Free Daily Podcast Summary
Distilling Philanthropy: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Josh Stamer
Distilling Philanthropy is a guest-driven, conversation-led podcast that explores philanthropy through the lived perspectives of the people who engage with it through their own work and lives. Set in a speakeasy, not a boardroom, the podcast dispels convention and leans into the moment. Each episode features honest, long-form conversations with guests who share how they personally view philanthropy. By understanding how they define it, wrestle with it, and experience its impact, they are able to move beyond traditional narratives. The podcast looks at the real opinions, trade-offs, and moments that shape meaningful change. Distilling Philanthropy creates space for open dialogue around responsibility, generosity, and the complexities that sit at the intersection of impact and intention.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 4 weeks ago44 min
Why the Least Valuable Thing a Donor Gives Is Money
Steve French leads The Signatry, a faith-based donor advised fund sponsor built to help people solve some of the world's hardest problems, and he brings four decades of building and selling companies to how he thinks about giving. In this conversation he makes the case that the least valuable thing a donor offers is money, that comfort erodes organizations more than apathy, and that fear is what keeps most charitable capital from ever being deployed. Along the way: the difference between being an owner and a steward, the venture that cost him his entire liquidity, and the three things he measures before partnering with anyone. A candid hour for donors, families, and philanthropic advisors thinking about impact, stewardship, and giving with real purpose.
- Sep 29, 202654 min
Why Philanthropy Is Really Just Love of Mankind
Simone Devenny has spent her career as a wealth strategist at the intersection of money, family, and meaning. After a profound loss, she speaks about giving with rare depth. In this conversation she makes the case that philanthropy is "love of mankind" put into action, and that our deepest wounds can become the roadmap for how we help others. She shares how a community of grieving mothers turned unimaginable loss into purpose, why the summit of wealth is a vantage point rather than a destination, and what it means to simply show up for people. A moving hour for donors, families, and philanthropic advisors thinking about legacy, intention, and giving so the next person suffers less.
- Sep 15, 202656 min
The Dollar Taylor Lewan Gives Before He Writes the Check
Taylor Lewan, former NFL offensive lineman and co-host of Bussin' With The Boys, joins Distilling Philanthropy with unusual honesty about how he came to giving. He admits he was long suspicious of athlete charity and hard-wired to protect what he'd earned, until his wife reframed what it means to help and why fulfillment follows generosity. Along the way: giving a hand up rather than a handout, teaching his kids gratitude at every red light, and saying yes to everything until you earn the right to say no. A candid hour for donors, families, and philanthropic advisors thinking about how giving actually starts and how it gets passed to the next generation.
- Sep 1, 202655 min
Why So Much Money Just Sits There
Marisa Swystun spent her career in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector before moving into wealth management, and that crossover shapes how she counsels donors. She makes the case that giving well starts with understanding your catalysts, the reasons you actually let go of money, long before you get to values or causes. Along the way: why the rules of wealth creation don't apply to giving, why so much charitable capital sits idle at the 5% minimum, and what she means when she says giving buys happiness. A grounded hour for donors, families, and philanthropic advisors thinking about intention, impact, and how to give with clarity.
- Aug 18, 202652 min
Why Smart Giving Starts With the Outcome
Ali Harnell, founder of Live Nation Women, joins Distilling Philanthropy for a candid conversation about giving when you have the means to solve problems, not just fund them. She makes the case for starting with a desired outcome instead of a legal vehicle, and for recognition when it serves a cause better than anonymity. Along the way: the nonprofit she started and why it stalled, and the four-second decision behind her first donor advised fund. A useful hour for donors, wealth managers, family office leaders, and philanthropic advisors thinking about impact, legacy, and intention.
- Aug 4, 202648 min
Why Shawn and Andrew East don't find the best charity – they find the best problem solver
Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East built a large platform through athletics, relationships, and years of storytelling, and in this conversation they turn that lens on giving. They make the case that seeing the work firsthand beats writing a check, that charities lose people when they sound like commercials instead of humans, and that the real task is finding the best problem solver rather than the best charity. Along the way: the "beautiful guilt" of getting more than you give, why they take their kids to build homes in Tijuana, and how proximity to a problem shapes the causes you choose. A warm hour for donors, families, and philanthropic advisors thinking about impact, storytelling, and how giving gets passed to the next generation.
- May 13, 202654 min
A Wealth Advisor's Philanthropy Wake-Up Call
In this conversation, Tony talks about what it actually takes to move philanthropy from obligation to intention — why the standard "know your client" framework falls short, what advisors are still afraid to ask, and how the most meaningful giving rarely begins with a check. He also shares the personal experience that reoriented his entire relationship with generosity, and what he believes is at stake as the wealth management profession faces a generational reckoning. This is a candid, behind-the-bar conversation about perspective, legacy, and what it means to serve a client well across every stage of their wealth journey. Tony Guinane spent more than two decades managing wealth for some of the most successful families in the country before co-founding Dial Square Private Wealth with approximately $1.2 billion in client assets.
- Apr 29, 202655 min
What Happens When It Stops Being About You
In this conversation, Ty talks about what a decade on the road with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition taught him about genuine service, why the skilled trades represent one of the most overlooked philanthropic opportunities of this generation, and how a four-day boat build with a father he barely knew changed everything he believed about what he was capable of. He also shares what he's learned partnering with Anonymous Philanthropy and the Skilled Careers Coalition about reaching young people who are ready to do something with their hands and their lives — they just need someone to show them the door. This is a warm, honest, behind-the-bar conversation about fulfillment, purpose, and what it looks like when giving stops feeling like a "should" and starts feeling like the whole point. Ty Pennington has built over 240 homes across the country, traveled to every state, and stood in front of more families at their lowest points than most people will encounter in a lifetime. What he found on the other side of all of it is that the work that mattered most wasn't about the build. It was about what happened to the people on both sides of it.
Get Distilling Philanthropy summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Around with Randall
A concise weekly discussion on improving nonprofit effectiveness through practical philanthropy strategies.
The PM Podcast
Personal conversations with changemakers driving social impact, exploring their journeys of struggle, resilience, and purpose.
The Social Impact Solutions Podcast
Practical strategies for measuring and promoting social impact to attract support and drive change.
What the Fundraising
Nonprofit leaders explore fundraising, leadership, and mindset with experts from inside and outside the sector.
Business for Good Podcast
Entrepreneurs and business leaders discuss building companies that solve global problems while generating profit.
Nonprofit Hub Radio
Interviews with nonprofit leaders and experts offering practical insights to help organizations improve and grow.
Your Brand Amplified
Explores the strategies and mindsets of successful entrepreneurs in business growth, marketing, and personal branding.
The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast
A nonprofit fundraiser shares strategies for cultivating major gifts and transforming mid-level donors into top contributors.
Leading By Example: Executives Making An Impact
Executives share pivotal moments and personal experiences that shaped their leadership and decision-making in real-world business environments.
Inspired Nonprofit Leadership
Practical advice and inspiration for nonprofit leaders to grow their skills and impact.
ReThinking
Adam Grant explores how top thinkers and achievers challenge assumptions and rethink their paths to success.
The Knowledge Project
Conversations exploring mental models, decision-making, and the foundational principles behind success in business and life.
About Distilling Philanthropy
Distilling Philanthropy is a guest-driven, conversation-led podcast that explores philanthropy through the lived perspectives of the people who engage with it through their own work and lives. Set in a speakeasy, not a boardroom, the podcast dispels convention and leans into the moment. Each episode features honest, long-form conversations with guests who share how they personally view philanthropy. By understanding how they define it, wrestle with it, and experience its impact, they are able to move beyond traditional narratives. The podcast looks at the real opinions, trade-offs, and moments that shape meaningful change. Distilling Philanthropy creates space for open dialogue around responsibility, generosity, and the complexities that sit at the intersection of impact and intention.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Distilling Philanthropy in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Distilling Philanthropy daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Distilling Philanthropy as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Distilling Philanthropy podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Distilling Philanthropy product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Josh Stamer.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Distilling Philanthropy release new episodes?
Distilling Philanthropy publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Distilling Philanthropy cover?
Distilling Philanthropy covers topics including Business, Non-Profit. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Distilling Philanthropy summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.