Generous Impact

Episode 36: Adama, a Government Affairs Pro with a Passion for Civic Engagement and Volunteering

Welcome to Generous Impact with Bret and Amanda Brummitt. In this episode, they sit down with their longtime friend Adama Iwu, who brings over two decades of experience in government affairs. Adama shares invaluable insights on how engaging with politics at the local level and being an informed voter can significantly impact your community and the nation.
Adama details her journey from starting as a fellow in the Schwarzenegger administration to becoming a lobbyist for a large financial services company. She discusses the importance of civic engagement, the various dimensions it encompasses, and practical ways to get involved.
They explore the necessity of voting, the influence of local elections, and how outside money can shape local politics. Adama also provides tips on trustworthy news sources, tracking campaign finance, and the importance of having a voting plan. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their community.
Election Assistance Committee to help at the polls: https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
Vote Forward to write letters to voters to encourage election turnout: http://votefwd.org/ 

Episode 35: Andi with Gazelle Foundation

We are joined today by Andi Gillentine, Vice President of the Board for Gazelle Foundation and Plan Chief Operating Officer at Fidelis Care. In this episode, you'll hear how Gazelle Foundation is bringing clean water to the people of Burundi.
Andi shares her personal and professional background, highlighting her journey from Texas to New York, and her extensive experience in healthcare and public health. She explains how she first became involved with the Gazelle Foundation through a transformative encounter with its founder, Gilbert, a genocide survivor from Burundi.
We delve into the impactful work of the Gazelle Foundation, which has built 70 water systems in Burundi, providing clean water to over 100,000 people. Andi discusses the profound health and educational benefits of clean water, including reduced infant mortality rates and improved opportunities for young women.
Andi emphasizes the importance of clean water for public health and shares her vision for the foundation's future. She also draws parallels between her work in healthcare and the foundation's mission, highlighting the role of health equity in both areas.
If you're in the Austin area, consider participating in the Run for the Water event on November 3rd to support their mission. Learn more about their work and how you can contribute at GazelleFoundation.org.

Episode 34: Ira, a Healthcare Executive Inspired to Care for the Community

Welcome to Generous Impact. In this episode, Bret and Amanda Brummitt are joined by Ira Kaufman, a rabbi, social worker, and healthcare executive. Instead of focusing on a single organization, this episode delves into how Ira spends his life serving his community in various impactful ways.
Ira shares his journey from New Jersey to Cincinnati, exploring his background in rabbinical school, social work, and healthcare. Amanda discusses his work with Halcyon IV and how their approach to caring for people with dignity and hope left a lasting impression. The conversation reveals how Ira's dedication to meeting the needs of his community has shaped his life and that of his family, who are all deeply involved in community service.
The episode highlights several of Ira's initiatives, including the Bikur Cholim of Cincinnati, which provides kosher meals and support to hospital patients, and the soon-to-be-launched volunteer emergency medical service service, Hatzalah of Cincinnati. Additionally, Ira talks about his involvement with the local Burial Society and ritual baths. Other organizations where Ira humbly spends his time include Congregation Zichron Eliezer, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and Mesivta of Cincinnati. 
They also discuss that having a healthy business while also doing good is possible.  Really caring for the team is vital and Ira mentioned the book Patients Come Second by Britt Berrett and Paul Spiegelman that really inspired him.  And, small world moment.  Amanda had the joy of working for Britt earlier in her career!
Ira also offers valuable insights on balancing a demanding career with a commitment to community service, emphasizing the importance of seeing the beauty in others and fostering a supportive work environment. This episode is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have through dedication, compassion, and a genuine desire to help others.
It’s a family affair in the Kaufman household with the whole family giving back to the community from meal prep to transportation to just being there for people. We hope you’ll be inspired to be there and care for your own community and see the beauty in other people.  

Episode 33: Brian and Briana of NMDP

Join hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt on this heartwarming episode of Generous Impact, featuring Brian Allison from NMDP (formerly National Marrow Donor Program) and inspiring transplant recipient, Briana Donis. Discover how NMDP saves lives through cell therapy, and listen to Bri's incredible journey of survival and her unwavering gratitude for her donors. This episode is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of marrow and stem cell donation.
Brian shares the mission and operations of NMDP, including the challenges and triumphs of matching donors with patients in need. Bri recounts her personal story, from diagnosis to recovery, highlighting the critical importance of donor registries. Learn how you can get involved, whether by registering as a donor or supporting the cause through various volunteer opportunities.
Be inspired by Bri’s resilience and Brian’s dedication, and find out how you can make a difference in someone's life. Visit Be The Match to learn more and get involved.

Episode 32: Marshay with Rise Against Hunger

Welcome to Generous Impact! In this episode, hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt are joined by Marshay Love, Partnership Manager with Rise Against Hunger. Marshay shares her inspiring journey from a probation officer to a key player in the fight against global hunger.
Discover how Rise Against Hunger aims to eradicate hunger by providing immediate food assistance and building sustainable food systems for the future. Marshay delves into the organization's impactful programs, including meal packaging events and sustainable agriculture projects, and highlights their ambitious goal to end world hunger by 2030.
Learn about the incredible stories of volunteers and beneficiaries, and how you can get involved in making a difference. Whether through hosting a meal packaging event or simply spreading the word, there are numerous ways to contribute to this noble cause.
Tune in for a heartwarming and enlightening conversation about the power of community, resilience, and the drive to create a hunger-free world.

Episode 31: Thurman and Torrence of Tankproof

In this episode, we are joined by Thurman and Torrence Thomas, founders of Tankproof. Listen in as they share their incredible journey from the swamps of Louisiana to becoming full-time musicians and nonprofit professionals.
Discover how Tankproof is making a difference by teaching swimming lessons, providing food security, and fostering community connections in Texas, Louisiana, California, and New York. Hear about the life-changing impact of their programs and their inspiring personal stories, including a near-drowning experience that fueled their mission.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation with two dedicated and humble individuals who are changing lives one swim lesson at a time. Visit Tankproof.org for more information and to support their cause.

Episode 30: Jodi with Hope Clinic

We are joined today by Jodi Schrobilgen, Executive Director of Hope Clinic.  A big thank you goes out to our friend Alliance Samaragwa for introducing us to Jodi and Hope Clinic. 
In this episode, you’ll hear how Hope Clinic provides free, compassionate, and quality healthcare to underserved and uninsured people in Austin including resettled refugees.  They remove barriers to accessing crucial medical resources to Austinites in need regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or religious affiliation. 
Learn more about them at HopeClinicAustin.org.

Episode 29: Kam with Little Heroes

Today, we are joined by Kam Galeazzi Neth of Little Heroes. In this episode, you’ll hear how Kam has filled a need by focusing on photography for families in the midst of a terminal illness. Knowing that a professional photo session is never on the forefront of anyone’s mind when they hear that themselves or a loved one has a few months or a year left to live, Kam and her team step in to provide a gift and an experience that the family will get to enjoy after their family gets a little smaller.  
Find them at LittleHeroesInc.org.

Episode 28: Michelle with Lightpath Health

We are joined today by Michelle DeGrate, Executive Director of Lightpath Health.  A big thanks to Tawnia Wise for the introduction!  When Tawnia says a nonprofit is doing good stuff, you know it’s true! 
In this episode, you’ll hear how Lightpath Health is dedicated to developing and investing in programs that expand access to primary care for their neighbors without health insurance in the communities that need it most.​
Keeping the needs of their neighbors as the number one priority paired with a braintrust like Catalyst Health make this small non-profit incredibly powerful. 
Find them at LightpathHealth.org.

Episode 27: Amy with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

We are joined today by Dr. Amy Grosso with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).  In this episode, you’ll hear how AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss.  This includes funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide. 
Learn more at https://afsp.org/.

Episode 26: Amy with Transform DRC

In the latest episode of Generous Impact, our hosts, Bret and Amanda Brummitt, welcome Dr. Amy Goddard, a seasoned physical therapist and devoted board member of Transform DRC. Spanning from Webb City, Missouri to Texas and making significant strides in healthcare, Dr. Goddard shares her inspiring journey, engaging endeavors, and how her life experiences have fueled her passion to transform lives beyond the physical therapy landscape.
Amy details her first mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya, and her subsequent volunteer work in several African countries such as the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan, and South Sudan. It was during these travels that she met two extraordinary individuals, Marie Jeanne and Theo, whose selfless contributions to their community left an everlasting impact on Amy and her 60-year old mother who accompanied her on one of these life-altering trips.
The episode also delves into the troubling history and present-day challenges of the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering chapters from being colonized by King Leopold II of Belgium to the ongoing modern-day slavery and exploitation related to cobalt mining. Throughout the profound conversation, listeners gain an enlightening perspective on Transform DRC's mission and the inspirational stories of resilience and transformation.
Providing a compassionate narrative attached to Transform DRC's formation and progress, the episode highlights the pivotal contributions of their many programs. The episode ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the immense value of empathetic involvement, individual efforts, and every act of goodwill. It underscores the necessity to continue shedding light on the under-reported humanitarian crisis in the DRC, as we collectively strive for significant, lasting change.
Learn more at TransformDRC.org.

Episode 25: Athena with NAMI North Texas

In the Generous Impact podcast, hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt, explore the vital work of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) North Texas, with its Executive Director, Dr. Athena Trentin. This illuminating conversation delves into the organization's efforts to combat mental health stigma, the barriers to treatment, and their work in cultivating a culture of help and hope.
Dr. Trentin shares her inspirational journey, from small-town Northern Michigan to being a voice in mental health advocacy in North Texas. She opens up about her personal experiences, shedding light on the transformative power of mental health care. This moving narrative tells the story of NAMI's mission to turn tales of trauma into narratives of empowerment.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of mental health education and community, discussing how organizations like NAMI empower individuals to seek help and offer support. It highlights the power of family conversations, the challenges related to laws about adult patients, and the role of diverse treatment strategies in mental health care.
NAMI's role as a provider of rich resources for recognizing the impact of mental health issues on families is discussed, with a focus on their various offerings such as classes, support groups, and programs. The show underlines the need for culturally sensitive mental health resources as a means to empower individuals and families navigating mental health challenges.
Charting the unique experiences of diverse racial, faith-based, ability-based communities and particularly the Indigenous community, the episode emphasizes the need for bespoke services. It also explores the contributions and drive for inclusivity that form the core of NAMI's approach. The discussions shed light on key factors shaping mental health service delivery, from trauma and advocacy to cultural significance.
With a strong note of sincerity, this episode concludes by highlighting the development of community programs designed to support first responders and emphasizes the importance of self-care and community service. It amplifies the call for volunteers, donations and more engagement with NAMI to keep providing free services and inspire more individuals in their journey towards mental health.Learn more at NAMINorthTexas.org. 

Bonus Episode: Mike & Amy on Why You Should Support Water is Basic's April 25th Event

Welcome to a special edition of Generous Impact. Hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt discuss an upcoming event on April 25th for Water is Basic in Dallas and the ongoing efforts to provide clean water in South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This episode features guest Mike Guaglione, an advertising and communications specialist and member of the board of Water is Basic. Mike shares enlightening stories from South Sudan, illustrating the transition of the organization's work from solely drilling wells to facilitating sustainable well repair.
This initiative empowers local communities, especially women, with the knowledge and resources needed to maintain their water sources, paving the way for self-sufficiency. Examples of resilience and resourcefulness are presented throughout the episode, such as the story of Simon, the Country Director in South Sudan.
We also discuss insightful experiences with Founding Board Member, Dr. Amy Goddard, who shares evocative stories of women facing tough struggles amidst the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and how Water is Basic serves as an urgent lifeline. Each story underscores the positive impact of grassroots empowerment.
Mike and Amy highlight the potential for transformative change and assert the importance of fundraising events 'Thirst No More' on April 25th in Dallas, a unique opportunity to support clean water and women. Be a part of creating a community of generous supporters who share a vision of universal access to clean water, particularly in South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
And, if you missed our full episode on Water is Basic, check it out here.
 

Episode 24: Gilbert with Gilbert's Gazelles

We are joined today by Gilbert Tuhabonye, Founder and Downtown Coach for Gilbert’s Gazelles.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Gilbert has created a community of runners that train together, encourage each other, support each other and challenge one another. They don’t just run with joy together, they are a community.  And, Gilbert is the glue that holds them together. 

Episode 23: Lisa with Fighting Homelessness

We are joined today by Lisa Marshall, Founder and CEO of Fighting Homelessness.  In this episode, you’ll hear how they are dedicated to identifying and addressing the root causes of homelessness.  To learn more about how you can help, go to FightingHomelessness.org.

Episode 22: Angela with Light up to Live

We are joined today by Angela Enright, Chairman of the Board for Light Up To Live.  In this episode, you’ll hear how they are tackling veteran health issues with polychromatic light therapy systems to treat chronic pain, service dogs, and physician assisted psychedelic drug therapy for severe PTS cases.  Learn more about the organization at LightuptoLive.org.

Episode 21: Hanna with The Trail Conservancy

We are joined today by Hanna Cofer, Interim CEO of The Trail Conservancy in Austin.  In this episode, you’ll hear about their work on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake is 10 miles long and has 250+ acres of green space bordering downtown Austin.
 
It’s a regular part of our daily enjoyment and how we travel to places throughout central Austin by foot or bike. We recommend you check it out the next time you are in Austin. Find them at TheTrailConservancy.org.

Episode 20: Kim with Ross Nutrition Team

We are joined today by Dr. Kim Ross with Ross Nutrition Team. In this episode, we are combining two incredible topics – personalized nutrition and mental health. 
Today, we’ll focus on Dr. Ross’ research on psychobiotics and amino acid therapy for mood disorders and how it is truly improving healthcare.   It’s logical that what we feed our bodies affects our mental health.  But being about to fix it on a basic level blew our minds when we first learned about it.
If you’d like to learn more on the topic, definitely check out Dr. Ross’ research and you can find her at RossNT.com.

Episode 19: Jeff with Boise Vertical Farm

We are joined today by Jeff Middleton, Co-Founder of Boise Vertical Farms.  In this episode, you’ll learn a little bit about farming and a lot about offering people in recovery a hand up. Boise Vertical Farms creates a safe community that provides hope and employment resources for individuals in substance abuse recovery through growing local produce. If you don’t personally know someone impacted by substance misuse, it’s hard to understand how difficult it is to obtain and keep employment during and after recovery. The system truly is stacked against them.  I hope that today's show gives you a glimpse into the good work they are doing and how it benefits all of society.
Find them at BoiseVerticalFarm.com.
 

Episode 18: Eric with Circle Acres Nature Preserve

We are joined today by Eric Paulus, Operations Director and Land Manager for Ecology Action in Austin, Texas.  In this episode, you’ll hear how they took a former landfill and turned it into an amazing nature preserve. Bret and I have hiked it and it’s gorgeous, not to mention the good they are doing for animals and plants.
To learn more about the Circle Acres Nature Preserve, check out Ecology-Action.org.