Savvy Giving Gal Podcast

In this episode of The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast, I am overjoyed to sit down with two extraordinary community changemakers, Claudia Castillo and Alison Negrin, women whose hearts and hands are helping to transform lives across the Tri-Valley, one nourishing meal at a time. Both Claudia and Alison are integral forces behind the remarkable nonprofit Culinary Angels. Claudia brings her deep passion fo...

This week I’m sitting down with award-winning personal trainer, compassionate changemaker, and pain neuroscience expert Bill Daniels, founder of Beyond Fitness Online, based in California's East Bay. With over 22 years of experience transforming lives and features in top fitness publications like Shape , Self , and Health Digest , Bill has built a reputation as one of the most innovative and...

In this episode, I sit down with Andria Larson, Executive Director of Lasagna Love, an organization proving that kindness can be delivered one warm meal at a time. What began as a simple gesture has grown into a global movement rooted in compassion, connection, and community. Under Andria’s leadership, Lasagna Love has delivered more than 500,000 homemade lasagnas to families in need of extra care...

In this uplifting episode, I sit down with Gina Nicholson, a devoted mother of four, woman of faith, trusted friend, and passionate fitness and health coach. Gina and I talk about how she stays grounded while juggling motherhood, marriage, and her calling to help women feel their best inside and out. She opens up about the importance of authenticity, faith, and grace in everyday life and shares pr...

In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Karen Henrich, founder of Moment by Moment Photography, a nonprofit with over two decades of compassion and service. Moment by Moment provides free in-hospital and hospice portrait sessions for families of children facing life-impacting illnesses, offering not just photos, but lasting memories of love, courage, and hope. To date, they’ve docum...

In this episode of The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast , I welcome a true powerhouse couple, Natalia and Dr. Ryan Lazarus. You’ve heard their voices separately in past episodes, but today they join me together to share a wealth of wisdom and inspiration. Natalia is just one month away from an extraordinary feat, The Great World Race, running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. She’s also t...

In this special episode, I’m taking you on a heartfelt journey back through some of my favorite moments from Season One. Over 25 inspiring episodes, my guests have shown us the incredible truth: when we help others, we don’t just change their lives, we transform our own. I’m sharing my top five tips to enhance your well-being and five simple acts of kindness you can start doing today. These aren’t...

What if the secret to transforming your life wasn’t some major breakthrough, but a powerful shift in perspective? In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Eddings, a visionary entrepreneur, inventor of the science-backed fabric behind Accel Lifestyle, keynote speaker, and positivity powerhouse. Megan’s journey from chemistry labs to the fashion industry is anything but ordinary. Fueled by a desire to...

In this episode I sit down with Lisa Sweet, a Registered Nurse, foster care liaison, and the inspiring founder of The Sweet Beginnings Diaper Bank . What began as a heartfelt response to the urgent needs of vulnerable families has grown into a vital nonprofit serving thousands each month. In this powerful conversation, Lisa shares how diaper insecurity,  an often overlooked but deeply impactful is...

In this episode of The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast , I sit down with Brittinie Tran, the powerhouse behind The Hot Mess Express Mission and host of the popular podcast Girl, Same . As a proud mom of three, devoted wife, and dynamic leader, Brittinie is redefining what it means to create community in the midst of life’s chaos. We dive into her inspiring journey from joining the very first Hot Mess Exp...

In this episode, I sit down with Kavin Carter, a dynamic leader making a lasting impact in the lives of teens and families through faith, mentorship, and youth ministry. With over 11 years of experience, Kavin currently serves as the High School Ministries Director and Pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, CA. Originally from Los Angeles, Kavin brings deep insight, compassion, and l...

In this episode, I’m joined by Sandy Bassin, founder of Her Story Mentorship , a nonprofit mental health initiative dedicated to supporting the emotional well-being of teen girls. Sandy shares how her background in behavioral health and her personal journey in long-term recovery led her to create a space for early intervention, purpose-driven mentorship, and intentional social media use. We dive i...

In this episode, I’m joined by Audra Carrion, the founder of the Carry On Community and co-host of the Dear Chiefs Podcast . Audra is a fierce advocate for first responder families, helping them not just survive, but truly thrive. But Audra’s impact goes far beyond that. As a mom of four and a proud wife to a first responder, she has become a powerful voice for exposing the often-invisible mental...

Join me as I sit down with Natalia Lazarus, a woman who is truly redefining resilience and self-discovery. Natalia is a working mom of two teenagers, an ultra-distance runner, a health coach with The Lazarus Method , and a fitness instructor. She’s also the author of The Inner Race , a powerful book guiding women through midlife by helping them reconnect with their inner spark through meaningful c...

Join me for a powerful conversation with two inspiring women - Dr. Kamile Lim and Dr. Nashwa Aziz Elrashidy, co-founders of Diablo Dental Group in Danville, California. These rockstar dentists are not only known for delivering exceptional dental care, but also for their deep commitment to giving back. What sets them apart is their passion for making a difference beyond the dental chair. Through co...

In this episode, I am honored to sit down with Christopher Helfrich, the President and CEO of the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation , a nonprofit founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry with a mission to unlock the potential of every child. For the past five years, Eat. Learn. Play. has made an incredible impact in Oakland and beyond, investing over $72 million to support kids and families. Their work incl...

In this week's episode, I'm chatting with an extraordinary guest whose mission is transforming lives - Dr. Ryan Lazarus. Dr. Lazarus is the Founder and Clinical Director of The Lazarus Method, a revolutionary health program designed to empower individuals to take control of their well-being. With a master’s in nutrition, a bachelor’s in exercise science, and multiple certifications as a...

In this episode, I welcome an extraordinary guest who embodies creativity, resilience, and generosity: Christina Flach. As a renowned celebrity makeup artist, visionary entrepreneur, and dynamic host of I'm Too Busy TV , Christina has captivated Hollywood with her impeccable talent and unique eye for beauty. As the CEO and founder of Pretty Girl Makeup, she has collaborated with top A-list ce...

In this episode, I’m joined by the founders of Impact Diablo Valley, Mindy Longo and Gina Halow, two powerhouse women who are transforming the way we give back. Impact Diablo Valley is a nonprofit that’s redefining philanthropy through a collective giving model, inspired by the national organization Impact 100. Since their inception in 2018, they’ve raised over $860,000 for local nonprofits, makin...

This week on The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast , we’re shining a light on some of the most inspiring changemakers in our communities, our incredible stay-at-home moms! These remarkable women are not only raising the next generation of givers, but they’re also infusing strength, love, and grace into the very fabric of our future, all while juggling countless responsibilities. In this episode, I sit down...

This week on The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast , I’m honored to welcome Gaby Ghorbani, the inspiring founder of Pledge to Humanity and the creator of the jewelry, clothing, and accessories brand Love You More . Gaby is a true force for good, channeling her passion for philanthropy to uplift underserved communities both locally and globally. In this episode, Gaby shares her incredible journey with Pledg...

This week on The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast , I’m excited to bring you a special episode, a collection of some of my favorite moments from 2024. I’ve gathered highlights from six powerful conversations with incredible guests who have inspired us with their insights on giving, both in extraordinary charitable efforts and in the small, meaningful moments of everyday life. Each guest offers a unique le...

In this episode of The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast , I sit down with Lee Ann Coburn, Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Named Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors and America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors for four consecutive years, Lee Ann shares why she’s not your typical wealth advisor. She’s passionate about helping people make purposeful financial decisions that refl...

I was thrilled to sit down with the incredible Dr. Karrie Heneman for this episode! Dr. Karrie, a PhD in nutrition with a deep passion for healthy living, shares her wisdom and enthusiasm about leading a healthier, more fulfilling life. We discuss her impactful work teaching nutrition to moms in the food stamps nutrition education program and how she continues her mission to help families eat nutr...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Shani Hall, the co-founder of Party In-Kindness and owner of Golden Vibe Events . Shani is a mother, creative visionary, and an advocate for meaningful community impact through events that inspire and empower. Together, Shani and I, along with the Party In-Kindness community, have made a profound difference, donating over 45,000 essential items to local n...