Unified Purpose

About Alena Feldt and Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau -Website: https://www.janesvillecvb.com -Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alena-feldt-988886228/ Penji's Website Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

About Anne Kimble and Sammy’s Buddy Program Website: https://www.sammysbuddyprogram.org/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-kimble-565839175/ Penji's Website Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

- Penji's Website - Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

About Jenna Reynolds from Save Coastal Wildlife Website: https://www.savecoastalwildlife.org/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-reynolds-867a5318/ Penji's Website Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

About KimMarie Larsen from ASEA Advancing Life Foundation Website: https://advancinglife.org/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmarie-larsen-cmp-5548195/ Penji's Website Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: Why long-term trust and patience are essential in the scientific process — how breakthroughs often take decades of unseen work, persistence, and faith in discovery. How philanthropic partnerships fill critical gaps in research funding — enabling bold, high-risk ideas to move forward when traditional grants fall short. The importance of inspiring...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Dr. Terence Lester started Love Beyond Walls from scratch — and the lessons learned from turning compassion into a movement. → Hear how Dr. Lester began with nothing but passion and a cell phone, living on the streets to raise awareness and spark a community of empathy and action. Why storytelling and visibility are powerful tools in humanizi...

Three Things You’ll Learn From This Episode: Why “a sick child is a sick family” drives everything RMHC does Discover how RMHC helps families stay together through free housing, meals, school services, and emotional support—because healing works better when it happens together. How Ronald McDonald House is modernizing its global mission Learn about RMHC’s ambitious plans to expand into underserved...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Brookfield Zoo’s Teaching Safari program empowers teachers to connect students with wildlife and conservation science. Patricia explains how this free program, supported by foundations and grants, offers teachers graduate credit or professional development hours. By giving educators tools, resources, and strategies, the zoo helps them engage...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Family Promise grew from serving 30 families a year to over 400 through community partnerships. Ted shares how Family Promise started with just two staff members, no funding, and a looming $80,000 balloon payment — and grew into a $3 million organization with five sites and 21 staff members. He explains how the model thrives by partnering wit...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How the TIP Collaborative empowers young people to shape policies, from guaranteed income to foster care reform. Nia shares how the collaborative creates real opportunities for youth—especially those who’ve been historically excluded—to co-design and advocate for programs that directly impact their lives. From guaranteed income pilots to changes...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How a simple carton of lemons became one of the world’s most recognized tools for breast cancer education. Corrine shares the story of how she used everyday lemons as a metaphor to represent the symptoms of breast cancer, creating a visual language that made a complex medical topic accessible and less intimidating. What started as a graduate proj...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: Why your professional skills—not just personal habits—can make a massive difference in solving climate change. Eugene explains that climate solutions are built by people in every industry, from software and manufacturing to healthcare and energy. While recycling and calling representatives are helpful, real systemic change comes when professional...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: The importance of giving families with special needs the gift of time and genuine inclusion. Doc shares how families often feel isolated and overlooked, and how simply offering a safe space where they don’t have to worry can be life-changing. By creating opportunities for respite and support, communities give parents and caregivers the rare chanc...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Think Together’s programs provide holistic support for kids, from academics to arts. Maria explains how the organization supports students across their entire education journey—from early learning through high school and college readiness—while also nurturing creativity through music, dance, and art programs alongside academics. The ways alum...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: 1. Why accessibility in tech education matters and how jargon often creates unnecessary barriers. Regina explains how technical jargon and industry “gatekeeping” often make technology feel intimidating or out of reach for people just starting out. By breaking down concepts into everyday language and making education approachable, more women of co...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Dreamzilla’s name and mission were inspired by overcoming challenges as a neurodivergent individual. You’ll hear the personal story behind the name “Dreamzilla” and how it represents turning struggles into strength. Riddhi shares how her own journey as a neurodivergent individual shaped the organization’s mission to help others embrace their...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:   How Luisa transitioned from finance to nonprofit communications and found fulfillment   Discover how Luisa left an unfulfilling career in banking to pursue nonprofit communications, and why working in a mission-driven space gave her the sense of purpose she had been missing. The unique role of mobile social media in African communities and grow...

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: Why Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Are Uniquely Equipped to Lead Community Transformation Dr. Lena Miller highlights the unique skill set of formerly incarcerated individuals, especially those who have served life sentences. Through their time in high-stress environments like level four yards, they develop an acute sense of emotional intellige...

Three Things You’ll Learn From This Episode: Why B2B startups need to test fast and market smarter Discover how Wheels Up Collective helps early-stage tech companies find product-market fit and scale with intention—before the funding runs dry. How to build an agency with values (and say no to toxic clients) Learn Amy’s philosophy on protecting your team, setting boundaries, and creating a business...

Three Things You’ll Learn From This Episode: Why Latino entrepreneurship is the key to generational wealth Learn how Gabriel’s work with Latino Founders is empowering overlooked communities through capital, connection, and cultural pride. How getting out of your comfort zone sparks innovation From traveling internationally to trying new food, Gabriel shares how stepping into the unfamiliar can ins...

Three Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Every Story Matters Doug explains how helping someone share their personal story—no matter how ordinary it may seem—can create powerful emotional connections that ripple across generations. The Power of Preserving Heritage Discover how Doug’s nonprofit uses video interviews to memorialize veterans, reconnect families, and keep legacies alive through d...

Episode Notes Three Things You’ll Learn: The 3 Brain States—and How to Shift into the Best One Discover the difference between Brain 1.0 (survival mode), Brain 2.0 (dopamine-driven pursuit), and Brain 3.0 (inner sage)—and why most of us live in the first two without realizing it. Why Burnout and Scarcity Are Contagious Learn how nonprofit workers, community leaders, and even well-meaning systems u...

Three Things You’ll Learn: Why women leave tech—and how to keep them in A lack of belonging, not capability, is the primary reason women drop out of computer science programs. Sue shares how Rewriting the Code addresses this through connection, visibility, and peer support. Why ‘every company is a tech company’ Whether it’s Netflix or the WNBA, tech powers every industry. Hear how Rewriting the Co...

Three Things You’ll Learn: What refugee resettlement really looks like—from fleeing danger to rebuilding a life Holly explains the full journey of a refugee, from escaping persecution to navigating housing, language, and employment in a brand-new culture. How community plays a pivotal role in healing and belonging Learn how sports, sewing circles, and culturally sensitive mental health support hel...