In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Henderson, the passionate founder of Set To Thrive, a nonprofit in Contra Costa County dedicated to providing essential resources to children in foster care and homelessness. Since its inception in August 2021, Set To Thrive has distributed over 2,000 Thrive Bags to support foster youth in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, envisioning a future where every child has the necessities to succeed in school, life, and their community.

We explore Lisa's unwavering commitment to ensuring that foster children receive the items they need to build confidence and thrive, starting with those critical early moments in the foster care system. It's not just her mission—her grown children, raised with a philanthropic mindset, now work alongside her. Lisa shares her insights into how she instilled a spirit of giving in her children and why she’s chosen this second chapter of her life to focus on giving back and community collaboration.

To connect with Lisa Henderson click HERE

To connect with Set To Thrive click HERE

To connect with Melissa Turilli Smith click HERE

Read more about the show on the Savvy Giving Gal website click HERE

This episode is sponsored by eCosmetics.

Shop eCosmetics and use the code SAVVY at checkout for 25% off your purchase

This episode is sponsored by All Business Class

Book travel using the promo code SAVVY, they will include complimentary black car airport transfers, letting you reach your destination in style.

To connect with my Associate Producer Tanya Dublin click HERE

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Kerry Maunus, co-creator of Turkey on the Table alongside her business partner April George. This one-of-a-kind book and activity set has families nationwide embracing gratitude in a fun, meaningful way, making thankfulness a daily habit.

Featured in top publications like People Magazine, Good Housekeeping, USA Today, and even on Good Morning America and ABC News, Turkey on the Table has truly captured hearts across the country. But what makes this project even more powerful is its mission to give back. For every turkey sold, 10 meals are donated to Feeding America, with 1.5 million meals provided so far.

In this episode, Kerry shares her passion for gratitude, explaining how nurturing thankful hearts can create happier children, families, and communities. She walks us through how Turkey on the Table serves as a beautiful tradition-builder, helping families create lasting memories of expressing gratitude. Finally, Kerry dives into the importance of giving back within a business model and the incredible impact it can have on communities. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about gratitude, family, and making a difference.

To connect with Kerry Maunus click HERE

To connect with Turkey on The Table click HERE

Turkey on the Table is generously giving our listeners 15% off all products when you use the code SAVVY at checkout. That is SAVVY in all capital letters. Visit www.turkeyonthetable.com to place your order today.

To connect with Melissa Turilli Smith click HERE

Read more about the show on the Savvy Giving Gal website click HERE

This episode is sponsored by eCosmetics.

Shop eCosmetics and use the code SAVVY25 at checkout for 25% off your purchase

This episode is sponsored by All Business Class

Book travel using the promo code SAVVY, they will include complimentary black car airport transfers, letting you reach your destination in style.

To connect with my Associate Producer Tanya Dublin click HERE

Join me for an inspiring episode where I sit down with Teyonna Bowman, a two-time cancer survivor, devoted wife, and mother of two. Teyonna is the visionary behind Pausitive Outlook, a platform born from her personal journey through medically induced menopause, where she now helps women transform their challenges into opportunities for growth and empowerment. She is also the creative force behind her Second Bloom events, dedicated to helping women thrive through life's transitions.

In this conversation, Teyonna shares how she turned her health obstacles into a powerful mission to give back. From offering practical advice on optimizing health during menopause to outlining her self-care routine, Teyonna’s insights remind us that even our toughest battles can lead to the greatest opportunities to support others. She also shares valuable resources for women navigating perimenopause and menopause and offers a behind-the-scenes look at her journey in content creation. Teyonna explains how she built a vibrant online community, turning her story into a source of strength and connection for women everywhere.

Tune in to discover how life’s challenges can become opportunities to give, grow, and bloom anew.

To connect with Teyonna Bowman click HERE

To connect with Pausitive Outlook click HERE

To connect with Melissa Turilli Smith click HERE

Read more about the show on the Savvy Giving Gal website click HERE

This episode is sponsored by eCosmetics.

Shop eCosmetics and use the code SAVVY25 at checkout for 25% off your purchase

This episode is sponsored by All Business Class

Book travel using the promo code SAVVY, they will include complimentary black car airport transfers, letting you reach your destination in style.

To connect with my Associate Producer Tanya Dublin click HERE

Join me for an inspiring episode as I sit down with Tara Gilad, the dynamic President and Co-founder of Vitality Bowls—a fast-casual sensation with nearly 70 locations across the nation. Known for their delicious acai bowls, smoothies, salads, and wraps, Vitality Bowls stands out for its unwavering commitment to health and allergy-safe foods. Tara shares her mission to make nutritious food accessible to all, highlighting her collaborations with allergy-focused nonprofits and schools to foster healthy eating habits among children.

In this episode, Tara also opens up about her journey as a trailblazing female entrepreneur. She offers invaluable advice on self-belief and overcoming fear to achieve your fullest potential. Balancing her roles as a mother, wife, and business leader, Tara provides insights into franchising Vitality Bowls and her passion for superfoods.

Tune in to discover how Tara is making a positive impact in communities nationwide and gain inspiration for your own journey to success!

To connect with Vitality Bowls click HERE

To connect with Tara Gilad click HERE

To connect with Melissa Turilli Smith click HERE

Read more about the show on the Savvy Giving Gal website click HERE

The episode is sponsored by eCosmetics.

Shop eCosmetics and use the code SAVVY25 at checkout for 25% off your purchase

Vitality Bowls Exclusive Offers for my Savvy Giving Gal Listeners:

Buy One Get One Free for any Acai Bowl purchase either online or through the Vitality Bowls app by using the code SAVVY during checkout. Just add two acai bowls to your cart and enter S A V V Y in all uppercase letters during checkout

For all the entrepreneurs out there, Vitality Bowls is offering our listeners an exclusive discount of 50% off initial franchise fee, which is a savings of $20,000! Just email franchise@vitalitybowls.com and mention Savvy Giving Gal for more details.

To connect with my Associate Producer Tanya Dublin click HERE

In this episode, I sit down with Narda Skov, a dedicated Health and Sexuality Educator who works with teens in schools and private groups. Narda tackles crucial topics like anatomy, bullying, body image, consent, contraception, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, HIV/STIs, media literacy, pornography, puberty, and the dangers of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.

Amazingly, in addition to her educational work, Narda is the program coordinator for The Wig Exchange, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that provides high-quality wigs to women undergoing chemotherapy, helping them feel confident during a challenging time.

We dive deep into Narda's inspiring journey into health and sexuality education, her personal story that led to her involvement with The Wig Exchange, and her passion for making a difference. She offers valuable advice on how to approach sensitive topics like puberty and sexual health with children, emphasizing the importance of these conversations. Narda also shares practical tips on how to cultivate a giving mindset and integrate acts of generosity into your daily life.

To connect with Narda Skov click HERE

To connect with the Wig Exchange click HERE

To connect with Melissa Turilli Smith click HERE

Read more about the show on the Savvy Giving Gal website click HERE

This episode is sponsored by eCosmetics

Shop eCosmetics and use the code SAVVY25 at checkout for 25% off your purchase

To connect with my Associate Producer Tanya Dublin click HERE

The Savvy Giving Gal Podcast with Melissa Turilli Smith features inspiring conversations with community change-makers and explores the defining moments of their lives!

You'll hear stories, practical advice, and tips you won't find anywhere else.

Melissa speaks with some of the most influential people, including entrepreneurs, philanthropists, creators, and experts, whose careers or passion projects have made a significant impact on their communities and the people they serve.

Together, we explore the power of generosity and uncover the secrets of positivity. The challenge for everyone is to find small acts of kindness in your life and spread them to others.

Get ready to laugh, cry, find true meaning, be shocked at times, and come away feeling energized with the notion that you, too, can make a difference in the world around you.

To connect with Melissa Turilli Smith click HERE

Read more about the show on the Savvy Giving Gal website click HERE

To connect with my Associate Producer Tanya Dublin click HERE

To connect with my Audio Engineer Isaac Perez click HERE