Five Paths to a Purposeful Life: George Appling on How to Live Your Ideal Life and Make an Impact

Meet The Doctor Who May Have Created a Model for Fixing Our Broken Pediatric Healthcare System

What if the healthcare system doesn’t need to be tweaked... but rebuilt? In this episode of the IVI Podcast, host Joe Phoenix sits down with Robyn Riseberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-riseberg-569745167/], Founder of Boston Community Pediatrics [https://www.bostoncommunitypediatrics.org/], to explore a radically different approach to pediatric care. One that puts children, families, and communities first. Robyn shares her journey from traditional medicine to launching one of the first nonprofit pediatric private practices in the United States. Along the way, she explains why 15-minute doctor visits don’t work, how philanthropy can function like venture capital, and what happens when you remove bureaucracy and center care around real human needs. In this conversation, you’ll learn: * Why the U.S. spends $5 trillion a year on healthcare—and why it doesn’t have to * How a full year of holistic pediatric care can cost under $3,000 per child * What it takes to build an innovative healthcare model during COVID * Why mental health, food security, housing, and education belong in healthcare * How leaders can drive real impact by stepping outside broken systems This episode is a powerful case study in visionary leadership, system-level innovation, and what’s possible when courage replaces convention. If you’re a business leader, healthcare professional, nonprofit founder, or anyone who believes systems should work for people—not against them—this conversation will challenge how you think about impact. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to US Healthcare Costs 00:38 Welcome to the 2026 IVI Podcast 00:46 Meet Robyn Riseberg: Founder of Boston Community Pediatrics 03:12 The Vision Behind Boston Community Pediatrics 07:24 Robyn's Journey to Becoming a Pediatrician 14:36 Challenges and Innovations in Pediatric Healthcare 17:31 The Birth of Boston Community Pediatrics 25:38 Building a Nonprofit Pediatric Practice 32:50 Securing Initial Funding 33:52 COVID-19 Hits: Shifting Priorities 36:58 Navigating the Pandemic and Social Upheaval 38:55 Reviving the Vision: Equity in Pediatric Healthcare 40:03 Building the Practice: From Concept to Reality 42:40 Fundraising and Community Support 47:23 Adapting to New Challenges 53:48 Innovative Solutions in Healthcare 56:27 Future Vision and Final Thoughts 01:00:01 Lightning Round: Personal Insights

Purpose-Driven Business: Growing Profit through Philanthropy with Rick Shadyac

When leaders talk about purpose, most treat it like a PR line. Rick Shadyac [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-shadyac/] lived it. As the former President & CEO of ALSAC [https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/history/alsac.html], the fundraising organization behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital [https://www.stjude.org/], Rick led one of the most extraordinary philanthropic transformations in modern history. Under his leadership, St. Jude’s annual fundraising grew from $650 million to $2.7 billion. Powered not by billionaires, but by 11 million everyday donors who believed in a mission worth fighting for. Now, as founder of Shadyac Strategies [https://www.shadyacstrategies.com/], Rick is helping companies and nonprofits unlock the same force that fueled St. Jude’s rise: Purpose as strategy. Purpose as culture. Purpose as competitive advantage. In this powerful conversation with Givinga CEO Joe Phoenix, Rick reveals: * Why purpose and profit are not in conflict — they amplify each other. * How companies can turn giving into employee engagement, brand loyalty, and business growth. * Why “charitable living” is more important than “charitable giving.” * The true story behind the iconic St. Jude origin — and why it must inspire today’s CEOs. * How St. Jude’s historic Inspiration4 Space Mission raised $250 million and reached a new generation. * Why nonprofits must innovate, adopt technology, and ditch the mindset of cutting their way to survival. * How AI will reshape philanthropy, workforce culture, and corporate responsibility. If you’re a CEO, founder, nonprofit leader, or anyone who believes business can (and should) make the world better, this is your blueprint. Rick Shadyac is one of the most important philanthropic voices of our time. His message is clear: Purpose isn’t a side project... it’s the path to impact, innovation, and meaning. Chapters: 00:00 Why Purpose Drives Profit in Business 01:12 Introduction 02:03 Meet Rick Shadyac Jr. and the Legacy of St. Jude 04:35 The Founding and Mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 13:44 Danny Thomas: The Visionary Behind St. Jude 17:29 Rick Shadyac Sr.'s Leadership and Innovations 27:34 Rick Shadyac Jr.'s Journey to CEO 33:00 Getting Out of the “River of Thinking” 35:20 Embracing Technology and Innovation 42:00 Scaling Through Innovation & Technology 51:17 Embracing Disruption and Innovation 53:00 The Crisis in Philanthropy (and Why Cutting Is Not the Answer) 53:47 Challenges in Adopting New Technologies 56:47 The Role of AI in the Charitable Sector 01:02:23 Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Giving 01:12:16 Charitable Living: A Way of Life 01:20:15 Shadyac Strategies: Bridging Charities and Corporations 01:26:28 Final Thoughts and Quick Hits

Five Paths to a Purposeful Life: George Appling on How to Live Your Ideal Life and Make an Impact

What happens when a high-powered executive walks away from the corporate world to build a Renaissance fair? In this episode of The IVI Podcast, host Joe Phoenix, CEO of Givinga sits down with George Appling [https://www.georgeappling.com/], former McKinsey consultant, Fortune 500 CEO, and founder of Sherwood Forest Faire [https://www.sherwoodforestfaire.com/], a thriving community and immersive experience outside Austin, TX. George’s journey is anything but conventional, and that’s the point. Much of the conversation is framed through the lens of George's new book "Don't Settle: A Pick-Your-Path Guide to Intentional Work [https://a.co/d/1FwmJCX]". Joe and George explore how to each of us can discover a path to living a life of purpose and have a meaningful impact on the world. This conversation dives into: * Why George believes chasing money is a trap and how he built a business around passion instead * The Five Pathways to aligning work with purpose from his book Don’t Settle * How Sherwood Forest Faire became a sanctuary for real human connection in a tech-driven world * The dangers of “follow your passion” advice and what to do instead * How AI is shaping (and not replacing) real-world experiences Whether you’re a rising executive, a parent thinking about your kid’s future, or someone rethinking your own definition of success, this episode offers a blueprint for building a meaningful life on your own terms. “The goal isn’t just to work less. It’s to build a life you don’t need to escape from.” ~ George Appling People and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: * Ikigai [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/george-appling-a788bb_dontsettle-selfdevelopmentbook-leadership-activity-7076608363689644033-sPSH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAACsKsB1B4y41luMkmo9uUnvu89F2ZXpJA] - The Japanese concept that inspired George to write "Don't Settle" * Jonathan Haidt - George mentioned his research impact of social media on young people [https://jonathanhaidt.com/social-media/] and his campaign to get smartphones out of the schoolroom. * Bill Damon - George mentioned his research on living with purpose [https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/04/how-to-live-purposeful-life-expert-tips]. * Positive Intelligence [https://www.positiveintelligence.com/resources/] - George's favorite book, written by Shirzad Chamine Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Financial Security and Passion Paths 01:03 Welcome to the IVI Podcast with Joe Phoenix 01:37 George Appling's Journey and Insights 03:45 The Importance of Purposeful Living 04:53 Educational Background and Career Path 10:49 The Balanced Path and Financial Security 24:10 The Five Pathways to Passion and Work 36:02 Rethinking Career and Money 37:40 The Value of Non-Monetary Rewards 38:21 Generational Perspectives on Career Advice 39:58 The Ikigai Framework and Its Limitations 42:17 The Five Pathways to Success 48:30 The Renaissance Fair Business 54:32 The Allure and Growth of Renaissance Fairs 01:00:39 The Impact of AI on Renaissance Fairs 01:07:56 Concluding Thoughts and Lightning Round

Unleashing Innovation & Generosity: Melissa Martin on How For Good's Tech Powered Over $5B of Giving

What if the most powerful tool for transforming communities isn’t a government grant or billionaire donation—but a reimagined approach to generosity? In this episode of The IVI Podcast, Joe Phoenix sits down with Melissa Martin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissatribuemartin/], Chief Operating Officer of For Good [https://www.forgood.org/] (formerly Network for Good) and one of the most innovative forces in modern philanthropy. With over $5.5 billion distributed to more than 450,000 nonprofits, For Good isn’t just talking about impact—they’re engineering it. Melissa shares how For Good is reshaping charitable giving through technology, corporate partnerships, and frictionless donor-advised funds (DAFs). You’ll hear how organizations like Walmart and Patagonia are leveraging their platform, how donor intent is protected and honored, and why operational excellence is the secret ingredient behind scalable generosity. Topics include: * Why DAFs are misunderstood—and wildly underutilized * How For Good spun out of Silicon Valley legends like AOL, Yahoo, and Cisco * The truth about donor intent, compliance, and control in charitable giving * What nonprofits need to understand about the new era of giving * How For Good is helping companies turn social responsibility into competitive advantage Plus, Melissa shares what inspires her leadership, the quote that guides her work, and how she’s helping redefine what it means to make an impact. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, philanthropist, corporate CSR pro, or just curious about the future of giving—this episode will leave you inspired and ready to act. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Generosity and Compliance 00:44 Welcome to the IVI Podcast 00:51 Meet Melissa Martin, COO of For Good 02:35 The Importance of Small Philanthropy 03:35 For Good's Mission and Impact 07:08 The Origins of Network For Good 09:59 Corporate Social Responsibility and Technology 15:28 The Role of Donor-Advised Funds 22:50 Challenges and Opportunities in Charitable Giving 36:02 The Role of Technology in Nonprofits 37:27 Challenges with Donor-Advised Funds 38:42 Educating Charitable Organizations 48:32 Corporate America's Role in Philanthropy 49:40 Innovative Corporate Giving Strategies 53:22 Operational Excellence in Corporate Giving 57:49 Disrupting Corporate Social Responsibility 01:01:45 Quick Hits: Personal Insights and Advice

Innovation, Exploration, and the Drive to Do More: A Conversation with Dick Lucas

On this episode of the IVI Podcast where Joe Phoenix [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtphoenix/] is joined by Dick Lucas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-lucas-62081a36/], co-founder of Fullsend Solutions [https://www.fullsend.io/] for an adventurous conversation. Joe and Dick dive deep into his journey from a collegiate runner to a marathon hiker, surfer, coder, successful business owner, podcaster, and potentially a future politician. Discover the ethos behind Fullsend Solutions, their strategic relationship with Givinga, and how they've managed to build a successful company with a 'work hard, play hard' mentality. Learn about Dick's incredible experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and the lessons derived from such an arduous journey. Finally, explore Dick's thoughtful perspectives on politics, solutions for societal issues, and his potential political aspirations. This episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and a deep dive into overcoming challenges and striving for meaningful impact. Connect with Dick Lucas and Fullsend Solutions: * Dick Lucas on X / Twitter [https://x.com/dickclucas] * Dick Lucas on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-lucas-62081a36/] * Fullsend website [https://www.fullsend.io/] * No Gradient on YouTube: ‪ ⁨@nogradient⁩  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC6GezGzP9_1QUKCLPzOaLJA] * No Gradient website [https://nogradient.com/] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the IVI Podcast 00:36 Meet Dick Lucas: Marathon Hiker and Innovator 02:06 The Story of Full Send Solutions 04:31 The Early Days: From Raizlabs to Full Send 13:59 Building a Unique Company Culture 21:29 Overcoming Challenges: The Givinga Partnership 27:04 Navigating COVID-19: A Test of Resilience 35:48 The Pacific Crest Trail Adventure 43:15 The First Two Weeks: Struggles and Adjustments 44:11 Finding Your Pace: The Journey to Mile 2000 45:04 The Final Steps: Reflections and Accomplishments 46:02 Trail Names and Culture: Embracing a New Identity 51:39 Facing Fears: Dangerous Moments on the Trail 55:41 Life Lessons: Impact of Travel and Adventure 01:01:49 Political Discourse: The Need for Solutions 01:10:07 Energy and Environment: Balancing Progress and Sustainability 01:19:34 Final Thoughts: Encouragement and Future Plans