Episodios

  • Small & Gutsy Features Phenomenal She, Opportunities for Young Woman of Color

    Small & Gutsy Features Phenomenal She, Opportunities for Young Woman of Color
    Apr 7 2026
    Carlecia Bell, Executive Director of Phenomenal She shares the inspiring story of how Phenomenal She was born from a simple birthday club among friends and has grown into a transformative mentorship program serving young women of color ages 12–24 in the Federal Way and Des Moines areas of Washington state. Learn how Phenomenal She is, interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline through mentorship, life skills training, academic support, and mental health counseling. Key Topics Covered: **The Origin Story** - How Phenomenal She started as an informal "birthday club" among women celebrating each other - The inspiration from Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" - Building the organization with multiple co-founders who remain engaged on the board **Program Structure & Offerings** - Age range: 12–24, with programming focused on middle and high school girls - Multiple entry points: clubs (art, dance, STEM, cosmetology, entrepreneurship) that don't require prior commitment - Core mentee programming includes: - "Being a Better Me" group sessions with a licensed therapist (addressing self-esteem, confidence, and generational trauma) - STEM engagement and academic assistance with tutoring - Life skills and development curriculum (vision boards, financial literacy, banking basics, sisterhood, health and wellness) - Summer STEAM program: 6-week intensive with coding, aviation, dance, art, culinary arts, and farm-to-table experiences; $1,000 stipend upon completion - Outdoor adventure club (monthly) in partnership with Game of Life Mentoring and YETI **Recruitment & Access** - Referrals from probation counselors (diversion programs), school resource officers, parents, and community events - Visible community presence through tabling at school lunches and dance team performances - Free programming with food and transportation provided for Federal Way mentees - No barriers to entry—girls can join clubs before committing to full mentorship **Mentor Matching & Mentee Journey** - Intentional matching process using surveys from youth and parents/guardians - Initial meeting with mentor, parent/guardian, and youth to establish boundaries - Long-term relationships: mentors stay engaged with girls through high school and often into adulthood - Alumni return as instructors, dance coaches, and leadership volunteers **Cultural Competence & Safe Space** - Deliberate curation of instructors who are culturally relevant and can relate to girls' lived experiences - Parents are not permitted in programming—creating a dedicated youth-only space - Response to the lack of representation in schools and the misunderstanding of young women of color - Emphasis on trust-building with both youth and families **Leadership Pipeline** - Alumni brought back as instructors and art coaches - Internship opportunities (paid when funding allows) - Volunteer opportunities at six community outreach events annually **Board & Organizational Strength** - Diverse board makeup: licensed therapist, attorney, accountant/bookkeeper, entrepreneurs - Every board member also runs their own business, modeling entrepreneurship for girls - Entrepreneurship club reflects this value **Expansion & Vision** - Dream project: a dedicated clubhouse similar to the Boys and Girls Club or YMCA - Desire to expand to other locations (co-founders from Louisiana, Philadelphia, and other states report demand from their home communities) - Digital campaign: "Fuel Her Fire, Fund Her Future" focused on investing in young women with passion and potential **Current Initiatives** - Partnership with King County's Best Starts for Kids grant - Expanding into Highline School District (Des Moines, Washington) - Three times per week engagement with young women in programming - Focus on interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline --- Notable Quotes: *"They're brilliant. And sometimes just the lack of resources holds them back. And so we're able to be that connecting piece."* —Carlecia Bell *"The ability to be ourselves unapologetically and then also letting our girls know to do the same in spaces that they occupy. So not being afraid to have a voice regardless of what people think."* —Carlecia Bell *"In order to be a mentor and an effective one, one must care. You must care."* —Maya Angelou (quoted by Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff) Resources & Links: **Phenomenal She** - Website: www.phenomenalshe.org - Instagram: @phenomenal_she_ - Facebook: @PHENOMENALSHEISALWAYS - Digital Campaign: "Fuel Her Fire, Fund Her Future" **Small & Gutsy Podcast** - Website: SmallandGutsy.org - Rankings: #8 on FeedSpot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts; #3 and #9 by Million Podcasts for Top 30 Volunteer Podcasts and Youth Empowerment episodes - Contact: laura@smallandgutsy.org About the Host & Guest: **Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff** is the founder and host of Small & Gutsy, a podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. She is passionate about ...
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    43 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features Surge for Water

    Small & Gutsy Features Surge for Water
    Mar 17 2026
    In this episode, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Shilpa Alva, Founder of Surge for Water, to discuss how a childhood moment of witnessing inequality in Mumbai sparked a lifelong mission to bring clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions to underserved communities worldwide. Shilpa shares her journey from the corporate world to founding an organization that operates on a revolutionary model: women-led, community-owned development that breaks the cycle of poverty. Through candid conversation, she reveals how listening to communities—truly listening—transforms the effectiveness of international aid work. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED The Power of Childhood Witnessing How Shilpa's observations as a seven-year-old in Mumbai planted the seeds for her life's work The difference between recognizing privilege and understanding injustice From Corporate to Calling Shilpa's journey climbing the corporate ladder while feeling unfulfilled How she heard her inner voice calling her back to purpose Why she took six years to transition from corporate work to full-time nonprofit leadership The Education-Water Connection Why 120 of 150 students didn't show up to school in rural India How water scarcity directly impacts educational access The health consequences of unsafe water on children's ability to learn Learning From Mentorship in Haiti The transformative lessons from living with a local partner organization leader The cautionary tale of millions spent on beautiful houses with no infrastructure How "staying with locals, listening, and learning" became the foundation of Surge's model Surge for Water's Women-Led, Community-Owned Model What makes Surge different from traditional international aid organizations The three core values: Equity, Respect, and Stewardship Why community ownership isn't just ethical—it's essential for sustainability Water Plus: A Comprehensive Approach Water access goes beyond wells—it includes sanitation and hygiene How Surge teaches communities to make their own soap, creating women-run enterprises The critical role of menstrual health education in girls' empowerment and school attendance Geographic Strategy and Intentional Depth Why Surge reduced from 12 countries to 3 (Uganda, Haiti, Indonesia) Working in remote, rural areas where other NGOs don't operate Building partnerships with local government and community-based organizations Cultural Humility and Gender Dynamics Navigating patriarchal societies without imposing Western values How Shilpa meets women in kitchens and under mango trees—safe spaces for real conversation Respecting cultural context while amplifying women's voices The difference between cultural respect and tolerance for harm Partnership Over Colonialism Why Surge works through local partners, not directly with governments How trust-building with community leaders comes before government engagement The importance of pilots and data alongside relationship-building Recent Evolution and Future Vision The exciting new model of supporting smaller women-led organizations to scale How Surge is thinking about creating a "feeder system" of partners The expansion happening in Uganda this week ABOUT SURGE FOR WATER Surge for Water is a movement led by women and owned by communities. The organization delivers safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions through an investment in women-led, community-owned models that create lasting change and break the cycle of poverty. Currently operating in Uganda, Haiti, and Indonesia, Surge works in remote, rural communities—often described as "forgotten lands"—where other international NGOs don't operate. Their comprehensive Water Plus approach addresses not just water access but the interconnected challenges of sanitation, hygiene education, and menstrual health. Surge for Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the United States with headquarters in Chicago and a branch in Dubai. ABOUT SHILPA ALVA Shilpa Alva is the Founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water. Her passion for global equity and community empowerment began at age seven during a visit to Mumbai, India. After earning her degree and working in the corporate sector, she felt called to dedicate her life to international development work. Shilpa's approach is rooted in cultural humility, genuine partnership, and a deep belief that communities hold the solutions to their own challenges. She has lived and worked extensively in Haiti, Uganda, and Indonesia, learning firsthand the importance of staying with locals, listening, and building trust-based partnerships. RESOURCES & LINKS Visit Surge for Water: www.surgeforwater.org Follow Surge for Water on Social Media: @SurgeForWater (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X) Connect with Shilpa Alva on LinkedIn: Search "Shilpa Alva" WHAT MAKES SURGE GUTSY? According to Shilpa, Surge is gutsy because: They dare to dream and follow through, refusing to take ...
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    58 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features Giraffe Heroes

    Small & Gutsy Features Giraffe Heroes
    Mar 3 2026
    Dr. Laura Scherck Wittkoff welcomes Ann Medlock and John Graham, the founders and leaders of the Giraffe Heroes Project—an organization that has spent over 40 years celebrating ordinary people who "stick their necks out" for the common good. From their serendipitous Superman movie meet-cute to building a global movement around courage, compassion, and community, Ann and John share how storytelling became their most powerful tool for inspiring action and creating change. Key Topics Discussed The Power of Storytelling Over Preaching - John's evolution: realizing that 10,000 years of human history—from Neanderthals to troubadours—proves that **stories inspire action** in ways speeches cannot - How storytelling bypasses the mind's objections and goes straight to the heart - The role of narrative in communicating core values and inspiring heroism Redefining Courage - Courage isn't gender-specific—it's something we all possess - Ann's bold stance: firing an advisor who claimed courage was a "man's issue" - John's journey: recognizing that emotional and spiritual courage are as powerful as physical bravery - Why physical courage (climbing mountains, dodging bullets) was easier than the emotional courage required for real change The Giraffe Heroes Project: Mission & Impact - Founded in 1981 by Ann Medlock as an antidote to violence and trivia in media - Nearly 2,000 giraffes honored across 30+ fields and 16+ countries - Seven overseas affiliates extending impact globally - Civil disobedience (à la Gandhi and MLK) is celebrated; actions must benefit significant numbers of people Collaboration Over Competition - The Giraffe Heroes school program is built on collaboration, not competition - Free, digital-accessible curriculum for teachers worldwide - The program transforms classrooms: creating "communities of learners" instead of isolated, competing students - The powerful bicycle story: a student's classmates cheer when he masters riding a two-wheel bike—something that wouldn't have happened before the program Education & Youth Empowerment - Over 2,000 classroom downloads; approximately 375,000 children reached through print materials - Materials available free at Giraffe.org/teachers (email sign-up only) - The US Navy uses the program in overseas schools - Cartoon characters "Stanley" (Stand Tall) and "Beatrice" (Be Tall)—giraffe twins—tell stories to 3-year-olds about bravery and caring - Grandpa and Grandma tell different versions to reach multiple learning styles - Teachers report that kids shift from isolated to connected when exposed to the program The Ripple Effect of Recognition - Many heroes don't see themselves as heroic and are reluctant to share their stories - Telling giraffe stories inspires not just the public, but the giraffes themselves - Real example: a small-town barber doing community work thinks no one is watching—until the story is told and volunteers and support arrive - Some giraffes report they considered quitting but were re-energized by hearing their own story shared Overcoming Barriers - **Funding:** The biggest ongoing challenge. Some funders prefer direct interventions (saving redwoods, backing candidates) over storytelling - Early federal grants supported classroom curriculum development (over $1M across 10 years) - Money and mindset: convincing people that purpose-driven storytelling is as important as tactical giving - The "lightweight" perception: early critics dismissed storytelling as trivial until results were undeniable The Love Story Within the Hero Story - Ann and John met at a writer's group in New York, 1981-1982 - Ann invited John to see the original Superman movie (somewhat reluctantly) - Their three-day courtship led to a 44+ year partnership - John initially thought the giraffe concept was "lightweight" but came to see Ann as a "troubadour for our times" - Wedding entry music: Superman theme - John writes the bylaws; Ann does the creative, bold work—"it works out well" Aging, Purpose, and Public Health - Doing good has measurable health benefits, especially for aging populations - Purpose-driven service is a form of preventive medicine - Ann is 92 years old and "not quitting"; John is 83 and still creating TikToks and short-form videos - Stories of older heroes: a woman in her 80s smuggling pharmaceuticals to Central American revolutionaries, organizing environmentalists and tribes in the Pacific Northwest - The Swiss watch metaphor: a life without purpose is like a watch with no hands—what's the point? Adapting & Staying Relevant - Evolution from LPs (33s) shipped to radio stations → print materials → digital access - Now on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and other social platforms - Constantly reinventing tactics and strategies while staying true to the 1981 mission - Not falling behind culturally is essential to remaining impactful The Dream: "Giraffe" as a Verb - Ann's top wish: for "giraffe" to become a verb—"Let's ...
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    49 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features GiveLink, Giving Directly to Nonprofits

    Small & Gutsy Features GiveLink, Giving Directly to Nonprofits
    Feb 17 2026
    In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Antonis Politis and Panos Kokmotos, two young Greek entrepreneurs who co-founded Givelink, a donation platform transforming how people give to nonprofits. GiveLink connects donors directly to nonprofits' real needs through in-kind giving, creating transparency, measurable impact, and genuine engagement every step of the way. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED The Origin Story: How a Controversial Article Sparked an Idea Antonis shares how a Greek nonprofit's Christmas message telling people to "stop giving items" prompted him to reimagine philanthropy. Rather than dismissing the request, he saw a logistics problem waiting to be solved—what if nonprofits listed their actual needs and donors could order products online? From University to Startup: Building Givelink in Greece Starting as a university student with no business experience, Antonis entered a social entrepreneurship competition and realized he could combine profit with purpose. Despite initial struggles, the concept resonated with people who preferred in-kind giving over monetary donations due to trust concerns. The Café Meeting That Changed Everything Panos Kokmotos overheard Antonis's passionate conversation about Givelink's vision in a café and was immediately drawn to the mission. A few days later, they met for coffee, and Panos recognized how his skills and experience could fill critical gaps in the team. He joined the founding team, bringing operational expertise and entrepreneurial background. Building Trust in a Low-Trust Giving Culture Greece presented both a challenge and an opportunity. With only 10% of the population donating money to nonprofits, Givelink had to rebuild trust in philanthropy. This difficult market became a proving ground that made the team stronger and forced them to deeply understand donor psychology and nonprofit needs. The Data-Driven Insight: 60% More Giving One of Givelink's most significant findings: donors using the platform give 60% more throughout the year compared to before. Even in economically struggling Greece, transparency and tangible impact motivate people to give more frequently and more generously. The Problem with Seasonal Giving Antonis and Panos explain why giving peaks at Christmas and Thanksgiving—people lack confidence that their money is used wisely. Givelink solves this by making giving year-round, transparent, and emotionally rewarding through visible impact. How the Platform Works: Four Simple Steps Nonprofits set up real-time product wish lists of items essential to their operations. Donors browse the lists or use Smart Pick, which converts a dollar amount into the products needed most. At checkout, donors see the exact impact story—how many people they're helping and how their lives will change. After delivery, donors receive photo proof and ongoing impact updates. The "Smart Pick" Feature and Personalized Impact Panos demonstrates how donors can either manually select products or use Smart Pick to automate the process. When buying hygiene kits for a nonprofit helping children in Oakland, donors can see exactly how many children they'll impact and what difference those products will make—creating an emotional connection and retention. A Real Crisis: The Wildfire Response When wildfires devastated their Greek city in August, Givelink mobilized immediately. Two nonprofits supporting firefighters and victims added urgent needs to the platform. The response was staggering: over $30,000 in donations and 40,000 products in a single day. The team stopped all other work, gathered supplies in supermarkets, and personally delivered items to firefighters—experiencing firsthand the power of their mission. Scaling from Greece to the United States After proving the model in Greece, Givelink launched a pilot in the Bay Area (Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Palo Alto) and is now expanding across California with plans to cover Los Angeles, smaller cities, and rural areas that often lack philanthropic funding. Legal considerations around tax deductibility vary by state, but the model is ready to scale nationally. Nonprofit Needs: From Food to Furniture In Greece, food dominates nonprofit wishlists, along with cleaning and hygiene products. In the U.S., a standout example is BOSS, a nonprofit helping people transition from homelessness and incarceration back into society. They needed bedsheets, pillows, and furniture—small items that are expensive and transformative when someone is rebuilding their life. Supplier Partnerships: Wholesale to Retail Givelink partners with wholesale suppliers like Group Sales and Dollar Days (30+ years in the nonprofit space), as well as Amazon for retail options. This tiered approach ensures nonprofits get the best prices and donors have flexibility in what they can give. The Role of AI in Storytelling Givelink is launching AI-generated impact stories based on nonprofit data, descriptions, ...
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    57 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features EverWalk, the Key to Health is Walking

    Small & Gutsy Features EverWalk, the Key to Health is Walking
    Feb 3 2026

    EverWalk is the brainchild of Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll, created to help all of us live longer, better, and healthier lives.

    Their mission and vision are to build community by walking side by side, leaving differences behind, and discovering the freedom that comes from striding together, instead of sitting hunched over a screen.

    EverWalk invites you to make the commitment to become your best self.

    Step outside. Look up at the magnificent sky, the strength of the trees, the beauty of the world around you, feel the rhythm of your own footsteps, and feel YOUR movement under YOUR own power, then you remember what's possible - you feel stronger, lighter, and more alive.
    And in that moment — with every step forward — you're one step closer to becoming the person you've always imagined yourself to be. These two amazing women literally walk the talk.

    Over the years, EverWalk has grown from a spark of an idea into a national movement, founded in 2016.

    They've hosted four seven-day, 135-mile Epic EverWalks, countless First Saturday EverWalks in Los Angeles, and community Service Walks in Key West with Habitat for Humanity.

    They've also led two EverWalk Journeys, and in 2024 and 2025, EverWalk partnered with a number of charities — including Walk with a Doc, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Second Cut, and the Emergency Relief Fund of Humane World for Animals, combining the power of walking with the purpose of giving back.

    Every event is built on one idea:
    When we walk together, we leave our differences behind — and move toward something bigger than ourselves.

    EverWalk gathers the most cutting-edge articles about the benefits of walking. Scroll through their library to find out everything you want to know about why WALKING IS THE ANSWER.

    Website: www.everwalk.com

    For more podcast episodes: www.smallandgutsy.org
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    53 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features Indigo Arts Alliance

    Small & Gutsy Features Indigo Arts Alliance
    Jan 20 2026

    Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff reflects on the power of Indigo Arts Alliance's approach to artist development. She emphasizes that the organization understands a fundamental truth: the creative mind is a creative mind. By setting the right place, environment, and tone, Indigo Arts Alliance enables artists to engage with each other, explore materials, work through processes, and grow together. She notes that this kind of mentorship and ongoing relationship-building is rare, even in other industries. Through their residency programs and network-building efforts, Indigo Arts Alliance is creating a model that fosters long-term connections and collective growth among artists of color.

    The magic of Indigo Arts Alliance isn't just in the individual artist residencies—it's in the relationships. Jordia Benjamin shares how alumni from 2019 to present continue to collaborate, exchange ideas, and lean on each other's expertise. The result is a vibrant, ever-expanding network of artists of color supporting one another's creative journeys.

    At Indigo Arts Alliance, the connections matter just as much as the creation. Executive Director Jordia Benjamin describes how the organization builds long-lasting relationships and conversations among artists in their cohorts. From mentorships to collaborative projects, the artists in their residency programs continue supporting each other year after year, creating a vibrant, branching network that keeps growing and evolving.

    Check out their website: www.indigoartsalliance.me
    Watch the entire episode on the Small & Gutsy YouTube Channel or listen at SmallAndGusty.org
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    54 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features Attorneys in Motion Foundation; A Beautiful Rags to RIches to Giving Back Story!

    Small & Gutsy Features Attorneys in Motion Foundation; A Beautiful Rags to RIches to Giving Back Story!
    Jan 13 2026
    Michelle Etchebarren shares an inspiring journey from struggling single mother of four to founder of Attorneys in Motion, a groundbreaking legal tech company that transformed how law firms handle court appearances. But her story doesn't end there. At the ten-year mark of her company's success, Michelle founded the Attorneys in Motion Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and empowering women-owned law firms and businesses. The episode opens with a striking reality: women make up just 39.51% of the 1.3 million lawyers in the US, and only 27% of women who graduate from law school go on to own their own law firm or become partners. The gender pay gap persists at every income level. Michelle speaks candidly about being the only female founder in her specific business space and how the legal industry remains firmly male-dominated. Michelle's origin story is one of resilience. Starting as a single mother with no resources, poor credit, and limited financial literacy, she worked in a law firm during the 2008 mortgage crisis. There, she inspired a young attorney fresh out of law school to start her own bankruptcy law firm focused on helping people recover from financial hardship rather than making false promises. Together, they built that firm from nothing—using creative, low-cost marketing strategies like county fairs and phone book ads—before Michelle eventually pivoted to build something for herself and her children. The breakthrough came when Michelle recognized a problem in the legal services industry: court appearance attorneys were still using outdated technology like faxes. Inspired by the Uber model, she envisioned an app-based solution where attorneys could instantly request coverage for court appearances. It took about a year to develop with web developers, but Attorneys in Motion became the first company to use technology in this way, eventually growing into a nationwide business generating millions in revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic hit hard. When courts shut down completely, the business lost millions of dollars. But this crisis forced Michelle into deep personal development work. She realized that while she had achieved financial success, she wasn't fulfilled. Her original "why"—providing for her four children—had evolved, and she needed a new, more powerful purpose. This realization, combined with her study of Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning," and Tony Robbins' Business Mastery program, led her to a transformative insight: "The secret to living is giving. When you're working for a higher purpose outside of yourself, you're living purposefully." At the ten-year mark of her company, Michelle reflected on her journey and the isolation she had experienced. She didn't have mentors or even know what mentorship was. She remembered times she "cried herself to sleep" wondering if she would end up homeless. She didn't want other women to experience that same struggle alone. This became the genesis of the Attorneys in Motion Foundation, with a mission to help women succeed at a level above her own. The foundation addresses a critical gap in legal education: law schools teach lawyers how to practice law, but they don't teach business acumen. When attorneys are overwhelmed by business management—accounting, marketing, systems, delegation—they can't focus on quality legal work. They fall into scarcity mindset and cut corners, which is detrimental to clients and their own integrity. Michelle emphasizes that while psychology and business mechanics are both important, success is 80% psychology and 20% mechanics. The foundation's unique approach pairs financial grants with mandatory twelve-month coaching programs. Money alone doesn't create sustainable success; women need strategic guidance, accountability, systems, and connections to resources. The foundation conducts a two-month trial period to assess commitment, requires weekly coaching check-ins, and connects recipients with pro-bono services from sponsors. The goal is to set women up for real, lasting success. Michelle also addresses the internalized biases that even women carry about other women. She admits to her own automatic biases—like assuming a sports car driver is male—and recognizes that these thought patterns have been "bred into us" since childhood. Changing this narrative requires conscious effort and intentional retraining of our first instincts. On practical matters, Michelle shares advice for entrepreneurs on a budget: build community relationships instead of spending on expensive Google ads, find your niche and become the "go-to" expert for a specific community, and think creatively about marketing. She emphasizes the importance of self-grace, especially for working mothers, and the need for financial literacy when starting a business. The foundation is still in its infancy, currently working with a few grant recipients, but Michelle's vision is to help ...
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    55 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features Two-Bit Circus: A True STEAM Carnival

    Small & Gutsy Features Two-Bit Circus: A True STEAM Carnival
    Jan 6 2026

    Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Dr. Leah Hanes, CEO of Two-Bit Circus Foundation, to discuss how hands-on, experiential learning is transforming education for students across Los Angeles and beyond. After 13 years leading the organization, Dr. Hanes shares her personal journey from a student labeled a "slow learner" due to undiagnosed dyslexia to becoming a passionate advocate for reimagining how we teach creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The conversation explores the Foundation's innovative programs—STEAM Labs, Makerspaces, STEAM Carnivals, and immersive learning experiences—all designed to make education engaging and accessible regardless of economic background.

    A core theme throughout the episode is the failure of traditional, lecture-based education to engage modern learners. Dr. Hanes emphasizes that students retain only 10% of what they read after two weeks, while learning skyrockets when knowledge is applied to real projects. She advocates for "doing, not sitting"—flipping classrooms to spend 40 minutes making and 10 minutes talking, rather than the reverse. The episode also tackles timely issues like AI in education (which Dr. Hanes sees as an assistive technology when used ethically), the $25 billion annual cost of standardized testing with minimal educational value, and the power of collaborative group work to build empathy and real-world readiness.

    Dr. Hanes shares compelling stories, including a young artist who discovered she could become an engineer through a STEAM project and went on to UC Berkeley on a full scholarship—the first in her family to attend university. She also discusses the Foundation's "Trash for Teaching" initiative, which has diverted over 900 tons of manufacturers' clean waste from landfills, giving schools free creative materials while providing companies tax benefits. The Foundation recently opened a 13,000 sq. ft. warehouse and is planning to expand its teacher training programs, partner with local universities, and scale the Trash for Teaching model globally.

    Key Takeaways

    * Education should prioritize doing over sitting. Hands-on, project-based learning dramatically improves retention and student engagement.
    * Collaboration builds empathy and strength. Group work mirrors real-world environments and allows students to discover their unique strengths.
    * Creative materials (not kits) foster invention. Open-ended "trash" encourages students to become designers and engineers, not 'instruction-followers'.
    * Teachers need to experience joyful learning themselves. Professional development that models creativity and fun transforms how teachers approach their classrooms.
    * Scaling innovation requires partnership. Two-Bit Circus Foundation's umbrella model brings together complementary nonprofits to reach more students sustainably.


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    Resources & Links

    Small & Gutsy Podcast
    https://www.smallandgutsy.org

    Two-Bit Circus Foundation
    https://twobitcircus.org
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    1 h y 4 m