Let's Give A Damn

We all want to change the world, right? If you’re like me, most days we can’t even figure out how to begin. Everything seems so overwhelming. Well, you’ll want to meet my guest today. I think she can help! Katie Patrick is an environmental engineer and software designer who lives in Silicon Valley. She’s freaking brilliant. In our conversation, we chat about parts of her 10-step process for saving the world. We talk value-action gap, we talk behavior mapping, we talk feedback loops, we talk about all things environmentalism, we talk about the public disclosure of data (which is fascinating by the way) and we talk about her new book—How To Save The World. This conversation got me thinking about so many amazing things and I hope it’ll do the same for you!  Follow Katie on Instagram and Twitter. And please click here for more information on how you can support her new book project on Indigogo! Let’s Give A Damn family, let’s help her get closer to her goal! We can do it! ____________________________ Follow Let

“Having been raised in Mali, I’ve seen first-hand the opportunity to build equitable and authentic relationships with women farmer entrepreneurs in Africa. That’s why we founded Farafena to provide women farmers with an opportunity to share their food with the world. My dream is for Farafena to set an example of how families like yours, can engage with and get to know families like mine, our communities and our authentic African foods and culture.”    These are the words of my guest today, the brilliant Oumar Barou Togola. Oumar was born in Mali, West Africa but raised in Canada, British Columbia. As Oumar grew up into a person who valued action over talk and someone who wanted to create solutions, he launched Farafena. Farafena which means ‘Africa’ in Bambara, the national language of Mali. Farafena’s vision is simple and compelling—to share healthy, sustainably farmed food with the world, while improving the lives of women farmers and their communities in Africa. They do this by partnering with over 850 Afr

About 25% of our listeners are from outside the USA. Whether you live in the USA or not, you don’t need me to tell you that America is more divided than ever. We can chat and/or argue all day about why we are more divided than ever but we are not going to focus on those things today. What we are going to focus on is how can people that believe different things and value different things come together to find common ground around food and drink? Right after the inauguration in 2017, three groups came together to launch a project called #100Days100Dinners. Shortly after, this project turned into The People’s Supper. The People’s Supper aims to repair the breach in our interpersonal relationships across political, ideological, and identity differences, leading to more civil discourse. And, they plan to do it in the most nourishing way possible – over food and drinks! As we approach the midterm elections, you can get in on the action. Last weekend, they launched Midterm 5 — a series of suppers they are going to

You all know my guest and his work very well…whether you know it or not. Without a doubt, you’ve used the service he created many years ago. My guest today is Craig Newmark—the founder and creator of craigslist. Even though he hasn’t been in the daily business of craigslist for over 15 years, that is how he gained his fame and his wealth. What I love about Craig is how he has used his wealth. He is known everywhere as a very generous man. He has given and continue to give away much of his wealth. He does this work through Craig Newmark Philanthropies—a foundation committed to support the people who fight to protect the values that America was founded on: fairness, opportunity and respect.  He will talk more about this in our conversation but you’ll notice a pattern in his giving—he cares deeply about journalism and freedom of the press. Last year, he gave $1M to ProPublica. This year, he gave $1M to Mother Jones. Also earlier this year, he gave $20M to City University of New York Graduate School of Journalis

Tunde Wey, a Nigerian chef based in New Orleans, is a chef is who focuses on using food to address huge topics like racial inequality. Say what? Yup. He uses food to address systemic race issues in our country and he does a damn good job at it. With names like Saartj, 4:44, Blackness in America, and 1882, you can see immediately deduce that his pop-up restaurants are about much more than food. One of his projects even charged two different amounts depending on whether a white person or a black person was purchasing the meal. You’re going to love how Tunde processes through these issues. As we talked, I started to feel very….heavy I guess is the word. He’s addressing very hard issues. I loved the answer he provided when I told him how I was feeling.  Follow Tunde on Instagram and keep up with ever-evolving body of work on his website. ____________________________ PODCAST SPONSOR! Many thanks to our friends at Goodwell Co. for sponsoring the podcast for the next few weeks! The mission of Goodwell Co. is to

A few months ago, I sat down in a swanky NYC hotel lobby for a cup of coffee with my guest today. We talked for an hour or two and I knew I had to have him on my podcast. Lew Blaustein is a wonderful human with a heart of gold. If you are a sports fan, however, you’re going to want to listen closely to out conversation.  Lew spent most of his career doing all things sports—brand management, advertising, marketing, sponsorship sales, and the like. But 17 years ago on 9/11/01, everything changed for Lew. He is now a sustainability evangelist that spends all of his time consulting with many companies and leaders at the intersection of environmentalism and sports. Our world is a better place because of Lew and the work he does.  Follow Lew on Twitter and follow his GreenSports blog. He shares so much amazing content for free! ____________________________ PODCAST SPONSOR! Many thanks to our friends at Goodwell Co. for sponsoring the podcast for the next few weeks! The mission of Goodwell Co. is to create 100%

My guest today is the weird and fantastic CJ Casciotta. CJ is my friend and a friend to so many. He is a writer and a media maker. He has spoken to communities like Lululemon, The Salvation Army, TEDx, and Charity:Water. Additionally, he has partnered with MGM Studios, The United Nations Foundation, and others like these on various types of projects.  CJ’s message is compelling to me because he says the kinds of things I’m always saying to the people around me BUT he’s saying them in his very unique way. And I like his message a lot. From a very young age, we are told to stand in line, draw in the lines, follow the rules, be this way, and do it that way. CJ has a different message that I think you’re going to find super compelling.  In addition to us being excited about having CJ on the show, if you’re listening to this on the day it releases—September 11—his book comes out today! If you’re listening to this after 9/11, shame on you for not devouring this podcast every Tuesday when it comes out. Just kiddin

Ian Rosenberger was born and raised in Pittsburg. His life and career took him all over the world experiencing new things all the time and meeting the most amazing people. One of those places he began to visit frequently was Haiti. As a result of the trip he made right after the 2010 earthquake which claimed the lives of over 250,000 people, he started Thread and Team Tassy (which is now known simply as Work). Ian is a truly exceptional leader running these organizations that are changing the world in so many tangible ways. They are damn-givers through and through. Toward the end of our conversation, you’ll hear me state that this podcast would release on September 18. Obviously, it’s not September 18. We bumped this podcast up a few weeks because we wanted to give you more time to check out the Kickstarter they have going on for their new backpack made from 100% recycled canvas. The canvas was made entirely from discarded plastic bottles. I got my hands on one of these backpacks and let me tell you, it’s fa

“Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth.” Australian physician and author, Helen Caldicott, said this and I believe it. I have the utmost respect for teachers. They are under-payed, under-appreciated, and over-worked heroes that we should all take much better care of than we currently do. Teachers, you’re amazing! Huge virtual hug to each and every one of you today.  Do you know who else believe the contents of the aforementioned Caldicott quote? Kara Bryant, my guest on the podcast today. She teaches at Village Leadership Academy in Chicago, IL. VLA is an elementary school that offers a “fresh new approach to teaching and learning that includes high lam standards, exposure to world history and geography, appreciation for cultural differences, the development of critical thinking and perspective taking skills, and socially just decision making.” In our conversation, we talk about the challenges of teachin

I rarely watch TV but I definitely make time for Queer Eye. Season 2 came out this summer and I was first introduced to my guest today in the season 2 finale called Make Ted Great Again. The Fab 5 were tasked with helping the Mayor of Clarkston GA…well, look more the part of a Mayor. It was a deeply impactful episode as we got a peek into how diverse, accepting, and unified Clarkston, GA is.  Mayor Ted is currently serving his second term as the Mayor of Clarkston, GA. I’ll be completely honest, y’all. When I think of progressive, diverse, a place where refugees and immigrants are celebrated and accepted, my mind doesn’t immediately go to most places in the South. But this small city of 13,000 people just outside of Atlanta is trying to change the way you and I think about the South. Clarkston boasts “the most diverse square mile in America” where 50% of its residents are foreign-born having moved there from over 50 countries across 6 continents. Amazing, right? In our chat, we talk tolerance, the South, lov

Becca Heller is the co-founder of IRAP—the International Refugee Assistance Project. They organize law students and lawyers to, essentially, help refugees and displaced persons.  “IRAP serves the world’s most persecuted individuals and empowers the next generation of human rights leaders.” Do you remember just a few days after Trump became President when he issued the first version of his Muslim travel ban? While many of us were irate and didn’t know what to do to help, Becca and a few other organizations rallied thousands of lawyers in just a few hours to go to airports to assist refugees as they arrived in the US. I was glued to Twitter during those days as these lawyers tirelessly served thousands of refugees. I had no idea Becca Heller was one of the masterminds behind that incredible effort! You’re going to love Becca. She’s a firecracker in the best possible way! Her passion for making her world a better place in infectious. Follow Becca’s work on their website, on Twitter, and on Facebook. Make sure

Ruthie Lindsey has experienced a lot of loss and pain in her life—including daily chronic pain from a threatening accident she was in several years ago. Additionally, she has learned how to find beauty and joy in the midst of pain and suffering. I’m terrible at this most of the time, to be honest. When things aren’t right in our society or in politics, I let it affect me way too much. I was eager to chat with Ruthie and learn from her. And I did learn from her! So much. I hope you will, too. Ruthie is a writer, speaker, social media influencer, and an all-around badass woman. I could have talked with her for hours! I’m going to be that you’ll feel the same way after you hear our conversation. Follow Ruthie on Instagram and check out her website.  ____________________________ Follow Let’s Give A Damn on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter to keep up with all that is going on. We have so much planned for the coming months and we don’t want you to miss a thing! And if you want to follow our host Nick Laparra—F

Jason Adkins raises chickens, goats, pigs in the middle of Nashville! No joke. He also grows mushrooms, many types of vegetables, and many types of plants right in the middle of Nashville. Essentially, he and his team at Trevecca University have created a food oasis in the middle of a food desert. Truly amazing! You see, Jason teaches environmental justice, urban farming, and so much more to undergrad students in Nashville, TN.  In our chat, Jason and I discuss the impact the foods we consume are having on the planet. We discuss the state of farming in America and around the world. I ask the question, “Have you screwed up the earth beyond a point of no return?” Jason gives a grim but hopeful answer. I truly enjoyed my chat with Jason. I hope you’ll listen, become a little terrified, but leave full of hope that we can and should do something about the foods we eat and how we get those foods. If you come to Trevecca University and pursue a major in Social Justice, you’ll get to sit under the leadership of Jas

Tori Samples got a degree in Harp. Yep—harp! But that is not what she’s doing today. I mean, I wouldn’t mind if she made a living being a harpist cuz I love me some harp. BUT she went on to co-found Leaf Global Fintech—Virtual Banking Beyond Borders. There are 70m refugees around the world at this moment and 100m more people on the brink of becoming refugees. Tori and her team at Leaf envision a future where all refugees are able to spend money, receive money, and save money safely and so much more. This is a beautiful vision and I’m so thrilled I got to spend a few minutes with Tori learning about her story and a little more about who refugees are, what their needs are, and we explore how Leaf plans to accomplish this rather huge task. Follow the work Tori and her team are doing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on their website. ____________________________ Follow Let’s Give A Damn on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter to keep up with all that is going on. We have so much planned for the coming months

Clara Daly is a teenager from Calabasas, CA. She was recently returning from an East Coast trip with her mother, Jane, when the flight attendant asked if anyone knew sign language. You see, there was a blind and deaf man on the flight with whom the flight attendants were having a difficult time communicating. Clara’s willingness to help changed everything on that flight. Several passengers took photos and videos and before long, this story of a damn-giving teenager went viral. No, seriously, google “Clara Daly” and you’ll get pages and pages of results.  I wanted to spend a few minutes highlighting Clara’s willingness to help as an encouragement to all the young people out there. Clara is proof that there are opportunities for everyone to love and serve others on a daily basis. It’s up to us to see them and respond. “I’m too young” is not a valid excuse. ____________________________ THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: We are wrapping up a 7-week sponsorship with our friends at Scout Books. All LGAD listeners can get 15% o

“Every child deserves to be warmly greeted, to have their name used positively, and to be hugged, high-fived, hand-shaked, or at least smiled at by their teacher, daily. This is the bare minimum.” My guest today tweeted these words recently. I, a father of 3 children, couldn’t agree more. Dwayne Reed is a teacher in Chicago. While most teachers were preparing their beginning-of-the-school-year letter for their students, Dwayne decided to make a music video, instead. That video has been viewed over 1.5M times. Big brands and collaborated with him since then. Additionally, a few famous people also saw and loved the video. Pharrell even tweeted about it the other day! But Dwayne is more than a viral music video. As displayed in the tweet above, he loves and cares for his students so deeply. And this love and care has changed these kids! You’ll hear much more about his story and his work in our chat. Follow Dwayne on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with the great work he is doing! _________________

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” — Aesop During a not-so-great season of work over 9 years ago, Ashley Reale began leaving notes of encouragement inside magazine covers, inside public restrooms, and a variety of other public spaces. Several years later and a thousand notes later, she realized she was onto something and wanted to share her vision with a larger community. Since 2014, she and hundreds of others have left 20,000 notes of encouragement and love all over the U.S. and all over the world! Learn more about Ashley’s work and vision at Love Everywhere’s website. Buy a pennant, pin, key chain, or t-shirt to support their incredible work. With each purchase, you’ll receive a few hand-numbered and hand-stamped notes for to you leave at your local coffee shop or wherever.  THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Our dear friends at Scout Books sponsored this week's podcast episode. All LGAD listeners can get 15% off an order of Scout Books by using the code GIVEADAMN during checkout at scoutbooks.

You know how when bad things happen around the world and you decide to say something about it on social media, express concern, or raise some money for that cause? Then along comes a troll that says, “If you care so much about it, why don’t you move there?” Has that ever happened to you? It happens to me quite often. Well, my guest this week did just that.  Today, you’ll get to hear my convo with Carlos Rodriguez who moved his family to Puerto Rico last week so they can more proactively help and serve the amazing, resilient Puerto Rican people as they rebuild.  We talk about his family, his faith, the “Love Thy Neighbor” t-shirt he sent me last week, Happy Sonship, The Happy Givers, and what he aims to accomplish by moving to Puerto Rico. Also, he wants you to visit. No seriously, you’ll hear more details in our chat but he clearly wants some of y’all to take him up on that offer.  Learn more about Carlos at Happy Sonship. Buy a tee, tote, or hat at The Happy Givers to support their incredible work. And ma

Zach served two tours in Iraq and engaged in other military assignments throughout Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Zach has seen and done it all. Upon returning from deployments, he noticed that veterans are not served well as they try to integrate back into civilian life. He decided to do something about it. Years later, the results of his resolve to do something are Hirepurpose, HeadStrong Project, and Task&Purpose. Zach and his team(s) are doing so much good in the world! You’re going to love our conversation. Sign up for the Task&Purpose newsletter! Lots of great content. If you’re interested in hiring veterans, contact Zach’s team at Hire Purpose.  THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Our friends at Scout Books sponsored this week's podcast episode. All of the listeners of this show can get 15% off an order of Scout Books by using code GIVEADAMN during checkout at scoutbooks.com. They're amazing! Check them out. ____________________________ Follow Let’s Give A Damn on Facebook, Instagram, & Twit

After witnessing little girls being sold for sex with her very two eyes, Amber decided she must do something about this horrible evil.  Amber founded Eleventh Candle Co—a social enterprise company that makes quality products and does so much good in the world. She also runs Legacy—a nonprofit working globally to redeem, restore, empower, and equip those vulnerable to human trafficking, abuse, exploitation, and addiction. She, like so many guests I bring on, has a heart of pure gold. Toward the end of our conversation, she shares some fantastic advice that I implore you to pay attention to.  One of my favorite things about Amber’s story is that she chose not only to help women in Ethiopia but she also helps women right in her own backyard—Columbus, Ohio. In our conversation, you’ll hear her thought process and the WHY behind doing work in both places.  Follow Amber’s work at Eleventh Candle Co by visiting their website and by following them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Also, there are several ways y