You Are What You Give

Dr. Bob Woodson spent decades challenging assumptions about poverty, charity, and what creates real change. In light of his recent passing, this conversation - recorded two months to the day before his passing - carries even greater weight — not simply as a discussion about giving, but as a reflection on the ideas and principles that shaped his life’s work. In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi sits down with Dr. Bob Woodson — civil rights leader, founder of the Woodson Center https://woodsoncenter.org/, and longtime advocate for community-led solutions — for a conversation that asks a difficult question:Can helping people sometimes make things worse?Dr. Woodson challenges the assumption that money alone solves poverty and explains why understanding the nature of the problem matters just as much as the resources we bring to it.In this conversation we discuss:the four types of povertywhy some forms of charity unintentionally create dependencythe difference between relief and transformationwhat Dr. Woodson called “toxic support”why local relationships matter more than distant solutionsand what lasting change actually requiresThis isn't a conversation about giving less.It's a conversation about helping better.And as always, thank you to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity helps make these conversations possible.For additional conversations and insights, visit us at https://givewithus.com/

What happens when a charity you believe in collapses almost overnight? Not just financially — but in trust.In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi sits down with Yael Simon to explore what happens when philanthropy goes wrong — and what responsible giving actually requires from both donors and nonprofit leaders.Within weeks of stepping into a nonprofit leadership role, Yael found herself at the center of a global fraud crisis involving investigations, broken trust, and enormous institutional fallout. That experience reshaped how she thinks about stewardship, donor responsibility, fundraising, and what it takes to rebuild credibility after failure.This conversation goes far beyond one organization’s collapse. It’s about:how trust is built in philanthropywhy good intentions are not enoughwhat sophisticated donors look forand why thoughtful giving requires ongoing responsibility — not just generosityWe also explore:fundraising misconceptions nonprofits still struggle withthe role of young professionals in philanthropyphilanthropy as a catalyst rather than a solutionand how organizations can maintain trust over the long termThis is not a cynical conversation about giving. It’s a practical and deeply human conversation about how to give more responsibly — especially when trust is at stake.To contact Yael Simon, reach out to her at her webiste: https://arakura.co. And as always, thank you to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity helps make these conversations possible.

Most nonprofits are focused on finding new supporters.But what if some of the most important people you need to reach…are already part of your story?In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi sits down with Jennifer Cunningham, an expert in alumni engagement, to explore a missed opportunity across the nonprofit world.Because “alumni” isn’t just a university concept.It includes former volunteers.Past board members.Program participants whose lives were shaped by your work.People who already know your mission —and may be your most natural advocates moving forward.So why do so many organizations lose touch with them?And what would it look like to re-engage them — not as a one-time outreach,but as a long-term strategy for growth, leadership, and connection?This conversation breaks it down in practical terms:What “alumni” really means in a nonprofit contextWhy organizations overlook these relationshipsHow to re-engage people without turning it into a fundraising askAnd how alumni can become champions, not just contactsThis isn’t about nostalgia.It’s about recognizing the people who already walked part of the journey with you —and inviting them to walk the next mile.To contact Jennifer Cunningham, visit her website: https://engagejc.com/And as always, thank you to Victoria Hearst, whose giving helps make these conversations possible.

You see a need.Someone who could use help.A situation where something isn’t right.And then comes the moment that defines everything:Do you step forward… or do you move on?In this episode of You Are What You Give, I sit down with Victoria Hearst to explore a different kind of giving — one that doesn’t wait for a campaign, a request, or a clear path forward.Victoria’s approach is simple, but not easy: She steps in.She identifies real needs, builds relationships with trusted partners, and commits to supporting what matters most — often focusing on life-and-death issues where action can’t be delayed.This conversation isn’t about generosity as a concept.It’s about what it actually takes to move from intention to action, and how giving becomes meaningful when it’s driven by initiative, not circumstance.Along the way, we explore:How many people hesitate when they could helpHow to recognize your role in a given situationThe importance of trusted partnerships in philanthropyWhy consistency matters more than scaleHow giving evolves when it becomes part of who you areAnd as always, thank you to Victoria Hearst for her partnership and support in making this podcast possible.If you’ve ever felt the pull to give but didn’t know how to take that first step, this conversation is for you.

You don’t have a volunteer problem.You have a volunteer experience problem.In this episode of You Are What You Give, I sit down with Karen Knight, consultant and strategist focused on helping nonprofits engage volunteers the right way.Because most organizations aren’t struggling to find people who care. They’re struggling to keep them.Karen has seen the same patterns across organizations of every size:Broken onboardingUnclear expectationsRigid systemsTreating volunteers like free labor instead of mission partnersAnd the result?People show up once… and don’t come back.This conversation is a wake-up call for nonprofit leaders, volunteer coordinators, and anyone building a mission-driven organization.Because if volunteers are part of your mission,their experience isn’t secondary. It is the mission.What You’ll Learn:Why recruitment isn’t your real problemWhat causes volunteers to disengage (and leave quietly)How to rethink onboarding and expectationsThe difference between “help” and true partnershipSimple ways to improve volunteer retention immediatelyThis Week’s Giving Challenge:The 15-Minute Volunteer AuditIn the next 7 days, do one:Call one volunteer and ask: “What has your experience really been like?”Go through your own onboarding process — step by stepIdentify one meaningful task someone can do in 15 minutesNo strategy deck.No committee.Just one real action.To connect with Karen Knight, visit karenknight.ca for resources and contact details, connect on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-knight-consulting/), or email her at [email protected] thanks to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity helps make these conversations possible.

There’s a problem most of us never see.Children sleeping on floors.No bed. No place to rest.It’s called bedlessness.In this episode of You Are What You Give, Luke Michaelson shares how one small moment turned into a movement that has changed over 370,000 lives.Not by trying to solve everything, but by focusing on one clear, tangible need.Build beds.This conversation is about more than beds.It’s about how real giving works:Focus over scale.Action over intention.Doing one thing exceptionally well.If you’re a nonprofit leader, donor, volunteer or simply someone who wants to give more thoughtfully, this episode offers a powerful reframing of what it means to make a difference.To learn more about Luke Mickelson and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, go to https://shpbeds.org/.This Week’s Giving Challenge:Build a Bed.Find one real need.One real person.One real situation.And take one concrete step.Because giving doesn’t grow by doing more -it grows by doing what matters.Special thanks to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity helps make these conversations possible.For giving stories, episodes, insights and more, check out You Are What You Give at https://givewithus.com/.

Volunteer travel has become incredibly popular. But not all service trips are created equal.Some experiences unintentionally center the volunteer instead of the community. Others leave participants inspired but unsure whether their efforts truly made a lasting difference.In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi Zimmerman speaks with Erin Hempen, founder of With Change in Mind https://www.withchangeinmind.org/, about how volunteer travel can be designed in a way that genuinely benefits the communities being served, while also transforming the people who participate.Erin shares what she has learned from years of designing service experiences that emphasize relationships, cultural humility, sustainable impact, and meaningful human connection.Together they explore:What separates meaningful service from “voluntourism”How nonprofits can design volunteer trips that respect and strengthen local communitiesHow service travel can reshape how volunteers and donors think about givingFor nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and philanthropists alike, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how service experiences can deepen our understanding of generosity and responsibility.Special thanks to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity and belief in this project help make You Are What You Give possible.

Iran is not its regime.In this episode, Avi Zimmerman speaks with Iranian-American activist Zolal Habibi about the fight for a free Iran, the difference between the regime and the Iranian people, and why many Iranians insist their future must be shaped by the people, for the people.Recorded during an active regional conflict - from Israel, where the interview was briefly interrupted by an air-raid siren - this conversation explores the history of Iran’s resistance movement and the personal story behind Zolal’s lifelong activism.Her father was executed by the Iranian regime during the mass killings of political prisoners in 1988 — a defining moment that shaped her commitment to the fight for freedom in Iran.In this episode we discuss:• Why many Iranians reject both war and appeasement • The long struggle of resistance movements inside Iran • The role of women in the fight for democracy • The vision for a secular democratic republic in Iran • What people outside Iran can do to support the Iranian peopleAt its core, this episode asks a deeper question:What does it mean to stand on the right side of history?Learn MoreNational Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI): https://www.ncr-iran.org/ Maryam Rajavi: https://maryamrajavi4change.com/ https://maryam-rajavi.com Iran Freedom: https://iranfreedom.org/ Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC): https://oiac.org/ Social Media FB: https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/ashrafi4ever LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibiAnd special thanks to Victoria Hearst for supporting thoughtful conversations like this one and helping bring these voices to a wider audience.Join the You Are What You Give community by subscroibing to https://givewithus.com/.

Most people think nonprofit work runs on urgency: more need, more pressure, more fundraising, more hours.Heidi Johnson has spent 15+ years interviewing nonprofit founders and building organizations in the sector herself, and she argues something different: Joy is not a byproduct. It’s a power source.In this episode of You Are What You Give, Heidi shares why service becomes “addictive” in the healthiest way, how giving reshapes the giver, strengthens organizational culture, and helps leaders stay in the game for the long haul.We talk about:Why nonprofit founders are entrepreneurs - often without the playbookThe hidden weight of mission-driven work (it’s not a “pencil factory”)How to build teams when you’re “paid” in meaning, not moneyWhy time may be the most valuable gift, especially in the early daysThe practical difference between “doing good” and building something that lastsHeidi is the creator of Charity Matters, author of Change for Good, and a lifelong student of what makes giving sustainable - for organizations and for the people carrying them.Connect with Heidi: charity-matters.comWeekly Giving ChallengeTeach your algorithms that giving matters: search giving-related keywords, subscribe to a giving podcast, and share your favorite giving accounts so we can build a stronger network together.Thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued support of You Are What You Give. Follow You Are What You Give at givewithus.com.

What does it take to build a national nonprofit from a simple act of awareness?In this episode of You Are What You Give, I sit down with Joseph Gitler, founder and chairman of Leket Israel https://www.leket.org/en/, Israel's leading food rescue organization.What began with one person paying attention to surplus food has grown into a nationwide operation that rescues and redistributes millions of pounds of food each year to Israelis in need.We talk about:The early grit required to launch LeketWhat it takes to scale from local initiative to national infrastructureBuilding systems that move food quickly and responsiblyLeading through crisis and economic pressureAnd what Purim - a holiday centered on hidden need and open-handed giving - teaches us about modern generosityAs Purim approaches, Leket is mobilizing to distribute significant food packages across Israel, ensuring families can celebrate with dignity.This conversation is for nonprofit founders, leaders, fundraisers, and anyone asking:How do you grow impact without losing mission?How do you scale compassion?If you care about food security, volunteer mobilization, or building sustainable nonprofit systems, this episode is for you.Special thanks to Victoria Hearst for supporting You Are What You Give.

What would make someone voluntarily donate a kidney?Not for publicity.In this episode of You Are What You Give, I sit down with Dr. Zev Gershon - a physician, attorney, a rabbi and generous philanthropist - to explore what it means toi give withoiut losing anything.We discuss:Why he chose two demanding professions — medicine and lawWhether certain careers are inherently “giving”The moment he moved from giving resources… to giving a kidneyHow to identify your giving purposeWhether he has ever second-guessed a giftAnd how he measures the success of his generosityBut the heart of this conversation, it’s about giving where someone else stands to gain far more than you stand to lose.If you’re a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, donor, or someone trying to clarify your life’s purpose, this episode will challenge you to ask:What is my second kidney? As always, special thanks to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity makes these conversations possible.

Most people think fundraising is about asking for money.In reality, it’s about something far more personal:Your posture.Your relationship with wealth.And whether you can sit across from a successful person with respect. Not suspicion, insecurity, or resentment.In this episode of You Are What You Give, I’m joined by J. Paul Fridenmaker, a longtime major-gifts leader and coach who has spent decades working with faith-driven donors and fundraising professionals.And whatever your own faith background may be, this conversation lands because it isn’t theoretical - it’s lived.In this episode, we explore:Why fundraising health starts inside the fundraiser, not with better scriptsHow burnout, rejection, and quiet resentment show up long before people leave the fieldWhy the “ask” is teachable, but networking, connection, and trust are the real DNA testA defining 2001 moment where giving a donor “away” led to a 25-year relationship of trustWhy the most effective fundraisers aren’t chasing gifts - they’re inviting people to the partyThis episode is especially relevant for:Nonprofit leaders and executive directorsMajor gifts officers and development professionalsFundraisers navigating donor relationships, boundaries, and burnoutAnyone who invites others to give, serve, or stand with a causeMake sure to connect with J. Paul on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpaulfridenmaker/, or tune in to his podcast: The Breakthru Podcast. As with every episode, special thanks to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity and support make You Are What You Give possible.

This is the fourth and final episode in our How Texans Give miniseries, and we close it by stepping inside the human side of Congress.In this conversation, Avi Zimmerman sits down with Congressman Michael Cloud to talk about something rarely discussed in public life: how to serve without losing yourself.This conversation goes deeper than party lines, diving into the value system of selfless leadership.Congressman Cloud reflects on:The difference between seeking power and being willing to carry responsibilityHow trust becomes the real currency of leadership (reminding us of my discussion with Cathy McMorris Rodgers https://youtu.be/vYuR_1E4kJM)What keeps him grounded in an environment shaped by pressure and ambitionWhy giving is about what you give of yourself beyond what you give on behalf of othersThis episode fits squarely within the How Texans Give series, exploring what people give when they step into responsibility: time, integrity and trust. Stewardship, not politics. And real giving when the stakes are high. As with every episode in this series, special thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued support and belief in these conversations.If this episode resonates, we invite you to explore our weekly Giving Challenges and conversations about purposeful generosity at https://givewithus.com.

Most people assume that philanthropic foundations fund projects. Behind the scenes, they’re often funding people.This is Episode 3 of 4 in our How Texans Give miniseries. In this conversation, Avi Zimmerman sits down with Dr. Victoria Sarvadi, who together with her husband leads the Nathaniel Foundation.Victoria offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how foundations actually make decisions:Why trust often matters more than pitch decksHow systems and structure support lasting impactWhat it means to be a sponsor of someone else’s visionWhy some ideas move forward quickly while others don’tThis conversation is about discernment, stewardship, and the people behind the process. Learn more about the Nathaniel Foundation:https://thenathanielfoundation.org/We invite you to listen closely, reflect, and engage with the ideas shared here, with the work of the foundation, and with the broader question of how generosity becomes meaningful action.Special thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued support of You Are What You Give.

In the first episode of our How Texans Give series, Avi Zimmerman is joined by Revis Daggett and Lashawn Wardlaw McIvor - two Texas ranchers, businesswomen, and community leaders , soon to launch their own podcast titled The Lone Star Ladies.This conversation explores giving as a way of life. From multi-generation ranching families and life shaped by the land, to small-town communities where people show up quietly and consistently, Revis and Lashawn reflect on a culture where responsibility, faith, and generosity are deeply intertwined.They share stories about:Ranching as stewardship and serviceCommunity support that happens without fanfareGiving food, time, and presence - not just moneyPassing values from one generation to the nextWhy trust, humility, and showing up matter more than recognitionThis episode sets the tone for the How Texans Give series, examining generosity through the cultural lens of Texas, where independence and interdependence live side by side, and where giving often begins long before anyone calls it philanthropy.With thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued encouragement and support of You Are What You Give and the conversations that make this series possible.For more information, the Weekly Giving Challenge, notes on giving and more, follow You Are What You Give on Substack.

In World War II, U.S. Army soldiers trained in Abilene, Texas before being sent to Europe, including units that would later help liberate Holocaust concentration camps.Decades later, that same land was purchased by Angel Poorman and her husband, Norman, transforming Camp Barkley into an international base for disaster response, leadership training, and community-centered giving through the United Rescue Alliance https://www.unitedrescuealliance.org/.In this episode of You Are What You Give, part of our How Texans Give series, we explore how faith, humility, and listening shape Angel’s approach to service from rural Texas to more than two dozen countries around the world.This is a conversation about:Why meaningful giving begins with listening before actingHow honoring people’s dignity changes the way help is offeredWhat it means to steward land, history, and responsibilityWhy community-led response matters more than quick solutionsAngel is deeply faithful, and her language and worldview flow from that place. Listeners from different backgrounds may hear unfamiliar terms, but listening closely offers rare insight into how her faith-driven compassion, conviction, and service intersect in real-world leadership.This episode was filmed onsite at Camp Barkley, with its landscape and history woven into the story, offering a glimpse into a distinctly Texan approach to giving: grounded, relational, and built for the long term.A Weekly Giving Challenge is included at the close of the episode.Special thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued support of You Are What You Give and for making these conversations possible.

In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi Zimmerman speaks with Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington for 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, about leadership, trust, and the many forms of giving - including and beyond money.Cathy reflects on what she learned from decades in Congress: the people who inspired her, the role of values-driven business as a form of contribution, and why trustworthiness became one of her most important assets. She also shares what this next chapter looks like after public office - spending more time with family, walking the streets of Spokane with community leaders serving the homeless, and building new initiatives to strengthen civic life and develop the next generation.In this conversation:Giving as service, not just philanthropyWhy trust is the real currency of leadershipThe hidden reality of fundraising (and what it teaches about relationships)How to stay focused on outcomes without scoring pointsWhy giving often starts with responsibility, not comfortLearn more about Cathy’s work at the Cathy McMorris Rodgers Leadership Institute (CMRLI):https://www.cmrli.org/Follow You Are What You Give on Substack:https://givewithus.com/ThanksSpecial thanks to Victoria Hearst for supporting You Are What You Give and making these conversations possible.

Why do Christians REALLY give to Israel?In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi Zimmerman speaks with Heather Johnston - arguably the most innovative Christian partner to Israel - about calling, purpose, and why giving is often about living out identity before it’s about any specific need.This is a conversation about faith, responsibility, leadership, and long-term commitment.Why do Christians choose to support Israel - and what truly motivates that commitment?Heather Johnston is a pioneering Christian leader whose work has shaped leadership education in Israel and influenced how senior U.S. lawmakers understand the region.Heather is a woman of deep faith, and her faith infuses her worldview. Her language and frames of reference are drawn directly from scripture. For listeners who do not share that worldview, some of her terminology may sound unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. But listening carefully offers rare insight into how millions of people think, decide, and act.What This Episode ExploresWhy Christian support for Israel is rooted in a personal and communal callingHow faith and pragmatism work together rather than in oppositionHow giving can reflect the purpose of the giver more than the needs of the recipientWhat long-term commitment looks like when it’s driven by belief rather than trendsWork Highlighted in This EpisodeThe Ariel National Leadership Center, which has hosted more than 130,000 participants, cultivating leadership grounded in responsibility, values, and serviceSupported by JHI: https://jhisrael.com/The U.S.–Israel Education Association, which brings senior Members of Congress to Israel on both sides of the Green Line to engage directly with Israel’s leadership, security, and societal realitieshttps://usieducation.org/Additional ResourceHeather’s book, Uncommon Favor, explores the themes of calling, faith, and responsibility that shape her life and work:https://www.heatherjohnston.org/Consider following You Are What You Give on Substack:https://givewithus.com/ A Core TakeawayGiving isn’t always about meeting the needs of the beneficiary.Often, it’s about living out the purpose of the benefactor.We give because life is bigger than us.Because responsibility doesn’t end where comfort begins.Because, in the end, we are what we give.This Episode’s Giving ChallengePause and ask yourself why you give.Not where your giving goes, but what within you compels it.Then take one small step that aligns your giving more clearly with your sense of purpose.ThanksSpecial thanks to Victoria Hearst for supporting You Are What You Give and making these conversations possible.If this episode gave you a new lens on giving, consider sharing it with someone else. Expanding the conversation is itself an act of generosity.

Some people break under trauma. Others turn it into light.After conducting dozens of funerals following October 7th, cantor and IDF reservist Tzvi Grinhaim was diagnosed with PTSD. Instead of shutting down, he transformed pain into purpose—bringing strength, joy, and presence to soldiers on the front lines and in recovery.After October 7th, Tzvi Grinhaim stepped into one of the most devastating roles imaginable - serving at the IDF’s Shura base, conducting funeral after funeral and standing with families at the darkest moments of their lives.He held everything together in public, only to break down at home. Eventually, Tzvi was diagnosed with PTSD. But here is where his story becomes something extraordinary.Rather than collapse under tragedy, Tzvi redirected it.Today, he brings light where it’s needed most:barbecues and concerts for soldiers on the front lines,weekly visits with wounded warriors at Sheba Hospital,one-on-one support for bereaved families,and creating spaces where soldiers feel seen, remembered, and valued long after public attention fades.This Hanukkah episode goes beneath the surface of the holiday to explore:What does it mean to add light when your own world has gone dark?How do you keep showing up when the grief never fully recedes?And what does giving look like when it grows from one day to the next?Links:• On The Front Lines Together (Tzvi’s organization): https://onthefrontlinestogether.org/• Subscribe on Substack for weekly episodes + Giving Challenges: https://youarewhatyougive.substack.com/• With deep thanks to our sponsor Victoria Hearst, whose generosity helps make this series possible.You Are What You Give is a podcast about generosity, purpose, and the stories of lives worth living hosted by Avi Zimmerman.

Recorded in Jerusalem just weeks before his retirement, Coach Bruce Pearl joins You Are What You Give for a candid conversation about leadership, responsibility, faith, and giving. He shares the story behind publicly naming hostage Edan Alexander during Auburn’s Final Four run, why he believes we must “earn” the opportunities we’re given, and how he measures impact by asking what would happen if an organization disappeared tomorrow.We explore the difference between coaching talent and coaching people, the power of serving quietly, and why your most important platform may be your own kitchen table.Key Takeaways: – Earn this. Live in a way that honors the responsibility you carry.– Coach them as hard as you love them. Leadership requires relationship.– When evaluating where to give, ask: If this didn’t exist, what would happen?Organizations Mentioned:Athletes for Israel — https://www.athletesforisrael.org/U.S.–Israel Education Association — https://www.usieducation.org/Auburn AUTLIVE (Cancer Initiative) — https://auburntigers.com/autliveGiving Challenge:Use your platform, public or personal, to tell someone what you care about. Let your giving begin with clarity.Follow us on Substack for more: https://givewithus.com/

Tila Falic’s public profile is growing, but her real story begins at home, where giving was a family lifestyle long before it became a headline. In this episode, Tila shares how she was raised to give with purpose, how she teaches her six children to turn kindness into action, and how October 7 reshaped her philanthropy. She explains why meaningful, mindful, and measurable giving matters, and how each of us can expand our own circle of generosity.

Episode 1: Rob Adams — From Hunger to Heroism: A Thanksgiving Promise KeptIn this inaugural episode of 'You Are What You Give', host Avi Zimmerman engages with Rob Adams, founder of Thanksgiving Heroes, to explore the profound impact of generosity and community service. Rob shares his personal journey from experiencing food insecurity as a child to creating a nonprofit that delivers holiday meals to families in need. The conversation delves into the importance of keeping promises, the ripple effect of giving, and how acts of kindness can foster connection and purpose in our lives. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own giving experiences and consider how they can contribute to their communities.TakeawaysThanksgiving can be more than just reflection; it can be a promise to give.Rob's childhood experience of food insecurity shaped his commitment to helping others.The act of giving creates a ripple effect in communities.Generosity is about creating spaces for love and connection.Keeping promises can define who we are and who we want to be.Volunteering can lead to personal fulfillment and community impact.Gratitude is a powerful motivator for giving.The dynamics of volunteerism are essential for nonprofit success.Business skills can enhance nonprofit operations and impact.Engaging with local nonprofits can lead to meaningful contributions.Chapters00:00 The Spirit of Thanksgiving and Generosity02:53 Rob Adams: A Journey from Need to Giving06:07 The Promise of Generosity08:37 Creating a Culture of Giving11:40 The Ripple Effect of Generosity14:37 The True Meaning of Wealth17:44 The Power of Service and Connection20:41 Awakening to Purpose23:46 Building Bridges Across Communities30:03 The Journey to Life Purpose33:48 Purpose in Business and Nonprofit36:33 Motivating Volunteers41:07 The Role of Community in Giving45:03 Engagement and Responsibility in Giving48:48 Thanksgiving Heroes: A Local Impact49:47 Thanksgiving Traditions and Family52:32 Future Aspirations in GivingGet involved with Thanksgiving’s Heroes:Visit thanksgivingheroes.org to nominate a family, volunteer, or donate. Chapters operate in multiple states, and the model is local by design: local volunteers serving local families.This week’s Giving Challenge – Make a Thanksgiving Promise:Turn your gratitude into a specific promise about your giving for the year ahead. Decide one way you will “level up” your giving between this Thanksgiving and next – whether in time, attention, or resources. Write it down and put a reminder in your calendar for next Thanksgiving to check in with yourself: How has your giving grown?If this conversation resonates, please subscribe to You Are What You Give. It's a simple way to build a community that values what we give more than what we take.KeywordsThanksgiving, generosity, community, giving, nonprofit, Rob Adams, Thanksgiving Heroes, gratitude, purpose, volunteerismhttps://www.givewithus.com

Discover You Are What You Give — a weekly conversation exploring generosity, purpose, and the people whose giving reshaped their lives and communities. Hosted by Avi Zimmerman, giving coach and strategist, this show dives into the defining choices that reveal who we are and what we stand for.If you’re ready for honest conversations, powerful stories, and a fresh way to think about how you give — start here.Subscribe now and join the journey of a life worth living.