Ennoble | A True Charity Podcast

Episode Summary This month's Ennoble episode features a bold, satirical piece from James Whitford: a parody in the tradition of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters , imagining what the Devil himself might think of the American Dream as the nation marks its 250th birthday.  Writing from the voice of the Adversary, Whitford traces how the phrase "pursuit of Happiness" — originally...

Episode Summary This month's Ennoble episode dives into a 2023 study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine examining what happens when SNAP recipients face work requirements — and whether cutting government food assistance actually leads to greater food insecurity.  You'll Learn How researchers used a "natural experiment" to isolate the real effects of SNAP work requ...

Episode Summary This month's Ennoble episode takes listeners to Southeast Georgia, where a growing movement of over twenty-five organizations — nonprofits, funders, and churches alike — is putting effective charity principles into practice. Author Amanda Fisher traces how the region moved beyond one-way, emergency-only giving toward a shared commitment to long-term, dignity-driven transformat...

Episode Summary Effective charity can be lonely work. When you’re committed to relational, dignity-driven care in a world still largely defined by handout culture, it’s easy to feel like you’re fighting the battle alone. The True Charity Summit exists to change that. In this episode, Cole Edmonson recaps the 2026 True Charity Summit in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where over 200 practitioners from...

Episode Summary What does transformational generosity actually look like — and is it possible to give more than a handout without giving less money? In this episode, Jeff Ferguson, True Charity's Vice President of Advancement, tackles a question that stopped a room of nonprofit donors cold: if effective charity means being with rather than doing for, should donors give less? Jeff's answe...

Episode Summary The demands of charity work can make every task feel urgent. Emails pile up, problems arise, and the important work gets crowded out by whatever is loudest. In this episode, Dan Remmenga — nonprofit leader, fundraising strategist, and founder of C3 Cultivation — shares how three simple disciplines can help charity practitioners escape the busyness trap and lead with clarity and fai...

Rachel explores the vital role of proximity and place in pursuing holistic work alongside people in poverty. Drawing on her experience with LOVEtheLOU, she will share practical examples of cultivating grassroots leadership, creating opportunity within at-risk neighborhoods, and walking with communities as they navigate challenges toward flourishing. This educational content is just the tip of the...

Join us for a powerful panel discussion on this year’s conference theme, By Design . Featuring two case managers and two program participants from Network member organizations, this conversation will offer a firsthand look at what dignifying, empowering, and hospitable case management looks like in practice. This educational content is just the tip of the iceberg for practical resources available...

Michael Matheson Miller, Senior Research Fellow and Chief of Strategic Initiatives at the Acton Institute, illuminates the connection between the design of the human person and poverty alleviation work, equipping us with a richer vision of purpose and meaning in what we do each day. This educational content is just the tip of the iceberg for practical resources available through the True Charity N...

James Whitford, Co-Founder and CEO of True Charity, shares why a deeper understanding of human design is essential for lasting transformation.  This educational content is just the tip of the iceberg for practical resources available through the True Charity Network . Check out how it can help you learn, connect, and influence here. Already a member? Access all your benefits through the member por...

Episode Summary Navigating charitable solicitation registration requirements can feel overwhelming, but failing to comply with state fundraising laws can carry serious consequences for nonprofits. In this episode, Frank DeVito breaks down what nonprofit leaders need to know about charitable solicitation registration, state exemptions, donor contact requirements, and ongoing compliance obligations....

Episode Summary Charity work can be deeply rewarding — and deeply discouraging. In this episode, Bethany Herron shares two powerful stories that reveal both the heartbreak and hope found in relational charity work. This conversation explores why dignity-driven charity requires tenacity, relationships, and patience — and why faithfulness matters even when outcomes feel uncertain. Whether you are a...

Episode Summary How much data is too much — and how much is not enough? In this episode, we explore key insights from The Goldilocks Challenge by Dean Karlan and Mary Kay Gugerty, recapped by Nathan Mayo. The conversation unpacks how ministries and nonprofits can move beyond measuring activity alone and begin collecting data that actually improves outcomes. From understanding the difference betwee...

Episode Summary Business is a powerful force for good—especially when leaders intentionally use it to serve others and strengthen their communities. But beyond ethical practices and mutual benefit, there is a deeper calling: to be generous, to give sacrificially, and to steward businesses in ways that uplift the vulnerable. This episode explores how business leaders can play a transformative role...

Episode Summary Many people remain in poverty because they fear losing government benefits, keeping them stuck in dependency. In Why People Stay Stuck in Poverty: Understanding the Welfare Cliff , James Whitford explores how this fear prevents freedom and flourishing, and shares practical ways to help people take the leap toward self-sufficiency. Through stories like John’s, we see that overcoming...

Episode Summary Are you tired of top-down solutions that merely slap a band-aid on poverty’s deeper wounds? Bob Woodson provides hope that civil society really is the answer.  In Lessons From the Least of These , Woodson shares principles for empowering communities from the inside out, emphasizing personal agency, relational transformation, and the importance of grassroots leadership. You'll...

Summary:  Hear the remarkable story of how one small-town ministry discovered that simply “serving more” was not the solution to poverty. In this episode, we explore how His House Foundation in Shell Knob, Missouri shifted from well-meaning charity to a model built on dignity, responsibility, and life transformation. Their story highlights how applying effective charity principles can reshape prog...

What happens when a government program designed to help actually hurts the people it’s meant to serve? Bethany Herron breaks down a 2019 New England Journal of Medicine study on Arkansas’ first-year Medicaid work requirements—and the results may surprise you. From massive coverage loss to little impact on employment, this episode uncovers what distant programs miss—and how local communities can st...

Hear directly from church and nonprofit leaders across the country about why the True Charity Summit has become the premier national gathering for those committed to practicing effective, dignity-centered charity. This special feature explores how the Summit brings together like-minded practitioners for meaningful connection, practical training, and renewed clarity around relational approaches to...

ANEW Ministries of Northwest Indiana supports young mothers by championing dignity over dependency, equipping local churches and communities through weekly mentoring, intentional relationship-based programs, and proven strategies that promote long-term self-sufficiency. You’ll Learn: Why consistent relationships, not grand gestures, produce the most lasting change in charity work How ANEW’s mentor...

Why do some people remain trapped in poverty, even when real opportunities exist to move forward? In this episode, we explore learned helplessness, a powerful psychological barrier that quietly keeps individuals stuck in cycles of chronic poverty. Through a real-life story of transformation, you’ll hear why dignity-centered, relational support is essential for long-term change. You'll learn: ...

What do you do when a government policy change makes your charity's mission obsolete overnight? This was the reality for Faith Community Health when Medicaid expansion caused their patient base to collapse. Instead of closing their doors, Executive Director Kyle David led a courageous transformation to address a new, urgent gap in the community: affordable mental health care. In this episode,...

What’s the best way to help a panhandler? Learn why giving cash often makes things worse and explore three practical alternatives that provide real help and long-term hope. You'll learn: Why giving cash to panhandlers often reinforces harmful incentives rather than alleviates true need Three practical, relational alternatives that offer real help without fueling dependency Memorable Quotes: “...

How can churches effectively serve the poor? Learn four biblical strategies that move beyond short-term charity to lasting change and flourishing. You'll learn: Why traditional charity efforts fall short How churches are uniquely positioned to serve the poor relationally and sustainably Four practical strategies churches can use to mobilize members, partner with ministries, and develop long-t...

Whether you’re seeking change in your own life, guiding others through their personal transformation, building buy-in for organizational programs, or helping your community rethink how to address poverty, Switch provides a practical framework for making change stick. Switch can be purchased at Amazon. If you purchase the book through this link, True Charity will earn a small amount as an Amazon As...