speaker-0: It's not a donation problem. It's not a generosity problem because we donate over like $600 billion a year to these nonprofits. And it's so sad to me that so many like grassroots level nonprofits are struggling. But not to mention, you and I have talked about this a million times, like athletes that have this enormous platform and they have this, like, you know. Whenever I first started and people talked to me, like these athletes that talk to me that may have ten million followers or whatever on on their Instagram. They're like, I can't get people to care about this. I'm the only person that's putting money into this. And I'm like, well, boo hoo, you have ten million followers. Post about it one time. Welcome to the Giving Game, the only show where professional athletes are banned from talking about their sport. That's right. No stats, no game recaps, no media trained answers. I'm your host, Sophie Weitzel, and every episode we find out who these athletes actually are when the cameras stop rolling and the jerseys come off. We're talking untold stories, questionable life decisions, dating disasters, money, family, fame. Philanthropy and all the stuff their PR teams would probably prefer stayed off the internet. But here's the twist. Every episode is tied to a charity or cause chosen by the athlete. So while we're exposing personalities, we're also raising real money. And driving measurable impact for the organizations that matter. There are only three rules on this show: no sports talk, no filters, raise as much money as possible. So if you've ever wondered what athletes are really like off the field, welcome to the giving game. Let the game begin. Okay, Giving Game listeners, welcome to a very special episode of The Giving Game coming on today with my good friend Ryan Beckman. We decided to ⁓ air a special episode for him because we have a really exciting merger happening between our two companies that we think can potentially help a lot of people and hopefully change the world. So let's just give a warm welcome to Ryan. Hello. Hi. Happy to have you here.

speaker-1: Thanks, Sophie. So good for everyone. Thank you.

speaker-0: Yeah. What what do you want me to s ⁓ okay, he he's he's like my he my work husband. That's what I joke. That he's my work hus husband for sure.

speaker-1: I like the good friend introduction. And you know, we don't change the world.

speaker-0: Yeah. Totally. So okay. I think that everybody is going to be like super pumped to hear about what you're doing with Hero Picks and and ⁓ all the things that we're gonna do to collab together. But I think it's really important to understand kind of the backstory of like how one, how this started, how we met and all the things. So can you tell me a little bit about what inspired you to start Hero Picks?

speaker-1: Absolutely. ⁓ so it's kind of a cool story, at least it's cool to me, ⁓ that of how this idea came into well, how it came into an idea and then how it came to fruition. So, and then how I met you and all the things. So two years ago, two summers ago, my son had just made the travel team. ⁓ wanted to be a goalie, no idea why. His older three brothers were all players. I was like, dude, really, like I have all the equipment to last for like eternity. You're gonna make me buy a whole new set of gear. But he's like, No, dad, I wanna be a goalie. So he makes a travel team and ⁓ But a week later he ends up in ⁓ Phoenix Children's ICU for a little over a week. ⁓ and you know, we we thought we lost him multiple times. And while he was in there, ⁓ I got a text message from a number I didn't recognize and it was a gentleman named Eddie Lack. So Eddie was a former NHL goalie. I didn't know him, but we had some mutual friends. And he said, ⁓ Hey Tino, you know, we're gonna we're buddies now, goalies stick together, you know, you're gonna get through this and ⁓ you know, we're gonna hang out and do all the things. And so my kid just like obviously instantly is like, ⁓ my God, that's so cool. And you know, had no idea who Eddie was, like, but it was just like like an NHL goal he had reached out to him, right? And then me and Eddie kept texting and he's like, you found out Tino's favorite team was the New Jersey Devils. And so he had Jesper Bratt who's like the star of the Devils at the time sent him a video from training camp saying like, Hey Tino, we're pulling for you, the Devils are and all this stuff. So again, just like just my kid just like through the roof, right? Like in a moment of darkness, ⁓ Eddie definitely shined a light. So then, you know, Eddie and I found out we had some mutual friends and we started smack talking. We started doing this like like this in this group text. ⁓ I never played goalie, I played player, and he's been playing player as an adult. And he was like, dude, I could go five for five on you if you put goalie pads on in a shootout. And I was like, There's no way. Like I'll stop one. Like the best players in the world miss the net, one out of five. So like there's no way you're gonna score a five out of five. And so I was like, put your money where your mouth is. Put your yeah, I was like, give five hundred bucks to charity. And he's like, done. He's like, I'll go five for five. We'll do it in front of your kids' team. Like, I'll embarrass you. And he's like, I'm like, okay, you know, I 500 bucks is going to this charity. He's like, mine's going to Canucks for kids. I'm flying tomorrow to play in their game. I'll pick up the check on the way out. Cause like this is just money in the bank kind of thing, right? So we're just doing this back and forth. And so it never ended up happening over the like fall. He ended up coming out to my kids' ⁓ practice and it was an amazing experience for everybody involved. It was really emotional, you know. ⁓ he Him and Tino are buddies, you know. They ended up being friends. And so A and I became really good friends over the winter and spring. And the way my brain works, it's like I have to do something or just like completely check out it. Like it's just it'll just sit there. Like so I texted him in like May of like almost two years ago, and I like, or no, a year, a little over a year ago. I was like, Hey man, are we doing this or not? Like, like are we are we gonna do this little event? And he's like, ⁓ he's like, Okay. He's like, Well, you know. I'll give an hour my time. Like a podcast or start a podcast and like a couple hours more time and that's it. But he's like, Ryan, I have three kids, like big business. Like I don't have time to make this a big thing. I'm like, okay, cool. Let's just do it. We'll raise a little money for charity. The kids can bet on it. The families can bet on what's gonna happen. And so like two days later he calls, he's like, Why am I hearing about this? Like, why are people talking about this, Ryan? I told you like keep it small. And I was like, sorry, man. I just started telling people about it and they like the idea. So then he's finally he's like, fuck it. Yep, hopefully we can blake that out. He's like, fuck it. I'm in. F this, F that. Let's make it as big as possible. So he gets me on this podcast called Empty Netters. It's like one of the biggest hockey podcasts, right? And they're on the playoff edition. And he's like, hey, don't forget about it. Like, put it in your calendar. Like, we're gonna go on. Totally forgot about it. Totally spaced it. He texts me, he's like, bro, like we're on this podcast. Where are you? Like, and it's live. And so, yeah. So, ⁓ yeah. So I'm figuring it out. And so I can't figure out. I'm like, can you guys hear me? Can you hear me? And I'm like putting my AirPods in. And they're like, Who is this Joker? Like, Eddie, why did you freak this guy out? And the comments are like, Why is this guy on the podcast? Yeah, like, who is this guy? And so I end up figuring it out. And then we talk about the store and everything. And they're like, ⁓ my God, we love this. We love you, Ryan. You gotta like, and we just laughed and made fun of each other. And then the comments flipped. They're like, ⁓ my god, this is amazing. So it went from like that to like less than a month later, we sold out a rink in Arizona on a Tuesday night.

speaker-0: Where is this?

speaker-1: For like, and I brought in all these random people. It was like kind of like Savannah Savannah bananas, but for hockey. We had like WWE people there, baseball players. Yeah, yeah, we had Sun of the Gorilla NBA ⁓ mascot. We just did every fun thing like I wanted to do as a kid, I feel like, in one night. And ⁓ yeah, we had a friend from Jackass, he took ⁓ slap shots from eight D one college players and eight former pros at one time, and he'd never played goalie or anything before and was just getting pelted by a pucks. It was hilarious. Yeah. My God, yeah, yeah. It was pretty gnarly. ⁓ So after that, you know, we did a couple more. And through that experience, I was able to start my own nonprofit. Right. And then I was like doing these other events and raising money for my nonprofit and other ones. Every city we went, we kind of like partnered with nonprofits. And ⁓ after we did after the summer went, we'd done a couple, I was like, Man, like one, that was hard. Like it's really hard to do an event. And like you do all this work, and it don't get me wrong, it was amazing. But like, You're like, man, that's really all we raised. Like, I hate to say it. Like, we did all raise money, but like nowhere near what I'd hoped, I guess. You know what I mean? I was like, we're gonna raise a million dollars. And like, no, it just doesn't happen, right? Meet me later on if we got better at it. But yeah, I was like, so I'm just sitting there, I'm like, how can we amplify that? Like, how can we get more money through these events? And just in general, because I was like, Man, if I'm struggling and like I'm blessed to know people like Eddie and and countless other people, like we had At the first Arizona one, we had thirty professional hockey players that I knew show up to like participate in this thing. Like like the dones came, like which are Arizona royalty in hockey. And like so it was like most people don't have access to those people. Most people like don't know the kind of people luckily that I know. So it's like, how do they do it? I was like, they just like it must be impossible. It must feel impossible. So just over the winter or the fall, I was thinking, like, man, how can we change that? Like, what can we do to change how people give in a sense. And it's just like I feel 'cause I was like, I know people want to. Like I know people want to give, but like they're kind of tired maybe of how to give. And like maybe maybe the world's different. Maybe they need something in return now. And I'm not saying like even necessarily a physical item. Like they need interaction. They need like like that communication. They need that like, you know, that kind of stuff. So I was like

speaker-0: The instant gratification is very real.

speaker-1: Yeah, yeah. So I'm trying to play be nice, but like, yeah, they need like they need that that they need something in return beyond just I did a good thing. Like if we're being honest, right? And so they need something. And so came up with this idea of, you know, we call it gamifying giving, but where there's a few different ways we do it. But it ⁓ it's ⁓ it's like we we use predictions and t hero tokens where people can donate, they get hero tokens, then they predict a series of questions. And every question they get right amplifies the hero tokens. And then each hero token is an entry into a sweepstakes of like experiences, ⁓ you know, maybe a FaceTime, maybe a meet and greet, maybe you get on the ice with a hockey player, and then you know, tickets, stein paraphernalia, all the different things. But ⁓ you know, and then use social media to kind of like five wheel it back to shine a light on what we're doing and create those interactions, right? Like we wanted to I was like, maybe if people feel like they're a part of a community, even even if it's just like an online community. they'll be more inclined to interact and give, right? Yeah. And also leverage three hundred million people in this country as opposed to like the people in your zip code that you're going after that you constantly are asking for money. So yeah, that's that's essentially how we came up with the the idea and then just started putting it together and it looks a lot different than when we first started. But yeah, that's the that's the why.

speaker-0: Okay. Well, you know, I just think it's so interesting to me because like when I started this, obviously, I was shocked at how much Americans really do give every year. Like it's not a donation problem. It's not a generosity problem because we donate over like $600 billion a year to these nonprofits. And it's so sad to me that so many like grassroots level nonprofits are struggling. But Not to mention, you know, you and I have talked about this a million times, like athletes that have this enormous platform and they have this, like, you know, whenever I first started and people talk to me, like these athletes that talk to me that may have 10 million followers or whatever on on their Instagram, they're like, I can't get people to care about this. I'm the only person that's putting money into this. And I'm like, Well, boo-hoo, you have 10 million followers. Post about it one time, you know, like, but then you know, as I like became more educated in it and become like I started immersing myself in this world, like it really does shine a light on, you know, okay, I have this much money allotted. So say you have a hundred thousand dollars, it's like, do I want to put eighty thousand of that to hiring a manager and hiring a person to do all those things, or do I want to put a hundred thousand dollars to the cause? And so when you don't have a manager to do those things and you're you know, going to practice every day, you're having to train to do all these things. And then God forbid you want to spend time with your family. Like, no, you don't have time to manage, you know, social media accounts and do all those things. And so that's why I think, you know, what you're doing is brilliant because it incentivizes people to donate. Right. But it's also like it's a fun way to do it. So you can go on what you're like, so if you don't want to answer a bunch of questions and you just want to say, hey, I want to get some hero tokens. It's like, okay, so tell me, is it a dollar? Tell everybody like, is it like a dollar per token or how does that work?

speaker-1: Yeah, it's a dollar per token. And there is a it's sweepstakes, so there is a free mode of entry. So we're not requiring people to donate all the time. You know, we wanna wanna make sure that people understand that. Like we want everyone to participate. And I th I think you you know, you really touched on something there that ⁓ you know, with the platform, I hate to well, there's a couple of things. One, you know, I have talked about this. Through the process I've learned that like there's so many amazing nonprofits, and just my experience being in the nonprofit world, you know, speaking and all the things I do that are in the nonprofit world, like But there's a problem with the storytelling, right? Like they all look and feel the same at some point. So the big ones get a lot of the money, I feel like. Like, and the reality is they're so big, in my opinion, less of the actual dollar goes to like helping people, which is kind of just what it is, because any organization, the bigger you get, the more money you spend on staff and expenses and all the things, right? So, you know, we we always felt internally on our team like how do we shine a light better on these people and these causes? That are amazing causes, do amazing work, are amazing human beings, whether they're athletes or musicians or just regular people, and you know, in our testing, kind of found that like the better storytelling, the more money they raised. so it verified that. And then yeah, I mean, as far as like utilizing their popularity, one of the cool things I think about what we're doing is that, you know, one, hopefully they care about the cause, but Ideally, we're getting people to donate that don't. Like that's really like in a weird way. Like that's where I think the biggest not the biggest, but ⁓ an additional impact can come is like if someone cares about a certain basketball star and they just want the chance to like meet him, like they don't care about like like so. I feel like we can amplify it from that that right. And if like where people will I mean if we'll do scratch tickets and stuff all the time to win smaller prizes.

speaker-0: Yeah, right. Right.

speaker-1: We're kinda like yik leveraging that of like, hey, maybe like one, hopefully more people will hear about the cause, care about the cause, and use social media, their big followings. But ⁓ even if they don't, hopefully we get them to donate to good causes if they're already spending that money on things like this, right? At least like yeah, not gambling, but at least if they're gonna like kind of, you know, do that, like let's let's have a go towards good causes as opposed to like huge companies. So

speaker-0: Yeah. No, I agree. And I think that like, you know, you know, we're not trying to like start a war with big organizations because there's really great things that like St. Jude's and cher like we've talked about Ronald McDonald House and these these organizations that do wonderful things. Like, you know, no one's starting a war with them, but we're saying, hey, let's spread the wealth a little bit more, where, you know, if they're getting 85% of the donations, you know, the top five nonprofits are getting 85%. Then these all these down here are like struggling to make it. And we see these nonprofits that are failing. You know, there's a statistic out there that most of them won't make it to three years because fundraising is so hard. Fundraising is such a challenge. You have to get people to care. And you have to get like incentivize them with like something that they need or something that they like or, you know, whatever it may be. And, you know, not to mention, you know, why it's such a challenge is because you don't want people to always feel like that was my big insecurity about starting the show, right? Is because I was like, I don't want people to feel like every time they listen to me that it's like, ⁓ God, what's Sophie gonna? ask money for this week or what's she gonna, you know, it's really yeah, it's like you don't that's not the point of the show. The point of the show is to say, you know, hey, I hope you can understand that there is more to these athletes than just, you know, than just the sport that they play. They have a lot of causes that they really care about. And these are the things that they're doing off the court, off the field, whatever it may be. And if that is something that resonates with you, you know, this is a cause for you, right? It's like to give people the information and do without what you will. But with hero picks, you know, you are like what I think is so cool is that there is just like this pool of really cool prizes that you can pick and choose from. And it's like you may unknowingly donate to somebody's foundation that you wouldn't have ever known or donated to before just because that it was there and there was a really cool incentive attached to it. And Yeah, and you might fall in love with it. Yeah. And so my question for you is like you've been in the nonprofit world like on a different side than I have for quite a while. Like you've been more on the fundraising side and you've obviously come up with these like insane fundraisers that have gotten you so much like popularity, you know. And it's like, you know, that's so cool. I mean, and but what is it That you have seen as the biggest challenge in getting people involved or getting people to care.

speaker-1: In general, in fundraising. So I think that it's just stale. Like I like it's it's such a weird, like there's and it's not just fundraising because I've been in other industries that are like this, but like for whatever reason, the world has like progressed so rapidly in the last, especially like I'd say 10 to 20 years with technology, right? Like in all these different like like arenas, like everything's so many, like almost everything's progressed, but like fundraising, what's changed? Like literally, like, like With the power of social media, the power of like the internet, the power of technology, the iPhone, all the things, FaceTime, like like charity dinners, golf tournaments, and and and your handout, like l or selling chocolate bars. Like, like literally, like what has like like unless I'm a w not aware of things, like like it's nothing has really evolved and changed. And it's just like, and then so it's like I think honestly, like, yes, people want to give. But it gets to the point where they want to give to something easy. So one, something they trust, right? Like I'll say tunnels to towers, right? They know they're very open about where the funds go and how they use them. And very transparent. Children's Miracle Network's another one. So it's why kind of some of these bigger ones, I think, keep getting bigger. It's not that they're better. It's just that like they're trusted and people are tired. Like it's like they're kind of exhausted. Like between nonprofits and then youth sports is another one where like, Hey, will you like support my nephew's like baseball team? Will you buy a coupon book that you're never going to use? Like it's like you get like $500 worth of coupons for 20 bucks and like never using it. You're just really giving the 20 bucks. Like just like like it just never I was I I don't think it's ever changed. And I think people are kind of just tired of it. Like honestly, they're like, I mean, I know me personally, you know, how many dinners I get hit up for, or like golf tournaments or fundraisers, like just general fundraisers, and it's like Again, like it's just even for me, it's like and I love nonprofits, like that is my jam. But like for me, it's exhausting. So I can't imagine a normal person who's just going through life. Sorry. A person who's not attached to the nonprofit space. That sounded very arrogant, ⁓ not attached, not attached

speaker-0: Love that. You peasants down there, you know, you can

speaker-1: No, no, no, no, not at all. But like I just mean more like like a ⁓ an person who's not in the space seeing the struggles. So like like I see the struggles, so I care more, right? Forget even the causes. I just know how hard these people work. Like I know about couple like that just break my heart that they're not bigger. Cause I know the humans and I know the cost, right? And I know why they're doing it. And so, but like for for for the average person, they're going like, dude, like really, like I I mean, no offense, but like I donate to this one already. It's a veteran's cause. You're a veteran's cause, like, you know, it's just tiresome. So like I think the struggle is just, you know, trying to separate yourself and and you be different than the other nonprofits that look the same but aren't the same. And that comes to the storytelling, right? Like you and I have talked about that. Like people like, ⁓ I I help underprivileged youth. Well, like, how do you help them? Why do you help thing? Like there's all these nonprofits that do that and like we expect people to I'm gonna say we I mean yeah, we expect people to care without telling them why to care.

speaker-0: Yeah,

speaker-1: Like I feel like nonprofits have gotten this space of like they know why it matters and then they expect other people to know and care without giving them the information. Yeah, maybe the tools, you know. And so yeah, I think that's that's just the biggest struggle. And then yeah, creating a a dynamic where people today like they want something in return. And it like I said, it doesn't have to be an experience. Well, the experience could be like a feeling. It can be a feeling of like I got a FaceTime or I felt I felt like that star retweeted me, or like, you know what I mean? Like like that kind of stuff matters too. But I think, yeah, we've just I think that that everyone's been disconnected a lot. And I think that they crave that in this world, in this arena of nonprofit, even more. Like I I truly believe right now there's more people searching for purpose than probably ever in the history of the world. Like I believe, like right now, especially people That have money and want to give. I really feel like in my experience, most of those people are like, dude, I reached this and now what? Like it did not do what I thought it would. And so I think that because of that, again, like what we're trying to do of connect people in like competition, like in like again, just going like using technology and grassroots to like get back to things that people love doing, competing, you know, winning, like. interacting with humans like all the things ⁓ in a giving way and in a large scale way, I think I think I think will be really cool. I think it'll be a lot of fun too. And so

speaker-0: This is this has been such a like it has been such a fun time just learning because my friends or anyone that really knows me knows that I am technologically special. And they know I am not, that is not my gift. Okay. And so it was so funny whenever, you know, we first talked and you were like, Yeah, like, cause I said, Hey, I'm going to like a lot of these golf tournaments, blah, blah, blah. And you're like, well. Let's gamify that experience. And I was like I no, I I just kept going along with it. I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Totally, totally. You know, and I and then finally after talking to you for like th the fifth time, I finally was like, All right, Ryan, like you're gonna have to like explain this to me. Like I'm a five year old. Yeah, no, it took me a while to 'cause I was finally like, Okay, explain to me what gamifying means because I don't get what you're saying. And he was like, ⁓ okay, yeah, that makes sense. So okay. And so I mean, but really Like that's the way of the world, and that's the way that we're going. And and you know, and I've looked at it a a lot of different ways, right? I I feel like we can look at things and say, I don't understand why these kids do the things that they do and it's so weird, and these Gen X people are doing all the you know, I don't get it. And I I may not get it, right? But like that doesn't mean that's not the way the world is shifting. And if we want to make a real impact, then you have to evolve. And really get into that space and get into that mindset of like, okay, you don't get this. I don't get why my kids sit and watch YouTube videos of other kids playing a game. That doesn't make sense to me. Yeah, I mean, don't get it. It's weird to me. But realistically, that video has 101 million views. Okay. And it's like, okay, obviously, this is the way the world's going. How do we evolve into that? Because if we're fighting

speaker-1: But

speaker-0: You know, we're just gonna say, hey, no, you need to do things this way. They're gonna be like, okay, well, these old people don't know what the hell they're talking about, you know, and they they can't evolve. So I think it's really cool to step aside and just be like, Okay, well, this is the way that it's going. Like the this the gamifying these experiences, that's that's the flex now. That that's the cool thing. So obviously we need to step into that mindset. And try to use it for some good. And I think that that's why what you've built is so freaking brilliant, man. I really do. Yeah. Yeah.

speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. I mean it was you know but yeah, I I think ⁓ no you're you're exactly right. Like it I got to a point and I think it was just I think that's where like it all started to come together. It like, why are we trying to like fit everything into this like like it has to be this way? It's like when all the younger generation is saying like we don't love that. So like we love this. We love social media, we love like online events, we love all these things and it's like nobody's doing that right in any sort of fundraising. Like it's not just for nonprofits. It's like, I mean, for churches, for esports, for any sort of fundraising, it's it's the same thing. They're just like, here you like, and here's your coupon. Like it just, it just was very it's very transactional too, in a weird way. Like it's like almost more transactional. And so yeah, I I think learning like I don't get it. Like I don't I mean yeah. I don't get some of the things you said. I do get like like what we're trying to do now and maybe that's just from from learning through like the experience. I do get like why people get excited about it and why they wanna why they wanna participate. But yeah, it ⁓ yeah, that's funny. I had no idea that it took you five times to ask me that question and you went along with it.

speaker-0: It's like, yeah, that gamifying sounds great. You know, I mean so the funny thing about how we met was like, I mean, it really was cut just ⁓ kind of funny because I s I think I did a interview with Lawrence Moroni, and that's ⁓ it was like, you know, a while ago, but I did this interview and I saw that you like liked a couple of the the posts or whatever. Yep. And so

speaker-1: Yeah.

speaker-0: This is more embarrassing, but I'll tell everybody so everybody can make fun of me. But so okay, I know. No, for the longest time, this is like who everybody makes fun of me for this, so I'll just let everybody in on the joke. For the longest time that I thought that people that had the blue check mark next to their name were like automatically famous. And so I like whenever I first started this adventure, I started DMing all these people that had the blue check mark by their name. And that had any kind of athletic ge gear on because I was like, well, they're a famous athlete. So ⁓ started DMing them, but and so I saw Ryan, you know, had like the blue check mark by his name. And so I was like, ⁓ I wonder who this person is, and looked on his follower account and it was like you had like 300,000 followers or something insane. Yeah. I'm like, who the hell is this guy? And you were just talking about all the nonprofits that you helped and all the things that you did for like veterans' causes and for abuse victims and these things that I was like, I feel really passionate about as well. And I was like, okay, who is this dude? And what who the hell is this? I don't get it, you know? And so I finally reached out and I was like, hey, I don't know what you do, but like I if I can help, if I can help you in any way, like let me know. Cause I think what you're doing's really cool. And you know, had the conversation and really, you know, when you told me about the app, it was like, I said, ⁓ well That yeah, dude, that's literally what my show is. Like that's what I do, you know? And I'm like, you guys are playing chess and I'm playing checkers. And you know, I mean, really, like, and so how can we like work together to make an even bigger impact? And I think you probably thought, like, who the hell? Like, this was the most random experience ever. But like, no, I think it like I don't think that things happen by accident. I think it's like very People come into your life for a reason and you know, I'm just so grateful that that happened because I think that you and I are going to like do some crazy things together. Yeah. So I mean but it's just funny that I thought you were like an athl like a famous athlete based on your blue check mark. And it really screwed it screwed with me. Yeah.

speaker-1: Then you think I was in the mafia or something like that?

speaker-0: I did. I did. I asked, I was like, if it's you're like trying to explain what you did. I was if it's the mob, if it's the mob, man, just tell me. It's yeah, just tell me and like it's cool, but like I yeah, just need to know. Just to know. But you know, you like have been so authentic with me about your story and just what has gotten you here. I mean, I think it's pretty inspirational that

speaker-1: Just tell me we can work with it. Just tell me. Just tell me.

speaker-0: You've where you've come from and where you are now. And do you I guess, you know, we don't have to go into your whole story, but like, do you ever feel like do you feel like it's possible for anyone to live a fulfilled life without being of service to somebody in some fashion?

speaker-1: No

speaker-0: I agree. I agree. I just was curious.

speaker-1: Yeah, there's levels of that. Like I think that ⁓ because I get, you know, in in this the community that I'm in, I get asked a lot how how can I get out of where I'm at, right? Like if I'm struggling, like if I'm depressed, if I'm in an addiction, if I'm in all these different things, like w how do I pull myself out of it? And like the number one way, hands down, do something for somebody else. Show up for somebody else, whether it's like a phone call. Grocer like whatever you can do, it doesn't have to be mine. Like just show up for someone else and help them. And I guarantee you your life gets better. Like every time. It doesn't fail. Like and so yeah, I don't know how you could because I had all the things that I definitely wasn't fulfilled. And I think it's pretty common. Like I said, I think I think at the end

speaker-0: So what do you mean what do you mean you had all the things? Elaborate on that.

speaker-1: And cars and houses and like everything, any everything material anybody would want, I've had. And that never fixed me or filled like I still was like, why do I not like myself? Why do I not feel fulfilled? Why do I not why am I searching for like something more? Right. And ⁓ and I think that I mean, and this is just my opinion, but I think when people start really examining like why are we here, right? It's a common thing, like. Like, why am I here? Why am I truly like here? To me, I don't know if there's a bigger or better purpose than helping others. I don't know how you could. Like, I don't know, like, like it could be like helping others to grow. It could be helping others to succeed. Like, but like if you're not being of service to others, I just don't know how you could ever feel fully fulfilled. I just don't. I and that again, that's just my experience. I think a lot of people think they're fulfilled. You know, until like something happens and then they realize like, ⁓ wow, like that was all fake. Yeah, that was all not like I was masking, I was filling. I used to I mean, and and this again, we've talked about this. Like I use this word and it can be inserted for many different meanings to different people. But like I think cause I did, a lot of people try and fill a God size hole with everything but God. And for me, God is service. Right. Like I try to fill this hole with everything but like service. And it's like it just peeks back out. I'm like, ⁓ a car will fix it.

speaker-0: And they get humbled really quickly.

speaker-1: Like it just doesn't. It just doesn't. So yeah, I mean, I I always say that I always empower people and like tell them, hey, you know, the if you want to get out from how you're feeling or where you're at, just go help people. And it doesn't have to be, it doesn't have to be how you and I do it. It doesn't have to this big, like, it can just be something so small. You know, it can just be the smallest thing. It can be like Eddie. Like, look at, I mean, you know, not to get too deep into it, but like, the smallest acts of kindness and being of service to others can create the largest things. Like that friend of mine sending a text message to me while my kid's in the hospital puts this entire path of like even you and I being here today. Right. Like like none of this happens at least on this time or timeline or this quickly without him just doing something to be of service to another human being with getting nothing in return. You know? So again Yeah, I think I think that's

speaker-0: Think that that's like the that's the key right there is like you have to say that like you cannot expect to get anything in return, right? Like that has to be the biggest part of it. Like you can't say, I'm gonna give all this to everybody because the good karma is gonna come back to me if I do it, or people will see me differently if I do it, or see, you know, it has to be truly like because it's The right thing to do, right? Like, or because, you know, in not to tell, and I have such mixed feelings towards the social medias that like I think it's great the people that like go out and they're like, here, do you want five thousand dollars cash? Here you go. Like, yeah, I think that that's great. And I love like positivity being put back into social media. I think it's wonderful. But I also have this like mixed gut feeling about it of like, what is the purpose? Yeah. Like, are you getting are you getting the fulfillment from so many people telling you you did a good thing? Or are you getting the fulfillment from the act itself? And you have to ask yourself that because it's like, are you able to go and do a really kind thing for somebody for someone and never say a word about it? And never say, you know, never tell a soul. And I think those people are like

speaker-1: And no one ever knows.

speaker-0: Some of the most powerful people. Like, you know, and and some I mean, what's crazy is I was just talking about this with my kids that a lot of things I didn't know about. My grandpa was a veteran. He was like very pretty stoic guy, but like didn't know a whole lot about, you know, just personal life stuff. And so, I mean, at his funeral, there were people that came up and spoke and were just like bawling their eyes out and were like, you know. Russell, we were about to get fired. We're about to get laid off. And ⁓ we had two kids and you know, Russell told the boss to take it out of his paycheck so that we didn't have to get fired. You know, and like things like that where he never told a soul. He never said anything about it. He didn't go home and tell his wife, like, hey, my my paychecks are gonna be like it was just that's just who he was and what he did. And like I think that those people are the ones that I truly want to, you know, like emulate you know what I mean? Like aspire to be some like why is it you're doing it? Is it because it makes you feel good about yourself? Is it because it just like brings you joy to help others, or is it because you need that satisfaction or the the the gr yeah, the outside validation from other people? And I think it's like important for us to say that and to talk about those things and just be like, okay, like you're not gonna feel fulfilled by giving.

speaker-1: Yeah, the yeah.

speaker-0: If you're giving to get the satisfaction of giving from other people, does that make sense?

speaker-1: Yeah, I don't and I don't even I like when I say giving, I mean like giving and so like when I say of being service, you're showing up or doing something with expecting nothing in return other than what you did. Like like that's like you hope that they feel better, you hope that it makes an impact, you hope that it makes a difference, but like even that, you showing up like just trying to do something for someone else in another way. And definitely not expecting to get anything in return from them. Right. You know, even like a hug or like a high five. Like you're doing it, you're literally doing it because you feel called to show up for other human beings to ease their pain at the end of the day. That's how I look at it, right? Like, yeah, like we're trying to ease their pain and suffering in some way. And you know, now don't get and I struggled this for a while. Because of that, you can get some amazing things come back to you. Right. Like sure. It's like, like, and that can just be. Blessings in ways you never thought, or an introduction to someone or whatever, right? Like, but you just can't go into it expecting that. And and honestly, you gotta expect that sometimes I feel like you're really not gonna get them even maybe the most positive reaction back. Like like I've helped, I've I've shown up for people and they've just not even, you know what I mean? Like the opposite, but I do it all again because I know it helped. And ⁓ you know, it's funny you say that because like in the last six months, I'd say specifically, the people Some of the people that have helped me the most, and I'm not saying like just financially or anything like that, like I'm just saying help me, have sworn me to never say like who they are. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like literally been like, like, I please just I don't want people to know. Like that's it. Like I'm doing this because I love you or I want to help you. And like please don't like broadcast my name out there, right? ⁓ which is, I mean, obviously they're doing it for the right reasons then, right? But yeah, I I know what you're talking about. I and I even struggled with for a while, like. Am I helping people just because it feels good? Like and and that whole like moral dilemma like, am I actually like doing it for the right reason?

speaker-0: Because there's like this there's this theory that there's no such thing as a selfless act. Have you heard of that? Yeah. Or it's like no, you're you're like, ⁓ no, I mean, because you feel good at doing it. So it's it's self, you know, like there is that. Yeah. So it's like but anyway, no, I think one of the biggest things that I've learned from you personally, like just you know, because you're so much older and wiser than me.

speaker-1: Yeah, I knew you I knew you were gonna say something about that.

speaker-0: So so so so so much older. You know, I've learned so much from you of just one of the biggest things that I struggle with truly was accepting help. Right. I I hate it. I don't ever want to ask for help. I don't like accepting it. It's like, no, I'm the person that helps people. Okay. Like you're you go away, like I do this. And yeah, and you were like, okay, you know. What is it that makes you feel best about yourself or what makes you feel closest to like God or like brings you to this place on a spiritual level? Like what makes you feel fulfilled? And it was like, ⁓ you know, I love being able to give back and like being of service to other people, ⁓ you know, and that's why I do this and why I chose the career path I did. And, you know, you said something like, Well, how fucking selfish of you then to I ⁓ Like I'm just like, what? You know? And it was like how fucking selfish of you to dip like to deprive somebody else of giving you that like of having that same feeling, right? Like so how selfish of you to take that feeling away from somebody else who would get that feeling from helping you. Yeah. And I was like, okay. Like I just had to sit had to sit with that for a minute of just like. Okay. ⁓ yeah, that's that's a new one. But I mean it it is true. Like and it makes you think about it a little bit more intensely of just okay, you know, because those are that's us, that's nurses, that's firefighters, that's you know, those people that felt called to serve in one way or another, right? It's like that there is a there is a personality trait. Or there's something in your DNA that you feel like you need to give back, we have the hardest time accepting. Yeah, you don't want to receive. You feel like, no, there's people out there that are way worse off than I am. Don't waste it on me. Like there's starving children. There's people who are dying. Like, don't waste this on me. And that is a real problem.

speaker-1: Yeah.

speaker-0: To overcome it really is. Like, especially if you're a person that like gets their joy from service. And overcoming that is you know, you I think you may have helped me. I mean, it's still not easy for me. I'm not gonna act like it is because it's not.

speaker-1: I didn't like instantly I mean, you're thinking about it and you're actively trying to change it now. Yeah. Not to say most of the people I give the most, I think struggle with that.

speaker-0: Yeah. Well, and you know, the perfect example of this truly was like, you know, you knew like I'm yeah, you you obviously know I'm swamped. I'm s like going nonstop. And you're like, hey, this guy that ⁓ works with me, he's incredible and he is so good at like guest booking and doing these things, like let him help you. Like he would love that. That would bring him so much joy. 99.9% of the time I would have like, hey, no, no, no. You know, like there's other things I know that he could be doing that are like, you know, could be helping, whatever, but it was just like, nope. Like, I'm gonna accept this. And that was really hard for it, really was a super hard for me. Yeah. Cause I was like, okay, like, I'm gonna let him, you know, I'm gonna let him do this because I feel like maybe it would bring him some joy. And you were like, ⁓ my gosh, like that that like made his whole life, like being able to just Do those things and I'm like, ⁓ gosh. Okay. Like, but I I say that because I'm sure I have no doubt that there are other people out there that are just like you and myself that that have that same calling or that same feeling that really struggle with accepting help back or accepting anybody giving anything back to you. And anything at all. It could be somebody being like, I'm gonna buy your drink at Starbucks. And I'm like, No, no, no, buy it for the next person because.

speaker-1: Mi amigo. Yeah.

speaker-0: Yeah, I'm like it because like there's people that are worse off than me. There's people that need it more than I do. There's people that, you know, and I have a really hard time with that. And so remembering like that is like probably the best advice I've ever gotten from you personally. I think you I think you stole it from your mentor.

speaker-1: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I know. I he called me out on Christmas because that was the same kind of thing. I was like, I got all these gifts and I was like, Hey, like I was so awkward. I didn't even want to take them. I'm like almost like debating trying to give them back. Like he's like he's like, Yeah, he's like and he said, he's like, Ryan, I've been on like I've you've been on my podcast, I've been on TV with you, I've been on stages with you. What is the one thing that always say brings you the most joy and brings you the closest to your God? I'm like, you know, giving. Giving to others. And he and that he was the same thing. He's like, his and he was like, How effing selfish of you on Christmas. And I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Like timeout. What are you talking about? He's like, easy. Yeah, he's like, well, like, whoa. He's like, I remember I was filling up gas. I was like at Circle K. And he's like, he's like, yeah, like, man, like, think about it. Like, think about what you just said. You've told me the thing that you enjoy the most on this planet, probably. Like probably. By far, not even close. Like this is the number one thing that you enjoy, brings you the most joy, fulfillment. You don't want to give that to the people that care about you? Like you're like, no, no, no, that's just for me. Like, huh? Like, no, no, no. You don't get to experience that. Just I get to experience. He's like, You're an ass. And I was like, Okay, Jackie, I get the point now. Like, time out. We can like chill with a name calling. Like, and he's like, No, no, but again, because he was the same way too, right? Like he had to learn. He's the same thing, he's extremely giving. He and he's like, he's Yeah, I I had to get to the point of the same thing where like, Now, like, could I take a lift to the airport? Absolutely. But if an intern wants to give me a ride, let's go, man. Like, I'll have a conversation with you. And he's like, and guess what? That intern walks away with like probably and he's like, and I usually learn more from them instead of just like with my AirPods listening to music on the way to the airport. Now I'm like interacting with another community. So he's like, I never stop anybody from giving to me anymore. Like, you wanna buy my lunch? Sure. You wanna give me a gift? Sure. You want to give me a ride? Sure. Like what you want to carry my bag? Sure. Like anything anybody asks, because he's like, I've learned that that is probably the best part of their day. And I was robbing so many people from the best part of their day because I'm being selfish. Because I wanted to like control it or make it about me. And he's like, I just don't do that anymore. He's like, I just yeah. So that was when and I'm still not the best at it either, right? Like it's a it's a I I constantly remind myself, catch myself, I'm like, ⁓ like I'll call people back. I'll be like, hey, you know what? Yeah, I will. Like you can give me a ride. Or like hey, you can that, right? I'm like, no, no, don't don't get up early in the morning and give me a ride to the airport. And I'm like, dude, maybe they just want to hang out with you. Like maybe they just want to spend some time with you because like they haven't in a while and they want to be your service to you, just like you would to someone else. And like, so now I try and accept it all the time. But yeah, I'm glad I touch it.

speaker-0: something. I do you did. And honestly, like that the biggest it was a really big realization to me. I think I told you this when I like an an ex of mine, they texted me and they were like, yeah, I like I thought of you today because I did something so big and I like gave this guy twenty dollars that was like in the in the trailer and blah blah blah and asked for money. And I just thought what would Sophie like I just thought, ⁓ man, like she would be so proud of me for do like It occurred to me that there are people out there that don't think that way. And I was like, why would you text me that? You know what I mean? Like I would never text anybody that. Like that's so odd. And it was like, ⁓ my gosh, there are people out there that don't think about other people. Like, really. Or don't think about other people struggling or think about other people's circumstances. Like people just see things in black and white like this is right and wrong. Really? Like they do. And they think if you're homeless, you're wrong. If you don't have a job, you're wrong. Like, but people sometimes have a hard time looking at what are the choices that person had to make. Like, what are the choices that person had? Yeah. You you have no clue.

speaker-1: You're gonna get me on this one. You You have no idea You have no idea. And what was our environment and I mean all the things.

speaker-0: What are what is their mental health like? What are all those things? And I realize that there are people that are black and white and I live in a gray world. I live in a world where I'm like Yeah, I do. I'm like I you know, you don't know, you don't know the situation, you don't know this, and like it's a very different personality type.

speaker-1: Thank you for great world. So sure. I definitely I don't know how long we have, but like I wanna want to talk about that real quick because that's something that you know, I'm that person I always have like for the most part I give money to people on the street. Like I just do, right? And and I have my own experience with that, right? Being homeless, right? So like but I watched ⁓ and this is when social to me, like I have my own relationship with social media and it goes back and forth and it's kind of weird, like I'm off and on on it. But like yeah, there's a lot of good on social media too. Like I I know I like I do believe that. So like totally there was like there was a guy who ⁓ I watched a reel and it's one of my favorite reels of all time. I think he was a rabbi even. And he was talking about how like he didn't give money to some a homeless person because he was like, ⁓ he's probably using it for drugs. And I think this goes back to like even fundamentally, like everyone thinks everything's theirs. But like really it's not. Like like like this is all like I'm on a spiritual level, like everything we have is not ours. Like like it's it's so like everyone's like, ⁓ it's my money. Well, it's like my house. It's like my My, my, my, my, my. But like he he talks about that and he's like, he's like, and he starts crying. He's like, How many how many times does God bless me with money? And I just waste like I wasted it on things that like didn't matter, like that literally just wasted it. And God just keeps blessing me. And here's this person who needs money. And I'm like, no, no, that's my money. Like you don't get that. Like he's like, What did I do to deserve the money more than that person? He's like, honestly, like, like, like truly, like, what did I do in my life? That makes me deserve that money more than another human being. And he's like, and even if, even if he was gonna go use it for drugs, what if that stops him from doing something that he didn't want to do to go get drugs? Cause he's sick. So what if that five dollars allowed him to not go hurt someone or like do something that like, cause he's just a sick human being that needs help? And so he was like crying and he's telling the story. I was like, man, that's how I feel. But like, like it was like, I think that like I don't know, yeah, like like there's most people, I mean, people make fun of me all the time. They're bro, like why would you give that guy money? Like why would you go in and buy him a sandwich? Why would he like like bro like like and I'm like I don't know. Like I just do, like I don't I don't think I'm better than that person. I don't. You know, I just truly truly don't because I have no idea what they've been through.

speaker-0: Well, and not to mention, I feel like I look at it as, you know, God forbid somebody wouldn't have helped me when I was in my lowest point in life. Maybe I'd be there. I don't know. I don't know. The choices that I would have made had I not had someone to help me out of a dark spot or help me, you know, get back on my feet. Maybe they didn't have that person. And that's, you know, I'm very blessed that I did, but like Did they? Did they you know, and it's you just never know where you would have been had somebody not helped you and picked you up off of the ground when you were in your lowest.

speaker-1: Yeah. And even then, is it for you to judge? Like even if they did. Like again, like I just go into like I don't know, like is it am I the be all end all of like why somebody's in the situation they're in? And I'm definitely not. Because like I know even like I'll say you, like I know you pretty well over the last while. I know like what like point zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero one percent of like what you've been through, how you feel, what you think. So like how could I judge like you know what I mean? Like I don't even know myself that well sometimes I don't know for sure. That like that's a really like I don't know, that's a yeah. I I don't know if it's that people don't care or or like they

speaker-0: I don't think so. I don't think it's a caring thing. I think it's a entire it's a in your mind, you think there's certain things that are justified and there's certain things that aren't. Yes. You know? And it's like this this is something that's justifiable to help. This is something that's not. Correct and I don't think that we get that privilege. I still I to this day, I mean I I don't think that that's up to us to decide. I don't think it's up to us to decide that this person, you know, because their house burned down, they're more entitled to something than a homeless a homeless person. And that's maybe that's gonna be really controversial and that's fine. But I'm just saying that you know, there's certain things that like you I don't we don't get to judge. We don't. We are not the end all be all. We are not the judge, jury, executioners. What we are Are people that are called to love other people and show some grace, show some kindness, that doesn't mean be a doormat to people. Don't mistake me for saying yeah, your kindness should be mistaken for a weakness because that's not true. You know, if people if if they exploit you, if they show you over and over again that their energy ⁓ is just super toxic and negative and you can't have that around you anymore, that's not the same. It's not the same as setting boundaries, but I'm saying, you know, showing kindness whenever it's not easy to do so. That's what makes you grow as a person. It's easy to give the cancer kid money. It's easy to give somebody money when it's justified. Is it as easy to give somebody money when they are struggling with a drug addiction or mental instability? But I do know it changes you as a person. You know, may you may not change them, but it will change you as a person and saying, I don't get to play God. I wish I could for a day. You know, that would be so fun. But like I don't get to be that person. Yeah. I mean, really, I it's it's really fascinating to me to hear how like just joining this space really is incredible because I see so many people that I would have overlooked.

speaker-1: I want those problems.

speaker-0: A lot, you know, before. Yeah. because I didn't know about them or I didn't know about their causes and I didn't know that it was a problem. And I probably would have judged certain things before that I look at that I look at differently. Like truly, I really do. And I I think that like I've met so many people that are recovering addicts that you know, I I look at the disease process a little bit differently. I look at Certain, you know, and that's why I just think it's so important for everybody to expose themselves to to everything, right? It's like, you know, you don't have to like everything, you know. I I I actually think it's best if you don't, because yeah, but exposing yourself to everything is really important so that you can see and actually educate yourself on okay, well, this is what all these nonprofits do. This is what all these people are trying to do to help the world, right? And you know, that again, I'm not trying to just go back to the app, but I do think the app is super important in that, like it does expose people to things that they probably never would have given a second chance to. Yes. Because it has a really cool incentive attached to it. Right. Like it's and you know, it's not like, ⁓ I'm tricking people into don't. It's just saying, Hey, like you may not have known about this before. You may not have cared about this and you know, our what our companies are trying to do to merge the two worlds is so cool and innovative. And you know, my my side is like the storytelling engine.

speaker-1: I was just gonna say like we need to we need to talk about what you're doing. Talking about B as much as you want to.

speaker-0: It's like it's like, you know, I'm I'm here to say, hey, like, tell me your story. Tell me why this nonprofit is so important to you. And people, a lot of my like listeners may not realize this, but like how many people I actually turn down because it's it's important to me to keep it authentic. And if you come to me because your nonprofit is like a really good tax write-off. And it's like you come to me and you say, I help kids. Well, how do you help kids? What do you do? And they can't tell you what it even what they're even doing. It's like that's pro I'm probably not the person for you because I want people that like when they're giving, you know, when they're giving their story, people are moved. People are like, ⁓ my gosh, this guy ⁓ really cares about this. I don't care if they have 20 million followers. Or they don't, I care about why this person really is never gonna let this nonprofit fail because it means so much to them. The community means so much to them. Or, you know, the cause, you know, and when people see that and hear that, they'll say, Okay, well, there's six nonprofits right here that are all about helping kids, but I know that this guy right here, like He went through absolute hell and back. And that's why his this is so important to him because, you know, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I just heard him on the giving game. And so I'm gonna donate to this because I know he actually cares about this. And so that's what we're trying to do with hero picks and the giving game is saying, like, you know, listen to it here. Understand the cause, understand what you're donating to understand why this matters, the person behind it. See, you know, maybe you maybe you don't like the person behind him. You're like, I th thought he was an arrogant asshole and I didn't like him and I'm not donating to that. That's fine too. But educating, yeah, educating yourself, exposing yourself to all these causes that I think are, you know, I'm never gonna have something on there that's like promoting hate or violence or like shitty things in the world. But maybe it's just something that you're just like, I don't really care about that, you know. But and that's fine. But at least exposing yourself to it, I think is important.

speaker-1: think ⁓ I'm gonna like air you out a little bit here. I'm gonna say that ⁓ god. No no no it's a good thing. But I will say like the first thing you always say when I'm like, hey, I got this person, you're like, is it a legit cause? It's like you're like knee jerk right away is like like are they a jerk and is it a good cause? You know, like those are the legit you want to know. And I'm like well Sophie like I wouldn't bring this to you if they but you still like like it's just like your thing. Like you want the verification that like No, like they're doing good work and it's a good person and it's a good like a story. Like, and I don't mean a story of like it just like like like you said, like the why. Like, why are they doing this? Like, is it just because they want to be known for doing it, or is it because they actually like either them or someone they know has experienced it is probably the most realistic story, like, but like why are they doing this? And ⁓ yeah, so I could I could verify that that's like a true thing because every time I talk to you about potential guests or fundraisers, it's like the things you care about. Like that's you're not asked like how how big's their following or like you're like you're just like what what what is the cause? Do they actually do the work? Like are and like are they a good person? Like are they actually trying to help and do it? ⁓ and I mean that's the same with me, right? And then yeah, it's just so funny

speaker-0: It's never just like it's never You know, people people may want to. I mean, I'm gonna tell on myself a little bit and be like, people may I there was an athlete that was like, I just want to verify that you know, we'll raise this much money for my cause or so it's not a waste of my time, and we'll, you know, and I don't want to meet somebody if it only this much is raised because that might be a waste of my time. And then, you know, and I was like, What? You know, I mean, honestly, like if somebody gave my nonprofit ten dollars, I'd be like, ⁓ wow, thank you so much. Like, you know, and obviously I get it. ⁓ that you know, you don't want to just like waste a bunch of people's times and time and effort. I get that. I and I don't think that we would, but you know, when you have that, and they may have 20 million followers versus a a guy that has a hundred thousand followers who he says You know, Sophie, my little girl, died of cancer. And, you know, when she was going through chemo and she was super sick, she told me, like, we need to help these other kids that are in the hospital. And like, you know, he's like, and I just thought, like, screw this. Like, sh I'm worried about my kid. And she's sitting here sick from chemo and she wants to help all these other kids. And she ended up passing away. And we've continued her legacy on like the people like that, like that is what fulfills me. Like, not the 10 million followers. I'm not I'm not gonna waste my time to visit people. Like and I hope that our listeners and our people that download the app and people that really get engaged see that and see that like hopefully they can trust that hey, we're not we're not out for like the clout, we're not out for like people may also not realize like I actually don't know most of the guests that come on my show. Like I actually don't know who they are.

speaker-1: Like I wouldn't say most of them, I would say like all of them.

speaker-0: All of them I really don't know. Like that. Yeah. My and somebody like commented on I think it was my inter interview with Ben Zobrist when he they were like, you know, it was so funny because he said something about like, ⁓ yeah, and like after I won the World Series and got the N V P and you're like, ⁓ you did? ⁓ that's so cute or like so you know, ⁓ my gosh, that's so cool. Good for you. He's like ⁓ great job, you know. And so yeah, like I don't I try not to because I don't want to get like intimidated. But I think you know, it's really important to me to that people understand the vision and they understand why. Like they understand that it's not about I I actually don't really care about the athlete side. You know, it's not about that side of it. It what I care about is the fact that like and I think that you're, you know, you do a lot with veterans, you do a lot with like abuse victims and those things, which is amazing. I think you also are just naturally tied to the athlete world. ⁓ And so you like the athlete, you know, the athlete fundraisers. But what's so interesting about athletes and why I gravitated towards it, not wasn't because I was some like sports nut, like I actually don't know most of them. What graduate like gravitated me towards that was that these people have hundreds of millions of followers, if not billions really. And you know, billions are put into their sport every year. And you know, people are buying their jerseys left and right. These fans are so loyal to them. And next to nothing is going to their cause, like the cause that they care about outside of basketball or football or what hockey, whatever it is. And I'm like, that's so odd to me. Like that is so odd that these people or just that these people have like dedicated fans. These people have like Hardcore fans that would do probably anything for this guy. And they don't even have a platform to talk about. Like, hey, this is my this is my charity, and I'm doing really cool things. Like, you know, and then the impact that they can make just based on their fan base alone is huge. And I feel like it's such an underutilized.

speaker-1: Yes. It's a tool. Yeah. Like they have it in their tool belt and they're like n like I can't get this screw in the wall, but I have a screwdriver in my frickin' tool belt. Like it's like the yeah, the and you I think the coolest the coolest thing I think I don't know if it's the coolest thing. I don't wanna say that 'cause like I wanna I don't wanna like limit you, but one of the coolest things I think that I've seen and like with what you're doing is you give them the ability to

speaker-0: Cool, yeah.

speaker-1: do that to like showcase that like why they're doing it and and like I don't I truly don't think they I don't know if I won't say the know how they they truly d haven't done it yet or like figured out how to do it or put the resource into it. And so like I'll say like when even somebody's like, well why would I go on the podcast? What am I gonna get out of it? It's like like you're gonna get a way to reach people that you currently haven't and you're struggling raising money for a nonprofit. Otherwise you don't even care about this. Let's be honest. Like you're just killing it. Like you don't need This. Right. Like right. So it's like, I think you just give them such an amazing ability and opportunity to tell their story so that people can hear about it and learn about it and hopefully raise them more money. Right. And so like I know it drives me nuts when some I hear someone like, Well, what am I getting? Like, why would I like it's like what do you mean? Like like Yeah, I mean the why, right? And like and I do think too, like, I think the smaller follower athletes or creators or whatever, like all the different things, right? It's not just athletes, musicians, it's all these like different people. A lot of them have causes or their own their own causes that they care about. And the ones that have the ones that have the biggest following could do the most. They just could. Like they literally could, but they tend to not want to, I'm not going to say all of them, but they tend to not want to like put their name or their effort into that, which is fine. That is totally their choice. But you get these people who have like maybe fifty thousand followers. And like I don't know how your phone call went today with my with someone I introduced you to, but like these people. See, like look, but he'll like what how how like what do we need to do? Like tell me what to do, right? Like like like he's like ex probably s I know the person, and he's so probably so excited. Like all day he's gonna be just like, ⁓ how am I gonna do this? What can I do? What can I do? Well, who can I get involved? Which friend can I get involved? And like that to me will end up making like those. People and their causes, I believe, are gonna start to outperform the people with the big names through what we're doing. Like I truly believe that. Like I think cause like people are gonna fall in love with them like that effort. Like that's what I hope, you know. And I and I I think that again, I'm not saying like all like I'm not gonna blanket statement. I'm just saying, like, in my experience, a lot of the bigger names and stuff are just like and again, maybe they are just too busy. Like, I'm not gonna like I don't know their life. Yeah.

speaker-0: They they are.

speaker-1: I'm just saying ⁓ like I think we're gonna give an opportunity to people to like on the the small to medium size, I'll say like an opportunity to create more awareness, get more like eyeballs on what they do. And ideally that translates to raising them more money than they had. I mean, we will no matter what. I would say this. I'm like, no matter what, I'll throw five hundred bucks. So like I'll guarantee you five hundred dollars that you didn't have before for your foundation. Yeah, but No, we we will do good things and and I think yeah, I j I just think I think that it's it's really cool what you're doing and I hope more people hear about it. Like one of the things that's been pleasantly surprised to me is like when we started talking about hero picks and we started like lightly putting it out there, the amount of attention nonprofits got coming to us, like we're like whoa, whoa, whoa, like we we're not prepared for this much. Like, like can you guys like almost slow down? And then two, the amount of creators and athletes And musicians and people of influence, even like business people that have reached out and like, I don't have my own cause, but I care about X. Can you let me know? Cause I want to participate when one of those comes up. So like that's something cool that we get to do for people too. Is like they don't necessarily have to have their own nonprofit. Right. Like, like I think you'd have guests like that, right? Like they don't have to have their own foundation. It's just like we're super passionate about this and we're trying to give back. And then we can offer them an opportunity through that through the both of us, like on the podcast and then connect them with a cause that is legit and raise money together for that cause. Yeah. So

speaker-0: So what's funny too is like, you know, we talk about services that we offer and we talk about things like that. And my assistant, he kind of gets on to me about like not putting this out there a little bit more. So I'll say it. ⁓ but you know, he was like, Sophie, people have just been coming to you left and right about what I can do to make my nonprofit more successful, which I don't necessarily think I'm like an expert by any means, but I do have a lot of information or I know a lot of people or have a lot of connections in this world that I'm like, okay, well, tell me about your nonprofit. And when you give me, I'll just say, if you say, okay, I do back to school programs, I fill up backpacks, and I put on a football camp every summer. I am going to ask you what stands out about your nonprofit? Why should people care? that are not in your city, right? Because you you wanna expand. And What is gonna make this stand out in any way, shape, or form because everybody else is doing the same thing? Right. And then, you know, I have to like ask some of these guys that. And I'm I have to say, you need to dig deep and figure out what it is that differentiates you. And like, you know, and then I had like these great conversations with this guy that's like, Well, I I believe that, you know, kids should learn. Golf etiquette and gol, you know, and things that are like different that nobody's teaching. And I'm like, that, that right there. Like make it different. Make it when if you want your nonprofit to succeed, stop serving the same people or the same group that 10 different nonprofits are already serving in you know, the 200 mile radius, right? Like Because we have so many nonprofits that are working against each other instead of together. And they're doing like a lot of the same things. And they're all struggling finding funding, but they're doing the same things. There's nothing that differentiates a lot of them. And they'll say, ⁓ well, we don't just fill up backpacks, we also give them toothbrushes. That's not come on. Like, give me something that's different. Yeah. And a lot of these guys have been like, ⁓ well, I didn't think about. Okay, well then I should probably start to market that and I'm like, I can't tell you a hundred percent, but I would suggest it. Like, you know, and so

speaker-1: But like that will help for sure.

speaker-0: Yeah. So just even if it's like, hey, I I know you know a lot of people in the nonprofit space, like what can you guys do to help connect me with something to make me more successful? Like, you know, you and I are both more than willing to have those conversations and be like, ⁓ if you're a veteran and you know, you need adaptive equipment or you need okay, well, like let's put you, you know, let's put you here or let's let's kind of help work. with each other and not like against each other, if that makes sense. And I think that that's something like really cool that we do.

speaker-1: I would agree. And yeah, I mean, I think you really like like for anybody who's struggling with their nonprofit, again, like you said, there's there's could be twenty in your little city or your or big city that are doing to the other people, to the consumer, I'll call it, even though it's a donor. Like, but like essentially you have to look at it like you're selling them, right? Like on some level, like we have to sell why why why you want them to give their money to you, again their money, but like give their their dollars to you to your fund. And the reality is for a lot of them, you're gonna look the same as bigger ones that have a bigger name, more marketing budget. They're in front of people's face more. So like you're not only asking them because people give, you're not you're asking them to like redirect where they give a little bit, right? Like like on some level, like you might convince new people to give, which is amazing. I hope so. But like just being realistic of the $690 billion that's donated, like next year, most of the same people will give the $690 billion, right? You got like it just like I I hope it's not, but like if we if we say that, so you're gonna ask them to pull from like an existing place and go to you. Well, why would they do that? If they don't know you and they don't know your story, and they don't and all they do is like, but dude, like I already give to somebody who makes back gives backpacks to kids, right? Like it kind of goes to your point, like. Like that's where the like smaller ones, but but you have an advantage. Like I would say then you have an advantage because you can direct converse with them on a way that a bigger one can't. Like you can you can like actually say, Hey, like this is wide, this impacts me because I went through it. I was that kid. And now I'm able to like play basketball or football or hockey or whatever because someone helped me in that way. And now I want to help a thousand kids. Have the same opportunity I did, right? Boom. Now we've got something, right? And you have something that like a large organization doesn't. They're just gonna give facts and figures, right? Right. And fancy videos and like things that maybe you don't have, but like, but like you have the real storytelling and the heartfelt aspect, but you have to get out there and tell people on things like this. Like otherwise they have no idea. And to think they're gonna land on your website and read your about. It's just not gonna happen again. Like people are they want instant gratification and we're lazy in a lot of ways. So, like again, I've got a hundred dollars I want to give this month. What's the quickest path to make me feel like that hundred dollars went to the right place? That's how most people are gonna think. And if you're just like, hey, like I'm cool, give me that hundred dollars, you're not gonna get the hundred dollars. You're just not like even though you might be like much more deserving. It's just what the world is. Like again, it kind of goes to like what you said earlier. Like, like you gotta play the game a little bit. Like you have to get out there and like like social media, clips, reels, you know, telling people, go to an event, tell people, like, like get on a stage, even if you're uncomfortable, like get on a stage and talk about like your experience and like make some people fall in love with you, you know, like fall in love with your story. And they will, like, because like you said. I you sent me the article. I was like, even though the it does not make sense financially, Americans gave more this year than ever. Yeah. Right, which is like, like, I don't know if people understand, like, because everyone's like, this is why I don't buy, like, it's funny, because I put on charity dinners all the time. And the people will be like, ⁓ like I can't, like, I can't afford that $150. Or like, you know, money's tight. And I was like, bro, like, I I just went out for lunch with you two days ago and you spent $200 on lunch. Like, stop. Stop. Just tell me you don't want to do it. Like just tell me you don't but like but but that does show to like the huge heart of people in America. Like even though people are struggling, they want to still like again, like, you know, I want to make it known that we're not trying to like like harm big charities or like there's amazing big charities. We're just trying to help more so maybe the other ones that are doing good work as well, do the work that they want to do, you know. And yeah, that that's truly like for me, that's that's where like like I want I want everybody to have a platform where if they're doing it for the right cause, we can help them for the right reasons. We can help them raise money. Like at the end of the day, like I that's really like it was like to solve a problem, but to me, like the bigger problem is like like how do we help people that are doing the good work and wanna do the good work. How do we help them get more funds so that they can? Right. And that that's at the end of the day, that's it. Like that's really why I'm doing what we're doing. And so hopefully we found a way collaboratively to like help.

speaker-0: Yeah. And we will, I mean, with the app, there's so many cool things that you know cool things that go along with the app. And I'm not even like a a techie person, but it's like, you know, you can definitely win really cool experiences, you can meet cool people, you can go on these amazing golf excursions, like there's just so much that people are giving back in order to incentivize people to give. And, you know, I think when you go on there and You put your bid, you know, it's like you feel like at least some this is going to something good. Right. Like this is I'm gonna spend I'm gonna spend ten dollars playing the slot machine on my phone or whatever. Any like so at least whenever I am kinda like playing around with this, at least it's going to some a good cause that ⁓ and you can kind of feel good about it. So I I mean, I think no I think it's

speaker-1: That's their theory. That's the banking on that, right? Like that.

speaker-0: And like and that's the thing that like I felt was missing from my show was that like I wanted to for awareness to turn into action, right? And I wanted it to be like this is instant and we're gonna put on this seven day campaign. You know, I'm not a professional fundraiser. I'm not. I'm a girl that knows that this is a deeply underutilized service and that there's never been this platform, but that doesn't mean that I'm a professional fundraiser. I was a nurse. So if I can utilize this service from people who are professional fundrais I mean I pretty damn good at fundraising. And I and I say, hey, come tell your story and like create more of an impact. Like this is such a natural fit. And you know, and I really just know deep down we're gonna like create something amazing. So I'm excited. I'm so excited for this to launch. I'm so ⁓ happy that you came on the show today. I did go a little bit over your time that I told you, sorry.

speaker-1: I told you I'm a talker. I know. We can do all words like this. I mean we do. Like that's

speaker-0: I know, like we do. And it's so funny because it's like, you know, this isn't just ⁓ for show, this isn't for clout, like this is our life, this is how we live. And we throughout all day, every day, like consistently going back and forth of like what can we do to improve? What can we do to make this better? What can we do to have more of an impact? And, you know, I think that it's like really cool that people actually got to meet you and see the creator. The mind behind hero picks. And I gotta give Justin some credit 'cause I'm he's like he's like a tech wizard. Yeah. When he talks, I'm just like, I have no idea what you just said. But like I'm sure it's really smart.

speaker-1: Like, yeah. Yeah, but like like in your I dunno, I was like I wanted 'cause he's like he's absorbing everything and then all of a sudden he just like and you're like

speaker-0: And then he explodes, you know? And I'm like

speaker-1: Like, wow, okay. Yeah, yeah, sounds good. Absolutely. He's awesome. And he's you know, I want to say one last thing too, Sophie. Like, like I think the thing that aligned me the most with you is that throughout the process of getting to know you and you asking about the app and us talking about doing things together, like you don't ask what's in it for you. You're very much like me in that sense. Like you're like asking, like, how are we helping? How am I helping you? Like

speaker-0: Yeah, this is great. This is great.

speaker-1: And and and then Justin's the same way. Like he's literally like like that's why him and I connect so much. He's just like Justin, I know you're he nerds out on like this. Like he nerds out on like how can we make this better to help more people? Not how can we make this better to like benefit in some way? Like the benefit is like we're gonna get more people to raise money. No, he's like, we're gonna get more people to raise money, like like we're gonna get more foundations on there, we're gonna get more creators, more athletes. Like, like he just like totally gets so excited with you saw your like his hair was like all like and I think too like yeah like people I just so they understand like you know like you do live and eat and breathe this like we talk about this like like on no sleep all hours of the night doing other things like trying to like make this happen. ⁓ and that's not to say like pat us on the back. I'm just saying like like if anybody ever questioned me on like your heart, I know the person you are why you're doing this. So that's been the best part. That's really been like

speaker-0: No, he's great.

speaker-1: Like the best part of this experience for me is like you've energized me so much. Cause I like had gotten to a point where we'd been like moving this forward and testing and dealing with good people, dealing with bad people, getting slack from people, people being like questioning why you're doing it and like all the different things. Yeah. And like we can people you k like you care about or care about you are like, like, dude, like you really think this is like what you like, really, like this is what you want to do, this is where you want to go. Like, like, like yeah, you haven't you put enough into this? Like, and like and then To meet you and like I just got totally re-energized. So like, yeah, there's amazing people and I already knew that, but like there's amazing people that want to give back and believe in giving back in the way that I do. And like to just align with you on that and then find out that like, you know, we can help each other in this synergistic way has just been it, yeah, it's it's just incredible, honestly. Like, I I very cool. I'm I don't like inch myself a little bit sometimes. I was like, like it's happened really quickly too. So I'm like, I feel like I've known you forever. Like But it hasn't been that long. But yeah, I'm just I'm really excited. I'm really grateful. Honestly, like super grateful for your friendship. ⁓ and just everything that's happened so far.

speaker-0: I agree. Well, if you have ⁓ any ⁓ questions or concerns, I guess, you could you could send us ⁓ a DM and we're happy to answer any of those things. But ⁓ Hero Picks is launching very, very soon and I'm so excited. So go to your app, your app store on Apple or the Droid users that do that. You know

speaker-1: I don't know you know how that works.

speaker-0: Yeah, go go go to your droid space and download and you know, get get to like get to playing because it's really fun. It's actually just fun, you know, and so and and you get to do it for a good cause. So thank you so much, Bri

speaker-1: That's all right. Everyone is that is perfect 'cause like my entire like things are like spelled with a B like Brian or like at a restaurant, they're like Brian. I'm like, it's okay. Everybody calls me that. Call me Brian. Call me Brian. I'll take it right. Yeah.

speaker-0: Yeah. Thanks. Thanks so much, Ryan. I love it. Okay, thank you so much for joining us today and ⁓ we will chat soon. And that's the giving game. If today's episode hits close to home for you, the donation link for this African charity will be in the description below. And if you can't donate right now, hey, that's okay too. Just do something kind for somebody today. The world needs more of that. See you next time.