Louder Than Silence
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into Louder Than Silence! 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Ciji Wagner, Founder and CEO of Louder Than Silence, to the conversation. Louder Than Silence supports survivors of sexual violence by providing the community and resources needed to rebuild their lives. At the heart of their work is EMDR therapy, an evidence-based approach to healing trauma, which they offer completely free of charge. Their belief is simple but powerful: survivors shouldn’t have to pay to heal from harm they didn’t cause. Through connection, care, and community, they’re helping survivors...
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Escape into I Live Here I Give Here
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into I Live Here I Give Here! 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Piper Stege Nelson, Executive Director of I Live Here I Give Here, to the conversation! I Live Here I Give Here is on a mission to amplify giving in Central Texas through cultivating and creating deeper connections for givers and the issues they care about. They believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for every Central Texan to engage in giving. They embrace a wide range of backgrounds to create meaningful connections between givers and causes. Through community events and...
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Escape into National Hispanic Institute
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into National Hispanic Institute We’re excited to welcome Lucas Castillo-West and Isabella Matamoros, both seniors at Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA), to the conversation! 🎙️ NHI is all about building Latino leaders—early. With a 98% college enrollment rate and 67% going on to grad school, it’s making a huge impact across the U.S. and the Americas. Through programs like the Great Debate, NHI empowers youth with skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership. Many alumni return to mentor the next generation, fostering a cycle of empowerment...
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Escape into E3 Alliance
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into E3 Alliance 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Kyle Seipp, the Director of Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness for E3 Alliance, to the conversation! E3 Alliance is a regional, data-driven education collaborative based in Austin, Texas. They are building the strongest educational pipeline in the country to drive regional economic prosperity. E3 Alliance partners with school districts, higher education institutions, businesses, nonprofits, and policymakers to drive education systems change, focusing on a student’s entire educational journey, from cradle to career. ...
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Escape into Austin Angels
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into Austin Angels! 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Susan Ramirez, the founder and CEO of Austin Angels, to the conversation! Austin Angels walks alongside children, youth, and families by providing consistent, heartfelt support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship. From personalized care packages to long-term, trust-based connections, their work brings real hope and healing to those navigating the foster care system. With programs designed to meet practical needs and nurture emotional well-being, Austin Angels empowers young people to...
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Escape Into Austin Soundwaves
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into Austin Soundwaves! 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Dr. Hermes Camacho, Deputy Director at Austin Soundwaves, to the conversation. Before diving into the incredible work they’re doing in music education, we explore this week’s Topics That Matter: The Psychology of Giving — Are we more generous when others are watching? And how does seeing someone else donate influence our own behavior? Austin Soundwaves is breaking down barriers to music education by making it accessible and equitable for students across the Austin community. Through more than 40 school and...
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Escape Into Yellow Bike Project
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into the Yellow Bike Project! 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Pete Wall, Staff Manager & Bike Mechanic, and Jim Robertson, Board Member, to the conversation! 🎙️ Yellow Bike is a nonprofit community bike shop born from grassroots efforts, committed to transforming lives through access to bicycles and hands-on education. They offer tools, workspace, and support to help individuals learn bike maintenance while fostering a strong sense of community. By refurbishing bikes and making them accessible to all, Yellow Bike advances both sustainability and...
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Escape into Austin Baptist Chapel
Escape into a Cause
Join us with Pastor Mark Smith and his wife and Director, Cindy Smith, as we escape into Austin Baptist Chapel! 🎙️ First! Steph and Court dive into what cause categories do people donate to most? Then! We’re escaping into Austin Baptist Chapel—also known as Angel House Soup Kitchen! This episode is filled with stories of people from all walks of life who come through their doors—some facing a lifetime of struggle, others just navigating a hard season. But no matter the story, Pastor Mark and Cindy just show up to help. With over 4 million meals served, along with hot showers,...
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Escape into Austin Sunshine Camps
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into Austin Sunshine Camps! 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome David Roberts, Chief Development Officer at Austin Sunshine Camps, to the conversation! Austin Sunshine Camps creates life-changing experiences by offering the joy of overnight camp—completely free for kids who need it most. With 90% of campers coming from low-income families and many in foster care, ASC provides a safe space to build resilience, form lasting friendships, and simply be kids—all while fostering confidence, connection, and big dreams for the future. 3 incredible ways Austin Sunshine Camps...
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Escape into Art From the Streets
Escape into a Cause
Join us as we escape into Art From The Streets! 🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Marla Johnson, the development director of Art From the Streets, to the conversation! Art From the Streets provides a creative space for those experiencing homelessness in Austin, helping individuals heal, find purpose, and build community through artistic expression. Their work is about fostering stability through creative expression, community, and purpose—critical elements in rebuilding lives. 3 Ways Art From The Streets Makes an Impact: 🎨 Empowering individuals to create and express...
info_outlineWe’re excited to welcome Morgan Ilika, Area Director of Best Buddies Central Texas, and Tasha Johnson, Best Buddies Ambassador, to the conversation! 🎙️
Tasha is amazing—not only is she a Best Buddies Ambassador, but she’s an advocate, a leader. Morgan is just as incredible, working tirelessly to expand Best Buddies’ impact in Central Texas.
The loneliness epidemic affects everyone, but for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), it can be even more isolating. Best Buddies is changing that—creating life-changing friendships, leadership opportunities, and employment pathways for people with IDD.
3 incredible programs making an impact in Central TX:
👫 One-to-One Friendships – Helping individuals with IDD form meaningful, lasting friendships.
💼 Integrated Employment – Connecting participants with career training and job opportunities.
🎤 Leadership Development – Empowering individuals with IDD to become self-advocates and community leaders.
How to get involved & earn some bragging rights:
🏃 Join the Friendship Walk – April 26, 2025 at WHS! A fun, family-friendly event that raises funds for Best Buddies programs.
🏫 Encourage your local schools to start a Best Buddies chapter – It’s a game-changer for students of all abilities!
🤝 Become a Buddy! Get matched and form a friendship that makes a difference.
❤️ Donate to Best Buddies Central Texas – Every dollar helps expand their reach and impact more lives. Donate here - Donate on March 5-6th via Amplify Austin here or directly here!
Do some good in Austin and get rewarded 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚
👉 Join the conversation or share your #goodbrag to inspire others in the Community Facebook Group
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Special thanks ❤️
Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast happen and donating to Best Buddies Central Texas, Texas Stars Foundation for generously donating hockey tickets to those that give back, Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios, Michele Anderson at Pinkletoes Photography, and Tim Nicholson for branding.