Generous Impact

Amanda Brummitt interviews Jess Palmer, Program Director at Keep Austin Fed, about how the nonprofit rescues surplus food and delivers it to people facing food insecurity while reducing waste. The episode explains the logistics of food rescue, the organization’s impact in Austin, ways volunteers and businesses can help, and why treating people with dignity matters. Learn more at KeepAustinFed.org. Together we can help more of our neighbors eat well and waste less.

Dr. Sarah Matt shares how she balances a high-impact career in health tech with teaching, charity medicine, volunteer firefighting, and family life. She discusses career pivots from surgery to tech, the importance of staying connected to patients, and lessons on building access into healthcare solutions. Through personal stories and practical advice, Sarah shows how small commitments to service create lasting community impact and why leaders should make access a priority. Learn about her new book, The Borderless Healthcare Revolution, and how to make meaningful contributions no matter how busy you are.

Our guest today is Tim Siegel, Co-Founder of Team Luke Hope for Minds. Tim shares the powerful ways Team Luke Hope for Minds supports children with brain injuries and their families. From providing essential services to creating a community of hope, their work is nothing short of inspiring. You can find them online at TeamLukeHopeForMinds.org. You can also listen to Tim’s podcast, Tuesdays with Tim, or watch their documentary on YouTube.

Amanda Brummitt interviews Dr. Mary Faria about her decades-long career in healthcare and her leadership role with the Austin Mayor's Health and Well‑Being Council. They explore the council's business, school, and faith-based partnership programs, policy wins like citywide smoke-free spaces, and efforts to reduce health disparities across Austin. Dr. Faria also discusses her transition from clinical care to administration and teaching, her volunteer work, upcoming collaborative projects, and how listeners can get involved or support the council.

In this episode of Generous Impact, host Amanda Brummitt talks with Lauren Hust, Community Engagement Specialist at Austin Resource Recovery, about how the city is shifting from traditional waste management to sustainable resource recovery. Lauren explains key programs—curbside recycling and composting, the Recycle & Reuse Drop‑Off Center, Fix‑It Clinics, the Zero Waste Block Leader program, and the Austin Recycles app—and how they support Austin’s goal to divert 90% of landfill waste by 2040. Listeners learn practical tips for reducing, reusing, and recycling correctly, discover tools and volunteer opportunities to get involved, and hear measurable impacts like annual composting and recycling tonnages and community outreach efforts that help build lasting behavior change.

Hosts Bret and Amanda interview Gaby Marin, a software developer, about her path into tech, the mentors who helped her, and the barriers women still face in the industry. Gaby discusses the power of community, mentorship, and inclusive programs like Girls Who Code, shares personal experiences with harassment and perseverance, and explains her goal to uplift and train the next generation of engineers.

In this thought-provoking episode of Generous Impact, hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt sit down with Lisa Sugarman, a mental health advocate and crisis counselor, to uncover her inspiring journey from personal tragedy to becoming a force for change in the realm of suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Lisa opens up about the heartbreak of losing loved ones to suicide and how these experiences shaped her mission to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Through her roles as a storyteller with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a facilitator with Samaritans, and a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project, Lisa is committed to empowering others by normalizing discussions about mental health, grief, and loss. Discover the creation of The HelpHUB, Lisa's innovative platform designed to provide resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges tailored to various communities. This episode serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement, emphasizing that no one is alone and resources are available for those in need.

In this episode of Generous Impact, hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt welcome Dr. Tim Packer, the Executive Director of The Cove in Waco, Texas. Dr. Packer shares his extraordinary journey from working in housing and homelessness services in Scotland to making a significant impact on homeless high school youth in Texas. He delves into how The Cove provides a nurturing environment for these youths, offering stability, hope, and crucial relational connections essential for their development. Listen as Dr. Packer sheds light on the complexities surrounding youth homelessness, exploring both systemic issues and individual struggles. The discussion highlights how The Cove’s holistic approach addresses the educational and emotional needs of the youth, aiming to make their homelessness experience rare, brief, and non-recurring. Join this insightful conversation to learn more about how communities can support homeless youth in achieving successful transitions into adulthood, and the role of advocacy and legislative efforts in this process. Find them at TheCoveWaco.org.

Join Bret and Amanda Brummitt in a deeply insightful conversation with Mark Hilbelink, the Executive Director of Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center in Austin. In this episode, Mark shares his unexpected journey from pastorship to leading a groundbreaking homeless navigation center. Learn about the innovative, trauma-informed services Sunrise offers, which include connecting people experiencing homelessness to essential resources and housing opportunities. Discover how the interconnected model and compassionate community focus are making significant impacts in Austin and beyond, ultimately striving to solve the complex problem of homelessness in a holistic way. Find them at SunriseNavigationCenter.org.

In this episode of Generous Impact, hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt are joined by Jose Ferrua, Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Lone Star Circle of Care. Discover how this Texas-based organization provides healthcare to over 100,000 patients annually, regardless of their financial situation. Jose shares insights from his journey from the Dominican Republic to becoming a leader in healthcare in the U.S., highlighting his commitment to eliminating health inequities and expanding access to care. Dive into Lone Star's initiatives, such as their innovative mobile mammogram bus and the expansion of the 340B drug program, designed to lower medication costs for patients. Learn about the challenges of serving a diverse community and the organization's vision to bridge healthcare gaps, providing quality and affordable care to all. This episode also touches on the importance of partnerships, community involvement, and continuous improvement in the healthcare sector.

Join Bret and Amanda Brummitt in this inspiring episode of Generous Impact as they sit down with Matt Vestal, co-founder of Junction Health. Discover how Junction Health is making a significant difference in the healthcare landscape by establishing infusion centers within Federally Qualified Health Centers. These centers aim to provide much-needed life-promoting infusions to patients who face financial barriers in accessing traditional healthcare models. Matt Vestal shares his professional journey, starting from his early career at Cerner to co-founding Junction Health dedicated to serving underserved communities. Dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of operating infusion centers, the importance of the 340B pharmacy program, and how Junction Health is successfully partnering with federally qualified health centers to address healthcare access constraints. Listen in to hear stories that depict the real-life impacts of Junction Health's innovative approach, which not only delivers critical medications to patients in need but also injects vital revenue into health centers that serves the community. Discover the collaborative and compassionate culture fostered by Junction Health's team, determined to bring meaningful change to the world of healthcare. Learn more at Junction-Health.com.

Join Bret and Amanda Brummitt as they delve into the transformative work of Texas Native Health in Dallas with special guest, Dr. Cassandra Self. This episode highlights the organization's comprehensive support system for the Indigenous community, ranging from primary care and diabetes management to behavioral health counseling and career training. Discover how Texas Native Health is not just providing healthcare but is also building a healthier future for Native Americans by addressing unique challenges such as human trafficking victim support and promoting cultural awareness and revitalization. Learn about Cass' personal journey and her dedication to community service amidst her background as a healthcare executive. Explore how her insights and experiences contribute to Texas Native Health's mission of empowering Indigenous populations throughout Texas, and how you can support their impactful initiatives. Learn more at TexasNativeHealth.org.

Join Bret and Amanda Brummitt as they welcome their esteemed friend and colleague Tawnia Wise, founder of WISE Resource Development. In this insightful episode, Tawnia shares her journey to becoming a transformative force in the nonprofit sector. Discover how WISE Resource Development supports nonprofits by alleviating the burdens of fundraising and recruiting while fostering dignity and respect for all involved. Tawnia's personal and professional growth fuels her mission to empower those around her and create lasting partnerships that strengthen communities. Listen in as Tawnia discusses the importance of nonprofit sustainability and the vital role of leadership and culture in achieving this goal. From her heartfelt commitment to lifelong learning to the recent achievement of B Corp certification, Tawnia and her team continually strive for excellence and greater impact. Whether you're involved in nonprofit work or simply want to make a positive difference, this episode offers invaluable insights and inspiration for supporting the causes you care about.

In this touching episode of Generous Impact, hosts Bret and Amanda Brummitt sit down with Jennifer Lee, a remarkable software engineer and mother of two, who is making a significant difference in the lives of homeless women in her Austin neighborhood. Despite her full-time job and family commitments, Jennifer finds time to offer crucial support and resources to those in need, driven by a genuine care for her community. Jennifer shares the organic journey that led her from being a regular neighbor to a vital support system for women like Jen, Tanya, and Shay, who faced homelessness. Through perseverance, empathy, and tireless advocacy, Jennifer has helped these women find stable housing and access to essential services. Listeners will be moved by Jennifer's dedication and the personal sacrifices she makes to help her neighbors in need. Tune in to be inspired by Jennifer's message of empathy and her call to action in recognizing and humanizing our unhoused neighbors.

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/

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 19 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.