Speaking of Impact

Fundraising isn’t all about the money.  It’s about relationships.  You can’t underestimate the power of working with and for other people.  It’s a special way of supporting them that goes beyond the actual work or items provided.   

Vanessa Seltzer and Kim Vassar are both impact-driven professionals.  Each has had extensive careers in the non-profit sector and fundraising.  Interestingly, they focus more on relationships than money.  We tend to think that the primary focus of an impact organization is to raise money.  It’s certainly important, but raising money is just a piece of the work.  The impact comes in the services and items provided to those in need.  Vanessa and Kim were each quick to note that a good bond with the community and volunteers will lead to greater financial giving.  Listen in to get inspired to give of your time AND resources to your community.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podcast/kimvassarandvanessaseltzer

You can make a profit and make a difference.  Each person and each company has their own special skill set that can be used for individual gain and also for the greater good.  The most productive of any group has the chance to make the most difference.  

Kasey Reiter is a founding partner of Rise Together Ventures, a firm dedicated to social entrepreneurship.  They believe that every company has a role to play in human progress and work to seed scaling startups’ impact dreams.  Find out how the for-profit world and non-profit world can work together in this episode.  Kasey makes it very clear that each is important to maximizing impact.  Which every sector you work in, this episode will motivate you to make a difference.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podcast/kaseyreiter

Every person in the world has the ability to contribute to society and make a positive impact in the world.  It doesn’t matter their abilities, disabilities, ways of learning, or styles of communication.  We should encourage people to chase their dreams and help them along the way as we can.  Some people are called to start companies focused specifically on doing this.

Diane Strand is an entertainment, entrepreneur, leader, and impactmaker.  She has professional roots in acting and production which led her to start JDS productions and various other ventures as a result of her desire to help people break into the acting field regardless of their abilities.  Diane is inspiring yet real and tenacious yet compassionate.  You’ll leave this episode underestimating no one.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podcast/dianestrand

Your debt’s been paid!  That’s a great feeling if you ever hear those words.  Forbes reported that the United States federal student loan portfolio currently totals more than $1.6 trillion.  Lending Tree said there’s $925 million of credit card debt in America.  These statistics are staggering regardless of where you reside.

Today’s guest used to be part of those statistics.  Now, he helps people avoid them.  Making wise budgeting and investment decisions can help you avoid debt.  But sometimes, you can’t avoid it completely.  In that case, you may need to seek the advice of a professional counselor.  Whether you’re in debt or not, Todd Christensen has an inspiring turnaround story that can help you manage your personal finances.  In addition, you’ll also be inspired to a generous purpose with your money.  It’s more than hoarding money.  It’s building financial wealth to use it for good. 

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podcast/toddchristensen

The great thing about today’s world is that just about anyone can share a message.  You might say that’s not a good thing.  But what if we encouraged more people to use modern technology for good?  Studies show that young people are more likely to live a generous lifestyle when they model those habits from an early age and with other young people.

Natalie Silverstein is the type of person that doesn’t accept the status quo for anyone.  There are a lot of needs in the world but plenty of people to address them.  She believes that everyone can make a difference in their own way.  Her early experience with charitable intentions led her to a life of giving.  She’s humbly involved in multiple organizations and full of knowledge.  Don’t underestimate her determination though.  She is all about taking action for impact.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podcast/nataliesilverstein

There are a lot of forces that will crush your dreams these days.  Overstimulation can lead to mental stress.  So, why bring on more of your own?  In some ways, you’re responsible for crushing your own dreams.  You’ve developed some not-so-fulfilling routines.  You do great work and care about others but you can fill a much more impactful role.

Our guest on this episode is Debby Krusz.  She calls herself the dream pollinator - the complete opposite of a dream crusher.  She led a successful and busy corporate lifestyle for years.  Her successes were unmatched but there was something missing.  Unfortunately, it took some time to realize it and by the time she did she was deep into her career.  It took a leap of faith, but she broke out of the chain of monotony to chase her real dreams (instead of the ones she thought she had in the corporate world).  Listen in as Debby shares some tips on how to generate and focus on your own dreams.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podast/debbykrusz

Sometimes, the most basic things needed are reevaluated.  We have this tendency as human beings to get into routines.  They’re normally very helpful because they simplify things, save time, and reduce decision fatigue.  However, some things just aren’t optimized anymore.  

Alon Cohen is a dad.  That’s not that special!  Wait, that’s very special but Alon didn’t expect his fatherhood to turn into a massively impactful business.  Cloth diapers have been around for a very long time but there’s been an issue with cleaning them effectively and the time and expense of using them.  Alon realized a need and started collecting diapers in his neighborhood.  Before you know it, Pika was born, and using environmentally safe diapers was suddenly much less expensive and easier.  This conversation is a little about diapers and a lot about the desire to start an impact project.  Make sure you catch Alon’s inspiration at the end.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here:

We learned about how small the world can be last week.  This week, we are reminded of that and inspired to take action on the things that mean the most.  You’re an impactmaker because you want to make a positive impact in the world.  It would be a shame if you think the impact you are making is not significant or if your skills aren’t a good fit for that type of work.  Find a way to make a connection between what you are best at and what needs to be done.  You’ll be better for it and so will the world.

Afam Onyema is a highly educated individual but the journey to his role is not what you might expect.  The GEANCO Foundation is a highly impactful organization that is changing the lives of people in Nigeria.  Afam has made this effort his life’s work despite having numerous other opportunities.  It’s a result of a promise his father once made to a nurse about returning to Nigeria.  Afam’s law degree and his ability to build community are being used for something way more meaningful than what he originally thought.  This episode is about building an amazing organization with a strong purpose.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podcast/afamonyema

The world seems to be smaller than ever.  It’s easy to communicate across continents and digital technology has accelerated most things in life.  However, every place in the world has a history and it’s important to understand how the past still affects the future.  You must understand how a place works in order to see its impact on the world and have your own impact in that region.

Jason Szeftel is a political and economic writer that has focus on China.  His experiences there allowed him to learn much about the culture and history of the nation.  The conversation in this episode is enlightening as to how its systems work.  You’ll want to pay close attention to the need for understanding these things in order to maximize impact.  Every place in the world has needs and whoever is called to serve them must be well-educated.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.bobdepasquale.com/podcast/jasonszeftel

This is not a new concept.   We know that giving and the resulting good feelings can spread rather quickly.  What you may not know is that just being asked to be generous and trigger something life-changing in people.  They may respond with a “no" (even politely) but just that thought can change their perspective.   Don’t be afraid to ask someone to be generous.  It’s good for all parties.

Wendy Steele is the Founder and Chief Executive at Impact 100.  She’s also a TEDx Speaker and winner of the Jefferson Award for Public Service.  We don’t have official credentials but those accomplishments make her an impactmaker. This conversation will inspire you to “bake” giving into your and your family’s life and also show you how you can inspire others to live the same way.