Effecting Our Altruism

Elliot Billingsley

The Effecting Our Altruism Podcast is a portal into the lived experience of people committed to doing their best to serve others. Whether inspired by effective altruism or not, our guests confront immense problems with an effectiveness mindset. The core question of effective altruism isn't owned by anyone. It's an ongoing conversation that may last lifetimes. And the answers do not lie with one person; I believe they come from collective experiences. This podcast is intended as a gathering place of people who are putting their ideals into action. My hope is that listeners from all backgrounds can feel like they are a part of the solution. Please rate and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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  1. Until In India Mental Health Is Health For All

    03.03.2025

    Until In India Mental Health Is Health For All

    India has a lot of call centers. Who are they calling? Mostly clients in other countries. But what if the efficiency, professionalism, and empathy practiced in those centers were onshored to those closest to the Indian people, perhaps those at most at risk for depression…instead of impatient customers on the other side of the planet? Kaya Guides is a digital mental health startup and one of Ambitious Impact's newest high-impact charity ventures. In our chat, Rachel lays out how a service like Kaya Guides can provide a new chapter in mental health for *hundreds of millions*. Rachel's team is looking to replicate the kind of jaw-dropping results observed in RCTs that have convinced the Lebanese government to adopt Smart Start. Rachel has been in the social impact space for over eight years, and is now clearly thriving as a founder. I was honoured to sit with her after EAG Boston and learn not only the story of Kaya Guides, but also the vibrant human who is walking her values. How to reach Rachel or Kaya Guides: hello@kayaguides.com Best ways to Reach Elliot: Linkedin or the EA Anywhere Slack Kaya Guides https://www.kayaguides.com/ For more on Effective Altruism Global conferences: https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ea-global For more about from Rachel and my other guests, check out the EOA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@-effectingouraltruism Listen to the full audio podcast: https://pod.link/1754081644 For more on Elliot's coaching: www.elliotbillingsley.com

    28 Min.
  2. Because Ugandans deserve great education

    03.02.2025

    Because Ugandans deserve great education

    How can education transform lives in underserved regions like Eastern Uganda?  Education is a fundamental right, yet millions are denied access to quality learning. Learning Alliance recognizes that just throwing textbooks at children doesn't make learning happen. In addition to high-quality, localized materials, Learning Alliance is adding teacher training and ongoing coaching to ensure long-term impact. Robust evidence coming out of RCTs in Kenya has inspired this model, which launched in Eastern Uganda in 2025. When I interviewed Learning Alliance Co-founder Ilana Kessler for my podcast, I learned how the project synthesizes her teaching background with extensive experience in scaling development work in East Africa. She isn't just someone flying into the region blind, she has worked in Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania and thinks deeply about what her work means to East African people.  Her scientific mindset, evidenced by the way she speaks about research and data, makes me bullish about how well the evidence elsewhere in East Africa might transfer to the Learning Alliance. I'm thrilled to see work that both honours the dignity of Ugandan people and stands to help millions. If Learning Alliance even partially realizes the promise that structured pedagogy holds, this could enable a better way of life for society in that region. Support Learning Alliance to help scale impactful solutions in Uganda. Learning Alliance https://www.learningalliance.net/ Best ways to Reach Elliot Linkedin or the EA Anywhere Slack Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@-effectingouraltruism Evidence Review https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PfET3a2QvJvLydB2t43dpf_r9hE7Bdhm/edit#heading=h.kxl0nqdr8gbi #LearningAlliance #EducationInEastAfrica #EffectiveAltruism #TeacherTraining #ImpactInvestment #Podcast #CharityEntrepreneurship

    55 Min.
  3. Towards a Culture of Effective Giving

    25.10.2024

    Towards a Culture of Effective Giving

    I loved hearing how James's experience in the aid sector has influenced his views on effectiveness and optimization. Having worked with refugees, aid organizations, and advocates for children, James brings valuable field experience into his advocacy work. After seeing how major aid organizations operate, now, for him, "Okay is not good enough." This is the 2nd in a set of 3 episodes focused on effective giving, and the 1st of two recorded at the EA Canada Retreat at the Center for Social Innovation in Toronto. For the third, check out my talk with SK OwYong from RC Forward in Episode 06. This episode is meaningful to me personally because in recording it, I literally make the 10% pledge live. I'd had it in mind to make the pledge for years but it was something about the moment that got me to finally do it. I'm planning to make my charitable donations near the end of the year. Thanks so much, James, for speaking with me! If you are thinking of join the growing ranks of 10% Pledgers, check out Giving What We Can. Giving What We Can https://givingwhatwecan.org/ Center For Social Innovation https://socialinnovation.org/ Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@-effectingouraltruism Listen to the full audio podcast: https://pod.link/1754081644 Anthony Kalulu, "Dear EA, please be the reason people like me will actually see a better world. Help me make some small stride on extreme poverty where I live -- by the end of 2024." https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/zHEkcP3KLvu7yfz8s/dear-ea-please-be-the-reason-people-like-me-will-actually https://www.ugandafarm.org/ Shoutout to Dina from Animal Justice for the production support! https://animaljustice.ca/ https://animaljustice.ca/issues/ag-gag-laws Ali Abdal https://www.youtube.com/@aliabdaal

    43 Min.
  4. If You're going to donate, Do It Effectively!

    01.10.2024

    If You're going to donate, Do It Effectively!

    If you donate some of your money to charity, you're doing something good, right? Odds are, you could be doing better. Welcome to the conversation about effective giving. Aman is a financial advisor who has been doing more good for humanity through donating money than most people typically accomplish in their whole lives. That's because he, along with others in the effective giving community, hold their donation dollars to the highest standard they can find. Aman is a Canada-based financial advisor. I know him as a specialist in effective giving. Aman began his career in financial services in 2021 when he decided to pursue his lifelong passion for personal finance. He left a career in retail management, completed his securities license, and started as an independent advisor with Canada Life. Following exponential growth in his client base, he opened Village Financial in 2024 with the goal of reaching more people in his own way. Note: We recorded this ahead of EAGxToronto 2024, which occurred in August. Thanks to my amazing producer Chad Clarke for being essential in putting this show together. All mistakes are mine. Village Financial https://villagefinancialtoronto.ca/ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@-effectingouraltruism Listen to the full podcast: https://pod.link/1754081644 1Daysooner's Hep C campaign https://www.1daysooner.org/hepatitis-c/ Michael Lenczner's Firm https://wearedaro.com/about Kurzgesagt: This Disease is Deadlier Than The Plague https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFLb5h2O2Ww

    51 Min.
  5. What if every dollar you spent went to charity, not some random shareholders?

    08.07.2024

    What if every dollar you spent went to charity, not some random shareholders?

    Philanthropy operates on a slower gear than the private sector. It is constrained by systems and culture that block its potential to effect massive positive social uplift. It doesn't have to be this way. The Profit For Good Initiative advocates for charities to drive profit-seeking businesses. If the 'for purpose' sector were in charge--and if effective charities in particular held majority positions--the trillions of dollars in the consumer economy could go towards visions for a better world. My conversation with Brad came at an exciting time. The Commissions for a Cause project will soon put to test the theory that underpins the Profit For Good Initiative, that is, that consumers would rather do good than not, when given a choice. The concept is simple enough, and after talking about it more, I became convinced that the idea needs to be heard by more people. Please enjoy. Donate to Profit For Good here: https://profit4good.org/donation-elliot-billingsley/   Brad's EA Forum Profile: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/users/brad-west   The Against Malaria Foundation's current cost of saving a life: https://www.againstmalaria.com/   The 10% Pledge: https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/   Natalie Cargill's TED Talk, "How to Solve the World's Biggest Problems" :  https://www.ted.com/talks/natalie_cargill_how_to_solve_the_world_s_biggest_problems?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare   Explore coaching with elliot: https://elliotbillingsley.com/coaching/

    45 Min.

Info

The Effecting Our Altruism Podcast is a portal into the lived experience of people committed to doing their best to serve others. Whether inspired by effective altruism or not, our guests confront immense problems with an effectiveness mindset. The core question of effective altruism isn't owned by anyone. It's an ongoing conversation that may last lifetimes. And the answers do not lie with one person; I believe they come from collective experiences. This podcast is intended as a gathering place of people who are putting their ideals into action. My hope is that listeners from all backgrounds can feel like they are a part of the solution. Please rate and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!