How I Built A $178M Movement with Zero Experience with Wendy Steele

There can be times where we trick ourselves into believing that to make a real impact in the world, we need unlimited resources or a lifetime of experience.But my guest today proves that the only thing standing between you and a global movement might just be a notebook and the courage to ignore the voice in your head that says, 'Who am I to do this?'I think the more important question is 'Who are you not to?'Wendy Steele is the visionary founder of Impact100, a global movement that has disrupted traditional philanthropy.Wendy realized that the old systems of giving were leaving people on the sidelines, specifically women, so she designed a new model. What started as a simple idea she sketched out on a family vacation has now grown into a worldwide movement that has granted over $178 million to local non-profits.In this episode, we break down the exact process she used to take an idea in her notebook to a scalable, global movement. Wendy shares her journey of pushing past Imposter Syndrome and the remarkable story of how she navigated launching her organization in the shadow of a national crisis.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The benefits of giving yourself space to think and how it's often the catalyst for your most novel and transformative ideas.Why surrounding yourself with smart people who push back is more valuable than those who always say yes.How to take a simple concept and scale it into a global movement by focusing on the problem your solving.The biology of giving and how it triggers a flood of oxytocin while reducing cortisol, making it a scientifically proven tool for stress reduction.Why taking care of yourself is the only sustainable way to have a long-term impact on others.What We Discuss:0:00:00 - Episode Opener0:00:55 - Podcast and Guest Intro 0:01:32 - Meet Wendy Steele 0:03:17 - Impact 100 Explained 0:05:19 - Why Women Opt Out 0:08:02 - Democratized Giving Model 0:13:04 - Grant Process and Voting 0:16:11 - Empowerment Stories 0:19:41 - From Fear to Solutions 0:25:22 - Notebook Origin Story 0:32:06 - Stillness Fuels Creativity 0:38:12 - Protect Your Calendar 0:48:00 - Idea to Action Steps 0:54:35 - Power of Big Numbers 0:56:38 - From Idea to Action 0:57:12 - Beating Imposter Syndrome 0:57:40 - Finding the Right Advisors 0:59:42 - Dad’s Hard Questions 1:03:19 - Handling Naysayers Wisely 1:04:27 - 9/11 and the Go Moment 1:07:10 - People Magazine Spark 1:08:11 - What She’d Change 1:12:08 - Origins of Giving Back 1:15:52 - Strategic Philanthropy Lesson 1:22:57 - Giving and Receiving Balance 1:26:55 - Oxytocin vs Stress 1:31:47 - Assuming Positive Intent 1:36:19 - Rapid Fire Values 1:37:53 - Floating Meditation Ritual 1:40:52 - How to Get Involved 1:42:20 - Final Thanks and SignoffFollow Wendy:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendysteele/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.h.steeleYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@impact100global4Impact100 Website: https://impact100global.org/Wendy Steele's Website: https://wendyhsteele.comGet Wendy's Book, Invitation to Impact: Lighting the Path to Community Transformation: https://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Impact-Lighting-Community-Transformation/dp/B0C16GVSBP/Follow Cameron:Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameronatlasYouTube: https://youtube.com/cameronatlasFacebook: https://facebook.com/cameronatlasLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cameronatlas Newsletter Sign Up: https://cameronatlas.com/newsletterBook Cameron to Speak: https://cameronatlas.com/speaking