You Don't Need Dollars to Have Dignity: Miguel Centeno on Community, Accessibility, and Impact

You Don't Need Dollars to Have Dignity: Miguel Centeno on Community, Accessibility, and Impact

What if the most powerful reframe you could offer someone wasn't how to give help — but how to receive it without losing yourself in the process? This week on Reframing Perspectives, I sit down with Miguel Centeno, the Vice President of Community Engagement at Healthfirst, a son of Bronx public housing, and a man whose entire life has been shaped by guardian angels who chose to invest in him. Miguel walks us through the lesson his parents taught him before he understood what it meant — you don't need dollars to have dignity — and the second half of that lesson he's spent his career trying to teach back to the rest of us: there is also dignity in accepting help. We talk about the woman named Susan Luger who prepared him and his sister for entrance exams that opened doors his parents didn't know existed. The walk down a steep hill to the public bus while his classmates climbed onto private ones. The high school guidance counselor who told him to "be more realistic" about Columbia — and the family who told him if they accepted you, it's because they believe you can do the work. And the families he later sat across from in a Bronx homeless shelter, where the question "where would you prefer to live?" became an act of dignity itself. This conversation is for every changemaker who has ever felt the weight of doing the work, and every leader who has ever forgotten that the people on the other side of the work are human first. What we explore: * Why Miguel's parents' lesson — you don't need dollars to have dignity — became the foundation of his life and career * The reframe most of us miss: that there is dignity in receiving help, not just giving it * Susan Luger, the guardian angel who prepared Miguel and his sister for entrance exams that changed everything * The two-worlds dance: walking down the hill from Fieldston to the public bus while classmates were chauffeured home * The high school guidance counselor who told him to be "more realistic" about Columbia — and the family voice that pushed him through * The Higher Education Opportunity Program: equity in action and the power of having someone tell you you are not alone * A morning at a family homeless shelter when one question — "where would you prefer to live?" — shifted everything * Why we do well by doing good — and what AI can never replace * The leadership principle Miguel lives by: you are not just an employee to me. You are a human being. A question to sit with this week: Where in your life are you letting pride get in the way of the help that could carry you closer to your purpose? Connect with Miguel and Healthfirst: * Healthfirst: healthfirst.org * Learn more about community engagement at Healthfirst: healthfirst.org/community Listen, subscribe, rate, share: If this conversation moved you, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with one person who needs to hear it. Subscribing and leaving a review helps more changemakers find this space — and that is how this work compounds. For more on the a deep dive from this episode, subscribe to my Substack: https://substack.com/@drpayalberi Connect with Dr. Payal Beri & Reframing Perspectives: * Instagram – Dr. Payal: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi [https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi] * Speaking & Media: https://www.drpayalberi.com [https://www.payalberi.com]

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Dan Zauderer on Building a Movement

What if the most powerful systems we could build were the ones designed entirely around relationships, not rules? This week on Reframing Perspectives, I'm sitting down with Dan Zauderer — founder and CEO of Grassroots Grocery, a nonprofit redistributing tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce across New York City each week through a deceptively simple model: neighbors helping neighbors. Dan walks us through the moment a single refrigerator landed on a South Bronx sidewalk, the unexpected resistance he encountered as an outsider, and the structural insight that changed everything for him — the shift from rules-based systems to relationship-driven ones. This conversation is for every changemaker who has ever felt the pull to build something meaningful and run headlong into the bureaucracy of "good work." Dan shows us what it looks like when dignity, joy, and trust are designed into the system from the very beginning — and why community isn't downstream of impact. It is the impact. What we explore: * Why Dan calls his current work "selling good karma" — and the surprising through-line from cold sales to social impact * The moment he met Chino, "the mayor of the block," and what it taught him about earning trust as an outsider * The pivotal shift from rules-based to relationship-driven systems — and why most well-intentioned organizations get this backwards * How Grassroots Grocery empowers community leaders ("grassroots grocers") to design distribution on their own terms * Why service has to be essential, not additive — and what changes when volunteers become a community, not a workforce * The stories of Nate, Jack, and Rob — multi-generational relationships forged through showing up, again and again Dan's work is a real-life case study in the Relationship Economy: the experiences worth building begin with how you make someone feel — and the systems we design around food, dignity, and community are no exception. A question to sit with this week: Where in your work are you leading with rules when you could be leading with relationships? Connect with Dan and Grassroots Grocery: * Website: grassrootsgrocery.org * Volunteer at a Produce Party (Saturdays in the Bronx): grassrootsgrocery.org/join-us-saturday * Host a Great Sandwich Race with your team: grassrootsgrocery.org/deliver-double Connect with Dr. Payal Beri & Reframing Perspectives: * Instagram – Dr. Payal: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi [https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi] * Speaking & Media: https://www.drpayalberi.com [https://www.payalberi.com]

From Struggle to Social Impact: Kelly Cobb’s Journey from Entrepreneurship to VP of Impact

In this episode, Kelly Cobb shares her deeply personal story of overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship and how it shaped her approach to purpose-driven business at Bombas. Her journey illustrates how organizations can lead with compassion, purpose, and profitability — proving social good can be essential to success. Main Topics: * Kelly Cobb’s personal experience with eviction warning, depression, and debt * Challenging myths about homelessness and poverty * How Bombas integrates social impact into its core business * Building trust and ongoing relationships with community partners * Corporate responsibility and authentic leadership in social good * The importance of mindset shifts in creating sustainable change * The impact of small moments on resilience and self-worth * Strategies for organizations to embed social responsibility into their culture * The significance of reframing challenges as opportunities for growth Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Kelly Cobb and her impactful story 02:27 - The moment Kelly received her eviction notice and what led up to it 04:11 - The creative process of starting her flower business as an act of liberation 06:18 - The launch of her flower venture: vision, learning, and challenges 08:01 - The importance — and pitfalls — of valuing time and self-care in entrepreneurship 10:03 - Health crises, depression, and the toll of working in excess 12:15 - The emotional weight of facing eviction and economic hardship 15:00 - Reaching out for help: family support and debt relief journeys 17:32 - Challenging societal misconceptions about homelessness 20:00 - The societal impact of stigma, shame, and systemic gaps 23:09 - Financial literacy gaps and how they influence resilience 28:22 - Kelly’s transition from entrepreneur to impact leader at Bombas 30:23 - The power of dignity and community in addressing homelessness 36:22 - Living aligned with mission and integrating social good at Bombas 37:01 - Leadership and organizational commitment to social responsibility 40:03 - The importance of strong corporate impact and community trust 44:01 - Reframing societal issues: myths, realities, and meaningful action 45:26 - The role of continuous relationships and curiosity in social impact strategies 47:55 - Evolving community engagement: beyond transactional interactions 48:42 - Encouraging organizational reflection on social missions and responsibilities 49:04 - Kelly’s closing thoughts on community, support, and collective action Connect with Dr. Payal Beri & Reframing Perspectives: * Instagram – Dr. Payal: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi [https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi] * Speaking & Media: https://www.drpayalberi.com [https://www.payalberi.com]

The Simple Good of Inspired Leadership and Positive Self Belief with Priya Shah

Join Dr. Payal Beri and guest Priya Shah as they explore how small acts of kindness, resilience, and representation can transform lives, communities, and even entire countries. Discover the deep connection between personal stories and collective healing and how embracing the simple good can create impactful change globally. Main Topics Covered: * The importance of perception and self-identity, especially in the face of adversity * How childhood stories shape resilience and personal growth * The role of representation in media and its subconscious influence on societal views * The origins and evolution of The Simple Good project—connecting global stories through imagery and art * Arts and social-emotional learning as tools for healing and self-awareness * The transformative power of slowing down and noticing everyday moments of kindness * Priya’s journey from business and accounting into social impact and storytelling * Initiating community-driven projects in post-genocide Rwanda and East Africa * Practical strategies for change makers to nurture self-care and sustain their impact Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Reframing Perspectives & the concept of impact through human stories 02:08 - Childhood stories, limitations, and the importance of reframing narratives 04:11 - Overcoming negative societal messages and cultivating inner strength 07:43 - Inspired moments at Mother Teresa orphanage and near-death experience in Spain 09:46 - The critical role of visual arts in emotional expression for children 13:00 - The influence of media stereotypes and the need for representation 15:11 - How near-death clarity fuels purpose-driven work 20:11 - The birth and growth of The Simple Good project as a worldwide movement 23:47 - Transformative impact of arts programs on youth and communities 26:01 - Developing emotional intelligence and social awareness through art 27:08 - Parental observations and the ripple effect of children’s emotional growth 29:21 - Young leaders’ paths toward social justice and community impact 31:18 - Reframing societal narratives around grandeur and the power of small acts 34:43 - The significance of slowing down to notice life’s simple moments 37:13 - Bridging connections across cultures through collaborative art projects in Rwanda and Uganda 40:26 - How everyday kindness influences global interconnectedness 42:24 - The role of small gestures in creating a bigger impact 43:41 - Priya’s personal favorite "simple good" — the sun’s warmth and life’s natural rhythms Connect with Dr. Payal Beri & Reframing Perspectives: * Instagram – Dr. Payal: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi [https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi] * Speaking & Media: https://www.drpayalberi.com [https://www.payalberi.com]

Business Solutions that Drive Impact with Ehsan Zaffar

Unlock the secret to transforming communities from the inside out with a groundbreaking approach that empowers every individual to be a changemaker. In this episode, Dr. Payal Beri sits down with Ehsan — a visionary leader who has navigated the corridors of Homeland Security, the corridors of power, and now the world of community-driven innovation — to reveal how entrepreneurship and accessible resources are reshaping societal impact. Discover how Ehsan's life—from arriving as a refugee to shaping policies in DC—embodies a profound lesson: real change happens when we shift from talking about problems to building solutions. You'll learn about the inspiration behind the Difference Engine, a lab that brings together young innovators, mid-career professionals, and seasoned leaders to co-create solutions that matter.  We break down specific projects like a whistle that alerts communities to ICE presence and an app that makes public transit more affordable and sustainable — projects that are not just ideas, but actionable, scalable products making an immediate impact. You’ll hear about the power of intergenerational collaboration, the importance of transparent metrics like the Women's Power and Influence Index, and how focusing on fairness and profitability can drive corporate change without defensiveness.  Ehsan shares how her organization has built a pipeline where students become entrepreneurs, leaders, and active participants in community health, safety, and equality, all fueled by optimism and the belief that everyone has a role to play. This episode is perfect for aspiring change-makers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate partners eager to make a real difference. If you’re tired of endless conversations about problems and want to learn how to channel your energy into tangible solutions that accelerate societal progress, you can't afford to miss this conversation. Join us to explore how democratized access to entrepreneurship tools, a mindset of kindness and competence, and collectively passing the baton of leadership can jump-start systemic change. If you’re ready to be inspired, empowered, and equipped to lead with purpose, hit play now — because the next generation of impactful change starts here. Connect with Dr. Payal Beri & Reframing Perspectives: * Instagram – Dr. Payal: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi [https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi] * Speaking & Media: https://www.drpayalberi.com [https://www.payalberi.com]