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For you to make an impact, you don't necessarily need to do something totally new or outside of your comfort zone. In fact,  you may have the greatest impact if you are using your unique gifts and operating out of what Ed refers to as your impact sweet spot. Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactSlingshot Memphiswww.slingshotmemphis.orgLinkedInInstagram: @slingshotmemphisEmail: disrupt@slingshotmemphis.org

Long-term, effective impact work takes heart. However, heart alone is insufficient and can even lead to causing more harm than good.  Find out how in this episode of Slingshot Stories.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactSlingshot Memphiswww.slingshotmemphis.orgLinkedInInstagram: @slingshotmemphisEmail: disrupt@slingshotmemphis.org

Are you excited about volunteer work or is it another thing you check off your list? In this Episode, Ed talks with Dr. Sarah Petschonek. She is the Founder and CEO of Volunteer Odyssey which helps volunteers get plugged into and explore various service opportunities in the Memphis area. You’ll get to hear about the work she’s doing as well as why she believes volunteering should be a little bit selfish.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactVolunteer Odysseywww.volunteerodyssey.comLinkedInInstagram: @volunteerodysseyBooksJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineSoundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff

In the business world, people often base their decisions on collected data in order to have a greater chance of success. Why should philanthropy and impact efforts be any different? Data-driven decision making is today's topic on this episode of Slingshot Stories.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactSlingshot Memphiswww.slingshotmemphis.orgLinkedInInstagram: @slingshotmemphisEmail: disrupt@slingshotmemphis.org

Today, we’re looking at the arts as a means of impact as Ed sits down with Elizabeth Rouse, President and CEO of ArtsMemphis. They discuss the economic and community impact the arts can have as well as how supporting the arts can even have impact on the artists themselves.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactArtsMemphiswww.artsmemphis.orgLinkedInInstagram: @artsmemphisBooksJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineRange: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein

Any time you're investing in a company, it's wise to do your research first. The same holds true with impact organizations. In this episode of Slingshot Stories, Ed and Jared discuss some things you should consider before making a financial investment in an impact organization.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactSlingshot Memphiswww.slingshotmemphis.orgLinkedInInstagram: @slingshotmemphisEmail: disrupt@slingshotmemphis.org

In this episode, Ed talks with Andre Fowlkes, the President of Start Co. Andre calls Start Co. a venture architect company and you're about to hear what that involves as well as the vision they have for the city of Memphis.Show LinksEd GillentineEdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactStart Co.www.neverstop.coBooksJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineThe Moral Consequences of Economic Growth by Benjamin M. Friedman

We've added a new series called Slingshot Stories. These will be 10-15 minute, targeted episodes on various impact topics. The show is hosted co-hosted by Ed Gillentine from Journey To Impact and Jared Barnett, CEO of Slingshot Memphis, Inc. We hope you find today's topic on poverty to be insightful and helpful.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactSlingshot Memphiswww.slingshotmemphis.orgLinkedInInstagram: @slingshotmemphisEmail: disrupt@slingshotmemphis.org

In this episode you’ll hear from Aimee Minnich, Co-founder and General Counsel at Impact Foundation and author of The Profitable Charity. Ed and Aimee have a really interesting discussion about impact investing and the connection between business and charity.Show LinksEd GillentineEdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactImpact Foundationwww.impactfoundation.orgBooksJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineThe Profitable Charity by Aimee MinnichHumility by Andrew Murray

In this episode, Ed chats with two gentlemen from 4:13 Strong, a non-profit in Nashville, TN. 4:13 Strong runs a faith-based program to teach men the necessary vocational and life skills to break free from the cycle of poverty, crime, and dependency.In the conversation, you’ll hear from Dr. Chris Frost who is a medical doctor contributing to the organization’s impact because he brought his unique skills and a willingness to get off the bench. Hopefully this will remind and encourage you that no matter what your skill set or area of expertise, there is a place that needs what you have to offer. Show LinksEd GillentineEdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impact4:13 Strongwww.413strong.orgInstagram: @413strongBooksJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineWalking With God by John EldridgeGrit by Angela DuckworthMy Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Ed sits down with Jared Barnett who is the CEO of Slingshot Memphis. Slingshot, as you may remember from Episode 5 of the podcast, uses a data-driven approach to fight poverty by helping to maximize the effectiveness of impact organizations. Ed’s last conversation with Slingshot Memphis is still one of the most downloaded episodes of the show, so be sure to go back and listen to it if you haven’t already.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactSlingshot Memphiswww.slingshotmemphis.orgLinkedInInstagram: @slingshotmemphisEmail: disrupt@slingshotmemphis.orgBooksJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineThe Voice of the Heart: by Chip Dodd

Today’s guest, Greg Spillyards, shares with Ed about his journey to impact in the commercial real estate space. He explains how he went from a transactional model of real estate to a more redemptive approach.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineCushman & Wakefield/Commercial AdvisorsBooksToxic Charity: by Robert D. LuptonWhen Helping Hurts: by Steve Corbett and Brian FikkertThe Divine Conspiracy: by Dallas Willard

In today's episode, Ed sits down with a panel to discuss America’s involvement in Afghanistan as a case study on impact. Multiple impact principles from the book, Journey To Impact, are touched on in this conversation and I hope it gives you insight and wisdom that you can apply to your own impact journey. Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineBooksWhen Helping Hurts: by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

Today, Ed sits down with Andy Nix and Megan Klein from MyCityRides. Their organization provides an affordable motor scooter lease-to-own program so that the need for transportation is no longer a barrier for people to pursue the work and the lives they want.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineMyCityRidesMyCityRides.orgInstagram: mycityridesFacebook: @MyCityRidesLinkedInBooksThirst: by Scott HarrisonToxic Charity: by Robert D. Lupton

Business can be a means of impact in so many ways. Today’s guest is Bryan Barringer who is the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation at Christian Brothers University. Bryan not only impacts the businesses around him with his expertise, but he’s also teaching young entrepreneurs the real world skills they can use to be effective in business.  Remember, no matter what your passion is, there are ways to use it to impact the world. You just need to embrace your gifts and skills, build a plan, and act.Show LinksEd Gillentine:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineBryan Barringer - Director, Center for Entrepreneurship + InnovationEmail: bbarring@cbu.eduCenter for Entrepreneurship + InnovationLinkedInFacebookDr. Leslie McAbee - Director, Center for Community EngagementEmail – lmcabee@cbu.eduCenter For Community EngagementLinkedInBooksThe Lean Startup: by Eric RiesThe Startup Way: by Eric RiesCrack the Funding Code: by Judy RobinettTesting With Humans: by Giff ConstableTalking To Humans: by Giff Constable

Today Ed sits down with Virginia Stallworth who is the Executive Director of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. This organization not only works directly with children who are victims of abuse, but they also focus on child abuse education and prevention.Show Links:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineMemphis Child Advocacy CenterThe Age of Overwhelm by Laura van Dernoot LipskyComing of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody

Ed sits down with Steve Nash, Founder and Executive Director of Advance Memphis. The mission of Advance Memphis is "to empower adults in South Memphis to break cycles of unemployment, establish economic stability, reconcile relationships, and restore dignity through knowledge, resources, and skills by the power of Jesus Christ."Show Links:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineAdvance MemphisInstagram: @advancememphisThe Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.Suffering and the Heart of God by Diane Langberg

Ed sits down with Lauren Young as she discusses leaning into her fear after being robbed at gunpoint by several young men. Instead of giving in to the fear, she was compelled to use her passion for food and her bakery business to teach baking and job skills to young people that had been charged with multiple offenses and were going through an intervention program. You’ll get to hear what inspired her, what drives her, and hopefully you’ll walk away encouraged as you to take that next step or perhaps your first step on your impact journey.Show Links:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed GillentineSweet LaLa's BakeryKemmons Wilson Family FoundationJIFFYouth Villages

We are wrapping up our series on the basics of impact based on the principles of Ed Gillentine’s book, Journey To Impact. Ed has guided you through this process to help you discover your own definition of impact and build a framework for having impact on your world.As he closes this initial series, you’ll hear a couple of stories of people that went on their own impact journeys. I hope this will inspire you to believe that you can truly have an impact, regardless of where your skills and interests are. I hope it will also motivate you to get started and take action so that the world can experience the impact that only you can create.In future episodes you’ll get more information and resources to help you on your impact journey and you’ll hear insightful interviews from people directly involved in various impact organizations. Show Links:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed Gillentine Advance Memphis

We are nearing the end of our series on the basics of impact. Today, Ed shares maybe the most important piece of the entire Journey to Impact which is taking the first step and getting started. It's time to get off the bench.Show Links:EdGillentine.comInstagram: @journey.to.impactJourney To Impact by Ed Gillentine