Impact Innovations Podcast

Episode 11: Solving Chronic Homelessness with The Other Side Village

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - Solving chronic homelessness requires more than just housing. In this episode, Todd Manwaring sits down with Tim Stay and Preston Cochrane of The Other Side Foundation [https://www.theothersideacademy.com/] and The Other Side Village [https://theothersidevillage.com/] to explore a bold, community-driven model that’s helping people move from chronic homelessness to lasting stability. Using a unique “human first” approach to peer-led accountability and purpose-driven work, they unpack how The Other Side Village is transforming lives—not just by providing homes, but by rebuilding identity, relationships, and hope. This is a powerful look at what real, sustainable change can look like. In this episode you will learn: * Why traditional approaches to chronic homelessness often fall short—and what’s missing * How a peer-led, “human first” model creates accountability, dignity, and lasting change * What it takes to move from short-term solutions to truly sustainable outcomes A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable. Links from this episode: Learn more about The Other Side Village [https://theothersidevillage.com/]: https://theothersidevillage.com/ Find other effective social impact organizations here [http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/]: http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Episode 10: From Wells to Water Systems with Water Access Rwanda

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - What if you supported a clean water initiative—raised the funds, celebrated the impact—only to discover later that the water wasn’t actually safe to drink? This happens more than you might think. What if, instead, you could support an organization that doesn’t just drill wells—but treats, tests, maintains, and delivers safe water directly into people’s homes, just like the system you rely on every day? In this episode, Christelle Kwizera, founder and CEO of Water Access Rwanda [https://www.warwanda.com/], joins host Todd Manwaring to share how her team is bringing safe, affordable, tap-like water access to rural communities across Rwanda. Christelle explains why “clean” isn’t the same as “safe,” how Water Access Rwanda’s Inuma mini-grid model delivers treated water through pipelines with ongoing maintenance and testing, and what it takes to keep systems working years after the ribbon-cutting. You'll also learn: * Why water projects fail when no one owns maintenance, monitoring, and accountability * How time savings from near-home water access can translate into income, dignity, and shifting gender roles * What the data says about health outcomes—and how Water Access Rwanda tracks active users instead of inflated totals A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable. Links from this episode: Learn more about Water Access Rwanda [https://www.warwanda.com/]: https://www.warwanda.com/ Check out more stories of clean water access [https://www.youtube.com/@wateraccessrwanda9821]: https://www.youtube.com/@wateraccessrwanda9821 Find other effective social impact organizations here [http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/]: http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Episode 9: The Future of Mental Health in Kenya with Shamiri

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy — What if the future of mental health didn’t depend on more doctors—but on empowering everyday people to care for each other? In this episode, Tom Osborn, founder and CEO of Shamiri, joins host Todd Manwaring to share how his organization is transforming mental health care in Kenya and across Africa. With an innovative model that trains near-peer counselors to deliver school-based, evidence-backed group sessions, Shamiri is reaching hundreds of thousands of students for just $7 each per year. Instead of relying on expensive or hard to access specialists, Shamiri is building a scalable, triaged system—backed by RCTs and real-time data—that works in low-resource settings, removes stigma, and delivers results. You’ll also learn: * How Shamiri meets youth where they are—starting in schools, not clinics * Why peer-led mental health sessions outperform traditional models in scalability and access * How rigorous research and rapid iteration power Shamiri’s approach to delivering real change * What it means to build infrastructure for lasting impact—and why governments are key to scaling Links from this episode: * Support Shamiri and their mission [https://shamiri.co/get-involved]: https://shamiri.co/get-involved * Learn more about DAFs and how to make giving easier [https://www.uicharitable.org/]: https://www.uicharitable.org/ * Find other high impact organizations around the world [https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/]: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Episode 8: Tackling Malnutrition from Seed to Solution with Semilla Nueva

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy — What if solving malnutrition didn’t require changing people’s diets—but simply improving what they’re already eating? In this episode, Curt Bowen, Executive Director of Semilla Nueva [https://semillanueva.org/], joins Todd Manwaring to share how his nonprofit is tackling one of the world’s most stubborn and invisible challenges: chronic malnutrition. But instead of focusing on behavior change—often the hardest part of social interventions—Semilla Nueva starts with a food that millions already eat every day: corn. Through a natural process called biofortification, they’ve created a seed that’s cheaper, tastes better, and is packed with the nutrients children need to thrive—without asking farmers or families to change their habits. You’ll also learn: * Why malnutrition is a root cause of generational poverty—and how it limits children’s brain development and future earning potential * How Semilla Nueva scales impact by aligning with incentives farmers already care about (like yield and income) * What it really takes to shift from good intentions to proven impact, and why RCTs (Randomized Controlled Trials) matter A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable. Links from this episode: Donate to Semilla Nueva [https://semillanueva.org/donate/]: https://semillanueva.org/donate/ Find other effective social impact organizations here [https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/]: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Episode 7: From Charity to Change with Aaron Miller and Todd Manwaring

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - What if your donation didn’t just feel good—but actually did good? In this eye-opening episode, Aaron Miller (professor at BYU’s Romney Institute and host of the "How to Help" podcast) joins Todd Manwaring to explore one of the biggest mistakes generous people make: assuming that giving alone is enough. They unpack the all-too-common “warm glow” trap and explain why outcomes—not intentions—should guide our giving. Together, they share practical ways donors can move from guesswork to strategic generosity, with tips on how to find and support organizations that create measurable, lasting change in people’s lives. You’ll also learn: * Why fewer than 3% of donors vet organizations for effectiveness—and how you can be one of the few who does * How philanthropy is like investing (and why most of us need an “impact advisor”) * A powerful real-world example of a nonprofit that adjusted its model after learning it wasn’t working * Where to find more vetted, high-impact organizations A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable. Links from this episode: Subscribe to get monthly updates [https://tally.so/r/wLyrly]: https://tally.so/r/wLyrly How to Help Podcast [https://how-to-help.com/podcast/]: https://how-to-help.com/podcast/ Learn more about New Incentives and support their work [https://www.newincentives.org/donate]: https://www.newincentives.org/donate Find more high impact vetted organizations here [https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/]: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/ Learn more about Living Goods here [https://livinggoods.org/]: https://livinggoods.org/