The Extra Mile - The Official Charity Miles Podcast

Sami Inkinen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Virta Health, which is reversing type two diabetes through nutrition, lifestyle change, and a new standard of medical care. Prior to Virta, Sami was the Co-Founder and COO of Trulia, which many of you probably used to find a house or apartment. Sami took Trulia public and then sold it to Zillow. Sami is also an Ironman Age Group Champion and all-around world-class endurance athlete. To raise awareness about the dangers of sugar and its connection to diabetes, Sami and his wife rowed from California to Hawaii—2,750 miles, completely unsupported.  I've been personally lucky to know Sami for over ten years now.  I was introduced to Sami through the Global Good Fund, a fellowship program for social entrepreneurs.  Sami became my mentor through GGF, and has always been generous with his time and insight whenever I need it through the years. I've wanted to record this interview for a long time. Big thanks to Sami for sharing so much with us. #EveryMileMatters!

Today's interview is with Jenny Lawson, the president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, a leading national nonprofit that inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful provides the expertise, programs, and resources to help people end littering, improve recycling, beautify America's public spaces, and restore and support resilient communities.   Before joining Keep America Beautiful, Jenny was the Chief Civic Innovation Officer at Points of Light where she led forward thinking initiatives, partnerships, and campaigns to advance the mission of Points of Light around the world. She designed, led, and championed programs and research to aid companies in achieving their social change goals through the actions of their employees, including the Corporate Service, Council of Leading Brands, the Civic 50, Ranking of Community Minded Companies, and a newly developed digital community, the Community for Employee Ci

On March 8th, I ran the Jerusalem Marathon. As you surely know, Israel is in the middle of a war that started on October 7th.  I, like everyone, have a mix of different feelings about this. But I didn't go to Jerusalem to make a statement about my own feelings. I went to listen and try and share what others in Israel are feeling right now. I think a marathon is a great way to experience the true essence of a place. The New York City Marathon feels like New York City.  The Moab Canyonlands marathon feels like the Moab Canyonlands... And the Jerusalem Marathon feels like Israel.   If you listen to this, I hope you feel it too. #EveryMileMatters    

Maria Baltazzi is an Emmy Award winning television producer, traveler, marathon walker who raises money for cancer charities, author and longtime Charity Miler with over 8500 Charity Miles!   Maria recently wrote a book called "Take a Shot at Happiness" which invites and coaches us to explore happiness in our own lives. While Maria discovered that her own "happiness essentials" include faith, self-love and physical health, she encourages people to explore and understand their own personal meanings of happiness. She also draws from her experience as a producer on shows like Survivor to help us all think like storytellers to script, perform in and capture our own reality shows of happiness. Thank you to Maria for sharing so much with us. Thanks also to our sponsors at Factor 75. Eating better is easy with Factor’s delicious, ready-to-eat meals. Every fresh, never-frozen meal is chef-crafted, dietitian-approved, and ready to go in just 2-minutes.  You’ll have over 35 different options to choose from every week,

In this episode, we're thrilled to walk with Susan Greeley, SVP and National Director of Wellness Services for Castle Connolly Private Health Partners, one of the newest partners in our Employee Empowerment Program.   Susan is also a registered dietician, cookbook author and the host of her own podcast, A SENSe of Wellness.  So we recorded this as a doubler that Susan will be releasing on her podcast too :)   Susan lives near me in New Jersey, so we were able to meet up for a walk in a park near my home.  It was a beautiful, chilly day before Christmas.  And since we were in the holiday and new year spirit, our conversation weaves through several themes that can help us all stick with our 2024 resolutions.   Hint: make them easy and fun. And don't go it alone.   Here's a quick rundown with timestamps:   00:05 Introduction and Welcoming 02:23 Susan's Background and Role in Wellness 04:02 Susan's Cookbook and Approach to Wellness 05:13 The Importance of Support and Community in Wellness 05:48 Gene's Background

Edith Wharton once said, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Today's guest, Aaron Sherinian, is both—a candle igniting change and a mirror reflecting the light of others. Eleven years ago, Aaron was the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for the United Nations Foundation, where, amongst many other things, he was instrumental in founding Giving Tuesday, a movement dedicated to turning the Tuesday after Thanksgiving into a day of giving. During these crucial early days for Charity Miles, Aaron observed the power of our community sharing the #GivingTuesday hashtag on social media, sparking his interest in our mission. This led to a breakfast meeting that was a turning point for Charity Miles and me personally. Aaron not only connected us with crucial sponsors like Johnson & Johnson but also provided platforms for us to share our story at events like the Social Good Summit, the Moms+Social Summit, and SXSW. These opportunities were instrumental in

If you're not joining our live weekly walking meditations, then you're missing out! We do them on Zoom every week, alternating between Wednesdays and Fridays, at 1PM ET. Here's a recording of our latest walking meditation, led by Haley Fountain. Haley is an integrative nutrition coach, yoga teacher and meditation coach in Houston, Texas. To the point, she's fantastic. If you enjoy this walking mediation, then keep an eye out for our live meditations which we announce my email to all of our members. (If you'd like to get those emails, just download the Charity Miles app.) If you'd like to learn more about Haley, click here. --- Also big thanks to our sponsor, Hope Foods, which makes the most delicious and nutritious plant based hummus and dips.  All Hope Foods products are Organic and/or Non-GMO Project verified, GFCO certified gluten-free, OU-certified kosher, and dairy and soy-free. Hope Foods is also committed to mental health, which is why they're the perfect partner for our walking meditations. To learn o

Today's interview is with Elisabet Lahti, Ph.D., an author, speaker, trainer and expert on the Finnish concept of Sisu. What is Sisu? Sisu is a Finnish word that most closely translates in English to "grit".  But if "grit" is the feeling we get when we grit our teeth, Elisabet notes, Sisu is in our guts.  It's in our bodies.  It's gentler.  And yet in its own way very powerful.   These nuances are not just descriptive semantics. They have important implications for how we can cultivate Sisu and how we can apply it in our own lives. In this interview, Elisabet shares: Her Personal Story of Sisu: Elisabet takes us on a personal voyage, revealing the her own challenges and experiences with domestic violence that shaped her profound understanding of Sisu. Her Epic Journey in New Zealand: Elisabet also takes us on her journey of walking, running and biking the length of New Zealand as part of her dissertation research on the concept of Sisu. Sisu vs. Resilience and Grit: We dive into the nuances of Sisu and

Come along for a special walk in Cambodia to experience how the World Food Program USA's school meals program is changing the lives of studens, their families and their communities. Every day, millions of children walk into school on an empty stomach which makes it impossible to learn, much less thrive. Today, 153 million people under the age of 18 are severely hungry – an alarming, devastating number that is only expected to rise.   That's why WFP's Erase Hunger campaign is focused on supporting kids and their communities through their school meals program. This back-to-school season, starting August 1 and culminating on October 16, World Food Day, together with their partners, they will raise funds to provide 3 MILLION SCHOOL MEALS FOR KIDS AROUND THE WORLD. We are always proud to partner with the World Food Progam USA. And we're surely grateful to collaborate with them on their Erase Hunger campaign this fall. If you'd like to learn more about the World Food Program USA, and how you can get involved in the

In this episode of The Extra Mile we speak with George Weiner, the Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, a social impact digital agency. George sheds light on how non-profits can harness the potential of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to drive positive change and amplify their impact. Topics Covered: Understanding A.I.: George breaks down the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, helping non-profits grasp its transformative capabilities. Generative A.I.: Delving deeper, we explore the concept of generative A.I., its potential, and the creative avenues it opens for non-profit organizations. Ensuring Equity and Inclusivity: Discover how non-profits can play a vital role in shaping A.I. platforms, ensuring they align with their values of equity and inclusivity. Optimizing Limited Resources: Learn how A.I. can empower non-profits to achieve more with limited staff and budgets, maximizing their efficiency and impact. Risk Awareness: George highlights the risks and potential pitfalls non-profits should be mindf

Marcey Rader is an accomplished author, consultant, coach, speaker, and an expert on digital wellness, tech-life balance, and health-powered productivity. She is also the founder of RaderCo, a company dedicated to helping executives and their teams banish burnout, cultivate sustainable habits, and enhance productivity through practical tools and accountability. In this interview, Marcey shares valuable insights on improving employee wellbeing, combating burnout, and finding tech-life balance. Her expertise offers valuable guidance for individuals and organizations seeking to optimize their productivity and well-being. Key Discussion Points: A common mistake that leaders make when thinking about how to improve employee wellbeing in their teams. Two things that are usually the biggest contributors to employee burnout. How leaders can think "upstream" to mitigate burnout before it becomes an issue.  Actionable tips leaders can take to mitigate burnout in their teams. Strategies that individuals can imple

In this interview, we have the privilege of speaking with Karim Oumnia, the visionary founder of Baliston, a groundbreaking footwear company that aims to revolutionize the way we walk through life. Karim discusses how Baliston's collaboration with design legend Philippe Starck has led to the creation of beautifully minimalist, tech-augmented walking shoes equipped with sensors that capture biometric data directly from your feet. This data feeds an advanced Al gait-analysis to provide a fitted insole designed to fully personalize your footwear experience, optimize comfort and prevent injury. They can also help develop biomarkers for neurological and other movement disorders (like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS and Epilepsy) to better support treatment and scientific research. Additionally, Baliston is on a mission to keep all our shoes from ending up in landfills.   Which is why they haven't just designed a shoe, they've designed a circular system. The shoes are made from just five 100% recyclable materials an

In this episode, we speak with Casper Ter Kuile, an author, speaker, consultant and former fellow at the Harvard Divinity School who explores how we make meaning, deepen our relationships, and experience beauty. Casper is the author of The Power of Ritual, and the co-founder of The Nearness, Sacred Design Lab and the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. In today's interview, we focus on Casper's book, The Power of Ritual and how rituals can be an effective tool for connecting us to ourselves, each other, the world around us, and something beyond us-- however you think of that. We discuss what distinguishes rituals from other types of behaviors like habits and routines, and why rituals can be better than habits for helping us live in accordance with our values. This is one of my favorite interviews, and I could talk with Casper for hours.  Hopefully we'll get the chance to do so, because I have many more questions I'd love to ask him. Huge thanks to Casper for sharing so much with us. Also, big thanks to

Today we're joined by Larry McAlister, a three-time Head of Human Resources and a natural-born leader in the HR space.  Larry currently runs the Corporate Humanist Consultancy, where he advises on tech-based products-in-development and helping CHROs and growth-minded leaders build transformative talent strategies. Larry most recently served as VP of Global Talent at NetApp, and has been named in the Top 50 Human Resources Professional Awards and is consistently sought after for his transformation and thought leadership in HR. In our conversation today, we explore some of the key principles in Larry's work, including the importance of well-being and mental fitness, how HR leaders can drive bottom line ROI by fostering a culture of well-being, and the role of technology in creating a more people-centric approach to organizational culture. We also discuss how everyone in an organization can be empowered to contribute to this culture, regardless of their seniority. Larry's new book, "The Power to Transform: A Fie

Carol is internationally recognized for her work in social purpose and corporate social responsibility (CSR).  For more than 25 years, Cone has embraced a steadfast commitment to building lasting partnerships between companies, brands and social issues for deep business and societal impact.  In her work, she continually brings breakthrough and lasting big ideas to clients to build their business and societal impacts. Early in her career, Cone launched the walking movement with Rockport as its leader, which grew the company three times over in the span of 4 years and led to its acquisition by Reebok. She created the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which grew to 50 countries around the globe and raised $1 billion.  Most recently, Cone conceptualized My Special Aflac Duck, a social robot developed from extensive child-centered design to comfort children going through an average of 1,000 days of chemotherapy. This innovative idea has been heralded around the globe, from the Tech for a Better World Award and Most Une

Welcome to our first Walking Meditation of 2023, led by Cassandra Bianco. Merging modern neuroscience with ancient Tibetan techniques, Cassandra coaches her students on how to spend less time in the analytical mind, and instead invest more in the peaceful, natural state of wonder. Cassandra's meditation focus is within the fields of psychology, contemplative science and neuroscience and is rooted in the interconnectedness of all beings. For 14 years she’s trained with senior instructors and currently studies a lineage-based meditation with Thupten Phuntsok, a former Tibetan Buddhist monk. Phuntsok’s core teacher received direct guidance from a former tutor to the Dalai Lama. To learn more about or contact Cassandra, please click here. To learn more about or contact Cassandra with regards to her corporate work, please click here.

Today we're sharing the story of two important members of our community, Anastasia and Oksana, the designers who make Charity Miles look so good. Anastasia and Oksana are from Ukraine. We started working with them shortly before Russia invaded their country. Today, they share with us what their lives have been like since then. Even after hearing it, I cannot imagine. If you listen, I appreciate your feedback. And, if you're ever in need of a great (and affordable) designer, please check them out here, and email Oksana here. #EveryMileMatters

Sue and Gretja Otten are a mother and daughter team who are thru hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise money for Parkinson's research in honor of their husband/father, Ron. I met up with them on October 2nd while they were in Pennsylvania, nearly halfway done with the trail. I apologize that it took me a while to release this. (I'm not an audio-engineer and had to figure some stuff out to get the sound right.)  So, at the time I'm releasing this (November 3), they're already through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Over the last 104 days, they've completed 1,329.7 miles, which leaves only 864.6 miles to go to their finish line on Springer Mountain in Georgia! Gretja and Sue share what life is like on the trail, lessons learned and most importantly, WHY they're doing this. Personally, I can't imagine what it must be like to take on such an incredible adventure with either of my parents. But one day, I hope I have the opportunity to do something like this with my son, Max. Huge thanks to Gretja and Sue for

Robin McGeough is a professional licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor, the Director of Chemical Dependence Services at Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, and a recovering addict himself. Robin is also the founder of Run4Recovery, an endurance and community event designed to provide vital support to those recovering from alcohol and drug addictions in the San Gabriel Valley. Robin founded Run4Recovery after a friend presented a challenge: if he could run 20 miles a day for 10 days, they would donate $1,000 to a charity of his choice. Robin met the goal and raised $3,500 that year. Since then, over the last 15 years, Run4Recovery has raised more than $310,000 for the Puente House Foundation scholarship fund. While the event originated as a running feat, the team transitioned to riding ElliptiGO elliptical bikes to prevent joint and muscle injury.  Robin has personaly run and ridden thousands of miles to draw attention to the cause.  This year, starting on September 26, Robin ran 502 miles on an EliptiGO over 5 days. F

In 2014, Andrea was in the prime of her life. She was 33, married and planning to start a family. She had a rewarding career. And she was having fun participating in triathlons and other endurance events, including a marathon and Half Ironman. Then she was diagnosed with ALS and soon walking with a cane. Only 20% of people with ALS live more than five years past their diagnosis. Yet, 8 years after her diagnosis, Andrea is not just living.  She just completed 50 marathons, in all 50 states! Andrea knows she's one of the lucky ones. "Fortunately," she says, "I am able to eat... and breathe... and speak." This may be the most heart-stopping thing anyone has ever said to me in an interview. (Or otherwise.) I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to not take eating, breathing and speaking for granted. I also cannot imagine the kind of courage, imagination and resilience it would take to be diagnosed with ALS-- and then set out to conquer fifty marathons. In this interview you'll hear Andrea