The Philanthropic Podcast

Philanthropic

The Philanthropic Podcast is on a mission to end poverty, one story at a time. Each episode dives into real lives, real struggles, and real solutions, showing how people can rise above hardship when given the right opportunities. If you love real, raw, human storytelling and rising above challenges, this is the show for you. We'll bring you conversations with families, change-makers, and everyday heroes, highlighting both the challenges and the hope that fuels transformation. Tune in, be inspired, and discover how together we can create lasting change. Get philanthropic!

Episodes

  1. 12/17/2025

    The Shego Family: A Somali Refugee Story

    In this episode of the Philanthropic Podcast, we sit down with a Somali refugee family who spent decades surviving war, enslavement, and extreme poverty before resettling in the United States. From childhood in Somalia during the civil war, to life in Kenya’s Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, this conversation reveals the brutal realities of forced migration, refugee camps, water scarcity, food insecurity, and waiting 10+ years for resettlement. The family shares firsthand experiences of violence, survival, UNHCR processes, and what it truly means to live as a refugee — including growing up without education access, healthcare, or employment. We also explore the challenges of resettlement in Utah, culture shock, learning English, rebuilding dignity through work, and the long road from refugee camp to American life. This episode offers an unfiltered look into Somali refugee experiences, illegal vs legal migration misconceptions, refugee resettlement, and the human cost of displacement — told directly by those who lived it.Key Moments:00:00:00 – “Putting Life on Hold for 10 Years as a Refugee”00:04:56 – “Growing Up Enslaved”00:07:47 – “A Tomato Was Worth More Than a Human Life”00:09:32 – “Hiding While His Father Was Executed"”00:10:41 – “Escaping Somalia on Foot at Just 20 Years Old”00:12:19 – “Arriving Alone at a Refugee Camp With Nothing”00:21:24 – “Learning a Trade So His Children Wouldn’t Starve”00:26:43 – “Walking Miles Daily as a Child to Find Water”00:35:39 – “Waiting Over a Decade to Be Allowed a New Life”00:40:09 – “Seeing Snow for the First Time”00:42:11 – “Spending Two Years in School Without Speaking”00:56:25 – “Trying to Raise Eight Children on $12 an Hour”somali refugee family, refugee story, refugee camp life, kakuma refugee camp, dadaab refugee camp, kenya refugees, somalia refugees, refugee resettlement, life as a refugee, forced migration, humanitarian stories, immigration stories, resettled to utah, refugee experience, african refugee stories, global displacement, human rights stories, life after resettlement, philanthropic podcast, migration and refugees

    1 hr
  2. 11/19/2025

    The 4th-Generation Addict Who Finally Broke the Cycle

    Kaylee’s story is one of the most powerful transformations you’ll ever hear. After growing up in a fourth-generation cycle of addiction, Kaylee became homeless in downtown Salt Lake — sleeping in bathrooms, stealing shoes to survive, and battling a dangerous addiction. Everything changed when she was arrested on Mother’s Day… and found out she was pregnant with twin girls while in jail. Today, she’s a certified peer support specialist helping others overcome addiction, homelessness, and hopelessness. In this episode of The Philanthropic Podcast, we talk about:• What homelessness really looks like in Utah• How she survived 18 months on the streets • The moment everything changed• Why a simple smile can save a life• How YOU can make a difference — today ⏱️ Key Moments:01:02 – Kaylee introduces herself - certified peer support specialist01:41 – Generational addiction & leaving home at 1602:20 – Homeless in Salt Lake for 18 months03:59 – Arrest & addiction breaking point04:45 – Finding out she’s pregnant with twins05:24 – Relapse, tragedy, & the fight for recovery06:53 – “Addicts Fighting Back” outreach - giving back through service011:05 – How to help people experiencing homelessness19:00 – A message of hope for this holiday season 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about poverty, recovery, and real-world solutions. 👇 OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT 👇• Volunteer locally• Donate coats, socks, and hygiene items• Treat homeless individuals with human respect — even a smile helps #Homelessness #AddictionRecovery #Utah #GetPhilanthropic #Humanitarian #TransformationStory #Podcast #Nonprofit #Faith #HomelessInAmerica #Hope

    21 min
  3. 11/11/2025

    Beating Prison, Addiction, and 20 Years Homeless: The Story of William ‘Bishop’ Bell

    For two decades, William “Bishop” Bell lived in chaos — cycling through prison, addiction, and homelessness. Sleeping in cars, chasing his next fix, and losing nearly everything, Bishop hit rock bottom again and again… until he found the courage to surrender. In this unfiltered conversation, Bishop opens up about growing up without his mother, finding his identity in gangs, and surviving six overdoses before turning his life around through The Other Side Academy. Now, he’s a barber, mentor, and advocate — helping the very people he once stood beside on the streets. This is a story of redemption, accountability, and faith. “At the end of the day, if you’re willing to do whatever it takes, have faith, and trust the process — nothing should get in your way.” — William “Bishop” Bell ⏱️ Key Moments00:00 — Opening line: “If you’re willing to do whatever it takes…”00:56 — Host intro: Welcoming Bishop to The Philanthropic Podcast01:40 — Childhood: growing up without knowing his real mother04:55 — Discovering the truth — and losing trust in family06:06 — Becoming a father at 14 and catching his first charge07:00 — Joining a gang and entering prison at 1809:20 — The Other Side Academy: a new way to live12:54 — Leaving, relapsing, and returning stronger13:30 — The DUI that changed everything — “Teach me.”14:50 — Spiritual awakening: watching The Chosen and finding God15:16 — The power of opportunity and rebuilding life16:59 — Life on the streets: surviving by crime and addiction19:02 — The night Bishop almost ended his life20:42 — Realizing the comfort of chaos — and finally letting go21:47 — Why tough love and closed doors saved his life23:10 — To families: stop enabling, start educating25:30 — What real accountability looks like inside The Other Side Academy27:07 — Learning to communicate, grow, and take criticism29:00 — “If we survived the streets, we can survive recovery.”31:27 — Cutting hair for the homeless — meeting people where they are33:59 — Why most people aren’t ready to change — and how to tell34:33 — The meaning of surrender35:15 — Faith, family, and keeping the fire alive38:22 — Service as healing — “If you want to be a beast, do what beasts do.”39:39 — Bishop’s message: be bold, share your story, hold each other accountable41:07 — Closing remarks and thanks to Five Star Legacy Foundation

    42 min

About

The Philanthropic Podcast is on a mission to end poverty, one story at a time. Each episode dives into real lives, real struggles, and real solutions, showing how people can rise above hardship when given the right opportunities. If you love real, raw, human storytelling and rising above challenges, this is the show for you. We'll bring you conversations with families, change-makers, and everyday heroes, highlighting both the challenges and the hope that fuels transformation. Tune in, be inspired, and discover how together we can create lasting change. Get philanthropic!