The Generosity NOW Podcast

Faith, Philanthropy, and Sustainable Impact; with Dana Wichterman

As we continue our summer series, producer Jonathan Collier introduces Impact Investor and International Development Professional, Dana Wichterman. Dana joins Eric and Laurie, and shares her journey of generosity and stewardship, highlighting significant inflection points and the impact of impact investing. She emphasizes the importance of sharing generosity stories and provides helpful resources for those interested in exploring generosity and whole life stewardship.
 
About Dana
Dana views all of her treasure, time and talent as gifts from God that are meant to be stewarded towards three ends - for God's glory, the good of others and for our own well-being. The investment of our capital is an expression of our management of God's resources in such a way that one day we hear "well done, good and faithful servant." She aligns her investing and philanthropy with the specific areas God has called her, seeking sustainable impact. Over the past 10 years, she has come to understand that both our charitable capital and our personal capital can have faith-driven impact for spiritual and social good. She increasingly directs a sizable portion of the charitable capital in her family foundation towards impact investing.
Dana is an international development professional with 20 years at USAID and Department of Commerce. She has years of experience advising nonprofits engaged nationally and globally across many sectors, including micro-finance and private sector engagement. She is active in The Gathering, Generous Giving, Praxis, and Lion's Den. She is an FDE small group facilitator and is on the FDI leadership team launching a citywide network in the DC Metro area to develop a local community of faith driven entrepreneurs and investors. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs from Columbia University. Dana finds joy in helping organizations problem-solve, generating creative and faithful solutions. She loves to create community around ideas, connecting transcendent truth in both relational depth and practical application.
Resources Mentioned
NCF Weekly Digest
Faith Driven Entrepreneur and investor
The generous giving website
Journey of Generosity

Entrepreneurship and Kingdom economics; With Chad Roach

On todays episode in our summer series, Eric and Laurie sit down with kingdom serial entrepreneur Chad Roach for a great conversation about business, Kingdom economics, and the ministry of business.
 
About Chad
Homeschooled his entire life, Chad graduated at the age of 16. For his higher education, Chad studied at Oak Brook College of Law and was mentored for six years by Kevin Swanson – Director of Generations with Vision and host of Generations Radio. Chad started his first sales business at the age of 17. Since then, Chad has started multiple companies in various fields including credit card processing, pre-paid payment cards, venture capital, precious metals and asset investments. Now at the age of 35, Chad makes a full-time income from his businesses and continues to spend much of his free time working and learning in ministry and church.
Connect with Chad
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadroach/

How to connect your faith and your work: with Ross Chapman and Bob Larkin from Denver Institute for Faith and Work

In this episode, Eric and Laurie  interview Ross Chapman and Bob Larkin from Denver Institute for Faith and Work. They discuss the organization's mission to help people connect their faith and work, and the importance of bringing hope and life to their communities through their daily work.
They also highlight Denver Institute's programs and initiatives, such as their fellowship program and events like Business for the Common Good and Women Working Calling. The conversation emphasizes the need for a compelling vision and purpose for work, and the role of faith in shaping the way people approach their work.
Takeaways
Denver Institute for Faith and Work helps people connect their faith and work, bringing hope and life to their communities through their daily work.
Denver Institute offers programs and initiatives such as fellowships, events, and resources to equip and support individuals in integrating their faith and work.
The intersection of work and faith is an opportunity to bring about positive change and contribute to the flourishing of individuals and society.
Denver Institute envisions a future where every person's work brings hope and life to their city, transforming workplaces and communities.
About our guests
Ross Chapman loves helping people see how they can serve God and others in their daily work. Ross has been the CEO of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work since October 2022. Before coming to Denver, he founded and served as the President at For Evansville and the Executive Director of CharlotteONE. Ross earned his Doctorate of Ministry in Faith, Work, Economics and Vocation at Fuller Theological Seminary, a Masters degree from Trinity International University in Chicago, and a Bachelor's degree from Taylor University in Upland, IN.
Ross lives in Denver, CO with his wife, Candace, and three sons. He's a die hard Colts and Pacers fan and aspiring Denver sports fan.
Bob Larkin has joined Treatment Technology as its President, responsible for managing all aspects of a chemical distribution business focused on a number of industries including water and wastewater chemicals, pool chemicals, industrial chemicals, specialty polymers, oil & gas chemicals and laundry chemicals. Bob serves the Denver Institute for Faith & Work on their Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and minor in Mathematics.In his free time, Bob enjoys golf, skiing, snowboarding, and travel. He has the goal of playing every golf course in Colorado. Bob, his wife, Rene and four young children reside in Denver, Colorado.
Resources Mentioned
Denver Institute for Faith & Work
The Faith & Work Podcast
Teach Us To Pray Podcast
Business For The Common Good Event

Asset-Based Giving Strategies; With Jeff Waldron

Continuing in our summer series,  Eric and Laurie interview Jeff Waldron, a complex gift attorney with the National Christian Foundation (NCF). They discuss the power of asset-based giving and the various tools available for charitable giving. Jeff shares his personal journey of generosity and stewardship and how it led him to join NCF. They explore the benefits of giving from assets and provide examples of how it can have a greater Kingdom impact. The conversation emphasizes the importance of educating and inspiring givers to consider asset-based giving strategies. The episode concludes with final thoughts and advice for listeners.
Takeaways
Asset-based giving provides a powerful way to make a greater Kingdom impact with charitable giving.
Educating and inspiring givers about the possibilities of asset-based giving is crucial.
Giving a portion of an asset can be a beneficial strategy for givers.
Considerations such as debt ratio and cash availability should be taken into account when deciding between cash and asset giving.
Asset-based giving can exponentially increase the amount that can be given and have a significant impact.
About Jeff
Jeff Waldron serves as a Gift Planning Attorney with The National Christian Foundation (NCF) where he assists individuals and families to achieve their charitable goals through the gifting of complex assets. Prior to joining NCF, Jeff was a partner in a large Minneapolis law firm. In private practice, Jeff served closely held companies and their owners in the areas of business planning, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, succession planning, tax planning, and wealth preservation. Jeff obtained his law degree from Drake University Law School and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law.

Investing with Purpose: Transformational Impact through Talanton

Welcome back to the Generosity Now podcast! As we continue our summer series, producer Jonathan Collier introduces international business leader John Halverson, a seasoned expert in investing, development, and strategy consulting. John shares his inspiring journey from working with Cargill and Land O'Lakes to leading impactful investments in East Africa through Talanton Impact Investing Fund.
John delves into the heart of impact investing, explaining how it differs from socially responsible investing and why Talanton focuses on small to medium enterprises. He highlights the transformational power of thriving businesses in challenging contexts, sharing compelling stories of companies like Masaka Creamery, Contegra, Burn Manufacturing, and a tilapia farming venture. These businesses not only generate financial returns but also create meaningful work and sustainable growth for local communities.
About Jon
Jon has 25 years of experience in international business leadership, investment, development and strategy consulting with two of world’s leading food and agriculture multinationals, Cargill and Land O’Lakes, where he served as a Vice President. He has lived and worked on three continents, most notably in Tanzania where he led a talented team in executing over 50 loans to SMEs across East and West Africa. Jon witnessed firsthand the transformational impact of a thriving business achieving scale in challenging contexts.
His areas of passionate interest outside of impact investing are mountain climbing, canoeing and skiing, both alpine and skinny skis! Jon has a BA from Wheaton College and an MBA – International Business from Regis University.
Connect with Jon
Talanton: https://talantonllc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-halverson-5b0ba518/

Faith-Driven Impact: with Tim Macready

Eric and Laurie are joined by Tim Macready for a conversation about faith-aligned investing. Tim shares his journey from managing a billion-dollar pension fund in Australia to establishing Brightlight in the US, aiming to bridge the gap between investors' values and their portfolios. We explore the challenges and rewards of integrating faith with financial strategy, and how Tim's work is paving the way for a new era of impact investing. Join us to discover how values-driven investment can make a global impact.
About Tim
 As Head of Global Multi-Asset Investing, Tim works with faith-based and values-driven investors to help them explore and implement practical steps. Tim's career has been focused on applying faith to investment portfolios. He graduated from Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) with a Bachelor of Commerce in Actuarial Studies, and then completed his Master of Divinity through the Australian College of Theology. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® and has passed advice examinations in both Australia and the United States.
Tim was previously Chief Investment Officer for a $1bn+ pension fund in Australia, before working with others to launch a values-driven investment advice and management firm in Australia. In 2022, Tim relocated to the United States and formed Brightlight, an EverSource Wealth Advisors Team, to support the growing movement of investors seeking to align their faith and portffolio. Tim's work in faith-driven and impact investing has gained global recognition, with his portfolios and research receiving awards both in Australia and globally.
On the weekend, he can often be found in the mountains - hiking, snowboarding, or cycling. Until leaving Australia, he was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of Australia and served on several denominational governing bodies and other faith-based ministries. Tim and his family are looking forward to finding a church community in their new home.
Resources Mentioned
Website: www.brightlightimpact.us
Email: timmacready@brightlightimpact.us
Faith Driven Investor: https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/
Faith Driven Investor Marketplace: https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/marketplace
Master Your Money: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Your-Money-Step-Step/dp/0802481612
Purposeful living; Financial Wisdom For All of Life https://www.gtp.org/resources/ebooks/purposeful-living/
Global Impact Investing Network: https://thegiin.org/

Helping Hands; With Shannon Hawkins Morris

On this weeks episode, we kick off or summer series highlighting some of our favorite episodes from season two. Eric and Laurie interview Shannon Hawkins Morris, Vice President of Helping Hands. They discuss the history and purpose of Helping Hands, a ministry that provides financial assistance to individuals and families in need. Shannon shares examples of projects they have supported, such as providing shoes for children in low-income schools and helping pastors with medical expenses. They also discuss the Corporate Assistance Program, which allows businesses to set up giving funds for their employees and community. The episode highlights the importance of due diligence and the peace of mind it provides to givers.
 
About Shannon Hawkins Morris
 
Shannon has a life-long dream to serve at an organization with a humanitarian mission! As Vice President at Helping Hands, a registered 501c3 charity organization dedicated to God’s calling to serve others. Helping Hands has the privilege of providing direct assistance to qualified individuals in need and charities, both locally and internationally. Shannon has a passion for people and strives every day to make a positive difference in the world by connecting with and serving others.
 
Episode Takeaways
Helping Hands is a ministry that provides financial assistance to individuals and families in need.
They qualify projects through a due diligence process to ensure that the funds go to true needy situations.
Helping Hands supports a wide range of projects, including providing shoes for children in low-income schools and helping pastors with medical expenses.
The Corporate Assistance Program allows businesses to set up giving funds for their employees and community.

Season 2 Wrap up; Highlights from our favorite episodes.

In this episode, Eric and Laurie wrap up Season 2 of the Generosity Now podcast by highlighting some of their favorite episodes. They express gratitude for the podcast's global reach and encourage listeners to share their favorite episodes with others.
 
The highlighted episodes include discussions on inheriting wealth, setting a financial finish line, generosity as a gateway to intimacy with God, complex giving, and the power of increasing generosity year after year. 
 
Highlighted Episodes
Being Part of God's Story Through Generosity; With Cody and Kealan Hobleman
Journey of Generosity: with Dana Wichterman
Solutions Series: Complex Asset Giving with Jeff Waldron
Navigating WealthTransfer: With Rachel McDonough
 
Takeaways
The Generosity Now podcast has listeners in 84 different countries.
Listeners are encouraged to share their favorite episodes with others.
Inheriting wealth requires taking time to process and make wise decisions.
Setting a financial finish line and having a plan for generosity is important.
Generosity is a gateway to intimacy with God.
Complex giving requires careful planning and stewardship of assets.
Increasing generosity year after year is beneficial and can be seen as a muscle that grows with use.
Quotable
"Slow down, take a moment, take some time, process it"