The Giving Town

Latest Episodes:

The Story of the Don’t Give Up Movement - with Amy Wolff May 14, 2025

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In this episode, Amy Wolff, founder of the Don’t Give Up Movement, explains how a May 2017 initiative to place 20 encouraging yard signs around Newberg evolved into a global campaign.

In our conversation, you will learn:

The origin story: what compelled Amy to act on that rainy afternoon
The “Science of Hope” framework she outlined in her TED Talk—hope, pathways, agency
Key lessons from scaling an at-cost, volunteer-powered operation to 50 states and 27 countries
Life-saving testimonials from individuals transformed by the signs
How small, unexpected gestures can cause large-scale impact
The role of personal agency in creating and sustaining hope

To learn more or to support the Don’t Give Up Movement, visit dontgiveupsigns.com

Watch Amy’s TED Talk!

Buy the book!

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To subscribe to our semi-monthly newsletter, click the link above.

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Preventing Child Abuse in Yamhill County - with Juliette's House Apr 17, 2025

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In this episode, Russell Mark, President and CEO of Juliette’s House, shares about the life-changing work happening at Yamhill County’s child abuse intervention center.

In our conversation, you’ll learn:

What Juliette’s House actually does and how it supports children and families
How early intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s life
The long-term impact of untreated childhood trauma on communities
Common misconceptions about child abuse—and the real statistics behind it
How schools, churches, and community members can play a role in prevention
Stories that reveal just how critical this work is
Practical ways to support Juliette’s House or get involved
How Yamhill County is setting an example for community collaboration

To learn more about Juliette’s House or to support their work, visit www.julietteshouse.org

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To subscribe to our semi-monthly newsletter, click the link above.

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Bringing the Community Together - with Newberg Community Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Mar 19, 2025

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In this episode, Di Endicott and Peggy Kilburg share about the Newberg Community Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.

During our conversation, you'll learn:

The history and origins of the Newberg Mayor's Prayer Breakfast
How the prayer breakfast works
The importance of prayer in bringing the community together
How the event promotes unity despite differing beliefs and perspectives
Stories of how prayer has tangibly impacted the lives of community members
The vision for the future, including greater inclusivity and involvement of younger generations
Practical details on how to get involved or attend the event

To learn more about the Newberg Community Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, visit their Facebook page.

If you have questions about the event or would like to attend, please contact Endicottdiana@yahoo.com

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts.

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Wine That Makes a Difference - with Dobbes and Wine by Joe Mar 05, 2025

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In this episode, Michelle Bolliger with Dobbes Family Winery and Wine by Joe shares how they are using their passion for wine to make a difference in the community. Beyond making great wine, they have created a culture of generosity, supporting both local and national causes and making a meaningful impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The backstory of Dobbes Family Winery and Wine by Joe
Why giving back is a core value of their company
How they engage employees in the giving process
The difference between writing a check and actually making an impact
How generosity strengthens company (and community) culture
Practical advice for businesses looking to have generosity become part of their mission

To learn more about Dobbes Family Winery and their partners, click here.

To learn more about Wine by Joe, click here.

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To learn more about the Living in Newberg YouTube Channel, click the link above.

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Resources for Seniors in Newberg - with John and Karen Roberts Feb 04, 2025

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In this episode, Seniors Real Estate Specialists John and Karen Roberts share some of the many resources available to seniors in the Newberg area. Many elderly seniors in our community face significant challenges, yet often feel isolated, alone, and are unaware of the resources available to them. John and Karen's hope is that no senior has to face these challenges alone.

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. Visit TheJoyfulRobertsGroup.com to learn more.

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Rising from the Ashes - with Jack Maxwell III Dec 10, 2024

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In this episode, Jack Maxwell III shares his incredible story of resilience, redemption, and success. From a childhood marked by severe abuse, neglect, and addiction, Jack overcame numerous challenges to become a thriving business owner and a true community champion. Today, he owns a successful insurance agency, serves on multiple nonprofit boards, and dedicates his life to helping others find hope and a path forward.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The struggles Jack faced growing up and how he rose above them
• What fueled his journey from rock bottom to success
• The impact of his work in the community and on nonprofit boards
• How he uses his story to inspire and support others in their darkest moments
• Practical advice for anyone seeking hope and transformation
Jack’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the hardest circumstances, it’s possible to rise from the ashes and create a life of purpose and impact. This episode is for anyone who believes in the power of hope, resilience, and giving back.
To learn more about Provoking Hope, visit https://provokinghope.com/
This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To learn more about the Living in Newberg YouTube Channel, click the link above.

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Advocating for our Community's Most Vulnerable Children - with Yamhill County CASA Nov 26, 2024

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In this episode, Sarah Johnson, Executive Director of Yamhill County CASA, shares how Court Appointed Special Advocates are making a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. For many children, navigating the court system can feel overwhelming and lonely, but CASA volunteers provide the stability, advocacy, and hope they desperately need.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What a CASA is and the critical role they play in a child’s life
How the CASA program started and why it’s so important
Real-life stories of how CASAs have made a difference
How you can get involved and help change a child’s story

To learn more about Yamhill County CASA, visit https://yccasa.org.

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To learn more about the Living in Newberg YouTube Channel, click the link above.

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How Revino's Reusable Wine Bottles are Transforming the Industry - with Keenan O'Hern Nov 13, 2024

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In this episode, Revino co-founder Keenan O’hern shares how Revino is transforming the wine and glass bottle industry nationwide. While most wine bottles end up in the landfill or get melted down and turned into new bottles, Revino has developed a bottle that can be reused up to 50 times. This revolutionary approach is set to help protect the environment while saving wineries money on bottle costs.
In this episode you will learn:

The history of the reusable bottle industry
How Revino got started
What sets their bottles apart
How the process works
How wineries are taking advantage of Revino's product
Why reusing and recycling glass is so important
What it will take to make lasting change
and more!

To learn more about Revino, visit https://www.revinobottles.com/about/#our_story

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To learn more about the Living in Newberg YouTube Channel, click the link above.

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Improving Political Culture in our Community – with Ron Mock Oct 29, 2024

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Ron Mock from The Civility Project shares how we can improve the political culture in our communities and the importance of treating each other with respect during election season.

In this episode, Ron shares:

The importance of civility in local elections
Insights from the local candidate forums in Newberg and Dundee
How disagreements can be a gift when approached with the right mindset
Why local elections are so important
The pros and cons of ranked-choice voting
How staying informed and voting in local elections builds a stronger community

The way we treat each other during and after elections has a lasting impact. This episode is for anyone who wants to make Newberg a more united and respectful community, regardless of political views.

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To learn more about the Living in Newberg YouTube Channel, click the link above.

To learn more about The Flip Side, a website that provides both sides of political issues, visit https://www.theflipside.io/

To watch the October 15th Newberg Candidate forum, visit https://youtube.com/live/IoybyquWfpI?feature=share

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Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life - with Nicholas Kristof Oct 22, 2024

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A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of multiple books, Nicholas Kristof has spent the last 40 years with The New York Times exposing global injustices and writing about situations many people find uncomfortable to even discuss. Nicholas grew up in Yamhill, Oregon, on a sheep and cherry farm just a few miles from Newberg.
In this Episode, Nicholas shares:

What it was like growing up in Yamhill, Oregon
How he got started in journalism
What it was like covering events like the Tiananmen Square protests and massacre
Stories from other assignments
Why he believes risking his life for this work is worth it
What led to his bid for Oregon Governer
Why holding onto hope is so important

Nicholas also shares about his latest book, Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life. You can find this book, along with Nicholas' other books, on Amazon and at most major book retailers.

This episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To learn more about the Living in Newberg YouTube Channel, click the link above.

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