Giving Back Podcast Rob Lowe

We’ve spent the last three years at the Giving Back Podcast highlighting hometown heroes serving every need imaginable. Our guests for the final episode are true servant leaders in every sense, dedicated to building their community and lending a hand up to those in need. Thank you for tuning in, getting inspired, and taking action. The Giving Back Podcast has been a wonderful journey, a real blessing in my life. I look forward to the next chapter of bringing you stories about good people all around us doing amazing things to help others in need and making our world a better place.
Key Takeaways: Maggie Kane is the Founder and Executive Director of A Place at the Table, the first pay-what-you-can cafe in downtown Raleigh. Through her work with people on the streets, she realized the power of community, the importance of dignity, and the beauty in bringing people together over incredible food. A Place at the Table was birthed in February 2015 and in January 2018 opened, providing people with money and people without money a place where they can sit together, share in good conversation, and grow their village together. Where good food meets community, all are welcome at the table.

Danny Rosin is the Co-Founder and Co-President of Brand Fuel a free-spirited, full-service merchandising agency that sits at the top 1% of the $23 billion promotional products industry. A tireless connector, community leader and entrepreneur, he is the active Co-Founder of Band Together, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that uses live music as a platform for social change. Band Together is the Southeast’s largest annual charitable music event and has donated over $9 million to a different cause each year since the twin towers came down on 9/11.

Rob, Maggie, and Danny recall their recent memories of getting together at Raleigh, NC.
How did A Place At The Table build a strong community?
Danny shares a beautiful story of a person who was immediately inspired by the activity of A Place At The Table and become a volunteer and start donating.
What is the magic works behind A Place At The Table build?
How did Band Together get started?
Why did Danny start Band Together?
What led Danny from Band Together to join Maggie from A Place At The Table?
According to Maggie, 99% of people want to help if they are invited and asked for help.
Maggie Kane shares how she wants to see the changes in A Place At The Table in the coming years.
Danny Rosin shares how he wants to see the changes in Band Together in the coming years.
Danny shares his vision to spread the impact of Band together in multiple cities and both Rob and Maggie appreciate him.

Just like brand ambassadors for brands, Rob wants to see community ambassadors for communities.

Danny thinks most people don’t care about the cause rather they care they are working together. Because working together is fun.
Rob talks about reframing of Giving Back Podcast.

Remember: Always err on the side of love & kindness

Love & Gratitude,
Rob
Mentioned in This Episode: Giving Back Podcast
Band Together NC 
A Place At The Table 
The Green Chair Project 
 Angel Oak Creative
 

We take books for granted. They have a huge impact on our children.

Rose Morris is the Founder of Abram’s Nation, a manufacturer of products that are designed specifically for the special needs community. Rose is also the Co-Founder of Fund It Forward, a nonprofit that helps families obtain special needs equipment that is not covered by insurance. Rose’s son, Abram, is an active and curious special needs child who would always find a way to get out of his crib. Because of this, Rose had many sleepless nights worrying that Abram would get hurt trying to escape until she created and developed the Safety Sleeper, a product that would help protect him. 
 
Key Takeaways:
[2:20] Who is Rose, and why did she start Abram’s Nation? 
[3:35] Rose shares why her son, Abram, was struggling with sleep.
[10:30] A whole weight came off of Rose’s shoulders when she and her friends were able to develop something that would keep curious Abram safe in bed. 
[13:45] Rose is grateful she had neighbors and a community that was familiar with autism and could provide support and resources for her family.
[15:35] How did people find out about The Safety Sleeper? 
[19:30] Rose hires special needs adults to help her with her business. 
[23:25] Rose shares why, and how, she started Fund It Forward.
[27:25] Fund It Forward needs a new Executive Director! 
[30:00] Rose shares the process of how Abram’s Nation went international.
[33:00] Rose doesn’t just work with autism. There’s a huge community of people in need and she’s open to learning about it. 
[35:55] What kind of feedback has Rose received so far?
[39:10] What advice does Rose have for other social entrepreneurs? 
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Giving Back Podcast
Abram’s Nation
Fund It Forward
Rose Morris on LinkedIn
 

Jaya Manjunath is the Founder of Seniors With Skills, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the overall quality of life for seniors through social engagement. The organization originally started in Toronto, but has since moved to many different states in the US. On this week’s episode, Jaya shares how her organization helps seniors get out of isolation and find a new purpose as they reach a new stage in their life. 
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:25] Who is Jaya, and what is Seniors With Skills all about? 
[9:15] Why is it important for seniors to get active and volunteer? 
[12:30] Why is this cause so important for Jaya?
[15:15] When Jaya started working with seniors, what was the initial reaction to that? 
[21:20] Jaya explains how she and her team are growing her nonprofit and bringing it to other cities in the U.S..
[23:30] What types of activities can the seniors do?
[26:15] Seniors from all over want to volunteer because of the fun activities Seniors With Skills has for them. 
[28:00] Jaya shares a story about Barbara and the awesome work she’s doing. 
[32:00] If you want to start a volunteer project, just do it! Jaya started doing this work for years before it made sense to create a nonprofit. 
[35:35] Jaya talks about some of the seniors she’s worked with and how volunteer work  has made a difference in their lives. 
[43:00] Becoming a Seniors With Skills volunteer is life-changing! 
[46:00] What’s next for Jaya? 
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Giving Back Podcast
Seniors With Skills
Email: Volunteering@SeniorsWithSkills.org
Jaya Manjunath on LinkedIn

Michelle Pagtakhan is the Founder & Executive Director of You Run This Town Foundation (YRTTF). YRTTF provides enrichment programs to underserved youth, work-study internships, scholarships, and community partner engagement programs. Michelle is committed to developing the next generation of leaders,and actually first began her work five years prior to formally starting her organization in 2016. Find out more about Michelle and the fantastic work she’s doing in the greater Los Angeles area. 
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:15] Who is Michelle and what is YRTTF about? 
[7:50] Right after Michelle had her first child, she knew she wanted to do more for her community. 
[9:10] What is YRTTF’s mission? 
[13:35] Michelle explains the types of workshops and programs the kids can attend.
[16:45] How did Michelle first come up with the YRTTF name?
[21:15] Michelle has worked with a number of different non-profits and even been an advocate against human trafficking. How did she first get started in all of this? 
[25:20] How does the Foundation raise funds? 
[29:10] What’s the difference between the Community Engagement program and the Flower Empower program? 
[36:25] How many schools is the Flower Empower program in? 
[39:00] What kind of feedback has Michelle received so far? 
[45:35] Successful people hang out with successful people. 
[47:45] What’s next for the Foundation? 
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Giving Back Podcast
You Run This Town Foundation
 

Monisha Bajaj is the Founder of Ruam Chuay, a non-profit organization based in Thailand. Monisha and her team host workshops at local schools to discuss interpersonal violence, sexual consent, and so much more!  On today’s episode, Monisha shares how Ruam Chuay first got started, how their workshops create a dialogue among students, and the differences between U.S. and Thai culture. 
 
Key Takeaways:
[4:00] Who is Monisha and how did Ruam Chuay first get started? 
[8:55] Monisha compares the differences between the U.S. and Thailand when it comes to the conversation around sexual violence. 
[10:25] How does Monisha define interpersonal violence? 
[12:00] Monisha shares the types of workshops she hosts for the community.
[16:40] It took time for Thai culture to understand the importance of having these open talks about sexual harassment and interpersonal violence. 
[19:00] What kind of feedback has Monisha received from male students vs. female students? 
[24:20] Monisha wished she had had this type of education when she was in school. Knowing what she knows now, what difference would it have made in her life? 
[30:35] What is restorative justice about? 
[33:40] How does Monisha measure or track the metrics on her workshops?
[38:15] It’s important to give someone an ‘out’ when you ask them a question that could potentially lead to rejection.
[41:25] What kind of impact has this work had on Monisha? 
[43:15] When it comes to sexual expectations, how does the U.S. differ from Thailand? 
[49:55] What’s next for Ruam Chuay? 
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Giving Back Podcast
Ruam Chuay
Monisha Bajaj
Monisha Bajaj on LinkedIn
Monisha Bajaj on Instagram