The Extra Mile - The Official Charity Miles Podcast

Joe doesn't pull any punches. And I was taken aback when he jumped right into the interview by saying that he thinks we need to let everyone out of the quarantine now.

But as we got into it, I understood what he meant.

We can't hide from COVID-- just like we can't hide from any of our fears.

Doing that only delays the inevitable, and maybe makes it even worse.

There's a lot of practical and jarring wisdom in this interview. Some if it may be hard to hear. Some of it may even shake you up a bit.

But maybe that's what we all need...

On a more personal note, Joe has been one of the most influential mentors on my Charity Miles journey.

I first met Joe almost six years ago and, through the years, I've tried to emulate many of his leadership qualities.

He leads by example, from the front. He has exceptionally high standards for himself and everyone he meets.

He's always raising the bar. Metaphorically and literally.

In early March, as it became clear we were headed for a pandemic, I found myself getting very depressed, anxious and overcome by fear.

I tried to go out for a run one day but could barely find the energy to walk.

I turned on the Spartan Up podcast and heard Joe's unmistakeable voice: "Alright, I need to shake you up a bit."

That was all I needed to hear. He snapped me right out of my funk.

All that running and training I'd been doing-- it wasn't to train for my next race. It was to train for this moment.

All that gospel I'd been preaching about getting out of our comfort zones. Well guess what-- now's the time to put that to the test.

NOW is our time to shine.

So I want to thank Joe for shaking me up-- and for waking me up.

And I want to thank him for coming back onto the podcast to share more of his unique perspective with us.

Big thanks to Joe!

Kris Putnam-Walkerly is a trusted advisor to some of the world's leading philanthropists. For over 20 years, ultra-high net worth donors, foundations, Fortune 500 companies, celebrity activists and wealth advisors have sought her advice to transform their giving and increase their impact.

But Kris' expertise isn't just relevant for "big" philanthropists. It's super relevant to anyone who wants to make an impact for charity Like all of us.

In this interview, we discuss Kris' most recent book, Delusional Altruism, to uncover principles that can help all of us make a much bigger impact for all the charities we care about.

This conversation is super important now, as many of our favorite charities are struggling in the shadow of COVID-19.

They need our help NOW. Kris' advice can help us all rise to the occassion.

For more on Kris' latest book, click here: https://delusionalaltruism.com.

Big thanks to Kris for sharing so much with us.

#EveryMileMatters!

I met Robyn nearly 20 years ago, when we GAVE each other a high five. That one high five completely changed my life.

Since it's #GivingTuesdayNow, I want to encourage you to GIVE someone else a (socially distant) high five.

You'll make their day. You might even completely change the trajectory of your life.

Also, since it's Giving Tuesday Now, I want to encourage everyone to make a donation to charity TODAY.

Of course, it's important to support COVID-relief efforts. But I also hope you'll support the charities you would have supported before the pandemic.

They NEED our help.

COVID-19 did NOT cure cancer. Or Parkinson's, Alzheimer's or Diabetes.

It doesn't educate children or provide clean water.

It doesn't protect our environment or animals.

I know many of us are hurting personally.

But nothing will make us all feel better than reaching out to help someone else.

Big thanks to Robyn for helping me learn this... and for changing my life.

And big thanks to all of you for stepping up to rise to the challenge of this moment.

#EveryMileMatters!

This is a time for leaders to step up.

Which is why I'm thrilled to share this conversation with my friend, Gerard Adams.

Gerard is a serial entrepreneur and host of the internet-television series, Leaders Create Leaders.

Most importantly, he's from New Jersey, which is where all great minds come from.

Gerard always knew how to hustle.

After nearly getting busted for selling marijuana as a teen, Gerard decided that he preferred more legitimate business ventures.

He has since founded two eight figure businesses, one of which (Elite Daily) was sold for $50 million.

Since then, Gerard has become passionate about teaching what he has learned about entrepreneurship to cultivate other leaders.

And boy, do we need some leaders right now.

Big thanks to Gerard for sharing so much with us, supporting Charity Miles, and for helping me get my bearings on the new Zoom-styled podcast.

#EveryMileMatters

This may be the perfect interview for the times we find ourselves in.

Jimmy Choi was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease when he was 27 years old.

He spent the next eight years in denial, ignoring the Parkinson's, gaining weight, walking with a cane... until, one day, he fell down the stairs while holding his infant son.

That was the wake up call Jimmy needed to turn his life around.

First he got educated about Parkinson's.

Then he started walking with his cane.

Then he started walking without his cane.

Then running.

Then running a 5K.

Then running a half marathon.

Then running a marathon.

Then running many marathons.

Then competing in "ninja" competitions with his daughter.

Then competing on American Ninja Warrior...

Three times!

In other words, Jimmy knows something about overcoming obstacles.

One of those things, he says, is that you have to give yourself a license to fail.

Failure is not a problem if you learn from it.

When confronted with a new obstacle, you'll almost inevitably fail as you try to figure it out.

You just have to keep trying and learning and adapting until you do figure it out.

One of the silver linings of this current pandemic is that, while it has presented us all with unimaginable challenges, it has also given each of us a license to fail.

There are no sacred rules anymore.

You can try just about anything.

A good example of that is this very podcast.

The sound isn't great. (Sorry.) But I'm trying something new, recording with Zoom. And if you can bear the audio, I promise Jimmy's wisdom is worth it.

Also, be sure to stay for the end when we do our first ever podcast workout.

Huge thanks to Jimmy for being a great friend and inspiration for me.

#EveryMileMatters!

I was recently introduced to Danny Grossman by a mutual friend. As soon as I heard a bit of his story, I wanted to interview him on the podcast.

Originally from the USA, Danny Grossman served for six years as an F-4 navigator flying fighter aircraft for the US Air Force, earning honors as 9th Air Force "Top Gun".

After making aliyah to Israel in 1979, Danny served in the IAF for over 20 years, including nearly 200 combat missions, and earned a medal for a strategic reconnaissance mission to Iraq.

After the Air Force, Danny served as Israel Director for the American Jewish Congress. For the past several years, Danny has been an independent consultant for strategic, diplomatic, security and public affairs. His clients are some of the most influential players in Israel and the U.S., including my former law professor, Alan Dershowitz.

Danny has incredible wisdom to share under any circumstances. But I was particularly interested in hearing his perspective on the coronavirus.

Danny did not disappoint, sharing insights not just from his own experiences as a fighter pilot, but also from many other aspects of Israeli history and culture.

One thing that made a particular impression on me is that Danny pointed out how we were speaking on Israel's Memorial Day-- the most somber day in Israel. Yet the following day was going to be Israel's Independence Day, the most joyous day in Israel. I found this dichotomy particularly poignant. Especially with how COVID-19 cast a shadow on both days.

I was also quite honored that we even did the podcast. Ten minutes before we were scheduled to chat, Danny sent me an email saying he was going to be a few minutes late because his daughter just gave birth to his grandson! Of course, if we weren't all on the COVID lockdown, Danny would have been in the hospital with his family to celebrate the occasion. I guess he got the next best thing by recording a Zoom podcast with me.

Big Mazel Tov to Danny and his family! And a huge thanks for taking the time to share so much with us.

#EveryMileMatters!

George Weiner is one of the smartest people I know, particularly when it comes to charity.

As the founder of Whole Whale, he helps charities every day make the most of the digital tools available to them.

Whenever I need HONEST feedback, I call George. I'm always glad whenever I heed his advice. I always regret when I don't.

Which makes this interview particularly sobering-- and steeling.

While I'm trying to maintain a positive outlook, and while many of us are eager for things to "return to normal", George reminds us that we're gonna be in for a long haul.

We may have been caught off guard on February and March, but we cannot be caught off guard for what's to come. We need to prepare now, mentally and otherwise.

There are some very key takeaways in this interview:

1. We're not yet feeling the full effects of COVID-19. Get ready for a long haul.

2. Our charities are REALLY hurting now too-- even as they're needed more than ever. If you're going to make a donation this year, make it NOW!

3. Do the Census!!

George, thank you for always keeping it real.

Nate Checketts is the Co-Founder & CEO of Rhone, a premium men's performance lifestyle company. They make awesome gear for running, working out and more.

Like all businesses CEOs, COVID-19 threw Nate a major curveball. He responded not only on behalf of Rhone, but also by creating BrandsxBetter, a coalition of 128 (and growing) like-minded brands who are committed to providing aid in a time of crisis.

All coalition members have pledged to donate 10% of their proceeds to charities focused on fighting and alleviating the social and economic impact of COVID-19 on our communities.

Additionally, they have all committed to providing customers with additional value, like discounts or gifts with purchase.

At a time when all these brands are extraordinarily challenged, it's amazing to see them rise to the occasion and go the extra mile for their employees, customers and communities.

To learn more and support the amazing brands in BrandsXBetter, go to: https://BrandsXBetter.com.

Big thanks to Nate for walking with us. #EveryMileMatters!

Ethan Zohn is a former professional soccer player who was selected to compete in the third season of Survivor... which he won.

He used his winnings to start a fantastic non-profit, Grassroots Soccer, which uses soccer to help kids around the world.

Then he developed a rare form of cancer-- which he beat, twice.

Along the way, he played Survivor again (but lost), ran a few marathons, raised a lot of money for charity, and moved up to a beautiful cabin in the New Hampshire woods with his wife.

He recently competed in his third season of Survivor, in which all the contestants are past winners. Kinda like an All-Star game. The season is airing now, so no spoilers.

I've known Ethan for many years now, and have always admired him. I've wanted to interview him on the podcast, but it was always hard to coordinate travel to NH to make it happen.

Well, we were planning to do the interview in Boston this week before he ran the Boston Marathon.

But that was obviously canceled due to the coronavirus.

But since the virus has also kicked me into doing our podcast interviews via Zoom we were able to do a walking Zoom podcast in which I walked in NYC and Ethan walked in the beautiful NH woods by his home. (I'm jealous.)

It was the perfect time to do the interview too. Because Ethan knows a bit about surviving in times of uncertainty.

Huge thanks to Ethan for sharing so much with us. #EveryMileMatters

COVID-19 is impacting every facet of our lives, including our charities. All of our charity partners have had to cancel their major spring fundraisers and are hustling to adapt.

Who better to speak to about this than @DavidHessekiel, the founder of the Peer-to-Peer Fundraising and Cause Marketing Forums?

Just weeks before contracting COVID-19 himself, David led his annual Peer-to-Peer Professional Conference in Austin, Texas.

Hundreds of charity professionals from around the world came together to discuss the latest trends on how to empower people like us to make an impact.

Of course nobody predicted what would happen with the coronavirus.

In this interview, David shares his insights on how the charity landscape has been changing already, how COVID is both a major challenge and catalyst for more needed change, and how some things-- the fundamentals-- never change.

This is also the FIRST interview I have recorded that was not in person on a walk or a run.

Naturally, COVID has given us opportunities to try new formats. I tried to stay true to the spirit of the podcast by recording this on my phone with Zoom.

My audio and video aren't that great. But, you know, whatever...

I hope you listen and come along for the walk with me. #EveryMileMatters