What’s Your Story, Sepi Ackerman? Creating holiday magic by letting kids become the givers

In this heartfelt and joy-filled holiday episode, Jaime and Stan sit down with Sepi Ackerman, nonprofit founder and community champion behind Holiday House SRQ — an organization transforming how children in Title I schools experience the holidays.What began as a simple school PTO project quickly became a powerful movement rooted in dignity, choice, and generosity. Sepi shares how Holiday House empowers children — many living at or below the poverty line — to shop for their own loved ones, free of charge, and experience the pride of being the giver.From sneaker drives and paid-off lunch debt to winter wonderlands built inside classrooms, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful gifts aren’t things — they’re moments of being seen, valued, and believed in. KEY TOPICS COVEREDGrowing up with a family mantra of giving backMoving from Atlanta to Sarasota and building roots through schoolsThe origin story of Holiday House — from PTO project to nonprofitServing Title I schools and understanding unmet student needsEmpowering children to shop for loved ones at no costWhy Holiday House focuses on experience over material valueThe logistics behind serving 2,500+ students across five schoolsVolunteer engagement and one-to-one student pairingSneaker drives, uniform closets, and paying off school lunch debtCommunity partnerships with police, faith groups, and teensThe emotional impact of making children feel seen and valuedScaling responsibly while keeping overhead lowRedefining holiday giving through dignity, choice, and care MEMORABLE QUOTES“It’s not about the presents. It’s about investing time into the student.”“Holiday House is really the front door — behind it are deeper unmet needs.”“If we can make one child feel seen and valued, then it’s worth it.”“They get to be the giver — and that’s incredibly empowering.”“That smile when they walk into the room? That’s the fuel for next year.” --------------------Where to listen & watch:YouTube: https://youtu.be/6aj0LamBVSAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tYAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan Connect with Sepi Ackerman:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sepi-ackermanWebsite: https://www.holidayhousesrq.orgIf this episode helped you rethink what success looks like, subscribe, rate, and review our podcast! Your support helps us share more powerful stories like Sepi’s. Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarcoWebsite: https://www.jaimemarco.comGot feedback or a guest recommendation? Email us at [email protected]