Giving Back Podcast

Welcome to the 36th 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 my upcoming Vision Quest. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

A little different opening music for today's show. “Crazy For You” by Madonna from the “Vision Quest” soundtrack kicks us off. Giving Back Insights is about connecting, and also sharing this journey that I’m on in the hopes that we can learn together. Vision Quest: it’s not 3 days running around in the woods smoking pot. Setting expectations: what we want to get out of our Vision Quest, and what we want to leave behind. Barbara & Don, thank you for a wonderful opportunity! James, Valerie and Terry, I’m looking forward to our time together! Always err on the side of love and kindness. Love & Gratitude, Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Evolutionary Business Council

Barbara Wittmann

Don Morse

James Woeber

Valerie Sheppard

Terry Duperon

Vision quest

Mike Sweeney is the executive director of The Nature Conservancy’s California chapter, the organization’s largest program. Mike focuses on solutions to the biggest environmental problems affecting California’s land, water, and oceans. On the show, Mike discusses why nature problems are not just damaging to animals, but they’re damaging to people too. He also talks about why people should care about nature and their environment as well as ways you can help protect our planet. 

 

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] What does The Nature Conservancy do and how was it originally founded?

[6:15] Why is it so important to preserve nature? 

[11:05] There are thrice as many people trying to live and it’s an open question whether the planet can sustain this. 

[11:45] What are some of the biggest concerns The Nature Conservancy has for the future? 

[16:25] What kinds of organizations are working with The Nature Conservancy?

[19:35] It’s becoming more and more obvious that nature problems are people problems. 

[25:00] We know more about the moon and the surface of Mars than we do about our own ocean floor. This makes it difficult to protect. 

[29:25] Mike discusses how he and his team are making a difference in the fishing industry. 

[37:25] Who is Mike and how did he get involved in this line of work?

[42:45] What is the best solution to capturing moisture or water in the air, especially in a state like California that  is currently experiencing drought? 

[47:00] How can people get involved? 

[50:25] What would be the three words  Mike would use to describe his commitment to giving back? 

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (California)

 

Welcome to the 35th 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 my Milestones. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

That handsome young man is my oldest son Carson. I just sent him off to school in Santa Barbara. Mixed emotions: excited & happy for him, proud of him, a little sad that he’s leaving. A big step for building the life of his dreams.

Jim Palmer: “Everyone deserves to live their dreams, but nobody is entitled to it” Each of has the opportunity, every day, to make progress towards the life of our dreams.

I told my assistant Nicola a couple of days ago that I was feeling a little overwhelmed. Her response took me by surprise. Instead of telling me everything is going to be fine, or to cut back on some things, this is what she said to me: “I like your sports car sir. your age drops to 30. you know what I mean? You are getting younger and that mean you can take lot of work. Just take a deep breath and let me know how I can assist you in anything :) I want to see you become a top leader” It was just the right kind of kick in the pants reminder that I needed, some of the most encouraging words anyone’s ever told me.

I hope each of you has people who support and encourage you in the right way to keep you going strong. And I hope I will do the same for Carson.

Always err on the side of love and kindness. Love & Gratitude, Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Dr. Naureen A. Shaikh founded Mobile Medical Team in 2006. Mobile Medical Team is a public charity providing medical education and relief to underserved populations, both domestically and internationally. How is Naureen’s charity different? She is approaching healthcare in a brand new way and has powerful partners like Facebook by her side to help make patient-focused healthcare a reality. 

 

Key Takeaways:

[4:45] Who is Naureen and why is she passionate about healthcare? 

[14:35] It’s important to have the right amount of stress, as well as the right amount of support.

[15:20] Naureen was fortunate enough to have mentors from all walks of life help her become the woman that she is today. 

[19:25] Why is it that the United States has so many resources, yet our health care system is so neglected? 

[20:45] What’s the story behind Mobile Medical Team? 

[29:10] When thinking about giving more power to the people, healthcare should be patient-driven and patient-focused.

[37:45] What kind of projects has Naureen worked on, both in the U.S. and overseas?

[43:05] How is Mobile Medical Team sustainable? 

[51:20] How many people have a Facebook account? Having a patient portal for people to log into is not that much different. 

[54:20] What Naureen is currently doing isn’t just ‘theory’. It is sustainable, and it has a low barrier to entry for people to get involved.

[59:45] What does Naureen mean when she says that the solution to good health is ‘in you’? 

[1:06:45] Our currency is our own personal experience. 

[1:12:35] Naureen doesn’t believe in mistakes. The great thing about her team is everyone understands there’s a big learning curve involved.

[1:14:35] What would be the three words Naureen would use to describe her commitment to helping others and giving back? 

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Mobile Medical Team International

The Periodic Table Book, by Primo Levi

Internet.org

Intuit

Rotary

AAFP

 

Welcome to the 34th 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 my Turning 50: cliches, epiphanies, and choices. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

Buying a convertible sports car --- the most cliched thing ever for a man on his 50th birthday.

I’m in the midst of the best work of my life

Callum: guest conversations turned a light on for him

The book is a framework to spotlight these amazing people.

Josh Coombes, #DoSomethingForNothing.  His vision is to create a movement of people doing things to help others in their community.  I choose to help!

A birthday card from Ursula

Love & Gratitude,

Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

www.dosomethingfornothing.net

Joshua Coombes on GBP

Do something for nothing

Kristyn Stillwell is the Executive Director of H.O.P.E. Haven. Kristyn and her team empower homeless men and women and help them get over their addiction or mental illness, get jobs, and lead better lives. The best part of all of this is that her model is sustainable. Kristyn has partnered with various agencies and businesses all over her community to help reduce the homeless population in her city. Find out how she does it on this week’s episode. 

 

Key Takeaways:

[5:10] What is H.O.P.E. Haven’s mission? 

[6:55] In five years, H.O.P.E. Haven was able to help 70 people become stable and off of the street. 

[13:00] Kristyn believes she’s planting seeds of hope in those currently experiencing tough challenges.

[16:25] H.O.P.E. Haven is a faith-based organization. However, they will accept anyone no matter their faith or their beliefs. At the end of the day, it’s about changing people’s lives for the better. 

[19:50] What kind of agencies has H.O.P.E. Haven partnered with? 

[24:35] Due to the partnerships Kristyn made with the sheriff's department, she was able to get a brand new van to help transport homeless people to and from H.O.P.E. Haven.

[26:50] Kristyn discusses how she trains the homeless and the police staff on how to interact with each other. 

[30:35] What lessons can we learn from this particular sheriff’s department and how they handle their homeless population? 

[34:20] How does Kristyn get paid? 

[44:05] The biggest problem that makes someone homeless is that they’re simply not making enough money to survive. It is Kristyn’s goal to get them higher paying jobs. 

[51:25] What are volunteers and businesses who support H.O.P.E. Haven getting out of all of this? 

[54:15] Kristyn shares some stories about the people her charity has helped.

[1:04:55] You have to meet people where they are. That’s the first step for good outreach. 

[1:06:55] How can people adopt Kristyn’s model into their own county or city? 

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Kristyn Stillwell on LinkedIn

H.O.P.E. Haven

 

Welcome to the 32nd 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 my meeting with Josh Coombes. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy! Key Takeaways:

That fella with his arm wrapped around me and a million dollar smile is Josh Coombes, straight over from the United Kingdom.

We met up in Los Angeles on a week’s notice, and I was delighted to bring my wife Ursula and two kids out to meet him on a mini vacation. I was tempted to use the picture of him eating raw marinated crab, but this shot seems so much more fun.

Among the many conversations we had over beers, dinner and cheeky croissants, we talked about the remarkable amount of coverage he’s received for his work. He made the 2017 Happy List, a collection by the UK’s The Independent paper of 50 inspirational heroes and heroines whose kindness, courage and selflessness make England a better place to live. This is how he was described: “With shears in hand and love in heart, this bloke is giving the gift of time and attention to the invisible.”

Josh’s vision: create a movement of people doing things to help others in their community. Purpose: no matter what happens to #DoSomethingForNothing, his life is about serving others

Love & Gratitude, Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

www.dosomethingfornothing.net

Joshua Coombes on GBP

Do something for nothing

Lolly Galvin

The Real Humanist

The Dignity Project 

RueTourne

www.facebook.com/LRTourne

Elisa Parker is the co-founder, President & host of the award-winning radio program, See Jane Do. See Jane Do is an organization that empowers everyday women to be heroes in their own lives. They highlight amazing women doing extraordinary things to create positive change in the world. Find out why Elisa cares so much about this cause and how you can help be a part of it on this week’s episode. 

 

Key Takeaways:

[4:05] Women don’t always show up as their ‘whole’ self. They only show a part of themselves, but we need women to step up and into strong leadership roles. 

[7:05] After election day, Elisa had her doubts about whether the world was really ready for a woman leader. 

[10:10] Elisa was just so sure that Hillary Clinton was going to win. 

[11:10] This isn’t just about women though; men play a very important part in all of this, too. 

[13:00] Why did Elisa create See Jane Do?

[18:05] What was Elisa’s defining moment? 

[20:10] There isn’t one right answer to doing good. Do what’s best for you and then find people who will help support you with your mission. 

[21:45] We always find ways to talk ourselves out of doing something. 

[25:35] Life’s too short! Stop doing what others think you should do and do something YOU want to do. 

[32:10] Are you currently facing some struggles or resistance towards fulfilling your purpose? Elisa has some advice. 

[40:00] When Elisa was getting burned out with See Jane Do, she knew she had to walk the talk and be vulnerable with her audience. 

[47:00] There are several steps you need to take to make purposeful change - connect with others, collaborate on your common goal, and then make it happen together. 

[54:45] How can men get better at trust, faith, and being more vulnerable? 

[1:05:10] Elisa and Rob discuss their mutual friend, Malaika Bishop .

[1:11:05] How can people get involved? Start today and take a small step forward. You don’t need to do something super big to create a positive impact.

[1:16:45] As millennials, environmental policy-makers have no right to hurt our future generations. All of us deserve to have a clean environment. 

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

See Jane Do

Sierra Harvest

Welcome to the 32nd 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 Connecting and moving forward which inspire us to take action. Listen to today’s episode and don’t forget to give your feedback and valuable comment. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

The Independent’s ninth Happy List is a collection of 50 inspirational heroes and heroines whose kindness, courage and selflessness make our country a better place to live. The Happy List was founded in 2008 as an antidote to those tedious lists that celebrate wealth and big bank balances. Instead, it honors the Great Britons doing extraordinary things for others with no thought of personal gain, who often go largely unnoticed and unrewarded. See the list here:

The Independents Happy List

11. Josh Coombes Hairdresser Josh has an enormous salon; the streets of London. For the past year, this 29-year-old has been giving free haircuts to homeless people, posting photos of his scissor-work on Instagram. It's part of Josh's campaign #DoSomethingforNothing which has encouraged people around the globe to help others any way they can and give a voice to society's marginalized. One person who nominated Josh says: “With shears in hand and love in the heart, this bloke is giving the gift of time and attention to the invisible.” Looking forward to meeting Josh this week in Los Angeles. One of the perks of doing something I have a passion for is meeting people who I respect and are fun. Speaking of fun, the Conscious Leadership Summit that I’m co-hosting with Robert Clancy is going to be a TON of good times. Leaders sharing their personal and professional growth experiences serving communities. Let me know if you have questions, the summit is 100% free to attend and will be PACKED with insight. What is your unfair advantage? What is it that you bring to the table that no-one has? This was a brilliant exercise from the book “Will It Fly” by Pat Flynn. When you figure that out, the clarity of your personal vision is breathtakingly clear. It’s time to take this hobby that I’m passionate about (the Giving Back podcast) and the lessons I’m learning (my journey) and make it a business. A business that serves individuals, businesses, charities, government agencies, schools, families, religious groups, clubs, associations. And most of all, serve communities. That’s a business built on serving others. When you think what’s special about YOU, then the rest kind of falls in place. Thank you for your help, Ron Klabunde!

Tell me what you think of the new working title for my book: You Can’t Be A Hero... ...if you only think of yourself

Thanks for joining us on today’s show. Love & Gratitude, Rob

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

www.dosomethingfornothing.net

Joshua Coombes on GBP

Do something for nothing

The Independent

Ron Klabunde on GBP

Justin Kang is the Executive Director of City Awake, the civic innovation lab of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce that explores bold and creative ideas to solve our most pressing urban issues. Justin and his team are currently working on an accelerator program to help make non-profit organisations more collaborative. It can be easy getting caught up in all the bureaucracy when trying to make meaningful change, but Justin aims to clear the path and make it simple to focus on important and life changing objectives. 

 

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] What is City Awake? 

[3:00] How did City Awake get started? 

[6:20] Are there just too many non-profits? Is there a most proactive way to make a difference? 

[10:35] Boston was recently ranked #1 in income inequality. 

[12:30] Justin wants to find a better way for non-profits to be better collaborators, not competitors. This is why he’s creating an accelerator program just for them. 

[18:25] How does Justin envision the future of this accelerator program at City Awake? 

[22:40] Justin hopes to have this publically launched by next year. 

[25:10] How does City Awake work with for-profit companies? 

[27:35] For-profit businesses are part of the solution. The responsibility shouldn’t solely be on non-profit organizations. 

[29:30] Business should not be the enemy. 

[34:30] Since Justin is working with young leaders, what has he personally seen that excites them? What’s important to them? 

[39:55] What are some of the stories that keep Justin going and show that he’s doing a good thing? 

[42:55] What are three organizations that Justin feels have a huge impact on people? 

[46:55] Why does Justin love Boston? 

[52:05] Why are there so few Asian Americans involved in social issues and non-profits?

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

City Awake

Year Up

Black Lives Matter