Small & Gutsy: Recent Episodes
Laura S. Wittcoff
Small & Gutsy offers our listeners the opportunity to learn about the smaller, less known nonprofits and social impact organizations with revenues under $10 M. Our aim is to bring their stories to life, celebrate them and further build their client, potential employee, volunteer and funding networks. The goal for the Small & Gutsy podcast is to raise the visibility of this Big little social impact sector. Tune in every week as we interview a different organization so you can learn about them, maybe find a job, volunteer, or donate.
What if the fastest way out of predatory lending isn't a lecture on budgeting, but $50 saved at a time? That's the model behind Mint to Prosper Foundation, a savings marketplace built for asset-limited households to step away from payday loans and rent-to-own traps and build their first real financial cushion. Host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with founder and Executive Director Nesha K. Brown, who turned the loss of both her parents and a period of homelessness into a peer-cohort savings program now operating in two states.
Guest Nesha K. Brown, Executive Director & Founder, Mint to Prosper Foundation
Nesha is a social impact strategist focused on financial empowerment and systems design, specializing in structured savings pathways that help asset-limited households step away from predatory lending and reach long-term stability. Her work is rooted in personal experience: after losing both parents by age 19, she was pushed into homelessness and had to unlearn and relearn everything she knew about money. What began as her own financial "social experiment" grew into a program that has since served over 1,500 people.
What is Mint to Prosper Foundation? Mint to Prosper Foundation is a nonprofit savings marketplace that helps unbanked, underbanked, and asset-limited households build their first financial safety net and move away from predatory lending. Its core offerings include:
- The Community Savings Program, a 12-week hybrid cohort model combining an in-person opening retreat, virtual workshops, one-on-one financial coaching, and an online peer community, culminating in an in-person closing retreat and certificate
- Purpose, a fintech app currently in production that helps users build micro savings habits and connects them to safer financial pathways, expected in app stores by late 2026
- Active programming in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Nesha's hometown) and Tulsa, Oklahoma, with each region running its own opening and closing retreats
Key Topics Covered
From personal crisis to nonprofit After her father's death at work, Nesha discovered her survivor benefits, meant to be her safety net, had been misused due to his financial illiteracy. Determined to change the trajectory for herself, she began teaching herself financial literacy and sharing what she learned online. Within six months, at age 20, she had earned $55,000 simply talking people through budgeting and credit basics, an accidental start that organically grew into Mint to Prosper Foundation.
The pilot program In 2024, Mint to Prosper received a grant from Louisiana State University to run a social experiment with 30 unbanked or asset-limited participants, in partnership with Chase Bank, helping them build a first $500 safety net over ten weeks. The average participant was 34 years old, had never saved more than $800, and had experienced some form of financial trauma, insights that shaped the program's focus on micro habits and behavior change rather than large, intimidating savings goals. The pilot's success, including one participant who leaned on her cushion during a Louisiana hurricane rather than meeting the full $500 goal, evolved into the current 12-week Community Savings Program.
The highlighter exercise After her father passed, a financial coach had Nesha print her last bank statements and highlight her spending into needs and wants. Seeing her spending laid out visually was an awakening, showing her that her "wants" had surpassed her needs, and became a simple, repeatable technique she now teaches others: assess your reality, then ask what you're willing to sacrifice to change it.
Predatory lending, up close Nesha shares her own early experience taking out a payday loan against a paycheck stub at triple the typical interest rate, and describes how loans marketed as two-week solutions trap borrowers for an average of five months. She and Dr. Laura also discuss rent-to-own furniture schemes, using Nesha's own washing machine and dryer purchase, paid at $30 a week, as an example of how affordable-looking payments can end up costing double the item's value. Nesha notes that the predatory lending industry has been extracting wealth from vulnerable communities since before World War II, an estimated $280 billion industry today.
Turning awareness into action Rather than only warning people about the risks of predatory lending, Mint to Prosper reframes the conversation: showing participants what they could have done with the money instead, whether that's a certification, child care access, or another upward-mobility opportunity, so people see themselves as part of the solution rather than victims of the system.
An intergenerational cohort Participants range from age 18 to their mid-60s. Nesha shares the story of a participant in her late 50s, a grandmother, who told the group she'd made "careless mistakes" raising her own kids but was determined to get it right for her grandchildren. For Nesha, it was a powerful reminder that it's never too late to reset, regardless of age, and that the work is fundamentally intergenerational.
Advice for anyone feeling stuck Nesha's core philosophy: start small. Before you can save $500, you need to know how to save $50. She encourages people to assess where they are honestly, choose a micro starting point, and remember that, as she puts it, "Rome wasn't built in a day," but the bricks still count, no matter how small.
How to Get Involved
- Personal website: NeshaBrown.com
- Instagram: neshakbrown
- LinkedIn: neshakbrown
- Nonprofit: Mint to Prosper Foundation https://minttoprosper.org/
Connect with Small & Gutsy Website: SmallandGutsy.org Email: Laura@SmallandGutsy.org
Do you know a nonprofit or social enterprise doing incredible work? Send them our way!
If you are a nonprofit or want to donate goods directly to a nonprofit, check out Givelink: www.https://givelink.app/en?
Check out this episode!
What if the fastest path out of exploitation isn't aid, but a paycheck? That's the premise behind Theodora Africa, a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged women in Ghana escape poverty and exploitation not through short-term assistance, but through real, paid work. Small & Gutsy host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Theodora Africa Founder and CEO Michael Podolny to trace how a business consulting trip to Ghana turned into an organization named for a 6th-century empress who rose from actress to co-ruler of the Byzantine Empire, and reshaped the systems that once judged her.
Guest Michael Podolny, Founder & CEO, Theodora Africa
Michael brings decades of experience coaching businesses and building professional networks in the US. He had no intention of starting a nonprofit when he traveled to Ghana through Rotary International to offer free business coaching. A chance introduction to a young woman named Mary and the discovery that her polished business plan was written by a woman surviving through sex work with no other options redirected his mission entirely.
What is Theodora Africa? Theodora Africa takes a market-first approach to social impact. Instead of starting with aid or training alone, it starts with paid, in-demand work, specifically virtual assistant services for US-based solopreneurs and small businesses, and builds skills, training, and a pathway to greater independence around that income. The organization operates two connected entities: a US-based corporation that handles client billing, and a Ghana-based company that covers salaries, rent, and operating costs, with funds flowing directly from US clients to the women providing the services.
Key Topics Covered
The Empress Theodora connection Empress Theodora, born around 500 CE, rose from a low-status background as an actress and performer to become co-empress of the Byzantine Empire, actively shaping policy and using her position to improve protections for vulnerable women. Michael, a self-described history buff, chose the name deliberately: it's a symbolic through-line for women moving from constrained circumstances into agency and influence, and it resonated immediately with the women in the program when he shared the story with them.
Mary's story Theodora Africa's origin traces back to one woman, Mary, whom Michael met while coaching small businesses in Ghana through Rotary. After a couple of meetings, Mary revealed she was a sex worker, having been left on her own as a teenager, unable to find legitimate work despite writing a genuinely strong business plan. Michael began teaching her marketing skills, newsletter tools, and connecting her to a built-in network of business contacts who owed him favors. That one relationship became the model for the entire organization. Mary is now Theodora Africa's operating manager in Ghana and sits on the board of a Rotary Club focused on ending human trafficking, with plans to become its president in 2027.
Jobs first, not just training Michael is direct about what sets this model apart from many social service and anti-trafficking programs: most offer job training and placement, but placement often doesn't hold. Theodora Africa instead built its own small virtual assistant business first, so women are earning income and building real client relationships from day one, rather than being trained and released into an unsupported job market.
Navigating cultural change Michael speaks candidly about the friction of building a US-style participative management culture inside a system shaped by generations of distrust, a legacy he attributes in part to the historical effects of the slave trade on West African society. He describes a period, worsened by COVID-19 fundraising collapses, when he was forced into day-to-day operations he wasn't suited for, and a crisis where staff felt he had favorites. His advisors, he says, often let him make mistakes rather than warning him in advance, believing that was the only way he'd truly learn.
"Self-trafficked" and the illusion of choice Michael shares a phrase one of the women in the program used to describe her own path: "self-trafficked," the feeling of having made choices when, in reality, a lack of alternatives had made the outcome nearly inevitable. He describes this as one of the most effective forms of gaslighting, and frames Theodora Africa's economic model as a way of restoring real choice, not by preaching or condemning individual decisions, but by building better options.
Scaling the model Theodora Africa currently supports five women with about 15 US-based clients, each biller earning wages that place them solidly in Ghana's middle class. New trainees go through roughly a year of training, paid throughout, before taking on their own clients, with recruitment and training handled through vetted partners like local Rotary clubs and the Muslim Family Counseling Service rather than direct outreach. Michael describes a "champion" model for expanding into new markets or regions: a US-based partner who understands a specific market's needs, paired with a local partner on the ground, tested and iterated over roughly a two-year pilot period. The organization also maintains an internal resource hub, "Theodora University," to help onboard and train new team members as tools and best practices evolve.
A note on inspiration Michael describes his path into this work as something he didn't set out to do, framing it in spiritual terms as a kind of unexpected calling that reshaped his plans after arriving in Ghana with an entirely different mission in mind.
How to Get Involved
- Learn more about the nonprofit: TheodoraAfrica.com
- Hire a virtual assistant or explore services for your business: TheodoraGhana.com
- Connect: Theodora Africa is looking to build a community of people and organizations who share similar goals and are rethinking how social impact is delivered
Connect with Small & Gutsy Website: SmallandGutsy.org Email: Laura@SmallandGutsy.org
Do you know a nonprofit or social enterprise doing incredible work? Send them our way!
If you are a nonprofit or want to donate goods directly to a nonprofit, check out Givelink: www.https://givelink.app/en.
What if the path to healing wasn't a straight line, but a trail — one that combines the physical challenge of hiking with the mindful presence of yoga? That's the vision behind Hike to Yoga, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit blending guided hikes, nature-based yoga therapy, and community connection into what founder Laurie Hang calls a "mini urban retreat." Host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Laurie to explore how a self-described non-athletic, first-generation immigrant built a movement now approaching its 100th event — and why she believes self-care is world peace.
Guest Laurie Hang, Founder & Executive Director, Hike to Yoga
Laurie has been a certified yoga therapist since 2014. As the daughter of Chinese Vietnamese refugees, born in a refugee camp in the Philippines, she grew up with little access to the outdoors, sports, or peer community. After adopting the habit of stretching following daily dog walks in the Baldwin Hills/Culver City area, she noticed her body growing stronger — and a chance conversation with a neighbor led to the first Hike to Yoga program at the park. Founded in 2019, the organization has since grown by word of mouth to more than 100 events, with zero dollars spent on advertising.
What is Hike to Yoga? Hike to Yoga is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community initiative making mindful movement, nature connection, and holistic wellness accessible to all. Here's how a typical event works:
- Participants gather at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (with occasional partner events at Franklin Canyon) every month
- The morning opens with a group circle where each person shares their name, where they're from, and their roots — a practice Laurie says helps people fully "arrive"
- The group hikes together, with mindful moments along the trail: listening to sounds, smelling native sage, learning about local plants
- Upon reaching the hilltop, the group offers a land acknowledgment of the Gabrieleño/Tongva people
- Yoga is practiced in a circle formation Laurie calls a "yoga wave," so participants can see and connect rather than facing a mirror or instructor
- No yoga mat is required — a blanket or towel works fine — and modifications are offered for every ability level and age
- RSVP and optional donations are handled through Eventbrite; no one is ever turned away
Key Topics Covered
Why hiking before yoga? Laurie explains that walking warms up the body organically — similar to the effect people seek from hot yoga, but without the discomfort of an artificially heated room. Getting the body moving first also helps quiet the mind before settling into stillness and breathwork.
Yoga therapy vs. conventional studio yoga: Laurie draws a sharp distinction between commercialized, for-profit yoga studios — which she says often only teach the physical postures, not the deeper practice — and yoga therapy, which considers the whole person and adapts to individual needs. She notes that yoga was historically passed down one-on-one, not to rooms of 20 or 200 people, and stresses that the instructor's own state of mind directly affects what students receive in a class.
Nature-based yoga therapy and accessibility research: Laurie presented her first research project at the International Association of Yoga Therapists symposium — a qualitative case study following a blind participant, Tony, who attended one of her hikes. His feedback that describing the surrounding colors and scenery (not just body alignment) would deepen his experience led Laurie to a guiding principle: designing an experience for a visually impaired person makes it more accessible for everyone. She distinguishes her approach from "forest bathing," describing it instead as actively engaging with nature as a participant, not a passive observer.
Community, identity, and social justice Every May, Hike to Yoga partners with API-RISE, an organization supporting formerly incarcerated Asian American and Pacific Islander community members, bringing them onto the trail — many for the first time in decades. Laurie, herself a refugee and first-generation immigrant, sees this work as inseparable from social justice: "Yoga is a way to refine this tool... to help us be more clear and focused in our energy."
Founder's journey and resilience: Laurie shared candidly that from 2022 to 2024, she took a 16-month hiatus from Hike to Yoga after feeling overextended during the pandemic years. Choosing to step back — rather than run the organization into the ground — allowed her to return in 2024 with renewed clarity. She connects this to her personal "Root to Rise" framework and the metaphor of transmutation: using what you've been through, including pain, to grow into something new, "like the lotus growing in mud."
What's Next: Laurie hopes to expand into a second location and eventually relaunch a hike leader training and certification program. She's also interested in developing research and partnerships focused on connecting children — particularly kids without regular access to nature or organized outdoor activity — to the benefits of hiking and yoga.
How to Get Involved
- Attend: Find upcoming hikes and RSVP via Eventbrite, linked at hiketoyoga.org
- Volunteer: Hike to Yoga is currently seeking volunteers, interns, and board members
- Shop: Check out the "Rest is Rebellion" merch line on the website
- Follow: Instagram and Facebook @hiketoyogala
Connect with Hike to Yoga Website: HiketoYoga.org Facebook: facebook.com/hiketoyogala Instagram: instagram.com/hiketoyogala
Connect with Small & Gutsy Website: SmallandGutsy.org Email: Laura@SmallandGutsy.org
Do you know a nonprofit or social enterprise doing incredible work? Send them our way!
If you are a nonprofit or want to donate goods directly to a nonprofit, check out Givelink: www.givelink.app/en?
Check out this episode!
SHOW NOTES:
What if your charitable dollars could come back to you — and you could send them right back out into the world to do even more good? That's the elegant premise behind Renewables.org, the first nonprofit that lets everyday people fund solar projects across India and the Global South for as little as $25, with monthly repayments over five years. Host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with co-founder and CEO Lassor Feasley to explore how a background in product design, a failed for-profit startup, and a connection with Kiva.org co-founder Premal Shah led to one of the most innovative climate finance models in the nonprofit world.
Guest Lassor Feasley, Co-Founder & CEO, Renewables.org
Lassor is a product designer and entrepreneur trained at the School of Visual Arts Product Design program. He leads product, brand, and strategy at Renewables.org, channeling philanthropic capital into high-performing solar installations that expand energy access while reducing carbon emissions.
What is Renewables.org? Renewables.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Global South solar crowdfunding platform. Here is how it works:
- You purchase a solar panel for as little as $25
- Your funds are deployed into solar projects across the Global South
- You receive monthly repayments over five years
- You can reinvest those repayments into new solar projects or withdraw your funds
- Every panel is tracked on a personal rooftop dashboard where you can monitor repayments and your real-world impact
Over 95% of repaid funds are reinvested back into Global South solar.
Key Topics Covered Why the Global South?
- Solar costs approximately one-third as much to build in the Global South compared to the US or Europe
- Each kilowatt-hour fed onto the grid avoids 2 to 3 times more carbon because those grids run heavily on coal and diesel
- Projects receive, on average, 20% more sunshine per year
- The result: Renewables.org estimates 550% more carbon impact per dollar compared to investing in US solar — a figure Lassor believes is actually conservative
The financial model Renewables.org operates on a 0% interest loan model, similar to Kiva. Investors are made whole but do not earn a financial return. This structure avoids securities regulations while keeping the model sustainable. The spread between what Renewables.org borrows from investors at 0% and what it charges solar developers funds the organization's operating costs — meaning they do not plan ever to solicit donations for salaries or administration.
The donor option Investors can also choose to make a tax-deductible donation into the fund. Donors receive the same dashboard experience and see their funds being repaid and redeployed, but the withdrawal option is removed. Renewables.org also accepts contributions from donor-advised funds, IRA minimum distributions, and offers employer matching compatibility.
Design as a competitive advantage Lassor's background in product and UX design shaped every aspect of Renewables.org — from the financial model itself to the user interface and dashboard experience. He draws a parallel to how Instagram was built by tapping into a latent behavior Facebook users were already exhibiting, and applies the same thinking to the satisfaction people get from tracking their solar productivity.
What's next Renewables.org is preparing a major software platform redesign, enabled in part by new AI coding tools. Upcoming features include the ability for climate influencers and fundraisers to open personal crowdfunding pages to rally their own communities around Global South solar. The long-term vision is to reach Kiva-scale — tens or hundreds of millions of dollars raised annually — and catalyze solar development across the Global South.
How to Get Involved * Invest: Purchase your first solar panel for as little as $25 at renewables.org * Donate: Make a tax-deductible donation through the Renewables donor account option * Employer Match: Check if your employer matches charitable contributions * Connect with Lassor: Reach him at lassor@renewables.org or search "Lassor" on LinkedIn or Instagram
Connect with Small & Gutsy * Website: SmallandGutsy.org * Email: Laura@SmallandGutsy.org * Do you know a nonprofit or social enterprise doing incredible work? Send them our way!
If you are a nonprofit or want to donate goods directly to a nonprofit, check out Givelink:
- www.https://givelink.app/en?
So many mothers — especially those from patriarchal cultures — are conditioned to believe that everyone else knows better. The doctor is right. The priest is right. The attorney is right. Everyone except them.
South Central LAMP Executive Director Diana Z. Pinto is on a mission to change that. For over 30 years, her organization has been helping mothers in South Central Los Angeles find their voice, recognize their worth, and become the powerful advocates their children need them to be.
Because when a mother knows her value, her whole family feels it.
This is the kind of work that doesn't make headlines — but it changes generations.
Check out the entire episode at SmallandGutsy.org.
Check out their website: https://www.southcentrallamp.org/
Imagine a place that dares to speak truths many are afraid to say. A place that celebrates communities too often forgotten and tells the stories rarely heard. Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Raymond O. Caldwell, Artistic Director, and Johannah Maynard Edwards, Managing Director, of The Fountain Theatre — a nonprofit performing arts organization in Hollywood, California, that has been producing bold, socially conscious theater for 35 years. Raymond and Johannah share how they found each other through what Johannah calls a "cosmic poof," how they're navigating the transition from the theater's founding leadership into a new generation, and why they believe cultural institutions must serve as places to practice humanity in a post-pandemic world. From the Living Ticket model that removes price barriers to community dramaturgy that develops new plays inside faith communities and neighborhoods across Los Angeles, this conversation is a masterclass in mission-driven, human-centered arts leadership. Founded in 1990 by Deborah Culver and Stephen Sachs, The Fountain Theatre was created as a creative home for artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. Its mission is to develop and present bold new plays and unique interpretations of established works that reflect the cultural richness and social issues of contemporary Los Angeles and the nation. The Fountain Theatre has built a reputation over more than three decades for producing thought-provoking performances and supporting voices that may not always be heard on traditional stages. The organization is also known for presenting flamenco performances and running educational outreach programs that connect young people and communities to the arts. Johannah Maynard Edwards, Managing Director Prior to joining The Fountain, Johannah served as Executive Artistic Director of the National Women's Theater Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she produced, directed, and championed hundreds of productions by artists of underrepresented genders. A nationally recognized leader in arts accessibility, Johannah received the Kennedy Center's LEAD Award for Emerging Leaders and is Chief Ambassador for PAAL, the Parent Artist Advocacy League. She is passionate about developing new sociopolitical work and fostering equitable, inclusive spaces for artists and audiences alike. Raymond O. Caldwell, Artistic Director Prior to The Fountain, Raymond was the Artistic Director at Washington DC's Theater Alliance for six seasons, where he directed, developed, and produced socially conscious, thought-provoking programming that transformed the region and had a global impact. Under his leadership, Theater Alliance was chosen to lead an American Arts Envoy with the U.S. Department of State. He devised and directed new work with 23 artists and activists from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and the United States exploring what inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility mean on the global stage. Raymond was a faculty member and resident director at Harvard University's Department of Theater Arts, holds an MFA in Acting and New Play Development from Ohio State University, and a BFA in Acting from the University of Florida. Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff is the host of Small and Gutsy, a podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. Small and Gutsy has been ranked number 8 on Feedspot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and number 3 and number 9 by Million Podcasts for the Top 30 Volunteer Podcasts and Youth Empowerment episodes, respectively. - The founding mission of The Fountain Theatre and its 35-year history of producing socially conscious work - How Raymond and Johannah found each other and transitioned into leadership from the theater's founders - Raymond's personal journey from Germany to the U.S., from actor to artistic director, and the mentor who told him "Don't wait for someone to give you a story — go make your own" - Johannah founded her first nonprofit at age 19 at NYU and her philosophy of not waiting for gatekeepers to open the gate - The creation of "Poetry for the People," a play about poet and activist June Jordan, developed over three years and three iterations with playwright Adrienne Torf - How The Fountain Theatre responds to the cultural moment with every production — from the LA fires to ICE enforcement to the situation in Iran - The pandemic of loneliness and the role of cultural institutions as places to practice humanity - Audience cultivation and the challenge of building new, multigenerational audiences in a distracted digital age - Community dramaturgy — developing new plays inside faith communities and neighborhoods across Los Angeles - The Living Ticket model — transparent pricing that trusts audiences to name what they can pay - The Fountain Voices summer education program connects young people with volunteerism, civic engagement, and playwriting - The expansion into flamenco and classical Indian dance programming - Storytelling as a tool for community building - Emergent strategy and the philosophy of critical connection over critical mass - Moving at the pace of humanity as a leadership philosophy - The reveal that The Fountain Theatre operates with a staff of five HOW TO FIND THE FOUNTAIN THEATRE Website: FountainTheatre.com Follow The Fountain Theatre on social media for upcoming productions, events, and community programming. HOW TO CONNECT WITH SMALL & GUTSY Website: SmallandGutsy.org Email: Laura@SmallandGutsy.org Know a nonprofit or social enterprise doing incredible work? Send them our way.
In this episode, host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Tarik Kitson, Executive Director and co-founder of Active Plus NYC, to discuss how a chance volunteering opportunity in East Harlem evolved into a transformative nonprofit serving thousands of underserved youth across New York City. Active Plus provides free fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and leadership programs to children and teens ages 5-18 who lack access to quality physical education and wellness resources. THE ORIGIN STORY Tarik, a former collegiate athlete with a background in health and fitness, started visiting a middle school in East Harlem on Saturday mornings to volunteer with students. What he discovered was shocking: children weren't getting recess, physical education classes had over 50 students, and there were no after-school sports programs. A consistent group of 30 kids showed up every Saturday morning hungry for structured activity and mentorship. When the school invited Tarik and his co-founder back the following fall, they launched after-school programs in football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Local news coverage of their work sparked interest from other schools and community organizations, and Active Plus was officially born in 2013. THE GAPS THEY'RE FILLING Active Plus addresses multiple critical needs in underserved communities. In New York City's massive public school system of over one million students, many neighborhoods lack adequate physical education, mentorship, and guidance on health and wellness. Additionally, school curricula often don't include nutrition education, leaving elementary-aged children who buy their own food at delis and corner stores without knowledge of healthy choices. The organization also recognized the need for mindfulness and emotional wellness programming years before the city mandated it in schools. COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMING MODEL Active Plus operates a multilayered approach that goes far beyond athletics. Their programs include physical fitness activities like basketball, dance, yoga, running, boxing, and calisthenics; mindfulness and emotional wellness through meditation and stress management; nutrition education for kids and families; and leadership and life skills development. They deliver these services directly to students in schools, parks, housing developments, and community centers across all five boroughs, rather than requiring kids to come to a facility. This go-to-the-community model ensures accessibility for the most underserved youth. THE FAMILY FLAVORS PROGRAM Tarik's favorite initiative is Family Flavors, a nutrition and cooking program that engages families together. This program has proven remarkably effective at drawing parents to school events—something traditional parent-teacher conferences often fail to do. When families cook together and learn about nutrition, they take that knowledge home and can replicate it, creating lasting behavioral change across households. RECESS AS AN ENTRY POINT The most requested program by school principals is Active Plus's structured recess programming. In New York City schools with limited outdoor space and over 100 kids at recess, unstructured free play often leads to chaos and injury. By providing trained, structured activities during recess time, Active Plus solves a major operational problem for schools while getting kids moving and building healthy habits. SCALING WITHOUT LOSING QUALITY Tarik emphasizes that the organization's growth from serving 30 kids to nearly 3,000 annually came from deliberately building infrastructure. He highlights the critical mistake many nonprofit founders make: trying to do everything themselves. Active Plus grew when Tarik and his co-Founder focused on building a strong board of directors with specialized committees for programming, marketing, finance, and fundraising. They treat the nonprofit like a business, recognizing that nonprofits generate income through multiple streams—grants, donations, volunteers, and sponsorships. MENTORSHIP ACROSS GENERATIONS A unique strength of Active Plus is how they leverage older youth as mentors. High school students from the neighborhoods where programs operate serve as summer camp instructors, coaches, and role models for younger children. This creates natural peer mentorship, makes younger kids feel safer, and provides meaningful employment and internship opportunities for teens. Several alumni have gone on to successful careers—including one former youth coach who is now a lawyer but still volunteers with the organization. DISRUPTING CYCLES OF CRIME AND GANG INVOLVEMENT Active Plus strategically uses its programs to reclaim community spaces and provide alternatives to gang involvement. When a new basketball court was installed in a housing project but became a site of crime and drug use, Active Plus activated it with structured programming and recruited high school youth from the neighborhood to participate. This created a safe, supervised space for younger children. Their "Heal Our Youth" program combines restorative justice practices with mindfulness and physical activity specifically for high school students ages 15-18, addressing trauma and building resilience. THE PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE With a master's degree in public health from Columbia University, Tarik approaches youth wellness holistically. He advocates in Albany and works with government officials to highlight gaps in services and push for policy change. He's been surprised to discover that many elected officials aren't fully aware of conditions in their own districts, underscoring the importance of nonprofits doing advocacy work and holding government accountable. EXPANSION BEYOND NEW YORK Active Plus has recently expanded beyond New York City's five boroughs to Connecticut and Nevada. They partner with the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, providing sports science activations that blend basketball with STEM education. This national expansion demonstrates the scalability of their model and video-based curriculum. WHAT MAKES THEM GUTSY Tarik identifies Active Plus's gutsy nature as their refusal to accept the status quo and their vocal advocacy on behalf of underserved youth. Despite receiving a $1 million Department of Justice grant to research their programs, the grant was cancelled by those who question the organization's approach. Yet Tarik continues to speak up about systemic failures and champion evidence-based solutions. HOW TO GET INVOLVED Active Plus is actively seeking board members to fuel continued growth and expansion. The organization welcomes supporters from anywhere, not just New York City. To learn more or inquire about board opportunities: Social Media: Active Plus NYC Website: www.activeplus-nyc.org Email: TKitson@activeplus-nyc.org KEY TAKEAWAYS The power of organic grassroots organizing when you witness a real need. How proper infrastructure and delegation multiply nonprofit impact. Why mentorship and role modeling are irreplaceable in youth development. How holistic wellness programming addresses not just physical health but mental health, nutrition, and life skills. The critical importance of advocacy in creating systemic change. Why treating nonprofits as businesses—with committees, multiple revenue streams, and strategic planning—enables sustainable growth.
Small & Gutsy Mission Small & Gutsy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. The show elevates the visibility of small but mighty changemakers doing bold, passionate, and impactful work. Small & Gutsy has been ranked #8 on FeedSpot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and #9 by Million Podcasts for Youth Empowerment episodes. Do you know a nonprofit doing incredible work? If you know of a nonprofit or social enterprise making a real impact, nominate them to be featured on Small & Gutsy. Contact Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff at laura@smallandgutsy.org. Check out other episodes of Small & Gutsy at SmallAndGutsy.org.
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Masha Merkulova, founder of CLUB Z, a national organization dedicated to educating and empowering Jewish teens to become articulate, knowledgeable leaders and advocates for themselves, Israel, and the Jewish people. Masha shares her remarkable personal journey from discovering her Jewish identity at age 16 in the Soviet Union to founding an organization that now serves over 200 students across the San Francisco Bay area, Boston, the tri-state area, and beyond.
Who Is CLUB Z?
CLUB Z is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a network of educated, articulate Jewish teen activists with a commitment to Zionism. CLUB Z's mission is to raise modern-day Zionists who are knowledgeable leaders, equipped to advocate for themselves, Israel, and the Jewish people while addressing issues of bigotry and antisemitism head-on. The organization operates two primary programs. Basic Training is an entry-level monthly session covering foundational knowledge: Jewish peoplehood, Jewish indigeneity, Jewish rights, and Jewish power. There are zero prerequisites—students simply need to show up once a month and learn. These sessions are separated by age group, with eighth and ninth graders together, and tenth through twelfth graders together, allowing for appropriate peer bonding and connection across different schools in the area. For students ready to go deeper, CLUB Z offers Sacred, a formalized two-year advanced program that combines rigorous academic study with practical leadership development. Participants meet every other week for three-hour sessions where they build on foundational knowledge while developing debate skills, presentation abilities, public speaking confidence, and personal writing proficiency. The curriculum covers Jewish history, Israel history, and professional development—skills that have largely disappeared from traditional schools but remain essential for navigating the world. Masha's Origin Story Masha Merkulova's journey to founding CLUB Z began in the Soviet Union, where Jewish identity wasn't something you could openly celebrate. Born to a Jewish mother and Russian father, Masha discovered she was Jewish at age 16 when a passport office bureaucrat casually informed her that despite her Russian nationality on every school roster, her mother's name—Riva, daughter of Levi—made her Jewish. The revelation was stunning but detached. She knew it as a nationality, nothing more, with no concept that Jewish people faced discrimination or persecution. When she encountered antisemitism, she simply gave it back. It ended there. Everyone moved on. What Masha inherited instead was her Soviet upbringing's deep commitment to justice and her mother's quiet, unwavering knowledge of who she was. When the Soviet Union began to crumble, she explored Christianity out of curiosity rather than conviction, but that exploration revealed how disconnected she was from any spiritual identity. It wasn't until Masha moved to America and her son began attending a Jewish day school that she started genuinely learning what it meant to be Jewish. Then came 2005. While living in California, Masha began watching YouTube videos of Israel's Gaza disengagement—something that would forever change her trajectory. She watched Jews in blue hats dragging out Jews in orange hats or regular clothes. Both were crying. And Masha recognized something that stopped her cold: "What I am watching is a pogrom." Her Soviet identity, trained to recognize injustice and respond, clicked into place. She dove into education—every event, every book, everything she could access about Israel and Jewish history. And once you learn the story of Israel and how miraculous it is, Masha explains, you can't look back. For her, Zionism wasn't a slogan or a political buzzword. It was a movement of justice, a response to centuries of exclusion and persecution, a restoration of balance. Something happened to the Jewish people 2,000 years ago, and they never gave up. They never agreed to disappear. And now, with the restoration of Israel, the justice had been restored. Why CLUB Z Exists Years of volunteering in the San Francisco Bay Area, funding pro-Israel events on college campuses, gave Masha a front-row seat to a troubling pattern. She kept encountering bright Jewish students—kids who had attended Jewish high schools, gone to Israel, been part of youth groups and summer camps, received extensive Jewish education. And yet they didn't know basic facts. They couldn't explain the difference between the Independence War and the Six-Day War. They didn't understand what Zionism actually was. They had no foundational history. At the same time, Masha was watching something worse: these same educated Jewish students were being turned into anti-Israel advocates. Their reasoning was heartbreaking in its simplicity: "I didn't know Palestinians were suffering. I didn't know there were all these people." They had been given no context, no counter-narrative, no inoculation against the compelling stories being told to them on campus. Masha realized the solution wasn't to react after the damage was done. Prevention was cheaper and more effective. Why weren't we telling young Jews what the other side was saying? Why weren't we preparing them with information, context, and historical understanding? Why weren't we teaching them about the Palestinian narrative itself so they could understand what others believed and why? She began looking around the Jewish community in San Francisco for an organization doing this work. Federation. JCC. Hebrew schools. Nobody was having these conversations. The status quo was simply accepting that Hebrew schools would hire whoever was willing to take the job for minimum pay—no standards, no accountability, no meaningful education. Masha decided she couldn't accept that anymore. From Three Boys to 200 Students It started with her son bringing three of his friends together. Three boys. Masha began teaching them using a curriculum called "Israel and Jewish Identity" that she'd come into possession of—a framework that literally connected Jewish identity, Jewish peoplehood, and Zionism as three interconnected pillars. This became the foundation of everything CLUB Z would build. Word of mouth spread. Kids wanted more. They asked to meet bi-weekly instead of monthly. Then more frequently. Masha worked with a local JCC that had a beautiful Teen Center with no programming, and they welcomed CLUB Z to use the space. What started as an informal gathering evolved into something more intentional and structured. Today, CLUB Z operates across multiple cities with approximately 200 students currently enrolled (numbers fluctuate—last year they served over 400). The organization has grown because it fills a void that no other institution is addressing: the need for comprehensive, honest Jewish education that equips teens not just with information, but with confidence, community, and the tools to stand tall in their identity. What Makes It Gutsy CLUB Z is gutsy because it goes against the grain of everything in the current Jewish institutional landscape. Its very existence is a reminder that what we have right now doesn't work. By design, the organization is pushing back against systems that have failed to prepare Jewish youth, against narratives that have been allowed to go unchallenged, against the idea that teens should shrink from their identity instead of claiming it with pride. But CLUB Z is also gutsy in how it trusts young people. The organization believes that teens can handle complexity, nuance, and difficult conversations. They can learn about Palestinian narratives while maintaining their own. They can understand historical grievances and moral arguments. They can debate respectfully without compromising their beliefs. They can recognize propaganda without becoming cynical. And they can do all of this while maintaining their humanity and sense of humor. Perhaps most gutsy of all is CLUB Z's commitment to showing up for students when it matters most. When a student calls with a problem at school, CLUB Z doesn't just offer advice—they strategize with parents, connect families to legal resources if needed, and stay involved through resolution. When alumni face antisemitism on college campuses, CLUB Z is there. When a resolution against Israel comes up for a student government vote, CLUB Z has trained students to be in those spaces ahead of time, ready to speak up. The organization has built a safety net, and students know it exists. Teaching in a World of Misinformation One of CLUB Z's most critical functions is teaching students to recognize and counter propaganda. In a world saturated with misinformation, deepfakes, and algorithmically-driven content, young people need media literacy skills that go far beyond any single issue. CLUB Z teaches students to ask: Who are the reliable sources? How do you fact-check? What makes something intellectually dishonest? For example, when a student encounters an AP exam question asking them to calculate how Israeli bombing has affected global warming in Gaza, they need more than outrage. They need to articulate exactly why that framing is intellectually dishonest, why it's propaganda, and what the actual facts are. They need to respond professionally and factually, not emotionally. The organization partners with CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis) and maintains connections to sources in Israel and international media. In sessions, educators help students evaluate what's real and what's not. Students can post questions in private groups and get immediate feedback from educators and peers. And every single session opens with "what's happening in the news," allowing older students to help younger ones develop critical thinking skills in real time. The Power of Intentional Community One of the biggest surprises Masha has encountered is how little it takes to help a young person rise up—but how essential it is that the support be intentional. CLUB Z isn't just "come learn, go do." It's a community that says: we have your back. If you call us, we will be there to catch you. This matters immensely during the vulnerable teenage years. When a student faces an incident at school, they often call CLUB Z educators before they call their parents. Educators then work with families to make a plan before escalating to the school or other authorities. For college-aged alumni, the support continues. Students know they can reach out to their regional educator when they need guidance, when they face antisemitism, or when they need to make a strategic move. Masha is clear about why this matters: if you know you're going to stick your neck out, you don't want to be left hanging by a thread. Young people need to know that taking a risk doesn't mean being abandoned. Building Trust Through Transparency CLUB Z has also discovered the power of keeping parents informed and engaged. After each session, parents receive a detailed email summarizing everything discussed, including links to all videos shown and a series of 3-5 discussion questions designed to spark conversation at home. This seemingly simple practice has profound effects. Parents aren't left wondering what their teens are learning. They can have informed conversations at the dinner table. They understand the context and nuance their teens are being taught. If a teen comes home with questions or concerns, parents are equipped to respond thoughtfully. And if parents need support, they know they can call an educator to discuss how to handle a situation together. Dr. Laura notes during the episode that this creates a beautiful feedback loop: teens can go home knowing their parents understand what they're learning. They don't have to fear that their parent will overreact or dismiss their concerns. And that open communication, that sense of being supported at home and in the organization, fundamentally changes how young people navigate their identity and advocacy. Looking Forward When asked what's at the top of her wish list for CLUB Z, Masha doesn't say funding (though like all nonprofits, they need resources). She says people. She needs educators who are articulate, educated, and willing to invest their souls into these teens. It's not a typical teaching job. It requires presence, commitment, and a genuine belief in the work. She also wants the broader Jewish community—the legacy organizations, the philanthropists, the adult leaders—to wield their power on behalf of the next generation. Instead of allowing others to define Jewish terms and Jewish identity, instead of remaining silent while narratives go unchallenged, Masha wants to see adults step up and protect the space for young Jews to claim their identity with pride. But perhaps the most poignant wish Masha articulates is simpler: she wants American Jews to understand that no matter how assimilated or hidden you are, eventually somebody will ask you questions about who you are. You might as well know the answers. You might as well be grounded in your identity, connected to your people, and equipped with the knowledge and confidence to stand tall. How to Connect Website: clubz.org Instagram: @zionismforteens Email:masha@clubz.org YouTube Channel: CLUB Z has extensive educational content available on their YouTube channel Partner Organizations: - CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis): camera.org Small & Gutsy Mission Small & Gutsy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. The show elevates the visibility of small but mighty changemakers doing bold, passionate, and impactful work. Small & Gutsy has been ranked #8 on FeedSpot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and #9 by Million Podcasts for Youth Empowerment episodes. Do you know a nonprofit doing incredible work? If you know of a nonprofit or social enterprise making real impact, nominate them to be featured on Small & Gutsy. Contact Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff at laura@smallandgutsy.org. Check out other episodes of Small & Gutsy at SmallAndGutsy.org.
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff interviews Josh Thye, Executive Director of The Academy, about the transformational power of competitive drum and bugle corps for youth ages 15-21. The conversation explores the intense 11-hour daily rehearsals during the summer tour, the behind-the-scenes logistics, and powerful alumni stories that demonstrate how this experience shapes lives far beyond performance. What Is The Academy? The Academy is a world-class nonprofit organization offering a competitive drum and bugle corps with brass sections, drum line, front ensemble, and color guard. Most participants join in middle school, though color guard members often start in high school or later. The summer experience involves 11 hours of daily rehearsal plus travel across the country—from North Carolina to California. Every minute is accounted for as participants not only perform but also handle logistics, load trucks, prepare meals, and manage all behind-the-scenes operations. What Makes It Gutsy The organization is "all guts." Whether performing in a parking lot or an NFL stadium, the group demonstrates true grit. Participants endure physical exhaustion, work through breaking points, and learn that they're capable of far more than they imagined. Many don't make it through, and the organization compassionately counsels them, but those who finish carry the experience for life. The mentors are often alumni who returned to give back because people invested in them.
How to Connect Website: Arizonaacademy.org
Small & Gutsy Mission
Small & Gutsy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. The show elevates the visibility of small but mighty changemakers doing bold, passionate, and impactful work.
Small & Gutsy has been ranked #8 on FeedSpot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and #9 by Million Podcasts for Youth Empowerment episodes.
Do you know a non-profit doing incredible work?
If you know of a nonprofit or social enterprise making a real impact, nominate them to be featured on Small & Gutsy. Contact Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff at laura@smallandgutsy.org.
Check out other episodes of Small & Gutsy at SmallAndGutsy.org.
Carlecia Bell, Executive Director of Phenomenal She shares the inspiring story of how Phenomenal She was born from a simple birthday club among friends and has grown into a transformative mentorship program serving young women of color ages 12–24 in the Federal Way and Des Moines areas of Washington state. Learn how Phenomenal She is, interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline through mentorship, life skills training, academic support, and mental health counseling. Key Topics Covered: The Origin Story - How Phenomenal She started as an informal "birthday club" among women celebrating each other - The inspiration from Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" - Building the organization with multiple co-founders who remain engaged on the board Program Structure & Offerings - Age range: 12–24, with programming focused on middle and high school girls - Multiple entry points: clubs (art, dance, STEM, cosmetology, entrepreneurship) that don't require prior commitment - Core mentee programming includes: - "Being a Better Me" group sessions with a licensed therapist (addressing self-esteem, confidence, and generational trauma) - STEM engagement and academic assistance with tutoring - Life skills and development curriculum (vision boards, financial literacy, banking basics, sisterhood, health and wellness) - Summer STEAM program: 6-week intensive with coding, aviation, dance, art, culinary arts, and farm-to-table experiences; $1,000 stipend upon completion - Outdoor adventure club (monthly) in partnership with Game of Life Mentoring and YETI Recruitment & Access - Referrals from probation counselors (diversion programs), school resource officers, parents, and community events - Visible community presence through tabling at school lunches and dance team performances - Free programming with food and transportation provided for Federal Way mentees - No barriers to entry—girls can join clubs before committing to full mentorship Mentor Matching & Mentee Journey - Intentional matching process using surveys from youth and parents/guardians - Initial meeting with mentor, parent/guardian, and youth to establish boundaries - Long-term relationships: mentors stay engaged with girls through high school and often into adulthood - Alumni return as instructors, dance coaches, and leadership volunteers Cultural Competence & Safe Space - Deliberate curation of instructors who are culturally relevant and can relate to girls' lived experiences - Parents are not permitted in programming—creating a dedicated youth-only space - Response to the lack of representation in schools and the misunderstanding of young women of color - Emphasis on trust-building with both youth and families Leadership Pipeline - Alumni brought back as instructors and art coaches - Internship opportunities (paid when funding allows) - Volunteer opportunities at six community outreach events annually Board & Organizational Strength - Diverse board makeup: licensed therapist, attorney, accountant/bookkeeper, entrepreneurs - Every board member also runs their own business, modeling entrepreneurship for girls - Entrepreneurship club reflects this value Expansion & Vision - Dream project: a dedicated clubhouse similar to the Boys and Girls Club or YMCA - Desire to expand to other locations (co-founders from Louisiana, Philadelphia, and other states report demand from their home communities) - Digital campaign: "Fuel Her Fire, Fund Her Future" focused on investing in young women with passion and potential Current Initiatives - Partnership with King County's Best Starts for Kids grant - Expanding into Highline School District (Des Moines, Washington) - Three times per week engagement with young women in programming - Focus on interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline --- Notable Quotes: "They're brilliant. And sometimes just the lack of resources holds them back. And so we're able to be that connecting piece." —Carlecia Bell "The ability to be ourselves unapologetically and then also letting our girls know to do the same in spaces that they occupy. So not being afraid to have a voice regardless of what people think." —Carlecia Bell "In order to be a mentor and an effective one, one must care. You must care." —Maya Angelou (quoted by Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff) Resources & Links: Phenomenal She - Website: www.phenomenalshe.org - Instagram: @phenomenal_she_ - Facebook: @PHENOMENALSHEISALWAYS - Digital Campaign: "Fuel Her Fire, Fund Her Future" Small & Gutsy Podcast - Website: SmallandGutsy.org - Rankings: #8 on FeedSpot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts; #3 and #9 by Million Podcasts for Top 30 Volunteer Podcasts and Youth Empowerment episodes - Contact: laura@smallandgutsy.org
About the Host & Guest: Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff is the founder and host of Small & Gutsy, a podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. She is passionate about elevating the visibility of small but mighty changemakers. Carlecia Bell is a native of Monroe, Louisiana, and a financial and relationship management expert with 13+ years of leadership experience at a Fortune 500 financial services company. She is inspired by her husband, Winston Bell, who has dedicated 25 years to community service. Carlecia co-founded Phenomenal She to address the lack of mentoring programs available to young women of color in the Federal Way area.
In this episode, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Shilpa Alva, Founder of Surge for Water, to discuss how a childhood moment of witnessing inequality in Mumbai sparked a lifelong mission to bring clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions to underserved communities worldwide. Shilpa shares her journey from the corporate world to founding an organization that operates on a revolutionary model: women-led, community-owned development that breaks the cycle of poverty. Through candid conversation, she reveals how listening to communities—truly listening—transforms the effectiveness of international aid work. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED The Power of Childhood Witnessing How Shilpa's observations as a seven-year-old in Mumbai planted the seeds for her life's work The difference between recognizing privilege and understanding injustice From Corporate to Calling Shilpa's journey climbing the corporate ladder while feeling unfulfilled How she heard her inner voice calling her back to purpose Why she took six years to transition from corporate work to full-time nonprofit leadership The Education-Water Connection Why 120 of 150 students didn't show up to school in rural India How water scarcity directly impacts educational access The health consequences of unsafe water on children's ability to learn Learning From Mentorship in Haiti The transformative lessons from living with a local partner organization leader The cautionary tale of millions spent on beautiful houses with no infrastructure How "staying with locals, listening, and learning" became the foundation of Surge's model Surge for Water's Women-Led, Community-Owned Model What makes Surge different from traditional international aid organizations The three core values: Equity, Respect, and Stewardship Why community ownership isn't just ethical—it's essential for sustainability Water Plus: A Comprehensive Approach Water access goes beyond wells—it includes sanitation and hygiene How Surge teaches communities to make their own soap, creating women-run enterprises The critical role of menstrual health education in girls' empowerment and school attendance Geographic Strategy and Intentional Depth Why Surge reduced from 12 countries to 3 (Uganda, Haiti, Indonesia) Working in remote, rural areas where other NGOs don't operate Building partnerships with local government and community-based organizations Cultural Humility and Gender Dynamics Navigating patriarchal societies without imposing Western values How Shilpa meets women in kitchens and under mango trees—safe spaces for real conversation Respecting cultural context while amplifying women's voices The difference between cultural respect and tolerance for harm Partnership Over Colonialism Why Surge works through local partners, not directly with governments How trust-building with community leaders comes before government engagement The importance of pilots and data alongside relationship-building Recent Evolution and Future Vision The exciting new model of supporting smaller women-led organizations to scale How Surge is thinking about creating a "feeder system" of partners The expansion happening in Uganda this week ABOUT SURGE FOR WATER Surge for Water is a movement led by women and owned by communities. The organization delivers safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions through an investment in women-led, community-owned models that create lasting change and break the cycle of poverty. Currently operating in Uganda, Haiti, and Indonesia, Surge works in remote, rural communities—often described as "forgotten lands"—where other international NGOs don't operate. Their comprehensive Water Plus approach addresses not just water access but the interconnected challenges of sanitation, hygiene education, and menstrual health. Surge for Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the United States with headquarters in Chicago and a branch in Dubai. ABOUT SHILPA ALVA Shilpa Alva is the Founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water. Her passion for global equity and community empowerment began at age seven during a visit to Mumbai, India. After earning her degree and working in the corporate sector, she felt called to dedicate her life to international development work. Shilpa's approach is rooted in cultural humility, genuine partnership, and a deep belief that communities hold the solutions to their own challenges. She has lived and worked extensively in Haiti, Uganda, and Indonesia, learning firsthand the importance of staying with locals, listening, and building trust-based partnerships. RESOURCES & LINKS Visit Surge for Water: www.surgeforwater.org Follow Surge for Water on Social Media: @SurgeForWater (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X) Connect with Shilpa Alva on LinkedIn: Search "Shilpa Alva" WHAT MAKES SURGE GUTSY? According to Shilpa, Surge is gutsy because: They dare to dream and follow through, refusing to take shortcuts that compromise their values and model They're willing to acknowledge when they're not doing things correctly and commit to fixing and improving They operate with a decolonizing lens, centering community wisdom and leadership They stay true to their mission even when it's harder, more stressful, and more expensive than easier alternatives SMALL & GUTSY MISSION Small & Gutsy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. The show elevates the visibility of small but mighty changemakers doing bold, passionate, and impactful work. Small & Gutsy has been ranked #8 on FeedSpot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and #9 by Million Podcasts for Youth Empowerment episodes. DO YOU KNOW A NONPROFIT DOING INCREDIBLE WORK? If you know of a nonprofit or social enterprise making real impact, nominate them to be featured on Small & Gutsy. Contact Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff at laura@smallandgutsy.org. Check out other episodes of Small & Gutsy at SmallAndGutsy.org.
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittkoff welcomes Ann Medlock and John Graham, the founders and leaders of the Giraffe Heroes Project—an organization that has spent over 40 years celebrating ordinary people who "stick their necks out" for the common good. From their serendipitous Superman movie meet-cute to building a global movement around courage, compassion, and community, Ann and John share how storytelling became their most powerful tool for inspiring action and creating change. Key Topics Discussed The Power of Storytelling Over Preaching - John's evolution: realizing that 10,000 years of human history—from Neanderthals to troubadours—proves that stories inspire action in ways speeches cannot - How storytelling bypasses the mind's objections and goes straight to the heart - The role of narrative in communicating core values and inspiring heroism Redefining Courage - Courage isn't gender-specific—it's something we all possess - Ann's bold stance: firing an advisor who claimed courage was a "man's issue" - John's journey: recognizing that emotional and spiritual courage are as powerful as physical bravery - Why physical courage (climbing mountains, dodging bullets) was easier than the emotional courage required for real change The Giraffe Heroes Project: Mission & Impact - Founded in 1981 by Ann Medlock as an antidote to violence and trivia in media - Nearly 2,000 giraffes honored across 30+ fields and 16+ countries - Seven overseas affiliates extending impact globally - Civil disobedience (à la Gandhi and MLK) is celebrated; actions must benefit significant numbers of people Collaboration Over Competition - The Giraffe Heroes school program is built on collaboration, not competition - Free, digital-accessible curriculum for teachers worldwide - The program transforms classrooms: creating "communities of learners" instead of isolated, competing students - The powerful bicycle story: a student's classmates cheer when he masters riding a two-wheel bike—something that wouldn't have happened before the program Education & Youth Empowerment - Over 2,000 classroom downloads; approximately 375,000 children reached through print materials - Materials available free at Giraffe.org/teachers (email sign-up only) - The US Navy uses the program in overseas schools - Cartoon characters "Stanley" (Stand Tall) and "Beatrice" (Be Tall)—giraffe twins—tell stories to 3-year-olds about bravery and caring - Grandpa and Grandma tell different versions to reach multiple learning styles - Teachers report that kids shift from isolated to connected when exposed to the program The Ripple Effect of Recognition - Many heroes don't see themselves as heroic and are reluctant to share their stories - Telling giraffe stories inspires not just the public, but the giraffes themselves - Real example: a small-town barber doing community work thinks no one is watching—until the story is told and volunteers and support arrive - Some giraffes report they considered quitting but were re-energized by hearing their own story shared Overcoming Barriers - Funding: The biggest ongoing challenge. Some funders prefer direct interventions (saving redwoods, backing candidates) over storytelling - Early federal grants supported classroom curriculum development (over $1M across 10 years) - Money and mindset: convincing people that purpose-driven storytelling is as important as tactical giving - The "lightweight" perception: early critics dismissed storytelling as trivial until results were undeniable The Love Story Within the Hero Story - Ann and John met at a writer's group in New York, 1981-1982 - Ann invited John to see the original Superman movie (somewhat reluctantly) - Their three-day courtship led to a 44+ year partnership - John initially thought the giraffe concept was "lightweight" but came to see Ann as a "troubadour for our times" - Wedding entry music: Superman theme - John writes the bylaws; Ann does the creative, bold work—"it works out well" Aging, Purpose, and Public Health - Doing good has measurable health benefits, especially for aging populations - Purpose-driven service is a form of preventive medicine - Ann is 92 years old and "not quitting"; John is 83 and still creating TikToks and short-form videos - Stories of older heroes: a woman in her 80s smuggling pharmaceuticals to Central American revolutionaries, organizing environmentalists and tribes in the Pacific Northwest - The Swiss watch metaphor: a life without purpose is like a watch with no hands—what's the point? Adapting & Staying Relevant - Evolution from LPs (33s) shipped to radio stations → print materials → digital access - Now on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and other social platforms - Constantly reinventing tactics and strategies while staying true to the 1981 mission - Not falling behind culturally is essential to remaining impactful The Dream: "Giraffe" as a Verb - Ann's top wish: for "giraffe" to become a verb—"Let's giraffe this!" - Similar to how "Google" and "Kleenex" became verbs - A measure of cultural penetration and lasting impact Global Scale, Tiny Budget - Working on less than $100K annually - "Tiny but mighty" organization with genuinely global impact - Known from North America to Singapore - Seven overseas affiliates amplifying reach Inspiration from Other Heroes - Ann draws inspiration from Nelson Mandela's autobiographies and insightful life stories - John's personal mantra: Robert Frost's "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood / I took the one less traveled by / And that's all the difference" - Ann's personal song: "Whatever Lola Wants" from Damn Yankees—she's created something from nothing and keeps iterating Website: Giraffe.org - Teacher Materials: Giraffe.org/teachers (free, digital, email sign-up) - Contact: Laura at Small and Gutsy (laura@smallandgutsy.org) - Social Media: Giraffe Heroes on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts Ann Medlock is a freelance editor, publicist, and writer who founded the Giraffe Heroes Project in 1981. She was named an Education Innovator by the National Education Association and received the Caring Institute's Caring Award. At 92 years old, she continues to lead the organization and develop new materials. John Graham is the Executive Director of Giraffe Heroes. A former US Foreign Service officer, he has worked on peace initiatives across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. He has climbed Denali's north wall, hitchhiked around the world, and worked as a war correspondent. He and Ann have been partners for 44 years.
In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Antonis Politis and Panos Kokmotos, two young Greek entrepreneurs who co-founded Givelink, a donation platform transforming how people give to nonprofits. GiveLink connects donors directly to nonprofits' real needs through in-kind giving, creating transparency, measurable impact, and genuine engagement every step of the way. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED The Origin Story: How a Controversial Article Sparked an Idea Antonis shares how a Greek nonprofit's Christmas message telling people to "stop giving items" prompted him to reimagine philanthropy. Rather than dismissing the request, he saw a logistics problem waiting to be solved—what if nonprofits listed their actual needs and donors could order products online? From University to Startup: Building Givelink in Greece Starting as a university student with no business experience, Antonis entered a social entrepreneurship competition and realized he could combine profit with purpose. Despite initial struggles, the concept resonated with people who preferred in-kind giving over monetary donations due to trust concerns. The Café Meeting That Changed Everything Panos Kokmotos overheard Antonis's passionate conversation about Givelink's vision in a café and was immediately drawn to the mission. A few days later, they met for coffee, and Panos recognized how his skills and experience could fill critical gaps in the team. He joined the founding team, bringing operational expertise and entrepreneurial background. Building Trust in a Low-Trust Giving Culture Greece presented both a challenge and an opportunity. With only 10% of the population donating money to nonprofits, Givelink had to rebuild trust in philanthropy. This difficult market became a proving ground that made the team stronger and forced them to deeply understand donor psychology and nonprofit needs. The Data-Driven Insight: 60% More Giving One of Givelink's most significant findings: donors using the platform give 60% more throughout the year compared to before. Even in economically struggling Greece, transparency and tangible impact motivate people to give more frequently and more generously. The Problem with Seasonal Giving Antonis and Panos explain why giving peaks at Christmas and Thanksgiving—people lack confidence that their money is used wisely. Givelink solves this by making giving year-round, transparent, and emotionally rewarding through visible impact. How the Platform Works: Four Simple Steps Nonprofits set up real-time product wish lists of items essential to their operations. Donors browse the lists or use Smart Pick, which converts a dollar amount into the products needed most. At checkout, donors see the exact impact story—how many people they're helping and how their lives will change. After delivery, donors receive photo proof and ongoing impact updates. The "Smart Pick" Feature and Personalized Impact Panos demonstrates how donors can either manually select products or use Smart Pick to automate the process. When buying hygiene kits for a nonprofit helping children in Oakland, donors can see exactly how many children they'll impact and what difference those products will make—creating an emotional connection and retention. A Real Crisis: The Wildfire Response When wildfires devastated their Greek city in August, Givelink mobilized immediately. Two nonprofits supporting firefighters and victims added urgent needs to the platform. The response was staggering: over $30,000 in donations and 40,000 products in a single day. The team stopped all other work, gathered supplies in supermarkets, and personally delivered items to firefighters—experiencing firsthand the power of their mission. Scaling from Greece to the United States After proving the model in Greece, Givelink launched a pilot in the Bay Area (Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Palo Alto) and is now expanding across California with plans to cover Los Angeles, smaller cities, and rural areas that often lack philanthropic funding. Legal considerations around tax deductibility vary by state, but the model is ready to scale nationally. Nonprofit Needs: From Food to Furniture In Greece, food dominates nonprofit wishlists, along with cleaning and hygiene products. In the U.S., a standout example is BOSS, a nonprofit helping people transition from homelessness and incarceration back into society. They needed bedsheets, pillows, and furniture—small items that are expensive and transformative when someone is rebuilding their life. Supplier Partnerships: Wholesale to Retail Givelink partners with wholesale suppliers like Group Sales and Dollar Days (30+ years in the nonprofit space), as well as Amazon for retail options. This tiered approach ensures nonprofits get the best prices and donors have flexibility in what they can give. The Role of AI in Storytelling Givelink is launching AI-generated impact stories based on nonprofit data, descriptions, websites, blogs, images, and videos. This allows donors to see personalized stories at checkout—how their specific donation will change lives. The long-term vision is to integrate real stories directly from nonprofit beneficiaries. RESOURCES & LINKS Givelink Website: givelink.app Small & Gutsy Podcast: SmallandGutsy.org Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff's Podcast: Small & Gutsy (ranked #8 on Feedspot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and #9 by Million Podcast for youth empowerment episodes)
EverWalk is the brainchild of Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll, created to help all of us live longer, better, and healthier lives.
Their mission and vision are to build community by walking side by side, leaving differences behind, and discovering the freedom that comes from striding together, instead of sitting hunched over a screen.
EverWalk invites you to make the commitment to become your best self.
Step outside. Look up at the magnificent sky, the strength of the trees, the beauty of the world around you, feel the rhythm of your own footsteps, and feel YOUR movement under YOUR own power, then you remember what's possible - you feel stronger, lighter, and more alive. And in that moment — with every step forward — you're one step closer to becoming the person you've always imagined yourself to be. These two amazing women literally walk the talk.
Over the years, EverWalk has grown from a spark of an idea into a national movement, founded in 2016.
They've hosted four seven-day, 135-mile Epic EverWalks, countless First Saturday EverWalks in Los Angeles, and community Service Walks in Key West with Habitat for Humanity.
They've also led two EverWalk Journeys, and in 2024 and 2025, EverWalk partnered with a number of charities — including Walk with a Doc, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Second Cut, and the Emergency Relief Fund of Humane World for Animals, combining the power of walking with the purpose of giving back.
Every event is built on one idea: When we walk together, we leave our differences behind — and move toward something bigger than ourselves.
EverWalk gathers the most cutting-edge articles about the benefits of walking. Scroll through their library to find out everything you want to know about why WALKING IS THE ANSWER.
Website: www.everwalk.com
For more podcast episodes: www.smallandgutsy.org
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff reflects on the power of Indigo Arts Alliance's approach to artist development. She emphasizes that the organization understands a fundamental truth: the creative mind is a creative mind. By setting the right place, environment, and tone, Indigo Arts Alliance enables artists to engage with each other, explore materials, work through processes, and grow together. She notes that this kind of mentorship and ongoing relationship-building is rare, even in other industries. Through their residency programs and network-building efforts, Indigo Arts Alliance is creating a model that fosters long-term connections and collective growth among artists of color.
The magic of Indigo Arts Alliance isn't just in the individual artist residencies—it's in the relationships. Jordia Benjamin shares how alumni from 2019 to present continue to collaborate, exchange ideas, and lean on each other's expertise. The result is a vibrant, ever-expanding network of artists of color supporting one another's creative journeys.
At Indigo Arts Alliance, the connections matter just as much as the creation. Executive Director Jordia Benjamin describes how the organization builds long-lasting relationships and conversations among artists in their cohorts. From mentorships to collaborative projects, the artists in their residency programs continue supporting each other year after year, creating a vibrant, branching network that keeps growing and evolving.
Check out their website: www.indigoartsalliance.me Watch the entire episode on the Small & Gutsy YouTube Channel or listen at SmallAndGusty.org
Michelle Etchebarren shares an inspiring journey from struggling single mother of four to founder of Attorneys in Motion, a groundbreaking legal tech company that transformed how law firms handle court appearances. But her story doesn't end there. At the ten-year mark of her company's success, Michelle founded the Attorneys in Motion Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and empowering women-owned law firms and businesses. The episode opens with a striking reality: women make up just 39.51% of the 1.3 million lawyers in the US, and only 27% of women who graduate from law school go on to own their own law firm or become partners. The gender pay gap persists at every income level. Michelle speaks candidly about being the only female founder in her specific business space and how the legal industry remains firmly male-dominated. Michelle's origin story is one of resilience. Starting as a single mother with no resources, poor credit, and limited financial literacy, she worked in a law firm during the 2008 mortgage crisis. There, she inspired a young attorney fresh out of law school to start her own bankruptcy law firm focused on helping people recover from financial hardship rather than making false promises. Together, they built that firm from nothing—using creative, low-cost marketing strategies like county fairs and phone book ads—before Michelle eventually pivoted to build something for herself and her children. The breakthrough came when Michelle recognized a problem in the legal services industry: court appearance attorneys were still using outdated technology like faxes. Inspired by the Uber model, she envisioned an app-based solution where attorneys could instantly request coverage for court appearances. It took about a year to develop with web developers, but Attorneys in Motion became the first company to use technology in this way, eventually growing into a nationwide business generating millions in revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic hit hard. When courts shut down completely, the business lost millions of dollars. But this crisis forced Michelle into deep personal development work. She realized that while she had achieved financial success, she wasn't fulfilled. Her original "why"—providing for her four children—had evolved, and she needed a new, more powerful purpose. This realization, combined with her study of Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning," and Tony Robbins' Business Mastery program, led her to a transformative insight: "The secret to living is giving. When you're working for a higher purpose outside of yourself, you're living purposefully." At the ten-year mark of her company, Michelle reflected on her journey and the isolation she had experienced. She didn't have mentors or even know what mentorship was. She remembered times she "cried herself to sleep" wondering if she would end up homeless. She didn't want other women to experience that same struggle alone. This became the genesis of the Attorneys in Motion Foundation, with a mission to help women succeed at a level above her own. The foundation addresses a critical gap in legal education: law schools teach lawyers how to practice law, but they don't teach business acumen. When attorneys are overwhelmed by business management—accounting, marketing, systems, delegation—they can't focus on quality legal work. They fall into scarcity mindset and cut corners, which is detrimental to clients and their own integrity. Michelle emphasizes that while psychology and business mechanics are both important, success is 80% psychology and 20% mechanics. The foundation's unique approach pairs financial grants with mandatory twelve-month coaching programs. Money alone doesn't create sustainable success; women need strategic guidance, accountability, systems, and connections to resources. The foundation conducts a two-month trial period to assess commitment, requires weekly coaching check-ins, and connects recipients with pro-bono services from sponsors. The goal is to set women up for real, lasting success. Michelle also addresses the internalized biases that even women carry about other women. She admits to her own automatic biases—like assuming a sports car driver is male—and recognizes that these thought patterns have been "bred into us" since childhood. Changing this narrative requires conscious effort and intentional retraining of our first instincts. On practical matters, Michelle shares advice for entrepreneurs on a budget: build community relationships instead of spending on expensive Google ads, find your niche and become the "go-to" expert for a specific community, and think creatively about marketing. She emphasizes the importance of self-grace, especially for working mothers, and the need for financial literacy when starting a business. The foundation is still in its infancy, currently working with a few grant recipients, but Michelle's vision is to help fifty women per year as funding grows. She reminds listeners that many successful businesses start small and gutsy, but if they continue to work on growth, they naturally evolve and expand. To learn more or apply for support, visit AttorneysInMotionFoundation.org. The application process includes filling out a form, participating in an interview, and entering a two-month trial period to ensure both the foundation and applicant are committed to success. Also, visit SmallandGutsy.org to hear episodes with other great non-profits!
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Dr. Leah Hanes, CEO of Two-Bit Circus Foundation, to discuss how hands-on, experiential learning is transforming education for students across Los Angeles and beyond. After 13 years leading the organization, Dr. Hanes shares her personal journey from a student labeled a "slow learner" due to undiagnosed dyslexia to becoming a passionate advocate for reimagining how we teach creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The conversation explores the Foundation's innovative programs—STEAM Labs, Makerspaces, STEAM Carnivals, and immersive learning experiences—all designed to make education engaging and accessible regardless of economic background. A core theme throughout the episode is the failure of traditional, lecture-based education to engage modern learners. Dr. Hanes emphasizes that students retain only 10% of what they read after two weeks, while learning skyrockets when knowledge is applied to real projects. She advocates for "doing, not sitting"—flipping classrooms to spend 40 minutes making and 10 minutes talking, rather than the reverse. The episode also tackles timely issues like AI in education (which Dr. Hanes sees as an assistive technology when used ethically), the $25 billion annual cost of standardized testing with minimal educational value, and the power of collaborative group work to build empathy and real-world readiness. Dr. Hanes shares compelling stories, including a young artist who discovered she could become an engineer through a STEAM project and went on to UC Berkeley on a full scholarship—the first in her family to attend university. She also discusses the Foundation's "Trash for Teaching" initiative, which has diverted over 900 tons of manufacturers' clean waste from landfills, giving schools free creative materials while providing companies tax benefits. The Foundation recently opened a 13,000 sq. ft. warehouse and is planning to expand its teacher training programs, partner with local universities, and scale the Trash for Teaching model globally.
Key Takeaways * Education should prioritize doing over sitting. Hands-on, project-based learning dramatically improves retention and student engagement. * Collaboration builds empathy and strength. Group work mirrors real-world environments and allows students to discover their unique strengths. * Creative materials (not kits) foster invention. Open-ended "trash" encourages students to become designers and engineers, not 'instruction-followers'. * Teachers need to experience joyful learning themselves. Professional development that models creativity and fun transforms how teachers approach their classrooms. * Scaling innovation requires partnership. Two-Bit Circus Foundation's umbrella model brings together complementary nonprofits to reach more students sustainably.
--- Resources & Links Small & Gutsy Podcast https://www.smallandgutsy.org Two-Bit Circus Foundation https://twobitcircus.org
One of the biggest travesties in our country is the number of unhoused individuals and families. Home Again LA is changing the narrative around homelessness by recognizing it as a situational crisis, not a personal failure. Through innovative partnerships with faith-based organizations, corporations, and community agencies, HALA has helped over 600 families transition from homelessness to permanent, stable housing while building resilience and hope.
Albert Hernandez, CEO of Home Again LA, shares his personal journey from a family on the brink of homelessness to leading one of the most impactful nonprofits serving unhoused families in Los Angeles County.
Albert's Personal Story * One of 11 siblings raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles * Father passed away when Albert was 14; mother worked two jobs to support the family * Started working at Boys and Girls Club at age 14 with a 4.0 GPA * Every paycheck went to help his mother with rent, food, and family necessities * Worked in the nonprofit sector for 20+ years before joining Home Again LA as CEO in July 2015
The Homelessness Crisis * Most Angelenos are one paycheck away from homelessness * Post-pandemic cost of living increases: + Food costs have doubled + 1-bedroom rent: $1,800 → $2,400–$2,500/month * Families have deep roots in Los Angeles County and often cannot simply "move elsewhere" * The unhoused community is vastly misunderstood
Home Again LA's Core Programs 1. Emergency Shelter (Core Program)
- 90-day program for families with children experiencing homelessness
- Operates like a "boot camp"—fast-paced, goal-oriented
- Average turnaround: 54 days to permanent housing
- Congregations provide overnight housing (6 PM–7 AM)
- Day center offers showers, laundry, job training, case management, Wi-Fi
- Key requirement: Children must be enrolled in school and attending regularly
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Serves families fleeing domestic violence and those experiencing job loss/income disruption
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Rapid Rehousing Program
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6-month program (launched 2017)
- Our organization pays a portion of the security deposit and rent
- Month 1: 90% of rent
- Month 2: 80% of rent
- Gradually decreases so family takes over 100% by end of program
- Results: 471 families served; all but 2 successfully took over their leases
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12-month follow-up support to ensure housing stability
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Eviction Prevention Program
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Started during the pandemic
- Provides financial assistance for families with rental arrears
- Includes employment support and financial stability planning
- Impact (2020–2021): Leveraged over $2 million in federal, state, and county funding
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Continues today as cost-of-living crisis persists
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Financial Education/Outreach Program
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Classes on credit vs. debit, building emergency savings, understanding interest rates
- Partnership with Operation Hope for homeownership certification classes
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Success story: 3 families who were living in their cars are now homeowners
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After-School Care Partnership
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Partnership with local Boys and Girls Club
- Scholarships for all families' children
- Allows parents to work full 8-hour shifts (pickup as late as 5–7 PM)
- Critical for parental employment stability
THE FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIP MODEL * Origins: Founded in 2008 by faith-based community members who recognized the fastest-growing unhoused population was families with children * No dedicated shelter facility — congregations provide evening beds (6 PM–7 AM) * Parishioner involvement: Provide meals, homework tutoring, mock interviews, emotional support * Corporate partnerships: Walt Disney Company, Logix Federal Credit Union, National Charity League (mothers & daughters volunteer group) * Not a faith-based organization — rather, a secular nonprofit that works alongside faith communities * Impact: 90% of graduating families report that "being treated like any other community member" was the most impactful part of the program
AHA MOMENTS The Estrada Family Story * Single mother and teenage son fleeing domestic violence * Mother had zero credit history — no credit card, apartment, or vehicle in her name * She was "invisible" to the housing system * Required 116 days in shelter (vs. typical 90 days) * Successfully housed; son is now in college and volunteers for program participants * Lesson: No credit history is worse than bad credit; flexibility and advocacy are essential
BEST PRACTICES HIGHLIGHTED 1. Quality over Quantity: Focus on compassionate, individualized care rather than serving maximum numbers 2. Treat the nonprofit like a business: Sustainable fundraising, financial reserves, and operational planning are non-negotiable 3. Collaboration is essential: Leverage partnerships with Boys and Girls Club, financial institutions, corporations, and faith organizations 4. It takes a village: No single entity can solve homelessness; success requires community infrastructure 5. Flexibility within structure: Accountability (school attendance, job seeking) balanced with compassion for unique circumstances 6. 12-month follow-up: Maintain relationships post-housing to ensure long-term stability 7. Treat people with dignity: Break bread together; ask "How can we help?" not "How did you fail?"
ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS Challenge: Landlord hesitancy to rent to formerly unhoused families Solution: Education, advocacy letters, and relationship-building. Today, landlords proactively call HALA when units become available.
Challenge: After-school childcare prevents parents from working full shifts Solution: Partnership with Boys and Girls Club providing scholarships for all families' children.
Challenge: Pandemic-era income loss and rental arrears Solution: Eviction Prevention Program leveraging $2M+ in government grants (2020–2021).
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Website: HomeAgainLA.org Phone: (818) 562-7778 Services Available:
- Emergency shelter for families with children
- Rapid rehousing assistance
- Eviction prevention support
- Financial education classes
- Employment support and job training
- Volunteer opportunities
- Facility tours
Ways to Help:
- Donate to support families
- Volunteer with congregations or corporate teams
- Host a meal or tutoring session
- Provide job training or mock interviews
- Become a landlord partner
NOTABLE QUOTES "One of the biggest travesties in our country is the number of unhoused individuals and families. We are a developed country, after all, and often fail to take care of our own." — Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff
"Most of us are a paycheck away from losing our homes. The reality is, we're just trying to survive." — Albert Hernandez
"It's not a handout. There are some requirements. The family has to have some skin in the game." — Albert Hernandez
"Being treated like any other member of this community was the most impactful part of the process." — 90% of HALA graduates
"They're not just making and serving dinner. They're actually breaking bread with the family." — Albert Hernandez, on volunteers
RECOMMENDED LISTENING FOR * Nonprofit leaders and staff * Social entrepreneurs and business leaders * Faith community organizers * Policymakers addressing homelessness * Corporate volunteer coordinators * Anyone interested in community-based solutions to homelessness * Job seekers and career counselors
Listen to the entire episode at SmallandGutsy.org
In this episode of Small & Gutsy, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Keri Burgess, founder of The Farm Dog Rescue, and Nancy Zare, a dedicated volunteer foster parent, to discuss the critical work of dog rescue, rehabilitation, and responsible adoption in Martin County, Florida.
The Farm Dog Rescue is a no-kill dog rescue organization that has made it a mission to rescue and adopt dogs, educate the community, and help animals in need. Beyond individual rescues, the organization is focused on addressing the larger issue of pet overpopulation through spay and neuter programs and policy advocacy.
Throughout the conversation, Keri and Nancy share powerful stories of transformation—from chained and malnourished dogs finding forever homes, to the importance of careful vetting and placement, to the unique "Seniors Helping Seniors" program that pairs older dogs with older adopters. They discuss the realities of rescue work, the emotional rewards of fostering, and why focusing on the present rather than a dog's traumatic past is so important.
Key topics include:
- Owner surrenders, and why 95% of Farm Dog Rescue's dogs come from families who can no longer care for them
- The critical role of foster families in rehabilitation and placement
- How legislation and spay/neuter policy are needed to reduce pet overpopulation, particularly in the southern states
- The importance of pet trusts for senior pet owners
- Nancy's journey from volunteer to experienced foster parent and the confidence it builds
- Why quality placement matters more than quantity of rescues
- The "Seniors Helping Seniors" program: pairing senior dogs with senior adopters
- How to focus on a dog's potential future rather than its traumatic past
- The systemic issue: "You cannot kill your way out of pet over-population"
Guest Bios Keri Burgess – Founder, The Farm Dog Rescue
Keri Burgess is a passionate animal advocate and rescuer with over 20 years of experience in animal welfare. As the founder and president of The Farm Dog Rescue, she has devoted her life to saving and rehabilitating dogs in need. Her journey in rescue began as a foster, and over the years, she has volunteered for numerous shelters and organizations, gaining invaluable experience.
In addition to her rescue work, Keri is a full-time realtor and owner of a real estate coaching company, where she helps professionals grow and succeed in their businesses. Her business acumen lends itself to both running The Farm Dog Rescue as a sustainable nonprofit and selling real estate—balancing compassion with strategy to ensure success in both fields.
Nancy Zare – Volunteer Foster Parent, The Farm Dog Rescue
Nancy Zare is known as the "LinkedIn Whisperer" and is the creator of the Likability Sales System. She is a renowned business consultant who shows professional business owners how to generate warm, organic leads on LinkedIn and turn them into clients. She has authored seven books, including an Amazon International Best Seller.
As a volunteer foster parent for The Farm Dog Rescue, Nancy has fostered 38 dogs in just a few years.
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff – Host, Small & Gutsy
Dr. Laura is the host and founder of Small & Gutsy, a podcast and 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to spotlighting smaller nonprofits and social enterprises under $10 million. Her mission is to raise visibility for these organizations and connect them with volunteers, donors, investors, and job seekers.
Key Takeaways 1. Owner Surrenders Are the Primary Need: The Farm Dog Rescue receives 10-15 owner surrender calls per day, with 95% of their dogs coming from families who can no longer care for them—not from shelters. 2. Quality Over Quantity: Farm Dog Rescue prioritizes careful vetting, behavioral assessment, and thoughtful placement over rescuing the most dogs possible. Their average hold time is 12 days, with some dogs placed in as little as one hour and others taking up to a year. 3. Fostering Is Transformational: Foster families like Nancy don't just help dogs—they help themselves. Fostering builds confidence, teaches new skills, and provides deep personal rewards. 4. Policy Change Is Essential: The real solution to pet overpopulation is not no-kill shelters—it's spay/neuter legislation and responsible breeding policies, which have already reduced overpopulation in northern states. 5. Pet Trusts Matter: Many seniors assume their family will care for their pets if something happens, but this often doesn't happen. Pet trusts ensure dogs go to appropriate rescues and forever homes. 6. Seniors Helping Seniors Works: Pairing senior dogs with senior adopters creates perfect matches—older dogs need laps and love, and older people want exactly that. 7. Focus on the Present: Dogs live in the moment. While their past trauma matters for understanding behavior, the focus should be on creating a joyful, safe present and future. 8. Rescue Is a Business: Even nonprofits must operate like businesses with financial stability, clear processes, and strategic planning to be sustainable and effective. 9. It Takes a Village: The Farm Dog Rescue has 52 volunteers in different roles—from fostering to transport to admin. Sustainability comes from distributed leadership and a strong team. 10. Who Rescues Whom? The relationship between rescuer and rescued is mutual. Dogs provide us with purpose, presence, and unconditional love in ways that transform our own lives.
Organizations & Resources Mentioned The Farm Dog Rescue
- Website: TheFarmDogRescue.com
- Phone: 772-224-3323
- Services: Dog rescue, adoption, fostering, behavioral training, spay/neuter programs, Seniors Helping Seniors program
- Location: Martin County, Florida
- Mission: No-kill dog rescue supporting animal welfare through rescue, adoption, education, and community outreach
Small & Gutsy
- Website: SmallandGutsy.org
- Mission: Spotlight smaller nonprofits and social enterprises to raise visibility and connect them with volunteers, donors, investors, and job seekers
- Contact for organization recommendations: Laura@SmallAndGutsy.org
Rachel Miller, founder of Film2Future, joins Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff to discuss how her nonprofit is revolutionizing access to the entertainment industry for underserved LA youth. Rachel shares her personal journey, from discovering filmmaking at 16, to creating a comprehensive, completely free program that removes barriers to entry for talented teenagers from low-income backgrounds. The episode explores Film2Future's innovative hybrid model, industry partnerships, and the transformative impact on students' careers and lives.
Key Topics Discussed Rachel's Background & Inspiration
- Discovered filmmaking by chance at age 16 during a community service event
- Interned for legendary producer Deborah Hill
- Taught public school in Manhattan and witnessed firsthand the economic divide affecting students' opportunities
- Founded Film2Future in 2016 to address systemic barriers to entry in Hollywood
The Problem Film2Future Solves
- Film school costs $80,000+ annually, with additional expenses for equipment, portfolios, and tutoring
- Industry leaders struggle to find "qualified, diverse candidates" ready to work
- The real issue: lack of accessible pathways for underserved youth, not lack of talent
- Solution: Start in high school so students are career-ready by 18
The Film2Future Model
- Completely free program providing computers, Wi-Fi, headphones, backpacks, supplies, food, and transportation
- Hybrid approach: remote learning + in-person days at partner companies (Disney, Sony, etc.)
- 25-30 student cohorts recruited from across LA County's most underserved schools
- No portfolio required for application; focus on creativity and point of view
Four Core Programs
- Animation
- Live Action Filmmaking
- Emerging Technologies (VR, podcasting, gaming)
- Advertising
Life Skills Integration
- Financial literacy
- Resume writing and LinkedIn development
- Professional communication and email etiquette
- Networking and pitching skills
- Interview preparation
Success & Impact
- 140+ paid internships and production assistant roles
- 225+ students served since 2016
- $2+ million in college scholarships earned
- Alumni hiring other alumni, creating sustainable career pipeline
- Notable success: Student with physical disabilities received a full-ride to NYU Tisch after creating the award-winning short
COVID-19 Innovation
- First production up and running during the pandemic
- Created proprietary tech pods and safety protocols
- Shot five shorts with zero infections
- Demonstrated organizational resilience and adaptability
Key Takeaways * Diversity in entertainment isn't just about goodness—it's better for business and creativity * Removing barriers at the pipeline level (high school) is more effective than trying to hire diversity later * Life skills training is as important as technical skills in the entertainment industry * Building community among students creates sustainable mentorship networks * Multiple ways to get involved with nonprofits beyond monetary donations
Resources & Contact Website: Film2Future.org
YouTube: Film2Future Channel (to view student shorts)
Instagram: @Film2Future
Contact: Available through website
Guest Bio Rachel Miller is the founder of Film2Future and, founding partner of Haven Entertainment, a production and management company. She's also an executive producer on Netflix's "Devil in Ohio" and has sold 28+ manuscripts to publishers. She speaks regularly at UCLA, NYU, AFI, and international film festivals about diversity in entertainment.
For more great Small & Gutsy Episodes: www.smallandgutsy.org/episodes
Join host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff as she explores the vital role of arts education with Gavin Cho, discussing how the Burbank Arts & Education Foundation is working to ensure every student has access to quality education and enrichment programs.
Key Takeaways:
- The merger of two long-standing educational foundations in Burbank created a stronger, unified approach to supporting students
- Twice-yearly grant programs provide crucial funding for innovative educational projects
- Student advocacy plays a central role in the foundation's success
- The foundation is expanding to offer college essay workshops and summer enrichment programs
- Community partnerships, from major studios to local businesses, help sustain educational initiatives
Notable Quotes: "Everything that we do as a foundation at the end of the day needs to answer the question, what does this do for students?" - Gavin Cho
Impact Highlights:
- Awarded over $1.4 million in grants
- Supporting arts integration across all grade levels
- Creating equitable access to educational enrichment
- Building community partnerships for sustainable support
Vision for the Future: The foundation aims to make Burbank schools synonymous with educational excellence in California, focusing on accessibility, equity, and comprehensive student development.
Get Involved: Visit the Burbank Arts and Education Foundation website (https://burbankartsanded.org/) to learn about volunteer opportunities, donation options, and ways to support their mission of enriching education in Burbank.
About the Guest: Gavin Cho brings his experience in public policy, strategic planning, and development to his role as Director of Development, combining his passion for education with practical solutions for community engagement.
For more podcast episodes, please visit: www.smallandgutsy.org
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff hosts a compelling discussion on the importance of intuition and personal safety with Barb Jordan, a safety expert and advocate. The episode explores Barb's personal journey, driven by family tragedy, to educate and empower individuals to recognize and prevent predatory behavior.
Key Topics Covered:
- Barb's Background and Motivation:
- Barb's journey from being an elite athlete to a dedicated safety advocate.
- The murder of Barb's sister, Beverly, as the pivotal event that inspired the founding of Always Bev.
- Recognizing Manipulation and Predatory Behavior:
- Real-life examples of manipulation and the subtle red flags that often precede violent behavior.
- Importance of trusting one's gut feelings and setting boundaries.
- The Mission of Always Bev:
- The organization's mission is to provide life-changing safety skills and awareness to prevent violence.
- Description of the workshops and the groups they target, including universities and corporations.
- Safety Skills and Awareness:
- Techniques for situational awareness and personal safety.
- Practical tips for recognizing manipulation tactics.
- Community and Outreach:
- How Always Bev uses word of mouth and community connections to spread its message.
- The impact of social media in creating awareness for personal safety education.
- Educational Programs and Workshops:
- Description of the kinds of workshops offered, catering to different demographics.
- The role of storytelling and real-life scenarios in educating participants.
- Future Aspirations:
- Barb's goals for expanding the reach of Always Bev.
- Desire to collaborate with influencers and celebrities to amplify the organization's voice.
Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to trust their intuition, remain vigilant, and consider participating in or supporting Always Bev's programs. They can reach out via Always Bev's website for more information about workshops and to help spread the word about the importance of personal safety.
Conclusion: The episode concludes with a heartfelt message on the power of resilience, leaning on one's intuition, and the transformative journey of turning personal tragedy into a purpose-driven mission. Barb Jordan stands as a beacon of hope and strength, encouraging everyone to take their personal safety seriously.
Listeners are invited to subscribe to the podcast for more inspiring stories and insights on nonprofits and social enterprises.
For more information about Small & Gutsy, check out the website: www.smallandgutsy.org
In this enlightening episode, host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff talks with Christine Buckley, the Executive Director and Board President of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. The episode delves into the complexities and risks associated with brain aneurysms, highlighting the critical nature of early diagnosis and proper treatment. Key Discussion Points: 1. Understanding Brain Aneurysms: - The brain's intricate role as an organ and the devastating impacts when an aneurysm occurs. - Statistical insights into the prevalence and rupture rates of brain aneurysms. 2. Personal Stories and Advocacy: - Christine shares touching personal stories of individuals affected by brain aneurysms, emphasizing the unpredictability and severity of the condition. - The importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. 3. Advancements in Treatment: - How modern advancements have made treatments less invasive and more efficient. - The ongoing challenge of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. 4. Foundation Initiatives: - The Brain Aneurysm Foundation's role in research, advocacy, and education. - The "Scan to Save" initiative is designed to improve early detection and healthcare provider education. 5. Impact of Education and Awareness: - Strategies to increase awareness and understanding of brain aneurysms among the public and healthcare professionals. - The importance of sharing information through social media and community outreach. 6. Challenges and Future Goals: - The need for more widespread awareness and support to prevent rupture-related fatalities and disabilities. - Christine's vision for a world free from the dangers of brain aneurysms and the continuous effort to secure research funding. Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast episode, follow the Brain Aneurysm Foundation on social media, and help spread awareness about the signs, symptoms, and importance of early detection of brain aneurysms. Links and Resources: - Brain Aneurysm Foundation Website - Social Media: Facebook, X, Instagram, [LinkedIn] (www.linkedin.com/company/the-brain-aneurysm-foundation) (www.youtube.com/user/brainaneurysmfound
For more Small & Gutsy episodes: https://smallandgutsy.org/episodes/
]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:dd275c08-470e-4494-95a7-98021f04f5c1-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> I've spent decades working in, around, and now leading a small nonprofit called Small & Gutsy*. And if there's one thing I've consistently seen across the nonprofit sector, it's this: a profound need for resources.
Sure, financial resources are always a challenge — that doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out. But what often surprises people is how limited the resource toolbox is for many organizations — not just the small ones.
In smaller nonprofits, staff are laser-focused on their mission and the direct work of serving clients. They're stretched thin, wearing multiple hats, which leaves little time for long-term sustainability planning. But even larger nonprofits, segmented into departments, can lose sight of the bigger picture — missing opportunities to collaborate, streamline, or grow.
That's why accessible, centralized, and free resources are so critical.
Enter: The Nonprofit Cooperative.
A nonprofit in its own right, The Nonprofit Cooperative operates with a powerful business model — one that gives back to the nonprofit community every single day, completely free of charge.
Their website is a true one-stop shop, offering:
- Human resources guidance
- Fundraising tools
- Insurance insights
- Grant and proposal writing support
- Webinars and workshops
- Networking opportunities
- Business-community vetted partnerships
- And… our very own Small & Gutsy podcast page!
Any nonprofit can sign up and record their own interview, adding their voice to our growing family and sharing their impact stories with the world.
In this way, Small & Gutsy isn't just telling nonprofit stories — we're partnering with The Nonprofit Cooperative to support those very organizations with the tools and visibility they deserve.
And I couldn't be more excited to introduce today's guest: Danette O'Connell, Founder and Executive Director of The Nonprofit Cooperative.
Danette is a seasoned professional whose career has focused on helping nonprofits not just survive, but transform. She brings deep experience from the business world and a passion for equipping mission-driven organizations with practical, scalable solutions.
So, let's get started.
Danette, welcome to Small & Gutsy. You have a significant business background — what inspired you to pivot and pour your energy into the nonprofit sector?
For more information, check out their website: www.thenonprofitcooperative.org
For more podcasts: www.smallandgutsy.org
Episode: AMBITION - Transforming Lives Through Power Not Pity
Guest: Nancy Gale - Founder of AMBITION and JAMAH Luxury Handbags
Episode Description: A powerful conversation about transforming lives through entrepreneurship, mentorship, and the unique approach of "power not pity." Nancy Gale shares how she integrated cause and commerce through her luxury handbag brand JAMAH and nonprofit AMBITION, creating opportunities for disadvantaged youth.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The integration of cause and commerce in business
- AMBITION's signature "You Don't Know About Me" program
- The power of storytelling in transformation
- Access and exposure as key game changers for youth
- Breaking down barriers between different socioeconomic groups
- The importance of hard work and passion in achievement
- Teaching marketing and entrepreneurship to youth
- The story behind acquiring the AMBITION.org domain name
Notable Quote: "If you can show how the angst and anger are going to help us solve the problem, I will out-angst and out-anger you any day." - Nancy Gale
Key Highlights:
- AMBITION's unique approach combining entrepreneurship education with personal development
- The two-semester program structure: personal narrative development followed by marketing skills
- Success stories of students' transformations
- The integration of JAMAH luxury handbags with AMBITION's mission
- The importance of teaching youth to present challenges with "power not pity"
Resources Mentioned:
- Website: AMBITION.org
- Program: "You Don't Know About Me" initiative
Impact Metrics:
- The program serves primarily juniors and seniors in high school
- 16 years of operation
- Expanding through partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs
Guest Bio: Nancy Gale is the founder of AMBITION, a nonprofit organization providing entrepreneurial education to disadvantaged youth, and JAMAH, a luxury handbag brand. With 25+ years in the fashion industry, she pioneered an innovative business model integrating cause and commerce. Her approach focuses on empowering youth through access, exposure, and real-world business experience.
Contact Information:
- Website: AMBITION.org
- Email: info@ambition.org
Call to Action:
- Visit AMBITION.org to learn more about the program
- Consider volunteering as a mentor
- Support through donations or purchasing merchandise
For more podcast episodes, please visit: https://smallandgutsy.org/episodes/
The Intrinsic Philosophy of Change * Change from Within: We believe that the most enduring and meaningful transformations arise from the people most impacted—those who live within the system and carry its deepest insights. * Embedded Transformation: Change is not an external imposition. It becomes intrinsic—woven into the identity of the individual, group, or organization. It’s not just what they do differently; it’s who they become. * Unlocking Capacity: Our role is to help unlock the door to internal wisdom. When systems are open and safe enough to explore their own truths, remarkable growth becomes possible. * Inside-Outside Strategy: This approach may take more time, but it yields outcomes that are more just, more fair, and more permanent. It’s not about quick fixes—it’s about cultivating sustainable evolution. * Collaborative Discovery: We don’t bring answers—we help uncover them. Our work is grounded in trust, curiosity, and the belief that every system holds the seeds of its own renewal.
🔄 Reimagining Justice Through Inclusion and Education
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Centering Lived Experience
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Formerly incarcerated individuals and their families could become educators, facilitators, and policy advocates.
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Their insights would inform alternatives to incarceration—like restorative justice circles, community accountability processes, and trauma-informed care.
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Ownership and Responsibility
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Programs could focus on personal accountability not as punishment, but as a path to healing and growth.
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Participants might co-create curricula on conflict resolution, emotional literacy, and civic engagement.
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Advocacy and Policy Innovation
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The organization could train impacted individuals to become policy advocates, speaking directly to lawmakers and the public.
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Campaigns might push for sentencing reform, abolition of cash bail, or investment in community-based safety initiatives.
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Community Healing and Reconciliation
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Families of incarcerated people could lead healing dialogues between communities and institutions.
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These conversations could address harm, foster empathy, and build bridges between victims, offenders, and society.
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Economic and Social Empowerment
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- The organization might offer job training, entrepreneurship support, and education tailored to those reentering society.
- This would shift the narrative from “ex-offender” to “community leader.”
For more information: www.initiatejustice.org
For more Small & Gutsy podcasts: www.smallandgutsy.org
This episode is about The Power of Connection: Giving, Learning, and Changing the World We live in a world where opportunities often come through connections — but not just any connections. The ones that matter most are built on trust, generosity, and shared purpose. Networking isn't just about knowing the right people. It's about being the right kind of person. Let me say that again; It’s about being the right kind of person
The world changes one connection at a time — and that connection can start with you & Moving Worlds
MovingWorlds operates a global platform that convenes partners from all sectors to build a more equitable, just, and sustainable economy by empowering social enterprises and the people working with — and within — them.
They believe that social entrepreneurs are the on-the-ground heroes demonstrating that we can build a more just, equitable, and sustainable global economy. For more than a decade, they’ve been exploring how to best support them to grow revenues, create world-positive jobs, and scale up impact. Through their programs, partnerships, and ongoing research, social enterprises need more than just financial investment to achieve their world-changing potential, and this networked platform is an important component. They have: Over 1,000 professionals from companies, Social entrepreneurs from over 105 countries, and over 35 impact investor and accelerator partners.
For more information, check out: www.movingworlds.org
For more episodes, check out: www.smallandgutsy.org
The conference is coming up on October 16th
For more information and to purchase tickets to TechTainment™:
https://www.laipla.net/techtainment-2025/
Being a professor in the age of AI — particularly generative AI — is both exciting and deeply challenging. As educators, we recognize that technology is evolving at a pace with which, even seasoned technologists struggle to keep up. Students are increasingly tempted to let AI do the thinking for them, believing they’re being efficient when, in fact, they may be shortcutting the deeper learning process.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT should not be about replacing critical thought or original research. It’s about enhancing the learning journey, not skipping it. While these tools can assist in discovery, ideation, and even structure, they cannot substitute the human insights that come from struggle, context, collaboration, and lived experience.
That’s why I challenge my students to think critically: What happens when the sources AI provides don't match course materials? What if AI misses the nuances, the legal precedents, or the emerging ethics in a topic? The danger is not just in misinformation — it's in the erosion of personal accountability and intellectual depth.
This exact tension — between innovation and integrity — is what makes events like TechTainment™ so necessary.
The intersection of technology, entertainment, and the law is a rapidly evolving space filled with complex and often controversial issues.
There are a multitude of issues at the intersection of these areas. I am going to name a few, but my guest today has knowledge and depth that will convince you not to miss the upcoming 1-day TechTainment™ event. So, here goes:
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Intellectual Property (IP) Challenges
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Piracy & Copyright Infringement Digital content is frequently shared illegally through unauthorized streaming and file-sharing platforms, causing major revenue losses.
- AI-Generated Content Legal ownership of AI-created art, music, or video remains uncertain. If AI uses copyrighted inputs to generate new outputs, is the result derivative, transformative, or something else entirely?
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Remixes, Memes & Fair Use Social media culture thrives on remixing existing works. However, the boundaries of ‘fair use’ are unclear, leaving creators legally vulnerable and platforms uncertain about enforcement.
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AI and Deepfakes
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Fake Celebrity Content Deepfakes and voice cloning enable unauthorized, misleading, or defamatory representations of public figures—often used in fake ads, explicit content, or political misinformation.
- Consent & Image Rights There’s a growing legal and ethical concern over the use of a person’s likeness, voice, or performance without their consent, especially in AI-generated content.
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Legal Lag The rapid advancement of generative AI and deepfake technologies has outpaced existing laws, creating enforcement gaps and legislative uncertainty.
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Streaming & Distribution Rights
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Global Licensing Issues Rights to distribute content differ by region. Streaming platforms face legal complexity in acquiring and managing these rights across jurisdictions.
· Residuals & Fair Pay Creatives (writers, actors, directors) are demanding transparent compensation models for streamed content. This has led to major labor actions (e.g., 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes).
· Windowing Conflicts Studios and platforms debate how long content should remain exclusive to one service before being released elsewhere — impacting revenue models and consumer access.
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Content Moderation & Censorship
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Platform Liability Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch must balance free expression with moderating harmful content. Legal responsibility for user-generated content remains a contentious issue.
- Freedom of Speech vs. Harmful Content Legal systems struggle to balance free speech rights with the need to curb misinformation, hate speech, and online harassment.
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Government Regulations Laws differ by region
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Privacy & Surveillance
· Data Collection Entertainment platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube gather extensive user data (viewing habits, preferences, location, device usage). The ways this data is analyzed, monetized, or shared with third parties remain legally ambiguous and often undisclosed.
· Facial Recognition & Biometrics Increasing use of biometric technologies in entertainment spaces—such as facial recognition at concerts, stadiums, and theme parks—raises major privacy concerns. There's a lack of clear legal guidelines around consent, storage, and misuse of biometric data.
· Children’s Privacy Platforms aimed at children must comply with strict regulations like the Children’s Online Privacy Protections
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Content Ownership in the Creator Economy
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Platform vs. Creator Control: Platforms like YouTube, TikTok and others often control monetization and visibility algorithms, limiting creator autonomy.
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Copyright Takedowns & Abuse
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NFTs & Digital Ownership
· Fraud & Scams
- Copyright Confusion
Emerging Legal Areas to Watch
- Generative AI law
- Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality Laws
- Content moderation laws
- Digital labor rights
- Smart contracts & blockchain in entertainment
The primary issues revolve around intellectual property rights, data privacy, platform regulation, AI ethics, and compensation for creative labor. As technology outpaces regulation, legal systems are constantly playing catch-up — often with high-stakes consequences for creators, companies, and consumers. It’s about thought leadership and responsible innovation. It’s about ensuring that human value — ethical reasoning, creative spark, legal foresight — isn’t lost in the digital noise.
Our country is at a crossroads, and events like TechTainment™ are more than just conferences — they are forums for the future. As educators, professionals, and creators, our job is not to reject AI but to ensure we don’t outsource our judgment, our integrity, or our creativity. Let AI and other innovative technology be tools — but let us be the ones who drive its purpose.
The conference is coming up on October 16th
For more information and to purchase tickets to TechTainment™:
https://www.laipla.net/techtainment-2025/
A huge thank you to Trope & Trope Law Group, protecting your IP Assets worldwide, for generously supporting this episode!
For more Small & Gutsy episodes, check out our website: www.smallandgutsy.org
How many times have I wished I could take those negative thoughts out of my head, those thoughts projecting a future that may not actually happen? This doesn’t mean that we don’t prepare for the worst, but do we want to live in that state or space where it virtually eliminates being in the present/ our present? How can we enjoy anything if we are always thinking about what might be? Conversely, thinking about what might be from a positive standpoint might actually be soothing, and yet again, it takes us out of the present, which is the only place that can drive our actions, as it is all we actually know. I remember sitting on my bathroom floor as a high schooler in hysterics, breaking up with my then boyfriend, and suffering because I couldn’t face hurting him, and the idea of loss was just overwhelming due to the early losses that I had experienced in my own family. How I would have benefitted from the comfort of knowing that others suffer too and perhaps if I had had our featured organization’s App, I would have certainly managed better or at least been in the great company of others who had experienced loss - my reaction may have been over exaggerated, but it was because I had experienced early losses - what I didn’t know then and know now is that often a previous loss can be triggered by a current loss although the two seem completely disconnected - that would have perhaps allowed me to grieve my relationship without feeling crazy.
Mental health is an incredibly complicated topic. So many of us have had experiences either personally or with our children; no one wants to see their children in pain, and emotional pain is often frightening, because it’s hard to find the source of the pain as compared to physical pain, and emotional or psychological injury is often invisible. We understand when someone is in physical pain, but we often blame the individual for being in emotional pain. Raising children is tough, all that goes into daily schedules, etc. now, let’s complicate the typical with a complex world, access to more information that can have negative impacts, biological changes and we can have tweens and teens in pain without the benefit of always knowing how to manage it or letting them know that they are not alone as so many others go through similar anguish. Why isn’t that taught in schools?
Mood’s goal is to put free, fast and effective mental health tools into the hands of every tween & teen, ages 9-17 and for the adults, teachers and providers in their world, enabling them to build skills and resilience through fun and engaging content - Where were you when I was a teen and even as a young adult and parent? Their website is fun and their mood tools are practical coping skills that are easy to understand and use. The Mood tools are proven stragteties designed to help tweens and teens bring their feelings into managageble bite-sized mood moments rather than gigantic, scary floods of emotion that feel never-ending. I am also incredibly impressed that Mood has an advisory board filled with tweens and teens who bring innovative, creative ideas that are inviting to their cohort.
For more information, go to: www.mood.org
And for additional information on all the podcasts: www.smallandgutsy.org
What happens when you mix the love of Jiu-Jitsu and the love for community? Guardian happens! This podcast recording offers insight into how learning to manage our emotions through martial arts, and specifically through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its own magical ingredients with real and lasting impact. Guardian was founded by Ben Kovacs and Joel Lunenfeld in 2015, initially starting as a single academy in Oakland, California. The original gym supported over 1,000 youth across the Bay Area by providing mentorship, free training, and a welcoming community. From the outset, they envisioned Guardian as more than just a physical space; they aimed for it to have a global impact. In 2020, they introduced the Guardian Scholarship. This initiative was designed to broaden their reach, offering support to children worldwide to engage in training. Leveraging their extensive network of friends and academy partners, they started integrating scholarships within their schools, ensuring that financial barriers would not prevent children from accessing their programs. Their goal is to enable more youth to experience the transformative benefits of Jiu-Jitsu. Ben is one of the founders of Guardian, where he has played a strong role in shaping the organization's branding and long-term strategy. His involvement in Jiu-Jitsu began in 2006 at Yamasaki Academy, and he earned a black belt in 2019. This experience inspired him to create a non-profit focused on making Jiu-Jitsu training accessible to all. Ben has a background in tech, having worked at Twitter, where he met Joel Lunenfeld, his co-founder. Both have been deeply committed to the sustainability & mission of Guardian.
For more information: www.guardiangym.org
For more Small & Gutsy episodes and information to refer an organization or to be on the podcast:
www.smallandgutsy.org
In this nonprofit podcast story, I share about a personal experience and then tap into the beauty of matching rescueres with rescues! I am not sure who rescues whom! I don’t know about you, but I think about dog rescue as a really wonderful thing to do although it has its challenges; our dog, Molly is a rescue and I guess that she was not just abandoned, but abused, she probably had a set of puppies and we think was about 2 or 3 when we adopted her. I have never seen a dog eat as fast as Molly - you could feel the trauma in her frenzy as she inhaled her bowl of food - she’s only 12 lbs and she can eat. I’m guessing because she can’t talk that she’s thinking this could be her last meal. She is a love & simultaneously a heartache when you witness this fear in her approach to eating and pretty much everything else. She’s a challenge because she pees literally wherever she wants - hence few rugs in our house since she tends to like soft spots, but anywhere will do if she can’t get herself outside, and even if she can but feels something is in the way, she will resort to a way of life that is based on having lived outside, hence eat whatever you can find and pee wherever is convenient - she is fear-based and survival-based - I can’t say I blame her. She is now 12 1/2 years old and sadly, still eats as if she will never get another meal, eats whatever she can find outside, and has the most blood curdleing scream when anyone touches her backside or even when something, even a leaf brushes up against her without her knowledge- we’ve all gotten used to it over the years and it is only when a visitor comes over and she screeches with panic, that the visitor feels like she’s stepped on her and our response is always, Molly, you’re fine. I remember when we first got her and she would only go to our dog, Max, 2 years her senior - he seemed safe to her and thank goodness loved her - they became two peas in a pod and when a stranger would come by as long as Max would go up to the stranger with a sense of safety or comfort, would Molly follow. Her trauma has stayed with her and yet, I know in my heart that she is comforted by the life we’ve given her and that she knows she is wanted and loved - animals sense when you want to comfort them - they can be challenging when they have been in a world of pain and mistrust and we are asking them to trust us - in some ways, that’s like people - the more consistent I am with Molly, the more relaxed she generally is. Yet, that loud-pitched, blood-curdling scream is something she will never give up. My guest today will share much more, but in reading about herders, I can see why the matching process has to be so targeted to ensure both a happy foster dog and a happy foster home. Here are a few interesting things to note if you are considering fostering or adopting a herder. Herders specifically Border Collies can clear a 5+ foot fence and are known as escape artists - my guess is that they may be escaping if their owner isn’t nearby as they tend to be very attached to their owners and become anxious when the owner isn’t present; they have a great deal of energy and are often misperceived as stubborn or even neurotic, and difficult to train due to their sensitive nature and desire to be connected to one person versus being part of a family. Some of these reasons are why many Border Collies are abandoned at shelters and elsewhere. Hence, the need arose and was filled by 3 women who joined together to start Helping Herders Rescue. Helping Herders Rescue’s mission is to match herders to humans in Southern California; they are a foster-based program dedicated to helping dogs recover, prepare for a family, and find great homes. This is particularly challenging with herding breeds, and they are often misunderstood. For more information, check out their website: www.helpingherdersrescue.org
This podcasting story will resonate with anyone who is still living and wants to fully embrace life.
There are plenty of words in the English language that are disdainful, hurtful, nasty, & downright awful, but there are two words that are unavoidable and from which we often run: death & dying - no one enjoys grief, sadness, or loss - those words are so dam final! When I was in social work school, I read Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s book aptly titled On Death and Dying, seminal work at that time. Kubler-Ross introduced what is known as the 5 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance; a 6th stage was more recently added by a colleague of Kubler-Ross’, David Kessler, Finding Meaning. It turns out that this concept may have been in Kubler-Ross' initial model, but her editor told her to remove it, as 5 stages are better than 6, although, as anyone who has experienced grief knows, this is not a linear process.
One incredibly gifted creator, producer, and writer decided to take on this subject, but not as a passive project, but a fully engaging, head-on discussion to move us, make us think, and maybe make us less afraid of the inevitable.
Grief Dialogues: The Experience brings timely conversations about death, dying, and grief to the stage in innovative, humorous, and touching ways. Part theatre, part therapy, this “edutainment” love that creative name, project began in 2016 with an open call for short plays and was developed from nearly 200 submissions. The original performance was composed of 6 short plays from playwrights across the country. It is a thought-provoking and honest look at the subject of death that invites audiences to reconsider some of the rhetoric and stigmas around the topic. As one of my guests shares: Theatre is the great empathy generator, and out of grief comes art. Grief Dialogues is also committed to offering accessible and affordable training in compassion for health care providers, counselors and therapists, end-of-life specialists, funeral homes, and at-home caregivers.
Let's Write a Musical was born out of this concept of 'out of grief, comes art.'
A Musical About Love, Loss, and the Power of Storytelling. A joyous celebration of the power of love and an ode to classic musicals.
A heartfelt and inspiring journey that follows David Hamilton and his wife, Lucy (based on Ben and Lawrie), as they write a romantic comedy in the wake of David’s cancer diagnosis. As their real-life challenges unfold, so does the story of Olive and Blake, a young couple in the 1950s navigating love, laughter, and misadventures.
For more information, check out their website: https://www.griefdialogues.com/
Tickets for Let's Write a Musical are on sale now:
https://www.griefdialogues.com/lets-write-a-musical/
It has been an honor and a privilege to host this nonprofit podcast to benefit nonprofits and social enterprises
Our 100th episode is a montage of what our interviewees shared with us about their experience on Small & Gutsy, as well as some advice for those yet to be interviewed. We are grateful for the opportunity to have interviewed the most amazing organizations over the past 4 1/2 years and look forward to many more interviews, celebrating the work of smaller nonprofits and social enterprises. From Small & Gutsy to Big with Impact!
www.smallandgutsy.org
Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, second only to water. It comes in many varieties: black, green, white, oolong, and herbal. Tea is celebrated for its health benefits, from antioxidants to its calming effects, and it continues to play a major role in global culture and commerce.
In recent decades, tea has experienced a revival in interest, with a growing market for specialty teas, such as artisanal blends, organic teas, and matcha. The modern-day global tea market is vast, and tea continues to evolve as both a daily beverage and a symbol of tradition, health, and innovation. It can solve 3 key problems, particularly in the Himalayas:
- Urban migration - young folks are moving to megacities in search of work which fragments the family and drives unsustainable urban growth
- Land degradation - abandoned farmland due to the fragmented family deteriorates into unusable dirt
- Climate change - increased droughts and floods trigger catastrophic landslides
Tea is one clear solution:
- Tea creates rural jobs and reverses urban migration
- Tea revitalizes wasted farmland and is an anchor crop for biodiversity
- Tea leaves drink CO2 which gets stored in their roots and removed from the atmosphere
- Tea is a gender economic equalizer -
- And the outcome of what my guest has started is aligned with many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Their Vision is to create a sustainable future for Himalayan farmers and their families. Their Mission is to partner with Himalayan communities to raise the quality of their tea, so farmers can earn more and raise the quality of their lives. Young Mountain Tea partners with farmers in North India to get a new factory up and running. Tea farmers, 90% being women, will launch their region’s first community-owned tea factory. This factory will be a blueprint for a model of sustainable change in the tea industry, eventually throughout the Himalayas and the world.
Building A Sustainable Future For Himalayan Farmers And Their Families is truly a social enterprise.
For more information, go to:
www.youngmountaintea.com
Finding inner peace is a process that leads to a practice; there are important rituals that guide us in self-discovery. Derived from the Sanskrit word for “circle”, the Mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. It is a sacred art form that connects us to our inner selves and the world around us. Their profound wisdom and tranquil messages, serve as a powerful medium to contemplate and find peace within.
Mandalas are typically circles with repeating symmetrical shapes, and are considered a sacred symbol. In Sanskrit, mandala translates to “sacred center” or “circle.” Mandalas symbolize harmony and unity, and represent that everything is connected.
Pema Chodron, the incredible American-born Tibetan Buddist and ordained nun who is soulful and wise shared, “Each person’s life is like a mandala – a vast, limitless circle. We stand in the center of our own circle, and everything we see, hear, and think forms the mandala of our life.”
I love that imagery.
One organization has discovered that bringing in the concept of inner peace through an evidenced-based curriculum using the Mandala as a cornerstone enables youth to build and strengthen their capacity to manage stress and conflict in new ways, giving them lifelong skills that serve to build a more compassionate society. Building that society begins with our youth.
Tools for Peace is a mental wellness program for youth that provides curricula to grow compassionate minds.
Their Mission is to inspire kindness and compassion in everyday life. Their mindfulness-based social-emotional learning programs support mental health, academic and professional success, and community health and wellbeing. Studies show that the Tools for Peace curriculum improves focus, conflict resolution skills, and confidence, and reduces stress in participants.
For more information, please check their website for more information:
www.toolsforpeace.org
Investing in youth and education aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal # 4 (Quality Education) and indirectly fuels several others like Decent Work and Economic Growth (goal # 8) and Reduced Inequalities (goal # 10). This perspective reinforces how crucial it is to view sustainability as not just environmental, but deeply tied to social and economic development.
It takes a village is a common expression, used by so many to essentially mean…we all need to lift one another up to attain the most robust society for long-term sustainability
Lifting up any society often begins with opportunities that offer economic sustainability - those opportunities can only be realized when individuals are schooled and trained. If we don’t invest in our youth, we are essentially saying that the next generation isn’t worth the investment…what does that say about sustainability? What does that say about building competition that creates a landscape of creativity and forward-thinking products and services?
Domestic violence and Early pregnancies among young girls are rampant in communities and are caused by poverty and unemployment forcing families to lack basic needs.
Dependable Youth Initiative Uganda is a registered Community non-governmental organization committed to empowering youth and women through vocational skill building, agri-business, Gender rights and equality, environment conservation, and reproductive health education.
Please check out their website: https://dyinitiative.org/
Two very smart women saw a pattern developing in their midwestern city of St. Louis, my hometown actually, after one attended a meet-up group organized by Susan Gobbo one of these smart women, who is Brazilian, and who experienced the loneliness of a trailing spouse, herself when she moved to St. Louis in 2008. Years later, she formed a meetup group for other foreign wives. Annie Schlafly, the other very smart woman, who is active in various community groups, heard about the meetup group through the St. Louis Mosaic Project, a regional initiative within the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the World Trade Center St. Louis, formed to attract more immigrants to St. Louis, invigorating the region with rich culture and intellectual stimulus. Annie convinced Susan that the international spouses would benefit from meeting more St. Louisans, and the two founded the International Mentoring Program also known as IMP in 2017.
Over the last seven years, the program has paired over 600 international newcomers with local mentors. They meet one-on-one, in small groups and for larger events such as sports games and other local fare.
Beyond fostering human connections, the program aims to solve a real business problem: According to a Harvard Business Review study, a large percentage of expatriate business postings fail. Many executives ask to return home earlier than planned; others underperform on the job or leave the company.
Mentors are a gift and they can be very rare; they’re rare, because they’re intentional - I use the word, intentional, because that is what it takes to be a great mentor and a great mentee - yes, it’s a two-way street, a commitment that can take on a journey of its own - meaning there is a structure that has some flexibility and creativity that works for both parties. Mentors can be a surprise or can be set up through a network of connections - what makes it sometimes difficult is for a mentee to find or ask someone to serve as their mentor unless their is a designed program. Now, let’s complicate the situation a tad bit, what if you were moving to a foreign country and knew no one, but your spouse or partner who just received an incredible opportunity to earn a living and contribute to the host’s country’s intellectual community - so your partner automatically has a network - built-in through their new work life, but what about YOU. You might think…well, I will just support my partner, but what if a year’s opportunity turns into much longer and you have remained an expatriot without a network of support… how might you feel and what is the risk to your marriage or partnership or even your family if there are children involved? Personal contentment can count for a great deal in determining longevity in a new environment.
Check out their website: www.imstl.org
Small & Gutsy was just named # 8 on Feedspot's top 30 podcasts for social impact! We are deeply honored!
What a beautiful and thoughtful reflection on places of connection and spiritual significance. It’s fascinating how certain spaces, whether physical or emotional, provide that sense of peace, clarity, or even healing, just like the one I described as a child under the bush in your yard. Weaving the idea of being open to the present moment, and to the connections we share with others can be spiritual in the deepest sense. There’s a profound connection between the self and nature, the present moment, and community, which can shape our personal growth.
The story of Leonard Knight and Salvation Mountain is such a powerful example of how dedication, belief, and passion can create something that transcends just a physical space. It’s inspiring to think of how Leonard’s life and work—something as personal as his devotion to his faith—turned into a public monument that has touched so many people across the world. The mountain isn’t just a structure; it represents years of persistence, love, and a desire to spread a message of faith, connection, and hope.
I also think it’s so moving that Bob Levesque is carrying forward Leonard’s work, ensuring that his vision continues. It reminds us how important it is to protect and nurture the things that matter deeply to us, even after we’re gone, and how communities can preserve these treasures for future generations. It’s amazing how these places of connection, healing, and spirituality are passed down through the dedication of individuals and communities.
It seems like a beautiful, spiritual journey for Bob to be part of this legacy. His role in preserving Leonard’s vision must be incredibly meaningful. Do you feel like there’s a specific lesson or message you’ve taken from Leonard Knight’s story and Salvation Mountain that resonates with your own journey or understanding of connection?
Check out their website: www.salvationmountain.org
Loss is something we all experience and I think if you ask the average person about loss, you may get an answer about missing someone who was very special to them, and is no longer here, but loss can take on so much more meaning; it can be loss of an opportunity, loss of an existing relationship, because that relationship has shifted or no longer exists in its original construct; it can be loss of abilities or faculties, Loss simply means no longer having something or having less of it than before; Oftentimes, we need to process that loss and hopefully with time, the pain or the sadness lessens and sometimes, the process of a loss turns into action to prevent further losses. When you meet my guest today, loss took on an incredible meaning in his life; potential and actual loss of nature and natural habitats that forced indigenous people and animals to find other ways to survive, loss of preserving indigenous peoples’ villages, loss of clean water for some, loss of environments that had been functioning well for generations, but due to deforestation and frankly greed or ignorance, those places are no longer what they once had been.
Imagine being a little boy where your playground is the curiosity of cultures and environments and where your day’s goal is to explore every indigenous reptile, spider, and furry animal that comes across your path. My guest today was fortunate enough to have a mother as a travel agent planning exotic vacations, and a father who had a huge number of airline miles, giving my guest and his sister the opportunity to travel to less known places that set the stage for his future professional and, I think, personal journey.
Some people are driven by threats - my guest is driven by the threat of loss of the most amazing ecosystems in our global environment; initially wishing to raise awareness about tropical rainforests by publishing his book on line, he established Mongabay in 1999 - the name is also an iteration of a place he loves in Madagascar which he can share with you in a moment. Mongabay has been going strong since its inception in 1999 as a vehicle to raise awareness of and interest in wildlife and wild lands; 25 years later, it has continued to gather momentum and has evolved from a website hosting his book, specific to rainforests with the aim of raising awareness to spark action in preserving these amazing ecosystems, to a comprehensive platform covering a wide range of environmental topics far beyond tropical forests. Mongabay is a nonprofit media platform with more than 90 staff across five bureaus and a network of approximately 1,000 correspondents in 80 countries, producing original reporting in five languages, and is read by millions of people a month. Mongabay pursues stories ranging from conventional news articles to deeply-reported investigative projects. One key goal of Mongabay is to increase transparency through targeted journalism which then influences change by driving greater accountability and supporting an enabling environment for a wide range of actors, from nongovernmental organizations to local communities to green entrepreneurs to take action.
I’d call this driven, initially driven by loss and now driven by the impact Mongabay has surely had. Mongabay draws its inspiration from a global moral code and truly honors nature. Words cannot express my personal awe for Rhett Butler, founder of Mongabay -
Rhett and his global team have forced the revision of laws to protect these environments and manage the global greed for resources that frankly belong to the indigenous people who could then have a sustainable existence by benefitting from these resources.
For more information, please check out their website: www.mongabay.org
Dr. Charity Dean, the public health leader who helped guide the strategic response to Covid-19 in California and elsewhere, shared her incredible personal story of being very poor, born on the side of the tracks in rural Oregon where the kids are never encouraged to seek college or any higher educational degree; in fact, Dr. Dean shared that she should have grown up to pump gas at the local station; she was regularly discouraged from seeking her dream of being a doctor and many doors were slammed in her face repeatedly. So, what drove her to succeed? She shares that there are at least two versions of everyone’s story, and both are 100% true. The first version is that she could have stayed in her small community, pumped gas with her friends and simmer with anger at the injustice in being born poor and in her situation where others had no expectations that she would succeed or that she should even try; then, there’s version number 2, being the hero of her circumstances became the guiding principle of that story - meaning her being born into poverty taught her to scavenger and scramble for everything including opportunities that looked out-of-reach including flunking out of college and still being determined to go back and finish. Every block and barrier became an opportunity for determination. Dr. Charity Dean wanted to belong, but belong as defined by her version of her story, not someone else’s. Belonging is an essential desire for most of us and certainly for young folks who are trying to find their way. Growing up in dysfunctional families, as many of us have, can sometimes push us into trying to belong to a group that may not be the best for our development, particularly for our character - but survival trumps good judgment at a young, vulnerable age and survival include needing, not wanting, but needing to belong somewhere. especially when you feel you don’t belong even in your own family. I shared these insights from Dr. Charity Dean, because my guest today experienced some of what she spoke about and had the determination to choose a path that moved him away from his past and encouraged him to believe in himself. Because of that, he is now in a position to help others who have experienced their own isolation or lack of acceptance. Do Something Cool is a Foundation, founded by Bryan Hawkins and his sister, Sarah Kawada, dedicated to supporting youth in reaching their full potential and they do this through the belief that sport, culture, and community are powerful tools for change.Their Vision is to help youth learn and develop skills that lead to social, emotional, academic, and physical well-being.Through their grant partnerships and initiatives and soon directly through their own programming, they aim to help young people to lead lives that are good for others as well as themselves. They want to inspire young individuals to accomplish audacious endeavors that will inform and inspire the rest of us. I need to say a few things about how Do Something Cool defines the word, “cool” - their interpretation of cool challenges the conventional label that you and I might have aspired to as a younger person or perhaps even as adults - it transcends a single definition and rather than being seen as hip or trendy - Do Something Cool defines cool as an ever-changing emblem of authentic individuality and collective action - could be play something cool, create something cool, learn something cool…I love this definition, because rather than cool meaning set apart to ‘show-off’ or self-subscribed, being better than others - it is actually, the ambition to lead, venturing into new territories while building self-confidence. Cool is the bravery to try something new, despite the fear that is often connected to the unknown - the courage to explore new paths and embrace challenges; cool is the willingness to embrace new experiences fearlessly and the boldness to push boundaries. Cool is the commitment to a greater cause, a community, a giving-back, and the humble gesture of supporting someone else’s climb towards overcoming adversity. The way I define cool is simply, Bryan Hawkins and Sarah Kawda. Do Something Cool, in my mind, is more like a movement; if we all subscribed to this concept of advancing our community by elevating its people in this way, just think of what a world we might have… To learn more: www.dosomethingcool.org
Mosaics are defined as a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard material, such as stone, tile, or glass, resulting in the creation of something often ornate and beautiful. Sometimes, mosaics tell the story of what was, what is, or what can be…. Each mosaic is uniquely different and yet shares a common history - simply created from something else. As I was putting together this podcast episode, I couldn’t help but think about our lives that resemble mosaics in that we set out to create a plan or pattern that is predictable, or so we’d like to think, like a ceramic, glass or stone object, when in actuality, it can often be quite different. Sometimes our life plan is shattered, and it takes strength, energy, and determination to keep moving forward to put the pieces back together to form a new life plan; each time we experience this manifesting into a new life plan, we build our resilience and become perhaps more strategic or smarter in putting pieces together, and sometimes, the circumstances make it harder than we could ever have anticipated… such circumstances are poverty and homelessness.
Piece by Piece is an employment-related social enterprise designed to support individuals who have experienced homelessness or economic insecurity. Participants create mosaic art, as well as small-scale housewares and large commissioned pieces, and by doing that, earn income and master soft skills while beautifying Los Angeles; one of their mantras is: Recycled Art for a New Cycle of Life.
Please check out their website: www.piecebypiece.org
Their new address is:
6417 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90003
Su Casa in Spanish simply means your home - which if I take a little poetic license, could mean this space is your home or the contraction you’re, you are home - let’s go with you are home… The concept of home is something many of us often take for granted! Home can mean we can breathe, let down our hair, and be ourselves, and in general, we are in charge of our own lives, decisions we make, etc..for many, though this doesn’t exist or feels completely unattainable, not because it isn’t, but because there are life-threatening circumstances that create an almost insurmountable barrier. I recently did a podcast for another organization that focuses on global preservation by sharing information about what is happening to our global ecosystems and the individuals and animals who are being negatively impacted by being displaced or for some, the threat of extinction. We as a society are experiencing a wake-up call; a wake-up call to pay attention to preserving and rebuilding our ecosystems and a wake-up call to the realization that our domestic environments can also be threatening and threaten, most often women and children.
Su Casa is a healing sanctuary where victims - I prefer the term, survivors, can find their voice, develop inner strength, and become self-directed agents of change in their own lives. Su Casa has been around for over 40 years and was founded in 1979 by Petra Medelez, a survivor, who out of her own home took crisis calls and housed individuals being threatened and their children. Petra’s vision was to fill her community with peaceful homes. In order to truly realize her vision, Su Casa expanded its services to include not only immediate shelter from danger but also case management and counseling for residents and for survivors still living with their abuser or batterer, shelter-based certified childhood education, community awareness training, and transitional housing.
Su Casa continually strives to be present and relevant to the folks who are in need and therefore has enhanced their programs to include the growing number of Asian and Pacific Islanders. The value placed on empowerment and cultural competence drives the agency’s ever-expanding range of services that are survivor-centered. These services are practical, therapeutic, and educational.
Su Casa is also forward-thinking: they realized that 30 days may not be enough for women to be empowered enough to put their lives back together so more than 25 years ago, in 1996, transitional shelter was developed and is still being offered. The extended time enables families to bridge the gap between crisis and independent living. What I particularly like is Su Casa’s commitment to offering support wherever a woman is along her journey to safety; if she is not ready to leave, Su Casa is there to provide counseling and support and is available whenever she might be.
Su Casa’s Mission is to empower individuals and families to live free from domestic abuse and build partnerships with communities to end domestic violence.
Our wake-up call is to pay attention to those who may be asking for help and to connect them to resources like Su Casa
Website: www.sucasadv.org
What does the phrase, “education should be a right, not a privilege” mean to you? If you believe that access to education is not a privilege, but a right as is the human rights law guarantees, then, why are 61 million children not in school, and most of them girls? Educating children no matter where they are is one of the biggest factors toward ending extreme poverty.
Education is not a privilege. It is, in fact, a human right. Education as a human right means: the right to education is legally guaranteed for all, without any discrimination; simply, there is an obligation to protect, respect, and fulfill the right to education.
Just to share some background: International human rights law guarantees this right. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights was adopted in 1948, in Article 26: 'everyone has the right to education'.
Since then, the right to education has been widely recognized and developed by a number of international normative instruments elaborated by the United Nations, including the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960, CADE), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966, CESCR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989, CRC). The right to education has also been reaffirmed in other treaties covering specific groups (women and girls, persons with disabilities, migrants, refugees, Indigenous Peoples, etc.) and contexts (education during armed conflicts). It has also been incorporated into various regional treaties and enshrined as a right in the vast majority of national constitutions.
What I find so interesting is that, there are laws to protect the right to education although, we are often globally failing to fulfill this right, but there are no laws to protect the kind of education offered. In some cases, as in the U.S. there was an attempt in 2001 with the No Child Left Behind Act, signed into federal law in 2002, aimed at improving primary and secondary education which in many cases reduced rich curricula into rote standards where schools were evaluated. This changed slightly in 2015 where states had more leeway in determining their evaluative criteria, but it certainly didn’t address the issue of quality. There still remains a huge divide in the US with the quality of education.
We know girls suffer more statistically in terms of their access to learning that aids in their potential to both better themselves and their communities. I have always believed that it is far better to have an educated society as it creates good competition and offers the likelihood that individuals will be self-sustaining and will then improve the larger collective.
Girls DO MATTER and that became the charge of an incredible organization, Girls Matter as well as a friendship between the three Founders Melissa Deally, Malcolm Trevena and Megin Alverez that brought that dream to reality in 2017.
Girls Matter, celebrates girls by increasing their access which includes financial support to high school and post secondary education in developing countries; their vision is to support the education of girls in these countries which will in turn, increase the respect, visibility, and equality for girls in their communities.
Their 3 key program areas:
- Educate girls to complete high school. In select cases, consider educating girls to complete University.
- Support girls to attend classes all year long, by providing menstrual pads (currently they regularly miss 1 week of classes per month without this support).
- Through education, reduce the number of teenage marriages & teenage Moms
A child born to a literate mother is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five.
Educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children to school, ensuring that her own girls are educated, creating a positive ripple effect for generations to come
A girl with an extra year of education can earn 20% more as an adult.
Educating Girls Will Break the Poverty Cycle!
As a recipient, Evelyn Kawola who graduated from fashion & design school shared:
“Your support has pushed me to another level, I can see my future is going to be good. Girls Matter has really changed my life, taking me from being illiterate to literate.”
Their holistic approach supports the girls and their communities in both Uganda and Kenya:
Their motto is: Breaking the Poverty Cycle 1 Girl, 1 Family, 1 Village at a time!
In developing countries, education comes at a cost. Families are caught in a quandary, torn between investing in schooling and affording essential needs. When affording necessities becomes a challenge, daughters are often married off, passing the responsibility of feeding them to a man they don’t know or love.
In a single year, an estimated 150 million girls are victims of sexual violence.
14 million girls under 18 will be married this year, 38 thousand today; 13 girls in the last 30 secondThe #1 cause of death for girls 15-19 is childbirth.
For more information, check out their website: https://girlsmatter.ca/
Let’s take a moment and define community, particularly in today’s very divided and extraordinary divisive environment where community and, in many cases, democracy is misunderstood and missused. Community in its simplest form is often defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals; upon further elaboration, it can include a joint ownership or liability - not sure I like liability part, but I get the nuance behind it, which I think is best articulated by Maya Angelou who beautifully wrote: “If it is true that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, isn’t it also true that a society is as healthy as its sickest citizen and only as wealthy as its most deprived?” Taking this a bit further…
Democracy is defined as a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives including the practice or principles of social equality.
This podcast is not a civics lesson although I think many of us could benefit from understanding the benefits and shared responsibilities of living in an equitable, not equal, but equitable society where we are actively participating in maintaining the health of our society as a whole, meaning all of its people…
One individual saw the need to build this in Los Angeles and my hope is that it spreads everywhere if it hasn’t already.
A former litigator, with a PhD in Policy from USC, my Alma Mater, with a long history in philanthropic efforts and leadership, Dr. Denise McCain responded to a 2012 request from the Los Angeles City Library for a homeless youth resource guide, Dr. McCain developed and published a comprehensive, citywide Directory of Services for Homeless Youth, known at that time as: Our Children LA.
This effort was SO successful that expansion was both sought after and necessary, evolving into the nonprofit, Our Community LA, Or OCLA, with the tagline: Technology, Empowerment, Connections, Hope and their mission is to leverage technology that connects youth, families, and adults experiencing homeless or in need to easily connect to essential resources that can help them make positive changes in their lives; They are doing just that with the WIN APP - WHAT I NEED - easy to remember and easy to use; OCLA’s long-term commitment is to social justice by envisioning a world in which no one will be hungry, unhoused or in need of important supportive service, enabling individuals to build a life out of poverty, abuse or neglect.
For more information, check out their website:
https://oclawin.org/
When the typical person thinks of Hollywood, they think of fame & fortune, the whirlwind of celebrities, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the celebrity hand and foot cement impressions, Groman’s Chinese theatre, The Hollywood sign, and many more iconic symbols of glamor, representing the rich and famous…there is another part of Hollywood though, the real people who live there, and some of those real people are disadvantaged and marginalized, and don’t often have the opportunity to reach their potential. If they are given that opportunity to fulfill their goals by living up to their potential, they will become contributing members of their community; this community that cares about sustaining their people’s future. One of the ways to do that is to focus on youth, ages 6-17, and to instill the belief that they can do anything. Whatever it takes to build great futures is the mantra of one very special organization that is also quite iconic.
Since 1937, the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood has provided a safe haven for children to discover, learn, lead, and succeed. It was known then as the Boys Club of America, designed to give boys and young men a ‘fighting chance’ to be successful. There is a tremendous amount of history that leads up to 1987, at which point the name was changed to include girls as it was recognized that girls needed that same fighting chance as their male counterparts.
The Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults.
The Boys & Girls Club fills the gap between school and home. With so many distractions that can have negative impacts on our youth, this is one organization that gets it right; they inspire their young participants through education and empowerment.
Contributing to quality education allows for learning and leadership opportunities; there are numerous programs that enhance the lives of the many young members: Girls empowerment, coding, the READS program which stands for Reading Excellence Always Delivers Success, anti-bullying program, the UCLA music program, the Tietjen scholarship program, Great Futures, and I am sure our guest today will fill us in on all of the activities that take place at the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood.
https://www.bgchollywood.com
Being the mother of 5 children, my 5th one, adopted later in his life and mine, the thought of losing any one of them, is unimaginable. This episode is about the unimaginable - a mother, a family, who lost a beautiful, funny, feisty, smart, caring, courageous 7-year-old to cancer. As many of you know, I have had my personal battle with cancer and currently, my younger brother is facing his - unless you have been through your own, it is hard to imagine the havoc that chemotherapy, radiation, and medications wreak on your body, not to mention your spirit when you are feeling sick and definitely not looking like anything familiar to your pre-cancer self - As a grown-up, there are certain expectations of how I should be weathering my cancer journey - after all, I have lived a life, even if I am not ready to say good-bye, but a child - that is an entirely different story; one in which they are just beginning their life’s journey, only to be shortchanged or at best, sidetracked for a period-of-time where we bear witness to their suffering through various cancer treatments - it doesn’t get much worse…
Isabella Joanne Santos had a rare form of cancer, neuroblastoma, at age 2. She endured chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, antibodies, numerous ups & downs, meaning multiple relapses for 5 years until she passed away at age 7; while many of us were reading our children bedtime stories…Isabella and her family were waging a war. What was so spectacular about Isabella was that she was truly a rare gift to her family and to those who were lucky enough to meet her; the word rare in this context means an unusual, talented, gifted, special little girl, and yet, in the cancer world, rare means 700 children are affected each year. It means children, usually under the age of 5, are diagnosed with a form of cancer. It means scary statistics about survival rates and relapses. In the case of the latter instance, rare is not one of the words you ever want to hear.
Established in 2007, The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is dedicated to eradicating pediatric cancer’s devastating impact while honoring the legacy of Isabella Santos, her courageous fight against neuroblastoma. Collaborating with medical institutions, ISF drives innovative research to pioneer new treatments and enhance young cancer patients’ lives. Over-the-course of seventeen years, ISF has provided over $7 million in funding toward expanding the scope of research and treatment and supporting families dealing with cancer in a variety of ways.
It was Isabella’s dream to Beat Cancer, Grow Hair, and Live Her Dreams. Although research and advanced treatments didn’t come in time for her dreams to come true, Isabella’s legacy will give other kids a fighting chance against rare childhood cancers.
Like so many smaller, gutsy organizations, they iterated in a positive direction to meet the unmet needs of their constituencies - in this case, all childhood cancers
Check out their website: www.isabellasantosfoundation.org
Armed with a 225,000 lb WWII- era wooden sailing craft, Greg Nichols, his wife, Nina and two kids, who actually live on this very unique and special vessel, serve as the catalyst in creating a learning environment that alters individuals’ mindsets forever by exposing them to the beauty and magic of learning through nature & community. This creates a lasting impression that being part of something bigger than oneself only aids in contributing to our shared legacy of caring for our world and our community. I cannot think of a more important lesson and one where our future, literally, resides. We need to celebrate and honor these creatives who are giving their expertise in ways that inspire each of us to consider new ways of doing things, problem-solving, decision-making, repairing the world through the lens of learning and appreciation. The world feels fractured.
Onward Industries is AN OUTDOORS COLLECTIVE OF THE CREATIVE & ADVENTURE-CURIOUS FOCUSED ON CONNECTION, INSPIRATION & CARING TOGETHER
I’m going to let you digest what Onward says about itself:
When you do inspiring things in beautiful places with people that light you up, a palpable sense of possibility sneaks in. It’s like a crack in the walls of the maze we navigate in daily life. When you’re in a beautiful place, when the walls vanish, priorities rearrange themselves, reality seems clearer. On a mountain top or at sea under a quilt of stars, buzzing with connection and giddy from a day of play or purpose, you’re pretty tuned in. You get to talking with a new friend. Ideas pour out. Enthusiasm bubbles up. A new reality takes shape. That’s a powerful state.
What this translates to is:
Onward Industires is about setting the table for those experiences, and also about enabling the next step. they take creative and curious individauls outside by land and sea for objectively awesome breaks from the daily hustle–retreats, performances, immersive education, expeditions. Martin Buber would definitely be on board with this and might literally jump on Onward’s vessel to be part of this experience.
Onward Industries are big believers in storytelling and immersion as the foundation of powerful educational experiences. They use professional storytellers, inspirational scientists, and all the resources at their disposal to offer hands-on, immersive experiences for children utlizing ocean-based educational programming with top scientists, pirate experts, - yes, I did say pirate - we’ll learn about that in a moment, storytellers, and adventurers.
For more information:
www.onwardindustries.org
If you’ve ever been pregnant or been in the process of adopting or engaging in a surrogacy, you know the milestones set for each month of that journey and the belief of trusting the process, medical and emotional, that everything will work out as it should, meaning you will have a beautiful little life to whom you will love, cherish, and tend forever; that amazing feeling of anticipation just before the arrival, making sure the nursery is set, all the loose ends are tied up…and that moment comes, and then, there is silence..utter silence. That is the experience of so many who have lost a child along that path, and so much harder and lonelier the closer you are to what should be the end of one journey and the beginning of your parental journey…this is just unnatural and unfair, and so, so very heartbreaking. Anderson Cooper does an episode on his podcast, Is This All There Is featuring a mother who experienced the Greatest Loss…beautifully shared and deeply painful to hear…
Check out their website: www.bornintosilence.org
Did you know that Black Youth are Almost Five Times As Likely To Be Incarcerated As their White Peers?
The following are some data points from the Sentencing Project, captured by Josh Rovner and Ashley Nellis
For a decade, incarceration disparities between Black and white youth have remained stubbornly high. As of 2021, Black youth were 4.7 times as likely to be placed, meaning detained or committed to juvenile facilities as their white peers. Forty-two percent of youths in placement are Black, even though Black Americans comprise only 15% of all youth across the United States. Since, Black and brown youth are more likely to be in custody than white youth, going to prison is a major life-altering event that creates obstacles to rebuilding lives in the community, such as gaining employment and finding stable and safe housing after release. Imprisonment also reduces lifetime earnings and negatively affects life outcomes among children of incarcerated parents. These are individual-level consequences of imprisonment but there are societal-level consequences as well: high levels of imprisonment in communities cause high crime rates and neighborhood deterioration, thus fueling greater disparities. This cycle both individually and societally is felt disproportionately by people who are Black and Brown.
So what do these statistics and social work brokering have to do with one another? You will soon find out by listening to this episode.
For more information, please visit their website: www.legendlegacies.org
About a year ago, we had a fabulous Small & Gutsy episode that featured Jazz Hands For Autism, a nonprofit organization that provides wrap-around artist education, development, promotion, and placement for learners and aspiring artists on the autism spectrum enabling them to explore and express their talent. Services offered include The Jazz Hands Concert Series: a semi-annual concert series and performance platform for neurodivergent artists, The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy: an individualized post-secondary music education and vocational program that prepares aspiring musicians on the autism spectrum for careers in music and The Jazz Hands Junior Academy: in-home and virtual music lessons taught by RBT (Registered Behavior Technician), meaning trained musicians and graduates of the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy. Check out their Triumphant Celebration and get your tickets here: JHConcert21.eventbrite.com
Website: www.jazzhandsforautism.org
Reading skills unlock the world for us and unleash not just our curiosity, but grant us and gift us the power to often choose our paths.
My two guests today know this all too well as their passion for helping kids learn to read began as a young married couple when they joined a USC alumni program reading with students every week at the USC “School of Five” inner-city elementary schools. They quickly became aware of the alarming number of students who were reading below grade level. It was then that the seeds of the positive impact on literacy were planted. Initially focusing on child development, J3 Foundation was born, eventually after the birth of their daughter, Jess, and iterated into a robust reading program in 2018 called J3s Cozy Reading Club, which focuses on the most vulnerable 4th graders in Los Angeles. This program has been so successful that it has expanded from a single pilot program to 16 schools and serves students during the school day and as part of their after-school reading program.
J3 Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to give kids the foundation they need for a lifetime of reading success.
They strive to equip 4th graders in communities with fewer resources with the tools they need to help them reach grade level literacy and foster a multitude of things: positive self-image, self confidence, a supportive community, a new love of reading, and so importantly acquiring an identity of a reader.
For children in communities that lack resources, their free reading programs build good study habits, reading skills, and self-confidence, and I’d like to personally add opening up whole new worlds for each child.
Their free reading program brings together individualized evidence-based lessons with measurable outcomes, a low staff-to-student ratio, culturally relevant books, and community involvement to support reading progress in school and beyond. And it sounds FUN!
For more information, please visit their website: www.j3foundation.org
Journalists and those who represent news platforms are generally trained to report on factual information; in a recent visit to the Shorenstein Institute, I was exposed to the incredible work they do to ensure that journalists have tools to accurately interpret the information that is coming at them so quickly - most journalists, I believe, care deeply about interpreting the facts correctly, however, some platforms purposely misconstrue or actually reconfigure facts to support their financial backer’s agenda - thus, creating a conflict of personal and professsional values. There is hope, however, in that some organizations will not settle for this and fight to recalibrate information and resources; one such organization does this and much more - MLK50 was created for the benefit of those who have historically had less access, in essence, to revitalize Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream.
MLK50 has since its inception, created an award-winning nonprofit digital news site - BRAVO!
Having launched in 2017 as a 1-year project to reconcile the lack of commitment to Dr. Martin Luther King’s sacrifice and legacy by reporting on the intersection of poverty, power and policy, and to bear witness to movement-making and lived experiences. Their vision echoes Dr. King’s dream of having a nation where all residents have the resources to thrive and where public and private policy supports their success. Memphis is one lucky city, and I hope MLK50 becomes a model for other cities and their local news - MLK50 doesn’t just represent acknowledgment, but truth; Justice through Journalism gives residents the information by examining the systems that make it hard for workers to make ends meet and by interrogating those who profit from the status quo.
To learn more, visit www.mlk50.com
Check out Part 1 of this amazing Social Enterprise and learn more about them at
www.mountainhazelnuts.com
Episode #80, Parts I & I
When you think of sustainability what comes to mind? Is it protecting the environment, proactively and effectively managing the climate for future generations to enjoy vs. using up what we have and finding other planets in which to inhabit? - The old throw away concept and let someone else deal with it - those someone elses are our children and grandchildren. Maybe it’s sustainability through community health efforts or education so we leave the world a better place as more people have greater needs.
Have you ever had the experience of seeing, observing something that doesn’t seem to be going well, it seems too complex to solve, but that something just keeps gnawing at you - making you wonder if there were a way to address multiple issues at the same time; It could be in the sciences, the arts, the environment, agriculture, healthcare, your community - those I interview for Small & Gutsy have made huge contributions to these areas and have in fact changed the world - maybe, in their part of the world, but they are making a difference.
One couple, two of my 3 guests today, are folks who saw a global market need and a sustainability opportunity within an existing complex system, agriculture, that could address multiple issues with a single solution that would build community while yielding greater economic sustainability. In this case, we call that a social enterprise and I imagine that depth, breadth of research and community relationship building including trust was the foundation of Mountain Hazelnuts.
Check out their website: www.mountainhazelnuts.com
Getting the news I have breast cancer was one of the most devastating messages I have ever received, not only for me but for my family - we are all affected by this disease in ways that many people don’t realize. I remember thinking, I am almost the same age as my grandmother when she died of breast cancer and I desperately wanted to have a different outcome - with all the progress made over the last 50 + years, will I have a different outcome? How long will I survive? What will my life be like forever after? Life will surely be different, a new normal. There certainly was also the overwhelming feeling of trying to navigate the best interventions that will yield the best outcomes, staying abreast, no pun intended, of new medical treatments, medications, and options that may just be becoming available; the choices within those areas, as each of us, even with the same diagnosis, can have entirely different treatment plans and outcomes - it is frankly incredibly scary and we don’t want to second guess ourselves.
How can a disease be both individualized and shared at the same time? Today’s podcast features one woman, who took her mother’s stoic approach to her own cancer and built a legacy that has been life-changing and life-saving for so many others. Olivia Achtmeyer Boger is to be commended for her bravery in honoring her mother, Cande’s legacy, in being a support to others facing similar circumstances. Runway for Recovery has various events & programs to support their efforts.
Runway for Recovery is a nonprofit organization aimed at redefining the breast cancer experience for families. They accomplish this through events and programs that strive to provide normalcy amidst the unimaginable. Their goal is to support those who survive and those who live on as legacies because they know that breast cancer never just impacts one.
For more information, check out their website www.runwayforrecovery.org
What if you could financially support a nonprofit organization, doing what you personally believe contributes to making the world a better place, without actually spending even a dime? Sounds too good to be true, but this time it’s too good and very true! There is something in algorithmic data collection and internet savviness that makes even the most limited math student, me, understand the value of building a network of folks with shared values that frankly have the potential to become a movement.
Give Freely is that movement. Give Freely is a browser extension designed to connect consumers with sellers and that connection leads to a donation to a charity of the consumer’s choice…pretty darn creative to say the least; Give Freely transforms online shopping into acts of kindness. They find coupons and redirect commissions from purchases directly to the user's chosen charity, turning everyday buys into charitable actions. Give Freely’s mission is to generate as many donations to non-profit organizations as possible. They do this by leveraging the commissions that online stores pay them when users buy something at a partner site, as well as occasionally placing advertisements on sites that users may visit.
Give Freely is pioneering a movement for a more compassionate shopping future by blending shopping and giving (Frankly, two of my favorite activities, and for me, it makes shopping more enjoyable, knowing that it includes a charitable aspect) -They believe that everyday online errands can and should involve contributions to the communities the consumer cares about and this, of course, could lead to other everyday acts - they are just starting with shopping. Currently, they have over 10 thousand participating stores and a dozen or so influencers participating in and spreading Give Freely and, they have over a million nonprofits listed, Small & Gutsy is one of them.
Think about the old Amazon Smile but with significant improvements!!
To sign up and learn more, check out www.givefreely.com
Leadership is a huge topic that is often so tough to define; I have read articles that state that leadership can be taught; I have read articles that say leadership is something that is just inherent in you, either you have it or you don’t; - that seems quite ominous - almost like a weeding out process - like being chosen first or last for the basketball or volleyball team in gym class - why was that practice started anyway vs, just randomly assigning two groups of kids to just play? We all develop at different rates and why be penalized by perceived popularity or early athletic ability?
This must be so challenging for those who see potential in everyone and want to foster leadership in their communities where leadership perhaps is viewed as a privilege and should actually be an equitable opportunity like education - So, when we say leadership, do we mean the admirable qualities of a good leader? To define leadership by identifying good leaders and then trying to change our habits to improve our ability to be like that good leader…Isn’t that somewhat subjective? Do we mean the learning from leaders who have come before us and how they molded us and impressed upon us the value of being a good leader? Could those leaders be from our personal experience vs. those we may place on a public pedestal? Could it maybe foster a sense of community where leaders among us are recognized, encouraged, and often emerge as a surprise to them?
Founded in 2021, Born 2 Lead Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing an ecosystem of support based on lifespan development. Their mission is to empower individuals at every life stage by providing comprehensive programs, resources, and services that foster personal growth, well-being, and success. By following individuals throughout their life journey, they aim to create a seamless and continuous support system that meets their evolving needs. They provide a wide range of services from Early Childhood Enrichment to Elderly Car, and have programs that focus on each stage of life. I think they have 7 programs to date, everything from financial literacy to mentorship, college readiness, parenting, mental health. I am not sure there is anything they don't offer. Their goal it to empower and mentor individuals so that they have the skills and resources they need to be successful and make a positive impact in their lives and communities.
For more information, check out their website: www.born2leadfoundation.com
Imagine you just heard the words, you have cancer or any other type of disease that needs treatment; I heard those words and my heart sank and my fear rose. However, I also knew that whatever medical care I needed would not be far away. I live in Los Angeles with some of the best medical care options; prior to that I lived in a suburb of Boston, also another amazing medical community. In fact, I often consult with an oncologist at The Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston while having my on the ground team, a combination from UCLA & Cedars here in LA- two teaching and phenomenal medical facilities treating my cancer with the most updated research and information. But, what if I weren’t so lucky…what if I lived in a rural area where access was limited or just not available…what could I do?
We all need medical care and many of us live in areas that are outside of catchment areas of great medical care…what choices do we have then? And what options do we have if we don’t have the financial means to take us to those far away medical facilities?
Transportation challenges create one of the most daunting barriers to healthcare—a barrier second only to the cost. Every day, Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots fly people to their medical appointments at no cost to the passenger.
On the ground, Earth Angels drive passengers from the airport to the medical facility, also free of cost.
To learn more about volunteering or donating, check out their website: www.angelflightwest.org
How do you define ‘home’? - a place where you can let your hair down, be yourself, be safe, feel a sense of belonging? But what if that home were just an empty space, would you still feel the same? What if that home didn’t have your thumbprint, meaning your input on how it was decorated where you could truly find peace, knowing that this sacred space was a part of your caring community? It’s not the decorating and furniture per se, but what items that were chosen based on your preferences that make you feel you matter and are visible to both yourself and everyone who visits. What is particularly challenging is that many of those empty spaces are the first-time homes of aging out foster youth who have often experienced moving from place to place where they may not have had any sense of real belonging. Without this feeling of belonging and community, these young folks are at greater risk of becoming homeless and being part of a community that cares is the first step to ending homelessness.
What began as a random act of kindness, has adapted into an incredible community. A Sense of Home has created more than 850 homes – helping more than 2,000 former foster youth and their children.
A Sense of Home strives to prevent homelessness by creating first-ever homes for youth aging out of foster care with donated furniture and home goods. 50% of those struggling with homelessness are former foster youth. The homeless crisis can only end through prevention.
To share a quote from one of their recipients: When my home is empty, I feel empty
In 2014, Founders Georgie Smith and Melissa Goddard answered a call for help on social media from a foster youth who had aged out of foster care; responded by creating a first-ever real “home”. From there, A Sense of Home has grown into a community of its own with staff, volunteers, and dedication that reaches far and wide.
To learn more about A Sense of Home, please check out their website: https://asenseofhome.org/
THE TABLES HAVE TURNED for this Episode!!
Fully Alive's Mary Meduna Gross interviewed me! I had the opportunity to share both about Small & Gutsy - its origins, and some personal details about my journey and a recent hiccup - Breast Cancer!
Here are some Episode Highlights:
How do you handle things when life throws difficult circumstances and challenges your way? In this episode, Laura Wittcoff shares her wisdom and insight to weather life's storms in the midst of making a positive impact and pursuing self-growth.
- How are we showing up when in difficult circumstances
- The possibility and good that comes from open mindfulness
- Social impact, meaning and alignment of our work
- Reciprocity of giving and appreciating others
Mary is an executive wellbeing coach on a mission to empower conscious business founders to connect with their inner power so that their vibrancy will radiate positivity throughout their organizations.
Mary is engaging and fun and I encourage you to check out her podcast here and her website here
Please reach out to me at lwittcoff@gmail.com with the name of any nonprofit or for-profit organization under $10 million in revenue with a social purpose or impact you'd like featured on Small & Gutsy
I remember putting my kids to bed at night when they were young - giving them the security and comfort of knowing that their worries should be about their little life, not the big issues of financially and emotionally supporting them, giving them a roof over their heads, food, clothes and the importance of having a safe space in which to sleep - a bed of their own which may seem like a privilege, that if we can, every child should be able to experience…I think it’s actually not a privilege, but a rite of passage in some ways or at least in our culture. A rite of passage is an event, ceremony, or experience that marks a milestone in a person’s life. Many are cultural, religious, social, and professional, across the globe, they range from an early age in some cultures, like Japan, as a 3-year-old girl, being allowed to grow long hair, and at age 7 shifting from a rope belt to an obi for their kimono, for a boy, at age 5 being allowed to wear a hakama, a formal garment - clothing for both represents entering into the formal stage of middle childhood. Various tribal rituals indicate the growth of an individual to the next level of development in eventually reaching adulthood. Rites of passage indicating milestones have also entered our social, educational and professional world with marriage ceremonies, funerals, 12-step programs, promotions, passing tests to the next level, certifications, graduations, licenses, too many to list; There are also many religious and spiritual milestones, from Deepak Chopra’s 7 stages of spiritual development to baptisms, to B’nai Mitzvahs..and so much more. One U.S. cultural rite of passage is something I hadn’t really thought about until I read about how my guest volunteers his time.
This more typical rite of passage is moving from a crib or a parent/guardian’s/siblings/shared bed to one’s very own bed. This milestone represents so many things in our culture that often go unnoticed or unrecognized and are truly significant. Having the capability of sleeping independently by means of having the privilege of having one’s own bed begins to create a feeling of ownership over one’s self, the feeling of self-reliance which builds self-esteem. Having one’s own space becomes sacred, a spot that is theirs to set up, take care of, decorate, and love within the natural shelter of home - it is so much more than just a bed. For many parents or guardians who can afford beds, it becomes an automatic expectation and a feeling sometimes of moving forward for their child in healthy ways - even if they keep getting up in the middle of the night to sneak into their parents’ bed, but for a child who has never had the experience of transitioning at a very young age, this becomes a journey of self-reliance that can translate into so many positive steps toward independence that may not have been a previous more typical step due to financial constraints.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace, our featured nonprofit organization believes that a bed is a basic need for the best physical, emotional, and mental support that a child needs. They are a national organization, based in Idaho, but we are focusing on one of their growing chapters, in Texas; this is a response to the call of a national problem, one bed at a time, one town at a time.
To learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, check out their website: www.shpbeds.org
What matters to you? It’s a different question than what makes you happy, according to our guest today whom I will introduce in a moment. Happiness stems from what really matters to the individual and many of us have lost our collective understanding of what matters means. But, it’s not too late - there’s hope for our youth and there’s hope for the rest of us!
Finding out what matters to each of us is a very personal journey. To be seen, heard and valued so that each of us becomes a valued member of society and can give back is the essence of understanding what matters and in turn, guides us in seeing others and encouraging the concept of mattering for them.
Each of us has a uniqueness that once we intrinsically honor that, we are able to then actualize that and share our uniqueness in a positive way to others. However, when that is never offered or taken away through making us feel invisible, that we don’t matter, we make choices that can hurt us and society.
The Mattering Movement created and spearheaded by an incredible dynamic foursome, one of whom we will meet shortly is my guest today Jennifer B. Wallace, Chief Mattering Officer - love the title, is an award-winning journalist and author of the new book Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It. She is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post and appears on national television to discuss her articles and relevant topics in the news. She is a graduate from Harvard College, and began her journalism career at CBS “60 Minutes,” where she was part of a team that won The Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Journalism. She is a Journalism Fellow at the The Center for Parent and Teen Communication at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Jennifer serves on the board of the Coalition for the Homeless in New York City, where she she currently resides.
To learn more: check out their website: www.thematteringmovement.com
I try to remind myself to be hopeful in times when I feel the walls are crashing in around me, maybe because of some bad news, like anything that threatens my children, my family, my health, my livelihood, the relationships I love and care about or maybe because of the state of the country, the world; perhaps a tragedy that is far away but feels so close to home emotionally. Usually, an initial feeling of hopelessness appears when I feel I have no control over the situation and need to dig deep to find hope whether through some kind of action - which could be… taking time to reflect spiritualy, talking to friends and family, mindful deep breathing, taking a walk, being outside… I often feel the urgency and frankly the need to do something, anything that helps me find meaning in what I’m experiencing and most often it’s trying to make sense out of something that often doesn’t. Hope is such a beautiful expression and can mean so many different things to so many people…Researchers like Martin Seligman, the founder of the positive psychology movement, professes through over 20 years of scientific research, that hope reduces feelings of helplessness, stress, and depression and improves ones quality of life; being hopeful suggests that we look into the future and know somewhere that where we are, although it may feel devastating, or incredibly challenging or never changing, is not where we will always be; if you can stretch with me for a moment, Seligman also believes that hope may hold unrealized opportunities - that are often very tough to swallow in the moment; I did an episode about a family who lost their daughter diagnosed at 16 months with cancer - she fought for a year, not only did they NOT lose their faith, but they channeled it into a foundation to help others - Addi’s Faith Foundation. These situations are incredibly inspiring for me; when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I immediately roped in the friend who pushed me to get an ultrasound that ultimately diagnosed my cancer when my Gyn hadn’t recommended it - into sharing our stories so other women would get diagnosed earlier than I, and maybe not face the many treatments that I needed.
Desmond Tutu once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness,” and Winston Churchill said, “When you’re going through hell, keep going”. Hope gives us the strength to keep going, and continue moving forward. I often say to myself, what choice do I have? But, honestly, that is one way, I am hopeful - my choice is not having a choice, but to move forward, because hope is not blind hopefulness, it is constructive hope - it is the hope that there is a way forward. I am grateful to have that fortitude, but not alone, always with the help of family, friends, my faith, and community.
Although hope may be subjective, it’s in all of us; sometimes, we have to dig deep, and often with the help of others and our personal faith; Two women who you will meet shortly used their personal stories to inspire others to reach for guidance and help within their faith and through the support of other survivors of trauma and sexual abuse. With an open heart, Hopeful Hearts Ministry founded in 2012 strives to alleviate the suffering and restore the self-worth of survivors of abuse. They are a faith-based ministry that supports the long-term recovery of survivors through peer support sessions, counseling, and public awareness. Hopeful Hearts Ministry offers counseling, support groups, healing yoga, breath work, healing books, bible study, and mostly a community of hope.
For more information, please check out their website:
https://hopefulheartsministry.org/
In 2007, Amber and Tony Bender faced the unthinkable; they heard the words, your daughter, Addi has a brain tumor. Addi was sixteen months old and underwent with her family a year of surgeries, chemotherapy, hope and heartache and finally, the sadness of brave Addi needing to let go - I truly cannot imagine the anguish….
Established in 2008 in honor of their daughter’s loving spirit, Addi’s Faith Foundation was born. They vowed to carry on her fight by funding critical childhood cancer research and help as many families as possible. Just like little Addi Faith, AFF strives to live big, fight hard, and love lots and has for over 16 years. Addi’s Faith Foundation is a 501c3 organization dedicated to ending childhood cancer. They fund childhood cancer research as well as provide financial assistance to families struggling to care for a child with cancer. They believe that there is a cure out there and together, we can find it.
Creating Creators Foundation is the nonprofit side of Creating Creators, LLC, the for-profit organization that partners with school districts to help guide and develop students and teachers to discover skills and talents of their own that help them define who they are to the world and by doing so, how they can contribute to an industry that perhaps felt unreachable to them.
Creating Creators is comprised of experts from all the diverse mediums of the film industry. At their core, they empower teachers to use the different skills needed to create films as a tool for teaching while simultaneously helping students use those mediums such as storyboarding, script writing, acting, directing, and editing as tools for learning to help students discover their unique voices. They also create a bridge between students and educators to professional organizations to create a deeper understanding of the amount and value of skills in the entertainment industry. AND By facilitating opportunities through partnerships with professional groups such as studios, unions, and agencies, They are able to offer apprenticeships.
What’s truly beautiful about Creating Creators is that it is not only building skills for students, but giving teachers a new lens figuratively and literally to enable student learning of the necessary skills that foster success - collaboration, critical thinking, writing, problem solving and more, AND by having this revenue source, they are able to support the Foundation side which then can provide students opportunities to serve as crew at film festivals as well as serve as one of the pipeline organizations with The Group Effort Initiative which exists to create real entertainment industry experiences to hopefully secure lasting careers for members of underrepresented communities within the entertainment industry. Now, That’s a win-win
Imagine hanging out on the beach with friends, the sun is beaming, the waves are crashing and totally perfect, you have a beer or maybe a margarita or maybe a vape or a joint in your hand and are ready to party…this may seem like a typical scene for a lot of folks and, yet, it can also be a trigger for those who are in recovery or who want to embark on their recovery journey. Replacing those same scenarios with new meaning is key to staying sober. The insight, strength, and fortitude that folks engaged in recovery strive for every day help guide them to recovery, and help them stay in recovery…what is so important is replacing those old trigger places with new, healthy experiences while still participating in the fun aspects of life.
Research suggests that exercising our bodies raises our endorphins and increases the serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine that are natural highs, enabling us to feel in general less depressed, happier, and less reliant on outside stimulants - we often become addicted because of our circumstances and the ease at which we can access drugs, alcohol, shopping, eating and other things that temporally ease our current uncomfortable state - and enable us to function or at least to appear as if we are functioning until we no longer can -
Our society is built upon the comparison factor which can lead to low self-esteem and at the extreme, even warfare - isn’t it the idea that someone has what we want that can lead to a battle, even it if ends up only being a perception? One of my sons recently shared that he cares very much about what society or his network thinks, but does not compare himself to anyone but himself - I thought how did I produce such a wise young man, where I am still struggling with this issue at a much more advanced age - These lessons need to be learned and repeated until they actually become integrated into our psyche and soul… when we spend time comparing, we lose sight of our own uniqueness, our own vulnerability and therefore, our ability to reflect upon what we need and want vs. what others might have. It becomes a distraction that can lead to feelings of inadequacy, and that leads to wanting to get rid of those feelings any way we can…
Addiction is a battle one wages internally, and recovery is the armor that guides folks to stay sober - that armor is often supported by communities of folks who have been there before - there are numerous methods and each individual needs to find what works for them. We know that getting support is significant in staying in recovery. Who would have guessed that surfing would be one such community?
Waves of Recovery was founded by two courageous individuals who wanted to share their experience, wisdom, and belief that recovery is not just possible, but a way forward celebrating life by remaking or reworking old triggers into new healthy experiences.
Everyone wants a home, but a home is not a home without knowing you can support yourself in it, and be empowered to be part of a community - we are, in fact, all in this together.
55 years ago, in 1968, as a response to the discriminatory inequity in jobs, housing, and other basic rights exposed by the Civil Rights Movement, a group of folks founded Abode Communities in California, a nonprofit social enterprise. Abode Communities is truly reflective of its name, Communities; fostering a culture of housing inclusion by developing neighborhoods that empower the residents; this is about respect and sustainability - they believe that housing is a human right and in fact, we know it is a social determinant of health. This particular organization is outside of our Small & Gutsy vision as they have grown substantially beyond our $10 million dollar revenue limit, but what is a welcome addition to our Small & Gutsy Family is their housing stabilizing program which launched in 2020 (at least something positive and forward-thinking began in 2020), Beyond Homes is a resident services program, based on a wrap-around social service model which our guests will focus on in today’s podcast. Beyond Homes is aptly named; it focuses on 4 core areas:
· Empowering youth: areas that include: Social-emotional learning, mentoring, tutoring, after-school programming, scholarship, engagement,
· Building adult and senior capacity as in financial literacy, health and wellness, benefits assistance, aging in place, etc.
· Create linkages in communities, meaning policy/advocacy, specialized referrals
· Support housing retention, meaning household budgeting and maintenance, links to financial assistance, and rent relief
They have truly thought of everything to keep individuals empowered to have and keep their homes.
Remember your first concert, remember the excitement, the smells, the anticipation, remember being wowed by the band, remember standing up or maybe standing on your seat ready to join in with the crowd as a familiar cord was struck on the guitar or keyboard and sing or scream along - almost forgetting that you’re an audience member - we get caught up in that glorious moment, but most of us don’t often realize how much preparation goes into those events and I’m not talking about the featured band or headliner, but those in the background that work tirelessly so we can be safe…Most of the time, we are, and sadly, sometimes things don’t work out as planned….Most of us assume that when we purchase tickets to a venue, that we are figuratively and literally purchasing the insurance that all the behind the scenes preparation has been carefully thought through and executed without a hitch and that we will be safe…we have put our faith in the hands of experts, but who are these folks?
Safety at events became its own unfortunate headliner after the band, Sugarland was about to perform at the Indiana State Fair on August 13, 2011. A severe weather system with high winds moved through the Indianapolis area - a Powerful gust of wind toppled the temporary outdoor roof that had been erected over the Fair’s permanent main stage; large parts of the roof and supporting structure fell onto the folks gathered at the front of the stage - this tragedy left 7 dead and more than 40 others injured; Opinions ranged from an unforseable act of G-D to an avoidable consequence of human error. The fingerpointing encompassed everyone from the event’s organizers, crowd mangers, and roof technicians to safety inspectors and weather forecasters.
A group led by Jim Digby, tour manager for the band Linkin Park, decided to take matters into its own hands and formed the Event Safety Alliance or ESA. This group is comprised of live-event industry professionals and is a non-profit membership driven organization dedicated to “life safety first”- I love that tagline- and promoitng THAT throughout all phases of event production and execution. ESA’s mission is to help event professionals and participants be Empowered, Safe, and Aware of the reasonably foreseeable risks around them and they do this through Education, Skills training, and Advocacy.
Big Sunday is the big equalizer in my book - it brings people together in service to others - I cannot imagine a greater mission.
Big Sunday was the brain child of Founder and Executive Director, David Levinson, beginning in 1999 as a Mitzvah Day Project at his Temple (Mitzvah meaning good deed as a way to repair the world) and with 200 volunteers that day, David imagined a much bigger purpose and embarked on opportunities to share giving back with 1000s of volunteers and in 2006, David was named California Nonprofit Leader of the Year. By 2009, Big Sunday had 50,000 volunteers participating in 500 projects that include numerous nonprofits, schools - the list has grown incredibly long as has the number of volunteers and projects and not only in California, but has truly gone viral, but in a very physical - get out there and help WAY.
There is something for everyone
Big Sunday connects people through helping. They offer an enormous variety of opportunities and projects that unite people to improve lives, build community, and give everyone a sense of belonging.
Their mission is simple and yet truly profound in that the magic formula is a combination of both building community and a sense of belonging that I believe everyone wants and deserves. To quote David, “Everyone wants to help if someone will only tell them how” Big Sunday does just that…
It's Autism Awareness Month!
Jazz Hands For Autism, I just love the name, is a nonprofit organization that provides wrap-around artist education, development, promotion and placement for learners and aspiring artists on the autism spectrum enabling them to explore and express their talent. Services offered include: The Jazz Hands Concert Series: a semi-annual concert series and performance platform for neurodivergent artists, The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy: an individualized post-secondary music education and vocational program that prepares aspiring musicians on the autism spectrum for careers in music, and The Jazz Hands Junior Academy: in home and virtual music lessons taught by RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) trained musicians and graduates of the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy
Their guiding mantra is to create pathways that enable musicians on the autism spectrum to use their musical talents to obtain gainful work
Today’s podcast is featuring an organization that is doing something significant to fight this catastrophic fentanyl poisoning epidemic.
Stop The VOID was formed to bring to the public’s attention, through education, awareness and legislative advocacy, the immediate danger of sudden death associated with the use of illicit drugs laced with deadly fentanyl.
Their purpose is to educate youth about the danger of sudden deaths associated with fentanyl poisoning. They have created educational materials, public service announcements in the form of documentary type films which quite honestly are hard to watch but incredibly important. They have talking points for educators and parents - their ultimate goal is to educate everyone about fentynol poisoning and about the dangers that abound on social media platforms where many of these drugs are purchased. One of their key strategies is to get into every school system to share information; their website has stories of living victims, usually the loved ones left behind.
My incredible guests today are a combination of parent and peer - incredible parents, Jeff and Kathy Long who saw their daughter suffering and felt helpfless to do something about it - although they tried everything and found that there were resources that were not accessible in one place or not accessible at all or if they were, they were adults sharing their professional and sometimes personal expertise with youth - they even wrote a book about their experience, A Parent’s Guide to Anorexia. This significant gap they discovered became a precursor to the organization featured today… We know, Our youth listen to their peers, so they came up with an amazing online resource that they will talk about in detail today, Teens4Teens Help provides an array of resources and support that are driven by youth needs rather than by adults and yet, the site is supported by professionals and adults in the field and those with personal experience.
Their purpose is: to empower teens who are suffering from emotional and mental health issues to choose their own recovery.
One of the things I love most about their website, is their driving mantra:
We are a group of young people who faced serious mental health challenges. We chose recovery, you can too.These are our stories…
Ever wonder why people come into your lives at certain times? Ever wonder in hindsight, why you neglected to trust your gut or second guessed yourself? Well, this podcast, we hope will renew your faith in whatever it is that you believe..G-D, karma, luck, spirit or power animals, humanity, faith, signs, really amazing friends, the list is endless; I am here on Podcast 61 of Small & Gutsy to remind you that no matter how small or insignificant something may be, if it means something to you then it is BIG and you can be GUTSY about it. In my case, I was lucky! I had a super Gutsy friend who came into my life at just the right time and frankly, saved my life. Listen to her story and mine as we navigate the journey of Breast Cancer.
Please check out Katie Couric media for her podcast, Next Question with Katie Couric and her newsletter: Wake-up Call.
Points For Patriots provides the foundation for Patriot Fellows to build an athletic fundraiser in their community alongside Veteran Mentors to raise money for military families in need. AND, Along the way, Fellows and Mentors learn lifelong lessons in Wellness, Social Entrepreneurship, and Connectedness. Their long-term vision is to engage young people with Veteran mentors in all 50 states. Points For Patriots is bridging the military-civilian the divide. Listen to episode 60 and learn about the connection between tennis and post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.
Check out their upcoming event on Sunday 9/11/2022
https://www.pointsforpatriots.org/events/volleyball-santamonica
Rainforest Flow is a nonprofit that delivers clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to indigenous people in Manu Biosphere Reserve in Peru’s Amazon rainforest.
Their collaborative, integrated, and sustainable WASH (water, - sanitation - health) programs empower indigenous people to become stewards of their own health, their environment and their resources which ultimately provides them a sustainable future.
Since 2003, Rainforest Flow has collaborated with Peruvian health and environmental agencies and indigenous communities to deliver more than 64 million gallons of safe drinking water to four villages in this global biodiversity hotspot.
Rainforest Flow trains indigenous water and sanitation committee members to be leaders of their communities.
Rainforest Flow is a nonprofit that delivers clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to indigenous people in Manu Biosphere Reserve in Peru’s Amazon rainforest. Their collaborative, integrated, and sustainable WASH (water, - sanitation - health) programs empower indigenous people to become stewards of their own health, their environment and their resources which ultimately provides them a sustainable future.
Rainforest Flow is a nonprofit that delivers clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to indigenous people in Manu Biosphere Reserve in Peru’s Amazon rainforest. Their collaborative, integrated, and sustainable WASH (water, - sanitation - health) programs empower indigenous people to become stewards of their own health, their environment and their resources which ultimately provides them a sustainable future.
The horse spirit animal represents freedom, adventurousness, mobility, independence, friendship and endurance. This majestic animal known for its beauty and stature has also endured pain, neglect and abuse through domestication and mistreatment for use in gambling, entertainment and sometimes, just pure gluttony. Esta Bernstein is the Founder of Saffyre Sanctuary, a horse rescue and rehabilitation program in the Los Angeles area that cares for horses that have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. They provide every opportunity for them to experience the possibility of enjoying a second career, or offer them a well-deserved retirement.
Today’s episode highlights an incredible organization that is affiliated with JNF, Jewish National Fund, and yes, JNF doesn’t fit our criteria of being under 10 million dollars, but the affiliate organization, The Lauder Employment Center, known as the LEC certainly does - I chose to not only highlight them for this episode, but ask you to please consider a donation for my April 1st./April Fool's birthday - my.jnf.org/laudercenter/Laurawittcoff
Their mission is to diversify economic opportunities in Israel by providing career services through employee partnerships, training, resources, career counseling and actual internships that often turn into jobs for folks choosing to move to either the Southern or Northern part of Israel in order to reduce the overcrowding in the typical larger cities known as the triangle cities. Their current effort is to support the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees fleeing; donations are needed! THANK YOU!
Threads Worldwide, a fair profit ( notice I didn’t say for-profit), social impact organization, was founded in 2011 by three women exemplifying Margaret Mead's words,“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” These women are, in fact, changing the world. They partner with artisans in developing countries by purchasing their jewelry and other handmade items, creating a growing market for handmade goods to sell in a networked model in the U.S. Threads Worldwide educates all of us on the life-changing power of fair trade commerce.
Visionary Women is built on the belief that women do and should empower one another through inspiration, mentorship, leadership and yes, resources; They create opportunities through multiple channels to offer engaging conversations with innovative female leaders, and fund high impact initiatives to lift up women and girls.
Theater is one of those experiences that is enhanced by the audience around us - by the reaction, by the community interaction, by the sheer feeling of having others witness what we ourselves are experiencing - it makes it all that much more real, sometimes, magical, sometimes, devastating…but always human….and always leads to a conversation about the topic of the theater production on so many levels. Rapunzel Alone is an incredible collaboration between 24th Street Theatre & The Wallis to bring Children's Theatre with adult-like themes.
The Survivor Mitzvah Project’s goal is that no Holocaust survivor who has experienced the darkest days of human history will ever be cold, hungry, or neglected again. 100% of every dollar donated for survivors goes directly into the hands of a Holocaust survivor in need. As Founder, Executive Director and Awakened Humanitarian, Zane Buzby shares, "we cannot do anything about the past, but we are in the position to write a more hopeful final chapter to the Holocaust, one of friendship, kindness and love".
How many of us as children had dreams of what we’d like to be, what our work might be when we grow up. Some of us knew quite early that we’d like to be doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers, teachers, park rangers, pilots, chefs, builders; maybe some of us were involved in family businesses and imagined continuing that legacy, the list of options is vast, but few of us perhaps imagined that our life’s work and ambition was to spread positive messages for children around the world. Meet Do-Gooder, Georgia Van Cuylenburg
SparkShare’s goal is to empower young people to be the change agents in their own communities as well as in their own lives.Their 3 driving principles that guide their work are:
Listening to young people articulate what holds them and their peers back from opportunity, connecting youth with the resources and organizations they need, so they can solve the problems they identify, and Building partnerships that enable youth and adults to work together to create positive, lasting change in their community.
StartOut is a community of LGBTQ+ founders, professionals and their Allies with a national membership of over 17K. StartOut began in 2009 and has been the champion for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, promoting the successes of the LGBTQ community, as well as researching the economic impact of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
Recognizing the many challenges older adults face when beginning to experience declining physical and cognitive abilities, Michelle Puzzo and M.D. Birmingham decided to take action and founded UR Community Cares in 2019 in their home state of Connecticut. They built the UR Community Cares digital platform as a way to match those in need with those in the same community who are eager to help. UR Community Cares is dedicated to helping older and physically disabled residents stay safe in their homes and maintain quality of life.
Bright Invention, the genius output of creator, founder and Executive Director, Benjamin Lloyd uses a scenario-based technique as the foundation of this flexible and dynamic performing arts nonprofit which does three things: improvisation, corporate training, and creative work with marginalized communities. Bright Invention has become the epitome of a growth mindset by using improvisation to empower people and organizations to unlock their potential.
For Land and People, the responsibility is in thinking about the here and now with a clear vision for the future. With an incredible team of experts leading this effort; For Land and People is determined to change the way we engage with each other, the Earth and the next generation of potential stewards, including and focusing on our disenfranchised and marginalized youth. What better way to engage young folks lost in our system of stigma and shame than to engage them in an environment of mentoring, leadership and kinesthetic learning using the soil and nature, to find a path of contribution and self-esteem that adds great things to our community, our earth and our greater society?
The Wish Project’s goal is to provide local people in need with basic furniture, home goods and baby items, while helping the planet by recycling used goods. In this way, individuals in pain can focus on getting the social services they need and the Wish Project is reducing our collective waste - a win-win!
Rise, Recover and Live is the mantra of a movement started by Scott Strode and a core group of team members to be a safe, sober active community of peers who support each other every day on the journey to recovery. This peer-driven movement is called the Phoenix, clearly for a reason...the beautiful image of an immortal bird that cyclically renews and rises to become a stronger, better self is an impressive and guiding symbol. Their mission is to create a supportive community while building personal success - when others believe in you, you begin to believe in yourself.
What do you get when, during COVID-19, you cross a group of students studying business who need internships, and small businesses who are struggling to survive with 1 really smart, hard-working entrepreneur who knows how to leverage learning with sustainability? REM and Company is a social impact initiative that is becoming an information hub!
Youth Can Change the World or at Least Your World View In line with a true social movement and long before the days of community, political, or financial support, the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, known more commonly as BAGLY was founded by LGBTQ+ youth. Since1980, BAGLY has operated as a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization, committed to social justice and creating, sustaining, and advocating for programs, policies, and services for the LGBTQ+ youth community.
You can listen to the podcast below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
What began as the story of one man’s family is today the story of many families working together toward a common goal – better treatments and a cure for a disease that threatens our most precious resource – our children. Cooley’s Anemia or Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that reduces the production of functional hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen).
You can listen to the podcast below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
The Boston Bulldogs Running Club is a true success story in every sense of the sentiment. Coach Mike Ferullo began this journey as an 8th-grade dropout, 15-year old drug user, hooked on heroin by age 17, in and out of detox, and sometimes jail until at age 22. From this experience, volunteering, and returning to finish his education, in 2015, he established the Boston Bulldogs Running Club for all those adversely affected by addiction.
Lydia Place’s mission is to disrupt the cycle of homelessness and promote sustained independence for current and future generations. Lydia Place has serves anyone experiencing homelessness and offering an array of programs to support the entire family. Their long-term vision is to have this generation be the last to experience homelessness - a truly beautiful vision. In their own words, every family deserves a home
The Five "E" High Fives are Foundational to the Success of BTSNE BTSNE is a groundbreaking Regional Wrestling Powerhouse that utilizes the sport of wrestling to provide opportunities for youth to discover their full potential by building relationships within themselves, their team, and their community. BTSNE focuses on their core values, the five “E” High Fives: Engage, Enrich, Evolve, Educate and Empower. Their mantra states it all: to give kids a fighting chance by using wrestling as a tool and motivator to overcome socio-economic injustices.
You can listen to the episode below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
EmpowHer is the only gender-responsive organization in Los Angeles County that provides a social-emotional learning course during the school day in middle and high schools. Their programs serve to support girls in developing the necessary skills to boldly break ceilings, embrace their voices, engage in social justice, and end generational cycles of poverty.
Skill-building and an Entrepreneurial Spirit Supports Recovery Having been an early and successful eBay user, Bill Tymoszczuk, AKA Bill T, discovered that eBay could be a great mechanism for making money and wanted to transfer that knowledge to support the men and women in recovery - he soon learned that technology skill-building along with an entrepreneurial spirit was essential in order to greatly reduce the risk that often threatens recovery.
You can listen to the podcast below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Breadrev is committed to helping people bake beautiful, healthy bread and supporting commercializing it as a way of bringing balance to the baking industry in South Africa. Their tagline is Bake it, Build it, Learn it and their 3 Bread Revs are* Bread Reverence, Bread Revolution, Bread Revival. *Bread Rev is the answer to socially changing the South African community by literally and figuratively baking bread together!
David Richman's incredible journey across the U.S and much more Our focus is on Cycle of Lives, a nonprofit started in 2013, and its inspiring project that resulted in a recently published book that David authored as a result of his 5,000-mile solo 6-week bike journey across the country, from Los Angeles to Florida to New York, linking 15 people, all impacted by cancer in different ways: patient, survivor, loved-one, researcher or caregiver. His book focuses on the emotional experience of cancer for each of the folks he interviewed - his gift is to give the rest of us not just a bird’s eye view into his interviewees’ lives impacted by cancer but lessons in resilience, fortitude, and being present as reflections of our own emotional vulnerability.
You can listen to the podcast below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Promoting Dance that Happens in the Public Realm Dare to Dance in Public Film Festival is devoted to the international genre of screen dance. They are committed to promoting dance that happens in the public realm & alternative sites outside of studios and off traditional stages… dance that explores place and space engages an unsuspecting public and intersects with film.
You can listen to the podcast below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Video as a medium to share authentic stories of doing good Impact Video Group, a social impact video production company that ideates, creates, and films social impact campaigns that have a positive impact on people, the planet, and the community is Boston Tweet's Tom O'Keefe and his business partner and long-time friend, Jorgy Cruz’s latest endeavor. Using video as a medium to share authentic stories of doing good!
You can listen to the episode below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Two Incredible Nonprofits Founded by One Incredible Tom O'Keefe, AKA Boston Tweet Tom O’Keefe, not realizing that he is a nonprofit, social impact entrepreneur, began Boston Tweet, an independent Twitter account that highlighted businesses and organizations in the Boston area that needed a boost to rejuvenate them and raise their visibility to keep them in business. So Tom has a history of seeing gaps and jumping in to close them and staying focused on making a difference in the lives of others.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Fulfilling the Needs of Children in Boyle Heights Since 1949, the Variety Boys & Girls Club has responded to the needs of children in the Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles community by offering academic and leadership development programs that encompass a myriad of intellectual, social, and physical arenas.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of this page or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Creating a World where Children's Choices are not made by Corporate Profits Fairplay, formerly known as Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood works to create a world where children’s lives are shaped by what’s best for them, not by corporate profits. One of their key projects, The Children’s Screen Time Action Network is a global membership organization, born out of the needs of educators, pediatricians, and other professionals working with children and the families they serve who are concerned about childhood tech use.
You can listen to this episode at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Providing Opportunities for Underprivileged Youth through the Discipline of Sport (Tennis) Pablo Arraya recognized the need to serve others and 26 years ago, he opened the Arraya Tennis Academy, training many national champions and international players while providing over 120 tennis scholarships. From this effort, more recently, Tennis For a Purpose was born - its mission is to provide underprivileged youth with an athletic community and a positive environment encouraging responsibility, discipline, healthy habits and supports with college opportunities.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcast. Enjoy!
Provocative Theatre Encourages Great Conversations Make-believe enhances our creativity and often builds the bridge between what we experience and how we feel and offers the opportunity to express those feelings and our curiosity about our world through play. Provocative theatre and arts education are mediums that provide the underpinnings of learning more about people and the world. Our featured organization sets the stage, literally, for young people and their families to have meaningful conversations about important issues that build character by actively engaging in and teaching many of life’s lessons.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Enabling the Future Imagine what can happen when a group of very caring and very technically savvy individuals gets together to make others’ lives better? Real Magic happens. e-NABLE is an online global community of “Digital Humanitarian” volunteers who use their 3D printers to make their magic (free and low-cost prosthetic upper limb devices) for those in need.
You can listen to this podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Live4LALI is a Legacy for Support and Resources Many of us have lost friends and relatives to addiction, but few of us have been brave enough to build a program that fosters healing. The organization featured today was started, because a family was suffering and wanted to prevent another family from experiencing that same loss and sadness. LIVE4LALI is a legacy for harm reduction, resources, and ending the stigma associated with substance use.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Change the World with One Random Act at a Time
It takes vision, optimism, deep belief and many, many volunteers with truly big hearts to put into practice all that is kind which results in the betterment of humanity. Over 10 years ago, one man had a vision that the world could really change with single acts of kindness and, in a moment, you’ll hear about how that concept has changed the way we collectively think about giving of ourselves, our resources, and our hearts.
Building the Bonds Between Cops and Kids Through a partnership of community and law enforcement, Hollenbeck PAL’S mission is to nurture young people to become responsible, productive, and law-abiding citizens by offering character-building, education, sports, financial literacy, and life-enhancing programs to low and moderate-income families. Some of those programs this podcast features are Pal-Up, Get it Straight, Sports 4 Kids, and Life Camera Action.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
Leadership Can Be a Calling Cyclical LA is a collective of leaders is an ecumenical community of innovators that share a common culture and set of practices created to thoughtfully start new churches across Los Angeles. Cyclical Los Angeles has 12 core values that drive their offerings for Discerners, Starters, and established Churches to support sustainability.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy!
After Hollywood legend, Spencer Tracy, and his wife, Louise Tracy's infant son was diagnosed with a profound hearing loss in 1925, Louise Treadwell Tracy devoted her time and energy to studying how deaf children could be taught to communicate with the hearing and speaking world. She patiently guided her son, John, into an understanding of language and lip-reading. With her encouragement, he learned to speak. John Tracy Center was established in 1943 and offers so many children an opportunity to be engaged in the speaking world. #andradaymusic; #lakeshow
Most of us never have to consider our car as our home, but some of us do….and as the featured organization will soon share: nobody plans to be homeless...Founded in 2016, Safe Parking LA is a coordinating organization for the community which assists homeless families and individuals living in their vehicles. They support the implementation of "Safe Parking Lots", by providing individuals a safe place to park each night, restroom access, a security guard, and social service resources.
Music can relax the mind, energize the body, and even help people better manage pain. Music is also known to evoke memories. In his article, How Opera Makes Brain Sense, Dr. Norman N. Holland discusses the complexity of opera and our response to both the music and the specific situational story that evokes emotion, tying the emotion and situation together as compared to other mediums where a story is unfolding over time. It’s what he calls music drama; with opera, our emotions shift from situation to situation as the music and specific moments are intertwined.
Can you look in the mirror and see the hero or heroine that may be inside you? Why shouldn’t all children be exposed to heroic figures from history who look like them? How can they feel not just a sense of pride, but a sense of true belonging as folks who look like them have contributed and continue to contribute to our world in significant ways? That genuine pride of being connected to a fundamental part of history gives any marginalized individual not just a sense of pride, but a sense of belonging in a world where being marginalized feels literally and figuratively like a second skin.
What if an entire community got together and recognized how powerful it would be to collaborate on projects and opportunities using the concepts of geoscience and geospatial technologies? What if these projects propelled young students into envisioning new ways of understanding STEAM, the acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics? And what if, by building their capacity, they contributed to the development of our collective future workforce?
Behold, a new type of group emerges to try to reduce the stigma of mental health, not a 12-step or a therapy group or a coalition, but an anime club with a passion and commitment to community, connection, and support. Anime characters have their own difficult journeys, but somehow most always make it through successfully, providing the foundation for club members to share their own challenging experiences and seek support when needed.
Untreated mental illness lies at the root of many barriers to adolescent success and is an underlying cause of suicide. The early detection and treatment of mental illness save young lives. LifeAct’s mission is to prevent suicide by teaching young people to recognize the warning signs of suicide in themselves and their peers and seek professional help. Life Act has a pro-active, positive approach to promoting life by preventing suicide.
What if the world were a big neighborhood, with potluck dinners, shared lawnmowers, and goods and services offered to those who needed them from those who had an abundance? It's not charity; it's reciprocity of kindness. We all have things we don’t need and things we need; iShared provides the opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint by offering what we have to others and requesting things we need, all in our local area.
Rocket is a Fantastic Teacher Rocket Rules, the adorable red Dalmatian, offers children the opportunity to learn about emergency preparedness along with other safety precautions to develop good instincts and build skills that ultimately can save their own and others' lives!
You can listen to the episode at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Adaptivities has created a new way to play by adapting some of the best classic games for those with special needs; Adaptivities is a platform of adaptive resources to stimulate dialogue and to increase opportunities for fun, engaging and reciprocal interaction for anyone with special needs. Adaptivities offers Game Day promoting hours of stress- free play and entertainment by doing all the planning. You just get to show up, have fun and engage with others!
Social workers are the best kept secret, because no one seems to know how valuable they are in every industry, not just as therapists. Although, they are certainly talented there. Learn about this amazing network that brings together social workers to engage in business discussions, share resources and advance their skill sets across various organizational sectors, all to benefit industry!
Girls Are Loud is a powerhouse of female musicians and producers ready to support any artist interested in recording; Girls Are Loud is changing the face of the music industry!
What makes camp wonderful and magical? Community, safety and fun! Learn why Harbor Camps is so incredibly special to so many youth who might not otherwise experience the pure joy of camp! Come to the sing-along with me!
Listen to Dr. Jennifer Kaplan's journey through her own loss to healing and guiding others to heal as well. A beautiful tribute to life through loss. www.jeffsplace.org
Learn about the amazing work of DCRC! DCRC works towards achieving a world where everyone’s voice and value is recognized, and there are no barriers to living a full life. DCRC is dedicated to: connecting people with disabilities to resources, training and advocacy tools; promoting disability pride; and building self-determined lives.
Transforming Shame and stigma into hope and dignity is the mission and mantra of an incredible organization called POPS The Club. POPS the Club is based on the school club model and serves to support students whose parents or loved ones are in prison or jail. POPS The Club is designed to nourish and empower students through creative expression, emotional support, and the development of community. Tune in to learn about this amazing organization. https://popsclubs.org/
It Takes the Hood to Save the Hood United Playaz is a San Francisco-based violence prevention and youth development organization providing a comprehensive range of services to prepare vulnerable youth for higher education, employment, and healthy living within a safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment. United Playaz transforms the lives of students and staff while serving the community; they employ 80% formerly incarcerated individuals.
You can listen to this episode at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Community Farming Should be a Mainstay for Every Community The Natick Community Organic Farm is an essential part of the community by opening up space for everyone to learn about agriculture and the environment and for the next generation, stewardship, ecology, and personal responsibility. Their motto: “Open from sun-up to sundown every day of the year with no admission fee” describes their dedication to the environment and the community!
You can listen to this podcast at the bottom of the page or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Learn about how urban agriculture is changing Los Angeles for the better! CultivaLa is now a verb and you can CultivaLa too. Join this interview to learn how transforming food access through transforming urban agriculture is saving many and bringing back the legacy of farming as a sexy profession! www.cultivala.org
World Librarians Makes Knowledge Accessible to Internet Devoid Areas Learn about increasing equity by making research and information accessible! World Librarians is a socio-technical system that bridges the digital divide by providing open access information through a process called Commons-Based Peer Production. They provide educational content to schools in Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana. The organization is a collaboration between teachers in Malawi and students at UMass Amherst.
You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of this page, or you wherever you listen to podcasts
Do you have a fruit tree in your backyard or on your farm? What happens when the fruit grows and you’ve eaten or sold all you can? Do you let the rest drop to the ground? Many families in Southern California can benefit from the produce from these backyards and farms where their produce overage would otherwise be wasting away. ProduceGood is doing something about this. Learn about this amazing organization as well as gleaning, upcycling, food recovery and cosmetically challenged produce!
TCRF is a bold organization taking on an audacious challenge by funding cutting edge cancer research, in-house programs and community partners. Listen and learn why this organization is one of the Gutsy ones! Learn more about them at www.towercancer.org.
And here's a little history of why I started Small & Gutsy as we get ready to launch and celebrate our first organization!
A little more information on the BIG little Social Impact Sector as we get ready to launch some amazing stories!
Small & Gutsy offers our listeners the opportunity to learn about the smaller, less known nonprofits and social impact organizations with revenues under $10 M. Our aim is to tell their story and further build their client, potential employee, volunteer and funding networks. Focusing on this BIG, LITTLE Sector is our way of giving back to communities by bringing their stories to life and celebrating them. Tune in every week as we interview a different organization so you can learn about them, maybe find a job, volunteer, or donate.