Escape into a Cause

Join us as we escape into I Live Here I Give Here!

We're excited to welcome Piper Stege Nelson, Executive Director of I Live Here I Give Here, to the conversation!

I Live Here I Give Here is on a mission to amplify giving in Central Texas through cultivating and creating deeper connections for givers and the issues they care about. They believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for every Central Texan to engage in giving. They embrace a wide range of backgrounds to create meaningful connections between givers and causes. Through community events and year-round programs, they make giving accessible to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits alike. Since 2007, they've inspired Central Texans to raise more than $150 million for over 1,600 local nonprofits.

Ways I Live Here I Give Here Makes an Impact:

Amplifying Local Giving – Through Amplify Austin Day in March, they unite the region in 24 hours of generosity supporting over 700 nonprofits. Cultivating Everyday Philanthropy – Year-round programs like See Us Give help people of all ages and backgrounds explore what giving looks like for them. Empowering Future Leaders – Their Board Training Program prepares Central Texans to serve on nonprofit boards and lead with purpose.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

Donate to I Live Here I Give Here. They're a nonprofit too! Even $25/month makes a difference. 👉 https://ilivehereigivehere.org/donate Explore board service - over 12,000 nonprofits are looking for passionate leaders.

Attend See Us Give on Sept 25 - a community dinner for people ready to dive into giving.

If you're a business, lean on I Live Here I Give Here for guidance on how to give back. They do trainings and conferences, plus they can run your giving program and campaigns!

Give on Amplify Austin Day in March every year. 👉 Visit https://www.amplifyatx.org/ to start shopping for a cause.

How to Do Some Good in Austin & Get Rewarded 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚 Sign up for updates on causes you care about or share your #GoodBrag showing how you've volunteered or donated—then DM us for a chance to win Texas Stars tickets!

Follow along: 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.

Join us as we escape into National Hispanic Institute

We're excited to welcome Lucas Castillo-West and Isabella Matamoros, both seniors at Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA), to the conversation!

NHI is all about building Latino leaders—early. With a 98% college enrollment rate and 67% going on to grad school, it's making a huge impact across the U.S. and the Americas. Through programs like the Great Debate, NHI empowers youth with skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership. Many alumni return to mentor the next generation, fostering a cycle of empowerment and service. NHI isn't just preparing students for college—it's cultivating the next generation of changemakers.

Ways National Hispanic Institute Makes an Impact:

Empowering Youth Leadership – Developing the next generation of Latino leaders through immersive, skill-building programs.

Promoting Academic Excellence – Guiding students toward higher education and professional success with targeted mentorship.

Fostering Community Engagement – Inspiring civic participation to strengthen Latino representation across public and private sectors.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

Know a high school student? Get them involved—students make NHI what it is. Donate – $50, $100, or $250 can help a student attend this life-changing program.⁠ 👉 https://www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org/Donate Volunteer – Alumni, parents, and first-time supporters are all welcome!⁠ 👉 https://www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org/Volunteer

How to Do Some Good in Austin & Get Rewarded 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚 Sign up for updates on causes you care about or share your #GoodBrag showing how you've volunteered or donated—then DM us for a chance to win Texas Stars tickets!

Follow along: 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.

Join us as we escape into E3 Alliance.

We're excited to welcome Kyle Seipp, the Director of Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness for E3 Alliance, to the conversation!

E3 Alliance is a regional, data-driven education collaborative based in Austin, Texas. They are building the strongest educational pipeline in the country to drive regional economic prosperity. E3 Alliance partners with school districts, higher education institutions, businesses, nonprofits, and policymakers to drive education systems change, focusing on a student's entire educational journey, from cradle to career.

3 ways E3 Alliance makes an impact:

Supporting Early Childhood Education – Partnering to give children a strong educational start.

Preparing Students for Career Success – Connecting students with workforce readiness programs, backed by data.

Promoting Equity – Using data to advocate for policies ensuring all students have access to quality education.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

Invest – Donate, sponsor, or join the E3 Legacy Trust. Your support fuels lasting change—not just for one student, but for entire systems. 👉 https://e3alliance.org/invest/

Use your voice – Talk about public education in a new way. Every conversation matters. Join a community event, speak up for our schools, and help carry the message: schools can, schools will, schools do.

How to Do Some Good in Austin & Get Rewarded 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚 Sign up for updates on causes you care about or share your #GoodBrag showing how you've volunteered or donated—then DM us for a chance to win Texas Stars tickets!

Follow along: 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.

Join us as we escape into Austin Angels!

We're excited to welcome Susan Ramirez, the founder and CEO of Austin Angels, to the conversation!

Austin Angels walks alongside children, youth, and families by providing consistent, heartfelt support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship. From personalized care packages to long-term, trust-based connections, their work brings real hope and healing to those navigating the foster care system. With programs designed to meet practical needs and nurture emotional well-being, Austin Angels empowers young people to thrive and dream big.

Ways Austin Angels Makes an Impact:

Love Box Program – Monthly care packages meet real-time needs and build trust with foster families. Commitment is once a month. Dare to Dream Program – One-on-one support helps foster youth ages 11-22 set goals and gain life skills.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

Donate — Every dollar given in May is matched up to $15,000 thanks to a generous donor!⁠ 👉 https://nationalangels.app.neoncrm.com/forms/austin-donate-now-

Sign up for their newsletter — Stay in the loop with stories, impact, and opportunities: 👉 https://nationalangels.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/nationalangels/subscribe.jsp?subscription=2

Volunteer or mentor — Support a foster family through the Love Box program or empower a young person through one-on-one mentorship with Dare to Dream: 👉 https://www.austinangels.com/getinvolved.html

How to Do Some Good in Austin & Get Rewarded 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚 Sign up for updates on causes you care about or share your #GoodBrag showing how you've volunteered or donated—then DM us for a chance to win Texas Stars tickets!

Follow along: 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.

Join us as we escape into Austin Soundwaves! 🎙️ We're excited to welcome Dr. Hermes Camacho, Deputy Director at Austin Soundwaves, to the conversation.

Before diving into the incredible work they're doing in music education, we explore this week's Topics That Matter: The Psychology of Giving — Are we more generous when others are watching? And how does seeing someone else donate influence our own behavior?

Austin Soundwaves is breaking down barriers to music education by making it accessible and equitable for students across the Austin community. Through more than 40 school and community programs, they serve over 1,400 musicians each year—from K–12 students to adults participating in intergenerational ensembles like Mariachi Para Todos.

This youth-centered music movement provides school-day orchestra, band, and mariachi programs, as well as after-school opportunities that build confidence, creativity, and connection through music.

Ways Austin Soundwaves Makes an Impact:

Equity Through Music – Free, high-quality music education for students in underserved Austin communities Intergenerational Connection – Community ensembles like Mariachi Para Todos bring together students, families, and neighbors Youth Empowerment – Leadership programs like the Draylen Mason Fellows inspire student-led innovation and social impact

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

Donate – Support their campaign to move into a new, inspiring space: 👉 https://www.austinsoundwaves.org/donate

Volunteer – Join a local event and connect with students: 👉 https://www.austinsoundwaves.org/volunteer

🎶 Don't miss these events: – Season Finale Performance: May 8 at 7pm, Austin ISD PAC – Draylen Mason Fellows Capstone: May 20 at 7pm

How to Do Some Good in Austin & Get Rewarded 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚 Sign up for updates on causes you care about or share your #GoodBrag showing how you've volunteered or donated—then DM us for a chance to win Texas Stars tickets!

Follow along: 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.

Join us as we escape into the Yellow Bike Project! 🎙️ We're excited to welcome Pete Wall, Staff Manager & Bike Mechanic, and Jim Robertson, Board Member, to the conversation! 🎙️

Yellow Bike is a nonprofit community bike shop born from grassroots efforts, committed to transforming lives through access to bicycles and hands-on education. They offer tools, workspace, and support to help individuals learn bike maintenance while fostering a strong sense of community. By refurbishing bikes and making them accessible to all, Yellow Bike advances both sustainability and transportation equity. Their mission is grounded in social and climate justice, striving to create a world where cycling empowers everyone with freedom and independence.

3 Ways The Yellow Bike Project Makes an Impact:

🚲 Free Bike Workshops – Hands-on classes open to all skill levels, where community members can learn bike maintenance and repair for free.

♻️ Sustainable Bike Recycling – Thousands of pounds of bike parts saved from landfills each year through refurbishing and creative reuse.

🤝 Access for All – Low-cost and free bicycles distributed through community programs to ensure transportation equity across Austin.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

🚲 Donate: Contribute bike parts, bikes, time, or money.

🛠️ Volunteer: Join workshops or corporate volunteering for team-building experiences.

🚴Bike Month Kickoff on May 3rd: Celebrate cycling and community with Yellow Bike! Enjoy workshops, group rides, and a special film program featuring Momentum: The Origin Story of Black History Bike Ride and This Is My Moment.

How to Get Do Some Good in Austin & Get Rewarded! 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚

• Sign up for updates on your favorite causes, or
• Share your #GoodBrag on social media of you supporting a nonprofit through volunteerism or donating to inspire others and let us know!

Follow for updates on:

👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

Thank you Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible and your donation to Yellow Bike. A big thanks to Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.

Join us with Pastor Mark Smith and his wife and Director, Cindy Smith, as we escape into Austin Baptist Chapel! 🎙️

First! Steph and Court dive into what cause categories do people donate to most?

Then! We're escaping into Austin Baptist Chapel—also known as Angel House Soup Kitchen! This episode is filled with stories of people from all walks of life who come through their doors—some facing a lifetime of struggle, others just navigating a hard season.

But no matter the story, Pastor Mark and Cindy just show up to help.

With over 4 million meals served, along with hot showers, clean clothes, hygiene kits, and even the occasional haircut, their impact in downtown Austin is nothing short of remarkable. And the most surprising part? They've done it all without fundraising.

Join us as we explore the powerful work of Austin Baptist Chapel and the ripple effects they've created—one meal, one moment of dignity at a time.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

Volunteer - Serving 2 meals a day, 363 days a week, they can use your help! Just email ahead to secure a spot at [email protected]

Donate - A nonprofit that has never fundraised since 1986! But that's because people like you give to good causes like theirs, so help sustain the good work they're doing!

Give - Head to their website to find their Amazon wishlist or drop off hygiene products and Men's clothing!

Do some good in Austin and get rewarded! 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚

• Sign up for updates, or
• Share your #GoodBrag on social media of you supporting a nonprofit through volunteerism or donating and let us know!

Follow for updates on:

👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible & your donation to Austin Baptist Chapel, Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, & Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios!

Join us as we escape into Austin Sunshine Camps! 🎙️ We're excited to welcome David Roberts, Chief Development Officer at Austin Sunshine Camps, to the conversation! Austin Sunshine Camps creates life-changing experiences by offering the joy of overnight camp—completely free for kids who need it most. With 90% of campers coming from low-income families and many in foster care, ASC provides a safe space to build resilience, form lasting friendships, and simply be kids—all while fostering confidence, connection, and big dreams for the future.

3 incredible ways Austin Sunshine Camps makes an impact: ⛺ Free Summer Camps – Overnight camp experiences for youth ages 8–15 at no cost, focused on fun, growth, and connection. 🧡 Community & Belonging – Campers learn to build healthy relationships and feel empowered in a space where they are celebrated. 🌟 Counselors-in-Training – Leadership opportunities for teens 16–17 to build skills and give back as future camp mentors.

How to get involved & earn some bragging rights: 📅 May 4th – H-E-B Austin Sunshine Run – Run, walk, or cheer at the H-E-B Austin Sunshine Run! 10K, 5K, Tomlinson's Fastest Dog in Austin, Kids K, and virtual options. 👉 Register here: https://www.austinsunshinerun.com/

🌞 Become a Sunshine Keeper – Commit to a monthly or annual gift to help send more kids to camp. Every dollar creates more moments of joy, friendship, and growth.

🙋‍♂️ Volunteer – Carnival Night, ACL @ ASC, Canoe Night… this is hands-down the most fun way to support ASC! Just don't forget your 2-hour training session before the summer kicks off. 👉 Sign up here: https://www.sunshinecamps.org/volunteer/

Do some good in Austin and get rewarded! 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚

• Sign up for updates, or
• Share your #GoodBrag on social media of you supporting a nonprofit through volunteerism or donating and let us know!

Follow for updates on:

👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.

Join us as we escape into Art From The Streets! 🎙️

We're excited to welcome Marla Johnson, the development director of Art From the Streets, to the conversation! Art From the Streets provides a creative space for those experiencing homelessness in Austin, helping individuals heal, find purpose, and build community through artistic expression. Their work is about fostering stability through creative expression, community, and purpose—critical elements in rebuilding lives.

3 Ways Art From The Streets Makes an Impact:

🎨 Empowering individuals to create and express themselves through art.

🤝 Building community connections and offering support.

🌱 Helping individuals regain confidence and self-worth as they work toward a brighter future.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:

📅 April 9 – Create Change Gala @ The Cathedral, 6:30 PM. Tickets on sale now!

🖼️ Support local artists – attend, bid, or buy.

💛 No art skills needed—just show up to make a difference.

Do some good in Austin and get rewarded! 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚

• Sign up for updates, or
• Share your #GoodBrag on social media of you supporting a nonprofit through volunteerism or donating and let us know!

Follow for updates on:

👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios, and Michele Anderson at Pinkletoes Photography.

Join us as we escape into Pease Park Conservancy!

We're excited to welcome Allison Johnson, the Director of Community Engagement for Pease Park Conservancy, to the conversation!

Pease Park Conservancy works in partnership with the City of Austin to set the standard for world-class park management. The Conservancy celebrates the diverse ecology and history that make Austin's first public park valuable and unique. Their mission is to restore, enhance, and maintain this 84-acre public green space for the sustainable use and enjoyment of all.

3 Ways Pease Park Conservancy Makes an Impact: 🌱 Peasecology Field Trips – Hands-on environmental education for students. 🛠️ Community Volunteering – Weekly opportunities to restore and maintain the park. 🎉 Events & Festivals – Celebrating Austin's history, nature, and culture.

How to Get Involved & Earn Some Bragging Rights:🌱 Volunteer with Pease Corps—Join any of the 4–5 weekly volunteer events—bring friends, family, or make it a team effort at work! 🎟 Attend upcoming events—Like RISE Freedom Festival (March 29) & Squirrel Fest (April 12). 💚 Support the mission—Donate or join the annual gala in November!

Do some good in Austin and get rewarded! 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚

• Sign up for updates, or
• Share your #GoodBrag on social media of you supporting a nonprofit through volunteerism or donating and let us know!

Follow for updates on:

👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram

Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible. We also appreciate Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios, and Michele Anderson at Pinkletoes Photography.