First You Talk

Send us Fan MailThis episode explores maternal health disparities, highlighting the challenges local women face and the opportunities for meaningful change. Hear from Jennie Joseph, midwife and founder of Commonsense Childbirth, and Kim Nguyen Gray, Chair of 100 Women Strong.Kim shares how 100 Women Strong arrived at its 2026 grantee decision of investing in maternal health through Commonsense Childbirth.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailMark and Laurie talk through three charitable giving trends they expect to see in 2026. Plus, Mark breaks down the generations and their typical giving behavior.You'll hear from:Mark Brewer, President/CEO, Central Florida FoundationLaurie Crocker, VP of Strategic Communications, Central Florida FoundationMentioned in episode:100 Women Strong giving circleMagical Dining Press ReleaseAddition Financial Press ReleaseA deeper dive into collective giving data and trendsPhilanosVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailThis episode of First You Talk re-examines housing from new angles: landlord engagement, private sector affordable housing development, and updates on housing trends and data.Guests:Mark Brewer, President/CEO | Central Florida FoundationSandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives | Central Florida FoundationNiki Wilkerson, Co-Founder | Connections Ministry Nikhai's ClosetRyan von Weller, COO | Wendover Housing PartnersBrian Postlewait, COO | Homeless Services NetworkAnna Ashie, Director of Housing Operations | Homeless Services NetworkVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailSeason 3 of Central Florida Foundation's First You Talk podcast is back on January 7th!Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailThis episode of First You Talk wasn't on our schedule of episodes...but after GoFundMe published nonprofit pages in October without the knowledge or consent of millions of organizations, we had to talk about it and its impact on trust and transparency in the nonprofit world.Laurie discusses discovering Central Florida Foundation's nonprofit page and CFF's subsequent actions, then Steve (a newcomer to our team!) and Sandi talk about the implications.Guests:Sandi Vidal, CFF's Vice President of Community Strategies and InitiativesSteven J. Jerina, CFF's Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies and PartnershipsVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of First You Talk: Navigating Generosity, we explore the endowment fund - how it works, considerations, and best practices.How does an endowment work? Is it really meant to last “forever”? What happens if the nonprofit selected for an endowment closes? What are best practices that can make the most of an endowed fund?Two philanthropic advisors dive into these questions and more!You'll hear from:Mark Brewer, CAP® | President/CEO, Central Florida FoundationDavid Torre, J.D., CEPA®, CFP®, AEP®, TEP®, CAP® | Wealth and Philanthropic StrategistVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailLGBTQ+ is an acronym we all recognize—but how much do we really understand about the people, the history, and the evolving community it represents here in Central Florida?In this episode, we explore the LGBTQ+ landscape through stories of personal resilience, community impact, and forward-looking change. From the legacy of the Pulse tragedy to new models of care and what it means to be an ally, you’ll hear from voices shaping the region today.Whether you’re part of the community or simply want to better understand your neighbors, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a fresh perspective on a vital part of Central Florida’s story.Guests:Tom Dyer, WatermarkGeorge Wallace, The CenterYasmin Flasterstein, Peer Support SpaceFrom CFF:Sandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and InitiativesNeil Rios Laverde, Philanthropic Relationship ManagerVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Navigating Generosity, Nicole Donelson sits down with David Torre to explore how charitable gift annuities (CGAs) can enhance the value you bring to client conversations. From retirement income strategies to charitable tax deductions, CGAs offer a unique way to align financial planning with philanthropic goals.You’ll walk away with practical talking points, planning considerations, and a better understanding of how the Central Florida Foundation can serve as a trusted partner—not just for executing CGAs, but as an extension of your advisory team in philanthropic planning.🎧 Whether you’re guiding clients through retirement or legacy decisions, this episode will equip you with the tools to introduce CGAs with confidence.Guests:David Torre, CEPA®, CFP®, AEP®, TEP®, CAP® | Wealth & Philanthropy StrategistNicole Donelson, CAP® | Director of Community Engagement, AdventHealthNavigating Generosity is an off-shoot of First You Talk, Central Florida Foundation's podcast focused on breaking down complex social issues. Navigating Generosity episodes are designed for professional advisors and anyone who wants to be better informed when discussing charitable giving with their advisors. Our hosts include Chartered Advisors in Philanthropy® and other professionals in this field, including wealth and financial advisors.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Navigating Generosity, dive into a popular charitable giving tool: the donor-advised fund (DAF). With this broad overview, you'll learn the differences between a DAF and a private foundation, understand what a DAF can and cannot do, and why a DAF might make sense for a client. You'll walk away from this episode feeling more confident in your knowledge of this powerful philanthropic tool.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailConservation is a word we all grew up knowing, but what does it really mean and how does it relate to other big topics we've discussed on the podcast?Lean into a conversation that covers an array of conservation issues and projects, from Eastern Indigo snakes and land acquisition to Florida's aquifer and efforts to create a Florida Wildlife Corridor, this episode will bring clarity to an overwhelming word, equipping you to talk knowledgably on the topics and engage in additional learning if something piques your interest.Guests:Mark Brewer, Central Florida FoundationDr. James Bogan, Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Orianne Center for Indigo ConservationJay Exum, Wildlife Biologist, Consultant, Nonprofit Board Member and PhilanthropistTraci Deen, Conservation FloridaVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to a new First You Talk Series: Navigating Generosity!Navigating Generosity is designed for professional advisors and anyone who wants to be better informed when discussing charitable giving with their advisors. Our hosts include Chartered Advisors in Philanthropy® and other professionals in this field, including wealth and financial advisors. In the inaugural episode, we delve into the “Bread and Butter of Planned Giving.” Our goal is to provide valuable insights and practical advice for those involved in or interested in approaching charitable giving in a strategic, impactful way (with a little bit of laughter along the way!).Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailIt's the new craze: PSAFg, right?!We're (sort of) kidding on it being the hot new acronym, but there's no denying the importance of what these letters mean. Piloting, scaling, accelerating and filling gaps is a crucial part of our grantmaking strategy at Central Florida Foundation. In this episode, Sandi Vidal and Laurie Crocker discuss scaling, CFF's new publication called Thrive Magazine, and 100 Women Strong's 2025 grant focused on upstream teen suicide prevention.Links mentioned:Thrive Magazine100 Women StrongYou Are a LifeguardVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailJoin us on this episode focusing on end-of-year giving strategies! Nicole Donelson and special guest David Torre, Director of Wealth Planning at Seacoast Wealth Management, dive into the world of end-of-year giving as David shares his extensive experience in wealth planning, estate management, and charitable giving. Discover the nuances of charitable gift planning, the importance of aligning assets with giving vehicles, and inspiration for creative solutions for your clients.Whether you're a professional advisor or a client, this episode offers valuable insights to elevate your giving strategy.Please note: The opinions and views expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect or represent those of any associated company. The content on this episode should not be considered legal or tax advice.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailJoin Central Florida Foundation's Laurie and Sandi as they talk about a variety of ways to increase your impact of Giving Tuesday!In this episode, you'll learn about:Sandi's role with the FoundationThe Thrive Framework3 Ways to increase your impact on Giving Tuesdayand get a refresher on the Giving Map. (Watch a quick video on it HERE!)Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailAligning with Episode 10. Understanding the Foster Care System, this episode explores the perspective of the child who goes through "the system." Ryan Hatcher, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, sits down with Laurie to share his foster care story, which began as an infant and is still evolving today. We were able to connect with Ryan through his involvement as a client and now advocate of the Foundation for Foster Children, a local nonprofit that was represented in Episode 10.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailThe Foster Care System is complex and nuanced, loaded with stories of terrible struggle and unsung heroes. This episode aims to unpack the system as a whole, starting from the national stage and slowly zooming into Central Florida. Learn about our state’s lead agency system, take a deep dive into what it means to “age out” of the system, and specific areas along the foster care experience to focus on moving forward.Guests:Peter Amico, Former Board Chairman of Embrace FamiliesPhil Scarpelli, President and CEO of Family Partnerships of Central FloridaRaquel Bell, Executive Director, Foundation for Foster ChildrenMichelle Chira, Co-Founder and Board Member, Foundation for Foster ChildrenFrom Central Florida Foundation:Sandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and InitiativesVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailJump into a bonus episode that aligns with Episode 7: Why is solving homelessness so hard? Part Two.Hear more from Mark and Sandi's conversation on HB 1365 and the Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) mentality, then move over to an extended version of our conversation with Martha Are, CEO of Homeless Services Network of Central Florida and the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness.Reminder that if you're just joining us, we recommend starting with Episode 1: Why is solving homelessness so hard? Part One.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailFirst You Talk turns one, and Laurie and Nicole from Central Florida Foundation take a walk down memory lane. How and why did the podcast come to fruition and where is it going? What were the other names and approaches considered?Sit down with Team CFF for a half hour of exploring the power of conversation - and all the laughs we had along the way.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailWhy are we talking about homelessness again? It's simple. The conversation isn't over.With our homeless population seemingly on the rise and a new law in Florida, there's lots to unpack and untangle. If you haven't listened to Episode 1 yet (Part 1 of this conversation) we strongly recommend you do! Episode 1 provides a great overview of this topic and sets you up to get more out of this episode.Episode 7 Guests:Martha Are, President and CEO | Homeless Service Network and Central Florida Commission on HomelessnessKathy, a client of Samaritan Resource Center who was interviewed in Episode 1Gwenell Hall, recently retired Case Manager | Christian Service CenterState Attorney Andrew Bain | 9th Judicial CircuitFrom Central Florida Foundation:Mark Brewer, President and CEOSandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and InitiativesVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailGet to know Central Florida Foundation's President/CEO, Mark Brewer, better and hear him weigh in on topics such as career highs and lows, book recommendations, pop culture references (yes, we go there!), and more.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailIn this bonus episode that aligns with Episode 6: Are you a philanthropist? Nicole Donelson and Mark Brewer continue their conversation.You'll also hear from a mini community member, Laurie's son, Liam.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailWhat makes someone a philanthropist? We dive into this topic, breaking down obstacles, misconceptions, trends and more. Learn about the giving continuum, the giving circle model, and how perceptions have evolved over time.Hear from:Mark Brewer | President/CEO, Central Florida FoundationNicole Donelson | VP of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships, Central Florida FoundationRenuka Sastra | Past 100 Women Strong ChairChris Manley | CFF Fundholder and All-Around Caring PersonVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailTroubleshooting issues within our educational system feels overwhelming. A spotlight is often on crisis points, such as kindergarten readiness, third grade reading scores, and graduation rates; but, what if we zoomed out and flew over the entire system at 30,000 feet? What if we thought about the big picture, and determined what exactly we even want out of the system? This episode will help shift our mindset to thinking about systems-level approaches to improving education in our community.This episode covers:What is a theory of change?How do our students feel about their educational experience?How does a community school work?What is the Orange County Public School’s new cell phone rule and what are its impacts?What is place-based philanthropy?What do we want out of our educational system?Guests:Eddy Moratin, Co-Founder and President, Lift OrlandoStudent Guests: Michael, Reagan, and NaejCentral Florida Foundation Team:Mark Brewer, President/CEOSandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and InitiativesVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailWe hear this buzzword a lot: innovation. But what does it mean and is it a part of our community? Furthermore, is innovation a must-have in order to improve our region? Episode 4 digs into all of these questions with some of the best and the brightest in this space - and helps us to unpack this amorphous term and use it in a more meaningful way.This episode covers:How do we define innovation?Is Central Florida an innovative community?How do philanthropy and risk interact?What is community innovation?What is social enterprise?This episode's guests:Rob Panepinto, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Offer, Govo Venture PartnersGrant Hayes, Dean, University of Central Florida's College of Community Innovation and EducationVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailThis is a deeper-dive bonus episode that aligns with Episode 3: Why should we care about our community's mental health?Hear Mark and Sandi talk about strategies on creating a reliable and sustainable mental health workforce.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailIn today's day and age, caring about your mental health has been woven into our daily conversations; but, what about our community's mental health? What does it mean to care about our region's mental health at large?In this episode, we dive into this topic with subject-matter experts that bring thought-provoking perspectives to the conversation.You'll hear about:mental health vs. mental illness, and the importance of the language we usewhy you should know your ACEs numbermental health stigmas and why money isn't the only answerinnovative solutions that engage all sectorsGuests:Cendie Stanford, ACEs MatterMarni Stahlman, Mental Health Association of Central FloridaPlus, Mark Brewer and Sandi Vidal, Central Florida FoundationVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailThis is a deeper-dive bonus episode that aligns with Episode 2: How are we going to solve our housing crisis?Hear an uncut version of Mark and Sandi talk about obstacles to having more attainable housing and how policy can shape solutions.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailCentral Florida is known for its world-class tourist attractions and top-tier restaurants and nightlife. It's all magic and pixie dust here, right? Not if you're one of the thousands of workforce residents slowly being priced out of housing.This episode of the First You Talk podcast dives into Central Florida's housing crisis.Learn about:attainable versus affordablecauses of this problemFlorida's new Live Local Actnew ways of thinking about solutionsGuests include:Catherine Steck McManus, CEO & President of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola CountyAlberto Vargas, Planning Manager, Orange CountyDonya, an owner of a Habitat for Humanity homeMark Brewer, President/CEO of Central Florida FoundationSandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives of Central Florida FoundationThis episode used some data from this local source.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailThis is a deeper-dive bonus episode that aligns with Episode 1: Why is solving homelessness so hard?Hear an uncut version of Mark and Sandi talk about two types of homelessness - episodic and chronic - and why understanding the two matters.Visit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us Fan MailEver wonder why we can't just solve the problem of homelessness? Join us on a journey to discover the story of this complex issue, hear from people experiencing homelessness now, and learn what the City of Orlando is doing to try to alleviate this growing problem in the region.Thank you to our guests:Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of OrlandoKathy, Rigoberto, Tiffany and David, clients of Samaritan Resource CenterMark Brewer, President/CEO, Central Florida FoundationSandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives, Central Florida FoundationResources mentioned on this episode:Central Florida Commission on HomelessnessThe Mental Health Systems Act of 1980Homeless Impact Fund at Central Florida Foundation ReportsThe Housing the First 100 pilot programThe State of Family Homelessness in Central FloridaVisit the First You Talk website.Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.