You Are What You Give

Most people think fundraising is about asking for money.In reality, it’s about something far more personal:Your posture.Your relationship with wealth.And whether you can sit across from a successful person with respect. Not suspicion, insecurity, or resentment.In this episode of You Are What You Give, I’m joined by J. Paul Fridenmaker, a longtime major-gifts leader and coach who has spent decades working with faith-driven donors and fundraising professionals.And whatever your own faith background may be, this conversation lands because it isn’t theoretical - it’s lived.In this episode, we explore:Why fundraising health starts inside the fundraiser, not with better scriptsHow burnout, rejection, and quiet resentment show up long before people leave the fieldWhy the “ask” is teachable, but networking, connection, and trust are the real DNA testA defining 2001 moment where giving a donor “away” led to a 25-year relationship of trustWhy the most effective fundraisers aren’t chasing gifts - they’re inviting people to the partyThis episode is especially relevant for:Nonprofit leaders and executive directorsMajor gifts officers and development professionalsFundraisers navigating donor relationships, boundaries, and burnoutAnyone who invites others to give, serve, or stand with a causeMake sure to connect with J. Paul on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpaulfridenmaker/, or tune in to his podcast: The Breakthru Podcast. As with every episode, special thanks to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity and support make You Are What You Give possible.

This is the fourth and final episode in our How Texans Give miniseries, and we close it by stepping inside the human side of Congress.In this conversation, Avi Zimmerman sits down with Congressman Michael Cloud to talk about something rarely discussed in public life: how to serve without losing yourself.This conversation goes deeper than party lines, diving into the value system of selfless leadership.Congressman Cloud reflects on:The difference between seeking power and being willing to carry responsibilityHow trust becomes the real currency of leadership (reminding us of my discussion with Cathy McMorris Rodgers https://youtu.be/vYuR_1E4kJM)What keeps him grounded in an environment shaped by pressure and ambitionWhy giving is about what you give of yourself beyond what you give on behalf of othersThis episode fits squarely within the How Texans Give series, exploring what people give when they step into responsibility: time, integrity and trust. Stewardship, not politics. And real giving when the stakes are high. As with every episode in this series, special thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued support and belief in these conversations.If this episode resonates, we invite you to explore our weekly Giving Challenges and conversations about purposeful generosity at https://givewithus.com.

Most people assume that philanthropic foundations fund projects. Behind the scenes, they’re often funding people.This is Episode 3 of 4 in our How Texans Give miniseries. In this conversation, Avi Zimmerman sits down with Dr. Victoria Sarvadi, who together with her husband leads the Nathaniel Foundation.Victoria offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how foundations actually make decisions:Why trust often matters more than pitch decksHow systems and structure support lasting impactWhat it means to be a sponsor of someone else’s visionWhy some ideas move forward quickly while others don’tThis conversation is about discernment, stewardship, and the people behind the process. Learn more about the Nathaniel Foundation:https://thenathanielfoundation.org/We invite you to listen closely, reflect, and engage with the ideas shared here, with the work of the foundation, and with the broader question of how generosity becomes meaningful action.Special thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued support of You Are What You Give.

In the first episode of our How Texans Give series, Avi Zimmerman is joined by Revis Daggett and Lashawn Wardlaw McIvor - two Texas ranchers, businesswomen, and community leaders , soon to launch their own podcast titled The Lone Star Ladies.This conversation explores giving as a way of life. From multi-generation ranching families and life shaped by the land, to small-town communities where people show up quietly and consistently, Revis and Lashawn reflect on a culture where responsibility, faith, and generosity are deeply intertwined.They share stories about:Ranching as stewardship and serviceCommunity support that happens without fanfareGiving food, time, and presence - not just moneyPassing values from one generation to the nextWhy trust, humility, and showing up matter more than recognitionThis episode sets the tone for the How Texans Give series, examining generosity through the cultural lens of Texas, where independence and interdependence live side by side, and where giving often begins long before anyone calls it philanthropy.With thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued encouragement and support of You Are What You Give and the conversations that make this series possible.For more information, the Weekly Giving Challenge, notes on giving and more, follow You Are What You Give on Substack.

In World War II, U.S. Army soldiers trained in Abilene, Texas before being sent to Europe, including units that would later help liberate Holocaust concentration camps.Decades later, that same land was purchased by Angel Poorman and her husband, Norman, transforming Camp Barkley into an international base for disaster response, leadership training, and community-centered giving through the United Rescue Alliance https://www.unitedrescuealliance.org/.In this episode of You Are What You Give, part of our How Texans Give series, we explore how faith, humility, and listening shape Angel’s approach to service from rural Texas to more than two dozen countries around the world.This is a conversation about:Why meaningful giving begins with listening before actingHow honoring people’s dignity changes the way help is offeredWhat it means to steward land, history, and responsibilityWhy community-led response matters more than quick solutionsAngel is deeply faithful, and her language and worldview flow from that place. Listeners from different backgrounds may hear unfamiliar terms, but listening closely offers rare insight into how her faith-driven compassion, conviction, and service intersect in real-world leadership.This episode was filmed onsite at Camp Barkley, with its landscape and history woven into the story, offering a glimpse into a distinctly Texan approach to giving: grounded, relational, and built for the long term.A Weekly Giving Challenge is included at the close of the episode.Special thanks to Victoria Hearst for her continued support of You Are What You Give and for making these conversations possible.

In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi Zimmerman speaks with Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington for 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, about leadership, trust, and the many forms of giving - including and beyond money.Cathy reflects on what she learned from decades in Congress: the people who inspired her, the role of values-driven business as a form of contribution, and why trustworthiness became one of her most important assets. She also shares what this next chapter looks like after public office - spending more time with family, walking the streets of Spokane with community leaders serving the homeless, and building new initiatives to strengthen civic life and develop the next generation.In this conversation:Giving as service, not just philanthropyWhy trust is the real currency of leadershipThe hidden reality of fundraising (and what it teaches about relationships)How to stay focused on outcomes without scoring pointsWhy giving often starts with responsibility, not comfortLearn more about Cathy’s work at the Cathy McMorris Rodgers Leadership Institute (CMRLI):https://www.cmrli.org/Follow You Are What You Give on Substack:https://givewithus.com/ThanksSpecial thanks to Victoria Hearst for supporting You Are What You Give and making these conversations possible.

Why do Christians REALLY give to Israel?In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi Zimmerman speaks with Heather Johnston - arguably the most innovative Christian partner to Israel - about calling, purpose, and why giving is often about living out identity before it’s about any specific need.This is a conversation about faith, responsibility, leadership, and long-term commitment.Why do Christians choose to support Israel - and what truly motivates that commitment?Heather Johnston is a pioneering Christian leader whose work has shaped leadership education in Israel and influenced how senior U.S. lawmakers understand the region.Heather is a woman of deep faith, and her faith infuses her worldview. Her language and frames of reference are drawn directly from scripture. For listeners who do not share that worldview, some of her terminology may sound unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. But listening carefully offers rare insight into how millions of people think, decide, and act.What This Episode ExploresWhy Christian support for Israel is rooted in a personal and communal callingHow faith and pragmatism work together rather than in oppositionHow giving can reflect the purpose of the giver more than the needs of the recipientWhat long-term commitment looks like when it’s driven by belief rather than trendsWork Highlighted in This EpisodeThe Ariel National Leadership Center, which has hosted more than 130,000 participants, cultivating leadership grounded in responsibility, values, and serviceSupported by JHI: https://jhisrael.com/The U.S.–Israel Education Association, which brings senior Members of Congress to Israel on both sides of the Green Line to engage directly with Israel’s leadership, security, and societal realitieshttps://usieducation.org/Additional ResourceHeather’s book, Uncommon Favor, explores the themes of calling, faith, and responsibility that shape her life and work:https://www.heatherjohnston.org/Consider following You Are What You Give on Substack:https://givewithus.com/ A Core TakeawayGiving isn’t always about meeting the needs of the beneficiary.Often, it’s about living out the purpose of the benefactor.We give because life is bigger than us.Because responsibility doesn’t end where comfort begins.Because, in the end, we are what we give.This Episode’s Giving ChallengePause and ask yourself why you give.Not where your giving goes, but what within you compels it.Then take one small step that aligns your giving more clearly with your sense of purpose.ThanksSpecial thanks to Victoria Hearst for supporting You Are What You Give and making these conversations possible.If this episode gave you a new lens on giving, consider sharing it with someone else. Expanding the conversation is itself an act of generosity.

Some people break under trauma. Others turn it into light.After conducting dozens of funerals following October 7th, cantor and IDF reservist Tzvi Grinhaim was diagnosed with PTSD. Instead of shutting down, he transformed pain into purpose—bringing strength, joy, and presence to soldiers on the front lines and in recovery.After October 7th, Tzvi Grinhaim stepped into one of the most devastating roles imaginable - serving at the IDF’s Shura base, conducting funeral after funeral and standing with families at the darkest moments of their lives.He held everything together in public, only to break down at home. Eventually, Tzvi was diagnosed with PTSD. But here is where his story becomes something extraordinary.Rather than collapse under tragedy, Tzvi redirected it.Today, he brings light where it’s needed most:barbecues and concerts for soldiers on the front lines,weekly visits with wounded warriors at Sheba Hospital,one-on-one support for bereaved families,and creating spaces where soldiers feel seen, remembered, and valued long after public attention fades.This Hanukkah episode goes beneath the surface of the holiday to explore:What does it mean to add light when your own world has gone dark?How do you keep showing up when the grief never fully recedes?And what does giving look like when it grows from one day to the next?Links:• On The Front Lines Together (Tzvi’s organization): https://onthefrontlinestogether.org/• Subscribe on Substack for weekly episodes + Giving Challenges: https://youarewhatyougive.substack.com/• With deep thanks to our sponsor Victoria Hearst, whose generosity helps make this series possible.You Are What You Give is a podcast about generosity, purpose, and the stories of lives worth living hosted by Avi Zimmerman.

Recorded in Jerusalem just weeks before his retirement, Coach Bruce Pearl joins You Are What You Give for a candid conversation about leadership, responsibility, faith, and giving. He shares the story behind publicly naming hostage Edan Alexander during Auburn’s Final Four run, why he believes we must “earn” the opportunities we’re given, and how he measures impact by asking what would happen if an organization disappeared tomorrow.We explore the difference between coaching talent and coaching people, the power of serving quietly, and why your most important platform may be your own kitchen table.Key Takeaways: – Earn this. Live in a way that honors the responsibility you carry.– Coach them as hard as you love them. Leadership requires relationship.– When evaluating where to give, ask: If this didn’t exist, what would happen?Organizations Mentioned:Athletes for Israel — https://www.athletesforisrael.org/U.S.–Israel Education Association — https://www.usieducation.org/Auburn AUTLIVE (Cancer Initiative) — https://auburntigers.com/autliveGiving Challenge:Use your platform, public or personal, to tell someone what you care about. Let your giving begin with clarity.Follow us on Substack for more: https://givewithus.com/

Tila Falic’s public profile is growing, but her real story begins at home, where giving was a family lifestyle long before it became a headline. In this episode, Tila shares how she was raised to give with purpose, how she teaches her six children to turn kindness into action, and how October 7 reshaped her philanthropy. She explains why meaningful, mindful, and measurable giving matters, and how each of us can expand our own circle of generosity.

Episode 1: Rob Adams — From Hunger to Heroism: A Thanksgiving Promise KeptIn this inaugural episode of 'You Are What You Give', host Avi Zimmerman engages with Rob Adams, founder of Thanksgiving Heroes, to explore the profound impact of generosity and community service. Rob shares his personal journey from experiencing food insecurity as a child to creating a nonprofit that delivers holiday meals to families in need. The conversation delves into the importance of keeping promises, the ripple effect of giving, and how acts of kindness can foster connection and purpose in our lives. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own giving experiences and consider how they can contribute to their communities.TakeawaysThanksgiving can be more than just reflection; it can be a promise to give.Rob's childhood experience of food insecurity shaped his commitment to helping others.The act of giving creates a ripple effect in communities.Generosity is about creating spaces for love and connection.Keeping promises can define who we are and who we want to be.Volunteering can lead to personal fulfillment and community impact.Gratitude is a powerful motivator for giving.The dynamics of volunteerism are essential for nonprofit success.Business skills can enhance nonprofit operations and impact.Engaging with local nonprofits can lead to meaningful contributions.Chapters00:00 The Spirit of Thanksgiving and Generosity02:53 Rob Adams: A Journey from Need to Giving06:07 The Promise of Generosity08:37 Creating a Culture of Giving11:40 The Ripple Effect of Generosity14:37 The True Meaning of Wealth17:44 The Power of Service and Connection20:41 Awakening to Purpose23:46 Building Bridges Across Communities30:03 The Journey to Life Purpose33:48 Purpose in Business and Nonprofit36:33 Motivating Volunteers41:07 The Role of Community in Giving45:03 Engagement and Responsibility in Giving48:48 Thanksgiving Heroes: A Local Impact49:47 Thanksgiving Traditions and Family52:32 Future Aspirations in GivingGet involved with Thanksgiving’s Heroes:Visit thanksgivingheroes.org to nominate a family, volunteer, or donate. Chapters operate in multiple states, and the model is local by design: local volunteers serving local families.This week’s Giving Challenge – Make a Thanksgiving Promise:Turn your gratitude into a specific promise about your giving for the year ahead. Decide one way you will “level up” your giving between this Thanksgiving and next – whether in time, attention, or resources. Write it down and put a reminder in your calendar for next Thanksgiving to check in with yourself: How has your giving grown?If this conversation resonates, please subscribe to You Are What You Give. It's a simple way to build a community that values what we give more than what we take.KeywordsThanksgiving, generosity, community, giving, nonprofit, Rob Adams, Thanksgiving Heroes, gratitude, purpose, volunteerismhttps://www.givewithus.com

Discover You Are What You Give — a weekly conversation exploring generosity, purpose, and the people whose giving reshaped their lives and communities. Hosted by Avi Zimmerman, giving coach and strategist, this show dives into the defining choices that reveal who we are and what we stand for.If you’re ready for honest conversations, powerful stories, and a fresh way to think about how you give — start here.Subscribe now and join the journey of a life worth living.