Transcript
Denver: We are going to do Take Five with Eric Kessler of Arabella Advisors. Are you ready, Eric?
Eric: I’m ready.
Denver: What idea in philanthropy is ready for retirement?
Eric: Traditional philanthropy, giving to the same 10 organizations every year, and not thinking about outcomes.
Denver: What should we be worried about?
Eric: Everything.
Denver: What is today’s most underreported story?
Eric: The impact of philanthropy, the role that it’s playing in place of government support.
Denver: Is there something really weird or unsettling that happens to you on a regular basis?
Eric: I get thanks from folks for having grown a business.
Denver: What is something that you believe that other people think is just insane?
Eric: That we should all spend more time sailing.
Denver: What is the most important thing that makes for a healthy organizational culture?
Eric: Happiness.
Denver: What did you change your mind about in the last 10 years and why?
Eric: What the biggest issues are facing our society.
Denver: When was the last time that you were voluntarily disconnected from all your devices?
Eric: Three weeks ago on safari in Zimbabwe for seven days.
Denver: If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be?
Eric: A strainer.
Denver: What do you wish more people would be open and honest about?
Eric: Their weaknesses.
Denver: What one superpower would you like to have?
Eric: The ability to desalinate ocean water.
Denver: If you can have one gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say?
Eric: Gratitude.
Denver: What is the one book you would give as a gift?
Eric: The Giving Tree.
Denver: If you were asked to speak at a TED conference on a topic completely away from your area of expertise, and that includes sailing, what would it be?
Eric: Raising kids as entrepreneurs.
Denver: Given the choice of anyone famous in the world, dead or alive, that you can have come over to your place for dinner, who would you invite?
Eric: Alexander Hamilton.
Denver: When was the last time you sang to yourself?
Eric: In the shower this morning.
Denver: To someone else?
Eric: In my grade school play.
Denver: What is the worst advice you see or hear dispensed to young people today?
Eric: Go to an Ivy League school.
Denver: What advice would you give to your 25-year-old self?
Eric: Don’t have the 26-year-old birthday party that you’re planning at the moment.