The Giving Habit

Generosity Doesn’t Come From Money || Giving Back In Midlife (TGH Reflections)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we sat down with Fiona Higgins of Australian Philanthropic Services to understand structured giving, how younger people are starting their philanthropy earlier, and why you shouldn't wait until retirement to start giving back.

In this follow-up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys looks back at his conversation with Fiona to underline the top pieces of wisdom that emerged during the episode, especially those that challenge the common misconceptions of money meaning everything in philanthropy.

Watch the full episode with Fiona Higgins: https://youtu.be/6eXvhmem-Tc

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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How To Start Giving Back Before You Feel "Rich Enough" || w/ Fiona Higgins (APS)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, Fiona Higgins (Specialist Advisor at Australian Philanthropic Services) comes on the show to explain how giving actually works in Australia, why waiting to give back is one of the most common mistakes, and why midlife is the best time to start.

Learn more about Australian Philanthropic Services: https://www.australianphilanthropicservices.com.au/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Intro

00:35 — Writing career and path into social impact

04:13 — Growth in philanthropy and structured giving

15:20 — Generosity as a family and learning practice

18:35 — Collective giving and younger donors

20:49 — Community foundations and local action

21:22 — Common misconceptions about philanthropy

26:29 — How to begin making an impact

30:04 — Domestic versus international giving

35:42 — Values-led, focused giving strategies

39:20 — Support, research, and measuring impact

41:48 — Emerging priorities: democracy and civic participation

44:54 — Start giving now: generosity in everyday life

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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The Difference Between Goals and Purpose In Philanthropy || TGH Reflections

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we spoke with Charity Council chair Theresa Goh on what it really takes to make lasting social impact, from the top leadership down.

In this follow-up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys looks back on his conversation with Theresa to underline her fascinating insights into the importance of stewardship in philanthropic efforts, which frees changemakers from viewing success as the end goal.

Watch the full episode with Theresa Goh here: https://youtu.be/nOMF2SDNRtI

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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How Leaders Can Earn Trust In Philanthropy || w/ Theresa Goh (The Charity Council Singapore)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, host Stephen talks with Theresa Goh (Chair of the Charity Council in Singapore and author of Leading for Good) about what it really takes to create social impact that lasts.

Theresa shares her journey from mission-school roots to IBM, and why so many well-intentioned efforts in philanthropy fail without the right foundations.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

02:08 Theresa's journey into the social impact space

04:19 The importance of trust and governance in social impact

14:47 Key mindsets for social impact leadership

22:01 Trust as currency and its impact on outcomes

32:05 Myths about collective impact and trust building

44:54 The BLISS Framework: Behaviors, Virtues, and Systems Thinking

55:04 Board governance, succession, and organizational lifecycle

59:49 Practical habits for effective board leadership

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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When Charities And Businesses Help Each Other Flourish || The Giving Habit REFLECTIONS

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week, we sat down with Geoff Harris (Flight Centre co-founder and chair of Gate 8) to understand the power of mentoring the youth of today, as well as how to combine philanthropy and entrepreneurship to improve each other.

In this bonus REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys looks back at his conversation with Geoff to consider what we can learn from Gate 8, his communal office building that brings change-makers and businesses together to share expertise across sectors.

Watch the full conversation with Geoff Harris: https://youtu.be/VSHxEonDVFE

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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How To Blend For-Profit with For-Purpose || Lessons In Philanthropy w/ Geoff Harris (Gate 8)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, we speak with Geoff Harris (Flight Centre co-founder and chair of Gate 8) about mentoring at-risk youth, how to move from career into philanthropy, and how Gate 8 creates new opportunities for social impact by bringing organisations together.

Learn more about the Harris Family Foundation: https://harrisfamilyfoundation.com.au/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Jeff Harris and his journey

01:12 Early childhood experiences and their impact

02:20 Risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit

04:26 Supporting youth at risk and community impact

06:37 The story behind Flight Centre's success

11:21 Investing in Boost Juice and health food market

17:14 Pivot to purpose and structured giving

22:05 Building Gate 8: Infrastructure for social impact

35:10 Family legacy and intergenerational planning

37:14 Involvement with Hawthorne Football Club

38:06 Advice for young entrepreneurs and philanthropists

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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Making A Real Difference Is Simpler Than You Think || The Giving Habit Reflections

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we sat down with Gemma Collins, portfolio lead at The Hg Foundation, to hear why removing the barriers to entering tech careers can provide endless opportunities for disadvantaged children.

In this special follow-up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys looks back at Gemma's own story of being inspired to create social impact, as we discuss how making a difference requires a lot less than people think.

Watch the full episode with Gemma Collins: https://youtu.be/i67gki8rvcI

Learn more about The Hg Foundation: https://www.thehgfoundation.com/

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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How Accessibility In Tech Makes Social Mobility Possible || with Gemma Collins (Hg Foundation)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, we talk to Gemma Collins (Portfolio Lead at the HG Foundation) about how inaccessibility into tech is one of the largest issues preventing social mobility, as well as focusing away from funding to ensure long-term change.

Learn more about the Hg Foundation: https://www.thehgfoundation.com/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

04:00 Why tech is a lever for social mobility

07:00 Creating 36,000 chances for young people

11:30 Who gets help? Focusing on underrepresented groups

13:30 Moving beyond funding: Fewer, bigger grants

16:00 Inside HG: Skills-based volunteering that helps

22:30 What makes a great charity partner?

27:30 Proving it works: Trials and measuring impact

33:30 Early results, AI and the future of tech jobs

37:30 Making tech careers normal for every child

41:30 Finding the gaps and funding what's missing

45:30 Why this work matters: Gemma on purpose

48:30 PR not ER: Avoiding burnout in charity work

55:00 Thank you Mrs Wade: Closing thoughts

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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Can Success In Midlife Drive More Social Impact? || The Giving Habit - Reflections

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we sat down with founder of SilverChef Allan English AM to hear how he transformed his business to support a grand philanthropic goal of ending poverty for 1.5 million people.

In this follow up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys underscores the most powerful moments from his conversation with Allan, including how he challenged the idea that generosity should come after success, instead making it the central reason to grow his business.

Watch the full episode with Allan here: https://youtu.be/z_q69ZhKfks

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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The Missing Ingredient Is Purpose || How Entrepreneurs Can Promote Social Impact (Allan English AM)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, Stephen is joined by Alan English AM, founder of SilverChef and the English Family Foundation, to talk about entrepreneurs using capitalism as a tool to support social impact and lift others out of poverty.

Learn more about SilverChef: https://www.silverchef.com.au/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

01:59 The origin of the rent-to-buy model for ovens

03:53 Applying system thinking to social impact

04:46 Transition from business success to purpose and philanthropy

08:14 Setting ambitious social impact goals and impact measurement

10:59 Engaging staff and customers in social impact campaigns

12:59 Family involvement and intergenerational legacy

16:10 International aid focus on women and microfinance

18:57 Building social enterprise in Queensland and government support

23:00 Impact investing and social enterprise funding

24:57 Challenges and complexities of social enterprise

27:05 Advice for social enterprise leaders and storytelling

30:06 The future of social impact in Australia

31:57 Family governance and succession planning

34:56 The importance of purpose and alignment

37:07 Closing remarks and gratitude

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Why Individuals Make The Difference Within Corporate Philanthropy || The Giving Habit – Reflections

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we spoke with Rachel Engel of Macquarie Group Foundation to better understand the world of corporate philanthropy and their critical role within the social impact space.

In this follow-up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys reveals the biggest takeaways from his conversation with Rachel, including how social change always happens on the individual level, whether in large foundations or small-scale initiatives.

Learn more about the Macquarie Group Foundation: https://www.macquarie.com/au/en/about/community/2026-foundation-annual-review.html

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Why Foundations Need To Provide More Than Just Funding || w/ Rachel Engel (Macquarie Group)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, Rachel Engel (managing director at Macquarie Group Foundation), explains how money is the least valuable thing a corporate funder brings to the table, as building relationships and sharing skillsets becomes a more vital part of successful social impact.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

00:17 Rachel's background

01:14 The spark: theatre and corporate social impact

04:22 Overview of Macquarie Group Foundation

06:17 Why Macquarie's foundation is part of the business

10:52 Articulating value: people and purpose

13:06 Leadership qualities for social impact

17:14 Responding to crises with resilience and purpose

22:28 Engaging nonprofits and building trust

26:28 Mutual investment and partnership opportunities

29:03 Culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit

30:58 Place-based impact in London and community collaboration

38:25 Staff engagement, volunteering, and incentives

45:41 Redemption Roasters and social enterprise

47:47 Cultural differences in philanthropy across regions

54:20 Future challenges and opportunities for Macquarie Foundation

55:32 Closing remarks and personal interests in sports

Learn more about the Macquarie Group Foundation: https://www.macquarie.com/au/en/about/community/2026-foundation-annual-review.html

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Why Curiosity Is The First Step Towards Social Change || The Giving Habit – Reflections

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

arlier this week on The Giving Habit, we sat down with Lisa Cotton, chair of Kennards Hire Foundation and CEO of Ideology Group, to understand social impact beyond the financial details and why a structured approach creates better results.

In this special REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys looks back on his conversation with Lisa to underscore some of her most pertinent insights, including how curiosity is often the first step for us to make a difference, not our wealth or skillset.

Watch the full episode with Lisa Cotton here: https://youtu.be/-4G5IQJMTuo

Learn more about Kennards Hire Foundation: https://www.kennards.com.au/kennards-hire-foundation

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Why Structured Philanthropy Beats Broad Generosity || w/ Lisa Cotton (Kennards Hire Foundation)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, we sit down with Lisa Cotton — CEO of Ideology Group, Chair of the Kennards Hire Foundation, and a member of AirTrunk's Social Impact Committee — to unpack the shift from transactional giving to intentional, trust-based philanthropy.

Learn more about Kennards Hire Foundation: https://www.kennards.com.au/kennards-hire-foundation

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

0:48 Strategic Philanthropy at Kennards Hire Foundation

4:25 Measuring Impact and Program Success

10:03 Deepening Donor Relationships

15:05 Personal Pathways into Social Impact

22:25 Challenges Facing the Sector

31:36 Developing Storytelling Capabilities

40:48 Philanthropy in Wealth Management

45:15 Mentorship and Leadership Support

59:20 Reflections on Personal Purpose

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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How Philanthropic Advisors Help Families Forge New Traditions Around Giving (w/ Dien Yuen)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, we speak with CEO of Daylight Advisors Dien Yuen to understand the role of philanthropic advisors, how families can benefit from a shared transition towards generosity, as well as how Dien's own experience as a refugee shaped her view of social impact.

Find out more about Daylight Advisors: https://www.daylightadvisors.com/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Dien's journey and expertise

02:07 Early influences: refugee experience and community support

03:44 The founding of Daylight Advisors and its mission

05:06 Skills and attributes of effective philanthropic advisors

06:56 The impact of the great wealth transfer on advising practices

09:05 Engaging families across cultures and generations

12:32 The importance of values, purpose, and flourishing

16:48 Cultural dexterity and communication in advising

19:51 Unpacking family stories, legacy, and the six Ts framework

24:28 Cultural norms and legal considerations in estate planning

30:43 Opportunities for social impact leaders and fundraisers

37:35 The future of philanthropy advisory and emerging trends

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#philanthropy #charity #socialimpact

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Why Evidence-Based Philanthropy Creates Better Social Impact || The Giving Habit - Reflections

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we spoke with Tom Steele from Centre for Evidence and Implementation, to unpack how their research and unique approach allows charities to design more effective social change.

In this special follow-up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys looks back at his conversation with Tom to highlight exactly what makes CEI's mission special, and why understanding how a strategy works is crucial to improving social impact.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Why Good Programs Fail At Scale || Tom Steele (CEI) on Research-Driven Social Impact

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, host Stephen Keys sits down with Tom Steele, Principal Advisor at the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI), to unpack the science of turning good intentions into lasting social impact.

Learn more about CEI here: https://www.ceiglobal.org/

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

01:57 What does CEI do and its focus areas

04:11 Tom's journey into social impact and research background

06:00 Understanding impact: from theory to real-world application

09:04 Engagement timing: from early intervention to scaling

11:09 Challenges of scaling pilot programs to national level

12:56 The voltage drop concept in program scaling

15:49 The role of storytelling and emotion in evidence-based work

18:09 Building narratives to shift mindsets and policy

22:10 Counterintuitive findings and unintended consequences

25:04 Sustaining impact beyond awareness days

30:02 Contextual factors in choosing implementation strategies

36:07 The importance of evidence mindset for small and large organizations

37:02 The role and limitations of randomized control trials

44:01 Applying evidence in complex social settings

50:08 Advice for organizations developing an evidence-based approach

54:09 The future of implementation science in philanthropy and social impact

#philanthropy #socialchange #charitypodcast

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How This Charity Model Creates Change That Lasts || The Giving Habit – Reflections

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we sat down with CEO of The Majurity Trust Martin Tan, to discuss how their method of collaborative social impact brings charities together, and challenges the standard view of what it means to thrive.

In this special follow-up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys breaks down what he found most impactful from his conversation with Martin, and what both old and new members of the space can learn from The Majurity Trust's work.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#singapore #philanthropy #charity

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How Bringing Change-Makers Together Enables Communities To Thrive || w/ Martin Tan

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, host Stephen sits down with Martin Tan, CEO of The Majority Trust in Singapore, to unpack how the power of the collective is reshaping social impact.

Whether you're a donor, a nonprofit leader, or simply curious about social impact, this is an honest conversation about what it takes to build a thriving charitable ecosystem.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 – Intro

4:18 – What "Maju" means and the story behind the name

5:56 – Thriving vs. succeeding: redefining social impact

11:15 – Doing philanthropy differently: an ecosystem approach

14:38 – The Majority Trust's 12 philanthropic funds

17:14 – Inside Foundry: the home of collective impact in Singapore

21:00 – Why local context and local voices matter

27:08 – Trust, relationships and honest conversations in giving

28:25 – Innovation in philanthropy: recyclable grants, match trading & impact-first funds

31:31 – The Maybank & Temasek partnerships

34:24 – "The most innovative idea is an old one applied to a new problem"

40:01 – Gratitude, humility and the road ahead

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

#singapore #philanthropy #charity

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How Funding Models Accidentally Hurt Non Profits || The Giving Habit - Reflections

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we sat down with TalentTrust CEO Lisa Gainer to understand how skills-based volunteering can create better social change, and how their programs can teach corporates to approach volunteering the right way.

In this follow-up REFLECTIONS episode, host Stephen Keys sits down with Colleen Sang to discuss their biggest takeaways from his conversation with Lisa and how aspiring change-makers can learn from TalentTrust's mission.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Why The Best Volunteers Have To Unlearn Their Corporate Habits || w/ Lisa Gainer of TalentTrust

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Giving Habit, host Stephen Keys sits down with Lisa Gainer, CEO of TalentTrust. Lisa reveals how structured, skills-based volunteering is transforming both charities and the corporate professionals who give their time.

Learn more about TalentTrust here: https://talenttrust.org.sg/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Intro

03:00 — What drives professionals toward social impact

07:00 — How Talent Trust works

12:00 — Real case study: transforming a youth organisation

18:00 — The "unlearning" challenge for corporate volunteers

24:00 — The broken funding model hurting non-profits

30:00 — Who volunteers — and who will next

36:00 — The future of CSR and skills-based giving

42:00 — IPC status explained

46:00 — Talent Trust's vision: TT Connect

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Teaching Kids Connection In The Age of Loneliness || The Giving Habit – Reflections

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week, we sat down with Kids Giving Back co-founder and CEO Carole Schlessinger, to hear how her organisation's programs are helping children learn generosity through hands-on workshops.

Carole explained how these children are learning the value of connection and kindness by creating real change, and emphasised how critical this was in a time where loneliness is at an all time high.

In this follow-up REFLECTIONS episode of The Giving Habit, host Stephen Keys looks back at the crucial work being done by Kids Giving Back, and presents his biggest takeaways for those seeking to join the world of philanthropy.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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How Do We Foster Generosity In The Next Generation? || on Kids Giving Back w/ Carole Schlessinger

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

What happens when children learn that giving back is not just about helping others—but also about building empathy, resilience, and connection?

In this episode of The Giving Habit, Carol Schlessinger, co-founder of Kids Giving Back, explains how volunteering can create a “triple impact” for children, the people they support, and the wider community.

Carol shares how Kids Giving Back began after she struggled to find meaningful volunteering opportunities for her own young children, and how the organisation has grown from families cooking and delivering meals into a broad range of programs for schools, families, teenagers, and corporate groups.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

01:15 The spark: personal stories and early influences

05:32 The importance of hands-on delivery and personal interaction

08:12 The triple impact: kids, recipients, and community

11:30 The mental health benefits of kindness and connection

17:14 Programs for youth: Grow, school incursions, and holiday programs

21:55 Funding sources and sustainability challenges

26:33 The importance of empathy, compassion, and response

30:42 The impact of food insecurity and community support

33:22 Creating intergenerational connections and reducing ageism

37:42 The value of shared experiences and family involvement

40:24 The science of social connection and happiness

43:00 Advocacy, mental health, and the future of youth programs

Carol’s message is simple: you do not need to wait for the perfect opportunity to make a difference. Start small, get involved, and help raise the next generation of generous, compassionate community members.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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These Conversations Can Save Lives || The Giving Habit – Reflections

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

In our most recent episode of The Giving Habit, we spoke with Jetha Devapura, founder of CCC Foundation and Let's Talk, to dive into the tiny sparks of purpose that can create significant change in communities of need.

Jetha shared his story of personal struggle, and how he alleviated his mental health challenges by channeling them into his charitable work.

In this follow-up reflections episode, host Stephen Keys breaks down the most valuable insights from their conversation, including the incredible positive change that has come from Let's Talk, as well as what aspiring change makers can learn from Jetha's story.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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He Couldn't Walk Away || How Jetha Devapura Built Sri Lanka's Biggest Crisis Line

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

What happens when your darkest moment becomes your life's purpose?

In this episode of The Giving Habit, host Stephen Keys sits down with Jetha Devapura, founder of the CCC Foundation and the Let's Talk programme, to explore a remarkable story of overcoming struggles with mental health and using it as fuel for two of Sri Lanka's biggest humanitarian efforts.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Intro

01:39 — Founding CCC after seeing cancer patients without support

03:25 — From a first fundraiser to CCC House

06:16 — OCD, recovery, and the values behind CCC

11:49 — Turning pain into purpose through service

15:04 — Launching CCC Line, Sri Lanka’s crisis-support service

20:59 — The 1,333 km cycling ride for suicide-prevention awareness

23:14 — Men, suicide prevention, and changing how boys are raised

24:55 — Let’s Talk: building psychological safety before crisis

31:17 — Bringing the program into schools and workplaces

35:46 — Research evidence and measurable outcomes

40:03 — Leaving corporate work to focus on Let’s Talk

43:24 — Living with discomfort, uncertainty, and balance

47:18 — Scaling Let’s Talk across schools, workplaces, and communities

51:18 — Future plans: a self-support app and a school play

53:05 — “Slowly, slowly”: family values, gratitude, and closing reflections

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Is There A Better Way To Think About Crime? || The Giving Habit – Reflections ( w/ Diana The)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 01:44:49 GMT

Earlier this week on The Giving Habit, we sat down with Saleemah Ismail of New Life Stories to learn about the importance of breaking the cycle, including how we can help kids to avoid falling onto negative paths by addressing their trauma.

In this follow-up reflections episode, host Stephen Keys sits down with Diana The to discuss their biggest takeaways from the episode with Saleemah, including how they can look at crime from the perspective of healing the issue, rather than punishing the outcome.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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Breaking The Cycle For The Next Generation || Saleemah Ismail (New Life Stories)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

This week on The Giving Habit, we look at an organisation that is turning its attention towards the youths that many people overlook, and gives them the tools to disrupt the cycle of what came before them.

Saleemah Ismail, founder of New Life Stories, breaks down the critical importance of helping those with incarcerated parents to forge their own path, as well as the process of structuring an organisation to let it make meaningful change.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Breaking the Cycle of Trauma

06:09 The Healing Process: Interventions and Relationships

12:00 Measuring Success: Resilience and Family Dynamics

16:59 Intergenerational Trauma: Breaking the Cycle

21:11 Evidence of Success: Transforming Lives

23:40 The Journey from Hypothesis to Impact

30:10 Understanding Universal Themes of Love and Rejection

32:28 Leadership in Challenging Environments

36:25 Innovative Approaches to Family Engagement

42:13 Future Directions: Early Intervention Strategies

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

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The Reality Of Philanthropy || The Giving Habit – Reflections (w/ Yenlin Tan)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Earlier this week, we launched the very first episode of The Giving Habit with our conversation with Smiling Gecko co-founder Hannes Schmid, opening up the world of philanthropy by discussing the realities of making significant change in modern society.

In this follow-up episode of The Giving Habit, host Stephen Keys dives even deeper into the topics we covered with Hannes, unpacking the most critical insights from this week's episode and why they matter.

Stephen also sits down with Yenlin Tan, another member of the Distinguished Senior Fellowship Programme at the University of Singapore.

New interviews every week. Subscribe so you don't miss out.

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sending Money Isn't Enough || Redefining Sustainable Aid with Hannes Schmid (Smiling Gecko)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Hannes Schmid is the co-founder of Smiling Gecko, a sprawling 1,500-hectare social enterprise in Cambodia housing a school, farm, fish farming, carpentry workshops, and 34 small businesses. All built to create genuine, lasting change rather than dependency.

In this premiere episode, we trace the full origin story of Smiling Gecko, listen to Hannes’ case for why NGOs need to take a different approach, and dive into how sustainable this sort of program really is. This is a podcast about philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and giving back, by and for people working that much harder to make a difference.

Learn more about Smiling Gecko: https://www.smilinggecko.ch/en/

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust: https://www.majurity.sg/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 The Genesis of Smiling Gecko

05:50 Building a Holistic Community

12:00 Education as a Foundation for Change

18:01 The Role of Trust and Cultural Sensitivity

23:57 Balancing Philanthropy and Social Enterprise

29:59 Financial Sustainability and Quality Education

36:05 Philosophy of Architecture and Long-term Vision

36:21 Building Sustainable Structures in Challenging Environments

39:10 Design Philosophy: Integrating Tradition and Modernity

42:35 Cultural Heritage and Community Identity

45:53 The Role of Art in Society

48:26 The Importance of Shared Identity through Art

51:15 Questioning and Evolving Community Practices

54:03 Environmental Sustainability: A Complex Challenge

59:46 Future Aspirations and Community Growth

The Giving Habit is brought to you by The Majurity Trust, building a thriving, sustainable Singapore for all. Learn more at https://www.majurity.sg/tgh

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Giving Habit Podcast Introduction

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 02:30:56 GMT

Do you feel the pull toward contribution but aren't quite sure where to start?

Have you ever wondered how your time, skills, networks, or resources could make a greater difference?

And in a world full of worthy causes, how do we better understand what is happening today, so we can contribute to a better tomorrow?

These are some of the questions we'll be exploring in The Giving Habit, a new 13-part podcast miniseries featuring conversations with social impact founders, funders, enablers, and change makers. Along the way, we will:

Highlight organisations and causes worthy of your attention and support
Explore practical pathways to contribute more meaningfully
Uncover what enables stronger collaboration and collective impact

The series was inspired by my experience in the inaugural Distinguished Senior Fellowship Program at NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education (SCALE).

First episode drops on 2 July.

Brought to you by The Wisdom Vault.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.