Good People Talk
Business & Economics Podcasts
Welcome to Good People Talk, a Podcast where social entrepreneurs and visionaries –those who are changing and uplifting lives and communities in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere around the world – describe what it is that drives and motivates them to tackle seemingly intractable challenges and generate deep impact. Their stories frame how change-makers, often informed by their Jewish values and in partnership with philanthropy, can change the narrative. To learn more, go to goodpeoplefund.org.
Location:
United States
Description:
Welcome to Good People Talk, a Podcast where social entrepreneurs and visionaries –those who are changing and uplifting lives and communities in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere around the world – describe what it is that drives and motivates them to tackle seemingly intractable challenges and generate deep impact. Their stories frame how change-makers, often informed by their Jewish values and in partnership with philanthropy, can change the narrative. To learn more, go to goodpeoplefund.org.
Language:
English
Website:
https://www.goodpeoplefund.org
Episodes
In Challenging Times, Advancing Civic Engagement
5/27/2025
Considering societal trends and schisms threatening the robust functioning of American democracy, Civic Spirit — a Good People Fund grantee — works with educators and students in faith-based schools across the country to bolster civic fluency, skills and engagement. Civic Spirit’s Executive Director, Rabbi Charles Savenor, speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger about the … Continue reading In Challenging Times, Advancing Civic Engagement →
Duration:00:20:39
In Israel’s Negev, A Passion to Uplift Bedouin Youth and Advance Co-Existence
4/29/2025
Jamal Alkirnawi is a leader in the Bedouin community in Israel and the Founder and Executive Director of A New Dawn in the Negev, a Good People Fund grantee. The organization uplifts Bedouin youth facing socio-economic challenges in the region, and with a Bedouin-Jewish core, promotes equality, co-existence and peace. “I have the responsibility for … Continue reading In Israel’s Negev, A Passion to Uplift Bedouin Youth and Advance Co-Existence →
Duration:00:20:44
For Newly Resettled Families in NYC, Threads of Connection and Support
3/24/2025
Shoshana Barzel founded New Neighbors Partnership in 2020, establishing clothing partnerships for newly resettled families in New York City. The clothing partnerships are the foundation of long-term community support networks, an invaluable anchor for refugee, asylee and asylum-seeking families. Shoshana speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger. The Good People Fund: www.goodpeoplefund.org Read The Good … Continue reading For Newly Resettled Families in NYC, Threads of Connection and Support →
Duration:00:19:35
For Haredi Women in Israel, Gaining a Voice
2/24/2025
Esty Shushan is a Haredi woman who founded Nivcharot — a Good People Fund grantee — to promote the status and rights of ultra-Orthodox women in Israel through education, advocacy and cultivation of women leaders. In conversation with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger, Esty describes her personal journey finding her voice as a social visionary, … Continue reading For Haredi Women in Israel, Gaining a Voice →
Duration:00:22:31
Healing as Activism
1/27/2025
Individual and collective trauma affects our potential to do good in the world as social visionaries, especially now in a broken landscape. So, how we seek awareness, perspective and healing is critical. Rabbi Igal Harmelin — who is active in the trauma field and spoke at The Good People Fund (un)conference last fall — talks … Continue reading Healing as Activism →
Duration:00:33:26
In Their Own Words: Reflections from The Good People Fund 2024 (un)conference
12/23/2024
The first-ever Good People Fund (un)conference brought nearly 70 GPF grantees from throughout the US and Israel to New York in November — for two intensely rewarding days sharing experiences, origin stories, professional development and more … and shattering the isolation inherent in visionary leadership. In this post-(un)conference episode of Good People Talk, GPF Executive … Continue reading In Their Own Words: Reflections from The Good People Fund 2024 (un)conference →
Duration:00:20:59
Stories of Hope: JLM Food Rescuers
12/17/2024
Merav filled her tote bag with fresh fruits and vegetables, a typical scene at a farmer’s market anywhere. But this one in West Jerusalem is different: food is rescued, prices are non-existent, and individuals and families facing food insecurity — like Merav’s — are welcomed and respected. The whole environment, created by JLM Food Rescuers … Continue reading Stories of Hope: JLM Food Rescuers →
Duration:00:03:07
Stories of Hope: Israeli Transgender Association
12/16/2024
Often their life experience includes being ostracized from family … being homeless … being a sex worker … being abused … being shunned. So at Trans House in Tel Aviv, trans women are embraced for who they are without judgment or whispers. Linor Abergel is CEO of the Israeli Transgender Association — a Good People … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Israeli Transgender Association →
Duration:00:02:57
Stories of Hope: BirdieLight
12/16/2024
Beth Weinstock walked into that classroom carrying grief … but also a driving purpose. In 2021, her college-aged son Eli accidentally ingested fentanyl and died. Yet six months later, Beth and her daughter, Olivia, co-founded BirdieLight — a Good People Fund grantee — to honor Eli by spreading awareness about fentanyl in drugs to students, … Continue reading Stories of Hope: BirdieLight →
Duration:00:03:10
Stories of Hope: Ruca’s Farm
12/13/2024
At an oasis of calm and healing called Ruca’s Farm — a Good People Fund grantee — IDF veterans like Gideon are finding relief from trauma and a path toward light. Here, social visionary Nir Lahav, who grew up on a kibbutz in northern Israel, is combining his own love for the land with a … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Ruca’s Farm →
Duration:00:03:21
Stories of Hope: Medical Justice Alliance
12/13/2024
Samara, incarcerated and suffering from advanced lymphoma, received a compassionate release from prison, a move that arguably saved her life due to the intervention of Medical Justice Alliance — a Good People Fund grantee. MJA mobilizes volunteer clinicians as expert medical witnesses for advocates seeking care or outright release for clients facing often life-threatening illnesses, … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Medical Justice Alliance →
Duration:00:03:02
Stories of Hope: Rekindle
12/13/2024
Jereme is a Black pastor and salvage company manager. Aaron is a white, Orthodox Jewish human resources executive. A friendship seems unlikely … but a tight one formed from their participation in Rekindle — a Good People Fund grantee joining members of the Black and Jewish communities to rebuild their historic relationship and accelerate positive … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Rekindle →
Duration:00:03:14
Voices from Israel: Marking a Year Since October 7
10/7/2024
Besides heading The Israel Lemonade Fund — a Good People Fund grantee — Shari Mendes serves on an Israel Defense Forces reserve unit dedicated to caring for the bodies of female IDF soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. In this episode — presented as we mark one year since October 7 — Shari describes her … Continue reading Voices from Israel: Marking a Year Since October 7 →
Duration:00:26:51
For Breast Cancer Patients, Offering Financial Help … and Lessening Stress
9/24/2024
Shari Mendes is a breast cancer survivor — who during her journey of treatment and recovery, met patients facing severe financial struggle exacerbated by loss of work and other factors. Responding, she founded Israel Lemonade Fund — a Good People Fund grantee — to help breast cancer patients in financial crisis, offering one-time grants covering … Continue reading For Breast Cancer Patients, Offering Financial Help … and Lessening Stress →
Duration:00:18:49
(un)conference Preview! Repairing a Challenged World, with Ruth Messinger
9/3/2024
Good People Fund (un)conference keynote speaker Ruth Messinger is a prominent social change advocate, and former President and current Global Ambassador of the American Jewish World Service. In this special pre-(un)conference episode, Ruth speaks about the Jewish and moral imperative to repair the world … the challenges facing visionary leaders … and what she’s planning … Continue reading (un)conference Preview! Repairing a Challenged World, with Ruth Messinger →
Duration:00:15:17
In Israel, Countering Racism and Hate
8/27/2024
Tag Meir (“Light Tag”) — a Good People Fund grantee — was founded in 2011 by Gadi Gvaryahu to counter racism in Israel, and has grown to lead a coalition of more than 50 organizations across political, religious and cultural spheres to mobilize voices for coexistence, support victims of hate crimes, and more. Since October … Continue reading In Israel, Countering Racism and Hate →
Duration:00:14:21
(un)conference Preview! Songs of Love, with John Beltzer
8/20/2024
Come November, at The Good People Fund’s (un)conference in New York, singer-songwriter John Beltzer will bring us into his unique zone of good … leading attendees as we give our voices to a song personalized for a child facing a serious medical challenge. Since 1996, John’s Songs of Love Foundation has touched the lives of … Continue reading (un)conference Preview! Songs of Love, with John Beltzer →
Duration:00:13:59
Fighting Online Antisemitism
7/31/2024
With antisemitism rising exponentially and perniciously on cyber platforms, Fighting Online Antisemitism — a Good People Fund grantee based in Israel — uses its corps of 3,000 trained volunteers around the world and AI to monitor online spaces, report antisemitic content, and move to eliminate it. In this very timely episode of Good People Talk, … Continue reading Fighting Online Antisemitism →
Duration:00:25:10
For Jewish Students, Navigating Surging Antisemitism on Campus
6/24/2024
Since Oct 7, colleges are flashpoints of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. TribeTalk, a Good People Fund grantee, is equipping Jewish college students with knowledge, resources and confidence to navigate through this challenging reality … and giving college-bound students information on what to expect when they arrive on campus. Jude Sydney and Robin Friedman are co-founders of … Continue reading For Jewish Students, Navigating Surging Antisemitism on Campus →
Duration:00:23:25
Embracing Real Hope, In Trying and Challenging Times
5/21/2024
In our severely challenged world — as we look to define and grasp hope — Rabbi Debra Orenstein sat with Good People Fund Director of Engagement Julie Fisher to talk about her own journey to hope … the value of hope to our mental and physical well beings … practical tips for all of us … Continue reading Embracing Real Hope, In Trying and Challenging Times →
Duration:00:34:00