Tag: podcast

How To Share Our Luck

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“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” – Muhammad Ali

I’m fascinated by the origin stories of how people start big things. I love hearing how people have done fantastic things just by following a thread that often starts in such an incidental or accidental way.

My guest on this week’s How to Share podcast, Gil Gillenwater, has a great origin story. In 1987, he and his brother, Troy, went on a Thanksgiving-inspired road trip to deliver food to a town in Mexico. They took a wrong turn and ended up in Agua Prieta, a town right on the US-Mexican border and were stunned by the living conditions and abandoned children.

Gil started a non-profit called Rancho Feliz that has served the Agua Prieta and surrounding communities in these ways:

  • Awarded 3,700 scholarships
  • Issued 6,854 graduation certificates for adults
  • Built 1,220 houses
  • Distributed 64,000 bags of food
  • Donated tons of medical supplies
  • Constructed orphanages, education centers, childcare centers, and volunteer centers

And more than that, Gil and his mission have also enriched the lives of the people who have come to volunteer. Rancho Felix has coordinated 27,462 volunteer visits. Gil documents these accomplishments and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border in his beautiful book, Hope on the Border.

Gil tells us why me-first culture isn’t working and how enlightened self-interest provides a path out of spiritual poverty. He shares why he doesn’t like the word “charity” for either giver or receiver. Instead Gil hails the 28,000 volunteers that work with Racho Feliz as guardian warriors.

We talk about education as the ultimate tool in the border crisis and how providing that can change lives. And we talk about how the ability to see ourselves in others proves to be a life changing gift.

This is an incredible conversation with an amazing guardian warrior that shows us enthusiasm and purpose that transcends borders. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • When’s the last time you heard good news about the US-Mexico border?
  • The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.
  • Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
  • Creating opportunities in one’s home country can reduce migration.
  • Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.
  • Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
  • Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.
  • Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.
  • The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.

Here’s a short clip of Gil describing enlightened self-interest as an antidote to our me first, greed is good culture:

Here are some ways you can watch this compelling and inspiring episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

This is the last podcast of 2025! Thank you to all you amazing listeners/watchers/readers who have been so interested in and supportive of all these amazing guests sharing their interesting stories about learning, writing, and growing in this one wild and precious life! Stay tuned for more great episodes in 2026! I appreciate you!

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

Links for this episode:

Hope on the Border on Amazon

Gil’s organization: Rancho Feliz

Gil Gillenwater on Facebook

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠

(featured photo from Pexels)

(feature quote from Enlightened Mind 622 – The Rent You Pay)

How to Share 1970’s Chicago

Posted in howtoshareTagged , , , , , 51 Comments

“Nostalgia: because everything about the past is perfect, except how it led to the present.” – Homer Simpson

The Friday night tv lineup when I was growing up was The Love Boat and then when I was old enough to stay up to 11pm, Fantasy Island. I mention that because our How to Share podcast guest this week, Doug E. Jones, was a production assistant on The Love Boat. But also because for people who are near my age and grew up in America, The Love Boat often evokes a time and place memory for them like what their Friday night ritual was. Funny how some things just bring back such powerful memories.

Doug’s recently published fourth novel, Take Me Back to Chicago (Eckhartz Press) is like that too. It is rich with characters, music, and the feel of Chicago in 1974.

Doug gives Vicki Atkinson and me the elevator pitch for the book and we get a great sense of how he sets up the hero’s journey for his 26-year protagonist.

We talk about the differences and similarities between his novels and Doug tells us what was so compelling about 1974 and some of the popular characters of the time and place like Joe Pepitone.

Vicki and I wondered how writing novels differs from being a tv show writer and Doug gives us a peek into the writing room for the hit show Charmed where he worked as a production assistant and writer for all 178 episodes of the show. We highlight a few of his great lines from the book and it’s easy to see why Doug is a great writer for all formats.

This is a great episode where Doug not only shares the arc of his book journey but a sense of his personal one too. Take Me Back to Chicago is a great book and it makes for a rich episode. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Doug E. Jones’s novel is set in 1974 Chicago, rich with cultural references.
  • The protagonist, Rick, faces a significant debt left by his father.
  • The book features strong female characters, including Rick’s daughter Elena.
  • Doug’s writing process involves integrating real Chicago characters and events.
  • The transition from TV writing to novel writing was liberating for Doug.
  • Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the story.
  • The character dynamics between Rick and his friend Javi add humor and depth.
  • Historical context is woven into the narrative, enhancing the story’s richness.
  • Doug’s personal experiences influence the characters and settings in his novels.
  • The book is described as a ‘beach read’—entertaining and engaging.

Here’s Doug with the elevator pitch for Take Me Back to Chicago

Here are some ways you can watch this interesting and fun episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

Links for this episode:

How to Share1970’s Chicago

Take Me Back to Chicago by Doug E. Jones on Eckhartz Press

Q&A with Take Me Back to Chicago author Doug E. Jones

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Share the Next Generation

Posted in howtoshareTagged , , , , , , , , 42 Comments

“Things are always in transition. Nothing ever sums itself up the way we dream about.” – Pema Chodron

I had this quirky social anxiety when I started the fertility process to have my kids via in vitro fertilization (IVF). It seems so silly now. But at the time I kept thinking that because I was in the process of trying to have kids as a single parent that everyone would know that I was the one who wanted kids. Yep, that was going to be obvious. 🙂

It’s hard to say why that seemed important to me at the time – there is lot to unpack when it comes to family and gender expectations. And perhaps parents who get pregnant the traditional way have the same feeling of vulnerability. It’s hard to know because often family planning is done behind closed doors.

It’s one of the many reasons that I love Mari Sarkisian Wyatt’s book, Saving the Fourth Generation and our conversation on the How To Share podcast. She magically, with self-awareness and dark humor, puts words to the complexity of the IVF process and what it’s like to have goals and obsessions for which it’s worth suffering the ups and downs, grief and miracles.

Mari and I talk about the different types of goals we have as we go through life and her Armenian grandmother’s wisdom about what it takes to make them happen.

There’s so much legacy in Mari’s story because her quest is in many ways a response to the shattering trauma that came from both of her grandparents’ families being decimated in the Armenian massacre of 1915.

We talk about Mari’s way forward as the sole child of her generation to have kids. She tells us how she navigated both the price and process of IVF. Her story is heartbreaking, miraculous and completely gripping.

We talk about her advocacy for her autistic son and how writing about her IVF process, 20 years after the fact provided some healing and delight in the miracle of family.

Mari’s story involves a lawsuit so in accordance with the settlement she’s not on screen for this episode. Nonetheless, Mari is entrancing as she shares the power of her journey and the warmth of her voice.

I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • This is the story of what women and their partners are willing to go through to have babies by IVF at the turn of the 21st century.
  • Mari’s quest quickly became an obsession and she notes obsessions can hurt the people you love.
  • Mari says if you just keep working toward your goal one step at a time, you might just succeed. Hopefully your family will forgive you.
  • Writing this book nearly 25 years after her IVF journey has been healing for Mari and her family.
  • The message is about resilience, personal growth, and the beauty of ordinary days.

Here’s a clip from Mari talking about her incredible book, Saving the Fourth Generation:

Here are some ways you can watch this amazing and thoughtful episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

Links for this post:

How to Share the Next Generation transcript

Saving the Fourth Generation from Delphinium Press and on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends

Posted in howtoshareTagged , , , , , , 75 Comments

“A little consideration, a little thought to others, makes all the difference.” – Eeyore

About three weeks ago, I opened my laptop to start working and clicked on a Facebook message. A friend that I’d known from Miss O’s pre-school days had died. I burst into tears. It couldn’t be. She’s ten years younger than I am, her youngest child is only 11 years old. She loved being a mom more than anything and I couldn’t believe that she wouldn’t be there to see her beloved kids grow up.

And moreover, because I’d seen the posts where she’d had a car accident about nine months previous and then complications had kept coming up, I was bereft because I hadn’t done anything but post a couple of comments. She wasn’t someone I was particularly close to, but I had so much respect and adoration for her.

It hit me especially hard because I was also in the middle of reading Amy Weinland Daughter’s book, Dear Dana. Dear Dana, is a beautiful chronicle of a letter writing campaign – and a thoughtful reflection of how social media does and does not work for us when it comes to real relationships.

On the latest episode of the How to Share podcast, I was lucky enough to be able to talk with Amy about Dear Dana and the incredible insights she gleaned. Amy tells us how her project got started when she saw on Facebook that her friend from summer camp 30 years before had a son who was sick and needed prayers. Amy starting writing them letters.

She explains how this effort blossomed into a project to write each one of her 580 Facebook friends a letter. We talk about the level of effort involved in writing that many letters and how it was transformative for her.

Amy shares some of the research around the benefits of writing and we talk about the insights of what she learned about the benefits and limitations of social media in the process of her project. One of my favorite a-has is that we can use social as a jumping off points for real relationships because we lose the richness if there is no investment in relationships.

We talk about God-whispers and how listening to them can help us participate in making this world a better place. Amy’s perspective is so real and inspirational that I know it’ll leave you feeling motivated.

This is an incredible episode with a powerful story and loads of magic. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • The most changed participant in the writing process is often the writer themselves.
  • Writing doesn’t require formal skills or extensive practice.
  • A simple act of writing can have a significant emotional impact.
  • All you need is a postage stamp and a human heart to express yourself.
  • The power of writing has always been within us, waiting to be discovered.
  • Engaging in writing can lead to personal growth and transformation.
  • You don’t need to write hundreds of letters to make a difference.
  • The act of writing can break down barriers to communication.
  • Everyone has the potential to express themselves meaningfully.

Here’s an incredible clip from Amy reminding us that it’s never too late to care:

Here are some ways you can watch this amazing and inspiring episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

Links for this post:

How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends transcript

Dear Dana on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Amy’s website

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Share a Ghost Story

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“Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.” – Dalai Lama

Book collector Harry Elkins Widener was 27-years-old when he stood on the deck of the Titanic and urged his mom to get on a lifeboat. He said he needed to go back to get a rare and precious book. He was never seen again and no book was ever found.

Here’s what I love about how we share. That story has persisted in the 113 years since the Titanic went down because it was shared. It lives on because Harry Elkins Widener’s mom built a library for him at Harvard complete with Memorial Rooms that house his desk and shared his rare book collection. I know of the story because the talented novelist Alyson Richman heard the story, did an immense amount of research, and then shared it in the form of her delightful latest historical novel, The Missing Pages. We humans really are amazing at our ability to share knowledge, stories, and legacy in so many ways.

On the latest episode of the How to Share podcast, Vicki Atkinson and I had the great fortune to talk with Alyson Richman about her incredible book, The Missing Pages. She tells us how she heard the story of Harry Elkins Widener from her daughter and was inspired to write this book.

Alyson has the amazing ability to inhabit the time periods she writes about – and they are different for each of her 12 bestselling novels. She tells us about her research process and how her insatiable curiosity helps to drive her storytelling and writing.

We talk about the unexpected gifts in writing. In this case, the story her daughter, Charlotte, brought home from a Harvard Campus tour. Alyson reminds us that you have to be open to receive unexpected gifts and the goodness that flows from them.

Alyson has done that beautifully in this book, embodying both the mother and son’s viewpoint as well as the rich historical context in her gripping story. It’s a ghost story, mystery, bibliophile adventure, and love-story all wrapped up in one delicious book.

This is a wonderful conversation with an incredible author about a fantastic book. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Alyson Richman’s novel ‘The Missing Pages’ is inspired by a true story.
  • The book intertwines the past and present through a ghost narrative.
  • Richman emphasizes the importance of being open to unexpected gifts.
  • Her research process involves extensive historical exploration.
  • The themes of grief and memory are central to her storytelling.
  • Richman’s characters are deeply developed and emotionally engaging.
  • Historical facts serve as building blocks for her narratives.
  • Richman is currently working on a new novel about Edith Wharton.

Here’s Alyson talking about her inspiration:

Here are some ways you can watch this great episode:

Links for this episode:

How to Share a Ghost Story with Alyson Richman transcript

The Missing Pages on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Alyson Richman’s website

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

How to Share Nutrition and Safety

Posted in howtoshareTagged , , , , , , , , , 58 Comments

“Nutrition requires nuance—it’s personal.” – Meg Bowman

I’ve spent a good portion of my career helping people organize data in a way so that it is informative. For example, saving a file to a misnamed or wrong location makes the content practically useless. So much of passing on wisdom and goodness requires it to be in context to be helpful.

I’m thinking of context and the bigger picture because of the How to Share podcast episode this week. Vicki Atkinson and I were fortunate enough to talk with licensed nutritionist and author, Meg Bowman. Meg’s newly released book, This is Your Body on Trauma, is incredible because in it she maps out how nutrition is interconnected with our other systems. Meg explains why safety is the most important nutrient for our nervous systems.

She also explains why how you eat is as important as what you eat. She encourages us to understand that we need two strategies at play. One is the toolkit we build for when we are underwater and the second is for when we are feeling safe.

Meg tells us about how to meet our bodies with more care and less judgment. We talk about how this extends to others, especially in the food season we are in with the holidays ahead.

This is a fantastic conversation about a topic that affects us all. As Meg says, when we are well-nourished, it lessens our experience of stress at any age. This is an episode that will leave you feeling satisfied. We know you’ll love it!

Takeaways

  • Safety is the most important nutrient for the nervous system.
  • How you eat is as important as what you eat.
  • Understanding your nervous system state can influence food choices.
  • Food is often a reflection of deeper needs for safety and stability.
  • Nutrition requires a personal and nuanced approach.
  • Creating a safe eating environment can enhance well-being.
  • The FIGS protocol helps assess individual nutritional needs.
  • Storytelling and emotional state impact our relationship with food.
  • Removing shame from food choices is crucial for healing.
  • Self-care should focus on centering individual needs.

Here’s Meg’s compelling elevator pitch for This Is Your Body on Trauma:

Here are some ways you can watch this fascinating and informative episode:

Links for this episode:

How to Share Nutrition and Safety transcript

This Is Your Body on Trauma — Meg Bowman

This Is Your Body on Trauma | Book by Meg Bowman | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

This Is Your Body on Trauma on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Nutrition Hive

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

How To Share the Ball

Posted in howtoshareTagged , , , , , , , 62 Comments

“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” – Nelson Mandela

There was a moment on Monday night when I thought, “I hate baseball” as both of my kids were sitting on the couch crying.

The Mariners had just lost Game 7 of the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays (congrats to my Blue Jay friends). Six-year-old Mr. D cried, “I don’t think I can go to school tomorrow.” And 10-year-old Miss O plaintively added, “Maybe if I buttoned up my jersey they would have won.” I was thinking, “I can’t believe I let them watch the 9th inning right before bed!” And then we thought of how the Mariners must be feeling and it started a whole new round of tears.

As with many things that can reduce us to tears, baseball also has great power to lift us up. I have a fantastic example of this in the How to Share podcast this week with hydrogeologist and Mariner’s fan, Glenn Mutti-Driscoll.

Glenn caught a ball at a Mariner’s game in September. But it wasn’t just any ball, it was Cal Raleigh’s 60th homerun ball. A significant marker when Cal joined the ranks of Babe Ruth, Roger Maris and Aaron Judge to hit that milestone.

Glenn and I talked about what happened next – because Glenn gave that historic ball away to a 12-year-old boy near him in the stands.

I’m so grateful that Glenn agreed to podcast with me because he didn’t do this for the recognition. We talk about what inspired him to share the ball and the ripple effects of kindness. What’s so incredible about this example is that we can see the rewards of giving in this case to both the giver, receiver, and everyone around.

Glenn tells us about the serendipity of the moment and how the action was more automatic than deliberated. We also discuss that the long effect that this lesson will have to this next generation – especially Marcus, the boy that Glenn handed the ball to as well as Glenn’s own sons.

This is a fantastically inspiring example of how (and why) to share. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Glenn’s act of kindness was spontaneous and automatic.
  • The decision to give the ball away was influenced by his role as a parent.
  • Kindness can have a ripple effect on the community.
  • The media response highlighted the importance of positive stories.
  • Glenn’s children learned valuable lessons about generosity.
  • The experience brought unexpected joy and recognition to Glenn’s family.
  • Acts of kindness can uplift people’s spirits in challenging times.
  • Sharing experiences can inspire others to act kindly.
  • The moment of catching the ball was filled with serendipity.
  • Glenn’s story serves as a reminder of the power of giving.

Here’s a clip of Glenn telling the story of the catch and release:

Here are some ways you can watch this heartwarming and inspiring episode:

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

How to Share the Ball transcript

Links for this episode:

Cal meets fan who gave HR No. 60 to kid — and comes bearing gifts

Mariners reward fan who gave valuable Cal Raleigh 60th home run ball to nearby child – The Athletic

From the host:

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Share a Sandwich

Posted in howtoshareTagged , , , , 61 Comments

“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or the life of another.” – Helen Keller

Karen Olson shares a statistic in her book Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose that one in thirty children in the United States experience homelessness annually.

That means that when I volunteered last week at my kids’ elementary school last week to walk the approximately 400 students at school down to have their photo taken for Picture Day, statistically speaking, 13 of them could have experienced homelessness in the last year. It’s overwhelming to even try to comprehend that.

So I love the conversation that Vicki Atkinson and I had with Karen Olson because she has done so much to help homeless families. Karen is the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, an organization committed to ending family homelessness.

Karen shares the story of her encounter with Millie, a woman experiencing homelessness, and how that her decision to not only share a sandwich but also her time as she listened to Millie’s story changed her life forever (see clip below).

She tells us how her sons who were 10 and 12 at the time got involved. And she shares how the “no’s” she received help shape her mission into something even better – an organization that has involved a million volunteers and a nation-wide presence.

In her book, Meant for More, Karen tells not only her story but also some stories of the people Family Promise has helped – from those who experienced homelessness to the volunteers.

In this episode we talk about some of the reasons we hesitate to help people experiencing homelessness. Karen’s guidance is so helpful to help direct our efforts in ways that make a difference.

This is a great episode with a woman who was wired to help others. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways from this episode:

  • Karen Olson founded Family Promise to help homeless families.
  • The organization mobilizes community resources to provide shelter and support.
  • 80% of families in the program find housing within nine weeks.
  • Personal acts of kindness can lead to significant change.
  • Engaging with the homeless can break down barriers and stereotypes.
  • Community service fulfills the needs of both the giver and receiver.
  • Advocacy is essential for systemic change in homelessness.
  • Many homeless families are hidden from public view.
  • Compassion and kindness can inspire others to act.
  • The journey of helping others can lead to personal healing.

Here’s Karen telling the story about the sandwich that started it all.

Here are some ways you can watch this heartwarming and inspiring episode:

How to Share a Sandwich transcript

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

Links for this episode:

Karen’s book: Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Purpose on Barnes & Noble , Bookshop.org and Amazon

Karen Olson, Author

Family Promise Organization

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: ⁠Surviving Sue⁠; Blog: ⁠https://victoriaponders.com/⁠

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Share a Short Story

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“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” – Benjamin Franklin

Back when my brother had his pilot’s license, I would occasionally fly with him when he needed to get time in practicing take-offs and landings. We’d go on days where the weather was nice and spend an hour or two flying to nearby airports to land and take-off again to meet the minimum requirement for flight hours necessary to maintain his license.

Taking off and landing is the hardest part of flying. And I think that’s the same with writing, isn’t it? It’s why I’m so impressed by short story writers. That’s a lot of take-offs and landings, so to speak.

So I loved this How to Share podcast conversation that award-winning playwright Jack Canfora and I had with author Maxine Rosaler. We delve into her recently released book, The Missing Kidney, a collection of short stories that explore the complexities of human relationships set against the backdrop of New York City in the 1970s and 80s. There are 14 short stories in this collection – and Maxine is an expert at take-offs and landings.

Maxine shares her journey as a writer, discussing her preference for short stories, the therapeutic nature of writing, and the importance of character development. We touch on the evolution of New York City, the themes of truth and denial in her work, and the challenges of navigating personal relationships in fiction. Throughout the conversation, Maxine emphasizes the significance of finding one’s voice and the role of encouragement in a writer’s journey.

Takeaways

  • Maxine’s stories are character-based and often autobiographical.
  • She prefers writing short stories over novels for their conciseness.
  • Writing can be therapeutic, helping to process emotions and experiences.
  • The city of New York serves as a character in her stories.
  • Maxine believes in the goodness of people and explores themes of denial.
  • She emphasizes the importance of finding one’s angle in writing.
  • The evolution of New York City influences her writing and themes.
  • The unconscious mind plays a crucial role in the creative process.

Here’s a short of Maxine’s introducing one of her stories and some of the themes she likes to explore:

Here are some ways you can watch this engaging episode with the “best short story writer you’ve never heard of” per Kirkus Reviews. Until now, of course…

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

How to Share Short Stories transcript

Links for this episode:

⁠The Missing Kidney⁠ website

The Missing Kidney on ⁠Barnes & Noble⁠ and ⁠Amazon⁠

From the Hosts:

⁠Jack Canfora’s website⁠

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

How to Share SCI Support and Advocacy

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“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” – Christopher Reeve

I recently watched the original 1979 Superman movie with my kids – the one with Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman. Such a classic.

My 10-year-old daughter started asking questions about Christopher Reeve, the accident that left him paralyzed, and when he died. Christopher Reeve was 44 years old when he was paralyzed in a horse riding accident, he died 9 years later.

Looking this up clarified a point that arose when Vicki Atkinson and I recorded this week’s How to Share podcast conversation with the amazing activist and author, Micki Purcell. Micki’s son, Anthony, was paralyzed in a diving accident 15 years ago. Micki spent seven years by Anthony’s side navigating the difficult hurdles of rehab and recovery.

Along the way, Micki and Anthony started the Walking with Anthony foundation. It is the go-to foundation for helping individuals and families navigate the physical, mental and financial challenges that come with this life-changing injury.

Here’s where Superman meets Super Mom. The Christopher Reeve foundation focuses primarily on research related to spinal cord injuries. In contrast, Walking with Anthony mentors individuals and families through the process of recovery: connecting them to rehab, personally spending time with them, and by providing grants for caregiving, rehab and special equipment.

In our podcast conversation, Micki tells us how Anthony is doing now and we get to heartwarming stories about how all of their large family is involved with Walking with Anthony. Micki’s hands-on advocacy will grip and delight you!

Micki shares some details about their Stand up for a Cause event in Newport Beach on October 24th. The event will honor courageous medical staff doing incredible Spinal Cord Injury work and a Tony award winning actress, Ali Stoker. Micki’s goal is to raise $1 million to fund grants for people with spinal cord injuries.

September is spinal cord injury awareness month and 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act. Vicki and I are so grateful to be able to bring you this episode to honor both.

This is a powerful episode that will inspire and touch you. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Micki Purcell founded Walking with Anthony to help families affected by spinal cord injuries.
  • Insurance often fails to cover necessary rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients.
  • The organization has become a vital resource for those in need of support and guidance.
  • Recovery from spinal cord injuries requires a strong desire and commitment to progress.
  • Micki’s advocacy work is deeply personal and driven by her family’s experiences.
  • Community support plays a crucial role in the recovery process for individuals with disabilities.
  • Micki emphasizes the importance of mental health and emotional support for patients and families.
  • The upcoming event aims to raise funds to help more individuals receive necessary care.
  • Micki’s family is actively involved in the charity, showcasing the power of collective support.
  • There is a pressing need for systemic change in healthcare coverage for spinal cord injuries.

Here’s a clip of Micki describing how insurance falls short for individuals with a spinal cord injury.

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this incredibly inspiring episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How to Share SCI Support and Advocacy transcript

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

Links for this episode:

⁠Walking with Anthony⁠ Foundation

Micki’s Book: Walking with Anthony on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: ⁠Surviving Sue⁠; Blog: ⁠https://victoriaponders.com/⁠

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;