Giving Back Podcast

Jeffrey Slater has come from a long line of family members who have given back. Jeffrey's grandfather, an immigrant from Russia, was called the 'Penny Philanthropist' by the New York Times when he died in 1996, because he gave $1 to every charity who wrote him back. Jeffery is the Chief Listening Officer of his own company, The Marketing Sage, where he offers consulting services with a charitable twist. 

Key Takeaways:

[2:50] Fanny Slater, Jeff's daughter, has cited Jeff as a major influence in her life.

[8:05] Who is Jeff Jeff Slater?

[13:20] Why the answer is always yes.

[15:20] How Randy 'Macho Man' Savage taught Jeff an interesting lesson in life.

[18:15] Jeff talks about his business, The Marketing Sage.

[20:55] What have people said about the unique way Jeff is giving back?

[23:05] Is giving back selfish? What does Jeff think?

[25:50] Jeff really believes what you receive is based on what you have put out into the Universe.

[28:30] When your heart is open to new solutions, answers do show up at your doorstep.

[32:25] What advice does Jeff have for those who want to get more involved with charity?

[32:50] All you have to do is just help one person.

[36:25] You can start small, but that shouldn't discourage you from trying to solve a very, very big issue in the world today.

[37:50] Jeff talks about clarity.fm.

[39:20] What if you spent an hour a week donating your time? Can you imagine the powerful impact that would have?

[41:05] Family is so important. Charity really does start at home.

[44:20] Jeff and Rob talk about Fanny Slater. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

The Marketing Sage

Fanny Slater

Episode 18 - Fanny Slater - Giving Back Podcast

Clarity.fm

Charitywater.org

Toms Shoes

Stop Hunger Now

North Carolina Symphony

Safe Child, Wake County North Carolina

Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center

Ron Klabunde is the Founder and President of Generosity Feeds, a non-profit focused on feeding hungry children in every county throughout America. Generosity Feeds mobilizes local communities to help package 10,000 or more meals in less than 3 hours. Did you know that there are 60,000 starving children in two of the wealthiest counties in the Unites States? Find out more on how you can help end hunger in your own backyard, on this week's episode. 

Key Takeaways:

[4:55] What is Stadia?

[8:25] Most of Ron's team have full-time jobs, but believe in the work Generosity Feeds is doing. This means a majority of his team is located all over the country.

[11:50] The power of mobilizing people = 10,000 or more meals in 3 hours. Wait, how?

[12:05] What does a typical Generosity Feeds event entail?

[18:20] How was Ron ever going to feed 60,000 starving children in Northern Virginia?

[21:00] Life just works so much better when you work in a field that you're passionate about.

[22:30] How the Generosity Feeds event in Eugene, Oregon inspired a recipient to pay if forward. 

[27:30] Is giving back a selfish act?

[32:40] How Ron chooses to live with humility instead of pride.

[36:45] Ron shares an important story about a buddy of his.

[39:00] Ron's father-in-law came to the U.S. from Germany with only $200 in his pocket.

[41:35] How to help Generosity Feeds.

[44:50] Feel free to message Ron!

[51:05] It costs $1 for a meal. Only $1 to provide a meal for a child!

[51:55] Ron shares one final story before he goes.

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

Generosity Feeds Website

Get Involved In Your Community

www.stadia.cc

Tony Delmercado is an entrepreneur and COO of Hawke Media, a company that offers tailored solutions to ensure their clients meet budget, expectations, and sales growth. Giving back is a huge part of Tony's company culture. He and his team regularly contribute to Ocean Park Community Center and Orphaned Starfish. Tony also works with The Fulling, a food truck company on a mission to end hunger in the U.S.

Key Takeaways:

[2:55] What are some of the charities Tony is involved with?

[5:55] What does Tony do at Hawke Media?

[9:50] Tony talks about the Ocean Park Community Center.

[15:35] Tony has created a company culture that loves to give back to the community.

[20:35] Diversity plays a big part in the health and productivity of the company culture.

[23:45] Both Orphan Starfish and Build.org work with disadvantaged children.

[25:35] Tony talks about The Fulfilling food truck company and the good they're doing.

[31:35] Sometimes the world's problems are so big that it's hard to find a good place to start.

[37:10] You always learn something new when you volunteer.

[38:00] How can we give back?

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

www.hawkemedia.com

www.opcc.net

www.orphanedstarfish.org

www.transitionhouse.org

www.build.org

www.fulfilling.us

The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman

Nancy Frates on TED Talk

Dr. Laurentis Barnett is both a dentist and senior pastor. Every year, since his senior year in highschool, Dr. Laurentis has made a trip to Haiti to provide dental care for those living in rural areas. When he is there, he and other volunteers see about 500 patients a week. Haiti is just the stepping stone, as Dr. Laurentis plans to travel to Guatemala and Honduras to provide the same service to those in need. Listen to Dr. Laurentis’ story to find out how he got started in this week's episode. 

Key Takeaways:

[3:05] Who is Dr. Laurentis and how did he get started?

[7:50] How did traveling to Haiti to offer dental care come about?

[11:45] Dr. Laurentis shares an important story about one of the Haiti trips he took.

[14:45] It's amazing to watch everyone come together for a cause.

[17:20] We have such a profound need for help in the U.S., why cross the border?

[18:55] What can we do to improve the literacy rate in Haiti?

[22:00] Only 40% of Americans have dental insurance.

[23:35] Your mouth and your body are connected. It's important to keep both of these healthy.

[25:50] Dr. Laurentis is also the senior pastor for Bethel church.

[28:25] What advice does Dr. Laurentis have on getting started?

[32:00] Bad news tends to travel quicker than good news, but we have to change that.

[33:40] How can we help Dr. Laurentis?

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

www.divineexpressionsdentistry.com

www.mmc.edu

Aaron and Evan Steed started Meathead Movers in 1997, when Aaron was a high school junior and Evan a freshman. After receiving call after call of domestic abuse victims looking for a way out, Aaron knew he had to stand up and make a change. This is why Aaron and Evan founded Move to End Domestic Violence, a non-profit that helps move victims of domestic violence into one of their partnered shelters. Find out more in this week's episode.

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] What is Move to End Domestic Violence?

[5:10] Aaron and his brother, Evan, founded Meathead Movers 19 years ago.

[5:25] Their story on how they help women leave abusive relationships has gone viral.

[7:20] Move to End Domestic Violence is an established non-profit with a goal of reaching 10,000 pledges, worldwide, of businesses willing to step up and help victims of domestic violence.

[8:20] Aaron and Rob talk about  a scary statistic about children who witness domestic violence at home.

[11:10] How do we break the cycle?

[11:30] Aaron shares some examples of what pledged businesses are currently doing to help stop domestic violence.

[14:20] Any business, no matter what services or products they offer, can participate.

[14:40] When your organization gives back, everybody within that organization benefits greatly.

[15:05] Aaron currently has 420 employees and has locations all over Southern California

[16:05] There's a good chance you know someone who has been affected by domestic violence.

[21:05] It's become less taboo for women to ask for help, especially when violence is present in the household.

[22:50] What are some of the safety protocols his team follows to make sure everyone involved is safe?

[25:45] Every situation is different.

[30:50] Aaron and Evan's story went viral last year.

[35:05] What are pledged businesses seeing in their community now that they've made the pledge?

[39:10] Why is passion so important?

[42:00] Anyone can help. Don't own a business? Become an ambassador and volunteer.

[44:45] Find out how can you help!

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

www.meatheadmovers.com

www.movetoenddv.org

www.ncadv.org

Michael Hingson is a 9/11 survivor and the author of Thunder Dog. Michael's guide dog took him down 78 flights of stairs while he was in one of the World Trade Centers. On this episode, Michael discusses how being blind is the least of his challenges. People’s poor misconceptions about the blind is the biggest challenge Michael currently faces and has become a blindness advocate to teach people that those living with blindness can lead perfectly normal lives.

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] Michael walked down 78 flights of stairs during 9/11 with his guide dog.

[3:55] Michael is blind since birth.

[8:00] People have poor misconceptions about blind people.

[9:45] Being blind isn't really a challenge that Michael faces.

[11:55] One of the top four fears in the country is going blind.

[14:55] Michael's wife is in a wheelchair and she faces the same misconceptions from people.

[17:20] We're defined by our choices and by our actions, not by the fact that we are blind.

[21:20] When Michael accepted the position at the World Trade Center, he spent time learning where all the emergency exits were.

[26:10] Michael knew things were going to be okay because his guide dog, Roselle, was perfectly calm during the attack.

[31:25] Don't interact or talk to a guide dog while he/she is working.

[36:40] When Michael and ten others were walking away from tower 1, it had collapsed.

[39:20] Michael has appeared on Larry King Live, five times.

[43:40] When did Michael found the Roselle's Dream Foundation?

[49:35] How does Michael use echo location?

[56:20] Good training and a good mindset is really key to success.

[1:00:05] Michael is a full-time speaker and discusses the value he tries to bring to each talk.

[1:05:35] Being blind is like being left-handed. People have illogical misconceptions about the two.

[1:08:10] We all have skills that we can use, but you have to be willing to give and teach them to others.

[1:10:05] Does Michael have any final pieces of advice? Sometimes being a hero is just doing your job.

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

Mmichael Hingson Group

Email Michael: [email protected]

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson

National Federation of the Blind

Roselle’s Dream Foundation

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Rodney Smith Jr. is from the island of Bermuda and is currently attending college at Alabama A&M University. In September of 2015, Rodney saw an elderly man struggling to cut his lawn. He then challenged himself to cut 100 lawns for those who weren't physically able to do it themselves or didn't have the time, like single mothers. This challenge sparked the Raising Men Lawn Care Service and has encouraged young men in the community to help their elderly neighbors with lawn care services.

Key Takeaways:

[4:30] How did Rodney get started?

[8:25] Rodney used to cut lawns in between classes.

[9:55] Raising Men Lawn Care Service now accepts young men between the ages of 7-17 to help cut lawns.

[10:10] Rodney uses the Karate colored-belt system to encourage his young volunteers.

[13:10] How did Rodney get the idea to encourage young men to help the community?

[20:05] Rodney also has chapters all over the U.S.

[25:10] Raising Men Lawn Care Service raised over $56,000.

[29:35] Rodney talks about Briggs & Stratton.

[31:55] What's next for Rodney?

[32:50] How does Rodney maintain the lawns after he and his volunteers have cut them?

[33:30] Rodney started this in September 2015.

[36:10] How can you help Rodney?

[38:40] It all started with an idea and now it's grown into something more.

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

Raising Men Lawn Care Service on Facebook

Raising Men Lawn Care Service on GoFundMe

Email: [email protected]

www.briggsandstratton.com

Rodney's Story

Tom Scarda is a successful business owner, dynamic speaker, and the author of two books, Franchise Savvy and The Magic of Choosing Uncertainty. Tom has been named one of the top 50 business leaders in Long Island, by Long Island Business News. On this episode, Tom admits he has a passion for two things, children and dogs―one of the reasons why he became a board member at the Ronald McDonald House. Tom also discusses some creative ways to fundraise and why getting rid of your head-trash will help you to succeed.

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] How did Tom get started?

[4:20] Tom was able to semi-retire at 41-years-old.

[5:15] After being involved with the Ronald McDonald House charity, Tom found out that McDonald's had very little involvement in the charity.

[6:15] Tom has a passion for two things, children and dogs.

[8:50] Why did Tom make the jump from being a volunteer to being a board member?

[12:30] Tom noticed a majority of the Ronald McDonald House board members were actively using the charity in some way. Tom was one of the few exceptions where he did not need the House and their services.

[13:50] What kind of things does Tom and the other board members do to fundraise?

[21:55] When facing uncertainty, just take small baby steps towards it.

[24:40] Tom is very open about his failures and shares a story on what happened to him when he purchased his second franchise.

[28:55] What are some of Tom's affirmations?

[33:00] You have the choice of moving in a direction that's from a place of fear or a place of want.

[36:10] Why do people fail in business?

[38:15] You're six inches away from whatever you want. What does Tom mean by this?

[40:10] Tom tells a story about the Walking Dead cast and their charitable contribution.

[45:00] Tom talks on how he plans to help veterans with the proceeds from his book sales.

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

www.tomscarda.com

Email: [email protected]

The Magic of Choosing Uncertainty by Tom Scarda

Franchise Savvy by Tom Scarda

Life's Golden Ticket by Brendon Burchard

www.rmhc.org/

www.animalleague.org/

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Carmen Guidi lived a very sheltered life. He had everything he ever needed, yet he still found himself miserable. One day, Carmen had a spiritual transformation and through discovering himself, he discovered the power of giving back. When he volunteered for the first time in the US, he was shocked to find that there was a homeless community, only miles away from where he lived. Carmen believes giving back is his duty and his duty to God, which is one of the reasons why he started Second Wind Cottages to help homeless individuals.

Key Takeaways:

[3:40] How did Carmen get into volunteering?

[5:00] Carmen experienced a spiritual transformation.

[6:40] Carmen took a trip to Haiti for ten days to help build an orphanage.

[7:35] It blew Carmen away when he found out there were homeless people living in Ithaca.

[14:20] Why does Carmen ask the men to volunteer? Is it to give them purpose?

[16:40] What was the reason behind sitting and talking with these homeless men?

[18:00] Carmen had food and a roof over his head, he grew up with much more than most people, yet he was miserable.

[18:40] Carmen wholeheartedly believes man's greatest need is God.

[22:05] When did Carmen decide to start Second Wind Cottages?

[26:30] Sarah makes a guest appearance!

[30:55] Second Wind Cottages also helps women, but in a different location.

[32:45] How do Carmen and his whole team keep their energy up and sustain themselves?

[36:00] When you put God first, everything else falls into place.

[36:55] Carmen wants to lead by example. He does not want his children or the future generation to grow up selfish.

[37:10] How does Sarah sustain herself in this very demanding line of work?

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

www.secondwindcottages.org

Mark Horvath Interviews Carmen Guidi

Radical by David Platt

Jeffrey Goodman is an international business advisor who incorporates innovative practices into thriving mid-sized companies. Having a different approach to charity, Jeffrey understands that giving back is an act of selfishness, an act we do for ourselves, so how can we make this journey beneficial for everyone involved? Giving a couple of dollars might make you feel good, but how can you leverage it to a completely different level? Jeffrey explores these concepts on the show and shares the perfect example of how you can impact someone positively, even if they've impacted you negatively.

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] Jeffrey approaches charity a bit differently.

[3:35] What's Jeffrey's background?

[6:50] How does Jeffrey personally help his clients?

[9:15] Jeffrey shares a story about the hacker who hacked him.

[17:00] Through the use of compassion, Jeffrey's hacker worked on his website for three days to undo the damage of what the hacker restoration company did.

[19:30] Jeffrey has now developed a friendship with this 13-year-old hacker, who lives in Algeria.

[21:15] It was an incredibly stressful week for Jeffrey leading up to the hacking, but at the end of the day, it's about how you show up.

[24:05] How is Jeffrey giving back right now? Where is his focus?

[24:40] Everything we do in life, we do it selfishly. We do it for ourselves. So, how can we leverage this for good?

[28:15] You don't have anything to give? That's wrong. You have so, so much to give.

[30:20] The hacker's father only makes $7,000 a year.

[33:30] Rob believes there are no small acts of kindness. They're all significant. They're all important.

[36:20] It's important to be very mindful of what you're doing in the process, and how you are actively helping.

[40:25] Rob and Jeffrey talk about the man behind Raising Men Lawn Care Service.

[43:25] Are you in the tech field? Do you have ideas on how you can help this young hacker make an impact in a positive way? Let Jeffrey know!

[46:05] How can you help someone help someone else?

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.givingbackpodcast.com

www.careerhearted.com/

Email: [email protected]

Raising Men Lawn Care Service