/

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

260: Getting the Emotional Support You Need — Tamara Hunter with Chemo Buddies 4Life Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

Tamara Hunter met her lifelong friend, Martha, in a chemo room when they were both undergoing treatments for cancer. That experience changed Tamara, because she had a buddy to laugh with, carpool with, and cry with during her tough moments. However, Tamara found out that many patients go through chemo alone and without a support system, which is why she and Martha created Chemo Buddies 4Life as way to help cancer patients through tough challenges...together!

Key Takeaways:

[3:45] How did Chemo Buddies 4Life get started?

[6:45] How did Tamara meet her chemo buddy, Martha?

[12:00] Think of how many people we know who have heard the words, "You have cancer."

[14:20] So many people keep cancer a secret. So many people isolate themselves, and it hinders their healing process.

[16:10] Tamara shares how Chemo Buddies 4Life helps people.

[20:25] Tamara is also supporting parents who have children with cancer.

[21:05] How does Chemo Buddies 4Life work? How can people get connected to each other?

[26:55] What kind of feedback has Tamara received so far?

[29:15] Tamara shares some of the things her volunteers are doing at hospitals.

[34:25] Do you know of a brick and mortar business or nonprofit catering to cancer patients? Please contact Tamara!!!

[34:50] Tamara and her team have chocolate days to help cancer patients through the sadness.

[37:25] Due to Tamara's side effects, she wasn't able to go out of her room and she was left in isolation.

[39:55] How does Tamara get her messaged shared within communities?

[42:05] What advice does Tamara have for those who have been affected by cancer?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Chemo Buddies 4Life

Chemo Buddies 4Life on Facebook

259: Giving Back Insights #93 — Jia Jiang: What I learned from 100 days of rejection with Rob Lowe Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 93rd 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 What I learned from 100 days of rejection. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Week two of my vacation! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone soon, this is the second episode that I've lined up good stories told by the people who've lived them. Today is a Tedx Talk, Jia Jiang: What I learned from 100 days of rejection

Jia's journey to conquer fear

https://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejection?language=en

Over 6.1 million views

Starts out with an AWFUL childhood memory. An important lesson: Stop running away! Not like a little kid anymore

Olympic rings: 5.7 million views!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ax2CsVbrX0

Magic word: why?

Planting a flower in Connie's backyard

Mentioning a doubt "Is that weird?"

Starbucks greeter.

Asking. Yes!

Came prepared to teach.

"in my research, I found that people who really change the world, who change the way we live and the way we think, are the people who were met with initial and often violent rejections. People like Martin Luther King, Jr., like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, or even Jesus Christ. These people did not let rejection define them. They let their own reaction after rejection define themselves. And they embraced rejection.

When you get rejected in life, when you are facing the next obstacle or next failure, consider the possibilities. Don't run. If you just embrace them, they might become your gifts as well."

Jia's rejection therapy site

https://www.rejectiontherapy.com/100-days-of-rejection-therapy/

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

258: Buying into the Mission and Making an IMPACT — Vivien Hoexter with H2Growth Strategies Sep 24, 2018

Show notes

Vivien Hoexter is the Principal for H2Growth Strategies LLC and the author of Big Impact: Insights & Stories from America's Non-Profit Leaders. On today's show, Vivien shares inspirational stories about nonprofits, what makes an amazing non-profit leader successful in their mission, and the steps it takes to really bring change and impact into an underserved sector in the community.

Key Takeaways:

[4:40] Vivien interviewed 47 non-profit leaders for her book and shares the 7 principles she discovered.

[6:30] Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are among the most important characteristics of a really successful leader.

[8:45] These non-profit leaders have mentors throughout their professional and personal lives.

[10:45] How do leaders find talented people to join their organization?

[15:30] Everyone wants to be able to work for and contribute to something of purpose and meaning.

[17:25] Vivien shares an example of CEO Richard Shadyac and how he built meaning and engagement for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

[21:10] Successful nonprofits were really clear about their goals and they only had one or two.

[25:25] You have to come at the problem from many different angles. It's often not just enough to be an advocate or to litigate. In many cases, you have to change social norms.

[34:00] It takes time to make sustainable change.

[36:10] How do successful nonprofits manage their partnerships?

[41:20] Disruption in the non-profit sector is actually not a very good thing. Vivien explains why.

[45:20] What is the most important thing Vivien tells millennials who want to join a nonprofit?

[51:00] If we really want to create an effect, nonprofits have to partner with businesses and government.

[55:25] Professional development for non-profit staff is critical, yet it doesn't happen enough.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

H2Growth Strategies

Vivien Hoexter on LinkedIn

Big Impact, by Vivien Hoexter and Linda C. Hartley

Leon Botstein

Tara Perry

Shael Polakow-Suransky

Richard C. Shadyac Jr.

Billy Shore

Evan Wolfson

257: Giving Back Insights #92 — Tony Robbins: The Secret of Living is Giving with Rob Lowe Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the 92nd 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 The Secret of Living is Giving. Listen to today's episode and don't forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Going on vacation and I'm planning on bringing back presents for everyone! In the meantime, I thought you'd like to hear a couple of good stories told by the people who've lived them. First up: a short one from Tony Robbins.

Big Tony remembers the exact day he became wealthy. If you look close, you can see the tears in his eyes. It's kind of a big deal to him, and there's a powerful lesson for all of us. There's something about Tony's presence when he tells his own stories that I find compelling. 'Nuff said, enjoy!

Tony Robbins: The Secret of Living is Giving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h6cII9uA-I

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

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

256: Fulfilling the Needs of Our Disabled Veterans — Tim Combs with Americans for Independent Living Sep 17, 2018

Show notes

Tim Combs is the Executive Director and Founder of Americans for Independent Living (AFIL). Although not a veteran himself, Tim is dedicated to providing comfortable housing for our disabled veterans and for those who are at risk of being homeless. Founded in 2015, AFIL has seen a ton of success and growth within the community as Tim continues to be an advocate for better healthcare services for those who have served our country.

Key Takeaways:

[3:00] What is Americans for Independent Living all about?

[6:45] When we have services from the VA (Veteran Affairs), why are non-profits like Tim's so important?

[9:30] What types of services does Tim provide for the veterans that use his services?

[12:40] Families often get frustrated with the process of modifying their home because it's not always clear cut what someone with disabilities might need.

[13:35] What happens when the VA approves the services for a veteran after Tim has already modified their home?

[15:40] Tim has had a difficult time working with the VA, and discusses some of the challenges he's had in the past.

[22:25] Despite trying to do good by the people who have served this country, Tim himself is not a veteran and it has caused some tension in the past.

[30:35] How many veterans have Tim and his team helped so far?

[35:40] Tim explains why he does what he does.

[37:15] Tim shares his 5 to 10 year vision for AFIL.

[42:10] The AFIL now provides housing for homeless veterans in the area.

[47:45] Tim highlights some of the donors that have helped make AFIL possible.

[52:45] Through Tim's charity work, he was invited to one of Donald Trump's rallies to help support the troops, as well as meet Donald Trump in person.

[59:35] Donald Trump donated $100,000 to get AFIL off the ground, and this caused a lot of controversy.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Americans for Independent Living

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